Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-19
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
THE FAIR MAID OF FLANDERS.
DY ROBERT I. wAER.



Ii hath a lions strength
Twas a night of lestiviy IN Flanders
The ancestral old country seat of the pus-
SAINT and famed Count BALDWIN, ruler of the
province, was ilumined with thousands OF
brilliant lights and tapors, displayed at every
loop and window and cutie, of the time worn
pile. The strains of rich. joyous music,
that filled the air with melody mos, sweet,
told in language too impressive to he mis-
taken, that naligh, but saiety for the momen,
re,gncd within. Over turrct, ba,lemcnt
and tower, bright banners and gay tcstoons
waved their silknn folds to the light evening
breeze; within the spacious halls resoundcd
the rapturous strains of soul inspiring music
the light, gay laughter of merry hearted
damsels, the measured tread of the dancers
step, the lay of the welcomed troubadour
blending the sweet infections of his voice
with the harmony of his instrument, the
shout of health and wassail, the carousal of
the banquet, and the busy hum Of human
voices, minging their many tones, and send
ing heavenward a strange and confusing, yet
far from unpleasing, medley Of sound and
noise, din and riot.
Without twas a scene Of splendor and
serenity. Down upon one of the richest
garden spots of nature that nature can
boast of, poured the soft light of the bright
moon, in the full food Of glory and magniii-
cence; and as the trees and shrubhery
waved their young limbs and branches with
the influence of the breeze, the lnxurant
glades and spreading lawns, were cheqnercd
with changing spots Of light and shade, most
beautiful to look upon. And there we're
those there who deemed that nature was
gifted with attractions quite equa! to those
displayed within, for as the hours moved on,
and higher, yet higher, rode the sovereign OF
the night, one by one, and in couples, aye,
and even IN parties of three and four, had
members of that vast company there assem-
bed, stolen from the hot dissipation and ex-
ctement of the ball room, to the battle
ments and tower walls until there had now
collected upon the outworks and platforms
Of the castles, at least third of those who
had there met for the occasion, to receive
entertainment, and enjoy the hospitality OF
the mighty Lord of Flanders.
But there was one couple upon the plat
form leading TO the tower gate, that KEEP,
aloof, and seemed to have no communion
with the rest. When the chvalfiC and
courteous Count Baldwin had been informed
ina, a portion Of his company had left the
dance, to enjoy the GOODNESS of the night il
the open, unpol!uted air, with that kindnes,
and urbanity which he ever evInced for the
comfort and qualification of his guests, he
had ordered display of fire balloons, anc
the attendance of band Of music upon tho
lawn, to the RICH, of the eastern wing Of the
house; and now, when those for whose
pleasure these matters had been arranged
had focked toward that side from whence
they could most readily witness the perform
ance, and listen TO the music, this SOLITARY
couple moved not from the spot which the,
had from the first occupied, bu, RENAMED
gazing in silence over the MASSEY parapet
toward the far of PERCEPTIONS heights of tn
rocky Jura, which were visible from wher
they stood, marking the boundary of fai
France.
The elder of the two was a young man
in the prime and flower of youth, graceful
and apparently gentle chcvalier, of stated
mein, and pleasing coun'enance, and array
ed in rich robes of fur and cloth, adorne
with levels. He wore a small velvet CAP
from which rose asingle long heron's feather
a baldrIck of satin, worked with golde
flowers, crossed his silken tunic from hi
shoulder to his side, and where hung a long
narrow Italian blade, in a golden scabbarc
with its hilt Of mother oi-pearl, garnshe
with many costly jewels, and in the grdl
that circled his waist was thrust, more to
ornament than any fears of the necessity {
its being required for use, a small dirk in
curiously carved and ornamented SHEATH
Close unto his companion, a damsel-ayt
and young and lovely too, he had station
ed himself with one hand closely claspin
hers and pouring into her ear, if impassor