Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-10-06
Written for COOpOr's Clarksburg Register.
ALPHoNzo OF CASTLE.
ny MARIE JANE TAYLo

ALPHONzO OF Castillo.
ny MARIE JANE TAYLOR.
The sea, the sea, the moonlit sea
How calm its slumbering tides
weather shore upon her loe-
A bark in safety glidos
The full moon had just arose above the
edge of the horizon, and her mild beams
fell in rich splendor on the gently undula.
ting bosom Of the blue Atlantic, whose
sparkling billows broke, with low musi-
cal murmur, upon the verdant coast of
Florida. The city of st. Augustine lay
spread out in quiet beauty along the in
dented shore, its lofty domes, dizzy spires,
and bright minarets, glittering in the rich
light like some enchanted spot in fairy
land. Numberless gay boats and Condo
las glided slowly over the calm waters,
filled with young and gay of both sexes,
while the rich tones of the Lutte and gui-
tar hoatcd on the spicy breeze, and fall
ing upon the ear in soft sweet cadence,
seemed to steep the senses of the listner
in elysium.
All, there is the Spanish governor of
Florida, and his bright-cyed daughter"
said handsome young man as he sprang
to his feet, and pointed toward superb
gondolH, which was rapidly approaching.
How matchIess are the graccs of the
lady lncz g' he continued, enthusiastical-
ly. How perfect in form and feature !;
but all these are far inferior to her mental
accomplishments; and her wisdom and
knowledge as far exceeds tho major por-
ton OF her sex, as the broad Atlantic ex-
cecds this small bay"
on are an enthusiast, Monravo,"
said surly dark-eyed Spaniard, as he
gently smoothcd his formidable mustache,
and glanced look Of hatred toward the
object of their conversation. "Shc may be
handsome" he continued, "but amiable,
she cannot be, or she does not resemble
her father. The surly old villain has sent
to Spain for aid to capture the pirate Al
phonzo, hear, ,'but let him try that game,
If he dares, and my word for it, he will
sorely repent his precipitancy."
Peace, Montford see, they approach.
Besides, have heard it reported that
you secretly corresponded with that law
loss marauder who plumbers our ships up
on the high seas with impunity, l would
therefore advise you to avoid such trea-
sonable language, for if it should meet
the ears of the governor, your fate would
DO sealed. But see, they approach;"-
and the young man bowed low, as the oc
cupant of the gondola saluted him.
Almargo, the Spanish governor, was
tall, well proportioned man, evidently be-
yond the meridian of life. His counte-
nance was stern and forbidding, his man
ners stiff and formal; and his whole de-
.meanor better calculated to inspire awe,
than to create esteem. His daughter,
then in her twenty-fifth year, was the We
ry reverse of this, Her stature was of the
medium height, and so symmetrically
proportioncd, that hers seemed the stan
dard by which all female forms should be
measured He features were decidedly
Roman, but chaste and harmonious her
hair deep rich brown, her eyes a rich
thaEcl. and beaming with soft sensibility,
and anOq sparkling with animation and
wit, Her manners were bland, kind and
:affoctionOte, aad po person came within
the influence of her attractions, but own
.ed that she was irresistable; and the low
,liest son of toll, felt rs unrestrained in her
presence, as did the proudest scion of no.
bility. Her heart was the seat Of every
kindly virtue, every pure and holy senti-
ment, and her disposition was high and
joyous as the favorite parrot, or the sport
ing gazelle that received its daily food
from her hand,
A pleasant evening this, gents" she
said, with her usual merry smile. "Ah,
Signor Monravo, is that you? Well, l
am glad you are here, for father and my
self are going out in pursuit of the marau-
der Alphonzo, who has so long defied
queen Isabella's power And you, Sig
nor shall accompany us, and see mo cap
ture the freebooter"
"Methinks ifany person in the world
could make captive of Alphonzo, that
person is the lady Inez." said the Span
tard' with sudden animation, as the tight
silVery laugh of the fair girl died away
She started as the voice Of the Snaniard
reached her ear, and her quick penetra.
ting. glance, rested upon him for n mo.
ment, and her voice trembled and sunl
almost to whisper as she murmered,
"no, it cannot be-"
"Suffer me to be your gondolier, noble
Signor," said Montford, as he sprang in
to the governors boat. "The night is a
glorious one, and am skillful rover,
and we will venture out upon the Allan
tic. and witness the gambols of the dol
Pnlns as they sport beneath the moon
"oomo along, Monravo," said Inez
pla5luIlys "a and if we cannot find Alphon.
%, wili sing you the old ballad of
nloa, 8 adventure with the Phantom La
dy OF the Lake and thus tighten our dis
appointment IN not being able to catch