THE DANGER OF PROSPERITY.
ON the next day they continued their journey till the heat compelled them
to look round for shelter. At a small distance they saw a thick wood,
which they no sooner entered than they perceived that they were
approaching the habitations of men. The shrubs were diligently cut away
to open walks where the shades ware darkest; the boughs of opposite trees
were artificially interwoven; seats of flowery turf were raised in vacant
spaces; and a rivulet that wantoned along the side of a winding path had
its banks sometimes opened into small basins, and its stream sometimes
obstructed by little mounds of stone heaped together to increase its
murmurs.
They passed slowly through the wood, delighted with such unexpected
accommodations, and entertained each other with conjecturing what or who
he could be that in those rude and unfrequented regions had leisure and
art for such harmless luxury.
As they advanced they heard the sound of music, and saw youths and
virgins dancing in the grove; and going still farther beheld a stately
palace built upon a hill surrounded by woods. The laws of Eastern
hospitality allowed them to enter, and the master welcomed them like a
man liberal and wealthy.
He was skilful enough in appearances soon to discern that they were no
common guests, and spread his table with magnificence. The eloquence of
Imlac caught his attention, and the lofty courtesy of the Princess
excited his respect. When they offered to depart, he entreated their
stay, and was the next day more unwilling to dismiss them than before.
They were easily persuaded to stop, and civility grew up in time to
freedom and confidence.
The Prince now saw all the domestics cheerful and all the face of nature
smiling round the place, and could not forbear to hope that he should
find here what he was seeking; but when he was congratulating the master
upon his possessions he answered with a sigh, “My condition has indeed
the appearance of happiness, but appearances are delusive. My prosperity
puts my life in danger; the Bassa of Egypt is my enemy, incensed only by
my wealth and popularity. I have been hitherto protected against him by
the princes of the country; but as the favour of the great is uncertain I
know not how soon my defenders may be persuaded to share the plunder with
the Bassa. I have sent my treasures into a distant country, and upon the
first alarm am prepared to follow them. Then will my enemies riot in my
mansion, and enjoy the gardens which I have planted.”
They all joined in lamenting his danger and deprecating his exile; and
the Princess was so much disturbed with the tumult of grief and
indignation that she retired to her apartment. They continued with their
kind inviter a few days longer, and then went to find the hermit.