Fable I. The Adventures of Aristonous

SOPHRbNTMUS HAVING LOST THE MEANS OF his ancestors by shipwrecks, and other misfortunes, solaced himself by his virtue io the isle of De-los. there he sung to a golden lyre, the wonders of the god, adored in that island: he cultivated the muses, by whom he was beloved; he curiously invedigated all the fccrets of nature, the course of the stars, and of the heavens, the order of the elements, the ftrudlure of the universe, which he measured with his compass, the virtues of plants, and the conformation of animals; h\it above all^ he fiudied himself; and exerted his high-

B c(l application to adorn his soul with virtue, thus for* tune, by attempting to depress him, had exalted him to true glory, which is that of wisdom.

While he lived happy without riches in his retreat, he one day perceived upon the sea-shore a venerable old man, who was to him unknown; it was a stranger, who had just landed on the island. this ancient person admired the banks of the sea, where he knew the isle had been formerly floating; he considered that coast, where arose, above the sands and rocks, little hills, ever covered with a springing and flowery turf; he could not fufliciently gaze upon the crystal fountains and rapid dreams that watered this delightful country; he advanced towards the sacred groves that encompass the temple of the god; he was amazed to see that verdure, which north-winds never dare to tarnish; and he now examined the temple of a Parian marble, whiter than snow, surrounded by lofty columns of jasper.

Sophronymus was no less attentive to examine the afpedl of the old man. his silver beard hung down upon his breast, his wrinkled face had nothing deformed, he was dill exempt from the injuries of a decrepit age, his eyes sparkled a sweet vivacity, his person was tall and majedic, but a little bending, and an ivory ftalT supported him. O stranger, said Sophronjrmus to him, what seek you in this island, which seems unknown to you i if it is the temple of the god, you see it yoot>PAftISTOirOUS. f dir, and I am at yotir service to condudl you thither, for I fear the ^ods, and am well apprized what Jupi* ter requires us to do, for the assistance of strangers. I a^ccepty answered the old man, the offer you make me with fo many marfcs of goodoefs, and I pray the gods to reward your love for strangers: let us move then towards the temple, by the way he related to Sophronymus the story of his vopge. I am, said he, by name Ariflonous, a native of Clazomenae, a city of Ionia, situate on that pleasant coast which ruqs out into the sea, and iecms to meet the isle of Chios, the fortunate country of Homer. I was born of poor, tho' noble parents; my father, named Polyftratus, who was already encumbered with a numerous family, would by no means bring me up, but caused me to be exposed by one of his friends at Tens, an old woman of £ry« thrae, who had some small interest near the place where I was espied, took me into her house, and nourished> me with the milk of goats; but as (he had scarcely a iabfiftence for herself, (b soon as I was of age toferve, ftkc fold me to a Have-merchant, who carried me into JLyda; he (old me at Fatara to a rich and virtuous perfoa, called Alcinus. this Aldnus took care of my youth; I appeared to him docile, moderate, sincere, afiedionate, and diligent, ia applying myself to all the konourable things in which any pleased to inftrudl me; ke devoted me to the arts, patronized by Apollo; he eai^fed me to be taught music, the exercises of the body, and above all, the art of healing wounds. I foot acquired a condderable reputation in that fo necefTarj art; and Apollo, who inspired me, discovered to me wonderful secrets. Alcinus, who loved me daily more and more, and was over-joyed to see the success of his cares for me, gave me my freedom, aqd ient me to Damocles, king of Lycaonia, who living amidst delights, loved life, and feared to lose it. this monarch to secure me, loaded me with riches, some years after, Damocles died, his Ton indigated against me by flatterers, gave me a hearty disgust of all things that have pomp and splendor; I felt, in ihort, a violent defirp to revisit Lycia, where I had fafweetly palTed my in-, faqt years; I hoped to find Alcinus, who had brought me up, and who was the first author of all my fortune, arriving in that country, I learned that Alcinus way dead, after having lost his means, and suffered with much constancy the misfortunes of his old age. I went* and sprinkled flowers and:tears upon his ashes; I put an honourable inscription on his tomb, and enquired what was become of his children. I was told, that the only one surviving, named Orchilochus, unable to bear the thought of appearing without fubflance in his native country, where his father had lived with fo much, splendor, had embarked on board a foreign veflel, in order to go and lead an obscure life in some remote. island of the sea: my informer added, that this Orchi«. lochus. \xiid been cast away ihortly after, about the ifl«

•f CarpathuSy and that thus there were do longer any itmains of the family of my benefadlor Alcinus. I immediately conceived thoughts of buying the house where he had dwelt, with the fertile fields which he poflefTed around it. I was fond to re-yifit those spots, which re-called the sweet remembrance of fo pleasant an age, and of fo good a master; methought I was yet in that bloom of my youthful years, in which I served Alcinus. scarce had I purchased the see of his eflate from his creditors, when I was obliged to go to Clazomenae. my father Polyftratus, and my mother Phi* dila were dead, and I had several brothers who lived in no great harmony together,: as soon as I reached Clazomenae, I presented myself to them, in an humble dreis, like a man destitute of substance, shewing them the tokens with which you know care is taken to ex* pose children, they were astonished to see thus augmented the number of Polyftratus's heirs, who were to partake his small succession; they would needs even controvert my birth, and refused before the judges to acknowledge me. whereupon, to punish their inhumanity, I declared that I consented to be as an alien amongst them; and I demanded that they (hould be excluded for ever from being my heirs, the judges ordained it to be fo; and then I (hewed the riches I had brought along with me in my ship; I discovered to them that I was that Ariftonous, who had acquired fo much treasure in the service of Damoclesi king of Ly-

(J THX ADVENTVR-BS caonia, and that I was never niarned. my brothers now repented their having treated me fo unjust]y» and thro^ the desire of being enabled to become one day my heirs, they used their utmost endeavours, but all to no purpose, to insinuate themselves into my favour, their divisions occasioned our father's effedls to be fold; I bought them, and they had the mortification to see our father's whole efbte devolve into the hands of him, to whom they had not been willing to allow the smallest (hare of it. thus they fell all into a dismal poverty; but after they had come to a sufficient sense of their fault, I was willing to give them some proof of my good-nature: I forgave them, I received them into my house, i gave each of them wherewithal to make his fortune by trading at sea, I re- united them all; they and their children dwelt together peaceably with me, I became the common father of all those dififerent families; by their union and indudry they quickly made conGderable fortunes, in the mean time, age, as yoii see, is come to knock at my door, it hath whitened my hairs, and wrinkled my face, it admonisheth me, that I shall not long enjoy fo perfed a prosperity. before I die, I had a mind to pay one last visit to that land which is fo dear to me, and which touches me more nearly than my native country itself, that Lycia, where I learned to be good and wife, under the tuition of the virtuous Alcinu^. as i was repassing thither, I met with a mer<* ehant, belonging to one of the Cyclad islands, who

OF Al^Jt 8 T O K OUS. J afured mey that there still remained at Delos^ a (on of Ohibilochus^ who imitated the wisdom and virtue of his grand-father Alcinqs. inflantly I quitted the roul of Lyda^ and hasted to come to find out, under the lofpices pf Apollo, in this his iiknd, that precious remnant of a family, to which I owe my all. I have now but 0iort while to live; the fatal dfter, an enemy to that sweet repose, which the gods fo seldom grant to mortals, will speedily cut the thread of my days; but I shall be content to die, provided my eyes, before they close upon the light, may have been blefled with a sight of my mader's grand- son. speak now, O you> who dwell in this island with him, do you know him? can you tell me where I shall find him? if you bring me to see him, may the gods in return grant you to see, between your knees, your childrens children to the fifth generation; may the gods preserve all your house in peace and plenty, as the fruit of your virtue, while Ariftonous spoke thus, Sophronymus burfl into tears of joy and grief: at length, without having power to speak, he threw himself upon the old man's neck, he embraces, he hugs him, and, after a great while, mutters, with difficulty, thefc words, interrupted with broken sighs.

I am, O my father, the person whom you seek! you see Sophronymus, the grand-son of your friend Alcinus. 'tis I; and I cannot doubt, after hearing you, but the gods have sent you hither to mitigate my woes.

gratitude, which seemed lost upon earth, is found zgsatk in you alone. I have heard, when a child, that a famous rich man, settled in Lycaonia, had been brought up at my grand-father's; but as Orchilochus, my father, who died young, left me in the cradle, I have known those things but confusedly, nor have I ventured to go into Lycaonia upon an uncertainty, and I chose rather to remain in this island, comforting myself under my misfortunes, by the contempt of vain riches, and by the pleasing employment of cultivating the mules,' in the sacred house of Apollo. Wisdom, which accuftomi men to be calm and content with little, hath hithertd supplied to me the pkce of all other enjoyments.

In finishing these words, Sophronymus finding himself arrived at the temple, proposed to Aridonous there to make his prayer and offerings: they offered to the god a sacrifice of two sheep, whiter than snow, and of a bull, that had a crescent upon the forehead, between the horns; afterwards they sung verses in honor of the god who enlightens the universe^ who rules the fe'afons, who presides over the sciences, and animates the choir of the nine muses. upon going out of the temple, Sophronymus and Aridonous spent the rest of the day in relating their adventures to each other. Sophronymus received into his house the venerable stranger, with all the tenderness and respe(5t he would have (hewn to Aldnus himself, had he been yet alive, next morning they departed together, and set fail for Lycb.

OFARISTONdUfl. if

Ariftoodus carried Sophronymus into a fertile countiy, on the side of the rirer Xanthus» into whose watersy Apollo, at his return from the chace^all over duA^ hath fb oft planged himself, and washed his flaxen hair: they found along that river, poplars, and willonrs, whereof the tender and springing verdure concealed the nests of an infinite number of birds, which waibled night and day; the river tumbling from a rock, with much noise and foam, broke its waves in a canal, bottomed with flinty pebbles; all the plain was cohered with golden crops \ the hills, that rose into an amphitheatre, were loaded with vines and fruit-trees; there all nature was finiling and lovely, the heaven was Soh and serene, and the earth ever ready to bring forth from her bosom new riches, to reward the pains of the husbandman, advancing along the river side, Sophronymos perceived ad house, plain and moderate, but of m agreeable archite^ure, with jufl proportions: he there found neither marble, nor gold, nor silver, nor ivory, nor furniture of purple; every thing in it was Beat, and full of propriety and conveniency, without magnificence; a fountain played in the middle of the comt, and formed a little canal along a verdant carpet; the gardens were by no means large, but there were to be seen the fruits and plants useful for the food of meir. on the two sides of the garden appeared two groves, whole trees were almost as ancient as the Mith their mother, and whoso thick-woveo brandiesr lO THEAOVEMTVREf made a shade, impenetrable to the rays of the fiiiK they entered into an hall, where thsy made a sweet re-pad of the dainties which nature furnished in the gardens; nor was ought to be seen there of what the delicacy of men goes fo far to seek, and pays fo dear for * in cities, there was milk, as sweet as that which Apollo Touchfafed to milk, while (hepherd to king Admetos; there was honey, more exquisite than that of the bees of Hybfa in Sicily, or of mount Hymettus in Attica; there were garden-herbs, and fresh-gathered fruits; z wine, more delicious than nedar, flowed out of large vases, into cups curiously carved, during this frugal, but comfortable and quiet repast, Arifionous would by no means fit down at table; at firfl, he did what he could, under various pretexts, to conceal his modeily> but at lad, when Sophronymus insisted upon it, he declared, that he would never be prevailed upon to eat with the grand- son of Alcinus, at whose back he fb long had waited in the same hall: there, said he to him» that wife old man had wont to eat; there would he converfc with his friends; there would he play at different games; here would he walk, reading Hesiod, or Homer; here did he repose himself in the nighe. upon recalling of these circumflances his heart melt^ ed, and tears trickled from his eyes, after the re-pad, he carried Sophronymus to see the beautiful meadow, where his lowing herds (trayedby the liver side; then they espied the flocks of flieep» returning fron% th»r rich pastures; the bleating dams, with distended adders, were followed by their little skipping lambs: every where were to be seen the busy workmen, who loved labour for.the interest of their gentle and ha-mane mailer, who made himself beloved by them, and alleviated to them the hardships of slavery.

A riflonous having shewn Sophronymus this house, these Haves, these herds and flocks, and these lands, become fo fertile thro' a careful cultivation, addrefTed him in the following terms: I am overjoyed to see you in the ancient patrimony of your ancedors; I kave now my heart's desire, since I put you in posTes-sion of the place where I fo long served AJcinus: enjoy in peace what was his; live happy, and, by your Ti^lance^ secure to yourself afar off^ an end mote comfortable than his: at the same time, he makes over to him the eflate, with all the forms prescribed by law; ^nd declares, that he precludes his natural heirs from bis fucceifion, if ever they prove fo ungrateful as to controvert the donation he hath made to the grand-ion of Alcinus, his benefactor, but this is not enough to satisfy the heart of Ariftonous; before he gives him his house, he adorns it compleatly with new furniture, plain and decent indeed, but neat and genteel; he (ills the granaries with the rich presents of Ceres, and the cellar with a wine of Chios, worthy to be served by the hand of Hebe or Ganymede, to the table of the great Jove ^ he lays in also Farmenian wine, with an abuadant proYifion of honey of Hymettus and Hybla, and of Attican oi], almost as sweet as the honey itself. lastly, to these he adds, fleeces ionunierable of a fine wool, \vhite as snow, rich spoils of the tender ews, which grazed upon the mountains of Arcadia, and in the rich pastures.of Sicily, in this condition does he giro his honfe to Sophronymus; he gives lum also fifty Euboic talents, and reserves to his kindred what fortune he pofTefTes in the peninsula of Clazomeoaet about Smyrna, Lebedos, and Colophon, which was very coniiderable. the donation made, Ariftonous re<' imbarks, in order to return into Ionia. Sophronymus aftoniftied, and deeply afFedcd with fo magnificent benefits, accompanies him to the ship, with tears in his eyes, calling him always father, and hugging him m his arms. Ariftonous arrived quickly at home, by a happy voyage; nor did any of his relations dare to complain of what he had given to Sophronymus. I have left, said he to them, as my last will, an order, that all my effedls shall be fold, and distributed to the poor of Ionia, if ever any one of you pretend to cqo<» trovert the gift I have made to the grand-ion of Alcinus. the wife old man lived in peace, and enjoyed the substance the gods had granted to his virtue, every year, notwithstanding his age, he made a voyage in* to Lycia to re-visit Sophronymus, and to go and offer a sacrifice upon AldnusV tomb, which he had ennch<red with the noblest ornaments of architeAnre and

OF A&I STO M O vs. tj lodptnre* iie had giTcn orders that his own afiies, af* ter his death, should be carried into the same tomb> tJiat fo tiiey might repose with those of his dear mafier. each returning spring, Sophronymus, impatient for the annual visit, had his eyes condnttally turned towards the ihore, in order, as soon as pofHble, to des* cry the fhtp of AriAonous, which duly arrived at that season. every year had he the pleasure of seeing from afar that (hip, wfaidi was fo dear to him, skimming the briny waves; aod the coming of that ship was to him infinitely more pleasing than all the graces of nature reviving in the spring, after the rigours of the severed winter.

One year he looked, and looked again, but no ap« pearance of the longed-for veflel; hefighed bitterly,sadness and fear were painted on his countenance, sweet deep fled far from his eyes, the most exquisite meats no longer seemed pleaiant to him; he was refllefs, alarm* ed at the smallest noise, ever turning towards the port | he was aiking every moment, if none had seen any ireflel coming from Ionia, he spied one, but alas! no Ariftonous was there, it carried only his a(hes in a fil'* W€T urn. Amphicles, an andenf friend of the deceased, and much about the same age, the faithful executor of his last will, was brining, with a heavy heart, this urn. when he accosted Sophronymus, speech failed bodi, and. ihey expreiied themselves only by mutual sobs: Sophronymus i^fiog kifled the urn, and watered it

X4 THB ADVENTURES vdth his tears, at leogtHlsroke silence thus: Oh! mj dear old man, you conflituted the happiness of my life» and you now cause me the cruellefl of all afflictions; I (hall ne;.ver see you more; death were delightful to me» did it bring me to see you, and to attend you into the Elysian fields, where your shade enjoys the blifsfql peace, which the just gods reserve for virtue; you reyived, inour-days,justice, piety, and gratitude, VpOD earth; you shewed, in an age of iron, the goodoefs and innocence of the age of gold; the gods before they crowned you in the mansion of the jud, granted you here below an happy, agreeable, and long life: but alas! what should have laded for ever is never long enough. I feel no more any pleasure in enjoying your gifts, dnce I am reduced to enjoy them without you. O dear shade! when shall I follow you? precious ashes, if yet you ought can feel, you will doubtless tafle the pleasure of mingling with those of Alcinus; Viine shall also join them one day; in the mean time, all my consolation shall be to preserve those remains of what I mofl beloved. O Ariftonous! Ariflonous! no, you shall not die, you shall live always in the inmofl recesses of my heart: sooner shall I forget myself, than ever forget that man, who fo much loved me, who fo much loved virtue, to whom I owed my all.

After these words, interrupted with deep sighs, Sophronymus placed the urn in the tomb of Alcinus; he ifhsiolated several vi^^ms, whose blood overflowed

6 F A it I s T o N o u s: if the idtars of turf, that surrounded the tomb; he' poured copious libations of wine and milk; he burned perfumes, brought from the farthest eafl, and an odoriferous cloud arose in the midst of the air^ Sophronymus instituted funeral games, to be celebrated yearly at the same season, in honour of Alcinus and Ariftonous. thither they came from the happy and fertile Caria; from the enchanted banks of Meander, which plays ill fo many windings, and seems reluctantly to quit the country which it waters; from the ever-green banks of Cayfter, from the borders of Pa(5lolus, which rolls a golden sand beneath its waves; from Pamphilia^ which Ceres, Pomona, and Flora, drive emulous to adorn; in fine, from the wide extended plains of Cilida, garden- like, watered by the torrents which fall from Taurus's top, white with everlasting snows. during this fo solemn feafl, the young men and maidens clothed in trailing robes of fined lawn, whiter than the lilly, chanted hymns to the praise of Alcinus and Aridonous; for there was no praising of the one, without praiiing also the other, nor parting of two persons fo closely united, even after their difToIution.

What is mod marvellous was, that upon the very first day, while Sophronymus was making the libations of wine and milk, a myrtle, of an exquisite verdure and odour, sprung up in the middle of the tomb> and reared, at once, its tufted head, to cover the two urns with its branches and shadow. every one cried.

it

thst AriAonoaSy hi reward of his virtue, had been dumged ioco that beautifid tree. Sophronymus took care tO' water it himself, and to honour it as a diviaifiy. that tree, far from growing old, renews itself efcrj' ten yeast; and die gods have been pleased to (hcwv by thi» wpader, that the virtue, which casts ib sweet a perfiuBC npon the aiemory of men, can never, never die*

T H fi

AD V E N T U R E S

MELESICHTHON.