The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-30
THE DIAMOND RING.
from the Richmond Standard


The following weird and graceful lines, the
maiden, and, as we believe, the sole essay IN the
service of the Nine of their author, Col John
Lewis Peyton, now of Staunton. Va, SO widely
known in other fields of literature by the pro-
auctions of his graphic and finished pen, were
written by him some thirty years ago under
provoking banter made in the presence OF lair
friends by Jolly companion OF the authors
youthful days, who charged him with the pos
session OF a hopeless prosaic nature, utterly par
rem of sentiment and poetic conceit. The 1mme'
date stimulant was a wager, which it is needless
to add was awarded the aspiring candidate Tor
Panassian honors. 81.
In our humble estimation the poem resembles
closely in rhythm and style the productions OF
SAKE. The imagery is undoubtedly most happy,
and the m oral unexceptionable:
Twas near the close OF q summers day,
The sun was lingering with parting ray;
In hues OF fading light he took his leave,
With all the glories OF sunset eve;
When, dusky as the shadows of the night.
A horseman. in his clanRing armor bright,
Rode to the ancient Abby Of st. Pierre
| Twas said much treasure had been buried there.
Through solemn asles, with slow and cautious
tread,
His eager sought the treasures of the dead;
And as he moved with silent step to trace
The dark rec esses OF that hallowed place.
He saw human skull beneath his feet
| shattered throne, proud reasons vacant seat.
He quickly paused to raise itfrom the gronhd'
| Aud musing as he turned it round and round:
| "Thou must have been what fallen men callgreat
To have been buried in this church OF state;
But whether good OF bad, fool or wise,
An honest man, or demon in disguise,
| = Tho Jtv,,ifC n
| OF all thy fellow men can truly tell.'
y
He sought among the dead for Jewels rares
| And long he sought-not finding any there.
| At last, in snowy shroud a maiden fair
| He saw, with pallid face and glossy hair;
| And round the virgins calm, unclouded brow
He saw the garland fowrets faded, now
! ssThou beauteous maid," he thought, "hadst thou
not died,
T would have wooed thee for my cherished BRIDE
Then on her hand, a tiny taper thing,
| He saw brilliant gem-a diamond ring.
He seized the prize, and hurried from the spot'
o'ercome with JOY at this his happy lot
once poor. now rich, but filled with silent dreads
He placed the costly gem beneath his head.
| To sleep he essayed, but twas all in vain;
| For starting fears, and gloomy anxious pain,
Disturbed his visions with their varied train
| OF chastity forms to sack his tortured brain,
Until he dreamed, on this unhappy night,
A robber seized the ring and took to flight
He started wildly in this troubled scene
| To get the "gem of purest ray serene"
| Twas safe; and while he gazed upon the baupie-
The wretched source OF all his nightmare trouSie
He vow'd that ere the sun again should dawn
| Upon that same fair hand it should be drawn.
But soon the light through eastern portals borne
| Bedeck'd with gold the roses OF the morn
The guilty knight now hurried to st. Pierre,
| But not with the resolve he formed in fear =;
For cursed avarice filled him with desire,
And STEPPED his senses in her raging fire.
| Forgetful of his vow, the arrant knave
Resolves again to rob the silent grave
He moved toward the chambers the Dead
Regardless wholly of his former dread.
But hist! he hears softly tender moan!
| Perhaps the wind between the blocks OF stone.
All. no he felt no 'breath come DER his cheek
Then what did that 'unbidden sound bespeak r.
He turned around and saw startling SIGHT:
There stood the maid in youthful beauty bright
He turn'd to fly, to leave the hallow'd spot;
But no! to leave the place she babe him not.
She laid her icy hand upon his arm,
| 1t chilled his blood, froze him with alarm.
| "IJnhappy youth I" in hollow tones she cried,
ITO wealth thou'rt welded! IT'S thy chosen bride
4 Thou'st gained the dearest object OF thy heart;
4 But thou and thy lov'd bride must quickly part
In heeting shadows thou hast sought to win
Enduring happiness while STEPPED in sin.
IT'S now too late to mend Thy erring ways
For now is filed the measure OF thy days.
And then she seized and bore him through the
| gloom,
Beyond the portals of the silent tomb.