“Prince, all that I can say,” answered Ricaric, “is, that the passage which I have read to your highness, was extremely relished by the public.”

“So much the worse,” replied Mangogul. “Then the true taste of eloquence is lost in Congo? It was not thus that the sublime Homilogo praised the great Aben.”

“Prince,” said Ricaric, “true eloquence is nothing but the art of speaking in a noble, and at the same time agreeable and persuasive manner.”

“Add, and sensible,” continued the Sultan, “and upon this principle judge your friend Lambadago. With all the respect that I have for modern eloquence, he is but a false declaimer.”

“But, prince,” answered Ricaric, “without passing the bounds of that, which I owe your highness, will you permit me⁠—”