little glimmering of light. This internal dawn feemed to increase from time to time, fo that he could not only discover the parts of his bed, and fuch other large objects, but, at length, he even began to perceive the mice that frequented his cell, and faw them, as they ran about the floor, eating the crumbs that happened to fall. He formed here an acquaintance with a fpider, whofe motions he obferved, which was his chief amusement. After fome months in this confinement he was fet at liberty; but fuch was the effect of the darkness, and so great the accumulated irritability of the optic nerve, that he was obliged to remain fhut up for some time after, and accuftom himself by degrees to the light.

SECT. LXXX.

GRIEF.

OTHELLO fets fail with DESDEMONA for CYPRUS,

when a violent storm arises. They however arrive safe. Enter Othello.

Отн. Oh, my fair warrior!

DES. My dear OTHELLO.

ОTH. It gives me wonder, great as my content,

to see you here before me. O my foul's joy!
If after every tempeft comes fuch calms,

may the winds blow till they have weaken'd death:
and let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
Olympus high; and duck again as low

as hell's from heav'n; if I were now to die,
'twere now to be most happy; for I fear
my foul hath her content so abfolute,
that not another comfort like to this
fucceeds in unknown fate.

Livy relates, that two women, who fuppofed their fons dead, upon feeing them return unhurt, after the battle of Thracy mene, died from excess of emotion. One, fays he, at the very gate, being furprised at the fudden arrival of her fon, expired in his arms; the other, to whom the death of her fon had been falfely announced, forrowing at the step of her house, died upon feeing her son return alive.

SECT.

THE HERMIT." Forbear, my fon," the Hermit cries,
"to tempt the dangerous gloom;

"for yonder faithless phantom flies
"to lure thee to thy doom.

"Here to the houseless child of want.

my door open ftill;

"and though my portion is but fcant,
"I give it with good will.

"Then turn to-night, and freely share

"whate'er my cell bestows;

"my rushy couch and frugal fare,

"my bleffing and repose.

<< No

No flocks, that range the valley free, "to flaughter I condemn :

"taught by that Power that pities me, "I learn to pity them:

"But from the mountain's graffy fide

"a guiltless feast I bring;

"a fcrip with herbs and fruits fupply'd, " and water from the spring.

« Then, pilgrim, turn, thy cares forego;
"all earth-born cares are wrong:
"Man wants but little here below,
66 nor wants that little long."

Soft as the dew from heaven defcends, his gentle accents fell:

the modeft stranger lowly bends,

and follows to the cell.

Far in a wilderness obfcure

the lonely manfion lay; a refuge to the neighb'ring poor, and strangers led aftray.

No ftores beneath its humble thatch

requir'd a master's care;

the wicket, op'ning with a latch,

receiv'd the harmless pair.

And now, when bufy crowds retire

to take their evening reft, the Hermit trimm'd his little fire,

and cheer'd his penfive guest:

And

And spread his vegetable store,
and gaily prest, and smil'd;
and, skill'd in legendary lore,

the lingering hours beguil'd.

Around, in fympathetic mirth,

its tricks the kitten tries.;
the cricket chirrups in the hearth;
the crackling faggot flies.

But nothing could a charm impart
to footh the ftranger's woe;
for grief was heavy at his heart,
and tears began to flow.

His rifing cares the Hermit spy'd,

with answering care opprest:

THE HERMIT." And whence, unhappy youth!" he cry'd, "the forrows of thy breast?

"From better habitations spurn'd,
"reluctant doft thou rove:

"Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd,

❝or unregarded love?

"Alas! the joys that fortune brings,

"are trifling and decay;

"and those who prize the paltry things,
"more trifling ftill than they.

"And what is friendship but a name,

66 a charm that lulls to fleep;

"a fhade that follows wealth or fame,

"and leaves the wretch to weep?

"And