Even flattery and
music lost their power, by too frequent a repetition: and the broken
slumbers of the night, and the languor of the morning, were more than
equivalent to the transient hilarity that was inspired by wine. Thus
passed the time of ALMORAN, divided between painful labours which he did
not dare to shun, and the search of pleasure which he could never find.
HAMET, on the contrary, did not seek pleasure, but pleasure seemed to
seek him: he had a perpetual complacence and serenity of mind, which
rendered him constantly susceptible of pleasing impressions; every thing
that was prepared to refresh or entertain him in his seasons of
retirement and relaxation, added something to the delight which was
continually springing in his breast, when he reviewed the past, or
looked forward to the future. Thus, the pleasures of sense were
heightened by those of his mind, and the pleasures of the mind by those
of sense: he had, indeed, as yet no wise; for as yet no woman had fixed
his attention, or determined his choice.
Among the ambassadors whom the monarchs of Asia sent to congratulate the
sons of Solyman upon their accession to the throne, there was a native
of Circassia, whose name was Abdallah. Abdallah had only one child, a
daughter, in whom all his happiness and affection centered; he was
unwilling to leave her behind, and therefore brought her to the court of
Persia.
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