Let then thy foolhardiness pay the
penalty which my voice has ever annexed to it. Hence to thy fellows! Go,
and let their hated form bely the reason thou shalt still retain, and
thy own voice affright thee, when thou shalt groan under irremediable
misery!"
The incantation that had never yet failed of its hated purpose was
pronounced in vain. Edwin had heard it unappalled. He wore the amulet of
Madoc. He opposed to it the unconquered shield of spotless innocence.
Even in the midst of the lordly despotism and the imperious haughtiness
of his rival, he had been conscious to the triumph which nothing but the
calmness of fortitude and the serenity of virtue can inspire. He was
mindful of the precepts of the Druid. While Roderic was overwhelmed with
disappointment and despair, he seized the wand of the magician, and with
irresistible vigour wrenched it from his hand. He struck it with
violence upon the ground, and it burst into a thousand shivers. The
castle rocked over his head. Those caverns, which for revolving years
had served to hide the iniquity and the cruelty of their possessor,
disclosed their secret horrors. The whole stupendous pile seemed rushing
to the ground. A flood of lightning streamed across the scene.
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