tre of great Solomon. The legend
knew that none could gain that sceptre, but with a mind to whose supreme
volition the fortunes of the world would bow like fate. I gained it; I
confronted the spectre monarchs in their sepulchre; and the same hand
that grasped their shadowy rule hath seized the diadem of the mighty
caliphs by the broad rushing of their imperial river.

'The world is mine: and shall I yield the prize, the universal and
heroic prize, to realise the dull tradition of some dreaming priest,
and consecrate a legend? He conquered Asia, and he built the temple. Are
these my annals? Shall this quick blaze of empire sink to a glimmering
and a twilight sway over some petty province, the decent patriarch of a
pastoral horde? Is the Lord of Hosts so slight a God, that we must place
a barrier to His sovereignty, and fix the boundaries of Omnipotence
between the Jordan and the Lebanon? It is not thus written; and were it
so, I'll pit my inspiration against the prescience of my ancestors.
I also am a prophet, and Bagdad shall be my Zion. The daughter of
the Voice! Well, I am clearly summoned. I am the Lord's servant, not
Jabaster's. Let me make His worship universal as His power; and where's
the priest shall dare impugn my faith, because His altars smoke on other
hills than those of Judah?

'I must see Honain. That man has a great mind. He alone can comprehend
my purpose. Universal empire must not be founded on sectarian prejudices
and exclusive rights. Jabaster would massacre the Moslemin like Amalek;
the Moslemin, the vast majority, and most valuable portion, of my
subjects. He would depopulate my empire, that it might not be said that
Ishmael shared the heritage of Israel. Fanatic! I'll send him to conquer
Judah. We must conciliate. Something must be done to bind the conquered
to our conquering fortunes. That bold Sultan of Roum: I wish Abner had
opposed him. To run off with the harem! I have half a mind to place
myself at the head of the pursuing force, and---- Passion and policy
alike combine: and yet Honain is the man; I might send him on a mission.
Could we make terms? I detest treaties. My fancy flies from all other
topics. I must see him. Could I but tell him all I think! This door,
whither leads it? Hah! methinks I do remember yon glittering gallery!
No one in attendance. The discipline of our palace is somewhat lax.
My warriors are no courtiers. What an admirable marshal of the palace
Honain would make! Sile