Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-19
cd gestures and earnest eloquent expression

of his countenance may be construed INTO
such a meaning, a tale Of ardent, uncontrol.
able and en,husiasiical love, of deep and
pure devotion ,unwavering and sincere. And
well indeed might he find room in his warm
and youthful heart TO enshrine the image Of
that sweet being, for never, since the day
when for misdemeanor, to call it by no
harsher name, mother Eve expelled from
celestial Eden, had there dawned upon earth
brighter creature or one better modelled
by natures hands, to turn the hearts Of all
the world and set them quarrellng for love
Of her rich beauty. Twenty summers had
not flushed upon her rosy cheeks; but al
though thus young, the fame Of her UNI
matched and peerlesr presence had resoun-
ded through all the courts of christendom,
and kings had not dsdained to enter the
field in competition for her hand and heart.
But as yet, that stubborn thing, the latter,
had not felt the influence of love. AL went
as they had come, unsuccessful in their
suits, and even he who now suffered to
whisper unchecked of his fond hopes Of
winning, where many had failed, was listen
ed to with apathy and GOODNESS, and more
out Of respect and friendship for the speak
er, than for any sympaty that might be
lurking in her bosom with the burden Of
words. Thus tarrcd they upon that spot.
while time flew by with wonderful rapidly,
until the moon had attained that height in
the heavens which bctokened midnight; yet
neither had manifested any disposition to
retire, until, in reply to a passionate excla-
nation and a torrent of burning protesta-
tons which burst from the lips of the youth
ful sutton, for the hundred time, within the
hour, the maiden answered rrevocably, but
with such winning grace and loneliness that
1t but caused him to love her yet more mady
than before.
Urge me no more, pray you. Igrieve
much, and have often heretofore, that you
and I, my brave cousin, can never be to
each other, more than we are now. Ask
me not why, | canno, tell. Desist there
fore, bcsecch you, in in thus pressing me
on, for it will but serve to raise greater OBJ
: staclcs. My respect, esteem, friendship,
nay, more, my love is yours but your wife,
| can never be. Seek out some one more
worthy to be your bride, and in her caresscs
forget one who is not worthy Of your pas
sing thoughts Come, let US in-the night
grows chilly, and see, the platform is de-
serted and we are left alone. Perclance
, we may be missed, and scandal will then be
. in circulation. Come
She extended her hand toward the stat.
ute-like youth. who Immediately accepting
it, pressed it first to his heart, and then tc
his lips and as he did fear tricked from
his gli>tcning eyes, and fell upon it. Has
lily brushing away the signs of his weak
ness, he then led her gently down the steps
and shortly after re-appeared in the bal
room, Invested of every trace of his late
emotion, and apparently the gayest of the
= gay. Loud and riotous were the bacchan'
: allan chorusses that shook the fretted cell.
e ing Of the banquet room, for the Lord of tht
u mansion, and of the province, was there
y with the flower of his court, doing the hon
II ors and courlesies of hospitality TO the cnvo.
= then newly arrived from England's Shore
y The board was spread in the centre of TIT
y apartment, capable of entertaining al leas
II a score of nights and retainers upon eacl
u side, but those that were not engaged in thu
IS carousal were limited to two or three ant
g twenty, picked from the noblest families o
a the land. Upon a raised platform or dais
&c at the upper end Of the hall, was seate'
"a Baldwin the Fifth, sur-named the gen,l
Earl of Flanders, a man who had attained
'r the middle age of life, possessed of singu
e larly mild, benign and aimable disposition
e united TO pleasing countenance and grace
'i ful form, now arrayed IN garments of cost
N hest velvet, silk and satin, adorned wit
l. nimevcr and down, and lace from the loom
nt of his country the riches, in the world, an
ID sparkling with golden ornaments and jewel
scattered in rich proiusion about his person
10 On his right hand was seated the ambassadC
st of Engand's Edward the conftssor, the ia
IN famed and off sung Brihtric Shaw, (lhe so
ut Of Agar. the Lord of Gouccs,er,) VIII
l. contemporary chroniclers inform us was tn
y handsomest and most courteous gen,lema
tn Of his time, perfect model of grace an
Mt manly beauty, of kind and gentle bearing
"a Besides those who were quafiing the spark
st ling liquids at the board, ever and ano
re breaking forth into roars of boisterous mel
rs riment, the hall was filled with men-at-arm
Sc scneschals, pages, cupbearers, and la
n, though far from being held in the lowest e.
OF timation, a gentle tourbadour from the SUM
g, South, who chaned the loves of noble lore
az and ladies', in a manner that elected Il
H. heartiest concentrations from those WI
x CHANGED to catch his magic strains, and DIRE
G. down from them ,hunders of applause, al
w the more substantial remuneration of show
MS ers of golden com. Lights also cleaned
no every niche and corner of the room, al
We the air, agitated by the full, deep tones
oil the many human voices, ruslled the warrior
flags and banners. and silkcn trophies, fe
IT. TONED upon the walls, and from the cein
pit shaking from them clouds of choakng du,
on that probably had there accumulated undi
nd turbed for years.
ed 'Weal and wassall to the Saxon Kin
he Edward of England suddenly exclaim'
III the Count Of Flanders, during the temper
,S' ry lull ofthe confusion, sprnging to his fec
ne and waving aloft massy goblet of virg
ne gold, filled to the brim with the juice of Il
nd fruits of the veins of France.
he 'Weal and wassail to the Saxon King
he repeated, with vocitcrous shouts, eve
use knight and noble at the table. And upro
"a, their cups and goblets, as their holde