feized by a poem, which Imlac rehearsed upon the various conditions of humanity. He commanded the poet to attend him in his apartment, and recite his verses a second time; then entering into familiar talk, he thought himself happy in having found a man who knew the world fo well, and could fo fkilfully paint the fcenes of life. He afked a thousand questions about things, to which, though common to all other mortals, his confinement from childhood had kept him a ftranger. The poet pitied his ignorance, and loved his curiosity, and entertained him from day to day with novelty and instruction, so that the prince regretted the neceffity of fleep, and longed till the morning should renew his pleasure.

As they were fitting together, the prince commanded Imlac to relate his. history,

history, and to tell by what accident he was forced, or by what motive induced, to clofe his life in the happy valley. As he was going to begin his narrative, Raffelas was called to a concert, and obliged to restrain his curiofity till the evening.

CHAP.

CHAP. VIII.

THE HISTORY OF IMLAC.

HE close of the day is, in the re

TH

gions of the torrid zone, the only feafon of diverfion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight before the mufick ceased, and the princeffes retired. Raffelas then called for his companion, and required him to begin the ftory of his life.:

"Sir, faid Imlac, my hiftory will not be long: the life that is devoted to knowledge paffes filently away, and is very little diverfified by events. Το talk in publick, to think in folitude, to read and to hear, to inquirie, and an. fwer inquiries, is the bufinefs of a fcholar. He wanders about the world

with

without pomp or terrour, and is neither known nor valued but by men like himself.

“I was born in the kingdom of Goiama, at no great diftance from the fountain of the Nile. My father was a wealthy merchant, who traded between the inland countries of Africk and the ports of the Red Sea. He was honeft, frugal, and diligent, but of mean fentiments, and narrow comprehenfion: he defired only to be rich, and to conceal his riches, left he should be spoiled by the governours of the province."

Surely, faid the prince, my father must be negligent of his charge, if any man in his dominions dares take that which belongs to another. Does he not know that kings are accountable for injuftice permitted as well as done? If I

were emperour, not the meanest of my fubjects should be oppreffed with impunity. My blood boils when I am told that a merchant durft not enjoy his honeft gains for fear of lofing them by the rapacity of power. Name the governour who robbed the people, that I may declare his crimes to the emperour."

"Sir, faid Imlac, your ardour is the natural effect of virtue animated by youth: the time will come when you will acquit your father, and perhaps hear with lefs impatience of the governour. Oppreffion is, in the Abiffinian dominions, neither frequent nor tolerated; but no form of government has been yet difcovered, by which cruelty can be wholly prevented. Subordination supposes power on one part, and fubjection

on