Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire vol 6 (1897).djvu/256

 tore 234 THE DECLINE AND EALL Bowides, could no longer protect him from the insolence of meaner tyrants ; and the Euphrates and Tigris were oppressed by the revolt of the Turkish and Arabian emirs. The presence of a conqueror was implored as a blessing ; and the transient mis- chiefs of fire and sword were excused as the sharp but salutary remedies which alone could restore the health of the republic. At the head of an irresistible force, the sultan of Persia marched from Hamadan : the proud were crushed, the prostrate were spared ; the prince of the Bowides disappeared ; the heads of the most obstinate rebels were laid at the feet of Togi'ul ; and he inflicted a lesson of obedience on the people of Mosul and Bag- dad. After the chastisement of the guilty and the restoration Hisinvesti- of peacc, the royal shepherd accepted the reward of his labours ; and a soleinn comedy represented the triumph of religious pre- judice over barbarian power. ^^ The Turkish sultan embarked on the Tigris, landed at the gate of Racca, and made his public entry on horseback. At the palace-gate he respectfully dis- mounted, and walked on foot, preceded by his emirs without arms. The caliph was seated behind his black veil ; the black garment of the Abbassides was cast over his shoulders, and he held in his hand the staff of the apostle of God. The conqueror of the East kissed the ground, stood some time in a modest pos- ture, and was led towards the throne by the vizir and an inter- preter. After Togrul had seated himself on another throne, his commission was publicly read, which declared him the tem- poral lieutenant of the vicar of the prophet. He was successively invested with seven robes of honour, and presented with seven slaves, the natives of the seven climates of the Arabian empire. His mystic veil was perfumed with musk ; two crowns were placed on his head ; two scymetars were girded on his side, as the symbols of a double reign over the East and West. After this inauguration, the sultan was prevented from prostrating himself a second time ; but he twice kissed the hand of the com- mander of the faithful, and his titles were proclaimed by the voice of heralds and the applause of the Moslems. ^"^ In a second visit to Bagdad, the Seljukian prince again rescued the caliph from his enemies ; and devoutly, on foot, led the bridle of his mule from the prison to the palace. Their alliance was cemented 25 For this curious ceremony, I am indebted to M. do Guigncs (torn. iii. p. 197, 198), and that learned author is obliged to Bondari, who composed in Arabic the history of the Seljukidcs (torn. v. p. 365). I am ignorant of his age, country, and character. ^[Weil, Gesch. der Chalifen, iii. p. 99.]