He commanded the poet to attend him in his apartment, and recite
his verses a second time; then entering into familiar talk, he
thought himself happy in having found a man who knew the world so
well, and could so skilfully paint the scenes of life. He asked a
thousand questions about things to which, though common to all
other mortals, his confinement from childhood had kept him a
stranger. The poet pitied his ignorance, and loved his curiosity,
and entertained him from day to day with novelty and instruction so
that the Prince regretted the necessity of sleep, and longed till
the morning should renew his pleasure.
As they were sitting together, the Prince commanded Imlac to relate
his history, and to tell by what accident he was forced, or by what
motive induced, to close his life in the Happy Valley. As he was
going to begin his narrative, Rasselas was called to a concert, and
obliged to restrain his curiosity till the evening.
CHAPTER VIII--THE HISTORY OF IMLAC.
The close of the day is, in the regions of the torrid zone, the
only season of diversion and entertainment, and it was therefore
midnight before the music ceased and the princesses retired.
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