that glassy water, the lady of the lake. It was like a poet's dream, or a
vision of romance, to behold her--and like a vision or a dream she had
departed!

"O gentle Emma, o'er a lovelier form
Than thine, earth never closed; nor e'er did heaven
Receive a purer spirit from the world!"

I thought of D., the most familiar of my friends during those years when we
lived near enough to each other for familiar intercourse--my friend, and
the friend of all who were dearest to me; a man, of whom all who knew him
will concur with me in saying, that they never knew, nor could conceive of
one more strictly dutiful, more actively benevolent, more truly kind, more
thoroughly good; the pleasantest companion, the sincerest counsellor, the
most considerate friend, the kindest host, the welcomest guest. After our
separation, he had visited me here three summers; with him it was that I
had first explored this land of lakes in all directions; and again and
again should we have retraced our steps in the wildest recesses of these
vales and mountains, and lived over the past again, if he had not, too
early for all who loved him,

"Began the travel of eternity."

I called to mind my hopeful H----, too, so often the sweet companion of my
morning walks to this very spot; in whom I had fondly thought my better
part should have survived me, and

"With whom it seemed my very life
Went half away!
But we shall meet--but we shall meet