conscience to be true to itself-it labors under its guilty possession, and knows not what to do with it. The human heart was not made for the residence of such an inhabitant; it finds itself preyed on by a torment which it dares not acknowledge to God A vulture is devouring it, and it asks no sympathy or assistance either from heaven or earth. or man. 8. The secret which the murderer possesses soon comes to possess him; and like the evil spirits of which we read, it overcomes him, and leads him withersoever it will. He feels it beating at his heart, rising to his throat, and demanding disclosure. He thinks the whole world sees it in his face, reads it in his eyes, and almost hears its workings in the very silence of his thoughts. It has become his master; it betrays his discretion; it breaks down his courage; it conquers his prudence. When suspicions from without begin to embarrass him, and the net of circumstances to entangle him, the fatal secret struggles with still greater violence to burst fōrth. It must be confessed; it will be confessed; there is no refuge from confession but in suicide, and suicide is confession. DANIEL WEBSTER. 147. THE GREEK EMIGRANT'S SONG. 1. Now The wind is blowing off the shore— I will not live a cowering slave, In these polluted islands more. 2 The wind is blowing off the shore, That heaven seems opening to my view. 'Su'icide, self-murder.-' Cån' o py, covering overhead. THE GREEK EMIGRANT'S SONG. 3. I will not live a cowering slave, Though all the charms of life may shine And sky, be drawn in tints divine: 4. Sweeter than spicy gales, that blow From orange-groves with wooing breath, 5. Softer than Minder's winding stream, 6. Brighter than all the tales they tell 3 Hung round with glowing tapestry1— Swell brighter o'er a freeman's form. 7. The spring may here with autumn twine, Where hale and ruddy Freedom smiles. 4 343 'Low' er ing, dark; gloomy; frowning.- Lo' tus, a class of plants the fruit or seeds of which are eaten.- Pageantry (på' jent ri), something for vain outward display or appearance.- Tåp' es try, a kind of woven hangings for rooms, often enriched with gold and silver, representing figures of men, animals, landscapes, &c. 8. Beyond the wild, dark-heaving sea, A welcomer and dearer shore: There hands, and hearts, and souls are twined, J. G. PERCIVAL. 148. FROM THE TRAGEDY' OF KING JOHN. [King John instigates Hubert to assassinate Arthur Plantagenet, nephew of the king, and rightful heir of the crown of England, usurped by John.] K. John. Come hither, Hubert. O my gentle Hubert, We owe thee much; within this wall of flesh Hubert. I am much bounden to your majesty. K. John. Good friend, thou hast no cause to say so yět: But thou shalt have; and creep time ne'er so slow, Yet it shall come, for me to do thee good. I had a thing to say,-But, let it go: The sun is in the heaven; and the proud day, Attended with the pleasures of the world, 4 Is all too wanton, and too full of gauds, To give me audience : If the midnight bell Did, with his iron tongue and brazen mouth, 4 'Tråg' e dy, a poem prepared for the stage, representing some action having a fatal end; an event in which human lives are lost by human violence.- Wall of flesh, the body.- Vôl' un ta ry, willing.— Wanton (won' tun), sportive; frolicsome.-' Gâuds, showy things to attract attention; ornaments.- Aud' i ence, act of hearing; a hearing. FROM THE TRAGEDY OF KING JOHN. If this same were a church-yard where we stand, Had baked thy blood, and made it heavy, thick,— Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes, K. John. Do not I know thou wouldst ?- And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread, 345 I could be merry, now :-Hubert, I love thee— Well. I'll not say what I intend for thee: 1 Melancholy (mel' an kôli), gloom of mind; depression of spirits.Troth, truth; belief.- Ad' junct, joined to, or united with. 149. FROM THE TRAGEDY OF KING JOHN-CONTINUED. [Interview of Hubert with Arthur, in which Hubert purposes to fulfill the murderous commission described in the preceding exercise, on which he was sent by King Johr.} Hubert. Heat me these irons hot, and look thou stand Within the arras:' when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy, which you shall find with me, 1 Attendant. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. Hubert. Uncleanly scruples! Fear not you: look to❜t. [Attendants retire, Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter Arthur. Good-morrow, little prince. Arthur. Good-morrow, Hubert. Hubert. Arthur. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince) as may be.-You are sad. Mercy on me! Arthur. Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? No, indeed, is't not; and I would to heaven í were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. Hubert. If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead: 1 Ar' ras, tapestry; hangings of tapestry, made first at Arras, in France. |