But the void within my heart refused, even thus, to be filled. I
longed for the love which had before filled it to overflowing. At
length the valley pained me through its memories of Eleonora, and I
left it for ever for the vanities and the turbulent triumphs of the
world.
I found myself within a strange city, where all things might have
served to blot from recollection the sweet dreams I had dreamed so
long in the Valley of the Many-Colored Grass. The pomps and
pageantries of a stately court, and the mad clangor of arms, and the
radiant loveliness of women, bewildered and intoxicated my brain.
But as yet my soul had proved true to its vows, and the indications of
the presence of Eleonora were still given me in the silent hours of
the night. Suddenly these manifestations they ceased, and the world
grew dark before mine eyes, and I stood aghast at the burning thoughts
which possessed, at the terrible temptations which beset me; for there
came from some far, far distant and unknown land, into the gay court
of the king I served, a maiden to whose beauty my whole recreant heart
yielded at once- at whose footstool I bowed down without a struggle,
in the most ardent, in the most abject worship of love.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11