anged the scene in which it is cast for a more northern clime, we
may doubt whether the art of Shakespeare himself could have reconciled
us at once to the suddenness and the strength of Juliet's passion. And,
even as it is, perhaps there are few of our rational and sober-minded
islanders who would not honestly confess, if fairly questioned, that
they deem the romance and fervour of those ill-starred lovers of Verona
exaggerated and over-drawn. Yet, in Italy, the picture of that affection
born of a night--but "strong as death"--is one to which the veriest
commonplaces of life would afford parallels without number. As in
different ages, so in different climes, love varies wonderfully in the
shapes it takes. And even at this day, beneath Italian skies, many a
simple girl would feel as Juliet, and many a homely gallant would rival
the extravagance of Romeo. Long suits in that sunny land, wherein, as
whereof, I now write, are unknown. In no other land, perhaps, is there
found so commonly the love at first sight, which in France is a jest,
and in England a doubt; in no other land, too, is love, though so
suddenly conceived, more faithfully preserved. That which is ripened
in fancy comes at once to passion, yet is embalmed through all time by
sentiment. And this must be my and their excuse, if the love of
Adrian some too prematurely formed, and that of Irene too romantically
conceived;--it is the excuse which they take from the air and sun, from
the customs of their ancestors, from the soft contagion of example.
But while they yielded to the dictates of their hearts, it was with a
certain though secret sadness--a presentiment that had, perhaps, its
charm, though it was of cross and evil. Born of so proud a race, Adrian
could scarcely dream of marriage with the sister of a plebeian; and
Irene, unconscious of the future glory of her brother, could hardly
have cherished any hope, save that of being loved. Yet these adverse
circumstances, which, in the harder, the more prudent, the more
self-denying, perhaps the more virtuous minds, that are formed beneath
the northern skies, would have been an inducement to wrestle against
love so placed, only contributed to feed and to strengthen theirs by
an opposition which has ever its attraction for romance. They found
frequent, though short, opportunities of meeting--not quite alone, but
only in the conniving presence of Benedetta: sometimes in the public
gardens, sometimes amidst the vast an