He turns and aims; Then checks himself, unwilling to disturb The bat, the toad, the blind-worm, and the newt; Who wants A sequel, may read on. The unvarnished tale, AN ADVENTURE. THREE days they lay in ambush at my gate, Distinguished only by an amulet, That in a golden chain hung from his neck, A crystal of rare virtue. Night fell fast, When on a heath, black and immeasurable, He turned and bade them halt. 'Twas where the earth Then all advanced, and, ranging in a square, Covered us round; and in the midst I stood, Weary and faint, and face to face with one, A light was kindled and the Bandit spoke. I know thee. Thou hast sought us, for the sport Write as I dictate. If thy ransom comes, To do it than to say it. Write, and thus.' I wrote. 'Tis well,' he cried. 'A peasant-boy, Trusty and swift of foot, shall bear it hence. Meanwhile lie down and rest. This cloak of mine Will serve thee; it has weathered many a storm.' The watch was set; and twice it had been changed, When morning broke, and a wild bird, a hawk, Flew in a circle, screaming. I looked up, And all were gone, save him who now kept guard 6 Some secret grief. Thou shrinkest back,' he said, 'Well may'st thou, lying, as thou dost, so near A Ruffian-one for ever linked and bound To guilt and infamy. There was a time When he had not perhaps been deemed unworthy, Wouldst thou know more? My story is an old one. Met with the fiend, the tempter-in RUSCONI. 66 Why thus?" he cried. "Thou wouldst be free and dar'st not. Come and assert thy birth-right while thou canst. A robber's cave is better than a dungeon; And death itself, what is it at the worst, What, but a harlequin's leap?" Him I had known, Had served with, suffered with; and on the walls Of CAPUA, while the moon went down, I swore Allegiance on his dagger.-Dost thou ask How I have kept my oath ?-Thou shalt be told, That I may never, never more be named. Thou wilt, I know thou wilt. Two months ago, When on a vineyard-hill we lay concealed And soon espied her, coming all alone, Pleased for an instant; then as carelessly To pluck a grape in very wantonness. Her look, her mien and maiden-ornaments Shewed gentle birth; and, step by step, she came, Nearer and nearer, to the dreadful snare. None else were by; and, as I gazed unseen, Her youth, her innocence and gaiety Went to my heart! and, starting up, I breathed, "Fly-for your life!" Alas, she shrieked, she fell ; |