They were hardly gone, e're Eumolpus bounc'd in upon us, for the broken door cou'd stop nobody, and, in a great heat, cry'd out, "I'll earn the reward: I'll make after the Cryer, and let him know how soon Gito may be in his custody."
Eumolpus pursuing his design, I kist his knees, and intreated him not to anticipate the end of dying men; "you wou'd be justly angry," added I, "if you shou'd discover to 'em how you are deceiv'd: The boy run into the crowd undiscovered, and where he is gone, my self can't suspect. I beseech you, Eumolpus, bring back the boy, or at least restore him even to Ascyltos."
Just as I had worked him to a belief, Gito, with restraining his breath, snees'd thrice so thoroughly, that he shook the bed; at which Eumolpus, turning about, saluted him with, "God bless you, sir;" and, taking the bedding aside, saw the little Ulysses, who might have raised compassion, even in a blood-thirsty Cyclops: then looking upon me, "Thou villain," says he, "how have you shamm'd me? Durst you not tell truth, even when you was catch'd in a roguery? If some god, that has the care of humane affairs, had not forc'd the boy to discover himself, I had wander'd in search of him to a fine purpose." But Gito, that cou'd fawn much better than I, took a cobweb dipt in oyl, and apply'd to the wound in his forehead: And changing his torn coat for his own mantle, imbrac'd the now reconcil'd Eumolpus, and stuck to his lips: at last he spoke, and, "Our lives," said he, "most indulgent father, our lives are in your power; if you love your Gito, convince him that you do, by preserving him: O! could I now meet a grave in flames or waves, that I, the only cause of all, might end your quarrels."
Eumolpus, concern'd at our grief, and particularly mindful of Gito's tenderness to him; "surely," says he, "y'are the greatest of fools, who have souls enrich'd with virtues, that may make ye happy, yet live a continu'd martyrdom, raising to your selves every day new occasions of grief; I, wherever I am, make my life as pleasant and free from trouble, as if I expected no more of it: If you'll imitate me, never let cares disturb your quiet. And to avoid Ascyltos that haunts ye in these parts, I am taking a voyage to a foreign country, and shou'd be glad of your company: I believe to morrow night I shall go on board the vessel: I am very well known there, and you need not doubt of a civil entertainment."
His advice appear'd to me both wise and profitable; for at once it deliver'd me from Ascyltos, and gave me hopes of living more happy: Thus oblig'd by Eumolpus's good nature, I was sorry for the late injury I had done him, and began to repent I appear'd his rival, since it had occasion'd so many disasters.
At last, with tears, I beseech'd him to be friends with me too, for that it was not in a rival's power to bound his rage; yet, that I wou'd try neither to say, or do any thing that may offend him: and hop'd so wise and good a man as he, wou'd leave in his mind no sign of a former quarrel: for 'twas with men as with countrys, on rude neglected grounds snows lay very long, but where the fruitful earth was improv'd by culture, they presently melt off, and hardly leave a print behind: Thus unfashion'd minds can't discharge their passions suddenly, but where souls are inrich'd with instruction, they but appear and vanish.
"And to confirm the truth of what you say," return'd Eumolpus, "all my heat expires in this kiss; but, to prevent the designs of your enemies, hasten with your wallets, and either follow me, or, if ye like it, act the leaders."
He had not done speaking, when, hearing the door move, we turn'd about, and saw a seaman, with a beard that made him appear terribly grim: who saluted Eumolpus with a "Why dy'e stay, as if you did not know how near the time 'twas?"
All immediately prepared for the march, Eumolpus loads his servants, who had been all this while asleep; I, and Gito, pack'd our things together, and, thanking our stars, enter'd the vessel.
We fixt our selves, as much out of the way as we could, under deck: and it being not yet day, Eumolpus fell a-sleep: I, and Gito, cou'd not take a wink: when reflecting afresh, that I had harbour'd in my acquaintance, a rival more powerful than Ascyltos; I began to be much troubled: but wisely allaying my grief, I thus reason'd with my self: Is it so troublesom to share what we love? when the best of nature's works are in common? The sun throws his rays on all. The moon, with her infinite train of stars, serves to light even beasts to their fodder: What below can boast an excellence of nature above the waters? Yet they flow in publick for the use of all: only love seems sweeter stol'n than when it's given us: so it is, we esteem nothing, unless 'tis envy'd by others; but what have I to fear in a rival, that age and impotence conspire to render disagreeable? Who, when he has an inclination, his body jades under him before he can reach the goal.