Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-06-09

THE CHlEFrAlN's DAUGHTER.
A TALE or PAST TIMES.

A@ OE
Seated in the baroneal hall Of the
demesne given by bis master, Alfred,
Dukc Edrick was surrounded by his
vassals, and in receiving their oaths OF
allegiance, he fancied himself even e.
oual 10 the sovereign of England.
Many a Danish mother had to mourn
the effects OF bis prowess-many a Da
nish maiden had strained her eyes o.
yer the whitehead shore expecting the
Yeturnofher lover whom the swords OF
Edrick's followers had laid low in the
dust. Deeds ofhonor had gained Ed.
rick the love of his king; and the wa.
pentakes of Sussex were given him
10 reign over, as some recompence for
the many leagues Of land he had caus-
ed the Danish TO relinquish. His bo-
som ~ss raised high in emulation, on
finding himselfLord ofso good a terri
tory, lost by his fathers disloyalty to
Athelslan, but redeemed by himself
on a retunto his allegiance.
Thc.hall Of audience was extensive
to the gaze: it was built mall the ma
iesty of fudal time--it rose in ample
grandeur-simple and unadorDed,
save by the waving trophy, the hau-
bcrk, or the cuirass, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
the crossbow or the glitterlng spear.
Looks of festive Joy beamed in every
visage, the wassail bowl passed off,
and returned, till Duke Edrick called
on the minstrel. All then was hushed,
as the retiring wave from the distant
shore, while The hoary bard sung of
deeds of valor and of wisdom, achieved
by England's Scion. In the midst
ola crowd Of warriors, shone, like u
brilliant star, Duke Edrick's daughter,
on whom her father doated, and con
sidered as the step ladderto his ambi-
ton, and in prospect as a saare OF his
monarch's bed. imma's form was the
most beautiful that can be imnaglned,
she was fair as marble-her eyes were
of celestial blue, Lighting a face tufi OF
the most tender, bewitching, and ex-
pressing languishment--her cheeks
were fresh tinted by rose blossoms,
but her lips and teeth were such as a
painter might attempt to initiate, but
could never realize. Her hair, of clear
faxen, unadorned and unrestrained,
strsyed over her fine and falling shout
ders; she bent forward to the bard's
notes as if in admiration of his theme,
but the hsrper's strains were far from
occupying her thoughts. Unhappy
girl! She was dwelling 81 those which
told her misery must ever be her por-
ton, and how much more she thought
her fate was to be lamented than that
OF any other damsel.-Vhe lay finish
ed, the bard regained his seat, the ca
rcusai again commenced, and Duke
Edrick reused his daughter from va
Guilty by a loud end deep reproach.-
He demanded, WHY she alone joined
not in the general JOY, on heholdlng
him in the hall! lmma essayed to
bot Der words were inarticulate;
she burst into tears, happily unpercei
we'd by her father. Again the bard
was inspired-he struck a prelude that
enchanted all; 4hey seized their arms,
in rapture, as for the combat, but each
was silent, and all was hused
the repressed clank of armor, as
The Knights regaiued their seats.
rhe hoary musicians cheek was flush
I'd with a hectic fash; a holy lnspira-
ion gave a fire TO his eye; and while
Dis fingers struck the chords OF bis
aarp, he sung praise of lmma-
''Fsir as chaste, as chaste as fair"
At such a congra,ulation, she rose
n virgin difidence. and thanked him,
hough in a voice choaked with sobs;
md overcome by the praises of her ia.
her, she cast her eyes f~arelessly a
.oaad tic hall, and sunk fenseless in