and with a certain awe and
shrinking, came the shape and voice of the warning stranger. Nearly two
years had passed since he had appeared at Naples. Nothing had been heard
of him, save that his vessel had been directed, some months after his
departure, to sail for Leghorn. By the gossips of Naples, his existence,
supposed so extraordinary, was wellnigh forgotten; but the heart of
Viola was more faithful. Often he glided through her dreams, and
when the wind sighed through that fantastic tree, associated with his
remembrance, she started with a tremor and a blush, as if she had heard
him speak.

But amongst the train of her suitors was one to whom she listened
more gently than to the rest; partly because, perhaps, he spoke in
her mother's native tongue; partly because in his diffidence there was
little to alarm and displease; partly because his rank, nearer to
her own than that of lordlier wooers, prevented his admiration from
appearing insult; partly because he himself, eloquent and a dreamer,
often uttered thoughts that were kindred to those buried deepest in her
mind. She began to like, perhaps to love him, but as a sister loves;
a sort of privileged familiarity sprung up between them. If in the
Englishman's breast arose wild and unworthy hopes, he had not yet
expressed them. Is there danger to thee here, lone Viola, or is the
danger greater in thy unfound ideal?

And now, as the overture to some strange and wizard spectacle, closes
this opening prelude. Wilt thou hear more? Come with thy faith prepared.
I ask not the blinded eyes, but the awakened sense. As the enchanted
Isle, remote from the homes of men,--

"Ove alcun legno Rado, o non mai va dalle nostre sponde,"--"Ger.Lib.,"
cant. xiv. 69.

(Where ship seldom or never comes from our coasts.)

is the space in the weary ocean of actual life to which the Muse or
Sibyl (ancient in years, but ever young in aspect), offers thee no
unhallowed sail,--

"Quinci ella in cima a una montagna ascende
Disabitata, e d' ombre oscura e bruna;
E par incanto a lei nevose rende
Le spalle e i fianchi; e sensa neve alcuna
Gli lascia il capo verdeggiante e vago;
E vi fonda un palagio appresso un lago."

(There, she a mountain's lofty peak ascends, Unpeopled,
shady, shagg'd with forests brown, Whose sides, by power of
magic, half-way down She heaps with slippery ice and frost
and snow, But sunshiny and verdant leaves the crow