Bethink you now if it be reasonable that his suffering should be laid to my charge. He was persistent in spite of warning, he despaired without being hated. Those whom I have inspired with love by letting them see me, I have by words undeceived, and if their longings live on hope-and I have given none to Chrysostom or to any other-it cannot justly be said that the death of any is my doing, for it was rather his own obstinacy than my cruelty that killed him and if it be made a charge against me that his wishes were honourable, and that therefore I was bound to yield to them, I answer that when on this very spot where now his grave is made he declared to me his purity of purpose, I told him that mine was to live in perpetual solitude, and that the earth alone should enjoy the fruits of my retirement and the spoils of my beauty and if, after this open avowal, he chose to persist against hope and steer against the wind, what wonder is it that he should sink in the depths of his infatuation? If I had encouraged him, I should be false if I had gratified him, I should have acted against my own better resolution and purpose. I am a fire afar off, a sword laid aside. “I was born free, and that I might live in freedom I chose the solitude of the fields in the trees of the mountains I find society, the clear waters of the brooks are my mirrors, and to the trees and waters I make known my thoughts and charms.