An Exercise

when my father returned from Milan,he found playing with me
in the hall of our villa a child fairer, than pictured cherub
a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks,and whose form
and motions were lighter than the chamois of the hills the apparition
was soon explained with his permission. my mother prevailed
on her rustic guardians to yield their charge to her they were fond
of the sweet orphan.Her presence had seemed a blessing to them
but it would be unfair to her to keep her in poverty and want
when providence afforded her such powerful protection.
they consulted their village priest and the result was
that Elizabeth Lavenza became the inmate of my parents' house
my more than sisterthe beautiful and adored companion
of all my occupations and my pleasures.