The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-02-09

selecting half-wIthered rose.
Ed,cGrd. (cOntused.j All, it is an emblem
Of the feetingness of mortality, and am a
philosopher, you know. l could extract a
very grave lesson out of it /; but Emily said
she came down on purpose to see you; so
now you are come, and will make my best
bow, and retire. may want the same favor
| from you one of these days.
Albert. And we shall, no doubt, readily
pay it; but at present want to talk to Emily
| 10 the house, if she has no objection.
| Emily. None whatever. Shall we walk
up!
+ Albert. | have word to say to Edward /:
I'll follow you, my love. Erit Emily.
wanted, Edward, to hear your grave lecture
| on the withered rose.
EduCdrd. You are but a dull bridegroom
to think of any thing grave on your wedding
day. Sc
Albert. Nevertheless, ifthe fancy suits me,
methinks you might crafty it.
Edtoard. With all myheart; but never
lecture at sight. / viii prepare you very
choice philosophical moroccan, if you wish it );
but must have time to consider my subject,
arrange my arguments, look for few Greek
or Hebrew quotations, and
Albert. Edward, this trifling sits too i'll up
on you to come from the heart. Listen to
me. We have lived together in infancy; in
youth, and in manhood. Have I during all
this time acted in any thing unworthy of "a
brother?
Edward. You never have but why SO Sc
rious!
albert. Then as my recOmpense, let&me
conjdfe you to answer the question which
am about to ask you, pointedv and truly.
Did you not at all figure your own heart, I'M
der the image ofthe half-withered rose?
Ed,card. What could have led you to sup
pose
Albert. Do not prevaricate with me, for
cannot hear it. Look me in the face, Ed
ward. and tell me truly and manfully-do you
not love Emily?
Edaoard. Thus urged, I will not deny that
do; but | have struggled with my passion,
and
44lbert [eogerly.] With any success?
Ed,card. No; for it mocks all my endeav-
ors. But do pot go; hear me declare that
have never given Emily the least reason to
suppose
Albert. No more; it is as | suspected
Idiot that was deserve my punishment.
Detaln me mott cannot speak to you. An
other time-an hour hence. Oh! Emily,
Emily
Rushes ont, EDWARD .follo,cing him.
SCENE ii. Emily at her harp.
ALBERT, acto has entered during the song, ad
VaaceS.
Albert That it is but dull song for
bridaisone, Emily. In tears, toe, my love!
Surely may ask the cause.
Emily. There is something IN that air
which always affects me it is so simple and
yet SO plaintve the words, too, are sad,
and YOU know that am fond Of mOurnfli
things.
Albert. The heart, it is said, takes its par
tialities from their similarity to its own feel
ings. Is Emily's heart then sad
Emily. What, on my wedding day? File,
Albert.
Albert. Wedding days are not always JOY
FIJI days. When there is worm gnawing
at fhe heart, it is not a sprightly jest or two,
ossa few merry notes of dancing tune, that
can heal its pangs.
Emily. Why what is the matter with the
man He talks as gravely as the gentleman l
expect to hear shortly read a part of the pray
.er-book, / declare, and looks as solemn too
and SO pale. Surely, Albert, you are not
i'll
Albert. am we'll in body, my Emily;
but l am afraid you will think my mind
strangely disordered when ask you if you
love me
Emily. 1t is certainly rather late for ask
ing such question. What does all this
mean
Albert. will explain myself: You know
the anxiety our fathers have always nantes
ted for our union, and that from our childhood
we have been destined for each other. For
my own part, no fiat could have been more
welcome. have loved you, Emily, with all
the devotion of heart, glowing with warm
and fervd feelings. have watched your ex-
celencies from their earliest germ, and proud
ly hailed them as they buddedand blossomed.
Confident OF my own love, was perhaps too
presumptuOus when thought had succee-
ded in acquiring yours. l am about to deal
very ENORMOUSLY with you, Emily. re-
member when l offered you my heart and
hand, you told me your fathers pleasure was
always yours / considered this as maiden
ly assent, and was satisfied; nor was it till
within this fortnight that | begun to be fear
full | over-rate my merits. and mistook, for
prediction in my favor, what was but the
compliance of meek and gentle nature with
the will of a stern and despotic father. Do
not look uneasy, Emily; would not unne-
cessarily wound your feelings, but must pro-
coed; and in doing so, believe me. am not
sparing my own. loved you before knew
what the passion was-my heart has been 80
full of you, that it has scarce room enough to