The Book of Akbar 13.5

13.5

And soft-voiced Indian maids, Glorious as Indian peafowl, And light-fingered Chinese musicians Produced intoxication with wineless cups; And dulcimer-players from Khurasan Brought ease to laden breasts, And singers from the land of ‘Iraq, Everlasting capturers of joy. In truth there was an assemblage like the communion of saints and recluses in the exquisiteness of its repose, and a carousal like a feast of spiritual beings in the absence of wine and cup. Celestial spectators took part in the rejoicings without the aid of bodily organs of vision, and sightseers from the upper world poured forth this strain with tongueless tongues: Verse. What is this intoxication without wine or bowl? The wine which is drunk from cups is illicit here. Trays of variously coloured fruits were spread, and tables laid out with different dainties. Robes of honour of divers colours were bestowed, and khil'at upon khil'at was presented. What shall I say of the hilarity and rejoicing, for there is no need of explanation or description? Were it possible to give any idea of the completion of