ed of thy friends, thou must
serve thy friends; if thou desirest to be honored of the people thou
must benefit the people; if thou art anxious to reap the fruits of the
earth, thou must till the earth with labor; and if thou wishest to be
strong in body and accomplish heroic deeds, thou must teach thy body to
obey thy mind. Yea, all this and more also must thou do."

"Seest thou not, O Hercules," cried Vice, "over how difficult and
tedious a road this Virtue would drive thee? I, instead, will conduct
thy steps by a short and easy path to perfect Happiness."

"Wretched being!" answered Virtue, "wouldst thou deceive this lad! What
lasting Happiness hast thou to offer! Thou pamperest thy followers with
riches, thou deludest them with idleness; thou surfeitest them with
luxury; thou enfeeblest them with softness. In youth they grow slothful
in body and weak in mind. They live without labor and wax fat. They come
to a wretched old age, dissatisfied, and ashamed, and oppressed by
the memory of their ill deeds; and, having run their course, they lay
themselves down in melancholy death and their name is remembered no
more.

"But those fortunate youths who follow me receive other counsel. I
am the companion of virtuous men. Always I am welcome in the homes of
artisans and in the cottages of tillers of the soil. I am the guardian
of industrious households, and the rewarder of generous masters
and faithful servants. I am the promoter of the labors of peace. No
honorable deed is accomplished without me.

"My friends have sweet repose and the untroubled enjoyment of the fruits
of their efforts. They remember their deeds with an easy conscience
and contentment, and are beloved of their friends and honored by their
country. And when they have run their course, and death overtakes them,
their names are celebrated in song and praise, and they live in the
hearts of their grateful countrymen.

"Come, then, O Hercules, thou son of noble parents, come, follow thou
me, and by thy worthy and illustrious deeds secure for thyself exalted
Happiness."

She ceased, and Hercules, withdrawing his gaze from the face of Vice,
arose from his place, and followed Virtue along the rugged, brown path
of Labor.

THE SPEAKING STATUE

FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED)

There was once a great emperor who made a law that whosoever worked on
the birthday of his eldest son should be put to death. He caused this
decree to be published throughout his