They descended, Mahomet prayed, and again demanded, "Why didst thou command me to pray in this place?"
"Because it is Bethlehem, where Jesus the son of Mary was born."
They resumed their course through the air, until a voice was heard on the right exclaiming "Oh Mahomet, tarry a moment, that I may speak to thee; of all created beings I am most devoted to thee."
But Borak pressed forward, and Mahomet forbore to tarry, for he felt that it was not with him to stay his course, but with God the all-powerful end glorious.
Another voice was now heard on the left, calling on Mahomet in like words to tarry; but Borak still pressed forward, and Mahomet tarried not. He now beheld before him a damsel of ravishing beauty, adorned with all the luxury and riches of the earth. She beckoned him with luring smiles: "Tarry a moment, oh Mahomet, that I may talk with thee. I, who, of all beings, am the most devoted to thee."
But still Borak pressed on, and Mahomet tarried not; considering that it was not with him to stay his course, but with God the all-powerful and glorious.
Addressing himself, however, to Gabriel. "What voices are those I have heard?" said he; "and what damsel is this who has beckoned to me?"
"The first, oh Mahomet, was the voice of a Jew: hadst thou listened to him, all thy nation would have been won to Judaism.
"The second was the voice of a Christian;
