We must be fiddling and performing

For supper and bed, or starve in the street.Not a very gay life to lead, you think?

But soon we shall go where lodgings are free, And the sleepers need neither victuals nor drink ;The sooner, the better for ROGER and me.

J. G. Holland.

THE OLD STORY OF BLUEBEARD.

CEN

(FROM "BITTER-Sweet.")

ENTURIES since, there flourished a man (A cruel old Tartar, as rich as the Khan) Whose castle was built on a splendid plan,

With gardens and groves and plantations; But his shaggy beard was as blue as the sky, And he lived alone, for his neighbours were shy, And had heard hard stories, by-the-by,

About his domestic relations.

Just on the opposite side of the plain
A widow abode, with her daughters twain;
And one of them-neither cross nor vain-
Was a beautiful little treasure:

So he sent them an invitation to tea-
And, having a natural wish to see

His wonderful castle and gardens, all three

Said they'd do themselves the pleasure.

As soon as there happened a pleasant day, They dressed themselves in a sumptuous way, And rode to the castle as proud and gay

As silks and jewels could make them; And they were received in the finest style, And saw every thing that was worth their while, In the halls of BLUEBEARD's grand old pile,

Where he was so kind as to take them.

The ladies were all enchanted quite;
For they found old Bluebeard so polite,
That they did not suffer at all from fright,
And frequently called thereafter.

Then he offered to marry the younger one—
And, as she was willing, the thing was done,
And celebrated by all the ton

With feasting and with laughter.

As kind a husband as ever was seen
Was BLUEBEARD then, for a month, I ween;
And she was as proud as any queen,

And as happy as she could be, too.

But her husband called her to him one day,
And said, "My dear, I am going away;
It will not be long that I shall stay;

There is business for me to see to.

"The keys of my castle I leave with you; But if you value my love, be true,

And forbear to enter the Chamber of Blue!

Farewell, FATIMA !

Remember!"

FATIMA promised him; then she ran

To visit the rooms with her sister ANN;

But when she had finished the tour, she began
To think about the Blue Chamber.

Well, the woman was curiously inclined,
So she left her sister and prudence behind
(With a little excuse), and started to find
The mystery forbidden.

She paused at the door;-all was still as night!
She opened it then, through the dim, blue light,
There blistered her vision the horrible sight
That was in that chamber hidden !

The room was gloomy and damp and wide,
And the floor was red with the bloody tide
From headless women, laid side by side,

The wives of her lord and master!

Frightened and fainting, she dropped the key,
But seized it and lifted it quickly; then she
Hurried as swiftly as she could flee

From the scene of the disaster.

She tried to forget the terrible dead,

But shrieked when she saw that the key was red, And sickened and shook with an awful dread

When she heard BLUEBEARD was coming!

He did not appear to notice her pain;
But he took his keys, and, seeing the stain,
He stopped in the middle of the refrain

That he had been quietly humming.

Mighty well, madam !" said he, "mighty well! What does this little blood-stain tell?

You've broken your promise: prepare to dwell

With the wives I've had before you!

You've broken your promise, and you shall die!"
Then FATIMA, supposing her death was nigh,
Fell on her knees and began to cry,

"Have mercy, I implore you!"

"No!" shouted BLUEBEARD, drawing his sword;
"You shall die this very minute!" he roared.
"Grant me time to prepare to meet my LORD!"
The terrified woman entreated.

"Only ten minutes!" he roared again;

And, holding his watch by its great gold chain,
He marked on the dial the fatal ten,

66

And retired till they were completed.

Sister, O sister, fly up to the tower!

Look for release from this murderer's power!
Our brothers should be here this very hour-
Speak! Does there come assistance ?"
"No: I see nothing but sheep on the hill.”
"Look again, sister!"-"I'm looking still,
But naught can I see, whether good or ill,
Save a flurry of dust in the distance."

"Time's up!" shouted BLUEBEARD, out from his room; "This moment shall witness your terrible doom, And give you a dwelling within the room

Whose secrets you have invaded.”

"Comes there no help for my terrible need ?"

"There are horsemen twain riding hither with speed." "Oh, tell them to ride very fast indeed,

Or I must meet death unaided !"

"Time's fully up-now have done with your prayer !" Shouted BLUEBEARD, swinging his sword on the stair.

Then he entered, and grasping her beautiful hair,
Swung his glittering weapon around him

;

But a loud knock rang at the castle gate,
And FATIMA was saved from her horrible fate,
For, shocked with surprise, he paused too late-
And then the two soldiers found him.

They were her brothers—and quick as they knew
What the fiend was doing, their swords they drew,
And attacked him fiercely, and ran him through,
So that soon he was mortally wounded.
With a wild remorse was his conscience filled,
When he thought of the hapless wives he had killed;
But quickly the last of his blood was spilled,
And his dying groan was sounded.

As soon as FATIMA recovered from fright,
She embraced her brothers with great delight;
And they were as glad and as grateful quite
As she was glad and grateful.

Then they all went out from that scene of pain,
And sought in quietude to regain

Their minds, which had come to be quite insane,
In a place so horrid and hateful.

'Twas a private funeral BLUEBEArd had;
For the people knew he was very bad,

And, though they said nothing, they all were glad
For the fall of the evil-doer;

But FATIMA first ordered some graves to be made,
And there the unfortunate ladies were laid;
And after some painful months, with the aid

Of her friends, her spirits came to her.