' Swear to me, my sons, that
you will one day become good and just rulers over Egypt!"
"We swear that we will, father! We will one day become good and just
rulers over Egypt!" the three boys reply, as with one voice, their
eyes sparkling, their countenances radiant with the light of high
resolve.
"You have heard it, Allah!" cries the father, in solemn tones, his
head bowed down, his right hand uplifted. "I will firmly establish
the rule of my house, and my sons have sworn to become good and just
rulers. Then be thou, also, our gracious ruler, and with thy great
prophet, Mohammed, look down with favor upon the four human beings
who stand humbly in thy presence! Not the vassal of the grand-sultan
at Stamboul, but the free, independent viceroy, will I be, and after
me shall my sons rule--this I swear! Seal thou my resolve with thy
blessing, O Allah!"
End of Project Gutenberg's Mohammed Ali and His House, by Louise Muhlbach
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