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that hellifh water I drank firft." — It was, indeed, as cold wa- 

 ter as ever I tailed. "Come, come, faid I, don't be peevifh, I 

 have but one toaft more to drink." — " Peevifh, or not peevifh, 

 replied Strates, a drop of it never again fliall crofs my throat: 

 there is no humour in this ; no joke ; fhew us fomething 

 pleafant as you ufed to do ; but there is no jeft in meddling 

 with devil- worfhippers, witchcraft, and inchantments, to 

 bring fome difeafe upon one's felf here, fo far from home 

 in the fields. No, no, as many toaits in wine as you pleafe, 

 or better in brandy, but no more water for Strates. I am 

 fure I have done myfelf harm already with thefe follies — 

 God forgive me !" — " Then, faid I, I will drink it alone, and 

 you are henceforward unworthy of the name of Greek; you 

 do not even deferve that of a Chriftian." Holding the full 

 cup then to my head, " Here is to Catharine, emprefs of all 

 the Ruffias, and fuccefs to her heroes at Paros ; and hear 

 my prediction from this altar to-day, Ages fhall not pafs, be- 

 fore this ground, whereon I now Hand, will become a flou- 

 rifhing part of her dominions." 



He leaped on this a yard from the ground. " If the old 

 gentleman has whifpered you this, fays he, out of the well, 

 he has not kept you long time waiting ; tell truth and 

 fhame the devil, is indeed the proverb, but truth is truth, 

 wherever it comes from ; give me the cup, I will drink that 

 health though I fhould die." He then held out both his 

 hands. " btrates, faid I, be in no fuch hafte ; remember the 

 water is inchanted by devil- worfhippers ; there is no jelting 

 with thefe, and you are far from home, and in the fields, you 

 may catch fome difeafe, efpecially if you drink the Virgin 

 Mary; God forgive you. Remember the horns the firft 

 .draught produced; they may with this come entirely 

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