of worlds, which shall contain each and every one the case that is in question, and shall vary its circumstances and its consequences.  But if you put a case that differs from the actual world only in one single definite thing and in its results, a certain one of those determinate worlds will answer you.  These worlds are all here, that is, in ideas.  I will show you some, wherein shall be found, not absolutely the same Sextus as you have seen (that is not possible, he carries with him always that which he shall be) but several Sextuses resembling him, possessing all that you know already of the true Sextus, but not all that is already in him imperceptibly, nor in consequence all that shall yet happen to him.  You will find in one world a very happy and noble Sextus, in another a Sextus content with a mediocre state, a Sextus, indeed, of every kind and endless diversity of forms.

415.  Thereupon the Goddess led Theodorus into one of the halls of the palace:  when he was within, it was no longer a hall, it was a world,

  Solemque suum, sua sidera norat.

At the command of Pallas there came within view Dodona with the temple of Jupiter, and Sextus issuing thence; he could be heard saying that he would obey the God.  And lo! he goes to a city lying between two seas, resembling Corinth.  He buys there a small garden; cultivating it, he finds a treasure; he becomes a rich man, enjoying affection and esteem; he dies at a great age, beloved of the whole city.  Theodorus saw the whole life of Sextus as at one glance, and as in a stage presentation.  There was a great volume of writings in this hall:  Theodorus could not refrain from asking what that meant.  It is the history of this world which we are now visiting, the Goddess told him; it is the book of its fates.  You have seen a number [372] on the forehead of Sextus.  Look in this book for the place which it indicates.  Theodorus looked for it, and found there the history of Sextus in a form more ample than the outline he had seen.  Put your finger on any line you please, Pallas said to him, and you will see represented actually in all its detail that which the line broadly indicates.  He obeyed, and he saw coming into view all the characteristics of a portion of the life of that Sextus.  They passed into another hall, and lo! another world, another Sextus. who, issuing from the temple, and having resolved to obey Jupiter, goes to Thrace.  There he marries the daughter of the king, who had no other children; he succeeds him, and he is adored by his subjects.  They went into other rooms, and always they saw new scenes.