tumult of misery that I endure? Yet, ah! what a deadly breach yawns between

their state and mine! Have not they companions? Have not they each their

mate--their cherished young, their home, which, though unexpressed to us,

is, I doubt not, endeared and enriched, even in their eyes, by the society

which kind nature has created for them? It is I only that am alone--I, on

this little hill top, gazing on plain and mountain recess--on sky, and

its starry population, listening to every sound of earth, and air, and

murmuring wave,--I only cannot express to any companion my many thoughts,

nor lay my throbbing head on any loved bosom, nor drink from meeting eyes

an intoxicating dew, that transcends the fabulous nectar of the gods. Shall

I not then complain? Shall I not curse the murderous engine which has mowed

down the children of men, my brethren? Shall I not bestow a malediction on

every other of nature's offspring, which dares live and enjoy, while I live

and suffer?

Ah, no! I will discipline my sorrowing heart to sympathy in your joys; I

will be happy, because ye are so. Live on, ye innocents, nature's selected

darlings; I am not much unlike to you. Nerves, pulse, brain, joint, and

flesh, of such am I composed, and ye are organized by the same laws. I have

something beyond this, but I will call it a defect, not an endowment, if it

leads me to misery, while ye are happy. Just then, there emerged from a

near copse two goats and a little kid, by the mother's side; they began to

browze the herbage of the hill. I approached near to them, without their

perceiving me; I gathered a handful of fresh grass, and held it out; the

little one nestled close to its mother, while she timidly withdrew. The

male stepped forward, fixing his eyes on me: I drew near, still holding out

601

The Last Man