O ff A. R. 465 



down his office, travelled to the Indians and the Per- 

 fians, got inftrufted in the knowledge of their forefa- 

 thers, returned from his travels, and now paiTed his 

 days in retirement in a country houfe furrounded by 

 fields, meadows, and gardens ; took upon himfelf the 

 infpection of his workmen ; called them his children, 

 and annually gave them a feaft. He obferved the mo- 

 tions of the ilars, the wind, the virtues of flmples, 

 and the deftiny of man. He gave bread to him that 

 was in want, and advice to them that deilred it. The 

 calif himfelf and his officers frequently afked counfel 

 of him ; and fometimes even followed it. Hiflory is 

 lilent in regard to his name; but hiftory often mentions 

 what it ought to forget, and forgets what it ought to 

 reveal. One morning a ftranger enquired for him; he 

 let him in; he was a youth in full bloom, of a ma- 

 jefhic ftature, an ample forehead, and cheeks that 

 glowed with health. " Who art thou, young man, 

 and whence comeft thou ?" ct My name is Omar, and 

 I come from Bagdat. My bufmefs is to a£k counfel 

 and inftruftion of thee." " Sit thee down Omar." 

 cs I have heard, o fage !" laid Omar, having feated him- 

 felf on a perfian carpet, ic that thou knowefc more than 

 thofe whom the world calls wife." " Thou halt heard 

 amifs, Omar. I know much lefs than thofe- whom the 

 world calls wife ; and, were I to live longer, perhaps I 

 might know lefs than I do at prefent." i 4 I underftand 

 thee not." cc I believe that — but what wouldll thou 

 learn of me ?" cc Tell me what is the plan of this whole 

 creation?" cc Omar, halt thou been in the planet 

 Scham ?" " No." C6 Or in the planet Nahar ?" "-No/* 

 {i Or in the planet Bfchfirah >1 Neither/ 5 44 Or in, 

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