And yet Imogen is artless,
unaffected and innocent; her wit is unconscious of itself, and her
virtue the unstudied dictate of nature. Imogen is under the guardianship
of simplicity, her favourite pupil. Be hers then the crown that
simplicity alone can deserve. Simplicity descends not in person to the
surface of the earth; her abode is among the Gods. But Imogen is her
representative, her perfect resemblance. Should simplicity descend upon
the earth, she would not know herself; she would be astonished to behold
another divinity, equally beautiful, equally excellent. The divinity is
Imogen. Be hers then the crown, that simplicity alone can deserve."
This was a trying moment to the lovely and generous Imogen. Praise is
congenial to every human sense; the voice of praise is ever grateful to
the ear of virtue. The glory of the shepherd indeed lies within a narrow
compass. But let immortality be named, and the heart of man is naturally
attracted: it is impossible that the good and generous bosom should not
long for such a prize. Nor was this all. Imogen, though loved and
honoured by the borderers of Towey, had been little used to studied
commendation and laboured applause. Pastoral simplicity does not deal in
these; and though it seek to oblige, its endeavours are unostentatious
and silent.
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