eaks on his own authority; he pretends always to be prompted by the
angel Gabriel, who repeats to him the commands of the Most High: the
Prophet does but listen and repeat them. The angelic messenger has
taken care to enter into a multitude of details, not only in relation
to religion, but also to legislation and government. And thus it
happens that the Koran is regarded by the Mussulmans as their standard,
no less for civil than for moral law. One half of this book is written
in verse, and the remainder in poetical prose. Mohammed possessed
great poetical talent; an endowment so highly esteemed by his
countrymen, that they were in the habit of assembling at Mecca to
pronounce judgment on the different poems affixed {204} by their
respective authors to the walls of the temple of tie Caaba; and the
individual in whose favour the popular voice decided was crowned with
great solemnity. When the second chapter of the Koran, _Labia ebn
rabia_, appeared on the walls, the most famous poet of the time, who
had previously posted up a rival production of his own, tore it down,
and acknowledged himself conquered by the Prophet.

Mohammed was not altogether the monster of cruelty so many authors
represent him to have been. He often displayed much humanity towards
offenders who were in his power, and even forgave personal injuries.
One of the most unrelenting of his enemies, named Caab, on whose head a
price had been set, had the audacity suddenly to appear in the mosque
at Medina while Mohammed was preaching to the multitude. Caab recited
some verses which he had composed in honour of the Prophet. Mohammed
listened to them with pleasure, embraced the poet, and invested him
with his own mantle. This precious garment was afterward bought by one
of the caliphs of the East, from the family of Caab, for the sum of
twenty thousand drachms, and became the pride of those Asiatic
sovereigns, who wore it only on the occasion of some solemn festival.

The last moments of Mohammed would seem to prove that he was far from
possessing an ignoble mind. Feeling his end approaching, he repaired
to the mosque, supported by his friend Ali. Mounting the tribune, he
made a prayer, and then, turning to the assembly, uttered these words:
"Mussulmans, I am about to die. No one, therefore, need any longer
fear me; if I have struck any one among you, here is my breast, let him
strike me in return: if I have wrongfully taken the property of any
o