Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
the sun set, and he could discern Peloponnesus before him. The seamen
thought it tedious to tarry for the night, wherefore they resolved to
murder him immediately, to which purpose they unsheathed their swords.
Seeing this, and beholding the master standing with his face covered,
he leaped into the sea as far as he could; but before his body sunk he
found himself supported by dolphins. At first he was surprised with
care and trouble; but by and by, finding himself marching forward
with much ease and security, and observing a whole shoal of dolphins
flocking about him and joyfully contending which should appear most
forward and serviceable in his preservation, and discerning the vessel
at a considerable distance behind, he apprehended the nimbleness of
his porters; then, and not till then, his fears forsook him, and he
professed he was neither so fearful of death nor desirous of life as
he was full of ambitious desire to reach the haven of safety, that
he might show to all men that he stood in the grace and favor of the
Gods, and that he might himself believe more firmly than ever before
in their being and goodness. In his passage, as he lifted up his eyes
toward heaven, and beheld the stars glittering and twinkling and the
moon full and glorious, and the sea calm all about her as she seemed
to rise out of it, and yielding him (as it were) a beaten track; he
declared, he thought God’s justice had more eyes than one, and that
with these many eyes the Gods beheld what was acted here below both by
sea and land. With such contemplations he performed his voyage less
anxiously, which much abated the tediousness thereof and was a comfort
and refreshment to him in his solitude and danger. At last, arriving
near the promontory which was both steep and high, and fearing danger
in a straight course and direct line, they unanimously veered about,
and making to shore with a little compass for security, they delivered
Arion to us in safety, so that he plainly perceived and with thanks
acknowledged a Providence.
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