spousals

In one is seen the spousals of Santa Caterina, a piece so extremely infantile, that it would be difficult to find a similar example in Italy.

Betwixt her guards she seemed by bride-men led, Her checks with chearful blushes were o'erspread; When, smiling, to the axe she bowed her head, Just, at the stroke, �therial music did her death prepare, Like joyful sounds of spousals in the air; A radiant light did her crown'd temples gild, And all the place with fragrant scents was filled; The balmy mist came thickening to the ground, And sacred silence covered all around.

Louder swelled that strain; And still the Bride of God, that church late dark, Glad of her saintly spousals, laughed and shone In radiance ever freshening.

Conceive, Fred, what the fair young creature must have felt at the bare idea of such shocking spousals!

But should’st thou there hear tidings that he breathes No longer, to thy native isle return’d, First heap his tomb; then with such pomp perform His funeral rites as his great name demands, And make thy mother’s spousals, next, thy care.