The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-29
CONJUGAL AFFECTION,

LEosDAs king Of Sparta, suspecting consp
racy was formed against him, fed TO the temple
Of Minerva for shelter, wbereupon Cleombru,us
his son-in-law, seized upon the government.
When Leonidas was informed of this, he made
his escape, taking his daughter along with him,
who chose rather to fly with her Father than
reign with her husband. Some time after, Leon.
idas being restored to the throne, he advanced
at the head of band OF soldiers to the temple of
Cleombrutus, who, upon his change of affairs, had
himself fled for refuge. He there reproached him
with great warmth for having assumed the regal
power, in violation of the ties of affinity between
them, and for expelling him from his own coun-
try in so ignominous a manner. Cleombrutus,
who had nothing to answer to these reproaches,
continued seated in profound silence, and with
an aspect which sufficiently testified his confusion.
His wife Cleonda stood near with her two chill
dren at her feet. She had been equally unfortu
nate as wife and daughter, but was equally
faithful in each Of those capacities, and had al
ways adhered to the unfortunate side. All those
who were present melted into tears at SO moving
sight, and were struck with admiration at the
virtue and tenderness of Cleonla, and the amia-
BILE force Of coniugal love. The unfortunate Prin.
cess, pointing to her mourning habit and dishev'
elIed tresses, "Believe me, my fatEer ' said she,
I" this habit of wo which now wear, this dejrc-
ton which now appears in my countenance, and
these sorrows in which you see me sunk, not
The effects of that compassion l entertain for
Cleombrutus but the sad remains of My affiic-
on for the calamitles you sustained in your flight
from Sparta. On what, alas |! shall now resolved
While you reign fer the future in Sparta and
triumph over the enemies who opposed you, shall
continue 10 live in this tlesolae state to which
you see me reduced o, is il my duty to array N.Y.
self in the robes of royalty and magnfcence,
when behold the husband whom received from
you, in the flower of my youth, on the point of
perlshing by your dagger! Should he be unable
to disarm your resentment, and move your soul to
compassion by the tears Of his wife and children,
permit Inc to assure you that he will be punished
with more severity for his imprudence, than was
even intended by yourself, when he shall see
wife that is dear to him expiring at his feet for
you are not to think, that in my present condition
will ever consent to outlive him. What ap.
pearance shall make among the Spartan ladies
after my inability to inspire my husband with
compassion for my father, or to soften my father
into pity for my husband What inieed, shall
appear 10 them, but a daughter and wife, always
afflicted and conemned by her nearest relations"
Cleonida, at the conclusion OF these words she re-
clined her cheek on that OF Cleombrutus; while
with her eyes, that spoke her in her tears.
she cast a langud look on those who were pre-
sent
Leonidas, after few moments discourse with
his friends, ordered Cleombrutus to rise, and i'm
mediately to quit Sparta, but earnestly impor-
tuned his daughter 10 continue there, and not for
sake father who gave her such peculiar proof
of tenderness as to spare the life of her hus ,and
His solicitations were, however. Intellectual; and
the moment Cleombrutus.rose from his seat. she
placed one other childrn hisiarms, and enclasp.
ed the other in her own, and when she had Of
fered up her prayers to the goddess, and kissed
the altar, she became voluntary exile with her
husband
How extremely affecting was this spectacle,
and how worthy the admiration of all ages, is such
a model of coniugal affection. If the heart of
Cleombrulus was not entirely depraved b, vain
glory, and boundess ambition TO reign, he would
have been sensible that banishment itself with so
vrtuous companion, was felicity preferable tol
the condition ofa sovereign.