Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-09-18
GQortestet @allp Spp.
The Mountain of Two Lovers.
RY LEIGH HINT

BY LEIGH HUNT.
We forget in what book it was. many wears
ago, that we read the story of lover who
was to win his mistress by carrying her to
the top OF mountain, and how he did win her
We think the scene was in Switzerland
but the mountain, though high enough to tax
his stout heart to the utmost, must have been
among the lowest, Let us fancy it good.
lofty hill, in the summer time. 1t was. at any
rate, so high that the father Of the lady, a
proud nobleman, thought it impossible for a
young man, so burdened, to scale it. For this
reason alone, i'll scorn he babe him do it, and
his daughter should be his.
The peasantry assembled in the valley to
witness so extraordinary a sight. They
measured the mountain with their eyes they
communed with one another and shook their
heads but all admired the young man and
some of his fellows looking at their mstresses,
thought they could do as much. The father,
on horseback, apart and suen, Tepented that
he had subjected his daughter even to the
show of such a hazard but he thought that it
would teach his interiors lesson.
The young man, 1.-THE son of small land
proprietor, who had some pretensions to
wealth, though none to nobihty,) stood re.
specially looking but confident, rejoicing in
his heart that he should win mistress,
though at the cost OF a noble pain, which he
could hardly think of as pain cons .dering who
1T was lie was to carry If he died for it he
should at least have had her in his arms, and
have looked her in the face. To clasp her
person i'll that manner was a pleasure he con-
templated with such transport as is known
only to real lovers ; for none other know how
respect hightens the JOY OF dispensing with
fOrmality and ennobes and makes grateful the
respect.
The lady stood by the side of her father, pale
DESTROYS, and dreading. She thought her lover
would succeed but only because she thought
him in every respect the nobest of his sex,
and that nothing was too much for his strength
and valor. Great fears came over her never
theless. She knew not what might happen in
the chances common to all. She felt the bitter
ness OF being herself the burden to him and the
task 4; she dared not look at her father, nor the
mountain. She fixed her eyes on the crowd
(Which, nevertheless, she beheld mott and
now, on her hands and fingers end, which
she doubled up towards her with pretense-
the only deception she had ever used. Once
or twice, daughter or mother slipped out of
the crowd and coming up to her, notwith-
standing their fears of the Lord Baron, kissed
the hand which she knew not what to do with
The father said, Nov, sir, put an end to
this mummery." The lover turned pale for
the first time, and took up the lady.
The spectators rejoice to see the manner in
couragng his mistress. They mount the hill
they proceed well he halts an instant before
ne gets midway, and seems to refuse some.
thing; then he ascends at a quicker rate, and
now, being at the midway point, shifts the lady
from one side to the other. The spectators give
a great shout. The baron, with an air OF in
difference, bites the tip of his gauntlet and
then casts on them the air of rebuke. AT the
shout the lover resumed his way. Slow, but
not feeble in his step, yet it gets slower He
stops again, and they think they see the lady
kiss hin: on the forehead. The women begin
to tremble, but the men say he will be victori-
GUS He resumes again he is half way be.
tween the middle and the top; he rushes, he
stops, he staggers hut does not fall another
shout from the men, and he resumes once
more; two-thirds OF the remaining part of the
way are conquered They are certain the lady
kisses his forehead and eyes.
The women burst into tears, and the stout.
est men looked pale He assembled slower
than ever, but seems 10 be more sure he
hats, but it is only to plant his foot to 90 on
again, and thus he picks his way, planting his
foot at every step, and then gaining ground
with an effort. The lady lifts up her arms as
If to tighten him he stops, he struggles, and
moves sideways, taking very little steps, and
bringing one foot every time close to the other
Now he is all but on the top; he haIts again
he Is hXed he staggers, groan goes through
the multitude; suddenly he turns full from
toward the top; it is luckily almost level he
saggers, but it is forward. Yes, every limb
in the multitude makes movement as if to
assist him; see, at last he is on the top, and
down he falls with his burden. An enormous
shout-he has won! he has won! Now he
has right to caress his mistress, and she is
caTessng him, for neither of them get up. Ii
he has tainted, it is with joy, and in her arms.
The baron puts spurs to his horse, the
crowd following him; half way up he is
obliged to diSmount; they ascend the hill to-
gether the crowd silent and happy, the baron
ready to burst with shame and Impotence
They reach the top; the lovers are face to face
on the ground, the lady clasping him with
both arms, his laying on each side
"Traitor! exclaimed the baron, Chou hast
practiced this feat before on purpose to deceive
me. Arise !"
you cannot expect it, sir" said worthy
man who was rich enough to speak his mind
"Samson himself might take his rest after such
a deed !!
''Part them p said the baron
Several persons went up, not to part them,
but to congratulate and keep them together.
These people look close they kneel down
and bend an ear; they bury their faces on
them. God forbid they should ever be parted
more !" said venerable old man; "they can
never be-" He turned his old face streaming
with tears, and looked at the baron: Sir, they
are dead l'