The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-11
THE OLD QUEEN.
BY MRS. ANN s. STEPHENS.
E II A PT Z i l .


Her eyes were vivid in their
and her thin lips clung together
with the tenacity of stern and long endured
passion-the iron passion of age, in which
there is SO much pain. !
Around her was everything beautiful and
costly enough to crafty even her queenly
pride and fastidious taste hangings of rare
old tapestry-cushions glowing with crimson
and gold-ebony tables carved to a network,
and woven over with gold, supporting vases
and caskets of the same precious metal, in
which the royal jewels were occasionally
tlung-birdls of Paradise, preserved in all the
briiancy of their flowing plumage-and
many a rare curiosity from the East filled the
royal cabinet. A Persian carpet, gorgeous
with arabeSque and flowers, covered small
portion of the floor, and upon this stood the
great ebony chair, cushioned with purple vel
vet in which the old Queen was seated. The
light from large crystal window fell upon
her wrinkled brow, shaded, not by the cold
and wintrv gray of age but with false ring
lets of sunny gold, surmounted by a small
crown. Over her bowed but still male>tic
figure robe of glowing crimson fell wave
after wave. till it lay a mass of mingled vel
vet, crnine and Jewels, over the cushion on
which her foot was pressed Her withercd
neck, and the small pale hand, that rested on
the arm of her chair. were one blaze OF Jew
els, that only kindled up the ravages of time
they were intended to conceal, Before her
stood a small cabinet of silver, encru>ted with
a mosaic Of precious stones, whereon lay a
iewelled pen and roll of vellum that seem
ed to have been freshly written upon.
Everything in the palace seemed movin"
on with the slow and regular magnifrencc
that always surrounded the Queen. Through
an open door which led to the ante-chambrr
of her Withdrawing room, several pages and
veomen OF the guard, in their crimson vest
ments and golden roses. were moving about
with the lis,less and Indifferent air of persons
on easy duties. Beyond, might he seen the
maids of honor and ladies IN attendance, GIL
ding through the gorgeous apartments with
that huShcd and reverental manner which
always bespoke their close nei.hhorhood t'
ROYALTY. But now even more silence thar
usual prevailed among the hlgh-born beau
ties. Manv wisttul glance was cast through
the open door. and the colcr paled on eacl
fair cheek, as the old Queen sat with tina
stern frown upon her features. gazing upot
the roll of parchment that her minister, Cecil
had lust brought for her signature. Sh'
reached forth her hand, took up the parch
: ment, and slowly unroling it, began TO read
The light Law broad upon her face. an'
r those who gazcd upon it, saw that Sigh
; change fell upon her features. Some memo
5 nv seemed busy with her heart-and. heavn
e deep sigh. she laid the parchment dow
upon the cabinet: and while her hand reste
< on the edge, allowed it to roll together agar
4 while she fell into deep thought
e All at once, Elizabeth Sc, med to rememb'
: that she was not entirely alone. The tor
/ that had been gradually bowed as with ol
Y pressing thought, was stralghtway uplltte
i She turned her eagle ewes upon the doc
|. and rising, swept across the room and close
f it with her own hand. And now her age
. features were sorely troubled; altcrna
Sc flashes OF fierce passion, and tenderness tn
n seemed almost wild, shot from her ewes
at Great emotion swept aside the intirmltles {
It age for moment, and she paced the floor
" her cabinet with quick and mperouS trei
" that had been SO conspicuous in her fiji
v queenly days.
$ "Whv is he thus stubborn ?" she muttcre
W claSping her hands, and then da>hing the
OF apart as if ashamed of the feminine act Il
I'd has the ring he has the ring, and yet sen
TO it not To save his life will he not bend tn
m stubborn willard to his Queen, his lovir
ID too loving mistress - These words seem
or to Overwhelm the naughty woman with rec'
Mt lections of the past; tear started to her e!
n and with something Of lofty pride she addt
I'd but if the loss of our love and favor bow
he him not, what can be hoped from fear
le death Is that stronger than-than-
Elizabeth did not finish the sentence.
er sinking into her chair, pressed one hand o,
he her eyes, and tears gushed through the je
at els that burned upon it.
or And Elizabeth gave free course to t
IN tears, that she might indulge them in sec
no without detriment to her queenly pride
of that moment she was all the woman-a we;
ne trembling, disappointed old woman, in wh'
est wrung heart tenderness had conquered pri
| Essex, the pctted tavorite-the lover of
he old age-it was his death-warrant that
nd counsellors had laid before her. The 7
Did was ready; the deathly black ink welled
aw the top of her golden standish; the veil
nd was before her, and lacked nothing but
he royal signature. She arose, and while
le- hands and face were wet with tears, snatcl
ng up the scroll with burst Of passionate tt
led ing. and trampled it under her foot.
of May thy queen perish with thee. Esse'
sh; nv best, last bcloved-if her hand touc
this death-paper." she cried, in voice
reached the ante-room. What if thy pre-
H., stomach does refuse to send the token-E
bv abetb can forpiye the pride her favor