Reproof. have a proverbial saying in Scythia, "That fortune has no feet, and is furnished only with hands to distribute her capricious favours, and with fins to elude the grasp of those to whom she has been bountiful." You give yourself out to be a god, the son of Jupiter Contempt. Hammon. It suits the character of a god to bestow favours on mortals; not to deprive them of what Advising. they have. But if you are no god, reflect on the Reproof. precarious condition of humanity. You will thus show more wisdom than by dwelling on those subjects, which have puffed up your pride, and made you forget yourself. You see how little you are likely to gain by attempting the conquest of Scythia. Offering. On the other hand, you may, if you please, have in Friendship. us a valuable alliance. We command the borders of Instruction. both Europe and Asia. There is nothing between us and Bactria but the river Tanais; and our territory extends to Thrace, which, as we have heard, borders on Macedon. If you decline attacking us in a hostile manner, you may have our friendship. Nations which have never been at war are on an Warning. equal footing. But it is in vain that confidence is reposed in a conquered people. There can be no sincere friendship between the oppressors and the oppressed. Even in peace, the latter think themselves entitled to the rights of war against the former. We will, if you think good, enter into a treaty with you according to our manner, which is, not by signing, sealing, and taking the gods to witness, as is the Grecian custom; but by doing actual services. The Bluntness. Scythians are not used to promise, but to perform without promising. And they think an appeal to the gods superfluous; for that those who have no regard for the esteem of men will not hesitate to offend the gods by perjury. You may therefore consider with yourself, whether you had better have a people of Offering. Offering. Advising. such a character (and so situated as to have it in their power either to serve you or to annoy you, according as you treat them) for allies, or for enemies. XXV.-REFLECTION ON LOST HAPPINESS-SELF-CON- Satan's Soliloquy, from "Milton's Paradise Lost." O thou that, with surpassing glory crown'd, Admiration. Hatred. Painful reflection. Self-condemnation. Vindication of an enemy. Self-condemnation. Pride. Self-condemnation. Anguish. Reflection Me some inferior angel, I had stood piness. Self-condemnation. Ambition. Yet why not? some other pow'r As great might have aspir'd, and me, though mean, Hadst thou the same free-will, and pow'r to stand? Blasphemy. Be then his love accurs'd! since love or hate, Rage. Nay, curs'd be thou; since against his, thy will demnation. Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Desperation Me miserable! which way shall I fly Prido. Anguish, Pride. Infinite wrath, and infinite despair? Would height recall high thoughts, how soon unsay Malice. Hopeless anguish. Malice. Fixed despair. Malice bent on mischief XXVI.-CONSULTATION. The speech of Satan, in his infernal palace of Pandemonium, in which he proposes to the consideration of his angels, in what manner it would be proper to proceed, in consequence of their defeat and fall.-Milton. Pow'rs and dominions! deities of heav'n! For since no deep within her gulf can hold More glorious, and more dread, than from no fall, And trust themselves to fear no second fate. Dignity with distress. Courage. Me though just right, and the fix'd laws of heav'n, Authority. Did first create your leader, next free choice, With what besides, in council or in fight, sion. Hath been achiev'd of merit; yet this loss Courage. Surer to prosper, than prosperity Confidence. Could have assur'd us; and by what best way, We now debate. Who can advise may speak. XXVII. FIERCENESS-DESPERATION. The speech of the fallen angel Moloch, exciting the infernal Courage. My sentence is for open war. a Of wiles, Them let those Contrive, who need; or when they need—not now. Heav'ns fugitives, and for their dwelling-place "No, let us," &c., to "But perhaps," can hardly be spoken too energetically, if the dignity of the speaker be kept up in pronouncing the passage. At the words, " But perhaps," &c., the speaker composes himself again. |