Ye are all combined against me! Under a specious, smiling countenance
you all conceal a heart of gall. But your hypocrisy and your mummery
shall serve you to little purpose. Point me, this instant point me, to a
path for the gratification of my wishes, or dearly shall you rue the
shallowness of your invention and the treachery of your professions."
Medoro was astonished at the vehemence of the passion of Roderic,
unusual even in a youth who had never been refused demands the most
unreasonable, and who had been inured to see all the powers of nature
bend to his will. "Is this," cried he, "a return for services so
unwearied and sincere as mine? Foolish and ungrateful youth! Rut I will
point you to a remedy. Had you not been blinded with fury and
impatience, you would have seen that your situation was not yet
irremediable, by means the most obviously in your power. Did I not at
your birth bestow upon you a ring, that communicates to the wearer the
power of assuming what form he please? I gave it, in order to elude the
curse of the malignant goblin, to subdue the most obdurate female, and
to evade the most subtle adversary. The uses in which thou hast hitherto
employed it have been idle and capricious, governed by whim, and
dictated by the sallies of a sportive fancy.
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