When the Sultan Shah-Zaman <br />Goes to the city Ispahan, <br />Even before he gets so far <br />As the place where the clustered palm-trees are, <br />At the last of the thirty palace-gates <br />The pet of the harem, Rose-in-Bloom, <br />Orders a feast in his favorite room-- <br />Glittering square of colored ice, <br />Sweetened with syrup, tinctured with spice, <br />Creams, and cordials, and sugared dates, <br />Syrian apples, Othmanee quinces, <br />Limes and citrons and apricots, <br />And wines that are known to Eastern princes.<br /><br />Thomas Bailey Aldrich<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/when-the-sultan-goes-to-ispahan/
