but  death  only  can  put  an  end  to  my  gratitude.  Your  interest
shall  never  be  less  dear  to  me  than  my  own  honor ;  and  I  will
remember  you  with  affection,  till  I  draw  my  last  breath.'

"  I  had  scarcely  finished  the  last  sentence,  when  there  arose,
from  the  innumerable  multitude  that  surrounded  me,  a  deep
hoarse  murmur,  like  the  sound  of  waves  that  are  broken
against  each  other  in  a  storm.  Some  questioned  whether  I
was  not  a  god  under  the  appearance  of  a  man.  Others  af-
firmed that  they  had  seen  me  in  foreign  countries,  and  knew
me  to  be  Telemachus.  Many  cried  out,  that  I  should  be  com-
pelled to  ascend  the  throne  of  Idomeneus.  I  therefore  again
signified  my  intention  to  speak ;  and  they  were  again  silent  in
a  moment,  not  knowing  but  that  I  was  now  about  to  accept
what  before  I  had  refused.
"  '  Permit  me,'  said  I,  *  O  Cretans,  to  tell  you  my  thoughts
without  disguise.  I  believe  you  to  be  the  wisest  of  all  people ;
and  yet  there  is  one  important  distinction  whi€h  I  think  you
have  not  made.  You  ought  not  to  select  the  man  who  is  best
acquainted  with  the  theory  of  your  laws  ;  but  him  who,  with
the  most  steady  virtue,  has  reduced  them  to  practice.  I  am,
as  yet,  but  a  youth,  and  consequently  without  experience,  and
subject  to  the  tyranny  of  impetuous  passions  :  I  am  in  that
state  which  renders  it  more  fit  for  me  to  learn,  by  obedience,
how  to  command  hereafter,  than  how  to  command  at  present.
