The Alhambra . to his heart. Happy bird, said he, who can fly, as it were, with the wings of the morning to theuttermost parts of the earth. Where hast thou been since weparted ? In a far country, my prince, whence I bring you tidings inreward for my liberty. In the wild compass of my flight, whichextends over plain and mountain, as I was soaring in the air, Ibeheld below me a delightful garden with all kinds of fruits andflowers. It was in a green meadow, on the banks of a wander-ing stream : and in the centre of the garden was a statelypalace. I alighted in one of the bowers to repose after
The Alhambra . to his heart. Happy bird, said he, who can fly, as it were, with the wings of the morning to theuttermost parts of the earth. Where hast thou been since weparted ? In a far country, my prince, whence I bring you tidings inreward for my liberty. In the wild compass of my flight, whichextends over plain and mountain, as I was soaring in the air, Ibeheld below me a delightful garden with all kinds of fruits andflowers. It was in a green meadow, on the banks of a wander-ing stream : and in the centre of the garden was a statelypalace. I alighted in one of the bowers to repose after myweary flight. On the green bank below me was a youthfulprincess, in the very sweetness and bloom of her years. Shewas surrounded by female attendants, young like herself, whodecked her with garlands and coronets of flowers ; but noflower of field or garden could compare with her for , however, she bloomed in secret, for the garden wassurrounded by high walls, and no mortal man was permitted to. i>cviUe Cathedral. 232 THE ALHAMBKA enter. When I beheld this beauteous maid, thus young andinnocent and unspotted by the world, I thought, here is thebeing formed by heaven to inspire my prince with love. The description was a spark of fire to the combustible heartof Ahmed ; all the latent amorousness of his temperament hadat once found an object, and he conceived an immeasurablepassion for the princess. He wrote a letter, couched in themost impassioned language, breathing his fervent devotion, butbewailing the unhappy thraldom of his person, which preventedhim from seeking her out and throwing himself at her feet. Headded couplets of the most tender and moving eloquence, forhe was a poet by nature, and inspired by love. He addressedhis letter— To the Unknown Beauty, from the captive PrinceAhmed; then perfuming it with musk and roses, he gave it tothe dove. Away, trustiest of messengers! said he. Fly overmountain, and valley, and river, and plain ; rest not in bowe
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