Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-02-19

tefveDt swain i0rgetui OF the herfio speii
IN which he is bound, presses his CALI
roe's lips. The beautiful maid sinks in
the earth apparently lifeless, and Anthe-
mion surprising the fatal kiss bad destroy
ed herr flies in distraction. He wan
ders on the rugged shore OF the AEGEAN Sea,
and is spied by crew Of pirates by whom
be is taken prisoner and carried on board
their vessel Shortly afterwards, another
part of the crew capture beautiful maid
WHO is also brought on board and proves to
be the tormenting Enchantress OF Thessa-
~. Darkness covers the deep, and the
damsalb by her powers Of magic raises a
tremendous storm. The bark is driven
far upon the raging surge, and plunges on
rock. Rhododaphne twines her silken
hair around the dismayed Anthemion, land
bears him in safety to the Thracian shore.
The syren again solicits his love, and is
again repulsed-She takes him in.o path
hes, moor, all waste and wild, where one
dwelling alone. "a messy widowed cots
i. tage ;" is seen amidst the surrounding de-
ISOLATION. She suddenly disappears, and
Anthemionis left to wander in the dreary
waste, worn down by toll, thirst and hun
ger The scene at length changes, and
splendid palace gli,iering With myriad
lights" and "gardens fair" salntes his
eyes. He enters an illuminated hall, a.
dorned by statues Of kings and d@mons.
A brazen image of dwar6sh shape sitting on
the highest throne, bids him welcome, and
invites him to quaff the luxurious draught
The nymph ofmo than earthly mein,"
the maid of Thessaly, suddenly appears,
and plants in bis bosom again the enchant-
ed rose. She is clothed in light and silken
vesture, and folds her lovely arms around
the dizzy and trembling youth. He is o.
vercome, and yields to the powerful fasci-
nation of her charms. Awhile they live
together SCATTERING through " bowers of
j4smine and roses" in voluptuous lndolence
aud pleasure and amidst all the luxuries Of
sense; but the bleeding shade Of Caliroe
still haunts the mourntul Anthemlon, and
the Deity of love at length in compassion
to his suferings, pierces the bosom of the
sorcercss Rhododaphne, with the arrow of
death. The marble palace bursts asunder,
the enchantment IS 'iissolVeo-ana Inc
youth finds himself in his native grove
with his dear Cslliroe. They are united
and all is bliss.
Such is the fanciful story upon which
this poem is founded, and although it GER
tainly is not destitute Of interest, especi-
ally to classical readers. yet il is to be re.
GREETED that the authors genius has not
been attracted by those abundant resour-
ces, which are found in the history and
scenery Of our country Most ofour bards
IT,. :, lrp
nave 'fooueh w tue oea'en pam ei EURO
pean writers, instead OF exploring an O.
riginal track, and thus establishing some
tb;no I;te , national t.ste and sentiment
oIn -.
"'i 'o''''' '":'i % n "u'o"s, J" re
cent production OF considerable merit,
has become willing pioneer in the new
march which is proposed for American ge'
nius--and in his beautiful illusions 10 revo.
lutionary incidents and characters, toge-
ther with bis glowing description of native
scenery, has sufficiently indicated that i'm
mense aud fertile region, whence future
poets may borrow the materials offs song
p., n -ot,r, to pbodod,rhn. e.. o.
rN