The next day, as we were proposing how to bestow our selves, we
discover'd an human body floating on a little wave that made to shore:
I stood still concern'd, and began with more diligence to see, if what
was presented to our view was real.
When, finding it to be a man's: and "who knows," I cry'd out, "but
this wretch's wife, in some part of the world, secure at home, may
expect his coming; or perhaps a son, ignorant of the fatal storm, may
wait the wisht arrival of his father; who with so many kisses seal'd
his unwilling parting: These are our great designs! vain mortals swell
with promising hopes, yet there's the issue of them all! see the
mighty nothing how it's tost!"
When I had thus bemoan'd the wretch, as one unknown, the sea cast him
on land with his face, not much disfigur'd, toward Heaven; upon which
I made up to it, and easily knew that the but now terrible and
implacable Lycas was lying at my feet.
I could not restrain my tears; but, beating my breast, "Now where's,"
said I, "your rage? where your unruly passions? now you're expos'd a
prey to fish and beasts; and the poor shipwrackt wretch, with all his
boasted power, now has not one plank of the great ship he proudly
call'd his own. After this, let mortals flatter themselves with
golden dreams, let the weary miser heap up ill-got wealth for many
years; 'twas but yesterday this lifeless thing was priding in its
riches, and had fixt the very day he thought to return.
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