The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-05-13
NEW ENGLAND LEGENDS
THE MURDERED LADY.

In the l7th century, when the sea'robbors
were ravagng the commerce OF Spain, YES
sci of that nation was brought into the port of
Marblehead, by pirate brig. For the better
security 0f lis rich cargo, the unfortunate
crew were barbarously massacrrd A lady
was brought on shore by the pirates, and mur.
dered, and afterwards buried in a deep glen or
valley, at a little distance from the village.
The lew inhabitants Of the place, at an early
period Of It's history, were unable TO offer any
resisl anee 10 the fierce and well armed bueea.
ncers. They heard the shrieks OF the untor-
iunate lady, mingled with the savage shouts
Of her murderers, hot could afford her no suc-
cnuT. There Is tradition among some oi the
od inhabitants of Alarblehead, that thess
sounds have been heard ever since, at inter.
yas OF two or three years, in tho valley where
the lady was buried.
a dark hulled brig at anchor rides,
Within the still and moonlight bay,
And round iis black, portentcIs sides
The waves like living creatures play
And close At hand tall ship lies
A voyager from the Spanish Main,
Laden with gold and merchandise
She II ne er returnagain!
The fisher in his seaward skifF,
Cfceps stcalthily along the shore,
Within the shadow ofthe cliff,
Where keel had never ploughed before,
lie turns him from that stranger bark,
And hurries down the silver BAY,
Where, like demon still and dark,
She watches DER her prey.
The midnight came "A dash Of oars
broke on the ocean-stilness then,
And swept towards the rocky shores,
The herce wild forms Of outlawed men,
The tenants of that fearful ship,
Grouped strangely in the palo moon Light
Dark iron brow and bearded lip,
Ghaslly with storm and fight.
They reach the shore,-but who is she
lhe whlte'robed one they bear aong'
She shrieks--she struggles TO be free
God shield that gentle one from wong.
1t may not be ,--those pirate men,
Along the hushcd, deserted street,
Have borne her to a narrow glen,
Scarce tTod by human feet.
And there the rufians murdered her,
When not an eye, save Heavens bene!d,-
Ask OF the shuddering villager,
What sounds upon the night air swellet
Womans long shrek Of mortal fear
Her wild appeal to hearts Of stone,
lac oath--tRe taunt-the brutal jecT-
'"o P4S'"is''oI- tHe gTOdH.
With shout and Jest and losel song,
From savage tongues which knew no REIN.
The stained with murder passed along,
And sought their ocean. home AGAIN.
And all the night their revcl came
In hoarse aud sulen murmurs on
yell rang up-a burst Of flame
The Spanish Ship was gone!
The morning light came red and fast
Along the still and blushing sea.
The phantoms Oft the night bad passed.
ihat tocean'roIber--wheTe was sho,--
Tier sails were reaching from the wind.
her crimson banner folds were stirred:
And ever aud anon behind,
Her shoutin. crew were heard.
Then came the village dwellers forth,
Ana sought with fear the fatal glen;
he stain OF blood-the trsmpled earth
Told where The deed of death had been,
hev found gTave-a new.made ONE
With bloody sabres followed ont,
And shndOwed rom the searching sun.
BY tall trees round about,
They left the hapless stranger there:
lhey knew her sleep would be as well.
As 1t the priest had poured his prayer
Above her the funeral bell
Tho few poor rites which man can paw
Are fell not by the lonely sleeper:
The deaf unconscious ear ofclay
Hoeds not the living weeper.
They tell tale--those ea.worn men,
who dwell along the rocky coast,
VI sights and sounds within the glen,
or midnight Shrek and gliding ghosl
And oh If ever from thoir chill
And dreamless sleep the dead arise,
That victim OF unhal owed i'll
Might wake 10 nman eyes.
They say that often when the morn
ls struggling with the gloomy even,
AID over moon and star is drawn
The curtain of couded heaven
Strange sounds swell up the narrow glen.
AS If that robber crew were there
The hellish langh- the shouts OF men
And wnnan's diving ptayerl