That fervent energy must spread, Hasten the day, just Heaven! And let the blessings thou hast freely given, Till equal rights be equally enjoyed, And human power for human good employed, Ex. CXXXII.-THE SEA SERPENT. FROM what abysses of the unfathomed sea And affidavits of sea-faring men? What whirlpool gulf to thee affords a home! PUNCH. Amid the unknown depths where dost thou dwell? If-like the mermaid, with her glass and comb— Thou art not what the vulgar call a Sell. Art thou, indeed, a serpent and no sham? An entity, though modified by flam, A basking shark, or monstrous kind of seal? Sea-Serpent, art thou venomous or not? What sort of snake may be thy class and style? That of Mud-Python, by APOLLO shot, And mentioned-rather often-by CARLYLE? Or, art thou but a serpent of the mind? Doubts, though subdued, will oft recur againA serpent of the visionary kind, Proceeding from the grog-oppressed brain? Art thou a giant adder, or huge asp, And hast thou got a rattle at thy tail? If of the Boa species, couldst thou clasp How long art thou?-Some sixty feet, they say, From head to head, a dozen miles or so. Ex. CXXXIII.-THE TOAST. THE feast is o'er! Now brimming wine Before each eager guest; And silence fills the crowded hall, Then up arose the noble host, And smiling cried: "A toast! a toast! Here, before all, I pledge the name Of Staunton's proud and beauteous dame,— Then to his feet each gallant sprung, "Enough, enough," he smiling said, Then, one by one, each guest sprang up, 'Tis now St. Leon's turn to rise; On him are fixed those countless eyes;- Envied by some, admired by all, Far famed in lady's bower, and hall,- ANON. St. Leon raised his kindling eye, To one whose love for me shall last To one whose love hath longer dwelt, Each guest upstarted at the word, And Stanley said: "We crave the name, St. Leon paused, as if he would Then bent his noble head, as though Ex. CXXXIV.-DEATH OF DE ARGENTINE. The scene is that of the battle of Bannockburn, in which Robert Bruce, king of Scotland, defeated the English army under king Edward. ALREADY scattered o'er the plain,- Cried Fight!" to terror and despair, SCOTT. And forced him from the fatal plain. Speed hence, my liege, for on your trace, I know his banner well. God send my sovereign joy and bliss, Again he faced the battle-field,- : "Now then," he said, and couched his spear, 66 'My course is run, the goal is near: One effort more, one brave career, Must close this race of mine!" And, of the bold pursuers, four The gallant knight from saddle bore; An axe has razed his crest; But still on Colonsay's fierce lord, Who pressed the chase with gory sword, And through his bloody tartans bored, Had turned him on the ground, And laughed in death-pang, that his blade. |