Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-17
The slave frustrated herself nj the feet of

ortured and bewidercd by thousand new
md strange thoughts, yet all pleasing, re-
seated herself in the window and gazed va
.anty upon range of gardens, villas, foun-
aims, towers and domes, all mingled in gor-
ycous confusion, and lying like magic scene
beneath the radiance of the moon, which
Hooded all with light so mellow that the
whole seemed to be seen through sea OF
transparent silver.
v.
In the door Of lowly hut of reeds and
mats. in a remote quarter Of the capital, sat
an aged man mcnding nets by the light OF
the moon; the beams Of which rested like
snow flakes on his white head. Suddenly a
shadow passed between him and his light,
and he looked up. $500 /
Welcome, Montezuma, my child. l
have bcguilcd the hours waiting thy coming,
by putting a stitch, as well as my old eyes
will let me, here and there in the net. You
arc pale
Il have need to be pale, SIR said the
youth, casting himself upon scttec beside
the door. lie who carries the ruddy cheek
of careless heart, at this time, loves not
his country, and has no manhood. We are
nation of slaves, fathcr-but light has
broke in upon us. The tyrant shall die and
mans blood shall no longer be counted wa
ter"
Ilush' boy, said tho old man, lifting his
shaking finger.
There has been blood spilled this day,
and were it not that the tyrant was the faith
or of the fair princess Eylla, I would say
the slayer with my own hand"
Hist, SONNY child, sllencc?' Speak
not such words Ere this thy words have
been caught up, and swift wings are bearing
them to the cmpcror's cars. What aicth
thee =
Il have whispered rebellion continued
the young man, needless of his fathers
words, in the willing ears Of thirty thous-
and of my fellow slaves
'Son, son-see, we are not alOnc-he
wears the empcror's livery. Thou art lost
-lost-lost! Did not bid thee keep ST.
lcncc!' And the parent flung himself dis.
tractcdy on the neck of his son.
The young man rose quickly as he saw
stranger approach the howell, and placed his
hand upon his bosom. But without making
further demonstrations of preparation for a
hostile meeting, he proudly and calmly
awaited him.
is this the abode of Necf, the nct-ma-
kerr demanded the stranger, haughtily adj
dressing the old man.
1T is what would you with my father I! ,
replied the young man.
Then thou art Montczuma, his son.
have an order to guide thee to the palace
Lead on. am ready TO dic-for my
blood will turn to fire and kindle a flame that
the tyrant's blood can alone exlinguish.'
'Ha, this is language!
'Plain enough fer courticr's cars
Farewell, father
Nay, thou shalt not dic-stay-stay--oh,
my son--my SONNY son
Farewell, old man. he said feelingly as
he laid the fainting form of his parent on
the settee he had himself Just occupied
Now sir, lead on to the emperorl'
The moon rode high towards midnight
scarce touching with its nearly vertical
beams the outer verge of the window in tho
apartment Of the princess, when the dool
opened, and the slave Ophiel softly entered
and stole to the feet of her mistress.
well, Ophiel =
Hc is without.
Who went for him y
i 'Ical.'
i Thy lover
The slave llushcd and hung her head.
| what said he when biddenl'
That he would obey the emperor's com
: mands, and spoke some other words of fear
full import
}, s'T'is well. I would that he, as we'll a
the messenger, should think It's my father
commands. Admit him.
The princess arranged her robes in NOR
graceful folds, and with an air Of mingle
. majesty and condescension, prepared to re
ceive the young man, as the slave ushere
him into her presence. AS he entered, hi
port was naughty, and his eye flashed roun
defiance, as he seemed to seek the perso
of the emperor. But the lovely form of tn
princess meeting, instead, his glance, III
> whole bearing changed; the eye lost its fir
u and assumed softer light; the lip its curl
G and the aspect and port of defiance wa
: converted into one of devotion and gentle
ness; and he kncelcd rcvcrently before he
d with his hands on his breast. The prince.
y marked tho instant change, and blush
n pleasure increased her loneliness.
Thou art called Montczuma, the SON
= Melcf, the net-makcr =
!, Il am the low-born slave thou hast nan
:" cd, lovely princess he answered with
: much of proud scorn as the presence of h
=, royal mistress would permit him to assum
'" This expression of feeling did not escape h
~ notice.
'Mcthinks thou art the cause Of ccrta
ii tumult in the streets to-dayl'
Noble princess, inasmuch as you judi
y =, me to have done wrong, confess my crrt
But neither |, nor those who died to prote
my poor life, have done wrong to the tyra'
10 Forgive mo, LADY, had forgotten, looki
~ on thy gentle face, thou vast his daughter.
~, But if offend, thou hast only to order me
~ the block-and death from thy hand we
,, "a better than life, with thy fathers foot up
Is my mock
you are ever hasty Montezuma. wo,
~ ask thee, how thou, so young, and of yc
degree, hast gained such influence over I
mi coulS Of man I IVho ,nnl1 thuS die for 4