The Amours of Zeokinizul, King of the Kofirans | Page 3

by the

Citizen and Gentleman, there was no material Distinction betwixt them.
The Government which had flourished as Monarchical, was become an
absolute Despotism. And whereas the King in all important
Transactions, was dependant on the Assembly of the States, who were
look'd upon as the Defenders and Interpreters of the Laws; both Laws
and States were now only mere Phantoms, which he could raise or
annihilate at his Pleasure. It is true, that this has made the King of the
Kofirans the most powerful Monarch in the Universe; but perhaps, it
also makes the People the most miserable; tho' an abject Veneration for
their Kings will not permit them to own their Slavery, or lament their
Grievances.
In order to the better Understanding of what I shall relate concerning
this Monarchy, it will not be an useless Digression to say something of
its Foundation, and gradual Increase to that Pitch of Glory to which it
was raised by the King who proceeded Zeokinizul.
I am apt to believe, that when the divine Missionary offered up
Paradise to Men, as the Reward of their Belief and Obedience, he drew
his Idea from the Country of the Kofirans. The many Rivers which
intermix their Streams, maintain a perpetual Verdure in the Meadows;
the Soil produces all Sorts of Corn, useful Herbs and Fruits; and is so
well cultivated, that there are no more Woods than are necessary for
Fewel and other Uses. Its exquisite Wines, are little inferior to those of
Ghinoer; if it has but few Gold or Silver Mines, the Defect is
abundantly compensated by those of Iron, Copper, Tin, and the
valuable Quarries of Porcelaine, which abound throughout almost all
the Provinces of this delicious Kingdom. The Women are sprightly,
witty, and chearful. The Men, brave, industrious, laborious and
addicted to Learning. Its Situation is so very advantageous, that it is
reckoned one of Nature's Master-pieces. Its steep and lofty Clefts
towards the Sea, secure this charming Country from the Invasions of
the King of the Island Alniob. Its Ports are numerous, but so well
fortified, as to be of the greatest Advantage to the Kofirans. Another
Side of this Country has inaccessible Mountains, as a Fence against the
King of Jerebi, and the Kam of Vosaïe. The River Nhir is its Barrier
against the formidable Power of the Emperor of the Maregins. And,

lastly, many Cities of almost impregnable Strength, seem to defy the
Attacks of the Junes Provinces, and the Bapasis. Such is the Situation
and Quality of the Kingdom of the Kofirans, being also blessed with a
temperate Climate, and an healthful Air.
The People who are at present seated in this luxuriant Country, are not
its original Possessors. The first Colony settled here after the Deluge,
were so contented with the spontaneous Produce of its Fertility, that
they forbore to cultivate and improve it. This Moderation which, since
the Sin of Sultan Adam, has ceased to be a Virtue, so enervated their
Courage, that they became slothful and timorous. The Manoris, tho'
their own Country, wanted for nothing, envied the more fruitful
Possessions of their Neighbours, and invaded them Sword in Hand. The
Goilaus, who at that Time inhabited it, and whose Pleasures were
heightened by Liberty, made some Efforts to preserve that valuable
Blessing; but being not so vigorous as the Juncture required, they were
unsuccessful, and the Consequence of their Inactivity was Slavery.
After some Shews of Resistance, in which their Multitudes were easily
defeated by an handful of Manoris, they underwent the Fate of several
other Nations, whom this fierce People had reduced.
However, by an Intercourse with the Manoris, they became sensible of
their wretched and disgraceful Condition. After they had been
conquer'd, they learned the Art of War from their Conquerors; who,
also in a short Time, declined from the Love of Glory, and a martial
Spirit, that they were no longer formidable but by their Numbers. They
grew intoxicated with Luxury, and run into Extremes opposite to their
original Ferosity, so as to become more despicable than those they had
conquered.
It was at this Time, that the Nodais, the Guernonies, the Duesois, and
the Sokans issuing from the North of Africa, over-run their finest
Provinces. A Body of these Barbarians fell upon the Territories of the
Goilaus, and having forced them to share this delightful Country,
settled themselves there under the Name of Kranfs. These new
Conquerors were for some Time molested by the Manoris, but as
Luxury had brought their flourishing Empire to Decay, the Kranfs

forced them to desist, and remained in quiet Possession of the Goilaus:
I shall omit the first rude Ages, when these Conquerors train'd up to the
Licentiousness of War, were under no Regulation or Law, and whose
Towns, like those of other Nations,