table of shew bread, the altar of perfumes, which were all of pure gold; and the volume of the law, wrapped up in a rich golden tissue. Upon his leaving the sacred place, some other soldiers set fire to it, after tearing off the golden plating from the gates and timber work. 11. A horrid massacre soon followed, in which prodigious multitudes perished; while others rushed, in a kind of frenzy, into the midst of the flames, and precipitated themselves from the battlements of their falling temple. Six thousand persons, who, deluded by a false prophet with the hopes of a miraculous deliverance, had fled to a gallery yet standing without the temple, perished at once, by the relentless barbarity of the soldiers, who set it on fire, and suffered none to escape. 12. The conquerors carried their fury to such a height as to massacre all they met, without distinction of age, sex,or quality. They also burnt all the treasure houses, containing vast quanti ties of money, plate, and the richest furniture. In a word, they continued to mark their progress with fire and sword, till they had destroyed all, except two of the temple gates, and that part of the court which was destined for the women. 13. In the mean time, many of the zealots, by making the most vigorous exertions, effected their escape from the temple, and retired into the city. But the avenues were so strictly guarded, that it was impossible for them to escape. They therefore fortified themselves, as well as they were able, on the south side of it; from whence John and Simon sent to desire a conference with Titus. 14. They were answered, that though they had caused all this ruin and effusion of blood, yet their lives should be spared, if they would surrender themselves. They replied, that " they had engaged by the most solemn oaths, not to deliver up their persons to him on any condition; and requested permission to retire to the mountains with their wives and children." The Roman General, enraged at this insolence, ordered proclamation to be made, that not one of them should be spared, since they persisted in rejecting his last offers of pardon. 15. The daughter of Zion, or the lower city, was next abandoned to the fury of the Roman soldiers, who plundered, burnt, and massacred, with insatiable rage. The zealots next betook themselves to the royal palace, in the upper and stronger part of Jerusalem, styled also the city of David, on Mount Zion. As many of the Jews had deposited their possessions in the palace for security, they attacked it, killed eight thousand four hundred of their countrymen, and plundered their property. 16. The Roman army spent nearly twenty days in making great preparations for attacking the upper city, especially the royal palace; during which time many came and made their submission to Titus. The warlike engines then played so furiously upon the zealots, that they were seized with a sudden panic, quitted the towers which were deemed impregnable, and ran like mad men towards Shiloah, intending to have attacked the wall of circumvallation, and escaped out of the city. But being vigorously repulsed, they endeavored to conceal themselves in subterraneous passages; and as many as were discovered, were put to death. 17. The compuest of Jerusalem being now completed, the Romans placed their ensigns upon the walls with triumphant joy. They next walked the streets, with swords in their hands, and killed all they met. Amidst the darkness of that awful night, fire was set to the remaining divisions of the city, and Jerusalem, wrapt in flames, and bleeding on every side, sunk in utter ruin and destruction. 18. During the siege, which lasted nearly five months, upwards of eleven hundred thousand Jews perished. John and Simon, the two grand rebels, with seven hundred of the most beautiful and vigorous of the Jewish youth, were reserved, to attend the victor's triumphal chariot. After which, Simon was put to death; and John, who had stooped to beg his life, condemned to perpetual imprisonment. 19. The number who were taken captive, during the fatal contest with the Romans, amounted to ninety-seven thousand; many of whom were sent into Syria, and other provinces, to be exposed on the public theatres, to fight like gladiators, or to be devoured by wild beasts. The number of those destroyed, during the war, which lasted seven years, is computed to have been one million four hundred and sixty-two thousand. 20. When the sword had returned to its scabbard, for want of objects whereon to exercise its fury, and the troops were satisfied with plunder, Titus commanded the whole city and temple to be demolished. Thus were our Saviour's prophecies fulfilled "Thine enemies shall lay thee even with the ground, and there shall not be left one stone upon another." * Jerusalem was taken and destroyed by the Romans under Titus, thirtyseven years after the crucifixion of our Saviour. LESSON LXXVII. The Warrior's Wreath.-ANONYMOUS. 1. BEHOLD the wreath which decks the warrior's brow Breathes it a balmy fragrance sweet? Ah, no! It rankly savors of the grave! 'Tis red-but not with roseate hues ; "Tis crimsoned o'er With human gore! 'Tis wet-but not with heavenly dews; 2. 'Tis drench'd in tears by widows, orphans shed. In deep distress, 3. I hear, 'mid dying groans, the cannon's crash, The crystal flood, Heaven's altars, and the verdant plains! 4. Scenes of domestic peace and social bliss Towns sack'd-whole cities wrapt in flame! Is this the bay, Which warriors gain?-is this call'd FAME? LESSON LXXVIII. Elegy written in a Country Church Yard.-GRAY 1. THE curfew tolls-the knell of parting day;— The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea ;* The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me. * Lea, a meadow, or plain. 2. Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight, 4. Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade, Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap, Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep. 5. The breezy call of incense-breathing morn, The swallow, twittering from the straw-built shed, The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing horn, No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed. Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share. 7. Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield; Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke; How jocund did they drive their team afield! How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke! 8. Let not ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys and destiny obscure; The paths of glory lead but to the grave. 10. Nor you, ye proud, impute to these the fault, If memory o'er their tomb no trophies raise, Where, through the long-drawn aisle, and fretted vault, The pealing anthem swells the note of praise 11. Can storied urn, or animated bust, Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Beetle, an insect. Can Honor's voice provoke the silent dust, 12. Perhaps, in this neglected spot, is laid Some heart, once pregnant with celestial fire; 13. But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page, The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear; ; 15. Some village Hampden,* that, with dauntless breast, And read their history in a nation's eyes; 17. Their lot forbade: nor circumscribed alone Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined ;— 18. The struggling pangs of conscious Truth to hide, With incense kindled at the muse's flame. John Hampden, an illustrious patriot and political writer in the reign of Charles I. He was a man of undaunted courage;-and in 1636, he had the boldness, alone, and unsupported, to resist the royal authority in levying ship-money, and although he lost his cause, he was highly applauded by all for his firmness. He died 1643. + John Milton, an English poet, born 1608. The most celebrated work which he wrote, is "PARADISE LOST." Oliver Cromwell, a distinguished English General, was born 1599.After the death of Charles I., he assumed the title of "Protector of the Commonwealth of England," 1653. He administered the affairs of the kingdom for five years, with great vigor and ability. He died in 1658. |