第2章
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  Aspiritnowadvanced,andthegatewasimmediatelythrownopentohimbeforehehadspokenaword。Iheardsomewhisper,\"Thatisourlastlordmayor。\"

  Itnowcametoourcompany’sturn。ThefairspiritwhichI

  mentionedwithsomuchapplauseinthebeginningofmyjourneypassedthroughveryeasily;butthegraveladywasrejectedonherfirstappearance,MinosdeclaringtherewasnotasingleprudeinElysium。

  Thejudgethenaddressedhimselftome,wholittleexpectedtopassthisfierytrial。IconfessedIhadindulgedmyselfveryfreelywithwineandwomeninmyyouth,buthadneverdoneaninjurytoanymanliving,noravoidedanopportunityofdoinggood;thatIpretendedtoverylittlevirtuemorethangeneralphilanthrophyandprivatefriendship。Iwasproceeding,whenMinosbademeenterthegate,andnotindulgemyselfwithtrumpetingforthmyvirtues。Iaccordinglypassedforwardwithmylovelycompanion,and,embracingherwithvasteagerness,butspiritualinnocence,shereturnedmyembraceinthesamemanner,andwebothcongratulatedourselvesonourarrivalinthishappyregion,whosebeautynopaintingoftheimaginationcandescribe。

  CHAPTERVIII

  TheadventureswhichtheauthormetonhisfirstentranceintoElysium。

  Wepursuedourwaythroughadeliciousgroveoforange—trees,whereIsawinfinitenumbersofspirits,everyoneofwhomI

  knew,andwasknownbythem(forspiritshereknowoneanotherbyintuition)。IpresentlymetalittledaughterwhomIhadlostseveralyearsbefore。Goodgods!whatwordscandescribetheraptures,themeltingpassionatetenderness,withwhichwekissedeachother,continuinginourembrace,withthemostecstaticjoy,aspacewhich,iftimehadbeenmeasuredhereasonearth,couldnotbelessthanhalfayear。

  ThefirstspiritwithwhomIenteredintodiscoursewasthefamousLeonidasofSparta。Iacquaintedhimwiththehonorswhichhadbeendonehimbyacelebratedpoetofournation;towhichheansweredhewasverymuchobligedtohim。WewerepresentlyafterwardsentertainedwiththemostdeliciousvoiceI

  hadeverheard,accompaniedbyaviolin,equaltoSigniorPiantinida。IpresentlydiscoveredthemusicianandsongstertobeOrpheusandSappho。

  OldHomerwaspresentatthisconcert(ifImaysocallit),andMadamDaciersatinhislap。HeaskedmuchafterMr。Pope,andsaidhewasverydesirousofseeinghim;forthathehadreadhisIliadinhistranslationwithalmostasmuchdelightashebelievedhehadgivenothersintheoriginal。Ihadthecuriositytoinquirewhetherhehadreallywritthatpoemindetachedpieces,andsungitaboutasballadsalloverGreece,accordingtothereportwhichwentofhim。Hesmiledatmyquestion,andaskedmewhetherthereappearedanyconnectioninthepoem;foriftheredidhethoughtImightanswermyself。I

  thenimportunedhimtoacquaintmeinwhichofthecitieswhichcontendedforthehonorofhisbirthhewasreallyborn?Towhichheanswered,\"UponmysoulIcan’ttell。\"

  Virgilthencameuptome,withMr。Addisonunderhisarm。

  \"Well,sir,\"saidhe,\"howmanytranslationshavethesefewlastyearsproducedofmyAeneid?\"ItoldhimIbelievedseveral,butIcouldnotpossiblyremember;forthatIhadneverreadanybutDr。Trapp’s。\"Ay,\"saidhe,\"thatisacuriouspieceindeed!\"I

  thenacquaintedhimwiththediscoverymadebyMr。WarburtonoftheElusinianmysteriescouchedinhissixthbook。\"Whatmysteries?\"saidMr。Addison。\"TheElusinian,\"answeredVirgil,\"whichIhavedisclosedinmysixthbook。\"\"How!\"repliedAddison。\"Younevermentionedawordofanysuchmysteriestomeinallouracquaintance。\"\"Ithoughtitwasunnecessary,\"criedtheother,\"toamanofyourinfinitelearning:besides,youalwaystoldmeyouperfectlyunderstoodmymeaning。\"UponthisI

  thoughtthecriticlookedalittleoutofcountenance,andturnedasidetoaverymerryspirit,oneDickSteele,whoembracedhim,andtoldhimhehadbeenthegreatestmanuponearth;thathereadilyresignedupallthemeritofhisownworkstohim。UponwhichAddisongavehimagracioussmile,and,clappinghimonthebackwithmuchsolemnity,criedout,\"Wellsaid,Dick!\"

  IthenobservedShakespearestandingbetweenBettertonandBooth,anddecidingadifferencebetweenthosetwogreatactorsconcerningtheplacinganaccentinoneofhislines:thiswasdisputedonbothsideswithawarmthwhichsurprisedmeinElysium,tillIdiscoveredbyintuitionthateverysoulretaineditsprincipalcharacteristic,being,indeed,itsveryessence。

  ThelinewasthatcelebratedoneinOthello——

  PUTOUTTHELIGHT,ANDTHENPUTOUTTHELIGHT。accordingtoBetterton。Mr。Boothcontendedtohaveitthus:——

  Putoutthelight,andthenputoutTHElight。Icouldnothelpofferingmyconjectureonthisoccasion,andsuggesteditmightperhapsbe——

  Putoutthelight,andthenputoutTHYlight。Anotherhintedareadingverysophisticatedinmyopinion——

  Putoutthelight,andthenputoutTHEE,light,makinglighttobethevocativecase。Anotherwouldhavealteredthelastword,andread——

  PUTOUTTHYLIGHT,ANDTHENPUTOUTTHYSIGHT。ButBettertonsaid,ifthetextwastobedisturbed,hesawnoreasonwhyawordmightnotbechangedaswellasaletter,and,insteadof\"putoutthylight,\"youmayread\"putoutthyeyes。\"AtlastitwasagreedonallsidestoreferthemattertothedecisionofShakespearehimself,whodeliveredhissentimentsasfollows:

  \"Faith,gentlemen,itissolongsinceIwrotetheline,Ihaveforgotmymeaning。ThisIknow,couldIhavedreamedsomuchnonsensewouldhavebeentalkedandwritaboutit,Iwouldhaveblotteditoutofmyworks;forIamsure,ifanyofthesebemymeaning,itdothmeverylittlehonor。\"

  Hewastheninterrogatedconcerningsomeotherambiguouspassagesinhisworks;buthedeclinedanysatisfactoryanswer;saying,ifMr。Theobaldhadnotwritaboutitsufficiently,therewerethreeorfourmoreneweditionsofhisplayscomingout,whichhehopedwouldsatisfyeveryone:concluding,\"Imarvelnothingsomuchasthatmenwillgirdthemselvesatdiscoveringobscurebeautiesinanauthor。Certesthegreatestandmostpregnantbeautiesareevertheplainestandmostevidentlystriking;andwhentwomeaningsofapassagecanintheleastbalanceourjudgmentswhichtoprefer,Iholditmatterofunquestionablecertaintythatneitherofthemisworthafarthing。\"Fromhisworksourconversationturnedonhismonument;uponwhich,Shakespeare,shakinghissides,andaddressinghimselftoMilton,criedout,\"Onmyword,brotherMilton,theyhavebroughtanoblesetofpoetstogether;theywouldhavebeenhangedersthave[eretheyhad]convenedsuchacompanyattheirtableswhenalive。\"\"True,brother,\"answeredMilton,\"unlesswehadbeenasincapableofeatingthenaswearenow。\"

  CHAPTERIX

  MoreadventuresinElysium。

  Acrowdofspiritsnowjoinedus,whomIsoonperceivedtobetheheroes,whoherefrequentlypaytheirrespectstotheseveralbardstherecordersoftheiractions。InowsawAchillesandUlyssesaddressingthemselvestoHomer,andAeneasandJuliusCaesartoVirgil:AdamwentuptoMilton,uponwhichIwhisperedMr。DrydenthatIthoughtthedevilshouldhavepaidhiscomplimentsthere,accordingtohisopinion。Drydenonlyanswered,\"IbelievethedevilwasinmewhenIsaidso。\"

  SeveralappliedthemselvestoShakespeare,amongstwhomHenryV

  madeaverydistinguishingappearance。Whilemyeyeswerefixedonthatmonarchaverysmallspiritcameuptome,shookmeheartilybythehand,andtoldmehisnamewasTHOMASTHUMB。I

  expressedgreatsatisfactioninseeinghim,norcouldIhelpspeakingmyresentmentagainstthehistorian,whohaddonesuchinjusticetothestatureofthisgreatlittleman,whichherepresentedtobenobiggerthanaspan,whereasIplainlyperceivedatfirstsighthewasfullafootandahalf(andthe37thpartofaninchmore,ashehimselfinformedme),beingindeedlittleshorterthansomeconsiderablebeauxofthepresentage。Iaskedthislittleheroconcerningthetruthofthosestoriesrelatedofhim,viz。,ofthepudding,andthecow’sbelly。Astotheformer,hesaiditwasaridiculouslegend,worthytobelaughedat;butastothelatter,hecouldnothelpowningtherewassometruthinit:norhadheanyreasontobeashamedofit,ashewasswallowedbysurprise;adding,withgreatfierceness,thatifhehadhadanyweaponinhishandthecowshouldhaveassoonswallowedthedevil。

  Hespokethelastwordwithsomuchfury,andseemedsoconfounded,that,perceivingtheeffectithadonhim,I

  immediatelywaivedthestory,and,passingtoothermatters,wehadmuchconversationtouchinggiants。Hesaid,sofarfromkillingany,hehadneverseenonealive;thathebelievedthoseactionswerebymistakerecordedofhim,insteadofJackthegiant—killer,whomheknewverywell,andwhohad,hefancied,extirpatedtherace。Iassuredhimtothecontrary,andtoldhimIhadmyselfseenahugetamegiant,whoverycomplacentlystayedinLondonawholewinter,atthespecialrequestofseveralgentlemenandladies;thoughtheaffairsofhisfamilycalledhimhometoSweden。

  Inowbeheldastern—lookingspiritleaningontheshoulderofanotherspirit,andpresentlydiscernedtheformertobeOliverCromwell,andthelatterCharlesMartel。IownIwasalittlesurprisedatseeingCromwellhere,forIhadbeentaughtbymygrandmotherthathewascarriedawaybythedevilhimselfinatempest;butheassuredme,onhishonor,therewasnottheleasttruthinthatstory。However,heconfessedhehadnarrowlyescapedthebottomlesspit;and,iftheformerpartofhisconducthadnotbeenmoretohishonorthanthelatter,hehadbeencertainlysousedintoit。Hewas,nevertheless,sentbacktotheupperworldwiththislot:——ARMY,CAVALIER,DISTRESS。

  Hewasborn,forthesecondtime,thedayofCharlesII’srestoration,intoafamilywhichhadlostaveryconsiderablefortuneintheserviceofthatprinceandhisfather,forwhichtheyreceivedtherewardveryoftenconferredbyprincesonrealmerit,viz。——000。At16hisfatherboughtasmallcommissionforhiminthearmy,inwhichheservedwithoutanypromotionallthereignsofCharlesIIandofhisbrother。AttheRevolutionhequittedhisregiment,andfollowedthefortunesofhisformermaster,andwasinhisservicedangerouslywoundedatthefamousbattleoftheBoyne,wherehefoughtinthecapacityofaprivatesoldier。Herecoveredofthiswound,andretiredaftertheunfortunatekingtoParis,wherehewasreducedtosupportawifeandsevenchildren(forhislothadhornsinit)bycleaningshoesandsnuffingcandlesattheopera。Inwhichsituation,afterhehadspentafewmiserableyears,hediedhalf—starvedandbroken—hearted。HethenrevisitedMinos,who,compassionatinghissufferingsbymeansofthatfamily,towhomhehadbeeninhisformercapacitysobitteranenemy,sufferedhimtoenterhere。

  Mycuriositywouldnotrefrainaskinghimonequestion,i。e。,whetherinrealityhehadanydesiretoobtainthecrown?Hesmiled,andsaid,\"Nomorethananecclesiastichathtothemiter,whenhecriesNoloepiscopari。\"Indeed,heseemedtoexpresssomecontemptatthequestion,andpresentlyturnedaway。

  Avenerablespiritappearednext,whomIfoundtobethegreathistorianLivy。AlexandertheGreat,whowasjustarrivedfromthepalaceofdeath,passedbyhimwithafrown。Thehistorian,observingit,said,\"Ay,youmayfrown;butthosetroopswhichconqueredthebaseAsiaticslaveswouldhavemadenofigureagainsttheRomans。\"Wethenprivatelylamentedthelossofthemostvaluablepartofhishistory;afterwhichhetookoccasiontocommendthejudiciouscollectionmadebyMr。Hook,which,hesaid,wasinfinitelypreferabletoallothers;andatmymentioningEchard’shegaveabounce,notunlikethegoingoffofasquib,andwasdepartingfromme,whenIbeggedhimtosatisfymycuriosityinonepoint——whetherhewasreallysuperstitiousorno?ForIhadalwaysbelievedhewastillMr。Leibnitzhadassuredmetothecontrary。Heansweredsullenly,\"DothMr。

  Leibnitzknowmymindbetterthanmyself?\"andthenwalkedaway。

  CHAPTERX

  TheauthorissurprisedatmeetingJuliantheapostateinElysium;butissatisfiedbyhimbywhatmeansheprocuredhisentrancethere。Julianrelateshisadventuresinthecharacterofaslave。

  AshewasdepartingIheardhimsaluteaspiritbythenameofMr。Juliantheapostate。Thisexceedinglyamazedme;forIhadconcludedthatnomaneverhadabettertitletothebottomlesspitthanhe。ButIsoonfoundthatthissameJuliantheapostatewasalsotheveryindividualarchbishopLatimer。Hetoldmethatseverallieshadbeenraisedonhiminhisformercapacity,norwashesobadamanashehadbeenrepresented。However,hehadbeendeniedadmittance,andforcedtoundergoseveralsubsequentpilgrimagesonearth,andtoactinthedifferentcharactersofaslave,aJew,ageneral,anheir,acarpenter,abeau,amonk,afiddler,awiseman,aking,afool,abeggar,aprince,astatesman,asoldier,atailor,analderman,apoet,aknight,adancing—master,andthreetimesabishop,beforehismartyrdom,which,togetherwithhisotherbehaviorinthislastcharacter,satisfiedthejudge,andprocuredhimapassagetotheblessedregions。

  Itoldhimsuchvariouscharactersmusthaveproducedincidentsextremelyentertaining;andifherememberedall,asIsupposedhedid,andhadleisure,Ishouldbeobligedtohimfortherecital。Heansweredheperfectlyrecollectedeverycircumstance;andastoleisure,theonlybusinessofthathappyplacewastocontributetothehappinessofeachother。Hethereforethankedmeforaddingtohis,inproposingtohimamethodofincreasingmine。Ithentookmylittledarlinginonehand,andmyfavoritefellow—travelerintheother,and,goingwithhimtoasunnybankofflowers,weallsatdown,andhebeganasfollows:——\"IsupposeyouaresufficientlyacquaintedwithmystoryduringthetimeIactedthepartoftheemperorJulian,thoughIassureyouallwhichhathbeenrelatedofmeisnottrue,particularlywithregardtothemanyprodigiesforerunningmydeath。However,theyarenowverylittleworthdisputing;andiftheycanserveanypurposeofthehistoriantheyareextremelyathisservice。\"MynextentranceintotheworldwasatLaodicea,inSyria,inaRomanfamilyofnogreatnote;and,beingofarovingdisposition,IcameattheageofseventeentoConstantinople,where,afteraboutayear’sstay,I

  setoutforThrace,atthetimewhentheemperorValensadmittedtheGothsintothatcountry。IwastheresocaptivatedwiththebeautyofaGothiclady,thewifeofoneRodoric,acaptain,whosename,outofthemostdelicatetendernessforherlovelysex,Ishallevenatthisdistanceconceal;sinceherbehaviortomewasmoreconsistentwithgood—naturethanwiththatvirtuewhichwomenareobligedtopreserveagainsteveryassailant。InordertoprocureanintimacywiththiswomanIsoldmyselfaslavetoherhusband,who,beingofanationnotover—inclinedtojealousy,presentedmetohiswife,forthoseveryreasonswhichwouldhaveinducedoneofajealouscomplexiontohavewithheldmefromher,namely,forthatIwasyoungandhandsome。

  \"Matterssucceededsofaraccordingtomywish,andthesequelansweredthosehopeswhichthisbeginninghadraised。Isoonperceivedmyservicewasveryacceptabletoher;Ioftenmethereyes,nordidshewithdrawthemwithoutaconfusionwhichisscarceconsistentwithentirepurityofheart。Indeed,shegavemeeverydayfreshencouragement;buttheunhappydistancewhichcircumstanceshadplacedbetweenusdeterredmelongfrommakinganydirectattack;andshewastoostrictanobserverofdecorumtoviolatethesevererulesofmodestybyadvancingfirst;butpassionatlastgotthebetterofmyrespect,andIresolvedtomakeoneboldattempt,whateverwastheconsequence。

  Accordingly,layingholdofthefirstkindopportunity,whenshewasaloneandmymasterabroad,Istoutlyassailedthecitadelandcarrieditbystorm。WellmayIsaybystorm;fortheresistanceImetwasextremelyresolute,andindeedasmuchasthemostperfectdecencywouldrequire。Shesworeoftenshewouldcryoutforhelp;butIanswereditwasinvain,seeingtherewasnopersonneartoassisther;andprobablyshebelievedme,forshedidnotonceactuallycryout,whichifshehad,I

  mightverylikelyhavebeenprevented。

  \"Whenshefoundhervirtuethussubduedagainstherwillshepatientlysubmittedtoherfate,andquietlysufferedmealongtimetoenjoythemostdeliciousfruitsofmyvictory;butenviousfortuneresolvedtomakemepayadearpriceformypleasure。Onedayinthemidstofourhappinessweweresuddenlysurprisedbytheunexpectedreturnofherhusband,who,comingdirectlyintohiswife’sapartment,justallowedmetimetocreepunderthebed。Thedisorderinwhichhefoundhiswifemighthavesurprisedajealoustemper;buthiswassofarotherwise,thatpossiblynomischiefmighthavehappenedhadhenotbyacrossaccidentdiscoveredmylegs,whichwerenotwellhid。Heimmediatelydrewmeoutbythem,andthen,turningtohiswifewithasterncountenance,begantohandleaweaponheworebyhisside,withwhichIampersuadedhewouldhaveinstantlydispatchedher,hadInotverygallantly,andwithmanyimprecations,assertedherinnocenceandmyownguilt;which,however,Iprotestedhadhithertogonenofartherthandesign。

  Shesowellsecondedmyplea(forshewasawomanofwonderfulart),thathewasatlengthimposedupon;andnowallhisragewasdirectedagainstme,threateningallmanneroftortures,whichthepoorladywasintoogreatafrightandconfusiontodissuadehimfromexecuting;andperhaps,ifherconcernformehadmadeherattemptit,itwouldhaveraisedajealousyinhimnotafterwardstoberemoved。

  \"AftersomehesitationRodericcriedouthehadluckilyhitonthemostproperpunishmentformeintheworld,byamethodwhichwouldatoncedoseverejusticeonmeformycriminalintention,andatthesametimepreventmefromanydangerofexecutingmywickedpurposehereafter。Thiscruelresolutionwasimmediatelyexecuted,andIwasnolongerworthythenameofaman。

  \"Havingthusdisqualifiedmefromdoinghimanyfutureinjury,hestillretainedmeinhisfamily;butthelady,veryprobablyrepentingofwhatshehaddone,andlookingonmeastheauthorofherguilt,wouldneverforthefuturegivemeeitherakindwordorlook:andshortlyafter,agreatexchangebeingmadebetweentheRomansandtheGothsofdogsformen,myladyexchangedmewithaRomanwidowforasmalllap—dog,givingaconsiderablesumofmoneytoboot。

  \"Inthiswidow’sserviceIremainedsevenyears,duringallwhichtimeIwasverybarbarouslytreated。Iwasworkedwithouttheleastmercy,andoftenseverelybeatbyaswingingmaid—servant,whonevercalledmebyanyothernamesthanthoseoftheThingandtheAnimal。ThoughIusedmyutmostindustrytoplease,itneverwasinmypower。NeithertheladynorherwomanwouldeatanythingItouched,sayingtheydidnotbelievemewholesome。Itisunnecessarytorepeatparticulars;inaword,youcanimaginenokindofillusagewhichIdidnotsufferinthisfamily。

  \"Atlastanheathenpriest,anacquaintanceofmylady’s,obtainedmeofherforapresent。Thescenewasnowtotallychanged,andIhadasmuchreasontobesatisfiedwithmypresentsituationasIhadtolamentmyformer。Iwassoabsolutelymymaster’sfavorite,thattherestoftheslavespaidmealmostasmuchregardastheyshowedtohim,wellknowingthatitwasentirelyinmypowertocommandandtreatthemasIpleased。I

  wasintrustedwithallmymaster’ssecrets,andusedtoassisthiminprivatelyconveyingawaybynightthesacrificesfromthealtars,whichthepeoplebelievedthedeitiesthemselvesdevoured。Uponthesewefeastedveryelegantly,norcouldinventionsuggestararitywhichwedidnotpamperourselveswith。Perhapsyoumayadmireatthecloseunionbetweenthispriestandhisslave,butwelivedinanintimacywhichtheChristiansthoughtcriminal;butmymaster,whoknewthewillofthegods,withwhomhetoldmeheoftenconversed,assuredmeitwasperfectlyinnocent。

  \"Thishappylifecontinuedaboutfouryears,whenmymaster’sdeath,occasionedbyasurfeitgotbyoverfeedingonseveralexquisitedainties,putanendtoit。

  \"Inowfellintothehandsofoneofaverydifferentdisposition,andthiswasnootherthanthecelebratedSt。

  Chrysostom,whodietedmewithsermonsinsteadofsacrifices,andfilledmyearswithgoodthings,butnotmybelly。Insteadofhighfoodtofattenandpampermyflesh,Ihadreceiptstomortifyandreduceit。WiththeseIedifiedsowell,thatwithinafewmonthsIbecameaskeleton。However,ashehadconvertedmetohisfaith,Iwaswellenoughsatisfiedwiththisnewmannerofliving,bywhichhetaughtmeImightinsuremyselfaneternalrewardinafuturestate。Thesaintwasagood—naturedman,andnevergavemeanillwordbutonce,whichwasoccasionedbymyneglectingtoplaceAristophanes,whichwashisconstantbedfellow,onhispillow。Hewas,indeed,extremelyfondofthatGreekpoet,andfrequentlymademereadhiscomediestohim。

  WhenIcametoanyoftheloosepassageshewouldsmile,andsay,’Itwaspityhismatterwasnotaspureashisstyle;’ofwhichlatterhewassoimmoderatelyfondthat,notwithstandingthedetestationheexpressedforobscenity,hehathmademerepeatthosepassagestentimesover。Thecharacterofthisgoodmanhathbeenveryunjustlyattackedbyhisheathencontemporaries,particularlywithregardtowomen;buthissevereinvectivesagainstthatsexarehissufficientjustification。

  \"Fromtheserviceofthissaint,fromwhomIreceivedmanumission,IenteredintothefamilyofTimasius,aleaderofgreateminenceintheimperialarmy,intowhosefavorIsofarinsinuatedmyselfthathepreferredmetoagoodcommand,andsoonmademepartakerofbothhiscompanyandhissecrets。I

  soongrewintoxicatedwiththispreferment,andthemoreheloadedmewithbenefitsthemoreheraisedmyopinionofmyownmerit,which,stilloutstrippingtherewardsheconferredonme,inspiredmeratherwithdissatisfactionthangratitude。Andthus,bypreferringmebeyondmymeritorfirstexpectation,hemademeanenviousaspiringenemy,whomperhapsamoremoderatebountywouldhavepreservedadutifulservant。

  \"IfellnowacquaintedwithoneLucilius,acreatureoftheprimeministerEutropius,whohadbyhisfavorbeenraisedtothepostofatribune;amanoflowmorals,andeminentonlyinthatmeanestofqualities,cunning。Thisgentleman,imaginingmeafittoolfortheminister’spurpose,havingoftensoundedmyprinciplesofhonorandhonesty,bothwhichhedeclaredtomewerewordswithoutmeaning,andfindingmyreadyconcurrenceinhissentiments,recommendedmetoEutropiusasverypropertoexecutesomewickedpurposeshehadcontrivedagainstmyfrendTimasius。Theministerembracedthisrecommendation,andIwasaccordinglyacquaintedbyLucilius(aftersomepreviousaccountsofthegreatesteemEutropiusentertainedofme,fromthetestimonyhehadborneofmyparts)thathewouldintroducemetohim;addingthathewasagreatencouragerofmerit,andthatI

  mightdependuponhisfavor。

  \"Iwaswithlittledifficultyprevailedontoacceptofthisinvitation。Alatehourthereforethenexteveningbeingappointed,IattendedmyfriendLuciliustotheminister’shouse。

  Hereceivedmewiththeutmostcivilityandcheerfulness,andaffectedsomuchregardtome,thatI,whoknewnothingofthesehighscenesoflife,concludedIhadinhimamostdisinterestedfriend,owingtothefavorablereportwhichLuciliushadmadeofme。Iwashoweversooncuredofthisopinion;forimmediatelyaftersupperourdiscourseturnedontheinjusticewhichthegeneralityoftheworldwereguiltyofintheirconducttogreatmen,expectingthattheyshouldrewardtheirprivatemerit,withouteverendeavoringtoapplyittotheiruse。’Whatavail,’

  saidEutropius,’thelearning,wit,courage,oranyvirtuewhichamanmaybepossessedof,tome,unlessIreceivesomebenefitfromthem?Hathhenotmoremerittomewhodothmybusinessandobeysmycommands,withoutanyofthesequalities?’Igavesuchentiresatisfactioninmyanswersonthishead,thatboththeministerandhiscreaturegrewbolder,andaftersomeprefacebegantoaccuseTimasius。Atlast,findingIdidnotattempttodefendhim,Luciliussworeagreatoaththathewasnotfittolive,andthathewoulddestroyhim。Eutropiusansweredthatitwouldbetoodangerousatask:’Indeed,’sayshe,’hiscrimesareofsoblackadye,andsowellknowntotheemperor,thathisdeathmustbeaveryacceptableservice,andcouldnotfailmeetingaproperreward:butIquestionwhetheryouarecapableofexecutingit。’’Ifheisnot,’criedI,’Iam;andsurelynomancanhavegreatermotivestodestroyhimthanmyself:for,besideshisdisloyaltytomyprince,forwhomIhavesoperfectaduty,Ihaveprivatedisobligationstohim。Ihavehadfellowsputovermyhead,tothegreatscandaloftheserviceingeneral,andtomyownprejudiceanddisappointmentinparticular。’I

  willnotrepeatyoumywholespeech;but,tobeasconciseaspossible,whenwepartedthateveningtheministersqueezedmeheartilybythehand,andwithgreatcommendationofmyhonestyandassurancesofhisfavor,heappointedmethenexteveningtocometohimalone;when,findingme,afteralittlemorescrutiny,readyforhispurpose,heproposedtometoaccuseTimasiusofhightreason,promisingmethehighestrewardsifI

  wouldundertakeit。Theconsequencetohim,Isupposeyouknow,wasruin;butwhatwasittome?Why,truly,whenIwaitedonEutropiusforthefulfillinghispromises,receivedmewithgreatdistanceandcoldness;and,onmydroppingsomehintsofmyexpectationsfromhim,heaffectednottounderstandme;sayinghethoughtimpunitywastheutmostIcouldhopeforondiscoveringmyaccomplice,whoseoffensewasonlygreaterthanmine,ashewasinahigherstation;andtellingmehehadgreatdifficultytoobtainapardonformefromtheemperor,whichhesaid,hehadstruggledveryhardlyfor,ashehadworkedthediscoveryoutofme。Heturnedaway,andaddressedhimselftoanotherperson。

  \"Iwassoincensedatthistreatment,thatIresolvedrevenge,andshouldcertainlyhavepursuedit,hadhenotcautiouslypreventedmebytakingeffectualmeanstodespatchmesoonafteroutoftheworld。

  \"Youwill,Ibelieve,nowthinkIhadasecondgoodchanceforthebottomlesspit,andindeedMinosseemedinclinedtotumblemein,tillhewasinformedoftherevengetakenonmebyRoderic,andmysevenyears’subsequentservitudetothewidow;whichhethoughtsufficienttomakeatonementforallthecrimesasinglelifecouldadmitof,andsosentmebacktotrymyfortuneathirdtime。\"

  CHAPTERXI

  InwhichJulianrelateshisadventuresinthecharacterofanavariciousJew。

  \"ThenextcharacterinwhichIwasdestinedtoappearinthefleshwasthatofanavariciousJew。IwasborninAlexandriainEgypt。MynamewasBalthazar。NothingveryremarkablehappenedtometilltheyearofthememorabletumultinwhichtheJewsofthatcityarereportedinhistorytohavemassacredmoreChristiansthanatthattimedweltinit。Indeed,thetruthis,theydidmaulthedogsprettyhandsomely;butImyselfwasnotpresent,forasallourpeoplewereorderedtobearmed,Itookthatopportunityofsellingtwoswords,whichprobablyImightotherwiseneverhavedisposedof,theybeingextremelyoldandrusty;sothat,havingnoweaponleft,Ididnotcaretoventureabroad。Besides,thoughIreallythoughtitanactmeritingsalvationtomurdertheNazarenes,asthefactwastobecommittedatmidnight,atwhichtime,toavoidsuspicion,wewerealltosallyfromourownhouses,Icouldnotpersuademyselftoconsumesomuchoilinsittinguptothathour:forthesereasonsthereforeIremainedathomethatevening。

  \"IwasatthistimegreatlyenamoredwithoneHypatia,thedaughterofaphilosopher;ayoungladyofthegreatestbeautyandmerit:indeed,shehadeveryimaginableornamentbothofmindandbody。Sheseemednottodislikemyperson;butthereweretwoobstructionstoourmarriage,viz。,myreligionandherpoverty:bothwhichmightprobablyhavebeengotover,hadnotthosedogstheChristiansmurderedher;and,whatisworse,afterwardsburnedherbody:worse,Isay,becauseIlostbythatmeansajewelofsomevalue,whichIhadpresentedtoher,designing,ifournuptialsdidnottakeplace,todemanditofherbackagain。

  \"Beingthusdisappointedinmylove,IsoonafterleftAlexandriaandwenttotheimperialcity,whereIapprehendedIshouldfindagoodmarketforjewelsontheapproachingmarriageoftheemperorwithAthenais。Idisguisedmyselfasabeggaronthisjourney,forthesereasons:first,asIimaginedIshouldthuscarrymyjewelswithgreatersafety;and,secondly,tolessenmyexpenses;whichlatterexpedientsucceededsowell,thatIbeggedtwoobolionmywaymorethanmytravelingcostme,mydietbeingchieflyroots,andmydrinkwater。

  \"Butperhaps,ithadbeenbetterformeifIhadbeenmorelavishandmoreexpeditious;fortheceremonywasoverbeforeIreachedConstantinople;sothatIlostthatgloriousopportunityofdisposingofmyjewelswithwhichmanyofourpeopleweregreatlyenriched。

  \"Thelifeofamiserisverylittleworthrelating,asitisoneconstantschemeofgettingorsavingmoney。Ishallthereforerepeattoyousomefewonlyofmyadventures,withoutregardtoanyorder。

  \"ARomanJew,whowasagreatloverofFalernianwine,andwhoindulgedhimselfveryfreelywithit,cametodineatmyhouse;

  when,knowingheshouldmeetwithlittlewine,andthatofthecheapersort,sentmeinhalf—a—dozenjarsofFalernian。CanyoubelieveIwouldnotgivethismanhisownwine?Sir,I

  adulterateditsothatImadesixjarsof[them]three,whichheandhisfrienddrank;theotherthreeIafterwardssoldtotheverypersonwhooriginallysentthemme,knowinghewouldgiveabetterpricethananyother。

  \"AnobleRomancameonedaytomyhouseinthecountry,whichI

  hadpurchased,forhalfthevalue,ofadistressedperson。Myneighborspaidhimthecomplimentofsomemusic,onwhichaccount,whenhedeparted,heleftapieceofgoldwithmetobedistributedamongthem。Ipocketedthismoney,andorderedthemasmallvesselofsourwine,whichIcouldnothavesoldforabovetwodrachms,andafterwardsmadethempayinworkthreetimesthevalueofit。

  \"AsIwasnotentirelyvoidofreligion,thoughIpretendedtoinfinitelymorethanIhad,soIendeavoredtoreconcilemytransactionstomyconscienceaswellaspossible。ThusIneverinvitedanyonetoeatwithme,butthoseonwhosepocketsIhadsomedesign。AfterourcollationitwasconstantlymymethodtosetdowninabookIkeptforthatpurpose,whatIthoughttheyowedmefortheirmeal。Indeed,thiswasgenerallyahundredtimesasmuchastheycouldhavedinedelsewherefor;but,however,itwasquidproquo,ifnotadvalorem。Now,whenevertheopportunityofferedofimposingonthemIconsidereditonlyaspayingmyselfwhattheyowedme:indeed,IdidnotalwaysconfinemyselfstrictlytowhatIhadsetdown,howeverextravagantthatwas;butIreconciledtakingtheoverplustomyselfasusance。

  \"ButIwasnotonlytoocunningforothers——Isometimesoverreachedmyself。Ihavecontracteddistempersforwantoffoodandwarmth,whichhaveputmetotheexpenseofaphysician;

  nay,Ionceverynarrowlyescapeddeathbytakingbaddrugs,onlytosaveoneseven—eighthpercentintheprice。

  \"Bytheseandsuchlikemeans,inthemidstofpovertyandeverykindofdistress,Isawmyselfmasterofanimmensefortune,thecastingupandruminatingonwhichwasmydailyandonlypleasure。Thiswas,however,obstructedandembitteredbytwoconsiderations,whichagainstmywillofteninvadedmythoughts。

  One,whichwouldhavebeenintolerable(butthatindeedseldomtroubledme),was,thatImustonedayleavemydarlingtreasure。

  Theotherhauntedmecontinually,viz。,thatmyricheswerenogreater。However,Icomfortedmyselfagainstthisreflectionbyanassurancethattheywouldincreasedaily:onwhichheadmyhopesweresoextensivethatImaysaywithVirgil——

  ’Hisegonecmetasrerumnectemporapono。’

  IndeedIamconvincedthat,hadIpossessedthewholeglobeofearth,saveonesingledrachma,whichIhadbeencertainnevertobemasterof——Iamconvinced,Isay,thatsingledrachmawouldhavegivenmemoreuneasinessthanalltherestcouldaffordmepleasure。

  \"Tosaythetruth,betweenmysolicitudeincontrivingschemestoprocuremoneyandmyextremeanxietyinpreservingit,Ineverhadonemomentofeasewhileawakenorofquietwheninmysleep。

  InallthecharactersthroughwhichIhavepassed,IhaveneverundergonehalfthemiseryIsufferedinthis;and,indeed,Minosseemedtobeofthesameopinion;forwhileIstoodtremblingandshakinginexpectationofmysentencehebidmegobackaboutmybusiness,forthatnobodywastobed——n’dinmoreworldsthanone。And,indeed,Ihavesincelearnedthatthedevilwillnotreceiveamiser。\"

  CHAPTERXII

  WhathappenedtoJulianinthecharactersofageneral,anheir,acarpenter,andabeau。

  \"ThenextstepItookintotheworldwasatApollonia,inThrace,whereIwasbornofabeautifulGreekslave,whowasthemistressofEutyches,agreatfavoriteoftheemperorZeno。Thatprince,athisrestoration,gavemethecommandofacohort,Ibeingthenbutfifteenyearsofage;andalittleafterwards,beforeIhadevenseenanarmy,preferredme,overtheheadsofalltheoldofficers,tobeatribune。

  \"AsIfoundaneasyaccesstotheemperor,bymeansofmyfather’sintimacywithhim,hebeingaverygoodcourtier——or,inotherwords,amostprostituteflatterer——soIsooningratiatedmyselfwithZeno,andsowellimitatedmyfatherinflatteringhim,thathewouldneverpartwithmefromabouthisperson。SothatthefirstarmedforceIeverbeheldwasthatwithwhichMarciansurroundedthepalace,whereIwasthenshutupwiththerestofthecourt。

  \"IwasafterwardsputattheheadofalegionandorderedtomarchintoSyriawithTheodorictheGoth;thatis,Imeanmylegionwassoordered;for,astomyself,Iremainedatcourt,withthenameandpayofageneral,withoutthelabororthedanger。

  \"Asnothingcouldbemoregay,i。e。,debauched,thanZeno’scourt,sotheladiesofgaydispositionhadgreatswayinit;

  particularlyone,whosenamewasFausta,who,thoughnotextremelyhandsome,wasbyherwitandsprightlinessveryagreeabletotheemperor。WithherIlivedingoodcorrespondence,andwetogetherdisposedofallkindsofcommissionsinthearmy,nottothosewhohadmostmerit,butwhowouldpurchaseatthehighestrate。Myleveewasnowprodigiouslythrongedbyofficerswhoreturnedfromthecampaigns,who,thoughtheymighthavebeenconvincedbydailyexamplehowineffectualarecommendationtheirserviceswere,stillcontinuedindefatigableinattendance,andbehavedtomewithasmuchobservanceandrespectasIshouldhavebeenentitledtoformakingtheirfortunes,whileIsufferedthemandtheirfamiliestostarve。

  \"Severalpoets,likewise,addressedversestome,inwhichtheycelebratedmyachievements;andwhat,perhaps,mayseemstrangetousatpresent,Ireceivedallthisincensewithmostgreedyvanity,withoutoncereflectingthat,asIdidnotdeservethesecompliments,theyshouldratherputmeinmindofmydefects。

  \"Myfatherwasnowdead,andIbecamesoabsoluteintheemperor’sgracethatoneunacquaintedwithcourtswouldscarcebelievetheservilitywithwhichallkindsofpersonswhoenteredthewallsofthepalacebehavedtowardsme。Abow,asmile,anodfromme,asIpassedthroughcringingcrowds,wereesteemedassignalfavors;butagraciouswordmadeanyonehappy;and,indeed,hadthisrealbenefitattendingit,thatitdrewonthepersononwhomitwasbestowedaverygreatdegreeofrespectfromallothers;fortheseareofcurrentvalueincourts,and,likenotesintradingcommunities,areassignablefromonetotheother。Thesmileofacourtfavoriteimmediatelyraisesthepersonwhoreceivesit,andgivesavaluetohissmilewhenconferredonaninferior:thusthesmileistransferredfromonetotheother,andthegreatmanatlastisthepersontodiscountit。Forinstance,averylowfellowhathadesireforaplace。

  Towhomishetoapply?Nottothegreatman;fortohimhehathnoaccess。HethereforeappliestoA,whoisthecreatureofB,whoisthetoolofC,whoistheflattererofD,whoisthecatamiteofE,whoisthepimpofF,whoisthebullyofG,whoisthebuffoonofI,whoisthehusbandofK,whoisthewhoreofL,whoisthebastardofM,whoistheinstrumentofthegreatman。ThusthesmiledescendingregularlyfromthegreatmantoA,isdiscountedbackagain,andatlastpaidbythegreatman。

  \"Itismanifestthatacourtwouldsubsistasdifficultlywithoutthiskindofcoinasatradingcitywithoutpapercredit。

  Indeed,theydifferinthis,thattheirvalueisnotquitesocertain,andafavoritemayprotesthissmilewithoutthedangerofbankruptcy。

  \"Inthemidstofallthisglorytheemperordied,andAnastasiuswaspreferredtothecrown。AsitwasyetuncertainwhetherI

  shouldnotcontinueinfavor,Iwasreceivedasusualatmyentranceintothepalacetopaymyrespectstothenewemperor;

  butIwasnosoonerrumpedbyhimthanIreceivedthesamecomplimentfromalltherest;thewholeroom,likearegimentofsoldiers,turningtheirbackstomeallatonce:mysmilenowwasbecomeofequalvaluewiththenoteofabrokenbanker,andeveryonewasascautiousnottoreceiveit。

  \"Imadeasmuchhasteaspossiblefromthecourt,andshortlyafterfromthecity,retreatingtotheplaceofmynativity,whereIspenttheremainderofmydaysinaretiredlifeinhusbandry,theonlyamusementforwhichIwasqualified,havingneitherlearningnorvirtue。

  \"WhenIcametothegateMinosagainseemedatfirstdoubtful,butatlengthdismissedme;sayingthoughIhadbeenguiltyofmanyheinouscrimes,inasmuchasIhad,thoughageneral,neverbeenconcernedinspillinghumanblood,Imightreturnagaintoearth。

  \"IwasnowagainborninAlexandria,and,bygreataccident,enteringintothewombofmydaughter—in—law,cameforthmyowngrandson,inheritingthatfortunewhichIhadbeforeamassed。

  \"Extravagancewasnowasnotoriouslymyviceasavaricehadbeenformerly;andIspentinaveryshortlifewhathadcostmethelaborofaverylongonetoraketogether。Perhapsyouwillthinkmypresentconditionwasmoretobeenviedthanmyformer:

  butuponmyworditwasverylittleso;for,bypossessingeverythingalmostbeforeIdesiredit,IcouldhardlyeversayI

  enjoyedmywish:Iscarceeverknewthedelightofsatisfyingacravingappetite。Besides,asIneveroncethought,mymindwasuselesstome,andIwasanabsolutestrangertoallthepleasuresarisingfromit。Nor,indeed,didmyeducationqualifymeforanydelicacyinotherenjoyments;sothatinthemidstofplentyIloathedeverything。TasteforeleganceIhadnone;andthegreatestofcorporealblissesIfeltnomorefromthanthelowestanimal。Inaword,aswhileamiserIhadplentywithoutdaringtouseit,sonowIhaditwithoutappetite。

  \"ButifIwasnotveryhappyintheheightofmyenjoyment,soI

  afterwardsbecameperfectlymiserable;beingsoonovertakenbydisease,andreducedtodistress,tillatlength,withabrokenconstitutionandbrokenheart,Iendedmywretcheddaysinajail:norcanIthinkthesentenceofMinostoomild,whocondemnedme,afterhavingtakenalargedoseofavarice,towanderthreeyearsonthebanksofCocytus,withtheknowledgeofhavingspentthefortuneinthepersonofthegrandsonwhichI

  hadraisedinthatofthegrandfather。

  \"Theplaceofmybirth,onmyreturntotheworld,wasConstantinople,wheremyfatherwasacarpenter。ThefirstthingIrememberwas,thetriumphofBelisarius,whichwas,indeed,mostnobleshow;butnothingpleasedmesomuchasthefigureofGelimer,kingoftheAfricanVandals,who,beingledcaptiveonthisoccasion,reflectingwithdisdainonthemutationofhisownfortune,andontheridiculousemptypompoftheconqueror,criedout,VANITY,VANITY,ALLISMEREVANITY。’

  \"Iwasbreduptomyfather’strade,andyoumayeasilybelievesolowaspherecouldproducenoadventuresworthyournotice。

  However,ImarriedawomanIliked,andwhoprovedaverytolerablewife。Mydayswerepassedinhardlabor,butthisprocuredmehealth,andIenjoyedahomelysupperatnightwithmywifewithmorepleasurethanIapprehendgreaterpersonsfindattheirluxuriousmeals。Mylifehadscarceanyvarietyinit,andatmydeathIadvancedtoMinoswithgreatconfidenceofenteringthegate:butIwasunhappilyobligedtodiscoversomefraudsIhadbeenguiltyofinthemeasureofmyworkwhenI

  workedbythefoot,aswellasmylazinesswhenIwasemployedbytheday。Onwhichaccount,whenIattemptedtopass,theangryjudgelaidholdonmebytheshoulders,andturnedmebacksoviolently,that,hadIhadaneckoffleshandbone,Ibelievehewouldhavebrokeit。\"

  CHAPTERXIII

  Julianpassesintoafop。

  \"MysceneofactionwasRome。Iwasbornintoanoblefamily,andheirtoaconsiderablefortune。Onwhichmyparents,thinkingIshouldnotwantanytalents,resolvedverykindlyandwiselytothrownoneawayuponme。TheonlyinstructorsofmyyouthwerethereforeoneSaltator,whotaughtmeseveralmotionsformylegs;andoneFicus,whosebusinesswastoshowmethecleanestway(ashecalledit)ofcuttingoffaman’shead。WhenIwaswellaccomplishedinthesesciences,Ithoughtnothingmorewanting,butwhatwastobefurnishedbytheseveralmechanicsinRome,whodealtindressingandadorningthepope。Beingthereforewellequippedwithallwhichtheirartcouldproduce,I

  becameattheageoftwentyacompletefinishedbeau。Andnowduringforty—fiveyearsIdressed,Isanganddanced,anddancedandsang,Ibowedandogled,andogledandbowed,till,inthesixty—sixthyearofmyage,Igotcoldbyoverheatingmyselfwithdancing,anddied。

  \"Minostoldme,asIwasunworthyofElysium,soIwastooinsignificanttobedamned,andthereforebademewalkbackagain。\"

  CHAPTERXIV

  Adventuresinthepersonofamonk。

  \"Fortunenowplacedmeinthecharacterofayoungerbrotherofagoodhouse,andIwasinmyyouthsenttoschool;butlearningwasnowatsolowanebb,thatmymasterhimselfcouldhardlyconstrueasentenceofLatin;andasforGreek,hecouldnotreadit。Withverylittleknowledgetherefore,andwithaltogetheraslittlevirtue,Iwassetapartforthechurch,andattheproperagecommencedmonk。Ilivedmanyyearsretiredinacell,alifeveryagreeabletothegloominessofmytemper,whichwasmuchinclinedtodespisetheworld;thatis,inotherwords,toenvyallmenofsuperiorfortuneandqualifications,andingeneraltohateanddetestthehumanspecies。Notwithstandingwhich,I

  could,onproperoccasions,submittoflatterthevilestfellowinnature,whichIdidoneStephen,aneunuch,afavoriteoftheemperorJustinianII,oneofthewickedestwretcheswhomperhapstheworldeversaw。Inotonlywroteapanegyriconthisman,butIcommendedhimasapatterntoallothersinmysermons;bywhichmeansIsogreatlyingratiatedmyselfwithhim,thatheintroducedmetotheemperor’spresence,whereIprevailedsofarbythesamemethods,thatIwasshortlytakenfrommycell,andpreferredtoaplaceatcourt。IwasnosoonerestablishedinthefavorofJustinianthanIpromptedhimtoallkindofcruelty。AsIwasofasourmorosetemper,andhatednothingmorethanthesymptomsofhappinessappearinginanycountenance,Irepresentedallkindofdiversionandamusementasthemosthorridsins。Iinveighedagainstcheerfulnessaslevity,andencouragednothingbutgravity,or,toconfessthetruthtoyou,hypocrisy。Theunhappyemperorfollowedmyadvice,andincensedthepeoplebysuchrepeatedbarbarities,thathewasatlastdeposedbythemandbanished。

  \"Inowretiredagaintomycell(forhistoriansmistakeinsayingIwasputtodeath),whereIremainedsafefromthedangeroftheirritatedmob,whomIcursedinmyownheartasmuchastheycouldcurseme。

  \"Justinian,afterthreeyearsofhisbanishment,returnedtoConstantinopleindisguise,andpaidmeavisit。Iatfirstaffectednottoknowhim,andwithouttheleastcompunctionofgratitudeforhisformerfavors,intendednottoreceivehim,tillathoughtimmediatelysuggesteditselftomehowImightconverthimtomyadvantage,Ipretendedtorecollecthim;and,blamingtheshortnessofmymemoryandbadnessofmyeyes,I

  sprungforwardandembracedhimwithgreataffection。

  \"MydesignwastobetrayhimtoApsimar,who,Idoubtednot,wouldgenerouslyrewardsuchaservice。Ithereforeveryearnestlyrequestedhimtospendthewholeeveningwithme;towhichheconsented。Iformedanexcuseforleavinghimafewminutes,andranawaytothepalacetoacquaintApsimarwiththeguestwhomIhadtheninmycell。Hepresentlyorderedaguardtogowithmeandseizehim;but,whetherthelengthofmystaygavehimanysuspicion,orwhetherhechangedhispurposeaftermydeparture,Iknownot;foratmyreturnwefoundhehadgivenustheslip;norcouldwewiththemostdiligentsearchdiscoverhim。

  \"Apsimar,beingdisappointedofhisprey,nowragedatme;atfirstdenouncingthemostdreadfulvengeanceifIdidnotproducethedeposedmonarch。However,bysoothinghispassionwhenatthehighest,andafterwardsbycantingandflattery,Imadeashifttoescapehisfury。

  \"WhenJustinianwasrestoredIveryconfidentlywenttowishhimjoyofhisrestoration:butitseemshehadunfortunatelyheardofmytreachery,sothatheatfirstreceivedmecoldly,andafterwardsupbraidedmeopenlywithwhatIhaddone。I

  perseveredstoutlyindenyingit,asIknewnoevidencecouldbeproducedagainstme;till,findinghimirreconcilable,Ibetookmyselftorevilinghiminmysermons,andoneveryotheroccasion,asanenemytothechurchandgoodmen,andasaninfidel,aheretic,anatheist,aheathen,andanArian。ThisI

  didimmediatelyonhisreturn,andbeforehegavethoseflagrantproofsofhisinhumanitywhichafterwardssufficientlyverifiedallIhadsaid。

  \"LuckilyIdiedonthesamedaywhenagreatnumberofthoseforceswhichJustinianhadsentagainsttheThracianBosphorus,andwhohadexecutedsuchunheard—ofcrueltiesthere,perished。

  Aseveryoneofthesewascastintothebottomlesspit,Minoswassotiredwithcondemnation,thatheproclaimedthatallpresentwhohadnotbeenconcernedinthatbloodyexpeditionmight,iftheypleased,returntotheotherworld。Itookhimathisword,and,presentlyturningabout,beganmyjourney。\"

  CHAPTERXV

  Julianpassesintothecharacterofafiddler。

  \"Romewasnowtheseatofmynativity。MymotherwasanAfrican,awomanofnogreatbeauty,butafavorite,Isupposefromherpiety,ofpopeGregoryII。WhowasmyfatherIknownot,butI

  believenoveryconsiderableman;forafterthedeathofthatpope,whowas,outofhisreligion,averygoodfriendofmymother,wefellintogreatdistress,andwereatlengthreducedtowalkthestreetsofRome;norhadeitherofusanyothersupportbutafiddle,onwhichIplayedwithprettytolerableskill;for,asmygeniusturnednaturallytomusic,soIhadbeeninmyyouthveryearlyinstructedattheexpenseofthegoodpope。Thisaffordedusbutaverypoorlivelihood:for,thoughIhadoftenanumerouscrowdofhearers,feweverthoughtthemselvesobligedtocontributethesmallestpittancetothepoorstarvingwretchwhohadgiventhempleasure。Nay,someofthegraversort,afteranhour’sattentiontomymusic,havegoneawayshakingtheirheads,andcryingitwasashamesuchvagabondsweresufferedtostayinthecity。

  \"Tosaythetruth,Iamconfidentthefiddlewouldnothavekeptusalivehadweentirelydependedonthegenerosityofmyhearers。Mymotherthereforewasforcedtouseherownindustry;

  andwhileIwassoothingtheearsofthecrowd,sheappliedtotheirpockets,andthatgenerallywithsuchgoodsuccessthatwenowbegantoenjoyaverycomfortablesubsistence;andindeed,hadwehadtheleastprudenceorforecast,mighthavesoonacquiredenoughtoenableustoquitthisdangerousanddishonorablewayoflife:butIknownotwhatisthereasonthatmoneygotwithlaborandsafetyisconstantlypreserved,whiletheproduceofdangerandeaseiscommonlyspentaseasily,andoftenaswickedly,asacquired。Thusweproportionedourexpensesratherbywhatwehadthanwhatwewantedorevendesired;andonobtainingaconsiderablebootywehaveevenforcednatureintothemostprofligateextravagance,andhavebeenwickedwithoutinclination。

  \"Wecarriedonthismethodofthieveryforalongtimewithoutdetection:but,asFortunegenerallyleavespersonsofextraordinaryingenuityinthelurchatlast,sodidsheus;formypoormotherwastakeninthefact,and,togetherwithmyself,asheraccomplice,hurriedbeforeamagistrate。

  \"Luckilyforus,thepersonwhowastobeourjudgewasthegreatestloverofmusicinthewholecity,andhadoftensentformetoplaytohim,forwhich,ashehadgivenmeverysmallrewards,perhapshisgratitudenowmovedhim:but,whateverwashismotive,hebrowbeattheinformersagainstus,andtreatedtheirevidencewithsolittlefavor,thattheirmouthsweresoonstopped,andwedismissedwithhonor;acquitted,Ishouldratherhaveitsaid,forwewerenotsufferedtodeparttillIhadgiventhejudgeseveraltunesonthefiddle。

  \"Weescapedthebetteronthisoccasionbecausethepersonrobbedhappenedtobeapoet;whichgavethejudge,whowasafacetiousperson,manyopportunitiesofjesting。Hesaidpoetsandmusiciansshouldagreetogether,seeingtheyhadmarriedsisters;

  whichheafterwardsexplainedtobethesisterarts。Andwhenthepieceofgoldwasproducedheburstintoaloudlaugh,andsaiditmustbethegoldenage,whenpoetshadgoldintheirpockets,andinthatagetherecouldbenorobbers。Hemademanymorejestsofthesamekind,butasmalltastewillsuffice。

  \"Itisacommonsayingthatmenshouldtakewarningbyanysignaldelivery;butIcannotapprovethejusticeofit;fortomeitseemsthattheacquittalofaguiltypersonshouldratherinspirehimwithconfidence,andithadthiseffectonus:forwenowlaughedatthelaw,anddespiseditspunishments,whichwefoundweretobeescapedevenagainstpositiveevidence。Weimaginedthelateexamplewasratherawarningtotheaccuserthanthecriminal,andaccordinglyproceededinthemostimpudentandflagitiousmanner。

  \"Amongotherrobberies,onenight,beingadmittedbytheservantsintothehouseofanopulentpriest,mymothertookanopportunity,whilsttheservantsweredancingtomytunes,toconveyawayasilvervessel;thisshedidwithouttheleastsacrilegiousintention;butitseemsthecup,whichwasaprettylargeone,wasdedicatedtoholyuses,andonlyborrowedbythepriestonanentertainmentwhichhemadeforsomeofhisbrethren。Wewereimmediatelypursueduponthisrobbery(thecupbeingtakeninourpossession),andcarriedbeforethesamemagistrate,whohadbeforebehavedtouswithsomuchgentleness:

  buthiscountenancewasnowchanged,forthemomentthepriestappearedagainstus,hisseveritywasasremarkableashiscandorhadbeenbefore,andwewerebothorderedtobestrippedandwhippedthroughthestreets。

  \"Thissentencewasexecutedwithgreatseverity,thepriesthimselfattendingandencouragingtheexecutioner,whichhesaidhedidforthegoodofoursouls;but,thoughourbackswerebothflayed,neithermymother’stormentsnormyownafflictedmesomuchastheindignityofferedtomypoorfiddle,whichwascarriedintriumphbeforeme,andtreatedwithacontemptbythemultitude,intimatingagreatscornforthescienceIhadthehonortoprofess;which,asitisoneofthenoblestinventionsofmen,andasIhadbeenalwaysinthehighestdegreeproudofmyexcellenceinit,Isufferedsomuchfromtheill—treatmentmyfiddlereceived,thatIwouldhavegivenallmyremainderofskintohavepreserveditfromthisaffront。

  \"Mymothersurvivedthewhippingaveryshorttime;andIwasnowreducedtogreatdistressandmisery,tillayoungRomanofconsiderableranktookafancytome,receivedmeintohisfamily,andconversedwithmeintheutmostfamiliarity。Hehadaviolentattachmenttomusic,andwouldlearntoplayonthefiddle;but,throughwantofgeniusforthescience,henevermadeanyconsiderableprogress。However,Iflatteredhisperformance,andhegrewextravagantlyfondofmeforsodoing。

  HadIcontinuedthisbehaviorImightpossiblyhavereapedthegreatestadvantagesfromhiskindness;butIhadraisedhisownopinionofhismusicalabilitiessohigh,thathenowbegantopreferhisskilltomine,apresumptionIcouldnotbear。Onedayaswewereplayinginconcerthewashorriblyout;norwasitpossible,ashedestroyedtheharmony,toavoidtellinghimofit。Insteadofreceivingmycorrection,heanswereditwasmyblunderandnothis,andthatIhadmistakenthekey。Suchanaffrontfrommyownscholarwasbeyondhumanpatience;Iflewintoaviolentpassion,Iflungdownmyinstrumentinarage,andsworeIwasnottobetaughtmusicatmyage。Heanswered,withasmuchwarmth,norwashetobeinstructedbyastrollingfiddler。Thedisputeendedinachallengetoplayaprizebeforejudges。Thiswagerwasdeterminedinmyfavor;butthepurchasewasadearone,forIlostmyfriendbyit,whonow,twittingmewithallhiskindness,withmyformerignominiouspunishment,andthedestituteconditionfromwhichIhadbeenbyhisbountyrelieved,discardedmeforever。

  \"WhileIlivedwiththisgentlemanIbecameknown,amongothers,toSabina,aladyofdistinction,andwhovaluedherselfmuchonhertasteformusic。Shenosoonerheardofmybeingdiscardedthanshetookmeintoherhouse,whereIwasextremelywellclothedandfed。Notwithstandingwhich,mysituationwasfarfromagreeable;forIwasobligedtosubmittoherconstantreprehensionsbeforecompany,whichgavemethegreateruneasinessbecausetheywerealwayswrong;noramIcertainthatshedidnotbytheseprovocationscontributetomydeath:for,asexperiencehadtaughtmetogiveupmyresentmenttomybread,somypassions,forwantofoutwardvent,preyedinwardlyonmyvitals,andperhapsoccasionedthedistemperofwhichIsickened。

  \"Thelady,who,amidstallthefaultsshefound,wasveryfondofme,nay,probablywasthefonderofmethemorefaultsshefound,immediatelycalledintheaidofthreecelebratedphysicians。

  Thedoctors(beingwellfee’d)mademesevenvisitsinthreedays,andtwoofthemwereatthedoortovisitmetheeighthtime,when,beingacquaintedthatIwasjustdead,theyshooktheirheadsanddeparted。

  \"WhenIcametoMinosheaskedmewithasmilewhetherIhadbroughtmyfiddlewithme;and,receivingananswerinthenegative,hebidmegetaboutmybusiness,sayingitwaswellformethatthedevilwasnoloverofmusic。\"

  CHAPTERXVI

  Thehistoryofthewiseman。

  \"InowreturnedtoRome,butinaverydifferentcharacter。

  Fortunehadnowallottedmeaseriousparttoact。Ihadeveninmyinfancyagravedisposition,norwasIeverseentosmile,whichinfusedanopinionintoallaboutmethatIwasachildofgreatsolidity;someforeseeingthatIshouldbeajudge,andothersabishop。Attwoyearsoldmyfatherpresentedmewitharattle,whichIbroketopieceswithgreatindignation。Thisthegoodparent,beingextremelywise,regardedasaneminentsymptomofmywisdom,andcriedoutinakindofecstasy,’Wellsaid,boy!Iwarrantthoumakestagreatman。’

  \"AtschoolIcouldneverbepersuadedtoplaywithmymates;notthatIspentmyhoursinlearning,towhichIwasnotintheleastaddicted,norindeedhadIanytalentsforit。However,thesolemnityofmycarriagewonsomuchonmymaster,whowasamostsagaciousperson,thatIwashischieffavorite,andmyexampleonalloccasionswasrecommendedtotheotherboys,whichfilledthemwithenvy,andmewithpleasure;but,thoughtheyenviedme,theyallpaidmethatinvoluntaryrespectwhichitisthecurseattendingthispassiontobeartowardsitsobject。

  \"Ihadnowobtaineduniversallythecharacterofaverywiseyoungman,whichIdidnotaltogetherpurchasewithoutpains;fortherestraintIlaidonmyselfinabstainingfromtheseveraldiversionsadaptedtomyyearscostmemanyayearning;butthepridewhichIinwardlyenjoyedinthefancieddignityofmycharactermademesomeamends。

  \"ThusIpassedon,withoutanythingverymemorablehappeningtome,tillIarrivedattheageoftwenty—three,whenunfortunatelyIfellacquaintedwithayoungNeapolitanladywhosenamewasAriadne。Herbeautywassoexquisitethatherfirstsightmadeaviolentimpressiononme;thiswasagainimprovedbyherbehavior,whichwasmostgenteel,easy,andaffable:lastly,herconversationcompletedtheconquest。Inthisshediscoveredastrongandlivelyunderstanding,withthesweetestandmostbenigntemper。ThislovelycreaturewasabouteighteenwhenI

  firstunhappilybeheldheratRome,onavisittoarelationwithwhomIhadgreatintimacy。Asourinterviewsatfirstwereextremelyfrequent,mypassionswerecaptivatedbeforeI

  apprehendedtheleastdanger;andthesoonerprobably,astheyoungladyherself,towhomIconsultedeverymethodofrecommendation,wasnotdispleasedwithmybeingheradmirer。

  \"Ariadne,havingspentthreemonthsatRome,nowreturnedtoNaples,bearingmyheartwithher:ontheotherhand,Ihadalltheassurancesconsistentwiththeconstraintunderwhichthemostperfectmodestylaysayoungwoman,thatherownheartwasnotentirelyunaffected。Isoonfoundherabsencegavemeanuneasinessnoteasytobeborneortoremove。Inowfirstappliedtodiversions(ofthegraversort,particularlytomusic),butinvain;theyratherraisedmydesiresandheightenedmyanguish。Mypassionatlengthgrewsoviolent,thatIbegantothinkofsatisfyingit。Asthefirststeptothis,I

  cautiouslyinquiredintothecircumstancesofAriadne’sparents,withwhichIwashithertounacquainted:though,indeed,Ididnotapprehendtheywereextremelygreat,notwithstandingthehandsomeappearanceoftheirdaughteratRome。Uponexamination,herfortuneexceededmyexpectation,butwasnotsufficienttojustifymymarriagewithher,intheopinionofthewiseandprudent。Ihadnowaviolentstrugglebetweenwisdomandhappiness,inwhich,afterseveralgrievouspangs,wisdomgotthebetter。Icouldbynomeansprevailwithmyselftosacrificethatcharacterofprofoundwisdom,whichIhadwithsuchuniformconductobtained,andwithsuchcautionhithertopreserved。I

  thereforeresolvedtoconquermyaffection,whateveritcostme;

  andindeeditdidnotcostmealittle。

  \"WhileIwasengagedinthisconflict(foritlastedalongtime)

  AriadnereturnedtoRome:herpresencewasaterribleenemytomywisdom,whicheveninherabsencehadwithgreatdifficultystooditsground。Itseems(asshehathsincetoldmeinElysiumwithmuchmerriment)Ihadmadethesameimpressionsonherwhichshehadmadeonme。Indeed,Ibelievemywisdomwouldhavebeentotallysubduedbythissurprise,haditnotcunninglysuggestedtomeamethodofsatisfyingmypassionwithoutdoinganyinjurytomyreputation。Thiswasbyengagingherprivatelyasamistress,whichwasatthattimereputableenoughatRome,providedtheaffairwasmanagedwithanairofslynessandgravity,thoughthesecretwasknowntothewholecity。

  \"Iimmediatelysetaboutthisproject,andemployedeveryartandenginetoeffectit。Ihadparticularlybribedherpriest,andanoldfemaleacquaintanceanddistantrelationofhers,intomyinterest:butallwasinvain;hervirtueopposedthepassioninherbreastasstronglyaswisdomhadopposeditinmine。Shereceivedmyproposalswiththeutmostdisdain,andpresentlyrefusedtoseeorhearfrommeanymore。

  \"ShereturnedagaintoNaples,andleftmeinaworseconditionthanbefore。MydaysInowpassedwiththemostirksomeuneasiness,andmynightswererestlessandsleepless。Thestoryofouramourwasnowprettypublic,andtheladiestalkedofourmatchascertain;butmyacquaintancedeniedtheirassent,saying,’No,no,heistoowisetomarrysoimprudently。’Thistheiropiniongaveme,Iown,verygreatpleasure;but,tosaythetruth,scarcecompensatedthepangsIsufferedtopreserveit。

  \"Oneday,whileIwasbalancingwithmyself,andhadalmostresolvedtoenjoymyhappinessatthepriceofmycharacter,afriendbroughtmewordthatAriadnewasmarried。Thisnewsstruckmetothesoul;andthoughIhadresolutionenoughtomaintainmygravitybeforehim(forwhichIsufferednotalittlethemore),themomentIwasaloneIthrewmyselfintothemostviolentfitofdespair,andwouldwillinglyhavepartedwithwisdom,fortune,andeverythingelse,tohaveretrievedher;butthatwasimpossible,andIhadnownothingbuttimetohopeacurefrom。Thiswasverytediousinperformingit,andthelongerasAriadnehadmarriedaRomancavalier,wasnowbecomemynearneighbor,andIhadthemortificationofseeinghermakethebestofwives,andofhavingthehappinesswhichIhadlost,everydaybeforemyeyes。

  \"IfIsufferedsomuchonaccountofmywisdominhavingrefusedAriadne,Iwasnotmuchmoreobligedtoitforprocuringmearichwidow,whowasrecommendedtomebyanoldfriendasaveryprudentmatch;and,indeed,soitwas,herfortunebeingsuperiortomineinthesameproportionasthatofAriadnehadbeeninferior。Ithereforeembracedthisproposal,andmycharacterofwisdomsoonpleadedsoeffectuallyformewiththewidow,whowasherselfawomanofgreatgravityanddiscretion,thatIsoonsucceeded;andassoonasdecencywouldpermit(ofwhichthisladywasthestrictestobserver)weweremarried,beingtheseconddayofthesecondweekofthesecondyearafterherhusband’sdeath;forshesaidshethoughtsomeperiodoftimeabovetheyearhadagreatairofdecorum。

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