to what he would give up, could be offered him.  But as a king has not equal temptations to do wrong, neither is he equally exposed to opposition, when he does right:  the measures of a substitute are frequently opposed, merely from interest; because the leader of a faction against him, hopes, that if he can remove him by popular clamour, he shall succeed to his power; but it can be no man’s interest to oppose the measures of a king, if his measures are good, because no man can hope to supplant him.  Are not these the precepts of the Prophet, whose wisdom was from above?’—­“Let not the eye of expectation be raised to another, for that which thyself only should bestow:  suffer not thy own shadow to obscure thee; nor be content to derive that glory, which it is thy prerogative to impart.”

‘But is the prince,’ said Almoran, always the wisest man in his dominions?  Can we not find, in another, abilities and experience, which we do not possess? and is it not the duty of him who presides in the ship, to, place the helm in that hand which can best steer it?’

‘A prince,’ said Hamet, ’who sincerely intends the good of his people, can scarce fail to effect it; all the wisdom of the nation will be at once turned to that object:  whatever is his principal aim, will be that of all who are admitted to his council; for to concur with his principal aim, must be the surest recommendation to his favour.  Let us, then, hear others; but let us act ourselves.’

As Almoran now perceived, that the longer this conversation continued, the more he should be embarrassed; he put an end to it, by appearing to acquiesce in what Hamet had proposed.  Hamet withdrew, charmed with the candour and flexibility which he imagined he had discovered in his brother; and not without some exultation in his own rhetoric, which, he supposed had gained no inconsiderable victory.  Almoran, in the mean time, applauded himself for having thus far practised the arts of dissimulation with success; fortified himself in the resolutions he had before taken; and conceived new malevolence and jealousy against Hamet.

CHAP.  IV.

While Hamet was exulting in his conquest, and his heart was overflowing at once with self-complacency, and affection to his brother; he was told, that Omar was waiting without, and desired admittance.  Hamet ordered that he should be immediately introduced; and when Omar entered, and would have prostrated himself before him, he catched him in his arms in a transport of affection and esteem; and having ordered that none should interrupt them, compelled him to sit down on a sofa.