but that of which we are disappointed, we suppose would have been more:  thus do the children of hope extract evil, both from what they gain, and from what they lose.  But Almoran, after the first tumult of his mind had subsided, began to consider as well what was left him, as what had been taken away.  He was still without a superior, though he had an equal; he was still a king, though he did not govern alone:  and with respect to every individual in his dominions, except one, his will would now be a law; though with respect to the public, the concurrence of his brother would be necessary to give it force.  ‘Let me then,’ says he, ’make the most of the power that is now put into my hand, and wait till some favourable opportunity shall offer to increase it.  Let me dissemble my jealousy and disappointment, that I may not alarm suspicion, or put the virtues of Hamet upon their guard against me; and let me contrive to give our joint administration such a form, as may best favour my design.’

Such were the reflections, with which Almoran soothed the anguish of his mind; while Hamet was busied in speculations of a very different kind.  If he was pleased at reflecting, that he was raised from a subject to a prince; he was pleased still more, when he considered his elevation as a test of his father’s affection to his person, and approbation of his conduct:  he was also delighted with the thought, that his brother was associated with him in the arduous talk which he was now called to perform.  ‘If I had been appointed to govern alone,’ said he, ’I should have had no equal; and he who has no equal, though he may have faithful servants, can have no friend:  there cannot be that union of interests, that equal participation of good, that unrestrained intercourse of mind, and that mutual dependence, which constitutes the pure and exalted happiness of friendship.  With Almoran, I shall share the supreme delight of wresting the innocent and the helpless from the iron hand of oppression; of animating merit by reward, and restraining the unworthy by fear:  I shall share, with Almoran, the pleasures of governing a numerous, a powerful, and a happy people; pleasures which, however great, are, like all others, increased by participation.’

While Hamet was thus enjoying the happiness, which his virtue derived from the same source, from which the vices of Almoran had filled his breast with anguish and discontent; Omar was contriving in what manner their joint government could best be carried into execution.

He knew that Solyman, having considered the dispositions of his sons, was of opinion, that if they had been blended in one person, they would have produced a character more fit to govern in his stead, than either of them alone:  Almoran, he thought, was too volatile and warm; but he suspected, that Hamet would sink into inactivity for want of spirit:  he feared alike ALMORAN’S love of enterprize,