Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-13
A SCRAP.
"Oh! let me court Lethean streams,
The sorOwing sense to steep,
And drink ohlivinn offhe themes

The sonowing sense TO sleep,
And drink oblivion ofthe themes
On which l cannot weep"
In that season oflife, when the hearts
enthusiasm gives fervour to all its ahec-
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
piring soul--hc anticipated, with san
gunc confidence, the time when his tai
cnis and industry would be all honor to
himself, and service to those around
him. His own Amelia, with heart that
could so well appreciate his exccllcn-
cies, found u proud enjoyment in those
plaudits SO often associated with his
name, and happiness in those warm af-
fcctions which her own charms had cre-
ated. o. there was not one thorn
among the roses OF their own Eden
there was not one cloud in the pure
skies that ilumined its bowers: there
were no sounds but those told of happi-
ness, in cheering whispers, to the heart.
lfAnelia's voice was heard in song, the
strain was ofthe 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 Augustus, in the
tumults Of the world, exchanged the
dreams of those romantic hours, for the
cold realities Of life: And old they were
to one So enthusiastic! rugged, indeed,
to one so ambitious, were those steps
toward the temple of fame, over which
not even genius 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
stings of disappointed ambition! In those
woods which surround the beautiful vii
lage where so many of his days had been
passed, were brcathed the murmurings
Of his discontent-and even those haunts
which endeared this adopted home were
sought, not at once, to indulge in dreams
oflove and hope-but to hide amid their
shades tie dark dependence of his spir-
it.-Amelia, too, whose presence was
once so replete with bright associations,
served but to increase his gloom; vain
was all the gaiety with which she hoped
to dissi pate his care. If IN brighter
hours Augustus was beloved with the
iervor Of her feeling nature, he was
now, in his moments of gloom, cherish
ed in her heart with an affection yet
more impassioned But why (thoug ght
she) the gathering shades upon his brow?
Can he not be happy without the ap.
plause Oft multitude? Can he not leave
the scene where his hopes have failed,
and seek in love and friendship, alone,
a Joy worth all ambition could have
promised' Amelia was happy still; for
for Augustus was the same to her as IN
her best days; and in losing the tickle
favors of tho world, she knew he had
not lost that which ought to have secured
them But with all the splendor of tai
ent, Augustus was deficient in frmncss
ofmnd, and independence Of spirit
His time was wasted in gloomy indol-
ence, till he at length sought in intcm-
perance a fancied oblivion Of his ills -
The companions of his virtuous days for
sock him; his friends, while they mourn
ed his degencracy, left in the haunts of
dissipation one who might command the
respect and admiration Of ALL
But Amelia, with woman's consta ncy
was faithful still. Many were the efforts
other family to lead those affections from
an object no longer worthy her regard
but Augustus, scorned and forsaken,
found one, at least, whose look would
not reproach, whose tongue would never
ccnsure For him the music of her harp
was still awakened-but at times a mel
ancholy tone would steal into those
strains meant for gaiety alone-that eye,
though its glances were all his own, was
fast losing the lustre ofits hue-and that
cheek, where the rose once bloomed so
brightly, had not now one trace of its
crimson tinge. Each day, as it passed,
brought deeper melancholy to the heart
Of Augustus-and fainter, with every
mornings dawn, beamed the eye of the
unfortunate Amelia-till, at last, it was
shrouded in death. She died the victim
Of love end grief.-Deepor, still deeper,
in the intoxicating bowl, Augustus sought
to steep his distracted senses. Thou'rt
nothing-all are nothing now thought hey
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 approaching end. He await
ed it with impatient despair. and
Augustus, too, found an early grave---tho
victim of disappointed ambition and of
hlinhfed affecfinn-- But alas.