Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia | Page 8

to relate his
history, and to tell by what accident he was forced, or by what motive
induced, to close his life in the Happy Valley. As he was going to begin
his narrative, Rasselas was called to a concert, and obliged to restrain
his curiosity till the evening.
CHAPTER VIII

--THE HISTORY OF IMLAC.

The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the only
season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore midnight
before the music ceased and the princesses retired. Rasselas then called
for his companion, and required him to begin the story of his life.
"Sir," said Imlac, "my history will not be long: the life that is devoted
to knowledge passes silently away, and is very little diversified by
events. To talk in public, to think in solitude, to read and to hear, to
inquire and answer inquiries, is the business of a scholar. He wanders
about the world without pomp or terror, and is neither known nor
valued but by men like himself.
"I was born in the kingdom of Goiama, at no great distance from the
fountain of the Nile. My father was a wealthy merchant, who traded
between the inland countries of Africa and the ports of the Red Sea. He
was honest, frugal, and diligent, but of mean sentiments and narrow
comprehension; he desired only to be rich, and to conceal his riches,
lest he should be spoiled by the governors of the province."
"Surely," said the Prince, "my father must be negligent of his charge if
any man in his dominions dares take that which belongs to another.
Does he not know that kings are accountable for injustice permitted as
well as done? If I were Emperor, not the meanest of my subjects should
he oppressed with impunity. My blood boils when I am told that a
merchant durst not enjoy his honest gains for fear of losing them by the
rapacity of power. Name the governor who robbed the people that I
may declare his crimes to the Emperor!"
"Sir," said Imlac, "your ardour is the natural effect of virtue animated
by youth. The time will come when you will acquit your father, and
perhaps hear with less impatience of the governor. Oppression is, in the
Abyssinian dominions, neither frequent nor tolerated; but no form of
government has been yet discovered by which cruelty can be wholly
prevented. Subordination supposes power on one part and subjection on

the other; and if power be in the hands of men it will sometimes be
abused. The vigilance of the supreme magistrate may do much, but
much will still remain undone. He can never know all the crimes that
are committed, and can seldom punish all that he knows."
"This," said the Prince, "I do not understand; but I had rather hear thee
than dispute. Continue thy narration."
"My father," proceeded Imlac, "originally intended that I should have
no other education than such as might qualify me for commerce; and
discovering in me great strength of memory and quickness of
apprehension, often declared his hope that I should be some time the
richest man in Abyssinia."
"Why," said the Prince, "did thy father desire the increase of his wealth
when it was already greater than he durst discover or enjoy? I am
unwilling to doubt thy veracity, yet inconsistencies cannot both be
true."
"Inconsistencies," answered Imlac, "cannot both be right; but, imputed
to man, they may both be true. Yet diversity is not inconsistency. My
father might expect a time of greater security. However, some desire is
necessary to keep life in motion; and he whose real wants are supplied
must admit those of fancy."
"This," said the Prince, "I can in some measure conceive. I repent that I
interrupted thee."
"With this hope," proceeded Imlac, "he sent me to school. But when I
had once found the delight of knowledge, and felt the pleasure of
intelligence and the pride of invention, I began silently to despise riches,
and determined to disappoint the purposes of my father, whose
grossness of conception raised my pity. I was twenty years old before
his tenderness would expose me to the fatigue of travel; in which time I
had been instructed, by successive masters, in all the literature of my
native country. As every hour taught me something new, I lived in a
continual course of gratification; but as I advanced towards manhood, I
lost much of the reverence with which I had been used to look on my

instructors; because when the lessons were ended I did not find them
wiser or better than common men.
"At length my father resolved to initiate me in commerce; and, opening
one of his subterranean treasuries, counted out ten thousand pieces of
gold. 'This, young