(y /'/i-S$ ^^„/.'^^3.n.. .^^/ef .,...A.l.Z.A ^cAy/it^/i^ .=J^. UNITED STATES OF AMEEICA. 2l£il a: sa iSoem, IN THREE CANTOS ^'.1 NEW-YORK : G. & C. & ir. CARVILL MDCCCXXX. Southern District of New-York^ to vnt: BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, and in the fifty-fifth year of the American Independence, G. & C. & H. Carvill, of said District, have deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as proprietors in the words fol- lowing, to wit : "Zilia : a Poem, in three Cantos." In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States of Ame- rica, entitled " An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by secur- ing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and pro- prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and also, of an Act, entided, " An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." Att. FREDERICK J. BETTS, Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. f^>3 ZIIilA. Errori, sogni, ed immagini smorte 'Eran d'intorno all 'arco trionfale; E false opinioni in su le porte. E liibrico sperar su per le scale; E dannoso guadagno, ed dtil danno; E gradi ove piu scende chi piu sale; Stance riposo, e riposato afFanno : Chiaro disnor e gloria oscura e nigra: Perfida lealtdte, e fide inganno : SoUecito furor, e ragion pigra. Petraca: Trionfo d'Amore, ERRATA. Page 16 line 6th from the bottom, for courage^ read car- nage. Same page line 15th from the bottom, for a read or. Page 19, line 3d from the top, for seen read seem. ZIIiIA# CANTO L I. Swift o*er the Tyrrhene deep with graceful ease, Bounding the conscious mistress of the seas, A light xebecque the joyous Zephyr courts, Her sylph like form in his embraces sports, And wins her way upon the dark blue wave, As if its terrors 'twere delight to brave! Oh, who hath been upon the waters wide, Riding triumphant o'er their restless tide, And fancied not it were a thing of life. That dared thus sport with all their fearful strife— Thus toy, as on its wave-quelled course it springs. With mountain surges as familiar things ! n. *'Land — land I " is now the cheerful cry on deck- The tidings swiftly fly through the xebecque — The coast is sought, where spreads a lovely bay. Where waves are still, and vessels listless lay- There lies the bark on her loved element. Which e'en but now such fury thro' her sent, Ccdm as the moon rides through the tranquil sky, When raging storms have passed her brightness by; Her canvass loose — scarce trembling in the tide, A b ZILIA. Where mirrored sleeps in state her graceful pride ! The sun begins his fiery disk to lave, Tinging with gold the light blue western wave, And, as he sinks to rest, reflecting back. E'en to the bark, a gorgeous golden track, As if to lure along a path so bright, A thing so gallant to adorn his flight ! As o'er his merging form the last waves close, His rays in silent loveliness repose Upon a distant cloister's turret grey. That beetling on a cliff', o'erlooks the bay. *Tis there secluded, youth and beauty dwell, rhat like himself, have bid the world farewell : ITet who can tell how many bright eyes weep, Beneath where those last beams so calmly sleep — How many hearts are wrung with untold woes, Within a scene of such sunbright repose — How many thoughts are to the world sent back As that light lingers in its earthly track! O, ye know not, ye busy, thoughtless throng. What bitterness of soul to those belong, Whose early bloom to a rude cell betrayed^ Droops like the flower that withers in its shade — Or who by guilt in their dark bosoms stung, Have here their locks to memory's bleaching flung- Or who to man bequeathing scorn and hate, Have here the blessing to be desolate — Or who, pierced by grief's dart, like stricken deer, Have sought the covert of their sorrow here ! Yet ye can little boast — the world ye love. Is but a cloister with more room to move — All robed in smiles appearing to the eyes. Bright as that convent in the sunlight lies, While misery riots on the heart within — The banquet spread by passion and by sin! III. Along the deck the corsair Chieftain strides, A hand his buried face low bending hides — CANTO I. All heedless of the voice that sought his hest, The look of wonder or the half spoke jest; Or, if too far urged, an impatient wave Of hand, was all the answer that he gave. And Bernadin's was not a brow, I ween, Wliose darkening frown was to be lightly seeL Nor his an humour when enwrapped in gloom, Enquiry brooked or gave intrusion room. O'er the dark features, sunburnt, stern, below, His forehead rose as white as driven snow; Passion had scathed that face with fiery blast, And memory stamped deep traces of the past — His look — mien — port — would strike the passer by, As if his fate were fraught with mystery, And leave upon the soul an awe — a fear. As if a master spirit towered there ! And yet a mildness would sometimes steal o'er, That spoke of what he might have been before, And might be still, if he could quite forget, Or hope in brighter hues the future set. Stern as he was, and cruel to his foes. His bosom melted at a comrade's woes; And he who with fierce joy to battle sprang, Would weep to mtness e'en an insect's pang I Of such strange structure is the human soul, Wliere each conflicting impulse holds control; By turns each whelming, in its mad career, All others drawn within its headlong sphere. The conqueror thus with triumph in his eye, Can drive his car where prostrate thousands die, Yet when the fervor of the fight is o'er. And the high master passion rules no more, If but one suffering groan assail his ear. His eye of triumph melts into a tear — The thirst of glory and the battle's din Crush not the generous sympathies within! IV. Long paced he there in sullen, thoughtful mood — At length upon the deck he musing stood, 8 ZILIA. With eye fixed on that convent's walls intent, As if his soul was with his vision sent. His gaze was long — intense — when starting round, His comrade GiaiRr by his side he found. '' Giaffir! thou'rt in good time — my purpose went ' ' To send for thee — thy coming will prevent. " Nay — 'tis a story for no idle ear — *' Slaves! to your tasks — be there no loiterers here! V. ^' Giaffir, your hand! We have together shared ''The peril, when with man or wave we warred; ''We've found upon the deep o'er which we roam, '' Our own vast empire and one common home. *' Whatever might betide — or joy or grief— ''And both alike were mutable and brief— *' Whether we reined the foaming surge's might, ' ' Or mingled in the rapture of the fight, ' ' The spirit stirring thrill from soul to soul, *'Has held one spell — the same intense control! *^ And amid all, I ween, we envied not *' The poor sluggish landsman's thrilless lot, *' Doomed or in court or cot to be the slave *' Of one dull listless round e'en to the grave ; ^' With heirs perchance to cause or wish his death, *' And churchyard's hastened sod to catch his breath! *' Enough of this — I called thee as a friend, "To a sad thrilling tale thine ear to lend. VI. " If fame speak true, though oft she idly prate, "There's some resemblance in our stormy fate; " A tale of some fair maid and ill-starred flame — "Nay start not thus — I know no place — no name — ' ' Hath left a sting in thy proud heart, whose trace "Seared deep, drives thee to hate and curse thy race. "In this at least, we meet — and we have proved, " Man had fared better had we better loved. " Our stirring life has made communion brief, "Nor would I now perplex thee with my grief, CANTO I. " But that I need thy friendly, daring hand, '* To aid me in a purpose I have planned. *' Perhaps thou'st been in Venice, and hast known " Or heard there of a race of some renown — ^'Toraldi — Ha! thou start' st — thou know'st him thent '' Well — thou'rt apprized there have been better men; *' Yet nature deigned a sire so stern to bless, *'With a sweet daughter, all — all gentleness — " Zilia — thou turnest pale! what, know'st thou her?" *^ A mere passing glance — she used to bear *' Some slight resemblance to a friend— that's all." *'I did not mean thy memory back to call *' To ought that's past — my own, God knows, is fraught ^' With a sufficient weary load of thought. VIL "We met and loved, although Toraldi's best " Had bid her love to be no Guelph's at least; " Yet such was I — so vain 'twill ever be, *' To curb the spirit's strong affinity; **To force the current of the purest tide " Of all, that, swelling, human breasts divide; " To tear the vine e'en from a worthless thing, ** When once its tendrils there begin to cling; *' To move the will, if one fond memory wind *' Its silken cord around the captive mind; " To turn the lip from love's enchanted cup, ^* Though sorrow fill the bitter chalice up; **To change one feeling's strong magnetic sway, " That, through the untried terrors of its way, " True to its pole-star, with instinctive force, *' Guides and impels the heart's wild wayward course! " For her sweet sake, my haughty spirit bent " To sue for her relentless sire's assent — *' And be denied ! — with contumely too — *'With insult — which he yet perchance may rue! "She loved — and in that single word is breathed "Woman's whole soul — a sword of fire is sheathed! " Centered is there all grief, all happiness— A* 10 ZILIA. '•And if the first she scarce would wish it less— *'A11 she can think, dare, feel, with power intense^ "Whose highest charm is still its innocence', VIII. " Seldom we met; but on that festal night, '• When of fair Venice all the brave and bright, '' Were gathered at the youthful Doge's side, ''To grace the nuptials of his. Ocean bride, " 'Mong Guelphs and Ghibelines assembled there, " My Zilia shone the fairest of the fair. " I leaned against a pillar 'mid the crowd, "To mark the hate that joins the revel loud, " And smiles, and yet is deadlier far in aim, "Than goads to battle's shock in fields of fame! " Oft the warm grasp at festal board conceals "More bitterness, than war's death-hug reveals— " Oft fiercest hate lurks round the curling lip ' ' Of those that kindly of one goblet sip ! IX. " The dance goes on, and to the merry swell " Of music, that on ears of rapture fell, " Soft heaving breasts as gently sunk and rose, " As swelling waves just rousing from repose: " And throbs of hearts that beat so joyously, " Outstrip the measure in their ecstacy ! " But hark ! a sudden peal rings through the hall " With sounds, that e'en the stoutest heart appal, " Call forth the swords of chivalry, and chase " The colour from bright beauty's lips apace ! " 'Twas the dread signal that the foe drew near, " Though deemed a friend by half assembled therer "It roused the passions' elements, whose sleep " Was false and fickle as reigns o'er the deep, "Which like a mirror now reflects the sky, " All calm and tranquil, with its own deep dye, " But where conflicting whirlwinds soon may urge "From its dark seat the hollow sounding surge, CANTO I. 11 *« The foam crowned waves to heaven suspended lash ** A moment, then to fierce contention dash I *' A moment in mute awe the nobles stood, *' Whelmed by the tumult of their passions' flood; *' But smothering ire, they past each other went, ' ' In the hot crowd, each on his purpose bent, *' Darting the glance, whose withering flash betrays *'The hate, that wraps the whole breast in its blaze — *' That like a maelstroom, every feeling draws ** Within the absorbing vortex of its jaws, ** Till e'en ambition, glory, love and fame, " Sink in its whirl — its mastery proclaim! X. ** A sign, a whisper in a willing ear, "*Midst the confusion, drew my Zilia near. ** A few burning words my purpose told; **Hers, though she shrunk reluctant, were not cold; **I drew her through the crowd with trembling haste, *' Her sinking form upon my steed I placed, " And dashed 'mong chariots o'er the stony street, ** The pavement ringing to my courser's feet! " And as we hurried through the rushing throng, " Borne like an overwhelming wave along, " Her white arms clung convulsive round my waist, ** Her hair flowed loosely to the nightly blast, ** Her eyes in terror closed against the light, ** The sabres cast upon the lurid night. ** The city's din was past — my noble steed, **0n whose black sides the foam gave proof of speed, ** Had borne us near to my paternal hall, " Where safety waited 'neath the guarded wall. " A distant startling sound caused me to rein "My steed to listen — 'twas the heaving main, ** Whose sullen plashing on the rocky shore, "The hoarse chill night wind to my quick ear bore. " Again my horse leaped o'er the rugged way, ** And mounted cliffs, whose huge black masses lay "Piled on the shore and lashed by mountain surge, 12 ZILIA. Which there eternal may vain vengeance urge ! *Sad moaning sounds sigh o'er the rushing deep, *And through the dark o'erburdened heavens sweep; * The night clouds, darkening, mingling, slowly roll * Their gloomy pall o'er heaven from pole to pole, 'And sinks o'erwhelmed star after star apace, *In the dark rushing giant storm's embrace! * Is it a lightning flash with startling ray, ' Cast o'er the lowering rocks a sudden day ? ' Is it a thunder peal, whose distant sound ' Deeply from cliff to cliff is heard to bound ? ' I Vv^as not long deceived — tiie flaring brand * Flourished aloft in each pursuer's hand, ' x\nd hoofs of horsemen clanging on the hill, * Proclaimed of all I most had feared the ill — * Vengeance before me raised her sword of blood, * While round the abyss of waters heaved their flcx)d ! ' My hope — my life was now on my good sword — * To cut my way through fierce Toraldi's horde. ' The foremost torch I dashed upon the sand, ' Grasped blazing in a trunkless bleeding hand; ' The next I pressed to the impending verge, ' And plunged back horse and rider in the surge; ' His torch flared on him with a hellish light, ' As o'er him closed the waves' eternal night! ' But the foe thickened and my good steed fell, ' Nor could I more the rapid thrusts repel : ' A sabre's blow upon my forehead dealt, ' Was all that I thenceforth or knew or felt. XI. *' Wlien sense returned, the sun was risen and bright, ** And new shed blood was reeking in his light. "My horse lay stiff and lifeless at my side — *' Around the rocks and waste of waters wide ! " All desolate — but desolation's deepest sense " Came o'er me with its sickening power intense, " When my quick glance no trace of ZiHa found — ** My w^retched cries met none but echo's sound I CANTO I. 13 *' Maddened with rage, of every hope bereft, * * What charms beside to me in life were left ? " What refuge but companionship with those, *' O'er whom but late I'd seen the billows close? ** Yes ! there's one charm can ever sweeten still '* The cup of life, when bitterest drugged with ill — *' One joy, amid the feelings' waste at best, ** Spreads its oasis on the desert breast — ** Revenge ! — Its sweets as free I've tasted, too, " As poisonous plants drink up the morning dew, " Till wrongs begin to pall upon my sense, ** And almost make me wish for innocence! '* Like Ishmael from the race I've sought the fill ** Of vengeance due to one man's injuries still! XII. *' Perchance e'en wrongs hke these I might have borne, ' Nor further vowed revenge or harbored scorn, * But that the injustice of my country came ' Upon me, like the Siroc's breath of flame ' Upon the already parched and withered earth, * Which scarce can give the meanest flower its birth ! * I fled — I need not tell thee where nor why ; * Since then thou'st known my wayward destiny. * Rumour hath lately tidings to me brought, ' Have changed somewhat the current of my thought. ' Zilia, I knew, was by Toraldi's power, ' Borne to a convent, ceaseless there to shower ' Her tears upon her cell's cold marble floor, * Which, than her father's heart had melted more. * Thou seest yon pile where the last sunbeam sleeps? ' 'Tis there, my tidings bear, my Zilia weeps ! * Now thou may'st guess my purpose here and why * I've burdened thee with this sad mystery. ' This very night her form shall bless my sight ! * She's wont to walk beneath the moon's pale light, * On such an eve as this, along the court — * So do the tidings that I have import. * If love hath eloquence, I will persuade 14 ZILIX. '' Her soon to leave that convent's hateful shade— *' Or, if constrained, one glance of a bright blade *' Dispels all force that can be there arrayed. *'Thou understand' st me, Giaffir — I depend " On such assistance as thine arm can lend, ** But most, thy sway o'er the rough minds we lead *' If e'er a woman's presence here should need.'* XIII. The pledge was past — but who scanned Giaffir' s look, Might .see his heart far different purpose took, Might mark upon his brow a cloud that grew Still darker as the corsair Chief withdrew. *' Ha! 'tis explained why Zilia to my love '' Did, in her pride of charms, so scornful prove! *' Who has her love must also have my hate, '' Breathed from my bosom sear and desolate, *' As fatal as the burning Siroc's wing " From plains of pestilence and death can bring I "Let me reflect — ha! — this my purpose be, — " To sow the fruitful seeds of mutiny : " That thus from w^nds I'll cast upon the deep, *' The fearful whirlwind harvest he may reap ! " These stern unyielding souls will scarcely brook *' On such soft foibles in their chief to look : '' To see the man whom their proud minds obey, "Yield up his own to feeble woman's sway: " From peril shrink to calm her idle fears, " The conflict leave to dry her childish tears; " Tremble, when danger calls for firmest arm, " And dread worse evils than his comrades' harm, " And elsewhere find, or good or ill betide, " Than in his vessel, his chief joy and pride! "Many have treasured up, too, some ill blood, " For insults of his sullen, haughty mood : " Others, from innate love of change, desire " Another leader to renew their fire: " Others demand one who will less restrain "The insatiate lust of butchery and gain: CANTO I. 15 " 'Mong all, a formidable band may be, **By slight persuasion, driven to mutiny. " Then to my happier star and vengeful vow, ** His haughty spirit shall be forced to bow! ''I'll gain the prize that he now counts his own, *' And seize the treasure that would not be won ! **Her presence here, my followers can endure, ** At least as long as she can mine, I'm sureT' XIV. Few words were wanting their rough minds to inflame, Sustained by Giaffir's eloquence and name. By signs and nods mysterious was conveyed Far more than was by mouth directly said. With busy whisper and with anxious mien. In frequent groups the gathering crew were seen, Watching, with voice suppressed and eye askance, A doubted comrade's or their chief's advance. But little recked he of their secret plot, Or cared he little or suspected not : For, wrapped in gloom with folded arms he strode Along the deck with brow and mien that bode Deep agitation, purpose unresolved, Feelings and thoughts not easy to be solved. As once where Giaffir held discourse, he passed, From his keen eye a fiery flash he cast. That either some suspicious look or word, Less closely guarded, he or marked or heard, Or that he liked not Giaffir thus should be Just now so lavish of his courtesy. But his stern features soon again resume, The air abstracted and the look of gloom. XV. Galling as were the chains of discipline, Aggrieved, insulted as some felt they'd been, Yet many hesitated still to change The ills they felt for those in chance's range: To cast the yoke that habit made more light, 16 ZILIA. For one whose weight might still more pain excite; To scorn at once the voice whose least command Could sway each movement and direct each hand, Decree or life or death to each — to all — Nor meet one murmur, nor one heart appal. When once superior mind has gained its sway, And claims the tribute all are fain to pay, Of the rough chain of slavery every link, Seems in the flesh a deep worn bed to sink, And make each struggle of the wearer serve To fix it closer and gall more the nerve : Or if one strong convulsive effort rive, The lacerated wounds to madness drive ! But they nor wished nor sought to burst their chains — They asked another hand to inflict their pains — They asked for change of masters not of sway. Nor Giaffir less than Bernadin to obey; The transfer was to one as much above The humble sphere where they were doomed to move, Almost as Bernadin himself — and hence The change proposed was viewed with less offence ; Envy was silenced by acknowledged claim, And license awed by Giaffir' s very name. 'Tis thus the power alone a master mind At first can gain a hold o'er human kind, When slavery once has trained them in her schools, Becomes the prize of knaves or toy of fools. Nations that barter freedom for the blaze Of glory, soon, at least, unshocked will gaze * On crime or folly in a chief, that pleads Nought that redeems in genius or in deeds. Thus Giaffir' s sceptre was endured — preferred— For many of his proud descent had heard. And all his quenchless love of courage knew, And thought his daring actions matched by few, Though none could say that his achievements vied With those that Bernadin made his just pride. They knelt because they'd been long used to kneel And knelt to him because he less could feel — CANTO I. 17 Less soften at the woe they loved to inflict, And lay on thirst of blood restraint less strict— Because his heart less yielded to the flood, Of kindness that might visit its mild mood — And would disdain that luxury denied To the wild wanderers of the stormy tide Sweet woman's smile — fit only for the bowers, Where peace and virtue spend their summer hours ! END OP CANTO I, ZIIillA* CANTO II. I. Oh Italy ! thou land where brightest hues Gild sunset skies and glow in morning dews ; Where flowers the fairest ever seen to bloom, Of the world's empire to adorn the tomb; Where the moon sheds her mellowest beams like those That o'er thy heroes' memory repose; Where blandest breezes on elastic wing, Gladness and vigor to the bosom bring ; Where hang at once, within thy sunny bowers, On citron trees, the fruitage and the flowers; Where hearts are ardent as the suns they feel. And buoyant as the gales that o'er them steal ; Where maiden's love as close, as sweet will twin©, As cling the tendrils of their native vine; Where the deep lustre of soft Beauty's eye Transcends the brightness of its own clear sky ; Where love, the sweet usurper, builds his throne In hearts, that Fame could once call all his own, Rendering his worship business of a life, Where once twas given to war's continual strife I Loveliest of lands ! thou mistress of the soul, As once of nations, how thy strong control Govema the world, as once by arts and arms, 20 ZILIA. Now by the spell of clime and memory's charms! And yet how fallen thou art I Thy lofty mind, That with an eagle's flight ranged unconfined, Piercing upon free wing the realms of day, To pounce more sure upon thy destined prey, Shakes in its dotage o'er a bigot's beads, Its shouts of victory changed to muttering creeds! Past is the vision of thy bright career. And its few traces are fast fading here. Mind ye yon tottering broken dome, that pass, And touch it not, or else its falling mass May crush beneath his own dank narrow cell, Some crouching slave, who there has fled to dwell I Those steps, that lead to yonder crumbling fane, Mount light, lest by their ruins ye be slain I With awe, tread on that foul and shapeless heap, For in its dust there is an empire's sleep, A nation's ashes — ^where a spirit dwelt. To which the world in its deep homage knelt ! Which in its earlier spring, its happier hours. Exerted once those high and plastic powers. Whose proud creations Time' s flood aye will urge, Lashed like the foam eternal from its surge I n. Screened by a white veil reaching to her feet, Its thin web fitting to her form complete In every breeze, and trembling in the light. The moon-beam o'er it cast as mild and bright, As o'er the fleecy cloud that gently rolled, Across the moon, its silver tinted fold. Along the convent court a youthful nun Her way with slow and trembling footsteps won. A female form, more stately, at her side, Might seem the abbess — ^her young spirit's guide. Earnest though low their converse, as they urge Their course towards the overhanging verge. From whose proud height the lashed waves hollow ring, Scarce louder than theu: own low whispering I CANTO II. 21 ni. ** Abbess! I scorn the vain attempt to hide " The deep seared griefs that in my breast reside, "Nor do, or can I e'er deny that he, ** Whose hapless passion rules my destiny "From whom my grief and joy alike have flowed, "Disputes possession of my heart with God ! " Yet if to mortals it were ever given, "Aught to absirnct from worship due to heaven, " *Twere vea^al sin his image to adore, " Which to Heaven's forms such bright resemblance bore. " Oh hadst thoa scea bim as I first beheld, "When life's flushed curreiit in his youxig veins swelled; " Hadst felt the joyous burstings of his mirth, " Strike on your bearc-strings music not of earth; " Hadst scexi ihe beaming of his sunny smDe " Play round his lip* with every winning wile; •* Hadst marked the flashing of his glancing wit, "From point to point, lik& rising sunbeams flit; " Hadst heard him, ravished through each thrilling sense, " Pour out his prssion's burning eloquence; "And felt the deep, intoxicating bliss, "To meet his fevvont, ever-linget*ing kiss^ " Where wa^ider I! Oh, couldst thou ever know, " The feeliiigs that within this bosom glow, " Thou would' st forgive me for the pain they've cost, " And pity, for the rapture I have lost ! IV. " 'Midst every prayer before my shrinking e^es, " The horrors of that fearful night arise, " And fiom my ravished arms is torn again " The phantom of my laved, lost Bernadin! "My streaming eyes and outstretched hands implore "Not for Heaven's mercy, but my father's morel " Before the altar when I raise my eyes, "Where sacred forms upon the canvass rise, "Where present Deity shoiiild'aweinspire,'^?!"'^^^ ' " And the meek' cross' ¥efsti-aM each 1iriM(5eSiy«f^'^' "J-'*- ^ 23 ZILIA. ** With thought abstracted, I unconscious stare, *' Or see alone his dearer image there! " Or when to pious meditation given, *' Each wish, each thought should be absorbed by Heaven, " DweUing alone on bliss the saints await, *' Who shut their hearts to all this present state, "My wandering soul, like wild bird on the wing, *' Will, to the world, with eager burnuigs sprmg, *' In fancy riot madly on the joy, "A father's causeless hatred could destroy: "Picture the scenes of innocent delight, "That bless love's bower of bloom and purple light, " And paint in glowing hues a mother's lot, " In her young oiFspring happy if forgot, "Blessing and blessed alike on every side, " In the wife' s fondness and the mother's pride I " Ahl why is nature thus compelled to bow " Her loveliest graces to the convent's vow? " Why does Religion ask the heart to yield " The only flowers that deck its barren field 1 " To check the gushing of the pure bright tide, " That is at once its life-spring and its pride I **^Call it a weakness — this absorbing love — " Despised on earth, nor smiled on from above : "Yet call it not a sin-^for in its dye, "There's some bright tints imparted from the sky — " Some hues like those in dew drops on the flower, ** That seem of Heaven's own purifying power — " Or those in the bright bow of promise given, "To smile away the indignant wrath of Heaven I " Why springs it else with a more strong control, "In woman's gentler, purer, nobler soul: " Sweetening each care, enduring through each wrong, "That to her feebler, humbler state belong: ** Unswayed by passion and unbought by gold: "Its throbs oft silent, and its tale untold: " In her warm breast becoming more intense, *'Even though absence chill the fire of sense; " Cherished within her bosom's inmost core, CANTO II. 23 " Its chief delight and its most treasured store : ** Which, if its objects swerve from virtue's track, ** Seeks but by fond persuasion to win back; *' Cheers through all sadness, through each trial shines, ** Shrinks at no peril, at no lot repines; " Submits with meekness to each wrong — each slight, "Man may inflict in his ungenerous might, "Nor quenches its pure flame within her heart, '* Until distrust fix there his cruel dart 1 " Yes, love, thou art the sole pure tranquil spot, *^ In life's tossed ocean, where the surge is not; "Where the clear depths reflect all bright from Heaven " The light, the glory there so richly given; " And e'en the passing cloud in frowns arrayed, " Adds a new beauty where it leaves its shade; "While all the surface else, by tempests torn, " Heaves in dark tumult, restless and forlorn! " Then chide no more that tears thus ceaseless flow— " That thus I riot in excess of woe, *' For some fond memory brightens every tear, " Like rain drops falling in the sunshine clear!" V. Ah ! could the abbess, grave as was the offence, Unkind reprove such touching eloquence? Her tearful, pitying eye and mournful look Far more than language to the maiden spoke, And seemed to say, her melting heart appealed From the stem sentence that Religion sealed. Slowly she traced alone her sorrowing way Back towards the convent — why doth Zilia stay ? She wandered lone and mournful to the shore. Where the grey cliff" projects its summit o'er The dark blue sea, and courts the storms of heaven, While at its feet are waves eternal driven I On the dark rock she sits enrobed in white, Like some pure snow wreath in the moon's pale light: Her veil removed, the night breeze in her hair, Wantoned and spread her clustering ringlets fair, 24 ZILIA. Over her neck and cheek, whose paleness seemed To rival that with which the pure moon gleamed ; And as her large eye darkly glanced to view, Her face bore still a paler, heavenlier hue : Yet 'twas of that surpassing loveliness, Which thought may fancy, but words ne'er express: Like the embodied beauty of the mind. Whose fainter impress lives in human kind; Or like an angel's just dfi.vnp.ndod now. With heaven's own splendor shining on her brow! On the rude rock her form of light she leaned. Her flowing hair her snow white fingers screened, And the dark ringlets, curling round her arms, With fond embraces, shrouded half her charms! She gazed upon the wildly tossing deep, With eye almost as restless in its sweep, Till soon a dark mass fixed her wandering S'ght, Across the moonbeam's quivering path of light. She watched the unusual form — 'twas the xebecque— And as she gazed, ah, little did she reck, The deep concernment it to her must be— The very crisis of her destiny ! Anxious, oppressed with boding fear, she strained Her racking sight, until her fancy feigned, While rocked the fearful vessel on the deep. She saw its banner in the night breeze sweep, Marked darkening forms diminished to a speck. Move to and fro upon its heaving deck, And heard the hoarse wind 'mid the tackling groan, Chilling the heart with its appalling moan I Ha ! sees she right ? Emerging from the shade, Into the path the trembling moonbeams made. What form was that, upon the silver sheen, To sink and rise with the tossed waves was seen, Now bathed all hidden in the liquid light, Now fitful glancing darkly to the sight, As when the lessening eagle mounts the sky, His form now fades, now strikes again th©ey«i1'« >■'•• > 'H At first itslowly struggles o-'er the sea, ; •"■• ''iudt.frV/ CANTO II. 25 As a star's strife 'mong whelming clouds might be; Then as the craggy, echoing coast it nears, It moves more swiftly, more distinct appears, While beams that from bright glittering corslets glare, Proclaim a band in arms advancing there I The fitful breezes on their pinions bring, The plash of oars and voices murmuring ; The boat leaps like a courser near his home, Leaving along its wake a track of foam ; Grates the keel hoarsely on the furrowed sand, And bounds a rich clad warrior on the strand ! Up the steep crag he springs .with fearful haste, Unheeding where his hurrying footsteps pressed— Beneath his tread the fragments loose give way, Roll down the side and mingle with the spray. Reckless he onward, upward, still doth urge His fearless course, till on the cliff's high verge, He mounts, just as the flying Zilia passed, Like a young fawn by thirsty blood hound chased! *' Zilia — oh Zilia, stay!" — the imploring sound, Whose faltering tones the rocks re-echo round. She heard, turned, shrieked, and his extended arms Clasped the rich treasure of her senseless charnas! Cast back, her head sunk on his heart which throbbed, E'en through the steel which his broad breast enrobed; One pearl yet trembling in her close shut eye. Rolled down her cheek, nor stained its marble die I Had her young spirit ta'en its flight divine Upon that breast, its altar and its shrine ? Soon a slight flush upon her temples burned, Showing life had to its loved home returned: As the faint streaks of light at early dawn, Announce the gloomy sway of night withdrawn. Then with convulsive sobs again she clung. Where each thought centered, whence each blessmg sprung, While on his corselet heaved her panting breast, Caressing wildly, fondly and caressed, And her lip quivered in its thrilling bliss, With broken sighs, upon her lover's kiss I 26 ZILIA. VI. ** Thou'rt come at last, my long lost Bernadin ! *' Too long unmindful of my ceaseless pain I ** What! could' St thou not, while wandering blest and free, ** Have given one sigh to slavery's pangs and me? " One thought for all that racked my aching head— •* One tear for all the thousands I have shed — ** One memory of the dear, the unhappy past, ** That o'er thy mind serene its shadow cast? ** But why should I thy happier lot regret, ** If thou hast known the blessing to forget!" VII. " Forget my Zilia ! sure, thou mock'st the joy, ** Whose throbs now all my bursting heart employ, ** Urged by the impulse that thine image gives, ** Which linked with being there unfading lives! '* The nightly vigils and the days of care, •*The wreck of hope, the gnawing of despair, **That cursed each change of purpose, place or hour, ** And on my brow stamped signets of their power, ** Might in a heart such gentleness that bore, *' Disarm reproach and ask thy pity more I ** Where'er I roamed, whatever chance befell, ** I felt one only talismanic spell; "And spite of cares and duties that confined, *' Gave to one loved idea all my mind: " Which in my loneliest hour — my gloomiest mood, *' Lent charms more sacred for their solitude: ** For bursting then the chains of destiny, **My loosened soul with rapture sprang to thee! ** In that sweet dream of joy my present grief, *' Could find forgetfulness, if not relief; '* Yet the fond picture that my fancy made, ** With all its sunshine had its share of shade : ** Dream as I would and wander where I might, **I could not banish those sad hues from sight. «*What booted it to think upon the past, ** Those sunny hours so soon with gloom o'ercast, CANTO II. 27 ** While the same hand that drew my brief delight, "In more true colors showed that fatal night! " What booted it if on the bounding sea, **I roamed, impelled by thoughts as wildly free, ** Whilst the sad consciousness oppressed my mind, **That my loved Zilia in a cloister pined? "To solitudes what booted it to fly, "From scorn or pity or too curious eye, "And *mid wide dazzling wastes or darkening rocks, "Tracked but by nameless streams and foldless flocks, " Say to my soul, here man and crime are not, " WTiile memory darkened with our own dread lot? " What booted it mine eyes in sleep to seal, •* While fancy then thine image would reveal, " Hear thy loved voice in storms that hoarsely sweep, " With hollow meanings o'er the heaving deep, " While the fierce lightnings quiver round thy head, " Thine out-stretched arms implore in vain mine aid, **Till round thy form the clouds* in darkness close, " Or the waves whelm it in their drear repose! ** What'er I did, where'er my course might be, ** I could not — did not seek to fly from thee I'* VIIL "Forgive — ^forgive, my Bernadin! — I knew, "Thy heart thro* every change must still be true, " But tell me all the history of thy woes — "The perils past — the plans thy hopes disclose — "In fields of fame what laurels thou hast gained— "For sure thy noble spirit hath disdained "To follow ought but glory's trumpet call, "At any shrine but Virtue's e'er to fall! **The same high purpose, the same generous pride, "Which swelled each current of thy bosom's tide, "When my young heart first knew the thrilling sense " To consecrate to thee its innocence, "Must have impelled thee still in every deed, "To seek thy happiness in Honor's meed. "These weeds of glory and yon vessel's trust, 23 ZILIA, "Bespeak that Venice is not all unjust; "And might I judge from marks thy features weaf^ "Thy brave desert the exalted prize did bear. "How swells my heart at thy fair fame with pride I "But why dost turn from my fond gaze aside? "Thou needst not blush at simple praise like mine, "When to the world's applause thine ears incline I" IX. "My life, 'tis true hath some renown obtained, " Though most might deem it better lost than gained, " Zilia, thou hast not known the world I find; "The cloister's habits have so wrought thy mind, " That the dark picture of its fearful tale, "Where all its gloomy colors should prevail — " Showing mad Passion that with hydra fangs " Goads all around but most himself with pangs— " Mild Virtue struggling with her stormy fate, " Cheerful in woe, resigned though desolate— " Ambition driving fierce his headlong car, " War in his van and tracked by Famine far, "While Danger thick his snares 'mid darkness spreads, " And Death's pale horse o'er all in terror treads — "Might shock thine unused eyes — thy gentle soul — " Ah, ask not now — too soon thou' It know the whole I" X. " Ah Bernadin! this mystery — means it well ? "Thou spok'st not thus when first I heard thee dwefl, "With tongue all rapture and with soul all flame, " On Venice' glory and her heroes* fame — "Vow if she gave thee e'er to wield her sword, "No richer treasure could her power afford: "And wish thou then couldst launch with hopes so free, "Thy longing bark upon life's joyous sea! "How beautiful is that young fervent zeal, "When soars the spirit, and the heart can feel; "While the Promethean flame, yet pure and bright, "Glows with its own clear Heaven-descended light, CANTO n. 29 "*^ Undimmed by contact with the damps below, ^* The storms of passion and the clouds of woe ! *^ Oh, why this change ! Bat first, thy purpose here— - *' Why brave the dangers of this place of fear? <* Know' St not Toraldi is assigned this post, ^* To ffuard from Pirates that infest the coast?** ** Toraldi! well — but for the daughter, dread ** Were needed more for his own stubborn head. *^ My Zilia! our young feelings run to waste ^* Sadly, soon as they meet with life's rude blast; ** And the few hearts that nature made to feel, ^* Round which she taught each holier thought to steal, "** Are like oases o'er a desert strewn, ^* Cheering the dreary solitude alone; *' While oft the sand-storms o'er their freshness urge, ** Ere they have vigor to resist the surge ! *' Zilia! it deeply grieves and rends my heart, ** What to conceal I'd scorn to thee to impart; ■''For gentleness like thine but ill can brook ** With calmness on the appalling truth to look. "Yet thou must know, that he who once w^as loved *' For what he to thy glowing fancy proved, ** Who won thy guileless heart by generous zeal, ** He then for virtue, honor, fame, could feel, *' Who asks thee now in this banned bark to roam— ** Yes — he hath in his madness strong, become <* A corsair ! — Start not — shrink not thus, but hear *' All that has urged me to this course of fear. ■*' Repulsed with insult, driven like a Jew, ^* From the proud house mine own quite equalled too; *' Thy love from me as from an upas torn — ** All — all for thy sake still I might have borne; ** But that to private, public wrongs were joined, ** And burst the ties that bound me to mankind. *' As thou had'st thought, my spirit still unquelled, "Was soon in glory's high career impelled, " Though the bright path was shadowed o'er with grief, ** And cypress mingled with the laurel wreath. *^ I fondly hoped I might achieve some deed, C 30 ZILIA. •* Would thrill thy heart as Worthy of its meed, '* I joined the wars did then the state divide, " As thou may'st guess, not on thy father's side; " And in the furious contest, had we met, ' ' That might have happened I might now regret* "Eager for fame and desperate from my griefs, *'My daring deeds shamed many nobler chiefs j "And Envy, that at my young glory burned, * ' All my high service to my ruin turned : — ' ' My country' s gratitude and my reward, " The Lion of St. Mark was left to guard 1* " Banished my country for no crime but zeal *' And merit, others could too keenly feel; " Rejected in my love from causeless hate, " Which for a daughter's peace could not abate; " Reduced to want, my soul still proud and free, "I followed on my reckless destiny: " Some comrades found whose fate like mine was dark, " With daring spirits manned yon gallant bark, " And sought that home, that glory on the deep, *' Which on the land the worthless still may keep! "If, now, my Zilia, thou'lt my vessel share, "And shed the sunshine of thy beauty there, " Thou'lt find that joy, that peace upon the main, *' Like the ark's dove thou'st elsewhere sought in vain. "Unwearied love thine innocence shall guard, " Avert each danger, every insult ward; *' Forego my own, anticipate thy want, " Nor e'er with discontent thy meekness taunt; " Soothe every pain, in sickness vigils keep, " And deem it transport to watch o'er thy sleep; " With that stern look the rudest gaze disarms, ** Bend every eye before thy blushing charms; " And if so pure, so precious burden bless "My bark, the storms will surely toss it less, * Alluding to a custom of the Venetian government, of putting iti ediott Off banishment of public offenders in the mouth of a statue of a lion in St* Mark's Place. CANTO II. 31 *' And while it bears my lovely, blooming bride, ** The gentlest waves will ever kiss its side I **Nay — droop not thus — thou leav'st the blighting shade, ** Where moulds the ruin that its gloom hath made. ** Behold beneath, on yonder winding beach, ** So far the dizzy eye can scarcely reach, * * Where my brave boat waits rocking on the sand, ** Merrily to waft us from this hated land! — ** Come — I will show it thee— and down this cliff, *' Which hangs so awful o'er the puny skiff, *'ril leap with thee as safe from crag to crag, *' As o'er its rude rocks bounds the instinctive stag I **Nay, struggle not — would' st thou not fly from here? — *' Sure some restraint — away with idle fear !" *' Unloose me Bernadinl" she bursts his arms, So closely clasped around her struggling charms, Springs with one bound upon the topmost steep, High o'er the vexed and sullen plunging deep, Till shakes the fartherest crag beneath her foot, And o'er the frightful brink her white robes float! ** Sooner than share an outlaw's crime, my grave *' Shall be yon darkly, coldly heaving wave, ''When shrouded in its pure white foam, more blest *' Than in such arms most tenderly caressed! "Ah, cease then, Bernadin, this suit to urge, " Or force me to the refuo^e of the sur