THE EXPOSITION Thus spoke the Phantom.

Confused with this discourse, and my heart agitated with different reflections, I remained long in silence.

At length, taking courage, I thus addressed him: Oh, Genius of tombs and ruins! Thy presence, thy severity, hath disordered my senses; but the justice of thy discourse restoreth confidence to my soul.

Pardon my ignorance.

Alas, if man is blind, shall his misfortune be also his crime?
I may have mistaken the voice of reason; but never, knowingly, have I rejected its authority.