Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-09-30
INCIDENT IN ANCIENT HISTORY.


Twas glorious morn, "a morn for life
in it's most subtitle luxury" The FIRST faint
rays of sunlight had began to glide the
eastern sky Of an ancient city when the
sound ofsmartial music, the prancing Of
steeas, and the hurried tread Of human feet
hrAa ssh*y nsts5a oiSg forth Co
war. They have gathered themselves to-
gether and now with glittering spear and
flashing bayonet, they prepare to go forth
mid the flourish of trumpets and the shouts
of the people But why this delay? The
captain of the host, mighty man of yalor'
speaks. Silence prevails. and all heads, bend
low as, with uplifted hands the mighty mon
arch makes vow to God that if he is vic
torious in this battle, if the enemy is deliy-'
cred into his hands. he will offer as sacrifice
the first living thing that cometh forth from
his gates to meet him when he returns. The
vow is recorded; the word of command is
given, and that gorgeous cavalcade move on.
Long they travelled ere they reached the
field of battle. "Tis reached at last. s
A glorious array of men in warlike armor
present themselves to view And now they
are engaged in deadly conflict: man strives
with man; the conflict RACES fierce and terri-
BILE; blood flows like water; the shrieks OF
the wounded and the dying rendthe air the
field is covered with heaps Of the wounded,
the dying and the dead, ere the flourish of
trumpets and the shouts Of victory announce
the battle won-by the mighty man whose
VOW was recorded ere they left their home
and now he prepares to lead his army in tri-
umph to the city. IS
On. they go for many mile, over hill
and dale, through forest and city. They.
near the gates Of their homes. Every eye
is strained. they remember the vow. and look
on the right hand and on the left for the sac
rifce, but no good is by the side, no heifer
gambols near, no lamb is In sight, no bird
skins through the air, and even the dogs do
not come forth to meet them.
What means this stiffness Why doth no
living thing appear to greet them? Are they
not victors, fresh from the field Of battle
upon their brows the laurel wreath, and in
their hands the palm of victory? Do they
not come with all the pomp and pride Of mar-
tial glory2 Why does no living thing come
to greet their coming
- Lucy q dpPiOttCu tue SdteS VI INC Hdid0S, dhu
the eyeof the captain casts quick and anxious
glances around, and his heart trembles for
his VOW. What shall come forth to meet
him Perhaps well trained hound. or. it
may be a favorite servant.
Hark sound of music is borne upon the
air. Soft and sweet its strains are heard IN
the distance, and now they sound louder and
more near. Its song Of joy and triumph!!'
Why does the cheek Of that proud man
blanch, his hand tremble upon the rein, and
his head droop upon his breast ? and why is.
the mystic wreath that lately bound his brow.
crushed beneath his horses feet? Behold,
issuing from the gates maiden of surpass-.
ing beauty. dressed in gala robes, with tim-
.brel in her hands; she comes to greet the
conqueror. and congratulate him on his safe
ty. Well may his cheek blanch and his heart
quiver, for in that fair girl he sees his daugh-1
ter, his only one! al III 54a!
Besides her he hath neither son nor
daughter" She isall in all to his aged heart.
Can he yield her sacrifice to the flames!