Page:Belle Assemblée (Volume 10, 1814).djvu/218

 ferently equipped, when Nadir was ordered out for an expedition of great importance. The enemy, who had received previous intelligence of the intended expedition, had already put to sea, and had taken the advantage of the wind. His line, not being well formed, was cut through; his signals were not rightly interpreted; nay, the mariners were at a loss to execute manœuvres which they had never been taught how to perform. Some few galleys acted most wonderfully; others, being disabled, went to the bottom, their commanders refusing to strike their colours: these heroical achievements, however, prevented not a compleat defeat; and Nadir, after having several times been in danger of his life, escaped with great difficulty, and returned into port with the wrecks of a squadron that had been the pride and the hope of the empire.

Some few envious malecontents were in expectation that Nadir would be removed from his high station. By no means. Too many individuals were interested in supporting him, in order to secure themselves against public vengeance. A most ingenious report was circulated, in which all the blame was attached to those who had been sunk. Nay, it was farther urged, that our hero was entitled to a reward for his undaunted bravery, or, at least, an indemnification for the glory which he had been maliciously prevented from acquiring. So that whilst another squadron was getting ready, he was appointed to command a powerful army, intended to chastise a neighbouring Prince. Nadir this time was accompanied by a host of flatterers, who were unceasingly praising his magnanimity and liberal disposition. In his name they levied heavy contributions, of which they reaped the whole advantage; they even preyed on the allowance of their own men.

In the mean time the enemy took a bad position. A skilful tactician soon perceived it, and the whole of Nadir’s force was instantly marched, to encounter the weakened foe. The corps, scattered here and there, were attacked successively, and Nadir’s troops displayed such intrepidity, that they obtained a complete victory. Several fortified towns opened their gates to the conqueror, and Nadir was proclaimed the saviour of the empire. No dignity was now reckoned above his merits. The prime minister, who had recently ventured to disapprove of a plan he had proposed, was dismissed, when our hero was put in possession of the seals of office, and appointed Premier.

It is said that, in imitation of his predecessors, he caressed such as were in circumstances to supply his extravagance, and that he removed them as soon as their resources were exhausted; that when a handsome woman had a memorial to present him, the rest were obliged to dance attendance for a long time in his anti-chamber; that he promoted his clients only: thus collecting round him those men who might be subservient to his purposes; but that he dispersed all whose talents or disposition occasioned him alarm.

The monarch had only one child, a daughter; but according to the fundamental laws of the country, females were excluded from the throne. The ambitious Nadir thought it not impossible, therefore, for him to succeed to the Emperor. Did his heart partake of the suggestion of his mind? Did that heart at least pay Elma the tribute of a tear? Perhaps it did,—but to what avail? He thought not of ascertaining whether he had not been imposed upon, and whether, indeed, Elma no longer existed. He was too busily engaged in contriving the means of obtaining the hand of the Princess. Intrigue, bribery, audacity, and flattery, he alternately put in practice. The most elevated in the state, whom their degenerated souls rendered the basest; the pontiffs, the most perverse of mankind, when they cease being the most exemplary; women, who like to interfere whenever an opportunity occurs of displaying their abilities, besieged the credulous monarch, and persuaded him that the public safety, and even the glory of his name were concerned in the completion of a marriage, of which history afforded a multiplicity of precedents: so that the sovereign, tired of contending single against them all, finally yielded consent. The Princess at that time was travelling in some distant parts of the empire, when her father gave her up to Nadir, as he would have done one of his provinces; and now one of the most distinguished personages of the court was