THE $ Xciuhew, Pfi*tft> Collier-Gate, York Shepherdess of the Alps. A MORAL TALE IN that part of the Alps, amidft the high mountains of Savoy, very near the road that leads from Briancon to Modena, is a lone ly valley, whofe folitarv afpect iaftiis into the mirids of all who travel through it, a fort of pleafing melancholy. 1 hree hills in the form of an amphitheatre, on which fomeihepherd9 , huts are-fcattered at feveral diftances, interfperfed with chumps of lofty trees, ftreams tumbling down the mountains in cafcades, and pafiures ever green, compofe the beautiful landfcape of this natural fcene. Count Fonrose and 'his Lady were returning from prance to Italy, when their Coach broke down as they were paCing through the valley ; and as the day was on the decline, they were obliged to look for fome place of apver, where to pafs the night. Whiift they advanced towards one of the" huts, they perceived a flock of meep, drove by a ihepherdefs, whofe walk and air filled them with aftoniihment, and their ears with the fweet accents ©f Jier melodious voice, which the eefcos repeated m plaintive founds. How bcautiful's thefetting fun ! .Its daileycourfe now almoft run, We can behold its charms, More pleafing are its fainter rzjBj Then when in full meridian blaze-— It dazzles whiift it warms. Ihua it wfrl prove, faid me. wheu after a painful race the wearied foul arrives at the wiiVd-for gaol, and salmly drops into eternity, to renew its vigour in the pure fource of immortality. But, alas how diflant is the profpect ! how fiowly it partes away. Tn faying thefe ^^rdethe ftepherdefs. moved en j her head declined y wiift — IHIIlTWHll I — Sheplierdefs of the Alps, C S a fupinefs in her attitude which gave cafe and dignity t& her trait and rr.eln. Struck with amrzemeut at what they faw, and more with whar they heard,, the Count and Count efs redoubled their, fteps to overtake her. But what was their iuprile, when under herffcoarfe ftraw hat and mean apparel, they met with every beauty, every grace Fray, child, faid the CoUntefs, (finding Ihe en- deavoured to il.un them) be not alarmed: we are travel- lers, that an accident obliges us to ask for fhelter until the morning in onecof yonder cabins: be fo kind as to - be ou; guide. 1 am very forry madam anfwered the fhep- . herdeis, binmieg, and calling down her eyes, that you will be but ill accomodated as thefe huts belong to very poor people. Yon live here, 1 fuppose,' faid the Couutefs ; and furely, I may put up with the inconve- niences for one night when you undergo them continual- ly. 7 here its a wide differerence (laid the modell fhep- herdefs) I am brought up to it. I cannot believe that (interrupted Count Fonrofe) not able any longer to hide bis emotion^ no- you were not formed for fuch harHfhips. Fortune is nnjuft, or how is it pcffible that so lovely a perfon mould be reduced to liue oblcurely, in so low and ordinary a drefs ? Fortune, replied Adelaide, ( io was the fhepherdefs named ) is not to be beamed, but when fhe deprives us of what foe has qiven us before My condi- tion has its fweets from one that knows no other ftate in life. Cuftom and.ex?mple create wants for the wealthy which the poor are ignorant of. it may be io with thole that are born in this folitude, faid the ( ount ; but for you charming unknown, you are not what yon feem to be ; your air, voice, and language* all betray yoiMp dtfguise, Thefe few words which have fallen from your lips, djicover a noble foul and a cul.tferated education. O ! tejl us, lovely creature, what cruel turn of fate has low- ered you to this condition ? ,\ man under misfortune replied Adelaide, has a thouf^.yid means to extricate him- felf, but a woman in fuch caies hag no refoui ce but fer- vitude, and the choice of a matter, methinks it is beft to prefer the gocd virtuous. You are g*» : ng to £ce 4 Flicpheiflas of -the Aflxw n.inc. and you will be delighted with the innocence o* tie.r Uves and the candid iimplicity of their manners. As (he wa. flaking they arrived at the hut. It was divided by a partition From the fhecpfold, into vdiich the fl-eohcrcU-ls turned her flock, counting them over unh t moit.ferioHS attention, heedkfs of the ftrsngers, wh* her^itb ^miration. 1 he old folks, inch as pre- tthttd ff-icw and Philemon, received the.r guefts with tS honeii ftmpie courteiy which recalled the golden age, m have nothing to offer you, M the good wom*n but tff-n ftvaw for your bed, and a hearty .welcome to fuch ^visions as he avena{h,rc] 8 us, milk, fruit and oaten Lead On entering the cabin they were, amazed to fee :the order and neat nek that appeared every an habitation. tabic was av/abut board, W!y policed by frequent rubbmg ; tneir earthen dithes and dairy pans (bone with the nicett cleanlmefs; every thing orefented the image of content^ poverty, groud to have for to fopply the real fow of nature^ Tis our /dear daughter, ffid the good old woman, who manages ll cur tittle affairs. At break ot day bejore the leads her nocks to the hills and dales, * l>en they are mpping about our hut the fwect grafs. fm charged with the ^crnir^ ccv, the employs that rime in pitting all things fa the neat order and manner you fee them placed- ' What 1 faid the Countefs int.er.rup d her Is tne mep- herdefs indeed .our daughter! Would to heaven lire was, replied the good cre.t.rt ; the is the daughter of ™ Wt, and .1 have, a mother's fondnds for V-er: but Tim not Vo happy a, to have brought fuch perfects into the world, no: are we worthy of fuch honor V* bo a the then > Whence came fU < What misfortunes have lercedher'tofolo. a nation > -Ml that * a iecret t. «i Thiccyear.ago^e came here m the habit of a l^audoffed uv ud our th.eep. She woub, have b^n Veicometo that our link yit- o t takrie upon het L< painful task 5 f° *»k> »** ^eetnefs of her pe?ftft ^blaviour engages our hearts. V. e could no be. ^a^^d lu a cottage. Our Qucttioas madchec Shepherdefs of the -Alps nneafy. vVe debiled from father enquiry as theytaen^ ed to difturb her. As our knowledge of her good qua- lities encreafed fo did our refped ; .j but the more v/e ftrove to ihew her that refped the more (he humbled her- felf before us. No never had a child for its parents a more tender regard, a more conttant care. She cannot obey becaufe it is impoffiole for us to command ; but (he dives into our hearts and prevents our withes before we can almoft form them. She is an angel defcended from heaven to be the comfort of our age. What is (he dc- ing now in the iheepfold J asked the Countefs. She milks the ewes and the fhe goats, toilers the young kids and Iambs, and gives themfrelh litter. Thecheefe me makes is called delicious ; no doubt for having been prefled with, her neat hands. I carry it to the market and have not near enough to furmfh all thofe who would wifh to cuftomers. When the dear child h tending the ilicep iu the pafiurc, fhe employs herfelf in works of plaited draw, which are univerfally admiredi I wifh you 'were to fee with what dexterity fhe weaves the plain ofier twigs, and mats the tender flexible rufhes. t here is nothing let it appear eyer fo perfect but what the can improve upon. You fee, madam, continued the oil dame, in all ctoout you is ait image of m eafv. contented life : it was • (h2 who procured it ; it was fhe', this angelic creature*/ whofe fole endeavour is to m ike us happy. But is lhe happy ? faid the Countefs. fhe does all the can to make as believe fo, laid the old Piuior : but I have made my dame obferved that fhe oftentimes returns from the paflure with a deje&ed look, her eyes ftiil moift with tears ; but as^ foon as ihc fee us she affects a {mile. 'Tis eafy to per* cetve ih&re is fome gnawing grief that preys upon her heart; the caufe of which Ve dare not alk. And then,, faid the old Man, what concern does me not give me when in fpite of all our intreatiea- in the fevered wea^ ther, the dear creature will lead abroad her bleating care,, . A thoufand times have I requeued her, in the moft ear-- neti manner, to Jet me now and th'£ft rcJkve her ; but my reauelis have never been complied wl{h. She riles with £>hep nerd el's or the Alps- the fus, conducts the flock and does not return tin it lets, often (hivermg with cold. How is it poflibie, ihe would fay, with all the tendernefs of a loving child, how is it poffible that I mould eonfent to let you leave your fire fid e ,. to be expofed at your age to the inclemen- cy of the i'eafon, which 1 young as I am can fearce fug- port- At the fame time s (lie comes loaded with faggots, which fhe gathers in the wood ; and when ihe dees I am troubled at the fatigue ihe muft undergo, ^Do-n't^e uneafy, my'dear mother, fays flie, exercie pro- cures me W armth and bbour is fit for my age. In inert Had am fhe is as good as the is beautiful. My hufband and I never fpeak. or" her hut with tears of affection. What If you were deprived of Rei ?fatd the Countefs. Why anfwered the old fhepherd we mould be deprived <9f all that is dear to us in the world ; but if Ihe is to be the happier for it. we fhoald die, gnd oar misfortune would be her comfort. Oh ! may kind heaven heap bleffin^s on her head. There are none io great, but what (he deferves. I was in hopes her dear hands would have clofed my eyes, for I love her much more than life. Adelaide's comiug put an end to the couverfation. ■■ One Juud held a pan of milk, the other a bafket of fruit ; and after curtfying with a grace peculiar to herfelf, fhe fet about the 1 ^ " ' " :f 7; taVen notice of. My ' dear child faid the Countefs, you give yourfelf a deal of trouble. Not at all, madam ; i endeavour to fulfil the intention of the bell: of people, ivhok fervant I am, to treat you in the beft manner with what their little c*n orodece ; but I am ai raid, coivmued -he whilft she fpreading a coarfe table cloth as white as riow, that you will mak« but a forry me. I, Foe breid if brown, but very lavory; the eggs are new laid, the tp. ilk frefii drawn, and the fruit juit gathered, luch a, the feaibn affords, r "Diligence, attention and modeft deportmeatj m every minute duty of hospitality, were CO^;^ ao us in this wonderful llicpherdels. " Af> me frugal rep'aft Count JctiU$tif& ¥M^Sm^^i retired to reft on the bed, Shepherdess of the Alps. t though but of ftraw, which Adelaide had prepared fo th^m. Is not our adventure furprifing ? Let us endea- vour to unraval themyftery of this pretended lhepher- defs, invite her to accompany us and make her happy if we can. Early in the morning one of the Count's fervants came to inform his mailer he mi^ht o r oceed onr ■ -> A his journey as foon as his honour pleafed, for the coach, was feeurefy repaired; It was therefor ordered up ; but before they left thefe honeft people., the Countefs defirecl amoment's converfation with the perfon who ftiled he£~ felf their fen ant. Adelaide came to receive her commands. Without defiring to penetrate -into the fecret of your birth, cc into whatever is the caufe your diltrefs, I feel fenfibly interefted in all that concerns your welfare 'lis evident that your courage riles fuperiorto your misfortunes, an«? that you conform your behaviour fuitable to your prefent circumftances. Tis true, the charms and virtues which, you poffefs render your condition now as it is refpe&ablc but it h not a condition defigned for you. It is in my power, amiable unknown, to alter it, as the Count's in- tentions are quite agreeable to mine. I want a bofoia friend ; and what I have feen in you, I (hall confider my- serf pollened or an lneiumaDie trcauirey t5 you come n w to be mv friend and compaaion Drive from your mind the leaft fhadow of dependence. You were not formed for fervitude ; and mould my fond prejudice deceive me„i 1 would rather lift you above your birth, then leave yoa below it. In fhort, 1 feek a real friend, One that I can: cpnfide in. Be not under any concern about thefe good people-: I fhall compenfate to them for their lofs ; at leait fo far as to enable them to pafs the remainder of their lives in peace and comfort : and from your hands they ihall receive my conftaxt bounty. The poor old people^ who were prefent, fell upon their knees and kilted the hand of the *Countefs ; then turning to Adelaide, tbevp conjured her in the moft prefiing terms to accept the ge- nerous propofal of the Countefs We cannot at our pe- riod oflife.be far from the grave' and as it lias beea g Shepherd efs of the Alps. our con font ftudy to render our lives happy, fo mull our deaths leave you comfortlels in this folitary plaee.— The he fhephcrdefs embracing them, and mixinger tears with thciro, returned a tin-uland thanks to their noble ♦futfts, with- a.fwectr.efo that incrcaled her charms. I f %unot faid fhe accept otyour favom 1 ; heaven has marked my deft hied -lot ; but I lhail always, with the mo ft grate- riii heart acknowledge your jjoodnenk ; and the name of Fonrore will never be abfent from my memory. 'Now the only &ing 1 ilequefl of you is, to bury this adven. iure in eternal filence, and never to reveal the fate of an unknown peifoli, who is determined to live and die in oblivion.. The. Cov.nt and (.'cuntei's redoubled their fo- 'imitation, but a'' in vain — (lie was immoveable. The travellers parted from their charming Ihepherdcfs in re* tiremcnt. During, their journey their converfation was engroffed with this ftrj5nge adventure, which appeared to them to be like a romance. They arrived at Turin, their imma- giriations full of it ; and you may be lure their rtquefted filence was not obierved. The charms and virtues of n.is unknown fhepherdefs where an inhauftible refource off vii and ccniccture. Yonr.ji-1'^iu^fe, their oaty i, was o.'ten prefent at their converfation, and never let a fyigte circumstance efcaoe his memory. He was of that age when imagb.aiion is moil fanguine, and the heart moll fnfceptible of receiving tender impreflions; but was of the character of thofe who retain the feelings of their fcnfibi!'.ty within the mfe Ives ; and . which are fo much more violently agitated when they burft from their ifj.nenierftf having never been relaxed by ciiiiipatiom AH the wonders he heard related of the valley of Savoy, raifed in his foul the moft paffiouate defire of ferving her. Tb.$ dbje<£l which his imagination had formed is ever iH xi:- min4« Kg compares it to all he fees, and all he fees L loft rri the companion- The more his impatience in- crcafed, the more he endeavoured to difguife it. Turin i'^Die iniupportable ; the \ alley where the inefUmabjjj jevjfei wacTud, was the loriftone that attratVed 'his' heat*; \ Siicplicrdcfs o the AlpV. |$ Is there He placed all happinefs ; but how to get *s% it? If his dengue are found out, xvhat tiifficui ties -t* furmount ! His parents will never confent' to the jour- ncy he intends? it will not be looked upon as the mere effc&s of curiofity, but be deemed a youthful folly* that may have bad confequences ; and the mepherdefs may be alarmed at his prefence, and (hun his addrefles ; if k id difcovered he- lefes her for ever. After three months Iruggle, he determined to quit ail for her alone, and inder thedif guise of a fhtpherd, find her out in the fe joefterea Vale, and there remain till death if he couKi jot prevail on her to leave it ' He difappeared. Hi« Father and mother miffed hiirrwrth great conllematicn, md waited his return-v/ith the utmoft impatience. Their ipprehenfions increafed more and more ; and his abfence :ontinuing the whole f family was plunged into deflation Hieir fruitlefs fearch and inquiries completed their dis- ;refs; untill at lafl. thofe unfortunate parents art reduced .0 lament the lofa of their darling fon. V. hilit th<*. ifui&ed family of Fonrofe was in this dejeclion, their : on arrived in the Vale which has been defciibedj and in. he habit of ? psafaot preferred hitnfelf to forms or the neighbouring cottagers, and offuedhis ft; vices. His;, ambition is iatisfied He is accepted of, and a floci* 1* :ommitted to care. At frrft he did nothing Jjut fol- ow the iheep wherever they chofe to feed, in hopes that chance would direct him to the fame paftures wheie the beautiful mepherdefs fed her flock. The uhfoappy at fometimesj thought he, may liften to the voice of comfort . It is an averfion to the world, and dehre of a retired quiet life that defe|ins her here. She will expeiien^, feme tedious hours, when fhe will not be diipkaled to meet with a friendly intcrcourfe, nor avoid a viituous, converfation. Should I prove fo fortunate as to make mine agreeable, T fhall have great hopes of ioniahin* more. Should 1" gain her friendmip, friendfhip will fol- low of courfe, and friendlhip k ciffeie:;! t fSz$ it ncariv aHkd to lore- •'. . Shephcvdcfs of the Alps.' .' Wh ' 1 ^ !ie indulged himfelf with the fe pleafio* feff^n ;' c 7 t s erf* w*Mered on the beautiful fcencs of the Vdtle^ j he; heard ar fome diftance the found of that ra- viauno- vo-ce whofe- melody he had been fo often told of -wnich raifed an emotion in his breauyas great as if & bad b:en an accident unexpected. She W the follow- _wg. words ° Sweet Solitude to which ! fly, Of every blifs bereft ; ' TherS ■ Anion's cm*, enjoy, , f . rp, f ' The onI ) r h °v<- that's left ; I hc4e melancholy complaint* pierce $ Fonrofe's teridef T'r 1 ! r . W,ienc " i^ef that coTvfumes her ! what , pleafure to afford her . comfort ! ht durft not raife hiai fiopes any higher as yet h might perhaps alarm he V ifj ne yielded to his impatient Ion 'in- to behold her,: it! • was iufficient fo, the firft time to ha w hear • -th language which love engraves in his heart takes up his thoughts, and* fills his ioul with irrefistable paffion How faintly, fai& he, was fhe defcribed. The lovely beauty is unknown to the world, whofe admiration fhe deferves. She that 4 would grace a throne, lives under the thatch of a cottage* employed in the low occupation of feeding meep. fvi what poor garments does fhe appear. But me embe!if$. , es every thing, and nothing can demean her. What fo delicate a frarn^ made for io laborious a life* < Homely^, food- Straw her bed- O heavens ! She has the thorns for whom do you preferve the rpfes ? Sl hofe pensive notes My lamentation join, Ah ! what avails your warbling throaty Can they footh woes like mine ? AH feeirc around to mare my grief, As if to assuage my pain ; But mine admits of no relief, And comfort fpeaks in vain, Tonrofe, moved to his inmoit foul with her complain- inig, so melodiously expreffed, could not rciiain from taking up his hautboy. She conHnued, ? : jadHfi accom- panied her fweet voice*. ghejplier^efs of-Ae ATpST. t if" " ttfever was a unifon more harmonious. Is this an e«- chantment ? faid Adelaide. Can I believe my fenfes t '^is no mean {hepherd 5 tissome fupernatural being that! U'm Hftening to. Nature may give a bent; but great mafters and conftant praaice alone can reach to fuch per- fe&ion. As (he was thus musing, the Vale refounded With a rural or rather a divine fymphony. Adelaide imagined Ihe faw realized thefe prodiges, which poetry attributes to murk- her braliant filler Aftomffced and confufed fhe could not determine whether ttrapproach or retire. Mean while the young {hepherd was collcCang his flock, to lead it back to the cottage, He is not confeious, faid {he, of the plcafure he communicates around ; he is not the least vain of his perfedion, he does not expeft the praifes I owe, which are fo justly his due. Such are the f'weets of music, it is the omy talent that finds enjoyment in itfelf, all others must have witnefses or elfe partakers. Music was a gift from hea- ven bestow ed upon man in h state of innocence, it is the purest of all pleafure arid 'M only one that 1 can neldto, Hook upon this fliephmd as an echo that comes to repeat my grace. Fonrofe, in his turn, ageded to avoid her. Adelaide was concerned at it. Alas, fai (he, I give myfelf up too eafily to the little comfort I felt : I am deprived of it for my punifhment. One day as they met, as if by chance, Shepherd, do you had your flocks to*, great difiacce? Thefe words uttered from her fweet hps, caus- ed in Fonrofe's heart fuch an emotion as almoft deprived him of his voice. I cannot tell, replied he, with henta- tion, it is not me who lead the sheep, it is the sheep thet lead me: they are better acquainted then I am with the paftures. And I let them range wherever they pleafe to £0 From whence came you ? faid Adelaide. I wa« born on the other lide of the Alps. Were you brought up to a shepherd's life ? No doubt ; fmce I am one I v as deftined for it. That is what I can fcarce beheve, replied she, gazing on him with fixed attention, lour ■4alentg, .language, and air all convince to the con^rjgy. 14 'Shephfirdefs' of tlies A3pif You are very good, anfwered Fonrofe; does i't become *ycu to tax nature of beftowicg her favours with a Spar- ing hand on thofe of your condkion— -ou whom fhe has formed more for a queen than a fhepherdefs ? Ade- laide blushed, and waved the diieourfe The other day faid fhe your hautboy accompanied my voice with fuch a mailerlv art, a< muft Item a prodigy intone brought ap to feedfheep. Tis to your finding, rephed Fonrofe, that is fo admirable in a fhepherdefs What were you never inflru&ed ? iJke you 1 Kale no Qt$£) gxude than my heart and my ear — You fun*; ; 1 wae riH.ved j what my hearted?, my inftrument exprefles ] b^-alhe it in- to my very foal- Thar is aH my lecret ; nothing is mere natural, 'irhis i3 inert oiMc &id AdeHde. .1 thou ht fo too , replied he, wfcilfi iivienmg'-tc yp-ur, voice, and now am convinced of it: though {ojimirnes nature and love will fiplickfomeiy bellow .--die.ij. enoiqeft favbvrt on the , -meaner! ohjcfb to fhew. there iv no cqndiuon be it ever fo low, but what they -cin" ennoble. - Whilft tho thus difcouried, advancing in Kht Valley, . Fonrofe. animated with a fan all ray of I g n to •make relound with rapturous notes- what pleafare •> ; ires. Ah cease cried Adelaide, -fpare rci\tlje image 6i a fentiment i never more fhail tafte This foiimde is cpn- fecrated to grief; thefe echoes are unuieV to repeat the accents *r joy ; all here join . with my iarrentetiom I am not without woes, faid the young (hephe>d ; dthout woes, fetching - a- deep figh, which was followed by a paufe of filence. What has-caufed your afflictions ; of what do you complain ; is • it of mankind ; is it of fate ; I cannot tell All tha| I know is that I am not happy ; •pr3y inquire no further into my fituation. Heat me, faid Adelaide, jicaven has made us acquainted to be a mu- tual inpport to each other's woes, mine are a burden', under which my heart sinks down with diefpondency whoever you be, though unhappy, you are companion- ate. J believe you are worthy of the confidence I {hall • repofe in you ; but youmutl promife me that the confi- ^ezice /hall be reciprocal. Alas, fcid Fonrofe, my woes ML** - ShepWclefe of the Ai t $ are p of a nature perhaps newr to be relieved. JMeet me to morrow, -faid Adelaide, at the foot of this JiJjJ, under the fpreading oak where you heard metnoan. 1^ will there reveal what will excite your cortimiferation "T hey parted, Fonrofe passed the night with great inquietude his fate depended on what he was to hear , he dreaded the disclofnre of a tender unhappy pasc-ion. If me loves another lam undone. ' & He fet out to the rendezvous, and the fair fhepherd- efs arrived foon . after. The mora was overcast rath. My parents oojeded to our union, and reefed their" cor;!cr*\ Harried on by pafii- oin I agreed to a private mirriagt. facred to virtuous fouls-, but disapproved by laws, Italy ^23 then the feat of war. My hiifband was odered to jftin the corps he waa to command ; and I went wit!, him & far as Brian con. There my fooh'm fondnefs prevailed- on him to re- main with me three day.\ which he pafTeti with extreme relu&ance, I facriftce, laid he, my duty for you- But what had I not faerificed for jhiru. Hi 6 Shepn ttMs o the* A Ips* " He afterwards fet out, but with a foreboding that " 4crnfied me. I accompanied him to this Valley, where we took leave of each other, and I returned to Brfancon. In a few days, a report of a battle was fpread about. I was fure my dear Orefton was there. Wifliing it for his honour, but fearing it for my love. When 1 received a letter from him [which afforded me great comfort] it in. formed, that fuch a day, fuch an hour I mould find him in the Valley, under the fame oak where I had bid him farcwelthat he mould be alone ; and defired to meet me unaccompanied ; adding that he only lived for me. Alas, how incocfiderate I was. I percived nothing in his letter but Jus impatience to see me and that impatience was to me very flattering. I was exad to the appoint- ment. Mr. Orefton received me in the moft tender manner. Ah, my dear Adelaide, faid he, ycu would have it fo. I have failed in my duty at the moft import- ant crifis of my life. What I feared has eome to pafs. The battle was given ;epreffed witk gmf, deprived of food, my feeble Ks»4t Shepherdefs of the Alps. * 7 were two davs employed in performing this Jail fad dut/ and T then formed a determined refolnti n to remain t& this folitude till death unite us. Gnawing hunger prey;'" ed upon my vitals, and I thought myfelf criminal i'ei preventing nature from fupporting a life more Lulu p port- able to me than death J changed my drefs fov this of a lingle ihepherdefs, and I look upon this valley as rriy only afylum. Ever since 1 have had no other eorafort but that of weeping over this grave, which I hope will foon be my own. " You tee with what fincerity I open to you my in- mofl foul. Henceforth I may weep in your prefence without restraint ; a relief my overburdened heart Hands much in need of. I expect you will put the fame con- fidence iu me, as that I have repofed in you. Do not imagine that I am impofed upon. I am certain that you are no more a ihepherd than I am a fhepherdefs. You are young, perhaps in love; If I guefs aright, our mis- fortunes flow from the fame fource. The fimilitude of our conditions will make us feel the more for each other. I look upon you a3 one whom heaven, moved with my afflic^ionsj has fent in'ft this folitude to fave me from jdefpair, Xook upon me as a fincere friend, capable o£ giving, if not fat ^factory adv'ce, at lf4, A fea example of t*ue resignation to the divine will." Ah, Madam, fa id 3*onrpfe overwhelmed with what he heard, whatever tender fen fibillty my heart is prone to feel, you arel.'.r rrom imagining with what deep con- cern the recital of your woes has affe&ed me ; the im- preffion will remain as long as life. Should I have a'fe- cret referred from vo i ; fiom you who have a fight, after what you have entruitcd me with, to fcrutinue my very foul? But as I" toil you before, and as my forboding heart apprehended, fuch is the nature of my woes, that I am doomed to conceal - them in eternal iilence. Be aot offended charming friend, at a filence. which is my great ell torment. Unhappy as you are* I am ftill more fo, I will be your conftant companion , endeavour to mitir gate your knows, and help to cafe you in an employ* 1 8 fhepherdefs of the Alps I merit too laborious for your delicate frame. Let me be a partaker of your grief ; and when weeping over the tomb, permit me to mix my-teajs. with yours Never will you have caufe to repent having deposited your fe- cret iu an unfoitunate heart, that feels all the value oi' itstruft. Adelaide replied, with fome confufion, confefs- ed that (he repented it already, and retired without fur- ther difcoune. From her abrupt depa> ture, fbe few in: Fonrofe's countenance all the signs of an affected mind. Alas faid'fhe, I have renewed his fufFerings. O what fufrerings muft they be, that can give him -grounds to. fuppofe hmfelf more wretched than me. No more mu- sic ; no more converfatiou. They neither feemed to seek nor fhun each other. Looks that fpoke: their minds was all their language, it was very expressive. When he found her weeping over her husbwad's gra^we he beheld her with mute attention, full of jcaloufy. grief and pity, until her groans were tchoed by his. A fhort time pad in painful c«»nfii£r, when Adelaide observed how the youth wafted away,, faded like a blooming flower, juft blafted by fome malignant planet. The grief that confumed him gave her iftuch concern, as not being entrufted with what occasioned his^trouMe, it was out of ■her power to adminifter hun CT - '' ' - j'f&ured "tnat-ncne**. ^8 the caufe of his diftrefa. There is an obfervation, founded on nature, that when the foul admits of two paffions, they will of courfe, weaken each other. Adelaide's regret for • he love of Oreilon grew Ids in proportion as h*r commiferation encreafed for the iliepherd. * She was certain that it proceeded from no motive but what the molt innocent friend ihip fuggeftcd ; nor did it ever occur to her not to indulge it ; for ieeing the youth plunged in fo fettled a gloom, fhe thought it iocumbect upon her, a' terwhac -die had proofed for him not to leave him to himfelf. Unhappy youth, faid ihe the itTit time they met after he' refolve, you perilh daily, and give me the fruidels concern of .beholding you confume away, and not be able to afford yon the lead comfort. 33 the recital @£m£ imprudent conducY has not altered Shepherdefs of the Alps.. 19: your opinion of me ; if the sincereft friendmip fa dear unto you ; in fhort if it will not render me more unhap- py thanbrfore our acquaintance, tell me I conjure you, the caufe of your affliction's. Was the fecret more im- portant than mine, you need not apprehend the difclo- jure of it from me. Oreftpn's death is an eternal bar- rier between the world and me. The fecret of your woe, which I defired to be acquainted with' and for your fake, not for mine, would have been depofited in Prefton's tomb, with his faithful widow' and your fin- cere friend I hope, faid Fonrofe, it will be my fate to die nr£.— . Ah, madam, let me end my deplorable life, without leaving you to reproach yourfelf with having fhortened 'it. O heavens, Hie cried, what I ? Can I have contri- buted to increafe the^ woes under which you druggie. — Eafe my tortured heart, and tell me wh*. L have faid. What have I clone to aggravate your afflictions ? Speak I fay — yon have revealed too much, to hide yourfelf any longer : I do inhii upon knowing who you are. Since you will force from me- fo peremptorily the fatal fecret, know that I am — trial "I am Fonrofe. the fon of thofe you lately filled with admiration and refpeCt'. All that I have heard them relate of your virtue '~ ' k'uta cnorfluo> ill— .j,.. n-ucugn of feeing you undet this - difguife. I "Have fecn you, and my fate is fixed. My family are in the deepert diltrefs. They conclude me j a ft for ever. Confcious of your attachment to this fpot I have no other hope but to die adoring you. Foroear t offer me any ufelefs advice ; My refoiution is as im. m ovable as your own. If by betraying niy. confidence, you divulge my fecret, you will but diitnrb the lafl: eb~ ri^iinuicr iife. and will have to impute to your- ^ lf^blame' which you mall never have caufe to impute to me. Adelaide, altonithed at what {he had heard, en. a eavoured to footh hia defpair. I will reftore him, faid fhe, to his affiided parents, and fave their only hope from death- Heaven has procured me this o'ppertumty ta. acknowledge- their goodaefa, Wherefore, fifrW?*. 2* Shepherdefs of the A^ps, affecting an ill-timed rigour, the adopted every means the mofl infinnatirtg fi iead could fugged, to calm and comfort h'.m. Sweet angel, cried Fonrofe, I fee with what re- luctance you are forced to render any one rniferabte ; your heart is devoted to him who lies in that tomb, no power oi> earth can draw it thence:. I fee with what condefceniion your virtue attempts to veil your unhappi* nt fs. 1 feej your goodnefs in its full extent : and fink- ing under it I forgive you, Tis \ our duty never to lov?> nie, and mine is to adore you for ever. Adelaide, im- patient to pur in execution the design (he had formed, ar- rived at the hut. Father,. faid the" to the old Paftor, do you think youfcfelf able to undertake a journey to Turin I want a perfon that I can rely- on, to carry the Count and Countefs Fonrofe intelligence of what concerns their whole happinefs. My zed, replied the old man, to ferve them, will give me ftrength equal to my inclina- tion. Go then, continued (he, you will find them at prefent lamenting the death of their only child. "J ell them that he is living , and that it is their poor Adelaide that will reftore him to their arms. But at the fame "une inform them that there is an indifpenfible neceffity q£ their ,; n - er fon to fetch him. He fet out on the initant, anj 'arrived iafe at The CourTS kfflfe tif Turiu. He now lent in word that the old man of the Valley of Savoy was come to wait on them. Ah, cried the Countefs, perhaps fome mibfortuue has befallen our lovely fhepherdefs. Bid the old man enter, faid the Count ; who knows but Adelaide confents to come and live with us It would be the only comfort that I can tafte after the death of my fori. The old man is in- troduced. He embraced their knees ; they islis hlsi Lgj. their arms. Weep, not, faid he the death of your ion. . I am come to inform you that he is alive. Our dear child has difcovered him in the Valley, and djfpatched me with the pleafing intelligence to .Turin ; but (he fays that yourfelves, and none but you, can bring him home Whilft he was fpeaking, the Countefs fainted, overcome, witrvTurprize and joy. The Count calls for affiilance Shephcrdefs of" the Alp* 2& She revives. They embrace the old lliepherd by turns and acquaints the whole houfe with the fubjecl of their traniport. How fhall we fhew our gratitude faid the Conntefs. How can v/e requite a benefaction which re- ftored us to life. They fet out irmr-ediately on their jour- r.ey, and arrived with the greateft expedition. Leaving their equipage at fome difiance they proceed to the hut through the vale which contained all that was dear unto them. Adelaide was tending the flock as ufual. The old darne conducted them to the place where fhe was; Kcw great their furorife when they beheld their beloved fon with the fhepherdefs under the habit of a simple paftor. Ah, cruel child, cried Fonrofe's mother, throw- ing her arms about his r*eck, what troubles have you not enven us. What could induce you to leave your affec- tionate parents. What ia your bufmefs here. To adore what vou fo much admired. Madam, (aid Ade- laide, whilft Fonrofe embraced his Other's knees, you would not have been fo long a prey to grief, had I dis- covered fooner vour dear fon. After the fir ft effufions of nature were over, Fonrofe relapsed into his former melancholy. Come, said the Countefs' let us go and reoofe ourfelves in the cabin, and forget the woes this young madman has plunged us in. Ti3 very true, faid Fonrofe to his father, who led him by the hand, what else but the deprivation of reafon could fufpend the emotions of naiur-;, and make me forget the moft facred duties, what but ma.'nefs 7 was you innocently gave rife to it, and I am feverely puniflv d, for I am in love with the mot amiable and accompliihtd perfoa in the world- r l he Count replied you have feeu but little of her ; and kuow but little of this incomparable lady. Honour, virtue, and feasibility She unites all that ia great and good. I doat upon her to idolatry. I cannot be happy without her, znd fhe never can be mine. Ha« (he milled you faid the Count with fecret of her birth I have learned enough replied the fon to allure you it is not inferior to mine. She has renounced a cort- fxlerable fortune in the wodd, to reraai* in this. foliteife 22 Shcpherdefs of the Alps. Do you know what motive has induced her to It. I do but it is a fccret which Ike alone can reveal. Is fhe mar- ried. No . (he us a widow ; but her heart is not th^lefg engaged, nay it is ratlur bound with ftronger chains. Madam, said the Countifs to Adelaide, as they had en- tered the Cabin, you lee how you turn the heads, as well as captivate all that bear the name of Fonrofe. Nothing could have juft'.fied my sori"a extravagant paffion, but fo virtuous, fo loving. an object. My wife's utmoft willies were to have you for a friend ; my foil cannot live with- out you for a wife ; and it would be my greateft happi- nefs to have you for a daughter. Oh canfider how many that love you muft be wretched, if you refufe your con- fent, A h sir, replied Adelaide, your goodnefs pre- plexes me ; lend me awhile your attention, and judge my fituatlon. She then in prefence of the old folks related her lad dory, adding the name of the family, which the Count was well acquainted with ; and fhe finilhed her Tarragon by taking him to be a witnefs of the inviolable fidelity Ihe owed her hufband. At thefe words a deep confternation appeared in their looks. The Count's fon ■binding with grief, threw himfelf into a corner of the hut to give a loofe to his farrows. His father laid himfelf down by him ; and calling his eyes on Adelaide, Madam, faid he behold the effects of yonr refolution. The Coun- ted pressing her to her bofom. Ah, will you then faid fhe, give us caufe to lament a fecond time the death'of our dear child. Why did you reftore him to us. The good old people, penetrated, with what they fawanheard their eyt.K fixed on Adelaide, waited for her determina- tion. Heaven knows, laid fhe, 1 would willingly give rp my life to acknowledge all this unbounded generofity I own it would be the height of mifery, if I had to upbraid myfelf of having been the caufe of yours. I leave the decision of our fate to your ion 5 let me have a few r.'inutes converfation with him. Then retiring by tbemfelves, Fomofe, laid fhe, jou know what facred lie- bind me here. If I could ceafe to lament thelofs of \ira who loved and doted on rr>e evea beyond difcretion* . Shq>herdeTs of the Alps. _ 23 I &ouid be defervedly defpifed. Friendship, gatitude, and efteem, is all 1 have left to give ; and is that a com- penfation for love. S he more you have conceived for me the more you have a right to expect a fuittable re- turn, and what return can 1 make- The impoffibility of performing that riury, is the object that prevents my making myfelf liable to it ; nevertheless, 1 behold yo# all in a (ituarion that would foften the moft oburate heart Mine, alas, is but toofenfible, I cannot besr the mock- ing thought of being the caufe of your diftrefs. How can I hear your generous, worthy parents reproach me with their loft. I will therefore forget for awhile what I am, and leave you to be the arbitrator of my deftiny 'T* yours to decide, and choofe which is mod agreeable to you, either to conquer your paffion, and ftrive to forget me, or accept the hand of one whofe heart is pos- sessed of another objeft ; ~ has nothing to beftow but Friendfliip and efteem, and what an they to fatisfy a lovers, ardent expeaations Tis enough, replied he, tenderly fuch 'exalted friendfhip equals love I may perhaps be jealous of the teara I mall fee you fhed for a former hufband, but the caufe of my jealoufy will only make you more eftimable in my eyes, and dearer to my foul. ^ She is mine ! cried Fonrofe, precipitating himfeif -into his fond -parents arms. 'Tis to the refped^and gra- titude fl? ML LIBRARY