Butte record., 1854-05-20

notes of the sacred gong are heard sum-
moning the Druids to the temple. Nor
ma, compelled, by virtue of her Office, to
be present at all religious meetings and
ceremonies, with one hand raises the half.
fainting Adelgisa, and with the other,
without uttering single word, but with
lip curled in bitter disdain, and eyes
flashing with fire, points with naughty
air to the door through which the pro-
consul disappears, shuddering with rage.
The second Act introduces US to the
interior of Norma's dwelling. 1t is
night; and in one corner of the chamber.
on small couch taken from the Roman
camp, repose the two infant sons of the
priestess, sleeping calmly. Norma en-
ters. pale, thoughtful, and with that in
tellectual look which denotes a mind
strung to the performance of some high
task. Like Psyche, she carries in her
hand lamp and poignard but she,
alas F, has no secret to discover. The
cold hard truth is all before her, the fu-
ture even more desolate and hopeless
than the present. She glides towards
her infants bed. They sleep, and will
not shrink from the hand about to take
their Innocent lives. Yet, with sicken-
ing soul, the miserable mother tries to
reason herself into belief of the expe-
diency and necessity of the direful deed
she contemplates.
Unhappy babies :" she exclaims,
you must needs die ; nought else is left
you"
She extends the dagger, as though
abou, to plunge it into the bosoms of the
sleeping creatures of her fondest love.
Her arm seems nerved for the blow
yet, ere it can descend, the mother-the
woman-prevails One more look of
fond, doating, maternal affection, and
the stern, infexible prophecies is lost, in
the tender, weeping parent. a.
"What harm these dear pledges of
an ill-starred love - she cries "these
treasures of my lonely days and gloomy
nights Never, never. But if they
are my children, are they not likewise
the offspring of the false, the prejured
Polio, and may they not, like him, one
day plant misery in the heart SO freely
given Yes, for his false sake, traitor
that he is, they shall die. IT'S be who
places this false weapon in my hand, and
the recollection of his perfdy gives me
strength to use it. On his head be their
innocent blood and may remorse dis
turb his happiness even in the arms of a
rival !"
With these words, the vengeful Nor
ma again bent over her sleeping children,
and extending her hand to strike; but,
seized with horror, the dagger dropped
from her slackened fingers, and, utterine
loud cries, she fed in search of Adelgi-
| Sa.
''Hear me :" exclaimed she, in bro.
ken and disconsolate voice 'but now
you we're PROSTATE at my feet, supplioa-
ting my mercy and assistance ); " It's now
my turn to crave your generous assist
ance, and thus low on my knees do be-
seech you to grant my request"
81 swear to do so, by the God we mu-
tually worship" said Adelgisa, while
cold shudder of apprehended evil stole
over her.
II am about to die" exclaimed the
wretched Norma 'these scenes, polluted
by my guilty presence, can only be puri-
fed by my death, and on that have re-
solved but I cannot resolve to drag nv
innocent children into the vortex which
will shortly engulp their unfortunate
mother. 'Tis for them | would plead to
you-to your care | commend them be
to them as second mother; convey
them in safety to one l dare not name
and may he prove to you truer and more
faithful husband than to me. Bear to
him my forgiveness, and these my last
and dying wishes"
"He my husband =? | wed the man
who could forsake Norma Never =
Preserve your life for your dear infants,
and let your days be devoted to them
Heaven will release me from the rash
| and impious promise but now made"
In vain did Norma urge and plead;
the noble minded Adelgisa refused to
except of, or permit, the sacrifice of her
rival, but sought, by every consoling ar
gument and persuasive motive, to draw
her back to life, and invest the future
with charms.
''Let not hope desert you," cried she,
animated with sudden burst of noble
devotion "the affections of Polio did