Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-11
A SCRAP.
"Oh! let me court Lethean streams,
The sorrowing sense to steep,
And drink oblivion Of the themes
IN which c,nuof uepn ,,

In that season Of life, when the hearts
enthusiasm gives lervor to all its affect
tions, first commenced that unfortunate
attachment between Augustus and Ame-
liza. The genius and accomplishments
of Augustus were the themes Of every
tongue. lie possessed proud and as
pirlnS soul-he anticipated. with san
guine confidence, the time when his tai
ents and industry would be an honor to
himself, and service to those around him.
Ills own Amelia, with heart that could
so well appreciate his excellencies, found
proud enjoyment in those plaudits so
often associated with his name, and hap
piness in those warm affections which
her own charms had created. o! there
was not one thorn among the roses Of
their own Eden-there was not one
cloud in the pure skies that illumined its
bowers; there were no sounds but those
told Of happiness, in cheering whispers,
to the heart. If Amelia's voice was
heard in song, the strain was Of the most
joyous melody-her harp had not one
sound of sadness in its varied notes
and lightest in the dance were her own
footsteps, among its graceful evolutions
Thus passed those days away, till Au-
gustus, in the tumults Of the world, ex-
changed the dreams Of those romantic
hours, for the cold realities of life:-
And cold they were to one so enthusi-
astic! rugged, indeed, to one so ambi-
tious, were those sleeps toward the tenn
pie of fame, over which not even genius
could give wings to bear him-but step
by step>his wearied feet must tread, TILL
even the hope which carried him along
seemed to sicken with delay. Deep in
his susceptible heart were the stiDgs Of
disappointed ambtion In those woods
which surround the beautiful village
where so many Of his days had been
passed, were breathed the murmurings
of his discomfort even those haunts
which endeared this adopted home,
were sought, not al once, to indulge in
dreams OF love and hope-but to hide
amid their shades the dalk dependence
OF his spirit. Amelia, too, whose
presence was once SO replete with
bright associations, served but to in
crease his gloom-vain was all the gai-
ETY. with which she hoped to dissipate his
care. Ifin brighter hours Augustus was
beloved with the feryor Of her feeling
nature, he was now, in his moments Of
gloom, cherished in her heart with an
affection yet more impassioned. But
why (thought she) the gathering shades
upon his brow? Can he not be happy
without the applause Of multitude?- p
Can he not leave the scene where his
hopes have failed, and seek in love and
friendship, alone, u joy worth all ambt-
ion could have promised?-Amelia was
happy still-fUr Augustus was the same
to her as in her best days; and in losing
the tickle favors Of the world, she knew
he had not lost that which ought to have
secured them. But with all the splen-
dor OF talent, Augustus was deficient in
firmness of mind, aud independence of
spirit. His time was wasted in gloomy
Incidence, till he at length sought in in
temperance fancied oblivion Of his ills
The companions of his virtuous days
forsook him-his friends, while they
mourned his degcneracy, left in the
haunts of dissipation one who might
command the respect and admiration Of
all. But Amelia, with woman's con-
stancy, was faithful still. Many were
the efforts of her family to lead those
affections from an object no longer wor-
thy her regard-but Augustus, scorned
and forsaken, found one, at least, whose
look would not reproach, whose tongue
UnulI
sic Of her harp was still awakened
but at times a melancholy tone would
steal into those strains meant for gaiety
alone-that eye, tho its glances were
all his own, was fast losing the lustre of
its hue--ond that cheek, where the rose
once bloomed so brightly, had not now
I one trace of its crimson tinge. Each
day, as it passed, brought deeper mel
ancholy to the heart Of Augustus-and
fainter, with every mornings dawn,
bcamed the eye ofthe unfortunate Anne
lia-till, at last, it was shrouded In death!
She died the victim of love and grief. -
Deeper, still deeper, in the intoxicating
tracted senses. Thou'rt nothing-all
are nothing now (thought he)-he dare
not think upon the past--he would not
dwell upon the future-his constitution,
exhausted by excess, and wasted by the
desponding melancholy which he so long
had cherished, warned him of his ap-
preaching end. He awaited it with i'm
patient despair. .... and Augustus, too,
found an early grave-the victim of dis
appointed ambition and Of blighted af-
fection.-But, alas!
! ssTho onI, ho,rt tlo n,l,, .,o