4. The fhape, character, and origin of the warrior, were defcribed, and how he had rifen from flavery to power fupreme. The aftonished farmer found the defcription accorded with a fon, who had been stolen from him at twelve years old; hope palpitated in his heart, he haftened home with his provifions, told his family what he had heard, and determined immediately to depart for Egypt. 5. His weeping wife and fons offered up prayers for his fafe return. Going to the port of Alexandretta, he embarked there, and came to Damietta. One continued fear tormented him; his fon, forfaking the religion of his fathers, had embraced Mahometanism; and now, furrounded as he was by fplendor, would he acknowledge his parents? 6. The thought lay heavy on his heart; yet, the wish to fnatch his family from all the horrors of famine; the hope of finding a long lamented fon, gave, him fortitude. He continued his journey, came to the capital, repaired to the palace of Mourad, applied to the officers of the prince, and moft ardently folicited admiffion. 7. His drefs and appearance bespoke poverty and mif. fortune, and were poor recommendations; but his great age, fo refpectable in the Eaft, pleaded in his behalf. One of the attendants went to the Bey, and told him an aged man, apparently miferable, requested an audience. 8. Let him enter, replied Mourad ; and the farmer proceeded, with trembling fteps, over the rich carpet which befpread the hall of the Divan, and approached the Bey, who reclined on a fofa, embroidered with filk and gold. Crouding fenfations deprived him of the use of speech. 19. At last, after attentively looking, the voice of nature wanquishing fear, he fell, and embracing his knees, exclaimed, You are my fon! The Bey raised him, endeavored to recollect, and, after explanation, finding him to be his father, made him fit down by his fide, and careffed him most affectionately. 10. The firft gufh of nature over, the fire described in what a deplorable ftate he had left his mother, and brethren; and the prince proposed to fend for, and with them divide his riches and power, if they would embrace Islamism. II. This the generous Chriftian had foreseen, and fearing youth might be dazzled, took not one of his fons with Μ with him. He, therefore, firmly rejected Mourad's offer, and even remonftrated with him on his own change of religion. 12. The Bey, finding his father determined, and that his family's distress demanded immediate fuccor, fent him back to Syria, with a large fum of money, and a veffel loaded with corn. The happy hufbandman immediately re turned to the plains of Damafcus, where his arrival banished mifery and tears from his homely roof, and brought joy, eafe and felicity. SCENE BETWEEN CATO AND DECIUS. Decius. CESAR fends health to Cato Cato. Could he fend it To Cato's flaughter'd friends, it would be welcome. Dec. My bufinefs is with Cato; Cefar fees the Cato. My life is grafted on the fate of Rome. Would he fave Cato, bid him fpare his country. Tell your dictator this; and tell him, Cato Difdains a life which he has power to offer. Dec. Rome and her fenators fubmit to Cefar; Who check'd his conquefts, and deny'd his triumphs. Cato Thofe very reasons thou hast urg'd forbid it ́ it; And reafon with you, as from friend to friend ; 1 must not think of life on these conditions. Dec Dec. Cefar is well acquainted with your virtues, Cato. Bid him difband his legions, Dec. Cato, the world talks loudly of your wifdomCato. Nay, more, tho' Cato's voice was ne'er employ'd To clear the guilty, and to varnish crimes, Myfelf will mount the roftrum in his favor, And ftrive to gain his pardon from the people. Dec. A ftyle like this becomes a conqueror. Cato. Decius, a style like this becomes à Roman. Dec. What is a Roman, who is Cefar's foe? a Cato. Greater than Cefar; he's a friend to virtue. With all the mouths of Rome to fecond you. eye him Cato. Let him confider that who drives us hither. Dec. Does Cato fend this anfwer back to Cefar, Dec. Your high, unconquer'd heart makes you forget: You rush on your deftruction. You are a man. But I have done. When I relate hereafter The tale of this unhappy embaffy, All Rome will be in tears. THE BEGGAR'S PETITION.. PITY the forrows of a poor old mar, Whofe trembling limbs have borne him to your door,s 2. 3. Yon house, erected on the rifing ground, Hard is the fate of the infirm and poor 5. Oh! take me to your hofpitable dome; 6. Should I reveal the fources of my grief, 7. Heaven fer és misfortunes; why should we repine ? "Tis Heaven has brought me to the state you fee And 8. A little farm was my paternal lot, 9. My 9. My daughter, once the comfort of my age, 10. My tender wife, fweet foother of my care, II. Pity the forrows of a poor old man, your ftore. THE TEST OF GOODNESS. REAL AL goodnefs confifts in doing good to our enemies. Of this truth the following apologue may: ferve for an illuftration. A certain father of a family, ad-vanced in years, being defirous of fettling his worldly matters, divided his property between his three fons. 2. Nothing now remains, faid he to them, but a diamond of great value; this I have determined to appropriate to whichever of you fhall, within three months, perform the best actions.. 3. His three fons accordingly departed different ways, and returned by the limited time. On prefenting themfelves before their judge, the eldest thus began. 4. Father, faid he, during my absence, I found a stranger fo circumftanced, that he was under a neceffity of entrusting me with the whole of his fortune. 5. He had no written fecurity from me, nor could he poffibly bring any proof, any evidence whatever of the depofit. Yet I faithfully returned to him every fhilling. Was there not fomething commendable in this a tion? 6. Thou hast done what was incumbent upon thee to do, my fon, replied the old man. The man who could have acted otherways were unworthy to live; for honefty is a duty; thy action is an action of juftice, not of goodness. M 2 7. On |