Book XIV

25;

others, generally content themselves with a fpeciilative difapprobation of corrupt men; and at the fame time employ them with the utmost confidence, and load them with riches and honour: on the other hand, they value themselves upon difcerning and approving men of virtue, but they reward them only with empty praifc; and want magnanimity to assign them employments, to admit them to their friendlhip, or dillinguifh them by their favour."

Idomeneus then confeiTed, that he was ashamed of having fo long delayed to deliver innocence from oppression, and to punifti those that had abufed his confidence; and all fcruples about recalling Philocles being removed. Mentor had no difficulty in perfuading the king, to difmifs his favourite.- for when once an opposition to a favourite has fo far succeeded, that he is fufpedled* and becomes troublefome; the prince, feeling himself perplexed and uneafy, thinks only how to get rid of him: all friendship vaniflies, and all services are forgotten. The fall of a favourite gives no pain to his master, if, as soon as he is undone, he is removed out of fight.

Idomeneus immediately gave private orders to Hegefippus, one of the principal officers of his household, to seize Protefilaus and Timocrates, and conducft them in safety to the isle of Samos; to leave them there; and to bring Philocles back to Salentum. Hegefippus, at the receipt of this order, burst into tears of furprize and joy: " You will now, said he to the king, make every heart in your dominions glad; for these men were the cause of all the misfortunes, that have befallen you and your people. Good men have now groaned, twenty years, under an oppression fo severe, that they fcarce dared even to groan: to complain was irapofllble; for those who attempted to approach you, otherwise than by the favourites, were sure to be immediately cruftied by their power."

L 1 Hegefippus

He'gefippus then acquainted the king, with innumerable instances of their treachery and inhumanity, of which he had never heard, because no body dared to accuse them; and told him also, that he had discovered a confpiracy against the life of Mentor. The king was ilruck with horror at the relation.

Hegefippus, that he might seize Protefilaus without delay, went immediately to his house. It was not fo large as the palace; but it was better designed, both for convenience and pleasure: the architecture was in a better tafle, and it was decorated with a profufion of expence, which the most cruel opprellion had supplied. He was then in a marble faloon that opened to his baths, reclining negligently upon a couch, that was covered with purple embroidered with gold: he appeared to be weary, and even exhaulled with his labours; there was a gloom of difcontent upon his brow, and his eye exprefled a kind of agitation and ferocity not to be described. The principal persons of the kingdom far round him upon carpets, watching his looks even to the slightest glance of his eye, and reflecting every expression of his countenance from their own: if he opened his mouth, all was ecllafy and admiration; and, before he had uttered a word, they vied with each other, which should be loudeft in the praise of what he had to say. One of them regaled him, with an account of the services he had rendered to the king, heightened with the moll ridiculous exaggeration: another declared, that his mother had conceived him by Jupiter in the likeness of her husband, and that he was son to the Father of the Gods. In feme verses that were recited by a poet, he was said to have been inftruifted by the mufes, and to have rivalled Apollo in all the works of imagination and wit; and another poet, still more servile and fliamelcfs, celebrated him as the inventor of the polite arts, and the father of a people,^ among among whom he had scattered plenty and happihefs, from the hom of Amalthea, with a Hberal hand.

Protefilaus heard all this adulation, with a cold negligent and difdainful air, as if he thought his merit was without bounds, and that he honoured those too much from whom he condefcended to receive praise. Among other flatterers, there was one who took the liberty to whifper some jefl upon the new regulations, that were taking place under the direilion of Mentor: the countenance of Protefilaus relaxed into a smile; and immoderate laughter immediately fliook the whole company, though the greatefl part knew nothing of what had been said. The countenance of Protefilaus became again haughty and severe, and every one immediately flirunk back into timidity and fdence: all watched for the happy moment, in which he would turn his eye upon them, and permit them to speak; and each, having some favour to ask, tlifcovered the greatest agitation and perplexity: their fupplicatory pollure, supplied the want of words; and they seemed to be imprefled with the fame humility and reverence, as a mother, who petitions the Gods, at their altar, for the life of an only son: every countenance exprefled a tender complacency and admiration j but every heart concealed the moll malignant envy, and implacable hatred.

At this moment, ttegefippm entered the faloon; and feizing the sword of Protefilaus, acquainted him, that he had the king's orders to carry him to Sahios. At these tlreadful words, all the arrogance of the favourite fell from him in a moment, like the fragment of a rock that is bi^oken from the fummit: he threw himself at the feet of Hegefippus; he wept, hefitated, faltered, trembled, and embraced the knees of a man, upon whom, an hour before, he would have difdained to turn his eye. At the fame

L 1 2 time,

2<5o BOOK XIV.

time, his flatterers, who saw that his ruin was compleat and irreparable, infuhed him with a meannefs and cruelty worthy of their adulation.

Hegefippus would not allow him time even to take leave of his family, or secure his private papers, which were all seized and put into the king's hands. Timocrates was also arrested at the fame time, to his inexpreffible furprize; for being upon ill terms with Protefilaus, he had not the least apprehension of being involved in his ruin; and they were both carried on board a vefTel, which had been prepared to receive them.

They arrived in safety at Samos, where Hegefippus left his prifoners; and, to compleat their misfortune, he left them together. Here, with a rancour natural to their circumstances and disposition, they reproached each other with the crimes that had brought on their ruin: here they were condemned to live, without the leafl hope of returning to Salentum, at a distance from their wives and children, not to mention friends, for a friend they never had: with the country, they were wholly unacquainted; and had no means of fubfiftence, but by their labour; a situation, of which the difadvantages were greatly aggravated, by the luxury and fplcndour which long habit had made almost as neceflary to them^ as food and rest. In this condition, like two wild beasts of the forest, they were always ready to tear each other to pieces.

In the mean time, Hegefippus enquired, in what part of the island Philocles was to be found: and he was told, that he lived at a considerable distance from the city, upon a mountain, in which there was a cave that served him for a habitation. Every one rpoke of him with the utmost admiration and esteem: " He has never given offence, said they, in a single instance, fmce he has 7 been been in the island; every heart is touched at the patience of his labour, and the chearfulnefs of his indigence; he pofTefTes nothing, yet is always content. Though he is remote both from the business and the pleasures of the world, without property and without influence; yet he can still find means to oblige merit, and has a thousand contrivances to gratify his neighbours."

Hegefippus immediately repaired to the cave, which he found empty and open; for the poverty of Philocles, and the simplicity of his manners, made it.unnecelTary for him to shut his door when he went out. A mat of coarfe ruflies served him for a bed; he rarely kindled a fire, because his food was generally such as needed no drefilng; in summer he lived upon fruits frelh gathered, and upon dates and dried figs in winter, quenching his thirst at a clear spring, that fell in a natural cafcade from the rock. His cave contained nothing but his tools; and some books that he read at certain hours, which he appropriated to that purpofc, not to decorate his mind or gratify his curiosity, but that, while he rested from his labour, he might gain inftrucflion, and avoid being idle by learning to be good: and he employed himself in fculpture, not to procure reputation or wealth, but merely to keep his body in exercise, and procure the neceflaries of life without contratfting obligations.

When Hegefippus entered the cave, he admired the pieces of art that were begun. He observed a Jupiter, in whole countenance there was a ferene majefly, by which he was immediately known to be the Father of Gods and men; he perceived also a Mars, well distinguished by a proud and menacing ferocity; but he was most struck with a Minerva, that was reprefentcd as encouraging the arts;

arts: the expreflion of her countenance was at once noble and gracious, her ftature was tall, her iliape easy, and her attitude ib natural, that the fpedVator was almost persuaded Ihe would move. Hegefippus, having viewed these statues with great pleasure, retired; and as he was coming out of the cave, saw Philocles at a distance, fitting upon the grafs under the fhade of a large tree, and reading. He immediately advanced towards him; and Philocles, who perceived him, fcarce knew what to think: " Is not that Hegefippus, said he to himself, with whom I was fo long familiar at Crete? But what can have brought him to an island fo remote as Samos? Is he not dead, and is not this his fliade which has returned from the banks of the Styx to revifit the earth i"

While he was thus doubting of what lie saw, Hegefippus came fo near, that his doubts were at an end. *' Is it you then, said he, embracing him, my dear my early friend? What accident, or what tempeft, has thrown you upon this coast? Have you voluntarily deferted the island of Crete? or have you been driven from your country, by a misfortune like mine?"

" It is not misfortune, said Hegefippus, but the favour of the Gods, that has brought me hither." He then gave his friend a particular account of the long tyranny of Protefilaus, of his intrigues with Timocrates, of the calamities which they had brought upon Idomeneus } of his expulfion from the throne, his flight to Hefperia, the founding ©f Salentum, the arrival of Mentor and Telemachus, the wisdom which Mentor had difFufed into the mind of the king, and the difgrace of the traitors by whom he had been abufed. He added, that he had brought them in exile to Samos, whither they had banished Philocles; and concluded, that he had orders to bring him back to Salentum, where the king, who who was convinced of his integrity, intended to intrufl him with the administration of his government, and diftinguilh him by rewards adequate to his merit."

" You see thatxrave, said Philodes, which is more fit for the haunt of wild beads, than the habitation of a man; and yet, in that cave, I>have enjoyed more tranquilUty and repose, than in the gorgeous palaces of Crete. I am no more deceived by man; for, wi,th man, I have no more connection: I neither see, nor hear, nor need him; my own hard hands, which are now inured to labour, f apply me with such simple food as nature has made necefTary; and this flight fhifF that you see, fufficing to cover me^ I am without wants % and I enjoy a ferenc, perfe<5t, and delightful freedom, of which the wisdom that is contained in my books, teaches me the proper use. Why, then, should I again mix with mankind, and again suffer by their jealousy, fraud, and caprice? Envy not, my dear Hegefippus, the good fortune I poflefs. Protefilaus has betrayed the king, and would have murdered me; he is fallen into his own fiiare, but he has done me no hurt: he has eventually done me good, in the highefi: degree j he has delivered me from the tumult and slavery of public bufmefs; and to him I am indebted for this sweet solitude, and the pleasures I enjoy. Return, then, my friend, to your prince; assist him under the neceflary infelicities of grandeur, and do for him whatever you wish should be done by me: and since his eyes, which were fo long shut against truth, have been at last opened, by the wisdom of a person whom you call Mentor, let him also keep that person about him. As for me, having once suffered Ihipwreck, it is by no means fit that I Ihould • forfake the port, in which the tempeft has fo fortunately thrown me, and tempt again the caprice of- thewinds. Alas! how'muclr are kings to be pitied! how worthy of compafllon are those that serve them I If they, are wicked, what misery do they diffufe 6. among.

among others, what punishment do they treasure up for themselves! if they are good, what difficulties have they to furmount, what Chares to avoid, what evils to suffer! Once more, my dear Hegefippus, leave me poor, that I may be happy."

Philocles expreffcd these sentiments with great vehemence, and Hegefippus looked upon him with astonishment. He had known him in Crete, when he conduced the bufmefs of the flate; and he was then pale, languifliing, and emaciated: the natural ardour of his temper, and his fcrupulous regard to redlitude, made a public llation fatal to his health. He could not see vice go unpunifhed, without indignation; nor suffer even unavoidable irregularities, without regret: at Crete, therefore, he suffered a perpetual decay; but, at S^mos, he was vigorous and lufly; and a new youth, in fpight even of years, bloomed upon his countenance. A life of temperance, tranquillity, and exercise, seemed to have restored the constitution, which nature had given him. " You are furprized to see me fo altered, said Philocles with a smile; but I owe this frefhnefs, this perfeftion of health, to my retirement: my enemies, therefore, have given me more, than fortune could beflow. Can you wish me to forfake fubflantial, for imaginary good; and incur again the misfortunes, from which it is now my happiness to be free? You would not, surely, be more cruel than Protefilaus; you cannot envy me the good fortune that he has beflowed."

Hegefippus then urged him from every motive, that he thought likely to touch his fenfibility, but without effect: : " Would the fight of your family and friends, then, said he, give you no pleasure; of those who languifh for your return, and live but in the hope of once more preffing you to their bosom? And is it nothing, in your estimation, who fear the Gods and make conscience of your duty.

duty, to render fcrvicc to your prince; to aflift him in the exercise of virtue, and the difFufion of happiness? Is it blamclcfs to indulge an unfocial philosophy, to prefer your own intereil to that of mankind, and chufe rather to procure ease to yourself than to give happiness to them? Besides, if you pcrfift in your resolution not to return, it will be imputed to rcfentment againli the king; and if he intended evil against you, it was only becaulc he was a stranger to your merit. It was not Philocles, the faithful, the just, the good, that he would have cut off; but a man, of whom he had conceived a very different idea. He now knows you; and it being now impossible he should mistake you for another, his first friendship will revive with new force. He expedls you with impatience; his arms are open to receive you; he numbers the days, and even the hours of your delay. Can you, then, be inexorable to your king? can your heart refifl. the tender folicitudes of friendship?"

Philocles, whom the firfl; recollecHiion of Hegefippus had melted into tenderncfs, now resumed a look of distance and severity: he remained immoveable as a rock, against which the tempefl rages in vain» and the roaring furge dafhes only to be broken: neither intrcaty, nor argument, found any passage to his heart. But the piety of Philocles would not suffer him to indulge his inclination, however supported by his judgment, without confuking the Gods j and he discovered, by the flight of birds, by the entrails of victims, and by other prefages, that it was their pleasure he Ihould go with Hegefippus: he, therefore, refitted no more, but complied with the request of Hegefippus, and prepared for his departure. He did not, however, quit the solitude, in which he had lived fo many years, without regret: " Must I then, said he, forfake this pleasing cell, where peaceful and obedient flumbers came eveiy night to rcfrefli me, after the labours of the day! where my easy life was a filken

M m thread, thread, which the sisters, notwithstanding my poverty, entwined with gold!" The tears then started to his eye, and proftrating himself on the earth, he adored the Naiad of the tranflucent spring that had quenched his thirst, and the nymphs of the mountain that surrounded his retreat. Echo heard his exprelTions of tenderness and regret; and with a gentle and plaintive voice, repeated them to all the fylvan Deities of the place.

Philocles then accompanied Hegefippus to the city, in order to embark. He thought, that Protefdaus, overwhelmed with conf ufion, and burning with refentment, would be glad to avoid him j but he was mistaken: men without virtue, are without shame, and always ready to Hoop to any meannefs. Philocles modeftly concealed himself, for fear the unhappy wretch should see him 5 for he supposed, that, to see the prosperity of an enemy, which was founded on his ruin, would aggravate his misery: but Protefilaus fought him out with great eagerness, and endeavoured to excite his compailion, and engage him to folicit the king for permiflion to return to Salentum. Philocles, however, was too fmcere to give him the least hope that he would comply; and he knew, better than any other, the mifchiefs that his return would produce: but he foothed him with expressions of pity, offered him such consolation as his iituation would admit, and exhoned him to propitiate the Gods by purity of manners, and resignation to his fufPerings. As he had heard, that the kinj^ had taken from him all the wealth that he had unjustly acquired, he promised him two things, which he afterwards faithfully performed; to take his wife and children, who remained at Salentum, exposed to all the miseries of poverty, and all the dangers of popular refentment, under his protection; and ^o send him some supplies of money, to alleviate the distress he must suffer, in a state of banifhment fo remote from his country. 8 The

The wind being fair, Hegefippus hailcncd the departure of his friend. Protefdaus saw them embark: his eyes were dired:ed invariably towards the sea; and pursued the vefTel, as she made her way through the parting waves; and the wind every moment increased her diflance: when his eye could distinguish it no more, its image was Hill imprefled upon his mind; at last, feizcd with the phrenzy of despair, he rolled himself in the fands, tore his hair, and reproached the Gods for the severity of their justice; lie called at last upon death, but even death rejected his petition to die, and difdained to deliver him from the misery, from which he wanted courage to deliver himself.

In the mean time, the veflel, favoured by Neptune and the winds, soon arrived at Salentum. When the king was told, that it was entering the port, he ran out, with Mentor, to meet Philocles, whom he tenderly embraced; and exprelfed the utmofl regret, at having fo injurioufly authorized an attempt upon his life. This acknowledgment was fo far from degrading him in the opinion of his people, that every one confidcred it as the effort of an exalted mind, which, as it were, triumphed over its own failings, by confelling them with a view to reparation. The public joy, at the return of Philocles, the friend of man, and at the wisdom and goodness expressed by the king, was fo great, that it overflowed in tears.

Philocles received the careiles of his prince with the mod refpccT:ful modesty, and was impatient to escape from the acclamations of the people. He followed Idomeneus to the palace; and though Mentor and he had never seen each other before, there was immediately the fame confidence between them, as if they had been familiar from their birth; as if the Gods, who have witheld from the wicked the power of diilinguifliing the good, had imparted, to the good, a faculty of immediately diilinguifliing each other:

M m 2 those those who have a love for virtue, cannot be together, -without being united by that virtue vv^hich they love. Philocles, after a short time, requested the king to difmifs him to some retirement near Salentum, where he might live in the fame obscurity that he had enjoyed at Samos. The king granted his request; but went almost every day, with Mentor, to visit him in his retreat, where they confultcd how the laws might best be established, and the government fixed upon a permanent foundation for the advantage of the people.

The two principal obje(5ls of their consideration, were the education of children, and the manner of life to be prescribed during peace. As to the children. Mentor said, that they belonged less to their parents, than to the state: " They are the children of the community, said he; and they are, at once, its hope, and its ftrcngth. It is too late to corredt them, when habits of vice have, been acquired; and it is doing little to exclude them from employments, when they are become unworthy of trufl. It is always better to prevent evil, than to punish it. The prince, who is the father of his people, is more particularly the father of the youth, who may be considered as the flower of the nation; and it is, in the fio\ver, that care should be taken of the fruit: a king, therefore, fhonld not difdain to watch over the rising generation, nor to appoint others to watch with him. Let him enforce, with inflexible constancy, the laws of Minos, which ordain, that chikhen shall be ib educated, as to endure pain v'iihout impatience, and expe(51: -death withoiu ten*or: that the contempt of luxury and wealthy ihall be honour; and injiiflice, ingratitude, and voluptuous idlencfs, infamy: that children, from their tendercft youth, shall be tanght to commemorate the atchievements of heroes, the favourites cf Heaven, who have lacrificed private intcreft to their coimtry, and fignalized their courage in battle; by joining in songs to their licnour, ai once to animate them by examples of heroic virtue, and and hannonize their souls by mufick: that they should learn to be tender to their friends, faithful to their allies, and equitable to all men, their enemies not excepted: above all things, that they should be taught to dread the reproach of conscience, as an evil much greater than torture and death. If these maxims are imprefled early upon the heart, w^ith all the power of eloquence, and the charms of mulic; there will be few, indeed, in whom they will not kindle the love of virtue and of fame."

" It is, added Mentor, of the utmost importance, to eflablifli public schools for inuring youth to the moll i-obull exercises, and preserving them from effeminacy and idleness, which render the moll liberal endowments of nature useless." He advised the institution of public games and shows, with as much variety as could be contrived, to roufe the attention, and interest the pafTions af the people; but, above all, to render the body fupple, vigorous, and adive: and he thought it proper to excite emulation, by giving prizes to those that should excel. He wiihed alio, as the most powerful prefervative againfl general depravity of manners, that the people might marry early ^ and that parents, without any views of interest, would leave the young men to the free choice of such wiveSk as their inclination naturally led them to prefer.

But while thcfc mcafures were concerted, to prefcrve a blame- Icfs simplicity among the rising generation, to render them labcrious and traceable, and, at the fame time, to give them a sense of honour; Philocles, whose military genius made him fond of •war, observed to Mentor, that it woidd signify little to inflitute public exercises, if the youth were fuU'cicd to languiPa in perpetual peace, without bringing their courage to the test, or acquiring experience in the field: " The nation, favs he, will be infcnfiblv enfeebled; courage will relax into effeminate foftncls; and a. general depravity, the neceflary cflccft of uninterrupted abundance and tranquillity, will render them an cafy prey to any warlil-:c.

nailoii.

11 o nation that shall attack them j and to avoid the miferiea of war, they will incur the moll deplorable llavery."

" The calamities of war, said Mentor, are more to be dreaded than you imagine. War never fails to exhauft the state, and endanger its dellru^tion, with whatever success it is carried on. Though it may be commenced with advantage, it can never be finished, without danger of the mofl fatal reverfe of fortune: with whatever fuperiority of strength an engagement is begun, the lead mistake, the ilighteft accident, may turn the scale, and give victory to the enemy. Nor can a nation, that should be always vicftorious, profper; it would destroy itself, by destroying others: the country would be depopulated, the soil untilled, and trade interrupted; and, what is still worse, the best laws would lose their force, and a corruption of manners infcnfibly take place. Literature will be negle(5ted among the youth; the troops, conscious of their own importance, will indulge themselves in the raoft pernicious licentioufnefs with impunity, and the disorder will necessarily spread through all the branches of government. A prince, who, in the acquifition of glory, would sacrifice the life of half his fubjcfts, and the happincfs of the rest, is unworthy of the glory he would acquire; and dcferves to lose what he rightfully polTelTes, for endeavouringunjuftly to ufurp the poffeflions of another.

" It is, however, easy to exercise the courage of the people in a time of peace. We have already inftitutcd public exercises, and assigned prizes to excite emulation; we have directed, that the atchievements of the brave ihall be celebrated in songs to their honour, which will kindle, in the breasts even of children, a dclire of glory, and animate them to the exercise of heroic virtue: we have also taken care, that they shall be inured to fobriety and labour: but this is not all. When any of your allies shall be engaged in a war, the flower of your youth, particularly those who appear to have a military genius, and will profit mod; by experience, should be sent sent as auxiliaries into the service: you will thus fland high, in the estimation of the states with which you arc connefted; your friendship will be fought, and your displeasure dreaded; and, without being engaged in war in your own country, and at your own cxpence, you will always have a numerous youth, of habitual courage and experimental skill. Though you are at peace yourselves, you lliould treat, with great honour, those, who have distinguished abilities for war: for the best way of keeping war at a distance, is to encourage military knowledge; to honour those, who excel in the profession of arms; and to have some of your people always in foreign service, who will know the strength and discipline of the neighbouring states, and the manner of their military operations, to be, at once, superior to the ambition that would court war, and to the effeminacy that would fear it. Thus, being always prepared for war, when you are driven into it by neceflity; you will find, that the necellity of making war will seldom happen.

" When your allies are about to make war upon each other, you should always interfere as mediator. You will thus acquire a genuine and Lifting glory, which fanguinary conquest can never give; you will gain the love and esteem of foreign nations, and become neceftary to them all; you will rule other states by theconfidence they place in you, as you govern your own by the authority of your station; you will be the common repofitory of their secrets, the arbiter of their differences, and the obje<5t of their love: your fame will then fly to the remoteft regions of the earth; and your name, like incense from the altars of the Gods, shall be wafted from clime to clime, as far as virtue can be known and loved. If, in pofi!eflion of this influence, and this honovir, a neighbouring nation should, contrary to all the rules of justice, commence hoftilities against you, it will find you difciplincd and read)-; and, which is yet more cffecftual strength, beloved and fuccourcd when

J when you are in danger: your neighbours will be alarmed for themselves, and consider your preservation as elTential to public safety. This will be your security, in comparison of which walls and ramparts are no defence; this is true glory; the bright reality, which few kings have distinguished and pursued; which few kings have not left unknown behind them, to follow an illufive phantom, flill distant from the prize, in proportion to their fpeed!"

When Mentor had done speaking, Philocles fixed his eyes upon him, with an aflonifhment that prevented reply; then, looking upon the king, he was delighted to perceive, that he drank the wisdom which flowed from the lips of the stranger, as the traveller, thirlling in the defart, drinks of an unexpeded spring.

Thus Minerva, under the figure of Mentor, established the best laws, and the wifeft principles of government, at Salentum; not fo much that the kingdom of Idomeneus might flourifh, as to show Telemachus at his return, by allriking example, what may be efFedled by a wife government, v/ith refpedl to the happiness of the people, and the honour of the prince.

The E N D of the FOURTEENTH BOOK.

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