The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-12-08
From the Cecil Democrat. I
Musings on the Past.

Silent cities Of the dead how calm and
still ye are /; how quiet in your desolation.-
No sound can break the Stiffness save the
dismal boot Of the OWL or the wild scream of
savage beasts.
Night falls down upon the ruins of those
mighty walls, and darkness overshadows our
lonely spirits, and we muse, and look down
through the lapse of ages, and listen to a
voice from those seeming silent cities, and
hear them speak and tell their own true story,
sfor well timed silence hath more eloquence
than speech"
Be quiet make no noise, nor stir, for the
the spirit Of inspiration is upon me. hear
strange voices from the Past, and will heed
their murmurs, Thoughts but the same
rehearsal OF the ast-advancement pride
ambition, thirst for glory, love, but dcstruc-
ton and death at last.
stand among the ruins of fated Pompeii
Silence reigns supreme. But bark A low
voiced murmur gides upon the breeze. I
hear tale Of love. Within these walls once
dwelt nader, joyous and blythe and gay.
Day after day of her bright existence passed
on, and each found her happy, roaming amid
the bowers, or strolling by the brooks, paus-
ing, now and then, as she kissed the smooth
cheek Of her loving mother, or stroked the
fevered brow of her adoring father; and she
glided on again to find some new source of
pleasure. But the hour comes when her free
spirit bends meath the chain of love, and her
joyous brow grow pensiye with the thoughts
Of the future. The hour comes soon. She
sits on the banks of a beautiful stream wcav-
ing wreath of wild flowers. A light step
is heard behind her, and, turning round, hi
quick glance falls on noble form Of manhood
One glance is sufficient !; and she starts away
like frightened hare, and soon is with her
mother, innocently relating her surprise, and
describing the surprising beauty of the stran-
ger who had disturbed her quiet happiness.
But why this hurry and hustle among the
servants A guest, a noble guest. had come
to share the board and mingle in the society
Of the family Of Lucius Cecinna ;he has return
ed from his victorious campaign, receiving the
homage of the people and honored indeed is
the father of the fair Julia when he welcomes
to his home the favoritc of the people, the
son of his early friend.
At length dinner is announced, and Julia
desoends, her graceful figure set off by most
becoming attire, and her hair bound by few
wild flowers WEIGH she retained in her retreat
from the stream. Deep bushes crimson on
her cheek when her father places her at the
table beside the stranger of the morning.
sMethinks the gods could have chosen me
no better resting place during my short re-
spite from battle; surely in no other could
they have placed me near such loveliness-
Easy would be the strife of battle could
lay the trophies at the feet of one as lovely
as thou art.'
The blushing Julia deepened as she listen
ed to these words from one whose lightes
word would be gladly cherished by the flares,
maidens of Pompeii. But Julia had mingled
but little in the society of the other sex hel
heart was pure and innocent, and she coule
not reply to words of such high praise, tho
for once her ear was not indifferent to theil
music. affs a5a