I have here the world before me. I will review it at
leisure: surely happiness is somewhere to be found."
CHAPTER XVII--THE PRINCE ASSOCIATES WITH YOUNG MEN OF SPIRIT AND
GAIETY.
Rasselas rose next day, and resolved to begin his experiments upon
life. "Youth," cried he, "is the time of gladness: I will join
myself to the young men whose only business is to gratify their
desires, and whose time is all spent in a succession of
enjoyments."
To such societies he was readily admitted, but a few days brought
him back weary and disgusted. Their mirth was without images,
their laughter without motive; their pleasures were gross and
sensual, in which the mind had no part; their conduct was at once
wild and mean--they laughed at order and at law, but the frown of
power dejected and the eye of wisdom abashed them.
The Prince soon concluded that he should never be happy in a course
of life of which he was ashamed. He thought it unsuitable to a
reasonable being to act without a plan, and to be sad or cheerful
only by chance. "Happiness," said he, "must be something solid and
permanent, without fear and without uncertainty.
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