Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/87

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cation of my pride, in seeing these miserable wretches whom a hard gale of wind would have scattered through the air like chaff bear those toils with alacrity under which I was ready to sink.

One day, while we enjoyed a halt, and the soldiers with their wives had gone out to pance my comrade staid at home with me, on pretence of friendship, and comforted me with pity and consolation. He told me, I would soon be seasoned to the service; and he did not doubt but I should have the honour to contribute to the honour of the king. Have courage therefore my child, said he, and pray to God that you may be as happy as I am who have had the honour of serving Lewis the Great, and helping to establish his glory. When I looked upon the contemptible object. I was amazed at the infatuation that possessed him; and could not help expressing my astonishment at the absurdity of a rational being, who thinks himself highly honoured in being permitted to encounter poverty, famine, diseases, and mutilation, merely to gratify the vicious ambition of a prince, by whom his sufferings were disregarded, and his name utterly unknown. The solider was very much affronted at the liberty I took with his king, and advised me to correct the rebellious principles I had imbibed among the English, who for their insolence to (illegible text) kings, were notorious

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