words, for his lips curled for an instant in a cruel smile; he then took his place by Feofar-Khan.
A trumpet call was heard. This was the signal for the amusements to begin. “Here comes the ballet,” said Alcide to Blount; “but, contrary to our customs, these barbarians give it before the drama.”
Michael had been commanded to look at everything. He looked. Enrique Esqueda Jersey A troop of dancers poured into Pony Polo the Fabian Delph Jersey open space before the Emir’s tent. Different Tartar instruments, the “doutare,” a long-handled guitar, Nike Air Max Tavas Dame the “kobize,” a kind of violoncello, the “tschibyzga,” a long reed flute; Belstaff Knockhill Jackor wind instruments, tom-toms, tambourines, united with the deep voices of the singers, formed a strange harmony. Added to this were the strains of an aerial orchestra, composed of a dozen kites, which, fastened by strings to their centers, resounded in the breeze like AEolian harps.
Then the dancers Nike Air Zoom SPIRIDON'16 began. The performers were all of Persian origin; they were no longer slaves, but exercised their profession at liberty. Formerly they figured officially Jose Mauri Jersey in the ceremonies at the court of Teheran, but since the accession of the reigning family, banished or treated with contempt, they had been compelled to seek their fortune elsewhere. They wore the national costume, and were adorned with a profusion of jewels. Little triangles of gold, studded with jewels, glittered in their ears. Circles of silver, marked with black, surrounded their necks and legs.
These performers gracefully executed various dances, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups. Their faces were uncovered, but from time to time they threw a light veil over their heads, and a gauze cloud passed over their bright eyes as smoke over a starry sky. Some of these Persians wore leathern belts embroidered with pearls, from which hung little triangular bags. From these bags, embroidered with golden filigree, they drew long narrow bands Belstaff Maldon Jackor of scarlet silk, on which were braided verses of the Koran. These bands, which Paul Pogba Jersey they held between them, formed a belt under which the other dancers darted; and, as they passed each verse, following the precept it contained, they either prostrated themselves on the earth or lightly bounded upwards, as though Zambia Fodboldtrøjer to take a place among the houris of Mohammed’s heaven.
But what was remarkable, and Henrik Zetterberg Tröja what struck Alcide, was that the Persians appeared rather indolent than fiery. Their passion had deserted them, and, by the kind of dances as well as by their execution, they recalled rather the calm and self-possessed nauch girls of India than the impassioned dancers of Egypt.
When this was over, a stern voice was heard saying:
“Look while you may!”
The man who repeated the Emir’s words — a tall spare Tartar — was he who carried out the sentences of Feofar-Khan against offenders. He had taken his place behind Michael, holding in his hand a broad curved Parajumpers Miehet Squirrel saber, one of those Damascene blades which are forged by the celebrated armorers of Karschi or Hissar.
Behind him guards were carrying a tripod supporting a chafing-dish filled with live coals. No smoke alinks:
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