Ghouls, demons in Eastern fable, who were supposed to prey upon human bodies. Hear the tolling of the bells- What a world of solemn thought their monody* In the silence of the night, At the melancholy menace * of their tone! From the rust within their throats And the people-ah, the people- All alone, And who, tolling, tolling, tolling And their king it is that tolls; of Α triumph. pæan Rolls * from the bells! Keeping time, time, time, To the moaning and the groaning of the bells. 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 THE SCRIPTORIUM.*-Longfellow. Ir is growing dark! Yet one line more, Thus have I laboured on and on, 15 20 25 Of this same gentle Evangelist,* * That Christ himself perhaps hath kissed, It has a very awful look, * As it stands there at the end of the book, Ah me! when I think of that vision divine I stand in awe of the terrible curse, Like the trump of doom, in the closing verse. God forgive me! if ever I Record, write down, inscribe. Blemish, stain or spot. Mystery, something difficult to understand, Evangelist, a writer of the Gospel. There were four Evangelists, viz., Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Apocalypse, name of Eclipse, when the sun Take aught* from the book of that Prophecy, Aught, anything. From the Book of Life on the Judgment Day. This is well written, though I say it ! I should not be afraid to display * it, In open day, on the selfsame shelf, 30 Or of Theodosius, who of old Wrote the Gospels in letters of gold! Would not bear away the palm* from mine, 35 If we should compare them line for line. There, now, is an initial* letter! Saint Ulric himself never made a better ! Display, show. Folio, a book (literally, a leaf). The palm, the prize. Initial, the letter beginning a word. * Scriptorium, a place set apart for transcribing, illuminating, and writing books. This extract is taken from The Golden Legend. Satisfaction, plea sure. Wrapped in a napkin, not made good use of; in allusion to the parable of the "Talents." Margin, the border or edge. Gospel, good tidings; there are four Gospels in the New Testament, Parley, to speak, to confer. Corridor, a passageway. One of the Maries, &c. One of the paintings of Mary, the mother of Jesus. How sweet the air is! 50 How fair the scene! 55 I wish I had as lovely a green To paint my landscapes and my leaves! I can just catch a glimpse of her head and breast. I can see no more! Through the valley yonder The Devil's own and only prayer! I will go down to the corridor,* And try to see that face once more; It will do for the face of some beautiful Saint, Or for one of the Maries* I shall paint. 60 65 70 75 THE SHIPWRECK.-Byron. THERE were two fathers in this ghastly* crew, But he died early: and when he was gone, 10 I can do nothing ;" and he saw him thrown The other father had a weaklier child, 20 With the deep, deadly thought, that they must part. And o'er him bent his sire,* and never raised His eyes from off his face, but wiped the foam And the boy's eyes, which the dull film half glazed, 25 The boy expired. The father held the clay, 30 And looked upon it long; and when at last Ghastly, ghost like, pale, hideous. Robust, strong, healthy. Messmate, a mate or companion who eats at the same table with another. Aspect, appearance. He smiled, grief. Wished-for, &c., the rain so much de sired, for the boy was dying of thirst. Wistfully, longingly. 'Twas borne by the rude wave wherein 'twas cast; "Twas twilight, and the sunless day went down 35 Which, if withdrawn, would but disclose the frown trembling. shaking. Assail, tack. Darkled, grew dark. at Familiar, a demon or evil spirit who was supposed to be always within call, like a servant or attendant. Anticipate, foretaste. And the dim, desolate deep: twelve days had Fear Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell— And the sea yawned around her, like a hell, 40 45 And down she sucked with her the whirling wave, Universal, general. And first one universal * shriek there rushed, 50 Remorseless, pitiless. At intervals, from time to time. Convulsive, spasmodic. A solitary shriek, the bubbling cry Of some strong swimmer in his agony. HORATIUS.*—Macaulay. 55 THOMAS BABINGTON, LORD MACAULAY (1800-1859), was distinguished as a statesman, an orator, and an essayist; but above all as a historian. In brilliancy of illustration, in_graphic description, and in charm of style, he has never been surpassed. For two and a half years he held a legal appointment in India. From 1839 till 1847 he represented Edinburgh in the House of Commons. He was made a Peer in 1857. Chief works: History of England (unfinished), Critical and Historical Essays, and The Lays of Ancient Rome. * Horatius Cocles, who, with Spurius Lartius and Herminius, defended the wooden bridge over the Tiber, at Rome, against the Tuscans, under Porsena. |