The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1840-11-06

Narcella the Roman YVife.
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and inactive Honorius was fast losing that
greatness and glory which had so long rem
deFed her the admiration of mankind and
the wonder Of the world. A fearfal storm
had gathered around the destinies Of the
devoted city: the dark spirit Of ruin brooded
over her magnificent temples; and death
and destruction in many form awaited
her once proud and prosperous people. She.
the hanghty mistress Of The world. had con-
queTed every country and brought the proud
est nations suppliants at her feet, now her.
self q suffer, subject to the will and power
ofaTude band Of baFbarians.
The renounced AIaric, king of the roths,
had, with his numerous army encompassed
the walls Of the city; commanded every en-.
trance and intercepted all intercourse with
the surrounding country. His watchful
and vigllant followers guarded every aven.
ne whereby fhe Romans might receive sue.
cors q supplies of provision, and thus all
prospecto Of aid, all hope Of assistance was
denied TO the miserable inhabitants within.
AtiSst The scarcity and suffering produced
by this state Of .hings was confined Ia lower
class Of citizens, and the humble dwellings
OF the poor; but as Time passes on and the
stock Of provisions III the city rapidly dimin.
ished, the pale face Of want began " show
itself among the rich and The noble, and the
ghastly form offamine stalked amid the
splendors q marble mansions and Senalori-
a palaces. What were now the gIittering
decorations Of these dwellings Of pomp and
power, when all their costly magnifcence
was insufficient 70 purchase food to sustain
life9 What now we're wealth ana spIendor
but reprcch to human pride and the mock
cry Of human gFaafssta They w0se bower
less @ stay the hand Of famine ia It's fearful
work death
Rome now presented terrible picture
othuman misery. The most pernicious and
sloathsome food was eagerly devoured-the
most horrible and unnaturaImeans used u
Sustain life. a dreadful suspicion crept
over the thoughts ofman, that some miseF.
able wretches, rendered desperate 81 suffer.
ing, deyoured tbe bodies of their fellow. INV
ings and the hofrid fear darkened he minds
OF many, that even mothers, maddened 81
the miseries ofstarvaiion, fed upon the flesh
OF their murdered children. Thousands 81
suffering victims persisted III the streets. ana
as the public sepnlchres were without the
walls Of The city, and in possession 81 the
enemy, The dead were leftto moulderwhere
they fell: thus adding the desOIatinp effects
Of pestlence 70 the fearful devastations 81
famine.
Among The dwellers iii he city ~ this
miserable period was brave 81 powerful no.
bleman called Severus. He was the leader
Of 2 band Of Roman soldiers; and ii many
conflicts with the Cloths he had sipnalized
himself BY acts Of valor and deeds lofty dar-
ing. He was even now confined Is his
mansion by dangerous illness, 0ccasi0ned
by severe wound received Ia recent en.
gagement with the enemy. AS famine
darkened over bis household. Tie friends Of
Severus one by one deserted him his ser.
wants turned traitors and fed, and bis slaves
leR their suffering master tosearch the civ
for food. He was not, however in this hour
Of extremity, deserted by all. There was
one friend whose faithfulness and fidelity
no force of circumstances could change
That friend was bis young and beautiful
vile MaFcella She was high sOuled and
noble woman, descended from long line
Of Roman Senator, ind we'll worthy VI Ire
race from whence She sprung. She was
celebrated among lhe NATIONS Of the day
for rare loveliness and loilyvirtue, and also
remarkable FOR the devoted and almost idol
atrous love whiclishe bestowed upon hef I
husband How beautifully did that undy- !
ing affection manifest ilaelfin this seasonof
suffering How brightly and purely did II I
SHINE forth from amidst the dark clouds 81 /
aaveTsIiy that gathered do threateningIy
around