The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-05-23

oti eNh W hS hOiCh oui
rounding her can hardly restrain the out
burstings other grief. Sobbing, she throws
herself on the corpse of her father, and in
tone of reproach she exclaims-
"Alamir Alamir why has thy cour-
age not saved second time the life Of
thy prince"
"Eunitzah," replied the young hero,
''the discharge of the gun is quicker than
steel. Why did the bullet, which killed
thy father, not hit me?-But 1 have re-
venged my prince, and thou canst wet
with tears his grave"
Slowly they procee to the house. Eve
ry one contests the honor to carry the
mortal remains of Atajuk.
The day after the funeral an assembly
of the people is called TO decide the fate
of the lovers.-The old men decree. that
Eunitzah, agreeably to the former cons
tract, be married to the son of Beekmir-
zan, and the young chief be declared
prince and successor of Atajuk. In vain
Eunitzah protests that it was impossible
for her. to have the nuptial songs so soon
succeeding to the dirge. In objection to
her refusal, the Council represents TO her
the necessity of electing a new chief, and
the fear of war with the Russians or
Mountaineers.
Eunitzah yields apparently, and the fe-
rocious Ormiassin exults in Joy; he be-
lieves himself already in the possession of
the most beautiful maiden OF: The valley,
the rich domain and power of Atajuk.
The day is appointed, tomorrow the
ancient league of both tribes is to be cons
frmed by new alliance satisfactory to
all desires and interests. The young
girls are busy to ornament the dwelling of
Eunitzah with garlands of flowers. The
young warriors run from place to place,
mingling amorous ditties with the sounds
of the musical band at their head. Ala
mir is their leader, aud his gaiety surpas>
scs the joyousness of all.
The shadows of night interrupt the moi
sy preparations of a ceremony which is to
commence with the first rays ola new
sun that is TO greet both tribes united
through the youthful couple in the holy
grove.
According to the ancient custom Of this
people, the night preceding the marriage
is to be spent in devotion and prayer to
indulge in sleep would be deemed impious.
Eunitzah dresses in the virginia. robe, and
winds wreath of innocence in her hair
Next to the apartment in which she keeps
lonely vigils, are her playmates in the
finest attire. Every hour Eunitzah makes
her voice heard, and recites some verses
of the hymeneal song, which are respond
ed TO by her companions. Then all be-
comes again silent until the next hour
While the choir answers the second time,
Eunitzah opens the door and calls in
child that is affectionately attached 20 her
she says:
"My head burns, must take the air.
Remain here. 1 cannot go so to the holy
grove tomorrow. Come, my darling !
take my place, and when my playmates
sing the third verse, answer, initiating my
voice. Pay attention to the hour glass
Before the first dawn OF morn | shall be
back again.
The child, proud Of the confidence Of
her mistress, takes her place. Eunitzah
wraps herself up in her veil, conceals
dagger in the folds Other garment. es-
capes through the window, and proceeds
towards the holy grove.
Dark is the pight-its silence is inter-
rupted by the nuptial song dying away IN
the distance. She has passed most ofthe
woods-the dwellings are out Of sight
the forest receives her. A wide path
brings her to the hurst dedicated to the
sacred celebration. Nobody is allowed,
under penalty of death, to enter it except
on festival days.
1t is there that she is to be united 10 the
detested Prince. She enters the sublime
temple, whose ceiling is formed by oak
branches entwined together for centuries,
impenetrable to the beams of the sun.
Darkness surrounds her-she gropes her
wav. Presently hand seizes her-it is
Alamir's hand.
"Eunitzah. my spouse, my love, let us
haste to feel"
He lifts her upon his steed, who trembles
for impotence, mounts himself, and soon reach
es the mountains which command the dwell
lings The spirited horse seems to have pre-
sentiment of the danger which threatens his
master; though carrying double load, he
speeds, as never before, in his course. Eunit
zah twines her arms around her lover, whose
heart palpitates twice as violently under the
darling hand.
Since the lovers had determined upon fight,
Alamir, under the pretext of hunting, had ex-
plored the road which leads to the first Rus
sian station. He feels no anxiety-love seems
to clear his path.
The white stripe on the sky announces the
approaching dawn. Alamir slackens the pace
Of his steed he wants to favor him, and hus-
band the strength of his delicate companion.
He stops, saying:
ave are safe, EunItzahl Take short rest
Speak, love Thou knowest the young girls
enter the room of the bride only when the ro-
sy air indicates the morn. We have made
goodly distance-we have gained two hours O.
yer those who perchance might pursue US
Press me closer to thy bosom From the top