would have prolonged it.

As this was a fatal Blow, so was he not wanting in his Endeavours to
ward it off. Accordingly he set all his Springs at Work, nor minded the
Guilt of any Measure if it had a promising Aspect. I question if an
Instance of such an hellish Contrivance, and so detestable a Scandal,
can be found in any History. A Man to whom a whole Kingdom had
committed its only Hope, a Man who had been chosen to rectify and refine
the Morals of its King, endeavours by all Means to corrupt them; and,
as a Return for the vast Favours received from him, he draws him in to
forfeit his Innocence, the Love of his Consort, and the Esteem of his
Subjects.

_Zeokinizul_, as has been said, was passionately fond of the Queen his
Spouse, which guarded him against those Irregularities which stain'd the
Memory of the preceding Kings of the _Kofirans_. Yet these People being
of a volatile and fickle Humour, could not think, that a settled Love
afforded any Pleasure, and were continually wishing that their Sovereign
would commence an Intrigue with some Court Beauty. This unbecoming Wish
was pretended to proceed from a Regard for the Welfare and Glory of the
Nation. What, says they, shall our King always be tutor'd by _Mollaks_?
What signifies this Peace, which is only owing to the Weakness and
Pusillanimity of this set of Men, for we are oppressed with Taxes as
much as if we were engaged in a War with all the Powers of _Africa_?
Why does not our King shew some Spirit, and give into an Intrigue? An
ambitious Mistress would break these scandalous Fetters, and when he is
once his own Master, instead of this enervating Idleness, he would soon
find such Work for our Forces, as would enhance our Reputation, and
enlarge his Dominions.