The true Mussulman puts
his hand to nothing on which the blessing of Allah can rest when noon
has gone. Trample on my dead body if thou wilt, but say not that there
was nobody who would have withheld thee from the path of peril!"
The soul of Achmed III. was full of all manner of fantastic sentiments.
Faith, hope, and love, which make others strong, had in him degenerated
into superstition, frivolity, and voluptuousness--already he was but
half a man.
At the words of the Kizlar-Aga he removed his foot from the stirrup in
which he had dreamily placed it with the help of the kneeling Rikiabdar,
and said in the tone of a man who has at last made up his mind:
"We will go to-morrow."
Ibrahim was in despair at this fresh delay. He whispered a few words in
the ear of Izmail Aga, whereupon the latter scarce waiting till the
Sultan had remounted the steps, flung himself on his horse and galloped
as fast as he could tear towards Scutari.
Meanwhile the Grand Vizier and the Chief Mufti continued to detain the
Sultan in the Divan, or council-chamber.
Three-quarters of an hour later Izmail Aga returned and presented
himself before the Sultan all covered with dust and sweat.
"Most glorious Padishah!" he cried, "I have just come from the host.
Since dawn they have all been on their feet awaiting thy arrival. If by
evening thou dost not show thyself in the camp, then so sure as God is
one, the host will not remain in Scutari but will come to Stambul.
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