"
Mahomet answered with an air of indignation: "He hath too well deserved
to be resigned to himself, but I permit you to try if one effort more
will be effectual to divert him from pursuing his ruin."
One of these beneficent Genii, assuming without delay the exterior of a
shepherd, more renowned for his piety than all the Dervises and Santons
of the region, took his station near a flock of white sheep on the slope
of a hill, and began to pour forth from his flute such airs of pathetic
melody as subdued the very soul, and, awakening remorse, drove far from
it every frivolous fancy. At these energetic sounds the sun hid himself
beneath a gloomy cloud, and the waters of two little lakes, that were
naturally clearer than crystal, became of a colour like blood. The whole
of this superb assembly was involuntarily drawn towards the declivity of
the hill; with downcast eyes they all stood abashed, each upbraiding
himself with the evil he had done; the heart of Dilara palpitated, and
the chief of the eunuchs with a sigh of contrition implored pardon of the
women, whom for his own satisfaction he had so often tormented.
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