"thus will I place myself on a par with that science
which confounds me--thus will I excel that prudence which fatigues and
torments me." And Avarice hath added: "I will oppress the weak, and
devour the fruits of his labors; and I will say, it is fate which hath
so ordained." But I! I swear by the laws of heaven and earth, and by the
law which is written in the heart of man, that the hypocrite shall be
deceived in his cunning--the oppressor in his rapacity! The sun shall
change his course, before folly shall prevail over wisdom and knowledge,
or ignorance surpass prudence, in the noble and sublime art of procuring
to man his true enjoyments, and of building his happiness on an enduring
foundation.

CHAPTER IV.

THE EXPOSITION

Thus spoke the Phantom. Confused with this discourse, and my heart
agitated with different reflections, I remained long in silence. At
length, taking courage, I thus addressed him: Oh, Genius of tombs and
ruins! Thy presence, thy severity, hath disordered my senses; but the
justice of thy discourse restoreth confidence to my soul. Pardon my
ignorance. Alas, if man is blind, shall his misfortune be also his
crime? I may have mistaken the voice of reason; but never, knowingly,
have I rejected its authority. Ah! if thou readest my heart, thou
knowest with what enthusiasm it seeketh truth. Is it not in its pursuit
that thou seest me in this sequestered spot? Alas! I have wandered over
the earth, I have visited cities and countries; and seeing everywhere
misery and desolation, a sense of the evils which afflict my fellow men
hath deeply oppressed my soul. I have said, with a sigh: is man then
born but for sorrow and anguish? And I have meditated upon human misery
that I might discover a remedy. I have said, I will separate myself from
the corruption of society; I will retire far from palaces where the mind
is depraved by satiety and from the hovel where it is debased by misery.
I will go into the desert and dwell among ruins; I will interrogate
ancient monuments on the wisdom of past ages; I will invoke from the
bosom of the tombs the spirit which once in Asia gave splendor to
states, and glory to nations; I will ask of the ashes of legislators,
by what secret causes do empires rise and fall; from what sources spring
the Prosperity and misfortunes of nations, on what principles can the
Peace of Society, and the happiness of man be established?

I ceased, and with submissive look awaited the