Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-08-29
BY d. P. PALMER.
From the Lady's World of Fashion.
THE EMIR'S DAUGHTER

at her feet.
'What shall | singS' asked the minstrel
starting from the reverie, and careless.
ly running his fingers over the instru.
ment, giving utterance to a prelude
of wild but exquisitely melOdious
tones.
Shall sing of war, or Of love, or
and his voice became SuddeRly sad, 'ol
captivity
The princess turned her large dark
eyes on the speaker, and invOluntarily sigh
ed, for she felt how much that little word
meant.
'Oh-no, not Of capti7ity-sing ofsome
gayer theme-let-let it be of love- she
continued, and the blood mounted TO her
forehead as she spoke.
'There is but one song remember Of
that kind replied the minstrel in a sad
but musical voice, whose softened acS
cents told how grateful he felt for the
sympathy Of the maiden. "There is but
one song Of that kind remember, and it
is of my own far off home. Lady, know
not that can sing it ,'for it fills my heart
with tears when think of it now, but
your wish is my law and again running
his fingers over the instrument,he evoked
strain of music that might have been
from the stars.
The maiden leaned her face on her
hand to listen; and as she reclined thus,
the minstrel thought he had never seen
anything so beautiful. Her brow was
as smooth as marble; her mouth and chin
cut IN the most exquisite proportions,
while her long lashes dropping over her
eyes, gave them the depth of shaded
water II there was majesty in that face
there was also grace. II the classic
features made it for moment seem
stern, the kind smile and softened look
of the eyes relieved you instantly from
the feeling. And now, as she gazed on
the minstrel, there was dewy tender.
ness in those full dark orbs which might
have said volumes to hi m if he had no
ticed them closely (which perhaps he did.
He raised bis head and spoke.
'The words are my own language, but
the music you can understand.
The princess nodded, and he began
The song was mOurnful, and before the
minstrel had finished, he had drawn tears
into the eyes Of the listener, merely by
the touching pathOs Of his voice. A pause
ensued.
Can forget the home where was
born, or the Churchyard where my faith
era sleep9 he answered sadly. Again
there was pluse, and there seemed
struggle in the lady's bosom. When she
spoke there was deep emotion in her
voice.
sand would you run The peril of reach.
ing the christian camp, if your escape
thence was COnnived at2'
'Dear lady, yes!
'You shall 60. To night there will
be one at the seaward postern-you are
allowed the freedom of the interior-the
gate will be opened for you, and boat
at hand. And may the God you worship
bless and preserve you,'-and she turns
ed away to hide her tears.
A new light broke in on the minstrel.
Gould it be that he was beloved? Was
this the cause Of the kindness with
which he had been treated9 With
sudden hope he was about to fling him
selfat the feet Cf the princess, when one
of her father's eunucbs entered the a.
partment, and he was forced TO resume
his instrument in order to conceal his 9.
motions No further opportunity to
speak with bis mistress occurred through
the day, and he left her presen ce towards
evening in despair.
Should he avail himself Of her offer
to escapef II no were certain other love, |
nothing could induce him to hy without
her, but did she love him2 This uues.
ton the captive could not answer. Har-
tassed with doubts, he saw the appointed
hour arrive without having come to any
conclusion. A new hope now arose.
He would meet his mistress at the pos.
tern. Alas! there was no one there but
an eunuCb, whom she had bribed, who
was previously silent. The minstrel was
still in doubt, when lights were seen
in the garden, advancing towards the
postern. Notime was TO be lost. The
eunuch pushed him into the boat, the
crew Of which instantly rowed off from
the land, and the captive, yielding to his
fate, bade farewell forever to the Emir'S
daughter.
But he could not forget her. Even af'
ter arriving at the Christian camp, and
resuming bis round, (fOr all had thought
him dead, his only thought was Of the
SaEacen beauty; and long he fingered in
Palistine, VIXEN his interes! should have
called MIN home, hoping to hear of her.
But despair at last took possession of
him and he retuIned sadly to Europe;
where the fairest ladies' Of bis own gsy
province sirove in vain to win him by
Oh!had be known the aQony with