Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 95
I ventured into the halls of the Palace of
Light. From the dome over the great colonnade
a thousand lustres hung. I noted the
exquisite finish and decoration of the architecture,
the colored mosaic of the floor, the
brilliant paintings upon the walls and sculptured
reliefs of the ceiling, where are portrayed
love-scenes of the incarnate spirits
and beautiful women, battles between
dragons and angels, triumphal processions,
bands of strange captives, and representations
of festivals and pageants, all the carvings
tinted with the colors of life.
I saw many slaves and workmen employed
as I passed a long marble gallery till I
reached the eastern tower. Here, finding a
curtained balcony, I went forth to enjoy the
view of the city and valley which lay in that
direction. The mountain slope was beautified
by walks and carriage-ways, groves, arbors,
and fantastic structures. The shaded
avenues converged toward the palace, and
were at this hour filled with gay figures and