Llouvorko, a tale; and Songs of the Valley

Chapter I

An ashy paleness clothed his youthful cheek, And in his large and melancholy eye Dark sorrow reigned. One misty night, when the wind swept mournfully over the forests, a horseman moved slowly beneath a group of huge trees which rose at the entrance of a valley. A long dark cloak enwrapped his form ; his hands were folded over his bosom, and his gaze rested upon the ground. Awhile he seemed absorbed in meditation ; then, as if some sudden thought aroused him, he started from his reverie and urged his charger swiftly forwards. He emerged from the deep shade of the wood, and came upon a moor ; its extent was indiscernible — the heavy shadows hung upon the distance, and closed the prospect from his gaze ; yet he seemed no way daunted, for he put his horse to its speed, and bounded over the waste with the rapidity of wind.

When he had rode some, distance, B LLOUVORKO. he again drew the reins, gazed around, and seemed considering which way he should proceed ; at length he perceived through the darkness a faint glimmering light, and, supposing it to come from a cottage, darted off in that direction ; as he drew near, he found that it came from a small inn on the borders of a wood. He advanced cautiously to wards it, and stayed awhile to listen ; he heard a con fused mixture of voices; at times a loud laugh would echo through the walls, then a curse, and then he heard a dozen voices raised in strong contention — then a pause ensued, and then again a heavy sound broke forth, of inarticulate words : at length the strife ceased, and merriment seemed to have com menced, for he heard the music of a lute and voices raised in song.

He advanced to the door and struck it with his riding whip, it was opened by an old man with a bald head and a white beard, and though his face was wrinkled as withered oak-bark, yet did his eye seem bright enough for a man in the prime of life, it was black and piercing, and had within it a leer of the deepest cunning. A slight expression of surprise rested on his features when he beheld the stranger — 'twas but momentary — a ghastly smile illumed his face, (which was of a morbid yellow,) as he asked, " What lack ye, friend ?" " Can you find my horse a stable ? (said the young man) he's travelled far, and stands in need of rest." LLOUVORKO. 3 "Alight, Seignior, and enter 'neath my roof— methinks a slight repast would do thyself no harm. The night is raw, and the cold east wind hath doubtless put an edge upon thy stomach.

Alight ! alight ! A cup of wine and a slice of ham will — " " Stay — what kind of guests have you within ?" " A set of merrier fellows never turned a dice !" " I'm in no mood for merriment. Canst not me lodge in some obscure apartment ?" " The house is small — they're all engaged. Step in, step in. So jovial a group will raise thy spirits, if so it be thou hast aught sorrowful at thy heart. I'll call the boy to take thy horse away. What ho ! Divango ! — Haste ye picaroon, and lead this horse to the stable." The boy that appeared was a thin faced Italian, with long straight black hair, and eyes as dark as midnight, two balls of living fire that, never rested for an instant, but kept constantly rolling and darting and flashing, and peering into the face as if they would read the hidden soul.

He led the horse away, whilst the old man and Llouvorko (such the horseman's name) stepped into the cottage. The room they entered was low and wide, and at the further end was a group of men playing at dice ; they wore slouched hats, which partly con cealed their dark faces ; they were deeply engaged with the game and did not at first perceive the entrance of the stranger, but continued to curse and bawl, and strike the table, and give vent to sudden bursts of passion, as the game changed for or against LLOUVORKO. them ; they wore large mustachios, and their yellow visages were slightly illumined by the unsteady ray of a small lamp which was suspended from the dark low ceiling. Their voices became louder, and two of them seemed about to commence fighting, for each grasped his dirk ; when they perceived Llouvorko the harsh tones instantly died into a whisper, and their black eyes rested upon him with a fixed and earnest gaze.

" Take this chair, by the fire — (said the old man) whilst I spice a cup of muscadine. Fire and wine are the two best things on earth for driving cold from the body. And harkee, lads, be not so bois terous in your play; it may incommode the youth — but stay ; mayhap thoud'st like to join them. Art fond of gaming ?" " Ay, ay ; he'd perhaps like to join us (said one of the men). Hand over that chair, Paulo. By the virgin I could sit at the dice-box from the crow of the cock to the hoot of the owl ! What say you, Seignior — will you stand a throw ?" " Excuse me — gaming is a pastime I never in dulge in ; besides I'm weary, and stand more in need of rest than amusement-" " Well, well, but a throw or two, some five or ten ducats stake, will amuse you while the supper is preparing. Hand me that box, Belando."

" I feel in no humour for play ; you must excuse me." " Let's to it my lads ! How stand we, Belando ? LLOUVORKO. 5 By the holy saints you owe me four ducats ! — down with them. Ha ! I like to palm the coin ! — round with the dice. Lost again, by the virgin ! Mark me — turn out the numbers like a wizard — there ! — there ! Ha, ha, ha ! four ducats, my boy. — Ere yon old clock tells another hour I'll draw every coin out of thy pouch !" " Thou'st well nigh done that already. By Paul! I'd as lief play with the devil! Thou'st won six times successively ! I've a strong belief thou'st to do with the infernal black art. I'll play no more." " Pshaw ! pshaw ! Rattle the dice, and give thy heart a lift in thy body. Dost think fortune will always keep aloof? What! dost stand at a few paltry ducats ? On with the game — stay, I'll throw first."

" Thou'st a mind in very earnest to drain me. So it is, when thou'st fingered one's coin ; thou'rt not content with taking two thirds, but must have every denier." " Out upon such preaching ! — I say hand over the dice. I'd as lief be in purgatory as sit before an idle box!" " Let me examine my pouch — Ha ! by the blessed Evangelists, there's but four ducats left ! Well, there they go. I'll have first throw." "Ha! ha! ha! — good! good! — If thou throw'st no better I'll just stroke them over like a trout-tickler. Out with them— ha ! ha ! ha!"—" If it is'nt enough LLOUVORKO. to make a man poniard himself !— Thou'st cast a spell over me !— Some cursed imp turns the dice as they're falling to the table !— There!— I might as well attempt to split the earth as throw a number to night!" "Hand me the box.

Ha! ha! ha! Look at that! it makes thine eye wink with merriment — and that ! The ducats ! the ducats ! — Ha ! ha ! ha ! There's naught like clearing the bag. It gives me more pleasure to clean a man out, though he were possessed of only twenty ducats, than to receive a hundred in fair trade !"• " Now by the sweet St. John ! boaster ! I'll have another thrust at thee ! — Dost see this miniature ? — I'll stake it against forty ducats. What dost say ? 'Tis worth a hundred." "Let me see — Ha! a costly trinket. What sweet creature's this ? the picture of some love-lorn dove, I suppose. Ah ! that thou hadst the original, Belando ! I would give all my ducats for one kiss of her lips. By heaven ! she's lovely ! — I've seen beauty, but by my father's ghost I never saw aught like this! Step forward, Seignior, if thou'rt fond of surveying the features of lovely woman, and pass thy judgment upon this miniature."

The youth, during this conversation, had been sitting gazing on the fire in deep abstraction, apparently heedless of all that was going on ; but when the gambler addressed him, he advanced slowly to the table and held his hand out for the LLOUVORKO. 7 picture, but no sooner had his eye rested upon the features than he started as though he'd received the flash of heaven at his heart. " Where got you this ! — speak ! speak ! Where got you this ?" (he exclaimed, whilst the perspira tion started from his brow, and his breast heaved with agitation.) " Where got I that ? Why ask'st thou, Seignior?" " For the love of heaven answer me quickly and candidly ! — How came this miniature in your pos session ?" " Why as to that — but why art thou so curious ? 'Tis strange a bit of painted ivory set with a few jewels, should affect thee thus ! — Mayhap she's thy betrothed ?"

" Ay, ay, (said the other man,) thou'st hit it Belando. One look of the sweet face from which that drawing was taken would bewitch a man for the rest of his days. My heart fairly dances with the sight of the portrait !" " Pshaw! thou'rt a fool ! Thou talk'st like a green sapling of a boy. 'Tis not the girl's beauty that affects him." " Tell me, good friend, and you'll be entitled to my everlasting gratitude, how you came by this picture ?" (said Llouvorko.) " Tell him, tell him, (said the other man.) Why stand you there staring like a captured shark ? If you came by it honestly what need of this silence ? — Out with it man — keep him no longer in suspense." I.LnUVORKP. " AVhy, then, I got it from a Jew." " When ? Where ? (exclaimed Llouvorko.) Is he in this house ?" " Ha ! ha ! In this house !"

"Doth he reside near?— Where is he to be found ? — I must see that Jew." " Hath the trinket been stolen ?" " Will you conduct me to him ? Will you go with me even now to that Jew's residence ?" " What ! seek an old Israelite in the dead of the night, and the wind sweeping across the moor as if it would hurl the rocks before it, and the — Hark! Dost hear the thunder rumbling amongst the mountains ? No, no, Seignior. Take my advice, and leave not a warm house and good cheer." " I'll give you ten ducats, (said Llouvorko,) if you will guide me now to that man's house." " Ten ducats — why that's fair, but — see you, Seignior, I'll start with you at the first peep of light in the morning." "No, no; to night, to night! — I must, and will, by the living God ! see him to night !" " It cannot be, and for an excellent reason ; I can't find his house in the dark.

Why there's not light sufficient to discern a — " " Enough, enough ; — in the morning be it." " I care not how soon in the morn." " Ere the shadows have left the earth, and while the stars are bright in the heavens, we must depart. Oh ! that the night was over! — Heaven knows how LLOUVORKO. 9 I shall get through this night!— Try, good friend, to find the house in the dark— I'll double thy re ward. Thou know'st not what a weight of sorrow 'twill take from my heart !" " I dare not go- I dare not, on my soul!" "Show me to my room, old man — show me to my room." " The miniature, Seignior, the miniature." " Ha ! the miniature ! — I cannot part with it, — I would rather part with the last drop of my heart's blood." " Ha, ha, ha ! Thou'rt jesting, Seignior." " No, by heaven !" " So you intend walking off with the trinket ?

Now by the saints thou'rt one of the boldest cavaliers ever — " " What did it cast thee ?" " Forty ducats." " I'll give you forty ducats for it." " What ! the sum I gave ? — No, no ; every trader must have a profit, else where's the use of doing business ? You shall have il. for fifty, and, seeing the store you seem to set by it, you've a bargain." " You will find fifty in this purse. And harkee, be in readiness, ere the first streak of daw n, to con duct me to the Jew." " Ay, ay, Seignior ; we'll be across the moor before the last star's left the sky." Llouvorko beckoned to the old man to conduct him to his chamber. LLOUVORKO. " Will you take a draught of warm wine, Seignior? 'twill help you to sleep." " No, no; lead on, lead on." The old man lighted a small lamp, and walked slowly to the stairs, which lay in a deep recess ; they were old and foot-worn, and creaked and trembled as they moved over them, and seemed scarcely capable of bearing their weight.

The feeble lamp threw a fitful gleam upon the wall, wh;ch was grimy and dark ; the plaster in many places had fallen off and disclosed the naked stones, over which crickets were racing, startled by the sudden appearance of the light. " Mind how you step, (said the old man.) It's an old house this ; the stairs are rotten as spunk, and creak like a ship in a tempest. Ha ! the light's gone ! — Confound that imp of a lad ! he's neglected closing the upper windows. The night's rough, and the wind sweeps wildly down the stair case. — Stay here a moment, whilst I descend for a light. Stir not, else you may get your foot entangled in the rents of the stairs." So saying, the old man left Llouvorko in total darkness. He heard him creeping slowly down the stairs, as if fearful of falling. " I don't half like that old fellow— (said he) — there's something in the expression of his face that strikes a chill to the heart.

And those gamblers below — a set of wilder looking men I never saw. What if they should prove banditti? LLOUVORKO. 11 I thought I heard whispering when I handed the purse to the man for the miniature. 'Twere as well if I was fifty miles from this hovel. But the Jew ! the Jew ! I must remain here though the house were inhabited by demons! — Doth the old man intend to keep me here all night ? 'Tis strange ! 'tis strange ! — They may creep up in the dark and murder me! — By heaven ! I think I hear a creaking of the stairs !" He drew his sword quickly from the scabbard, grasped a pistol in his left hand, and listened in breathless anxiety. "'Tis but the cricket chirping in the wall. — Hark ! I hear the gamblers' voices ; the fellows are deeply engaged in play ; and now loud laughter shakes the trembling walls. — I'll just steal down — Hark! — 'tis he! — I hear aj>proaching steps; and now the light conies quivering up the stairs."

The withered man, like some old miser's ghost, came creeping slowly up ; the light he held illumined his hairless head, and half disclosed his time worn features, which shone livid and ghastly in the faint unsteady light. He drew up to Llouvorko, and said in a low dull voice, " I fear I've tired you, but the lamp slipped from my hand aud spilt the oil, and I had to go round to the stable to replenish it. I have brought you some hot wine, — (and he held out to him a cup as he spoke,) to drive from your body any cold which you may have im bibed while waiting here in the draught. — Why LLOUVO: KO. you shake like a leaf! Drink it whilst 'tis hot." " No, no— drink it thyself, old man ; I lack it not. — Lead the way to the chamber." " Dost refuse what is essential to thy health ? — 'Tis a cold night — the house is none of the warmest — and this hot wine will keep the chill from thy vitals.

I have spiced it well. Take my advice and drink it, Seignior." " I tell thee I'll none oft ! — Show me to my room." The old man, in sullen mood, led the way up the stairs. They came at length to the room ; it was square and lofty, there were many closets in it, so many that the walls appeared of wood ; the windows were small, the shutters closed, and there was a small padlock, without a key, at the end of each bar. An old oil picture, of large dimensions, hung over the fire place, representing a duel, so like to life, so exquisitely natural, that the figures ap peared to breathe. One of the combatants was re ceiving the sword of his adversary in his heart — and the turned up ghastly eye-ball half glazed with death, the livid hue of the cheek, the singular curl of the mouth produced by awful agony, were so truly portrayed, that, as the lamp-light fell upon the figures, Llouvorko involuntarily started back, and exclaimed, " What's that, old man ? — Speak ! speak !

What's that ?" " 'Tis but a picture, Seignior." LLOUVORKO. "Ha! a picture r" " Ay, a picture." " By heaven, I could have sworn the figures were flesh ! So complete an illusion never fell upon me before. Allow me the lamp a moment to con template this beautiful work of art." The man gave him the lamp, and he gazed upon the picture in silent admiration. " I little thought (at length he said) that painting could be brought to such perfection. That is a gem, old man, and worth far more than you have any idea of." " I care little about pictures ; I never had one in my possession before, and should'nt now but that I found this one in an old lumber closet when I came to the house. You had better take the wine, Seignior — 'tis yet warm — and this room, being with out a fire, is chilly." " No, no. Leave me the lamp.

I'll go to bed." In one corner of the apartment stood the bed; it was large — the curtains seemed once to have been rich and splendid, but time had put his teeth in them ; they had been completely riddled by the moths, and the deep crimson, which had once been their colour, had given place to a dingy brown. The old man, seeing Llouvorko gaze upon the bed with surprise, said "It's a strange affair that; it seems at first glance but a heap of tattered tapestry, but the bed-clothes are dry and clean. The old heavy curtains will keep the wind from annoying you. ' LLOUVORKO. " A strange bed indeed for a house like this." "It too, I suppose, belonged to the former inhabitant ; I found it in the house when I came." "What was the person's name who last resided here ?" " I know not." "What kind of a man was he ?"

" I never even saw him." " Indeed !" " Some eccentric individual, doubtless, for I found many curious things scattered about." " Hark ! the storm's increasing. The thunder peals directly over head." " Ay, ay, (said the old man, drawing the curtains of the bed and peering within,) a snug corner this, a snug corner ! Thou'lt sleep like an owl in the sun-light." " You had better retire. I feel my eye-lids heavy — a drowsiness overpowers me. Leave me the light." " Should you require anything in the night you can ring this bell." The old man laid a small bell on the table and retired. No sooner had he left the apartment than Llouvorko took the miniature from his bosom ; his eyes fell upon the features of the lovely girl — he gazed and gazed, and kissed the senseless ivory ; one large tear rolled down his cheek, and his breast rose with sighs.

He paced, with lengthened strides, the gloomy apartment, and ever and anon a low groan burst from his heart. At length he said — LLOUVORKO. 15 " She's lost — she's lost for ever ! Almighty God ! pour comfort to my soul! add strength unto my heart ! — My good, my beautiful Plesina ! — Oh ! that 'twas morning ! the dreary time drags heavily away. — I yearn to see that Jew ! how came he by the picture ? 'Tis strange — most strange ! — Oh ! that I could have seen him to night ! — I cannot bear delay — my soul's on fire ! But the weather is awful — 'tis better as it is. I hear the wind bellow ing in the forest, and the heavy rain beats wildly against the windows. What noise is that ? I heard a rustling on the stairs! Is any one lurking near the room ?" He seized the lamp and advanced with noiseless steps to the door; he listened attentively; but nothing met his ear save the sighing of the wind as it rushed down the stair-case.

He opened the door and thrust his head forward to see if any one was near, but saw nothing save heavy blackness, on which the lamp's faint beam danced and quivered like the meteor of the swamp. He descended a few steps and gazed into every recess. " It was but fancy, then — (said he as he retraced his steps to the room). Doubtless the moaning of the wind through the stair-rails. I'll not extin guish the light I don't feel at my ease in this jdace, — there's something frightfully mysterious about it." He drew back the curtains of the bed, and laid his sword upon the pillow; then examined his LLOUVORKO. pistols, and put an extra ball in each barrel. He began to disrobe himself, then, as if a sudden thought struck him, replaced his dress, and threw himself carelessly upon the bed. He had not lain long before he was again startled by a noise on the stairs ; he half raised himself, and listened with intense anxiety.

It seemed as if some one was approaching, with cautious foot, the room door. He extinguished the lamp, seized his sword and pistols, crept softly across the room, and placed himself directly behind it. He heard a kind of shuffling noise, and a rustling of garments against the wall, then a creaking of the stairs. He yet was doubtful whether the sounds were produced by men ; but he remained not long in doubt, for a hurried whisper brought the cold sweat upon his brow, and made his heart jump with terror. He grasped his sword more tightly, and crept yet nearer to the door. He heard fingers gliding over the panels. He raised his weapon over his head to be in readiness to fell the first that entered, when his attention was aroused by the noise of carriage wheels — a moment more and a loud knocking was heard, and those who had been at the door rushed quickly down the stairs.

Llouvorko began to breathe more freely. " Are these men banditti ? — (said he) — am I then encaged within a robber's den? — That hoary villain ! I thought he pressed me over-much to take his accursed wiue ; without a doubt 'twas LLOUVORKO. poisoned ! 'twas a snare for my life, and because it failed, the infernal gang were stealing to my room to dispatch me ! Had they not been interrupted by the knocking at the door, I should ere now have been a corse ! This single sword would have availed nothing against such a band!. ...All hath died away to silence ; I hear not the slightest sound through the building 'Tis strange a carriage should drive up to this obscure house at such a time in the morning ! ..They may be honest men yet!.... 'Twas perhaps some intoxicated idiot, that was groping about my door. ...for, were they robbers, aud intent upon murdering me, they had many opportu nities of doing so before I left their company."

He again threw himself upon the bed, and tried to compose himself to sleep. He had not rested long before he was again startled by a noise from below, and he thought he heard a faint cry of murder. He sprung from the bed and rushed to the landing, he leaned his head over the bannister to catch the slightest sound, but all was still ; he heard naught save the whispering of the restless wind, and the chirping of the crickets. Supposing it to be fancy, he retraced his steps, once more laid himself down, and fell asleep. c LLOUVORKO.

Chapter II

Beneath huge rocks his dwelling lay, Which ne'er was pierced hy light of day, The bird alone, above the spray, Could tell of the secret entrance. Beside a small fire, whose dying embers cast forth a feeble rubid gleam, four men were sitting ; the gamblers of the preceding night and the old man. In one corner, upon a low form, lay two others, overcome with wine, and at their feet reposed a large wolf-dog. The rays from the fire tinged their swarthy faces with red, and threw a lurid light through the apartment. Upon the table lay flagons, dice-boxes, and half smoked cigars, with an un sheathed sword and two naked daggers. " I wish thou'dst bring us a flagon of wine, Girosso, (said one of them, addressing the old man). My throat's as rough as a horse-rasp !" "Ay, ay, (said another) let us have a pull at the wine. — By Peter, I shake like a reed after this night's work !"

" Why ay — it was a hot affair— and so cursed LLOUVORKO. 19 sudden. But the wind blew the right way, and the sound of the whistle fell into the right ear By the holy saints ! I'd no more idea of — " " Hush ! be sileut as the mole ! These shattered walls are like ear trumpets ! The wine, Girosso, the wine — the wine! — Why thou look'st as sulky as a robbed miser." The old man placed two flasks on the table, and resumed his seat by the fire. " I wonder how that wench-faced lad slept." " He'd have slept sounder had it not been for — No matter, I'm glad it's turned out so — it wdl bring more coin into our pouches. Ha ! ha ! ha ! when I think of the Jew my sides ache with merriment! Harkee, Girosso ; did you give him the wine ?" " I might as well have offered it to a sea-gull." " Ha !— Did he suspect ?"

" I know not ; but he turned from it with disgust whenever I tendered it to him." " Pshaw ! thou know'st as much about tendering cordials as a buffalo ! Thou'st pressed him too much, and peered too often in his face with that diabolical eye of thine. Why man, if thou'dst placed it on the table, and said naught, he'd have swallowed it like a dolphin." " Harkee, Belando ; old as I am, I'd like to have a thrust at thee !" " Hold thy peace, old fool ! — I'm glad he's clear of it; we'll work him another way. — Where's Divango ?" LLOUVORKO. "He's in the stable. There's more cattle there than usual." " The young devil played me a trick, for which I'll tear the grisel out of his nose." " A very imp that !" " Imp ! Why there's not an imp in the infernal regions fit to cope with him ! he's the look of Lucifer in his face.

That lad's committed more crime, young as he is, than any man in the band, not excepting old Girosso there." " Beware of thine own hide ! (growled the old man, and he grasped the hilt of his dirk.) "Ha! dost threaten? (said Belando; aud he seized him by the throat and threw him violently to the ground, then, unsheathing his sword, he laid on the old man's back and ribs with the flat part so lustily, that he roar'd aloud for mercy.) Take that, thou wincing old dotard, and threaten and touch thy steel again. JWe've lost more spoil by thy cursed folly than e'er was gained by thee ! Thou'rt not fit to be trusted even with a pass word. What ho ; old Roquel ! (said he to the dog, which had crept close to the fire.) A stanch old devil this; his jaw's like a vice, and his teeth never rest till they fall dead upon the bone.