Speaking concerning fiddling, and introduceth a right savoury comparison, XL. Of a grave and mighty strain? XLI. Though the fiddlers fiddled well, XLII. In spite of the tight-packed crowd, Who late had been so loud. Showeth the insufficiency of fiddling, and noticeth human curiosity to peep behind the curtain. How there was silence among gods and men, and the poet hinteth among women also, peradventure. LVIII. Before, was consternation, Hid each spectator's station. LIX. Then came a melancholy strain, So wild and yet so sweet ! It was such music as doth make The woes of Hell complete ! LX. Of pain for ever during Of sorrow past all curing. LXI. Then came a sound like the roar profound Of the wave on the rock that springs; Then followed a groan, and a long deep moan, And a inighty rush of wings ! LXII. Then all was still again ; That strange and solemn strain. LXIII. One piercing shriek the silence broke Before the thunder's roll, It was the lawyer's voice that spoke Heaven's mercy on his soul ! LXIV. And cleared again the air ; Like joy at the touch of care, But the lawyer was not there ! LXV. Rose to the ceiling low, Though none could whisper how, Above and around and below. Setting forth indirectly the great advantages of Bude lights, and the pasty odours of gas and oil, Speaketh of music that came not from the orchestra. The poet waxeth solemn, and forgetteth to go on with his story - a very common fault with poets. The poet returneth to his tale, but “ doeth the dismal." More of the same, and exceedingly distressing. The solicitor laugheth on the other side of his mouth at a visit from a distinguished client. How the solicitor found him. self in the wrong box, and went away no one knew whither. Reasons for believing that the lawyer went not away in the odour of sanctity, inasmuch as the odour in which he did depart was an odious one. Containeth the finish, but leaveth the judicious reader to draw bis own conclusion, LXVI. In vain they sought him through the house, In vain the streets they roam, But, though none ever pretended to care Whether well or ill might the lawyer fare, Yet those who went in gladness there Returned in sadness home. FIDO RELATES HOW HE WAS TAKEN POSSESSION OF BY THE GOGO. The door was opened slowly and with caution. It was not the king, and I breathed once more. A head was protruded through the opening -a youthful head, all covered with masses of auburn curls, a gay, laughing face, too, with sparkling eyes, and a cheek full of dimples, and the bearer of all this entered with light, dancing step, and merry gesture, It was the Prince of Prussia, Henry. He entered cautiously and looked around, then beckoned to some one who lingered behind, to come forward. Come, now-lose no time; I told you she would be already gone, for I saw the Duke of Hesse-Hockelberg leave the refreshment room accompanied by his majesty in state, to fetch her. Poor little Amy! much she cares for state and ceremony. Now I dare say she is blaming the Duke of Hesse-Hockelberg, and his majesty, too, all the while. She would rather remain quiet in her obscurity than enjoy all the state and ceremony in the world.” A female figure in a dark domino followed the prince. “ Well, they both deserve to be blamed, that is certain," said the lady, taking off her mask, and displaying the funniest little face imaginable. “What a great fat fool is the Duke of What's-his-name-asleep the whole time of the ballet! It was excellent to see that enormous Julie making all sorts of rigadoons and ronds-de-jambe to captivate him, thinking his nods were all in admiration of herself. And what a prig-what a pedant is your pompous King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, forsooth - he is a little, mean, petty tyrant. How I should love to play him some trick, some hoax, before I leave this solemn court of Prussia. Nay, don't look so frightened ; if the opportunity offers I certainly shall try “Good heavens !” exclaimed Prince Henry, “venture not to attempt it, Gogo. Be warned by me. The king spares neither age nor sexSpandau and Cüstrin frown alike for young and old—” “ Bah!" interrupted the Gogo, “think not to frighten me. Have I not been this very night into the infernal regions ? Am I the worse for all I suffered there ?" She threw back the domino, and disclosed to view the spangled bodice and tinsel skirt of a ballet dancer, and at the same time put forth a beautifully moulded foot and ancle with which she began to execute that extremely difficult movement known by the name epointillage with most singular grace and precision. Then before the glass she bounded and pirouetted, Nov.-VOL. LXXXI. NO, CCCXXIII. my skill.” T this way. and performed a succession of fantastic motions which seemed to give infinite delight to the young prince, who applauded most vehemently. “ Now do own that I do all this better than the fat Julie," said the fair Gogo, as she accomplished a flying pirouette round the room, which she managed to conclude by a kick in the shins of her admirer, and, laughing immoderately at the clever feat, she sank back in a fauteuil exhausted with the twofold exertion. “How can I tell ?” exclaimed the prince, rubbing his leg, while the tears were starting from his eyes with pain; “I never tried her powers in But come, let us not forget the hour. You must be satisfied with your survey ." Lord, now only see. I had forgotten what brought me here ! I would not leave this amusing place without seeing something of the palace. It is the first palace from which I have been excluded, and the barbarity has only made me the more resolute. How angry the fat Julie will be when she learns that I have not only been admitted to the private apartments at Potsdam, but even into the very hermitage of the Princess Amelia, of which we have heard such extraordinary tales in Paris." “ But all lies, though,” she added, looking round, " there is nothing wonderful after all." “ You should have had the sense to have understood that, Gogo dear, with your great wit and cleverness. But how true it is, · Que les gens d'esprit sont bêtes ! You must do as others have done before you, invent wonders of this place, and be disbelieved likewise.” “ Oh! I know the fat Julie will always pretend to doubt the honour I have had this night, but I must find some means to confound her envious tongue. I must have proof—there is nothing like proof,” she looked round “ Yes, I must carry off some trophy from this chamber, to show her that the story of this visit is not like one of her own barefaced boast “ Come, come," said the prince, now really alarmed, “ let us depart. You are getting beside yourself , fair Gogo, there is nothing here worth your attention. You who have so many things more curious—the spoils of so many captives, who have lost more than liberty in your cause. “Oh, if you could but see my museum in Paris, in my bijou of a place, Rue de la Victoire, where I have collected the pillages of Europe. I have sometimes made that dear fat Soubise laugh till he held his sides, with the history of each article contained therein, with the name and peculiarities of its donor. When you come to Paris, prince, you shall have a view. None but the favoured few are allowed to enter.” “Let us talk of that another time, dear Gogo. For Heaven's sake make haste, the company are assembling fast. The king will be much displeased if I am not there to take part in the opening quadrille.” “ Eh bien, Monsieur ! and what is the king's anger compared to mine ?” returned the Gogo, in a tone of pique. “D'ailleurs, I am ready to descend with you when you please. I should also like to figure in the first quadrille.” " You are mad," exclaimed the prince, colouring with alarm, “even to utter such a thought in pleasantry. But 'tis my own fault for bringing you here. I risk disgrace and banishment if we should be discovered.”. “ The Duke de Levis, a warrior and a hero, incurred imprisonment in the room. ing lies." |