You too are young and uninured
even to the misfortunes of the shepherd. No contagion has destroyed your
flock; no wolf has broken its slender barriers: you have felt the
anguish of no wound, and been witness to the death of no friend. Say
then, my son, why art thou thus dejected and forlorn?"
"Alas," replied Edwin, "our equal lot undoubtedly removes us from the
stroke of many misfortunes; but even to us adversity extends its rod. I
have been exposed to the ravages of an invader, more fearful than the
wolf, more detested than the conqueror. From an affliction like mine, no
occupation, no rank, no age can exempt. Sawest thou not the descending
storm? Did not the rain beat upon thy cavern, and the thunder roar among
the hills?" "It did," cried Madoc, "and I was struck with reverence, and
worshipped the God who grasps the thunder in his mighty hand. Wast thou,
my son, exposed to its fury?" "I was upon the bleak and wide extended
heath. With Imogen, the fairest and most constant of the daughters of
Clwyd, I returned from the feast of Ruthyn. But alas," added the
shepherd, "the storm had no terrors, when compared with the scenes that
accompanied it. I beheld, Madoc, nor are the words I utter the words of
shameless imposition, or coward credulity; I beheld a phantom, that
glided along the air, and rode among the clouds.
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