dispatched as proxy, with a brilliant suite, to marry her in the name of our hero. The approaching Hymen, however, and the grand procession that preceded it, were all interrupted, in consequence of an event, which must have been foreseen long since:—Death broke asunder the worn-out springs of the monarch’s weakened existence. Ad mitting that his life had been abridged, Nadir had nothing to reproach himself with on that score. The interesting news was soon whispered about the town. “Do you know the Prince is dead?—Who is to be his successor?”—“It is very immaterial indeed, since a King it will be,” was the answer.—Thus it appeared, that the nation objected not to the accession of a new dynasty. In the mean time the council was assembled, and what with considerable bribes, and still more extravagant promises (which he was determined never to fulfil), Nadir was unanimously elected to fill the throne.
Now then Nadir having over his head the ethereal palace of the Being who has kingdoms at his disposal, it is to be presumed that he will think he has reached the summit of happiness. He will now behold only respectful countenances; his most extravagant wishes will be considered as oracles; the most distinguished among his subjects will solicit the honour of an audience; the fairest among the fair will sue for a mysterious tête-à-tête. Entertainments, however, are not to interfere with public business. Nadir himself will direct the course of national affairs; he will seek for, and be made acquainted with the real truth; he proposes to see every thing with his own eyes, to hear every transaction through his own ears. Noble destiny! but will he be adequate to the task? His hands are but weak, and his head, turned giddy, cannot withstand the too rapid progress of the imperial car: the beams of truth are intercepted by the clouds that surround it; haughty falsehood sits by the side of him, and seizes the slackened reins of the state. Nadir, in his confused state of mind, forgets the respectable, industrious manufacturer, the poor mechanic under his humble roof, and the extensive fields, that cannot supply the wants of his numerous family. The people, however, on their knees before the throne, lament their distressful situation, and call aloud for justice. Nadir’s favourites look at them and bid them “suffer patiently.” If the monarch enquires why the environs of his palace are so crowded? he is answered, that the people rejoice at their prosperity under so glorious a sovereign. Nadir believes them, because he wishes it to be so, and derives some consolation from the assertion, for he was far from being happy himself, being constantly engaged in settling domestic broils.
Whoever was desirous of obtaining a post, was continually harassing him with calumnies against the man who filled it. In his amours, Nadir had as many rivals as there were profligate debauchees at court; and he is at a loss to find a friend, a single mortal in whose company he might, for a moment, unburthen himself of his grandeur, or who would sympathize in his sorrows. None approach him but to offer advice suggested by selfish motives, and vile cupidity: the most humble courtiers, when in his presence, were the most tyrannical in his absence, and trampled under foot the lower orders.
Nadir suffered great distress already, when he was informed that the daughter of the late King refused to give him her hand; also that she had sought the protection of a foreign despot. Notwithstanding his resources were exhausted, the members of his privy council, who expected to derive great profit from it, advised our hero to go to war; and war he accordingly declared, which, it is well known, is always attended with a long train of calamitous disasters. The enemy soon overpowered an undisciplined army, of which the sovereign had not been allowed to take the command. Whole provinces were invaded; the rest being oppressed, dissatisfaction soon assumed a most serious aspect: a conspiracy was organized, and such as were determined to obtain redress, or seek revenge, had found means to carry on their plan without being exposed to detection, although some of their adherents were inmates of the sovereign’s palace.
The hour of his punishment was come. As he was trying, in a sweet slumber, to steep his senses in forgetfulness, the door of his apartment was broke open, and he was
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