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Page 81.—the most stately tulips of the East.
The tulip is a flower of eastern growth, and there held in great estimation. Thus, in an ode of Mesihi:—"The edge of the bower is filled with the light of Ahmed: among the plants, the fortunate tulips represent his companions."
Page 81.—certain cages of ladies.
There are many passages of the Moallakat in which these cages are fully described. Thus, in the poem of Lebeid:—
"How were thy tender affections raised, when the damsels of the tribe departed; when they hid themselves in carriages of cotton, like antelopes in their lair, and the tents as they were struck gave piercing sound!
"They were concealed in vehicles, whose sides were well covered with awnings and carpets, with fine-spun curtains and pictured veils."
Again, Zohair:—
"They are mounted in carriages covered with costly awnings, and with rose-coloured veils, the lining of which have the hue of crimson andem-wood." Moallakat, by Sir W. Jones, p. 46. 35. See also Lady M. W. Montague, Let. xxvi.
