The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-09-13

| thrOne OF ] eZcllcO, and lhe destined nusDann
of the beautiful and beloved To;quosa.
Descended from that iIlusirous hut benign
race who broughtt TO Anahuac just aws and pu.
rer faith, the Princess TorqrIosa inherited their
bpnigni,y of manners. their lofiness and cqua.
mimiIy Of mind. Wherever she appeared she
was regarded as a superior being. The peo.
| PIE Frustrated themselves before her palanguin
with as much reverence as bcfpre that of the
emperor. She was called by The minstrels,
! the rollcc maiden,' the bird oflhe valley and,
The sweet singing bird. of the royal eagles
nest. Her dark, sad eyes, her raven tresses,
her peary teeth, and brilliant smile, are still
| corntne rnorated in our songs ), and still on the
lake of rezcuco in a clear evening, solitary
boa,Inan will sometimes pass you, singing some
strain of an ancient melody 10 the 'Foltec mai
den's charms.
IN The imperial palace long suite of apart.
menls were appointed TO the Princess Torquosa.
! They overlooked one of The great courts and
royal gardens, and were furnished with rare
taste and magnifcence. Brigh, flowers or gay
landscapes we're wrought in needework upon
the carpets, while the ceilings were of finest
wood, and carved by the most skiifui artisans in
the empire. She sat or reclned upon uxuri.
pus cushions her food was served 10 her in
vessels of delicate porcelain or gold, studded
with gems, and fair maidens Of noble birth sur.
rounded and attended her, walked barefoot in
her presence, and wearing over their rich gar.
menis The coarse robes OF vassaage. The prin.
cess herself was clothed in fine cotton. orna.
mented with The emerald and torqnoise. She
wore also, when she lett the palace, mantle
of gorgeous leather.work, while ever her long,
black tresses and high. pale forehead waved
the while and graceful plume of The ostrich.
Il was her custom to walk often, al evening,
upon the roof the palace, accompanied by her
nlaidens. The prospect from thence was sin.
gulary beautiful, On the one side lay the city
of 'rezcuco, then the first in the empire on The
other, the sparkling waters ofthe lake, so gay
with lis light boats aud floating gardens; while
far duwn in the distance appeared The fairy is.
land ofthe Lord of Es,apalapan, and right op.
po,ire the palaces, the eocaliis and busy streets
of the ancient city of Mexico.
But must hasten to my tale, Gor the evening
wanes.
The time had been appointed for the ,narri.
aye of The PRINCE and PRINCESS. Activ" prepare
alioas had been made ,hroughuui4he empire,
and on The following day that event was to take
place which had been so long anticipated
The palace was a scene OF fesiivity and Joy
The fragrance of flowers hlled all the apart.
nen;> cooling fountains were playing in the
courts and gardens; Inc connlemance OF The old
emperor beaued with smiles; and The usually
grave aud lh"uShrin expression oflhe princeIy
bridegroom had given place to one OF open
gladnr>s. The sweetbride had sal all day in
her own apartments, surrounded by her mai
dens ; sometimes sitting in pens;ve silence, the
lights and shadows passing by turn over her
lovely face, and sometimes singing snalchcs of
sweet songs, with voice so full OF melody that
they seemed 10 overflow from her very heart.
So The day al length passed on, and twilight
was deepening into night, when The prince
sought Torqu"sa, and they ascended together
the palace roof. Ii was such an evening as
this. The noon shone brightly over the state.
ly city and The clear waters. while the royal
lovers walked together and talked of the glow.
ing future, with as much happiness as if their
lot had no, been SO high.
The larg", bold eyes Of the prince, that flash
ed so terrible upon his enemies, were now sof-
enei into love and the voice so high and loud,
tha; il was heard throughout his hosts in the
mId>,st battle, was unw AS low and sweet as
The music "i thr CasIiian lutte. And wei! might
he thus look AMI speak when he .aazed upon
those features. So full Of trusting affection and
radiant hope. The cheek flhe princess seem.
ed to glow with a brighter and richer bloom
than ever before, and AN unwouled light and
beauty sparki-d in her clear eyes.
They tell me- she said, that this world ia
one of sorrow; but have nev.r found il so.-
Ny path has ever been like that of yonder moon
through the serene heavens; no c'oud- has
crossed it !; and such the astrologers tell me ii
shall be to the end. believe them, aud re.
joice for thy sake. Yes, my beloved, Thy path
and n inc are the same, and while live il shall
never be darkened.'
'Ah truly replied the cnraplnred prince.
| forgetting his philosophy, iii shall be as thou
hast said; while thou lvrst | shall never know
Darkness for thou shalt be to me perpetual
light
While the prince and princess were thus con.
versing, they did not observe a female figure,
winch crouched at little di>lanc" rom them,
and listened brealhlessly to their words. 1t
was the figure Of an Aztec slave, who had been
taken captive by the prince in war, and. pre-.
srnied To his destined bride.
| When they turned to descend into the palace