588 589 Di. ARE PAGANISM EXPOSED DOROTHEA TO CALISTA RE they immortal then, that did partake Admetus' sheep for bread; the Lemnian smith LET MASSINGER AND DECKER DIONYSIUS—EUBULUS ET fame talke what she lyst, so I may lyve in safetie. Eu. The only meane to that is, to use mercie. Di. A milde prince the people despiseth. Eu. A cruell kinge the people hateth. Eu. That is not the way to lyve in safetie. Di. My sword and power shall purchase my quietnesse. Eu. That is sooner procured by mercy and gentlenesse. Di. Dionysius ought to be feared. Eu. Better for him to be wel beloved. Di. Fortune maketh all thinges subject to my power. laugh and lowre. Di. A kinges prayse standeth in the revenging of his enemie. Fu. A greater prayse to win him by clemencie. Di. To suffer the wicked to live it is no mercie. R. EDWARDS 590 Nu. WILL JULIET-NURSE ILL you speak well of him that killed your cousin? Ju. Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name, when I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it ?—— But wherefore, villain, did'st thou kill my cousin? That villain cousin would have killed my husband: back, foolish tears, back to your native spring ; your tributary drops belong to woe, which you, mistaking, offer up to joy. My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain; and Tybalt's dead, that would have slain my husband: all this is comfort; wherefore weep I, then? some word there was, worser than Tybalt's death, like damnéd guilty deeds to sinners' minds. W. SHAKESPEARE 591 Mer. MERCURY-PROMETHEUS WFUL sufferer! to thee unwilling, most unwillingly I come, by the great Father's will driven down, Alas! I pity thee, and hate myself that I can do no more: aye from thy sight returning, for a season, heaven seems hell, so thy worn form pursues me night and day, smiling reproach. Wise art thou, firm and good, but vainly wouldst stand forth alone in strife against the Omnipotent: as yon clear lamps, that measure and divide the weary years from which there is no refuge, long have taught, 592 and long must teach. Even now thy Torturer arms with the strange might of unimagined pains the powers who scheme slow agonies in Hell, and my commission is to lead them here, or what more subtle, foul, or savage fiends people the abyss, and leave them to their task. Be it not so! there is a secret known to thee, and to none else of living things, 593 Prom. 594 Evil minds change good to their own nature. I gave all he has; and in return he chains me here THE JOYS OF PARENTS P. B. SHELLEY WEET is the lovely blush of orient morn SWEET and the smooth surface of the blue serene or bathe the soul in bliss so exquisite, R. P. JODDRELL 595 596 THE VICES OF TYRANNY THINK'ST thou her? The despotism of vice HINK'ST thou there is no tyranny but that the weakness and the wickedness of luxury— of sensual sloth-produce ten thousand tyrants, the worse acts of one energetic master, distract within, both will alike prove fatal: the first thy subjects have no heart to conquer ; the last they rather would assist than vanquish. M. WY MARTIUS-QUINTUS LORD BYRON HY dost not comfort me and help me out from this unhallowed and blood-stained hole 2. I am surpriséd with an uncouth fear, a chilling sweat o'erruns my trembling joints, my heart suspects more than mine eye can see. M. To prove thou hast a true divining heart, Aaron and thou look down into this den, and see a fearful sight of blood and death. 2. Aaron is gone; and my compassionate heart will not permit mine eyes once to behold the thing whereat it trembles by surmise: Oh, tell me how it is; for ne'er till now was I a child to fear I know not what. M. Lord Bassianus lies embrewéd here all on a heap, like to a slaughter'd lamb, in this detested, dark, blood-drinking pit. Q. If it be dark, how dost thou know tis he? 598 Luc. which would but lead me to a worse relapse COM LUCIUS-BOY OME hither, boy; come, come and learn of us many a time he danced thee on his knee, meet and agreeing with thine infancy; in that respect, then, like a loving child, shed yet some small drops from thy tender spring, because kind nature doth require it so: friends should associate friends in grief and woe. Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave; do him that kindness, and take leave of him. Boy. O, grandsire, grandsire, even with all my heart would I were dead, so you did live again! O, Lord, I cannot speak to him for weeping; my tears will choke me if I ope my mouth. 599 THE DUKE OF SESSE TO HIS FOLLOWERS НЕ E that fears death or tortures, let him leave me : Common attempts are fit for common men; |