The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-07-30
MISCELLANY.
ALvIsE sANUTo.

had been gioflously tJleu III tnc UuttiS VI
Lepanto, in which he had performed pro-
digies otvalour.- His prudence and fore
sight had been often the subjectof admira-
tion in the great council ofthc state. The
old man, his. father, esteemed him ~ the
ornament and grace fhis family. Venice
pointed to him as one of her best citizens.
At that period both public and private
manners were exceedingly severe. The
ladies who gave law to them, only issued
from their homes to go to church, wrapped
up in a veil which bid their face and fig.
ure. The balconies OF the palaces still
present signs Of this ancient severity, the
parapets boing purposely made high and
largo, as 10 render it difficult to see from
them. Alyise had a heart Of the most pas
sionate and fiery nature; he felt the impe
rious sway Of love, but as set had met with
no lady on whom he could bestow his at
fcctions. The arrival of the French am
bassador at Venice, in great pomp, excited
public curiosity. The manners Of the
strangers bore an aspect Of perfect novelty
20 the Inhabitants Of the republic, as the
ladies, who accompanied Amalia, the nm
bassudor's daughter, displayed FIRE and
viyacity, which to many seemed scandalous
as well as astonishing. Amalia was in her
seventeenth year, aud to cultivated and
sprghtly powers Of mind, added those
French graces, which, il they do not con
stitute beauty, are still moro cifectual than
beauty itself in seducing the beholder
Avisc saw hcr when she was presented
to the Doge. and regarded her as a being
more than human. He gazed on her as IL
beside himself; and what female could have
bcheld him without admiration? Amalin
read in tho noble countenancc Of Alysc
what lie fell at that moment; she was af
fectcd, and, for the first time, her hearl
pnlpitatcd within her bosom.
Alvisc from that day was another being,
lie knew his unhappy state, and that his
misfortunes could end but with his life,
since tho severe and unyieldDg laws ofhis
country rendered all hope chimerical Of
eyer being united with the stranger lady.
His ardent fancy suggested to attempt any
means of again seeing her who was dear
er TO him than life. His abode was divid.
cd from that Of the ambassador by mar
row canal. Having procured the assist
nnce OF French domestic, ho passed over
20 the palace, and secretly entered the
chambor Of Amalia.
II was midnight, and the young lady, her
own thoughts perhaps disturbed by love.
had not yet laid down, but was seeking
from prayer consolation and rest. She
knelt before the image Of the virgin, her
hands claspe1 in the attitude OF devotion !;
and Alvise, beholdiug her angelic counter
once lit up by the uncertain light of the
lamp, could not restrain an exclamation Of
surprise, which reused the maiden from
her pios revcne. Struck with the sight of
him, she Mt first fancicd according to the
superstitious notions Of The times, that he
WAS a spirit SEPT by her evil genius to tempt
her, and uttered some words OF holy script
uro by way of cxorcism when Alvse nd
vancing threw himself at her feet. and be.
fore Amalia could speak, disclosed to her,
in the most passionate terms his love, the
inconsiderate step he had taken, and the
certain death that awaited him should he
be discovered.
Terror rather than Indignation, filed
the breast of Amnlia. "Ob henvens" she
exclaimed, "what madness could promp'
you THUS to expose your own life and my
reputation? Haste, fiy from this spot, whicl
you have profaned, and know. that if M,
heart rccols at your death (und here she
gave deep sigh ye; Mt my cry those
would appear who would not suffer your
insnt'o pass unpunislied;' so saying, she
pointed imperiously TO the DIOR.
Alvise listened to her as ifhe had been
struck down by lightning. "Tbcn let me
diem hc exclaimed, "for without you life
is odious to me-. You are just taking the
first steps in this vale Of tears; one day
however, your heart also will know the
motions of love, and then. then think oi'the
unhappy Alvsc: how great must have been
his pangs, and how ardent his desire to ter
inmate them!'
He now made an effort to TO away; bot
Amulia held him. while she said, "Alas ]
seek not thy death; live, but forget me from
this fatal moment" "Iro forget thee is
Impossible; to love thee ia death; thy com
passion would swceten the last moment Of
my cxistcnccm "Alvisc !" exclaimed ANN
lin, weeping. Hive, IL only for my sake DO
you comprehend the force of,hcsc words?"
She trcmblcd at tho questions; but the
iled Of her lover dying in despair overcnme
al her scruples. ayes. live for my sake"
she repeated in an under tone.
Unhcppy beings! they wore intoxicated
with love, while the abyss was yawnng
beneath their feet A spy ofthe state in.
QUESTION, who was going hs rounds. saw
Alvise enterthe palace and recognized him.
Denounced before the dreadful tribunal. he
was dragged thi'her that very morning.
Convicted Of entering the abode OF the
French ambassador. he was desired 10 ex.
plain his motives for so dining. but remnin-
cd ohstinatcly silent. The members Of the
inanisition were confnupded. accustomed
as they were to zee every thing Weld be-
fore them, and reminded him that death
hxs IA .sn, S~kl S<f oosla av1S
"Death," he replied. "had no tcrrors for me.
when fought at Lopanto for the glory Of
ert,,k A.. 81 r.s