"Friends," he begins in a very benevolent tone, "how much trouble it costs you to do a little work and live uncomfortably! A fortnight of labor has reduced you to your last extremity!...

Let us make an arrangement by which you shall all profit.
I offer you provisions and wine: you shall get so much every day; we will work together, and, zounds! my friends, we will be happy and contented!" Would it be possible for empty stomachs to resist such an invitation?
The hungriest of them follow the treacherous tempter.

They go to work; the charm of society, emulation, joy, and mutual assistance double their strength; the work can be seen to advance.

Singing and laughing, they subdue Nature.

In a short time, the soil is thoroughly changed; the mellowed earth waits only for the seed.