which was excited in his breast, when OMAR, lifting up his hand, and
beginning again to speak, HAMET remained silent.

'Thou knowest,' said OMAR, 'that when my checks were yet ruddy with
youth, and my limbs were braced by vigour, that mine eye was guided to
knowledge by the lamp that is kindled at midnight, and much of what is
hidden in the innermost recesses of nature, was discovered to me: my
prayer ascended in secret to Him, with whom there is wisdom from
everlasting to everlasting, and He illuminated my darkness with His
light. I know, by such sensations as the world either feels not at all,
or feels unnoticed without knowledge of their use, when the powers that
are invisible are permitted to mingle in the walks of men; and well I
know, that some being, who is more than mortal, has joined with ALMORAN
against thee, since the veil of night was last spread upon the earth.'

HAMET, whose blood was chilled with horror, and whose nerves were no
longer obedient to his will, after several ineffectual attempts to
speak, looked up at OMAR; and striking his hand upon his breast, cried
out, in an earnest, but faultering voice, 'What shall I do?' 'Thou must
do,' said OMAR, 'that which is RIGHT. Let not thy foot be drawn by any
allurement, or driven by any terror, from the path of virtue. While thou
art there, thou art in safety: and though the world should unite against
thee, by the united world thou canst not be hurt.'

'But what friendly power,' said HAMET, 'shall guard even the path of
virtue from grief and pain; from the silent shaft of disappointed love,
or the sounding scourge of outrageous jealousy? These, surely, have
overtaken the foot of perseverance; and by these, though I should
persevere, may my feet be overtaken.' 'What thou sayest,' replied OMAR,
'is true; and it is true also, that the tempest which roots up the