The image contains the following text:
phets, in dark robes, with long pale face and flowing
Beard,
And eyes, whose deep mysterious glow,
Disdainful of each fleeting show,
Dwelt in the old and sacred past,
Or Seer-like scann'd the future, vast.
Assyrians and Babylonians.
The Assyrians and Babylonians, as we know from the
researches and discoveries of Layard and others, wore
highly ornamental Beards, in which they were followed by
the ancient Persians, and the bands appearing on them
were of gold.
Persians, Arabs, and Turks.
The ancient Arabs, like their kindred, the Jews, were
Bearded, and like them also they have preserved their
Beards intact, though their faith has more than once
changed. From Mahomet's time we may class them for
our purpose with the Turks and Persians, since all have
manifested the same respect for the Beard, looking upon
it as the perfection and completion of man's countenance
and the type of freedom; and shaving as a mark of de-
basement and slavery.* Mahomet, who sanctioned dyeing
* " It is customary to shave the Ottoman Princes as a mark of
subjection to the reigning Sultan; and those who serve in the Serag-
lio have then Beards shaven as a sign of servitude, and do not
