Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-27


my rude heart beat fiercely, and even
nerved my arms to great,r strength
But what did my master say to the rich
prizes given me by Severus !''
'IIe liked them well; but most adj
mired that rich studded necklace, given
thee last by the great Monarch; do thou
give this to him, MaXimin ;" and Volun-
tina raised the rich-gemmed prize in her
hand.
"What. take from thee, to give thy
father, Eoluntina. No, twas won for thee,
and thou shalt have it never will bear
it hence"
"Nay, then let me give it him."
'sDo as thou wilt. 'Tis thine and as
my gift, / see it finds no favor in thy
eyes. Give it him, then but in thine
own name"
"He will prize it more, coming from
thee, Maximin. But say not it finds no
favor with me; thou knowest l have
loved thee even from infancy; but thou
art only peasant born |, a chieftain's
daughter am and still love thee: this
thou knowcSt most well"
"And has this days glory passed away,
| diiu HO Will
the first Thracian who ever prize have
born away in Roman arena, and bringing
rich awards to thee fresh from great Sew
erus' hands,"
NAY, Maximin, nay; with Joy did
look on all thy victories this day, and
love thee all the better: but still, thy
rank is not advanced, thou art peasant
only, still"
Lady, honors all do not flow at once.
[ have heart both strong and deep. Bar
barian peasant, though | be, | feel within
me that which, like boiling fountain,
warns me up to press from noble deeds
to nobler and higher actions. Barbarian
though | be, this day has learned me
that man is but a man. Until this day
| ever thought the Roman more than
man; and our Emperor something above
a God. But of all have this day seen,
none can with me compare in stature, nor
in strength of arm; even Severus himself,
although so powerful monarch, is not
much more than half my bulk; yet see
how proud a name he bears. And that
Macenius, too, stalwart and bold Roman,
that he is, soldier as he is, great name as
he has won as victor in the games, from
Ethiopia to the Antonian wall, he is only
a man; fell'd him with much ease, after
many struggles and victories over others.
Nor was once thrown down, but bore
each antagonist to the earth that dared
to clench with me. Then, if such odds
can in one day win, what future deeds,
through many years, may | not do!"
''l know thou canSt excel in strength.
and in the roughcr feats of men, but
there are objects to be obtained in life,
which even powerful arm cannot con-
quer. But, for what thou hast already
done, will love thee. Go, and do thy best
to attain q nohlnr caste; approach unto
my condition, even if thou canSt not fully
reach it. But tell me may give my IA.
thcr this rich-prized necklace in thy
name; that will do thee no harm, and
crafty me-"
"Well, lady, do so. And tell him, too,
it comes from peasant youth who will
not peasant be much longer"
That | will tell him cheerfully, if
such thou hast determined"
Il have sworn it by yon far-off star,
which Medus calls Arcturus.
THAT star, MaXimin.-'tis my own
particular star that thou hast sworn by"
"The better then, if by thy star have
thus sworn; for by thy star then and
thee, now before thee swear, that e'er
three days be gone, if my caste do not ex-
alt thou shalt not see me more"
"Why, whittier so yes-what art thou
going to do?"
Il cannot tell thee, lady; but treasure
up my words"
but be not rash, good Maximin; |
would not have thee cast thyself away"
''I were better cast away, than near
thee but coarse barbarian. Adicu,
dear lady, adieu."
"Adieu, Maximin; my star protect
thee"
THANK thee, lady-thank thee"
And kissing the extended hand of Vol
untina, the huge, though comcly peasant
youth, strobe fast away.
To be CoRtinaea)
WOMAN AND LADIES. the days of