Page:The Magic Carpet Magazine Volume 03 Number 03 (1933-07).djvu/54

 rescue her who lately passed to Paradise is worthy to be sung in legend for years to come. Know, therefore, good my sons, that I and Mother Qiurch are not unmindful of your works, whatever be your faith. Behold what we have here for you"

He signed unto a friar who stood in close attendance, and the fellow did unroll a fair-lettered parchment, all gay with seals of red and gold, made by the hand of my Lord Abbot's own prothonotary, whereon was set forth in extenso the service we had done, and signed and sealed by the mitered Abbot in proper person, enjoining all officers of the kingdom, both civil, military and ecclesiastical, to render us full aid and comfort in our enterprises, and in nowise hinder us in any way whatever, on pain of excommunication.

"What think you of that writing?" the Abbot asked when I had done with spelling out the unfamiliar script.

"Why, by the blessed saints who sleep in Paradise," said I (nor did I specify whether I meant Muslim or Christian), "we think it most uncommon handsome, Holy Sir," and down I kneeled upon my knees and kissed his pastoral ring.

"By the hooves of Allah's ox," Black Hassan sware, "I had not thought a swinish Nazsrene could show such gratitude!" But as he spoke in Arabic, no single word of which my Lord the Abbot could understand, and as he also kissed the blessed ring, his rather sneering thanks were taken as a full requital of his lordship's kindness.

And so at noon we set forth on our way, our bellies filled with meat, and in my breast the parchment which should give us passport throughout the land of Spain.

The dancing girls Sway and dance In perfect rhythm. Slender bodies Swaying like flowers In the wind. On the willow trees Hang Willow Lanterns, And the moon, An orange lantern, Glows down From a perfumed sky. It is a night of witchery, Of music And enchantment, For the slender girls Of Wu are dancing.