But we cannot stop to describe the cloth of
gold and silver--the superb embroidery in arabesque--the shawls
of Kashmere and the muslins of India, which were here unfolded in
all their splendour; far less to tell the different sweetmeats,
ragouts edged with rice coloured in various manners, with all the
other niceties of Eastern cookery. Lambs roasted whole, and game
and poultry dressed in pilaus, were piled in vessels of gold, and
silver, and porcelain, and intermixed with large mazers of
sherbet, cooled in snow and ice from the caverns of Mount
Lebanon. A magnificent pile of cushions at the head of the
banquet seemed prepared for the master of the feast, and such
dignitaries as he might call to share that place of distinction;
while from the roof of the tent in all quarters, but over this
seat of eminence in particular, waved many a banner and pennon,
the trophies of battles won and kingdoms overthrown. But amongst
and above them all, a long lance displayed a shroud, the banner
of Death, with this impressive inscription--"SALADIN, KING OF
KINGS--SALADIN, VICTOR OF VICTORS--SALADIN MUST DIE.
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