the fearful" Ten" were in their midst on the bent lower over his oars. gilded decks of the Bucentaur.

They were in the open sea, all was still, the gondolas and boats formed a line around, a short distance from the state galley. The rich Ducal bonnet was laid aside, and Augustino stood uncovered. The archbishop blessed the ring, and presenting it to him, bade him "remember a ship was his best palace, and charge Venice to respect it, and preserve her title of Queen of the sea!" The princely bridegroom received the ring, and gracefully leaning over the side of the vessel, dropped it into the sea, saying:

The boat following so

rapidly and eagerly was black, the usual color of the gondolas of the city, but longer and narrower and smooth and polished as the finest ebony. The hangings and cushions were velvet of the deepest crimson. Within the pavilion sat a cavalier whose features were strikingly handsome, but of dark complexion and sinister countenance. His hair and eyes were very black, and the latter fierce in expression; his finely chiselled lips were now firmly compressed and his high brow contracted. A deep flush burned on his cheek, as he said:

"Wilt thou not pass, Franco? By St. Mark, I'll

"We wed thee with this ring in token of our true hurl thee into the sea and take the oars myself, if and perpetual sovereignty." yon gondolier reaches the pass before you." The boatman answered not, but his brow grew

arm stood out. But a few rods lay between the foremost boats and the channel, and Eccelino starting up, seemed about to put his threat into execa,

The gondola quivered and slackened speed on the instant, and with a triumphant cry Franco shot forward, whilst a curse burst from Baptista's lips. A shade of chagrin passed over Stephano's face at

As the glittering bauble sunk into the blue and dancing waters, a triumphant shout broke darker than his master's at this threat, and he the silence. The hitherto immoveable line of strained to his oars, till every muscle in his brawny boats wavered, and separating darted hither and thither in auxious preparation for the coming sports. There, tv o gondolas shot off in a race, and others followed in their wake; the quays, too, became tion, when one of Baptista's oars snapt in twain. scenes of uproarious mirth, whilst the Bucentaur and gondolas of the nobility swept slowly back to the city. On their return, the gondola of Colonna still rode next that of Ferrara. The place was first assigned him according to his rank, but he Eccelino's smile of triumph as the gondola flow now preserved it through preference. Nor was its gondolier's power and skill untaxed to keep this position. Many young cavaliers looked with worshipping eyes on the youthful Princess Leonore, the praises of whose beauty filled every court in Italy, and were struggling to gain the side of her gondola that they might enjoy the sight of her beauty. Colonna had heard full many a time of the loveliness of this daughter of D'Este, the enemy of his house, and listened to her praises with that bitterness of soul which hereditary feuds always engender. He saw her to-day for the first time, and with every glimpse of that radiant and innocent face and every glance of those bright speaking eyes, some evil feeling, some harsh thought fled, till not one remained to guard him from the fatal power of her charms, and he felt his proud heart yielding to passionate love for one he had been taught to hate.

by. But before Franco reached the channel which Prince Azzo's boat had already entered, Baptista recovered from the shock, and seizing another ear darted by, jostling Eccelino's gondola and almost throwing Franco into the foaming waters he left in his wake. Franco threw down his oars with a cry of despair. "Wilt thou let the others pass, miscreant? bend to thy oars!" and with an angry countenance Eccelino sank back on the cushions.

Leonore and the prince had been no inattentive spectators of this scene, and whilst it gratified the pride of both, a different feeling was mingled with it in the breast of each. The calm dignity which blended with the noble and manly beauty of Stephano's face, and the passionate glances he cast on her stirred gentler emotions in the maiden's heart. But though Prince Azzo exulted in this tribute to the charms of his only and idolized child, he seemed They were still in the sea, and the superiority of angry at the proximity, which to him bore the ap Colonna's boat and gondolier enabled him to keep pearance of presumption, of one he so much hated, precedence of the others. Before they could reach for he had recognized the armonial bearings of the the city, there was a narrow channel between two house of Colonna, embroidered on the curtains of the islands of the lagune, which could be entered but pavilion in which Stephano sat. With the Count by two gondolas at a time, and the contest was Eccelino neither sympathized. His atrocious chanow which should enter with Prince Azzo's. Co- racter made him an object of dislike which has lonna's was still some feet ahead of the others. being a Ghibeline did not tend to lesson. In this Looking back he saw a dark gondola, whose prow order the gondolas reached the city, for 'twas van almost touched the stern of his own. for the others to attempt to pass Stephane's; "Slacken not thy speed, Baptista, or that swarthy they were slowly sailing through the channel whilst boatman behind us will pass." Azzo's and Colonna's boats rapidly entered the A disdainful glance at the boat pointed out was Rio Palazzo on which were the palaces where the gondolier's only notice of this caution, as he they dwelt whilst in Venice. D'Este was a guest

of the Doge, and Colonna of the illustrious and more distant. For their bickerings they cared ancient house of Contarini.

CHAPTER II.

not, so their own ends of aggrandizement and avarice were served.

In these days, literature, the arts and sciences were awaking from their long slumber during the darkness of the middle ages, and this their dawn was like that of Italia's morning, beautiful and glorious with renovated life.

The family of D'Este was one of the noblest in all Italy; the head of the Guelf or church party for centuries, and the protectors, and patrons of literature and science from their earliest rise. It was In Florence, the Medici had nourished the realso the founder of a regal race. The heiress of vival and awakening of those beautiful dreams of the last of the Dukes of Bavaria married a younger the soul, Sculpture, Painting and Poetry. Ferrara son of the house of D'Este. The family name of had Ariosto and many gifted ones among the stars these dukes was Guelf, and their descendants were of her court, and throughout Italy men of Letters the founders of the second line of Guelfs, the ances-and Artists were patronised by the nobles. tors of the house of Brunswick, the sovereigns of England.

In Rome, they were not so often found, as the church was ever jealous of their influence in the Colonna was also of an illustrious house, and enlightening of men's minds, till Pope Leo X. though Guelfs, there was not that intimacy between made it a part of his policy to collect the wisdom these two great families, which might be supposed and genius of the age at his court, and thus render to exist; for Italy was at that time torn by a my-them subservient to the power of the church. rad of petty feuds, intrigues and jealousies; and On account of this peculiar state of things, the the names Guelf and Ghibeline were applied indis- Roman nobles were less the patrons of learning eriminately to the opposing factions of every con- than those of any other city. The D'Estes, test, though these seldom related to the struggle of having always been the patrons of such, looked the church or papal party and the German Em- with contempt on these nobles, which they took peror, for sovereignty in the States. These names were once the distinction of these two parties, so ong and violently opposed to each other; but, at length, they became arbitrary and Guelfs were Ghibelines, and Ghibelines Guelfs, as inclination or policy dictated.

The D'Estes were of the rural nobility of the Lombard, and were one of the few houses that never submitted to any of the numerous cities which held control over the Italian nobility during the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. But during the latter part of the 15th century, the time of this story, Venice had obtained jurisdiction over their possessions, though they were still rich and powerful, masters of large estates on the south of the Po and lords of the cities of Padua and Ferrara, and honered by that city which made all her slaves.

The Colonnas were of the nobility of the Imperial City, and a petty jealousy had arisen between them and the house of D'Este, which time had served to strengthen.

Several of the Colonna family had been Cardirals, and one Pope, under the name of Martin V., a bold and wicked man.

greater pleasure in evincing, as their rivals, the Colonnas, were among them. But the young Stephano had long been the friend and seeker of learning, and through his influence his father's palace was the resort of all the men of science who visited Rome, and they were many; for the associations which hallowed her crumbling walls were powerful in their attraction to those who communed with the spirits of departed greatness, and many were the high dreams and aspirations that were afterwards triumphantly realized, which the contemplation and recollections of Rome's monuments of the past, and of her master spirits, called forth.

Stephano had come with other nobles from all parts of Italy to partake of the festivities and rejoicings of the Venetians on this anniversary of their proudest day. A week passed, and many had gone, but Stephano still lingered: the festivities continued, and Leonore D' Este was still within Venice. This young princess inherited the love of her house for literature, and had devoted her short life to the pursuit of knowledge. Nor was she content with things revealed. All the wild dreams and magic powers to which so many in that age The house of D' Este had ever befriended and gave credence were invested with something of assisted the Popes in many difficulties, but being interest to her. She was but on the verge of farther from the seat of power than the Colonnas, womanhood-that sweet time when the golden viemoluments did not reward them so frequently as sions of youth still remain in the heart, fresh and they thought merited, and it was galling to see beautiful, but deepened in their vivid colorings by their enemies so often preferred. The policy of their blending with the stronger tints, which, in the Roman Bishops was often much perplexed to after years, envelope the first in shadow. Her reconcile its preferments between these families. exceeding loveliness was heightened by the thoughtThey could not pass over the Colonnas at their fulness which her communings with higher natures very door, and it was easier to pacify and lull to had imparted to the freshness of her youthful and sleep the suspicions of the D' Estes, who were radiant face: her large bright eyes seemed to be

gazing with earnest scrutiny into the unknown | among these is Eccelino Di Romagno, Lord of realms of thought and fancy; and her musings Verona and many cities north of Venice. We were of a nobler and purer life. Her heart trem- have seen him before, on the bridal day, contending bled with all generous and deep emotions, and the with Stephano for the station by Prince Azzo's beautiful language of kindness dwelt ever on her gondola. tongue. The beautiful in nature and art thrilled her spirit with ecstasy. Stephano saw his own heart mirrored on her lovely countenance, whilst she looked into his ardent eyes and met the reflection of her soul. "What recked their souls of strife between their fathers?"

Night had spread her mantle over Venice, but she reigned here a goddess, and with her robe glittering with stars, looked down from her high throne on the sons and daughters of pleasure, that made her solemn hours but chroniclers of revelry and crime.

But it is with Eccelino and Fabricio we have now to deal. They stood together at the end of the hall by a door which lead to a balcony beyond. A youth and maiden, separating from the crowd, passed them and entered the balcony.

"It is she again!" said Eccelino. "Ha! dost thou know her, Fabricio? she smiled on you with¦ an air of recognition as they passed."

"It is Leonore D' Este, the daughter of Prince Azzo of Ferrara."

Yes, yes; though I knew not, till within this week, that the cursed Guelf had so rare a jewel in! his casket, but where and how didst thou know". her, Fabricio?"

"I have seen her at many courts, Count, which ring with her praise."

Why beamed the silver crescent on her brow brightest here, where grief and guilt were deepest, darkest ?--To lure by the glory that encompassed her some spirit not yet dead to holier influences "Aye, well they may; such a gem would be from its path of vice; to cheer some child of sor-brighter far with the setting Eccelino Di Romagno. row with the brightness that a cruel world denied; could bestow than hiding in the gloomy palace of to wake a thrilling dream, which should find voice the old Prince; thinkest thou not so, Fabricio?" in magic words, within the passionate heart of some child of song; to send her starry beams of light as messengers of mercy within the prisons' iron bars, where darkness had her home, and bid the life-weary one look up to heaven.

All these breathed beneath her, but few, few, heeded her silent warnings and appeals. St. Mark's place echoed with the tread of thousands here, the juggler played his tricks-there, the wily Jew was busy over some cunning trade; masquers glided by, and men of every nation here met face to face. But see yon gorgeous crowd,—they throng up the "giant stairs" which lead into the Ducal palace; it blazes with light, and music breathes around. Enter-within those ancient halls the wealth, rank, beauty and talent of Italy are congregated. Pause within this hall, where portraits of this proud city's doges line the walls. Many of these have passed with aching hearts beneath this fretted ceiling rich with gold. See here Foscari; ah! his is a tale to curdle the warm blood; and there Dandolo; and this vacant frame,-where hangs the sable veil with the short but fearful sentence !* Pass on to scenes of life and mirth. Here in this princely hall, take thy stand. Here are Ariosto, Dante, Lorenzo Di Medici and Fabricio, not less famed for his magic and the influence he exerted by its means, than were the others for genius and learning. Here also are the rich and powerful stained with the deepest dyes of vice. Chief

This was the place which should have been occupied by the portrait of Marino Faliero, who was beheaded for engaging in a conspiracy against the state. On a black veil, in the frame, was inscribed the sentence, "Hic est locus Marini Feletro decapitati pro criminibus."

"There is nought of gloom in Prince Azzo palace, and the Princess would make darkness light."

66

True, most true; therefore, would I have her in my own home, for gloomy enough am I there at times, and then to win her from Prince Azzo,— she is an only daughter I think?”

of

"Yes, an only child."

"And the cavalier with her?"
"Stephano Colonna of Rome."

"Ah! a Guelf; but, if I mistake not, an enemy
the Prince ?"

46

Yes, the families have been enemies for ages." "Tell me, Fabricio, more of this maid." "Well, she is most beautiful”"That I can see." "And proud"

"That also."

'By St. Mark, my information is needless." "Nay, what's her disposition, what her weak ness, the point, good Fabricio, by which she is most assailable ?"

"Ah! softly, my good Count, thou art for intrigue; how knowest thou I will tell thee all the wishest ?"

"This bag may contain a golden key wherewith to open thy mouth, do what I wish and it shall weigh more."

"Tis well, she is a dreamer, a believer in my arts,--a worshipper of magic, alchemy and astrology."

64

'Ah!—then, Fabricio, I shall have more nee! of thee; she must be mine."

"The council of Ten would speak with the Count Eccelino," said a low deep-toned voice at his el

bow. Eccelino started, but quickly recovering | himself followed his summoner. The council sat on an elevated seat prepared for them around the Doge-occasionally, one by one, they mingled with the crowd. Those men of iron hearts and dark deeds, reposing on cushions of velvet amidst light and mirth and music, presented a curious spectacle. Their keen eyes singling out future victims for death, or to satisfy their avarice, they seemed like a crowd of harpies on the top of a sunlighted mountain, glaring down on the unsuspecting flocks beneath them. Eccelino stood before them.

"The State has need of your assistance, most roble Count Eccelino," said Count Gian, the chief of the Ten.

"Have Colonna and the Princess returned ?" "No, they stand alone on the balcony !” Yes, they stood alone on the balcony, happy in innocence and the consciousness of being loved. The hall and balcony were in the second story of the palace, and thence could be seen the blue lagune dotted with white sails, or dark gondolas flitting like swift arrows across the flood of light the full moon cast on the waters, and then suddenly lost to view behind some island, or by darting into one of the thousand canals of Venice. A few bright stars held their course through the heavens, scorning to veil their radiance even beside Italia's queen of the night.

"I would we were in Rome to night, sweet Leonore, that I might guide thy steps 'mid the ruins of

"I shall be most happy to render it, most worthy our coliseum, or the silent aisles of our time-halCount Gian; how may it be done?"

"The State would borrow from thy overflowing reffers, generous Eccelino, the means to assist in paying her annual tribute of ten thousand ducats to the Turks."

"My coffers are at the service of the State, and I render them the more willingly, as I now stand in need of her aid. I lend my gold for her inflaence in my favor," was the courteous and wily reply.

The conncil of Ten glanced hastily with looks. of surprise at each other, after a moment Gian said:

"We would know how the State can assist the most noble Count Eccelino, in return for his generosity."

"The Prince Azzo D' Este has a daughter, 1 would make her my wife," was the bold answer. And why seeks not Count Eccelino the maiden's hand of her father?"

lowed temples. What spirits of the past would rise up before us in that still and lonely amphitheatre, once echoing with the cry of despair and the shout of victory! what fervent prayers fill our hearts before those altars where thousands have worshipped! I have seen yon moon look down from the "ruins of her palace in the clouds" on those of earth with something like sorrow in her subdued light. Oh! that we were there, free to commune with such influences and our own hearts!"

"Nay, Stephano, I should love thee less. Knowest thou not that the mighty spells of the past, and the high dreams a night and heaven like this awaken woo and win me from earth? I would give even thy love to comprehend and commune with all for which my spirit yearns, and which is partially revealed to me, but alas! just enough to fill the heart with restless longings. There are spirit voices which whisper often to me of a higher destiny. Oh! to know and feel all of which I have

Count Gian forgets that a Ghibeline may not but vague dreams, I would bind myself to dwell sue for favors from a Guelf."

"True, most true, thou hast spoken well; but how shall the State serve thee in this, Eccelino. We have no right to bestow the hand of the Princess in marriage."

ever alone, and leave love to those who cannot
partake of a more exalted happiness."
"Leonore-Leonore."

"Nay, Stephano, reproach me not; I can never find that for which I seek; your spirit is nearest

"I can place facts in your hands that will give the mine own, and I yield my heart to thee, to love

Princess

up to your power."

"Do this, and the maid is thine; but remember, D'Este is powerful and in high favor with our Doge."

"Who is himself subject to the council of Ten," aid the Count with a smile. "The Doge is a friend to Prince Azzo--if I make it his interest to assist me, can he not exert his influence over the Priace?"

thee utterly, fervently, with all the worship I have bestowed on my dreams,-but you, Stephano, you have felt these yearnings, and know how hard they are to repress."

"Yes, Leonore, and we may one day find what we seek, but now let us love, this is our happiness, and is it not full and complete as aught of which you have dreamed, mine own?"

"Too much there is of happiness in it, Stephano, for long continuance,-you forget the old and settled hostility of our fathers."

The council assented and renewed their promise, and Eccelino bowed and left them, whilst a sardonic smile curled his lip as he rejoined Fabricio, A dark shade passed over Stephano's brow, but who had kept his station by the door with folded after a few moments he said-" At least, we will arins and in silence. An evil light burned in the hope; your father is just and generous"Count's eye; he was at his fitting work, intrigue

and vice.

"But implacable to foes; beside, could I go an unwelcome bride to a Colonna's home?"

VOL. X-36

"My father will not thwart my wishes, my own love; and when all means have been tried and fail with the Prince, then, Leonore, I can but trust to the strength of your love, and may I not safely?"

"Forever. I am thine ever and only, Stepha

no."

BURIAL AT SEA.

BY DR. JNO. C. MCCABE.

A sound is on the billow-a sad, low, thrilling wail,
And wheels the sea-bird slowly o'er yon trembling, drooping
sail;

There are manly tears in sorrow, as bursts the pent up
prayer:

As the youth pressed her to his breast, a voice A comrade's shrouded form lies cold, which moved so lately deep, but full of low-toned music, said:

"Fate rules the hearts of mortals, how dare you thus mock its power ?" They started and gazed earnestly around, but no one was near. The voice seemed to come from the clouds.

"Oh! Stephano," said the trembling maiden, "said I not we were too happy. You hear a voice threatens and warns, and see that cloud flying across my star in the heavens." As she spoke a light cloud threw its shadow on the marble floor. "What do these mean, Stephano? I fear," and she drew more closely to his side.

"Be obedient to thy fate. Soon the choice of thy destiny will be proffered thee, yield to the boon asked, and all will be well. Remember to be obedient!" was again heard in solemn tones that seemed afar off.

there!

The sweet cool winds are playing round his marble-palid

brow,

And see, they lift his long bright locks, then drop them sadly now;

They kiss his cold and rigid lips-winds from the gentle south,

But wake no song of gladness from his sternly death-closed

mouth.

The ritual now is over, low falls the sad "amen!"
And manly cheeks are wet with tears--tears eloquent seem

then!

And through the slowly parting wave the body now hath sped,
To sleep, till ocean hears the call, to render up its dead.
Now the blue halcyon dips her wing down in that sunny

wave,

'Neath which hath gone that gallant one-the noble and the brave;

Leonore could scarce suppress a shriek, but though Stephano's cheek paled a moment, he look-Comrades, be silent now! Let each his own heart's record ed sternly and fiercely around and laid his hand on For God hath smitten him, who was-aye, "every inch," a his sword.

"Wouldst thou smite the invisible who ruleth

thy destiny? Thou wilt need thy sword for revealed foes ere long," was whispered in a low mocking tone in his ear. He turned, but naught was there. The balcony lay in a flood of moonlight and offered no hiding place, being open on all sides but that next the hall which blazed with light. After narrowly scanning this side, Stephano turned away perplexed. His scrutinizing eye had failed to detect the narrow niche high over the entrance to the hall.

"Let us go in," faltered Leonore, whose cheek

was white with terror.

"One moment more, Leonore; to-morrow you leave Venice; I dare not present myself openly at your father's palace, but in a short time I will follow you to Ferrara; will you meet me in some secret place?-think, my Leonore, how many hours of agony must pass ere I again see you, and do not refuse my prayer"—

"I will meet you, Stephano,-there is a——” and she looked eagerly around and then leaning towards him whispered in his ear, as though she feared a listener.

"Thanks, Leonore," said her lover, and they entered the hall.

[To be continued.]

scan,