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488 JULIET H. CAMPBELL.

And I linger here, a captive,
When I would be far away!

The rude old church seems frowning
As it looms upon my eyes,
With its corner-stone deep buried,
While its spire is in the skies.
List, a moral I will read you,
From this temple, quaint and gray;
Though the clod must seek the valley,
Lo, the soul shall soar away!

I would step into the church-yard,
But at every sleeper's head
Stands a tombstone, cold and pallid,
Like the spirit of the dead.
And I almost see them beckon me,
I almost hear them say,——
"There is rest with us, oh! mortal,
Come away, then, come away!"

TARPEIA.

Tarpeia, the daughter of Tarpeius, the keeper of the Roman capitol, agreed to betray it into the hands of the Sabines on this condition, "that she should have for her reward that which they carried upon their left arms," meaning the golden bracelets they wore upon them. The Sabines having been let in by Tarpeia, according to compact, Titus, their king, well pleased with having carried the place, yet detesting the manner in which it was done, commanded the Sabines to give the traitoress her promised reward, by throwing to her all they wore upon their left arms; and therewith, unclasping his bracelet from his left arm, he cast that, together with his shield, upon her. All the Sabines following the example of their chief, the traitoress was speedily overwhelmed with the number of bracelets and shields heaped upon her, and perished beneath them. 

UNBLUSHINGLY the maiden stood,——
Rome's recreant, shameless child!
While round were ranged her country's foes,
Those Sabine warriors wild. 

JULIET H. CAMPBELL. 489

They stood with lips all proudly curl'd,
And brows bent down in ire,
And eyes, that on the traitoress
Flash'd forth their haughty fire,

As though they'd sear her very soul
With their consuming scorn;
Such deep disdian, a noble heart
Had never brook'd or borne.

In his right hand each warrior clasp'd
His blade, all stain'd with gore,
While on his stout left arm, a shield
Of massive weight he bore;

And round that arm a bracelet bright
Was bound--of shining gold:
'T was for those gleaming bands, that Rome,
Proud boasting Rome, was sold.

All silently they stood, when hark!
Their lord and chieftain speaks:
"Ha! this is well; her just reward
From us, Tarpeia seeks.

Thy heritage--is Rome's deep hate;
Thy memory--lasting shame;
And thou hast wedded to a curse
Thy once untarnish'd name.

Thy father is the prey of worms,
His life-blood stains my blade;
Thy city is one mighty bier
On which her sons are laid.

Thy home,--earth does not hold a spot
Loathsome enough for thee,
And one long life of bitter woe,
Of torture, agony,

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-30 11:24:37