Eternally my potent sway,
List to thy sovereign master's call!
Transparent make this dungeon wall;
And now annihilated be
The space 'twixt Florence and the sea!
Let the bright luster of the morn
In golden glory steep Leghorn;
Show where the dancing wavelets sport
Round the gay vessels in the port,
Those ships whose gilded lanterns gleam
In the warm sun's refulgent beam;
And whose broad pennants kiss the gale,
Woo'd also by the spreading sail!--
Now let this mortal's vision mark
Amidst that scene the corsair's bark,
Clearing the port with swan-like pride;
Transparent make the black hull's side,
And show the curtain'd cabin, where
Of earth's fair daughters the most fair--
Sits like an image of despair,
Mortal, behold! thy Nisida is there!"

The strange phantasmagorian spectacle rapidly developed itself in
obedience to the commands of the demon.

First, it appeared to Wagner that the supernatural luster which pervaded
the dungeon, gathered like a curtain on one side and occupied the place
of the wall. This wondrous light became transparent, like a thin golden
mist; and then the distant city of Leghorn appeared--producing an effect
similar to that of the dissolving views now familiar to every one. The
morning sun shone brightly on the fair scene; and a forest of masts
stood out in bold relief against the western sky. The gilded lanterns on
the poops of the vessels--the flags and streamers of various hues--the
white sails of those ships that were preparing for sea--and the richly
painted pinnaces that were shooting along in the channel between the
larger craft rendered the scene surpassingly gay and beautiful.

But amidst the shipping, Wagner's eyes were suddenly attracted by a
large galley, with three masts--looking most rakish with its snow-white
sail, its tapering spars, its large red streamer, and its low, long, and
gracefully sweeping hull, which was painted jet black. On its deck were
six pieces of brass ordnance; and stands of fire-arms were ranged round
the lower parts of the masts.

Altogether, the appearance of that vessel was as suspicious and menacing
as it was gallant and graceful; and from the incantation of the demon,
Wagner gleaned its real nature.

And now--as that corsair-ship moved slowly out of the port of
Leghorn--its black side suddenly seemed to open, or at least to become
transparent; and the interior of a