Page:Shepherdess of the Alps (1).pdf/4

4 Oh tell us lovely creature what cruel turn of fate has lowered you to this condition. A man under misfortune, replied Adelaide, may find a thousand means to extricate himself; but to a woman in such cases, has no resource but in the honest servitude; and in the choice of one's master, methinks 'tis best to prefer the good and virtuous. You are going to see mine, and you will be delighted with the innocence of their lives, and thcthe [sic] candour and simplicity of their manners.

As she was still speaking, they arrived at the hut.-It was divided by a partition from the sheepfold, into which the shepherdess turned her flock counting them over with the most serious attention, heedless of the strangers, who beheld her with admiration. The old folks, such as represented Baucis and Philemon, received their guests with the honest simple courtesy which reealledrecalled [sic] the golden agcage [sic]. We have nothing to offer you, said the good woman, but clean straw for your bed, and a hcartyhearty [sic] welcome to such provisions as heaven affords us, milk, fruit and oaten bread. In entering the cabin, they were amazed to see the order and neatness that appeared cvcryevery [sic] whcrewhere [sic] in so poor a habitation. Their table was a walnut plank, finely polished with frequent rubbing; their earthen dishes and dairy pans shone with the nicest cleanness; cvertevery [sic] thing presented the image of contented poverty, happy to be whcrcwithallwherewithall [sic] to supply thcthe [sic] real wants of naturcnature [sic]. 'Tis our dear daughter, said the good old woman, that manages all our little affairs. At break of day, before she leads her flock to the hills and dales, whilst they are nipping about our hut the sweet grass