Four o'clock, March twenty-sixth, fourteen hundred and fifty-two
he exclaimed . Looking at the calculation , the Prince appeared to reply from it : `` At four o'clock , March twenty-sixth '' -- `` And the year ? '' `` Fourteen hundred and fifty-two . '' '' _ Four o'clock , March twenty-sixth , fourteen hundred and fifty-two _ , '' Mahommed repeated slowly , as if writing and verifying each word . Then he cried with fervor : `` There is no God but God ! '' Twice he crossed the floor ; after which , unwilling probably to submit himself at that moment to observation by any man , he returned to the Prince : `` Thou hast leave to retire ; but keep within call . In this mighty business who is worthier to be the first help of my hands than the Messenger of the Stars ? ''