Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/393

Rh songs, as—La Carlina, Ti voglio ben assai ma non ti uno pui, Santa Lucia, and others. The people of Amalfi are celebrated for their songs and musical taste.

Leaving Amalfi the rocks become lower, and at Salerno they have retired to the back-ground, as if to allow the ancient, celebrated city, the seat of the sciences, of schools of learning, and still the home of minds athirst for freedom, to spread itself out by the sea-shore, amongst green hills and meadows. On the rocks in the back-ground stands the strong fortress, with a dark and threatening aspect. A number of political prisoners are confined there—for how long?——

We were well entertained at the Victoria Hotel on the Marina of Salerno, and enjoyed a fine view of its splendid bay and shores. The moon rose over the sea; whilst magnificent lightnings flashed from a sinking cloud. It was a wondrously beautiful evening.

Never before had the betrothed seemed so harmoniously happy as during this evening, whilst Waldo allowed himself to be more than usually carried away by his favorite thoughts and plans for the future, especially for the well-being of that handful of people who had so faithfully preserved from the most ancient times, “the light which shines in darkness,” and which must have so much influence on the future of Italy; never before had she thus listened to him, with those bright, star-clear glances, that cheerful consent, that admiring devotion. Never before had she seemed so completely his own.

“I am happy; I feel proud that I shall be the wife