3CIF 
ABAItlS, THE HYPERBOREAN* 
big^her in the scale of life. Instead of being nobody in society, sbe^ 
becaitie its primtim mobile. Every knight devoting himself to danger, 
deGlared himself the humble servant of some lady, who was often the 
object of his love. Her honour was supposed to be intimately con- 
nected with his, and her smile was the reward of his valour ; for her 
he attacked, for her he defended, and for her he shed his blood. 
Courage, animated by so powerful a motive, lost sight of every thing 
but enterprize ; incredible toils were cheerfully endured, incredible^ 
actions were performed, and adventures seemingly fabulous were 
realized. The effect was reciprocal. Women, proud of their influence, 
became worthy of the heroism which they had inspired; they were 
not to be approached but by the high-minded and the brave; and 
men then could only be admitted to the bosom of the chaste fair, 
after proving their fidelity and affection by years of perseverance 
aad of peril. 
Again, as to the change which took place in the operations of war, 
it may be observed, that the perfect hero of antiquity was superior' 
to fear, but he made use of every artifice to annoy his enemy ; im- 
pelled by animosity and hostile passion, like the savage in the Ame- 
rican woods, he was only anxious of attaining his end, without regard- 
ing whether fraud or force were the means. But the true knight, or 
modern hero of the middle ages, who seems in all his rencounters to 
have had his eye on the judicial combat, or judgment of God, had 
an equal contempt for stratagem and danger. He disdained to take 
advantage of his enemy, he desired only to see him, and to combat him 
on equal terms, trusting that Heaven would declare in behalf of the 
just; and as be professed to vindicate the cause of religion, of 
injured beauty, or oppressed innocence, he was further confirmed 
in his enthusiastic opinion by his own heated imagination. Strongly 
persuaded that the decision must be in his favour, he fought as 
if rather under the influence of divine inspiration, than of military 
ardour. Thus the system of chivalry, by a singular combination 
of manners, blended the heroic and sanctified characters, united 
devotion and valour, zeal and gallantry, and reconciled the love of 
God and of the ladies. 
’ Abaris, the Hyperborean. 
■ ■ ■ ' T. r - 
This person was a celebrated sage of antiquity, of whom a great 
number of fabulous stories are told ; such as, that he got a present of 
a tniraculoiis arrow from Apollo, with which he travelled without tak't: 
irig food ; that he could foretell earthquakes, allay tempests, drive 
away the pestilence, &c. &c. Harpocratian tells us that the whole 
earth being infected with a dreadful plague, Apollo ordered that 
the Athenians should oft'er up prayers in behalf of all other nations ; 
upon which, ambassadors were sent to Athens, from different countries. 
Among these was Abaris, who during this journey renewed the alli- 
ance betweea his countrymen, and the inhabitants of the isle of Delos* 
De also went to Lacedemon, where he built a temple to Proserpine 
the Salutary. The history and travels of Abaris have given occasion 
