I should observe, the aged tutor cried,
          The princess, while for liberty she sighed,
          And quite alone remained (by Hispal left,)
          That she might be of idleness bereft,
          Resolved most fervently a god to serve,
          From whom she scarcely since would ever swerve,
          A god much worshipped ’mong the people there,
          With num’rous temples which his honours share,
          Denominated cabinets and bow’rs,
          In which, from high respect to heav’nly pow’rs,
          They represent the image of a bird,
          A pleasing sight, though (what appears absurd)
          ’Tis bare of plumage, save about the wings;
          To this each youthful bosom incense brings,
          While other gods, as I’ve been often told,
          They scarcely notice, till they’re growing old.

          Didyou but know the virtuous steps she trod,
          While thus devoted to the little god,
          You’d thank a hundred times the pow’rs above,
          That gave you such a child to bless your love. 
          But many other customs there abound:—­
          The fair with perfect liberty are found: 
          Can go and come, whene’er the humour fits;
          No eunuch (shadow like) that never quits;
          But watches ev’ry movement:—­always feared;
          No men, but who’ve upon the chin a beard: 
          Your daughter from the first, their manners took: 
          So easy is her ev’ry act and look,
          And truly to her honour I may say,
          She’s all-accommodating ev’ry way.

          Theking delighted seemed at what he heard;
          But since her journey could not be deferred,
          The princess, with a num’rous escort, tried
          Again o’er seas t’wards Garba’s shores to glide,
          And, there arrived, was cordially received
          By Mamolin, who loved, she soon believed,
          To fond excess; and, all her suite to aid,
          A handsome gift to ev’ry one was made.

The king with noble feasts the court regaled, At which Alaciel pleasantly detailed just what she liked, or true or false, ’twas clear; The prince and courtiers were disposed to hear.

          Atnight the queen retired to soft repose,
          From whence next morn with honour she arose;
          The king was found much pleasure to express;
          Alaciel asked no more, you well may guess.

          Bythis we learn, that husbands who aver
          Their wond’rous penetration often err;
          And while they fancy things so very plain,
          They’ve been preceded by a fav’rite swain. 
          The safest rule ’s to be upon your guard;
          Fear ev’ry guile; yet hope the full reward.