ence of
adjusting the folds of his robe, or of giving a studied negligence to
his hair; every young woman was instructed in every art that serves to
consume time or endanger modesty. Repeat to them an idle tale, the
tricks of a gamester, or the adventures of a singing-girl, and every
audience listened with mute attention to the wonderful narration; but
tell them of the situation of their country, the wretched state of their
civil and military discipline, or of the numerous and warlike tribes of
barbarians which surround them, and every auditor would steal away in
silence, and leave the uninteresting theme.

"'In such a state of things, it was not long to be expected that my
countrymen would be permitted to hold the riches they abused, and wanted
firmness to defend. A warlike tribe of barbarians burst forth from the
northern mountains of Asia, and spread themselves over our fertile
plains, which they laid waste like a consuming tempest. After a few
ineffectual skirmishes, which only served to expose their weakness to
the contempt of their enemies, they yielded without opposition to the
invader; in this, indeed, more wise than to irritate him by a fruitless
resistance; and thus, in a few weeks, the leader of an obscure tribe of
barbarians saw himself become a powerful monarch, and possessor of one
of the richest provinces of Asia.

"'I was sitting one evening at the door of my cottage, gazing upon the
fading glory of the setting sun, when a man, of a majestic appearance,
but with something ferocious in his look, attended by several others,
passed by. As he approached my little garden, he seemed to view it with
satisfaction, and to unbend the habitual sternness of his look; I asked
him if he would enter in and taste the fruits with his companions. He
accepted my offer, and, entering into a shady arbour, I brought him the
most palatable fruits I could find, with milk and other rustic fare,
such as my farm afforded. He seemed pleased with his entertainment, and,
when he was departing, thanked me with great affability, and bade me ask
a favour in return, 'which,' added he, with a certain degree of
conscious pride, 'you can scarcely make too great either for my
gratitude or power.' 'If,' answered I (for I began to suspect that it
was Arsaces, the leader of these barbarians), 'your power is indeed
equal to every boon, give peace and liberty to my country!' 'The first,'
said he, 'I have already given; and, as to the second, it