tigues of the chase......reposing among her Nymphs. A religious horror thrilled my every vein........I wished to retreat......but my stedfast eyes refused to quit the object of my apprehension.......I continued to gaze, till I thought the stars shed an unusual lustre on the scene.... and I beheld.......with indefinable joy ....my adored Psyche. Thus did the propitious Goddess bless my temerity with a vision more grateful to my heart, than if she had descended in person to hail me her Endymion. My transport was unbounded.......I had no longer any inclination to retire........ My only thoughts were, how I should present myself without terrifying my lovely Psyche......who,..... at such an hour.....and in such a place .......could not dream of intrusion..... particularly from a man. She leaned against one of the statues ......her posture was that of profound meditation. I gazed fondly on her charms...and, as she continued immovable......I had an opportunity of so placing myself that she could not fail to see me, the moment she raised her eyes from their pensive study. This little stratagem repaid my fondest wishes.....she looked up....saw me.....started! She immediately recognised me...... and confusion.......rather than displeasure......was the expression of her animated countenance. An indifferent beholder.........even a Faun or Satyr......would have been inspired with some elegant compliment to salute this blooming goddess........ It was a moment that could not elude the vigilance of gallantry......but I......who was impressed with my own peculiar devotion for this fair object.....had not power to utter a single syllable. I longed to prostrate myself at her feet......Still that timidity which is inseparable from true love.......restrained the transport.....I feared to offend.....I feared the freedom might give her ideas injurious to the respect I felt for her person. My agitated frame trembled before. her...she perceived my embarrassment, and, with that native...modest...dignity which at first attracted my attention and gave her a decided preeminence over her lovely companions........advanced three steps........and then addressed me in a voice of melodious sweetness. 66 What chance can have brought thee hither Agathon?" The words entered at my ear.....but the soft affecting pathos of the tones insinuated to my very soul, where..... even at this distant period..........they deliciously reverberate. I was too confused to reply....At last I ventured to assure her,........that my presence was altogether accidental..... and that I should never have presumed on the visit, had I known she had been there. This certainty was not the sort of compliment a young beauty might have expected.....or the reply a gallant Athenian would have chosen for the occasion....but it was dictated by simplicity .......and Psyche was too artless to be mortified. "I see my own imprudence"...said she....." though too late.... What must you think, at finding me thus alone ".....in this solitary spot.....and at this "still more solitary hour?.....But"..... and she blushed......." since fate has "willed that I should find a witness "to my folly.......he has been kind in 66 selecting Agathon for the purpose." ....I hastened to reply......assuring her, I thought nothing could be more natural than her taste for solitude so beautifully decorated....that the peaceful calm of the night inspired heavenly sensations...and I warmly descanted upon the magnificent splendor of the starry firmament......embellishing the scenery before us. I fancy most young ladies would have thought this famous sentimental speech very unappropriate...........The silence of the myrtle grove.......the serenity of a clear summer's evening... the claims of youth and beauty, mutually opposed to each other,...might have engendered a more spirited subject for our entertainment.........But Psyche was the soul of sensibility...... these objects harmonized with her feelings, and produced the most delicately-pleasing reflections. |