From honor's dangerous summit, warriors all! Say, might ye choose a chief Speak, name the man, Who then should meet your wish? Siv. Forbear the theme. Why wouldst thou seek to sink us with the weight Of grievous recollection! Oh, Gustavus! Could the dead awake, thou wert the man. Gust. Didst thou know Gustavus ? Siv. Know him! Oh, heaven! what else, who else was worth The knowledge of a soldier? That great day, When Christiern, in his third attempt on Sweden, Of sweetness mixed with glory-grace inestimable! As best might thank him. But from that blessed day I bow, as to the relics of my saint: Gust. Rightly thought, For so thou dost, my soldier, Behold your general, Gustavus! Come once more to lead you on To laureled victory, to fame, to freedom! Siv. Strike me, ye powers! It is illusion all! It cannot-It is, it is! (Falls and embraces his knees.) Rise to my arms, my friend. Siv. Friend! say you, friend? Oh, my heart's lord! my conqueror' my—— Gust. Approach, my fellow-soldiers, your Gustavus Claims no precedence here. Haste brave men! Collect your friends, to join us on the instant; Summon our brethren to their share of conquest, SELECTION XIX. DURAZZO-GARCIA-PEREZ.-Haynes. Durazzo. Now Perez, give your happy master joy, And change the title of your reverence To suit his new condition. I am come, Ennobled by the king, to mate with greatness. Perez. Thank heaven, I live to call you lord; therefore, My lord, I give you joy. Dur. Proclaim it far, That those who mocked my humble state may gnaw The empty title for its empty sake; "Tis but a phrase; yet, as the world is caught Per. It shall not lack my voice. Dur. I met a noble as I came, who thought To look me out of favor with myself, As he was wont to do. My soul was nigh Don Garcia through the vestibule. Dur. Depart. (Exit Perez.) And let us be alone. What! would he break No leave obtained-no question asked; but in, (Enter Garcia.) Gar. How, my lord? Dur. My lord Again, or Garcia, as you choose to speak, Gar. "Tis bold, sir,-nay, methinks Gar. I was so this morning. Dur. True— But see, 'tis mid-day now. Thinkest thou yon orb, Of growing hours and seasons?—think again; Gar. I would keep down this swelling of my heart To reason calmly with your haughtiness. Dur. My haughtiness! Gar. Ay, haughtiness; what else Could breed this lofty tone? Those trappings, too, Dur. By your favor, sir, "Tis sometimes prudent to adorn our limbs, That fools, who look no deeper, thence may see We mean to be respected. Gar. But to change, As you have done, in dress, in manner, word, Had set your soul and body in a flame, Is matter more for mirth than deference. Dur. Gar. Indeed! The world will laugh. Dur. Advise the world It laugh not out too loud. Gar. You would not make So huge a sacrifice as all mankind To your voracious anger. Dur. I might chance To know some voices in the jubilee, And make amusement danger to the sharers. Gar. Have you not crawled your way to this? Dur. "Twas fate Ordained it so; but I have broke her spells, I do, shall be from choice, and speak the mind So, having won my place, I will assume Its usage, honors, titles, and respects, And in the teeth of scorn be dignified. Gar. Yet hear me patiently.-Your tale this morning Hath wrought a purpose useful to the state. Provoke not inquisition, by the spurns You cast on others, lest yourself be found No purer than you should, and what you've done Dur. Have you aught Το urge besides? Gar. But to apply the rule. Let no vindictive spirit against Benducar Revenge.-Bethink you, I have passed my word Dur. Oh! as the insult fell On me, I know how calmly you can bear it; A gnat that stung my flesh.-The hand which strikes The purposes of its omnipotence :— But that whose force a mortal shoulder wields, To God and man. Gar. I came not here to listen to this rudeness. Dur. Nay, I've some notion of the cause that brough you Was it to try the terror of your frown? Gar. Did I not raise you-make you what you are? Dur With the king's help. Gar. You sneer, but it was so. Dur. Went your intention with it, when you knew not My object, nor my claim? Gar. No matter now; "Tis now enough to wonder at your fortunes. Dur. You see in what a changeful world we live : The beggar of to-day is rich to-morrow; The rich man poor-despised. Gar. I'll hear no more. Dur. Go home, and ponder on't. SELECTION XX. PENRUDDOCK-HENRY.-Cumberland. Penruddock. Here then was the residence of my once loved Arabella; here then she reigned and reveled; a sympathetic gloom comes over me. Woodville is in my power. (Enter Henry.) Henry. Where am I! What has happened? Why is this house so changed in its appearance? Pen. Whom do you seek? Henry. A father and a mother who dwelt here. If you have heard the name of Woodville and can ease my anxious mind, tell me they survive. Pen. Be satisfied-they live. Henry. Devoutly I return heaven thanks, and bless you for the tidings. Long absent and debarred all correspondence with my family, I came with trembling heart, uncertain of their fate, and I confess the ominous appearance of a deserted house struck me with alarm; but I may hope they have some other residence at hand. If you know where, direct me. Pen. If I knew where, I would; but Henry. But what? Why do you pause? Pen. Because I can't proceed. Henry. Why not proceed? You know they live, can you at tell me where? Pen. I cannot. Henry. What is your business here? Pen. None. Henry. Do you not live in London ? Pen. No. Henry. What is your name, occupation? Where do you inhabit? How comes it to pass that you know so well to answer me one question, and are dumb to all the rest? Pen. I am not used to interrogatories, nor quite so patient as may suit with your impetuosity. Henry. I stand corrected; I am too quick.-You will excuse the feelings of a son. |