Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 2.djvu/189

Rh pen to work on; scenes of misery ever affording the fairest harvest for great adventures. And in this, the world may perceive the difference, between the integrity of a generous author, and that of a common friend. The latter, is observed to adhere close in prosperity, but on the decline of fortune, to drop suddenly off. Whereas, the generous author, just on the contrary, finds his hero on the dunghill, from thence by gradual steps raises him to a throne, and then immediately withdraws, expecting not so much as thanks for his pains: in imitation of which example, I have placed lord Peter in a noble house, given him a title to wear, and money to spend. There I shall leave him for some time; returning where common charity directs me, to the assistance of his two brothers, at their lowest ebb. However, I shall by no means forget my character of an historian to follow the truth step by step, what-ever happens, or where-ever it may lead me.

The two exiles, so nearly united in fortune and interest, took a lodging together; where, at their first leisure, they began to reflect on the numberless misfortunes and vexations of their life past, and could not tell on the sudden, to what failure in their conduct they ought to impute them; when, after some recollection, they called to mind the copy of their father's will, which they had so happily recovered. This was immediately produced, and a firm resolution taken between them, to alter whatever was already amiss, and reduce all their future measures, to the strictest obedience prescribed therein. The main body of the will, (as the reader cannot easily have