The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-09-04

ses of tnOse most. loved. Dead bocies
we're lying on the steps of the palaces,
WHITTIER they had dragged themselves to
obtain relief Children were clinging 10
their dead mothers, sucking in the pois-
on from their liyid, but still cherished lips
and in slle midst of this frightful scene of
misery and horror, men dressed in black
were seen stalking about with cold indlf-
ference, silently placing the dead on carts
and aflixing tickets to the houses, hear
ing the frightful word EXIT NcT.
Ziani's heart was seized with dread 81
horror, bus love and anguish gave wings
to his steps-he flew to Dnponte's dwell
ling. The first object that struck his
sight was the appalling ticket on the
door.
In vain did Malapiero endeavor to hold
back his friend he rushed pale and like
maniac into the hut, crying out, "Gio-
wanna, Giovanna !" But the hut was
empty, The bodies had been taken away
furniture and clothes were lying about in
disorder. Ziani would not quit the hut,
he wished to die where Giovanni had
ceased to exist, and Malapiero was obi
gcd TO take him by main force out Of this
abode Of death.
As they quilted the cottage, a frightful
noise at some little distance announced n
tumuIt, and they saw an immense crowd
of people rushing towards the palace Of
the Doge.
"Come. Ziani," cried Malapicro, $50
get your own SORROWS t-come, our pres.
enee will be necessary"
The people attributed the whole blame
Of their misfortune to the Doge they
thought, and with justice, that his impru-
dent delay OH the island Of Scio, was the
sole cnnse of The destruction of their fine
fleet, and had brought death into their
houses, instead of the advantageous
peace they had expected. They were
accustomed tn the greatest sacrifices,
they did not shrink from shedding their
blood in defence of their country, but in
their )wn homes, to see the lives of all
that were dear to them falling II sacri-
fee to the imprudencc of one person,
was what they could not brook, and they
called for vengeance. in The voice Of des-
pair and rage. The angry populace
surrounded the pal; &C of the .Doge =
"Down from the throne" they cried 81
"down with the traitor, who has brought
us the plauge, instead of peace !" The
Doge placed dependence on the body
guard but, even amongst these, were
fathers and sons, who had lost those
that were dear 10 them, so that the tu-
multi continued 10 increase. Vital de-
termined, therefore, to risk every thing,
and conidiug IN the love of the people,
whn had ever been devoted TO him, he
left his palace, and endeayored to tran
guilizc their minds. With stern dignity
arrayed in his ducal dress and 0rna-
ments, he appeared in the midst of the
populacc, who were preparing to attack
his palace.
"Here am I, my. children !" said he >,
"judge me if you Wilt is not l, but
God, who hath sent the angel Of death
among us %
At the sight of his venerable figure,
the people drew back al instant, and
Just at that moment Ziani and Malap-
ero arrived, who cndeavored TO appease
the enraged multitude. But several
voices again cried out, "Down from the
throne M mercy for the traitor =
down with him !" Suddenly voice
was heard from behind, crying out,
make way make way where is the
man that has murdered my wife and
children 2" With these words, all ell
ragged old man pressed forward from the
crowd, seized the Doge with the fury
of maniac, and plunged dagger in
victim to his fate, while the assassin
walked unimpeded through tho aston,sh-
ed crowd, holding aloft his bloody dag
ger.
But Ziani Immediately recognised
him to be old Daponte--he hastily pur-
sued him through the deserted streets,
and, seizing him by the arm, cried =
"wre,chcd man, where is your daugh-
ter 7"
Daponte looked at. him with frcn-
zicd laugh; sshas death, then, spared
you 7" said he ''well, come then, l
will lead you to your bride %
lie then, without giving any further
answer to his questions, conducted him
through several by-str,ets, to n solitary
churcl,-yard. In corner of it, on a
wretched heap of straw, lay Gioyanna
struggling with death. Dapopte, when
his wife and other children had breath
cd their last, quilted his home, and, half
frantic, had brought his daughter to the
cemetry. In the madness of despair,
he had wished to put an end to the tor
ments of lis cherished child, aud to his