seized upon, notwithstanding his most earnest representations and intreaties.
What could equal his surprise and terror when he was carried away in a grated waggon; when he was forced to alight at the entrance of a citadel, which, in his name, his ministers had erected close to the sea shore; when he was thrown into a dungeon, impervious to the rays of the sun!
Nadir, in his fury, wished at one time to be liberated, only that he might execute the most sanguinary projects. Sometimes, in a fit of cowardly despair, he would call death to his assistance. He might, perhaps, at other times, have struggled against his adversity, had it been the mere consequence of blind fortune’s sports; but it was the result of his own transactions, and that recollection alone aggravated the weight of his sorrows.
Several months had elapsed, and Nadir began to be accustomed, in some measure, to his cruel captivity, of which he could not foresee the end. He was kindly thankful for being supplied with books, which served to adorn his memory and improve his mind. He was, moreover, allowed to walk into the garden belonging to the citadel, from which his health reaped great benefit, and he received great enjoyment. He was no longer the forsaken author, who had beheld with indifference the animated scenery of nature. He no longer thought himself alone when within the narrow limits of a parterre, or of a forest of myrtle or lemon trees. Now the simple verdure, the sweet warbling of the birds created the most pleasing sensations; the harmony of the heavens raised his thoughts towards the Father of all beings, and caused him to smile contemptuously at the importance with which we view our mean projects, our insignificant contentions. By degrees he accustomed himself to pronounce with respect the name of Alzor, whom he had almost forgotten in the days of his prosperity. He could only upbraid the sprite with too much condescension, and would often repeat:—Learn how to moderate thy wishes. However, the recollection of Elma was constantly uppermost in his mind. An inward voice whispered to him that Elma still existed. “She very little suspects,” would Nadir say, “that I am now watering with my tears the pavement of a gloomy dungeon. Could she whom I have so grievously offended, pity me still? Alas! how could I credit that she was no longer herself? How could I hope ever to find an excuse for mine own inconstancy? She had ceased writing to me! But from whom did I hear it?—from a perfidious man, entirely destitute of principles. Has not sad experience taught me that the generality of men were deceitful? Wherefore did not I return hastily into the country? Elma could not have treated me with disregard or inattention. I ought at least, when I met her, to have cleared my doubts, confessed my errors, and have deserved being pardoned. Alas! I no longer knew how to love, I only wished to please I have presumed to offer gold to Elma! I knew her not;—I did not even know myself:—the dangerous little book had metamorphosed my being:—let mine enemies keep it, and they will be sufficiently punished! They have left me, however, a treasure, of which I ought to have known the real value. How sweet were Elma’s accents when, presenting me with a lock of her hair, she said, ‘That will bring Elma back to your remembrance.’ Ah! if, since I had only shewn it to Elma, it would have brought Nadir back to the remembrance of his friend. By uttering one single word I might have resumed the figure under which I had inspired an innocent, tender affection; but I was devoured with ambition, I wished to command others, and had not a sufficient command over myself. How came I to forget Elma, to offer to unite my destiny to that of another woman whom I had never seen?—because she brought me a throne for her portion! I am ruined beyond redemption. In the company of men, and in the intoxication of power, I have contracted errors, and the most odious vices. I am no longer deserving of Elma; a faithful and virtuous man alone is worthy of possessing those charms, that heart which I knew not how to appreciate.—Respectable Alzor, keep watch over her; let her be happy, and I shall die content.”
At these words Nadir fell, extended on the cold pavement, into a lethargic slumber, that bore the appearance of eternal
