The following poem is grounded on a circumstance mentioned in Gibbon's "Antiquities of the House of Brunswick.”—I am aware, that in modern times the delicacy or fastidiousness of the reader may deem such subjects unfit for the purposes of poetry. The Greek dramatists, and some of the best of our old English writers, were of a different opinion: as Alfieri and Schiller have also been, more recently, upon the continent. The following extract will explain the facts on which the story is founded. The name of Azo is substituted for Nicholas, as more metrical. "Under the reign of Nicholas III. Ferrara was polluted "with a domestic tragedy. By the testimony of an "attendant, and his own observation, the Marquis of "Este discovered the incestuous loves of his wife Pa 66 risina, and Hugo his bastard son, a beautiful and "valiant youth. They were beheaded in the castle by "the sentence of a father and husband, who published ❝his shame, and survived their execution. He was unfortunate, if they were guilty; if they were inno"6 cent, he was still more unfortunate: nor is there any "possible situation in which I can sincerely approve the "last act of the justice of a parent.”—Gibbon's Miscellaneous Works, vol. 3d. p. 470, new edition. PARISINA. I. IT is the hour when from the boughs Seem sweet in every whisper'd word; Which follows the decline of day, As twilight melts beneath the moon away.' [I. But it is not to list to the waterfall That Parisina leaves her hall, And it is not to gaze on the heavenly light 15 That the lady walks in the shadow of night; And if she sits in Este's bower, "Tis not for the sake of its full-blown flower 20 She listens but not for the nightingale Though her ear expects as soft a tale. There glides a step through the foliage thick, And her cheek grows pale-and her heart beats quick. There whispers a voice through the rustling leaves, And her blush returns, and her bosom heaves: A moment more--and they shall meet— 'Tis past her lover's at her feet. 26 III. And what unto them is the world beside 30 With all its change of time and tide? As if all else had passed away, They only for each other breathe; Their very sighs are full of joy So deep, that did it not decay, Of guilt, of peril, do they deem In that tumultuous tender dream? Who that have felt that passion's power, 35 40 Or paused, or feared in such an hour? And though they hope, and vow, they grieve, As if each calmly conscious star With all the deep and shuddering chill V. And Hugo is gone to his lonely bed, But she must lay her conscious head A husband's trusting heart beside. 60 65 |