The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-18
A Tale of the Harem.
Gro BE CONTINUED

An Italian, of the name of Benetto, a Flo
rentne singing master, was on his passage to
England, when the vessel in which he sailed
| was mastered by the superior force of Tur-
| kish galley. Benetto, instead of making his
! fortune in England, was put in chains on
| board Turkish ship, purchased by an agent
of the Sultan of Constantinople, and placed to
work as an assistant in the garden of the
seraglio. Many of his companions Jared much
worse, exchanging one bad master after another,
until their condition was deplorablc indeed
! Benetto on the contrary led an easy life enough
having only to cultivate the flowers and
shrubs for the qualification of the ladies of
the harem, and as he had left no mistress in
distant country to mourn for. his only sighs
were for liberty, and as this appeared unat-
tainable, he at length dug and watered his
plants very contentedly; oftentimes beguil-
ing himself by singing, in truly melodious
voice, the airs he had hoped to turn to very
different account.
Now it happened that these sweet strains
found their way through the windows of the
harem, and the Sultanas soon discovered that
they proceeded from no nightingale, though
equallng in beauty the song of that Bird
One of the fair prisoners was singularly af-
fected by the melody thus borne by the breeze
through the jealousy guarded lattices. Alas
they reminded her of Italy, the land of her
birth, and she could not refrain from replying
to them in a canzonet so exquisitely plaintive
that the listeners, though unaware OF the
meaning of the words were melted into tears.
Benetto, hearing this unexpected answer to his
strains, drew near to the window, and recog-
nized the song as one of the compositions of
his beloved Italy, and his heart forthwith be-
gan to ache more seriously than it had ever
done since he had been captive.
Here was one person, at any rate, who could
! take part in Duet with him-that was one
consolation; but how should he contrive to
meet and arrange the concert. The Sultan
spared him all trouble, for CHANGING to have
| overheard the exquisite singing of Benetto,
| (though not the reply,) he had mind to en-
| JOY it nearer, and sent slave to fetch Benetto
into an ante chamber. This was separated
from the apartment of the ladies by silken
curtain, and he was desired to sing one OF his
best songs. The Sultan, who happened to
have gaeat taste for music, was delighted
with the performance, and spoke of 1t in the
highest terms to the fair Angelina, who, as
she was the last arrival, was just then the
reigning favorite. She joined in the opinion,
| and said she thought if his majesty would al
| low her to hear the song twice or thrice. she
| could manage to learn it for his qualification.
The Sultan directed Benetto to do this, and
as the fair Angelina was an improvisature.
she changed the words for some expression OF
her desire to change the dullness of the harem
for the fair Florence of her youth. Benetto
replied with equal readiness, begging her not
to despond, that she should one day by his
help see the city of her desires. The Sultan
no. understanding Italian, was so much pleased
with the performance that he conferred
purse of gold upon the gardiner, and COM
manded his attendance on the following night.
The next day, Benetto complained seriously
to the superintendent of the royal pleasure
grounds that particular fr-tree was of an
obnoxious kind, causing the shrubs to wither
| under its shade.
at u.s." said he, "without question the
| deadly lepas. If any of the ladies of the
harem should by chance fall asleep under its
shade. doub; not it would be as fatal as the
' tree of knowledge was to their grandmother"