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Article THE MONK OF ST. DUNSTAN". 4 ← Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Monk Of St. Dunstan". 4
come to serve yon . Tou see how little your prayers avail in Heaven ; therefore be not too sure of their procuring for you that assistance which you threaten to ask against me . I can do more for you than all your saints ; transfer your services to me , and I will instantly
accomplish all your fondest desires . She , over whom you have just been weeping , shall live again—shall live for you- —and years of love and happiness shall be your portion / ' The monk waved his hand and shook his head in silence . " Tou doubt my power / ' continued the old crone ; " behold ! and be convinced . '' As she said these words , she touched with her stick the lid of the coffin , which instantly flew
open ; and having sprinkled a few grains on the lamp , it shot forth a lambent flame , which filled the vault with a brightness more glorious than the summer noon . Then , approaching the body , she breathed on the face , when the symptoms of decay and the shades of death immediately disappeared , and the renovated features were again overspread with the glowing hues of life , and health , and beauty .
The wondering father looked on in ecstasy ; each reviving grace , each tint of freshening bloom , fixed more intently his eager gaze , and beamed on his soul another ray of hope . He saw no longer before him a mouldering tenant of the grave—but one of nature ' s fairest , loveliest , forms , lapped in delicious slumbers , and lulled by gentle breathings from the world of spirits . In speechless , breathless
rapture , he hung over this enchanting object , awaiting the moment when the opening eye should pour on him the lustre of its eloquent glance , and the first smile of recognition play around the moving lips . But he watched in vain , —no signs of animation appeared : the beautiful statue lay before him motionless and insensible . After an interval of agonising suspense , the old woman again addressed him :
" Does this sight convince you ? The rest depends upon yourself alone—pledge yourself to me by signing this contract of obedience , and at that instant this yet unconscious body shall wake to perfect life , and , living , shall be yours . Befuse my offer—the grave and its worms will have their prey again . " As she pronounced these words , she held to him the scroll for his signature ; but still he hesitated ;
observing which , she exclaimed impatiently , " Obstinate fool ! 'tis all over , then ¦ ; " and having put forth her stick , the lid of the coffin was already descending , when the monk frantically seized the parchment , affixed his name , and at that moment the promise of the sorceress was accomplished . The lady was restored to life , fairer and more
captivating than ever before , and the same spells which had loosened the iron grasp of death , dissolved with equal facility the influence of virtuous habits and the ties of connubial faith . Beguiled by powerful and wicked devices , she was willing to live for the monk alone , and hidden from a world she once adored so much , she remained the
contented partner of his solitary cell . But years rolled on , and the allotted term of their guilty enjoyment expired . The dreadful hour of retribution came—consuming fires and uprooting hurricanes executed the judgments of offended Heaven—the profaned building fell , and its wretched violators were entombed within the desolate
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Monk Of St. Dunstan". 4
come to serve yon . Tou see how little your prayers avail in Heaven ; therefore be not too sure of their procuring for you that assistance which you threaten to ask against me . I can do more for you than all your saints ; transfer your services to me , and I will instantly
accomplish all your fondest desires . She , over whom you have just been weeping , shall live again—shall live for you- —and years of love and happiness shall be your portion / ' The monk waved his hand and shook his head in silence . " Tou doubt my power / ' continued the old crone ; " behold ! and be convinced . '' As she said these words , she touched with her stick the lid of the coffin , which instantly flew
open ; and having sprinkled a few grains on the lamp , it shot forth a lambent flame , which filled the vault with a brightness more glorious than the summer noon . Then , approaching the body , she breathed on the face , when the symptoms of decay and the shades of death immediately disappeared , and the renovated features were again overspread with the glowing hues of life , and health , and beauty .
The wondering father looked on in ecstasy ; each reviving grace , each tint of freshening bloom , fixed more intently his eager gaze , and beamed on his soul another ray of hope . He saw no longer before him a mouldering tenant of the grave—but one of nature ' s fairest , loveliest , forms , lapped in delicious slumbers , and lulled by gentle breathings from the world of spirits . In speechless , breathless
rapture , he hung over this enchanting object , awaiting the moment when the opening eye should pour on him the lustre of its eloquent glance , and the first smile of recognition play around the moving lips . But he watched in vain , —no signs of animation appeared : the beautiful statue lay before him motionless and insensible . After an interval of agonising suspense , the old woman again addressed him :
" Does this sight convince you ? The rest depends upon yourself alone—pledge yourself to me by signing this contract of obedience , and at that instant this yet unconscious body shall wake to perfect life , and , living , shall be yours . Befuse my offer—the grave and its worms will have their prey again . " As she pronounced these words , she held to him the scroll for his signature ; but still he hesitated ;
observing which , she exclaimed impatiently , " Obstinate fool ! 'tis all over , then ¦ ; " and having put forth her stick , the lid of the coffin was already descending , when the monk frantically seized the parchment , affixed his name , and at that moment the promise of the sorceress was accomplished . The lady was restored to life , fairer and more
captivating than ever before , and the same spells which had loosened the iron grasp of death , dissolved with equal facility the influence of virtuous habits and the ties of connubial faith . Beguiled by powerful and wicked devices , she was willing to live for the monk alone , and hidden from a world she once adored so much , she remained the
contented partner of his solitary cell . But years rolled on , and the allotted term of their guilty enjoyment expired . The dreadful hour of retribution came—consuming fires and uprooting hurricanes executed the judgments of offended Heaven—the profaned building fell , and its wretched violators were entombed within the desolate