Page:Advantages and disadvantages of the marriage-state.pdf/5

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rations, with vigorous resolution, for their
journey, And amongst other consultations
with the old man, their instructor, they
earnestly craved his advice, Whether it
were expedient for each of them to take
along with him afemalecompanion ? which
he very chearfully encouraged them to do,
provided they were such as were disposed
to go the same way, and had their hearts
engaged to seek the same country. Other-
wise, he admonished them, by all means,
to avoid such companions as had no know-
ledge of, or delight in, the way they design-
ed to travel. He pointed out to them many
difficulties in the way, where the company
of strangers would be of very dangerous
consequences; and further informed them
of many instances, what bad effects travel-
lers, who had formerly gone that way, had
found from disagreeable companions : to
prevent which inconveniences, the king of
the country had made a law, that none of
his subjects should join with strangers, to
be companions in that journey.
I waited to see what influence this advice
would have upon the minds of these young
men. But I observed, that, at the first,
none of them seemed to relish his counsel;
for they had all either contracted some
acquaintance with, or placed their fancy
upon, maids who were natives of Babylon.
But the more they appeared engaged in