The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-11


aside the tears that hung on her check
"Who darcs thus force themselves on our
privacy"
As she spoke, Elizabeth drew herself up
with more that regal ma iestv, and awaited
the approach of two females dressed in deep
mourning, who came tremblingy towards
her; one, a tall and beautiful woman, in the
full bloom and summer of life but pale from
emotion, and trembling like an aspen leaf, in
every delicate limb, seemed to grow despcr-
ate as she met the eagle eyes of the Queen
clasping her hands with a sort of wild and
timid grace, she sprang forward and fell at
Elizabeth's feet.
"My Lady of Essex, here-here in our
very presence and you also, Lady Blunt
or Leiccster-or EsScx-tor of your manv
husbands, dame, we are puzzled to know
whose name beScems YOU. Have YOU not
both received our command not to approach
the court :"
I'VE did receive, it most gracious Lady
most august Queen cried the elder female
kneeling by her Young and beautiful daugh-
tcr-in-law. and speaking with that subducd
and touching pathos that seems of the troub
led waters in a heart that has been long in
breaking. I'VE did receive it; but despair
has made Us bold God in his mercy, touch
YOUR heart in our hchalt'-tor we have no
hope save in this di>obcdicncc,"
The thin lips of Elizabeth Tudor curlcd
with cruel and naughty smile Her rivals
the two rivals of her vonth and of her are
were at her feet The widow Of Leicester
her first tavorite-thc wife of Essex. her last
All. how cruelty her heart cxultcd in the
,riumphs of that moment how hard and
stern ii grew with thought OF revenge, An
oath broke from her, and She replied with
bitter violence:
Then in this disobedience let all hope
: perish ~
"Oh, say not so. great Quecn-sav not
50 :" cried the Countess of Essex. lifting her
beautiful tace from the floor, where it hal
fallen, in the bitter anguish of her first re-
pulse He has been ra>h-hcadS
but there is not in all England a heart NOR,
loyal, nor one that loves your august person
so truly"
"Ay," replied Elizabeth, with bitter
sneer, 'he proved it by wedding with til!
baby face ~
y "Oh that he had never seen it :" cried th'
beautiful woman, in passion of bitter an
guish, and burving the reviled features il
her hands-ior She saw that their very love
illness pleaded against her God he lp me
| know not how to plead his cause VII
ing save him -
Again that face was lifted from the cla>pc
., hands. and the mass of golden ringlcts i
which it had been for moment hurled
Oh how pitcou>. how full of sorrow wcr
those deep blue ewes, those tender and trcn
ulous lbs
Il The old Queen shook off the passionat
- grasp which the wretched woman had tixc
upon her garments, and drawing back. beI
or her keen and ,liSdaintul eyes on the po,
~, suppliant, but she made no answer; and l..
~ DIV Essex read her fate too truly in tho
d. stern features. Her hands dropped. and HI
~ head sunk forward upon her bosom, fro
cd which the last gleam of hope had now goI
I'd forth
TO And now the widow of Leicester-tl
,,t mother of EsSex-grew desperate in her a
guish As Elizabeth turned from the love
Sc form of her last rival to the faded beauty
of EsSex'S mother, a shade Of more gentle fee
,a ins stole over her face. In those sad al
49,. withered features there was notlin. to excl
envy. or outrage her own selflove If Eli
81 abeth was old, the suppliant at her feet h
also outlived all the bloom and brightness
r., youth, and bitter sorrow added its pail
~. to the marks that time had left
10. "And you,' said Elizabeth, "methoug
~ years ago the Countess of Leicester was
,aa formed that her presence would at all tin
-, be unwelcome to Elizabeth Tudor"
,.o "Ihaye come" said the Countess, in vol
ID of meek humility. pathetic with sorrow, !
,sd how unlike the passionate grief of Lady
&c sex, II have come, knowing that my pr
;, ence must always be hateful to your Hi4
.,,. ness"
,or "And why hateful, pray ?" cried the Que
,,v with naughty sneer.
Alas know not for have ever be
the an humble and loving uhiect,-a-a-'
ret The poor lady paused, for there was son
for thing in the Queens eye that warned
ak. not to tread upon the ground of dltierer
ose that existed between them. She bent
de. forehead until it almost touched Elizabet
her feet, and her demeanor was full of humilit
her Il know, your Highness, know that W
pen this bent form ana achihS hedi'' d'i' "o i
to ger deemed worthy even of that disp leas
nun which sent the most faithful and loyal subj
the that ever Queen had to his grave, and n
her threatens all that is left to me-my last b
he'd band and noble son-with darker de5
eel Oh, that could but die to save them II
willingly would | be stricken down here
x your majestys feet
hes There was something in this speech t