The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-05-20

envy none the gliding Of their woe.' 10
Tread softly we enter the lchamber Of
disease. Yes, even here, where all is splen.
dor--where lNeried footmen pass quietly
like glitteriDg shadows-where the treasures
of sculpture adora every nicheH~where the
atmosphere is all fragrance, and every step
seems gliding over beds of yielding flowers
even here came the spoiler. .,..
1t is bland region in the sunny South Of
France. Its paradisaical beauties captivate
the eye and heart. Vine crowned hills,
gardens OF roses, homes Of magical beauty,
streams of silvery light, skies of heavenly
softness, these have all been wooed in
vain. ..
t'No sweet bird, -
That beat the pathess void, but poured new notes,
D sfncs from every plumy rivals songs"
but they fell on the dull ear OF pain. The
laboring chest inhaled the gentle air, and
sank exhausted with the effort. The eye
frightened at the beauty, but dimmed again
at the. harsh and cruel touch of pain, jarring
heavily among the ;dellcotes strings of the
harp we call existence. We have passed
up this broad stair cose; we will enter yon-
der suite of rooms. Everywhere, luxury
almost breathing. loselineos upon canvass
and cold white stone. Everywhere silken
hangiHgs, mastery ornaments, and profuse
splendor. Thought. moulded beauty! treas.
ures OF intellect! treasures of science Are
you overpowered with this profuseness!
will give you an antidote.
Looking through this exquisiteiy carved
door, you see the fringed drapery of bed
Like everything in this fairy place, it is per.
iectly modelled. and on its pale coverlet a
paler hand rests. How bioodiess it seems!
Wax could not be whittier, nor the petal oi
the lily purer or more transparent. As we
60 further, the shadowy outline of form
becomes visible. II is 30 thin! so frail! il
scarcely moulds the plant coGnterpahe.-
! Not now as witch moving in regal state, with
massive folds sweeping adown the classic
limbs, is that poor body the admiration of {
million eyes.
Alas not now come the splendid throngt
OF royal court, blazing with beauty and with
jewels, to whisper as the dying queen of ira
gedy throws her head aside with dying an
guish, W hle the very muscles of her once
round throat throb and palpitate, "How real
What transcendant genius !"
Sad, mock sovereigns She acts the f.
male to real, terrible play The agony
for breath that she has feigned SO often-tht
frightful cough-the paid. clammy dew O
disease the faint prostration-the dull langor
touched BY f,ful flashes of animation int
ghastly consciousness; these are all realities
There is the ccuch-here the vials full o
odor. The shadow of the pail is over thu
luxurious chamber of sickness.
That face !-how grand even in decay
the wide brow is dome of thought; bu
mark how ths chisel of the sculptor has fol
lowed the CLASSY temples. till they cleav'
the bone. ThuDe cavernous eyes yet fasI
a clear fire. each socket o grave n whicI
the light is to be soon shrouded. The lip
are shrunken with pain, the features sharp
ened, and over all, from the purplish CLEAN
of her raven hair to the white chest tn,
rises under the costly laces of her robe, t
the very feet. that restlessly disturb the GOV
ering, shines fickering the strange light q
disease, as if some hand inside were feeding
q torch that seems each instant about to b.
quenched forever. .%
She is restless. Now her hands fly to tn
burning br1in-now they close over that up
heavlng bosom, as if they would crush tn
power that destroys. She is speaking =
Turning those fearful eyes towards sister
she asks: For what! A work Of heaven?-
A passage from ths holy book? A swee
! hymn of Christi Oh! no-none OF these
| "Bring me the robes wore 10 Phedra-
my boxes Of pearls-my casket of dia
nondsl"
. They are spread before her. She point
I, her long finger, and with gasPing breat
whispers. @u .
"That robe wore in 'Camille;' how lui
4 trous the tints! Those diamonds are yer
l beautiful! The pearls-they seem like ol
and dear companions-shull never Wea
them more! All! he richnessl-tho co
ors!-shake out the mantle-it blinds mt
IT'S like the sun! Jewels!-jewelsl---a
most beyond price! 'Tis least for III
, eyes!-my precious. my beloved jeweIs!"
Her head sinks back. An agonizing sig
{ futters on her white lips. A sPasm
pain darkens the noble face, and she cri
bitterly 3,a .A.0 r.a'.t a.t
III faut done quitter tout" (Must the
abandon alll ..'....,
Yes, Rachel--all ! The gorgeous stag
! the worshiping crowd, the golden glow
: prosperity. Those who gave thee veal
and homage cannot offer thee one free, pr
!" cious breath. Powerless they minister
the mind diseased! Where now is the j
cense that from very childhood has be-
: lavished spon the altar of.thy genius?
Reserved for The nsrs Rachel. Orif q
: other never shines like thee in the horize
Of intellect acme. star.i that has gilt
enObgh to ix the eye; to enchain the atte
D tion Of o wayward world. And ashes W
i Ebe Ill that i leit Of thee--all ina. i mort
ol-ashss! and the perishahle tablets that be