from the dreadful monster; but Misnar, with an intrepid
countenance, stood before his throne, with his drawn sabre pointing
towards the dragon, when through the flames he perceived a hoary
magician on the back of the monster.

"Vain, O silly child of Mahomet!" said the enchanter, "were thy sabre
against the power of my art, did not a superior force uphold thee; but
tremble at thy doom: twice four of my race are determined against
thee, and the throne of Dabulcombar noddeth over thy head; fear hath
now preserved thee, and the weakness of thy heart, which the credulous
believers of Mahomet will call prudence and moderation; but the fiend
of darkness is let loose, and the powers of enchantment shall
prevail." As the old magician spake thus, his fiery dragon, with
tremendous hissings, arose, and, cleaving the dome of the divan,
disappeared from their sight.

"Thus," said the illustrious Misnar, "let the enemies of Mahomet be
dismayed! But inform me, O ye sages, under the semblance of which of
your brethren did that foul enchanter gain admittance here?"

"As I travelled on the mountains from Queda," answered Bahilu, the
hermit of the Faithful from Queda, "and saw neither the footsteps of
beasts nor the flights of birds, behold, I chanced to pass through a
cavern, in whose hollow sides I found this accursed sage, to whom I
unfolded the invitation of the Sultan of India, and we journeyed
together towards the divan; but ere we entered he said unto me, 'Put
thy hand forth, and pull me toward thee into the divan, calling on the
name of Mahomet; for the evil spirits are on me and vex me.'"

After the hermit Bahilu had spoken, Mangelo arose.

"May the power of the Sultan of the East be multiplied!" said he; "but
know, O Sultan, that neither evil genius nor enchanter can enter this
seat of justice unless he be invited in the name of Mahomet."

"If it be so," answered the Sultan Misnar, "then neither can they be
masked against the voice of justice; for Thou, O righteous Allah, wilt
uphold the tribunal which Thou has founded upon earth, and make the
visions of fraud to depart from him who seeketh truth. Therefore,"
continued the Sultan, "lest this assembly be still tainted with malice
and infidelity, I command the evil spirits to stand confessed before
me."

At his word, sulphurous smokes arose, and from the thronged assembly
seven hideous forms broke forth.

First, on a vulture's pinions, the fell enchanter Tasnar soared alo