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
not to be king alone, no attempt of his own, however supported, could
make him so. 'I will not,' said OMAR, 'contradict your opinion; I will
only tell you what I have heard, and leave you to, suffer the calamities
which threaten you, with a fortitude and resignation that are suitable
to your principles; having no consolation to offer you, but that HAMET,
whose destiny it was not to make you happy, will suffer with you the
evils, that neither he nor you could prevent: the mournful comfort of
this fellowship, he will not be denied; for he loves you too well, to
wish even to be happy alone.
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