PAUL AND VIRGINIA. lOl 



" ever could unite two unfortunate wretches, that 

 '' if I remain here, I will only live for thee; and if 

 " I depart, I will one day return to be thine. I 

 ** call you to witnefs, all ye, who have watched 

 " over my infants fleps, you, who have the dif- 

 " pofal of my life, and who now behold the tears 

 " which I fhed : I fwear it, by high Heaven, 

 «' which now hears me ; by that Ocean, which 1 

 " am going to brave : by the air which I breathe, 

 " and which, hitherto, I have never polluted 

 " with a falfehood." 



In like manner as the heat of the Sun difTolves, 

 and precipitates, an icy rock from the fummit of 

 the Appenines, fo did the impetuous rage of this 

 young man fubfide, at the voice of the beloved 

 objeâ:. His lofiy head drooped down, and a tor- 

 rent of tears gulhed from his eyes. His mother, 

 mingling her own tears with his, held him, locked 

 in her arms, without the power of utterance. 

 Madame de la Tour, quite diftrafted, faid to me : 

 ** I can contain myfelf no longer : my foul is torn 

 '^ with contending paiTions. This unfortunate 

 " voyage fliall not take place. Do, my dear 

 " neighbour, endeavour to perfuade my fon to 

 '* accompany you homewards : eight days have 

 " elapfcd, fince any of us have enjoyed a fmgle 

 " moment of lleep." 



H 3 I, accord- 



