The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1825-05-14
FROM THE NEW YORK AMERICAN.
THE ROMAN STATUE.

The original Of the foNowing story is to be found in
an o'ae1em book of legends.
IN the once-deemed eternal city, Rome,
Within whose run'd bosom teen more wonders
Than the wide earth can boast, statue stood
OF polish'd marble, with extended arm
And pc nted finger, where was writ strike Aere."
Alike unskilPd the learnd or clown to trace
Its hidden meaning, and the lifted arm
Seemed graved for naught, until foreign eye
Saw the inscription.-On his mind, IT'S sad,
The art of magic poured mysterious light
Most hurtful cen when clearest-and his cell
Was filled with marves of unearthly skill,
Aud ghosts and demons visited those hours
Which bless the righteous with eysan dreams.
He, pausing oft, and murmurnS to himself
AS holding converse with unseen being,
Seemed never wearied with the beauteous image,
Which fancy's eye could almost see to breathe,
And linger'd still the meaning to devise
Ofthese dark words. The sun at its height,
And as the marble gloWed beneath his ray,
The shadow of the pointed finger touched
The very spot WhereOn the strange man stood
With eye quick Aashlng, starting from his dream,
He gave one fearful look, then marked the place,
And dashed in haste away. At dead Of night
Alone, and but by the pale crescent lighted,
He to the statue came, and where the shade
of noon had fallen, began to dig the e,eth.
The moon waxed pale, and shrieking spectres rose;
And voices almost audible, cried foIbear
But with a desperate eye, and nervous arm,
Reckless of portents, still his toll he Piled
Nor long before he reached stone, which raised,
flight of snowwhite marble steps disclosed.
He foow'd boldly, till they led him where
A splendid hall spread III matChless wealth,
Richer and coster than the mind Of man,
In all its dreams of oriental pomp
Dared to imagine. In the centre stood
A table formed Of every precious stone,
Where several golden images of knights
Were seated, playing chess and multudes,
All still as death, seemed thoughtful of the game.
There, leaning galnst the marble column, grave,
With opened book rested the reverend sage
Here listening, paused the form of graceful nymph
On tiptoe-every figure made Of gold.
A king and queen at their banquet set,
Whose lineaments in marble far outvied
The finest model ever chse wrought.
The rich profusion of the banquet-bOa1d,
Where gold seemed stuff too vile to find place,
/ cannot paint.-Le Let fancy feign her fill,
She cannot reach the costiiness of this.
Yet in this subterraneous hall no lamp
Casts its pale geams-'tis bright as day, for 10
A huge carbuncle sparkles like sun,
And sends mellow light on all around.
One brazen statue rears its grant form,
With Bonded bow and arrow to the head,
In act to shoot and on its forehead CLEAN
These words in FURNISHED gold, 81 am the archer,
Lord of this cave, whose aim is sure and dreadful.
No spell has power to teach this arm to err;
Not cen yOn bright carbunce can escape,
The shining gem that lights my magic hall"
Sole living inmate Of this dumb abode,
The stranger stood bewilderd, wildly gazing
Till curiosity induced his steps
To wander through the range of brilliant rooms,
tn where diamond. encruSted arch