into your hands. We offer you the
same devotion that we yielded to him, and we entreat the same protection
which he granted to us.

'Whatever may be your decision, we must bow to your decree with the
humility that recognises superior force. Yet we are not without hope.
We cannot forget that it is our good fortune not to be addressing
a barbarous chieftain, unable to sympathise with the claims of
civilisation, the creations of art, and the finer impulses of humanity.
We acknowledge your irresistible power, but we dare to hope everything
from a prince whose genius all acknowledge and admire, who has spared
some portion of his youth from the cares of government and the pursuits
of arms to the ennobling claims of learning, whose morality has been
moulded by a pure and sublime faith, and who draws his lineage from a
sacred and celebrated race, the unrivalled antiquity of which even the
Prophet acknowledges.'

He ceased: a buzz of approbation sounded throughout the pavilion, which
was hushed instantly as the lips of the conqueror moved.

'Noble emir,' replied Alroy, 'return to Bagdad, and tell your
fellow-subjects that the King of Israel grants protection to their
persons, and security to their property.'

'And for their faith?' enquired the envoy, in a lower voice.

'Toleration,' replied Alroy, turning to Jabaster.

'Until further regulations,' added the high priest.

'Emir,' said Alroy, 'the person of the caliph will be respected.'

'May it please your highness,' replied Honain, 'the Sultan of Roum has
retired with our late ruler.'

'And his harem?'

'And his harem.'

'It was needless. We war not with women.'

'Men, as well as women, must acknowledge the gracious mercy of your
highness.'

'Benomi,' said Alroy, addressing himself to a young officer of the
guard, 'command the guard of honour that will attend this noble emir on
his return. We soldiers deal only in iron, sir, and cannot vie with the
magnificence of Bagdad, yet wear this dagger for the donor's sake:' and
Alroy held out to Honain a poniard flaming with gems.

The Envoy of Bagdad advanced, took the dagger, pressed it to his lips,
and placed it in his vest.[64]

'Scherirah,' continued Alroy, 'this noble emir is your charge. See
that a choice pavilion of the host be for his use, and that his train
complain not of the rough customs of our camp.'

'May it please your highness,' replied Honain, 'I have fulfilled my
office, and, with your gracious