The Rise of Iskander

and rustled with returning animation, and the pennons of the Turkish squadron, that lay at anchor in the harbour of Pir?|us, twinkled in the lively air. From one gate of the city the women

note of the nightingale, the pattering call of the grasshopper, and the perfume of the violet, sh

graceful burthen, carvings of delicate precision, and friezes breathing with heroic life. Apparently the stranger, though habited as a Moslemin, was not insensible to the genius of the locality, nor indeed would his form and countenance have misbecome a contemporary of Pericles and Phidias. In the pri

mbroidered with gold and pearls. Over this he wore a very light jacket of crimson velvet, equally embroidered, and lined with sable. He wore also the full white camese common among the Albanians; and while his feet were protected by sandals, th

s mine, a strange and mournful lot, yet not uncheered by hope. I am at least a warrior; and this arm, though trained to war against thee, will not well forget, in the

started as the sacred melody floated towards him, and taking a small golden cross from his hea

somewhat oddly contrasted with the two pieces of cannon, one of which was ostentatiously placed on each side of the portal, and which had been presented to the Prince of Athens by the Republic of Venice, lounged before the entrance, and paid their military homage to the stranger as he passed them. He passed them and entered a large quadrangular garden, surrounded by arcades, supported by

stranger advanced. "You have arrived just in time to remind me tha

the stranger, "I have arriv

tone of surprise and sorrow; and he ro

s and prospects, and place me in a position as difficult as it is harrowing. Hunniades has suddenly crossed the Danube in great force,

r. "My letters did not prepare me for this.

to the Sultan by pretended difficulties in our treaty

tribute should be paid no long

inst nations of their own faith. I am now suddenly summoned to combat against my secret creed, and the best allies of what I must yet call my secret country. The mo

I must despair. Your sanguine temper has alone

?" said the st

c?|us; "but I have lived to find even

ighteous cause. He knoweth that my thoughts are as pure as my situation is difficult. I have some dim ideas still brooding in

Nic?|us, looking down with a somewhat embarrassed air

said, "may we meet with brighter hopes and more buoya

pressed his companion to his heart. "'Tis a sad end

he stranger, "and for myself, I have not yet settled my accou

e Prince of Athens, "f