e to restrain."

Bohetzad, ashamed of his too great indulgence, caused the
Superintendent to be brought before him.

"Thou appearest at length," said he to him, "for the last time, on the
scaffold, which thou art about to stain with thy blood. The crime
which thou hast committed allows me no rest. The too long suspension
of the sword of the law draws along with it an example fatal to my
subjects. Every voice is united against thee, and not one justifies
thee."

"Men pursue me," interrupted the undaunted Aladin. "I am the object of
hatred and slander; but, if the Eternal and His Prophet are for me, I
have nothing in this world to fear. Heaven protects my innocence, and
the sword cannot deprive me of it. It will always shine upon my
forehead, even when it shall be separated from my body. My confidence
is in God. I expect everything from Him, as King Bazmant at length did
after the reverses he experienced."

HISTORY OF BAZMANT, OR THE CONFIDENT.

This Sovereign, too much addicted to the pleasures of the table, was
giving himself up one day to the immoderate enjoyment of a sumptuous
feast, when his Vizier came to inform him that the enemy was coming to
besiege his capital.

"Have not I," replied he, "excellent generals and good troops? Let
them take care of everything, and beware of disturbing my pleasures."

"I will obey, sire," replied the Vizier; "but remember that the
Almighty disposes of thrones, and that if you invoke not His aid, your
riches and power will not support you or yours."

Disregarding this wise counsel, Bazmant fell asleep in the arms of
sensuality; and when he awoke was obliged to take to flight:
notwithstanding the bravery of his soldiers, the enemy had become
masters of the city.

The fugitive King withdrew to one of his allies, his father-in-law and
friend, who granted him a powerful army, with which he hoped in a
short time to re-enter his dominions and take vengeance on his enemy.
Full of confidence in this assistance, he marched at the head of his
troops, and advanced towards the capital which he had lost. But
victory again declared in favour of the usurper. His army was routed,
and he himself owed his safety to the swiftness and vigour of his
horse, which, pursued by the enemy, crossed an arm of the sea which
lay in his way, and soon landed him on the opposite shore.

Not far from the shore was situated a fortified city called Kerassin,
at that time under the dominion of King Abad