of brushwood and moss, by which they could dry their
garments; and the two lovers saw themselves thus strangely separated
from the world, saved from a dangerous situation, and alone at each
other's side in a warm and comfortable shelter.

A wild almond branch, loaded with fruit, hung down into the cave; and a
neighboring stream of trickling water quenched their thirst. The youth
had preserved his lute; and now they were entertained by its consoling
and cheering music, as they sat by the crackling fire. A higher power
seemed to have taken upon itself to loosen the knot more quickly, and
to have brought them under peculiar circumstances into this romantic
situation. The innocence of their hearts, the magic harmony of their
minds, the united, irresistible power of their sweet passion, and their
youth, soon made them forget the world and their relations to it, and
lulled them, under the bridal song of the tempest and the nuptial
torches of the lightning, into the sweetest intoxication, by which a
mortal couple ever has been blessed. The break of the light blue
morning was to them the awakening of a new, blissful world.
Nevertheless a stream of hot tears, which soon gushed forth from the
eyes of the princess, revealed to her lover the thousand-fold
anxieties, which were awakening in her heart. In one night he had grown
old in years, and had passed from youth to manhood. With an inspiring
enthusiasm, he consoled his mistress, reminded her of the holiness of
true love, and of the high faith which it inspired, and prayed her to
look forward with confidence from the good spirit of her heart to the
brightest future. The princess felt that his consolation was founded on
truth, revealed to him that she was the daughter of the king, and that
she feared only on account of the pride and anxiety of her father.
After mature consideration, they concluded what course to pursue, and
the young man immediately started to seek his father, and to make him
acquainted with their plan. He promised to be with her again soon, and
left her lost in sweet imaginings of what would be the issue of these
occurrences. The youth soon reached the dwelling of his father, who was
right glad to see his son return to him in safety. He listened to the
story and the plans of the lovers, and seemed willing to assist them.
His house was retired, and contained some subterraneous chambers, which
could not easily be discovered. Here the princess was to dwell. She was