for aught he could
perceive, their policy was already such, and so well established, as was
sufficient to entail upon them and theirs all that virtue and felicity
whereof human life is capable: nevertheless that there being another
thing of greater concern than all the rest, whereof he was not yet
provided to give them a perfect account, nor could till he had consulted
the oracle of Apollo, he desired that they would observe his laws
without any change or alteration whatsoever till his return from
Delphos; to which all the people cheerfully and unanimously engaged
themselves by promise, desiring him that he would make as much haste
as he could. But Lycurgus, before he went, began with the kings and the
senators, and thence taking the whole people in order, made them all
swear to that which they had promised, and then took his journey. Being
arrived at Delphos, he sacrificed to Apollo, and afterward inquired
if the policy which he had established was good and sufficient for a
virtuous and happy life?

By the way, it has been a maxim with legislators not to give checks to
the present superstition, but to make the best use of it, as that which
is always the most powerful with the people; otherwise, though Plutarch,
being a priest, was interested in the cause, there is nothing plainer
than Cicero, in his book "De Divinatione" has made it, that there was
never any such thing as an oracle, except in the cunning of the priests.
But to be civil to the author, the god answered to Lycurgus that
his policy was exquisite, and that his city, holding to the strict
observation of his form of government, should attain to the height of
fame and glory. Which oracle Lycurgus causing to be written, failed not
of transmitting to his Lacedaemon. This done, that his citizens might
be forever inviolably bound by their oath, that they would alter nothing
till his return, he took so firm a resolution to die in the place, that
from thenceforward, receiving no manner of food, he soon after performed
it accordingly. Nor was he deceived in the consequence; for his city
became the first in glory and excellency of government in the whole
world. And so much for Lycurgus, according to Plutarch.

My Lord Archon, when he beheld not only the rapture of motion, but
of joy and harmony, into which his spheres (without any manner of
obstruction or interfering, but as if it had been naturally) were
cast, conceived not less of exultation in his spirit; but saw