The woods and the hills were embosomed in darkness. Their
summits were no longer gilded. One by one the beams of the sun were
withdrawn from each; and at length Snowdon itself could not be
perceived.
Our shepherd and his charge had at this moment reached the most
extensive and unprotected part of the plain. No friendly cot was near to
shield them from the coming storm. And now a solemn peal of thunder
seemed to roll along over their heads. They had begun to fly, but the
tender Imogen was terrified at the unexpected crash, and sunk, almost
breathless, into the arms of Edwin. In the mean time, the lightnings
seemed to fill the heavens with their shining flame. The claps of
thunder grew louder and more frequent. They reverberated from rock to
rock, and from hill to hill. If at any time, for a transitory interval,
the tremendous echoes died away upon the ear, it was filled with the
hollow roaring of the winds, and the boisterous dashing of the distant
waves. At length the pealing rain descended. It seemed as if all the
waters of heaven were exhausted upon their naked heads. The anxious and
afflicted Edwin took his beauteous and insensible companion in his arms,
and flew across the plain.
But at this instant, a more extraordinary and terrifying object
engrossed his attention.
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