Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 91 of 142
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 91: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Description This is a page of running prose poetry from a Victorian penny dreadful titled "Salámán and Absál" (page 65). The text presents dramatic dialogue in italicized verse, wherein a King of Farth named Sulayman speaks about his criteria for suitors, followed by a character named Balkis responding with her own confession about admiring comely youth. The passage concludes with a narrative section explaining that "the Shah," having resolved upon his purpose and consulted "Supreme Intelligence" and "Magic-mighty Wisdom," accomplishes his will, resulting in the birth of a child "of carnal composition unattaint." The page contains ornamental borders typical of period publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LC coe SALAMAN AND apsit, 5 8 | | | | | The Hearts of both were turn’d to Truth, Unsullied by Deception. First the King of Faith SutayMan Spoke— However just and wise ** Reported, none of all the many Suitors to my palace thronging * But afar I scrutinize ; ** And He who comes not empty-handed “ Grows to Honour in mine Eyes.” After this, Batxis a Secret From her hidden bosom utter’d, Saying— Never night or morning “Comely Youth before me passes “ Whom I look not after, longing” — “Tf this, as wise Firdisi says, the curse “Of better women, what then of the worse P”’ THe Sace his satire ended ; and THe Suan, Determin’d on his purpose, but the means Resigning to Supreme Intelligence, With Magic-mighty Wisdom his own WiLL Colleagued, and wrought his own accomplishment. For Lo! from Darkness came to Light A CHIL, Of carnal composition unattaint ; —— 6 COMmICoOoks. (C@)