Butte record., 1854-05-20

49, III e"il Adi n liFfS. anu the Wild
fantastic groups, collected beneath their
outspreading branches, eagerly anticipa
ting the decree about TO issue from the
oracle of their deity, salute this myste-
rlous light by chaunt, breathing hopes
Of speedy vengeance, blood and victory
But in an instant all is hushed. Nor
ma approaches, surrounded bv her priest.
esses.
"Wh here, she utters, in clear. calm
tones, who here dare prcsumpl,,ouslv
to seek 10 penetrate the secrets Of dest;-
ny, and presage the downfall Of Rome.
"oh my daughter" replies Oroveso,
''to" long have our sacred groves and
temples been polluted by the presence ol'
tho Latin eagles. Should not the sword
of Brennus quit its scabbard, Say, is
not the hour Of just vengeance arrived ~
No. replied the prieste,s with com
manding majesty, mot vet has the dav
come. The Roman javeIins are far too
strong for the hatchets of the Sicumbri
My eyes behold the future the veil is
withdrawn from my vision, and | see that
the city Of the Csesars must perish, but
not by your hand it will fall by its own
we 5, worn out by its own exoesses.-
Await the appointed hour, and seek not
to accelerate the DEGREES Of mighty Fate
In the name OF the Deity by which am
inspired, | command peace; and thus
sever thc sacred mIstletoe. as symbol
you dare not disobey."
Thus speaking, and raising her beau
tI'ul arm, with movement of approach
Ing majesty, she cut off a branch of the
mysterious plant, which the Youthful
prlrstasseS received with deep reverence
10 their sacred vases.
The prayer concluded, Norma COM
mands all to retl.e, assuring them she
Will not delay one Instant to announce
to them the hour appointed for the ex-
termination Of their enemies, so soon as
the voice of their Deity shall have spoken
the awful decree. The obedient multi
tude pledge themselves to obey her in all
things, and by a solemn vow bind them
selves to take deep and saaguinary ven
geanceon all their foes, more especially
on the proconsul Poilio-i,las on Polio,
him whom, of all others, Norma is most
called upon 10 give up tn universal
execratIon, yet whom she protects with
all her might, even against her own judg-
meut, her counirymen ana her GODS
And now the sacred enclosure is cleared
of the busy throng, which, but short
time since, filed its groves; all of the
eager, animated groups have gone, and
one pale form alone is s"en, proStrated
before the steps of the high alter. Is it
Norma who thus fingers near the oracle ?
Ah, no. More fragile, delicate and girl
like is the Slight form, which, like
snow-wreatta. clings to the altar of Irmin-
sui, imploring pardon for and protection
against the deep, unholy fame which
lights up such a conflict in her breast
1t is the young priestess Adelgisa, the
object of Pollio's second vows, and who,
while conscious of the guilt, the sacril-
eye, the ilnpossibity of listening to them,
yet haunts this spot, for here they first
met, and here has been the scene of all
their subsequent interviews.
"IIear ne, great Spirit prays the
weeping maiden, "aid me to forget this
impious stranger, who would step between
me and my sacred duties"
"Adelsisa," murmurs voice we'll
known and quickly recognised, "what
JOY to find you here and alone -
"Ah begone, charge you" exclaims
the distracted priestess ''I must mott
dare not listen to you my God forbids
it,
"Cease, then, to worship so jealous,
SO sanguinary Deity Come with me
to Rome, beloved Adelgisa, where love
is divinity, and is openly worshipped,
where we may enjoy happiness with each
other, and whittier the commands of nv
emperor compel me to go.'
And are you about to leave our coun-
try :" demanded the dismayed Adelgisa.
81 am: to-morrow's sun sees me far
from these shores but If you love me,
you will not let me depart alone"
The unhappy priestess in vain called
to her aid the recollection Of the VOWS
she had uttered when she entered upon
the service of the temple, the religion
she had been brought up to revere, her
family, her high birth, her country--all
to be disgraced and trampled under foot
BY her meditated flight. Alas vanquish-
ed virtue fed from the unequal strife,
I'll. !