LOVE OF COUNTRY. SCOTT. [The annexed extract from "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" embodies in fitting language the patriotic thoughts that should pervade every manly heart at thought of fatherland. They should be recited with enthusiastic fire.] Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, This is my own, my native land! From wandering on a foreign strand! Land of brown heath and shaggy wood, That knits me to thy rugged strand! Think what is now, and what hath been, Seems as, to me, of all bereft, Sole friends thy woods and streams were left; Even in extremity of ill. By Yarrow's stream still let me stray, Though none should guide my feeble way; THE DREAM OF CLARENCE. From SHAKSPEARE's play of KING RICHARD III. GEORGE, Duke of Clarence, BRACKENBURY, Lieutenant of the Tower. [The plot of this play is mainly used as a means of developing the strides by which Gloster, afterwards Richard III., reached the throne-by the most heartless acts and bloody crimes. The annexed extract is from the powerful scene which ends by Clarence's murder, by immersion in a butt of his favorite wine-Malmsey. In reciting this piece the speaker should as forcibly as possible depict, both in looks and language, the terrific effects produced upon Clarence by his frightful dream. COSTUMES.-Clarence should be attired in rich clothes; a close-fitting shape of fine cloth or velvet, with light close hose, a short mantle, depending from his shoulders. Brackenbury a dress of same style, but more rough and soldierly. SCENE-A Room in the Tower. Enter CLARENCE and BRAKENBURY. BRAK. Why looks your grace so heavily to-day? I would not spend another such a night, Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days; BRAK. What was your dream my lord? I pray you tell me. CLAR. Methought, that I had broken from the Tower, And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy, And, in my company, my brother Gloster: Who from my cabin tempted me to walk Upon the hatches, thence we look'd toward England, During the wars of York and Lancaster, That had befallen us. As we paced along Upon the giddy footing of the hatches, Methough, that Gloster stumbled; and in falling, Struck me, that thought to stay him, over-board, O Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown! All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea: Some lay in dead men's skulls; and in those holes CLAR, Methought I had, and often did I strive BRACK. Awaked you not with this sore agony? CLAR. O, no, my dream was lengthen'd after life; O, then began the tempest to my soul! I pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood, The first that there did greet my stranger soul, BRAK. No marvel, lord, though it affrighted you, I am afraid, methinks, to hear you tell it. CLAR. O, Brakenbury, I have done these things, That now give evidence against my soul, For Edward's sake; and, see, how he requites me!- Yet execute thy wrath on me alone: O, spare my guiltless wife, and my poor children!— My oul is heavy, and I fain would sleep. BRAK. I will, my lord: God give your grace good rest! (CLARENCE reposes himself on a chair), Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours, Makes the night morning, and the noontide night. An outward honor for an inward toil; And, for unfelt imaginations, They often feel a world of restless cares: THE COMBAT. SCOTT. [Exit. [The following inimitable and most spirited descriptive piece, is from the "Great Unknown's "beautiful poem, "The Lady of the Lake." No repetition ever dulls the eager attention with which this is listened to-so full is it of the very essence of dramatic vigor. While the mere descriptive portion should be given in a full round distinct tone, the fierce dialogue between Fitz-James and Roderick should be imbued with all the heroic fire that fills the breasts of the warriors. A perceptible difference should be made in the tone and accent of the two: Fitz-James's manner of delivery ought to be somewhat less harsh and fieree than the rough style of the Scottish Chieftain. Our extract commences where Fitz-James, having placed himself in the power of Roderick Dhu while on a hunting expedition, is promised safe guidance by that chief-who, however, is personally unknown to his companion. Fitz-James expresses a desire to meet the rebel Highlander.] "WELL, let it pass; nor will I now To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow. To match me with this man of pride; In peace: but when I come agen This rebel Chieftain and his band." "Have, then, thy wish !"-he whistled shrill, Like the loose crags whose threatening mass As if an infant's touch could urge Their headlong passage down the verge, Upon the mountain-side they hung. The mountaineer cast glance of pride Along Benledi's living side, Then fixed his eye and sable brow Full on Fitz-James-" How say'st thou now?" These are Clan-Alpine's warriors true, And, Saxon,-1 am Roderick Dhu!" Fitz-James was brave :-Though to his heart |