Without discontinuing the pleasures in which he was immersed, he contented himself with sending presents and humble petitions to Constantinople.
But both were alike useless, for no one even ventured to transmit them to the sultan, who had sworn to cut off the head of anyone who dared mention the name of Ali Tepeleni in his presence.
Receiving no answer to his overtures, Ali became a prey to terrible anxiety.

As he one day opened the Koran to consult it as to his future, his divining rod stopped at verse 82, chap.xix., which says, "He doth flatter himself in vain.

He shall appear before our tribunal naked and bare." Ali closed the book and spat three times into his bosom.

He was yielding to the most dire presentiments, when a courier, arriving from the capital, informed him that all hope of pardon was lost.
He ordered his galley to be immediately prepared, and left his seraglio, casting a look of sadness on the beautiful gardens where only yesterday he had received the homage of his prostrate slaves.

He bade farewell to his wives, saying that he hoped soon to return, and descended to the shore, where the rowers received him with acclamations.