orgetting the great designs of his heart, waited for the fair
one's answer, and felt more fear at her silence than at this dreadful
enchantments of his monstrous enemies. At length Noradin answered,
"May the joy of my comrades be complete!" Misnar, in raptures at the
fair Noradin's preference, took her by the hand, and led up the dance,
while the instruments of brass a third time sounded, to proclaim the
choice of Noradin.

At the appearance of day, each repaired to the cottages around, and
Misnar and Noradin were led by the chief to a spot, where shortly the
whole assembly built them a cottage of bamboo and the leaves of the
plantain.

As soon as they retired, Noradin, taking Misnar by the hand, asked him
whether she deserved his constant love for the choice she had made.
Misnar reflected upon the words of his fair companion, and his heart
recoiled at them.

"What!" said the Sultan to himself, "shall I, for the gratification of
my passion, give up the glories of my father's kingdom, and the
viceregency of Mahomet? Or shall I basely betray that love which is
proffered me, and embitter fair Noradin's future cup of life? No,"
said he aloud, turning to his amiable companion, "never let the man of
integrity deceive the heart that means to make him happy. Forgive me,
all-beauteous Noradin! but the volumes of my fate are open, and the
Prophet of the Faithful will not permit me to indulge here my secret
affections: though the soul of thy slave will be torn and divided, yet
must he depart with the expiring fires of your festival."

"Base, cold, and senseless wretch!" said the false Noradin (as the
beauteous vision vanished from the eyes of the Sultan, and he beheld
the enchantress Ulin before him), "call not thy frozen purpose virtue,
but the green fruits of unripened manhood. Though thou art escaped,
puny animal as thou art! from the power of my enchantments, yet shall
the southern kingdoms of India feel my scourge. Proceed, then,
superstitious reptile! on thy tame pilgrimage to Mecca, while Horam
feels the vengeance of my army in the sultry deserts of Ahajah."

As she spake thus, she stretched out her wand, and the fires and the
foresters, and the enchantress Ulin, disappeared from the sight of the
astonished Sultan.

The Sultan immediately prostrated himself on the ground, and gave
glory to God for his wonderful escape; and, pursuing his journey,
continued his course for two moons through the wide-extended forest of