"
The Druid assumed a sterner and a severer aspect. "How long, son of the
valley," cried he, "wilt thou be deaf to the voice of instruction? When
wilt thou temper thy heedless and inconsiderate courage with the
coolness of wisdom and the moderation of docility? But go," added he, "I
am to blame to endeavour to govern thy headlong spirit, or stem the
torrent of youthful folly. Go, and endure the punishment of thy
rashness. Encounter the magician in the midst of his spells. Expose thy
naked and unprotected head to glut his vengeance. Over thy life indeed,
he has no power. Deliberate guilt, not unreflecting folly, can deprive
thee of thy right to that. But, oh, shepherd, what avails it to live in
hopeless misery? With ease he shall shut thee up for revolving years in
darkness tangible; he shall plunge thee deep beneath the surface of the
mantled pool, the viscous spume shall draw over thy miserable head its
dank and dismal shroud; or perhaps, more ingenious in mischief, he shall
chain thee up in inactivity, a conscious statue, the silent and passive
witness of the usurped joys that once thou fondly fanciedst thy own."
"Oh, pardon me, sage and venerable Madoc," replied the shepherd. "Edwin
did not come from the hands of nature obstinate and untractable.
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