"
I was obliged to quit the palace, again cast down to a low estate, and
an outcast from the world. Before I left the city I went into a
bagnio, where I caused my beard and eyebrows to be shaved, and put on
a calender's robe. I passed through many countries without making
myself known; at last I resolved to visit Bagdad, in hopes of meeting
with the Commander of the Faithful, to move his compassion by relating
to him my unfortunate adventures. I arrived this evening; and the
first man I met was this calender, our brother, who spoke before me.
[Footnote 22: The erection of these tombs over the supposed effigy, or
the real remains, of the deceased, is often mentioned in these tales.
The same type of tomb, with its dome or cupola, prevails throughout. A
structure of a similar fashion is celebrated in history as the Taj
Mahal at Agra, erected by the Shah Jehan, in memory of his queen,
Mumtaz Mahal. It stands on a marble terrace over the Jamna, and is
surrounded by extensive gardens. The building itself on the outside is
of white marble, with a high cupola and four minarets. In the center
of the inside is a lofty hall of a circular form under a dome, in the
middle of which is the tomb, inclosed within an open screen of
elaborate tracery formed of marble and mosaics. The materials are
lapis lazuli, jasper, bloodstone, a sort of golden stone (not well
understood), agates, carnelian, jade, and various other stones.
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