phets, in dark robes, with long pale face and flowing Beard,
And eyes, whose deep mysterious glow.
Disdainful of each fleeting show.
Dwelt in the old and sacred past.
Or Seer-like scann'd the future, vast.
Assyrians and Babylonians.
The Assyrians and Babylonians, as we know from the researches and discoveries of Layard and others, wore highly ornamental Beards, in which they were followed by the ancient Persians, and the bands appearing on them were of gold.
Persians. Arabs, and Turks.
The ancient Arabs, like their kindred, the Jews, were Bearded, and like them also they have preserved their Beards intact, though their faith has more than once changed. From Mahomet's time we may class them for our purpose with the Turks and Persians, since all have manifested the same respect for the Beard, looking upon it as the perfection and completion of man's countenance and the type of freedom; and shaving as a mark of debasement and slavery.[1] Mahomet, who sanctioned dyeing
- ↑ "It is customary to shave the Ottoman Princes as a mark of subjection to the reigning Sultan; and those who serve in the Seraglio have their Beards shaven as a sign of servitude, and do not suffer it to grow till the Sultan has set them at liberty."—Burder's Oriental Customs. Volney says, "At length Ibrahim Bey suffered Ali his page to let his Beard grow, i.e. gave him his freedom, for among the Turks to want the Beard is thought only fit for slaves and women."
