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THE HEROINE OF PADUA.

patriotic feelings. She was charmed with the valour and wisdom of Baptista, but would not plight to him her nuptial faith, until, in the most solemn vows, he promised to promote her efforts for the deliverance of her country.

Acciolinus was the tyrant of Padua. However, supposing the terror of his name would for a time suffice to awe the citizens, he led his forces in person on an expedition to southern Italy. Baptista, the spouse of Blanca Rubea, and Bassianus, sub-governor of Padua, caused the gates to be shut, and sent a bold defiance, asserting their liberties, in contempt of Acciolinus and his myrmidons. He was exasperated to wild rage; but dissembling his resentments, he pretended to offer the citizens such terms as were too advantageous to be refused. In the mean time the tyrant placed a body of his most courageous troops in ambush near the main gate, with orders, when it should be opened to admit the persons accredited to finish the pending negotiation, to rush forward, and put all the inhabitants to the sword. This perfidious scheme was successful; and in the midst of exterminating carnage, Baptista and his intrepid consort, Blanca Rubea, opposed the enemy, fighting side by side. Their valour stemmed the impetuous tide of victory, until Baptista, covered with wounds, expired. Blanca with protended

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