trate on the earth.

Misnar alone appeared to be unconcerned at his predicted fate. "O my
friends," said the youthful Sultan, "the rose cannot blossom without
the thorn, nor life be unchequered by the frowns of fate. Grieve not,
then, that trials await me, since the spirit of prudence and virtue
blossoms fairest in a rugged soil."

The sages arose as their royal master spake, and beheld with wonder
the youthful countenance of their prudent Sultan.

Silence and amazement for a time prevailed, till one of the sages,
advancing before the rest, thus counselled the intrepid Prince:

"O light of the earth!" said the trembling sage, "whose virtue and
innocence have not been vexed by frauds, and deceit, whose pure mind
seeth not the foul devices of man's heart, trust not to the fickle
interpositions of chance, where thine own arm can work security, and
establish a permanent foundation to thy father's throne. Thou hast a
brother, O my Sultan, whose veins are filled with royal blood, and
whose heart is by descent above control. Ahubal, therefore, ere his
youth unfolds in the fulness of manhood, should be cut off."

"What!" said the young Sultan Misnar, "what do thy base suspicious
fears advise? Is there no way to build up the seat of justice and
mercy but in murder and fratricide? Never let him who was born to
execute judgment secure his honours by cruelty and oppression. The
righteous Allah planted me not here to spread a poisonous shade over
the offspring of His Prophet Mahomet: though fear and submission be a
subject's tribute, yet is mercy the attribute of Allah, and the most
pleasing endowment of the vicegerents of earth. But as thou, weak man,
hast dared to advise the extirpation of one of the race of the mighty
Dabulcombar, the vengeance of my injured brother's blood fasten upon
thy life!"

The guards of the divan, hearing the sentence of the Sultan,
approached with their drawn sabres towards the decrepit sage; but
Misnar, rising, cried out,

"Who of my subjects shall dare to violate with blood the sanctity of
this refuge for the oppressed? Let the divan of justice be sacred:
nevertheless, lead that author of malice from my sight, and let his
own blood make satisfaction for the cruelty of his desires."

As he spake thus, the guards attempted to seize the sage; but when
they advanced towards him, flames of fire burst from his mouth, and
his whole form appeared as that of a fiery dragon. The rest of the
sages fled