The first that beld watch on that wonderful night, He perceived on a neighbouring hill with amaze, He whirled his huge uprooted pine-tree around, Whilst his loud bursts of laughter convulsed the firm ground; That prayer he repeated, whose words of blest might, His watch being ended, his partner he woke, More courage had he than the first who now slept, When he reached the lone spot where the fire met his view, The moon in the heavens shone coldly and bright, Then back he returned to the hut with surprise, In haste the stone threshold young Ulric has crossed, In silent amazement behold him stand still- He viewed them with wonder, unmingled with fear, He approached and addressed them with undaunted brow, "Say what are these rites that ye celebrate now?" The spectre replied to this questioner bold, "Depart hence, rash Ulric, this warning I give, They comply, and he thrust his spear-head in a brand, In vain he essay'd his cold fire to relume, The coal he had brought only caused it to fume; : He ventured again with a brand to make free, And his way to the hill a third time does explore, He boldly preferred, and obtained his request, But the spectre thus steru the intruder addressed :~ "If thou come back a fourth time, 'twill cost thee full dear,” And again the wild laughter rang loud on his ear, To rekindle his fire'still in vain was his care, Then, that day of ambition, on Ulric first rose,' He married a lady adorned with each grace, He regarded not man, and he feared not his God, But the first tilt he ran, from his head the casque flew, The monarch incensed, gave an instant command, And Ulric is banished by public decree. O'erwhelmed with confusion, with pain and dismay, Then strange to relate by the Harz forest-side, "Is this mighty Ulric, thus lost and forlorn ? Tho' dying, he rose, shook his fist in disdain, with admiration at the beautiful build- "Now, would to heaven," exclaimed the captivated German," that I had but the opportunity of saying a few words to one of those rare creatures!" It was a lovely Italian evening, when a young German merchant, named Richard, entered Venice, the widely celebrated seat of traffic and commerce. In consequence of it being then the period of the thirty years war, all Germany was, at that time, a scene of dissension; no wonder, therefore, if the young merchant, who was a gallant more inclined to banqueting and luxurious indulgence, than feats of chivalry, was not greatly displeased at his affairs calling him for some time towards Italy," where things wore a less hostile appearance, and where too, he had heard, that there was no lack either of the richest wines, or the most delicate fruits -to say nothing of fascinating beauties, in which latter article our gallant piqued himself on being no ordinary connoisseur. Seated in his gondola, he traversed the various canals of the city, struck "Well!" returned his gondolier, and that be all, you have only to step out, and go boldly into the house at once your time, I warrant me, will pass pleasantly enough." "It may be pleasant enough, friend, to thee, to put thy jeers upon strangers; but dost thou suppose that I am such an errant loon as to follow thy knavish counsel, and to venture where I should not only be hooted out, but receive too a sound drubbing into the bargain?" My good master," replied the other, do not think to teach me the customs of our city; only follow my advice, and, if you are not welcomed with open arms,why then I am well content to lose my labour and my fare." The youth now began to think the experiment worth trying; and soon found that the gondolier had not imposed upon him. These beauties, he quickly discovered, were far from being prudish or tyrannical; on the contrary, they were of that courteous sort, who are never backward in shewing hospitality to the stranger, but ready to extend their complaisance to the utmost, for the trifling consideration of some fifty ducats. "This same Italy," thought the unwary youth, intoxicated by their voluptuous caresses," is assuredly the "is assuredly the most delightful place beneath heaven;" for he did not fail to impute the flattering reception he had experienced, in no small degree to the comely person, with which nature had favoured him. The demand, however, that was made upon his purse, soon dissipated some of these pleasing reflections, as he discovered, that instead of having made a conquest of some princess, he had only been entertained by a courtesan, who now made a demand that nearly drained his purse. Yet did he not lose all his patience, since he was a gallant that did not consider the cost bestowed upon his pleasures, flung away: he therefore retired with as good a grace, as he could muster on such an occasion, and repaired to a tavern for the sake of diverting his spleen. Having commenced his affairs in so notable a manner, the wild youth continued daily to indulge in revels, and in the society of mirthful faces. In all the company of brave gallants, with whom Richard now constantly associated, there was but one countenance overcast with gloom. It was that of a Spanish captain, who, though he never failed to be present at these scenes of riot, rarely bestowed a word upon the company, while his dark features were rendered still more gloomy, by the visible uneasiness that sat upon them. Still his presence was endured, as he was a man of rank and wealth, and one too who regarded lightly the expense of treating his friends evening after evening. Richard, in the meanwhile, although less liberal of his purse than on the first evening of his arrival at Venice, found his finances rapidly decreasing; and reflected with no small sorrow, that this gay and joyous kind of life, must quickly terminate. His associates were not slow in observing his melancholy, or in divining the cause of it,-this being, by no means, the first instance of the kind, that had occurred within their society, neither did they spare their taunts upon the occasion, so that our hero was fain to venture among them the last precious relics of his purse. At this prosperous period of his history, the Spaniard called him, one evening, aside, and, with unexpected courtesy, requesting that he would accompany him abroad, conducted him to a lone and retired spot. The poor youth, was at first, rather alarmed; but at length, he somewhat quieted his apprehensions by reflecting, that his companion well knew that he had little about him of value, save his skin, and in that he was determined a hole should not be picked without returning the compliment. The Spaniard, however, having first seated himself on the ruins of an old building, and compelled his companion to do the same, addressed him as follows : "I cannot help imagining, my dear young friend, that you stand greatly in need of that which has long become a burthen to myself-namely, the power of procuring whatever sum of money you choose, and whenever you please. This power, such as it is, I am willing to dispose of to you for a trifling consideration, besides some other advantages into the bargain.” "What occasion," enquired Richard, "can you possibly have for money, if you wish to part with the power of obtaining it yourself?" "The case stands thus," returned the captain, "I know not whether you are acquainted with certain little spirits, that are called Bottle-Imps;" they are small black devils, inclosed in a little phial. Whoever possesses one of these, can command from it whatever worldly possession he desires most, especially abundance of gold. In return for these services, the soul of the person who = possesses the imp becomes forfeit to Lucifer, in case he die without having previously disposed of him. But this can be done only by receiving a less sum than that which he first paid for the spirit. Mine cost me ten ducats :for nine it is yours." While the youth was reflecting on this extraordinary offer, the Spaniard continued, "I could, if I pleased, easily get rid of the thing, by palming it upon some one as a mere curiosity, in which manner a kuavish fellow inveigled me to purchase it. But I wish not to have the weight of such an illdeed upon my conscience, and therefore, very honestly and fairly, acquaint you with the bargain. You are still young and high-spirited, and will not fail to meet with opportunities enough of disposing of your purchase, whenever you may become as weary of it, as I am even now." "My noble Sir," replied Richard, "If you would not take it ill at my hands, I could inform you how often I have been imposed upon already, in this good city of Venice." "Why thou foolish varlet," exclaimed the enraged Spaniard," thou need'st but call to mind the brave entertainment I gave last evening, to judge whether I would cheat thee for the sake of a paltry nine ducats!" "Who spends much, wants much:" gently observed the young merchant, "and the longest purse we know has a bottom, although not a golden one. If, therefore, you yesterday spent your last ducat, to day you may be hankering after mine." "Excuse me if I do not chastise thee with a cold steel for this insolence :that I do not do it, is because I still hope that you will help to rid me of my bottle-devil. Besides it is my intention to perform penance, which would only be rendered still heavier thereby. "Might we not, at least be favoured with some specimen of the thing's abilities?" enquired the wary merchant. "How may that be?" answered the other. "It will not remain with any one, nor aid any one, save him who has fairly purchased and paid for it." 66 The youth could not help feeling some alarm, for the place where they were sitting, seemed a particularly lone and gloomy spot, although the Spaniard assured him, that he would not employ compulsive means. Yet, in spite of his fears, his imagination dwelt upon the enjoyments that would be in his power, should he once become possessor of the little spirit: he determined, therefore, to try whether he could obtain the bargain at a cheaper rate. "Witless fellow that thou art," exclaimed the Spaniard with a laugh, "it is for thy sake, and for the sake of those who shall come after thee, that I demand the highest sum I can, that I may delay, as long as possible, the time when it shall be purchased for the smallest coin possible, and the purchaser thereby become inevitably forfeited to the devil, even because he cannot sell it again at a lower price." "Well" said Richard, with a tone of delight," let me but have it. I warrant me I shall not be very eager to get quit of my purchase in a hurry. If, therefore, I could have it for five ducats" "It is all one to me," returned the Spaniard," but remember you are has tening on the minute when the evil spirit shall claim the last unhappy possessor as his own." With these words he delivered up to his companion, in return for his gold, a small glass phíal, wherein Richard |