CHAP.  XV.

In the mean time, Almoran, after having effected the transformation, was met, as he was going to the apartment of Almeida, by Osmyn.  Osmyn had already experienced the misery of dependent greatness, that kept him continually under the eye of a capricious tyrant, whose temper was various as the gales of summer, and whose anger was sudden as the bolt of heaven; whose purpose and passions were dark and impetuous as the midnight storm, and at whose command death was inevitable as the approach of time.  When he saw Almoran, therefore, in the likeness of Hamet, he felt a secret desire to apprize him of his situation, and offer him his friendship.

Almoran, who with the form assumed the manners of Hamet, addressed Osmyn with a mild though mournful countenance:  ‘At length,’ said he, ’the will of Almoran alone is law; does it permit me to hold a private rank in this place, without molestation?’ ‘It permits,’ said Osmyn, ’yet more; he has commanded, that you should have admittance to Almeida.’  Almoran, whose vanity betrayed him to flatter his own power in the person of Hamet, replied with a smile:  ’I know, that Almoran, who presides like a God in silent and distant state, reveals the secrets of his will to thee; I know that thou art’—­’I am,’ said Osmyn, ’of all thou seest, most wretched.’  At this declaration, Almoran turned short, and fixed his eyes upon Osmyn with a look of surprize and anger:  ’Does not the favour of Almoran,’ said he, ’whose smile is power, and wealth, and honour, shine upon thee?’ ‘My lord,’ said Osmyn, ’I know so well the severity of thy virtue, that if I should, even for thy sake, become perfidious to thy brother’—­Almoran, who was unable to preserve the character of Hamet with propriety, interrupted him with a fierce and haughty tone:  ‘How!’ said he, ‘perfidious to my brother! to Almoran perfidious!’

Osmyn, who had now gone too far to recede, and who still saw before him the figure of Hamet, proceeded in his purpose:  ‘I knew,’ said he, ’that in thy judgment I should be condemned; and yet, the preservation of life is the strongest principle of nature, and the love of virtue is her proudest boast.’  ‘Explain thyself,’ said Almoran, ’for I cannot comprehend thee.’  ‘I mean,’ said Osmyn, ’that he, whose life depends upon the caprice of a tyrant, is like the wretch whose sentence is already pronounced; and who, if the wind does but rush by his dungeon, imagines that it is the bow-string and the mute.’  ‘Fear not,’ said Almoran, who now affected to be again calm; ’be still faithful, and thou shalt still be safe.’  ‘Alas!’ said Osmyn, there is no diligence, no toil, no faith, that can secure the slave from the sudden phrensy of passion, from, the causeless rage either of drunkenness or lust.  I am that slave; the slave of a tyrant whom I hate.’  The confusion of Almoran was now too great to be concealed, and he stood silent with rage, fear, and indignation.  Osmyn, supposing that his wonder suspended his belief of what he had heard, confirmed his declaration by an oath.