'
As the words of HAMET struck ALMORAN with terror, and over-awed him by
an influence which he could not surmount; HAMET was forced from his
presence, before any other orders had been given about him, than were
implied in the menace that was addressed to ALMEIDA: no violence,
therefore, was yet offered him; but he was secured, till the king's
pleasure should be known, in a dungeon not far from the palace, to which
he was conducted by a subterraneous passage; and the door being closed
upon him, he was left in silence, darkness, and solitude, such as may be
imagined before the voice of the Almighty produced light and life.
When ALMORAN was sufficiently recollected to consider his situation, he
despaired of prevailing upon ALMEIDA to gratify his wishes, till her
attachment to HAMET was irreparably broken; and he, therefore, resolved
to put him to death. With this view, he repeated the signal, which
convened the ministers of death to his presence; but the sound was lost
in a peal of thunder that instantly followed it, and the Genius, from
whom he received the talisman, again stood before him.
'ALMORAN,' said the Genius, 'I am now compelled into thy presence by the
command of a superior power; whom, if I should dare to disobey, the
energy of his will might drive me, in a moment, beyond the limits of
nature and the reach of thought, to spend eternity alone, without
comfort, and without hope.
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