Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-25


the Queen he said
My royal Master, Albion, requests of the
Queen, kosamond to taste the wine he sends.
and pledge him in the cup of victory
The hand of Rosamoud was extended to take
the wine he proffered, but as her eye rested on
pS nth sfssrl horlor which contained started back
ltwas the skull of her father, which, in the
savage manner Of the times. had been converted
into drinking vessel, and bore in golden char
acters the name of its hapless owner
Shocked al the inhuman act, Rosamond stood
appalled,.
What means the King" she demanded at
length, fixing severe gaze on the now tremb-
ling cup-bearer.
Madam cannot tell replied the cup bear
Repeat it, said the Queen, taking the wine
cup with calmness that contradicted the mo-
mentary quiver of her lip, and her cheeks ashv
hue.
"'The Kings words" said he "were these =
Desire our Queen to pledge us in the sparkling
\ wine of this conquered realm, and the cup of
victory"
She held the cup steadily for moment and
| though her voice was mute, the vow OF revenge
fierce and deadly, rose from her hearts depth
Raising the revolving draught to her lips, she
said
May the victorious Albion meet with the
just and well-merited reward of all his bold a.
chievcments,"
The cup-bearer received the symbol of his of
fee and withdrew.
The Oman stood for Cop,a r,,oD,antc etor,s oi
lent and unmoveabe but the agony of-euf-
ragged feeling, which was laboring within, by de-
grees spread its shadow on her beautiful face
with contractive power.
Cutha was alarmed
Lady" said Cutha gently, dear lady, pray
be more calm. Why do you look SO dread
fully?"
Maiden" said the Queen, "didst thou ever see
the trees Of the forest stand unn1oved when the
whrlwind ba'tled round them? Hast thou ever
marked the ocean sleep on unrufied, when the
contending elements warred above? Cutha the
thundercloud bears in its bosom a lesser evil
than mans cruelty the oceans rage is not so
terrible as woman's vengeance p
The King must be intoxicated madam" re-
turned Cutha.
!
missal and the maiden presumed not to diso-
hey her; but at the threshold of the apartment
the Queen's voice recalled her.
Stay. Cutha,' said she, Il have spoken to
The rather freely. Art thou faithful? or will
betrayal repay my confdencef"
LADY" said Cutha, energetically, II am a
slave in the land of my fathers, but you have
been kind TO me- | would do anything in the
world to restore your happiness; l think /
would die to make you love the King again but
l would not betray you-even to be made Quee
in your stead"
"A small temptation that would poor damsel" /"
said the Queen with bitter smile my misery
would be fit reward for treachery to win it
self But will trust thee, Cutha have new
er yet had cause to question thy fidelity; will
not doubt it now Retire and send my page
Briseus"
Cutha retired, and the page shortly after en-
tered.
"Briesus," said Rosamond, Lord Rudolph
? yet among the revellersr'
f No lady" replied the page, "he has been
/, for some about; lingering thoughtfully on the
eastern terrace"
Desire his presence here"
! The page bowed and withdrew, and ere many
moments were elapsed, the summoned chieftan
stood in the presence of his royal mistress
She was silent awhile, as if collecting frmness
TO pursue her deep design, and then she spoke
with calmness.
Rudolph, thou art high in the Kings conf
dence; among his trustiest counsellors and his
5 bravcst warriors thou holdest pre-eminence-
r Thou lowest Albion, too!'
a Madam, YOU krow | do
; And yet thou hast occasionally dared to tell
. his wife thou lov'st her also"
, q told thee truly, lady, love thee more than
g life"
4 "Would'st thon risk life to win mel" asked
: Rosamond.
Life, freedom, everything, and hold thy love
4 cheaply purchased
Thou say truly" said the Queen, with a
careless air, life is hazarded daily for humber
prizes than the Lombard Queen. Darest thou
do more than die?"
| Name it."
"Tll speak my meaning to the openly" con-
: tinucd Rosamond and her cheek flushed for
8 moment, but instantly resumed its former set.
g tied tone of resolution. Love cannot move me
e Rudolph; l love thee not but in my heart an
: other passion burns, as fierce and desparate-im-
placable, insatiate revenge Fulfill my wish
e and see thy accomplished; slay Albion anc
d Rosamond is thy reward y
i He sprang from his kneeling posture be hac
assumed.
: 'Albion p he exclaimed, "our King our con
quering leader o.
= Fair Rosamond regarded him in naughty 81
d lence.
e Dearest lady" ne resumed, pity the hear
d that loves thee too fondly to disobey thee with
> out pain but thou dost exact heavy price in
70 deed"
i. 60 :" said the Queen coldly /; thou do.t no
J. love me-
4 "Bv earth and heaven, Rosamond, love the
= & -.,:..