efore
thee:

"Religion, O Misnar, is the first and the greatest duty of life, and
the service of Allah the sweetest offering of a grateful heart. But He
who appointed the ceremonies and services of piety and devotion hath
also given to all their respective stations in the warfare of life.
How, then, shall we pay honour to Allah, if we neglect and desert the
peculiar duties of that post wherein Allah hath placed us? The signet
of Mahomet, O Prince, of which Mangelo the prophet did prophesy, is it
not that seal which the Faithful bear on their frontlets, when they
obey the voice of reason and religion? and the girdle of Opakka, with
which Kifri, the enchanter, is endued, what is it but foresight and
prudence, the best allies of the Sultans of the earth? To save his
people my Prince has deserted them, and given away what he sought to
keep. When Allah placed thee on the throne of India, He thence
expected to hear thy petitions; but, as faults which proceed from
goodness, though uninstructed, are beheld with Heaven's piteous eye,
therefore arise, O Sultan," said Shemshelnar, and touched him, "rise
from the filth of the earth, and again assume the glories with which
Allah hath endued thee. And know, that such is His care over thee,
that He hath curbed the hands of thine enemies, and bids thee go
forth against them, assured of this, that they shall not be able by
their enchantments to foresee thy designs, nor to overpower thee by
the help of their magical deceits, unless thou yield to their snares.
Be prudent and vigilant, and fear them not. Only this is permitted
against thee,--if thou canst not overpower and destroy them unawares,
they may use their art to conceal their escape, and avoid thy arm;
therefore be bold and quick, and yet cautious and discerning, lest,
when force avails not, they employ fraud to destroy thee."

As Shemshelnar finished these words, Misnar arose in his natural form;
but, ere he spake to the holy dervish who had released him, he fell
prostrate, and adored the goodness of Allah, who had thus rescued him
from the power of Ulin. Then, rising, he took Shemshelnar by the hand,
and thanked him for his release and advice.

"Thou hast done right, O Misnar," said the dervish, "to give the
greatest honour to Allah, for to Him alone belongs all honour."

"And may I not hope," continued the Sultan, "that it will please Him
to release these my fellow-sufferers also?"

"Misnar alone can release them," answer