The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-12
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE TWO LOVERS
BY LEIGH HUNT.

LEIGH HUNT.
We forgot in what book it was, many years ago
that read the story of lover who was to win
his mistress by carrying her to the top of the noun
tain, and how he did win her.
We think the scene was in Switzerland but the
mountain though high enough to tax his stout heart
to the uttcrmost must have been among the lowest
Let fancy it a good lofty hill, in the summer
time. 1t at any rate, high that the father OF
the lady, proud noble, thought it impossible fol
for young man so burdened to scale It, For this
reason alone in scorn, he badc him do 1t and his
daughter should be his
The peasantry assembled in the valley to witness
so extraordinary sight. They measured the
mountain with their eyes they communed with one
another and shook their heads, but all admired
the young man and some of his fellows, looking al
tlfeir mistresses, thought they could do as much
The father was horseback, apart and sullen
Ircpenting that he had iected his daughter even
to the show of such hazard but he thought 1t woulo
teach his interiors a lesson. The young man th'
sou of a small land proprietor, who had some pre-
tensions to wealth. though none to nobility, stood
respectfully looking, but confidently rejoicing IN IN
heart that he should win his MISTRESS though at th
cost of noble pain, which he could hardly think o
as "a mispain considering who it was he was to car
ry If he died for it he should at least have had he
in his arms and have looked i'll her face. To clasl
her person in that manner pleasure he con
templated with such transport as is known only t
real lovers for others know how respect height
ems the Joy ofdispensng with formallty and ennobe
and makes grateful the respect.
! The lady stood by the side of her father, pale
dcrious, and drcadiug. She thought her love
would succeed, but only because she thought him il
every respect the noblcs of his sex, and that moth
ing was too much for his strength and vaour. Grea
fears came over her. nevertheIess-she knew nc
in, ,bo nj
She felt the bitterness of being herself the burde
to him and the task, and dared neither to look q
her father nor the mountain. She fixed her eye
now on the crowd (Which nevertheless she behel
mott and now on her hand and her fingers ends
which she doubled up towards her with pretence
only deception she had ever used. Once twic
a daughter or mother slipped from the crowd, an
coming up to her Notwithstanding their fear of tn
lord baron, kissed that hand which she knew nC
what to do with.
The father said, "Now to put an end to th
mummCry;' and the lover turning pale for the fir
time took up the lady.
The Spectators rejoice at the manner in which /
moves off, slow but secure, and if encouragir
} his mistress. They mount the hill; they proceo
well: he halts an instant before he gets mldwa
and seems refusing something, then ascends at
quicker rate; and now begins at the midway poir
' shifts the lady from one side TO the other. III
t spectators gave a great shout. The baron, with
air of Indifference bites the tip of his gauntlet al
D then casts on them eye of rebuke. Atthe sho
the lover resumes his way. Slow but feeble in i
+ steps yet it gets slower. He stops again; and tn
think they the lady kiss him the forehea
e The women begin to tremble but the men say
IS will he victorious. lie resumes again; he Is ha-w
between the middle and the top; he rushes he stel
1t he staggers; but he does not fall Another sho
y from the men, and he resumes once more; r
thirds of the remaining part of the way are conqut
C cd They certain; the lady kisses him on the for
l. head and on the eyes. The women burst into tc;
et and the stoutest men look pale. He ascends slo
er than ever, but seems to be more sure. lie ha
e but it is only to plant his foot to go again: a
IA thus he picks his way, planting his foot at eve
" step, and then gaining ground with an effort
III lady lifts up her arms as if to tighten him. 81
,r he is almost at the top; he stops he struggles
ID moves sideways, taking very little steps and brin
l. ing foot every time close to the other. Now
is all but on the top he has again; he is fixed;
s. is all but on the top he halts again; he is fixed:
ct staggers. groan goes through the multitude Su
c. denly he turns full front towards the top it is luc
G. lily almost, level; he staggers, but 1t is forwa
lie Yes every limb in the multitude makes movem,
lc as if it would assist him at last: he is on
D top; and down he fell flat wit his burden. An
~ ormous shout! He has won: he has won. "
he has right to carcss his mistress and she is CT
+ essing him, for neither of them gets up. Ifhc
m tainted 1t is with loy. and il is in her arms.
q The baron puts spurs to his horse, the cro
Is followed him. Halfway he is Obliged to dlsmouI
r. they ascend the rest of the hill, the crowd hap
l. the baron ready to burst with shame and impaten
nt They reach the top. The lovers are face TO face
ID the ground, the lady claspng him with both arr
is his lying ouch side.
"Traitor!" exclaimed the baron, "thou h
s. pracsed this feat before, purpose to deceive
N Arise"
er "Iou cannot expect 1t, sur, SAID worthy IN
d. who was rich enough 70 speak his mind; "Ssn