fame to the minds of that region, which is far more
preferable than this lonely cell. My heart shall
speak for thee till the latest hour; I know faint
and broken are the sounds of sorrow, yet our souls,
Elfonzo, shall hear the peaceful songs together.
One bright name shall be ours on high, if we are not
permitted to be united here; bear in mind that I still
cherish my old sentiments, and the poet will mingle
the names of Elfonzo and Ambulinia in the tide of
other days.” “Fly, Elfonzo,”
said the voices of his united band, “to the
wounded heart of your beloved. All enemies shall
fall beneath thy sword. Fly through the clefts,
and the dim spark shall sleep in death.”
Elfonzo rushes forward and strikes his shield against
the door, which was barricaded, to prevent any intercourse.
His brave sons throng around him. The people
pour along the streets, both male and female, to prevent
or witness the melancholy scene.
“To arms, to arms!” cried Elfonzo; “here
is a victory to be won, a prize to be gained that
is more to me that the whole world beside.”
“It cannot be done tonight,” said Mr. Valeer.
“I bear the clang of death; my strength and
armor shall prevail. My Ambulinia shall rest
in this hall until the break of another day, and if
we fall, we fall together. If we die, we die
clinging to our tattered rights, and our blood alone
shall tell the mournful tale of a murdered daughter
and a ruined father.” Sure enough, he kept
watch all night, and was successful in defending his
house and family. The bright morning gleamed
upon the hills, night vanished away, the Major and
his associates felt somewhat ashamed that they had
not been as fortunate as they expected to have been;
however, they still leaned upon their arms in dispersed
groups; some were walking the streets, others were
talking in the Major’s behalf. Many of
the citizen suspended business, as the town presented
nothing but consternation. A novelty that might
end in the destruction of some worthy and respectable
citizens. Mr. Valeer ventured in the streets,
though not without being well armed. Some of
his friends congratulated him on the decided stand
he had taken, and hoped he would settle the matter
amicably with Elfonzo, without any serious injury.
“Me,” he replied, “what, me, condescend
to fellowship with a coward, and a low-lived, lazy,
undermining villain? no, gentlemen, this cannot be;
I had rather be borne off, like the bubble upon the
dark blue ocean, with Ambulinia by my side, than to
have him in the ascending or descending line of relationship.
Gentlemen,” continued he, “if Elfonzo
is so much of a distinguished character, and is so
learned in the fine arts, why do you not patronize
such men? why not introduce him into your families,
as a gentleman of taste and of unequaled magnanimity?
why are you so very anxious that he should become
a relative of mine? Oh, gentlemen, I fear you
yet are tainted with the curiosity of our first parents,
who were beguiled by the poisonous kiss of an old
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