_ But she was constant. Her parents
approved of my passion, and consigned her to my arms." "Has sickness
then overtaken her, or has untimely death put a period to thy prospects,
just as they began to bloom?" "Oh, no," said the disconsolate shepherd,
"I have encountered a disaster more comfortless and wasteful than
sickness. I had a thousand times rather have received her last sigh, and
closed her eyes in darkness!"
During this conversation, they advanced along the banks of Elwy, and
drew towards the grotto of the hermit. The hospitable Madoc brought some
dried fruits and a few roots from his cell, and spread them before his
guest. He took a bowl of seasoned wood, and hastening to the fountain,
that fell with a murmuring noise down the neighing [sic] rock, he
presented the limpid beverage. "Such," said he, "is my humble fare;
partake it with a contented heart, and it shall be more grateful to thy
taste, than the high flavoured viands of a monarch." In the mean time,
Madoc, pleased with the benevolent pursuit, gathered some bits of dry
wood, and setting them on fire, besought the swain to refresh himself
from the weariness of his travel, and the inclemency of the storm. But
the heart of Edwin was too full to partake of the provisions that his
attentive host had prepared.
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