260 A lovers' leap. 



from one extravagance to another, but as yet there was no crime 

 in his caprices. 



"At length it pleased Heaven to visit his family, and make 

 their idol the slave of an unbridled passion. He had a friend, 

 who from his birth had been devoted to his interest, and placed 

 all his confidence in him. This friend loved to distraction a young 

 creature, the most graceful of her sex, (as I can witness) and she 

 returned his affection. In the exultation of his heart he showed 

 her to the wretch whose tale I am about to tell. He sickened at 

 her sight. She too caught fire at his glances. They languished — 

 they consumed away — they conversed, and his persuasive language 

 finished what his guilty glances had begun. 



" Their flame was soon discovered, for he disdained to conceal 

 a thought, however dishonourable. The parents warned the youth 

 in the tenderest manner; but advice and prudent counsels were 

 to him so loathsome, that unable to contain his rage, and infatu- 

 ated with love, he menaced the life of his friend as the obstacle 

 of his enjoyment. Coolness and moderation were opposed to 

 violence and frenzy, and he found himself treated with a contemp- 

 tuous gentleness. Stricken to the heart, he wandered about for 

 some time like one entranced. Meanwhile the nuptials were pre- 

 paring, and the lovely girl he had perverted found ways to let him 

 know she was about to be torn from his embraces. 



" He raved like a demoniac, and rousing his dire spirit, applied 

 to a malignant wretch who sold the most inveterate poisons. 

 These he infused into a cup of pure iced water and presented to 

 his friend, and to his own too fond confiding father, who soon 

 after they had drunk the fatal potion began evidently to pine 

 away. He marked the progress of their dissolution with a horrid 

 firmness, he let the moment pass beyond which all antidotes were 

 vain. His friend expired ; and the young criminal, though he 

 beheld the dews of death hang on his parent's forehead, yet 

 stretched not forth his hand. In a short space the miserable 

 father breathed his last, whilst his son w^as sitting aloof in the 

 same chamber. 



"The sight overcame him. He felt, for the first time, the 

 pangs of remorse. His agitations passed not unnoticed. He was 

 watched ; suspicions beginning to unfold he took alarm, and one 

 evening escaped ; but not without previously informing the part- 

 ner of his crimes which way he intended to flee. Several pursued ; 

 but the inscrutable will of Providence blinded their search, and 

 I was doomed to behold the effects of celestial vengeance. 



