Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-30

THE CONSTANT VENETIAN.
IT'S SD dh'sfory;-T maid was slain
Bv.on ~ho was her lover.

the bridal Of the Adriatic, had arrived -
the dark canals of Venice were desert
ed, and the whole population Of the city
were gliding over the sea. Tho ocean
breezes were soft and refreshing. The
banners Of the gondolas tiuttered eaily
in the air; aud all was blithe and beau
tiful Neur the state-vessel Of the
Doge, foated the barge Of the Duke dc
Faurinl, one Of Itaiy's proudest ana
most respected mobiles: but the eye OF
tho multitude was not turned to him
his daughter-the last remaining prop
Of his house--the beautiful Roslinc-
the bright flower Of the Republican
States occupied the undivided atten-
ton Of those around her.
Rosline was, at this period, entering
her eighteenth year-the time when the
| .emales OF the south possess that pecu-
liar beauty, which unltes the vivid love-
illness Of youth with the maturer grace
of womanhood; hers were the true Iial-
ian Embellishments: the vermillion lips;
the clear brown cheek, over which the
damask tinge rested-the dark flashing
eyes, bespeaking heart formed for de-
voted love, mingled with an enchanting
maiden delicacy, to which often the
Venetian females are strangers these
were the few gems Of worth an observer
could at first discover; the remainder
.litlered in the SOUPS casket. But
Rosline's lo,e-her first love--and what
love is 80 fervent as that Of YOUTH was
given; aud the hearts affection Of one,
whose vows were to her the world alone
she could breathe, she received. Who
then wondered that the beautiful girl
gazed not on the scene before her
that the music's strain was unheard-
and the showy spectacle was to her IN
slpid? Surely, no one; the man who
possessed her love was by her side
and, in his presence, the worlds pleas
ure and the city's gaiety were tasteless.
The youngest son of noble British
family, possessed of high personal and
mental beauty, the lnheriter Of a rela-
tive's princely fortune, aspired to the
hand Of Rosline, and became her accept
ed lover-her betrothed husband.
On the sparkling bosom of the sea
there now reigned an unbroken silence !;
The Doge pronounced the well-knOwn
sentences, and the giiitering ring fell;
then the loud claiions, mingled with the
shout Of countless voices, rent the air;
the assembled gondolas dispersed, and
the living tide once more entered the
city. The vows of attachment; the
hurried accents Of the Englishman-
were again listened to, and prolonged
until the gilded bark arrived at the mar
BILE steps Of the Dukes palace.
The entertainment given that evening
by the Duke, exceeded in splendour
and magnilicence, the banquet of the
Doge on the preceding morning. But
amid the beautiful and noble females
who graced the mansion. Rosline shOne
conspicuous; wandering with her lover
through the long colonades, in which a
dim twilight reigned; or, encircled by
his arm, and mingling in the festive
dance, she was alike in an earthly para
disc. But, alas! it was doomed to be
transient, feeting, and decaying!
The clock Of st. Mark tolled the
third hour o! morning ere the guests de-
parted; Steinford pressed the lip of his
Rosline once more, and repeated the
heightened adieu; ever and anon cast
ing lingering glance as she crossed the
corridor to her own apartments.
II was at that moment messenger
arrived at the palace, bearing a letter
fOr the Englishman, which he said re-
quired his immediate perusal; it was
from his native Isle, from his brother
in it he said their father lay on his death
bed, and desired to see his last-borr
before life was ended; the letter con.
cluded with an earnest wish for Stein
,ord's instant return to England.
| With the speed of lightning he placed
the packet in his bosom, and strodt
,cross the gallery, leaving the couriel
IIone, and surprised at his vehemence
lis frantic enunciation Of their parting
| excited deep terror in the breast Of Ros
line, as he entered her apartment. NJ
lamp burned in the room, and the fain
rosy tinge which cleaned in the cas-
trew pleasing light on the snowy pill
,rs and slken draperies.
Dearest Rosline, we must part" ht
repeated in trembling tone; "but l vii
return again."
Never-never," said Rosline. in ;
low whisper; Z" Steinford, l know ful
well the character ofyour northern men
here,I hold you in silken chain; there
its links will sever-absencc annuls tn,
strongest tie oflove"
Rosline, dearest Bosline," he re
furned," if you value my future peace o
mind, talk not in such a strain. Car
you distrust my attachment i"-and h,