the patient
monarch! may he live for ever! and may his reign endure to eternity!"

The King having returned into his apartment, sent for his wife and his
children, and after yielding to the sweet impulses of nature,
"Behold," said he to his spouse, "the fruits of patience, and the
consequences of rashness. Give up at last your prejudices, and engrave
on the hearts of our children these important truths. Good and evil
happen under the inspection of Providence, and divine wisdom
infallibly bestows the punishment or the reward. The patient man who
submits to his lot is sooner or later crowned with honour."

* * * * *

After having ended his story Aladin kept a respectful silence.
Bohetzad seemed lost in thought.

"How is it possible," said he, "that the maxims of wisdom should flow
from the lips of a man whose heart must be corrupted, and whose soul
must be guilty? Young man!" added he, addressing himself to the
supposed criminal, "I will still defer your punishment till to-morrow.
You are to be carried back to prison. The counsels which you have
given me shall have their proper effect. A professed robber ought to
be cut off from the class of citizens, from that of the defenders of
the kingdom, and from the whole world. But as you have at the same
time guarded me against precipitation in judgment, I consent that you
may live during the remainder of this day and the following night."

At these words the King dismissed the assembly.

The Viziers took counsel together respecting the step they should take
to secure the destruction of the favourite. Perceiving the punishment
so often delayed, it was their business to alarm the King respecting
the dangerous effects of his clemency, and his weakness in allowing
himself to be led away by these discourses, prepared on purpose to
suspend an act of justice which was absolutely necessary. He ought to
banish from the people every suspicion of weakness on the part of the
government, and show them that equity was its foundation.

The artful detail of this reasoning was entrusted to the Fourth
Vizier; and this minister came next morning to Bohetzad to perform his
part.

The poison of flattery was artfully mingled with remonstrances, which
appeared to be dictated by a disinterested zeal, and made a deep
impression on the King. He ordered the Superintendent to be brought
before him, as formerly, with all the apparatus of punishment.
"Unhappy man!" sa