IX.—THE YOUNG SHEPHERD.FENELON.The illustrious Fenelon, archbishop of Cambray, in France, was born in 1651 and died, at Cambray, in 1715. He was as remarkable for sanctity as for genius. His purity, meekness and amiability, won the hearts of all—even of his enemies, if it can be said that he had any.
FENELON.
The illustrious Fenelon, archbishop of Cambray, in France, was born in 1651 and died, at Cambray, in 1715. He was as remarkable for sanctity as for genius. His purity, meekness and amiability, won the hearts of all—even of his enemies, if it can be said that he had any.
1. Sha-Abbas, king of Persia, being on his travels, withdrew from his retinue,[67]in order to visit the country, and there, without being known, to behold mankind in all their native freedom. He took with him only one of his officers, as an attendant.
2. “I am weary,†said he, “of living among sycophants,[68]who take all occasions to over-reach, while they flatter me. I am determined to visit husbandmen and shepherds, who know nothing of me.â€
3. He traveled, with his confidant, through several villages where the peasants were dancing, and was overjoyed to see that his subjects, though at such a distance from court, had their diversions, and those so innocent and unexpensive.
4. After refreshing himself in a cottage, he crossed a meadow, enameled[69]with flowers, which decked the borders of a limpid[70]stream. Here he spied a young shepherd, playing on his pipe beneath a shady elm, while his flocks were grazing around him.
5. The king accosts him, surveys him closely, finds his aspect agreeable, and his air, though easy and natural, yet graceful and majestic. The simple habit[71]in which the shepherd was clad, did not in the least diminish the agreeableness of his person. The king supposed him at first to be a youth of illustrious birth,who had disguised himself; but he learned from the shepherd that his parents dwelt in an adjacent[72]village, and that his name was Alibeg.
6. The more questions the king put to him, the more he admired the strength and solidity of his genius. His eyes were lively, and beaming[73]with intelligence; his voice was sweet and melodious; his features were not rude, neither were they soft and effeminate.[74]The shepherd, though sixteen years of age, did not seem conscious of those perfections which were conspicuous to others. He imagined that his thoughts, his conversation, and his person, were not unlike those of his neighbors.
7. The king frequently smiled at the innocent freedom of the youth, who gave him much information about the state of the people. He gave the officer who accompanied him a private signal not to discover that he was the king, for fear that Alibeg, if he once knew with whom he conversed, would lose in an instant, his wonted[75]freedom, and all his native graces.
8. “I am now convinced,†said the prince to his attendant, “that nature is as beautiful in the lowest state as in the highest. No monarch’s son was ever born with nobler faculties than this young shepherd. I should think myself infinitely happy, had I a son equally handsome, intelligent, and ingenuous.[76]I will have him educated at my own court.â€
9. The king accordingly took Alibeg away with him; and the youthful shepherd was much surprised to find that a prince should be so pleased with his conversation. Taken to court, he was instructed by proper tutors in all the graces which add to manly beauty, and in all the arts and sciences which adorn the mind.
10. The grandeur of the court, and a sudden change of fortune, in some measure influenced the temper of Alibeg. His crook, his pipe, and shepherd’s dress, were now forsaken; and, instead of them, he appeared in a purple robe embroidered with gold, and a turban enriched with jewels. Alibeg was handsomer than any other man at court. He was qualified to transact the most important affairs, and his master, placing the utmost confidence in his integrity,[77]soon conferred on him the post of jewel-keeper and treasurer of his household.
11. During the whole reign of the great Sha-Abbas, Alibeg’s reputation daily increased. But, as he advanced in years, he frequently recalled to mind his former state of life, and always with regret. “Oh, happy days!†would he whisper to himself; “oh, innocent days! days, wherein I tasted true joys without danger; days, since which I never saw one so pleasant, shall I not see you any more? He who has deprived me of you, by making me thus great, has utterly undone me.â€
[67]RetËŠ-i-nue, a train of attendants.[68]SycËŠ-o-phants, mean flatterers.[69]En-amËŠ-eled, covered; filled.[70]LimËŠ-pid, clear; pure.[71]HabËŠ-it, dress; garb.[72]Ad-jaËŠ-cent, near by; adjoining.[73]BeamËŠ-ing, glowing; shining.[74]Ef-femËŠ-i-nate, feminine; delicate.[75]WontËŠ-ed, accustomed; usual.[76]In-genËŠ-u-ous, open; frank; candid.[77]In-tegËŠ-ri-ty, honesty; uprightness.
[67]RetËŠ-i-nue, a train of attendants.
[67]RetËŠ-i-nue, a train of attendants.
[68]SycËŠ-o-phants, mean flatterers.
[68]SycËŠ-o-phants, mean flatterers.
[69]En-amËŠ-eled, covered; filled.
[69]En-amËŠ-eled, covered; filled.
[70]LimËŠ-pid, clear; pure.
[70]LimËŠ-pid, clear; pure.
[71]HabËŠ-it, dress; garb.
[71]HabËŠ-it, dress; garb.
[72]Ad-jaËŠ-cent, near by; adjoining.
[72]Ad-jaËŠ-cent, near by; adjoining.
[73]BeamËŠ-ing, glowing; shining.
[73]BeamËŠ-ing, glowing; shining.
[74]Ef-femËŠ-i-nate, feminine; delicate.
[74]Ef-femËŠ-i-nate, feminine; delicate.
[75]WontËŠ-ed, accustomed; usual.
[75]WontËŠ-ed, accustomed; usual.
[76]In-genËŠ-u-ous, open; frank; candid.
[76]In-genËŠ-u-ous, open; frank; candid.
[77]In-tegËŠ-ri-ty, honesty; uprightness.
[77]In-tegËŠ-ri-ty, honesty; uprightness.