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fondle the lambs of her own ewe； and listen without care； among brooks and breezes； to one of her maidens reading in the shade。
CHAPTER XX … THE DANGER OF PROSPERITY。
ON the next day they continued their journey till the heat compelled them to look round for shelter。 At a small distance they saw a thick wood； which they no sooner entered than they perceived that they were approaching the habitations of men。 The shrubs were diligently cut away to open walks where the shades ware darkest； the boughs of opposite trees were artificially interwoven； seats of flowery turf were raised in vacant spaces； and a rivulet that wantoned along the side of a winding path had its banks sometimes opened into small basins； and its stream sometimes obstructed by little mounds of stone heaped together to increase its murmurs。
They passed slowly through the wood； delighted with such unexpected accommodations； and entertained each other with conjecturing what or who he could be that in those rude and unfrequented regions had leisure and art for such harmless luxury。
As they advanced they heard the sound of music； and saw youths and virgins dancing in the grove； and going still farther beheld a stately palace built upon a hill surrounded by woods。 The laws of Eastern hospitality allowed them to enter； and the master welcomed them like a man liberal and wealthy。
He was skilful enough in appearances soon to discern that they were no common guests； and spread his table with magnificence。 The eloquence of Imlac caught his attention； and the lofty courtesy of the Princess excited his respect。 When they offered to depart； he entreated their stay； and was the next day more unwilling to dismiss them than before。 They were easily persuaded to stop； and civility grew up in time to freedom and confidence。
The Prince now saw all the domestics cheerful and all the face of nature smiling round the place； and could not forbear to hope that he should find here what he was seeking； but when he was congratulating the master upon his possessions he answered with a sigh； 〃My condition has indeed the appearance of happiness； but appearances are delusive。 My prosperity puts my life in danger； the Bassa of Egypt is my enemy； incensed only by my wealth and popularity。 I have been hitherto protected against him by the princes of the country； but as the favour of the great is uncertain I know not how soon my defenders may be persuaded to share the plunder with the Bassa。 I have sent my treasures into a distant country； and upon the first alarm am prepared to follow them。 Then will my enemies riot in my mansion； and enjoy the gardens which I have planted。〃
They all joined in lamenting his danger and deprecating his exile； and the Princess was so much disturbed with the tumult of grief and indignation that she retired to her apartment。 They continued with their kind inviter a few days longer； and then went to find the hermit。
CHAPTER XXI … THE HAPPINESS OF SOLITUDE … THE HERMIT'S HISTORY。
THEY came on the third day； by the direction of the peasants； to the hermit's cell。 It was a cavern in the side of a mountain； overshadowed with palm trees； at such a distance from the cataract that nothing more was heard than a gentle uniform murmur； such as composes the mind to pensive meditation； especially when it was assisted by the wind whistling among the branches。 The first rude essay of Nature had been so much improved by human labour that the cave contained several apartments appropriated to different uses； and often afforded lodging to travellers whom darkness or tempests happened to overtake。
The hermit sat on a bench at the door； to enjoy the coolness of the evening。 On one side lay a book with pens and paper； on the other mechanical instruments of various kinds。 As they approached him unregarded； the Princess observed that he had not the countenance of a man that had found or could teach the way to happiness。
They saluted him with great respect； which he repaid like a man not unaccustomed to the forms of Courts。 〃My children；〃 said he； 〃if you have lost your way； you shall be willingly supplied with such conveniences for the night as this cavern will afford。 I have all that Nature requires； and you will not expect delicacies in a hermit's cell。〃
They thanked him； and； entering； were pleased with the neatness and regularity of the place。 The hermit set flesh and wine before them； though he fed only upon fruits and water。 His discourse was cheerful without levity； and pious without enthusiasm。 He soon gained the esteem of his guests； and the Princess repented her hasty censure。
At last Imlac began thus： 〃I do not now wonder that your reputation is so far extended： we have heard at Cairo of your wisdom； and came hither to implore your direction for this young man and maiden in the CHOICE OF LIFE。〃
〃To him that lives well；〃 answered the hermit； 〃every form of life is good； nor can I give any other rule for choice than to remove all apparent evil。〃
〃He will most certainly remove from evil；〃 said the Prince； 〃who shall devote himself to that solitude which you have recommended by your example。〃
〃I have indeed lived fifteen years in solitude；〃 said the hermit； 〃but have no desire that my example should gain any imitators。 In my youth I professed arms； and was raised by degrees to the highest military rank。 I have traversed wide countries at the head of my troops； and seen many battles and sieges。 At last； being disgusted by the preferments of a younger officer； and feeling that my vigour was beginning to decay； I resolved to close my life in peace； having found the world full of snares； discord； and misery。 I had once escaped from the pursuit of the enemy by the shelter of this cavern； and therefore chose it for my final residence。 I employed artificers to form it into chambers； and stored it with all that I was likely to want。
〃For some time after my retreat I rejoiced like a tempest…beaten sailor at his entrance into the harbour； being delighted with the sudden change of the noise and hurry of war to stillness and repose。 When the pleasure of novelty went away； I employed my hours in examining the plants which grow in the valley； and the minerals which I collected from the rocks。 But that inquiry is now grown tasteless and irksome。 I have been for some time unsettled and distracted： my mind is disturbed with a thousand perplexities of doubt and vanities of imagination； which hourly prevail upon me； because I have no opportunities of relaxation or diversion。 I am sometimes ashamed to think that I could not secure myself from vice but by retiring from the exercise of virtue； and begin to suspect that I was rather impelled by resentment than led by devotion into solitude。 My fancy riots in scenes of folly； and I lament that I have lost so much； and have gained so little。 In solitude； if I escape the example of bad men； I want likewise the counsel and conversation of the good。 I have been long comparing the evils with the advantages of society； and resolve to return into the world to…morrow。 The life of a solitary man will be certainl