s ear, how that he ought to have
warned him that this might happen; the woman had in truth confessed
that she could not tell when the Message would be sent, nor could she
give it a moment before it came: 'Sayeth indeed that her Teacher in
this strange faith hath been known to keep an assembly of over 1000
people waiting for a matter of three hours, in order to "famish them
from words," not daring to open his lips without command.'

'Thou shouldest indeed have mentioned this before! Allah grant that
this maiden keepeth us not here so long,' retorted the Grand Vizier,
with a scowl of natural impatience, seeing that he was to set forth on
his journey to the battle-field that very day, and that moments were
growing precious, even in the timeless East. Then, turning to the
Sultan, he in his turn began to pour out profuse explanations and
apologies. The uncouth, misshapen figure on the central divan,
however, paid scant heed to his Minister. Right into the fierce,
cruel, passionate heart of Sultan Mahomet that strange silence was
piercing: piercing as no words could have done, through the crust
formed by years of self-seeking and sin, piercing, until it found,
until it quickened, 'That of God within.'

What happened next must be told in the historian Sewel's own words,
since he doubtless heard the tale from the only person who could tell
it, Mary Fisher herself.

'The Grand Turk then bade her speak the word of the Lord to them and
not to fear, for they had good hearts and could hear it. He also
charged her to speak the word she had to say from the Lord, neither
more nor less, for they were willing to hear it, be it what it would.
_Then she spoke what was upon her mind._'

She never says what it was. The Message, once delivered, could never
be repeated.

'The Turks hearkened to her with much attention and gravity until she
had done; and then, the Sultan asking her whether she had anything
more to say? she asked him whether he understood what she had said?
He answered, "Yes, every word," and further said that what she had
spoken was truth. Then he desired her to stay in that country, saying
that they could not but respect such an one, as should take so much
pains to come to them so far as from England with a message from the
Lord God. He also proffered her a guard to bring her into
Constantinople, whither she intended. But she, not accepting this
offer, he told her it was dangerous travelling, especially for such an
one