Wistfully watching the sun's last light
Before they sleep in everlasting night.

Now to his tent with tender care they bring

The God-like Theban ere his soul take wing;
And gently place him on a couch to rest

His weary limbs, and soothe his troubled breast;
A plaintive joy his visage seems to light

Like the sun's farewell when sinking into night. With folded arms his comrades stand around, Their melting eyes fixed sternly on the ground, While down their manly cheeks with deep felt grief, The tears are trickling for their dying chief.

66

'Bring me my shield!" the illustrious hero cries, While exultation flashes in his eyes.

The shield of ponderous size and burnished bright,
Is brought, and placed before his dizzy sight;
He slowly moves his dimned and glazing eye,
O'er its broad disc with closest scrutiny;

THE DEATH OF EPAMINONDAS.

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Then lifts his languid head and smiling cheers

His weeping friends and chides away their tears:

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66

No sons I leave to perpetuate my fame,

Or raise the splendour of the Theban name; "But two fair daughters over time shall reign, "Leuctra's bloody field and Mantinæa's plain."

His speech hath ceased-his eye is glazing o'er,
He fast is journeying to return no more ;
His life is sinking like exhausted fire,

When its flickering flame seems ready to expire
He's gone! his mighty soul hath fled,

To dwell within the mansions of the dead!

Lone Musings.

Rura mihi et rigui placeant in vallibus omnes,

Flumina amem silvasque inglorius."

VIRGIL.

F