^ Ol^V\ (,3. rV ^ lA- P , f U ^ <^-^^ 'V £= / '^ ^ " -le'-^^-^ \s .aT- PRE-HISTORIC ROMANZA. Flore/icejfarpenten Dieudonm. Inv^.f^-^^ 1882. MA V 3a. «. TnK Falls Piuntixg Company, Mtnxkapolis, Minx. / PREFACE. Baldwin describes to us a wonderful "Extinct Kace." whose cities were in ruins before Egypt was inhabited; wiiose wealtli and splendor surpassed all modern concep- tion; whose commerce reached the farthest parts of the earth. These people built walled lakes in chains with locks, and one could b}^ this means literally tioat up hill. They worshiped serpents, with awful rites; and their temples were hewn from mountain sides. Tlie nwsterious cave of Ehphxnifti is regarded liy mar.y as ( no of these temples. -«-|gHi«*8- COPYRIGHT, 1882, BY F. C. D. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A PRE-HISTORIC ROMANZA, FLORENCE CARPENTER DIEUDONNE As 1 read, on Fancy's pinions Fled my soul into the Past, Where in misty blue dominions Of the Mind, unchained at last From all strong, prosaic fetters, Bound by nothing surely known, I could weave Romance. My actors Dead ten thousand years agone. SCENE, Mountain Isle the sea doth sever By the foamy blue waves, ever Whitening o'er its rocks, and never Calmly sleeping on the shore. Fair, a city on the mountain. Columns, spires and domes abounding O'er wiiite walls, where dash the fountains, Hastening to the sea once more. ROMANZA. Terraced lakes iu walls of hewn stone From the shore to where the black dome Gloomed, mid clouds whose soft illusion Veiled the sunny ri}3ples o'er. B}' tlie stair of lakes the greening Of the forest, scarcely screening With its giant houghs, the gleaming Of the palace's high tower. From the rock- built shelves drooped l)ower3 Flushed with crimson veil of flowers lliches, stolen by orient hours. From the ambient } ellow air. All the marts of commerce settled On the edge of water fettered By the dykes all bright and checkered With tlie crafts at anchor there. In the harbor, ships of glory Whose adornments, like the story Of a dream would seem before ye, Should I write them for you here. Bright from all the masts fly ribbons. The great hulls are wedged and driven Through with gilded bolts and riven O'er with cumbrous brassy gear. All adorned with hues and gilding, On the deck a mammoth building With a curtain -hid pavillion Caught with ropes of beads and gold. Sails of many quaint designings IWMANZA. Are upheld; with gay refinings, Stripes — and red and purple linings Blown about by breezes cold. THE QUEEN. Niglit, IS nearing, o'er the water Vaprous sheen Leads to orange clouds, the altar Of Night's queen. In commotion, merry darkling Billows dance To Night's portal, faintly marks of Glowings glance. 'Neath the golden banded pillars Is a door. Fret with gems, strong hinged with silver Jewelled o'er. Leads this to ambrosial hallways Burnished bright. Ceilings flash with precious riches In dim light. On each side the waving graces Of the palms And soft fragrance of the spices All embalms. O'er the marble, blocked and shaded, Shawls are spread Wrought with many hues and braided Thick with red. ROMANZA. Silent, through the isles so dreamy, Stately, dark, Robed in trailing tissues sheenj-, Beaut}'^ walks. On her oval cheek glows deepl}' Angry red Haughty is the queenly poising Of her head. Down among the amber glinting Of her hair Is entwined the sapphire tinting, Fastened there O'er her rounded arms. Arms olive Of the East. Netted diamonds cut and polished Are atwist. On her feet are bound the sandals Odorous. Captive is the Queen — b}^ vandals Infamous. At each open door there waited Watching slaves. Passing these. There was no haven But the waves. THE PRIEST. Into the hall where the dusk was crept, Silent, as hushed were the buds that slept. Hid in, the vining's emerald net. ROMAKZA. 7 Entered the priest of the serpent god. Watched he his captive, with no word. Flashed his dark eye with triumph rude. Wrapped was the priest in cloth of gold. Veiled was his head, and there behold A cone of gems, of worth untold. Cruel his face. And on his beard Was woven a veil of jeweled thread, Which almost the raven curlings hid. "Speak maid, so fair Is thy heart yet stone? Come to the Temfjle. The Gods atone Now, lest thy crimes bring judgment on!" Like the vain dread of some haunted fawn Answered the eyes, but the priest's sfern frown Gave her no hope should her prayei be known. "Yes I will go, to those gods accursed. If they have power, O, hear they must What I shall ask. In their help I trust." Echoed the stone halls with a laugh So fierce and chill with cruel wrath It seemed to come from the demon's path. Slaves wrapped the captive in raiment black Veiled her face, and a priestly casque Put on her head. Thus hid, she passed Into the streets. Into strange streets! The stone walls cut, Gleamed in the chapel, all richly wrought ROMANZA. Over with marbles. Slow they walked. Arches upheld by co umns grand, On either side in beauty stand, While over their heads a crimson sheet Shut out the dews, and the sun's dread heat. Blazes of flames in colors green, Lighted the way. Entranced the ear Melodies sweet, of music's note Perfumed the air. Across the moat, Over a bridge of bronze, afloat, Slow these walked. Crowds filled the road. The scene was gay. Chariots of brass rolled on the w\ay, Draped with soft curtains decked in lines, Cars set with silver, crimson and blue, Horses whose trappings all were glass, Glistened in rainbow tints as they passed. N"ow at their side there t^tood to wail The carriage to bear this honored freight. The priest in his rol)es (and the captive too ) To the serpenfs altar, the gods to woo. Clad were the steeds, in gold all dressed; Emeralds gleamed on their helmet crest. Over each hoof was a jewelled band Their manes were braided in gem-set strands. Over each head hung a l)right red bell, And loops of gold from their white ears fell. The sides of the chariot white with pearls, The cloth over hanging as foam unfurls. ROMA]\'ZA. Was opal sheen with gilded fringe Where green and red in the web were tinged. Golden the floor and linings were Under a perfumed snowy fur. Brought from the North, mysterious far. Sleeping in snow 'neath Uie Polar Star. Vases of Lapsus Lazuli Rose from the pearly sides. Gorgeous blossoms beaut eously Drooped there in rosy pride. A fount of crystalline design Rose in the center tall And richest perfiune, melitluous showers Sprinkled about on all. Over the raised and broad highway Out to the temple cave The Queen disguised and silent rode Hopeless of help to save. Into that vast and dark retreat Cut in the solid rock By hewn out, devious, hidden ways They reached the altar's block. Over the carved and awful forms riolding the temple roof. Just then, the moon in whitest glow Wrought mystic and misty woof Veiling in shadows deep and dread. People, and forest and wall. 10 EOMANZA Lighting but faint, in freakish glow, Changing to }3hantoms all. Seated on steps of rock, so still, Silent in gown and hood AVaitcd the witches. Forty there Guarding the altar's food. Horrid their faces; beauty lost In forming hideous masks ( * ) Varied as taste or freak, or hate Had seasoned the cruel task. Long white strands of untied hair Fell o'er their blood red gowns. Wrinkled and V-are their veinous arms Gleamed like sonic skinless bones. Then from the stone pedestals rose Just at the statues' foot . Flames of the bluest tire, and Night Fled from the beam's pursuit. About the altar, raised above The many stone cut stairs, Stood with their emblems all the priests, Mumbling incanting prayers. Over their heads, in gorgeous tlirone Held from the roof above, Coiled was a giant golden snake. God of the heathen's love. * (Note — These were unfortunate and friendless beings who were purposely deformed and distorted in feature for use as altar slaves.) E03IANZA. n 'Neatli liiin I hick clouds of incctise rose Dimming his dazzling might That fatal not to human e^es, Might 1)C the blazing sight Of Deity. Nor fall awrithe And shrink and faint an die. For such the foretold fate of those Who looked with unveiled eye. Yellow and liKie. atid gray ;ind white All on the altar !)urn And every decked ofllcial priest To shimmering god did turn. All of the priests wore gokien robes. Noble and high their mein I^readful the contrast as they towered Above the witches clan. Then while the-sluinbious incense )o.se lieacdied forth the statues' hands, Stretched o'er the heads of the multitudes Holding huge llery brands. Wild rose the cry of teiior then. But changed to a whispered i)rayer For there at the altar stood that one Whose look could cabn their fear. Over his .shininir robe was donned A mantle .>f dazzJmg gems. A veil of jewels fell about From blazing diadem. ROMANZA. Like fabled god be stood, unreal, As thing from heaven borne And round him, from some bidden lamp, A weried light was thrown. In silent hush the cries had gone, And to a maze of words The people listened. When amazed, They looked on "Gift of Gods " THE GIFT. Down from the roof in 'wildering cloud Sank an etherial throne (Woven of glass and silver hung) Hidden neath blossoms blown, Quivering, shaken by every breath, (Formed of tine crj^stal threads) Crusted again with jewels fair. Dotted with serpent's heads. , Rising in irridiscent sheen Out of the depths of flowers. Slowly the blossoms fell aside. See! Pillowed on rose-hued gauze With eyes aflame and face hke wax, A statute rare! like stone. Reclining moveless, strange and dead * The captive queen was shown. Bursting from every side sprang flres Off from the heads of gods Fluttered white doves- Wild trills of joy Freighted the air, as birds ROMANZA. Sino-ing unseen. While on the floor Gathering about the throne iS^umberless hideous serpents writhed Over the lighted stone. "Welcome to thee, wliom gods have sent Down from the rolling moon Answered to offered gifts," said priests — ''From ciods.'"" the people moan. "Haste thee, my treasure, out of sight, Sacred as serpents are Shut from the blight of Earth's cold night, Lest harm should come to her." AVith flash Jind jar the walls seemed rent, A brightness, like the sun Dazzled their eyes: Revealed one glimpse Of floating, starry throne. In this red glare the car was lost. Darkness! Then blind, in fear, The gazers groped, till Night, with shade Made them again see clear, In light of moon. Nor dreamed that Drugs and chains had stilled The beauteous statute, nor that springs And slaves (made dumb) had filled The air with flames. That song of birds Had l)ut been cunning reeds! That of all lost in woe, or crushed With .soul-distracting needs 14 KOMAJS'ZA. For human help or friends, or cheer Of words from one kind heart Was she, in shiidderina^ horror hid "Within dark caves apart. THE QUEEN'S PRAYER. "O, for one free and wandering breath Of wind from ocean's breast, To kiss the aching maze away From pained brain. To rest, One moment! All ahmc to flee To garden's cool and still. Freed from that mjstic man, Away from his chilling smile." "O, THAT THE SUX." Stern as tlie Fates His cruel will, Bound her his prey. Breathless with rage, One brought to bay. Lost to despair, Was sIjc that day." O, that the sun, Deadly and fast. Would send to the earth His fire to blast. (*) That those firm rocks (NoTK— Superstition lanirht tlr^m that the liirlitiiirvf' wasasliat= fcred beam of the snn .) liO.yrANZA, ID Shatter and break Opening a door For her soul's sake. J>ut no. The chariot Burnislied and brijiht, Back to the palace Carried its freight. THE QUEEN'S PRISON. Under the blossoms, poisoned to her, into a prison, blazoned for her With walls of bright metals, deep set in jet, Sandal- wood pavement, amber inset Shining mosaic and statues of gtass. 'Neath pearls, shells and roses Chains and locks clashed. Viols and gold harps, jewelled and decked With wealth of a kingdom on them intiecked. Curtains of y til low, orange and red, Cushions of broidery for her crazed head. Caskets and tripods, urns filled with spices, Baskets with rare fruit, fountains and ices. But, Abject and mute crouched at those doors, (Doors so accursed,) knelt the scourged slave Watching like dogs and like dogs in dread Lest she escape. Lest she be saved, THE BIKD. For their eyes, 16 ROMANZA. Eager gazing, Cared she not, In her brain, Madly crazing, Pride was not. Nor for foe, Nor for captor Recked she now. To the ground, In her horror Doth she bow. Only mirth Met her sorrow And she heard Midst the leaves, The low whistle Of a bird, Bringing back — As a vision, Other time, When in Joy She had dwelt In other clime. Conquered now — Made a subject, Made a slave! nOMANZA, 17 All the Avealth Of her empire Could not save. Still if Death Would but answer To her cal! Gaily tossing Chanted glad. And the night Wrapped a storm cloud O'er their head. Foam and spray In white wreathing^; 3Iarked her dress. But the storm Brought no terror; She was Idlest. When the shore Once was landed, AVhat mad words Of her love, And her joy, Zephyrs heard. And Avith smiles, And with tears All together, noMAyzA. 21 !She retold All her woes And her capture. AT HOME. Where the soft hues of summer skies Climb to the snow of peaks, Rising 'gainst etherous crystalline Which of the cold just speaks; Where golden streams, hemmed in with vines Matting from limb to limb, Kiss oft' rich flowers and bear them on To distance golden dim Where iiut to breathe and see is such Of raiiturc, none would care To toil or think. But only look On mystic beauty there, While yet the earth, with dews still blest, Grew fragrant in earliest dawn. Out from the numerous palaces Marshalled a gorgeous throng, Where lay the chain of iulocked lakes From summit down to sea. The cortege paused and entered boats, Which soon moved .swift and free, In the cool breeze, with silver .sails And man}^ Hoatmg flags The crowded fleet climbed up the height And gleamed among the crags, Where forms of dark and threatening rock 22 nrnuxzA. Loomed over the glassy waves. From higher cliffs the chill of snow Crawled down. A brightening my Over the heights, a pinken glow Flushed. And in purple deep The shadows tied. The Ijrowns grew led, The mounts awoke from sleep, 'Neath the cold moon, and yeHow fell Like airy cloth of gold. The sky puts off its chilling blue, Morn's radiant gates t' unfold. The shades swept into the vale. The blaze of orange suns Flashed on the silver sail, And the marriage rite begun. The robed prie.st in vestment gay Of 3^ellow and blue and white. Lighted the golden altar's urn With incense, and colored light. Carpets were spread of crimson flowers Braided with cunning care. Silent were all. Then Unelt the bride. In wondrous beauty there. A robe was hers of woven pearls. And over her head, where coiled Her hair, a shining coronet, In mesh of gold was foiled, About the taper, tawny arms, Weie twisted jewelled snakes. IIOMAXZA. Mung from tlie tint€t1, djiinty ear Diamonds of -wondrous weight. Long, dark lashes veiled such eyes. As dark, and soft, and wild. Captive make souls. And lips Mere hers, As if an angel smiled, Fi'om lake to lake, as time passed on In certain mesisured space, The riles continued. Gorgeous swept The fleet lo the last place. Just as the sun fell in the waves. Then tlie white moonlight fell rale and soft on the mystic fleet, Gilding the silver sail. Out from a thousand silver bells Chimed many a merry peal. And now a raft, (invisible,) The meteor's flare reveals Phantoms afloat, each one as fate Or pleasure led their wa}', Were sailing on the dark blue waves, Atliwart with moo-.i!;eamsgay. Out from the lake rose a fairy frame, A tower, etherial, white Ablaze were all the domes and spires. Illuming purple night Leaving the moonlight almost dull. After it burned away, The towers fell down to iishes, Closina- tlie bridal day. 24 IWMAJSrZA. Thus at home, in their kingdom Fair and free — Leave the Queen— and the King Of early day. When we find, in the markings On some stones, Strange told tales, read and tell me Of these ones. -«fOf^«- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 973 281 2 % LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 973 281 2 m