|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
CHAPTER XI.
An Account of Prince Elseon.
As the Sciotans & Kentucks had maintained with each other an interrupted peace and friendly intercourse for the space of four hundred & eighty years, it seems almost incredible, that a cause, which was of no great importance to either nation, should excite their resentment against each other & produce all the horrors of war. But such were the unhappy effects of an affair, which had no regard to a single person, except the imperial families of the two empires & the King of Sciota.
As these families were descended from the great Lobaska, they had, during the reigns of all their emperors been in the habit of visiting each other, but as each emperor & his children were required not to marry out of their respective dominions, no intermarriages had taken place. They however claimed relationship & still continued to each other, the appellation of our dearest & best beloved cousin. A cousin of this description, who was the eldest son of Hamboon the Emperor of Kentuck arrived at the city of Talanga with a small but splendid retinue of friends. At that time Rambock, who was the fourteenth emperor, was siting on the throne of Siota. He received the young prince with apparent sensations of the highest pleasure & spared no pains to manifest towards him by his treatment the greatest esteem and friendship. The Emperor had an only son, whose name was Moonrod. He ordered him to attend the young prince & to treat him with every thouht of affection & honor. They spent their time in receiving visits from the officers of the government, in viewing curiosities, & in the assemblies of the first class of young citizens who met for recreation. Elseon, for this was the name of the young prince, was, soon after his rival, introduced to Lamesa, the eldest daughter of the Emperor. She was a young lady of a very fair and beautiful countenance. Her features & the construction of her person, were formed to please the fancy, whilst the ease, the gracefulness & modesty of her deportment were very pleasing to all her acquaintance. Her mind was replenished with the principles of knowledge & virtue, & such was her vivacity & the ease with which she expressed her ideas, that all were delighted with her conversation. No wonder that this fair imperial damsel attracted the attention of Elsion, & at their first interview, enkindled a spark in his bosom, which he could hardly prevent from being discovered through his blushing countenance & the embarrassment he felt in conversation. He strove to erase those tender impressions which she had made on his heart, but in vain. Every renewed interview only served to fix her image deeper in his mind, & to make the flame of love more difficult to extinguish. He reasoned on the obstacles in the way of obtaining this young lady for his partner, but instead of cooling it only increased the ardor of his passion & produced a resolution, that with the consent of Lamesa, nothing should prevent the attainment of his wishes. To a mind thus ardent, which possessed the native courage resolution & perseverance of Elseon, the most gigantic obstacles would vanish into vapor. Nor was it long before he found that a correspondent passion was existed in her breast. The moment she first saw him her heart palpitated, her face was covered with crimson. She turned her eyes & attempted to speak, her tongue stopped its motion in the middle of a period. She hummed, sat down & observed that she was not well. A description of this scene is painted by a Sciotan Bard in poetic numbers, he represents the young lady as recovering in a short time from this state of agitation & confusion & as being afterwards composed, & of having a better command of her passions. To follow this Poet in the description which he gives of Elsion, to whom he attaches a countenance & figure, superior to other mortals, & qualities which produced universal esteem & admiration, would not comport with the faithful page of history. Suffice it to say that Lamesa was captivated with his person, & was impressed with those ideas & sentiments, that her happiness fled, except when she either enjoyed or anticipated his company. After Elsion had firmly determined to marry Lamesa he was impatient for a private interview with her to disclose his sentiments. This occurred in a short time. They were together in one of apartments of the Emperors palace, the company had all retired. "I have," said he in a low voice to Lamesa, "conceived that opinion of you, that I hope you will not be displeased if I express my feelings with frankness & sincerity." "You must," she replied, "be the best judge of what is proper for you to express. I am always pleased with sincerity." "As the sun," says he, "my dear Lamesa, when he rises with his radiant beams dispels the clouds of anxiety which rest upon my soul. The Crown of Kentuck will be like a rock upon my head, unless you will condescend to share with me the glory & felicity of my reign. Will you consent to be my dearest friend & companion for life?" "There is nothing," she replies, "would give me more pleasure than a compliance with your request, provided it shall meet the approbation of my father. But how can he consent, when our Constitution requires that his daughters should marry in his own dominions? Besides my father intends that I shall receive the King of Sciota for my husband." "By performing," says he, "the ceremonies of Marriage at Tolanga we shall literally comply with the imperial constitution, as Talanga is within the dominions of your father. But as for this King of Sciota do you sincerely wish to have him for a husband?" "No," she quickly speaks, anger sparkled in her eyes. "No! The King of Sciota for my husband! His pride, his haughtiness, the pomposity of all his movements, excite my perfect disgust. I should as leave be yoked to a porcupine."
These lovers, as you may well conjecture, said many things too tender & endearing to please the taste of the common class of lovers. In this interview, which lasted about four hours, they exchanged the most transporting expressions of love, made the most solemn vows of sincerity & perpetual friendship, & finally agreed that Elseon should make known to the Emperor their mutual desire to be joined in wedlock. The next day he wrote to the Emperor as follows:
"May it please your most excellent Majesty. Permit me to express my most sincere gratitude for the high favors & honor which through the beneficence of your majesty, I have enjoyed in your dominions. I am likewise impelled to request a favor which to me would be the most precious gift that is in the power of your majesty to bestow. Having contracted an acquaintance with your most amiable daughter Lamesa & finding that a correspondent affection and esteem exist in our hearts towards each other & a mutual desire to be united by the solemn covenant of marriage, I would therefore solicit your majesty’s permission, that such a connection may be formed. Such a connection, I conceive, may in its effects be very salutary & beneficial to both Empires. It will unite the two imperial families nearer in the bond of consanguinity & fix upon them an additional obligation to cultivate friendship, peace & amiable intercourse. It will strengthen the sinews of both governments & promote an happy interchange of friendly offices. As to the objection which might arise from the constitution requiring, that the Emperors daughters should marry in his own dominions. This according to its literal meaning can have no respect only to the place where the Emperors Daughters shall marry. If by your Majesties permission I should marry your daughter Lamesa, in your dominions it will be a literal fulfillment of the constitution. From this ground therefore I conceive no objection of any weight can arise. Will your majesty please to vouchsafe an answer to my request.
"Signed. Elseon, Prince of Kentuck."
This letter was presented to the Emperor by Helicon an intimate friend of Elseon. The Emperor read it, assumed the aspect of deep consideration. walked the room a few moments, then took a seat & told Helicon that he might inform the young prince that he should receive an answer within ten days.
But why ten days? A long time for two ardent Lovers to remain in suspense. But the Emperor must consult his Counsellors, his priests, & the last & most fatal counsellor of all the King of Sciota, who presumed to claim the hand of the fair Lamesa. The affair became public. The popular sentiment at first favored the connection. The Emperors Counsellors & his priests were at first inclined to recommend an affirmative answer. But the interest of the Sciotan King soon prevailed. This produced a different view of the subject. The counsellors perceived that such a connection would be a most flagrant violation of the true meaning & spirit of the constitution & the Priests considered that it would be an act of the greatest impiety, as it would transgress an explicit injunction of the great founder of their government & religion. This opinion had vast weight on the minds of a great majority of the people. The more liberal sort vindicated the cause of Elseon. This produced a great debate, altercation & confusion throughout the city. All were anxious to know the Emperors decision.
On the tenth day the Emperor transmitted to the prince the following answer to his letter"
" To our best beloved Cousin Elseon, Prince of Kentuck. The letter we received from your Highness has impressed our hearts with a deep sense of the honor & benefits which you intended our family & empire. At first we were inclined to accept of the alliance you proposed. But having considered the subject with great seriousness & attention we find that to admit your Highness, who is not a citizen of our empire, to marry into our family, would be a most flagrant violation of the true meaning and spirit of our Constitution & an impious outrage on the sacred memory of its founder. For these reasons we must solicit your Highness, not to insist on our compliance with your request.
"Signed Hambock Emperor of Sciota."
As Elseon had been informed of the complexion which his affairs had assumed in the court & throughout the city he was prepared for the answer which he received. Without manifesting the least chagrin or resentment, he appeared to acquiesce in the decision of the Emperor. He displayed in his countenance, his conversation & deportment his usual cheerfulness & vivacity. He continued his amusements, & associated with company with the same ease, gracefulness and dignified conduct which he had done before. At the same time his determination was fixed to transport the fair Lamesa into his fathers dominions. The first interview which he had with her after he received the Emperors letter, he informed her of its contents. She trembled, paleness began to cover her face & had not Elseon received her into his arms, perhaps she would have fallen from her seat. However by a few soothing words & caresses, she was restored to her former composure & recollection. "Believe me," quote he, "my dearest Lamesa, you shall be mine. This heart shall be taken from my bosom & these limbs from my body, nothing else shall prevent our union & complete enjoyment of happiness. Can the ancient scribbling of a great Sage or the decree of an Emperor prevent the streams from uniting with the ocean with the same ease & propriety can they prevent the union of our hands since our hearts are united. With your consent, you shall be mine!" Is it possible," she replies, "is it possible? Oh Elseon, to disregard the authority of an indulgent & beloved parent & disobey his command. This I never did." "What if he should command you," says Elseon, "to marry the King of Siota, would you obey." "He might," she replies, "with more regard to my happiness command me to plunge a dagger into my heart. I cannot endure that supercilious bundle of pride & affectation."
At this moment her maid entered the room & gave her a letter. "I received this letter," she says, "from your brother, who told me it was from the Emperor." Lamesa opened the letter & read:
"My dearest & best beloved daughter. Having the most tender & affectionate regard for your future welfare & felicity we have concluded a treaty of marriage between you and Sambal the King of Sciota. This alliance will be honorable to our family, & be productive of many benefits to the Empire. On the tenth day from this time the nuptial ceremonies will be consummated in our Palace. You will be in readiness & yield a cheerful compliance with our will.
" Signed, Rambock, Emperior. of Sciota."
Had the lightning flashed from the clouds & pierced her heart, it could not have produced a more instantaneous effect. She fell into the arms of Elseon, the maid ran for a cordial, Elseon rubbed her temples & hands & loosened the girdle about her waist. Within about an hour the blood began to circulate. Elseon to his inexpressible joy felt her pulse beginning to beat & perceived flashes of color in her face. With a plaintive groan she opened her eyes once more to the beams of day, & in a kind of wild distraction exclaimed: "Oh cruel cruel Father, why have you doomed your daughter to a situation the most odious & disgustful. As well might you have thrown her into a den of porcupines, opossums & serpents. With such animals I could enjoy life with less disgust & torment, than with this mighty King of Sciota. An alliance with him an honor to our family, an honor to the descendents of the great Lobasca! What wicked counsellors have deceived my father & induced him to throw me into the arms of this hateful monster. Oh whether shall I fly & escape my barbarious destiny." "I am your protector," says Elseon, "I am your friend & will conduct you beyond the loving & gigantic grasp of Sambal." His loathsome arms shall never encircle my dear Lamesa. Consent to my request & we will be within ten days at the city of Gamba. There you will be esteemed as the brightest ornament of my Fathers Empire.
"No longer," she replies, "Oh Elseon can I refuse my consent to your proposal. When a compliance with my fathers command will entail wretchedness & misery throughout life. Heaven will pardon my disobedience. Yes Elseon I will go with you, & place my happiness in your power. I would share with you the worst of fortune, rather than fall into the hands of this haughty Sambal." [What could she say more, to express the feelings of a heart struggling under the operation of different passions & opposite motives. She has taken her resolution. Love has gained the preeminence over every obstacle.]
[At this resolution Elseon was transported with joy. He now proceeds to form his plans for their flight. On the fourth day after he called upon the Emperor & requested his permission to depart to his own country. The Emperor importuned him to tarry & be one of the guests at Lamesa’s wedding. But he declined by urging as his apology the anxiety & impatience of his father for his return. Permission was granted & the Emperor added that he should do himself the honor to furnish the Prince with an escort when he left the City. Elseon replied that he was not fond of much parade, he would wish the escort might consist of the Emperor’s children only with each of them a friend. These says he are my dearest & best beloved cousins, for whom I shall ever retain the most sincere friendship. Nothing can afford me more pleasure says the Emperor than to comply with your request. Elseon took an affectionate leave of the Emperor & on the second day after, being prepared for his journey, he sat off with his three friends and their servants. Moonrod, prince of the empire & Lamesa, with her two sisters. With each of them a friend attended him on the journey about twenty miles. They all tarried at a village over night.]
Imagination alone can paint the pleasant & happy scene. Elseon was transported with joy. He pressed her to his bosom with all the ardor of enthusiasm & she yielded to all his tender & innocent embraces, with a grateful sensibility & modest resignation.
The invention & ingenuity of Elseon must now be employed in forming a plan of their flight to his fathers dominions. As he appeared to acquiesce in the decision of the emperor & had maintained the same cheerful deportment none were suspicious of his designs. The Emperor & the whole Court, still manifested toward him every token of high respect & sincere friendship. Without any hesitation the Emperor cheerfully complied with his request, that his dear cousin, the son and the three daughters of the Emperor, with each of them a friend, should accompany him about twenty miles, on his return to Kentuck. The retinue of the young Prince consisted of four of his most intimate friends & other servants. He took care to send their baggage on by two servants one day before they set out. The morning arrived, the sun shone with radiant splendor, not a cloud intervened or was seen to float in the atmosphere. It was the fourth day after Lamesa had received the letter which doomed her to the embraces of Sambal. The Emperor, his counsellors, his priests & principal officers assembled, & having invited the young prince & his friends to meet them, they entered the circle with great ceremony. The Emperor then addressed the Young Prince, thanked him for the honor of his visit & expressed his firm determination to maintain a sincere friendship & an inviolable peace with the government of Kentuck. Elseon replied that these sentiments would meet the cordial approbation of his father who retained the same sentiments of friendship & peace towards the government of Siota. He then thanked the Emperor & whole assembly for the high respect they had shown him. This was done with that frankness & apparent sincerity that the whole assembly were highly pleased. The Emperor then embraced him & gave him his blessing. Customary ceremonies were mutually exchanged by the whole company, & even tears were seen to drop from every eye.
As the whole of this parade indicates no flight of Elseon & Lamesa, we might now view them, with their select company of friends setting out on a short journey. All mounted on horses, they rode about twenty miles to a village were they halted. An elegant supper was provided. They were cheerful & sociable, none appeared more so than Elseon & Lamesa. The next day Elseon requested the company of his dear cousins a short distance on his journey. When they had rode about two miles they halted & proposed to take their leave of each other. Lamesa & her friend without being perceived by the company rode on. It was a place where the road turned & by riding one rod they could not be seen. The rest of the company entered into a short conversation & passed invitations for reciprocal visits & friendly office. They then clasped each others hands, & bowing very low took an affectionate farewell. But where are Lamesa & her friend? During these ceremonies their horses moved with uncommon swiftness, her heart palpitates with an apprehension that she might be overtaken by her brother. But now a friend more dear, her beloved Elseon, with his companions, outstrip the wind in their speed, & within one hour & half they overtake these fearful damsels. They all precipitate their course casting their eyes back every moment to her pursuers. But pursuers had not sufficient time to overtake them. They safely arrive on the bank of the great river. Elseon & Lamesa were the first that entered the boat, the rest followed. Such was Elseon’s engagement & anxiety to secure his fair prize, that he even seized an oar, & used it with great strength & dexterity. As their feet stepped on the opposite shore. Elseon clasped his hands & spoke aloud: "Lamesa is mine; She is now beyond the grasp of a pompous tyrant & the control of a father, whose mind is blinded by the sordid advice of a menial junto of counsellors & priests. She is mine, & shall so on be the princes of Kentuck." Their movement is slow throughout the remaining part of the journey. They at length arrive at the great City of Gamba. We may now contemplate them as having new scenes to pass trough. Not to delineate the parade which was made at the court of Hamboon, for the reception of his Son, Lamesa & their friends. Nor to describe the joy that was exhibited in every part of the City on their arrival, & the universal surprise occasioned by the story of the flight of these two lovers. Suffice it to say that those who beheld Lamesa did not blame Elseon.
As Hamboon was not very punctilious in his regard to the Constitution, being posed of very liberal sentiments, Elseon found no difficulty in obtaining his consent to marry Lamesa. On the fourth day after their arrival, Elseon & Lamesa with each of them a friend appeared on a stage which was erected on the public square of the city. The Emperor & empress with his counsellors, his priests, his officers & all his relation with the principal ladies of the city formed a procession & surrounded the stage. The common citizens being a great multitude took their stand as they pleased. The Emperor & Empress then mounted the stage & united Elseon & Lamesa in the bond of wedlock according to custom. And as pulling the log was an indispensable ceremony, one was provided with a rope round it on the stage. The bridegroom & bride played their parts in pulling the rope with such dexterity & gracefulness, that the whole assembly were most pleasingly entertained. When all was ended, the whole assembly clapped their hands & cried, long live Elseon & Lamesa, & giving three hurrahs the common citizens dispersed. The rest repaired to a sumptuous entertainment & spent the remaining part of the day & evening in conversation, singing & recreation.
Main Table of
Contents