A diamond mounted between two sapphires and two emeralds… the precious stone in the ring of a vast dominion which embraced the entire world. THE DREAM OF OSMAN, C. AD 12801 Those who had never seen Constantinople before gazed very intently at the city, never having imagined there could be such a place in the world. GEOFFREY DE VILLEHARDOUIN, FOURTH CRUSADE, AD 12042 If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul. ALPHONSE DE LAMARTINE, POET, WRITER AND STATESMAN AD 1790–18693 O, my God! Let this town flourish to the end of time. SULTAN MURAD IV, AD 16384
