To lull affection's sigh,
And dry the tear of sensibility;
I'll think of thee, in all my lonely hours,
Though thou, perhaps, may ne'er remember me.
[_NY Weekly_: Stanzas Addressed to a Young Lady, stz. 4.1-4:
To lull the heart-rent pang of Nature's sigh,
And dry the tear of sensibility,
In these lone solitary wilds I'll call on thee,
Whilst thou, perhaps, wilt ne'er remember me.]
The next day Theodore returned to his studies; but different from his
former visits to Alida, instead of exhilarating his spirits, this had
tended to depress them. He doubted whether she was not already engaged
to Bonville. His hopes would persuade him this was not the case; but his
fears declared otherwise.
[_A&M_:
The next day Alonzo returned to his studies; but different from his
former visits to Melissa, instead of exhilarating his spirits, this
had tended to depress them. He doubted whether Melissa was not
already engaged to Beauman. His hopes would persuade him that this
was not the case; but his fears declared otherwise.]
It was some time before he renewed his visits again. In the interim he
received a letter from a friend in the neighbourhood of Alida's father;
an extract from which follows: "We are soon to have a wedding here; you
are acquainted with the parties--Alida M. and Bonville. Such at least is
our opinion from appearances, as this gentleman is now there more than
half his time. You will undoubtedly be invited. We had expected that you
would have put in your claims, from your particular attention to the
lady. She is a fine girl, Theodore." I shall never be a guest at Alida's
wedding, said Theodore, as he hastily paced the room; but I must again
see her before that event takes place, when I shall lose her forever.
[_A&M_:
It was some time before Alonzo renewed his visit. In the interim he
received a letter from a friend in the neighbourhood of Melissa's
father; an extract from which, follows:
"We are soon to have a wedding here; you are acquainted with the
parties--Melissa D.---- and Beauman. Such at least is our opinion
from appearances, as Beauman is now here more than half his time.
You will undoubtedly be a guest. We had expected that you would have
put in your claims, from your particular attention to the lady. She
is a fine girl, Alonzo."
"I shall never be a guest at Melissa's wedding," said Alonzo, as he
hastily paced the room, "but I must once again see her before that
event takes place, when I lose her forever."]
The ensuing day he repaired to her father's. He inquired for Alida; she
was gone with a party to the shores of the sound, attended by Bonville.
At evening they returned. Bonville and Theodore addressed each other
with much seeming cordiality. "You have deserted us, Theodore," said
Alida, "we concluded you had forgotten the road to this place." "Was not
that a hasty conclusion?" said Theodore. "I think not," she answered,
"if your long absence should be construed into neglect. But we will hear
your excuse," said she, smiling, "by and by, and perhaps pardon you."
[_A&M_:
The next day he repaired to her father's. He enquired for Melissa,
she was gone with a party to the shores of the sound, attended by
Beauman. At evening they returned. Beauman and Alonzo addressed each
other with much seeming cordiality. "You have deceived us, Alonzo,
(said Melissa)--We concluded you had forgotten the road to this
place." "Was not that a hasty conclusion?" replied Alonzo. "I think
not, she answered, if your long absence should be construed into
neglect. But we will hear your excuse (said she smiling) by and by,
and perhaps pardon you."]
He thanked her for her condescension.
[_A&M_:
He thanked her for her condescension.]
The next morning Bonville set out to go to New-York. Theodore observed
that he took particular leave of Alida, telling her, in a low voice,
that he should have the happiness of seeing her again, within two or
three weeks certainly.
[_A&M_:
The next morning Beauman set out for New-London; Alonzo observed
that he took a tender leave of Melissa, telling her in a low voice
that he should have the happiness of seeing her again within two or
three weeks.]
After he was gone, as Alida and Theodore were sitting in the room alone,
"Well," said she, "am I to hear your excuses, Theodore?" "For what,
madam?" "For neglecting your friends." "I hope it is not so considered,
madam." "Seriously, then, why have you stayed away so long? Has this
place no charms in the absence of my brother?"
[_A&M_:
After he was gone, as Melissa and Alonzo were sitting in a room
alone, "well, (said she) am I to hear your excuses?"
Alonzo. For what, madam?
Melissa. For neglecting your friends.
Al. I hope it is not so considered, madam.
Mel. Seriously, then, why have you stayed away so long? Has this
place no charms in the absence of my brother?]
"Would my presence have added to your felicity, Alida?" "You never came
an unwelcome visiter here." "Perhaps I might be sometimes intrusive when
Bonville is your guest." "I have supposed you were on friendly terms,"
said she. "We are, but there are seasons when friendship must yield its
pretensions to a superior claim."
[_A&M_:
Al. Would my presence have added to your felicity, Melissa?
Mel. You never came an unwelcome visitor here.
Al. Perhaps I might be sometimes intrusive.
Mel. What times?
Al. When Beauman is your guest.
Mel. I have supposed you were on friendly terms.
Al. We are.
Mel. Why then intrusive?
Al. There are seasons when friendship must yield its pretensions to
a superior claim.
...]
"Will you answer me one question, Alida, are you engaged to Bonville?"
"He has asked me the same question concerning you," replied she,
(blushing.)
[_A&M_:
Al. Will you, Melissa, answer me one question?
...
Al. Are you engaged to Beauman?
Mel. [blushing] He has asked me the same question concerning you.]
"Do you," continued Theodore, "prefer him to any other?" Alida,
(blushing deeply.) "He has made the same inquiries respecting you."
[_A&M_:
Al. Do you prefer him to any other?
Mel. [deeply blushing, her eyes cast upon the floor] He has made
the same enquiry respecting you.]
"I beg, madam, you will deal with me candidly," said Theodore, (taking
her hand with anxiety.) "I am entitled to no claims, but you know what
my heart would ask. I will bow to your decision. Bonville or Theodore
must relinquish their pretensions. We cannot share the blessing."
[_A&M_:
Al. [Taking her hand with anxiety] Melissa, I beg you will deal
candidly. I am entitled to no claims, but you know what my heart
would ask. I will bow to your decision. Beauman or Alonzo must
relinquish their pretensions. We cannot share the blessing.]
The cheeks of Alida were suffused with a varying glow, her lips were
pale, her voice tremulous, and her eyes cast down. "My father has
informed me," she said, "that it is improper to receive the particular
addresses of more than one. I am conscious of my inadvertency, and that
the reproof is just. One, therefore, must be dismissed." But, (she
blushed deeper,) and a considerable pause ensued.
[_A&M_:
Mel. [Her cheeks suffused with a varying glow, her lips pale, her
voice tremulous, her eyes still cast down.] My parents have informed
me that it is improper to receive the particular addresses of more
than one. I am conscious of my inadvertency, and that the reproof is
just. One therefore must be dismissed. But--[she blushed.]
A considerable pause ensued.]
At length Theodore arose. "I will not press you further," said he.
"I know the delicacy of your feelings; I know your sincerity; I will not
therefore insist on your performing the painful task of deciding against
me. Your conduct in every point of view has been discreet. I would have
no just claims, or if I had, your heart must sanction them, or they
would be unhallowed, and unjustifiable. I shall ever pray for your
felicity. Our affections are not under our direction; our happiness
depends on our obedience to their mandates. Whatever, then, may be my
sufferings, you are unblameable, and irreproachable."
[_A&M_:
At length Alonzo arose--"I will not press you farther, [said he] I
know the delicacy of your feeling, I know your sincerity; I will not
therefore insist on your performing the painful task of deciding
against me. Your conduct, in every point of view, has been discreet.
I could have no just claims, or if I had, your heart must sanction
them or they would be unhallowed and unjustifiable.--I shall ever
pray for your felicity. Our affections are not under our direction;
our happiness depends on our obedience to their mandates. Whatever,
then, may be my sufferings, you are unblamable and irreproachable."]
He took his hat in extreme agitation, and prepared himself to take
leave. Alida had recovered in some degree from her embarrassment, and
collected her scattered spirits.
[_A&M_:
He took his hat in extreme agitation, and prepared to take his
leave.
Melissa had recovered in some degree from her embarrassment, and
collected her scattered spirits.]
"Your conduct, Theodore," said she, "is generous and noble. Will you
give yourself the trouble, and do me the honour to see me once more?"
"I will," said he, "at any time you shall appoint."
[_A&M_:
"Your conduct, Alonzo, (said she) is generous and noble. Will you
give yourself the trouble, and do me the honor to see me once more?"
"I will, [said he] at any time you shall appoint."]
"Four weeks, then," said she, "from this day, honour me with a visit,
and you shall have my decision, and receive my final answer." "I will be
punctual to the day," he replied, and bade her adieu.
[_A&M_:
"Four weeks, then, [she said] from this day, honor me with a visit,
and you shall have my decision, and receive my final answer." "I
will be punctual to the day," he replied, and bade her adieu.]
Theodore's hours from this time winged heavily away. His wonted
cheerfulness fled; he wooed the silent and solitary haunts of musing,
moping melancholy. He loved to wander through lonely fields, when dewy
twilight robed the evening mild, or to trace the forest glen, through
which the moon darted her silvery intercepted rays. His agitated
thoughts preyed upon his peace incessantly, and deeply disturbed his
repose.
[_A&M_:
Alonzo's hours now winged heavily away. His wonted cheerfulness
fled; he wooed the silent and solitary haunts of "musing, moping
melancholy." He loved to wander through lonely fields, or along the
verge of some lingering stream, "when dewy twilight rob'd the
evening mild," or "to trace the forest glen, thro' which the moon
darted her silvery intercepted ray."
He was fondly indulging a tender passion, which preyed upon his
peace, and deeply disturbed his repose.]
He looked anxiously to the hour when Alida was to make the decision. He
wished, yet dreaded the event. In that he foresaw, or thought he
foresaw, a withering blight to all his hopes, and a final consummation
to his foreboding fears. He had pressed Alida, perhaps too urgently, to
a declaration. Had her predilection been in his favour, would she have
hesitated to avow it? Her father had advised her to relinquish one, and
to retain the other, nor had he attempted to influence or direct her
choice. Was it not evident, then, from her confused hesitation and
embarrassment, when solicited to discriminate upon the subject, that her
ultimate decision would be in favour of Bonville?
[_A&M_:
He looked anxiously to the hour when Melissa was to make her
decision. He wished, yet dreaded the event. In that he foresaw, or
thought he foresaw, a withering blight to his budding hopes, and a
final consummation to his foreboding fears. He had pressed Melissa,
perhaps too urgently, to a declaration. Had her predilection been in
his favor, would she have hesitated to avow it? Her parents had
advised her to relinquish and had permitted her to retain one
suitor, nor had they attempted to influence or direct her choice.
Was it not evident, then, from her confused hesitation and
embarrassment, when solicited to discriminate upon the subject, that
her ultimate decision would be in favor of Beauman?]
While Theodore's mind was thus in agitation, he received a second letter
from his friend in the neighbourhood of Alida. He read the following
clause therein with emotions more easily to be conceived than expressed:
"Alida's wedding-day is appointed. I need not tell you that Bonville is
to be the happy deity of the hymenial sacrifice. I had it from his own
declaration. He did not name the positive day, but it is certainly to be
soon. You will undoubtedly, however, have timely notice, and receive an
invitation."
[_A&M_:
While Alonzo's mind was thus agitated, he received a second letter
from his friend in the neighborhood of Melissa. He read the
following clause therein with emotion more easily to be conceived
than expressed:--
"Melissa's wedding day is appointed. I need not tell you that
Beauman is to be the happy deity of the Hymeneal sacrifice. I had
this from his own declaration. He did not name the positive day, but
it is certainly to be soon. You will undoubtedly, however, have
timely notice, as a guest."]
"We must pour out a liberal libation upon the mystic altar, Theodore,
and twine the nuptial garland with wreaths of joy. Bonville should
devote a rich offering to so valuable a prize. He has been here for a
week, and departed for New-York yesterday, but is shortly to return."
[_A&M_:
"We must pour a liberal libation upon the mystic altar, Alonzo, and
twine the nuptial garland with wreaths of joy. Beauman ought to
devote a rich offering to so valuable a prize. He has been here for
a week, and departed for New-London yesterday, but is shortly to
return."]
And why have I ever doubted this event? said Theodore. What infatuation
hath then led me on in the pursuit of fantastic and unreal bliss? I have
had, it is true, no positive assurances that Alida would be disposed to
favour my addresses. But why did she ever receive them? Why did she
enchantingly smile upon me? Why fascinate the soft powers of my heart by
that winning mildness, and the favourable display of those complicated
and superior attractions which she must have known were irresistible?
And now she would have me dance attendance to her decision in favour of
another--insulting; let Bonville and herself make it, as they have
formed this farcical decision. I absolutely will never attend it. Why
did she not spurn me from her confidence, and plainly tell me that my
attentions were untimely and improper?
[_A&M_:
"And why have I ever doubted this event? [said Alonzo.] What
infatuation hath thus led me on the pursuit of fantastic and unreal
bliss? I have had, it is true, no positive assurance that Melissa
would favor my addresses. But why did she ever receive them? Why did
she enchantingly smile upon me? Why fascinate the tender powers of
my soul by that winning mildness, and the favorable display of those
complicated and superior attractions which she must have known were
irresistible? Why did she not spurn me from her confidence, and
plainly tell me that my attentions were untimely and improper?--And
now she would have me dance attendance to her decision, in favor of
Beauman--Insulting! Let Beauman and she make, as they have formed,
this farcical decision; I absolutely will never attend it.]
But, I have engaged to see her at an appointed time; my honour is
therefore pledged for an interview; it must take place. I shall
endeavour to support it with becoming dignity, and I will convince Alida
and Bonville, that I am not the dupe of their caprices. But, let me
consider--What has Alida done to deserve censure or reproach? Her
brother was my early friend; she has treated me as a friend to that
brother. She was unconscious of the affection which her charms and
mental graces had kindled in my bosom. Her evident embarrassment, on
receiving my declaration, witnessed her surprise and prior attachment.
What could she do to save herself the pain of a direct denial? She has
appointed a day when her refusal may come in a more delicate and formal
manner--and I must therefore meet it.
[_A&M_:
--But stop:--I have engaged to see her at an appointed time; my
honor is therefore pledged for an interview; it must take place. I
shall support it with becoming dignity, and I will convince Melissa
and Beauman that I am not the dupe of their caprices. But let me
consider--What has Melissa done to deserve censure or reproach? Her
brother was my early friend--she has treated me as a friend to her
brother. She was unconscious of the flame which her charms had
kindled in my bosom. Her evident embarrassment and confusion on
receiving my declaration, witnessed her surprise and prior
attachment. What could she do? To save herself the pain of a direct
denial she has appointed a day when her refusal may come in a more
delicate and formal manner--and I must meet it."]