t.

"I fell now acquainted with one Lucilius, a creature of the prime
minister Eutropius, who had by his favor been raised to the post of
a tribune; a man of low morals, and eminent only in that meanest of
qualities, cunning. This gentleman, imagining me a fit tool for the
minister's purpose, having often sounded my principles of honor and
honesty, both which he declared to me were words without meaning,
and finding my ready concurrence in his sentiments, recommended me
to Eutropius as very proper to execute some wicked purposes he had
contrived against my frend Timasius. The minister embraced this
recommendation, and I was accordingly acquainted by Lucilius (after some
previous accounts of the great esteem Eutropius entertained of me, from
the testimony he had borne of my parts) that he would introduce me to
him; adding that he was a great encourager of merit, and that I might
depend upon his favor.

"I was with little difficulty prevailed on to accept of this invitation.
A late hour therefore the next evening being appointed, I attended my
friend Lucilius to the minister's house.

"He received me with the utmost civility and cheerfulness, and affected
so much regard to me, that I, who knew nothing of these high scenes of
life, concluded I had in him a most disinterested friend, owing to the
favorable report which Lucilius had made of me. I was however soon cured
of this opinion; for immediately after supper our discourse turned on
the injustice which the generality of the world were guilty of in their
conduct to great men, expecting that they should reward their private
merit, without ever endeavoring to apply it to their use. 'What avail,'
said Eutropius, 'the learning, wit, courage, or any virtue which a man
may be possessed of, to me, unless I receive some benefit from them?
Hath he not more merit to me who doth my business and obeys my commands,
without any of these qualities?' I gave such entire satisfaction in
my answers on this head, that both the minister and his creature grew
bolder, and after some preface began to accuse Timasius. At last,
finding I did not attempt to defend him, Lucilius swore a great oath
that he was not fit to live, and that he would destroy him. Eutropius
answered that it would be too dangerous a task: 'Indeed,' says he, 'his
crimes are of so black a dye, and so well known to the emperor, that his
death must be a very acceptable service, and could not fail meeting a
proper reward: but