Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-05-19

a CHAPTER FROM AN UNPUBLISHED NOVEL.
The dark mantle OF night, had shrouded the
earth, ere the Ottoman fleet commenced the
bombafdment OF the capital of Greece.
On the deck of the Sylph sat Theodore and
Corlnne viewing in The dim distance the vivid
flashes from The heavy cannon of both fleet and
fortress repeated without intermission.
The moon was at the full and shone forth
with the placid slvery light, as in mockery
of the scene of desolation, being wrought on
earth.
1t was picture of magical enchantment
that the fairy wand of fancy, only can portray
The gloomy roar of the distant battares,
came booming on the air, with melancholy
sound as thunders roar upon the Oceans deep.
Anon was heard the spintering crash of
masts and spars, on board the fleet, and then,
then there came the hollow moan of crumb-
ling walls, from the falling citadel of Misso-
longhi.
Volumes Of smoke curling high in the air,il-
Illuminated by the sui phurous blaze resembled
the bursting forth of subterranean matter from
Etna's fiery furnace. The mine sprung be-
meath, the fort had exploded, and the mangled
remains of It's unhappy inmates were hurled
! alott IN the atmosphere blackened in their gore
comminglng with stones and cannon.
The black mass of smoke Garkened all sur
rounding objects in terrific gloom as though
the shades of Erebus had invoked the aid of
Lucifer from the den of Hades.
| There was momentory silence and nature
hushed and still seemm'd as the
Stormy gloom at midnight hour,
When heavy clouds in darkness low'r
Missolonghi had fallen in the tower of hel
strength, in the hay-day of her glory a de.
pendent subject, to the ruthless Ottoman.
Within the walls of the city, terror and dis
may overcame the. hearts of the bodest and
the brave.
1t was a general massacre and the screams
ofwomen and of children, fleeing before the
sword o. the merciless enemy struck on the cal
in tones of melancholy sadness
Like to the mountain cataract in its course
the blood of thousands, streaming with The
heat and noxious exhalation flowed through
the streets in torrents miery with gore.
The palaces OF the wealthy noble, and the
lowly hut of the humble citizen were wrapt il
flames and crumbling to ashes beneath The
power of the devouIing element.
Every object animate, and nanlmate SCENIC
to share in the universal ruin.
Some rushed unconsciously into the brinN
deep, whilst others are crushed beneath the
smouldering fire and falling walls ofthe build
ings.
Missolonghi! thou home of the brave,
Land Of the free and the bold;
Though despots would bind thee slave,
Thy freedom can never be sold:
For the shades of thy heroes, will hove
around;
And Spartans and Lacedons will ris'
from the ground.
Thou fell in the pride of thy bloom,
And thy warriors sleep in their gore:
Thy smouldering towers in gloom,
Are embalmed ofAthens in yore:
But the epoch of glory, IN time will arise
When the tocsin of freedom, will noun
to the skies.
Long, long, in thy fall will we mourn,
Ger the tcmbs on the bright sunny PLAIN;
And nations in embroyo unborn,
Shall pause DER the names Of the slam,
Uncofin'd unkneLed, ensangumed an
warm,
' Meath the merciless blow, Of the Ottoma
arm - W.
( Columbus Miss. 1910.