ossessed the virtues of a Turk and a
Mussulman; his voice and stature commanded the reverence of mankind; his
face was shaded with long whiskers; and his ample turban was fashioned
in the shape of a crown. The remains of the sultan were deposited in the
tomb of the Seljukian dynasty; and the passenger might read and meditate
this useful inscription: [40] "O ye who have seen the glory of Alp
Arslan exalted to the heavens, repair to Maru, and you will behold it
buried in the dust." The annihilation of the inscription, and the tomb
itself, more forcibly proclaims the instability of human greatness.

[Footnote 39: This interesting death is told by D'Herbelot, (p. 103,
104,) and M. De Guignes, (tom. iii. p. 212, 213.) from their Oriental
writers; but neither of them have transfused the spirit of Elmacin,
(Hist. Saracen p. 344, 345.)]

[Footnote 40: A critic of high renown, (the late Dr. Johnson,) who has
severely scrutinized the epitaphs of Pope, might cavil in this sublime
inscription at the words "repair to Maru," since the reader must already
be at Maru before he could peruse the inscription.]

During the life of Alp Arslan, his eldest son had been acknowledged as
the future sultan of the Turks. On his father's death the inheritance
was disputed by an uncle, a cousin, and a brother: they drew their
cimeters, and assembled their followers; and the triple victory of Malek
Shah [41] established his own reputation and the right of primogeniture.
In every age, and more especially in Asia, the thirst of power has
inspired the same passions, and occasioned the same disorders; but,
from the long series of civil war, it would not be easy to extract a
sentiment more pure and magnanimous than is contained in the saying of
the Turkish prince. On the eve of the battle, he performed his devotions
at Thous, before the tomb of the Imam Riza. As the sultan rose from the
ground, he asked his vizier Nizam, who had knelt beside him, what had
been the object of his secret petition: "That your arms may be crowned
with victory," was the prudent, and most probably the sincere, answer of
the minister. "For my part," replied the generous Malek, "I implored
the Lord of Hosts that he would take from me my life and crown, if
my brother be more worthy than myself to reign over the Moslems." The
favorable judgment of heaven was ratified by the caliph; and for
the first time, the sacred title of Commander of the Faithful was
communicated to a Barbaria