IJ^t. LITERARY IKTELLIGEKCER. 237 



Sir Edward ilood fixed in aftonilhment and confufion— . 

 ''■ I come not to upbraid you," fald Venoni ; " I am a poor, 

 weak, old man, unable for upbraidlngs •, I am come but to 

 find my child, to forgive her, and to die. \^^len you faw 

 us firit, Sir Edward, we were not thus. You found us 

 virtuous and happy : we danced and we fung ; and there 

 was not a fad heart in the valley where we dwelt. Yet 

 we left our dancing, and our fongs, and our cheerfulnefs •, 

 vou were dlllreffed, and we pitied you. Since that day, 

 the pipe has never been heard in Venoni's fields •, grief and 

 ficknefs have almoft brought him to the grave ; and his 

 neighbours, who loved and pitied him, have been cheerful 

 no more. Yet, methlnks, though you robbed us of hap- 

 plnefs, you are not happy ; ell'e why that dejefted look, 

 which, amidft all the grandeur aground you, I faw you 

 wear , and thofe tears which, under all the gaudinefs of 

 her apparel, I faw that poor deluded girl (lied ?" — " But 

 {he (liall llied no more," cried Sir Edward ; " you {hall be 

 happy, and I fhall be juft. Forgive, my venerable friend, the 

 injuries which 1 have done thee ; forgive me, my Louifa, for 

 rating your excellence at a price fo mean. 1 have feen 

 thofe high born females to which my rank might have al- 

 lied me y 1 am alhamcd of their vices, and fick of their fol- 

 lies. Profligate in their hearts, amidil affefted purity, thev 

 are (laves to plealure, without the (incerlty of paiTjon ; and, 

 with the name of honour, are Infenfible to the feelings of 

 virtue. You, my Louifa ! — but I will not call up recol- 

 iedlions that might render me lefs worthy of your future 

 elleem — Continue to love your Edward ; but few hours, 

 and you (hall add the title to tlie affeftions of a wife j let 

 the care and tendernefs of a hu(band bring back its peace 

 to your mind, and its bloom to your cheek. We will leave 

 for awhile the wonder and the envy of the fadilonable circle 

 here. We will reftore your father to his native home y un-. 

 der that roof I (hall once more be happy without alloy, be- 

 caufe I fliall deferve my happinefs. Again (hall the pipe 

 and the dance gladden the valley, and innocence and peace 

 i-ieam on the cottage of Venoni. 1" 



