of Heaven: it mingles its voice with that of revelation; it summons you, in these hours when the leaves fall, and the winter is gathering, to that evening study which the mercy of Heaven has provided in the book of salvation; and while the shadowy valley opens which leads to the abode of death, it speaks of that Land which can comfort and can save, and which can conduct to those "green pastures and those still waters," where there is an eternal spring for the children of God. ARCHIBALD ALISON. 1. 2. 175. THE DEATH OF ADAM. HE sun, in summer majesty on high, 1 Darted his merce e fulgence down the sky; Yet dimm'd and blunted were the dazzling rays, Here, though his sufferings through the glen were known, Eve, Seth, and I.3 In vain he sigh'd for rest, And oft his meek complainings thus express'd: "Blow on me, Wind! I faint with heat! Oh, bring Your sunless shadows o'er my limbs diffuse,1 Ye Cedars! wash me cold with midnight dews; 'Ef ful' gence, a flood of light; splendor.- Por tent' ous, ominous; foreboding ill.- ENOCH is here supposed to relate the circumstances of the death of ADAM. -* Diffuse (dif fùz'), pour out; spread; extend in all directions. Those sorrowing faces fill my soul with gloom- 3. The sun went down amid an angry glare The florid Evening vanish'd into night: In peals of thunder, and thick-volley'd hail; Prone rushing rains with torrents whelm'd the land; Around its base, the foamy-crested streams Flash'd through the darkness to the lightning's gleams; Had such mysterious motion shook her frame: 4. Amid this war of elements, within More dreadful grew the sacrifice of sin, Bright through the smoldering ashes of the man, 5 "Oh, ye who shudder at this awful strife, My chains are breaking, I shall soon be free. Thou, of That these, who witness my departing breath, 8. Adam look'd up; his visage changed its hue, 1 Be nign' ly, kindly; graciously.—2 Sèr' a phim, angels of the high est order. "I come!" he cried, with faith's full triumph fired, The light was vanish'd, and the vision fled: The gate of heaven had open'd there, and closed. JAMES MONTGOMERY. 176. THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS. 1. TING FRANCIS was a hearty king, and loved a royal sport, And one day, as his lions fought, sat looking on the court; The nobles fill'd the benches round, the ladies by their side, And 'mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sigh'd: And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show, Valor and love, and a king above, and the royal hearts below. 2. Ramp'd and roar'd the lions, with horrid laughing jaws; They bit, they glared,' gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws: With wallowing might and stifled roar, they roll'd on one another, Till all the pit, with sand and mane, was in a thund'rous smother; The bloody foam above the bars came whizzing thro' the air : Said Francis then, "Faith! gentlemen, we're better here than there!" 3. De Lorge's love o'erheard the king, a beauteous lively dame, With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seem'd the same; She thought, The Count my lover is brave as brave can be; He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of me— Kings, ladies, lovers, all look on; the occasion is divine! I'll drop my glove, to prove his love: great glory will be mine! 1 Ec' sta sy, literally, a being out of one's self; hence, rapture; over powering emotion.-- Glåred. 4. She dropp'd her glove, to prove his love, then look'd at him and smiled; He bow'd, and in a moment leap'd among the lions wild. The leap was quick, return was quick-he has regain'd the place,― Then threw the glove-but not with love-right in the lady's face. "By heaven" cried Francis, "rightly done!" and he rose from where he sat : "No love,' quoth he, "but vanity, sets love a task like that!" 177. SCENES FROM THE COMEDY OF 66 LEIGH HUNT. MONEY."1 EVELYN, a rich man of fashion—STOUT and GLOSSMORE, violent politicians of opposite parties-SHARP, a lawyer. Enter Evelyn, meeting Stout, who comes in out of breath, with haste-Sharp is seated at a desk. Evelyn. Stout, you look heated! Stout [with great eagerness, but pompously]. I hear you've just bought the great Groginhole property. Evelyn. It is true. Sharp says it's a bargain. Stout. Well, my dear friend Hopkins, member for Groginhole, can't live another month-excellent creature, the dearest friend I have in the world--but the interests of mankind forbid regret for individuals! Popkins intends to start for the borough' the instant Hopkins is dead!—your interest will secure his election. Now is your time! put yourself forward in the march of enlightenment!-By all that's bigoted, here comes Glossmore! Enter Glossmore. Gloss. [eagerly]. So lucky to find you at home! Hopkins, of Groginhole, is not long for this world. Popkins, the brewer,' is already canvassing underhand (so very ungentleman-like !) 1 In the following dialogue, which is supposed to be a copy of the conversation of ordinary life, the style of the reader should be spirited, unrestrained, and free from effort and declamation.—2 True (tr3).—3 Cẵn't. - World (wårld).—3 Borough (bůr' rỏ), a town incorporated with certain privileges; in England, a town that sends members to parliament.— Big' ot ed, full of blind zeal; prejudiced.—7 Brewer (brå' er). |