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131

Scene III.—The Palace Gardens.

Julian, Isabel, Veronica.

Julian.

    Oh! it is said, my Isabel, that Heaven
Hath closed the gates of Eden on mankind,
And Paradise no longer blooms; but we
Have found, that innocent and faithful hearts
Can make their own Elysium. Bounteous God
Still blesses his creation.—What a scene
Of glory is around us; not a cloud
O'ershades the radience of the summer sky—
Turquoise and gold, the multitudinous stars
Peep from the tender azure; Zephyr's breath,
In gentlest sighs, scatters a silv'ry shower
From the rich blossoms of the orange-trees,
And wafts their precious odours on its wings.

Veronica.

    The flowers drop balm, and trooping fairies haste
To gather in their harvest, ere the bee
Hath roused his drowsy head. Soft music steals