ed the rage of HAMET, like a charm; and
returning his scymitar into its sheath, 'Let me then,' said he, 'suffer,
and be guiltless. It is true, that against these ranks my single arm
must be ineffectual; but if my wrongs can rouse a nation to repress the
tyranny, that will shortly extend over it the injuries that now reach
only to me, justice shall be done to HAMET.' Then turning to ALMORAN,
'Henceforth,' said he, 'the kingdom shall be mine or thine. To govern in
concert with thee, is to associate with the powers of hell. The beings
that are superior to evil, are the friends of HAMET; and if these are
thy enemies, what shall be thy defence?' ALMORAN replied only by a
contemptuous smile; and the assembly being dismissed he retired to his
apartment: and HAMET and OMAR went out to the people, who had gathered
in an incredible multitude about the palace.

CHAP. X.

A rumour of what had happened within had reached them, which some
believed, and some doubted: but when they saw OMAR and HAMET return
together, and observed that their looks were full of resentment and
trouble, they became silent with attention in a moment; which OMAR
observing, addressed them with an eloquence of which they had often
acknowledged the force, and of which they never repented the effect.

He told them the tender connexion between HAMET and ALMEIDA, and
disclosed the subtil hypocrisy of ALMORAN: he expatiated upon the folly
of supposing, that the power that was supreme in goodness and truth,
should command a violation of vows that had been mutually interchanged,
and often repeated; and devote to ALMORAN the beauties, which could only
be voluntarily surrendered to HAMET. They heard him with a vacant
countenance of surprize and wonder; and while he waited for their reply,
they agreed among themselves, that no man could avoid the destiny that
was written upon his head; and that if ALMEIDA had thus been taken from
HAMET, and given to ALMORAN, it was an event that by an unchangeable
decree was appointed to happen; and that, therefore, it was their duty
to acquiesce. OMAR then beckoned with his hand for audience a second
time, and told them, that ALMORAN had not only practised the arts of
sorcery to deprive HAMET of ALMEIDA, but that he meditated a design to
usurp the sole dominion, and deprive him of the share of the government
to which he had a right by the will of Solyman his father. This also
they heard with the same sentiments of wonder and