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194 heart. To pluck the frailest and most beau tiful flower, some lily pale and delicate, with girlhood fading into womanhood, with eyes of trusting blue, was his determination; and he doubted not that the virgin love of her heart would be yielded to him without a sigh. He would snatch such a flower as this from her companions, and exercise in revenge all the absolute power granted to a Roman hus band over his helpless wife. The day at length arrived, so eventful to all. The all-powerful augurs had been con sulted, and a favorable answer had been re turned. Who could have imagined such a reverse of fate to those proud and beautiful Sabine daughters 1 Wondering and delight ed, they viewed with equal admiration the athletic exercises, never before seen in such perfection, and the racing, where either an tagonist sought but to win approval from their bright eyes at having gained the goal, or to exhibit readiness when it was won, to give up his tired and over-tasked frame to death. The gladiator glared with fiery eyes upon the multitude, reckless and defiant, and regarding every one as a foe, for a horrible destruction stared at him in the face of some frightful beast with which he was forced to struggle; and soon those restless eyes were in their last agony, not in the satisfied tran quility of a peaceful exit, but still fierce with rage and disappointment. To these wretch ed exhibitions succeeded theatrical perform ances, poor pageantry, and poorer delineations of human passions, and as self-deceptive as Roman virtue itself in the early ages. The eyes of Valerius had been fixed in tently upon his prize. Too fair, too bright was she, to be the victim of such a gaze.— Shrinking from the performances, which ter rified her young and innocent heart, and look ing around in quest of something like sympa thy, Cornelia encountered the fixed gaze of Valerius, which inspired her with horror. A sutlden shivering succeeded a sort of fore warning of her fate, and she covered her eyes with her small and delicate hands, as if to shut out a dreaded object. He knew and saw at once her aim. and deeper within his heart grew his fatal purpose. She , then, was to be his beautiful and unwilling victim. He had indeed chosen the drooping lily among those flowers, but as if in contrast, a more gorgeous and proud and noble being sat be side her. Many a youth had determined that Julia the peerless should grace his home, but they gave way to the persuasive accents of Silvius, who soon gave an account of the w r ay in which he had seen and loved her be fore. They thus signified for him that re spect and affection which only bravery and virtue gain, and each as soon became inter ested with another fair face, while Julia gazed coldly upon the admiring glances be fore her, as if love were always to be, as then, a stranger to her breast. Oh! the cries of anguish, the fierce strug gles, the gleaming arms, the curses of fathers, the prolonged scream of Sabine mothers, which in its utterly forlorn sounds sent a feeling of remorse even into the hearts of the triumphant victors. A mother bereft of her children i In the wide world search for a sight of greater woe'/ Search for a heart more wild and desolate than that of a child less mother. But it was all in vain. In the midst of the feast, the vultures rushed in up on their prey, and in spite of resistance or re monstrance, or of the slur forever to be cast! upon the name of Roman hospitality, the sun went down upon the bereaved Sabines return ing home and crying aloud for vengeance .; the Romans intoxicated with joy at the result of their stratagem, and the captive women flut tering like doves, as they were, in the cages provided for them,. And thus the youthful Romans obtained | flheir wives. f* ARf 11. History has not iiaiided down to us the ac tual result of this successful jpaarKEUvre, but §©©ifsi gta m &atss ata ¥ that many of the Sabine virgins became de voted to their lords, may be shown from the scene during the engagement between the ri val nations not long after, in consequence of this unwarrantable abduction. We will trace the results of this union, as regards those cha racters in -whom I have endeavored to in terest the reader, and mingle with historical facts the allowable embellishment of fiction. Did Silvius prosper in his love? No; scornful and indignant, Julia at first looked upon him as a tyrant or an enemy, He sel dom dared to raise his eyes to hers, for he could find in them nothing but coldness or re proach. His mind was worn in endeavoring to plan amusement and recreation for his fair bride, his natural vivacity forsook him, find men wondered that an event which had brought only happiness to them, should have bereft him of even his past share of gaiety. But the tortures of sleepless nights, or never ending schemes to insure her happiness, ren dered him miserable, particularly as his ef forts were not appreciated —and he gave up all hope, content, in all the ardor and romance of youthful love, to retain only her image in his heart. But what woman can be insensi ble for any length of time to devotion like this ? Anew feeling was awaking in Julia’s breast, almost unknown to herself. It was pity for the evident sorrow of the being who stood ever before her like the ghost of hap piness, seldom meeting her gaze, and yet whose look she felt was upon her when her eyes were turned away. A softer feeling than that of pity, unacknowledged and kept down with struggling pride, at last made her feel that the man to whom she had unwil lingly been linked for life, was dearer to her than all the world beside. He thought to touch her heart with flow ers ; those silent messengers of love, as his costly gifts, were viewed with indifference; but he found them either plucked to pieces, or he watched her as she gazed at them with an air of vacancy, and then in forgetfulness would drop them from her listless hand, while her foot the next moment w T ould carelessly crush the fragrant blossoms. Her whole thoughts were apparently centered on her lost and unforgotten home. To look upon her as she slept was his greatest privilege and delight. A small sitting-room, which he had fitted up with peculiar care, was her fa vorite resort. There, resting upon a luxu rious couch, and gazing into the uncultivated fields, she would dream the hours away. Oh, how beautiful she was at those moments — and yet for the world he would not have pressed his lips to that marble forehead, for her displeasure he dreaded more than death. On one occasion, he had prolonged his stay in thus gazing upon her, when suddenly her eyes unclosed, and she found him watch ing. One word would have brought him to her side, one glance or motion. How she longed to utter that one word, and how she longed to throw down the barrier of reserve which separated them. Confused at being thus detected, he felt almost guilty, and turn ed to depart, when he heard a faint whisper of his name —‘-Silvius.’’ That sound, so long listened for, sent a thriil to his heart. He turned, but the brow was cold and pas sionless, and the lip only quivering with emo tion. He saw no w-elcome in that haughty and repelling look ; he dropped his outstretch ed arms, his head fell upon his breast, and closing his eyes as if to dream once more of that sound, remained motionless for an in stant, and then quitted the room. It was true that she had spoken his name—it seem ed natural to her to address her husband, her lover, with endearing words, but the part she intended to play was not yet finished, and she drew a chill .cohering over her heart. Oh, pride., <or to call th#e by thy true name, de struction, what is there in thy withering glance which blights ? A warm heart grows cold before thee, a good act turns to gall? and kindly-intentioned words to wrath, Had Cornelia been nursed with a tender ness and love like this, she would have given her whole soul in exchange, and rested upon the bosom which sheltered her, and it would have been her all. But harsh and sad was her fate. No kind hand softened her doom* for in Valerius she encountered the worst na tures of a tyrant and a brute. A desire for death, a yearning for peace, a thought of home and distant friends-, gave to her young cheek & supernatural hue, and a foretaste of some strange destiny which awaited her, and which would rescue her from her present sit uation, was her only remaining hope. Her tears, which at first flowed perpetually, were now dried at her husband’s approach; the tasks imposed by him, greater than her fra gile form could bear, were performed with a burning cheek and a fevered frame, but with out a murmur, and one only penance did she shrink from —the touch of his loathed em brace. Rather would she have faced a fury in her wrath, than those lips with their poi sonous breath. To be neglected, to be point ed at as a forsaken wife, was her only joy, for his hateful presence was then exchanged for a dull and insensible existence, which was far preferable. Oh, father and mother, ye who fancy your child discontented and impatient for release, ye who imagined nothing like this concentra ted misery, hasten to her relief. Your jewel that ye have worn is tarnished, and her lus tre is fast departing. It was no wonder, then, that the insulted Sabines, hearing of this state of things even hut partially, girded on their armor, and with their utmost strength went out to meet the spoilers. Tt was no wonder that Tarpeia met with the fate from their hands which tra dition transmits to us, and that the Capitoline Hill fell into their hands by this cruel mur der. The Sabines, thus in possession of this advantageous position, commenced hostilities, and the Romans answered to their call. There was a lip among the crowd of new made Roman brides, which quivered at this call to arms; there were eyes dim with secret weeping; there was a heart, oh, how full of remorse for the unthankful part it had been playing; there was a being who longed to throw herself at the feet of an injured hus band, and confess the wrong and injustice which she had persevered in. But everyday delayed the explanation, and Julia was as far severed from Silvius, as if she had still been free among her young companions. The hour at length arrived which called every soldier to battle. The array of twenty five thousand Sabines was not to be met with a feeble force, and Silvius, first in defence of his rights, and eager to engage in something to occupy his saddened and desponding heart, was among the first to enlist, and he had come to bid perhaps an everlasting farewell to Julia. His dream was over, the dream of his life-time, of love, and happiness, and a cheerful home. Julia’s heart had yearned, for some time, to pour out its love and struggles to him who every hour became dearer and more perfect in her sense. But a sense of shame prevent ed, and she became more reserved. He thought once, and once only, that he perceived a wish ful look, a tremour, and a blush, as she met his gaze, but he turned away, for hope had too long died within him, to think that they had been created by him. And the hour had come when they must part, these two loving but divided hearts. She knelt within her apartment, praying for him. No expression was too wild, no wish too extravagant, no hope too passionately ex pressed, if uttered in his behalf. The one de sire addressed to her all-powerful gods was, that he should return safe and unharmed.— Her white robe, her long dark hair and an gelic countenance, resembled those of a beau tiful spirit. Silvius approached unperceived the door of her apartment, that sanctuary into which he had never intruded, and heard thf wild longings uttered by his wife. He lj*. tened, and thought bitterly and with anguish, that they were for some Sabine lover whom she had left behind, and whose memory ’ Va „ engraved upon the tablets of her heart. He listened, and his heart beat quick. A sudden resolution was taken, and as soon executed He entered that apartment held so sacred, and gazing reproachfully upon her, said in son rowful accents — “Julia, I have heard, and it is enough I go to seek death, for my presence wearies thee. Be happy in the love of thy Sabine lover. Throw no flowers upon my tomb, nor perfumes and spices upon my body: and gather not my ashes, for I shall die unwept and unloved by the only being for whose love I care to live.” Pale as marble and as statue-like, she heard these touching words, and turned to look upon him. She had never seen him thus before, and she half doubted his identi ty. He bad doffed the luxurious toga, and in its place had substituted the war costume of those days, which consisted of a metal cuirass gleaming brightly, relieved by a red under garment, which reached to the knee. His short sword hung at his side, and in his hand he held his brazen helmet. He was the impersonation of manly beauty, and her pride now was all for him . She thought that she could gaze forever upon him, but a reiterated farewell recalled her from her sur prise, and with the swiftness of thought she was at his side. By his side! and nearer than she had ever ventured before; it was hard to realize it. He raised his hand and shaded his eyes, afraid to offend her by the light which played therein. But she, seeing this, forgot her maiden shyness, and gently drew it from his face. Bewildered and as tonished, like a child he watched her move ments. At length he encircled her with his arm, drew her nearer to his heart, and press ed her to his mailed and beating breast. A smile, the first he had ever seen upon her face, lighted up her countenance, and her eyes were not withdrawn, but gazed trustful ly into his. He felt that this was love, and that his dream was fulfilled. But in an in stant the shrill blast of the martial trumpet sounded in his ear, and a message from Rom ulus himself was announced, to chide him for his dela) r . To remain was madness, and casting one long and tender look upon his newly-found treasure, he hurried away. The sky was bluer, the air brighter, the earth more beautiful than in a lovely dream. The arm that had encircled her had the pow er of a legion, and her last look of love was like a blessing on his soul. He turned once more to look upon his home. With what dif ferent feelings would he re-enter its portal A kmile would greet his coming, kind words and acts would be a contrast to his contact with the rough world, and he felt that anew and better life was about to commence with him. For days the eventful battle proceeded, and neither party could prevail; fathers fighting lor their children, husbands for their wives, affection and hatred lent their all-conquering aid, and many single instances of valor gain ed afterward the coveted laurel leaf. The combat continued with much loss on both sides. The tender heart of woman could bear the sad sight no longer, and the Sabine daughters, wrought up to agony by the dou ble anguish, with one desperate and united determination rushed between the combatants and implored them to desist. Following th eir impassioned and unanimous appeal, there was an awful hush. Every weapon was lowered, and the eye of every warrior bent upon those weak and defenceless women, who were s* 1 strong in their weakness. It was a scent never before nor since paralleled, and beautiful females, horror-struck and ui anguish, were seen claiming the dead body a father or brother, or encircled in the close embrace of one nearer and dearer.