322 A MADRIGAL. 



experienced anew, without taking a single step, the fatigue of tra- 

 versing the ocean which separated him from paradise, — from para- 

 dise into which his eye sought to dive without ever relaxing its effort, 

 and where he sought to catch a glimpse of a cherished image. 

 Upon the last gates of hell, as upon the first, I read an expression 

 of despair in the hope. The unfortunate wretch was so horribly 

 crushed, by I know not what force, that his dolour passed into my 

 bones and congealed the marrow within them. I took refuge by my 

 guide, whose protection restored me to peace and silence. Like to 

 the mother-bird, whose piercing eye sees the kite in the air, or feels 

 a presentiment that he is there, the shade gave a joyful cry. We 

 looktid where he looked. We saw a bright speck, like a sapphire, 

 detach itself from the little blue circle which floated above our 

 heads in the abysses of light. This glittering star descended with 

 the rapidity of a ray of the sun when he appears in the morning 

 upon the horizon, and that his first beams dart furtively upon our 

 earth. 



{To be continued.) 



A MADRIGAL 



BY MRS. G. G. RICHARDSON. 



She was bright, like an apple blossom. 



She was like the wild rose flower. 

 She was like the young Aurora 



Of May morning's dewy hour. 

 The sweet-briar round her dwelling. 



And the jasmines on the wall. 

 They were whispering still, and telling 



She was sweeter than they all. 



She was nurtur'd in a valley, 



And a river wander'd through. 

 Where you saw each shining pebble 



Smile unhidden, fair of hue. 

 That river in its welling, 



With its waters pure and clear, 

 It was whispering still, and telling, 



" See sweet Anna's emblem here ! '' 



