CHAPTER XXXIX. MATRIMONY
Of a surety, the most holy and closest tie in all the human family ismarriage. It binds together two beings of an opposite sex for life, andmakes them, if they be but worthy of that condition, supremely happy. Isay if they be worthy advisedly, because that solemn rite should only becontracted with the mutual purpose that each is to seek the happinessof the other, and such a union has for its base true love--that is,celestial love, which the ancients rightly distinguished from sensualpassion, the former being that love of the soul which no worldly orselfish views can ever influence. Even before the marriage contract itsanticipation does much to soften and improve the character of each, fromthe new feeling that they must not fail to contribute to each other'swelfare. The very atmosphere of happiness makes married life nobler thanlonely life, while the love of parents for their offspring renders themgentle and forbearing, and indulgent to their own first, and finally toothers, whose good-will they wish to win. Unfaithfulness, however, is,unhappily, too frequently an incident of modern marriages, but they ofeither sex who sin against that loyalty in wedlock which should bindboth indissolubly, unless hardened in vice beyond all hope, feel suchremorse that they would, if they could, return to their former purity byany sacrifice. But truth, among other things, should suffice to fortifythe good against temptation and dishonor, which brings shame and ruinto the soul. Oh, you whom this sacred tie has newly bound, be true asheaven to one another! By your fidelity you will secure your consciencein the future against sharp and stinging reflections. Out of noble andheartfelt constancy will spring a paradise upon earth--the foretaste ofa blissful life beyond.
But priestly interference in this holy communion of hearts blights andblasphemes the name of love, sowing the seeds of hatred; while more orless all over the globe this plague is felt, by reason of the numberof unhappy marriages brought about or directed by these busy tonsuredmeddlers. What, then, must this baneful influence be in Rome, where thepriests are so numerous as to reign almost supreme in society.
We have before stated that in the city of Rome the largest numberof illegitimate births take place, which arises naturally (or ratherunnaturally) from the infamous influences of priests, who traffic inmatches, and control the market of men and women for their own profit.
But we will draw the veil of silence over these lamentable facts, andask pardon of refined readers if we have shocked them, even by a hint.Nevertheless, when we remember the degradation and misery to whichour beloved but unhappy country has been reduced by the despotismand corruption of her corrupt Government, shame and grief are hard torestrain. Oh, pardon me, you whose chaste eyes have no Rome to weep for!
Yes, marriage is a sacred act. By it a man imposes on himself the dutyto love, protect, and support his wife, and the children she may bearhim. And this act is the first cause of the progress and civilizationof mankind. The priest, being no other than a meddler and impostor, isconsequently unworthy of celebrating that most important act of life.The municipal authorities, who ought to be cognizant of all thatconcerns the citizens, and register all acts, should preside at theceremony of marriage, or, as immediate representatives of these, theparents of the contracting parties, who are their natural and lawfulguardians.
To these latter authorities Attilio and Clelia referred themselves.
"My own! my own!" Clelia had whispered to herself during Irene'snarration; and in the hour when her beloved was at her feet, overjoyedby the blissful atmosphere that surrounded her, she resisted hispassionate and honest solicitations for some time, but at last gavehim permission to demand her in marriage of her mother, adding, "If sheconsents, I will be thine for life."
Although Silvia was of a somewhat hesitating temperament, and would havepreferred having her Manlio at hand to consult as to the destiny of herdearly beloved child, still she had sufficient good sense to see thata union between the two ardent lovers was very desirable, and felt thatunder the peculiar circumstances of their banishment and forest life shemight be assured of her husband's sanction, and therefore accorded themhers.
Silvia could not endure priests, and civil authorities there were noneto consult or employ, except the sylvan jurisdiction of their honestpreserver, Orazio, and her own maternal governance. These, she opined,were sufficient for the occasion, and it was not difficult to persuadeher bold but gentle and enlightened conscience that this simple,natural, and legal solemnization was all that was requisite.
The celebration of the marriage of our young friends, thus determinedupon and permitted, was a true feast for all in the castle, andparticularly for Irene, who, as the happy example herself of a ruralmarriage, was thoroughly proud of being priestess to the natural andnoble rite. She erected, without their knowledge, an altar at the footof the most majestic oak in the neighborhood. With the help of hermaidens, and the sailor's assistance, who prided himself upon his marineagility--Irene reared above this a small temple, formed of green boughsand garlands of wild flowers, the crown of the oak serving as a cupolailluminated far above by the sun, and at night by beautiful stars andplanets, the first-born creations of God.
The ceremony was not long, for it was simple, but serious. It tookplace in the presence of those faithful children of Rome, who stood in acircle around the handsome couple, while Irene joined their right hands,pronounced them to be man and wife, and solemnized the sacred union bythe following address:-
"Dear and true-hearted friends, the act you have solemnized thisday unites you indissolubly body and soul. You must share togetherhenceforward the prosperities and reverses, the joys and sorrows of thislife. Remember that in mutual love and faithfulness you will find youronly and enduring happiness, while, if affliction descends, it will bediminished and dissipated by your reciprocal love. May God bless yourunion!"
Then Silvia, her eyes bedewed by maternal tears, placed her hands uponthe heads of her beloved children, and repeated _che Dio vi benedica!_More she could not say for her emotion. The marriage contract, whichhad been previously prepared, was now presented to the united couple byOrazio for their signature, and then to the witnesses, the chief finallysigning it himself.
In this manner was celebrated, with the great-, est simplicity, in theAlmighty's own temple, illuminated by the bright golden lamp of all theworld, that solemn act of wedlock, none the less solemn or binding forbeing so celebrated. Never did human pair feel themselves more sacredlybound one to the other than Clelia and Attilio.
From the altar our joyful party directed their steps towards the castle,where a right goodly woodland banquet awaited them. All were rejoiced atthe auspicious event, and many joyous toasts were given. Patriot songswere freely sung, and Jack, elated by the general hilarity, treated hisfriends to his own famous national airs, "God Save the Queen," and "RuleBritannia."
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