where she is. I care nothing about that outcast rubbish of creation,
that mean, low-lived Elfonzo, if I can but obtain Ambulinia.
Are you not going to open this door?” said he. “By the Eternal
that made Heaven and earth! I will go about the work instantly,
if this is not done!” The confused citizens gathered from all
parts of the village, to know the cause of this commotion.
Some rushed into the house; the door that was locked flew open,
and there stood Ambulinia, weeping. “Father, be still,” said she,
“and I will follow thee home.” But the agitated man seized her,
and bore her off through the gazing multitude. “Father!” she exclaimed,
“I humbly beg your pardon–I will be dutiful–I will obey thy commands.
Let the sixteen years I have lived in obedience to thee by my
future security.” “I don’t like to be always giving credit,
when the old score is not paid up, madam,” said the father. The mother
followed almost in a state of derangement, crying and imploring
her to think beforehand, and ask advice from experienced persons,
and they would tell her it was a rash undertaking. “Oh!” said she,
“Ambulinia, my daughter, did you know what I have suffered–
did you know how many nights I have whiled away in agony,
in pain, and in fear, you would pity the sorrows of a heartbroken
mother.”
“Well, mother,” replied Ambulinia, “I know I have been disobedient;
I am aware that what I have done might have been done much better;
but oh! what shall I do with my honor? it is so dear to me;
I am pledged to Elfonzo. His high moral worth is certainly worth
some attention; moreover, my vows, I have no doubt, are recorded
in the book of life, and must I give these all up? must my fair
hopes be forever blasted? Forbid it, father; oh! forbid it, mother;
forbid it, Heaven.” “I have seen so many beautiful skies overclouded,”
replied the mother, “so many blossoms nipped by the frost,
that I am afraid to trust you to the care of those fair days,
which may be interrupted by thundering and tempestuous nights.
You no doubt think as I did–life’s devious ways were strewn with
sweet-scented flowers, but ah! how long they have lingered around me
and took their flight in the vivid hope that laughs at the drooping
victims it has murdered.” Elfonzo was moved at this sight.
The people followed on to see what was going to become of Ambulinia,
while he, with downcast looks, kept at a distance, until he saw
them enter the abode of the father, thrusting her, that was the
sigh of his soul, out of his presence into a solitary apartment,
when she exclaimed, “Elfonzo! Elfonzo! oh, Elfonzo! where art thou,
with all thy heroes? haste, oh! haste, come thou to my relief.
Ride on the wings of the wind! Turn thy force loose like a tempest,
and roll on thy army like a whirlwind, over this mountain of trouble
and confusion. Oh, friends! if any pity me, let your last efforts
throng upon the green hills, and come to the relief of Ambulinia,
who is guilty of nothing but innocent love.” Elfonzo called out with
a loud voice, “My God, can I stand this! arise up, I beseech you,
and put an end to this tyranny. Come, my brave boys,” said he,
“are you ready to go forth to your duty?” They stood around him.
“Who,” said he, “will call us to arms? Where are my thunderbolts of war?
Speak ye, the first who will meet the foe! Who will go forward with me
in this ocean of grievous temptation? If there is one who desires
to go, let him come and shake hands upon the altar of devotion,
and swear that he will be a hero; yes, a Hector in a cause like this,
which calls aloud for a speedy remedy.” “Mine be the deed,”
said a young lawyer, “and mine alone; Venus alone shall quit her
station before I will forsake one jot or tittle of my promise to you;
what is death to me? what is all this warlike army, if it is not