What if Iskander were no more? It was a great contingency. The
eternal servitude of Greece, and the shameful triumph of the Crescent,
were involved, perhaps, in that single event. And could the possession
of Iduna compensate for such disgrace and infamy? Let us not record
the wild response of passion.
It was midnight ere the restless Nicaeus, more exhausted by his
agitating reverie than by his previous exertions, returned into the
cavern, and found refuge in sleep from all his disquietudes.
CHAPTER 14
The Eremite rose with the Sun; and while he was yet at matins, was
joined by Iduna, refreshed and cheerful after her unusual slumbers.
After performing their devotions, her venerable host proposed that they
should go forth and enjoy the morning air. So, descending the
precipitous bank of the river, he led the way to a small glen, the bed
of a tributary rivulet, now nearly exhausted. Beautiful clumps of
birch-trees and tall thin poplars, rose on each side among the rocks
covered with bright mosses, and parasitical plants of gay and various
colours.
Pages:
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102