Fllustrated Article.

RETRIBUTION.
(For the Olio.)

In the early part of the reign of Charles the Fifth of Spain, there lived an old nobleman of the name of Alonzo, a person of much repute in his day, who secured the daughter of an Alcaid, or chief magistrate, for a wife, by whom he had two sons; the elder of which, in his second year, was decoyed away from his parents by banditti, who infested the vicinity of his father's time-honoured dwelling, (it was supposed), and never heard of after wards. The younger son, Sforza, having arrived at an age which fitted him for professional pursuits, fired with the atdour of his countrymen, and panting to signa, lize himself in the annals of his nation, entered the army, -a calling for which he was admirably adapted by person, fortune, and energy; and a few days only elapsed before he received notice to report himself to his commanding officer, whose regiment was under orders for a distant land.

Before quitting his paternal roof, the secret which had long held dominion over him was disclosed by him to his father, who, approving of his choice, not only engaged to comply with the wishes of his son with regard to the charge entrusted to him, but gave her an asylum asylum in his castle, and already considered her in the light of a daughter; with an assurance that she should remain as retired as her health would admit of, until Sforza's return from the wars, where it was hoped he would achieve those honours that might make him worthy of her hand and heart.

Mutual promises of constancy were interchanged, and Sforza took an affectionate farewell of his affianced bride.

The necessity of Imoinda's secluding herself from public notice soon became apparent, for she was importuned on every side. The youths of Seville had no sooner heard of the departure of Sforza than they commenced their professions of love, and overtures of marriage. Many were repulsed at the first assault, and, one by one, they retired from the field, crest fallen and vanquished, to brood over their defeat, and envy the situation of their more fortunate rival.

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Imoinda remained unmolested for a time, the example afforded by the success of those who had importuned in vain, serving as a check to the advances of others, who, though captivated with the beauty of the lady, were constrained from making it known to her, in the anticipation of a repulse.

Imoinda having experienced the ill effects of the constraint of necessity imposed on on her, was prevailed on by Don Alonzo, the father of Sforza, to appear in public; and one evening, while walking with him, leaning on his arm, and listening to the tales of her country, which he was relating to her, her fair features varying in expression from pleasure to a voluptuous sadness, as her hopes were realized, or her fears excited, she looked so enchantingly lovely that she attracted all eyes, and some in mute wonder gazed after her. Bitterly did she afterwards rue the possession of those charms, and the magic influence they possessed at that hour, for it was then she enslaved the heart of a new admirer, in the person of one Sebastian, who was a year or two the elder of Sforza.

He was a man of whom little was

known, save that it was thought his associates did not much enhance his reputation. Like those who had preceded him in soliciting Imoinda's hand, he was rejected; but being of an impetuous disposition, and not easily deterred from any pursuit in which he had once embarked, and wrought upon by his failure to a pitch of frenzy bordering on despair, he openly avowed his passion for the fair one to her protector, demanding her at his hands, and threatening to be revenged in case of the non-compliance to his wishes; but received such a rebuff from the virtuous old man, that he shrunk before him like a withered leaf, abashed and confounded at the proud determina tion of look, tone and action with which his temerity was rewarded. Feeling himself despised, conquered, and dismayed, with a curl of his lip, clenched hand, and a grasp at his sword, he breathed forth bitter vows of vengeance on the destroyer of his happiness.

With this feeling acting upon a mind in which all the passions were full and high, and, by the above circumstance, concentrated into one focus, his only thought now was by what means, and through whose agency, his designs were to be accomplished. This, with him, was not a labour of time, for he reckoned among his companions men of the most depraved habits, such as set truth, religion and all social ties at defiance; the principal of whom were Amanza and Antonio, who had both escaped the vengeance of the laws, which they had violated, by the defective wording of an indictment against them; presuming upon which, they had pursued a reckless career, turning the law and its authorities into subjects for ribald jest and ridicule. These were the persons in whom Sebastian relied for the assistance he required. He met them, made known his designs, and with a seasonable reward secured their services. Don Alonzo was subsequently arrested, ärraigned for high treason, and on the evidence adduced against him convicted, and suffered death on the wheel.

Imoinda was now left without a protector-but still adhering to her former resolution, she rejected the addresses of Sebastian (which became more urgent every hour,) with scorn-he became furious and finding entreaties of no avail, had recourse to threats and then, as a last resource, made his appeal to the king -spoke of the services he had rendered the state, by prosecuting a felon to conviction; and not only received, (by the artful manner in which he urged his case) the hand of Imoinda, who was commanded to acquiesce in his suit, but the governorship of the Island of Ivica, which became vacant just at this period; and a few weeks only found him in possession of his new appointment, and his heartbroken bride at the castle of St. Eustatia. The wars were done, and full of hope and high excitement, Sforza returned to the desolate home of his fathers. The first being he encountered on his return was Amanza. Dissipation and a long career of crime had done their work on him; and remorse, with all its horrors, was committing its ravages on a broken spirit and an emaciated frame-it was his time of repentance, for dissolution was at hand, and the cold grasp of death was tightening at his heart. This was his only opportunity for confession; he betrayed all that could be known of the false accusation upon which his loved father was doomed - of Sebastian's treachery, and the forced alliance he had formed with Imoinda, and died. This was terrible news for Sforza--his heart was almost broken with the tidings; but his resolution to inflict summary vengeance on the despoiler of his home and hopes engrossed every other feeling, and he anticipated its consummation in the silence of

mute despair-which exhibits in man the terrible sublimity of the deep pause which precedes the earthquake.

Sforza having summoned together the old and trusty vassals of his deceased father, engaged a ship, and set sail for the island of Ivica, but

"A mighty contest 'twixt the wind and waves "Ensuing, in the strife the ship was wreck'd."

But Sforza, and many of his followers, after a severe struggle reached the shore, and were received and entertained by the monks of a monastery close to the seaside. Here Sforza learned, for the first time, that he was on the island of Ivica, within a short distance of his foe; and he thanked fate, who had so ordained it.

Just at this period, one of the witnesses against Don Alonzo-Antonio, who had followed Vargas, (a vassal and instrument of Sebastian,) to Ivica, to revenge some wrong he had done him, was slain by Vargas in the porch of the convent. This news could not fail of being welcome to Sebastian, for in him, he had lost one evidence of his own iniquities; and his only fears now were, that Amanza, (of whom mention has before been made,) would, if the opportunity occurred, disclose secrets that would be his ruin.

Sforza's arrival became known, and Sebastian, dreading the consequences likely to ensue, prevailed on Vargas, by promises of large reward, to put poison in the way of Sforza, in the convent where he dwelt. He did so was discovered in the fact, and stabbed by Sforza; and had no sooner reached the castle, and disclosed to Sebastian the author of his death, than he died.

Sebastian summoned his vassals-the followers of Sforza were instantly seized, and with a stone attached to the neck of each, they were hurled into the ocean, where they perished. In the interval, Sforza had obtained an interview with Imoinda, and having heard the story of her wrongs-and that her affection towards him remained unchanged-he implored her to tell him where Sebastian was. She disclosed the secret: when Sforza exclaimed, "Ere the convent bell tolled, the deed would be done!" and rushed from her presence. The instant he had departed, Imoinda, stung with remorse, was about to follow, and prevent the deed of blood, when the fatal signal struck on her ear; she shrieked, and was falling to the floor, when Sebastian appeared, and caught her in his arms. Recovering, she flung him from her, deeming it was Sforza, with his hands imbrued in the blood