Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-22

where one feeble raw OF light came out to mock
the prisoner with the day. In the prime OF
youth, he had expired. The rough keepers,
whose feelings by constant scenes OF desolating
horror were frozen hard, started as they intent
" viewed the corpse; it was no longer the dull
brutal apathy, which is felt when barbari,y be-
comes business the hasty stride was checked
into trembling, and the stout arm fell never
less: they started, and their bosoms heaved, as
with the thrill OF best emotions. He was dead.
His face and form were youths own prototype;
they seemed mansion made for the noblest
shirt. the deep, the awful struggling OF the
heart and mind was told by the bent forehead
and wasted cheek; vet it was not all despair;
there app, AIRED sofening look in the strong
agony: slight ,inge Of the rose breaking thro'
canker. as though hopes angel had visited his
last moments. and threw smile upon the gen
eral woe. il was look that spoke The spirits
heaven. that told the earthly gazers 1t was free
from mans impiety. They approached the
corpse: one hand was firmly prest against his
bosom: it was with difficulty they released it.
The hand was strongly clenched; they loosen
ed the grasp, and something Tell on The pave
ment; it was picture, Of the companion OF his
misery; the.portrait Of lovely woman; the First
heinz 10 whom his hearts incense had ever
been offered.
And is love ideaR livesit but in summer gar
dens? sports it bat like the painted fly IN the
FRAGRANT bowers, under certain SKIES! No; 1t
outlives the sunshine, and in til. bowling storm,
and new-made wilderness, stretches forth lis
little hand and like the blind woman generally
berefl of fortune and Of friends, it finds in in
FAINT care guide, blessing.
~, ,ba hack If the DIcture was marked Ma
RE. evidently her own writing. What Joy in
his Imprisonment must have been this poor
piece Of painted ivory! What thoughts il must
have endured. What agony alleviated. Toima-
CINE the new-made. captive, IN all the energies
of youth with their concomtant Impotence,
upbraiding fortune and existence. He throws
himself upon a bed Of stone, and by the dim
licht .ezes OF the form Of her, the magnet OF
his lfe she smiles, and his pen,-up feelings
ease themselves in tears; their last interview
comes strongly on his heart: her approaching
steps, the exchange Of look, the pressure OF
Inns The SOULS banquet Abstractcd from his
present situation, lie wanders backward, the
dazzling ball and the evening walk again are
his; her beaming eyes, and the little world
which the souls Of those who truly love create
around them, when isolated from the common
resort, they live alone in happiness, tempt the
prisoners sense, far from the rough-hewn tomb
that holds his body in. The vapour quickly
dissipatcs--he knows his captivity; his loss OF
her-the threatning death, his Marie's honor,
then the storm Of grief again assails, again ri
OTIS over his broken energies, and again meets
comfort from second look. With every re-
turning day OF wretchedncss to fancy, the vast
ing youth welcoming the image with the hearts
ardor, and the long hours past, who again
stretches his limbs on the rude couch, again
kisses the idol, and sleeps more soundly from
the salutation. Thus pass months; his stream
of life dries up; violent emotions have SKATER
ed his frame: he feels his hour approaching;
and deaths last struggle places his hearts
queen upon her broken throne.
And is love ideal? is it the playthlrS OF
romance, the dream of wandering sense? Sure
~ not In some minds it dwclls in all the glo-
ry of refined nature, prompts the noblest inn
pulses of humanity; and, though beginning It's
course in prosperity, perhaps first the offspring
of glance, journeys faithful through the rough
est roads, and where worldly malice sirews
,horns within the paths, dis,i!s into the lacerat-
ed wound balsamic honey.
.1s,-.e