"My son," replied Madoc, "I am indeed interested for thee. Thy heart is
ingenuous and sincere; thy misfortune is poignant and affecting. Listen
then to my directions. Receive and treasure up this small and sordid
root. In its external appearance, it is worthless and despicable; but,
Edwin, we must not judge by appearances; that which is most valuable
often delights to shroud itself under a coarse and unattractive outside.
In a richer climate, and under a more genial sun, it bears a beauteous
flower, whose broad leaves expand themselves to the day, and are clothed
with a deep and splendid purple, glossy as velvet, and bedropped with
gold. This root is a sovereign antidote against all blasts,
enchantments, witchcrafts, and magic. With this about thee, thou mayest
safely enter the haunts of Roderic; thou mayest hear his incantations
unappalled; thou mayest boldly dash from his hand his magic glass, and
shed the envenomed beverage on the ground. Then, when he stands
astonished at the unexpected phenomenon, wrest from him his potent wand.
Invoke not the unhallowed spirits of the abyss; invoke the spotless
synod of the Gods. Strike with his rod the walls of his palace, and they
shall turn to viewless air; the monster shall be deprived of all his
riches, and all his accumulated pleasures; and thou and thy Imogen,
delivered from the powers of enchantment, shall be, for one long,
uninterrupted day, happy in the enjoyment of each other.

"Attend, my son, yet attend, to one more advice, upon which all thy
advantage and all thy success in this moment of crisis hang. Engage not
in so arduous and important an enterprise immaturely. Thou hast yet no
reason for despair. Thou art yet beheld with favour by propitious
heaven. But thou mayest have reason for despair. One false step may ruin
thee. One moment of heedless inconsideration may plunge thee in years of
calamity. One moment of complying guilt may shut upon thee the door of
enjoyment and happiness for ever."