The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-01-09
The Enchanted Tower of Toledo.
By MRS. N. B. WILLIAMS.

= - - - - -
"En cote torre los Reyes
Cada uno hecho IN canada.
Porque 10 ordinare ansi
Hercules ell afamado,
Que gano primero Espana
De Gerion gran tiramo."
Romances nuspamsnto sacados Lroenoo d
Sepalueda.
Here we meet thee, King Rodrigo! out
side OF the city's wall.
For the words my lips must utter, on nc
other ear can fall,
Thou descendant Of the Godos, crowned
., and sceptered King of SPAIN.
Thou must listen to the Warders Of the
Tower called Pleasures Pain.
I'm the first days of this Kingdom, when
: Alcmena's godlike son, -
From Geryon's bloody thraldom all this
pleasant land had won,
Midst Toledo's orange bowers, he by
strong enchantment's might
Raised this tower from base to summit in
one single summers night! '.2st
I" Earthly hammers we're not sounded, but q
passing rush ofwings,
And the sword Of bright Orion down its
starry scabbard filings,
Men grew pale, and women tainted. for the
midnight air was filed
With such sounds that earthly daring in
each mortal breast was stilled. =.
=" But the dewy moon dawned brightly, and
the giants task was done,
Pale he looked and sighed right sadly in
that golden summer sun,
! have locked the Tower of Magic-bid
each future King of Spain
Bolt and bar the dreadful secret lest he
win bitter pain.
There no human foot must wander-there
no human eye must scan,
Till the tower and secret perish from the
memory of man,
Fate may send some daring spirit; let him
pause and ponder long,
Fer he does his name and country, such
deadly, grievous wrong.
King Rodrigo, We have spoken never
did We speak in vain, a 5..a
For each King has left his token on the
Tower of Pleasures Pain,
Twelve good locks are on the portal, thine
will make the fateful one
Sire thy royal hand must place it, ere the
setting of the sum-" no, agffs-
Laughed loud the King Rodrigo Certes,
thou hast care for.me; .~.
But these marvels, gentle Warder, / ON
strangely pressed to see; /
Never spell of darkest danger, but some
Christian Knights devoir
Was to break the curst enchantment, tho
'twere locked in magic bar" |,
Looketh round the King Rodrigo:"K Knights,
ye fight for love and laws, 4
AID ye deal your blows right stoutly, for
the sake of Holy Cross; r
Bot to-day We war with magic in the Tow.
er Of Pleasures Pain; Is
he whose heart beats keep scant measure,
let him shun the towards shame" Is
Looketh up the King Godrigo; still his Y
naughty crest of pride
Sought not aid from earth or heaven, but
the fears ofboth defed; !. !"
And his bright eye laughed right gaily, and
his lips curled scornfully, II
AS he marked his comrades shudder. and
: their heads droop mournfally. st
: Woe unto thee, King Rodrigo Woe to FL
all the Spanish land, i 4.
When the Sacred Guard is broken by
Monarchs impious hand" Al
lnd the hoary Warder kneeleth, with bis
gray head in the dust: l
Woe to him whose path of power lie.h
DER trampled trust" Ao'
King, we crave thee pause and hearken p, Snc
Loud the stately footstep rung,
ouder still the scornful laughter-"Wefn
must work e'er set of sun; fo'
nd we pray thee, pious Warder, tho thou
lend'st no helping hand, oa
OF with idle fears Of dotage, thus to
daunt my gallant band" 24.-.5 VIII
d your brazsn lions couchant, rose the Lo!
tower like dream, ESQ t}@ 5GG llat
sper walls and diamond tursts have the ,,,..
sunsets latest beam, LIh1 Wv
selve good locks are on the portal, and
though struck with might and main, 1AHo
'rning's sun rose on the workers ere the ,
inner court they gain. $500 S1'o
ere unrolls the strangest vision--pic- Dow
tured wallssurround dome,
adyomene smiles downward from her
shell upon the foam, Desp
ID the builders twelve great labors all in u !,
precious stones are wrought. A'a
cry figure on the fabric With weird.like !
motion fraught. bus
couch Of Indian iv'ry rests giants Swep
marble form, j
I upon its lifeless bosom, 10! lettered )
Hnrnff 10 harnA 20. - fll.t 1 fjst.t