214 LIFE OF MOHAMMED. 



eyes on Abu Taleb, as if to inquire wlicther the 

 rights and honours of a father were to be vio- 

 lated by rendering obedience to the authority of his 

 own son. 



Far from being silenced by this ridicule, or dis- 

 couraged by the unfavourable reception of his first 

 public" attempt, the intrepid apostle laboured with 

 indefatigable zeal, and marched onward with un- 

 shaken resolution to the final accomplishment of his 

 designs. No reproaches or affronts could damp his 

 ardour, for he bore them apparently without resent- 

 ment : Avhile every artifice was employed to sub Jue 

 opposition. But it was to the force of his natural 

 eloquence as a preacher, and the fertility of his 

 genius, that he mainly trusted. On solemn fes- 

 tivals, and in the times of pilgrimage, he frequented 

 the temple, and accosted the strangers of every 

 province. Their imaginations and their passions 

 were alternately excited by threats and promises. 

 To the believer' the carnal enjoyments of paradise 

 were liberally offered ; while, for the infidel, col- 

 lars, chains, and torments unutterable were laid up 

 in store. 



The people trembled for their gods, which already 

 seemed toppling from their pedestals. The Koreish, 

 especially, dreaded the effects of his zeal. They 

 beheld the worship which was their chief means 

 of support threatened with extinction ; and they 

 resolved to crush in the birth this attempt to sap 

 the foundation of their wealth and consequence. A 

 deputation of the principal men of the tribe laid 

 their fears and complaints before Abu Taleb : " Un- 

 less thou impose silence on thy nephew, and check 

 his audacity, we shall take arms in defence of our 

 gods. The ties of blood shall not restrain us from 

 drawing the sword, and we shall see on which side 

 victory will declare itself." Alarmed at these me- 

 naces," he seriously exhorted the Prophet to abandon 

 his rash and impracticable schemes. " Spare thy 



