enjoypeaceabstainand
In reading the sentence, he commences with the first of the letters taken from the upper line; and so the utterance of his Oracle is:
“Abstain, and enjoy peace.”
This Oracle is capable of giving five distinct answers, as any reader can easily verify; and commence with what letter we will, we shall obtain one of these answers. It is, of course, a superstition, which gives any authority to these answers; but it is curious to observe that the Oracle is so arranged as to be likely to do good rather than harm to those who consult it. It contains but one affirmative and four negative answers, and it is evident that its framer knew that when men hesitate about doing an action, it is generally safer to abstain from it than to perform it. Men are more disposed to consult oracles for leave to do wrong, than for advice to do right.
Kate had now finished her cento poem, and read it aloud. It was as follows:
When the immortals at their banquet lay [Moore.
Butchered to make a Roman holiday, [Byron.
By all their country’s wishes blest, [Collins.
The fright was general; but the female band, [Dryden.
Waked by the circling hours, with rosy hand, [Milton.