Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 5 November 1848
"Courage, bold hearts!" cried Giovanni to his people; "they are ours! We shall soon be upon them. They cannot now escape us!"
The eye of the youthful leader brightened with the expectation of the struggle. His exulting, eager voice declared the strength and confidence of his soul, and cheered the souls of all around him. The sturdy oarsmen "gave way" with renewed efforts. The knights prepared their weapons for the conflict. Giovanni signaled the other galleys by which his own was followed.
"I am for the red flag of Pietro Barbaro himself. I know his banner. Let your galleys grapple with the rest. Cross their path – prevent their flight, and bear down upon the strongest. Do your parts, and fear not but we shall do ours."
With these brief instructions, our captain led the way with the Venetian galleys. The conflict was at hand. It came. They drew nigh and hailed the enemy. The parley was a brief one. The pirates could hope no mercy, and they asked none. But few words, accordingly, were exchanged between the parties, and these were not words of peace.
"Yield thee to the mercy of St. Mark!" was the stern summons of Giovanni, to the pirate-chief.
"St. Mark's mercy has too many teeth!" was the scornful reply of the pirate. "The worthy saint must strike well before Barbaro of Istria sues to him for mercy.
With the answer the galleys grappled. The Venetians leapt on board of the pirates, with a fury that was little short of madness. Their wrath was terrible. Under the guidance of the fierce Giovanni, they smote with an unforgiving vengeance. It was in vain that the Istrutes fought as they had been long accustomed. It needed something more than customary valor to meet the fury of their assailants. All of them perished. Mercy now was neither asked nor given. Nor, as it seemed, did the pirates care to live, when they beheld the fall of their fearful leader. He had crossed weapons with Giovanni Gradenigo, in whom he found his fate. Twice, thrice, the sword of the latter drove through the breast of the pirate. Little did his conqueror conjecture the import of the few words which the dying chief gasped forth at his feet, his glazed eyes striving to pierce the deck, as if seeking some one within.
"I have, indeed, had thee in my arms, but – "
There was no more – death finished the sentence! The victory was complete, but Giovanni was wounded. Pietro Barbaro was a fearful enemy. He was conquered, it is true, but he had made his mark upon his conqueror. He had bitten deep before he fell.
The victors returned with their spoil. They brought back the captured brides in triumph. That same evening preparations were made to conclude the bridal ceremonies which the morning had seen so fearfully arrested. With a single exception, the original distribution of the "brides" was persevered in. That exception, as we may well suppose, was Francesca Ziani. It was no longer possible for her unnatural parents to withstand the popular sentiment. The Doge himself, Pietro Candiano, was particularly active in persuading the reluctant mother to submit to what was so evidently the will of destiny. But for the discreditable baseness and cowardice of Ulric Barberigo, it is probable she never would have yielded. But his imbecility and unmanly terror in the moment of danger, had been too conspicuous. Even his enormous wealth could not save him from the shame that followed; and however unwillingly, the parents of Francesca consented that she should become the bride of Giovanni, as the only proper reward for the gallantry which had saved her, and so many more, from shame.
But where was Giovanni? His friends have been dispatched for him; why comes he not? The maid, now happy beyond her hope, awaits him at the altar. And still he comes not. Let us go back for a moment to the moment of his victory over the pirate-chief. Barbaro lies before him in the agonies of death. His sword it is which has sent the much dreaded outlaw to his last account. But he himself is wounded – wounded severely, but not mortally by the man whom he has slain. At this moment he received a blow from the axe of one of the brothers of Barbaro. He had strength left barely to behold and to shout his victory, when he sunk fainting upon the deck of the pirate vessel. His further care devolved upon his friend, Nicolo, who had followed his footsteps closely through all the paths of danger. In a state of stupor he lies upon the couch of Nicolo, when the aged prophetess, the "Spanish Gipsy," appeared beside his bed.
"He is called," she said. "The Doge demands his presence. They will bestow upon him his bride, Francesca Ziani. You must bear him thither."
The surgeon shook his head.
"It may arouse him," said Nicolo. "We can bear him thither on a litter, so that he shall feel no pain."
"It were something to wake him from this apathy," mused the surgeon. "Be it as thou wilt."
Thus, grievously wounded, was the noble Giovanni borne into the midst of the assembly for each member of which he had suffered and done so much. The soft music which played around, awakened him. His eyes unclosed to discover the lovely Francesca, tearful, but hopeful, bending fondly over him. She declared herself his. The voice of the Doge confirmed the assurance; and the eye of the dying man brightened into the life of a new and delightful consciousness. Eagerly he spoke; his voice was but a whisper.
"Make it so, I pray thee, that I may live!"
The priest drew nigh with the sacred unction. The marriage service was performed, and the hands of the two were clasped in one.
"Said I not?" demanded an aged woman, who approached the moment after the ceremonial, and whose face was beheld by none but him whom she addressed. "She is thine!"
The youth smiled, but made no answer. His hand drew that of Francesca closer. She stooped to his kiss, and whispered him, but he heard her not. With the consciousness of the sweet treasure that he had won after such sad denial, the sense grew conscious no longer – the lips of the youth were sealed for ever. The young Giovanni, the bravest of the Venetian youth, lay lifeless in the embrace of the scarcely more living Francesca. It was a sad day, after all, in Venice, since its triumph was followed by so great a loss; but the damsels of the ocean city still declare that the lovers were much more blest in this fortune, than had they survived for the embrace of others less beloved.
[The touching and romantic incident upon which this little tale is founded, has been made use of by Mr. Rogers, in his poem of "Italy." It is one of those events which enrich and enliven, for romance, the early histories of most states and nations that ever arrive at character and civilization. It occurs in the first periods of Venetian story, about 932, under the Doge Candiano II. I have divided my sketch into five parts, having originally designed a dramatic piece with the same divisions. That I have since thought proper to write the tale in the narrative and not the dramatic form, is not because of any insusceptibility of the material to such uses. I still think that the story, as above given, might easily and successfully be dramatized, giving it a mixed character – that of the melo-dramatic opera, and only softening the close to a less tragical denouement.]
ODE TO THE MOON
BY MRS. E. C. KINNEYIMyriads have sung thy praise,Fair Dian, virgin-goddess of the skies!And myriads will raiseTheir songs, as time yet onward flies,To thee, chaste prompter of the lover's sighs,And of the minstrel's lays!Yet still exhaustless as a themeShall be thy name —While lives immortal Fame —As when to people the first poet's dreamThy inspiration came.IINone ever lived, or loved,Who hath not thine oblivious influence felt —As if a silver veil hid outward things,While some bright spirit's wingsMysteriously movedThe world of fancies that within him dwelt —Regent of Night! whence is this charm in thee,That sways the human soul with potent witchery?IIIWhen first the infant learns to look on high,While twilight's drapery his heart appals,Thy full-orbed presence captivates his eye;Or when, 'mid shadows grim upon the walls,Are sent thy pallid rays,'Tis awe his bosom fills,And trembling joy that thrillsHis tiny frame, and fastens his young gaze:Thy spell is on that heart,And childhood may depart,But it shall gather strength with youthful days;For oft as thou, capricious moon!Shalt wax and wane,He, now perchance a love-sick swain,Will watch thee at night's stilly noon,Pouring his passion in an amorous strain:Or, with the mistress of his soul —Lighted by thy love-whispering beams —In some secluded garden stroll,Bewildered in ambrosial dreams;Nor once suspect, while his full pulses move,That thou, whom tides obey, may'st turn the tide of love!IVThe watcher on the deep —Though weary be his eye —Forgets even drowsy sleep,When thou art in the sky!For with thine image on the silvery seaA thousand forms of memoryWhirl in a mazy dance;And when he upward looks to thee,In thy far-reaching glanceThere is a sacred bond of sympathy'Twixt sea and land;For on his native strandThat glance awakens kindred soulsTo kindred thought,And though the deep between them rolls,Hearts are together brought;While tears that fall from eyes at home,And those that wet the sailor's cheek,From the same sacred fountains come —The same emotion speak.VThe watcher on the land —Who holds the burning handOf one whom scorching fever wastes —Beholds thee, orient moon!With reddened face, expanded in the east,Till Superstition chills his breast,While tremulous he hastesTo draw the curtains as thou journeyest on:But when the far-spent nightIs streaked with dawning light,Again, to look on thee,He lifts the drapery,And hope divine now triumphs over fear,As in the zenith farA pale, small orb thou dost appear,While eastward rises morn's resplendent star!And Fancy sees the passing soul ascendWhere thy mild glories with the azure blend.VIEven on the face of Death thou lookest calm,Fair Dian! as when watchful thou didst keepLove's holy vigils o'er Endymion's sleep,Drinking the breath of youth's perpetual balm.Thy beams are kissing nowThe icy browOf many a youth in slumber deep,Who cannot yield to theeThe incense of Love's perfumed breath,For no response gives Death!Ah, 'tis a fearful sight to seeThy lustre on a human faceWhere the Promethean spark has left no trace,As if it shone uponThe marble cold,Of that famed ruin old —The grand, but empty Parthenon!VIIDian, enchantress of all hearts!While mine in song now worships thee,From thy far-shooting bow the silver dartsFall thick and fast on me:Oh, beautiful in light and shade,By thee is this fair landscape made!Gems sparkle on the river's breast —Now covered by an icy vest —Upon the frozen hillsA regal glory shines!And all the scene, as Fancy wills,Shifts into new designs.Yet night is still as Death's unbroken realms,And solemnly thy light, wan orb, is castThrough the arched branches of these reverend elms,As though it through the Gothic windows passedOf some old abbey or cathedral vast.VIIIIn awe my spirit kneels —And seems before a hallowed shrine;Yet not the majesty of Art it feels,But Nature's law divine —The presence of her mighty Architect!Who piled these pyramidal hills sublime,That still, pure moon, thy radiance will reflect,And still defy the crumbling touch of Time:Who built this temple of gigantic trees,Where Nature's worshipers repairTo pray the heart's unuttered prayer,Whose veiled thought the great Omniscient sees.IXOh, I could wonder, and adoreReligious Night! and thee, her queen!Till golden Phœbus should restoreHis splendor to the scene!But the same natural laws controlThy motions and the poet's will;So, that while tireless roves the soul,This actual life must weary still.And oh, inspirer of my song!While close these eyes upon thy beams,Watching, amid thy starry throng,Be thou the goddess of my dreams.MY BIRD
BY MRS. JANE C. CAMPBELLRing out, ring out, thy clear sweet note!Art longing to be free —To break thy bars and heavenward float?My bird, this may not be.Thou ne'er hast known another homeThan in that cage of thine,And shouldst thou from its shelter roam,Where meet a love like mine?When the gay wealth of leaves and flowersWreathes every fragrant bough,And hides thee all the summer hoursFrom noontide's sultry glow —And when the limpid grass-fringed brookReflects thy yellow wing,And thou may'st seek each quiet nookWhere sweets are blossoming —And warble there the cheerful songThat oft has charmed mine ear,Thou might'st, those leafy shades among,Be happier far than here.But when sad Autumn sheds abroadThe stillness of decay,And leaves beneath the feet are trodWhere young winds love to play —When icy chains the streams have bound,Gems hang from every tree,And but the snow-bird skims the ground,Where would my trembler flee?Ah, fold thy wing and rest thee there,Nor trust deceitful skies,Though balmy now the gentle air,Dark tempests will arise.And Freedom! 'tis a glorious word!But should the rude winds come,Then wouldst thou wish, my warbling bird,For thine own quiet home.My bird! I too would take my flight,I long to soar awayTo those far realms where all is bright,Where beams an endless day.I may not tread a holier sphere,I may not upward move,But bound like thee, I linger hereAnd trust a Father's love.THE KNIGHTS OF THE RINGLET
CHAPTER I
If to be seated, on a bright winter's day, before a glowing fire of anthracite, with one's feet on the fender, and one's form half-buried in the depths of a cushioned easy-chair, holding the uncut pages of the last novel, be indeed the practical definition of happiness, then Emma Leslie was to be envied as she sat thus cosily, one afternoon, listening to an animated discussion going on between an elderly lady and gentleman on the opposite side of the fire-place. The discussion ran on a grave subject – a very grave subject – one which has puzzled the heads of wise men, and turned the wits of weak ones. But though the argument grew every moment more close and earnest, the fair listener had the audacity to laugh, in clear, silvery tones, that told there was not one serious thought in her mind, as she said,
"Nay, good uncle, a truce to these generalities. If, as I imagine, all this talk upon woman's rights and woman's duties has been for my special edification, pray be more explicit and tell me what part I am to play in the general reform you propose?"
The gentleman thus addressed looked up at this interruption, and replied in a tone slightly acidified,
"For your benefit also has been your Aunt Mary's clear exposition of what woman may and should be. Perhaps you will profit as much by her suggestions as you seem to do by mine."
"Do not give me up as incorrigible just as I am coming to be taught how to be good," said Emma, with mock gravity. "With regard to this subject of temperance, of which you were just speaking, and upon which you say woman has so much influence, what shall I do? How can I reclaim the drunkard while I move in a circle where the degraded creatures are not admitted. They will not be influenced by a person who has no feelings or sympathies in common with them, even were it proper for me to descend to their level in order to help them."
"That may be. The tide of gay and fashionable life sweeps over and buries in oblivion the ruin its forms and ceremonies help to make. Yet there are some you might reach. Some who are just beginning to sink, and whom men cannot influence because they are too proud to own their danger."
"How less likely, then, would a woman be to influence them," replied Emma. "You know how men try to conceal their vices and foibles from us."
"True, but yet men do not suspect the weaker sex of doubting their power to reform themselves, and are therefore more willing to be advised and persuaded by them to abandon their bad habits, which have not yet become fixed vices. Woman's intuitive perception of what should be said, and the right moment to say it, men rarely possess; and this gives your sex a superiority over ours in the work of reform. Yet, alas! how often is this influence employed to lure the wandering feet further and further from the path of virtue."
"Beware, uncle, I'll have no slander," replied Emma, half vexed.
"It is not slander. How often have I seen you, Emma, with smiles and gay words, sipping that which, however harmless to you, is poison to some of your thoughtless companions. Were you pure in word and deed from all contamination in that behalf, how different would be your influence. Yet you refused to join the Temperance Society I am endeavoring to establish in our neighborhood."
"But you know," said Emma, with a proud curl of her ruby lip, "that I am in no danger. Why should my name be mixed with the common herd?"
"That is false pride, unworthy a true-hearted woman. To refuse to aid a reforming movement that will assist thousands, simply because it will not benefit you, because you do not need its help. I did not think you so selfish."
"I am not selfish. You shall not call me such ugly names," replied the niece, striving to turn the conversation from the serious turn it had taken. "You know very well it is only my humility that speaks. I don't think women have any right to form societies and make laws. All that honor and glory I am willing to leave to men, and only ask for my sex the liberty of doing as they please in the humble station assigned to them by the 'lords of creation.' You may rule the world, and give orders, and we will – break them."
"Yes," said her uncle, rising to go, "you will break them, indeed – break all laws of justice, honor and humanity in your giddy course."
"Nay," said Emma, rising and holding his hands in hers as he was about to leave the room,
'Put down your hat, don't take your stick,Now, prithee, uncle, stay.'I will not let you go thinking me so naughty and saucy. Don't look so sober, or I shall certainly cry, and you know you hate scenes. I am really half convinced by your arguments, but were I to sign the pledge, what good would it do. I have no desire to go about with a sermon on my lips, and a frown on my brow, to bestow on all the luckless wights who 'touch, taste or handle.' It is not genteel to scold, and I fancy they might think me impertinent were I to advise. Who is there among my acquaintance who would not resent my interference with their habits in this respect?"
"There is your cousin, Edward," replied her uncle, seating himself again. "You know well how to lead him in your train through all kinds of fun and folly, perhaps you might induce him to sign the temperance pledge."
"But Edward is strictly temperate. He rarely takes even wine."
"True, and I don't think him in danger of becoming less so. But his position in society gives him great influence over the young men with whom he associates; and some who follow his example in refusing to sign the pledge, are unable to follow him in controlling their appetites."
"There is young Saville, too," said Aunt Mary. "It is whispered among his friends, that unless something arrests his course, he will ere long be ruined."
A flush passed over Emma's beautiful face as, in a tone of surprise and horror, she exclaimed, "What, George Saville! with his genius and eloquence – is he a slave to that vice?"
"They say," replied her aunt, "that much of his fiery eloquence arises from the fumes of brandy, and the sparkling wit that makes him so delightful is caught from the bubbles that dance on the wine-cup. When the excitement, thus produced, passes away, he is dull and spiritless."
"And will no one warn him – no one save him?" said Emma, thoughtfully.
"Who can do it so well as yourself?" said her uncle. "Is he not one of the worshipers at your shrine? Of what avail is it to be young and beautiful and wealthy, if the influence such accidents give be not employed in the cause of truth and virtue?"
Emma did not reply, and her uncle left the room, where she remained a long time in deep thought, roused and startled by the new ideas presented to her mind, for giddy and thoughtless as she seemed, she possessed a mind and heart capable of deep feeling and energetic action.
The same evening she was seated by the piano, drawing thence a flood of melody, while her Cousin Edward and George Saville stood beside her. But the attention of the latter seemed more absorbed by the fair musician than by the sweet sounds produced by her flying fingers; and directing his companion's attention to the soft brown hair that fell in long, shining ringlets around her pure brow, and over her snowy neck, he said, in a tone intended to reach his ear alone,
"What would you give to possess one of those curls?"
Low as were the words, Emma heard them, and pausing suddenly, said, "What would you give?"
"Any thing – every thing," said the young man, eagerly.
"Would you give your liberty – would you bind yourself to do my bidding?" asked the maiden, in a tone in which playful gayety strove to hide a deeper feeling.
"The liberty to disobey your will, lady, has long been lost," replied Saville, with a glance that well-nigh destroyed Emma's self-possession. "It were a small matter to acknowledge it by my vow."
"On that condition it is yours," said Emma, while the rich blush that mantled cheek and brow, made her more beautiful than ever as she severed from her queenly head one of the longest of the luxurient tresses with which nature had adorned it.
"Ma belle Emma," interposed Edward as she did this, "I cannot allow of such partiality. Let me take the oath of allegiance and gain an equal prize."
"Will you dare?" replied Emma, gayly. "Will you bow your haughty spirit to do my bidding? Beware, for when you have vowed, you are completely in my power."
"And a very tyrant you will be, no doubt, fair queen, yet I accept the vow. Royalty needs new disciples when there are so many deserters."
"Kneel, then, Cousin Edward, and you also, Mr. Saville, and rise Knights of the Ringlet, bound to serve in all things the will of your sovereign lady." So saying, she placed half the ringlet on the shoulder of each gentleman, as they knelt in mock humility before her. Some unutterable feeling seemed to compel Saville to look the thanks he would have spoken, but Edward, with a conscious privilege, seized her hand, and kissing it, exclaimed, as he threw himself into "an attitude,"
"Thy will, and thine alone,For ever and a day,By sea and land, through fire and flood,We promise to obey."CHAPTER II
About a month after, Edward and his cousin found themselves listening to the eloquent appeals of a well known temperance lecturer. He dwelt upon the woes and ruins of intemperance, and the responsibility of every one who did not do all in his power to remedy the evil. At the close of the lecture the pledge was passed among the audience. When it came to where they were sitting, Emma took it, and offering Edward her pencil, whispered, "Let the Knight of the Ringlet perform his vow." He looked at her inquiringly. She traced her own name beneath those written there, and bade him do the same. For an instant he hesitated, and was half offended with her for the stratagem, but good sense and politeness both forbade a refusal, and he complied.
It was a more delicate task to exert the same influence over the proud and sensitive George Saville, but at length the opportunity occurred.
One evening, as he mingled with the gay groups that filled the splendid drawing-rooms of the fashionable Mrs. B – , one of his acquaintance came up, and filling two glasses with wine that stood on the marble side-table, offered one to him. As he was raising it to his lips, a rose-bud fell over his shoulder into the glass, and a voice near him said, in low, musical tones, "Touch it not, Knight of the Ringlet, I command you by this token;" and turning, he saw Emma standing beside him. As she met his gaze, she passed her delicate hand through the dark curls that shaded her lovely face, and shaking her finger at him impressively, was lost in the crowd. Saville stood looking after her with a bewildered air, as if lost in thought, until the laugh of his companion recalled him to himself. "Excuse me," he said, putting down the glass. "You saw the spell flung over me, I am under oath to obey the behests of beauty."
Emma watched him through the evening, but he seemed to avoid her, and appeared thoughtful and sad. They did not meet again, until at a late hour; she was stepping into her carriage to return home, when suddenly he appeared at her side and assisting her into it, entreated, "Fair queen, permit the humblest of your most loyal subjects the honor of escorting you to the palace." She assented, and the carriage had no sooner started than in a voice, trembling with earnestness, he added. "and permit me to ask if your command this evening was merely an exercise of power, or did a deeper meaning lie therein?"