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drew; the courtiers once more recovered their breath, turned the chariot precipitately away, and soon were out of sight.

So, they are gone, cried Zumio, with chagrin; but, while you will persist to leave that cursed inscription over the gate, we shall never see a soul. You are so wilful!—I really never met with a genius so obstinate and stupid.

Your insolence is beyond all bounds, Zumio.

O! what, you want truth and compliments both at once! Your folly is really incomprehensible, and at some moments your are as inconsistent and foolish as you are proud.

Shocked at his excessive impertinence, I was going to drive him from me, when I perceived a figure that fixed my whole attention. A venerable old man, with a majestic presence that inspired respect, and a mild placidity in his countenance, which interested the heart in spite of itself, approached with a book in his hand, reading and walking slowly.

When he came opposite the palace-gates, he lifted up his eyes, and read the inscription. O thou, said he, whom for these forty years I

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