DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62355#0112
44
BEAUTIES OF THE BOSPHORUS.
to the impatient passengers, swell on the air together; while the confusion on
the water emulates that on land.
Sharp and high-prowed Arab barks, taking in their lading, and exposing their
carved and gilded ornaments to the contact of the swift caiques that shoot along
among them, and the heavy clumsy-looking European boats constantly plying
between the shore and the vessels to which they belong; local functionaries
darting past on their errands of hidden import; the caique of the idler, with its
crimson carpet, its comfortable cushions, and its drowsy caiquejhes, awaiting,
half asleep, the return of their lounging employer; the ferry-boat, with its
dingy gilding, and eager owner; the well-kept and graceful caique of the princely
harem, glittering with ornament and bright with beauty, bearing the veiled
favourite and her muffled slaves to the other shore; the barge of the Minister,
shooting over the water with the speed of a wild bird, and flinging the silver
spray right and left like a shower of diamonds, as the sturdy rowers bend to their
toil ;—or, perchance, in the distance, even the passing bark of the Padishah*
himself, on his way to the shady retreats of Kyat-Khana, moving along beneath
the sunshine, one bright mass of glittering gold. And high above all this
movement, and hurry, and human coil, towers the snowy temple of the unhappy
Sultana Valide: near it sleeps in peace its imperial founder in her splendid
mausoleum; and day by day the busy scene is renewed, the picturesque groupes
are variously repeated, and the deep blue Heaven smiles down on all alike ; while
the clear surface of the port reflects at once the solemn Mosque, the quiet tomb,
and the flitting shadows of each chance caique and its busy freight.
THE MOSQUE OF SULTAN ACHMET.
" The house of prayer profaned by words of strife-
The shrine of peace loud with unholy war-
The silent courts made vocal with the voice
Of human passion-"
The Mosque of Sultan Achmet, although less spacious than that of St. Sophia,
and less elegant in its details than Suleimanie, is superior to both in exterior
effect. Its position is admirable; for the noble and well-shaded space in which
* Emperor.
BEAUTIES OF THE BOSPHORUS.
to the impatient passengers, swell on the air together; while the confusion on
the water emulates that on land.
Sharp and high-prowed Arab barks, taking in their lading, and exposing their
carved and gilded ornaments to the contact of the swift caiques that shoot along
among them, and the heavy clumsy-looking European boats constantly plying
between the shore and the vessels to which they belong; local functionaries
darting past on their errands of hidden import; the caique of the idler, with its
crimson carpet, its comfortable cushions, and its drowsy caiquejhes, awaiting,
half asleep, the return of their lounging employer; the ferry-boat, with its
dingy gilding, and eager owner; the well-kept and graceful caique of the princely
harem, glittering with ornament and bright with beauty, bearing the veiled
favourite and her muffled slaves to the other shore; the barge of the Minister,
shooting over the water with the speed of a wild bird, and flinging the silver
spray right and left like a shower of diamonds, as the sturdy rowers bend to their
toil ;—or, perchance, in the distance, even the passing bark of the Padishah*
himself, on his way to the shady retreats of Kyat-Khana, moving along beneath
the sunshine, one bright mass of glittering gold. And high above all this
movement, and hurry, and human coil, towers the snowy temple of the unhappy
Sultana Valide: near it sleeps in peace its imperial founder in her splendid
mausoleum; and day by day the busy scene is renewed, the picturesque groupes
are variously repeated, and the deep blue Heaven smiles down on all alike ; while
the clear surface of the port reflects at once the solemn Mosque, the quiet tomb,
and the flitting shadows of each chance caique and its busy freight.
THE MOSQUE OF SULTAN ACHMET.
" The house of prayer profaned by words of strife-
The shrine of peace loud with unholy war-
The silent courts made vocal with the voice
Of human passion-"
The Mosque of Sultan Achmet, although less spacious than that of St. Sophia,
and less elegant in its details than Suleimanie, is superior to both in exterior
effect. Its position is admirable; for the noble and well-shaded space in which
* Emperor.