Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-12-26
HAK EN-. THE SLAVE.
TALE EXTRACTED FROM THE HISTORY OF

HAKEM, THE SLAVE.
A TALE EXTRACTED FROM THE HISTORY OF
CHATTER I.
ALBERT GLINsKI, the powerful ostcnta
lous and intriguing Duke of Lithuana, wa.
passing, distinguished by his gancing plume
and gorgeous mantle, through one of the
more retired streets of the city of Cracow, a
this time "a. d. 1530) the capital of Poland
when domestic wearing the livery of the
palace deicrentially accosted him.
Her Majesty he said, commands me to
deliver these tablets into your hands; YOU
dropped them in the palace
Il dropped no tablets replied the duke
but instantly added, Yes, they are mine
givc them me-
lie took from the hands of the domestic
certain tablets Of ivory, which folded into a
case of gold exqnisilely wrought by one OF
the most skilful artists of Italy, and dismiss.
ed the bearer with liberal gratuily for hi,
services.
Ha my excellent Bona youthful bride
of Our too aged monarch Sigismund !! said
The duke to himsrli, when he was left alone
Each day some new device. What have
we in these tablets! Here, in the corner OF
each leaf, see solitary figure finely pen
cilled in which TO any other eye than mine
would mean nothing, but which tells me tina,
a, eight o'clock this evening you will receive
your favored duke. So, so But, charming
Bona it is not ovc-loveablc rs you are
it is not love-il is ambition gives its zcst,
and must bring the recompcnse to this peril
Gus intrigue. The Duke of Lithuana is no
: ot-braincd youth to be cntanglcd and de
siroycd by womans smiles. To have a
months happiness, as men phrase it, and
then the midnight dagger of Jealous mon.
, arcli-l seek no such adventures. 1t is the
crown Of Poland-ycs, the crown-that 70,
must help me to, fair lady,
AS he stood rejecting on his ambition.
schemes, his rival in the state, Count Laski
) minister and chancellor to the king, passed
by h!.n on his way to the palace. The duke
assuming frank and cordial manner, called
to him. Laski paused. 'What would the
Duke of Luhuania 2 he asked in his usual
calm and reserved manner.
'Peacon replied the duke-'amicablc
terms. Political opponents it seems we are
destined to be. The world gives us out a,
the selected champions of two hostile fac
tons. You affect the commons, | side will
the nobility. Be it SO. Bot there exists be.
tween us, | hope a mutual respect; and il
would be my greatest boast if, IN spite of thi,
political anagonism, might reckon Coun,
Laski amongst my personal friends.
A derisire smile played upon the counlc'
nance OF the chancellor as he replied -'Su
friendship, my lord, as is consisen, with per.
petual srie-open and concealed-shall, i
n ii please you, subslst between US. Pardon
me, but we pirate silly argon when we tab
ofprvate friendship and public hostility
AT all events reoined the duke, 'poi,i
cal rivalry does not exclude the practice o
the conr,esies Of life. 1t has been reported
to me that you admire the marble statue of &
nymph which an Italian sculptor has lael,
8 wrought for me. ], on my part, have enviet
you the possession OF certain Arab slave,
) living statue, moving bronze, that you have
among your statue your swart Apollo
d, and accept from me what many have beel
pleased to call living statue
Glinski had secret motive for the acouI
sition of this slave; ms known fidelity, hi
surprising address and power, had projected
the life OF the minister against more than on,
: scheme of assassination.
e 'The exchange replied Laski, SIS too
much in my favor. Your Italian marbl,
would purchase a hundred slaves. 1t woul,
be present IN disguise; and you know m,
: rule-even from his Majesty himself neve
J., receire.
Y es, we know your tyrannous munfi
. cence but this, said the duke with a smile
shall be pure barter
' 'What say you, them SAID the count, st
y these golden tablets which you hold in YOU
hand! Give me leave to look at then
e They might suit my pedantic way of life
But added he, as he examined their delicat
e workmanship, come you honestly by hi
. toy, my lord What fair frailty have yo
: cheated of this knack, that never, will b
: sworn, was mans markeling!'
: am glad to hear so grave a gentleman
e indulge so pleasant a view,' said the duke.
= As Count Laski was handing the tablet.
# he touched, whether by accident or design,
spring that had not been observed by him t
' whom the present had been sent. The QUITE
y case flew back, aud disclosed miniature @
c the queen!
II have been indiscreet,' said the coun,
and Immediately folded up and returned tn
. tablets. this is perious ware to deal in
Duke of Lilhnana.-!1ave you aught else il
: the way OF honest barter to propose 2
s What YOU may infer, said the duke, red
a denng with anger and grevously embarrass
Y ed at his dscovery--'What you may nfe
y from this silly bauble | shall not be at th
pains to inquire. addressed you, my lord
= in courteous and amcable terms you hav
!, i'll responded to them; our conversation ha
t, better close here.'
# AS you will, said the chancellor, bowing
:. ana he continued his way towards the pal
ace with the same deliberate step with whic
d he was pfoceedingwhcn accosted by the duke