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In very truth, the neighbourhood was picturesque! The two ponds

inclined their faces towards each other like a pair of lovers.

The right pond had waters smooth and pure as a maiden's cheeks;

the left was somewhat darker, like the swarthy face of a youth,

already shaded with manly down. The right was encircled with

glittering golden sand as if with bright hair; but the brow of

the left bristled with osiers, and was tufted with willows: both

ponds were clothed in a garment of green.