With dominion undivided and ALMEIDA, I should be
ALMORAN; but without them, I am less than nothing.'
OMAR, who, before he has passed the pavilion, heard a sound which he
knew to be the voice of ALMORAN, returned hastily to the chamber in
which he left him, believing he had withdrawn too soon, and that the
king, as he knew no other was present, was speaking to him: he soon drew
near enough to hear what was said; and while he was standing torpid in
suspense, dreading to be discovered, and not knowing how to retire,
ALMORAN turned about.
At first, both stood motionless with confusion and amazement; bus
ALMORAN'S pride soon surmounted his other passions, and his disdain of
OMAR gave his guilt the firmness of virtue.
'It is true,' said he, 'that thou hast stolen the secret of my heart;
but do not think, that I fear it should be known: though my poignard
could take it back with thy life; I leave it with thee. To reproach, or
curse thee, would do thee honour, and lift thee into an importance which
otherwise thou canst never reach.' ALMORAN then turned from him with a
contemptuous frown: but OMAR caught him by the robe; and prostrating
himself upon the ground, intreated to be heard. His importunity at
length prevailed; and he attempted to exculpate himself, from the charge
of having insiduously intruded upon the privacy of his prince, but
ALMORAN sternly interrupted him: 'And what art thou,' said he, 'that I
should care, whether thou art innocent or guilty?' 'If not for my
sake,' said OMAR, 'listen for thy own; and though my duty is despised,
let my affection be heard.
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