head in the midst of the whirlwind. But oh, who can paint the distress
of Evelina? Now she dropped her head, like the tender lily whose stalk,
by some vulgar and careless hand has been broken; and now she was wild
and ungovernable, like the wild beast that has been robbed of its young.
For an instant the venerable name of religion awed her into mute
submission. But when the fatal moment approached, not the Gods, if the
Gods had descended in all their radiant brightness, could have
restrained her any longer. The air was rent with her piercing cries. She
spoke not. Her eyes, in silence turned towards heaven, distilled a
plenteous shower. At length, swifter than the winged hawk, she flew
towards the spot, and seized the sacred and inviolable arm of the holy
Druid, which was lifted up to strike the final blow. "Barbarous and
inhuman priest," she cried, "cease your vile and impious mummery! No
longer insult us with the name of Gods. If there be Gods, they are
merciful; but thou art a savage and unrelenting monster. Or if some
victim must expire, strike here, and I will thank thee. Strike, and my
bosom shall heave to meet the welcome blow. Do any thing. But oh, spare
me the killing, killing spectacle!" During this action the maidens
approached and hurried her from the plain. "Go," cried Arthur, "and let
not the heart of Evelina be sad. My Death has nothing in it that
deserves to be deplored. It is glorious and enviable. It shall be
remembered when this frame is crumbled into dust. The song of the bards
shall preserve it to never dying fame." The inconsolable fair one had
now been forced away. The intrepid shepherd bared his breast to the
sacred knife. His nerves trembled not. His bosom panted not. And now
behold the lovely youth, worthy to have lived through revolving years,
sunk on the ground, and weltering in his blood. Yes, gallant Arthur,
thou shalt possess that immortality which was the first wish of thy
heart! My song shall embalm thy precious memory, thy generous, spotless
fame! But, ah, it is not in the song of the bards to sooth the rooted