therefore, but join your arms to the defender and supporter of your
liberties and your possessions."

At these words the recruits of Horam filed off in a body and joined
the party of Hobaddan; while the pretended Sultan, elated at his
success, pushed forward to the Vizier Horam's troops, and charged them
with the utmost impetuosity.

The weapons of the brave were foiled by the armour of Hobaddan; for
the enchantress Hapacuson, studious of diverting the attention of the
Sultan Misnar, had assisted Hobaddan with her counsel and with
invulnerable arms; wherefore, seeing their labour vain and fruitless
against the pretended and unconquerable Sultan, the hearts of Horam's
warriors melted within them, and they fell away from the field of
battle; and Hobaddan, sensible of his advantage, hastened after the
troops of Horam all the day and night; and the Vizier himself barely
escaped with his life, having none left behind him to send to Delhi
with the unhappy report of his defeat.

But malicious Fame, ever indefatigable in representing the horrors of
affliction and distress, soon spread her voice throughout the regions
of Delhi; and Misnar heard from every quarter, that his faithful Horam
and all his chosen troops were defeated or cut off by the victorious
arm of Hobaddan. The Princess Hemjunah gave up herself to sighs and
tears, and refused the consolation of the Court of Delhi; and the
Sultan Misnar, enraged at his loss, resolved to assemble the greatest
part of his troops, and march to the assistance of Horam.

But first he gave orders that recruits should be raised, and that the
number of his troops should be increased; and then, mixing his young
raised soldiers with the veterans of his army, he left one half of his
troops to guard his own provinces, and with the other he marched
towards the confines of Cassimir.

The Vizier Horam had concealed himself in the hut of a faithful
peasant, and hearing that his master had arrived with a numerous army
in the kingdom of Cassimir, he went forward to meet him, and, falling
down at his feet, besought his forgiveness.

"Horam," said the Sultan, "arise. I forgive thee, although thou hast
lost so many of my troops; but I little suspected Hobaddan had been
too artful for the experience and sagacity of my Vizier. However,
Horam, he must not expect to deceive us again: we are more in number,
and we are aware of his deceit. You, Horam, forced your marches and
weakened your troops, but