Whereas, Necessity holds that all events are naturally linked, and inevitably follow each other, without providential interposition, though by the eternal letting of Providence." "Well, well, Babbalanja, I grant it all.

Go on." "On high authority, we are told that in times past the fall of certain nations in Mardi was prophesied of seers." "Most true, my lord," said Mohi; "it is all down in the chronicles." "Ha! ha!" cried Media.

"Go on, philosopher." Continued Babbalanja, "Previous to the time assigned to their fulfillment, those prophecies were bruited through Mardi; hence, previous to the time assigned to their fulfillment, full knowledge of them may have come to the nations concerned.

Now, my lord, was it possible for those nations, thus forwarned, so to conduct their affairs, as at, the prophesied time, to prove false the events revealed to be in store for them ?" "However that may be," said Mohi, "certain it is, those events did assuredly come to pass:--Compare the ruins of Babbelona with book ninth, chapter tenth, of the chronicles.

Yea, yea, the owl inhabits where the seers predicted; the jackals yell in the tombs of the kings." "Go on, Babbalanja," said Media.