cavern.

For an instant she was silent,

as if in half-fearful awe; and then making the sign of the cross, she thus began to warble the song of her adjuration.

SONG.

“Father, speak! the sand is run,
The days you prophesied begun ;
Time has wandered o'er my head,
Early infant spring has fled;
He, whose image cherished dear,
From childhood's golden days, is near,
He comes, ere sets the wandering sun;
Father, speak! the sand is run.

"Yet no danger, yet no fear,
His life or fortune touches near;
Hope is smiling, Joy is nigh;
Tell, ph tell me not to sigh;
Teach me now, or ere too late,
Teach me how to 'ward his fate;
Teach me ere the deed be done;
Father, speak! the sand is run.

"Tell me, is it war or wile,

Foeman's bate, or villain's smile,

Fault of his, or other's shame,

Through noble strife, or sportive game?

Whence

Whence the sorrows come, oh tell!
Counteract them by thy spell;
Shew how he the ill may shun;
Father, speak! the sand is run.

"Last, oh tell me, is his love,
As he promised it should prove,
Warm and constant, true and kind,
Such return as mine should find?
For though infants when the thread
Of love between us first was led,
Dreams and hopes the web have spun;
Father, speak the sand is run."

The noise of no footstep woke the echoes of that deep cave; no sound proclaimed his approach; but as the last note dropped in liquid melody from Flora's lip, gliding with silent soundless step from the mouth of the cavern, a dark shadowy form appeared in the sunshine, and the wizard priest stood before her.

Flora bent with a look of reverence, while the old man, raising his hands above her head, bestowed on her his benediction with an air of majestic calmness." In the name of the holy Trinity I bless thee, C 2

daugh

daughter!" he said, and remained for a moment with his eyes fixed upon the heavens, as if in prayer; then quickly turning towards her, with a deep sonorous voice, and measured chaunt, he repeated :

"The sun is high

In yonder sky,

Counting Nature's beauties o'er;
But ere day

Illumed his way

Edwin's foot was on the shore;
Listen what I tell to thee-
Dangers have been, and shall be.

"The morning's light,

And sombre night,

Shall pass away in shadows dim;

But ere your eyes

See morning rise,

None that bear his name is him;

Trust not all that seem most free;

For ill has been, and yet shall be.

"Let not fear,

And terror drear,

Maiden, dull your beaming eye;

Heaven is kind,

Though man is blind,

And will not hear the virtuous sigh;
But yet beware of all you see,
For ill has been, and yet shall be."

"But

"But tell me, father," said Flora, "how shall I guard against those who would deceive me?"

"Turn your eye," replied the deep voice of the wizard, "to the gloom of yonder cavern, and fear not-there shalt thou see the form of him who has filled thy fancy by day, and thy dream by night; to him, and him alone that bears the features thou shalt see there, be thy hand given."

Flora fixed her eye intently on the mouth of the cave, while the wizard priest proceeded :

"Shadow, I call thee from what place so e'er,

The earth, the fire, the ocean, or the air,

May now contain thee; answer to my will,
Spirit of good, or instrument of ill!

By the power that penance long
Gives me o'er your subtle throng-
By the name you all do dread-
By the crucified and dead-
By the glory risen again—
By the Saviour of men-
By thy belief of hope or fear,
Spirit, now I call thee here!
C 3

Thou

Thou who knowest my wishes all,

Answer, answer to my call ;

Take the shape I'd have thee bear;
Spirit, quick appear, appear!"

In a moment the gloom of the cavern gave place to a burst of light, and the form of Edwin passed before her, no longer indeed a child, but with the same features that still rested indelible upon her me mory, improved and heightened into manhood. It was indeed the form that had filled her fancy for many a year, over which she had dreamed and pondered, hoped and feared, till the love she entertained for that one predominant idea, that one cherished vision, was far stronger than other affection she had on earth.

any

The figure passed slowly across the cave, while fixing her gaze immoveably upon it, half terrified, half anxious, she regarded every feature; then, after having remained visible for some moments, the light gradually faded away, and all was darkness; but for a time Flora's eyes still continued