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condemned to live in the presence of thofe who defpife him. The invitations, by which they allure others to a state which they feel to be wretched, proceed from the natural malignity of hopelefs mifery. They are weary of themselves, and of each other, and expect to find relief in new companions. They envy the liberty which their folly has forfeited, and would gladly fee all mankind imprisoned like themselves.

From this crime, however, I am wholly free. No man can say that he is wretched by my perfuafion. I look with pity on the crowds who are annually foliciting admiffion to captivity, and wish that it were lawful for me to warn them of their danger."

"My

"My dear Imlac, faid the prince, I will open to thee my whole heart. I have long meditated an escape from the happy valley. I have examined the mountains on every fide, but find myfelf infuperably barred: teach me the way to break my prison; thou shalt be the companion of my flight, the guide of my rambles, the partner of my fortune, and my fole director in the choice of life."

"Sir, answered the poet, your escape will be difficult, and, perhaps, you may foon repent your curiofity. The world, which you figure to yourself smooth and quiet as the lake in the valley, you will find a fea foaming with tempefts, and boiling with whirlpools: you will be sometimes overwhelmed by the waves of

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violence, and fometimes dashed against the rocks of treachery. Amidft wrongs and frauds, competitions and anxieties, you will wish a thousand times for these feats of quiet, and willingly quit hope to be free from fear."

"Do not feek to deter me from my purpose, faid the prince: I am impatient to see what thou haft feen; and, fince thou art thyself weary of the valley, it is evident, that thy former ftate was better than this. Whatever be the confequence of my experiment, I am refolved to judge with my own eyes of the various conditions of men, and then to make deliberately my choice of life."

"I am afraid, faid Imlac, you are hindered by stronger reftraints than my

per

persuasions; yet, if your determination is fixed, I do not counfel you to defpair. Few things are impoffible to diligence and skill,"

CHA P. XIII.

Raffelas difcovers the means of

escape.

HE prince now difiniffed his fa

TH

vourite to rest, but the narrative of wonders and novelties filled his mind with perturbation. He revolved all that he had heard, and prepared innumerable questions for the morning.

Much of his uneafinefs was now removed. He had a friend to whom he could

could impart his thoughts, and whofe experience could affift him in his designs. His heart was no longer condemned to fwell with filent vexation. He thought that even the happy valley might be endured with fuch a companion, and that, if they could range the world together, he should have nothing further to defire.

In a few days the water was discharged, and the ground dried. The prince and Imlac then walked out together to converfe without the notice of the reft. The prince, whofe thoughts were always on the wing, as he paffed by the gate, said, with a countenance of forrow, "Why thou fo ftrong, and why is man fo weak ?"

art

"Man

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