But 'tis the dim sepulchral light Lost land where genius made his reign, The sun has set,--the evening storm Gone is thy glory's diadem, And freedom never more shall cease To pour her mournful requiem O'er blighted, lost, degraded Greece! CLVIII. -SPEECH OF CATILINE BEFORE THE ROMAN SENATE, IN REPLY TO THE CHARGES OF CICERO. Extract from Croly's Catiline. -CONSCRIPT Fathers! I do not rise to waste the night in words: But here I stand for right-Let him show proofs; Who brands me on the forehead, breaks my sword, To fling your offices to every slave; (-Looking around him.) Come, consecrated lictors! from your thrones; Fling down your sceptres ;-take the rod and axe, CLIX.-SPEECH OF CATILINE BEFORE THE ROMAN SENATE, ON HEARING HIS SENTENCE OF BANISHMENT. Extract from Croly's Catiline. BANISHED from Rome! what's banished, but set free From daily contact of the things I loathe ? "Tried and convicted traitor !"-Who says this? Banished?—I thank you for't. It breaks my chain ! But here I stand and scoff you :-here I fling Or make the infant's sinew strong as steel. This day's the birth of sorrows!-This hour's work CLX.-VELLUM AND BUTLER. From the Comedy of "The Drummer," by Addison. Act 4-Scene 1. Vel. JOHN, I have certain ors to give you-and therefore be attentive. But. Attentive! Ay, let me alone for that--I suppose he means being sober.-['Aside.] Vel. You know I have always recommended to you a method in your business; I would have your knives and forks, your spoons and napkins, your plate and glasses, laid in a method. But. Ah, master Vellum, you are such a sweet-spoken man, it does one's heart good to receive your orders. Vel. Method, John, makes business easy; it banishes all perplexity and confusion out of families. But. How he talks! I could hear him all day. Vel. And now, John, let me know whether your table. linen, your side-board, your cellar, and every thing else within your province, are properly and methodically disposed for an entertainment this evening. But. Master Vellum, they shall be ready at a quarter of an hour's warning. But pray, sir, is this entertainment to be made for the conjuror? Vel. It is, John, for the conjuror, and yet it is not for the conjuror. But. Why, look you, master Vellum, if it be for the conjuror, the cook-maid should have orders to get him some dishes to his palate. in his sauce. Perhaps he may like a little brimstone Vel. This conjuror, John, is a complicated creature, an amphibious animal, a person of a twofold nature; but he eats and drinks like other men. But. Marry, master Vellum, he should eat and drink as much as two other men, by the account you give of him. Vel. Thy conceit is not amiss; he is indeed a double man; ha, ha, ha! But. Ha! I understand you; he's one of your hermaphrodites, as they call them. Vel. He is married, and he is not married-he hath a beard, and he hath no beard; he is old, and he is young. But. How charmingly he talks! I fancy, master Vellum, you could make a riddle. The same man old and young! how do you make that out, master Vellum? Vel. Thou hast heard of a snake casting his skin, and recovering his youth. Such is his sage person. But. Nay, 'tis no wonder a conjuror should be like a sarpent. Vel. When he has thrown aside the old conjuror's slough that hangs about him, he'll come out as fine a young gentle. man as ever was seen in this house. But. Does he intend to sup in his slough? Vel. That time will show. But. Well, I have not a head for these things. Indeed, Mr. Vellum, I have not understood one word you have said this half hour. Vel. I did not intend thou shouldst-But to our business. Let there be a table spread in the great hall. and glasses be washed, and in a readiness. provide a plentiful supper, and see that all the their best liveries. Let your pots Bid the cook servants be in But. Ay, now I understand every word you say. But I would rather hear you talk a little in that t'other way. Vel. I shall explain to thee what I have said by and by. Bid Susan lay two pillows upon your lady's bed. But. Two pillows! Madam won't sleep upon them both! She is not a double woman too! Vel. She will sleep upon neither. But hark! Mrs. Abigail; I think I hear her chiding the cook-maid. But. Then I'll away, or it will be my turn next; she, I am sure, speaks plain English; one may easily understand every word she says. CLXI.ODE TO NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. By Lord Byron. "Tis done-but yesterday a king! Is this the man of thousand thrones, Since he, miscalled the Morning Star, Thanks for that lesson-it will teach Than high philosophy can preach, That led them to adore Those Pagod things of sabre-sway, With fronts of brass, and feet of clay. The desolator desolate ! The victor overthrown! A suppliant for his own! That with such change can calmly cope? Or dread of death alone? To die a prince-or live a slave- |