The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-06-01
THE OLD TRUNK,
No. VII
THE LADY
(C0minaed.

SIN happier times, Lord Rodolph, when
the world and all its transitory~ enloyments
looked smilingly upon the opening pros.
poets OF our lives, | loved .:you--fondly,
faithfully loved you to me you then APP
peared a column OF true majesty and me-
Tit, upon which the warmest and most sa-
cred affections Of the heart might repose
in safety and in peace, | gazed upon you
with reverence, | thought upon you with a
devotional feeling, my day-dreams were
the realities OF affection, my nightly vi
atoms the fond, the sndearins recollections
of all YOUR numerous virtues,-bat now,
alas how do | behold you Lord Rodolph,
the dreaded chieftain of a lawless band,
the leader of midnight ruffans! A robbey
Captain is the once mighty object OF the
worlds admiration-the once only tenant
of Elvinrosa's breast! Under all these
combined circumstances OF aggravated at
siction, with what propriety can | address
or reproach Since the dreadful period
which separated US, | have dwelt upon
your memory with a feeling hallowed by
the recollection OF former ties and sympa-
thies, | fondly led myself in a delirium OF
saddened hope to believe that some other
cline experienced the active exercise OF
your many useful qualities, that, land | do
not hesitate to say it, for ceremony is lost
i'm the distinction which now exists be-
tween us. the day might yet have been
when the First and only lord of my youth
Ei heart would have taught hat heart to
beat with exultation and delight ; but now
with what a fearful blow have all those
hopes been Frustrated in the dust. with
what a chilling hand has this fatal wound
been deall!-" During the expression of
these heart rending words, the bandit chief
seemed 10 live by the rlere strength OF
conclusive agony !; as the lady pausad, he
started from the floor with a CountenanCe
so strangely wild, that all his manly tea
iure seemed to have changed hue and
shape. He knelt at Elvinrosa's feet, be
caught her repulsive hand with an energy
her ia words OF deep and solemn tone TO
forgive the wretched suppliant who kDelt
and bowed before her ; the tears trickled
from his eyes, but alb! as they fell they
mingled with q more genial current, ano-
ther. and a kinder heart yielded its tribute
to the soothing food.
Soft is the down upon the cygnet's breast,
Soft are the dewy buds where zephyrs rest.
Soft are the snow-Hakes when they press the
earth.
Soft are the smiles of gentle sylvan mirth;
But not so soft, SO soothing to the mind,
AS meltins, love. the love of womankind!e
Rodolph saw tha, brimful eye, he felt
that trembling hand, be gazed upon that
heavng bosom, and a more than mortal
sunshine lii epon his soul-he started upon
his feet. =" Elvinrosa p he cried;-A" Ro-
dolph u was the response, and she fell up
his enraptured breast.
The mighty winds may blow with fearful
blast,
Aud hghtnings round their horrid lustre cast.
The waves may rush with tremendous roar,
And lash from side to side the sandy shore
earthquakes may rise, and Etna's thunders
roll,
And shake the solid world from pole to polel
Vet all those horrors ~fearfullv combin'd,
Can never change fond faithful woman's
mind.
A explanation of the various events
which led 10 the estrangement & reunion
Of this singularly situated pair, now took
place. Rodolpb. for the first time learned
Of the prosecutions of the king, and of the
depravity OF Fontaline. Elvinrosa also
informed him that wearied out by the i'm
proper solicitations OF the one, and des.
pising he attentions OF the other, she had
at length. with the consent OF her father,
(who had recently married a second time)
determined upon retiring to the convent,
ham whoa pasaefal Shades sks had Sst