Vain, frantic, guilty, if thou wilt, became I thought of tales that by the winter hearth Old gossips tell-how maidens, sprung from kings, Have stoop'd from their high sphere; how Love, like Death, Beside the scepter. Thus I made my home My father died; and I, the peasant-born, grew And, with such jewels as the exploring Mind Pauline. Has he a magic to exorcise hate? Resembled hatred most-when thy disdain For their revenge! Thou hadst trampled on the worm- Pauline. Love, Sir, hath no sting. To the deep wrong of this most vile revenge? The anguish the remorse. No-let it pass! And let me come to such most poor atonement Yet in my power. Pauline!— [Approaching her with great Pauline. emotion, and about to take her hand. No, touch me not! I know my fate. You are, by law, my tyrant; Melnotte. I am thy husband-nay, thou need'st not shudder;- A marriage thus unholy-unfulfill'd A bond of fraud-is, by the laws of France, I bore thee, bathed in blushes, from the altar, In that poor peasant's nature!-Ho! my Enter WIDOW. Conduct this lady (she is not my wife mother! She is our guest, our honor'd guest, my mother!) E'en villains dared to mar! Now, lady, now, Speak not, but go. Melnotte [sinking down]. Hush! hush! for mercy sake: [WIDOW ascends the stairs; PAULINE follows weeping-turns to look back All angels bless and guard her! LYTTON. Sir EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, youngest son of the late Gen. Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, Norwalk, England, who has assumed the surname of his mother's family, was born in 1805. He exhibited proots of superior talents at a very early period, having written verses when only five or six years old. His preliminary studies were conducted under the eye of his mother, a woman of cultivated taste and rare accomplishments. He graduated with honor at Trinity College, Oxford, having won the chancellor's medal for the best English poem. In 1826, at the age of twenty-one, he published "Weeds and Wild Flowers," a small volume of poems; and the following year his first novel, "Falkland," appeared Since that time he has been constantly before the public as an author, both in prose and verse. Of his numerous novels, perhaps, “Rienzi" is the most complete, high-toned, and energetic. Soon after publishing "Eugene Aram," about 1832, he became editor of the "New Monthly Magazine;" and to that journal he contributed essays and criticisms, subsequently published under the title of "The Student." Of his dramas, "The Lady of Lyons ""Richelieu," and "Money," are, perhaps, three of the most popular plays now upon the stage. The first of these, from which the preceding extract is taken, seldom fails of drawing tears when well represented. Few authors have displayed more versatility. His language and imagery are often exquisite, and his power of delineating certain classes of character and manners superior to that of any of his contemporaries. He commenced his political life in 1831, when he entered parliament, where he became conspicuous for his advocacy of the rights of dramatic authors, and for his liberal opinions on other questions. In the general election of 1842, he lost his seat, and was not again returned until 1852. His speeches in parliament, and his addresses, have served to raise his reputation His inaugural address as rector of the University of Glasgow, in particular, has been greatly admired. 1. FAIR 143. THE Musqurro. AIR insect! that, with thread-like legs spread out, Dost murmur,' as thou slowly sail'st about, In pitiless cars full many a plaintive thing, 2 Full angrily-men hearken to thy plaint; 3 For saying thou art gaunt, and starved, and faint: 4. Beneath the rushes was thy cradle swung, And when, at length, thy gauzy wings grew strong, Rose in the sky, and bore thee soft along; The south wind breathed to waft thee on thy way, Came the deep murmur of its throng of men, They seem'd the per'fumes of thy native fen. 6. At length thy pinion flutter'd in Broadway : Ah, there were fairy steps, and white necks kiss'd Shone through the snowy vails like stars through mist; 'Murmur (mer' mer).—2 Worse (wêrs).—3 Curse (kêrs). —* Gåunt.-Asks (asks). Birth (berth).--- Earth (erth).- TITAN, a name often used by the ancients for HELIOS, the sun. Fair. -10 Nursed (nễrst).— 11 Airs (arz).—12 Wäft.-13 Danced (dânst).-14 Calm (kẩm).- 16 There (thår). Fairy (får ́ 1). - Through (thrỏ) 16 And fresh as morn, on many a cheek and chin, 8 What say'st thou, slanderer!-rouge makes thee sick! Poisons the thirsty wretch that bores for blood? 9. That bloom was made to look at--not to touch; To worship-ot approach-that radiant white; 10. Thou'rt welcome to the town; but why come here And thin will be the banquet drawn from me. Fix thy light pump, and press thy freckled feet: The oyster breeds, and the green turtle sprawls. 'Trans pår' ent.- Anchorite (ångk' o rit), a recluse; a hermit; one who retires from the world from religious motives.-' Rouge (rôz). Thirsty (therst' I).- - Worship (wer' ship).— Dåred.—” Gäunt. —" A lås' 'Banquet (bảng kwet.—' Turtle (ter th). |