FOR A. K. NEWMAN AND CO.

LEADENHALL-STREET.
1813.

249.5.205.

ANSELM O.

CHAP. I.

Live there men who slight immortal Fame?
Who, then, with incense, shall adore our name?
But, mortals, know 'tis still our greatest pride,
To blaze those virtues which the good would hide.
Rise! muses, rise! add all your tuneful breath,
These must not sleep in darkness and in death,
She said: in air the trembling music floats,
And on the winds triumphant swell the notes;
So soft, though high, so loud, and yet so clear,
Even list'ning angels lean from heaven to hear:
To farthest shores, th' ambrosial spirit flies,

Sweet to the world, and grateful to the skies.

TEMPLE OF FAME.

AMIDST
MIDST the solemn grandeur of the
Appenines, in the year 1689, stood an
ancient gothic castle, defended by strong
battlements,

VOL. I.

B

!

battlements, and surrounded with an almost impassable fosse; accessible only by the narrow pass afforded by a massy drawbridge, which, flanked by two turrets, guarding a portcullis, formed a protection in those times of warfare with the neighbouring states, absolutely necessary for the safety of its inhabitants. Here resplendent magnificence maintained her seat, and proudly bade defiance to the invading marauders, who at this period sought to destroy, and to lay waste Italia's fertile plains, and for ever extinguish its pristine glory. This noble edifice being thus secured from the attack of savage banditti, or attempt of the unjust invader of a people's rights, here Feace, with all her attendant train of smiling loves, almost from time immemorial, had been accustomed to reign without alloy; and here, in some parts, uncultivated nature, variegated with agreeable wildness, surrounded the scene; whilst, in others, all the elegancies of human

human art were called in aid, to diversify and to improve its bright original. The long-extended avenues, which contained the beauteous elm, the sycamore, and oriental plane, although they presented a gloomy appearance, were of utility, as their beneficial effects served to shade the castle from the noonday heat, and to greatly heighten its solemnity. Here Pomona, likewise, shed her richest stores, whilst heaven-taught songsters breathed forth melodious strains of joy to their celestial visitor, for diffusing plenty through the land. Through every lawn, beside every grove and enamelled plain, flowed crystal rivulets, embanked with odoriferous shrubs and flowers, to enrich the scene, and to adorn it with inexpressible variety. But the chiefest beauty of this Arcadian landscape, from which science boasts its origin, and decoration its splendour, was a temple erected to the south of the castle, which had, in ancient times, been dedicated to Miner