The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-02-09

and IN unusual Hre burned III H'sANo'"e az 'enS'h
he found words to express his admira'ioa and aston
ishment. a. U. r
"Far damsel,' be cried, "lhy visit is unforeseen;
but thou arr more welcome 10 my chamber than the
pleasant odor ofthe young vines io The spring sea
In what can ! do thee service. i
81 am" said The abashed intruder, while II rose
ate blush overspread the marble wilderness Of her
soft cheek and lofty BROW" am NJ You perceive a
stnnger and Gentle, unworthy 10 come beneath
the roof Of the far famed abb Abmclech, words
of whose lips are.wsdom, 81 whose precepts are as
pearls OF great price; nevertheless, let thine hand
maiden find grace in thy sight, and inro aside, l
pray thee, unto my lodgings, which are nigh at
hand and lie, thine handmaiden rejoice in the
light Of thy countenance aud in tho sweet sound
Of thy voice"
The rabbi, though surprised at the more than
novel address felt strange sensation thrill through
his frame. Gazing upon the lovely speaker, his
resolution began TO waver and almost unco nscous.
ly he permitted hmse II 10 be led out by his I'M
known visitor. Proceeding a rapid pace toward
the western quarter of the city, they at length stop
ped before a house OF handsome exterior, but
which Abimelech could not remember OF hav.
ing seen before. A single tap at The door caused
ii open, and the rabbi still following his mystic
rous conductor, entered hall feebly lighted by a
single lamp. Here she motoned him TO remain
short time, and disappeared through passage, the
rabbi left TO mediate the strange adventure
in which he was engaged. But he had not much
time allowed for reflection, for the partial with.
drawal of tho heavy folds Of curtain, which over
hung small door, attracted his notice, and a fair
hand and sweet and soit voice, inviting him 10
enter. He approached, lifted up the curtain, and
beheid a supeIbly furnished chamber, lighted up
with silver lamps, fed with psrfumed oil of Sama-
RIA; mirrors of polished metal hung around the
room, while on couch sat rather inclined, the
beautiful stranger, whose charms shone with
splendor far surprising any thing The rabbi could
imagine Of mortal mould. He ossayed to speak,
but the words dwet upon his lips She bcckonod
him TO take seat beside her. He obeyed trerl-
hiingly; but the gentle assuring smile, which she
cast upon him, at once banished his timidity, and
his eyes wandered in unrestraiDed freedom over
those voluptuous beauties, ill the sight became
painful from extreme delight female attendant
spread before them a light and iuxurient repast OF
fresh and dried fruits, grapes, fgs ap,icots, aud OIL
ives, Pomegranntes, and dates, in,erspersed with
pots Of pure honey, rose cakes of Damascus, aud
bananas ofRoset,a, Esy ptan syrup, and crysa! va
.ses in which The rich wine OF Heloo1 sparkIed
with tempting brilliancy
'.Fa:res, of the daughters ofmen, may I crave
thy and that Of thy fathers house?" said the
rabbi, addressing his unknown com panion.
''My name is Zorah, replied the damsel; 'smy
father is OF the children ofIshmael, abider in
the desert; the fame of the sage Abmelech has
reached to the further borders Of the wilderness;
and behold the heart of thine handnaiden was
moved to the man ofwhose wisdom all nations
spoke" a~"
"Lovely Zorah, my wisdom has become with
cred grass before thy beauty, and the strength of
my heart dew before the commingling light OF
thine eyes. Snfier me, therefore, 10 be unto thee
even Boaz was unto Ruth, and TO love thee
with The love whcrewith Jacob loved Rachel"
Zo,ah smiled at the earnestness with which
these words were uttered, and filling the cup pre-
scented it TO the rabbi, who insiinctively shrunk
from the dangerous liba,ion but Zorah would not
be denied.
"Urgo me not, fair damsel.'' said he, 81 have a
vow against the juice ofthe vine until next new
moon" ....-I.,.. i..f 't.s
Zorah's countenance fell, and The big tear hung
trembling on the dark, suen lash. Abimeech,
torn with conflicting passions, dashed his arm n.
round hel waist, and drew her INCREASINGLY 10 his
BOSOM he felt the quick pulses Of her heart throb
b.
against his; her signs upon his cheek,
and the perfumed wine cup at his lips: human
strength could resist no longer; he seized the cup
with desperate hands, and, at single draught,
quaffed il to the bottom HIS aoas broken; and,
having nothing to hope fear, drarght fpllowe ed
draught in quick succession, till his flushed cheek
and sparkling eyes bore evidence that he was no
longer under the dominion of sober reason. s..,it
s.Zorah, my beautiful Zorah,' cried he, "my
love for thee 10 ms the love. which Hoods cannot
quench nor many waters drown--ihpu arr the
light Of my eyes--I cannot part from thse--lft US,
therefore, flee unto your fathers tents, even unto
the Wilderness, as unto city Of refuge, 1850
"Ah! my lord, bur Thy servant hath neither gold
or silver to bear the clarg' could we live like the
raven or III @ stork OF the desert?
This objection had not struck Ahlmelech before;
he was rich himself, but be could not i'n'nedately
convert his possession into money AND his pas
sion was 10 violent too admit delay. lie seemed
perplexed, and spoke not, till Zorah inquired, IN
careless manner il his next door eighbor was not
~ r;cb p,hbcnn Aaron Ben Rablnt.