innocent eyes with anguish and disappointment. The meadows no longer
afforded pasture of the cattle; the trees denied their fruits to man. In
this hour of calamity the Druids came forth from their secret cells, and
assembled upon the heights of Mona. This convention of the servants of
the Gods, though intended to relieve the general distress, for a moment
increased it. The shepherds anticipated the fatal decree; they knew that
at times like this the blood of a human victim was accustomed to be shed
upon the altars of heaven. Every swain trembled for himself or his
friend; every parent feared to be bereaved of the staff of his age. And
now the holy priest had cast the lots in the mysterious urn; and the lot
fell upon the generous Arthur. Arthur was beloved by all the shepherds
that dwelt upon the margin of the main; the praise of Arthur sat upon
the lips of all that knew him. But what served principally to enhance
the distress, was the attachment there existed between him and the
beauteous Evelina. Mild was the breast of Evelina, unused to encounter
the harshness of opposition, or the chilly hand and forbidding
countenance of adversity. From twenty shepherds she had chosen the
gallant Arthur, to reward his pure and constant love. Long had they been
decreed to make each other happy. No parent opposed himself to their
virtuous desires; the blessing of heaven awaited them from the hand of
the sacred Druid. But in the general calamity of their country they had
no heart to rejoice; they could not insult over the misery of all around
them. "Soon, oh soon," cried the impatient shepherd, "may the wrath of
heaven be overpast! Extend, all-merciful divinity, thy benign influence
to the shores of Arvon! Once more may the rustling of the shower refresh
our longing ears! Once more may our eyes be gladdened with the pearly,
orient dew! May the fields be clothed afresh in cheerful green! May the
flowers enamel the verdant mead! May the brooks again brawl along their
pebbly bed! And may man and beast rejoice together!" Ah, short-sighted,
unapprehensive shepherd! thou dost not know the misfortune that is