They required sense, but it was of that sort which springs from pleasure. Hilas complained that they did not love him. But their answer was, ‘pray, sir, are you ignorant, that people should know each other, before they love; nay, you must acknowledge, that, disgraced as you are, you are not lovely even when you are known.’

“ ‘Alas!’ said he retiring, ‘this pure love, so much talked of, is nowhere to be found; this delicacy of sentiments, upon which both sexes value themselves, is a mere chimaera. The oracle has deceived me, and my disease is for life.’