He told them the tender connexion between Hamet and Almeida, and disclosed the subtil hypocrisy of Almoran:  he expatiated upon the folly of supposing, that the power that was supreme in goodness and truth, should command a violation of vows that had been mutually interchanged, and often repeated; and devote to Almoran the beauties, which could only be voluntarily surrendered to Hamet.  They heard him with a vacant countenance of surprize and wonder; and while he waited for their reply, they agreed among themselves, that no man could avoid the destiny that was written upon his head; and that if Almeida had thus been taken from Hamet, and given to Almoran, it was an event that by an unchangeable decree was appointed to happen; and that, therefore, it was their duty to acquiesce.  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.’  The crowd fixed their eyes upon Hamet, for whom their affection was now strongly moved, with looks of much greater intelligence and sensibility; a confused murmur, like the fall of the pebbles upon the beach when the surge retires from the shore, expressed their gratitude to Hamet, and their apprehensions for themselves.