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my sovereign will and pleasure that you perfume me your liege and mistress if it won’t distress you too much Melech Mahommed delighted at being permitted to perform this office in the presence of the Shah and his uncle the whole company sprung up with the utmost alacrity and perfumed her as if he would never have tried whispering all the while,

My heart beats quick with fond alarms My soul is fluttering round your charms Too full my breast its joy to hide Aright aleft I look with pride To ask the circle where you shine Can any mistress equal mine

When the company had sufficiently enjoyed the perfumes the silver limbed cupbearers introduced the ruddy wine and the players on the lyre and flute struck up the most delightful harmony afterwards they walked in the garden till the rays of the Sun dived into the bake of the West and the watery circle of the Moon displayed its pale beams Then the Shah ordered a chamber to be prepared and the company retired to rest When the bustle of the retiring crowd was over Gheti Afroz took the hand of Melech Mahommed and conducted him

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