y
neither for trial nor for judgment. Captured in arms against your
rightful sovereign, you are of course prepared, like other rebels, for
your doom. Such a crime alone deserves the most avenging punishments.
What then do you merit, who are loaded with a thousand infamies, who
have blasphemed Allah and the Prophet, and, by the practice of magic
arts and the aid of the infernal powers, have broken the peace of
kingdoms, occasioned infinite bloodshed, outraged all law, religion, and
decency, misled the minds of your deluded votaries, and especially by a
direct compact with Eblis, by horrible spells and infamous incantations,
captivated the senses of an illustrious Princess, heretofore famous for
the practice of every virtue, and a descendant of the Prophet himself.

'Behold these stakes of palm-wood, sharper than a lance! The most
terrible retribution that human ingenuity has devised for the guilty
awaits you. But your crimes baffle all human vengeance. Look forward
for your satisfactory reward to those infernal powers by whose dark
co-operation you have occasioned such disasters. Your punishment is
public, that all men may know that the guilty never escape, and that,
if your heart be visited by the slightest degree of compunction for
your numerous victims, you may this day, by the frank confession of the
irresistible means by which you seduced them, exonerate your victims
from the painful and ignominious end with which, through your influence
they are now threatened. Mark, O assembled people, the infinite mercy
of the Vicegerent of Allah! He allows the wretched man to confess his
infamy, and to save by his confession, his unfortunate victims. I have
said it. Glory to Allah!'

And the people shouted, 'He has said it, he has said it! Glory to Allah!
He is great, he is great! and Mahomed is his prophet!'

'Am I to speak?' enquired Alroy, when the tumult had subsided. The
melody of his voice commanded universal attention.

Alp Arslan nodded his head in approbation.

'King of Karasme! I stand here accused of many crimes. Now hear my
answers. 'Tis said I am a rebel. My answer is, I am a Prince as thou
art, of a sacred race, and far more ancient. I owe fealty to no one but
to my God, and if I have broken that I am yet to learn that Alp Arslan
is the avenger of His power. As for thy God and Prophet, I know not
them, though they acknowledge mine. 'Tis well understood in every
polity, my people stand apart from other nations,