The shades of evening now fell thick, and the scene was soon

enveloped in darkness; but to the duke, who was animated by a strong

and impetuous passion, these were unimportant circumstances. Although

he knew that the wilds of Sicily were frequently infested with

banditti, his numbers made him fearless of attack. Not so his

attendants, many of whom, as the darkness increased, testified

emotions not very honourable to their courage: starting at every bush,

and believing it concealed a murderer. They endeavoured to dissuade

the duke from proceeding, expressing uncertainty of their being in the

right route, and recommending the open plains. But the duke, whose eye

had been vigilant to mark the flight of the fugitives, and who was not

to be dissuaded from his purpose, quickly repressed their arguments.

They continued their course without meeting a single person.

The moon now rose, and afforded them a shadowy imperfect view of the

surrounding objects. The prospect was gloomy and vast, and not a human

habitation met their eyes. They had now lost every trace of the

fugitives, and found themselves bewildered in a wild and savage

country. Their only remaining care was to extricate themselves from so

forlorn a situation, and they listened at every step with anxious

attention for some sound that might discover to them the haunts of

men. They listened in vain; the stillness of night was undisturbed but

by the wind, which broke at intervals in low and hollow murmurs from

among the mountains.

As they proceeded with silent caution, they perceived a light break

from among the rocks at some distance. The duke hesitated whether to

approach, since it might probably proceed from a party of the banditti

with which these mountains were said to be infested. While he

hesitated, it disappeared; but he had not advanced many steps when it

returned. He now perceived it to issue from the mouth of a cavern, and

cast a bright reflection upon the overhanging rocks and shrubs.

He dismounted, and followed by two of his people, leaving the rest at

some distance, moved with slow and silent steps towards the cave. As

he drew near, he heard the sound of many voices in high carousal.

Suddenly the uproar ceased, and the following words were sung by a

clear and manly voice:

SONG

Pour the rich libation high;

The sparkling cup to Bacchus fill;

His joys shall dance in ev'ry eye,

And chace the forms of future ill! Quick the magic raptures steal

O'er the fancy-kindling brain.

Warm the heart with social zeal,

And song and laughter reign. Then visions of pleasure shall float on our sight,

While light bounding our spirits shall flow;

And the god shall impart a fine sense of delight

Which in vain sober mortals would know.




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