For tho' one die without it, I imagine Whilst Erastro was preparing to pursue his song in succession, and they were seated by a steep mountain which lay at their shoulders, they heard a no slight voice and rush, and both getting on their feet to see what was the matter, they saw that from the mountain a shepherd issued, at a smart running pace, with a naked weapon in his hand, and his colour quite changed; and behind him came another shepherd who overtook the first, who seizing him by the hair of his skin garment, raised his arm as high as he could and dealt him a blow, burying the weapon twice in his body, saying, "Take this, O wretched Leonida, the life of this traitor, which in vengeance I sacrifice for thy death;" and this was effected with such despatch that neither Elicio nor Erastro could prevent it, for they just arrived as the stricken shepherd exhaled his last breath, embarrassed by these few and ill-arranged words: "You will let me satisfy, O Lisandro, heaven with a repentance more exemplary than the wrong I did you, and then you will take my life, which now for the reason I have stated, ill at ease with the flesh, separates from it;" and so without power to add more, he closed his eyes in eternal night. From these words Elicio and Erastro inferred that the other shepherd had not perpetrated the signal and cruel murder without just cause. And the better to get information, they sought it from the homicide; but he with retreating steps abandoning the dead shepherd, to the wonder of the two observers,turned back to regain the mountain. But Elicio desirous of pursuing him, to ascertain from him what he wanted, saw him sally out of the wood, and standing at some space from them, in a raised voice, said-" Pardon me, gentle shepherds, if I have not been in your presence what you sought to have seen, because a just and mortal anger which I entertained against the traitor would not let me exercise more moderate discourse. What I suggest is, if you would not irritate the Deity who dwells in highest heaven, that you should not carry out the obsequies and accustomed you rites in favour of the traitorous soul of that body which have before you—or even give it sepulture, if it is not customary to bury traitors in your country." This finished, he turned round at full speed to regain the mountain, so that Elicio lost all hope of overtaking him, however he tried. Hence the twain, with bowels yearning, returned to perform the pious office, and give burial as best they could to the wretched corse, which had just completed its short existence. Erastro went to his cabin hard by, and collecting sufficient implements, made a grave in the same place where the body lay, and giving a parting adieu, they lodged the body in it. And not without compassion for these sorrowful affairs, they returned to their flocks, re-collecting them in haste, and the sun being on the point of going down, they repaired to their usual lodgings, where, despite anxiety and retirement, nothing could prevent Elicio from meditating on the motives which had impelled the two shepherds to come to such a desperate encounter; grieving he had not effectually pursued the homicide and had ascertained from him what he desired. Imbued with this thought, and more which love had awakened, having left his flock in security, he issued from his cabin, as his wont was, and in the radiance of the beauteous Diana, which appeared in the sky, he rushed into the thick of a wood to seek some solitary spot, where in the silence of the moon with great tranquillity he might give rein to his amorous fancies, it being a fact that solitude is the great awakener of reminiscences joyful or sorrowful. So moving gently on, in the fruition of a mild zephyr which met his face, replete with the fragrant smell of flowers which were concentrated there, and thus passing through them, enshrouded in a delicious robe of air, he heard a noise as if from one in deep anguish, and holding his breath awhile that the noise should not interrupt the sound, he perceived there to issue from some closely pressed brambles which lay adjacent, a very lugubrious voice, and though interwoven with deep sighs, he understood what was enunciated : "Cowardly, yet daring arm, mortal enemy to your own selfrespect; see now how nothing is left to take vengeance, but yourself. To what use the protraction of an abhorred life ? If you think our ill is one which time can remedy you are deceived; for there is no remedy more remote from cure than our own misfortune. For he who could have done it good, found life so short, that in his tender years he offered it to the fatal knife, which took it on account of the treachery of the wicked Carino. This had in part appeased the soul of Leonida, if she dwells in heavenly mansions, and retains a lust of vengeance. 66 Ah, Carino, Carino, I appeal to you in the heavens, if just complaints are there heard that they admit no extenuation, if you advance any for the treachery you have practised on me, and that they permit your body to lie unburied, even as your soul was wanting in mercy. "And thou, beauteous and ill-attained Leonida, receive as the token of the love I bore you in life, the tears which for your death I shed, and ascribe it to no slight feeling my not parting with my life, such as I felt for your death; a small recompense as to what I owe and ought to feel is the grief which ends so briefly. You will see, if you observe, how this afflicted body will one day perish gradually of woe, for its greater affliction and sensibility-like to moistened and illumined powder, which devoid of noise or flame, consumes itself, without leaving aught save the track of burnt ashes. "Grieve as much as possible, O, soul of my soul, that I cannot enjoy you in life, or perform thy obsequies, or do justice to your goodness and virtue. Still I promise and swear that the little time-and short it is to be that this, my impassioned soul, may moisten the heavy charge of this miserable body, and the exhausted voice retain the breath which supports it, to treat of nothing in my doleful and bitter ditties but thy praises and merits." At this juncture the voice ceased, by which Elicio clearly defined it to be the voice of the homicide, at which he was glad to think that he could at length learn what he had so desired from him; and being anxious to advance nearer, he turned to stop, as it seemed to him that the shepherd gently made a rebeck speak, and he wished, first, to listen if she should also answer to it. Delay was not long, when, with a melodious and well-adjusted voice, he heard the sequent strains LISANDRO. 1. Ah! adventurous soul, Which, from a human veil, Free flies, full of life, to the lofty region; Dungeon of discomfort My life—though it goes with thee- To earth beat down The well-founded hope In the more firm seat of joy ; In fine, with your flight Grief remained quick; life was death. 2. Involved in thy spirits, Death has seized The excess of beauty— And the enamoured breast, Glory is dissolved Like wax before the sun, or clouds the winds. And all my venture The stone of my grave shuts up. 3. How could the hand, Inexorable and savage, And the intent cruel, wicked, Of brother's vengeance Leave free and destitute My soul of beauteous mortal veil ? Why disturb the repose Of our hearts? Which could we not accomplish it, Or be joined In honest and holy ties. Ah! cruel hand, disdainful; How hast thou ordained that living I should die? Will not dread The obstinacy of time. With sweet delights Wilt thou see the glory fixed, Of which thy commendable life If in thy memory thou canst hold her, Whom I so much adore. 5. But how simple have I been, To ask that you remember Who have so much Desired you. Now know I that my complaint I am of thee forgotten. With such excess of ill lot, That death itself no ill considered is. 6. Rejoice in holy chorus, Lofty, rich treasure, There I hope to enjoy. If I am conducted by thy steps, |