I have now reigned above fifty years in victory or peace, beloved by my
subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and
honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly
blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation,
I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which
have fallen to my lot: they amount to _fourteen_. O man, place not thy
confidence in this present world!--_The Caliph Abdalrahman._
If I may speak of myself (the only person of whom I can speak with
certainty), _my_ happy hours have far exceeded, and far exceed, the
scanty numbers of the caliph of Spain; and I shall not scruple to add
that many of them are due to the pleasing labor of the present
composition.--_Gibbon._