The tulip was called tulipan or turban from the similarity of its corolla (whorl of floral envelopes - dim. of corona or crown) to the head-dress of the Turks.
Apparently a feast of tulips was celebrated in the seraglio or harem of the Grand Seignoir. Vases of tulips of every colour were placed in long galleries; candles and lamps were added giving light and beautiful fragrances; cages of singing birds were placed around and showers of rose water refreshed the air completing the scene of enchantment.
In the centre of the seraglio the Grand Seignoir reclined on expensive skins while he and his lords, seated at his feet, watched the dances of the lovely women of the court.
But there was a cloud on the sultan's brow.
Amidst all of this spendour he had observed a young slave-boy proffering a single tulip to a beautiful slave-girl and ended up tormented with jealousy.
Ah-h-h-h ....
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