Asthousayest，’’saidtheScot，forsuchwasSirKennethbybirth，-Itisevenso；andyet，althoughtheinhabitantsofthetwoextremitiesofthatislandareengagedinfrequentwar，thecountrycan，asthouseest，furnishforthsuchabodyofmen-at-arms，asmaygofartoshaketheunholyholdwhichyourmasterhathlaidonthecitiesofZion。’’
BythebeardofSaladin，Nazarene，butthatitisathoughtlessandboyishfolly，IcouldlaughatthesimplicityofyourgreatSultan，whocomeshithertomakeconquestsofdesertsandrocks，anddisputethepossessionofthemwiththosewhohavetenfoldnumbersatcommand，whileheleavesapartofhisnarrowislet，inwhichhewasbornasovereign，tothedominionofanothersceptrethanhis。Surely，SirKenneth，youandtheothergoodmenofyourcountryshouldhavesubmittedyourselftothedominionofthisKingRichard，ereyouleftyournativeland，dividedagainstitself，tosetforthonthisexpedition？’’
HastyandfiercewasKenneth’sanswer。No，bythebrightlightofHeaven！IftheKingofEnglandhadnotsetforthtotheCrusadetillhewassovereignofScotland，thecrescentmight，formeandalltrue-heartedScots，glimmerforeveronthewallsofZion。’’
Thusfarhehadproceeded，when，suddenlyrecollectinghimself，hemuttered，_Meaculpa！meaculpa！_whathaveI，asoldieroftheCross，todowithrecollectionofwarbetwixtChristiannations？’’
Therapidexpressionoffeeling，correctedbythedictatesofduty，didnotescapetheMoslem，who，ifhedidnotentirelyunderstandallwhichitconveyed，sawenoughtoconvincehimwiththeassurance，thatChristians，aswellasMoslemah，hadprivatefeelingsofpersonalpique，andnationalquarrels，whichwerenotentirelyreconcilable。ButtheSaracenswerearace，polished，perhaps，totheutmostextentwhichtheirreligionpermitted，andparticularlycapableofentertaininghighideasofcourtesyandpoliteness；andsuchsentimentspreventedhistakinganynoticeoftheinconsistencyofSirKenneth’sfeelings，intheoppositecharactersofaScotandaCrusader。
Meanwhile，astheyadvanced，thescenebegantochangearoundthem。Theywerenowturningtotheeastward，andhadreachedtherangeofsteepandbarrenhills，whichbindsinthatquarterthenakedplain，andvariesthesurfaceofthecountry，withoutchangingitssterilecharacter。Sharprockyeminencesbegantoarisearoundthem，and，inashorttime，deepdeclivities，andascents，bothformidableinheight，anddifficultfromthenarrownessofthepath，offeredtothetravellersobstaclesofadifferentkindfromthosewithwhichtheyhadrecentlycontended。Darkcavern’sandchasmsamongsttherocks，thosegrottoessooftenalludedtoinScripture，yawnedfearfullyoneithersideastheyproceeded，andtheScottishknightwasinformedbytheEmir，thatthesewereoftentherefugeofbeastsofprey，orofmenstillmoreferocious，who，driventodesperationbytheconstantwar，andtheoppressionexercisedbythesoldiery，aswelloftheCrossasoftheCrescent，hadbecomerobbers，andsparedneitherranknorreligion，neithersexnorage，intheirdepredations。
TheScottishknightlistenedwithindifferencetotheaccountsofravagescommittedbywildbeastsorwickedmen，secureashefelthimselfinhisownvalourandpersonalstrength；buthewasstruckwithmysteriousdread，whenherecollectedthathewasnowintheawfulwildernessofthefortydays’fast，andthesceneoftheactualpersonaltemptation，wherewiththeEvilPrinciplewaspermittedtoassailtheSonofMan。Hewithdrewhisattentiongraduallyfromthelightandworldlyconversationoftheinfidelwarriorbesidehim，and，howeveracceptablehisgayandgallantbraverywouldhaverenderedhimasacompanionelsewhere，SirKennethfeltasif，inthosewildernesses-
thewasteanddryplaces，inwhichthefoulspiritswerewonttowanderwhenexpelledthemortalswhoseformstheypossessed-abarefootedfriarwouldhavebeenabetterassociatethanthegaybutunbelievingPaynim。
Thesefeelingsembarrassedhim；theratherthattheSaracen’sspiritsappearedtorisewiththejourney，andbecausethefartherhepenetratedintothegloomyrecessesofthemountains，thelighterbecamehisconversation，andwhenhefoundthatunanswered，theloudergrewhissong。SirKennethknewenoughoftheEasternlanguages，tobeassuredthathechantedsonnetsoflove，containingalltheglowingpraisesofbeauty，inwhichtheOrientalpoetsaresofondofluxuriating，andwhich，therefore，werepeculiarlyunfittedforaseriousordevotionalstrainofthought，thefeelingbestbecomingtheWildernessoftheTemptation。Withinconsistencyenough，theSaracenalsosunglaysinpraiseofwine，theliquidrubyofthePersianpoets，andhisgaietyatlengthbecamesounsuitabletotheChristianknight’scontrarytrainofsentiments，as，butforthepromiseofamitywhichtheyhadexchanged，wouldmostlikelyhavemadeSirKennethtakemeasurestochangehisnote。Asitwas，theCrusaderfeltasifhehadbyhissidesomegaylicentiousfiend，whoendeavouredtoensnarehissoul，andendangerhisimmortalsalvation，byinspiringloosethoughtsofearthlypleasure，andthuspollutinghisdevotion，atatimewhenhisfaithasaChristian，andhisvowasapilgrim，calledonhimforaseriousandpenitentialstateofmind。Hewasthusgreatlyperplexed，andundecidedhowtoact；anditwasinatoneofhastydispleasure，that，atlengthbreakingsilence，heinterruptedthelayofthecelebratedRudpiki，inwhichheprefersthemoleonhismistress’sbosomtoallthewealthofBokharaandSamarcand。
Saracen，’’saidtheCrusader，sternly，blindedasthouart，andplungedamidsttheerrorsofafalselaw，thoushouldstyetcomprehendthattherearesomeplacesmoreholythanothers，andthattherearesomescenesalso，inwhichtheEvilOnehathmorethanordinarypoweroversinfulmortals。Iwillnottelltheeforwhatawfulreasonthisplace-theserocks-thesecavernswiththeirgloomyarches，leadingasitweretothecentralabyss-areheldanespecialhauntofSatanandhisangels。Itisenough，thatIhavebeenlongwarnedtobewareofthisplacebywiseandholymen，towhomthequalitiesoftheunholyregionarewellknown。Wherefore，Saracen，forbearthyfoolishandill-timedlevity，andturnthythoughtstothingsmoresuitedtothespot；although，alasforthee！thybestprayersarebutasblasphemyandsin。’’
TheSaracenlistenedwithsomesurprise，andthenreplied，withgood-humourandgaiety，onlysofarrepressedascourtesyrequired，GoodSirKenneth，methinksyoudealunequallybyyourcompanion，orelseceremonyisbutindifferentlytaughtamongstyourwesterntribes。ItooknooffencewhenIsawyougorgehog’sfleshanddrinkwine，andpermittedyoutoenjoyatreatwhichyoucalledyourChristianliberty，onlypityinginmyheartyourfoulpastimes-Wherefore，then，shouldstthoutakescandal，becauseIcheer，tothebestofmypower，agloomyroadwithacheerfulverse？-Whatsaiththepoet，-`SongislikethedewsofHeavenonthebosomofthedesert；itcoolsthepathofthetraveller。’’’
FriendSaracen，’’saidtheChristian，Iblamenottheloveofminstrelsyandofthe_gaiescience；_albeitweyielduntoiteventoomuchroominourthoughtswhentheyshouldbebentonbetterthings。Butprayersandholypsalmsarebetterfittingthanlaysoflove，orofwine-cups，whenmenwalkinthisValleyoftheShadowofDeath，fulloffiendsanddemons，whomtheprayersofholymenhavedrivenforthfromthehauntsofhumanitytowanderamidstscenesasaccursedasthemselves。’’
SpeaknotthusoftheGenii，Christian，’’answeredtheSaracen，forknowthouspeakesttoonewhoselineandnationdrewtheiroriginfromtheimmortalrace，whichyoursectfearandblaspheme。’’
Iwellthought，’’answeredtheCrusader，thatyourblindedracehadtheirdescentfromthefoulfiend，withoutwhoseaidyouwouldneverhavebeenabletomaintainthisblessedlandofPalestineagainstsomanyvaliantsoldiersofGod。Ispeaknotthusoftheeinparticular，Saracen，butgenerallyofthypeopleandreligion。Strangeisittome，however，notthatyoushouldhavethedescentfromtheEvilOne，butthatyoushouldboastofit。’’
Fromwhomshouldthebravestboastofdescending，savingfromhimthatisbravest？’’saidtheSaracen；fromwhomshouldtheproudesttracetheirlinesowellasfromtheDarkSpirit，whichwouldratherfallheadlongbyforce，thanbendthekneebyhiswill？Eblismaybehated，stranger，buthemustbefeared；andsuchasEblisarehisdescendantsofKurdistan！’’
Talesofmagicandofnecromancywerethelearningoftheperiod，andSirKennethheardhiscompanion’sconfessionofdiabolicaldescentwithoutanydisbelief，andwithoutmuchwonder；yetnotwithoutasecretshudderatfindinghimselfinthisfearfulplace，inthecompanyofonewhoavouchedhimselftobelongtosuchalineage。Naturallyunsusceptible，however，offear，hecrossedhimself，andstoutlydemandedoftheSaracenanaccountofthepedigreewhichhehadboasted。
Thelatterreadilycomplied。
Know，bravestranger，’’hesaid，thatwhenthecruelZohauk，oneofthedescendantsofGiamschid，heldthethroneofPersia，heformedaleaguewiththePowersofDarkness，amidstthesecretvaultsofIstakhar，vaultswhichthehandsoftheelementaryspiritshadhewnoutofthelivingrocklongbeforeAdamhimselfhadanexistence。Herehefed，withdailyoblationsofhumanblood，twodevouringserpents，whichhadbecome，accordingtothepoets，apartofhimself，andtosustainwhomheleviedataxofdailyhumansacrifices，tilltheexhaustedpatienceofhissubjectscausedsometoraiseupthescimitarofresistancelikethevaliantBlacksmith，andthevictoriousFeridoun，bywhomthetyrantwasatlengthdethroned，andimprisonedforeverinthedismalcavernsofthemountainDamavend。Buterethatdeliverancehadtakenplace，andwhilstthepowerofthebloodthirstytyrantwasatitsheight，thebandofraveningslaves，whomhehadsentforthtopurveyvictimsforhisdailysacrifice，broughttothevaultsofthepalaceofIstakharsevensisterssobeautiful，thattheyseemedsevenhouris。Thesesevenmaidenswerethedaughtersofasage，whohadnotreasuressavethesebeautiesandhisownwisdom。Thelastwasnotsufficienttoforeseethismisfortune，theformerseemedineffectualtopreventit。Theeldestexceedednothertwentiethyear，theyoungesthadscarceattainedherthirteenth；andsolikeweretheytoeachother，thattheycouldnothavebeendistinguishedbutforthedifferenceofheight，inwhichtheygraduallyroseineasygradationaboveeachother，liketheascentwhichleadstothegatesofParadise。Solovelywerethesesevensisterswhentheystoodinthedarksomevault，disrobedofallclothingsavingacymarofwhitesilk，thattheircharmsmovedtheheartsofthosewhowerenotmortal。
Thundermuttered，theearthshook，thewallofthevaultwasrent，andatthechasmenteredonedressedlikeahunter，withbowandshafts，andfollowedbysixothers，hisbrethren。Theyweretallmen，andthoughdark，yetcomelytobehold，buttheireyeshadmoretheglareofthoseofthedead，thanthelightwhichlivesundertheeyelidsoftheliving。`Zeineb，’
saidtheleaderoftheband-andashespokehetooktheeldestsisterbythehand，andhisvoicewassoft，low，andmelancholy-`IamCothrob，kingofthesubterraneanworld，andsupremechiefofGinnistan。Iandmybrethrenareofthose，who，createdoutofthepureelementaryfire，disdained，evenatthecommandofOmnipotence，todohomagetoaclodofearth，becauseitwascalledMan。Thoumaysthaveheardofusascruel，unrelenting，andpersecuting。Itisfalse。Wearebynaturekindandgenerous；onlyvengefulwheninsulted，onlycruelwhenaffronted。Wearetruetothosewhotrustus；andwehaveheardtheinvocationsofthyfather，thesageMithrasp，whowiselyworshipsnotalonetheOriginofGood，butthatwhichiscalledthesourceofEvil。Youandyoursistersareontheeveofdeath；butleteachgivetousonehairfromyourfairtressesintokenoffealty，andwewillcarryyoumanymilesfromhencetoaplaceofsafety，whereyoumaybiddefiancetoZohaukandhisministers。’Thefearofinstantdeath，saiththepoet，isliketherodoftheprophetHaroun，whichdevouredallotherrodswhentransformedintosnakesbeforetheKingofPharaoh；andthedaughtersofthePersiansagewerelessaptthanotherstobeafraidoftheaddressesofaspirit。TheygavethetributewhichCothrobdemanded，andinaninstantthesistersweretransportedtoanenchantedcastleonthemountainsofTugrut，inKurdistan，andwereneveragainseenbymortaleye。Butinprocessoftimesevenyouths，distinguishedinthewarandinthechase，appearedintheenvironsofthecastleofthedemons。Theyweredarker，taller，fiercer，andmoreresolute，thananyofthescatteredinhabitantsofthevalleysofKurdistan；andtheytooktothemselveswives，andbecamefathersoftheseventribesoftheKurdmans，whosevalourisknownthroughouttheuniverse。’’
TheChristianKnightheardwithwonderthewildtale，ofwhichKurdistanstillpossessesthetraces，andafteramoment’sthought，replied，-Verily，SirKnight，youhavespokenwell-
yourgenealogymaybedreadedandhated，butitcannotbecontemned。NeitherdoIanylongerwonderatyourobstinacyinafalsefaith；sincedoubtlessitispartofthefiendishdispositionwhichhathdescendedfromyourancestors，thoseinfernalhuntsmen，asyouhavedescribedthem，tolovefalsehoodratherthantruth；andInolongermarvelthatyourspiritsbecomehighandexalted，andventthemselvesinverseandintunes，whenyouapproachtotheplacesencumberedbythehauntingofevilspirits，whichmustexciteinyouthatjoyousfeelingwhichothersexperiencewhenapproachingthelandoftheirhumanancestry。’’
Bymyfather’sbeard，Ithinkthouhasttheright，’’saidtheSaracen，ratheramusedthanoffendedbythefreedomwithwhichtheChristianhadutteredhisreflections；for，thoughtheProphetblessedbehisname！hathsownamongstustheseedofabetterfaiththanourancestorslearnedintheghostlyhallsofTugrut，yetwearenotwilling，likeotherMoslemah，topasshastydoomontheloftyandpowerfulelementaryspiritsfromwhomweclaimourorigin。TheseGenii，accordingtoourbeliefandhope，arenotaltogetherreprobate，butarestillinthewayofprobation，andmayhereafterbepunishedorrewarded。Leavewethistothemollahsandtheimaums。
EnoughthatwithusthereverenceforthesespiritsisnotaltogethereffacedbywhatwehavelearnedfromtheKoran，andthatmanyofusstillsing，inmemorialofourfathers’moreancientfaith，suchversesasthese。’’
Sosaying，heproceededtochantverses，veryancientinthelanguageandstructure，whichsomehavethoughtderivetheirsourcefromtheworshippersofArimanes，theEvilPrinciple。