249 

 A LOVERS' LEAP. 



" It is now three and twenty years/' and she looked upon some 

 characters cut on the planks of the cottage, " since I was sitting 

 by moonlight, under that clifF you view to the right, my eyes 

 fixed on the ocean, my mind lost in the memory of my misfortunes, 

 when I heard a step, and starting up, a figure stood before me. 

 It was a young man, in a rich habit, with streaming hair, and 

 looks that bespoke the utmost terror. I knew not what to think 

 of this sudden apparition . ^ Mother,' said he with faltering accents, 

 * let me rest under your roof; and deliver me not up to those who 

 thirst after my blood. Take this gold; take all, all ! ' 



" Surprise held me speechless; the purse fell to the ground; 

 the youth stared wildly on every side : I heard many voices be- 

 yond the rocks ; the wind bore them distinctly, but presently they 

 died away. I took courage and assured the youth my cot should 

 shelter him. ' Oh ! thank you, thank you !' answered he, and 

 pressed my hand. He shared my scanty provision. 



" Overcome with toil (for I had worked hard in the day) sleep 

 closed my eyes for a short interval. When I awoke the moon 

 was set, but I heard my unhappy guest sobbing in darkness. 

 I disturbed him not. Morning dawned, and he was fallen into 

 a slumber. The tears bubbled out of his closed eyelids, and 

 coursed one another down his wan cheeks. I had been too 

 wretched myself not to respect the sorrows of another : neglecting 

 therefore my accustomed occupations, I drove away the flies that 

 buzzed around his temples. His breast heaved high with sighs, 

 and he cried loudly in his sleep for mercy. 



" The beams of the sun dispelling his dream, he started up 

 like one that had heard the voice of an avenging angel, and hid 

 his face with his hands. I poured some milk down his parched 

 throat. * Oh, mother ! ' he exclaimed, 'I am a wretch unworthy 

 of compassion ; the cause of innumerable sufferings ; a murderer ! 

 a parricide ! ' My blood curdled to hear a stripling utter such 

 dreadful words, and behold such agonising sighs swell in so young 

 a bosom ; for I marked the sting of conscience urging him to 

 disclose what I am going to relate. 



" It seems he was of high extraction, nursed in the pomps and 

 luxuries of Naples, the pride and darling of his parents, adorned 

 with a thousand lively talents, which the keenest sensibility con- 

 spired to improve. Unable to fix any bounds to whatever be- 

 came the object of his desires, he passed his first years in roving 

 VOL. IV. — 1834. iiH 



