DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5504#0073
In 1817 and 1818. 161
of Ascalon; but she soon found these researches too expen-
sive. She had engaged a whole tribe of Arabs in this enter-
prise : the protection, however, of the aga of Jaffa was so
costly, that she was obliged to abandon her project.
I did not arrive at Gaza until very late. After having crossed,
to be enabled to reach it, forests of palms and nopals, the
road suddenly quits the strand, and leads to rural valleys, and
to brooks which must be sought beneath the fragrant shrubs
that cover them. There it perhaps was that the noble and
gentle Hcrminia fell in with those shepherds, with that lone
retreat, which had never before witnessed any thing so bril-
liant as her armour, or so agitated as her breast.
Cibo non prende giei, che d£ suoi malt
Solo si pasce, e sol di pianlo ha sete.
Ron si desto Jinche garrir gli angelli
Hon sent) lieti, e sidutargli arboscelli,
jE con Uonda scherzar I'aura, e co' fiori.
Aprc i lunguidi litmi, e guardtir quelli
Albcrghi solitari dc jwstori
K' parte voce uscir, tra Vacqua e i rami,
Ch' ai sospiried alpinnto la richiami.
(T. Tasso. Gerusal. liber, vii.)
These plains, although almost entirely uncultivated, are de-
lightful : a vegetation at once active and vigorous, and palms
laden with fruit of the most exquisite flavour,* display nature
redoubling her efforts on the frontier of the Desert. It may
easily be conceived that this land, so highly favoured, was long
disputed.
Gaza, named by the Arabs Razz£, built on a hill of a mode-
rate elevation, and of a circular form, overlooks these rich and
fertile plains. By the dubious light of the moon, which was
then obscured by clouds, I was astonished at the extent of this
city, while my admiration was excited by the fine lineaments
of the serdy of the palace which brings to remembrance the
reign of the Sultan Saladin.
Gaza i citta dclla Guidca nel fine,
Sa qnella via ch' inter Pelusio mena, '
Pasta in riva del mare ; ed ha vicine
Immense solitudini d'arena,
Le qtiai, como austro suol Fonde marine,
Mcsce il turbo spirante, onde a gran pena
Ritrova il peregrin riparo o scumpo
Nelk tempeste dell' instabil campo.
(T. Tasso. Gerusal. liber, xvii.)
* The dates, the oranges, and the lemons of Gaza, have a very exquisite
flavour, and are most esteemed in the Levant.
of Ascalon; but she soon found these researches too expen-
sive. She had engaged a whole tribe of Arabs in this enter-
prise : the protection, however, of the aga of Jaffa was so
costly, that she was obliged to abandon her project.
I did not arrive at Gaza until very late. After having crossed,
to be enabled to reach it, forests of palms and nopals, the
road suddenly quits the strand, and leads to rural valleys, and
to brooks which must be sought beneath the fragrant shrubs
that cover them. There it perhaps was that the noble and
gentle Hcrminia fell in with those shepherds, with that lone
retreat, which had never before witnessed any thing so bril-
liant as her armour, or so agitated as her breast.
Cibo non prende giei, che d£ suoi malt
Solo si pasce, e sol di pianlo ha sete.
Ron si desto Jinche garrir gli angelli
Hon sent) lieti, e sidutargli arboscelli,
jE con Uonda scherzar I'aura, e co' fiori.
Aprc i lunguidi litmi, e guardtir quelli
Albcrghi solitari dc jwstori
K' parte voce uscir, tra Vacqua e i rami,
Ch' ai sospiried alpinnto la richiami.
(T. Tasso. Gerusal. liber, vii.)
These plains, although almost entirely uncultivated, are de-
lightful : a vegetation at once active and vigorous, and palms
laden with fruit of the most exquisite flavour,* display nature
redoubling her efforts on the frontier of the Desert. It may
easily be conceived that this land, so highly favoured, was long
disputed.
Gaza, named by the Arabs Razz£, built on a hill of a mode-
rate elevation, and of a circular form, overlooks these rich and
fertile plains. By the dubious light of the moon, which was
then obscured by clouds, I was astonished at the extent of this
city, while my admiration was excited by the fine lineaments
of the serdy of the palace which brings to remembrance the
reign of the Sultan Saladin.
Gaza i citta dclla Guidca nel fine,
Sa qnella via ch' inter Pelusio mena, '
Pasta in riva del mare ; ed ha vicine
Immense solitudini d'arena,
Le qtiai, como austro suol Fonde marine,
Mcsce il turbo spirante, onde a gran pena
Ritrova il peregrin riparo o scumpo
Nelk tempeste dell' instabil campo.
(T. Tasso. Gerusal. liber, xvii.)
* The dates, the oranges, and the lemons of Gaza, have a very exquisite
flavour, and are most esteemed in the Levant.