the only reason was that she was crammed full of osta, You have nothing to fear, neighbor; the mare is in perfect trim; and she will skin you over the ground like a bird. I wish you a good journey and a profitable job. THE BATTLE OF LIFE LONGFELLOW. LET our unceasing, earnest prayer O suffering, sad humanity! I pledge you in this cup of grief, VANOC AND VALENS, IN THE TRAGEDY OF THE BRITON. Van. Now, tribune! Philips. Tal. Health to Vanoc. Van. Speak your business. Val. I come not as a herald, but a friend: And I rejoice that Didius chose out me To greet a prince in my esteem the foremost. Van. So much for words.-Now to your purpose, tribune. Val. Sent by our new lieutenant, who in Rome Past enmities; to strike perpetual league With Vanoc; whom our emperor invites To terms of friendship; strictest bonds of union. Van. We must not hold a friendship with the Romans. Val. Why must you not? Van. Virtue forbids it. Val. Once You thought our friendship was your greatest glory. Van. I thought you honest.-I have been deceived.Would you deceive me twice? No, tribune, no! You sought for war,-maintain it as you may. l'al. Believe me, prince, your vehemence of spirit, Prone ever to extremes, betrays your judgment. Would you once coolly reason on our conduct - Van. Oh, I have scanned it thoroughly. Night and day I think it over, and I think it base; Most infamous! let who will judge-but Romans. Did not my wife, did not my menial servant, Val. At first the Romans did not interpose, Van. To moderate !—— What would you moderate ?-my indignation, When in my family offences rise, Shall strangers, saucy intermeddlers, say, When I am tamed to that degree of slavery- To watch, to live upon the smile of Claudius; To give my wife and children to his pleasures, Val. Prince, you insult upon this day's success; I give your answer scope. Van. Who shall confine it ? The Romans?-Let them rule their slaves-I blush Val. Blush, rather, that you are a slave to passion; Subservient to the wildness of your will; Which, like a whirlwind, tears up all Did not the Romans civilize you? Van. No. They brought new customs and new vices over Taught us more arts than honest men require, And gave us wants that nature never knew. Van. And you found us free. Val. Would you be temperate once, and hear me outVan. Speak things that honest men may hear with temper, Speak the plain truth, and varnish not your crimes. A frugal, hardy people, like the Britons, And Proud vagabonds !-who make the world your home, And lord it where you have no right. Van. Oh! Patience! Val. Can you disown a truth confessed by all? Our conquests are indulgences, and we Van. Prevaricating, false-most courteous tyrants; Romans! Rare patterns of humanity! Came you then thus far through the waves to conquer, To waste, to plunder out of mere compassion? Is it humanity that prompts you on To ravage the whole earth, to burn, destroy? A Roman virtue that has cost you dear: |