$62 OLYMPIC DIALOGUE* 



Jupiter.'] Bravo ! That I heard already, five hundred 

 years ago, in the Stoa, at Athens, till I was tired of 

 it, Maxims of this fort are juft as incontrovertible, 

 and contribute juft as much to the welfare of the 

 world, as that great truth, that once one — is one. 

 As foon as thou malt bring me word that the limpletons 

 there below, lince a great part of them have believed 

 differently from their forefathers, are become better 

 men than their forefathers, then will I fet thee down 

 for a melTenger of very good news. 



The unknown.] The corruption of mankind was too 

 great to be removed at once by even the moft extraor- 

 dinary methods. But moll furely they will be better 

 when the truth mail once have made them free. 



Jupiter^] That I believe too ; only it feems to me as 

 if that meant no more, than if thou fhouldft fay : as 

 foon as all mankind are wife and good, they will ceafe 

 from being foolifh and corrupt ; or, when that golden 

 time is come when every one fhall have his belly-full, 

 none will die of hunger. 



The unknown.] I fee the time really coming, when 

 all who do not purpofely fhut their hearts to truth, 

 fhall attain by it to a perfection, of which your fages 

 never had the leaft furmife. 



Jupiter.] Haft thou been initiated in the myfteries at 

 Eleufis ? 



The unknozvn.] I know them as well as if I were. 



Jupiter.] Thou canft tell then what is the ultimate 

 aim of thefe myfteries ? 



The unknown.] To live cheerfully, and to die in the~ 

 hope of a better life. 



Jupiter.] Thou feemft to be a great philanthropic : 

 doll: thou know any thing more beneficial for mortals ? 



The 



