In order to this, though it stood upon an eminence, she chose
an eminence that was surrounded by higher hills, and hills which,
according to the neighbouring shepherds, were impassable. No adventurous
step had ever since the day they were created pierced beyond them. It
was imagined that the space they surrounded was the haunt of elves, and
the resort of those who held commerce with evil spirits. The curling
smoke, which of late has frequently been seen to ascend from their
bosom, has confirmed this tradition. And in order to render her
habitation still more impervious, Rodogune surrounded it with a deep
grove of oaks, whose thick branches entwined together, permitted no
passage so much as to the light of day.
"Roderic was her only child, the darling of her age, and the central
object of all her cares. At his birth the elves and the fairies were
summoned together. They bestowed upon him every beauty of person and
every subtlety of wit. To every weapon they made him invulnerable. And,
without demanding from him that care and persevering study, that had
planted wrinkles on his mother's brow, they gave him to enjoy his wishes
instantly and uncontroled. One only goblin was daring enough to
pronounce a curse upon him. 'WHEN RODERIC,' cried he, 'SHALL BE
OVERREACHED IN ALL HIS SPELLS BY A SIMPLE SWAIN, UNVERSED IN THE VARIOUS
ARTS OF SORCERY AND MAGIC: WHEN RODERIC SHALL SUE TO A SIMPLE MAID, WHO
BY HIS CHARMS SHALL BE MADE TO HATE THE SWAIN THAT ONCE SHE LOVED, AND
WHO YET SHALL RESIST ALL HIS PERSONAL ATTRACTIONS AND ALL HIS POWER;
THEN SHALL HIS POWER BE AT AN END.
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