—Italian.
The morning of the happy day destined to unite our lovers was ushered into the world with a blue sky, and the ringing of bells. Maidens, united in bonds of amity and artificial roses, come dancing to the pipe and tabor; while groups of children and chickens add hilarity to the union of congenial minds. On the left of the village are some plantations of tufted turnips; on the right a dilapidated dog-kennel
“With venerable grandeur marks the scene,”
while everywhere the delighted eye catches monstrous mountains and minute daisies. In a word,
“All nature wears one universal grin.”
The procession now set forward to the church. The bride was habited in white drapery. Ten signs of the Zodiac, worked in spangles, sparkled round its edge, but Virgo was omitted at her desire, and the bridegroom proposed to dispense with Capricorn. Sweet delicacy! She held a pot of myrtle in her hand, and wore on her head a small lighted torch, emblematical of Hymen.... The marriage ceremony passed off with great spirit, and the fond bridegroom, as he pressed her to his heart, felt how pure, how delicious are the joys of virtue.
Eaton Stannard Barrett.
THE NIGHT BEFORE LARRY WAS STRETCHED.[7]
The night before Larry was stretched,
The boys they all paid him a visit;