you! I thought that, before you went to the altar, she was to have known all? Pauline. All! what? My blood freezes in my veins! Widow. Poor lady!-dare I tell her, Claude? [MELNOTTE makes a sign of assent.] Know you not then, Madame, that this young man is of poor though honèst parents? Know you not that you are wedded to my son, Claude Melnotte ? Pauline. Your son! hold! hold! do not speak to me-[approaches MELNOTTE and lays her hand on his arm.] Is this a jest? Is it? I know it is. only speak-one word—one look—one smile. I can not believe-I, who loved thee so- -I can not believe that thou art such a—No, I will not wrong thee by a harsh word.-Speak! Melnotte. Leave us—have pity on her, on me : leave us. Widow. O Claude! that I should live to see thee bowed by shame! thee, of whom I was so proud! [Exit WIDOW. Pauline. Her son! her son! Melnotte. Pauline. Now, lady, hear me. Hear thee Ay, speak. Her son! have fiends a parent? Speak, Melnotte. No, curse me : Thy curse would blast me less than thy forgiveness. Pauline. [laughing wildly.] "This is thy palace, where the perfumed light Steals through the mist of alabaster lămps, Of orange-groves, and music from the sweet lutes, It can not be! this is some horrid dream : I shall wake soon. [Touching him.] Art flesh? art man? or but The shadows seen in sleep?—It is too reäl. What have I done to thee-how sinned against thee, That thou shouldst crush me thus? Melnotte. Pauline! by pride The evil spirit of a bitter love, And a revengeful heart, had power upon thee. I thought of tales that by the winter hearth Old gossips tell-how maidens, sprung from kings, Have stooped from their high sphere; how Love, like Death, Beside the scepter. Thus I made my home My father died; and I, the peasant-born, And, with such jewels as the exploring Mind Of the dear star-light of thy haunting eyes! Pauline. Has he a magic to exorcise hate? For their revenge! Thou hadst trampled on the worm- Pauline. Melnotte. Hold, lady!—No, not slave! Despair is free. Pauline. [Approaching her with great 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-unfulfilled A bond of fraud-is, by the laws of France, I bōre thee, bathed in blushes, from the altar, Conduct this lady (she is not my wife— She is our guest, our honored guest, my mother!) E'en villains dared to mar! Now, lady, now, Melnotte. Speak not, but go. Hush! hush! for mercy sake: [WIDOW ascends the stairs; PAULINE follows weeping-turns to look back. Melnotte [sinking down.] 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 proofs 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 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 early novels, perhaps, "Rienzi" is the most complete, high-toned, and energetic: of his more recent ones his "Caxtons," and "My Novel, or Varieties in English Life," are regarded as the best. 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. 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. T SECTION XIX. I. 106. A GREAT MAN DEPARTED. HERE was a festive hall with mirth resounding ; The sparkling glass!-till slow the hand descended- Without a previous cloud, and with no rolling thunder. We build our ship in strong security A Finger, from the dark, points to the trembling sea. 6. Man, like his knowledge, and his soul's endeavor, Is framed for no fixed altitude; but ever Moves onward; the first pause, returns all to the Giver. 7. Riches and health, fine taste, all means of pleasure ; Success in highest efforts-fame's best treasure— All these were thine-o'ertopped and overweighed the measure, 8. But in recording thus life's night-shade warning, We hold the memory of thy kind heart's morning :Man's intellect is not man's sole nor best adorning. |