Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-04-06
OIL. XI--No. SOB

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was ; the deeds Of depravny which dis
craced those times entitled them, moro
than any deficiency of knowledge, TO the
appellallon Of The dark ages. The sun of
literature had arisen upon Italy: her proud
est luminarles were then 10 their zenith,
and the homage of mankind had already
begun to distinguish her as pref eminent in
the noble arts. Ii was the moral world
mat was ovcrspreud with n deep and appal.
Ing g'oom in which principles and inst
tutIons were COMPOUNDED and overwhelmed:
a chaos wilder than that of the primitive
elements. An imperfect illumination, like
the struggling rays Of starlight, was shed
on The darkness by the spirit of chivalrv
while precepts Of Christianity, perverted
and abused, were deprived Of their leci,-
mate power TO soothe and relieve the ills Of
humanity. The noble then held his rank
and rights by mere brute force they de-
pended on territorial possessions. The
peer, whose vassaIs could to dav defend his
strong hold, might Tomorrow find himself
unhonored, as well as landIess; the COM
panlon IN condition Of the mental whom he
had spurned. The instability ofall things
led to selfish and reckless ambition. The
boundaries of Kingdoms were insecure
rapinc and violence took the place Of law,
and rude dscord and INSTRUMENTATION were
the consequence among all ranks. Human
life, especially the life of an inferior. was
valued a, cheap rate and crimes passed
unpunlshed, nay, were boosted Of, which in
ju,ter times would have banlshed the Grim.
NAL from the brotherhood Of men.
The effects OF the fortunes she had I'M
dcrgone were fearully visible in The ex>
hausied frame of Phlippa. She leaned
back hel plessly on the sledge; her gray
hair torn and matted with blood, or stream
ing in disorder; her white lips convulsed
and covered with foam; the superhuman
palencss of her features wildly contrasted
with the fire that yet burned in her eyes,
as she surveyed her tormentors with an
expression. of scorn and defiance that pain
could not subduc. AS they stopped at the
foot of the scaffold-for The more mercful
doom of the axe was vouchsafed TO her
who had reared their monarch in her arms
tho Bishop drew nigh in his official
robes. his holy book open, and addressed
the victim, to mock her with the offer Of
reprieve
Philippa Of Catania! I repeat, as I
have thrice done this day already, and for
the last time, the offer of mercy. Confess
thy guilt; name thy accompices, and in
the name of the Queen, give you pardon,
and space TO repent in thy remaining days!
PhilIppa looked up; there was a smio
on her wan lips. the dews of death wero
already on her brow.
Wilt thou accept mercy said tho
official, 'or is yonder axe thy choice''
God will not suffer you,' she said, in
slow and feeble accents, there to spill my
blood, nor to wreak further cruelty on these
exhausted limbs
Sayest thou !! shouted the fierce Du-
razzo, riding up to the spot as he heard her
reply. 'Capo di Do! doth she yet DEFY
US ! Speak, woman, or take thy leave Of
the suns Light
The voice Of her cruel enemy reused tho
expiring energy Of life in the bosom of the
Catanese. Il will speak !! she cried--her
tones suddenly changed from their former
hol'owness, now ringing loud and clear
and he, Durazzo, who reads the depths Of
that unholy bosom knows, that | speak
truth! | out pity you, hoary dotard aye,
and the deceived people whom thy sat elites
have wrought to frenzy-of thee, Charles
of Durazzo, will the innocent blood be
required The spirit of prophecy is upon
me! AS thou hast wrought with the
sword, so shalt thou perish by the sword J.!
Not in the ranks of ba,tle-hot in the glory
Of conflict but in the hour Of trust, in the
embrace Of couresv--by !reachery, foul as
thysef hast devised by mental hands,
dlshonored and unrevcnged.! For her
whose holy innocence thou wouldst dare
wrong, whose name thou wouId'st blacken
--clear as yon radiant sun shall her fame
shine to the eyes of men, when thou, DUKE,
lest in the dust 9
Accuse sorceress! = cried Durazzo;
to the block with her = and his soldiers
rushed to execute his commands, but star
ted Oack when they came nigh, as It struck
by spell She was already dead! That
flash of her ancient spirit was the last;
yet, though life had departed, the frame
was still upright the right arm she had
stretched upwards in the vehemence Of her
analhemr was still erect, as ii appealing
for lis confirmation to'that Immortal Judge
to whom belongeth vengeance, and whose
wrath like flaming fire, shall dcvour tho
wicked,
disappointment. doubt, superstitious
fear, racked by turns the breast OF tho
fierce noble. Slowly he left the ground.
for he felt that his work had been in vain
from that hour all he could win mus, be
won by blood. And determination as
stern, but how far nobler than his own,
was born in another spirit. Joanna cast
hat hour from her heart the abused SOFT
ness, the lacera,ed feelings which had Till
now caused the woman 10 predominant
over the Queen the careless gaty, tho
youthful vlvacity, the childish trust, hence
forward to be strangers to her bosom.
The soil of her hes, affections, n bleak and
melancholy waste; life, stripped of tho