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WOLDEMAR.

A TALE FROM THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN
OF 1805.*

Quis talia fando temperet a lachrymis ?—
VIRGIL, EN. II.
Who can relate such woes without a tear?

DRYDEN.

Woldemar to his friend Gustavus.

M.... June 17, 1805.

every thing, even, in spite of the storms of the time, prevails in such luxurious plenitude. Oh! thou shouldst see it; my magnificent Italy! how it glitters and blooms. Who would enter here at the head of a victorious army?

Villarosa, July 21. I write to thee from Villarosa, from this paradise of nature. My friend! envy me, envy me, every hour which I may pass in this place. What a circle of ex

Still, dear Gustavus! we remain peacefully before the enemy; I cannot com-alted individuals! thou shouldst see Magprehend the ground of this eternal delay. dalena, the lofty, noble, form with the The whole army is longing for the con- large, dark eyes and the luxuriant goldtest and all detest, with me, this weari- en tresses; thou shouldst hear the harsome state of repose, which unbends the mony of their voices, those intonations mind so considerably. According to all of superior life; and thou wouldst forappearances we shall continue to lie thus get, like myself, both war and the warstill longer, and our hope, of soon coming cry. The calm melancholy, the delicate to close fight with the French, may retraces of some deep affliction, which main, for a long time, unaccomplished. mantle around the soft countenance of Tomorrow, I go with my regiment, to lie the lovely one, like a holy splendor, and two leagues in advance, at Villarosa. the expression of the deepest love, which They envy me this change, as it is said emanates from her eyes, communicate to to be a most agreeable residence. It her something infinitely, inexpressibly, belongs to the Count P, who has charming. Oh! that I could describe likewise considerable possessions in the the divine one! that I could point out Tyrol, where thou surely hast heard of to thee every sentiment, which impresshim; he is said to live here in the enjoy- es my full heart in this sweet intoxicament of fair nature and of his family, tion! but I observe that I have as yet, who, as well as he, are extolled by all. properly, described to thee nothing. It is not to be denied, that we first learn, Know, then, Magdalena is the daughter of in these rude associations of war, to appre- the Count to whom Villarosa belongs. ciate correctly the happiness of coming They have received me here in a manner amongst cultivated individuals; but such which could not have been exceded by occurrences are still only transitory and that of the oldest friend-with so much I would rather go tomorrow to the fight, cordiality and goodness, that I cannot, my than continue to live still longer in this brother! comprehend my own good forintolerable state of repose. That I am tune; and now, I live with her under compelled thus to tread the country, the same roof; am almost always near which was the object of my dreams! her; accompany her on the guitar when that I must even, with rude bloody hands, she sings her native canzonets, those assist in driving away fair peace from sweet songs of love and sadness. She this sacred soil, wounds me deeply. I conducts me through the magnificent enhad hoped to tread those frontiers under virons of the Villa, and participates so other circumstances! But I am now a cordially in my raptures at this earthly soldier and a soldier from my own paradise. Oh! she is an angel, a being choice, from pure love and desire for full of lofty infinite tenderness; how I combat, and such feelings do not suit this find every impulse of my soul altered; I I am climate-do not suit this nature, where feel that her vicinity ennobles me. From the German of Theodore Koerner. happy, if I can but see her! I am the See Museum p. 94. most fortunate of individuals!

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Villarosa, July 23.

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it is impossible for it not to acquire something more pathetic and animating, from the bright tears in the beautiful eyes of such a maiden. This I said to her and she felt I was not merely desirous of flattering her. She gently pressed me, with the hand which I had seized in my animation, rose quickly and said, whilst hastening away, "I believe, Woldemar, thou art a good man." Thou canst not imagine the heavenly tones of those words! long I stood, chained to the earth, looking after her. I then cast myself upon the ground and kissed the grass which had been pressed by her light footsteps. Thou wilt call me a child, Gustavus! yes, I probably am so, but a happy one. In the evening, I lie at my window so long as I can see her light; for as she dwells on the right and I on the left wing of the Villa, I can easily see her chamber. Thus I often remain, for hours, observing the flare of the light until it is extinguished. Then I take my guitar and waste my amorous plaints, in the serene moonlight, which under the Italian sky rests in divine tranquillity on the earth. Canst thou well comprehend the extreme brightness which then floats around me? hast thou an idea in thy breast of those delights? Gustavus! Gustavus, I had never anticipated them.

God be praised! we yet hear nothing of breaking up. I hope the armies may yet lie, some weeks longer, peaceably opposite each other-that I may not quit my heaven. Never could I have believed that love could have so completely changed me! once, an eternal, burning desire impelled me into the misty distance; all my delight lay in the future, and life, with gloomy tones, jogged on without interest to me. But, now! all my impulses have become expanded; in her sacred vicinity the wild tempest of the soul is lost in sweet melancholy. The present encircles me with all its joys; and, from the breath of love, resound deep within me the chords of a higher existence. With what kindness do they treat me! no one will suffer me to tell how troublesome, how disagreeable to them, I must necessarily be, in my present circumstances. What a noble family they are the father, with his tranquil look, amidst the storms of the time; with a figure commanding the highestthe most sincere, veneration; and the mother, who lives only in the circle of her family, and bestows on them all so much cordial, elevated affection! ay! and Magdalena! Magdalena! he has not felt what there is holy and divine in life, who has not seen, in her angel eyes, the glow of a higher degree of perfection, who has not bent his knce, in deep-that I could shed tears on thy fraterbeatitude, before this pure one. nal bosom, at this powerful, infinite delight. That I must bear alone this excess of ardent joys! My poor heart cannot withstand the price of this high feeling-it must break. Gustavus! she is mine! from her quivering lips has faltered the confession of her love;-she lay on my breast and I dared to impress glowing kisses on her lips. We sat silent, and wrapt in delicious dreams on the terrace. The sun was descending behind the mountains ; and, a troop of our cavalry was passing in the distancewhose glittering arms were gilded by the departing rays. Then spoke within me as it were the voice of a spirit-" Thou returnest not home!" and deep melancholy overpowered me. Magdalena soon no

Villarosa, July 25.

She has a brother, whom she loves, in an extraordinary degree; he has absconded in consequence of a duel, and they have no certain accounts of his present residence. This is the cause of her melancholy; for she feels for this brother a love, a tenderness, wholly peculiar to her fair heart. How she relates this to me with all the expression of a heartfelt, deep affliction! how the tears rush into her eyes. I cannot tell thee how her narrative has affected me. There is probably no circumstance in the whole of human life, where tenderness and elevation of soul could be expressed more significantly, than in affliction, and

Villarosa, July 29.

Oh! that I could but fly into thy arms

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complish my most ardent wishes, even before I hazard them? Does not every thing, in this powerful storm of the times amicably cooperate to fix peace firmly in my breast?

ticed my feeling, and sympathizingly asked "what was the matter" I told her my anticipation. "Would she bestow a tear on me? I sate nearer to her and seized her hand. She trembled violently; and tenderly regarded me with tears in her eyes. I I have unfolded all my circumstances could contain myself no longer, but fell to them-how I only entered this camat her feet. Magdalena" cried I "Ipaign, with others, from a disgraceful thirst cannot conceal it-I love thee," she for combat-how I should take my desank, trembling, into my arms and our parture after the termination of the same, lips sealed the sacred bond. And when sell my possessions in Bohemia and reat length we recovered from the glowing turn to my happy Italy, to live, then, only transports of our souls-how did I then for Magdalena, and the interesting dufeel! twilight enveloped the earth, and, ties of filial love. I told them all; and the world lay in sweet slumber, but in they felt that I at least would not make my breast glowed an eternal day: the Magdalena unhappy. I was compelled morning of my happiness had dawned. however to urge a speedy decision, as I And how otherwise was now my Mag-every moment expected an order to dedalena! she stood even more beautiful camp; at length they gave us their before me the spirit of a superior exis- blessing and the highest earthly happitence circled around her, the expres-ness pervaded the breasts of four fortusion of propitious love floated upon her nate individuals. "Gustavus!"-the facountenance like the Nimbus of the Holy ther of Magdalena said, as he led her to One. At first she was to me the ac- me—“ Take her-the joy of my lifecomplished maiden; now she stood be- and make her happy;" when she sank fore me like the seraph of a better world into my arms and the kiss of the bond, -the timid maidenly character had, in the sacred vicinity of the parents, in the consciousness of eternal love, be- glowed on our lips. I now fell into a come converted into a holy confidence state of more elevated and infinite delight in her mental qualifications. As yet have not spoken to the parents, but I trust they will not annihilate our happiThey feel for Magdalena so much tenderness, that they certainly will not cloud her heaven. Gustavus! if thou hast never experienced those happy moments, when love involves two hearts in glowing transports, and dips them into the highest earthly happiness; if the heavenly words, "I love thee," have never been addressed to thee from be

ness.

loved lips-thou canst not comprehend the infinity of feeling, of this godlike feeling of propitious love.

Villarosa, the 1st. of August.

Share, with me, my happiness-dear Gustavus she is mine, mine by the voice of her own heart, mine by the word of her parents. They have nothing to say against me; they adopt me-the stranger-into the fair circle of their love-Noble, excellent, individuals!

Does not every thing combine to ac

all the angels of heaven seemed to soar into my soul and transplanted thither an enchanting Eden. Ardently did I revel in the fulness of my ideas, which now bloomed in fairer activity in the circle of my life. Gustavus! I am not equal to this happiness.

Villarosa.

Friend! what paradisian days I now pass in the family circle of my love! Father and mother seek every means to testify their heartfelt attachment to their new son; and Magdalena lives but for me. We are together the whole day, and I observe my sweet maiden develope, more and more, the charms of her fair and noble heart. Of her music I have already spoken to thee; she cordially rejoices at the idea of our practising in full concert, when brother Camillo returns. Camillo is said to sing a beautiful, powerful, tenor; so that we could, even now, execute many trios. I feel great curiosity respecting my brother-in-law. They all

dwell upon him, with so much love that it necessarily disquiets them, if reminded of his absence; and this can scarcely be avoided, as there is every where some point of contact between him and them -every where they miss him.

They speak so favorably of Camillo, that he must be very meritorious; I picture him to myself as a gallant youth, full of spirit, determination and energy; strong in mind and body-a youthful, proud Athlete.

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full sails into the secure harbour, when with the anticipation of the highest earthly happiness we fly towards the fair Aurora of love. Gustavus, my day begins to dawn.

Villarosa, the 4th. of August.

What I have long dreaded, is come to pass! I must march, I must quit my sweet Magdalena. This day, at an early hour, I received orders to march back two leagues, tomorrow at daybreak. The enemy is said to advance nearer and we shall probably await him in an advantageous situation on the heights of C———. The whole war on which I formerly dwelt with so much animation is now insupportable. The thought, that I may lose Magdalena, makes me shudder, to the depth of my soul, and a sinister foreboding mixes with my dreams. If we did but proceed forwards-but backwards, where I then know that Villarosa and every thing which is dearest to me on earth is in the enemy's power, it will make me mad. I am not one of the strong minds that can bear every thing; I can hazard all, but to attain my object through suffering, there my energy fails me. How detested will every moment be to me, in which I cannot see my sweet, charming maiden, not press her to my beating heart. I am no longer the same Woldemar. Scarcely do I feel courage in me to support the torments of separation. Before this presentiment of anguish the proud consciousness of manly courage gives way.

Besides singing and playing, Magdalena also draws admirably. It is a source of endless gratification to her to attempt sketches from historical subjects, and she has thereby acquired, in the mechanical part, considerable dexterity. A short time ago, she drew the scene in which Horatia sees her brother as the conqueror and murderer of her beloved. In the expression of the maiden's countenance, where the contest between her inmost feelings is so manifestly visible, she has succeeded most admirably. The drawing has seriously affected me and the simple forms have made a deep impression on me. Thou shouldst have heard how beautifully she spoke regard- | ing the subject of the sketch, and how she could imagine herself so easily to be in Horatia's situation. She complained not of the murder of her betrothed-she complained of the hardness of fate, for her brother was compelled to conquer as a Roman; and it was not Horatius, no! it was Rome, that struck the sword into the breast of her beloved. Magdalena is now preparing for me, from memory, Let me be silent, Gustavus, on the a portrait of her brother. The old peo-hour of parting, let me be silent respectple say it will be an admirable likenessing the tears of Magdalena, my own tor-so accurately does she bear in her ments, and her last kisses. mind the remembrance of him. I shall not be permitted to see it until it is finished. Gustavus! what an eternal series of fair, of heavenly joys and feasts of love is to be my future lot. How will my sweet, lovely maiden, with all her splendid talents, ennoble our friendly circle. Days shall I live, which I would not barter for any treasures in the world. It is a happy feeling, when out of the storms of the sea [the ship drives with

Riccardino the 7th. of August.

I obeyed orders and have been now for three days in Riccardino. It has been a sweet consolation to me, that I can see my beloved Villarosa, from a window of my new quarters—Villarosa where my charmer resides. At this window I lie constantly looking towards it, and endless desire makes me almost break my heart. Every thing is yet so void about me; even the loud tumult of war

for it is active around us and several

regiments lie here together-remains ed on the enemy. Amongst those of without interest to me. I have now only the French officers, who fought most one sentiment, an ardent, powerful, sentiment, which could courageously break all bounds! Magdalena! how endless is my love, I know not how I can live without thee."

Two hours later.

courageously was a youth of lofty, noble, figure; several times were Woldemar and he opposed in fight, but they were as often separated. At length the enemy could no longer withstand the violent pressure of the valiant troops, they threw themselves into the Chateau, and the officer defended the entrance with more courageous despair, than if it were the most valuable possession of his life. When at length Woldemar rushed upon him, with all his force, he was compelled to give way; the troops pressed into the Villa and Woldemar pursued his obstinate opponent from chamber to chamber,

Gustavus my sinister foreboding rages terrifically within me, proceeds towards its accomplishment. The general assembled us and ordered the volunteers to storm Villarosa. The enemy have taken possession of it and appear desirous of fortifying themselves on the height. Thou wilt easily imagine that I was the first to step forward. I shall free my dear Magdalena from the pow-in each of which a fresh contest began. er of the enemy; what a godlike feeling Woldemar called to him to surrender, for me; but I shall cause bloodshed on but in vain; instead of an answer he those peaceful floors, and shall assist in fought only the more furiously. Both the destruction of that fair world, to already bled from numerous wounds, which she is attached with so much cor- when Woldemar heard the voice of Magdial love; can I do that? ought I to do dalena in the neighbourhood; he now it? oh! contest of duty! yet in every collected his best energies and his oppocase must I undertake the enterprize, nent sank to the ground, pierced by his as I can more readily afford assistance. sword. At this instant Magdalena, with It will be sharp work. The enemy is her father, rushed, shrieking, into the said to be pretty strong, and my detach-chamber and exclaiming" brother unforment is small; it may, particularly, require active individuals and the general can only spare few, as great events are hourly expected: may God protect me! duty and love call me-bloodily shall I purchase my good fortune.

Thus far the letters of Woldemar.

In a formidable humour he quickly ascended, with his valiant troops, to Villa

rosa.

tunate brother!" sank senseless near the fallen individual. Horrible despair now convulsed Woldemar, and he stood as if annihilated, crushed by the bloody thought of a brother's murder-At length Magdalena recovered, with the assistance of the assembled people; her first look fell on Woldemar, on the bloody sword and she sank again lifeless on her brother's body. They bore her away; and the father, who hitherto had stood in deathlike torpor, followed in silence. Woldemar remained alone, with the heartrending reflection that he had destroyed the happiness of the noblest of individuals. He heard not, when they brought him intelligence that the rest of the enemy were partly

Even, from a distance, they descried the enemy's posts, and-'ere Woldemar, as was his plan, could reach unobserved the neighbourhood of the Villa, by ways, through the cypress groves, well known to him-the enemy's corps advanced courageously against him, hav-killed, partly taken prisoners; the overing either already observed him or his plan having been betrayed to them. The fight commenced, and, they soon came to close quarters, for when the troops of Woldemar knew that they fought for a bride for their chief, they eagerly press

whelming feeling alone possessed him, and he resigned himself to his affliction, to his despair. At length the Count appeared; he was now collected and still offered his hand to the murderer of his son. Woldemar sank, overpowered by

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