re the children of two neighbouring shepherds
that fed their flocks in that part of Asia which borders upon Mount
Lebanon. They were accustomed to each other from earliest infancy; and
the continual habit of conversing at length produced a tender and
intimate friendship.

"Sophron was larger and more robust of the two; his look was firm but
modest, his countenance placid, and his eyes were such as inspired
confidence and attachment. He excelled most of the youth of the
neighbourhood in every species of violent exercise--such as wrestling,
boxing, and whirling heavyweights; but his triumphs were constantly
mixed with so much humanity and courtesy, that even those who found
themselves vanquished could feel no envy towards their conqueror.

"On the contrary, Tigranes was of a character totally different. His
body was less strong than that of Sophron, but excellently proportioned
and adapted to every species of fatigue; his countenance was full of
fire, but displeased by an excess of confidence; and his eyes sparkled
with sense and meaning, but bore too great an expression of uncontrolled
fierceness.

"Nor were these two youths less different in the application of their
faculties than in the nature of them; for Tigranes seemed to be
possessed by a restless spirit of commanding all his equals, while
Sophron, contented with the enjoyment of tranquillity, desired nothing
more than to avoid oppression.

"Still, as they assisted their parents in leading every morning their
flocks to pasture, they entertained each other with rural sports; or,
while reposing under the shade of arching rocks during the heat of the
day, conversed with all the ease of childish friendship. Their
observations were not many; they were chiefly drawn from the objects of
nature which surrounded them, or from the simple mode of life to which
they had been witness; but even here the diversity of their characters
was sufficiently expressed.

"'See,' said Tigranes, one day, as he cast his eyes upwards to the
cliffs of a neighbouring rock, 'that eagle which riseth into the immense
regions of air, till he absolutely soars beyond the reach of sight; were
I a bird, I should choose to resemble him, that I might traverse the
clouds with a rapidity of a whirlwind, and dart like lightning upon my
prey.' 'That eagle,' answered Sophron, 'is the emblem of violence and
injustice; he is the enemy of every bird, and even of every beast, that
is weaker than himself; we