HIS PALACES SHALL BE DISSOLVED, HIS
RICHES SCATTERED, AND HE HIMSELF SHALL BECOME AN UNFITTED, NECESSITOUS,
MISERABLE VAGABOND.' Such was the mysterious threat; and dearly did the
threatner abide it. In the mean time, an elf more generous, more
attached to Rodogune, and more potent than the rest, bestowed upon the
infant a mysterious ring. By means of this he is empowered to assume
what form he pleases. By means of this it was hoped he would be able to
subdue the most prepossessed, and melt the most obdurate female heart.
By means of this it was hoped, he might evade not only the simple swain,
but all the wiles of the most experienced and subtle adversary.
"Roderic now increased in age, and began to exhibit the promises of that
manly and graceful beauty that was destined for him. He inherited his
mother's haughtiness, and his wishes and his passions were never
subjected to contradiction. A few years since that mother died, and the
youth has been too much engaged in voluptuousness and luxury to embark
in the malicious pursuits of Rodogune, Sensuality has been his aim, and
pleasure has been his God. To gratify his passions has been the sole
object of his attentions; and he has remitted no exertion that could
enhance to him the joys of the feast and the fruition of beauty.
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