After he found I still had love for him, he began to look less concerned: "When," added I, "I'm so far from desireing an umpire to judge of th' ingratitude of your choice, that I neither complain of, or design to remember it; if I find you sincere."

I cou'd not tell him this without a tear: When, wiping his face, says he, "Encolpius, I appeal to your memory, whether I left, you, or you betray'd me. I must confess, and hope you can't blame me; when I saw two at daggers-drawing, that I ran to the strongest."

I cou'd not but admire his wit, and to convince him of a perfect reconciliation, sealed it with repeated kisses.

'Twas now quite dark, and our supper was dishing up, when Eumolpus knock'd at the door: I ask'd how many there was of 'em: And took an opportunity through a chink, to see whether Ascyltos was with him: But finding him alone, I soon open'd the door: He had hardly fixt himself on his couch, when seeing Gito in waiting, "on my word," said he, "a very Gannymed; sure Encolpius, you'll have no reason to complain to day."

I did not like to observing an entry; and was afraid I had entertain'd another Ascyltos. Eumolpus pursuing his humour, when the boy fill'd him a glass, "I had rather," said he, "be in possession of thee, than the whole bagnio"; and greedily drinking it off, "the heat I've been in," added he, "made this the pleasantest draught I ever took: For to deal freely with ye, I narrowly scap'd a beating, for attempting, when I was in the bath, to deliver my thoughts of it in verse: And after I was turn'd out of the bagnio, as I us'd to be out of the theatre; I search'd every place, crying as loud as I cou'd, 'Encolpius, Encolpius.' A naked youth that had lost his cloaths, as strongly echo'd back to me, 'Gito, Gito': The boys, believing me mad, ridicul'd me with their mimikry: But the other was attended with a great concourse of people, that with an awful admiration prais'd the youth: For nature had so largely qualify'd him for a lover, his body seem'd but as the skirt of the mighty member it bore: A lusty rogue! I'll warrant, he'd maintain the field four and twenty hours! He therefore soon found relief, for some debauch'd spark, a Roman knight, as was reported, flung his cloak over him, and took him home, with hopes, I presume to engross so great a prize: But I was so far from meeting such civility, that even my own cloaths were kept from me, till I brought one that knew me, to satisfie 'em in my character: So much more profitable 'tis to improve the body than the mind."

Whilst Eumolpus was telling his story, I often chang'd countenance: Looking glad at the ill fortune of my rival, but troubled at his good: yet did not interrupt him, lest he shou'd discover my concern: and when he had done, I told him what we had for supper.

I had hardly given him an account, e're our entertainment came in: 'Twas common homely food, but very nourishing: Our half starv'd doctor attacqu'd it very briskly, but when he had well fill'd himself, began to tell us, philosophers were above the world, and to ridicule those that condemn every thing, because 'tis common, and only to admire those things that are difficult to be had: "These vicious appetites," added he, "that despise what they can cheaply come by, never taste any thing pure, but, like sick men, love only those things that are hurtful to 'em.

"What's soon obtain'd, we nauseously receive, All hate the victory that's got with leave: We scorn the good our happy isle brings forth, But love whatever is of foreign growth: Not that the fish that distant waters feed, Do those excel that in our climate breed; But these are cheaply taken, those came far, With difficulty got, and cost us dear: Thus the kind she, abroad, we admire above Th' insipid lump, at home of lawful love: Yet once enjoy'd, we strait a new desire, And absent pleasures only do admire."

"Is this," said I, interrupting him, "what you promis'd, that you wou'd not versifie to day agen? I beseech you, sir, at least spare us that never pelted you: For if any of the inn shou'd find we have a poet in our company, the whole neighbourhood wou'd be rais'd, and we shou'd dye martyrs for a wrong opinion: If nothing else will make you pity us, think of the galery and bath you came from": when I had treated him after this rate, the good natur'd Gito, correcting me, said, I did very ill to rail at a man so much my elder; and that having offer'd a gentleman the curtsie of my table, I shou'd not so far forget good breeding, to affront him when he came: With many the like expressions, attended with a blush at their delivery, that extreamly became him.

"Happy the woman," said Eumolpus, "that's blest with such a son! Heaven encrease your virtue: so much sense, and so much beauty we seldom meet with in any one person: But, lest you shou'd think your civility thrown away, you have found a lover for it: I'll give the world your praises in verse: I'll be your servant, your gardian, and will follow you every where: Nor can Encolpius think himself injur'd, he loves another."

Eumolpus was oblig'd to the souldier that robb'd me of my sword, else I had turn'd the fury upon him I meant for Ascyltos: Gito reading it in my countenance, under pretence of fetching water, prudently withdrew: And allay'd my heat, by removing one cause of it: But my rage reviving, "Eumolpus," said I, "I had rather have heard even your verses, that you propose to your self such hopes: I am very passionate, and you are very lustful: Consider how improbable 'tis we shou'd agree; believe therefore I am mad, and humour the phrenzy; that is, be gone immediately."

At this Eumolpus was in great confusion, and, without asking the occasion of my passion, presently made out: But drawing the door after him, what I did not in the least suspect, he lock'd me in, and stealing the key out of the door, ran in pursuit of Gito.

The rage I was in to be so abus'd, put me upon hanging my self; and having ty'd an apron, I found in the room, to the bed-stead, committed my neck to the noose I had made with its strings: When Eumolpus and Gito came to the door, and entering, prevented my design: Gito, his grief growing to a rage, made a great out-cry, and forcing me on the bed, "You're mistaken," said he, "Encolpius, if you fancy it possible for you to dye before me: I was first in the design, and had not surviv'd my choice of Ascyltos; if I had met with an instrument of death: But had not you come to my relief in the bath, I had resolv'd to throw my self out of the window: And that you may know how ready death is to wait those that desire it: see—I've got what you so lately endeavour'd."

Upon which, having snatch'd a rasor from Eumolpus's servant, he struck three or four times 't his throat, and fell down before us: frightened at the accident, I cry'd out, and falling upon him e're he had reached the ground, with the same weapon, endeavoured to follow him: But neither had Gito any appearance of a wound, nor did I feel my self hurt: For it happen'd to be a dull rasor, design'dly made so, to prepare learners of the art to handle a sharper which was the reason Eumolpus did not offer to prevent our mimick deaths, nor his man look concern'd when the rasor was snatch'd from him.

While this scene was acting, the inn-keeper came in upon us, with the other part of our supper; and viewing the obscene posture we were in, "I beseech you, sirs," said he, "are ye drunk, or have fled justice, and are acting it on your selves, or both? ho! who was going to make a gibet of the bed? What private designs are here on foot? What—was your going out but now with intent to bilke me? But you shall feel fo't: I'll soon make ye know who rules here."

"What, you rascal," crys Eumolpus, "do you threat too?" And without more ado flung his fist in his face: The inn-keeper took up an earthen pitcher we so oft had empty'd, and sending it at Eumolpus, broke his forehead, and immediately ran down stairs: Eumolpus, impatient of revenge, snatching up a great wooden candlestick, made after him; and pouring his blows very thick on the inn-keeper, repair'd the injury with interest: This alarm'd the whole house, and whilst the rest of his guess, that by this time were most of 'em drunk; ran to see what was the matter, taking an opportunity to revenge the injury Eumolpus had offer'd me, I lock'd him out; and turning thus his trick upon himself, at once, enjoy'd the bed and board without a rival.

In the mean time, the islanders (that came in at the bustle) and cooks with all their kitchin artillery set upon Eumolpus: One throws at his head a hot spit with the meat on't; another with a pitchfork puts himself in a martial posture against him; but especially a blear-ey'd old woman, who tucking up the dirty apron she had about her, with one shoe on, and another off, hall'd a great mastiff and set him at Eumolpus: But with the wooden candlestick he defended himself against all his enemies.

We saw all through a hole they had made by wrenching the latch from the door: I wish'd him well you may imagine; but Gito had compassion and wou'd have succour'd the distrest Eumolpus; upon which, my rage continuing, I gave his pitying head two or three blows with my fist; he sate down on the bed and cry'd: but I so eagerly ply'd the hole, I made my eyes relieve each other; and, encouraging the people against him, with great satisfaction beheld the conflict: when the bailiff of the island, one Bargates, whom the scuffle had rais'd from supper; was brought into the room, supported by others legs, for he was troubl'd with the gout, he cou'd not use his own: And having in his clownish manner, with a great deal of heat, made a long harangue against drunkards and vagabonds, looking on Eumolpus, "ha! what is it you," says he, "the excellent poet? What—has these rogues been abusing you all this while?" At what time he goes up to Eumolpus, and in a whisper, "I have a maid," says he, "that flouts at me when I ask her the question; prithee, if you have any love for me, abuse her in a copy of verses till she's ashamed of her self."

While Eumolpus was thus ingag'd with Bargates, the cryer of the town, and some other officer, attended with a great concourse of people, entred the inn; and, shaking a smoaky rather than lighted torch he carried, mouths out this; viz.

NOT LONG AGO, RUN AWAY FROM THE BATH, A VERY PRETTY BOY, WITH CURL'D HAIR, BY NAME, GITO.

IF ANY MAN, OR WOMAN, IN CITY, OR COUNTRY CAN TELL TALE OR TIDINGS OF HIM, SHALL HAVE FOR HIS REWARD 1000 SESTERCES.

Not far from the cryer, stood Ascyltos, clad with a coat of many colours; who, to incourage any discoverer, held the reward in a silver charger before him.

Upon this, I order'd Gito to steal under the bed, and thrust his feet and hands through the cords that, as Ulysses formerly hid in a sheeps hide, so extended he might cheat the searchers.

Gito immediately obey'd the motion, and fixing himself, as I directed, out-did Ulysses in his native art: But, that I might leave no room for suspicion, I so disposed the bed-cloaths, that none could believe more than my self had lain there.

We had just done, when Ascyltos, with a beadle, having search'd the other chambers, came to ours, which gave him greater hopes, because he found the door so barr'd: But the petty officer he brought, with an iron crow, forc'd it open.

Upon Ascyltos's entry, I threw my self at his feet, and beseech'd him, if he had any memory of our past friendship; or any respect for one that had shar'd misfortunes with him, he wou'd at least let me see the still dear Gito: And to give my sham-intreaties a better colour, "I see," says I, "Ascyltos, you are come with designs on my life; for to what other end could you bring those ministers of justice? Therefore satisfie your rage, behold my naked bosom, let out that blood, which, under pretence of a search, you come to seek."

Ascyltos, now laying aside his old grudge to me; profess'd he came in pursuit of nothing but Gito, that had run from him; nor desir'd the death of any man, much more of one that falls before him; and whom, after a fatal quarrel with him, he held most dear.

The petty officer was not so easie to me, for taking a stick out of the inn-keeper's hand, he felt under the bed with it, and run it into every hole he found in the wall: Gito drew his body out of the stick's way, and, breathing as gently as fear cou'd make him, held his mouth close to the cords.

They were hardly gone, e're Eumolpus bounc'd in upon us, for the broken door cou'd stop nobody, and, in a great heat, cry'd out, "I'll earn the reward: I'll make after the Cryer, and let him know how soon Gito may be in his custody."

Eumolpus pursuing his design, I kist his knees, and intreated him not to anticipate the end of dying men; "you wou'd be justly angry," added I, "if you shou'd discover to 'em how you are deceiv'd: The boy run into the crowd undiscovered, and where he is gone, my self can't suspect. I beseech you, Eumolpus, bring back the boy, or at least restore him even to Ascyltos."

Just as I had worked him to a belief, Gito, with restraining his breath, snees'd thrice so thoroughly, that he shook the bed; at which Eumolpus, turning about, saluted him with, "God bless you, sir;" and, taking the bedding aside, saw the little Ulysses, who might have raised compassion, even in a blood-thirsty Cyclops: then looking upon me, "Thou villain," says he, "how have you shamm'd me? Durst you not tell truth, even when you was catch'd in a roguery? If some god, that has the care of humane affairs, had not forc'd the boy to discover himself, I had wander'd in search of him to a fine purpose." But Gito, that cou'd fawn much better than I, took a cobweb dipt in oyl, and apply'd to the wound in his forehead: And changing his torn coat for his own mantle, imbrac'd the now reconcil'd Eumolpus, and stuck to his lips: at last he spoke, and, "Our lives," said he, "most indulgent father, our lives are in your power; if you love your Gito, convince him that you do, by preserving him: O! could I now meet a grave in flames or waves, that I, the only cause of all, might end your quarrels."

Eumolpus, concern'd at our grief, and particularly mindful of Gito's tenderness to him; "surely," says he, "y'are the greatest of fools, who have souls enrich'd with virtues, that may make ye happy, yet live a continu'd martyrdom, raising to your selves every day new occasions of grief; I, wherever I am, make my life as pleasant and free from trouble, as if I expected no more of it: If you'll imitate me, never let cares disturb your quiet. And to avoid Ascyltos that haunts ye in these parts, I am taking a voyage to a foreign country, and shou'd be glad of your company: I believe to morrow night I shall go on board the vessel: I am very well known there, and you need not doubt of a civil entertainment."

His advice appear'd to me both wise and profitable; for at once it deliver'd me from Ascyltos, and gave me hopes of living more happy: Thus oblig'd by Eumolpus's good nature, I was sorry for the late injury I had done him, and began to repent I appear'd his rival, since it had occasion'd so many disasters.

At last, with tears, I beseech'd him to be friends with me too, for that it was not in a rival's power to bound his rage; yet, that I wou'd try neither to say, or do any thing that may offend him: and hop'd so wise and good a man as he, wou'd leave in his mind no sign of a former quarrel: for 'twas with men as with countrys, on rude neglected grounds snows lay very long, but where the fruitful earth was improv'd by culture, they presently melt off, and hardly leave a print behind: Thus unfashion'd minds can't discharge their passions suddenly, but where souls are inrich'd with instruction, they but appear and vanish.

"And to confirm the truth of what you say," return'd Eumolpus, "all my heat expires in this kiss; but, to prevent the designs of your enemies, hasten with your wallets, and either follow me, or, if ye like it, act the leaders."

He had not done speaking, when, hearing the door move, we turn'd about, and saw a seaman, with a beard that made him appear terribly grim: who saluted Eumolpus with a "Why dy'e stay, as if you did not know how near the time 'twas?"

All immediately prepared for the march, Eumolpus loads his servants, who had been all this while asleep; I, and Gito, pack'd our things together, and, thanking our stars, enter'd the vessel.

We fixt our selves, as much out of the way as we could, under deck: and it being not yet day, Eumolpus fell a-sleep: I, and Gito, cou'd not take a wink: when reflecting afresh, that I had harbour'd in my acquaintance, a rival more powerful than Ascyltos; I began to be much troubled: but wisely allaying my grief, I thus reason'd with my self: Is it so troublesom to share what we love? when the best of nature's works are in common? The sun throws his rays on all. The moon, with her infinite train of stars, serves to light even beasts to their fodder: What below can boast an excellence of nature above the waters? Yet they flow in publick for the use of all: only love seems sweeter stol'n than when it's given us: so it is, we esteem nothing, unless 'tis envy'd by others; but what have I to fear in a rival, that age and impotence conspire to render disagreeable? Who, when he has an inclination, his body jades under him before he can reach the goal.

When I had cheated my self with this assurance, I muffled my head in my coat, and feign'd my self asleep: but on a sudden, as if fortune had resolv'd to ruin my quiet; I heard one above deck groaning out: "And has he scorn'd me?" This struck me with a trembling, for it was a man's voice, and one I was afraid I knew: but at a greater distance, with the same heat, I heard a woman lamenting: "O that some god," said she, "wou'd bring my Gito to my arms; tho' he banish'd himself thence; how kindly wou'd I receive him!"

So unexpected a thing drove the colour from our cheeks; I especially, as in a trance, was a long time speechless; when, trembling with fear, I pull'd Eumolpus by the coat, who was now asleep; and "I beseech you, father," said I, "do you know the owner of this vessel, or who the passengers are?" He was very angry to be disturbed: "And was it for this reason," said he, "that we chose the most private place in the ship; that none but your self might disturb us: or what will it signifie if I tell you, that one Lycas a Tarentine owns her, and is carrying one Tryphoena to Tarentum?"

For a while I stood like one thunder-struck, when opening my bosom, I trembling, cry'd out; "At last, Fortune, you have ruin'd every part of me:" for Gito, my better half, lean'd on my breast, as if he had breath'd his last: when our sweating through fear, had a little recover'd our spirits: I fell at Eumolpus feet, and intreated him to have compassion of two dying wretches: that is, to assist us in the means of escaping the impending mischief: "Tho' death," I added, "wou'd be more grateful to us, if the happiness of enjoying you, did not make us envy life."

Eumolpus was glad to serve us, and swore by all that's sacred, he was privy to no design against us; and that he had very innocently brought us hither, for no other end, than for our company, having hir'd the vessel before he was acquainted with us: "But what designs on your lives are here?" added he, "Or have we a pyrate Hannibal on board?" "Lycas," continued he, "a very honourable man, is not only master and owner of this vessel, but of a good estate, and having inclinations to traffick, freights his vessel himself: Is this the terrible Cyclops? Is this the dreadful cut-throat, we must pay our carriage to? And besides him, is the beautiful Tryphoena that other emblem of terrour, who for her pleasure only goes with Lycas."

"These are the very two," reply'd Gito, "we strove to avoid": and, in a low voice, made Eumolpus, that trembled at the story, at once understand the occasions of their malice to us, and our present danger.

Eumolpus was so distracted in his thoughts, he cou'd not advise, but bid each of us give him his opinion; "And presume," says he, "we had just enter'd the Cyclops den, where Jove's thunderbolts are made. We must seek a means of delivery, except we design to free us from all danger, by sinking the vessel."

"No, no," began Gito, "rather offer the pilot a reward, to direct the vessel to some port: and affirm the sea so disagrees with your friend, that if he is not so kind, you fear he'll dye: you may colour the pretence with tears, and appear much concern'd, that, mov'd with compassion, the pilot may befriend you."

Eumolpus reply'd, that could not be effected, for not only the difficulty of guiding so great a ship to a port, but a suspicion he wou'd necessarily have, that his friend cou'd not be so suddenly very ill, conspir'd against it: Then next perhaps, Lycas wou'd have a curiosity to visit his sick passenger: "Can you propose to escape by a means that will discover ye to him ye'd avoid? But presuming the ship cou'd be stopt in her rapid course, and that Lycas shou'd not visit his sick on board: How can we get out, but all must see us? With our heads muffled, or bare? If cover'd, we move every one to lend a hand to sick persons; if bare, we discover our selves."

"A desperate disease," said I, "must have a desperate cure; I know no better expedient of our delivery, than to slide into the long boat, and cutting the cord, leave the rest to Fortune: Nor do I desire Eumolpus to share the danger: For what wou'd it signifie to involve an innocent person in other mens deserv'd misfortunes? We shall think our selves happy, if Fortune be kind."

"'Twas not ill advised," said Eumolpus, "if it cou'd be done; for do you think to stir in the ship unobserved, when the distant motion of the stars themselves can't escape the pilot's diligence? You must pass the only guarded part of the ship near which place the rope that holds the boat is tyed: Besides, Encolpius, I wonder you did not remember that one seaman was upon constant duty night and day in the boat it self; nor will be mov'd from his post, without you cut his throat, or fling him overboard; which consider whether you can dare attempt; for my part, to go with you I would refuse no danger that could give me the least hopes of getting off; but to put so low a value on life, to throw it away as a useless thing, I believe even your selves are unwilling: Hear whether you like my proposal; I'll put ye into two mantles I have here, and making holes to breathe and eat through, will place you amongst my other goods for baggage, next morning I allarm the whole ship, crying out, my servants, fearing a greater punishment, in the night jump into the sea; that when the ship made to land, I might carry you off for baggage."

"Very well," said I, "but do you design to tye us as stocks, within which nature does not labour to be freed; or as those that use to sneeze and snore? Or, because I once succeeded in a like deceit? But suppose we cou'd hold out a day so ty'd up, what shall we do if we're put to't longer? Will the thoughts of a quiet life without cares, or of our adverse fortune entertain us most? our very cloaths long bound up will rot upon our backs: Can we, d'ye think, that are young, and not inur'd to labour, endure to be clad like statues, and wear our cords as insensibly? Since we are yet to seek a way of escape, for no proposal has been made without an objection; see what I have thought on: The studious Eumolpus, I presume, never goes unfurnisht with ink; is there a better expedient, than washing our hands, face, and hair, with that, to appear like AEthiopian slaves? when without wringing our limbs, we can't but be merry, to act a cheat, that so nearly imposes on our enemies?"

"And why would you not have us circumcis'd too," interrupted Gito, "that we may appear like Jews; and have our ears bor'd, to persuade them we came from Arabia? and why did not you advise our faces to be chalk'd as well as ink'd, that we might pass for Frenchmen, as if our colour would make such a mighty alteration? Has a foreigner but one mark of distinction? Can you think anybody so ignorant to mistake you for one, by that sign only? Grant our dawb'd faces wou'd keep their colour: Suppose it wou'd not wash off, nor our cloaths stick to the ink, how can we imitate their black swollen lips? the short curl of their hair? the seams on their foreheads? their circular way of treading? their splay feet? or the mode of their beards? an artificial colour rather stains than alters the body; but, if you'll be rul'd by a madman, let's cover our heads, and jump into the sea?"

"Nor Heaven nor man," cry'd Eumolpus, "cou'd suffer ye make so ill an end; rather pursue this advice: My slave, as you may imagine by his rasor, is a piece of a barber; let him shave not only your heads, but, as a mark of greater punishment, your eye-brows too, and Ill finish your disguise with an inscription on your foreheads, that you may appear as slaves branded for some extraordinary villany: Thus the same letters will at once divert their suspicion, and conceal your countenance under the mask of punishment."

We lik'd the advice, and hasten'd the execution, when stealing to the side of the vessel, we committed our heads and eye-brows to the barber: Eumolpus in the meantime fill'd our foreheads with great letters, and very liberally dispenc'd the known marks of fugitives through the other parts of our faces; one of the passengers, easing his o're-charg'd stomach o're the side of the ship, by the moon perceiving the reflection of a barber busie at so unseasonable a time, and, cursing the omen that he thought presag'd a shipwreck, ran to his hammock, upon which we dissembled the same, but indeed had an equal though different concern; and the noise over, we spent the rest of the night without resting much.

The next day Eumolpus, when he found Tryphoena was stirring, went to visit Lycas; and after he had talk'd with him about the happy voyage he hop'd from the clearness of the heavens, Lycas, turning to Tryphoena, "Methoughts," said he, "about midnight the vision of Priapus appear'd to me, and told me, he had lately brought into my ship Encolpius that I sought for": Tryphoena was startl'd, "And you'd swear we slept together," reply'd she, "for methoughts the image of Neptune having struck his trident thrice against the Bajoe, told me that in Lycas' ship I shou'd meet my Gito."

"Hence, proceeds," said Eumolpus, interrupting 'em, "that veneration I pay the divine Epicurus, who so wittily has discovered such illusions.

"When in a dream presented to our view, Those airy forms appear so like the true; Nor heaven nor hell the fancy'd visions sends, But every breast its own delusion lends: For when soft sleep the body wraps in ease, And from th' unactive mass our fancy frees, Whatever 'tis in which we take delight, And think of most by day, we dream at night. Thus he, the now sackt city justly fear'd, Who all around had death and ruin shar'd. From fancy'd darts believes a darkned sky, And troops retreating in confusion fly: There the sad funeral pomp of kings; here Conscious plains, half drown'd in blood, appear He that by day has nois'd it at the bar, Of knaves and fools now sees the great resort, And to meet justice vainly fears in court. Misers amidst their heaps are raising new, And think they oft their old hid treasure view. And huntsmen the imagin'd chace pursue. The merchant dreams of wrecks, the ship wou'd save, Or now, by sinking it, himself preserve. The mistress to her distant lover writes; And, as awake, with flames and darts indites: The good wife dreaming of her stallion's charms, Oft seeks the pleasure in her cuckold's arms. Dogs on full cry, in sleep, the hare pursue, And hapless wretches their old griefs renew."

But Lycas, when he had thank'd his stars for their care of him, "That we may not seem," said he, "to condemn the divine powers, what hinders but we search the vessel?"

Upon which one AEsius, the passenger that had discover'd us by our reflection in the water, cry'd out, "these are the men that were shav'd by moonshine to night. Heaven avert the omen! I thought the ceremony of cutting the nails and hair, was never perform'd but as a solemn sacrifice to appease a storm."

"Is 't so," says Lycas, in a great heat, "did any in the ship offer to shave themselves, and at midnight too? Bring 'em quickly hither, that I may know who they are that deserve to die a sacrifice for our safety."

"'Twas I," quoth Eumolpus, "commanded it, not wishing ill to the ship, but ease to my self; for they are my slaves, and having long staring hairs, I order'd the uncomely sight to be taken away; not only that I might not seem to make a prison of the ship; but that the mark of their villany might more plainly appear; and to let you know how richly they deserve the punishment; among other rogueries, they rob'd me of a considerable sum of money, and spent it with all the luxury of rich debauches, on a trull that was at both their services, whom I catcht them with last night. In short, they yet smell of the wine they profusely gave themselves with my money."

Lycas, that the offenders might atone for their crime, order'd each of them forty stripes; we were immediately brought to the place of execution; where the enrag'd seamen set upon us with ropes-ends, and try'd to offer our blood a sacrifice for their safety. I bore three stripes very heroically. Gito, who had not so much passive valour at the first blow, set up such an out-cry that the known sound of his voice reach'd Tryphoena's ear; who in great disorder attended with her maids, that were all like her self surpriz'd at the voice, run to the sufferer.

Gito's admirable beauty had soften'd their rage, and seem'd without speaking to intreat their favour; when the maids unanimously cry'd out, "'tis Gito, 'tis Gito; hold your barbarous hands, help madam, 'tis Gito!"

Tryphoena to their cry inclin'd her ears, that already had anticipated her belief, and with eager haste flew to the boy.

Upon which Lycas that knew me very well, as much satisfied as he had heard my voice, ran to me, and taking my other parts on content, sed contiguo ad inguina mea luminibus deflexis movit officiosam manum "your servant Encolpius," says he, "'twill be no wonder how Euryclea that nurs'd Ulysses, at his return after twenty years absence, shou'd know him by a scar on his forehead, when 'tis consider'd, the most discreet Lycas, not beholden to the marks of any seen part of the body, so judiciously discover'd me by the most hid:" Tryphoena, having cheated herself into a belief that those marks of slavery we wore on our foreheads were real, wept; and began in a low voice, to inquire what prison cou'd stop us in our rambles; or whose cruel hands cou'd finish such a punishment without reluctancy. "I confess," added she, "they deserve some punishment with whom their masters are so justly angry."

Lycas was in great heat at Tryphoena's tenderness. "And thou foolish woman," said he, "can you believe, those marks were cut before the ink was laid? We should be too happy were those stains not to be rub'd off, and had justly been, as they design'd us, the subject of their laughter, if we had suffer'd our selves to be so grossly impos'd on in a sham inscription."

Tryphoena, who was not yet unmindful of our former amours, wou'd have pity'd us. When Lycas, still resenting the abuse he received in his vitiated wife, and the affronts at the porch of Hercules' temple, with greater rage cry'd out, "I thought you had been convinc'd, Tryphoena, that Heaven has the care of humane affairs, when it not only brought our enemies into our power, which they strove to avoid, but reveal'd it in a vision to us both; see what you'l get by pardoning them, whom Heaven it self has brought to punishment, for my part, I am not naturally so cruel, but am afraid the judgment I shou'd prevent from justly falling upon others, may light on my own head."

This superstitious harangue, turn'd Tryphoena from hindring our punishment to hasten its execution. When she began afresh as highly to resent the former affronts that was offer'd her, as Lycas did the repute of his modesty that he had lost in the peoples esteem.

When Lycas found Tryphoena was with himself eagerly inclin'd to revenge, he order'd to increase our punishments, which when Eumolpus perceiv'd, he endeavour'd to mitigate after this manner.

"I pity the wretches," said he, "that lie at your mercy. Lycas, they implore your compassion, and choosing me as a man not altogether unknown to 'em to perform the office, desire to be reconcil'd to them they once held most dear. Can you believe, 'twas by accident they fell into your hands, when all passengers make it their chief business to enquire to whose care they are to trust themselves? When you are satisfied of their intentions, can you be so barbarous to continue your revenge, but suffer free-born men to go uninjur'd where they have design'd. Even barbarous and implacable masters allay their cruelty when their slaves repent; and all give quarter to the enemy that surrenders himself. What can you, or will you desire more? You have at your feet repenting supplicants; they're gentlemen, and men of worth; and what's more prevailing than both, were once caress'd as your dearest friends. Had they rob'd you of your money, or betray'd your trust, by Hercules the punishment they've inflicted on themselves might have satisfied your rage; don't you see the marks of slaves on their faces; who, though free, to attone their injuries to you, proscrib'd themselves."

"To avoid confusion," interrupted Lycas, "give me a reason for all particulars as I shall ask you; and first, if they came with design to surrender themselves, why did they cut off their hair? for all disguises are assum'd rather to deceive than satisfie the injur'd.

"Next, if they expected to ingratiate them selves by their embassadour, why have you endeavoured in everything, to conceal them you were to speak for? whence it plainly appears, 'twas by accident the offenders were brought to punishment, and that you have us'd this artifice to divert our suspicion. Sure you thought to raise our envy, by ringing in our ears, that they were gentlemen, and men of worth; but have a care their cause don't suffer by your impudence; what shou'd the injur'd do when the guilty come to 'em to be punisht? And if they were my friends, they deserve to be more severely treated; for he that wrongs a stranger is call'd a rogue, but he that serves a friend so, is little less than a parricide."

"I am sencible," said Eumolpus, answering this dreadful harangue, "that nothing cou'd happen to these unhappy young men more unfortunate than the cutting their hair off at midnight, which is the only argument that may perswade you to mistake their voluntary coming here, for accidental; but I shall as candidly endeavour to undeceive you, as it was innocently acted: before they imbarkt they had designs to ease their heads of that, as troublesome as useless weight, but the unexpected wind that hasten'd us on board, made 'em defer it; nor did they suspect it to be of any moment where 'twas done, being equally ignorant of the ill omen, and customs of mariners."

"What advantage," reply'd Lycas, "cou'd they propose to themselves by the loss of their hair? unless they thought baldness might sooner raise our compassion: Or can you believe I wou'd be satisfy'd in your relation? when addressing himself to me, What poyson, said he, thou villain, has eat your hair off? To what god have your sacrilegious hands offer'd it?"

The fear of punishment struck me speechless; nor cou'd I find any thing to urge in my defence against so plain an accusation. Then the confusion I was in, my disfigur'd face, with the equal baldness of my head and eye-brows, gave a ridiculous air to everything I said or did; but when they wip'd us with a wet spunge, the letters melting into one, spread o'er our faces such a sooty cloud that turn'd Lycas's rage to a perfect loathing. Eumolpus cou'd not endure to see free-born men against all law and justice so abus'd, and returning their threats with blows, not only was our advocate but champion too. He was seconded by his man, and two or three sick passengers appear'd our friends, that serv'd rather to encourage us, than encrease our force.

Upon which I was so far from begging pardon, that without any respect I held my fists at Tryphoena, and plainly told her she shou'd feel me, if her lecherous ladiship, who only in the ship deserv'd to be punisht, was not content to decline her pretentions to Gito.

The angry Lycas was all rage at my impudence; and very impatient of revenge when he found, without any concern for my own cause, I stood up for another's.

Nor was Tryphoena less disturb'd at my contempt of her; at what time every one in the vessel choose his side and put himself in a posture of defence.

On our side Eumolpus's slave distributed the instruments of his trade, and reserv'd a razor to defend his own person; on the other, Tryphoena and her attendants advanc'd, armed with nothing but their nails and tongues; which last supply'd the want of drums in their army; when the pilot, crying out, threaten'd he wou'd leave the ship to the mercy of the waves if they continued the bustle rais'd about the lust of two or three vagabonds.

This did not in the least retard the fight; they pressing for revenge, we for our lives: in short, many fell half dead on both sides; others withdrew, as from greater armies, to be drest of their wounds; yet this damps not the rage of either side.

Then the bold Gito, drawing out that part of him Tryphoena most admired, clapt a bloody razor to't, and threaten'd to cut away the cause of all our misfortunes, but Tryphoena did not faintly send to prevent so cruel an act: I often offer'd at my throat too, but with as little design to kill my self as Gito to do what he threaten'd: he the more boldly handl'd his because he knew it to be the same blunt razor he had us'd before; which made Tryphoena very apprehensive of his tragic intentions.

Upon this, both sides drew up their ranks, when the pilot perceiving how commical a war it was, with much ado was perswaded to let Tryphoena dispatch an herald to capitulate: Articles immediately according to the custom of countries being mutually agreed off on both sides; Tryphoena snatcht an olive-branch, the ensign of peace, that stuck to the image of prosperity pictur'd in the ship, and holding it in the midst of us, thus addrest her self.

"What fury did these sudden broils engage, How have their guiltless hands deserv'd your rage? No Paris a stol'n dame to Troy conveys, No witch Media here her brother slays: But slighted love must needs resenting be: And midst the waves who is the raging he Now rob'd of arms that can attempt my fate? By whom is simple death so little thought? Let not your murderous rage out storm the seas, And dangers of the angry waves increase."

When in a great heat Tryphoena had thus said, both armies stood still a while, and reviving the treaty of peace, put a stop to the war. Our captain Eumolpus prudently us'd the occasion of her repentance, and having first severely chastiz'd Lycas, sign'd the articles, which were as follow.

"Tryphoena, you do from the bottom of your heart, as you are in perfect mind, promise never to complain of any injury you have receiv'd from Gito; nor mention, upbraid him with, or study to revenge directly or indirectly any action of his before this day; and to prevent your forcing him to an unwilling compliance, be it further agreed, that you never kiss, coll, or bring him to a closer hug, without the forfeiture of 100 denarii: And for better security, that you always pay your mony, before you have your ware.

"Item, you Lycas, from the bottom of your heart, as you are in perfect mind; do promise never to reproach, or insultingly treat Encolpius, either in words, or gestures: But, on the forfeiture of 200 denarii for each time you abuse him, behind his back."

Conditions thus agreed on, we laid down our arms: And, least any grudge might still remain, wipe off the memory of all things past, in repeated kisses.

All quarrels expir'd in universal shouts, and a sumptuous banquet that followed, spread equal mirth through the whole company: The vessel rung with songs, the ensigns of their joy: and the occasion of a sudden calm, gave other diversions: Here a little artist bob'd for fish, that rising, seem'd with haste to meet their ruin: There another draws the unwilling prey, that he had betray'd on the hook, with an inviting bait: When looking up, we saw sea-birds sitting on the sail-yard, about which, one skill'd in that art having plac'd lime-twigs, made 'em his booty. Their downy feathers, the air whirl'd about: The other, the sea vainly tost too and fro.

Now Lycas began to be friends with me: and Tryphoena, as a mark of her love, threw the bottom of her wine upon Gito: At what time, Eumolpus, quite drunk, aim'd at rallery on those that were bald and branded; till having spent his life-less stock, he return'd to his verses; and designing an elegy on the loss of hair, thus began.

Nature's chief ornament, the hair is lost, Those vernal locks, feel winter's blast: Now the bald temples mown their banish'd shade, And bristles shine o' the sun-burnt head. The joys, deceitful nature does first pay Our age, it snatches first away. Unhappy mortal, that but now The lovely grace of hair, did'st know: Bright as the sun's or Cynthia's beams, Now worse than brass, and only seems Like th' mushroom, that in gardens springs. From sporting girls, you'll frighted run, And that death will the sooner come: Know that part of your head is gone.

He wou'd have condemn'd us to hear more, and I believe worse than the former; if an attendant of Tryphoena, had not disturb'd him: who taking Gito aside, dress'd him up in her mistresses tower; and to restore him perfectly to his former figure, drawing false eye-brows out of her patch-box, placed 'em so exactly, Nature might have mistaken 'em for her own work.

At the sight of the true Gito, Tryphoena wept for joy: Who, not before, cou'd hug him with so real a satisfaction.

I was glad to see his loss so well repair'd: Yet, often hid my head, as sensible I appear'd with no common deformity, whom even Lycas thought not worth speaking to: But 'twas not long e'er the same maid came to my relief, and calling me aside, dress'd me in a peruke no less agreeable: for being of golden locks, it rather improv'd my complexion.

But, Eumolpus, our advocate, and reconciler, to entertain the company, and keep up the mirth, began to be pleasant on the inconstancy of women: how forward they were to love, how soon they forgot their sparks: and that no woman was so chast, but her untry'd lust, might be rais'd to a fury: nor wou'd he bring instances from ancient tragedies, or personages celebrated in antiquity: but entertain us, if we wou'd please to hear, with a story within the circle of his own memory: upon which the eyes and ears of all were devoted to him: who thus began.

"There was at Ephesus a lady, of so celebrated virtue, that the women of neighbouring nations came to join their admiration with that of her own country: This lady at the death of her husband not content with tearing her hair, or beating her breast, those common expressions of grief; but following him into the vault, where the body plac'd in a monument, she, after the Graecian custom, watch'd the corps, and whole nights and days continu'd weeping; the perswasions of parents nor relations cou'd divert her grief, or make her take anything to preserve life, the publick officers at last, she guarding the body for 'em, left the vault; and lamented by all for so singular an example of grief, liv'd thus five days without eating.

"All left her but a faithful maid, who with tears supply'd her afflicted lady, and as often as the lamp they had by, began to expire, renew'd the light; by this time she became the talk of the whole town; and all degrees of men confest, she was the only true example of love and chastity.

"In the meantime there happening a trial of criminals, the condemn'd were order'd to be crucify'd near the vault in which the lady was weeping o're the corps of her late husband. The soldier that guarded the bodies lest any might be taken from the cross and bury'd, the night after observ'd a light in the vault, and hearing the groans of some afflicted person, prest with a curiosity common to mankind, he desired to know, who, or what it was? Upon which he enter'd the vault, and seeing a very beautiful woman, amaz'd at first, he fancy'd 'twas a spirit, but viewing the dead body, and considering her tears and torn face, he soon guest, as it was, that the lady cou'd not bear the loss of her husband: he brings his supper with him into the vault, and began to perswade the mournful lady not to continue her unnecessary grief, nor with vain complaints consume her health: That death was common to all men; and many other things he told her, that use to restore afflicted persons to that calmness they before enjoy'd: But she mov'd anew at the comfort a stranger offer'd, redoubl'd her grief, and tearing her hair, cast it on the body that lay before her.

"The souldier however did not withdraw, but with the like invitations offer'd her somewhat to eat, till her maid o'recome, I presume, by the pleasing scent of the wine, no longer cou'd resist the soldier's courtesie. When refresht with the entertainment she began to join her perswasions to win her lady; 'and what advantage,' began she, 'wou'd you reap in starving your self? in burying your self alive? What wou'd it signifie to anticipate your fate?'

"'D'ye think departed souls will value it?'

"'Will you, madam, in spite of Fate, revive your husband? Or will you shake off these vain complaints, the marks of our sex's weakness, and enjoy the world while you may? The very body that lyes there might make you envy life. We don't unwillingly obey when we're commanded to eat or live.' The lady now dry with so long fasting, suffer'd her self to be o'recome; nor was she less pleas'd with her entertainment, than her maid, that first surrendered. You know with what thoughts encouraging meats inspire young persons. With the same charms our souldier had won her to be in love with life, he addrest himself as a lover; nor did his person appear less agreeable to the chaste lady, than his conversation; and the maid, to raise her opinion of him, thus apply'd her self:

"And arm'd with pleasing love dare you ingage, E're you consider in whose tents you are?"

"To make short; nor even in this cou'd the lady deny him any thing: Thus our victorious souldier succeeded in both; she receiv'd his imbraces; not only that night they struck up the bargain, but the next and third day: Having shut the door of the vault, that if any of her acquaintances or strangers had come out of curiosity to see her, they might have believ'd the most chaste of all women, had expir'd on the body of her husband. Our souldier was so taken with his beautiful mistress, and the privacy of injoying her, that the little money he was master of, he laid out for her entertainment, and, as soon as 'twas night, convey'd it into the vault.

"In the mean time the relations of one of the malefactors, finding the body unguarded, drew it from the cross and bury'd it. The souldier thus rob'd while he was in the vault, the next day, when he perceiv'd one of the bodies gone, dreading the punishment, he told the lady what had happened; and, added that with his sword he wou'd prevent the judges sentence; if so be she wou'd please to give him burial, and make that place at once the fatal monument of a lover and a husband.

"'The lady, not less merciful than chast; 'Nor wou'd Heaven allow,' said she, 'that I shou'd at once feel the loss of the only two in the world I hold most dear; I'd rather hang up the dead body of the one, than be the wicked instrument of the other's death.' Upon which she order'd her husband's body to be taken out of the coffin, and fixt to the cross, in the room of that which was wanting: Our souldier pursued the directions of the discreet lady, and the next day the people wonder'd for what reason that body was hung on the cross."

The seamen were pleas'd with the story. Tryphoena not a little asham'd, lovingly apply'd her cheek to Gito's, and hid her blushes: but Lycas wore an air of displeasure, and knitting his brows, said he, "if the governour had been a just man, he ought to have restor'd the husband's body to his monument, and hung the woman on the cross." I don't doubt it made him reflect on his own wife, and the whole scene of our lust when we rob'd his vessel. But the articles he agreed to, oblig'd him not to complain; and the mirth that ingag'd us gave him no opportunity to vent his rage.

Tryphoena entertain'd her self in Gito's arms, pressing oft his neck with eager kisses, and oft disposing his new ornament, to make it appear more agreeable to his face.

At this I was not a little out of humour, and impatient of our new league, cou'd neither eat nor drink any thing: but with side-looks wisht a thousand curses on them both; every kiss and every look she gave him, wounded me. Nor did I yet know whether I had more reason to repent the loss of my mistress, or my comrade; he having rob'd me of her; and she deluded him from my arms: Both were worse than death to me. And to compleat my misery, neither Tryphoena spoke to me as her acquaintance, and once grateful lover; nor did Gito think me worth drinking to; or what's the least he cou'd, common discourse with him: I believe he was tender of the new return of her favours, and afraid to give her another occasion to fall out with him: Grief forc'd a flood of tears from my eyes, and I stifl'd my complaints, till I was ready to expire.

When Lycas perceiv'd how well, tho' in this trouble my yellow ornament became me, he was inflam'd afresh; and viewing me with lovers eyes, addressed himself as such, when laying aside the haughty brow of a master, he put on the tender complacency of a friend: but his endeavours were fruitless. At last meeting with an intire repulse, his love turning to a fury, he endeavour'd to ravish the favours he could not win by intreaty; at what time Tryphoena unexpectedly came in, and observing his wantonness; in the greatest confusion he hid his head, and ran from her.

Upon which the more lustful Tryphoena askt, and made me tell her, what those wanton caresses meant; she was inspired with new heat at the relation; and mindful of our old amours, offer'd to revive our former commerce; but worn off my legs with those employments, I gave her invitations but an ill return; yet she with all the desires of a woman transported by her passion, threw her arms about me, and so closely lockt me in her imbraces, I was forc'd to cry out; one of her maids came in at the noise, and easily believing I wou'd force from her the favours I had deny'd her mistress, rusht between, and loos'd the bands: Tryphoena meeting with such a repulse, and even raging with desire, took it more grievous at my hands, and with threats at her going off, flew to Lycas; not only to raise his resentments against me, but to join with him in pursuit of revenge.

By the way observe, I had formerly been well receiv'd by this attendant of Tryphoena, when I maintain'd a commerce with her mistress, upon that score she resented my converse with Tryphoena, and deeply sighing, made me eager to know the occasion; when she, stepping back, thus began, "If you had any sparks of the gentleman in you, you'd value her no more than a common prostitute; if you were a man you wou'd not descend to such a jakes." These thoughts not a little disturb'd her; but I was asham'd of nothing more, than that Eumolpus, suspecting the occasion, shou'd in his next verses make our suppos'd quarrel the subject of his drollery; and lest my care to avoid it shou'd prove no means of discovering it.

When I was contriving how to prevent his suspicion, Eumolpus himself came in, already acquainted with what was done; for Tryphoena had communicated her grief to Gito, and endeavour'd at his cost to compensate the injury I had offer'd her. Upon which Eumolpus was on fire, and the more, because her wantonness was an open breach of the articles she had sign'd.

When the old doctor saw me, pitying my misfortune, he desir'd to know the whole scene from my self; I freely told him of the gamesomeness of the lewd Lycas, and Tryphoena's lustful assault, that he was already well inform'd of; upon which, in a solemn oath, he swore to vindicate our cause, and that Heaven was too just to suffer so many crimes to go unpunisht.

While we were thus ingag'd a storm arose; now thick clouds, and th' inrag'd flood eclypst the day, the seamen fly to their posts as fast as fear cou'd make 'em; and, pulling down the sails, leave the vessel to the mercy of the tempest; for the uncertain winds made them hopeless of any direct course; nor did the pilot know which way to steer; sometimes the unguided ship was forc'd on the coast of Sicily, often by contrary winds 'twas tost near Italy; and what was more dangerous than all, on a sudden the gathering clouds spread such horrid darkness all around, that the pilot cou'd not see over the fore-castle; upon which all despair'd of safety; when Lycas threw himself before me, and lifting up his trembling hands, "I beseech you Encolpius," began he, "assist the distress'd, that is restore the sacred vest and timbrel you took from the image of the goddess Isis; be merciful as you are wont.'' At what time a whirlwind snatcht him up, and threw him howling midst the flood, and soon a spiteful wave just shew'd him us, and drew him back again.

Tryphoena, hastily taken up by her faithful attendants, and plac'd with her chief goods in the skiff, avoided a most certain death.

I, lockt in Gito's arms, not without tears, cry'd out, "And this we have merited of Heaven, that only death should joyn us; but even now I fear fortune will be against it; for see the waves threaten to o'erturn the vessel; and now the tempest comes to burst the lov'd bands that unite us; therefore if you really love Encolpius, let's kiss while we may, and snatch this last joy even in spite of our approaching fate."

When I had thus said, Gito threw off his mantle, and getting under mine, thrust his head out at top to reach my lips; but that the most malicious wave might not ravish us asunder, he girt himself to me with the thong that bound his wallet; and "'tis some comfort," said he, "to think that by this the sea will bear us longer e're it can divorce us from each other's arms. Or, if in compassion it shou'd throw us on the same shore, either the next that passes by wou'd give us a monument of stone, that by the common laws of humanity he wou'd cast upon us; or at least the angry waves, that seem to conspire our separation, wou'd unwittingly bury us in one grave, with the sand their rage wou'd vomit up." I was satisfy'd with my chain, and, as on my death-bed, did now contentedly expect the coming hour.

In the mean time the tempest, acting the decrees of Fate, had rent all the rigging from the vessel; no mast, no rudder left, not a rope or plank, but an awkward shapeless body of a ship tost up and down the flood.

The fisher-men that inhabited the sea-side, expecting a booty, in all haste put out with their boats; but when they saw those in the vessel that cou'd defend their own; they chang'd their design of pillaging to succouring.

After a salute on both sides, unwonted murmurs, lilre that of some beast, labouring to get out, proceeded from beneath the master's cabin; upon which, following the sound, we found Eumolpus sitting alone, and in his hand a large scroll of paper that he was filling, even to the margent, with verses; we all were amaz'd to see a man amuse himself with poetry, at a time when he had reason to think each minute wou'd be his last, and having drawn him, malcing a great noise, from his hole, we endeavour'd to recover him from his frenzy; but he was in such a heat to be disturb'd, that "'Sdeath," said he, "let me make an end of this couplet, it finishes the poem;" on which I took hold of the mad man, and order'd the still murmuring poet to be hall'd on shore.

When with some trouble we had got him on shore, we very pensively enter'd one of the fishermen's huts, and howe're we feasted on our meats the sea had corrupted, we had no comfortable night of 't.

The next day, as we were proposing how to bestow our selves, we discover'd an human body floating on a little wave that made to shore: I stood still concern'd, and began with more diligence to see, if what was presented to our view was real.

When, finding it to be a man's: and "who knows," I cry'd out, "but this wretch's wife, in some part of the world, secure at home, may expect his coming; or perhaps a son, ignorant of the fatal storm, may wait the wisht arrival of his father; who with so many kisses seal'd his unwilling parting: These are our great designs! vain mortals swell with promising hopes, yet there's the issue of them all! see the mighty nothing how it's tost!"

When I had thus bemoan'd the wretch, as one unknown, the sea cast him on land with his face, not much disfigur'd, toward Heaven; upon which I made up to it, and easily knew that the but now terrible and implacable Lycas was lying at my feet.

I could not restrain my tears; but, beating my breast, "Now where's," said I, "your rage? where your unruly passions? now you're expos'd a prey to fish and beasts; and the poor shipwrackt wretch, with all his boasted power, now has not one plank of the great ship he proudly call'd his own. After this, let mortals flatter themselves with golden dreams, let the weary miser heap up ill-got wealth for many years; 'twas but yesterday this lifeless thing was priding in its riches, and had fixt the very day he thought to return. How short, alas! eyes the poor wretch of his design! but 'tis not the sea only we should fear: one the wars deceive; another by some accidental ruin, even at the altar, meets a grave; third by a fall in running anticipates his arrival to the goal; eating oft kills the greedy; and abstinence the temperate. If we rightly consider it in this sea of life we may be shipwrackt every where; but we vainly lament the want of burial to a wretch that's drowned; as if it concern'd the perishing carcass, whether flames, worms, or fishes were its cannibals. Whatever way you are consum'd, the end of all 's the same. But fish, they object, will tear their bodies; as if their teeth were less gentle than the flames; a punishment that we believe is the highest we can inflict on slaves that have provok'd us; therefore what madness is 't to trouble our lives with the cares of our burial after we're dead; when the best of us may meet the fate he vainly strives with so much diligence to avoid?"

After these reflections, we perform'd the last office for the dead, and tho' his enemies, honour'd him with a funeral pile; but while Eumolpus was making an epitaph, his eyes roam'd here and there, to find an image that might raise his fancy.

When we had willingly acquitted our selves of this piece of humanity to Lycas, we pursu'd our design'd journey, and all in a sweat soon. reacht the head of a neighbouring hill, from whence we discovered a town seated on the top of a high mountain; we did not know it, till a shepherd inform'd us 'twas Crotona; the most ancient and once most flourishing city of Italy; when we enquir'd of him what sort of people inhabited this renown'd place, and what kind of commerce they chiefly maintain'd, since they were impoverish'd by so many wars?

"Gentlemen," said he, "if you have designs of trading, you must go another way; but if you're of the admir'd sort of men, that have the thriving qualifications of lying and cheating, you're in the direct path to business; for in this city no learning flourisheth, eloquence has not a room here; temperance, good manners, nor any virtue can meet a reward; assure your selves of finding but two sorts of men, and they are the cheated, and those that cheat. A father takes no care of his children, because the having of heirs is such a mark of infamy, that he who is known in that circumstance, dares not appear at any publick game or show, is deny'd all publick priviledges, and only herds among those that all men piss upon. But single men, who have no tyes of nature that oblige the disposal of their wealth, are caress'd by all, and have the greatest honours confer'd on 'em; they are the only valorous, the only brave; nay, and only innocent too. You're going to a city," added he, "like a field in a plague-time, where you can observe nothing but one man devouring another, as crows dead carcasses."

The prudent Eumolpus, as a thing so surprizingly new, began to be thoughtful, and confest that way to riches did not displease him. I believ'd it the effect of a poetick gaiety, that had not left his years. When, "I wish," continued he, "I cou'd maintain a greater figure, as well in habit as attendants, 'twou'd give a better colour to my pretences: By Hercules, I'd throw by the wallet, and soon advance all our fortunes."

Promising therefore to supply his wants, "we have with us," said I, "the sacred vest of Isis, and all the booty we made at Lycurgus's village; and you have given me such hopes, Eumolpus," added I, "that were the goddess her self in my power, I'd pawn her for money to carry on the design."

Upon which, said Eumolpus, "why delay we the bringing of our hands in use? and if you like the proposal let me be called your master."

None e're condemned a project that was no charge to him; therefore to be true to his interests, we engag'd in an oath before we wou'd discover the cheat to suffer ten thousand racks; and thus like free-born gladiators selling our liberty, we religiously devoted both soul and body to our new master.

After the solemn ceremonies of our oath were ended; like slaves, at a distance, we salute the master of our own making. When beginning to exercise his authority, he commanded us to report that our ancient lord (meaning him) griev'd at the loss of a son, who was a great orator and comfort to his age, was unhappily forc'd to quit the place of his abode, lest the daily salutes of those that expected preferment under him, or visits of his companions, might be the continual occasions of tears; and the late shipwrack had added to his grief, having lost to the value of twenty thousand crowns; tho' he was not so much concern'd at the loss of his money, as of his large retinue; that, he fear'd, would make them not proportion their thoughts to his greatness; and to add, that our lord had mortgages on half the estates in Africa, and mighty sums at use on personal security; and cou'd raise of his own gladiators, disperst about Numidia, a force able to plunder Carthage.

After this, that his actions might agree with his condition, 'twas concluded necessary to wear an air of discontent; that he should with a stately stiffness, like quality, often cough, and spit about the room; that his words might come the more faintly from him; that in the eye of the world he shou'd refuse to eat or drink; ever talking of riches, and sometimes, to confirm their belief, shou'd break into these words; Strange that such or such a seat shou'd disappoint my expectation, that us'd to be blest with so large an increase! And that nothing might be wanting to compleat the humour, as often as he had occasion to call any of us, he shou'd use one name for another; that it might easily appear how mindful the lord was even of those servants he had left in Africk.

Matters thus order'd, having, as all that wou'd thrive in the world, implor'd the assistance of Heaven, we began our march, but both Gito did not like his new slavery, and Eumolpus's hir'd servant, bearing most of our baggage, in a little time beginning to be uneasie in his service, wou'd often rest his burden; and with ten thousand wry looks, and as many curses for our going so fast, at last swore he would either leave his charge, or go quite away with 't. "'Sdeath," said he, "d'ye think I'm a pack-horse, or a dray, that you load me thus? I was hir'd for a man, not a horse; nor am I less a gentleman by birth than any of you all; tho' my father left me in a mean condition." Nor content with reproaches, but getting before us, he lift up one leg, and, venturing his choler at the wrong end, filled our nostrils with a beastly scent.

Gito mockt his humour, and for every crack he gave, return'd the like, that one ill-scent might stifle another.

But, even here, Eumolpus returning to his old humour: "Young men," began he, "this poetry deceives many; for not only every one that is able to give a verse its numbers, and spin out his feble sence in a long train of words, has the vanity to think himself inspir'd; but pleaders at the bar, when they wou'd give themselves a loose from business, apply themselves to poetry, as an entertainment without trouble; believing it easier to compile a poem than maintain a controversie, adorn'd with a few florid sentences. But neither will a generous spirit affect the empty sound of words; nor can a mind, unless enricht with learning, be deliver'd of a birth of poetry; there must be the purity of language, no porterly expression, or meanness, as I may call it, of words is to be admitted; but a stile perfectly above the common, and with Horace,—

"'Scorn the unletter'd herd, And drive 'em from you.'

"Besides, you must be strictly diligent, that your expressions appear of a piece with the body of the discourse, and your colours so laid, that each may contribute to the beauty of the whole. Greece has given us a Homer and the Lyricks for example; Rome a Virgil and an Horace; the purity of whose language is so happily correct, others either never saw the path that leads to poetry, or seeing, were afraid to tread it. To describe the civil wars of Rome would be a master-piece, the unletter'd head that offers at it, will sink beneath the weight of so great a work; for to relate past actions, is not so much the business of a poet, as an historian; the boundless genius of a poet strikes through all mazes, introduces gods, and puts the invention on the rack for poetick ornaments; that it may rather seem a prophetick fury, than a strict relation, with witnesses of meer truth. As for example, this rapture, tho' I have not given it the last hand.

"Now Rome reign'd Empress o're the vanquished ball, As far as earth and seas, obey'd by all: Uneasie yet, with more desires she's curst, And boundless, as her empire, is her thirst. In burden'd vessels now they travelled o're The furrow'd deep to seas unknown before: And any hidden part of land or sea, That gold afforded, was an enemy. Thus fate the seeds of civil fury rais'd, When great in wealth no common pleasure pleas'd. Delights more out of fashion by the town: Th' souldiers scarlet now from Spain must come; The purple of the sea contemn'd is grown. India with silks, Africk with precious stone, Arabia with its spices hither come, And with their ruin raise the pride of Rome. But other spoils, destructive to her peace, Rome's ruin bode, and future ills encrease: Through Libyan desarts are wild monsters chas'd. And the remotest parts of Africk trac'd: Where the unwieldy elephant that's ta'en, For fatal value of his tooth is slain. Uncommon tygers are imported here, And triumphant in the theatre; Where, while devouring jaws on men they try, The people clap to see their fellows die. But oh! who can without a blush relate The horrid scene of their approaching fate? When Persian customs, fashionable grown, Made nature start, and her best work disown, Male infants are divorc'd from all that can, By timely progress ripen into man. Thus circling nature dampt, a while restrain Her hasty course, and a pause remains; Till working a return t'her wonted post, She seeks her self, and to her self is lost. The herd of fops the frantick humour take, Each keeps a capon, loves its mincing gate, Its flowing hair, and striving all it can, In changing mode and dress, t' appear a man. Behold the wilder luxury of Rome, From Africk furniture, slaves, tables come, And purple carpets made in Africk loom. Thus their estates run out, while all around The sot-companions in their wine are drown'd; The souldier loads, neglected is his sword, With all his spoils the dearly noble board: Rome's appetite grows witty, and what's caught In Sicily, to their boards are living brought: But stomachs gorg'd, (a dearer luxury) Must with expensive sauce new hunger buy. The Phasian banks, the birds all eaten, gone, With their forsaken trees in silence moan, And have no musick but the winds alone. In Mars's Field no less a frenzie reigns, Where brib'd assemblies make a prey of gains. Their servile votes obey the chink of gold, A people and a senate to be sold! The senate's self, which should our rights maintain, From their free spirits, stoop to sordid gain, The power of right by gold corrupted dies, And trampled majesty beneath it lies: Cato's pretence the giddy rout neglect, Yet did not him, but him they rais'd deject: Who, tho' he won, with conscious blushes stands, Asham'd o' th' Power he took from worthier hands. O manners, ruin, and the people's shame! He suffer'd not alone, the Roman name, Virtue and honour to their period came. Thus wretched Rome does her own ruin share, At once the merchant, and at once the ware, All lands are mortgag'd, and all persons bound, And in the use the principal is drown'd. Thus debt's a feaver, and like that disease, Bred in our bowels, by unfelt degrees Will through our thirsty vitals ev'ry member seize Wild tumults now to arms for succour call, (For what may dare and never fear a fall.) Wasted by riot, wealth's a putrid sore, That only wounds can its lost strength restore. What rules of reason, or soft gentle ways, Rome from this lethargy of vice can raise? Where such mild arts can no impression make, War, tumult, noise and fury must awake. Fortune one age with three great chiefs supply'd, Who different ways, by the sword that rais'd 'em dy'd; Crassus's blood, Asia; Africk, Pompey's shed; In thankless Rome, the murder'd Caesar bled. Thus as one soil alone too narrow were, Their glorious dust, and great remains to bear, O're all the earth their scatter'd ruin lyes; Such honours to the mighty dead arise. 'Twixt Naples and Puteoli there is, Deep in the gaping earth, a dark abys, Where runs the raging black Cocytus stream, That from its waters sends a sulphurous stream, Which spreads its fury round the blasted green, O're all the fatal compass of its breath, No verdant autumn crowns the fruitful earth; No blooming woods with vernal songs resound, Nothing but black confusion all around, There lonely rocks in dismal quiet mourn, Which aged cypress dreadfully adorn. Here Pluto rais'd his head, and through a cloud Of fire and smoke, in this prophetick mood, To giddy fortune spoke,— All ruling Power, You love all change, and quit it soon for more; You never like what too securely stands; Does Rome not tire your faint supporting hands? How can you longer bear the sinking frame, The Roman youth now hate the Roman name. See all around luxuriant trophies lye, And their encreasing wealth new ills supply. Golden aspiring piles here heav'n invade, There on the sea encroaching bounds are made. Where fields contriving as from waters sprung, Inverted nature's injur'd laws they wrong. So deep the caverns in the earth some make, They threat my empire, and my regions shake; While to low quarries others sink for stone; And hollow rocks beneath their fury groan. Proud with the hopes to see another day, M'infernal subjects 'gin to disobey: Fortune be kind, still I'le their fure dare, Turn all your smiles, and stir up Rome to war, And a new colony of souls prepare. Our sooty lips no blood have taste, With thirst Tisiphone's dry throat does wast. Since Sylla's sword let out the purple flood, And guilty earth grew fruitful from the blood. The black grim god did thus to Fortune say, Reaching her hand, the yielding earth gave way The fickle goddess, thus returning, said, Father, by all beneath this earth obey'd, If dangerous truths may be with safety told, My thoughts with yours a just proportion hold: No less a rage this willing breast inspires, Nor am I prest with less inflam'd desires; I hate the blessings that to Rome I lent, And of my bounty, now abus'd, repent: Thus the proud height of Rome's aspiring wall, By the same dreadful god 'twas rais'd, shall fall. Their blood I'll offer as a sacrifice, T' appease the ghost of their departed vice. I already see Pharsalian armies slain, The funeral piles of Thessaly and Spain: Egypt and Libya's groans methinks I hear, The dismal sound of arms now strikes my ear, An Actian sea-fight, and retreating fear. Make wide the entrance of your thirsty soil, New spirits must i' th' mighty harvest toil; Charon's too narrow boat can ne're convey, Scarce a whole fleet will waft the souls away; Pale furies be with the vast ruin crown'd, And fill'd with blood, remangle every wound. The universal fabrick of the world, Rent and divided, to your empire's hurl'd. She scarce had spoke; e'er from a cloud there flyes A blasting flame, that bursting shook the skyes; At Jove's avenging thunder, to his hell, From the clos'd earth, affrighted Pluto fell. When soon the angry gods their omens show, That bode destruction and approaching woe: Astonishment surpriz'd the darkned sun, As if the war already were begun; Approaching ills the conscious Cynthia knew, And blushing, from impiety withdrew. With hideous noise the falling mountains cleave; And streams repulst their usual courses leave. Ingaging armies in the clouds appear, And trumpets raising Mars himself to war. Now AEtna's flames with an usual roar Vomit huge bolts of thunder in the air, Amidst the tombs and bones without their urns, Portending spirits send up dismal groans: A comet's seen with stars unknown before, And Jove descending in a bloody show'r: The god these wonders did in short unfold, Caesar their ills no longer shou'd with-hold. Impatient of revenge, quit Gallick jars, And draw his conquering sword for civil wars. In cloudy Alps, where the divided rock To cunning Grecians did its nerves unlock, Altars devoted to Alcides smoke. The temple with eternal ice is crown'd, Whose milky top so far in clouds is drown'd; You'd think its shoulders in the heavens bound Not the warm rays of a meridian sun, Or the hot southern winds can melt it down. So fixt with ice and snows it did appear, That its aspiring top the globe might bear. Here conquering Caesar leads his joyful bands, And on the proudest cliff consid'ring stands. The distant plains of Italy surveys, And, hands and voice to heaven directed, says Almighty Jove and you, Saturnia, found, Safe by my arms, oft with my triumph's crown'd. Witness these arms unwillingly I wear, Unwillingly I come to wage this war, Compell'd by injuries too great to bear. Banisht my country, while I make the flood, That laves the Rhine, run purple all with blood. While the Gauls, ripe our Rome to re-invade, I force to skulk behind their Alps afraid: By conquering my banishment's secur'd. Are sixty triumphs not to be endur'd? A German conquest reckon'd such a fault? By whom is glory such a monster thought? Or who the vile supporters of this war? A foreign spawn, a mobb in arms appear, At once Rome's scandal, and at once her care. No slavish soul shall bind this arm with chains, And unreveng'd triumph it o're the plains. Bold with success still to new conquests lead, Come, my companions, thus my cause I'le plead, The sword shall plead our cause, for to us all Does equal guilt, and equal danger, call: Oblig'd by you I conquer'd, not alone. Since to be punisht is the victor's crown, Fortune invokt begin the offer'd war, My cause is pleaded when you bravely dare, With such an army, who success can fear. Thus Caesar spoke: from the propitious sky Descending eagles, boding victory, Drive the slow winds before 'em as they fly. From the left side of a dark wood proceed Unwonted crys, which dying, flames succeed. The sun-beams with unusual brightness rise And spread new glories round the gilded skies. New fir'd with omens of the promis'd day, Caesar o're untrod mountain leads the way; Where th' frozen earth o're-clad with ice and snows, At first not yielding to their horses blows, A dreadful quiet in dull stiffness shows. But when their trembling hoofs had burst the chain, And soften'd milky clouds of hardned rain; So quick the melted snows to rivers run, That soon a deluge from the mountains sprung. But thus you'd think 'twere done by fates decrees, For the flood stopt, and billows rising freeze, And yielding waves but now are rocks of ice. The slippery passage now their feet betray, When soon in miserable heaps o' th' way, Men, horse, arms, in wild confusion lay. Now pregnant clouds, with whirling blasts are torn, And, bursting, are deliver'd of a storm: Large stones of hail the troubl'd heavens shoot, That by tempestuous winds are whirl'd about; So thick it pours, whole clouds of snow and hail, Like frozen billows, on their armour fall: The earth lay vanquished under mighty snow, An icy damp the vanquisht heavens know, And vanquisht waters now no longer flow. Thus all but Caesar yield; on his huge lance The hero leaning, did secure advance. Alcmena's son did less securely rush, From the proud height of rising Caucasus; Or Jove himself, when down the steep he prest Those sons of earth, that durst his heaven molest. While raging Caesar scales th' aspiring height, Big with the news, fame takes before her flight; And from Mount Palatine approaching ills, To frighted Rome, thus dreadfully she tells: A numerous fleet is riding o'er the main, The melted Alps are hid with Caesar's train. That reeking from a German conquest come, And with a like destruction threaten Rome. Now arms, blood, death, and dismal scenes of war, Are to their eyes presented by their fear; With dreadful thoughts of coming war possest, A wilder tumult raigns in every breast. This flys by land, and that the sea prefers, And thinks his native soil less safe appears, The souldier trusts the fortune of the wars. Prest by their fate, thus as they fear they run. 'Midst these disorders, through th' abandon'd town: A moving sight, wild tumults here and there, Follow the blind impulses of their fear. Vanquisht by rumour all, prepar'd for flight, Their much lamented habitations quit: Trembling, this takes his children in his arms, And that protects his guardian gods from harm. Scar'd from their homes, unwillingly they go, And in their wishes stab the absent foe. Some bear their wives, amidst ten thousand fears, In sad imbrace; and some their aged sires: The tender youth, unus'd to burdens, bear Only that with 'em for which most they fear: Some less discreet, strive to bear all away, And only for the foe prepare the prey. So in a storm when no sea-arts avail To guide the ship with any certain sail; Some bind the shatter'd mast, with thoughts secure, Others are swimming t'ward the peaceful shore; While with full sails kind fortune these implore. But why do we of such small fears complain, With both the consuls greater Pompey ran, That Asia aw'd, in dire Hydaspes grown The only rock, its pyrates split upon; Whose third triumph o're earth made Jove afraid, Proud with success he'd next his Heaven invade: To whom the ocean yielding honours gave, And rougher Bosphorus humbly still'd his wave. Yet he, of empires and of men the shame, Quitting the honour of a ruler's name, Meanly at once abandon'd Rome and fame. Now this to Heaven it self does fears impart, And the mild train of quiet gods depart; Frighted with wars they quit the impious world, And leave mankind in wild confusion hurl'd. Fair Peace, as leader of the goodly train, Beating her snowy arms, did first complain; A wreath of olives bound her drooping head, And to Hell's dark insatiate realms she fled. Justice and Faith on her attending went, And mournful Concord, with her garment rent. On th' other side from Hell's wide gaping jaws, A train of dire inhabitants arose: Dreadful errings, fierce Bellona there, Fraud, and Megera arm'd with brands of fire, And th' gastly image of pale death appear: Disorder'd Rage from all her fetters freed, Proudly 'midst these lifts her distracted head, And her hackt face with bloody helmet hid. On her left arm a target old and worn, Pierc'd with innumerable darts was born, And brands of fire supported in her right, The impious world with flames and ruin threat. The gods descending, leave their still abode, And the stars wondring miss their usual load; For all the inhabitants of Heaven come, Choosing their sides, with factious fury down. For Caesar first Dione does appear, Pallas and Mars with his huge brandisht spear; Phoebe and Phoebus too for Caesar came, And with Cyllenius, to fill the train, Alcides went, in all his acts the same. The trumpets sound, when from the Stygian shade Wild Discord raises her disorder'd head; From whose swoln eyes there ran a briny flood, And blood congeal'd otre all her visage stood; Her hideous rows of brazen teeth were furr'd, A filthy gore there issu'd from her tongue, With snaky locks her guarded head was hung; Rent and divided did her garb betray The image of the breast on which it lay; And brandisht flames her trembling hand obey. Thus from Hell's deeps she past with dire design, Up to the top of noble Appennine, From whose proud height she all the world descri'd, Earth, seas, and armies march on every side, And bursting out at length, with fury cry'd, Let murderous rage the world to arms inspire, That every nation may appear a fire: No age or sex shall from the war be free, No subtle fear be a security. The earth it self shall tremble, and the shock Make mountains cleft against each other knock. Marcellus guide the laws, Curior the crowd, Let Lentulus inspire the warlike god. But why is't Caesar such slow measures takes? Not scale the walls? Nor force th' aspiring gates, Nor to the town, nor to the treasure makes? At Rome, if Pompey fears th' approaching foe, Let him to fatal Epidamnum go: Fill all its plains with blood. Thus Discord said, And impious earth her black decrees obey'd."

When Eumolpus, with his usual freedom, had deliver'd himself of this, we arrived at Crotona, where having refresht our selves in a little inn, we took up at the next day, designing an enlargement of our house and fortune, we fell into the company of some parasitical Corbacchio's who immediately enquir'd what we were and whence we came? When, according to our contrivance, prudently advancing our characters, we told the credulous parasites whence we came, and who we were. Upon which, immediately all their fortunes were at Eumolpus's feet, and each, to ingratiate himself into his favour, strove to exceed the rest in presenting him.

While this flood of fortune was for a long time flowing on us, Eumolpus, 'midst his happiness, having lost the memory of his former condition, so boasted his interest, that he affirm'd none in Crotona cou'd resist his desires; and that what e're crime any of us shou'd act, he had friends enough to wipe off the guilt.

But, tho' our daily increasing riches, left my pamper'd body no desire unsatisfy'd; and tho' I flatter'd my self into an opinion that ill fortune had taken her last leave of me, yet not only the thoughts of my present condition, but the means of getting to 't, wou'd oft break in upon my joys, and bitter all the sweet. "And what," said I to myself, "if some one, wiser than the rest, shou'd dispatch a messenger for Africk; shou'd not we soon be discover'd? What if the slave Eumolpus, pickt up, glutted with his present happiness, shou'd betray us to his companions, and maliciously discover the whole cheat? We should then be put upon the strole again, and be oblig'd with shame to renew our former beggary. Heavens, how ill it fares with wicked lives! they ever expect the punishment they deserve."

Going out full of these thoughts to divert my concern, I resolv'd on a walk, but I had scarce got into a publick one, e're a pretty girl made up to me, and calling me Polyaemus, told me her lady wou'd be proud of an opportunity to speak with me.

"You're mistaken, sweet-heart," return'd I, in a little heat, "I'm but a servant, of another country too, and not worthy of so great a favour."

"No, sir," said she, "I have commands to you; but because you know what you can do, you're proud; and if a lady wou'd receive a favour from you, I see she must buy it: For to what end are all those allurements, forsooth? the curl'd hair, the complexion advanc'd by a wash, and the wanton roll of your eyes, the study'd air of your gate? unless by shewing your parts, to invite a purchaser? For my part I am neither a witch, nor a conjurer, yet can guess at a man by his physiognomy. And when I find a spark walking, I know his contemplation. To be short, sir, if so be you are one of them that sell their ware, I'll procure you a merchant; but if you're a courteous lender, confer the benefit. As for your being a servant, and below, as you say, such a favour, it increases the flames of her that's dying for you. 'Tis the wild extravagance of some women to be in love with filth, nor can be rais'd to an appetite but by the charms, forsooth of some slave or lacquy; some can be pleased with nothing but the strutting of a prize-fighter with a hackt-face, and a red ribbon in his shirt: Or an actor betray'd to prostitute himself on th' stage, by the vanity of showing his pretty shapes there; of this sort is my lady; who indeed," added she, "prefers the paultry lover of the upper gallery, with his dirty face, and oaken staff, to all the fine gentlemen of the boxes, with their patches, gunpowder-spots, and tooth-pickers." When pleas'd with the humour of her talk, "I beseech you, child," said I, "are you the she that's so in love with my person?" Upon which the maid fell into a fit of laughing. "I wou'd not," return'd she, "have you so extreamly flatter your self. I never yet truckl'd to a waiter, nor will Venus allow I shou'd imbrace a gibbet. You must address your self to ladies that kiss the ensigns of slavery; be assur'd that I, though a servant, have too fine a taste to converse with any below a knight." I was amaz'd at the relation of such unequal passions, and thought it miraculous to find a servant, with the scornful pride of a lady, and a lady with the humility of a servant.