but the latitude of Virginia is not sufficiently different from our own for any star, which is invisible to us, to be at all high above the horizon. 63. sacred tree. The laurel, sacred to Apollo, the god of poetry. 68. Hakluyt. The historian of the voyages of English sailors was in all probability a member of the company for planting Virginia. THE LIE Sir Walter Raleigh was 'the most brilliant and many-sided of the Devonshire heroes of Elizabeth's reign' (Tout). Between 1580 and 1590 he had fought in the Irish wars; accompanied his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, to Newfoundland ; established himself as a Court favourite; made three attempts to colonize Virginia; and as Captain of the Guard organized the defence of England against the Armada. In the reign of James I, he became involved in the Arabella Stuart Plot and was sentenced to death. He was not, however, executed but imprisoned in the Tower, where he wrote his History of the World. In 1617 he persuaded the King to release him that he might conduct an expedition to Guiana in search of gold. On the Orinoco river he was attacked by the Spaniards, lost his son, and came back in 1618 a ruined man, to be meanly sacrificed by James, who, departing from Elizabeth's policy, was attempting to form a close alliance with Spain. His last words written in the Gate-House at Westminster were: Even such is time, that takes on trust But from this earth, this grave, this dust, Go, Soul, the Body's guest, 2. arrant] errand. 5 Go, tell the Court, it glows Tell Potentates, they live Give Potentates the lie! Tell men of high condition, And if they once reply, Then give them all the lie! SIR W. RALEIGH. 10 15 20 THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS (1620) The Pilgrim Fathers', separatists from and persecuted by the Established Church, sailed across the Atlantic to make a home where they might have freedom of worship. Half their numbers died of privation and disease within the first year, but the remainder resolutely held on, to establish on a firm footing the first of the New England group of colonies. THE breaking waves dashed high On a stern and rock-bound coast, And the heavy night hung dark The hills and waters o'er, When a band of exiles moored their bark On the wild New England shore. Not as the conqueror comes, Not with the roll of the stirring drums, Not as the flying come, In silence and in fear: They shook the depths of the desert gloom Amidst the storm they sang, And the stars heard, and the sea: And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang To the anthem of the free! The ocean eagle soared From his nest by the white wave's foam: And the rocking pines of the forest roared,This was their welcome home! There were men with hoary hair Why had they come to wither there, 5 10 15 20 25 There was woman's fearless eye, Lit by her deep love's truth; 30 There was manhood's brow serenely high, What sought they thus afar? Bright jewels of the mine? The wealth of seas, the spoils of war? 35 Aye, call it holy ground, The soil where first they trod: They have left unstained what there they found,Freedom to worship God. 40 F. HEMANS. STRAFFORD (1641) In 1641, about a year before the beginning of the Great Rebellion, Strafford was impeached by the House of Commons for treason, especially in urging Charles I to use the Irish army against the English and Scots. The feeling against StraffordCharles's most able supporter-was embittered by the fact that he had originally been on the side of the Parliament. As it became doubtful whether the legal interpretation would admit of conviction, the impeachment was dropped, and, instead, the Commons proceeded to an act of attainder, by which, without any trial, they were able simply to cast a vote enacting that Strafford should be executed. SCENE: THE TOWER. [STRAFFORD has been sitting with his children.] Strafford. Go, William! Anne, try o'er your [The children retire. song again! They shall be loyal, friend, at all events. I know your message: you have nothing new 5 I know, instead of coming here himself 10 15 Be grieved I should abuse his confidence, And far from blaming them, and...Where's the order? Hollis. Spare me! Strafford. away? Why, he'd not have me steal With an old doublet and a steeple hat 20 Like Prynne's? Be smuggled into France, perhaps? much- He too has children! prove 25 [Turning to HOLLIS'S companion.] Sir, you feel for me! No need to hide that face! Though it have looked 30 Hollis. As one to die! Whom forgive, 35 Strafford. True, all die, and all need Forgiveness: I forgive him from my soul. Hollis. 'Tis a world's wonder: Strafford, you must die! Strafford. Sir, if your errand is to set me free This heartless jest mars much. Ha! Tears in truth? We'll end this! See this paper, warm-feel-warm 40 With lying next my heart! Whose hand is there? Whose promise? Read, and loud for God to hear! 'Strafford shall take no hurt '-read it, I say! 'In person, honour, nor estate '- Hollis. The King.. Strafford. I could unking him by a breath! You sit Where Loudon sat, who came to prophesy 45 |