y others: if in person, he
will sink under a labour which no man is able to sustain; and if by
others, the inferiority of their rank must subject them to temptations
which it cannot be hoped they will always resist, and to prejudices
which it will perhaps be impossible for them to surmount. But to
administer government by a law which ascertains the offence, and directs
the punishment, integrity alone will be sufficient; and as the
perversion of justice will in this case be notorious, and depend not
upon opinion but fact, it will seldom be practised, because it will be
easily punished.'

ALMORAN, who had heard the opinions of HAMET with impatience and scorn,
now started from his feat with a proud and contemptuous aspect: he first
glanced his eyes upon his brother; and then looking disdainfully
downward, he threw back his robe, and stretching out his hand from him,
'Shall the son of Solyman,' said he, 'upon whose will the fate of
nations was suspended, whose smiles and frowns were alone the criterions
of right and wrong, before whom the voice of wisdom itself was silent,
and the pride even of virtue humbled in the dust; shall the son of
Solyman be harnessed, like a mule, in the trammels of law? shall he
become a mere instrument to execute what others have devised? shall he
only declare the determinations of a statute, and shall his ear be
affronted by claims of right? It is the glory of a prince, to punish for
what and whom he will; to be the sovereign, not only of property, but
of life; and to govern alike without prescription or appeal.'

HAMET, who was struck with astonishment at this declaration, and the
vehemence with which it was uttered, after a short recollection made
this reply: 'It is the glory of a prince, to govern others, as he is
governed by Him, who is alone most merciful and almighty! It is his
glory to prevent crimes, rather than to display his power in punishment;
to diffuse happiness, rather than inforce subjection; and rather to
animate with love, than depress by fear. Has not He that shall judge us,
given us a rule of life by which we shall be judged? is not our reward
and punishment already set before us? are not His promises and
threatenings, motives to obedience? and have we not confidence and joy,
when we have obeyed? To God, His own divine perfections are a law; and
these He has transcribed as a law to us. Let us, then, govern, as we are
governed; let us seek our happiness in the happiness that