ground.

As he passed through the gallery with a hasty and disordered pace, he
was seen by OMAR; who knowing that he was returned from an interview
with ALMEIDA, and conjecturing from his appearance what had happened,
judged that he ought not to neglect this opportunity to warn him once
more of the delusive phantoms, which, under the appearance of pleasure,
were leading him to destruction: he, therefore, followed him
unperceived, till he had reached the apartment in which he had been used
to retire alone, and heard again the loud and tumultuous exclamations,
which were wrung, from his heart by the anguish of disappointment: 'What
have I gained,' said he, 'by absolute dominion! The slave who, secluded
from the gales of life and from the light of heaven toils without hope
in the darkness of the mine, riots in the delights of paradise compared
with me. By the caprice of one woman, I am robbed not only of enjoyment
but of peace, and condemned for ever to the torment of unsatisfied
desire.'

OMAR, who was impatient to apprize him that he was not alone, and to
prevent his disclosing sentiments which he wished to conceal, now threw
himself upon the ground at his feet. 'Presumptuous slave!' said ALMORAN,
'from whence, and wherefore art thou come?' 'I am come,' said OMAR, 'to
tell thee that not the caprice of a woman, but the wishes of ALMORAN,
have made ALMORAN wretched.' The king, slung with the reproach, drew
back, and with a furious look laid his hand upon his poignard; but was
immediately restrained from drawing it, by his pride. 'I am come,' said
OMAR, 'to repeat that truth, upon which, great as thou art, thy fate is
suspended. Thy power extends not to the mind of another; exert it,
therefore, upon thy own: suppress the wishes, which thou canst not
fulfill, and secure the happiness that is within thy reach.'