And then to Gaul's superior force must yield. Lo! Bonaparte appears upon the stage The scourge the pest the wonder of the age: A man for whom no precedent is found, Of courage rash of policy profound: Prudential in dissembling his pursuits, Whose various genius all conjunctures suits: A child of fortune whom a stroke of chance In season opportune bro't into France, While faction here and anarchy p evails, Of the contentions he himself avails, Well knowing how to use the present hour, Amidst contending parties rose to pow. Did by such steps his interest advance, As to usurp the sovereignty of France. And on a firmer base his throne to sound Was emperor by hands pontific crown crown'd, Eor this true maximto all time- ex ends Wild anarchy in sole dominion ends. Nor does the attainment of so high à state As yet his wild ambition satiate; Restless he fame pursues thro' all her walks And oʻes the Continent gigantic stalks: Britain alone unmoved his co quest sees; Britain the queen and mistress of the seas, Orlando who perceived the distress of Olympia, was impatient for the arrival of his ship, that he might thence procure a prope: habit for her. While he was intent on this, Oberto King of Ireland, unexpectedly appeared. This monarch had been informed, that the Orc lay lifeless on the shore; and that a certain Knight after having thrown a ponderous anchor into his mouth, had drawn him to the beach,as ships are wont to be drawn against the stream. On hearing this intelligence, Oberto left his troops to desolate Ebuda, while he himself hastened to the spot, that he might be a witness of this prodigy. Although Orlando was quite soiled with the blood that issued from the monster, Oberto could not mistake him. He was even at first persuaded, that such an exploit as this could not have possibly been atchieved by any other than Orlando. The Irish Prince who had been engaged in the service of Charlemaine from his ear [NO. 18. It was with the gallant Paladin. indeed but the year before that he had left France, in order to ke possession of the throne of Ireland then vacant by the death of his father. He therefore no sooner recollected Orlando, than lif ing up his casque, he eagerly ran to embrace and congratulate him. Nor was the satisfaction of the Paladin less sincere in beholding this young warrior again. After many reciprocal marks of friendship and esteem, Orlando informed the King of the adventures of Olympia. He related the treatment which that Princess had received from the perfidious Bireno; a treatment so much the more usmerited, since, for his sake, she had not only sacrificed her family and dominions, but would most chearfully also have sacrificed her own life, in order to preserve his. He added that of most of these facts he himself was an eye witness. The Princess was deeply affected by this relation of her misfortunes. Her beauteous face was like a vernal sky, when thick clouds descend from the summit of the liest years, was there very intimate mountains, extend over the plains, her obscure the splendour of the sun, and are at last dissolved in a gentle shower. As in the green foliage then, glistening with moisture, the sweet nightengale renews plaintive no es, so Cupid bathes his plumage in her delicious tears and rejoices in the lustre of her charms His golden arrow he kindles in the flame that darts from her piercing eyes; and he tempers it in the stream that flows amid the roses and lillies of her face. He then takes aim at the unguarded youth, whom neither buckler nor cuirass can defend: for while he is lost in contemplating her beauteous eyes and tresses he feels, he knows not how, the sudden arrow in his heart. to form a perfeet statue for the Temple of Juno; Olympia only would have been his model; for in her alone he would have found all the graces in perfection. The young King could not resist such powerful charms. He endeavoured to console the afflicted beauty, and to inspire her with the pleasing hope. that from his momentary evil the happiest good would at last result. He promised to accompany her to Holland, at the head of a puissant army; to reinstate her in her dominions ; and not to leave the Continent till he inflicted the most exemplary vengeance on her perjured consort, He immediately ordered his people to search in the neighbouring houses for some female robes. Nor was much trouble requisite to find them. The unhappy victims whom the orc had devoured alive, had left dresses of various fashions in the island. These Oberto presented to Olympia: he regretted only that amid such a variety of robes, there was not one rich e The beauties of Olympia indeed, were of no common kind. Her whole matchless form dis. played that exquisite justness of proportion, of which only Phidias, or some more skillful hand can give the least idea. It may be questioned whether Venus would have borne away the prize of beauty on Mount Ida, if the Parygian shep-nough for such a transcendant herd had been then to decide be tween that goddess and Olympia. Perhaps, at least, when he was in Sparta, Paris would have respected the rights of hospitality: he would have said, 'stay, Helen, with Menelaus thy husband; Olympia only shall be mine.' Had she lived at Crotona,when Zeuxis from all parts assembled so many naked beauties, tha fom each he dame. In this idea the richest stuffs of gold and silk, were they even woven by Minerva, or by the god of Lemnos, would have ap peared far unworthy to adorn this sweet assemblage of perfection. Orlando beheld with pleasure the progress of this rising passion. He perceived that he might now entrust to Oberto the task of a might cull some superior grace, venging the injuries of Olympia on the head of her perfidious lord ;jects to insurrection: and he glo and that in course he might be a liberty to continue his search for Angelica, who had alone been the object of his voyage to Ebuda He was already well assured that she could not be on the island; but not one of the inhabitants having escaped the edge of the sword, he could not gain the least intelligence concerning her. The next day the whole fleet lef Ebuda, and steered for Ireland whither the King and the Princess were accompanied by Oriando, who proposed to repair thence with all speed to France. Impelied by his amorous impatience, all the persuasions of the two young lovers could not induce him to repose himself there more than a single day. Before he derarted. he again recommended Olympia to the King, exhorting him not to forget the promise he had made to exert all his force to right her. This recommendation was quite unnecessary. I he King, who glowed with a virtuous passion for O lympia,wes impatient to merit her hand by some signal service. a riously terminated the war, by putting the traitor to death: punishment far inac'equate indeed to his attrocious guilt. The victorious Knight conduct. ed Olympia to the aitar; and Hy. men having crowned his ardent wishes, he raised his beauteous bride from the rank of Countess to that of a powerful Queen. But let us return to Orlando, who sailing night and day towards the coast of France, arrived at length at the same port, whence he had last departed. Here he landed, and mounting his armed s'eed Brigliadoro. soon left the briny waves behind. I am well persuaded, that during the remainder of the winter months, the Paladin atchieved exploits worthy of immoral famc. But let me not be censured, if any of his glorious deeds are left unsung: I have not been able to procure any account of them. Nor can this be wondered at, when it is considered, that Orlando was ever more ready to perform heroic actions than to relate them. Not one of his highatchievments therefore would ever have been recorded, had not some witnesses been fortunately near. But when the sun, in his circjing course, had gained the prudent beast that once supported Phryxus,* The more effectually to execute is design, Oberto contracted an alliance with the Kings of England and Scotland. In a few days he assembled a vast armament, and landed on the coast of Holland. He attacked Birenno: he compelled him to abandon Holland and Friesland he pursued him into avoid the prosecutions of their Zealand: he excited his own sub-step-dame, by the advice of Juno The fable relates that Phryxus, and is sister Helle, flying to mounted upon a ram, the fleece of wich was gold, and attempted to cross a narrow arm of the sea. Hene fell into the water, which was afterwards called the Heilesprot; but Phryxus arrived safe at the Court of Eetes, king of the Co'chians, and there, in gratitude for his safety, sacrificed the ram, which was placed among the signs of the Zodiac. The golden fleece remained to possession of Eetes, and was afterward won by Jason. the salvation of many ignorant persons, as well as the future happiness of this populous city. Your association has become numerous and respectable. By your example and activity in suppressing vice, much good will be done. Reform will certainly prevent ruin. When piety increases, and it appears mankind in general, grow more sober and virtuous, or less profane and dissolute: that the house of God is more frequented, and swearing and blasphemy less heard in our streets;-that the sabbath day is kept wholly ;-then the cause of religion visibly prospers, and the consideration is just matter of triumph to every good man; it increases the hopes of success, and makes us persevere in the great cause wherein we have embarked. The welfare of nations, and the happiness of individuals can only be established in righteousness. Since the ALMIGHTY GUD-who ordereth all things in heaven and in earth, has been mercifully pleased to protect us, to defeat the rebel enemy, and to deliver the foreign foes captives int our hands; -how can we better prove our gratitude to him, than by imitating the example of a beloved, patriot king, in shewing mercy and kindness to our fellow-creatures The maintenance and education of poor orphans.a nd destita e children, is most deservedly the first object of our care. It is the economy of charity;-the prevention of crimes |