The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-30

4 And was not alone, for casting my eyes
around, saw youth with flushed counte
nance, long and flowing hair. advancing brisk
ly towards me. The very sight Of him seem
ed to ill me with certain indefnable plea
sure. My blood danced through my veins
He held in his hand a cup crowned with
flowers, and with clear sweet voice he
thus addressed:
You see before you, an attendant upon
Venus, star to mortals but among us, the
most lovely Of the nymphs Of heaven. She
babe me appear to You, and offer place
among her worshippers. She is one who
rewards her yotaries with never ending
round Of pleasures and delights. Are you
fond of music, you have only to desire it and
the fairest of her celestial choir will fill
the air with melodiep., You shall join in the
dance with fair girls. and feast on dainties the
most exquisite. The fairest prospects au
placir dee yeur will rise in lustre before you.
| Flowers of the richest colors, and the most
delicious fragrance win strew your pathway.
Need tell you more7 You are young
Youth is the season OF enjoyment. Eat, drink
and be merry now, for enyious old age may,
ere the morrow, shroud you with his grey
mantle A short life, and merry one, is our
motto. Only drink of this cup, and from that
moment You enter upon new and sweet ex-
istence.'
looked upon him. So heavenly, so beau
tlful an expression lighted up his features, his
ar was SO engaging as he extended towards
me that Circean cup, that il seemed impossible
to resist. Oh, the temptations of youth
Had but thought Of that high mountain,
whence all the realms Of the earth were in
view, the riches and glory of them, and all to
be obtained by worshipping the tempter, but
ah, too eager, TOO curious, put forth my hand
and grasped the cup. Oh how delicious that
draught, but drank not all oft, the warning
gesture of the seraph seemed again before
me and ceased to drink. He who had
given it had already vanished.
How can paint the scene that opened before
me--a fairer sky than Natures greeted my
eyes orange groves, enamelled walks bowers
where nymphs as fair as the houries Of Para
disc, reclined in luxuriant attitudes, murmur-
ing rivulets and sweet singing birds, all things
beautiful perfect elysium was before me.
A fair girl in the first blush Of youth, with
laughing eye and languishing gate, arose
from her couch, and advanced towards me
bracelets upon her arms of dazzling rubies---
encircling her zone,a belt studded with opals,
which confined a flowing robe Of Fyrian die.
She was lovely to look upon, and my Gleuck-
phose was for a time blank to me.
Stranger, she said, welcome to the Cy-
therian groves. Come and survey with me
the dwelling place of the loves and graces.
You are, as my brother tells me, to be one Of
us. Count the sands on the sea shore ; as
many in number have bowed to the shrine of
our mistress, but few favored mortals only,
your features pleasing. Ingenious youth is
yours. Come and partake in the pleasures
that so well become your season of life.
will be ever your companion. My name is
Symposia. preside at your festivals, and
am the favorite Of both men and spirits.
do not know that have ever seen one more
attractive than yourself. What happiness
awaits you provided you know how to enjoy
it, She ceased to speak, and taking my
hand in hers, was about to conduct me for
ward. Gods how that touch caused the
blood in my veins to rush. lost all power
over my actions. She looked upon me. My
heart beat convulsively. ! was unclaimed by
bands Of adamant The music that had
ceased while my fair conductress was speak
ing, was again resumed. A choir Of spirits
who seemed to hover around US, at length,
after short prelude. sung of Adam and Eve,
emparadised in the blissful bowers Of Eden,
Of the loves of Abelard and Eloise, of Juan
and Haidee. While listened in rapt aten-
ton, soft and bewitching emotions seemed to
steal over me. ! met the glance Of Sympo-
sia's speaking eyes. How beautiful she
looked! Unconsciousness of the present fell
upon me, knew not where was, mayhap in
the seventh heaven.
In dancing, feasting and merriment. days,
weeks months gided by. My temples were
bathed in the Lethean stream of forgetfulness.
The past, the future were no more to me.
TO enjoy the present was all for which my
bosom painted.
While in this state OF mind, there one
day entered our bowers a young man Of noble
presence, intellect and commanding features,
and an elegance Of gait and grace Of manner
that | had never seen surpassed looked
around for my Symposia, that she might also
note him, and Judge my surprise, when found
that she had already left me. She advanced
towards the stranger and welcomed him as
she had before welcomed me.
soon perceived glowing intelligence
arising between them, and a new emotion.
one unfelt before, began to burn in my veins.
perceived myself in a short time neglected
and the green eyed monster" took entire
possession Of me. wandered through the
groves in most unenviable state Of mind.
vented my rage in curses, my griefin unmanly
tears.
II CHANGED that one day threw myself
down by fountain, and casting my eyes up
on it, saw my image reflected from the clear
mirror. Heavens could it be possible that
The features there saw could be my own I?