Proc. It matters not To him who holds the mastery o'er his spirit, To which we cling with most tenacious grasp, Rai. I deemed thee, by the ascendant soul which lived, For aught on earth.-But thou art like the rest. Proc. I would counsel thee. Thou must do that which men―aye valiant men— Where is he, whose heart Lies bare, through all its foldings, to the gaze Rai. Away, dissembler! Life hath its high and its ignoble tasks, By which the serpent wins his spell-bound prey? Proc. (Exultingly.) Why, this is joy! Oppression hath not crushed.-High-hearted youth . Rai. My father! what of him? Proc. In distant lands With him I've traversed many a wild, and looked That still he lives?-Oh! if it be in chains, Say but he lives-and I will track his steps Proc. It may be that he lives: Though long his name hath ceased to be a word Raimond! doth no voice Speak to thy soul, and tell thee whose the arms SELECTION XIII. HAKON-ERLING.- —Anonymous. (Hakon enters leading his son Erling by the hand.) Erling. "Tis cold, my father! Hakon. 'Tis yet early morning. Art thou so very chill? I shall behold the rising sun-how grand! A sight that I have never known before. Hak. Seest thou yon ruddy streaks along the east? Erl. What roses! how they bloom and spread on high! Yet father, tell me whence come all these pearls, Wherewith the valley here is richly strewn? How brightly they reflect the rosy light! Hak. They are not pearls, it is the morning dew! And that which thou deemest roses, is the sun! Seest thou? he rises now. Look at him, boy! Erl. Oh! what a beauteous whirling globe he seems: How fiery red! Dear father, can we never Visit the sun in yonder distant land? Hak. My child, our whole life thitherward is tending; That flaming ball of light is Odin's eye His other is the moon, of milder light, That he just now has left in Mimer's well, Hak. The sacred ocean That is old Mimer's deep and potent well. From the cool waves, At morning duly comes the sun refreshed, Erl. But now it hurts me It mounts too high. Hak. Upon his golden throne, The almighty father mounts, soon to survey In his meridian crown, our earthly sight May not contemplate. What man darest to meet The unveiled aspect of the king of day? Erl. (Terrified.) Hu! hu! my father-in the forest yonder— What are those bearded, frightful men? Hak. Fear not They are the statues of the gods, by men Thus hewn in marble. They blind not with sun-gleams. And look upon them with untroubled firmness. Erl. No, my father! I am afraid-seest thou that old man there! Hak. Child, it is Odin-wouldst thou fly from Odin : The flowers from earth's bosom, and himself shines At least let me bring my crown of flowers. I left it there on the hedge, when first Thou broughtest me hither to see the sun rise. Then let us go home; Believe me that old man there means no good! Hak. Go bring thy wreath, and quickly come again, A lamb for sacrifice is ever crowned. (Exit Erling.) Immortal powers! Behold the faith of Hakon in this deed. (Ee-enter Erling.) Erl. Here am I, father, and here's the crown. Hak. Yet Ere thou goest, my child, kneel down before Great Odin. Stretch thy hands both up to heaven, Erling-as thy child receive him to thy Paternal bosom." (He kneels, stretching his arms out towards the sun, and says with childish innocence and simplicity, Erl. Oh! Great Odin, hear Little Erling! as thy child receive him To thy paternal bosom. (Hakon, who stands behind, draws his dagger, and intends to stab him, but it drops out of his hand; Erling turns round quietly, takes it up, and says as he rises, Here it is Your dagger, father: 'tis so bright and sharp! When I grow taller I will have one too, Thee to defend against thy enemies. Hak. Ha! what enchanter with such words assists To move thy father's heart? Erl. How's this, my father? You are not angry sure! What have I done? Hak. Come Erling! follow me behind that statue! Hak. Yet listen! There are red roses blooming there, not white- To see them shooting forth. Come then, my child! I do not love red roses. Hak. Come, I say. Hearest thou not Heimidal's cock! He crows and crows. SELECTION XIV. ESSEX-SOUTHAMPTON-LIEUTENANT OF THE TOWER RALEIGH.-Jones. Essex. Oh name it not! my friend shall live, he shall; I know her royal mercy, and her goodness Will give you back to life, to length of days, And me to honor, loyalty, and truth. Death is still distant far. Southampton. In life's first spring Our green affections grew apace and prospered; Let smiling hope drive doubt and fear away, That all will yet be well. South. Count not on hope We never can take leave, my friend, of life, On nobler terms. Life! what is life? A shadow! Its date is but the immediate breath we draw; Nor have we surety for a second gale; Ten thousand accidents in ambush lie A frail and fickle tenement it is, Which like the brittle glass that measures time, Is often broke, ere half its sands are run. Essex. Such cold philosophy the heart disdains, And friendship shudders at the moral tale. My friend, the fearful precipice is past, And danger dare not meet us more. Fly swift Ye better angels, waft the welcome tidings Of pardon to my friend, of life and joy. (Enter Lieutenant.) Lieutenant. I grieve to be the messenger of woe, But must, my lords, entreat you to prepare For instant death. Here is the royal mandate That orders your immediate execution. Essex. Immediate execution !-what, so sudden! No message from the queen, or Nottingham? Essex. Deluded hopes! Oh, worse than death! My friend, my friend destroyed! Oh piercing thought! |