The Artificers had no Heart to work. All Diversions and Shews were suspended, and that vast and splendid City, which seemed the Center of Gaiety and Pleasure, was now changed into a general Scene of Silence and Melancholy. Yet it was observed, that the Imans and Dervises did not in the least sympathize with this publick Consternation. Some will be apt to imagine, that these pious Men had a divine Intimation that the King would not die. But whoever knows them, will much rather conclude, that, like Physicians who are never better pleased than in Times of general Sickness, they only concealed a selfish Joy under the Mask of an affected Calmness; and it is really scarce credible what Advantage they drew from this public Calamity. The King, being given over by the Physicians, seemed to be lost without miraculous Relief from Heaven, and as the meanest of his Subjects was not wanting in his Endeavours to procure it, so that Sesems, which in that Country are Devotions of about a Quarter of an Hour, perform'd by the Imans, are known to have risen to such an Extortion, as not to be said under two Tomans each.
During the first Days of his Illness, Lenertoula never left the royal Patient's Bed, who also protested, that Death had nothing bitter to him, but the leaving his Mistress and his Subjects. But no sooner was the Monarch sensible of his desperate Condition, than a Cloud of awful Ideas broke in upon his Mind. The Principles he had imbibed by Education, revived in his Conscience. He reflected on all his Conduct to the present Time, and the Thoughts of his being on the Point of passing into another Life, impress'd on him strongly the Conditions on which his Religion offers eternal Happiness. All Kelirieu's Care to conceal these penitential Dispositions, could not hinder their being known among the Courtiers. The Kam Kertras, Grandson to the Kam of Anserol, late Regent, at the Instance of his Father, who was a very religious Prince, resolv'd to make Use of them, in order to restore the Queen to her Rights, and deprive the wicked Lenertoula of her Usurpations.
Taking with him a Mollak, equally venerable for his Birth and Piety, he went to the sick King's Apartment. Kelirieu knowing how much it concerned both him and her whom he served to hinder this Visit, dared to refuse them Admittance, under Pretence that the King was going to sleep, and would see no Body. Although the Kam and the Mollak plainly saw through the Deceit, yet Regard to the melancholy Juncture, made them quietly withdraw, in Hopes of a more lucky Opportunity, which yet they never would have found, had they contented themselves with such Excuses. They returned the same Day, and Kelirieu gave them the same Answer, which provoked the young Duke beyond Measure, being naturally very fiery. What, said he, with a threatning Air, shall you, who are no better than a Lacquey, dare to deny Admittance to your Master's nearest Relation? and at once kick'd open the Door, and went forward into the Apartment, followed by the Mollak.