lesson that Nature teaches you

What has preserved it through each disfavour of birth and circumstances,— why are its leaves as green and fair as those of the vine behind you, which, with all its arms, can embrace the open sunshine? My child, because of the very instinct that impelled the struggle,— because the labour for the light won to the light at length. So with a gallant heart, through every adverse accident of sorrow and of fate to turn to the sun, to strive for the heaven; this it is that gives knowledge to the strong and happiness to the weak. Ere we meet again, you will turn sad and heavy eyes to those quiet boughs, and when you hear the birds sing from them, and see the sunshine come aslant from crag and housetop to be the playfellow of their leaves, learn the lesson that Nature teaches you, and strive through darkness to the light!” As he spoke he moved on slowly, and left Viola wondering, silent, saddened with his dim prophecy of coming evil, and yet, through sadness, charmed. Involuntarily her eyes followed him,— involuntarily she stretched forth her arms, as if by a gesture to call him back; she would have given worlds to have seen him turn,— to have heard once more his low, calm, silvery voice; to have felt again the light touch of his hand on hers. As moonlight that softens into beauty every angle on which it falls, seemed his presence,— as moonlight vanishes, and things assume their common aspect of the rugged and the mean, he receded from her eyes, and the outward scene was commonplace once more. The stranger passed on, through that long and lovely road which reaches at last the palaces that face the public gardens, and conducts to the more populous quarters of the city. A group of young, dissipated courtiers, loitering by the gateway of a house which was open for the favourite pastime of the day,— the resort of the wealthier and more high-born gamesters,— made way for him, as with a courteous inclination he passed them by. “Per fede,” said one, “is not that the rich Zanoni, of whom the town talks?” “Ay; they say his wealth is incalculable!”