The Romance of the Forest, interspersed with some pieces of poetry.Radcliffe, Ann Ward
General
The Romance of the Forest, interspersed with some pieces of poetry.
Radcliffe, Ann Ward
Gothic fiction
Adeline was astonished, and inquired where she was; but the man refused
to answer her questions; and having desired her to take some
refreshment, left her. She walked to the windows, from which a gleam of
moonlight discovered to her an extensive garden, where groves and lawns,
and water glittering in the moonbeam, composed a scenery of varied and
romantic beauty. What can this mean! said she: Is this a charm to lure
me to destruction? She endeavoured, with a hope of escaping, to open the
windows, but they were all fastened; she next attempted several doors,
and found them also secured.
Perceiving all chance of escape was removed, she remained for some time
given up to sorrow and reflection; but was at length drawn from her
reverie by the notes of soft music, breathing such dulcet and entrancing
sounds as suspended grief and awaked the soul to tenderness and pensive
pleasure. Adeline listened in surprise, and insensibly became soothed
and interested; a tender melancholy stole upon her heart, and subdued
every harsher feeling: but the moment the strain ceased, the enchantment
dissolved, and she returned to a sense of her situation.
Again the music sounded--music such as charmeth sleep--and again she
gradually yielded to its sweet magic. A female voice, accompanied by a
lute, a hautboy, and a few other instruments, now gradually swelled into
a tone so exquisite as raised attention into ecstasy. It sunk by
degrees, and touched a few simple notes with pathetic softness, when the
measure was suddenly changed, and in a gay and airy melody Adeline
distinguished the following words:
SONG.
Life's a varied, bright illusion,
Joy and sorrow--light and shade;
Turn from sorrow's dark suffusion,
Catch the pleasures ere they fade.
Fancy paints with hues unreal,
Smile of bliss, and sorrow's mood;
If they both are but ideal,
Why reject the seeming good?
Hence! no more! 'tis Wisdom calls ye,
Bids ye court Time's present aid;
The future trust not--Hope enthralls ye,
"Catch the pleasures ere they fade."
The music ceased; but the sounds still vibrated on her imagination, and
she was sunk in the pleasing languor they had inspired, when the door
opened, and the Marquis de Montalt appeared. He approached the sofa
where Adeline sat, and addressed her, but she heard not his voice--she
had fainted. He endeavoured to recover her, and at length succeeded; but
when she unclosed her eyes, and again beheld him, she relapsed into a
state of insensibility; and having in vain tried various methods to
restore her, he was obliged to call assistance. Two young women entered;
and when she began to revive, he left them to prepare her for his
reappearance. When Adeline perceived that the Marquis was gone, and that
she was in the care of women, her spirits gradually returned; she looked
at her attendants, and was surprised to see so much elegance and beauty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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