counsellors.  Their manner of dancing is certainly the same that Diana is sung (sic) to have danced on the banks of Eurotas.  The great lady still leads the dance, and is followed by a troop of young girls, who imitate her steps, and, if she sings, make up the chorus.  The tunes are extremely gay and lively, yet with something in them wonderfully soft.  The steps are varied according to the pleasure of her that leads the dance, but always in exact time, and infinitely more agreeable than any of our dances, at least in my opinion.  I sometimes make one in the train, but am not skilful enough to lead; these are the Grecian dances, the Turkish being very different.

I SHOULD have told you, in the first place, that the Eastern manners give a great light into many scripture-passages, that appear odd to us, their phrases being commonly what we should call scripture-language.  The vulgar Turk is very different from what is spoke at court, or amongst the people of figure; who always mix so much Arabic and Persian in their discourse, that it may very well be called another language.  And ’tis as ridiculous to make use of the expressions commonly used, in speaking to a great man or lady, as it would be to speak broad Yorkshire, or Somersetshire, in the drawing room.  Besides this distinction, they have what they call the sublime, that is, a style proper for poetry, and which is the exact scripture style.  I believe you will be pleased to see a genuine example of this; and I am very glad I have it in my power to satisfy your curiosity, by sending you a faithful copy of the verses that Ibrahim Bassa, the reigning favourite, has made for the young princess, his contracted wife, whom he is not yet permitted to visit without witnesses, though she is gone home to his house.  He is a man of wit and learning; and whether or no he is capable of writing good verse, you may be sure, that, on such an occasion, he would not want the assistance of the best poets in the empire.  Thus the verses may be looked upon as a sample of their finest poetry; and I don’t doubt you’ll be of my mind, that it is most wonderfully resembling The song of Solomon, which was also addressed to a royal bride.

TURKISH VERSES addressed to the Sultana, eldest daughter of SULTAN ACHMET III.

STANZA I.

Ver.

1. THE nightingale now wanders in the vines: 
    Her passion is to seek roses.

2. I went down to admire the beauty of the vines: 
    The sweetness of your charms has ravished my soul.

3. Your eyes are black and lovely,
    But wild and disdainful as those of a stag.

STANZA II.

1. The wished possession is delayed from day to day;
    The cruel Sultan ACHMET will not permit me
    To see those cheeks, more vermilion than roses.

2. I dare not snatch one of your kisses;
    The sweetness of your charms has ravished my soul.