OLYMPIC DIALOGUE. 



perfect fafety from the effects of their opinions about 

 me ? or does Ganymede prefent me on that account 

 with one bowl lefs of nectar ? 



Numa.~] But it is of confequence to them, Jupiter, 

 not to deprive themfelves by the removal of all com- 

 munion between thee and them, to which they are in- 

 clined, of the advantages which the world has hitherto 

 enjoyed under thy government. 



Jupiter^] I thank thee for thy good opinion of my 

 adminiftration, friend Pompilius ! There are block- 

 heads there below, who have not fo high a notion of 

 my influence on human affairs ; and, all things pro- 

 perly conlidered, they may not be entirely in the 

 wrong. One can do no more for people than they 

 have capacity for ; as to miracles, I have never dealt 

 much in them ; and, therefore, commonly every thing 

 takes its natural courfe, — madly enough, as thou feeft ; 

 but yet upon the whole, fo as that one may make fhift 

 with it. And I think that even for the future it may 

 be fuffered to go on as it is. What I can contribute 

 to the common good, without quitting my repofe, I 

 fhall always do with pleafure : but to fume and tor- 

 ment myfelf for ingrates and fools, that is not Jupiter's 

 bufinefs, my good Numa. 



[The unknown perfon appears."] 

 Numa.~] Who, pray, may that Arranger be, yonder, 

 -who is making up to us? or haft thou any know- 

 ledge of him, Jupiter ? 



Jupiter."] Not that I can recollect. He has fome- 

 what in his look that befpeaks no ordinary perfon. 



The unknown perfon^] Is it permitted to take part in 

 your difcouife ? I confefs that ye have drawn me 

 Jiither from a tolerable diftance. 



] -(pit. r. 



