wn for the righteous, and gladness for the upright
in heart."

With joyful spirits, their eyes drinking in beauty, and their ears
harmony, the knight and his comrade moved along, guided by wayward
fancy. Here a sparkling, dancing rivulet would entice them to follow its
course, amid mossy rocks, flowery banks, and drooping trees, which
whispered their secrets to its babbling waves; and then suddenly it
would vanish into the earth, like a child playing at hide-and-seek,
gurgling a merry laugh at its bewildered followers. At every step a new
beauty was unfolded. Now the brilliancy of hue and splendor of coloring
in the sky, the flowers, the birds, filled their minds with admiration:
but when they wandered into the deep, cool woods, with their sober
tints, and their mysterious whispers, they gave the latter the
preference. And when they left these green recesses, and viewed the
extensive landscape opened before them--gently swelling hills, distant
mountains, and the boundless ocean--then they wondered that more limited
scenery could have given such entire satisfaction. Climbing among the
rocks, wild and sublime views, of a rugged grandeur, prepared their
souls for nature's masterpiece, the foaming waterfall. Down the
stupendous precipice rolled the torrent, masses upon masses of water,
almost lost to the eye in the dark distance below; while, above, the
gorgeous rainbow closed it in, as if a crown of glory were bestowed upon
it in recompense for its agony. And day and night a voice might be heard
from its mighty heart, "I can endure forever and forever." Then the
friends felt how deep is that bliss which takes away all words--they
felt how great a joy there is in awe.

Descending from these heights, soft scenes of beauty attracted their
gaze. The setting sun threw its mellow light over a landscape of Italian
character; it seemed as if nature and art were here combined to make
perfection. Statues of rare loveliness took them by surprise when
strolling over the grassy walks, or sauntering under the deep umbrage
of the trees; mossy grottoes, adorned with shells, invited them to
repose; unexpected openings in the woods revealed vistas beyond,
exciting to the imagination. Lakes of crystal clearness reflected the
fleecy clouds, and the snowy forms of the swans upon their azure
surface; and gold and silver fishes chased each other through their
pellucid waves. Birds of brilliant plumage came there to lave in the
pure water, and