the sun at noon
He sustained his soul with the firmness of resolve and darted himself lengthwise to the landing , clutching a hold with his right hand ; as he did so , the bridge of eggs broke , and he heard the feathers of the bird in agitation , and the bird screaming a scream of disappointment as he scrambled up the sides of the pit . Now , Shibli Bagarag failed not to perform two prostrations to Allah , and raised the song of gratitude for his preservation when he found himself in safety . Then he looked up , and lo ! behind a curtain , steps leading to an anteroom , and beyond that a chamber like the chamber of kings where they sit in state dispensing judgements , like the sun at noon in splendour ; and in the chamber seven youths , tall and comely young men , calm as princes in their port , each one dressed in flowing robes , and with a large glowing pearl in the front of their turbans . They advanced to meet him , saying , ` Welcome to Aklis , thou that art proved worthy ! 'T is holiday now with us ' ; and they took him by the hand and led him with them in silence past fountain-jets and porphyry pillars to where a service with refreshments was spread , meats , fowls with rice , sweetmeats , preserves , palateable mixtures , and monuments of the cook 's art , goblets of wine like liquid rubies . Then one of the youths said to Shibli Bagarag , ` Thou hast come to us crowned , O our guest !