Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 1).djvu/117

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CLERMONT.
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beloved mistress, each anxious to be first noticed; some weeping for joy, and others blessing heaven for permitting them again to behold her face. Affected by those proofs of love and gratitude, the heart of the Countess swelled with sensibility, and a tear rolled down her cheek: oh, how delightful! how different her sensations from those experienced by the selfish beings who neither feel nor interest themselves about the welfare of others; but, like the haughty tyrant, seated

————amid the gaudy herd
Of mute barbarians bending to his nod,

close their eyes upon the distresses of mankind, because elevated above them; and say within themselves, let not

————the clam'rous voice of woe
Intrude upon mine ear!

After conversing some time with the peasants, the Countess returned to the parlour; from whence she and Madline watched them resuming the dance, and partaking ofthe

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