/// Moorish Woman shown Leaving the Bath.
Does she tread on the dread primrose path?
She stands there partly bare
as her co-wives prepare
her to stoke Sultan’s lust (or his wrath).

/// A good Turkish bath hydrates the flesh.
Toxins purged, she emerged feeling fresh.
As she wrings out her hair
she decides what to wear—
hareem pants of a delicate mesh.

/// The seraglio wives’ lives will be eased
if the Sultan at bedtime is pleased.
Thus she’s powdered and groomed
and with rare oils perfumed
in the hope that his moods are appeased.

/// This type painting’s a popular theme.
It depicted a libertine’s dream.
“Orientalist” style
made the art dealers smile,
increased profits enhanced their esteem.