1 6 The successful lovers having called for Florenza, who was then with her father, fled through untrod paths' until they reached a sequestered valley; "Where every bough Maintain❜d a feather'd chorister to sing They sat down near a ruined temple of Ceres, where "With mournful majesty, A heap of solitary ruins lie, Half sepulchred in dust, the bankrupt heir * * * * * * * * * * * The world's first man did woo Slept 'mongst the rose beds of security, Of vulgar love-cloth'd in such thoughts as shakes In their embraces met." Danger drew near; the lovers were awakened from their sweet repose by the sudden approach of a band of robbers, whom they at first mistook for the king's troops sent in search of them. "Silence, By rude noise banish'd from her solemn throne, Argalia attempted to defend himself; his sword broke, and he fell. "Not the powerful prayer Of her, whose voice had purified the air To a seraphic excellence, the sweet could infuse pity into these rude inhabitants of the wil- the wounded Argalia to his fate. After travelling some time they arrived at a barren rock, through which they descended into a golden valley, at the end whereof was what externally appeared a hill covered with ivy-but internally displayed a gorgeous palace hewn out of the living stone. On their entrance the chieftain of the gang, who to their surprise and dismay was no other than Almanzor, appeared before them. He was equally surprised, and better pleased. Enraged at failing in all his attempts to regain the good opinion of the princess, the robber resolved to " mew the royal eaglet" and her companion in separate apartments. Having learned through his spies the name of their brave defender, and finding that the fear of personal ills could not subdue Pharonnida, he determined to try what her affection for Argalia would effect. In pursuance of this scheme, one night the curtains of her bed were withdrawn by a matronly lady, who is introduced in some lines, which breathe such a tender and solemn air, as might usher in some sainted abbess, who had arisen from her ashes, and re-assumed her human form. [Of] Grief from the sullen world conceal'd, to turn The troubled stream-as if the silent urn Of some dead friend, to private sorrow had And sober matron; in her hand she bore A cheerful smile. Sad pilgrims that renew Harsh penitence, have of humility Less in their looks than she-her habits shew'd Like costly ruins that their fashion ow'd To elder pride." This semblance of virtue having gained the confidence of Pharonnida, unfolded the object of her mission: which was, that Almanzor meant to make the possession of the princess's person the condition of his granting life to a wounded stranger, who now sent the very ring with which she had plighted her troth to Argalia, as a token that he released her from her vows. "Pharonnida, whose fears confirm'd, did need At all the springs of passion, being by Her sorrow thus: And did, Oh did this come An unknown world of passions, in whose new With horror, he by whose command he dies, Him with my pray'rs (those verbal angels) 'till The blooming springs of our conjugal joy.'” Dreadful was the revenge meditated by the old hag and her master-in the dead silence of night, the princess was alarmed by the sound of groans "dead as death's alarms;" and through the grates of her prison beheld, by the faint rays of a lamp, a dying figure habited like her "gentle love;" immediately afterwards a band of ruffians entered her apartment, and hurried her into the place where this unfortunate person was entombed, "Whom she must embrace Where fast enclos'd, earth's fairest blossom must Where life's bright star, heav'n's glorious influence, Of lingering torments, must expecting lie 'Till famine nature's ligatures untie." For almost a whole day Pharonnida remained a living tenant of the grave, when two prisoners confined in the next dungeon seeing through a chink in the wall, the lamp suspended over the tomb, forced their way to it, in hopes of escape their further progress was stopped, and as they were about to return, they were arrested by a deep groan. After a pious adjuration, the unfortunate lady exclaimed that she was there entombed alive. My spirit were The two prisoners attempted to release her, but their efforts were fruitless-the ponderous marble over the tomb was not to be removed. Whilst they were thus engaged the old woman and her gang entered the sepulchre to see how their work proceeded the former was seized by one of the prisoners, and her coadjutors disposed of by the other. In order to save her life, the woman directed them to a spring, by touching which the tomb flew open, and Euriolus (for it was he and his friend Ismander) in amazement beheld the princess-they compelled the old woman to point out the prison of Florenza, whom they liberated; and putting the old gentlewoman in the princess's place, they seized some horses, fled the castle, and soon arrived at the hospitable mansion of Ismander, The story now returns to the wounded Argalia, who was found by a monk, whose assistance Argalia's page had besought, struggling with death"Whilst his dim eyes, Like a spent lamp, which, ere its weak flame dies, Were at those casements flying out, did roll, Swifter than thought, their blood-shot orbs, his hands Upon his clammy lips." Being removed to a monastery he was soon cured of his wounds. The attention of a monk, who had been one day dressing his wounds, was casually attracted by the jewel suspended on Argalia's neck, and knowing the matchless gem, he discovered, on inquiry, that the owner was the son of his old master, the king of Ætolia. From him Argalia first learned the secret of his birth: the account given by the monk was as follows: The town of Enna, in which the Ætolian king had taken refuge, having been besieged and captured by his rebellious subjects, he fled with his infant son, (in childbed of whom the queen had died) accompanied only by a faithful counsellor, (the friar) and left his son with the cottagers, as before related. The king and his friend retired to this monastery, where, after having reposed for a long time, the king called to mind a vow he had formerly made of a pilgrimage to the town of Enna. Accompanied by the monk he accordingly set off, and arriving near the town, sought protection in an adjacent monastery, where he was recognized by an old minister. By him he was informed of the state of his kingdom, and that the people having expressed a desire to see the old line restored, the usurper Zarrobrin had brought forward a pretended son of his. The king having been persuaded to appear once more in the world, an army was raised to support his rights-a battle was fought he was conquered, and taken prisoner by the usurper, and at that time remained in prison. To confirm this story, the monk opened the jewel by a secret spring, and shewed Argalia the picture of his father. Pharonnida not being able to learn any tidings of her lover, had formed the resolution of retiring to a monastery, near Ismander's palace: thither she was escorted by her friends in solemn procession; and the ceremonies of profession were not gone through before "The day was, on the glittering wings of light, |