(95) 



history of the ancient world , the war of Ihe élé- 

 ments , inhabitable countries emerging little by little 

 from chaos as islands rise from the tempest ? Ah ! if 

 destiny had permitted a son to succeed him , 

 without doubt he would hâve prepared in quite 

 a différent way the mind of a mighty one. Bu 

 I hâve already told you , the race of Titans is 

 finished ; no son will inherit the eminent facul- 

 ties of Talaon ; and his daughter , the tender beam 

 of his high facuUies , will hâve nothing to ac- 

 complish by herself. 



a Meanwhile Talaon and Vola plunged respec- 

 ting this , in the same ignorance as you in Ihis 

 moment , were not without anxiety for the future 

 fate of their beloved child. In the bosom of this 

 deep solitude they could not entertain the hope of 

 seeing her form ties which should for ever assure 

 her happiness. Their dwelling was rarely visi- 

 ted, and, for the most it was by obscure men, 

 strayed travellers who came to implore liospita- 

 lity j or by indigent fishermen , who were in want 

 of subsistance, n Alas ! — Said frequently the tow 

 spouses , will our daughter never know^ a feli- 

 cilv iike that we hâve enjoyed together ? Will 

 she never find a spouse according to her own hearl? 

 A great power of love reposes in her already se- 

 rious soûl. Nay she already finds less jjleasures 

 in weaving into garlands the flowers of the mea- 

 dow- She already takes her harp less frequently, 

 or else she quits it to indulge in vague thoughts. 

 She listens longer to the murmuring of Ihe brook , 



