41.

6

Meanwhile a deputation from the citizens endeavoured to dissuade the general from his enterprise. They represented that the native inhabitants were withheld from displaying their feelings in his favour by the garrison. And what benefit,' they added, 'could ensue to you from our forcible subjection? Should you succeed in your subsequent attempts upon the capital, the possession of Naples will naturally follow that of Rome: should you on the contrary, as is not improbable, be worsted, your conquest of this city would be useless and its preservation impossible.' 'Whether or not,' replied the general, ‘the siege I have undertaken be expedient, is not for the citizens of the besieged city to determine; but it is on your own affairs and the alternatives now offered to you that I desire your deliberation.' O. C. B. 1876.

42.

The man, who lay hidden from every eye in the little island, was worthy to save England and to restore the monarchy. He was nearly thirty years of age; his countenance was handsome, noble, and intrepid; his skill in all bodily exercises, his dexterity in shooting with the bow, would have sufficed, united as they were with consummate bravery, to obtain for him a distinguished rank as a mere soldier. The sweetness and benevolence which characterised all his intercourse with men endeared him to all who came near him: he had successfully cultivated poetry and music; and his mind, fostered by the early care of an enlightened mother, was enlarged and adorned by study to a degree unknown among his contemporaries. Moderations, 1863.

43.

'I enter upon action with the fairest prospect of success: the justness of my cause, the union of my subjects, the number and valour of my troops, the experience and fidelity of my generals, all combine to ensure it. Of all these advantages the king of France is destitute; and were my resources no more certain, and my hopes of victory no better founded than his, I would instantly throw myself at his feet, and suppliantly implore his mercy.' This long harangue the emperor delivered with a loud voice, a haughty tone, and the greatest vehemence of expression and gesture. The French ambassadors, who did not fully comprehend his meaning, as he spake in the Spanish tongue, were totally confused, and knew not how to answer so sudden an accusation. Moderations, 1865.

44.

I dreamt that I was in the cabin of a large ship, which was filled with people divided into various groups listening to men who were explaining to them the beginning, the nature, and the end of their voyage, and the rules of navigation by which it was regulated. The different speakers did not agree. There was a general resemblance between their accounts, but there were also wide differences between them on which they insisted with extreme eagerness. We were assured in every form

of speech that what they had to tell was the best and most glorious news in the world; but when you put it all together the substance of it was that nearly every one of us must expect upon landing to be confined in a hideous dungeon and there to be put to a cruel death by lingering torments. Moderations, 1870.

45.

After a short interval, Charles, turning to Philip, who stood awaiting his commands, thus addressed him: 'If the vast possessions which are now bestowed on you had come by inheritance, there would be abundant cause for gratitude. How much more when they come as a free gift in the lifetime of your father. But however large the debt, I shall consider it all repaid if you only discharge your duty to your subjects. So rule over them, that men shall commend and not censure me for the part I am now acting. Go on as you have begun. Fear God; live justly; respect the laws; above all cherish the interests of religion; and may the Almighty bless you with a son, to whom, when old and stricken with disease, you may be able to resign your kingdom with the same good will with which I now resign mine to you.' Responsions, 1863.

46.

Others collected their subjects in order to oppose his progress, and he quickly perceived what an arduous undertaking it was to conduct such a body of men through hostile nations, across swamps and rivers and woods which had never been passed but by straggling Indians. But by sharing in every hardship with the meanest soldier, by appearing the foremost to meet every danger, by promising confidently to his troops the enjoyment of honour and riches superior to the most successful of their countrymen, he inspired them with such enthusiastic resolution that they followed him without murmuring. When they had penetrated a good way into

the mountains, a powerful chief appeared in a narrow pass with a numerous body of his subjects to obstruct their progress. But men who had surmounted so many obstacles despised the opposition of such feeble enemies. They attacked them with impetuosity, and having dispersed them with much ease and great slaughter, continued their march. Responsions, 1865.

47.

The night was spent by some in busy preparation, by others in a state of discomfort and terror, which those only can conceive who have been suddenly awakened from a state of peacefulness to the miseries of civil war. Whole families, who but yesterday lived in comfort and even luxury, now deemed themselves fortunate if they could obtain the shelter of some narrow room, to shield them from the bitter night air, or some portion of coarse food to satisfy the cravings of nature. Children clung in terror to their parents, to whom they had hitherto looked for protection; and those parents were little able to console them, being themselves full of apprehension for what the morrow might bring. Alas! few eyes save those of the hardy soldier, accustomed to such scenes, were closed in sleep that fearful night. Responsions, 1875.

48.

Now when the Delphians knew what danger they were in, great fear fell on them. In their terror they consulted the oracle concerning the holy treasures, and inquired if they should bury them in the ground, or carry them away to some other country. The god, in reply, bade them leave the treasures untouched. He was able,' he said, 'without help to protect his own.' So the Delphians, when they received this answer, began to think about saving themselves. And first of all they sent their After which the women and children across the gulf into Achaea. greater number of them climbed up into the tops of Parnassus, and placed their goods for safety in the Corycian cave; while some effected their escape to Amphissa in Locris. In this way all the Delphians quitted the city, except sixty men and the prophet. Responsions, 1877

49.

When Martina first appeared on the throne with the name and attributes of royalty, she was checked by a firm though respectful opposition.

'We reverence,' exclaimed the voice of a citizen, 'we reverence the mother of our princes; but to those princes alone our obedience is due; and Constantine, the elder emperor, is of an age to sustain in his own hands the weight of the sceptre. Your sex is excluded by nature from the toils of government. How could you combat, how could you answer the barbarians who, with hostile or friendly intentions, may approach the royal city? May heaven avert from the Roman republic this national disgrace, which would provoke the patience of the slaves of Persia !' Martina descended from the throne with indignation, and sought a refuge in the female apartment of the palace. Moderations, 1867.

50.

This malady was now rapidly gaining ground. On the 15th of October we have another epistle from the court of Isabella at Medina, of the following melancholy tenor. You ask me respecting the state of the Queen's health. We sit sorrowful in the palace all day long, tremblingly waiting the hour when religion and virtue shall quit the earth with her. Let us pray that we may follow hereafter where she is soon to go. She so far transcends all human excellence that there is scarcely anything of mortality about her. She can hardly be said to die, but to pass into a nobler existence, which should rather excite our envy than our sorrow. She leaves the world filled with her renown, and she goes to enjoy life eternal with her God in heaven. I write this between hope and fear, while the breath is still fluttering within her.' Moderations, 1871.

51.

Her gentlewomen with lamentable cries laboured to stanch the remediless wounds; and awhile she was dead before they perceived it, death being able to divide the soul but not the beauty from that body. But when the infallible tokens of death assured them of their loss, one of the women would have killed herself, but that the squire of Amphialus perceiving, by force held her. Others that had as strong passion, though weaker resolution, fell to cast dust upon their heads, to tear their garments, all falling upon the earth and crying upon their sweet mistress, as if their cries could persuade the soul to leave the celestial happiness to come again into the world of sorrow; one time calling to remembrance her virtue, chasteness, sweetness, and goodness to them; another time accursing themselves that they had obeyed her, being deceived by her words, which they wrongly understood. Moderations, 1875.

52.

The Roman sceptre, the reward of his crimes, was held by Andronicus about three years and a half as the guardian of the empire. His government exhibited a singular contrast of vice and virtue. When he listened to his passions, he was the scourge, when he consulted his reason, the father, of his people. In the exercise of private justice he was equitable and rigorous; a shameful and pernicious venality was abolished, and the offices were filled with the most deserving candidates by a prince who had sense to choose and severity to punish. He prohibited the inhuman practice of pillaging the goods and persons of shipwrecked mariners : the provinces, so long the objects of oppression or neglect, revived in prosperity and plenty and millions applauded the distant blessings of his reign, while he was cursed by the witnesses of his daily cruelties. Moderations, 1877.

53.

He turned pale as he listened to the bishop, and exclaimed with deep emotion, 'It is a terrible sentence. Little did I imagine that any offence I had committed against God or the king could merit such a punishment. It is not death that I fear. Death is the common lot of all: but I shrink from dishonour; yet I may hope that my sufferings will so far expiate my offences, that my innocent family will not be involved in ruin by the confiscation of my property. Thus much at least I think I may claim in consideration of my past services.' Then after a pause he added, Since my death is the will of God and his Majesty, I will try to meet it with patience.' He asked the bishop if there were no hope. On being answered None whatever,' he resolved to devote himself at once to preparing for the solemn change. Responsions, 1864.

54.

The most affecting incident was afforded by the multitude of Christian captives, who were rescued from the Moorish dungeons. They were brought before the sovereigns, with their limbs heavily manacled, their beards descending to their waists, and their sallow visages emaciated by captivity and famine. Every eye was suffused with tears at the spectacle. Many recognized their ancient friends, of whose fate they had long been ignorant. Some had lingered in captivity ten or fifteen years; and among them were several belonging to the best families in Spain.