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Romulus, on the contrary, to increase his subjects, opened an asylum for brigands. He retained the fierce manners of the first people whom he commanded. With a passion for war, devoured by ambition, and tormented with the thirst of conquest, he attacked and subjugated in turn all the neighboring nations of Rome. None but soldiers were esteemed or cherished by him, and he knew no greatness but in victory.

"Alas! by a deplorable fatality, a conqueror is more admired than a good king. True virtue dazzles less than false glory. You must not confound them, Numa; you must perceive how much Tatius is above his colleague. You must not abandon the most just of kings, the parent and friend of your father, and the avenger of Pompilia, to follow a fierce conqueror, whose hands are stained with the blood of his brother, and whose frightful treason caused the ruin of your country, and the death of those to whom you owe your life. But even the court of Tatius is a dangerous abode for you. You will be in Rome, whose warlike citizens pardon every thing, in youth, but a want of courage; and the courage of combatants is only ferocity when it is not united with other virtues. Doubtless you will be valorous; could the son of Pompilius be otherwise? But your pure morals, which have secured the protection of the goddess, will you preserve them, Numa ? Believe me, I have no interest in prohibiting you from pleasure. I would not speak to you in the austere language of my time of life, and paint pleasure in false and frightful colors. No, my son, pleasure has charms, and nature attracts us to them. We must resist this by perpetual combat, and the more affectionate we find our hearts, the feebler is our resistance. Still, you

will no sooner have yielded to the calls of pleasure, than remorse will seize upon your soul. You will lose that sweet peace, that esteem and self-respect, which make the charm of life. Your heart, humbled and wounded, will no longer have that energy and love of goodness. Finally, you will suffer that greatest of punishment, to know virtue and to abandon it.

"I have never been present at court, and cannot tell you its usages; but I know the duties of a man; he should be a man in every thing. Render to eminent stations the respect which is due to these; give to virtue in all conditions the culture which it merits; flee from the vicious without appearing to fear them; be reserved in your manners, even in company with the good; never profane friendship in betraying the secrets of a friend; ponder your words and reflect before acting; be ever on your guard against acting upon impulse, except when it inclines you to succor the unfortunate; give respect to old age at all times; sympathize with the helpless, and be the support of all who are in trouble.

"If the goddess, as I hope, sends you prosperity, let me *hear of it; such news will prolong my life; but if Heaven would try you by misfortune, return and find me.

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As he ceased speaking, they had reached the entrance of the consecrated wood. It was here that Tullus was to take leave of Numa. The chariot stopped, and the eyes of the young man were filled with tears. Courage," said Tullus, “courage, Numa; we shall soon meet again; the way from here to Rome is short, and you will return to the temple; but for myself

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"O my father," cried Numa, bursting in tears, "doubtless I shall see you, but I shall never again live

with you. I cannot see you every moment of my life. The long mornings will glide away without the embrace of my father, and the day will end without Numa's having heard you. What happiness I have experienced with you! I have not duly felt it, I have not been sufficiently thankful to the gods. I must now—

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"Let us go, my son," interrupted Tullus, in a voice which he tried to make stern; "let us obey Ceres, and not murmur against her decrees. But how is it? The elder and feebler trying to encourage you? Do you believe that I do not suffer as much as yourself? Do you think that my sad heart does not

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At these words, his voice was lost, his strength left him, and he fell into the arms of Numa. Soon, however, he resumed his composure. 66 Adieu, my son," said he ;

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you will come and see me soon, or I shall repair to Rome to seek you." Saying this, he hastened from him, and entered the forest at a rapid pace.

Numa stood desolate, his arms extended; thrice he bade him adieu, and his eyes were fixed upon him till he was beyond the reach of his vision; then, giving reins to the horses, he pursued his way to Rome.

BOOK II.

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Numa departs for Rome. He stops and sleeps in a wood; has a mysterious dream; continues his route. — Description of the country about Rome, and of this warlike city. - Reception which Tatius gives to Numa. - Character of this good king; of his daughter Tatia; of Romulus, and Hersilia, daughter of Romulus. - Numa meets Hersilia; falls in love with her. First effects of his passion. The return and triumph of Romulus.

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NUMA left the place of his nativity with many regrets. A thousand anxious thoughts agitated his mind. abandon," said he, "my father at an age when he wants all my tenderness; I give up duties and leisure dear to my heart; companions and friends of my infancy, to dwell in a country where no one will love me. Alas! I feel too forcibly that I cannot live here; I shall languish, like a young olive transplanted in a soil which is not its own. The sun and the dew are alike useless to it. Its withered leaves fall from the branches, and its roots take no nourishment. It has even begun to die, as it leaves its native soil."

The young traveller, bowed down with these ideas, had only made two miles of his journey, when he entered a refreshing wood, which invited him to repose. Attracted by the murmuring of a brook, which wound among the shade trees, he left his horses with two slaves, and ascending to the source, he saw a fountain consecrated to Pan. He bent a knee before the statue of the god, and begged permission to slake his thirst. After this refreshment, he

reclined upon the green carpet, and soon slept beside the rippling water.

During his sleep, he had a dream. It seemed to him that a chariot, harnessed to two dragons, flew towards him from the clouds. In this chariot was Ceres, crowned with the fruits of harvest, bearing a sheaf and sickle. She approached, and put her wreath on Numa's head, and looking upon him with expressions of kindness,

"Son of Pompilius," said she, "I loved your mother, and I watch over you. Whatever vow you may form, I am resolved to grant it. Speak, let me know what you desire most; it shall be granted to you at once."

"O," cried Numa, without hesitancy, "let Tullus renew his age; let him commence life anew, and never let him

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"Your demand is beyond my power," interrupted Ceres. "Jupiter himself could not lengthen the days of a mortal for an instant. The cruel Fates 14 are not submissive to him. They cut the thread of Perseus and Hercules, the dearest children of the sire of gods, when destiny, more powerful than my father himself, wished that they might cease to live. Form vows for yourself; in asking for your own happiness, you will make Tullus happy."

"Well, propitious goddess! make me worthy of him. Let the instructions of this venerable man grow in my bosom; give me wisdom; Tullus says this is happiness."

"I foresaw your request,” replied Ceres, “and I have prayed my sister Minerva 15 to pour upon you her gifts. Do not expect, however, to become her favorite, as was the son of Ulysses. No, my dear Numa, never should mortal flatter himself that he can approach the divine

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