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son of Don Zelos, habited as Russian servants, embarked in their train, and landed safely on the happy

shores where misfortune is sure of an asylum.

B. G.

THE GIANTS OF THE SHARKA VALLEY:

A popular Tale of Bohemia.

(Concluded from p. 154.)

and swelled her train. They carried. sacred relics along with them; the whole procession joined in prayer; but no miracle took place, and the prince of darkness, in the figure of a knight, clad in magnificent armour, over which was thrown a loose scarlet mantle, richly embroidered with gold, advanced and claimed the per formance of the duke's promise. He held up the contract in his hand, and when the priests and their pious com panions beheld the bloody signature, they were plunged into the greatest affliction; their tongues refused their office; they could pray no more, nor were they capable of any opposition to the evil spirit: so that he had already extended his arm to seize the princess, when a horseman in black armour and scarf, with uplifted sword, dashed along, with the rapidity of lightning, on a steed of exquisite beauty, and in an authoritative tone, commanded Satan to release the prin cess. The infernal spirit instantly turned round, and cried, with eyes flashing fire, "Who art thou, mortal, that presumest to require me to renounce my rightful property?”

THE youth hastened with all pos- || ry piety, accompanied the princess sible speed into his beloved valley, to equip himself for the perilous conflict: repairing to the black palace, he took the horse out of the stable, put on the suit of armour, and when || he had emptied the flagon, he found himself able to wield the ponderous sword with ease, and felt so strong, that he conceived himself already to be more than a match for the foul fiend. As it had been agreed upon by the duke, the princess was conducted to an open place, situated between the city and the Sharka valley, where the stranger had promised to attend to receive her. When she had been arrayed in bridal attire for this her last excursion, and her weeping attendants brought flowers to adorn her bosom and her beautiful hair, she chanced to cast her eyes on the nosegay which some days before the handsome young gardener had gathered for her. All the flowers were faded and withered, excepting that one which she had so much admired, and which was still as fair and fresh as ever. She removed it, and placed it in the nosegay in her bosom: tranquillity and hope revisited her heart; and after taking the most affectionate" I come," undauntedly replied the farewell of her father, she prepared black knight, "to protect innocence with great resignation to go forth to against thy malice, and I bid defiance. meet the detestable stranger. to thee and to all hell. If thou wilt not set the princess at liberty, prepare thyself for the combat."

The priests of all the convents, and all persons of both sexes who possessed the reputation of extraordinaVol. IV. No. XXII.

Satan did not wait for the repeti

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spirits, hastened by the shortest way to the crystal palace, emptied the flagon, put on the white brilliant ar

tion of this challenge, but called to the black knight to dismount; whereupon so tremendous a conflict ensued, that all present were nearly pe-mour, and away he galloped on the trified with astonishment, and even the oldest men did not recollect any parallel to it. The combat had lasted with the utmost fury above an hour, when Satan, weary with the exertion, cried, "It is enough for today, and I appoint to-morrow morning to decide the matter." The black knight approved the proposal, and without waiting for the thanks of the princess and the applauses of all the spectators, he vaulted upon his steed, clapped spurs to his sides, and away he galloped to the mysterious valley. The prince of darkness disappeared, and the princess was conducted back in solemn procession to the palace of her father, who, astonished and in the highest degree rejoiced at the appearance of so valiant a champion, again ventured to conceive an idea of the possibility of his daughter's deliverance from the clutches of Satan.

Jaroslaw, having hastily exchanged his knightly accoutrements for his own humble apparel, returned to the ducal gardens, and related to the good-natured old man the particulars of the combat. He then resumed his usual employment, and after working the remainder of the day with the greatest alacrity, retired to rest at night with the most agreeable anticipations. With the first dawn of day he quitted his bed, and begged the gardener's permission to witness the ensuing combat. The gardener was too anxious to learn the issue of this extraordinary affair to refuse the indulgence solicited by his young assistant; but he again admonished him to take good care to keep himself out of danger. Jaroslaw, in high

snow-white steed, beautiful as the day, to the field of combat. The princess and her train had already arrived; and Satan appeared in the shape of a hideous dragon, with four heads, from each of which he vomited flames of fire against his adver sary. Fortunately, however, Jaros law was protected by his enchanted armour from all injury. He boldly began the conflict, and laid about him so stoutly, that in half an hour the field of battle was covered with dragon's heads which he had cut off; but though they were immediately replaced by others, yet the monster could not gain any advantage over him, and after they had again fought a whole hour, Satan once more desired to defer the decision of the contest till the following morning. Jaroslaw, mindful of the red wine that was yet left in the red castle, assented to the proposal, rode back to the valley to transform the knight again into the gardener's lad, and as such to give his master an account of the second combat. The princess was reconducted to the city, and looked forward to the morning of the third day with anxiety, but yet with hope; for her unknown champion had already performed such prodigies, that she entertained little doubt of her final deliverance: besides, the wonderful flower in her bosom still continued quite fresh and lively, as if to confirm her hopes and to announce à happy futurity. Sony

On the third morning, Jarosław repaired to the red palace. The duke and the princess, with their train, meanwhile proceeded to the appoint

ed place. At length a knight in ruby-red armour, and mounted on a red charger, like the god of fire, was seen approaching. On his arrival, the earth opened, and flames burst from its bosom as the precursors of Satan, who this time appeared in his own proper terrific shape. All present were horror-struck, and the princess swooned: Jaroslaw alone was not daunted, and prepared for the conflict. For two long hours were the formidable combatants engaged, till Satan's strength forsook him; Jaroslaw demanded the contract, which his adversary was obliged to surrender, and which he lighted at the flaming eyes of the evil one and reduced to ashes. The prince of darkness vanished with a tremendous noise, and Jaroslaw fell on one knee before the duke: but he had received so severe a wound in the elbow of his left arm, that he bled profusely, and before he could utter a word, he sunk senseless to the ground. All hastened to his assistance, and the princess herself bound up his wound his wound with a handkerchief which she had embroidered with her own hand. The knight being still too faint to move, the duke returned with his daughter and their retinue to the palace, with the intention of sending his own surgeon to administer relief. When the duke was gone, Jaroslaw recovered, and the attendants whom the prince had left with him would have conducted him to the palace, but he mounted his horse, and without so much as bidding them farewell, posted to the mountains. The men gazed in astonishment after the mysterious knight, and went to inform the duke, who was sorely grieved that the valiant deliverer of his daughter did not afford him the pleasure to

manifest his gratitude for so signal a service.

When Jaroslaw returned home, the gardener, who had been seriously alarmed at his long absence, desired to know what had detained him. The youth related all that had happened, and added, that he had tarried in the field of battle till the red knight had recovered from his swoon, upon which he followed him to the entrance of the valley, where he ascended a hill, from which he watched him ride into a magnificent red palace, that shone with such brilliance, as if it had been cut out of a single ruby.

The youth then returned contentedly to his work, and was always doubly delighted whenever the lovely princess came to walk among the flowers. One day on visiting the garden, she found the lad asleep on a shady bank, and observed her handkerchief tied round his left arm, which was otherwise uncovered. Astonished at this sight, she wakened Jaroslaw, and inquired how he had come by the handkerchief. Convinced that he should never have a more favourable opportunity for revealing his secret, he replied, "This handkerchief, O most lovely of princesses, thine own fair hand bound about my arm, when I enjoyed the inexpressible happiness of rescuing thee from the power of the wicked one. Well mayest thou be surprised; for it was no other than the humble gardener's lad who thrice combated the prince of darkness for thy freedom, and finally conquered him with the powerful assistance of that God who is the protector of innocence."

This story appeared too incredible to the princess, glad as she would have been to find that Jaroslaw was her deliverer. She conducted him,

however, to the duke, to whom he repeated his declaration; at the same time disclosing all the secrets of the wonderful valley, and the manner in which he had become possessed of such extraordinary strength. "What thou tellest me," answered the duke, "certainly sounds very fine, but it would be an egregious folly in me were I to give credit to thy story, without requiring some proof that thou art the same person who, by his transcendent valour, has delivered us from so great a calamity."

clasped him affectionately to his bosom, and promised him a princely reward; but when he observed Jaroslaw's tender looks, and the modest flush that mantled on the cheek of his daughter, he easily divined the sentiments of the lovers, and determined to celebrate their nuptials that very day.

When Jaroslaw imprinted the first kiss of love on the chaste lips of the princess, she silently presented to him the flower, which he instantly recognised: he would have laid hold of it and pressed it to his lips, but it was gone, nor did he see it again till the

contemplating the firmament, inwhich the stars seemed to emit increased lustre in honour of the occasion, they espied the lovely flower glistening all alone; but presently it was transformed into a garland, which hung over the heads of the lovers, and seemed to promise them long and durable felicity.

Jaroslaw bowed respectfully, and solicited permission to go to the Shar- ka valley to equip himself as the un-evening of their wedding-day, when, known knight. The duke signified his assent, and anxiously awaited his return. He was seated at table with his whole court, when a messenger came to inform him, that a stately knight, in brilliant white armour, was seen issuing from the Sharka valley and approaching the palace. The whole company instantly rose; and the fair princess, running impatiently to the window, instantly recognised the champion of the second combat. The knight was conducted into the hall, and on removing his helmet, discovered the features of the handsome young gardener. The duke

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Jaroslaw succeeded his father-inlaw in the sovereignty, and attained a good old age by the side of his virtuous consort, who bore him several children, to whom he transmitted the ducal crown and throne.

THE MASQUERADE.

I HAD long wished to go to a mas- || daughters; and as soon as I mentionquerade, but the opportunity never was afforded me till my last visit to London, about two years ago. An entertainment of that description was then given at the King's Theatre, and I determined to be present at what I conceived must be a scene of unbounded hilarity and festive gaiety. I was staying with a family consisting of a mother, one son, and two

ed my intention, the ladies were eager in endeavouring to persuade their mother to let them accompany me. This was not a very easy task to achieve; the old lady had contracted some prejudices against masquerades on the score of morality, which we had great difficulty in removing. However, they were removed, on condition that the brother should

also be of the party; and the interval of two or three days was fully occupied with the important business of arranging our characters, dresses, &c.

At length the important evening arrived; and with hearts beating high with expectation, we stepped into a coach, and in a very few minutes were launched at once into the vortex of gaiety, where all were engaged in sailing down the stream of time as lightly and as swiftly as possible. The confusion of characters, and the noise and bustle which prevailed around, for some minutes bewildered us; but we soon got accustomed to the scene, and entered most heartily into all its whimsicalities. The associations, both of things and of persons, we found at times irresistibly droll. Alexander the Great and Henry VIII. were in familiar conversation; Mary Queen of Scots, that beautiful and unfortunate woman, was seen walking round with Rob Roy; whilst her rival, Elizabeth, joined in a waltz with an inhabitant of Otaheite. Greeks, Hebrews, Turks, Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Danes, jostled each other: here were tars, who had never seen the sea; there jockies, who knew as much of a horse as they did of Chinese; melancholy Hamlets making love to every female they could get to listen to them; and Rangers walking about with all the solemnity and gravity of Methodist preachers. John Wesley was engaged at whist, and betting loudly on the odd trick. A cardinal was paying his devoirs very assiduously to a fine young Savoyard, who seemed, however, to be rather inclined to desert his eminence for a dashing hussar, who was dangling at her side; and we

were not a little amused at seeing a Meg Merrilies, in" wild attire," joining in a quadrille the other characters, in which were a British officer of the present day, a Greek of the 16th and a British nobleman of the 17th centuries, a Spanish grandee, "sweet Anne Page," a Quaker, and a Dutch flower-girl. Then, as to things, we noticed a Spaniard, who, by his dress, seemed to be divided equally between Spain and Venice; a Crusader had pistols stuck in his girdle; Richard I. was decorated with the order of the Garter; a sultana, rich in silks and diamonds, had omitted the characteristic of Eastern females, the trowsers. Various similar anachronisms and mistakes might have been discovered, but my attention was soon arrested by a different and a far more interesting subject.

In a corner of the room the most deserted and lonely, if such epithets can at all be applied to a spot from which the crowd had receded only for perhaps a foot or two, attracted by the graceful movements of a youthful pair engaged in the Spanish fandango, sat two figures, one (a male) wrapped in the ample folds of the tartan, and the other (a female) simply attired as a Swiss peasant: a third person, his figure completely concealed by an immense domino, stood at a little distance, attentively observing them. The two who were seated appeared to be engaged in earnest and anxious conversation, and the tremulous heavings of the lady's bosom proved that she at least was deeply interested. At this moment a sudden rushing back of the throng, which had surrounded the dancers, carried me and my companions to the immediate vicinity of

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