Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-21
THE MUFFLED PRIEST.
A cENE IN ROME

SCENE IN ROME.
The aisles of the chapel, lately thronged T
lth many worshippers, were silent. The
unds Of prayer which had echoed through 6
Ie groined roof, were hushed. The assem-
y which had knelt in solemn, but errone- !.
IS devotion, had disappeared; and the stone
nage-the senseless object Of their adora-
grimly in the gloomy loneI-
ess, as his chiselled features displayed them
selves IN tse-teia!.ee> erected by superstitious
wealth, to his sersh-.
But one indisidual remsrfe long robe ,
of sombre hue concealing his person, W.
leaned, as if in deep thought, against the
pedestal, on which stood the deity. He was
the deity.
A long shadow was cast on the floor, and
instantly afterward, tall gaunt figure ap-
pearcd at the door; a mantle Of spotless
white overhung his shoulders, scarcely con-
cealing his broad and ample chest. The
erectness Of his carriage, the dignity Of his
attitude, the fire Of his eye, the boldness of
his step, and the proud curl upon bis lip,
proclaimed him to be man Of rank and am
bition.
A contemptuous sneer played upon his
countenanee. AS he cast his eyes about the
sanctuary, he glanced towards the stern del
ty itself, as its deformed features seemed to
assume an expression of Indignation at the
audacity of the intruder. The stranger then
turned toward the altar on which, in a gol-
1c1r vse; richly studded viii Jewels burned
an offering Of frankincense, emitting pale
blue smoke, which rose and festooned from
pillar to pillar, disseminating its perfume
through the adjacent space. None Of these
however, seemed to produce either awe OIL
respect in the mind of the Roman; for, stri
ding past the shrine, be cried;
Priest dost sleep!''
The individual whom he addressed slowly
turned his head, muttered, ''tis hep lher
drawing his robe more closely about him
answered:
No, | sleep not. The Priest of this del
ty is not as other men, he needs no sleep
Cease this folly cried the senator impa
: tiently; we'll | know all tricks and jugger
ofthy craft; save thy precious trash TO dos
the vulgar-reserve thy lecturers for tn
fools who kneel to this thing of stoner
Beware rash man. returned the Priest
how in the sanctuary of this house, yo
brave his vengeance what thou thinkes
stone, may possess power to strike terror t
even thy stubborn heart
'Forbear this idle talk exclaimed the 9th
er.
Idle talk 7 repeated the Priest with dee
olemnity Of manner, 'obdurate as thou ar
this deity, through me, can disclose tha
which would make thee tremble"
Il would fain witness the skill of whic
thou vauntest,' said the senator, in a mo-
serious manner : for, he was unconscious
imbibing portion of the awe which perv
ded the place.
Thou shalt be grati6ed,' returned Il
Priest. What now tell, thou thinke
buried in thine own bosom, unknown |
others; if disclose it to thee, doubt not tn
he who presides here, can read the hearts
all who approach him, whether to worsh
or to scoff.'
Proceed, proceed, cried the other
Twenty years since, Armenius, thou We
a general, the commander of legion
'Well done for the omniscience of L
god cried the Roman, jeeringly; my ma
tr;umphs have chronicled the truth of t
remark in the archives of the republic.
this thy wonder?'
Interrupt me not answered the Prize
calmly when finish, speak what woI
thoust mind till then, listen. Twenty ye
since, when thou vert general, thou haC
a friend-ha! start'st thou now! Twer
years since, too had friend, but do
tremble Thy friend loved thee, served tn
t and shared his all with thee. Through
r high influence when accused before the s
8 ate, thou saved thy name, thy honor and
| life Although thy junior, thon sought
= him for advice, and using it dids't bind
brow with laurels Of victory. When $
rounded by barbarians, and the plum ia
from one Of thine own band, was hurleC
e thee, his buckler warded off the weIl-direC
bIow-but,' and bis manner became m
; impressive, his voice more melodious, &
: friend, alas loved an Italian girl, soft, p
c and lovely as the sky which arches over
= native land. See, thou start'ss again; d
Y not tell thee | would make thee tremble
r Yes, he loved the girl, not with the vile
|, ing which tempted thee to gaze upon
If charms, and admire her for them alon
$ His fondness was for herself, her rich an
b ic mind, more than even her dazzling bcs
TreacherouSly thou strovest to supplant
,e in her affections, by the splendor Of mil
r. rank, knowing, as he had con6ded to
D that their vows had been exchanged. I
1T found'st thy arts useless and did'st CHI
il thy love to hatred. The girl became
ID friends wife, when thou, falsely aacl
lg him of crime, dids't use thy power to
him from her arms-sell him into bon
-con6scate his property, and strike
i name from the list Of citizens. His
- survived her miseries, but year, while
- diJst return to the capital loaded will
- - spoils of the enemy Yet with the rec
= hand of guilt, grasping thy conscience
of even now, proud and ostentatious befor
e. e. world. the god tells me in thy char
ha thou'rt cowaFd-starting, in alarm, j
4 ~ least noise breaks on the midnight
Who art thou that dost know all
" cried the Roman, in evident alarm.
~ Il am the PRIEST answered the 9th
Sol G the deit5, who can unnerve even the K
senator !