"
None e're condemned a project that was no charge to him; therefore to
be true to his interests, we engag'd in an oath before we wou'd
discover the cheat to suffer ten thousand racks; and thus like
free-born gladiators selling our liberty, we religiously devoted both
soul and body to our new master.
After the solemn ceremonies of our oath were ended; like slaves, at a
distance, we salute the master of our own making. When beginning to
exercise his authority, he commanded us to report that our ancient
lord (meaning him) griev'd at the loss of a son, who was a great
orator and comfort to his age, was unhappily forc'd to quit the place
of his abode, lest the daily salutes of those that expected preferment
under him, or visits of his companions, might be the continual
occasions of tears; and the late shipwrack had added to his grief,
having lost to the value of twenty thousand crowns; tho' he was not so
much concern'd at the loss of his money, as of his large retinue;
that, he fear'd, would make them not proportion their thoughts to his
greatness; and to add, that our lord had mortgages on half the estates
in Africa, and mighty sums at use on personal security; and cou'd
raise of his own gladiators, disperst about Numidia, a force able to
plunder Carthage.
After this, that his actions might agree with his condition, 'twas
concluded necessary to wear an air of discontent; that he should with
a stately stiffness, like quality, often cough, and spit about the
room; that his words might come the more faintly from him; that in the
eye of the world he shou'd refuse to eat or drink; ever talking of
riches, and sometimes, to confirm their belief, shou'd break into
these words; Strange that such or such a seat shou'd disappoint my
expectation, that us'd to be blest with so large an increase! And
that nothing might be wanting to compleat the humour, as often as he
had occasion to call any of us, he shou'd use one name for another;
that it might easily appear how mindful the lord was even of those
servants he had left in Africk.
Pages:
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170