aid stern
philosophy and sober reason. They will dissipate the rainbow-glories of
unreal pleasure, and banish the glittering meteors of unsubstantial
happiness. Or if these fail, lead him to the holy fane of religion: she
will regulate the fires of fancy, and assuage the tempest of the
passions: she will illuminate the dark wilderness, and smooth the thorny
paths of life: she will point him to joys beyond the tomb--to _another
and a better world_; and pour the balm of consolation and serenity over
his wounded soul."

Shall we indeed arouse Alonzo? Alas! to what paths of grief and
wretchedness shall we arouse him! To a world to him void and
cheerless--a world desolate, sad and dreary.

Alonzo revived. "Why am I, he exclaimed, recalled to this dungeon of
torment? Why was not my spirit permitted to take its flight to regions
where my guardian is gone? Why am I cursed with memory? O that I might
be blessed with forgetfulness! But why do I talk of blessings?--Heaven
never had one in store for me. Where are fled my anticipated joys?
To the bosom, the dark bosom of the oblivious tomb! There lie all the
graces worthy of love in life--all the virtues worthy of lamentation in
death! There lies perfection; perfection has here been found. Was she
not all that even Heaven could demand?--Fair, lovely, holy and virtuous.
Her tender solicitudes, her enrapturing endearments, her soul-inspiring
blandishments,--gone, gone for ever? That heavenly form, that
discriminate mind--all lovely as light, all pure as a seraph's--a prey
to worms--mingled with incorporeal shadows, regardless of former
inquietudes or delights, regardless of the keen anguish which now wrings
tears of blood from my despairing heart!

"Eternal Disposer of events! if virtue be thy special care, why is the
fairest flower in the garden of innocence and purity blasted like a
noxious weed? Why is the bright gem of excellence trampled in the dust
like a worthless pebble?--Why is Melissa hurried to the tomb?"

Thus raved Alonzo. It was evident that delirium had partially seized his
brain. He arose and flung himself on the bed in unspeakable agony. "And
what, Alas! he again exclaimed, now remains for me? Existence and
unparalleled misery. The consolation even of death is denied me. But
Melissa! she--ah, where is she! Oh, reflection insupportable!
insufferable consideration! Must that heavenly frame putrify, moulder,
and crumble into dust? Must the loathsome spider nestle on