Omaha daily bee., 1874-05-29


might not have gone differently
Though, doubtless, Guido OF Raven
ma ought to know his own business
best. But the years have brough'
much to to the little Blanca wht
nestled in the exile's arms at Yer
ona, to watch the sunset from tn,
ducal gardens. Time has brough'
her ALL the gifts that make a woman
charming, yet has not robbed her o
childish beauty; the blue eyes lool
up with their old frank unconscious
ness, but with thought and feeling
in the heart of their clear depths
smiles come and gOabout her mouth
vet leave undisturbed the look O
tranquil sweetness that has gained
for the signorina the title of "Tht
Lady of Peace" Dearer than evel
is she to the hearts of all about her
and were affection to be weighed
and measured, it would be hard tC
say which holds her dearest-the
grave, saddened poet-exile, or the
blithe, young, hopeful FilippO, whom
she weds to-day.
There is a grand wedding process
sion, for Guido Novello delights to
honor both bride and the BRIDE
groom and since their own city OF
Pisa may not witness the bridal,
Ravenna makes it as splendid as
she may. But Dante is not at the
festival; Venice's rejection has been
the last straw laid upon a burthen
that has grown day by day these
nineteen years.
There is a banquet, and a dance
follows. The lady Blanca does her
part, much rs long ago Dante de-
scribed the lady of his love moving
among other children; she is in
them, but not of them; no gentle
courtesy is lacking, no graceful sal
utation is omitted; but once, when
the tide of congratulating merri-
ment GIBBS for a moment, she whis-
pers to her husband: 80 FilippO, |
weary of it all! Hong to see Mes
ser Dante, it seemeth a bad omen
that my wedding-day should lack
his presence"
"Messer Dante would chide thee
for talking of omens, Blanca mid,"
answers Filippo. "But our bridal
shall not lack his good word. Our
guests will soon be weary of us as
we are of them; and then we will
seek thine old friend. Dost know,
Blanca mai, l never believed so well
i'm his Paradise before?"
A blush and a smile i'm return,
and again the thrOng sweeps about
them. Two more hours of mortal
Misunderstanding receptions be-
ing as tedious in the fourteenth Gen.
fury as i'm the nineteenth century
and the young couple are free.
Up the winding stairway, through
the long corridors, pass the bride
and groom, while the grim portraits
and gloomy statues look grimmer
and gloomier than ever, for the a
diant flash of youth and beauty that
lights their darkness for a moment.
There is a pause at the door before
they are admitted; and, as they en-
ter, they are cautioned to make
their stay brief. The long suffering
is well-nigh ended; the bitter bread
is all eaten; the weary stairs are
all climed-Dante Alighieri is
dying.
His eyes kindle with pleasure as
the fair, grave young couple cross
the palace chamber and kneel at his
bedside. 1--WE would ask your
blessing on u happiness, noble
sir" said Filippo, in the grave, full
tones that, men say, SO often help
the young Fagginola to carry hts
point. There Is conviction In his
voice, the people say.
"Your blessing, Messer Dante"
whispers Blanca, her head bowed
beside her husbands.
The thin, worn hands moved un-
steadily forward. Little life is there
in the fingers now; yet to their
dying day Filipp0 and Blanca will
remember that affectiOnate, cling.
ing pressue. ga better blessing
than Dante's be upon you," says
the poets voice, not Yet reft of all
its old sweetness. "Blessed be the
bride Blanca; the good God bring
her to be in very deed and truth
Beatrice J"
Bianoa's heart thrills as she hears
spoken the name of the woman
most deeply reverenced-most high
ly hOnored of all the women with
whom the poets have sung. Well
she knows that Dante's prayer for
her Is, that, as the lady of his Own
love has been exalted above the
region of time and sense, she, Bian-
ca, may rise to live a lofty life be-
yond the limit of italian storms.
"Blessed be the bridegroom, Flip
pc; and blessed be Italy in him.
And, if his country return him
cursing for blessing, as hath been
her want, blessed be he with the
blessing of Dante Alighieri, who, in
his trouble, sought for silver and
found gold! tDaigite ,justitian ;
Dominus regndrit.'"
The last words ring out with so.
emn force; the dying man folds his
hands upon his breast, and Filippo
and Blanca kneel on in silent
prayer. As they rise, they see that
the words of blessing were meant
for words of parting, and they must
be gone; but Bianca's lips touch
with reverent salute the cheek that
the great poem has made lean and
haggard, ere she lets her husband
lead her from the room.
Before the morning breaks, the
exile has gone home; and it is with
a heart full of mingled joy and sor-
row that the ministering Francis
al Frate has spoken the Church's
God-speed to the dying, depart,
o Christian SOUL" Surely, never
has a Christian soul more bitterly
learned the truth, "This is not your
rest" Tomorrow all Ravenna will
gather to the funeral, and Guido
Novello himself will pronounce the
Grafton over the Florentine
patriot who lies before him in
a Francisnan's habit, his hands
crossed upon the Holy Scriptures,
his broken Tyre resting at his feet.
Florence spurned him living; she
shall not have him dead. Let her
rear a stately monument to his mem.
Ory when she pleases; here in Ra-
VIENNA shall the poets ashes rest,
And, but that it were irreverenee to
think that earthly praise or blame
could thrill the spirit that has passed
beyond them, n might deem the
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