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to cover myself. I envy Ihy unknown glory , noble 

 old man , and thy conversations will be ail my joys. 

 If then thou doest not find me unworthy , I will 

 be Ihy well beloved spouse. I feel that it is I 

 whom the destinies hâve designed to fix on for a 

 work totally new. Were I only charged to pay 

 the debt of the gods whom thou hast honoured ; 

 of men to whom thou hast consecrated the la- 

 bours of thy vigorous intelligence ; were I only 

 destined to make the end of thy sublime career 

 ressemble the evening of a fine day ; such a 

 heavenly favour would suffice me. Oh ! fear not my 

 youth : my father has laught me serions thoughts, 

 he has accustomed me to relish grave discourses ; 

 my hand is not unqualified for the works of my 

 sex , and poetry has revealed to me some of 

 her secrets. Yes , when thy mind fatigued with' 

 high méditations shall require repose , with thy 

 permission , t will seat myself at thy feet and 

 ravish thy soûl by charming concerts. » Thèse 

 were the words of Vola, and from that day she 

 became the happy spouse of Talaon. 



« The gods smiled on this union ; a year was 

 scarcely elapsed , before a marvellous nymph des- 

 tined to an immortal memory , was born in the 

 mansion of the sage. She wasnamedEuridice, thatis,' 

 in the maternai tongue , the daughter of the vi- 

 sion , because Vola recognized the child which 

 had been ofFered to her in a divine dream. » 



« Hère Thamyris , seized with a poetical enthou- 

 siasm . suspends his relation , and taking bis lyre 



