While HAMET was exulting in his conquest, and his heart was overflowing
at once with self-complacency, and affection to his brother; he was
told, that OMAR was waiting without, and desired admittance. HAMET
ordered that he should be immediately introduced; and when OMAR entered,
and would have prostrated himself before him, he catched him in his arms
in a transport of affection and esteem; and having ordered that none
should interrupt them, compelled him to sit down on a sofa.
He then related, with all the joy of a youthful and an ardent mind, the
conversation he had had with ALMORAN, intermixed with expressions of
the highest praise and the most cordial esteem. OMAR was not without
suspicion, that the sentiments which ALMORAN had first expressed with
such vehemence of passion, were still predominant in his mind: but of
these suspicions he did not give the least hint to HAMET; not only
because to communicate suspicions is to accuse without proof, but
because he did not think himself at liberty to make an ill report of
another, though he knew it to be true. He approved the sentiments of
HAMET, as they had indeed been infused by his own instructions; and some
precepts and cautions were now added, which the accession of HAMET to a
share of the imperial power made particularly necessary.
'Remember,' said OMAR, 'that the most effectual way of promoting virtue,
is to prevent occasions of vice. There are, perhaps, particular
situations, in which human virtue has always failed: at least,
temptation often repeated, and long continued, has seldom been finally
resisted. In a government so constituted as to leave the people exposed
to perpetual seduction, by opportunities of dissolute pleasure or
iniquitous gain, the multiplication of penal laws will only tend to
depopulate the kingdom, and disgrace the state; to devote to the
scymitar and the bow-string, those who might have been useful to
society, and to leave the rest dissolute turbulent and factious. If the
streets not only abound with women, who inflame the passenger by their
appearance, their gesture, and their solicitations; but with houses, in
which every desire which they kindle may be gratified with secrecy and
convenience; it is in vain that "the feet of the prostitute go down to
death, and that her steps take hold on hell:" what then can be hoped
from any punishment, which the laws of man can superadd to disease and
want, to rottenness and perdition? If you permit opium to be publickly
sold at a low rate; it will be folly to hope, that the dread of
punishment will render idleness and drunkenness strangers to the poor.
If a tax is so collected, as to leave opportunities to procure the
commodity, without paying it; the hope of gain will always surmount the
fear of punishment. If, when the veteran has served you at the risque of
life, you withold his hire; it will be in vain to threaten usury and
extortion with imprisonment and fines. If, in your armies, you suffer it
to be any man's interest, rather to preserve the life of a horse than a
man; be assured, that your own sword is drawn for your enemy: for there
will always be some, in whom interest is stronger than humanity and
honour. Put no man's interest, therefore, in the ballance against his
duty; nor hope that good can often be produced, but by preventing
opportunities of evil.'
To these precepts of OMAR, HAMET listened as to the instructions of a
father; and having promised to keep them as the treasure of life, he
dismissed him from his presence. The heart of HAMET was now expanded
with the most pleasing expectations; but ALMORAN was pining with
solicitude, jealousy, and distrust: he took every opportunity to avoid
both OMAR and HAMET; but HAMET still retained his confidence, and OMAR
his suspicions.