The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-10-26


danger of the dragon to have enjoyed the
happy deliyerence of the duchess. As To
the latter, she rode pensively along, bu, sald
nothing.
No sooner was the adventure of The wood
made public, than whirlwind was raised
about the ears Of the beautiful duchess.
The clustering nephew of The deceased
duke went about, armed to the teeth, with
n staggering uncle at each shoulder ready
To back him, aud swore the duchess had
forfeited her domain. Ii was in vain that
she called all the saints, and angels, and
her ladies in attendance into the bargain, to
witness thut she had passed year and n
day of immaculate fidelity. One fatal hour
remained to be accounted for; and in the
space of one little hour sins enough may
be conjured up by evil tongues, to blast the
fame of a whole life of virtue.
The two graceless uncles, who had seen
the world, were ever ready to bolster the
matter through, and, MS they were brnwny,
broad -shoullercd warriors, aud veterans in
brawl as well as debauch, they had great
sway with the multitude. If any one pre-
tended To assert the innocence of the duch.
css, they interrupted him with loud ha |!
ha of derision. A pretty story truly
would they cry, about wolf aud n dragon,
and n young widow rescued IN tue dark by
a siurdy varIct, who darcs not show his
face in the daylight. You may tell that to
our parts, we know the sex, aud that's
enough
If, however, the other repeated his asser
lion, they would suddenly knil their brows,
swell, look big, and put their hands upon
their swords. As few people like TO fight
in a cause that does not touch their own i'm
tcrcsts, the nephew aud tho uncIcs were
suffered TO hive their way, and swagger un-
conradicted.
The matter was nj length referred to
tribunal composed of all The diguiiarics of
the dukcdon, and many aud repeated con-
sultaiions we're held. The character Of The
duchess throughout the year, was as bright
and spo,lcss MS the moon in cloudlcss
might, one fatal hour of darkness alone in.
tervened to eclipse i,s brightness. Finding
human sagacity incapable Of dispeling the
J mystery, it was determined to have the
question 10 heaven; or, in other words, to
decide H. by tho ordeal of the sword---a
sage tribunal Ia the ngc Of chiyalry. The
nephew aud two bully uncIes were To main
tain their accusation ia listed combat, and
six months were allowed 10 the duches 10
provide herself with three champions, to
meet them in the field ShonId size fail in
this, or should her champions be, vnnquish-
ed, her honor would be considereJas attain-
ted, her fidelity as forfeit, aud her dukedom
would go TO the nephew, as a inntterof right.
With this detcfnination.thc duchess was
fain TO comply. ProcIamntions were accor-
dingly made, aud hefalis sent 10 VA
rious parts but day after day, week after
week, and month afiet mcntb elapsed, with
out any champion Appearing 10 assert her
loyalty throughout that darksomc hour.
The fair widow was reduced to despair, when
tdings reached her Of grand tourna-
men,s TO he held Mt Toledo, in celebration
of the nuptials Of Don RIodcrick, the last
of the Gothic kings, with the Morisco prin-
cess Exilona, As last resort, the duchess
repaired to the Spanish court, to implore
the gallantry Of lis assembled cIivaIry.
The ancient city of Toledo was "A scene
Of gorgeous rcvclry on the event of the roy
al nupiials. The youthful king, brave, mr.
bcaming with all the rndient beauty Of the
East, were hailed with shouts and ncca-
nations whenever they appeared. Their
mobiles Wed with cncb other in the luxury Of
their attire, their splendid rctinucs, and
prancing stecds and the naughty danes
of the court appeared IN blaze of jewels.
In the midsi Of nll this pagcnntry, the
beautiful but afflicted Duchess of Lorraine
made her approach to the throne. She was
dressed in black, and closely yelled four
ducnnas of the most stuid and severe as
vect, ard six beautiful dcnoiseIlcs, formed
her female attendants. She was guarded
by several very ancient, withcred, and gray
headed cavaliers and her train was borne
tive dwarfs in existence.
Advancing to the foot Of the throne, she
knet down, aud throwing up her veil, re-
ycaled countcnaDce so beautiful that half
the courtIcrs present were ready TO reDouncc
their wives aud mstrcsscs, and devote them
selves to her service; but when she made
known TINT she came III quest OF cbampl-
ons TO defend her fame, every cavalier
pressed forward to offer his arm and sword,
without inquiring into the merits of the
case for il seemed clear that so beauicous
lady could have done nothing but what
was right and that, at any rate, she ought
to be pioned in following the bent of
her lumors, whether right or wrong.
Encouraged by such gallant zeal, the
duchess suffered herself To be raised from
the ground, aud related the whole story Of
her distress. When she concluded, The
king remained for some time silent, charm
cd by the music Of her voice. At length !: