tribute of admiration! What then could depress his thoughts? he strove to arouse his wonted strength of mind, but still the gloom remained !—cold shivering seized his limbs, the sweat of death stood on his brow, his blood seemed congealed, and his feet transfixed to the spot on which he stood, while musing in astonishment at his own strange emotions, the figure of his father appeared before him; armed, as when in early youth. He girt the sword upon his thigh, and bade him not disgrace the paternal gift,-he wore a countenance of sorrow; yet he smiled upon his son, it was a transient smile of approbation; and quickly followed by a sigh profoundly deep, and a sound like a groan fell upon the ear of Ribemont: he addressed the awful vision; it spoke not, but with piteous action, raised its hands, and mournfully shaking the head, vanished from his sight ! !— gen Ribemont was little tainted by superstition, yet this strange visit of his father's spirit pressed upon his mind; something it must portend, and as he doubted not the victory of the ensuing battle, he considered it the herald of his own death; still though he could have wished to share in the glories of his country, yet he was content to die a warrior's death. On the following morning he appeared as usual, terrible in arms! and unhurt he passed through the eral carnage of the battle. The visit of his father became fully explained; the sad vision too surely foretold not his own death, but the ruin of his country. Life was now hateful to Ribemont, since that country was lost, and he longed to meet some brave and noble spirit by whom he might fall without disgrace; and while wandering thus, he encountered Audley, whose arm of power had levelled numbers on this eventful day; fortune in her wreck could not have offered a greater blessing on Ribemont, than to fall by the sword of a foe so noble. These glorious heroes (alike in every lofty virtue) met even on the bloody field without one hostile feeling.--Audley besought Ribemont to yield his sword, and preserve a valuable life, that in some future time he might stand forth again, the champion of his country; assuring him of every delicate attention; and that in his captor he should find a firm, and faithful friend! But Ribemont would not listen to persuasion; be could not outlive his country's loss; and it would be more honourable to perish on that fatal field, where the glory of the French name was buried, than linger out a few weeks or months of sorrow, and tamely die the victim of consuming grief! They engaged, and fought with their accustomed skill ; and long was the contest doubtful, till Ribemont, weary of defence, left himself more open to attack, when the sword of Audley reached the heart of his foe, while he only received a slight wound. Ribemont rejoiced in the blow which had deprived him of a life now valueless-he pressed Audley's hand in token of amity, and laying his head upon his breast, there breathed his last, last sigh! So fell the noble, valiant Ribemont, the soul of honour and the pride of chivalry; one who could have dared the utmost peril, with unshrinking fortitude, and smiled upon the fortune which oppressed him, yet could he not endure his monarch's capture, and his country's fall!!! King John, his son the Duke of Tourain, the Archbishop of Sens, and many noble Frenchmen, were now conducted to the conqueror's tent, where they were treated with every mark of respectful tenderness; and could it be possible for a king to forget he was a captive, John, and his son might have foregone their sorrows in the mild forbearing gentleness of Prince Edward. While preparations were making for a banquet in honour of the royal captives, Louisa presented herself before Edward, and besought his compassion for the dying Mariana -the unhappy maid overwhelmed with terror, had hid herself during the battle's heat, weeping and praying for the preservation of her lover, and when victory was proclaimed she ventured forth, ran over the field with frantic speed, calling on Arnold's name, till at length her eager eye fell on his mangled corse. She shrieked, she raved, beat her sad breast, and tore her dishevelled hair in all the agony of distracting sorrow; then snatching from his belt a dagger, plunged it into her side. Louisa reached her too late to prevent the horrid deed; but calling, for help, two soldiers at her earnest entreaty conveyed the frantic Mariana from the bleeding body of Arnold, and carried her shrieking to the tent of the prince. At sight of him, she hid her face, fearful to meet the eye of that offended majesty whom Arnold had for her sake deserted-Edward raised her from the earth, and bade her be of comfort-"Ah! (she exclaimed) I deserve no comfort! load me with curses! weigh me down with your reproaches! I can bear them all.-Ah! let them fall on me, but spare your poor brave soldier, let not your resentment pursue him to his grave-it was I-who seduced him from you, to save me from despair I tempted him to fly. He loved you prince, oh with such tenderness, such truth he loved you !-but I plunged him into shame, and ruin. Let all your indignation fall on me; scorn me, hate, despise me ; but spare, oh spare the memory of my gallant true and virtuous Arnold! See, see, where his spirit glides along-he comes to teproach me. 'Twas love which led me to the fatal deed. I feared to see thee dead, and yet I saved thee not, for thou art gone, brave Arnold;-I saw thy blooming lovely form weltering in gore. Oh, God, my brain's on fire! Arnold! forgive and pity ine! oh forgive the wretched, guilty Mariana." Overcome by the violence of her emotions and the loss of blood, she essayed to speak, but in vain— her dying eyes were fixed on Edward with a look of piteous supplication; when he laid her head upon his breast, and with the gentlest sweetness assured her of his forgiveness to Arnold, whose eyes he had closed. A faint smile of joyful gratitude passed over her pallid countenance; she feebly raised his hand, seeming to imply her wish that he should also close her eyes -and faintly articulating" for me, for me,-and I am happy-"heaved one deep sigh, and expired. Edward did not disdain to weep the fate of these unhappy lovers-they were buried in one grave, and a tomb erected to their memory ! HONOUR, thou sacred pledge, thou bond of faith, Still climbing trees in the Hesperides SHAKSPEARE. "FOR Heaven's sake Letitia, what is the matter with you?" said the sprightly Mrs. Racket, to her cousin Miss Hardy; who sat gloomily viewing herself in a pocket glass; again Mrs. Racket inquired what ailed her? and Letitia, sighing deeply, asked with a rueful countenance "If she had ever seen such a fright as she looked?" "Umph, yes, (said her rattling cousin with the most provoking vivacity) I think I have seen you look much worse. Letitia was angry, and Mrs. Racket seriously inquired the cause of her chagrin, which was imparted without reserve. Miss Hardy was returned from her father's lawyer; where she had been with him to meet her lover, the handsome, |