You're daily cocker'd up (1) in pride. (1) Cockered up, enorgueilli (peu usité). (2) The tree's pour the tree is, l'arbre est, etc. (5) To slight, négliger. (4) To entail, substituer aux ainés de sa famille. THE TORCH-RACE. THE TORCH-RACE. 311 Among the feasts and games of the Athenians, the Torch-race deserves particular notice. It was performed on a spot near the garden of the Academy. The distance was about seven stadia (875 paces), extending from the altar of Prometheus, which is at the garden-gate, to the walls of the city. Several young men are placed at equal distances. Fire is burning on the altar, and, at a signal given, the youth next the fire lights his torch and runs with his greatest speed to the second, who in his turn seizes the torch and carries it rapidly to the third; each youth, as he arrives, taking the places of the one to whom he delivers the flambeau. To gain a prize, it is necessary to have carried the torch with rapidity from one station to another throughout the entire distance, without extinguishing or letting it fall. The shouts of the multitude are heard during the whole race, sometimes in acclamations and praises for the fleetest, and most adroit, and at other times in railleries when any one, through fear of extinguishing the torch, slackens his pace. This beautiful and interesting scene which took place at the close of the day, is delightfully sung by that truly harmonious poet Thomas Moore, whose charming flowers culled in the exotic parterres of the muses, will be eternally preserved among the leaves of European literature. Read the allegory in his own words. P. S. THE TORCH OF LIBERTY. I saw it all in Fancy's glass Herself (1), the fair, the wild (2) magician, "Twas like a torch-race, such as they I saw the expectant nations stand And, oh, their joy, as it came near! 'Twas, in itself, a joy to see— While Fancy whisper'd in my ear, "That torch they pass is liberty!' And each, as she received the flame, (1) Herself, elle-même (l'imagination). (6) Coming, qui s'approche. (7) Struggling, qui se débat, qui a de la peine à se soutenir. THE TORCH OF LIBERTY. Then, smiling, to the next who came, From Albion (2) first, whose ancient shrine The splendid gift then Gallia took, And when she fired her altar, high Next Spain, so new was light to her, Yet, no-not quench'd-a treasure worth 313 (1) To speed, expédier, faire passer rapidement. (2) Albion, l'Angleterre; ainsi appelée à cause de ses côtes blanches. (3) Brand, tison, torche. (4) Shrunk, prétérit de to shrink, se reculer. Again her living light look'd forth (1), Who next received the flame? Alas, Scarce had her fingers touch'd the torch, And fall'n it might have long remain'd; And Fancy bid me mark where, o'er "Shine, shine for, ever, glorious flame, From Greece thy earliest splendour came, (1) To look forth, se montrer. (2) Scorch, chaleur, ardeur de la flamme. (3) Laurell'd spirits, fantômes couronnés de lauriers; les âmes des anciens Grecs. |