Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-05

lay finished, the bard regained his seat.
the carousal again commenced and
Duke Edrick reused his daughter from
vacuity by a loud and deep reproach.
He demanded, why she alone, joined
not in the general JOY, on beholding
him in the hall fhis ancestors lmma
essayed to speak, but her words were
inarticulate; she burst into tears happi-
ly unperceived by her father.-Again
the bald was inspired-he struck a
prelude which enchanted all; they
seized their arms, in rapture, as for
the combat, but each tongue was ST.
lent, and all was hushed save the re-
pressed clank of armor, as the Knights
regained their seats. The hoary mu-
sician's check was flushed with hec-
tic flush a holy inspiration gave fire
to his eye; and while his fingers struck
the chords ofhis harp, he sung the
praise Of the chieftain's daughter-he
sung the praise of Imma-
'Fair as chastc, as chastc as fair"
At such a congratulation, she rose
in virgin difidence, and thanked him,
though in voice choaked with sobs;
and, overcome by the praises of her
father, she cast her eyes fearlessly
round the hall, and sunk senseless into
his arms. While the stern Edrick was
Gliding her, and the timid lmma was
ascribine the acuteness of her feelings
to some ominous cause, (Which, In
those days of superstition, haunted,
occasionally the strongest mind)a con-
fusion of sounds arose from that part OF
the hail from which Imma had with
drawn her sight, it broke out as though
the foeman had them in his tolls. AS
the smoke of battle rolls on in destruc-
tion-as the dust Of the war horse ap-
proaches nearer and nearer and nearer
still-so come the sounds of discomfort
TO Duke Edrick's seat. q heed thee
not exclaimed Lord Hildebrande, in
voice above the din; Il tell thee to
sthy teeth, and I'll tell it all who'll hear,
Duke Edrick is deceived, and fmna is
no longer chaste as fair-she is wan
toni
At such a charge, again were muir
murs loud * deep; they poured through
the hall of audience. A hundred he'll
NETS shook, hundred swords left their
scabbards, but Lord Hildebrande again
exclaimed aloud, "By the Holy Ghost
she's false; Imma has disgraced her
coy "Wproud Hildebrande. thou lest"
exclaimed Childe Edmund the storm
of passion shook his heaving frame
he snatched offhis greave, it whirled in
the air, and striking the accuser of I'M
ina, who took the pledge and demand
ing the ordeal, swore to prove the
charge. The affrighted Imma now
raised herself, in conscious innocence !;
she Indignantly threw back those tres
ses which would have hid her face; she
would have defended with an undaunt-
ted eve, her character, but she met a
fathers reproachful look; a chilly pale
ness overspread her, and she bent like a
lily in the storm into the arms Of Childe
Edmund.
When Lady Imma awoke from her
trance, every thing bore dreadful 81
lence; in vain she attempted to raise
herself from her couch, her limbs ap-
peared paralyzed she put her hand to
her head, her brain was maddenlng; 1t
| is true, refreshing breeze burst in up
on her from the open easement, yet 1t
! lasted but moment; hotter glow
succeeded, and threatened to check all
| respiration she gazed wildly around
her; she paused, to think, but yet see
med fearful of recalling remembrance;
she put her finger on the blood-bursting
lids of her eyes, distended with fever :
she poured over unconsciously, the sto-
ried painting, which the last rays ofthe
setting sur emblazoned and reflected
from the bay window: and conviction
of what was to happen dawning in her
mind, she endeavoured to shut out It's
reality, she shrunk into herself; a
frightful slumber stepped her faculties
in misery, and tortured her diseased
imagination.
Such acharge as Lord Hildebrande's
was not to be made with impunity. When
the first storms of Indignation were
over, he was allowed to speak, as fol
lows: Returning last, on the eve OF st
Francis, from border post, | entered
dingle in the forest; there saw the
Lady Imma rush into the arms OF
man, who wore the scarf that now
Childe Edmund wears. l am not mad
Il am Lord Edrick's friend !: | pledge
myself for the truth of what l now ut
ter, and let her disloyal Knight defene
her if he can In saying this, eaef
warrior skunk away, to see the decis
sion by mutual combat.
| Fearful that violent emotions might
rack the bosom of the gentle lmma
Edmund left the hall to seek her love
is seldom accompanied by prudence, OF
had never sought secret interview
Now the Baron Edrick trembled WITH