of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror？”
“The books that Shah Tahmasp sent His Excellency Sultan Selim； Denizen of
Paradise； as a present twenty…five years ago；” said Master Osman。
The dwarf brought us to a large wooden cabi。 Master Osman grew
impatient as he opened the doors and cast his eyes on the volumes before him。
He opened one； read its colophon and leafed through its pages。 Together； we
gazed in astonishment at the carefully drawn illustrations of khans with
slightly slanted eyes。
“”Genghis Khan； Chagatai Khan； Tuluy Khan and Kublai Khan the Ruler of
China；“” read Master Osman before closing the book and taking up another。
We came across an incredibly beautiful illustration depicting the scene in
which Ferhad； empowered by love； carries his beloved Shirin and her horse
away on his shoulder。 To convey the passion and woe of the lovers； the rocks
on the mountain； the clouds and the three noble cypresses witnessing
Ferhad’s act of love were drawn with a trembling grief…stricken hand in such
agony that Master Osman and I were instantly affected by the taste of tears
and sorrow in the falling leaves。 This touching moment had been depicted—as
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the great masters intended—not to signify Ferhad’s muscular strength； but
rather to convey how the pain of his love was felt at onc