The ladies' garland. [volume] (Harpers-Ferry, Va. [W. Va.]) 1824-1828, 1828-01-12
TIE MAGICIAN 5 VlSlTER
UIThen by W. n Nrele, for .lchermans Far
DE- Not, 1928

III was al inc close OF Inc autlmnal day, and
the shades of even beginning to gather
over the city Of Florence. when IA low quick rap
was heard at the door of Cornelius Agrppa,
and shortly afterwards stranger was intro
duccd into the apartment in which the philoso
pher va, sitting al his studies
The stranger, ath ou-h finely formed. and of
courtroom, demeanor, had certain inde!inable
All Of mystery about him, which excited awe, if
indeed ii had not a reprllent effect. His years
1t was difficult to guess, for the marks Of youth
and az we're blended ~ his features IN a most
extraordinary manner There not a furrow
10 his check, or a wrinkle on his brow. and his
large black eye beamed with all the brlancy
and vivactv Of youth, but his stately figure was
bent apparently beneath the weight OF wears :;
his hair although thick and clustering was gray
and his voice feeble and tremulous. vet its
tones were Of the most ravishng and soul
searching melody His costume was that of
florrntlne gentleman: but he held staff like
that OF a painter IN his hand. and sllken sash,
inscribed with oriental characters, was bound
around bis waist His face deadly pale,
but every feature of it was >ngularly beautiful,
and ITS eEprr sSIon was that OF profound wisdom,
Mingled with poignant sorrow.
" Pardon me. learned SIR" said he, address
ing the philosopher - but your fame has travel
| could not leave the fair city of Florence with
nut seeking an interview with one who is its
greatest boast and ornament
" GU are right welcome, Sir" returned A.
grppa; /" but fear that your trouble and Gu
riosity will be but illv repaid. am simply enc,
who. instead Of deyoting my days to the acquire
ment of wealth and honour. have passed long
years in painful and unprotitahle study in en-
drayorilg to unravel the secrets of nature and
initiating myself in the mysteries of the occult
sciences"
"Takest thou Of long year, ," echoed the
stranger. and meancholy smile played over
his features. "thuu, who has scarcely seen four
score since thou leit'st thy cradle and for whom
the quiet grave is now waiting eager to clasp
thee in her ehelterins arms, ! was among the
tnrbS to day-thc still. the solemn tombs, saw
them smiling In the last beams of the setting
sun When was = boy used to wish TO be
like that sun. his career. long, so bright, so
glorious Bat to night thought it is better 70
slAmher among those tombs than to he like him y
10 night he sank behind the hills, apparently to
rrposc, bat to m 'rrow he must renew his course
and run the same dull and UNMARRIED but toll
some and unQniet race. There is no grave for
him. and the ight and morning dews are the
tears that he sheds over his tyrannous destiny"
A-rippa was deep observer and admrer Of
external nature and Of all her phenomena and
had often gAzed upon the scene which the
stranger described. but the feelings and ideas
which it awakened in the mind of the latter
were so different from any thing which he had
himself experienced, that he could not help. for
a season, gazing upon him in speeches. won
der His guest, however, speedily resumed the
discourse