commodity, without paying it; the hope of gain will always surmount the
fear of punishment. If, when the veteran has served you at the risque of
life, you withold his hire; it will be in vain to threaten usury and
extortion with imprisonment and fines. If, in your armies, you suffer it
to be any man's interest, rather to preserve the life of a horse than a
man; be assured, that your own sword is drawn for your enemy: for there
will always be some, in whom interest is stronger than humanity and
honour. Put no man's interest, therefore, in the ballance against his
duty; nor hope that good can often be produced, but by preventing
opportunities of evil.'

To these precepts of OMAR, HAMET listened as to the instructions of a
father; and having promised to keep them as the treasure of life, he
dismissed him from his presence. The heart of HAMET was now expanded
with the most pleasing expectations; but ALMORAN was pining with
solicitude, jealousy, and distrust: he took every opportunity to avoid
both OMAR and HAMET; but HAMET still retained his confidence, and OMAR
his suspicions.




CHAP. V.


In the mean time, the system of government was established which had
been proposed by OMAR, and in which HAMET concurred from principle, and
ALMORAN from policy. The views of ALMORAN terminated in the
gratification of his own appetites and passions; those of HAMET, in the
discharge of his duty: HAMET, therefore, was indefatigable in the