466 O M A R. 



any of the fixed ftars ?" " Thy queftions furprize me;' 

 " Our calif, on whom may God fliower his bleffings ! 

 keeps eight hundred thoufand armed men for the de- 

 fence of his empire ; and the fwords of thefe men arc 

 forged at Damafcus." <c That I know right well, for 

 I have feen them forged." " Haft thou, young man ?'* 

 " I have, o fon of wifdom !" " So much the better 

 — and when thou faweft a fword forged what kneweft 

 thou then ?" (C I knew that it was a fword for the army 

 of the calif." " But didft thou likewife know what the 

 plan of operation intended by the calif, was ?" " How, 

 in the name of the prophet, fhould I know that ?" " So, 

 Omar, I know not the plan of this creation." " But 

 tell me then, are men created to be happy in this world ?'* 

 " That I know not." " Thou knoweft not that r" " The 

 Eternal knows it ; bleffed be the Eternal !" " But 

 wherefore are men created ?" " That they may enjoy 

 life and follow after juftice." "But many, who enjoy 

 life and follow after juftice, are yet pining in mifery ; 

 whence arifes this ?" " The Eternal knows it ; blefYed 

 be the Eternal !" " Then I need not alk thee, how it 

 comes that I am not happy ?" " Tell me thy circum- 

 ftances, Omar, and I will tell thee whether it depends on 

 thee." " I am rich, o venerable fage ! I have friends 

 in the court of the calif ; I am beloved by the moft 

 beautiful maiden of Bagdat. But. life is a burden to me." 

 *| That is very poilible. Thou art in want of every 

 tiling, becaufe nothing is wanting to thee." ' ' Doft thou 

 think that my ftate can be bettered ?" " Omar, the 

 fa lit lies folely in thee." " In me !" " Abftain and enjoy." 

 44 Is that all thy advice ?" 4C I have no more to add* 

 Ec^ipw me, and the fault will at leaft no longer be thine." 



" Thou 



