for that, contrary to what they had seen in their old places of residence, there was no person so vicious who had not some good in him, nor any person so virtuous who had not in him some evil. The truth of it is, they generally found upon search, that in the most vicious man Pleasure might lay a claim to an hundredth part, and that in the most virtuous man Pain might come in for at least two-thirds. This they saw would occasion endless disputes between them, unless they could come to some accommodation. To this end there was a marriage proposed between them, and at length concluded: by this means it is that we find Pleasure and pain are such constant yoke-fellows, and that they either make their visits together, or are never far asunder. If Pain comes into a heart, he is quickly followed by Pleasure; and if Pleasure enters, you may be sure Pain is not far off.

But notwithstanding this marriage was very convenient for the two parties, it did not seem to answer the intention of Jupiter in sending them among mankind. To remedy therefore this inconvenience, it was stipulated between them by article, and con. firmed by the consent of each family, that notwithstanding they here possessed the species indifferently; upon the death of every single person, if he was found to have in him a certain proportion of evil, he should be dispatched into the infernal regions by a passport from Pain, there to dwell with Misery, Vice, and the Furies. Or on the contrary, if he had in him a certain proportion of good, he should be dispatched into heaven by a passport from Pleasure, there to dwell with Happiness, Virtue, and the Gods.

SPECTATOR.

CHAP. V.

LABO U R.

LABOUR, the offspring of Want, and the mother of Health and Contentment, lived with her two daughters in a little cottage, by the side of a hill, at a great distance from town. They were totally unacquainted with the great, and had kept no better company than the reighbouring viilagers; but having a desire to see the world, they forsook their companions and habitation, and determined to travel. Labour went soberly along the road with Health on her right hand, who by the sprightliness of her conversation and songs of cheerfulness and joy, softened the toils of the way; while Contentment went smiling on the left, supporting the steps of her mother, and by her perpetual good humour increased the vivacity of her sister.

In this manner they travelled over forests and through towns and villages, till at last they arrived at the capital of the kingdom. At their entrance into the great city, the mother conjured her daugh ters never to lose sight of her; for it was the will of Jupiter, she said, that their separation should be attended with the utter ruin of all three. But Health was of too gay a disposition to regard the counsels of Labour: she suffered herself to be debauched by Intemperance, and at last died in child birth of Dis Contentment, in the absence of her sister, gave herself up to the enticement of Sloth, and was never heard of after while Labour, who could" have no enjoyment without her daughters, went every where in search of them, till she was at last seized by Lassitude in her way, and died in misery. WORLD,

ease.

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CHAP. VI.

THE OLD MAN AND HIS ASS.

AN old man and a little boy were driving an ass to the next market to sell. What a fool is this fellow (says a man upon the road) to be trudging it on foot with his son, that his ass may go light! The old man hearing this, set his boy upon the ass, and went whistling by the side of him. Why, sirrah! (cries a second man to the boy,) is it fit for you to be riding while your poor old father is walking on foot? The father, upon this rebuke, took down his boy from the ass and mounted himself. Do you see, (says a third,) how the lazy old knave rides along upon his beast, while his pour little boy is almost crippled with walking? The old man no sooner heard this than he took up his son behind him. Pray, honest friend, (says a fourth,) is that ass your own? Yes, says the man: One would not have thought so, replied the other, by your loading him so unmercifully. You and your son are better able to carry the poor beast than he you. Any thing to please, says the owner; and alighting with his son, they tied the legs of the ass together, and by the help of a pole endeavoured to carry it upon their shoulders over the bridge that led to the town. This was so entertaining a sight, that the people ran in crowds to laugh at it; till the ass conceiving a dislike to the over compliance of his master, burt asunder the cords that tied him, slipt from the pole and tumbled into the river. The poor old man made the best of his way home, ashamed and vexed that by endeavouring to please every body, he pleased no boxy, and lost his ass into the bargain,

WORLD.

CHAP. VII.

HERCULES' CHOICE.

WHEN Hercules was in that part of his youth, in which it was natural for him to consider what course of life he ought to pursue, he one day re tired into a desent, where the silence and solitude of the place very much favoured his meditations. As he was musing on his present condition, and very much perplexed in himself on the state of life he should chuse, he saw two women of a larger stature than ordinary approaching towards him. Oneof them had a very noble air, and graceful department; her beauty was natural and easy, her person clean and unspotted, her eyes cast towards the ground with an agreeable reserve, her motion and behaviour full of modesty, and her raiment as white as snow. The other had a great deal of health and floridness in her countenance, which she had helped with an artificial white and red; and endeavoured to appear more graceful than ordinary in her mein, by a mixture of affectation in all her gestures. She had a wonderful confidence and assurance in her looks, and all the var riety of colours in her dress that she thought were the most proper to sow her complexion to advan tage. She cast her eyes upon herself, then turned them on those that were present, to see how they liked her, and often looked on the figure she made in her own shadow. Upon nearer approach to Her❤ cule, she stepped before the other lady, who came forward with a regular composed carriage, and run, ning up to him, accosted him after the following

manner :

My dear Hercules, says she, I find you are very much divided in your own thoughts upon the way of life that you ought to choose: be my friend and follow me; I will lead you into the possession of plea• sure, and out of the reach of pain, and remove you from

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from all the noise and disquietude of business. The affairs of either war or peace shall have no power to disturb you. Your whole employment shall be to make your life easy, and to entertain every sense with its proper gratification. Sumptuous tables, beds of roses, clouds of perfumes, concerts of music, crowds of beauties, are all in readiness to receive you. Come along with me into this region of delights, this world of pleasure, and bid farewell for ever to care, to pain, to business

Hercules hearing the lady talk in this manner, de. sired to know her name; to which she answered, my friends and those who are well acquainted with me, call me Happiness; but my enemies, and those who would injure my reputation, have given me the name of Pleasure.

By this time the other lady was come up, who addressed herself to the young hero in a very diffe

rent manner.

Hercules, says she, I offer myself to you, because I know you are descended from the Gods, and give proof of that descent by your love of virtue, and application to the studies proper at your age. This makes me hope you will gain both for yourself and me an immortal reputation. But before I invite you into my society and friendship, I, will be open and sincere with yon, and must lay down this as an esta blished truth, that there is nothing truly valuable which can be purchased without pains and labour. The Gods have set a price upon every real and noble pleasure. If you would gain the favour of the Deity you must be at the pains of worshipping hire; if the friendship of good men, you must study to oblige them; if you would be honoured by your country, you must take care to serve it. In short, if you would be eminent in war or peace, you must become master of all the qualifications that can make you so. These are the only terms and conditions upon which I can propose happiness. The Goddess of pleasure here broke in upon her discourse : you see, said she, Hercules,