'
As he uttered this expression, he felt the palace shake; he heard a
rushing, like a blast in the desart; and a being of more than human
appearance stood before him. ALMORAN, though he was terrified, was not
humbled; and he stood expecting the event, whether evil or good, rather
with obduracy than courage.
'Thou seest,' says the Appearance, 'a Genius, whom the daring purpose of
thy mind has convoked from the middle region, where he was appointed to
wait the signal; and who is now permitted to act in concert with thy
will. Is not this the language of thy heart?--"Whatever pleasure I can
snatch from the hand of time, as he passes by me, I will secure for
myself: my passions shall be strong, that my enjoyments may be great;
for what is the portion allotted to man, but the joyful madness that
prolongs the hours of festivity, the fierce delight that is extorted
from injury by revenge, and the sweet succession of varied pleasures
which the wish that is ever changing prepares for love?"'
'Whatever thou art,' said ALMORAN, 'whose voice has thus disclosed the
secret of my soul, accept my homage; for I will worship thee: and be
thou henceforth my wisdom and my strength.'
'Arise,' said the Genius, 'for therefore am I sent.
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