bosom, has confirmed this tradition. And in order to render her
habitation still more impervious, Rodogune surrounded it with a deep
grove of oaks, whose thick branches entwined together, permitted no
passage so much as to the light of day.

"Roderic was her only child, the darling of her age, and the central
object of all her cares. At his birth the elves and the fairies were
summoned together. They bestowed upon him every beauty of person and
every subtlety of wit. To every weapon they made him invulnerable. And,
without demanding from him that care and persevering study, that had
planted wrinkles on his mother's brow, they gave him to enjoy his wishes
instantly and uncontroled. One only goblin was daring enough to
pronounce a curse upon him. 'WHEN RODERIC,' cried he, 'SHALL BE
OVERREACHED IN ALL HIS SPELLS BY A SIMPLE SWAIN, UNVERSED IN THE VARIOUS
ARTS OF SORCERY AND MAGIC: WHEN RODERIC SHALL SUE TO A SIMPLE MAID, WHO
BY HIS CHARMS SHALL BE MADE TO HATE THE SWAIN THAT ONCE SHE LOVED, AND
WHO YET SHALL RESIST ALL HIS PERSONAL ATTRACTIONS AND ALL HIS POWER;
THEN SHALL HIS POWER BE AT AN END. HIS PALACES SHALL BE DISSOLVED, HIS
RICHES SCATTERED, AND HE HIMSELF SHALL BECOME AN UNFITTED, NECESSITOUS,
MISERABLE VAGABOND.' Such was the mysterious threat; and dearly did the
threatner abide it. In the mean time, an elf more generous, more
attached to Rodogune, and more potent than the rest, bestowed upon the
infant a mysterious ring. By means of this he is empowered to assume
what form he pleases. By means of this it was hoped he would be able to
subdue the most prepossessed, and melt the most obdurate female heart.
By means of this it was hoped, he might evade not only the simple swain,
but all the wiles of the most experienced and subtle adversary.

"Roderic now increased in age, and began to exhibit the promises of that
manly and graceful beauty that was destined for him. He inherited his