Omar waited till they were again silent, and then improved the advantage he had gained.  ‘Almoran,’ said he, ’considers you as the slaves of his power; Hamet as the objects of his benevolence:  your lives and your properties, in the opinion of Almoran, are below his notice; but Hamet considers his own interest as connected with yours.  When Almoran, therefore, shall be unchecked by the influence of Hamet; he will leave you to the mercy of some delegated tyrant, whose whole power will be exerted to oppress you, that he may enrich himself.’

A new fire was now kindled in their eyes, and their cheeks glowed with indignation at the wrongs that threatened them; they were no longer disposed to act upon the principles of fatality, as they had perversely understood them; and they argued at once like reasonable and free beings, whose actions were in their choice, and who had no doubt but that their actions would produce adequate effects.  They recollected that Omar had, in the reign of Solyman, often rescued them from such oppression, as now threatened them; and that the power of Hamet had since interposed in their behalf, when Almoran would have stretched his prerogative to their hurt, or have left them a prey to the farmer of a tax.  ‘Shall Hamet,’ said they, ’be deprived of the power, that he employs only for our benefit; and shall it center in Almoran, who will abuse it to our ruin?  Shall we rather support Almoran in the wrong he has done to Hamet, than Hamet to obtain justice of Almoran?  Hamet is our king; let him command us, and we will obey.’  This was uttered with a shout that ecchoed from the mountains beyond the city, and continued near a full hour.  In the mean time, the multitude was increasing every moment; and the troops that lay in and near the city, having taken arms, fell in with the stream:  they were secretly attached to Hamet, under whose eye they had been formed, and of whose bounty they had often partaken; and their fear being removed by the general cry, which left them no room to apprehend an opposition in favour of Almoran, they were now at full liberty to follow their inclinations.

In the mean time, Almoran, who had retired to the innermost court of the palace, had heard the tumult, and was alarmed for his safety:  he ran from room to room, confused and terrified, without attempting or directing any thing either for his defence or escape, yet he sent every moment to know the state of the insurrection, and to what end its force would be directed.

Among those whom accident rather than choice had attached to the interest of Almoran, were Osmyn and Caled:  they were both distinguished by his favour; and each had conceived hopes that, if he should possess the throne alone, he would delegate his authority to him.  Almoran now ordered them to take the command of the troops, that were appointed to attend his person as their peculiar duty, with as many others as had not declared for Hamet, and to secure all the avenues that led to his seraglio.