The Beginning of the Story - Page 13 of 25

193   The Naiads' songs were sweet to hear
As they enjoyed the waters clear,
Their lyres harmonious bringing cheer
Where once the breast was feeling drear.

194   So sweetly did they laugh and sing,
These happy nymphs along the spring,
Enthralling creatures on the wing,
And each bird such a gorgeous thing!

195   And so upon the boughs that swayed
Over the spring where pagans made
Blind worship – there, bids tripped and played
While list'ning to the serenade.

196   But why recount those joys I knew
Which years of youth had made my due?
My father's love – 'twas this withdrew
Me soon from that idyllic view.

197   Love doth reveal to me it is
Wrong to bring up a child in bliss;
If happiness be always his,
In age true comfort will he miss. ^[22]

198   This is a world of grievings sore,
And man must steel his breast, therefore;
Indulgence saps him more and more,
How arm against the ills in store?

199   One who is used to pleasure's fill
Is weak of heart, is prone to ill;
His trials though imagined still
Reduce his fortitude to nil.

200   A plant in water fructifying
Will wither at the least denying –
The slightest heat will find it dying –
Like such, a heart on joy relying.

201   A trivial woe is deemed great,
The heart unused to bear a weight,
Whenas on earth, from dawn till late
A man has cause to weep his fate.

202   Who grows in ease is often bare
Of virtue, sense, and judgment fair –
Dour fruit of misdirected care –
His loving parents' deep despair.

203   Pampered unwise by parents twain,
A youth is spoiled, thus to remain;
Some elders are to blame, again,
For indolence to teach and train.   

204   These truths unto my father spake.
Him, Mother's weeping could not shake;
To Athens, thus, I must betake,
My mind aslumber, there to wake.

205   My education was assigned
To one good tutor, keen of mind,
Antenor named, Pittacus's kind;
But on arriving, how I pined!

206   A month or so, I scarcely ate;
Tears in my eyes would not abate.
But my good tutor eased my state,
His comfort ready, early and late.

207   Of students whom I came upon,
Young boys whose teens had just begun,
Adolphus, ^[23] from my town, was one,
The worthy Count Silenus' son.

208   In years, with thirteen was he blest
To the eleven I possessed.
He was esteemed by all the rest,
For of his fellows he was best.