Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ...Soldier. Ha! my ears boom thro' faintness. What sounds? L. Malaspina. The bell. Soldier. Then they are at the gate.. I can but thank you.. Give me force, O Heaven! For this last fight!.. and keep from harm these twain! Malaspina and Child alone. L. Malaspina. And still thou sleepest, my sweet babe! Is death Like sleep? Ah, who then, who would fear to die?. How beautiful is all serenity! Sleep, a child's sleep, O how far more serene, And O, how far more beautiful than any! Whether we breathe so gently or breathe not, Slight is the difference. But the pangs, the rage Of famine who can bear?.. unless to raise Her child above it! Two Priests are passing.) First Priest. Who sits yonder? bent O'er her dead babe? as many do within Their houses! Second Priest. Surely, surely, it must be She who, not many days ago, was praised For beauty, purity, humility. Above the noblest of Anconite dames. First Priest. The Lady Malaspina? Second Priest. But methinks The babe is not dead yet. First Priest. Why think you so? Second Priest. Because she weeps not over it. First Priest. For thai I think it dend. It then could pierce no more VOL. VII. T 1icr tender heart with its sad sobs and cries. Hut let us hasten from the place to give The dying their last bread, the only bread Yet uueonsumed, the blessed eueharist. liven this little, now so many die, May soon be wanting. Second Priest. God will never let That greater woe bef all us. The Priests go. Malatpina. Who runs hither? The Soldier falls before her. Art thou come back? So! thou couldst run, O vile! Soldier. Lady! your gentleness kept life within me Until four fell. L. Malapina. Thyself unwounded? Soldier. No; If arms alone can wound the soldier's breast, They toucht me not this time; nor needed they;...
