The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1827-09-29

Trey RudeL Dante and Petrarch have borne
testimony to his genius, and the latter has be-
walled his miserable fate with that pathetic
grace which adorns every line he has written.
Tie was one of the poor relatives Of noble
family; and thus obtained such an education.
and acquired such accomplishments, as soon
distinguished him among the troubadours Of his
time. At very early . &c he had devoted him
self wholly to compositions, and the most bril-
liant success crowned his efforts. He was ca
ressed and rewarded by the mobiles of his native
land with that prodigal liberaty which was
characteristic of the times He was flattered
and distinguished by the ladies, to whomxa Ii
cense was then given by the common consent
of society, which too frequently dcgenerated
INTO extreme dlssoluteness of morals To
common mind this would have been the topmost
height that his ambition would have chosen to
mount but Rudels heart pinned for an ideal
excellence, which he found not in the world
The gttering insecurity of bis position made
him restless: he knew that he was the play
thing of fashion, that the same caprice which
had raised could cast him down again. His
heart was filled with passionate sentiments
which found no responsive feelings in those
which surrounded him. Love, which was the
very essence of his being, and which was the
inspiration as well as the theme of his poetry
upon. The grosser and more sensual passion
which men commonly call by that name might
indeed have been fully satisfied; but the pure
spirit of love, which refines and graces the
world, does not mingle with such unhallowed
materials Rudel starved in the midst of plen-
ty; and at length constant meditation on some
model of fanciful beauty and goodness in the
lalrer sex produced morbid tone of thinking
which is common enough to minds which the
rays Of genius have penetrated, and which the
world, not altogether unjustly, calls Madness
To the world. and to the worlds inhabitants, it
is madness; for it neither begins, nor ends, nor
is connected, with any Of the notions which
they commonly entertain.
1t was while his mind was in this state of agi-
tation, prey to the visionary imaginings of
distempered fancy, that he was present at a
grand festival given by one Of the barons of
Provence. Among the gallant jewellers were
some who had lately returned from travel and
who introduced the name Of the Queen of Tu-
mis- in their discourse. The praises which they
lavished on her beauty, her art. and her virtue,
caught Rudel's attention. He listened eagerly,
and his imagination instantly suggested to him
that this fair queen must be the incarnation of
that fancied glory and excellence which be had
been so long dreaming Of Wrapped in these
CONCENTRATIONS, he leaned his head on his hand
and unmindful Of the company by which he was
surrounded. gave himself up to the sweet and
bitter fancies which crowded on his brain. He
was reused from them by a person sitting next
him, who handed to him portrait magnificent
ly adorned with jewels. 1t was the likeness of
the youthful Queen Of Tunis and, unskilful as
| the artists of that day were the beautv of the