V.
“Or teach men’s hearts that goodness dwells
In virtue’s undefiled commands,
Where wisdom’s purity compels
An upright soul and stainless hands,
And spreads its potent charms around
In courtesy of word and deed,
Mingling high wisdom’s truths profound
With industry’s full toil, and alms for those who need.
VI.
“In Zerah’s halls the gentler tread
Of tender woman lightly glides,
And silken hues and rustle spread
By the soft movement; and, besides,
Music’s enchantment soothes the soul
And sheds a foretaste of the peace
Promised through the long ages’ roll
When Allah’s summons hence confers the great release.
VII.
“The subtle wit that charms in song
Trills melody for Zerah’s dames,
And mirrored boudoir courts prolong
The strain. Each opening hour proclaims
Fair science ruler of the scene
By some new token—gift divine
Of her inspiring embassy between
The One Light and the soul wherein its glories shine.”
Hardly had Pietro concluded when a messenger conveyed to Rudolph some tidings apparently of importance. “Gentlemen,” he said, “I am just informed that the gallant son of the late King of Bohemia has been captured. It were unseemly, perhaps, to greet a soldier of his rank with songs of joy over the discomfiture and death of his illustrious father, and his own disaster likewise. Only the late king’s dignity and power enabled him to sustain his gallant son in lofty station.”
