convince me to the contrary. You are very good, answered Fonrose; does it become you to tax nature for bestowing her favours with a sparing hand on those of your condition— you, whom she has formed more for a queen than a shepherdess. Adelaide blushed and waved the discourse. The other day, said she, your hautboy accompanied my voice with such a masterly art, as must seem a prodigy in one brought up to feed the flocks. It is to your singing, replied Fonrose, that is so rare in a simple Shepherdess. What! were you never instructed? Like you, I have no other guide than my heart and my ear. You sung— I was moved— what my heart feels, my instrument expresses— I breathe it in my very soul. That is all my secret— nothing is more natural. It is incredible, said Adelaide. I thought so too, replied he, whilst listening to your voice, and now I am convinced of it: though sometimes nature and love will frolicsomely, bestow their choicest favours on the meanest objects, to shew there is no condition, be it ever so low, but what they can ennoble.
Whilst they thus discoursed, advancing in the valley, Fonrose, animated by a small ray of hope, began to make it resound with rapturous notes that pleasure inspires.— Ah! cease, cried Adelaide, spare me the image of a sentiment I never more shall taste. This solitude is consecrated to grief; all here join with my lamentations. I am not without woes, said the young shepherd, fetching a deep sigh, which was followed by a pause of silence. What has caused your afflictions? of what do you complain? is it of mankind? is it of fate? I really cannot tell. All that I know is, that I am far from being happy— pray inquire no farther into my situation. Hear me, said Adelaide: Heaven has made us acquainted to be a mutual support to each other’s woes; mine are a burden, under which my heart sinks down even to despondency. Whoever you be, if you are unhappy you are compassionate— I believe you are worthy the confidence I shall repose in you; but you must promiso me that the confidence shall be reciprocal. Alas! said
