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."

But his young companions had gained so much of his regard by their
frankness and courtesy that he could not leave them without warning
and remonstrance. "My friends," said he, "I have seriously
considered our manners and our prospects, and find that we have
mistaken our own interest. The first years of man must make
provision for the last. He that never thinks, never can be wise.
Perpetual levity must end in ignorance; and intemperance, though it
may fire the spirits for an hour, will make life short or
miserable. Let us consider that youth is of no long duration, and
that in mature age, when the enchantments of fancy shall cease, and
phantoms of delight dance no more about us, we shall have no