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fore with so hopeless a passion, it is short-sightedness fills us with the deepbetter for him to be dead than living." est concern and regret; for the longer. They then alternately embraced and we live, the more embarrassed we becaressed their daughter, and began to come, and we have nothing to bequeath relate how poor and distressed they had to you after our death. How then themselves been in the days of their could we have sanctioned your attachyouthful love, to prove that it was out ment to Muzio, and suffered matrimoof pure affection they had refused to ny to plunge you into a state equally sanction an alliance with Muzio, lest distressing? We intreat you then, agshe should be reduced to a similar situ- gravate not our sorrows by your tears!" ation. "All that we possess," said they, "whatever gives us the appearance of wealth and consequence, is not our own: it belongs to a creditor, after whose death or ours, it will be re-united to the treasures which he, an alchymist of Salerno, secretly opened for us at the solicitation of a friend, when we were about to marry, and your mother's covetous uncle would not give her to any suitor who expected a dowry with her during his life-time: so that it was necessary to make a show of wealth in order to obtain her hand. Her uncle was deceived, but he deceived us in his turn.

We hoped that he would leave us sufficient to discharge our debt; he disinherited us, having doubtless discoved the trick we had played him. But for the compassion of our creditor we should then have been involved in the utmost embarrassment: all Ferrara had witnessed our apparent opulence, and it would have been extremely painful to our feelings to have been suddenly torn, before the eyes of all, from this sphere of splendour, and plunged into the obscurity of indigence. The alchymist allowed us to retain the fruit of his economy; it was agreed that things should remain in this situation till his decease or mine; and I subscribed the contract with my blood, to convince him that I was anxious to satisfy him of my integrity and gratitude. Our cares were thus removed, and our joy on the occasion led us into some extravagance. We ought to have retrenched, and to have husbanded many gifts that fortune subsequently bestowed upon us, as if for the extinction of the debt that has burdened us during our whole lives; but we would not overcast the dawn of your youth, my dear, by any parsimo. ny, and now the sense of this folly and

Her parents, perceiving that all their arguments were ineffectual, determined to make a last effort to cheer Nerissa by presents, elegant trinkets, parties of pleasure, dancing and music, in hopes of dispelling that melancholy which preyed upon her charming person and her amiable soul. Her heart was racked, while she outwardly smiled in order to please her parents. The oratory became her favourite retreat; and thither she often repaired to pour forth her sorrows, which religion alone had power

to alleviate.

Meanwhile Muzio was concealed by the dark shade which a cliff of one of the woody mountains of the Apennines threw over him. The road wound along at his feet among craggy precipices. Seated upon a fragment of rock on the desolate eminence, he indulged in gloomy reveries, which were encouraged by the dark tints of the wild scenery around him. He was now convinced that the anxiety of the eventful moment which banished him from Ferrara had misled him and his friends, and that he could not have taken a more unfortunate course than flight under the pretext of his death; and he bitterly lamented the pain he must have given Nerissa by the intelligence. "Alas!" exclaimed he, "had not fate been already sufficiently severe, but that I must complete the death-blow and aggravate the cruelty of that catastrophe! How blind is man, when most wise in his conceit !"

At this moment he heard the sound of mule-bells, and very soon afterwards, the clashing of weapons and an anxious cry for help. Two robbers had attacked an aged traveller, and as he and his attendant strove to defend their baggage, they had disarmed the faithful servant and bound him to a tree,

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while the exhausted master, mustering all his remaining strength to ward off the assailants, seemed ready to fall beneath their daggers. Muzio having, like the savage in his wilderness, little to fear, as he had little to lose, hastened down the hill, his sword glistening like the silvery mountain-stream tumbling from cliff to cliff. He was fortunate enough to rescue the old man, who had received several wounds, from the hands of the robbers. One of them lost his life, and the other, pursued by Muzio and the released attendant, saved his by plunging into the dark recesses of the forest. The traveller, leaning weak with his wounds on the arm of his deliverer, raised his eyes in gratitude towards Heaven, while his tears mingled with the blood that trickled from his hoary head: the departing sun threw his last rays over the wild scene, and tinged the solitary cross erected upon one of the crags that overlooked the abyss. A spring descended from its side: and while the servant fetched water from it to refresh his fainting master, Muzio was engaged in binding up his wounds, and rendering him other assistance. It was as tho' the radiance which at this moment embellished the awful aspect of nature, had dispelled in some measure the gloom that pervaded his soul, and diffused over it a new dawn of love and hope; as though he had saved himself from destruction, as well as the stranger; and he paused some time to survey the solitude, which was again involved in shade, and where the cross alone still reflected the rays of the declining lumi

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that Muzio's seclusion from the world was involuntary, and that an unfortunate accident had compelled him to quit his country and the object of his warmest attachment, he rejoiced in the opportunity thus afforded him to evince his gratitude. He insisted that Muzio should accompany him to Salerno, where he resided. 66 "The hand of Heaven," said he "is visible in all that has happened. I was going to Ferrara, where I have a debtor, with the intention of making myself acquainted with him, his wife and daughter; and if I should find the latter such as she has been described to me, to demand her as a nurse for my declining age, while I, in return, would cancel his bond, and thus relieve him from heavy embarrassments.

After spending a

long life in exploring alone the silent recesses of nature, I was desirous of dying in the arms of a faithful friend; and as my end is not far distant, it was my wish that the beauteous Nerissa should inherit my property as my widow, and in the full bloom of youthful charms, be rendered so much the happier after my death. But I am now convinced that this was a silly plan, and it is better for me, wounded and redu ced as I am, to return without accomplishing my purpose, since I cannot think of again attempting to cross those wild and dangerous mountains. Heaven has sent me what I wanted, if you will but come and abide with me. Call me father, and be my beloved son and heir."

It was not without extreme difficulty that Muzio repressed his astonishment at all that he heard. By this extraordinary adventure he saw his love delivered from a new and unexpected danger, and could not help recognizing in the whole chain of events a higher dispensation, to which he bowed with gratitude and reviving hope. On their arrival in Salerno, Bonaventura strove, by every means in his power, to make him comfortable; and if Muzio could have been happy without Nerissa, he must have been so in his new abode. When the old man bad at length communicated a': that had passed between himself and

Nerissa's parents, from which it appeared that, in his readiness to serve them, he had been actuated by the purest feelings of benevolence; when he stated that, at the time, he knew nothof the artifice which they had practised upon the uncle, but that he had never repented of what he had done, since a generous action is often destined to produce results which we never contemplated, Muzio could no longer keep silence, nay, he would have deemed himself ungrateful, could he have longer concealed his secret. Bonaventura listened to him with manifest delight. "As the hand of Nature," said he, "covers the most rugged rock with blooming plants, so Providence enables us to derive fresh courage from our very misfortunes and distresses: what man entangles, God alone can unravel, and he will do it too, if we but place our confidence in him.”

When Muzio the next morning entered Bonaventura's chamber, it appeared to him to be transformed into the shop of a goldsmith and jeweller. Dia monds, rubies, pearls, elegant chains of the purest gold, were spread out before him on a table of black marble, and the old man was surveying them with evident pleasure. At the foot of the table were bags of money, and letters just written lay around. "All this," said Bonaventura to Muzio, "is for you and Nerissa to whom you shall carry it, if you accede to my proposal. It is, this-you shall go disguised as an old man and bearing my name, which I have already given to you, to solicit of Nerissa's parents the hand of their daughter, as I had intended to do: you may thus venture to return undiscovered to Ferrara, and gain the consent of the father and mother. Reveal not your self to your mistress; let her be united to you; bring her hither, and then we shall each of us be assured of the possession of what we love dearest-I of you, Muzio, and you of Nerissa; while her parents," added he, "will retain my money for which I now begin to feel a real esteem, since it is so serviceable to us all." Muzio acquiesced with gratitude and joy in the pro

posal of Bonaventura, and soon afterwards set out with the strongest hopes of success and of a speedy return to bis grateful benefactor. He disguised his graceful person in wide garments of extraordinary make, contrived to change his speech; and a white flowing beard gave him completely the appearance of an aged sorcerer. However be might deceive others, he felt within his bosom all the glowing impatience of youthful love, when the splendid structures of Ferrara, interspersed with gardens and groves, first met his view. It was dark when Muzio reached the city; the notes of the nightingales from the balconies covered with flowers, were mingled with the sounds of many a song and many a guitar.

At the sequestered inn to which Muzio repaired, he began to write to his beloved Nerissa, but he soon tore his unfinished letter, and resolved to curb his impatience for another day, that he might convince himself how Nerissa mourned his supposed death, and ascertain whether it was possible that even the grave could produce any change in her love. Her parents were not a little surprised at the appearance of the pretended Bonaventura; but the anxiety which they at first felt soon subsided, when he himself came, treated them very courteously, brought with him the bond signed with blood, and informed them of the terms on which he was ready to cancel it. They were perfectly satisfied with the conditions, and promised to speak to their daughter on the subject. Muzio had the greatest difficulty to suppress his agitation, when Nerissa, obedient to the summons of her mother, entered the apartment, and with her own hand presented him with ices and lemonade, having previously saluted him with her accustomed gentleness, and apparently without the slightest suspicion of his errand. He thought her paler than usual, but in other respects perceived no alteration. Muzio paused for a moment to consider whether this were to be attributed to constraint imposed upon herself in the presence of her parents, or to indifference.

He fancied that when he was so

66

near to her, the glowing breath of love could not fail to reach her and tell her who he was. But when the goblet trembled in his hand, and his pallid lip seemed to quiver, these tokens of advanced age, as she considered them, excited her sympathy, and she placed an armchair for him in which he might conveniently repose. Muzio soon retired, that he might not betray himself, and sacrifice at the same time the happiness of his life. No sooner was he gone than Nerissa, was apprised by her parents what good fortune awaited them, in case of her acquiescence in the proposal of the stranger. All the caresses of parental affection were lavished on the beloved child, but these would have had but little effect, had she not perceiv ed the repugnance of her parents to resort to compulsion, as well as their apprehensions lest she should refuse to comply with their ardent wishes. "Our fate," said they, our peace, our future happiness, are in your hands; decide then whether your parents shall die under the pressure of indigence, or owe to you and your affection freedom from care during the remaining years of their lives. Do what your own heart tells you to be right. You have ever been a dutiful girl-cheer then the last days of Bonaventura our benefactor, who will not himself grudge you a more suitable match after his death, for he is a good and pious man, who will be to you all that we have been." Her father then told her that they would leave her alone to consider of the matter; but her mother, before she followed him into the adjoining apartment, fell upon her knees before her daughter, who raised her weeping aloud, and was near faint ing in her arms. Nerissa, after a conflict with herself of many hours, during which she deplored Muzio's fate and her own with torrents of tears, at length promised compliance with the wishes of her parents; and it was only while they clasped her to their bosoms in the first moments of their joy that her sorrow burst forth with vehemence. From that period her countenance wore its wonted smile in the presence of her 3L ATHENEUM VOL. 7.

parents, and her behaviour was just the same as before.

The unexpected intelligence of Nerissa's consent was like a dagger to the heart of Muzio. He had not doubted that she would refuse the offer, and purposed in this case to make himself known to her. He now resolved to leave his faithless mistress to her error, avoided all familiar conversation with her; and so miserable was he rendered by the manifest indifference with which she received his presents, that he began to suspect that some other object possessed her heart, and that she reckoned upon Bonaventura's relinquishment of his claim. Her apparent tranquillity, her uninterrupted serenity, afflicted him deeply. He sought to accelerate the wedding-day, for till then he was resolved not to make himself known to her. When she is once mine, thought he, nothing can then separate us; and when I have revealed myself to her and exposed her perfidy, one death shall unite us.

This sword, which has already served me on two occasions, shall perform the third and last service, and find its grave in her bosom and mine, that it may inflict no more such wounds as love has inflicted on my heart.

The bloody bond was exchanged for the marriage contract, and the ceremony performed. The entertainment given on the occasion was over; the musicians had retired, and Muzio was left alone with Nerissa. While he directed her with tremulous voice to extinguish the tapers and leave but a single lamp burning, he seized his sword and leaned against the table on which Nerissa had placed the wedding jewels, which glistened by the light of the tapers like dew-drops in the sun. trembled to such a degree that he could scarcely prevent the rattling of the sword in his hand from betraying his agitation. At this moment Nerissa approached him; bursting into tears, and throwing loose her hair, covered. with a white veil, she sunk at his feet, and thus addressed him; "Gladly will I be a daughter to you, Bonaventura, and pay you obedience. My heart would have broken when I stood with you at the al

He

tar, had not heaven inspired me with an inexpressible, a filial confidence in you. Do not betray it; or if you will not be a benefactor to me as you have been to my parents, plunge the sword which you hold into my heart. Know then, Bonaventura, that I am indissolubly attached to a youth for whom alone is reserved the flower of my love. Preserve it, like a celestial guardian inviolate for him; be a tutelar angel to us all, and I -I will love you, as angels love!"

"how

--

What language can exing bosom. press their mutual feelings, or who can conceive them but those who have loved with equal warmth? Nerissa imagined that her heart had been broken by her sorrow; and that Heaven had once more united her to Muzio that she Muzio, might share his happiness. however, soon recalled her to herself, by acknowledging to his beloved all the doubts by which he had been tormented: he confessed the wrong he had done her, and yielded the prize to her piety and virtue

Muzio dropped his sword, and raised Nerissa, exclaiming: "But are When Nerissa's parents were appriyou certain that Muzio is dead?""Muzio!" repeated Nerissa, throw- sed of the whole train of events, they ing both her arms around him: were transported with joy, and recognicame you to know his name?"-"Ized in this dispensation of Providence know still more," replied Muzio: "I the reward of filial affection and conMuzio and Nerissa repaired know that he lives, that you will see stancy. him again, and that I shall be the per- to the benevolent Bonaventura, and reMeanmained with him till he died. son who will bring you together.""He lives!" exclaimed Nerissa, and while the Duke of Ferrara, being inclasping her hands again fell upon her formed of what had happened, was knees. Muzio threw himself beside pleased to signify, that, as the hand of her, and raising his eyes towards heav- Heaven was so manifestly displayed in en, ejaculated: "Bless us, and be thou favour of Muzio, he should dismiss blest, O eternal God! Oinfinite love!" from his mind; the animosity he had -He then rose, re-lighted the tapers, borne him; upon which he returned threw off the beard and strange garb, with Nerissa to his dear native city, wiped the ashy colour from his cheeks, where they were received with extraor and Nerissa clasped her own Muzio, dinary rejoicing by her parents and the glowing in manly beauty, to her heav- friends of both parties.

WE

KNICKERBOCKER'S HISTORY OF NEW-YORK.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, July 1820.

E are delighted to observe that "the Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." has at last fallen into the hands of Mr. Murray, and been republished in one of the most beautiful octavos that ever issued from the fertile press of Albemarle Street. The work indeed is still going on at New York; but we trust some arrangement has been entered into, by virtue of which, the succeeding numbers of this exquisite miscellany may be early given to the English public; who, we are sure, are, at least, as much inclined to receive them well as the American. Mr. Washington Irving is one of our first favou

rites among the English writers of this
age-and be is not a bit the less for
having been born in America. He is
not one of those Americans who prac-
tise, what may be called, a treason of
the heart, in perpetual scoffs, and
sneers against the land of their fore-
He well knows that his
fathers.
"thews and sinews" are not all, for
which he is indebted to his English An-
cestry. All the noblest food of his
heart and soul have been derived to him,
he well knows, from the same fountain

and he is as grateful for his obligations as he is conscious of their magnitude. His writings all breathe the sen

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