At his command, a wolf
from the forest, with horrid tusks, and eyes of fire, burst upon me. I
advanced towards it, that I might defend the fairest of her sex from its
fury, and plunged my javelin in its heart. But, oh! while I was thus
engaged, a chariot advanced on the opposite side! Its course was
directed by the spectre. The rider descended on the plain, and seized
the spotless, helpless Imogen; and never, never shall these eyes behold
her more! Such, O thou servant of the Gods, has been my adversity. The
powers of darkness have arrayed themselves against me. For me the storm
has been brewed; all the arrows of heaven have been directed against my
weak, defenceless head. For me the elements have mixed in tremendous
confusion; portents and prodigies have been accumulated for my
destruction. Oh, then, generous and hospitable Druid, what path is
there, that is left for my deliverance? What chance remains for me, now
that a host of invisible beings combats against me? Teach me, my friend,
my father, what it is that I must do. Tell me, is there any happiness in
store for Edwin, or must I sink, unresisting, into the arms of
comfortless despair?"
"My son," cried the venerable hermit, "hope is at all times our duty,
and despair our crime.
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