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 acquiescence: If it is
decreed, said they, that ALMORAN shall be king alone, who can prevent
it? and if it is not, who can bring it to pass? 'But know ye not,' said
OMAR, 'that when the end is appointed, the means are appointed also. If
it is decreed that one of you shall this night die by poison, is it not
decreed also that he shall drink it?'

The crowd now gazed upon each other, without reply, for some minutes:
and at last they only said, that no effort of theirs could change the
universal appointment of all things; that if ALMORAN was to be king
alone, he would be so notwithstanding all opposition; and that if he was