I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour and afterwards their love.
"These thoughts exhilarated me and led me to apply with fresh ardour to the acquiring the art of language.

My organs were indeed harsh, but supple; and although my voice was very unlike the soft music of their tones, yet I pronounced such words as I understood with tolerable ease.
It was as the ass and the lap-dog; yet surely the gentle ass whose intentions were affectionate, although his manners were rude, deserved better treatment than blows and execration.
"The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the aspect of the earth.

Men who before this change seemed to have been hid in caves dispersed themselves and were employed in various arts of cultivation.

The birds sang in more cheerful notes, and the leaves began to bud forth on the trees.

Happy, happy earth! Fit habitation for gods, which, so short a time before, was bleak, damp, and unwholesome.