aged arms, and poured upon them his mild benediction. "Children, I have
met your fathers, and your fathers fathers, beneath the hills of Ruthyn.
Such as they were, such are ye, and such ever may ye remain. The lily is
not more spotless, the rose and the violet do not boast a more fragrant
odour, than the incense of your prayers when it ascends to the footstool
of the Gods. Guileless and undesigning are you as the yearling lamb;
gentle and affectionate as the cooing dove. Qualities like these the
Gods behold with approbation; to qualities like these the Gods assign
their choicest blessings. My sons, there is a splendour that dazzles,
rather than enlightens; there is a heat that burns rather than
fructifies. Let not characters like these excite your ambition. Be yours
the unfrequented sylvan scene. Be yours the shadowy and unnoticed vale
of obscurity. Here are the mild and unruffled affections. Here are
virtue, peace and happiness. _Here also are_ GODS."

Having thus said, he dismissed the assembly, and the shepherds prepared
to return to their respective homes. Edwin and Imogen, as they had come,
so they returned together. The parents of the maiden had confided her to
the care of the gallant shepherds. "She is our only child," said they,
"our only treasure, and our life is wrapt up in her safety. Watch over
her like her guardian genius. Bring her again to our arms adorned with
the cheerfulness of tranquility and innocence." The breast of Edwin was
dilated with the charge; he felt a gentle undulation of pride and
conscious importance about his heart, at the honour conferred upon him.

The setting sun now gilded the western hills. His beams played upon
their summits, and were reflected in an irregular semi-circle of
splendour, spotless and radiant as the robes of the fairies. The heat of
the day was over, the atmosphere was mild, and all the objects round
them quiet and serene. A gentle zephyr fanned the leaves; and the