The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-05-06
NJ ISC E L L A N E 0 U s .
From the Lady's World Of Fashion,
The Emir's Daughter,
BY MRS. MARY Y. SPENCER.

ly running his fingers over the instrument
giving utterance to prelude Of wild. but
exquisitely melodious tones.
''Shall sing of war, or love, or and
his voice become suddenly sad, of cap
tivity."
srhe princess turned her large dark
eve on the speaker, and Involuntary
sighed, for she felt how much that little
!, word meant,
"No-no, not of captivity-sing of
some graver 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 kinds replied the minstrel in sad
but musical voice, whose soiened &C
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 envok-
ed a strain of melody that might have
been from the stars.
The maiden leaned her face on her
hanG to listen; and as she reclined thus,
! the minstrel thought he never had seen
any thing so beautiful. Her brow was
as smooth as marble; her mouth and chin
cut i'll the most exquisite proportions,
while her long lashes dropping over her
eyes gave them the depth of shaded wa
ter. Il! there was majesty in that face
there was also grace. If the classic fea-
lures made 1t for moment seem stern,
the kind smile and soltencd look of the
eyes relieved you instantly from the feel
ing. And now, as she gazed on the min
strel, there was dewy tenderness in
those full dark orbs which might have
said volumns to HIM if he had noticed
them closely, which perhaps he cid. lie
raised his head and spoke.
"lhe words are my own language,
but the music you can understand"
The princess nodded, and he began.
Tie song was mournlu, and before the
minstrel had finished he had drawn tears
into the eyes of the lisiner, merely by
til. touching pathos of his voice. a
pau, ensued.
"Sit, MINSTREL" she said suddenly, "you
pine for your county-do you nol!"
"Can forget the home were was
born, or the church-yard were my fathers
sleeps he answered sadly. Again there
was pause, and there seemed struggle
i'll the lady's bosom. v hkn she spoke,
there was deep emotion III her voice.
Sand would you run the peril of reach
ing the Christian camp, if your escape
hence was connlyed al"
Dear lady, yesr'
"You shall go. TO night there will
be one at the seaward postern-you are
allowed the freedom of the interlor-the
gate will be opened for you, and Il boat
at hand.-And may the God you wor-
ship bless and preserve YOU" and she
turned away to hide her tears.
A new light broke in OH the minstrel.
Could it be that he was beloved Was
this the cause of the kindness with which
he had been treatcd2 With a sudden
hope he was abou, to fling himself at the
feet of the princess when one Of her
laiber's eanuchs entered the apartment,
and he was forced to resume his instru-
ment in order to conceal his emotions. N
further opportunity to speak with his mis-
f tress occurred during the day, and he
left her presence towards evening in des-
pair.
; Should he avail himself of her offer to
escape? If he were certain of her love,
nothing could induce him to fly without
her; but lid she love him? This ques-
ton the captive could not answer. i!ar-
raised with doubts, he saw the appointed
hour arrive, without having come to any
conclusion. A new hope now arose.
f lie would meet his mistress at the pos
tern. Alas! there was no one there but
all eunuch whom she had brbed, was was
psrversely silent. The minstrel was still
i'll doubts when lights were seen in the
garden, advancing towards the postern
No time was to be lost. The eunuch
pushed him into the boat, the crew OF
which instantly rowed off from the lands
and the captive, yielding to his fate, babe
farewell forever to the Emir's daughter.
But he could not forget her. Even
after arriving at the Christian camp, and
resuming his round, 0or all had thought
him dead) his only thought was of the
Saracen beauty, and long he fingered in
| Palestine, when his interest should have
} called him home, hoping TO hear of her
But despair at length took possession Of
him, and he returned sadly to Europe
when the fairest ladies of his own gay
, province strove in vain to win him by
their smiles.
ooh! had he known the agony with
which the Emir's daughter watched, from
her tower, his departmental he been
told how, day by day, she sought 10 CLEAN
some intelligence Of his arrival at the
Christian camp, he would have left his
| 4 4