“While, like the rest, the knight expects to hear
  Loud peals of thunder breaking on his ear,
  A dulcet symphony his sense invades,
  Of nymphs, or dryads, warbling through the shades. 
  Soft sighs the breeze, soft purls the silver rill. 
  The feathered choir the woods with music fill;
  The tuneful swan in dying notes complains;
  The mourning nightingale repeats her strains,
  Timbrels and harps and human voices join,
  And in one concert all the sounds combine!”

Then for the streamlets and flowerets—­

  “Where’er he treads, the earth her tribute pours,
  In gushing springs, or voluntary flowers. 
  Here blooms the lily; there the fragrant rose;
  Here spouts a fountain; there a riv’let flows;
  From every spray the liquid manna trills,
  And honey from the softening bark distills. 
  Again the strange the pleasing sound he hears,
  Of plaints and music mingling in his ears;
  Yet naught appears that mortal voice can frame. 
  Nor harp, nor timbrel, whence the music came.”

I had another interview with the Governor on Anti-Slavery subjects.  Mr. Treppass accompanied me, and assisted to interpret.  His Excellency was very condescending, and even joked about his own slaves, asking me how much I would give him for them.  He then continued:—­“I am happy to see you before your departure.  Whilst you have been here, I have heard nothing of your conduct but what was just and proper.  You are a quiet and prudent man, [28] and I am sorry I could not assist you in your business (abolition).  The Sultan will be glad that you and I have not quarrelled, but are friends.”  I then asked His Excellency if a person were to come direct from our Government, with larger powers and presents, he would have a better chance of success.  The Governor replied, “Not the least whatever.  You have done all that could have been done.  We look at the subject, not the persons.  The Sultan will never listen to anybody on this subject.  You may cut off his head, but cannot convince him.  If all the Christians of the world were to come and take this country, then, of course, the Mussulmen would yield the question to superior force, to the decree of God, but not till then.”

Myself.—­“How is it, Sidi, that the Bey of Tunis, and the Imaum of Muscat have entered into engagements with Christians for the suppression of slavery, they being Mussulmen?”

The Governor.—­“I’ll tell you; we Mussulmen are as bad as you Christians.  We are full of divisions and sects.  Some of our people go to one mosque, and will not go to another.  They are foolish (mahboul).  So it is with the subject of slaves.  Some are with you, but most are with me.  The Bey of Tunis, and the Imaum have a different opinion from us.  They think they are right, and we think we are right; but we are as good as they.”

Myself.—­“Sidi, does not the Koran encourage the abolition of slavery, and command it as a duty to all pious Mussulmen?”