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The object of the papers for both pass and honors will be to determine whether the candidate understands and appreciates the author's meaning. This involves the careful study of the form in which the author expresses himself. Paraphrasing, derivation, synonyms, proper names and historical points, figur- ative language, sentence and paragraph structure, and metrical form, will all • be considered solely from this point of view. The biography of the writers and the history of the periods in which they lived, will be dealt with in this connec- tion only in so far as they may have affected the meaning or the form of the texts prescribed. The candidate ^vill also he expected to have memorized the finest passages. ENGLISH COMPOSITION AND PROSE LITERATURE. For pass and honours : the framing of sentences and paragraphs ; paraphras- ing of prose ; expansion and contraction of prose passages ; synonyms ; correc- tion of errors ; the elements and qualities of style ; themes based upon the prose literature prescribed ; the critical study of the prose literature prescribed, in- volving the study of the merits and defects of the author's language, sentences and paragraphs. On this subject no special paper will be submitted for honors, but in the pass paper there will be for honors a few questions of a more difficult character than some of those set for pass. li THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE, CRITICAL INTRODUCTION, MAP OP SCOTT-LAND, AND BY J. K. WKXHKRE:UL, 13. a. SELECTIONS FROM GOLDSMITH'S CITIZEN OP THE WOELD, WITH ANNOTATIONS AND LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. BY X. C. I.. ARMSTRONG. M.A., LI^.B. REQUIRED FOR UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATIONS. 1888-9. Authorised by the Minister of Education. ROSE PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1888. Entered according to Act of Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, by the Minister of Education for On- tario, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture. PRINTRD ANn BOrsn HT Hpntkr, Rosh & Co., TOBOSTO. ? PREF \CE. 'to II sand for On- How sliall Isnglish literature he taught is one of the most important (lucstions now luuier the consideration of cthication- ists. Ahhougli to such a (luestion there tan he no tinal answer, still there is a marked approach towards Mnaiiimity among tho^e who have revolted from the almost profitless methods ot the past, and who are seeking to exalt l^nglish liter. ature to its proper place as a hranch of knowledge and as a means of culture. Instead of regarding the masterpieces of our language as a line field for grammatical and philological e\er- citation, the new vogue regards them as the out])ourings of genius and the expressions of art, and directs attention, firstly and chielly, to the author's message ; secondly, to the striking features and devices of tht, artistic medium that conveys the message; atul thirdly, to the remote and the immediate causes that developed or influenced the author's literary genius, thus affecting the cast and the coloring of his message. A\'hat the author has to say to us is, of course, the main thing for con- sideration ; hut how he speaks to us, and why he speaks to us, are questions of vital importance, if we wish to enjoy the full effects of his message. This edition of Scott's " Lay," it will be seen, follows the new line of literary study which has heen prescrihed hy the Univer- sity of Toronto and adopted hy the other Universities and the Education Department of the Province. Different masters will no doubt use the hook in different ways, hut whatever modcj of treatment may be adopted, all, as far as our schools are con- cerned, must tend tn rhe object defined in the Syllabus of the University. ^ PREFACE. The biographical chapter contains a full account of the causes that led to the development of the romantic poetry of the pre- sent century, and examines the literary, political, social and moral environment of the poet up to the date of the production of the " Lav." It would be well for the pupil to give this chap- ter a careful perusal before he reads the poem itself, in order that he may have a general notion of the conditions under wh.ch the work of art was produced. It will be necessary thereafter to make frequent use of the biographical chapter, whenever an examination of the poet's environment will throw light on the text. The explanatory notes which usually run hand in hand with the critical notes have, in the present edition, been assigned to a separate place. These expository and historical notes are • intended for the use of the pupil in his first reading of tl e poem. ° The Critical Introduction is intended mainly for the use of the teacher. In the detailed analysis of the finer passages of tae poem, the various topics considered in the twenty-eight sections of this Introduction will need to be discussed. When the pupil has been brought to see the poet's art in the poem Itself, a reference to the Critical Introduction will serve to fix his knowledge and to familiarize him with the rhetorical nomen- clature. When the study of the poem has been completed, the pupil's critical knowledge may then be systematized by reading the Introduction in course. An exhaustive critical study of the opening lines of the poem has been attempted in order to show one way in which th^ Critical Introduction may be employed by the teacher. It will be neither possible nor desirable to treat many passages so ex- haustively. The Questions and Opinions will be found serviceable at various stages in the pupil's progress through the poem. « /I THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE, CRITICAL INTRODUCTION, MAP OF SCOTT-LAND, AND "CTOTES. 3 I t i e s V t fl t r c r c tl S V h I (i V w o ^ a! el E Ic w sc BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. Poeta nascitur non fit has had immemorial acceptance, and yet It IS a most fallacious adage. Without the poetic instinct no one, it is true, has ever become a poet, but to ascribe every- thing to native genius is to belie the literary history of all the great poets of the world. Birth counts for much, but the environment and the epoch are of equal importance. We shall see this strikingly exemplified in the case of Scott. The stars were propitious at his birth, but the favorable surroundings of the " poetic child » in the plastic period of youth, and the power- ful literary impulses that had sway at the close of the last cen- tury must not be overlooked, in studying the evolution of those metrical romances of which "The Lay" was the first in the order of production, as it is perhaps the first in the order of lite- rary merit. In the following brief sketch of the poet's life, only those circumstances will be noted that throw light on his poetry or that influenced the growth and bias of his poetic powers As Scott's character in all its main features was formed and finished very early, a due share of attention will be devoted to his bov- hood. ' Scott was born in Edinburgh on the isth of August. 1771 He was connected with ancient Scottish families, both on his father sand on his mother's side. His great-grandfather was Walter Scott, well known in Teviotdale by the name of Beardie whose great-grandfather was another Walter Scott, Auld Watt of Harden. The poet had thus a good genealogy for a Border Minstrel. Scott^s father was a « Writer to the Signet,"— much the same as an English attorney. His mother was Anne Rutherford eldest daughter of Dr. Rutherford, professor of medicine \n Edinburgh University. His father was a man of high spirit and lofty principle, regulating his household in religious matters with all the formality of a Presbyterian precisian of the \m school. The elder Fairford in " Redgauntlet " is a thin dis- guise of Scott's own father. The popular notion that a son's lO BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. characteristics and distinctions are to be ascribed to a mother's quaht-.es receives some confirmation from the case of Scott. .L^ T A ''' fe^' ^""^ "^^J^l^y ^^'"P^"-' ^ devout spirit, and a cul ured mind. She was noted for her skill in stoty-telling, npr-.n • 7k ^r ."/'"'V'''^'^"'"'"''''"^^ ^^''^'^ '''"g'*^'^ literature, es- pecially in the fields of poetry and fiction Walter was the ninth of twelve children, only five of whom lived beyond early youth. Several of the family appear to have had unusual talents, the eldest son. Robert, having a strong Z^ThMlT'"'"- ^^^''' '^"^"^ ^^^^y ^'g" '^f health and strength till he was about eighteen months old, when a fever brought on a lameness which never left him. In his third year Sfn K-^ '"''' '^"f ^°'" ^'""^ ^'' ^"d ^'^^'•^'se to the country to live with his paternal grandfather, at Sandy Knowe on the Tweed near Kelso. The boy spent several years in this romantic disl "^':7^^''\'.^Yy ^'^'^ *^^^ '^^ '^^"'^ ^"d every rivulet its ??*°*TrT. ^^ happy period the poet refers in "Marmion" (inL HI.): — " And feelings roused in life's first day. Glow in the line and prompt the lay. Yet was poetic impulse given, By the green hill and cl?ar blue heaven. It was a barren scene and wild, Where naked cliffs were rudely piled ; But ever and anon between Lay velvet tufts of loveliest green. • • • • And ever by the winter hearth. Old tales I heard of woe or mirth • Of lovers' sleights, of ladies' charms. Of witches' spells, of warriors' arms ; Of patriot battles, won of old By Wallace wight, and Bruce the bold ; Of later fields of feud and fight. When pouring from their Highland height, The Scottish clans in headlong sway. Had swept the scarlet ranks away. While stretched at length upon the floor Again I fought eaA combat o'er. Pebbles and shells in order laid, The mimic ranks of war displayed • And onward still the Scottish lion bore. And stiU the scattered Southron fled befor*. • • • • , For 1 was wayward, bold and wild, A self-willed imp, a grandame's child ; But half a plague and half a jest, Was still eadured, beloved, caressed,'* BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. u In these early days his grandmother and his aunt, Miss Janet Scott, had charge of him, and to them we are indebted for fos- termg the '' poetic impulse. ' Up to the age of seven or eight, Walter lived at Sandy Knowe, making occasional excursions to Edmburgh, and spending part of a year in Bath for his health. We learn much about the literary predilections of this youth- ful prodigy in the opening chapters of " Waverley," which Scott hmiself tells us contain many reminiscences of his own boy hood. He was allowed to learn as he pleased, what he pleased, and when he pleased. He drove through the sea of l)ook> like a vessel without a pilot or a rudder. He read Spenser Shakespeare and Milton. He dived into the earlier dramatists and the old historical chronicles. He was carried away by the dazzling and heart-stirring descriptions of Froissart. It may be thought that these pursuits of young Waverley must surely be long to a later period in the life of Scott, perhaps to the Kelso days, or even later. However this may be, the poet tells us m his autobiography that before he was seven years old he read aloud to his mother Pope's translation of Homer, and he expresses the opinion that children derive powerful impulses from hearing and reading things which they cannot entirely comprehend. He tells us, further, that the wonderful and the terrible in Pope roused his childish enthusiasm, and that, with- out intending it, he got by heart a large number of the passages he liked most. After his seventh year Scott lived, till his marriage, with his father m Edinburgh. In 1778 he entered the High School, \yhich he attended for four or five years. His school reputa- tion was one of irregular ability. He tells us that he glanced like a meteor from one end of his class to the other. He made a brighter figure in the yards than in the class. His uniform good nature and his tales, which were largely the product of his ready imagination, made him very popular with his class- mates. Much of the time of the boys was devoted to classical strdy. Scott never took kindly to Greek ; in fact, he tells us that m after life he could not say the alphabet : but in Latin he attained a high degree of proficiency. He could read any Latin author of any age so as to catch the meaning without difficulty. His teachers frequently praised him for the unerring precision with which he caught the meaning and spirit of the text. His Latin course led him through Caesar, Livy, Sallust, Virgil, Hor- ti BIOGRAPHICAL lVOJIC/£. ace, Terence. In his last year at the High School he made some very successful translations ixma Horace and Virgil. During Jiis High School course Scott spent six months with his aunt, Janet Scott, at Kelso. It is perhaps to these days that many of the references in " Waverley " apply. All his time, with the exception of a few hours each day in the Gram- mar School of Kelso, was given to English literature. History, poetry, voyages, travels, fairy tales, eastern stories, romances' were devoured with avidity. Ossian and Soenser in these days were his delight. " I could have read Spenser forever," he tells us. " The quantity of Spenser's stanzas I could repeat was marvellous." Scott's phenomenal memory gave him an early command of language. With him, to like a passage of poetry, a play-house ditty, or a Border-raid ballad, was to re- member it. It was about this time that Scott became acquainted with that wonderful book, Percy's " Reliques of Ancient Poetry,"— a book whose influence on English literature, and indeed on Continental literature, can never be estimated. Scott himself gives us a lively account of the effect that the first reading of the " Reliques " had upon him. " I remember well the spot where I read these volumes for the first time. It was beneath a large platanus-tree, in the ruins of what had been inten'>d for an old-fashioned arbour. The summer day sped onward so fast that, notwithstanding the sharp appetite of thirteen, I forgot the hour of dinner, was sought for with anxiety, and was still found entranced in my intellectual banquet. Henceforth I over- whelmed my school-fellows and all who would hearken to me, \yith tragical recitations from the ballads of Bishop Percy. The first time, too, I could scrape a few shillings together, I bought unto myself a copy of these beloved volumes ; nor do I believe I ever read a book half so frequently or with half the enthu- siasm." During this happy period at Kelso, Scott became acquainted with the novels of Richardson, Fielding, and Smollett. To this period also the poet afterwards traced the awakening of the de- lightful feeling for the beauties of external nature, whose sway he always continued to feel. The neighborhood of Kelso was one of the most beautiful in Scotland. From this time forward the love of natural beauty, especially when associated with ancient ruins, became with Scott an insatiable passion. ol he made Virgil, lonths with these days ,\ All his the Gram- '. History, romances, these days )rever," he >uld repeat ve him an passage of was to re- d with that 'oetry,"— la indeed on Dtt himself reading of i the spot IS beneath ten'V^d for inward so n, I forgot 1 was still rth I over- en to me, ;rcy. The I bought > I believe he enthu- cquainted . To this of the de- le sway he o was one rward the h ancient BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. 13 In his thirteenth year Scott was sent to the College of Edin- burgh. Here, strange to say, he made the greatest progress in mathematics, ethics, philosojjhy, and history. In his fourteenth year he entered his father's office as an ap- prentice. He tells us that his desk usually contained a store of miscellaneous volumes, especially works of fiction. During his early apprentice days he and his friend Irving used to compose romances for each other's amusement. These were read during their walks among the most solitary and romantic districts in the vicinity of Edinburgh. Even their holidays were spent in this odd pastime. About the same time Scott began to collect old ballads. These two or three years had no small effect in directing his imaginar^on to the chivalrous and the romantic m poetry and prose. His researches led him to a knowledge of French, Spanish and Italian. He became famil- iar with Froissart, with Cervantes, with 'I'asso, Ariosto, and Dante. He " fastened like a tiger " on every collection of old songs that he stumbled on in whatever language. It was in his sixteenth year that Scott met and was noticed by Burns, for whom he ever afterwards retained a deep feeling of reverence. It is somewhat remarkable that no clear trace of Burns's influence can be detected in Scott's poems : as how- ever. It was Burns who in the north raised the taste for simple poetry to something like a passion, Scott's simple style mav owe something to him. ^ His five years' apprenticeship with his father ended in 1780 the date of the outbreak of the French revolution The next three years he devoted to legal studies, attending the re<'ular lectures in law at Edinburgh University, where David Hume was then the regular lecturer on Scotch law. After three years of "stern, steady, undeviating industry," Scott assumed tlie advo- cate s gown at the age of twenty-one. To an early affection belonging to this period we owe some of the ten'ierest pages of "The Lay," and of " Rokeby " The heroi.-r m each of these works has certain distinctive features drawn irom one and the same haunting dream." After four ^r\'^°' self-deception, his dream was dispelled by the marriage of Miss Margaret Stuart Belches to another. A sentence from Peveril of the Peak" may be quoted here :— " It is these httle passages of secret history which leave a tinge of romance in every bosom, scarce permitting us, even in the most busy or H f^^OGRAPWCAL NOTICE. fhe most advanced Deriorl .^f iv »« -^ 'a'c of true love' ' ^''"''' '" ''«'^" ^^•'•t»> total indifference , In ins twenty third vpir i,. i -"to Liddcsdale. lor 'cvi? '^''" "''^'''' ^'^ ^■^"^^^ ''is '< raids " ""^, 'omantic distn-.^ev o 1^^"' '" '^''^--^^r. 1 c v7std ped o,„,,,„^. the ;vSt"l.:7/r'^''-^^ -eryriinel S^, T'■^""'^^^°^^" and every inlu^^^ ""''"g fltbdnle has been called "th^ n, ^^ "''''^ ''^ heard. IJd- had passed: at llrst he to ??^''''^" '^^ ^^-'-is about till ye-ir " '^'^ ^ul ■^' iHller 1 he ultimate determ n.V f^/aut.es of (Joethe and -^^ "iau)ly due to ti;e e4m e of°r^ '"-^ ''^^'•"^^>' '-^'"^itlon •erman drama and romance In h Y ^'^''' ^^""'^ers of the ^ted Burger's "Lenore." a^d in the folin"^^-'^'^'^ ^'^'^^ ^ran" Huntsman." ^bout the same t m ^°"°^^''"g year his "Wild fragments of CJoethe. ^ ^""^ ^^^ versified some lyrical Jn 1797 the fears of a French in, • day n.ore serious. The shock n^f^ '° v ''^'^ becoming every d.sturbed all Kurope and fL? the French revolution had archical alliance, whTch ahf^J f ''"^' '^''^^'"8 J^'^ed the mon !!- ojd order oi th^gs'^' J^^^ '""'"« I'>ance to^^e'oTe ihe revolutionary movemen v . • '^'V^^^'-^s'on of revenge f^efcre an inspiration to Cd "vorTh"'^ ^'^ ^^^" ^ ^ew yefr' up re-action in Scott." HrSSerf'Th'^ ^°''^^'^S^' "°^ «S Mon as u seeu,ed to bin" 'Sv . ,^^ ^^^^'ution with aver had been be/ore only a poeS T ^ ^''"" "?^ levelling." He This wa« the var f "^ »net at Gillslandfin cImberlanTn r^'^i ?" ^ ^""^"^^^ tour he • matrimonial fate. Chalt!r&^^^^^^^^ J>iargaret Carpenter (or Charpen. indifference lis " raids " lie visited *'ery ruined ^nd noting ;ard. Lid- 's genius." -'sy of the I Iricnd of t till years -' Init the ted in the (lis " Lid- had soon' 'ethe and •inihition rs of the he trans- s " Wild >e lyrical ^S every ion had !ie mon restore evenge. kv years ' stirred th aver- •" He ^ame a • moss- ounted iself as nment t Dra- our he . - ed his arpen- BIOGRAPHICAL NO TIC E. ,^ m'tuliust ''h^'"^'''" "^" ^'^r^ ^^y^"''' ^f J^y'^"^- Meeting ,fAo^ l ^^ '''^''^ "'^""^^ ""^ Christmas. Scott's domestic life was a happy one, although his wife, having no .rc.t den h hlera^wS. '"^^ ""^ "^'"'^^^ "^^^ nir"ru;;pc;;^t fn ^^is In 1798 Scott hired a cottage at Lasswade on the lu-e of the . manceof Border chivX^in. 1 L?" P^".-"^ kind of ro- This refers to thffirst driuVht of hf :';°''''"\" ^°" ^^^ «^^"^^" " The «' Lay " ouigrew the dim/ ^^ °' ^'^^ Last Minstrel." the third LunSVe4SX'»^ -"^ 1803, .In this volume app^r^iVr '"P^H "'''^^'^ '^ '" contaimngmany stanzas of high poeKWit T^"^ ^"^''''" romance, however, was not givin to the worW f ^ P-i^^Jected years. The poem made proeress t ,nl , ^^' "^^^'^ ^^^^^ was in quarters with the troon S LT'^^^a' '"^'^'y ^^''^^'^ ^e out his books of nference! ^' ^""^ necessarily rw///- gav?rrerd'^a°L:tion^:^^^^ 1°^^^'^^ '""^ peace of Amiens threats ot.invasTon oThe next t^o or\'hl"'"'i^^ ^^P^^^^ to die. The feeling aga.nstl^he Fren.h ^^""'^ ^'^ "°' ^"°^ Scott wrote : ^ ^'^"''^ '^^^ '"tense. In 1804 "For fiercer than fierce Hengisfs strain More in.pious than the heaU^en Dane ' " "^"J'^^fo ^u"J lor battie-strife. Or bard of martial lay, n^/.T''"' '*" r?" °f P-^cefil life. One glance at their array | " BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. 17 Scott was by blood a man of martial feelings. To him there was sublimity in the rush of cavalry and the thrill of military music. Those anonymous verses that introduce one of the chapters of " Old Mortality " give us the key to Scott's personal and poetic character : " Sound, sound the clarion ! fill the fife 1 To all the sensu.nl world proclaim, One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name." It was during the autumn of 1803 that Scott first met Words- worth. The English poet and his sister Dorothy had just com- pleted their tour of the Highlands. On a morning of Septem- ber the two poets met at Lasswade. Wordsworth tells us that Scott partly read and partly recited, some times in an enthusi- astic kind of chant, the first four cantos of " The Lay." " The novelty of the manners, the clear picturesque descriptions, and the easy glowing energy of much of the verse greatly delighted \ me," writes Wordsworth. It may here be said that the English ! poet always regarded "The Lay" as the finest of Scott's poems. In 1804, on account of the duties of his shrievalty, Scott moved from Lasswade to Ashestiel, on the south bank of the Tweed, near Selkirk, in a wild pastoral country, a beautiful situ- ation for the residence of a poet. In the first week of January, 1805, at the age of thirty-four, Scott published his first great poem, "The Lay of the Last Min- strel." The wonderful enthusiasm it evoked decided that he was to devote his life to literature. Some interesting incidents in connection with the inception of the " The Lay " will be given separately. By long study, by collecting traditions, by mixing with men of all ranks in society, by brooding over poetic thoughts and imaginative visions, Scott had now ready at hand almost all the materials on which he was to continue to work for over a quarter of a century. After delighting the world for some years with his metrical romances, of which the finest are " Marmion," " The Lady of the Lake," and " Rokeby," he turned to the field of prose romance, where he gained unrivalled fame by his Waverley Novels. A review of this period of varied and marvel- lous production need not be given here, since our main business js with " The Lay," and since all ha? been told that the British 18 BIOGRAPHICAI. NOTICE. THE HISTORY OF "THE LAY." Scott himself has given us the hterarv historv nf "Tt, t Let him tell his own story :— ^ ^ °^ ^ ^^ W' "Accident dictated both theme and measure tk« i , property communicated trhS kdvshin th ^""^ gentleman ot Horner; a tradition in whTch the nLrlr and ?^^^^ ^''P'". that country, were firm believers Thf ' "^"J'^^^y more of delighted with the Wend LnH !k ^°""« Countess, much with\hicir was told enioTnedn ^'^"''' ""^ ^"" confidence a ballad on the sV^ect.^Of ours" To hel ' ^''' ^'^^"P^^^ thus the goblin story, objecte'to bV :everL cHtics°t'^ ' '"' crescence upon the noem wi^ w! hn. .k ■ ^^ ^^ *" ^^- written. ^ ' ' ^*^'' '^^ occasion of its being "A chance similar to that which ^{u^^^\f^A .k«. u- me also the hint of a new mode of ir^t nl^ft We t^H^'; \"'''' time the lease of a pleasant cotlage nei^ii„v.2f.^^'^ 1 '^""^ mantic banks of the Esk, to wh ch we esrlnS ^ ' °1 *^^ '"^ tionsofthe court permilteVmrs^o m^c? t^'"^^^^^^^^^^ the pleasure to receive a visit from Mr StoddlVt ^h^ that time collecting the particular: "^-id^^ aftwa^^ em^^^^ ied an his remarks on Local Scener> :o -co land o^ made me better acquainted tha, '„? ^,.Kl»u' .•, ^^ poetic effusions wh?ch havts Le n^adfth^Lake^s ofw'"'/^ '""^ land, and the authors by whom they hate been sunl To fo^^^^^^^ wherever the English tongue is sooLn T w!! of 5' '"^"^ cd with 7oan of ire.' the'' Th^lXa'Tnd the « M^^^^^^^^^ of Mr. Southey, which had found their wav to q^^^ ^ "^'J were generally admired. But Mr. stoddart whf h H^l' '"? yant^e of personal friendship witk fh^trhors'^'d^lH^^^^^^^^^ .v=..c • u 5irung memory with an excellent taste was able 7n yet appeared m prmt. Amongst others was the striking frag- BIOGhA FHICAL NO TICE. >9 first great The Lay.' he lovely tuccleuch, i of niak- as well as e all made on heard :leman of >f Gilpin ' more o( ss, much •nfidence compose >ey; and is an ex- its being ;ct, gave I at that I the ro- lie vaca- e I had I was at embod- . He ^ith the itmore- famous quaint- allads ' d, and the ad- lo pos ible to tad not g frag- ment called ' Christabel,' by Mr. Colerirlge, which, from the singularly irregular structure of the stan/as, and the liberty which it allowed the author to adapt the sound to the sense, seemed to be exactly suited to such an extravaganza as I meditated on the subject of Gilpin Horner. As applied to comic and humor- ous poetry, this mescolanza of measures had been already used by Hall and others ; but it was in ' Christabel ' that I first found it used in serious poetry, and it is to Mr. Coleridge that I am bound to make the acknowledgment due from the pupil to his master. " I did not immediately proceed on my -irojected labor, though I was now furnished with a subjet t, and with a struc- ture of verse which might have the eflect of novelty to the pub- lic ear, and afford the author an opportunity of varying his measure with the variations of a romantic themi On the con- trary, it was, to the best of my recollection, mo c than a year after Mr. Sloddart's visit, that, by way of exper ment, I com- posed the first two or three stanzas of 'The La • of the Last Minstrel.' I was shortly afterwards visited by wo intimate friends whom I was in the habit of consulting on -ny attempts in composition, having equal confidence intheir sou id taste and friendly sincerity. As neither of the friends said i nch to me on the subject of the stanzas I showed them, before their depar- ture, I had no doubt that their disgust had been g eater than their good nature chose to express. Looking upon t em, there- fore, as a failure, I threw the manuscript into the fire ar d thought as little more as I could of the matter. Some tiineal erwards I met one of my two counsellors, who inquired, with cor siderable appearance of interest, about the progress of the roma e I had commenced, and was greatly surprised at learning its 1 e. He confessed that neither he nor our mutual friend had been at first able to give a precise opinion on a poem so muci out of the common road, but that as they walked home together to the city they had talked much on the subject, and the result was an earnest desire that I would proceed with the composition. He alsf > added that some sort of prologue might be neces ary to place the mind of the hearers in the situation to understa id the poem, and recommended the adoption of such quaint n^ )ttoes as Spenser has used to announce the contentsof the chapiers of the ' Faery Queen.' I entirely agreed with my friendly critic in the necessity of having some sort of pitch-pipe, which might make readers aware of the object, or rather the tone, of the 20 ' ^roc.A.^.cj;:;^-^:''' whom 'TheLay'miS?h' ^" '''PP''opnate prolocutor k "?tervals, of the time, place anS? ""^''' '"^'"'"d the reader at This species of cadre TfU^"^ ^'rcumstances of the rec tadon ^ts name of « The Sy o the r'nf ^^'^^^ ^^'^^^^d the poem subsequently shown to^tLrL^IJ^'"'''"'-' The Zk^Z mg received their /^./wI^T^L^^/'^^ '!,^ Progress, ^"d hlv occtn ?' '■"^^ °^ ^ canto "'er ^veek '°°^h'"'''''^' P^'^^^^'^ing occasion for pause or hesitifinn u ^^^'^ ^^'^s indeed little might be accommodated by an °^'.^" ^ ^'"""f^'esome rhyme an mcorrect measure ml^ be rl ^^'°", °^ '^^ ^^^n^a, or Se rhyme It was finally ^SLLtn^'^ by a variation in the as the first work in which t 7 / '^°5, and may be reeard^^ ous laid his claim to be co :,-S^;' ^^o has been so vSfr "It would be ereif off f • ^ '"^^ ''^" original author strei. ihe attempt to return t.?. "^'^^ ^ay of the Last Min- Im populnrity..' ™""'' '" « '^''Im attempt (o accoum for ;"»<5rt^'c:S-'?« -^h^Z"'''' "''=<'--- " the poet I:?y," we must look b'eyond M.i^t?"'"^"-'" Wl^-^'y of "K lurous applause with which ihr^ ^""^ Produced the ni" - .- it an .>"-.-.;U^:,aTp"vlSrr^^^^^^^^ BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. ^.-. 2t ig the oracular t not be cen- I therefore •rolocutor, by the introduc- the reader at ■he recitation, ed the poem le work was ess, and hav- I, proceeding indeed little some rhyme iza, or where ation in the he regarded so volumin- uthor. «b' that the - Last Min- md natural when the H the buck- But what- rt them far urous min- Pitt and fior to the probation. - disposed !k difficult essary de- count for ' the poet of " The le poem, entury a has ^ex\. the rap- 'eceived, lalled \xi the history of literature? Circumstances must have favored the advent of such a poem. It has been customary to trace the influences of the French Revolution in all the literature of the revolutionary epoch. The thrilling scenes of the great upheaval in France stirred all Europe : " Not favor'd spots alone, but the whole earth, The beauty wore of promise — . . . . The inert Were roused, and lively natures rapt away ! " The poets, as might be expected, were the most sensitive to the new ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. In Eng- land, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey all joined in "the paeans of delivered France." English statesmen discovered very early, and the poets not long after, that French liberty was spurious, that the extreme of democratic licence was as terrible as the extreme of grinding despotism. Although Wordsworth and his Iriends soon abandoned their republican sentiments, they never returned to " the meagre, stale, forbidding ways of cuatom, law and statute," from which they had revolted in the realm of literature. In 1798, Wordsworth and Coleridge pub- lished their " Lyrical Ballads " "as a protest against the pre- vailing artificial literature of the period." In these ballads the two poets eschewed the refined and sentimental style of verse, with its elegant and polished diction, which was then in vogue. The false and unnatural diction of contemporary literature, its general inattention to the beauties of external nature, its want of sympathy with the ordinary events and common feelings of mankind, came under the condemnation of these literary reformers. The British public neither appre- ciated their strictures on their brother poets, nor admired their own original work. In 1800, Wordsworth published his famous Preface, throughout which we can detect a tinge of the animosity which disappointment engenders. He says :— " A multitude of causes, unknown to former times, are now acting with a combined force to blunt the discriminating powers of the mind, and, unfitting it for all voluntary exertion, to reduce it to a state of almost savage torpor. The most eflFec- t w. >i.^..i= ....... .... ,,„. ^,t,„, rtttttL-rtiti CLC/eti yviSHS.ll urc uuiiy taking place, and the increasing accumulation of men in cities where the uniformity of their occupation produces a craving for intraordinary incident which the rapid communication of inteUi' 23 ^^OGJ,APj,yCAL NOTICE. «ence hourly gratifies T« .u- SCOTT'S PREFACE. Scott gives us the design of " Th« t » The poem noAv offered to th. n. kT^''^ '" '"^ own preface ■ /-^^^«./mx«;,^,,,„,,„,^;^ ^^^^^^ IS intended tofZ^Z'. partly pastoral and partly uJl.tt !,^'^^"'^' ^'^'ng in a smS ^ant depredation ^^\X:t^^f^T'^^^-^ ^'^'^ o^ -^ As th^S'" ""^'^^"^ '■" ^^-«-^^";44?LlL^^'^'^ of chivalry, nity of a regular poem -n ^^ consistent with fL ? BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. 33 puerile in a poem which did not partake of the rudeness of the old ballad or metrical romance. " For these reasons, the poem was put into the mouth of an ancient minstrel, the last of the race, who, as he is supposed to have survived the revolution, might have caught somervfiat of the refinement of modern poetry, without losing the simplicity of his original model. The date of the tale itself is about the middle of the sixteenth century when most of the personages actually flourished. The time occupied in the action is three nights and three days." Several statements in this preface call for special attention : (a) Scott admits that the customs, manners, scenes, incidents and sentiments of the poem are largely ideal when he admits that he has employed " poetical ornament." The Borderers of " The Lay " never lived. " If we turn from ballads to the actual story of the frontier raids, it is that common tale of unholy ra- vage and murder which deserved rather the curse than the con- secration of poetry. Scott has brought out the solitary virtue — dauntless bravery — into the foreground, and has thrown the crimes into the shade." The artificial trappings with which the poet decks his Borderers are not Scottish : they are taken from mediseval romance, probably from the pages of Froissart. No such grandeur as that of Branksome Hall was ever seen in Scotland. Never moved such knight? and squires "on Scottish mold." To say then that Scott was a rebel against the narrow poetic laws of the eighteenth century, as some have done, is mis- leading. Scott's nature and habits were conservative. His conceptions of poetic art are those of the eighteenth century. He was not entirely clear of the influence of Pope's literary canons. " Poetic ornament " is everywhere at work. However much the novelty and energy and picturesqueness of " The Lay " delight- ed Wordsworth, Scott's theory of the poetic art was radically at issue with the English poet's. Wordsworth says : " Poetry is the image of man and nature. There is no necessity to trick out or to elevate nature. No words which the poet's fancy or imagination can suggest are to be compared with those which are the emanations of reality and truth." Thomson, Gray and Burns, the immediate predecessors of Wordsworth, had discov- ered only in part the extent and significance of the doctrine that Wordsworth incessantly preached and practised, that truth is the first law of poetry, Scott, then, belonged to the old rather than to the pew school of art, but instead of the dreamy reflec- 34 ^^OGkAPHiCAL NOTICE. .. Q -^ ^Cliques, beginning .- out he was no slave to it w i • i ^^ordsworth claimed fn w avcded .he crudieieTa^d vuYga*:" V'?. °"= V"" i^' - "fut on the other he stpi-r«w ,^'*'^'"^s of the ear v balhH r.r! .^ roused Word.wonhS.'' *" °^ '"»' »«. JneS '^^S Jent monotony of 'n, thriJling gmo-, lern poetry " de- •r version of the [inning : -tyes' all ; lefnll," -, such as those ood, yeen the rude- ighly wrought Scott did "not claimed to do, d he carefully ballad poetry, ement which 2 first hint of e preface to hristabel' is Jem so from of counting [h tlje latter accents will sional varia- ^'antonly, or idence with on" This 5h verse as He carried ■ The ac- 'le changes f"* as with 's but of a BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. jj fight. Jeffrey, the critic of the " Edinburgh Review " nassed ^-f'^'Ji f' ^°"°^'= "The magic of the lady.Te midS vsuto Melrose, and the mighty book of the en^hanteT which occupy nearly one-third of the whole poem, and engr;.f the attention of the reader for a long time after the commencfment of the narrative are of no use whatsoever in the subSquenTde velopment of the fable, and do not contribute in an? degree o low The Tf ''',?" ""' explanation of the incidenXat tollow. The whole character and proceedings of the goblin page m like manner, may be considered as mlrely epLd°ca for though he ,s employed in some of the subordina^Sents' It IS remarkable that no material part of the fable requTres "he mteryention of supernatural agency. The young Bucce^ch SedTvT.'oN' -^«i»^\-o/althou3h'he h'ad not been decoyed by. a goblin; and the dame might have given her lt"f'7.*°.J'^' deliverer of her son, although she hlid never hstenedtothe prattlement of the river and mountain spirits " . . . 1 he goblin page is the capital deformity of the poem He IS a perpetual burden toihe poet and to the reader °tTs" an undignified and improbable fiction, which exdtes neihe thes[;a1n'^f7hr'h"r ^^^J^'^^ment ; but needlessly deblse the strain of the wbole work, an.' excites at once our incredulity and contempt. He is of a servile and brutal nature, and hmUed m his powers to the indulgence of petty malignit;. and^e in flH:tion of despicable injuries. Besides this objection to h^ character, his existence has no support from any general or e tablished superstition. We entreat Mr. Scott to take advan age of any decent pretext he can lay hold of for purging 'The Lay' of this ungraceful intruder." The " intruder,'^as Jeffrey called him, was never banished. In his introduction to «' The Lay" written twenty-five years after the first publicaUon of the poem, Scott accounts for the presence of the gobi ^ This de ion'cM 'V'rl^ ^''", ^V«t"d. The student would do well to consider Jeffrey's attack in detail. The critic who nine years ^Itf, ^^'•^^T'h's greatest poem,-;« The Excurs o^" -with the famous salute,-" This will nev#dol" can hardly be taken as a safe literary guide. "traiy pm is that ir fiercest " CRITICAL^INTRODUCTION. liave been indicated in the Preface ^P'oKd in tuition commonest of the Figures are exnI.?n.^'^5'''P^' °^ V"- The XII. Some of the OuaS n7<^? ? ^"'^ exemplified in VI 11.. XVf. Sections XVII xivid'^^ 'Tl' ^"^""'^^ '" XIII - characteristics, and ttmes of noe L'^'^V'^" ^""^^P^' ^^^'^^e^. XXVIII givea brief treatment^cil^^te fn?p"' ^^^^^- ^^^^ It wii be noticed th-^t fht 1 V ^^ ^"^ Beauty. There is neceTa^l^t eh o'S T "^^''^ ^^^'"^-- porfons, the same fhings be°nftouS t?^""'^^^^ '" '^^ ^^"^^ place, but from different poimf of view ^ '" "'°'' "^^" °"^ I. Vocabtilary. At the outset of studies in stv]#> ,> Jc n ture of the poet's vocabulary.- '''" ^° '°"'^^^^ the na- (i) As regards origin, (3) 1' rS S: ^"P'^"-"' of "chaisms, the normal usage in resoect toTh. r, ^ ^^^^^ variation from thecauseoftblv^iatKoui&Sned''^^^^^^^^ I. 7. with I. 8, it will be seen that thf.K ^ ' ^"^ comparing words (fifteen out of fortvTat fhl . ^^""^^"^ use of classical intentional. '^^ ^^ ^^^ begmnmg of I. 8, is clearly « Account fo..Hee™pJ^,,.,^^^ anv r.( \\.l K ^ t' Wight," " iadve " any of the finer passages lp.n%i .\ -IT' . and forms in the poem, such a^ «M;Vhf » 'T'""! T^^''^'^ ^oras (3) Examine any of the fint'r.^' / ^'^gbt," " iadye." t 27 "sires," "strand," "bereft." CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. such words. ' " ''Account generally for the use of Two other questions may be dealt with here : (a) Is the poet s vocabulary pure ? {h) is it rich ? and in dealing >v^th what themes does he display the greatest verbal wealth ? II. Order of Words : Metrical Emphasis. Order plays an important part in poetic diction. A fine study in order will be found in VI. 25. Inversion prevails through- out the stanza. Notice how the verbs, adverbs, and ad- verbial combinations secure an initial position. Show in each case whether the order is decided by metrical convenience by a desire for emphasis, or by a leaning towards the unusual. In prose the positions of emphasis are the beginning and the end of the clause or sentence. In rhyming verse, the rhymes on account of their terminal position and pleasing sound, gain a factitious emphasis. Of necessity it thus frequently happens that a word of little sense importance secures the powerful em- phasis of the rhyme. This is a disadvantage inherent in the very nature of rhyming verse,— a disadvantage that the heroic measure of our language is not burdened with. III. ) Number of Words. Condensation and energetic brevity are often employed as devices of style. But in poetry terseness is not always a virtue Amplification and iteration frequently contribute to the poet's object — to give pleasure. Canto IV., 1-3, will serve to illus- trate the matter in hand. "No more "— " no longer" • "all "— "all"; "all is peaceful "—"all is still "; « retains each "~" re- ams each" ;" my"-" my"; "why»_"why"; " enough »- enough"; "he died "-"he died"; "wide and far," are all modes of iteration. There are many modes of repetition and verbal enlargement such as tautology, pleonasm, padlogia, epizeuxis, anaphora, etc' VVherever justifiable diffuseness occurs its causes may he ex- amined under these heads :-(i) Is it to prevent ambiguity? (2) Is It the result of strong feeling? (3) Is it for emphasis? Various devices of condensation are found in poetry, of which two may be named here: (x) The use of the coordinating epi. 28 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. •n his rest, and so ready. ^ 4^' '•''• ^'^ 'P^^'' ^^'^s V IV. r//^ Penod and the Loose Sentence. odic '.yl V" ""'"'"' P"P°^^ ■" *^ ='"d-d"use of the peri- Baiauce. almost a necesfity'of 'thr Cng ttnnS'^'f h^e '^^^' ? ''^ :st:::;i^>?-- °^ ---^' = -^e :.y i:^: ^, t contributes to energy o?expr?ss'Sn 1^"'''' T^ '' "^"^"^ shock of agreeable su%r°ebyThentnutvnr''"''' ^'""' ^ 'n the epigrammatic line - Fnr i^ ^ u ^ of arrangement, as love " (III. 2.) ^' ^°' ^^'■'^ '-^ heaven, and heaven is meX""itrf.L£^^^^^^^^ ^'h' ^^^-^ *hus it aids the metrical bahncrand 4 st^r "'"? k'^P^"'- "^" themselves in Scott's poems we need nnf , ''^1'^ '' ^"'■>' ^^^-^o" '" carried in the heids of Ln? r"."^'' '^•'' ^^ole stanzas are them. °^ '"''"> '"^° have made no effort to learn VI. length of Sentences. As short sentences produce lightness and vivacity, we should e. swelled his oleptic epitfut, his spear was n Scott. In "to "pride" IS beginning There is a lines of the d to natural- he prevalent of the peri- cott. The n fact, it is e very first 3 long, the dual cases. it usually s gives a jement, as heaven is it aids the nselves in )mmon in anzas are t to learn re should CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. 29 expect the abundant use of such sentences in Scott's animated poetry. In the first five stanzas of Canto I. the sentences are apparently long, each occupying a whole stanza; but on exami- nation It will be seen that this is due to the peculiar punctua- tion, the sense divisions being in reality quite short. A compari- son of I. 19, with I. 21, will show that Scott is not at all con- sistent in the matter of punctuation. VII. Paragraph Structure. From what has been said in the preceding section it is plain that the stanzas of the poem are not exactly equivalent to the paragraphs of prose, and if an attempt be made to apply the paragraph laws it must be remembered that verse bar; many limi- tations, and that the primary object of poetry is to express not thought but feeling. Doubtless a careful search will discover here and there a stanza that will submit to a critical handling in respect to the laws that govern the prose paragraph. It is however, important constantly to note the arrangement and in- terdependence of the thought that each topic embraces. This part of the literary analysis should always precede the more minute study of each passage, otherwise the meaning of the pas sage as a whole may be missed. viir. Similitudes. As one of the three great functions of the intellect is agree //tent, or the appreciation of similarity, we must expect simili- tudes to play an important part in language. Comparisons mav be either literal or figurative, the literal having the least and the figurative the greatest rhetorical value. These are the com monest sorts of similitudes : — (i) The similitude of literal comparison, as " For he was speechless, phastly, wan, Like him of whom the story ran, Who spoke the spectre-hound in man " (VI. 26.) (2) The simile, as " And spears in wild disorder shook, Like reeds beside a frozen brook " (IIL 26.) (3) The metaphor, as (a) •• The dew was balm," (IIL 24) [i) " Had oft roil'd back the tide of war" (L Int.) There can be no more interesting language study than an in- :^l w 30 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. vestigation of the purposes and effects of similifMri.c tu t . It mixed effects ? W is it to arouse the emotions? (c) Has IX. Contrasts. cvervXre In ,n^«-h f ' '^'^ '"^ ^"'P^'"' '" "-wl contrasts .io„reteent tSat be ptSira ' "' '■; ^'"""""''=^' *<= ™- tithesis as:l ' ^""^'"' ^'^'^ ^"^ ^^^^^ ^ simple an- " R,!f r'u' 'uT^ *"*"" ^'"^Se f hurls. ""' 'or hij,h dames and mighty earls " ccntlS' ""'■ f"^' "'"'^"^ '^ ^"""'^d «■'* »™"it" o ) What traits of Scott's character are revealed by his frequent use of interrogation and exclamation ? XII. Personification and Personality. As the world of man is one of the two great fields in which the poet works, humanity and human sentiments make up a very large part of the interest of poetry. In a thousand various ways the poet touches our feelings. The love interest char- acter interest, action interest, are all familiar modes. Our inter- est m humanity is so keen that to cater to our human sympa- thies the poet attributes human feelings to the lower creations. This process in its mtensest form is styled personification More frequently It appears in milder forms, as m x\\q personal meta- pn>r', but in one form or another poetry teems with personality Almost any passage of the « Lay " will furnish apposite ex amples ^*^ In dealing with the personal metaphor it must be noticed that the personal interest gained by the figure is not the whole value of the poetical device. It has an intellectual as well as a rhe- torical value. To ascribe to things the attributes of persons is to furnish an aid to the mind as well as a stimulus to the emo- tions. When the poet says : " Distant Tweed is heard to rave " (11. i;, both the feelings and the understanding are affected. xiir. SimpHciiy and Clearness. A consideration of the qualities of style must begin with those that relate to the understanding. The most essential of the in- ( 32 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION, vocables. va^iicness and ambiguity of many of our ever in the office doLl'^^V? """""^ '" '^ ^^ ' ^'- 3o> ''and XIV. Itupressiveness. this stanza has f.xcd rimZ* ,1 ' '"'""'" impress iveness of (Observe the various L nn^^ treasures of the language. theinterrogatir^xdr'ion^h^P''^^""'^^^^ ^^^^'"t' ^^^^^t- the keen contJmpTarn. 'T^^^^ '''*"°"' ^^'""^"^ ^"^ metaphors, the terri/ic ^o^rSrcX'SrSrlL^^ 2 ^°"' ^"^' prefix "unwept, unhonored and unsunT" h^ ^''^ "'^^^•'^^' of the rhythm. The emotion of pleasure that Z?T '^ "^ always engender has a rousinir L■fft«^^ tI , Patriotic strams (in the next stan/a) of the m^ wlr ^"^ ^^""^'"g application own land makes the geneurhndin''"^?.^ '^ '^'^ """^^^^''« sive. To all this musX .^h ?. u"^ ^^^"^ '°P'^ ""ore impres- -dves from ^^^-^ri^^t^ll^^Z^ ^^^ P^^e XV, Strength. wilt L^iHSIte^ng^' ^^ t''^'^ '^-' -l^te to feeling many variations find a nhcY Jn"^' f ""^' """^^ of ./..;,^/f rapidity, brilliancy fner^vle^rfrf'^"' ^^T'^^' ^•^■^""^«^' stateliness, splendor mndenf n^ 5 ^"^'■^' ^^'^°'"^ ^'g^'V, ty. Betw4eLSiSiand.nhr ^v'^u"""^.' '°^^'"^««' «"blimi: but they all agreeTrscHbin '^r*^"'"! ^' ^ ^^^ difference, ^^//z'.pIeasurableemotSns 4.^"^'K^°^''y^^ ^*^^' P^°duce up of fhe words thTn^Vo^e^frv^f ^^^^^^^ etiects, ana qualities. ' --' — " ---^c^ing ubjccrs, Certain conditions are nerp<; of poetry character-criticism is by no means elementary work, but in so transparent a poem as the '^Lay " no subtle analysis is needed. In this poem the development of character receives but scant attention ; still a gathering together from the whole poem of all the fragments of character-description pertaining to the respective actors will prove a useful exercise. Descriptions of the feelings play a very unimportant part in the " Lay," which is largely a romance of incident. A few examples occur, as in I. Int. ; I. 9 ; H. 20, 24 ; IV. 2, 25 ; V. i, 2. XXllI. -poetic Uses of Epithets, There is nothing more characteristic of poetry than the pro- fusion and expressiveness of the epithets. Eliminate the epi- thets from any fine narrative or descriptive passage and theimin elements of force and beauty are gone. In picturesque passages sometimes all the salient features are in the epithets. Besides the ordinary prose use of the epithet as qualifying or limiting a noun, we find several uses peculiar to poetry. The co- ordinating epithet, the proleptic epithet, and the transferred epi- thet, have been already noticed. In IV. 7, " was but lightly held of his gay lady ,," the epithet is merely ornamental, not calling attention to the gaiety of the lady at all. In the fre- quently recurring expression, " Deloraine, good at need," we have the descriptive epithet, after the Old English nianner and j.gggj^|-))infT Homer's compound adjectives. A peculiar form of phrase-epithet, occurring so often as to be a mannerism with Scott, is found in "knights of fame," "knights of pride," " squires of name," " hearts of pride," " many a word of boast." etc. 38 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. \ i I ! XXIV. Concreteness and Combination, As objects in the concrete are more easily conceived than their abstract properties, we find concreteness a characteristic of poetry. Canto I. 2 — 7, well illustrates this device. Cumulation, or combination^ is another poetic device as com- mon as concreteness and often accompanying it. Isolation is as rare in poetry as abstraction is. The poet multiplies and com- bines objects, situations, characters, incidents, images, to pro- duce a harmonious and effective whole. Roslin on fire (VI. 23) exemplifies both concreteness and com- bination. See also IV. Epilogue ; and III. 30. 1 XXV. « Poetic Har7nony. The very essence of fine-art effects is to produce harmony. The various kinds of musical harmony have already been refer- red to in section XVIII. ; but the word has a much wider scope than this. These additional conditions of poetic harmony must be considered : — (i) The language and the subject should support each other. Compare III. 2, with III. 3. The dignity of the language and the melody of the rhythm harmonize with the sentiment in III. 2. In III. 3, the poet dashes along regardless of any fine effects. (2) Scenery and incident should harmonize. Studies may be found in I. 17 ; II. 25 ; III. 24. (3) In the development of character there should oe no want of harmony, no inconsistencies. Everything that each person says and does should have a uniform bearing. (4) Harmony should be observed in the incidents and in the plot. In this connection may be examined the presence and doings of the goblin page. / XXVI. \ Ideality. A poem, especially a romantic poem, is a sustained hyperbole. Exaggeration and unreality are everywhere j — in the verbal de- scriptions, in tiic characters, iu the introductiori of the marvel- lous and the supernatural. The chfuacters in romantic fiction aie all idealized. The ladies are all beautiful and charming. The knights are all brave :eived than cteristic of ice as com- )lat)on is as s and com- bes, to pro- 3S and com- : harmony, been refer- vider scope mony must 2ach other, iguage and lent in III. jf any fine lies may be oe no want ach person and in the jsence and hyperbole. verbal de- :hc marvei- ized. The re all brave CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. 39 and chivalrous. The hyberboles of love are a necessary element m romance, one of the commonest forms of ideality being the constant trmmph of love over all obstacles. The commonplaces and the miseries of life are passed over or redeemed in fiction Poetic justice is meted out to all. Examples of exaggeration and ideality are thickly scattered over the pages of the " Lay." We find a striking example at the beginning of Canto I., where we have a description of " Knights of more than mortal mould." ^ (xxvii.) Taste. "Taste is the kind of artistic excellence that gives the great- est amount of pleasure to cultivated minds." The artistic judg- ment that produces this quality has also the same designation The terms "polish," «' refinement "and "elegance," are almost synonymous with artistic taste. There are in taste a permanent element and a mutable ele- ment. Regarding certain matters of style there can be no dis- cussion. It IS conceded by all that elegance of style demands strict conformity with the well understood rules of composition and rhetoric. Besides this permanent element there is an ele- ment that varies with ages, countries and individuals. It is largely variety in taste that causes such diversity in literarv judgments. ^ ^ Determine whether Scott -ver violates these canons of taste • (a) Mannerisms should l j avoided. {bS Negligence must have no place in a good style (c) There should be no display of learning Taste may have reference to plot as well as to expression. Discuss m this connection the propriety of the following • (a) The mtroduction in Canto IV. of the long list of IJorder worthies ; {b) The minstrel's account of his preceptor (IV. 14 i»e). {€) Delorame's lamentation over Musgrave (V. 29) •' ' {a) The character and proceedings of the Goblin. ' (xxviii.) \Beauty. Beauty is a word of somewhat vague signification. As it is one of the qualities on which taste ewrcises Uself, the conception 40 CRITIC A L INTROD UC TION. ?^ ;; of what constitutes the beautiful must vary according to the taste of the individual. Beauty is one of the most copious sources of the pleasures of poetry, as it is one large part of the vocation of the poet to bear witness to the beauty that is in the world around him, and to the noble thoughts and affecting sentiments that give us pleasures of a placid kind. The term beauty is applied not only to objects that please the eye and the ear and to thoughts and sentiments, but also to the artistic language that gives a vivid and attractive expression to all these things, and even to the melody and harmony that accompany these graces of writing. Beauty is not one of the strong features of the " Lay " ; still here and there some pretty stanzas may be found. A brief study of Canto IV. i, will serve to illustrate some of the applications of the term. " Sweet " puts us at once in the proper attitude for enjoyment, as it gives us the key to the poet's attitude towards his subject, and we sympathetically follow him. One of the most romantic objects in nature is here described, — a river wind- ing with silver tide between wild, wooded banks, past hill and dale. Not only is the scene a beautiful one, but all its sugges- tive associations tend to stir our gentler emotions, — the perfect peacefulness of all nature, the progress of the river towards " Tweed's fair water, broadand deep," the fascinating accom- paniment of pastoral music. The sublime reference to the birth of Time und the striking contrast of the peaceful present with the martial past enhance the effect cf the whole. In examining the passage for literary beauty there is a more important matter to consider. The poet has chosen a suitable subject for the exercise of his art, and he has brought various poetic devices to his aid \ but he has also clothed his description and his senti- nients in pleasing language, and the melody of the whole stanza is agreeable, especially that of the liquid verses "Along thy wild and willowed shore," and " All, all is peaceful, all is still." % ■f u CRITICAL STUDY. Introduction, 11., i — 26. (The Roman characters refer to the sections of th« Cridcal Introduction.^ (I.) Well-a-day is archaic, and thus harmonizes with the gene ral coloring of the passage. Palfrey and mom are poetic, and 3 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. 41 ; to the taste IS sources of vocation of orld around iments that y is applied ear and to nguage that things, and ;hese graces Lay"; still brief study ipplications attitude for ide towards One of the L river wind- ast hill and 1 its sugges- -the perfect ict towards :ing accom- to the birth resent with I examining •tant matter ject for the etic devices id his senti- rhole stanza ng thy wild still." th the gene poetic, and m. so are tresses and carolfd as they are used in the text. Observe the poet's skilful variety of appellation in designating the old man,—" Minstrel," " Bard," Harper." (II.) Ttejses grey. — This collocation always has a poetic air. The " Lay " is full of it, e. g., " mettle true," " harness bright," "grace divine." T^e last of all the bards was he. — In respect to strength com- pare this with the different variations that may be made by changing the order of the words. His tuneful brethren all were dead. — Show that metrical ne- cessity has produced an effective order of words. High placed in //o//.— Compare this with "Throbb'd high with pride " (I. 18), as to normal order. A number of words here receive more or less of a factitious emphasis. In the first couplet the metrical emphasis and the sense emphasis coincidently fall on " cold " and " old." In the second couplet " day " deserves less emphasis than " grey," but a full oral expression of the rhyme robs something from " better " and adds it to " day." Other cases of this tendency may easily be found in this passage. This tendency furnishes a very simple illustration of the fact that when music is wedded to thought it is often at the expense of the thought ; the loss, however, is more than made up by the superior emotional effect. (III.) Energetic brevity characterizes the passage. There is scarcely a touch of diffuseness. Justify the partial tautology in the nineteenth line. •^IV.) As the style is simple and natural, there is no artistic use of the periodic structure. (V.) The first line and the nineteenth line are good examples of balance. There is something of the nature of balance in the use of all kinds of couples: (a.) in words, — "infirm and old," "neglected and oppressed," "courted and caress'd," " lord and lady," (the last two having the additional charm of alliteration) ; (b) in phrases, — " withered cheek and tresses grey," " with them and at rest," " from door to door"; (c.) in the rhymes. (VI.) The shortness of the sentences (or clauses) adds anima- tion to the style. (VII.) The most important of the paragraph laws are here observed. The backward reference is sufficiently explicit ; the first four lines indicate the theme ; the passage has a certain unity ; there is close affinity among the contiguous sentences. % 42 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. (VIII.) We have two marked examples ot emotional siniili- tudes : (a.) " He caroll'd, light as lark at morn." (Simile.) {b.) " The bigots of the iron time." (Metaphor.) There are implied metaphors in many of the words " with- ered," " fled," " rest," " pour'd." In " His cheek seem'd to have htoivn," we have something like a personal metaphor. In " begg'd his bread," the species is put for the genus,— a figure called "the synecdoche of similitude." The poetic use of the smgular for the plural, as in " lord and lady," and in " peasant," has something of the value of this kind of synecdoche. (IX.) The elaborated contrast between the minstrel's happy past and wretched present is the most striking feature of the passage. Antitheses in individual words and phrases of neces- sity abound. (X.) We have here numerous figures of contiguity : " A better day," for " a better time " (synecdoche) ; "joy » the passion for the object that causes it (metonymy) ; " date " for epoch of mmstrelsy, or time of existence (synecdoche) ; " times " for cer- tain characteristics of the times (metonymy). In " door " and "ear," and partially in "day" and "times" above, the impressive- ness of the original metonymy, through frequent use, has passed away. " Filled the throne " is a phrase-metonymy for ' enjoying the royal prerogatives.' " Tuned the harp " is another figure of the same kind ; with which compare " tried to tune his harp " in line 70. In the line " Had called his harmless art a crime," the " harmless art " is a metonymy for each successive instance of the practice of the art, or else we must look for an impropriety in the use of the word " crime." (XII.) The passage is stocked with the personal element almost without the use of personal figures. The profusion of the human element evokes our interest at the outset. We have the old minstrel and the orphan boy in the opening picture ; then follow the references to his " tuneful brethren," to the " lord and lady gay," to the "stranger" monarch, to" the Stuarts," to the " bigots " who despised minstrelsy. (XIIi.) The passage fairly illustrates Scott's usual simplicity and clearness. However, the couplet, — " The bigots of the iron time Had called his harmless art a crime," IS not very lucid. See explanatory note. (XIV.) These verses have many of the elements of impres< CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. 43 ;ional sinuli- siveness. The first twelve lines in particular are stamped upon the memory of all readers of Scott, being the arma virumque cam of the poem. The impressiveness is enhanced by the sub- sequent lines which go on to say more of the " neglected " min- strel and his "better day." amplification being an aid to the memory. The elaborated contrast adds to the effect. I'he whole passage is charged with gentle pathos which is always imi)res- sive. (XV.) As the passage touches the passive side of our nature, it is pathetic rather than forcible. (XVI.) This is a fine illustration of genuine pathos. The tender emotions are stirred by the pitiable condition of the aged bard. Observe the added touches by which the poet draws out our pity. The bard is the last of his class. He has an " orphan " for a companion. He is " neglected and oppressed," although his art is " harmless." Further, it will be noticed that the poet plays upon our feelings by continually passing to and fro between the happy past and the melancholy present, thus in- tensifying the pathetic situation. (XVn.) The miseries of the harper are partially submerged under the emotional influence of pathos and the various devices of poetic style. The full redemption of the painful effects is ac- complished before the minstrel begins his lay. (XVni.) The musical qualities of the passage require no special remark. The abundant use of alliteration has been noticed in the Critical Introduction. (XIX.) The first six lines are a study in picturesqueness. The poet has seized a few central features and has given us his pic- ture in a few effectual strokes. The words that belong to the vocabulary of the picturesque are few, — " minstrel," " withered cheek," tresses grey," " harp," " boy." The associated circum- stances do much in helping us to form the mental picture, — the long way, the cold wind, the infirmity and the age of the bard, the mention of a happier past, the old man's love for his harp, and the orphanhood of the boy, all aid us to fill in the details. (XXL) The illustrative simile from nature, — " light as lark at morn " — is all that need be noticed here. )--{;XXVI.) We have a touch of ideality in the " unpreme- ditated lay." Scott romantically ascribes the same talent of im- provisation to Ellen, " The Lady of the Lake " ; " Till to her lips in measured frame The minstrel verse spontaneous carae." . W^^m^m^ . IP 44 CRITICAL INTRODUCTION. In the "Vision of Don Roderick " the poet does not depart so far from the actual when he places his improvisatori in " Romantic lands where the near sun Gives with unstinted boon ethereal fl?me, Where the rude villager, his labor done, in verse spontaneous chants some favored name." The practice of singing improvised verses is not unknown in bouthern Europe, but the productions of these improvisaton when subjected to the most ordinary tests are usually found to be quite mediocre. In ?li romance there is something of the nature of ideality in the selection of what is unusual or unique. The selection of an aged mmstrel \Mth all the ^itiable accompaniments described mcluding the oiphanboy who is himself an object for commis- eration gives us an unusual case. The case becomes unique when the poet makes his bard the very last of the long line of Border minstrels. THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. INTRO D UCTION. A. )i AH, asr ''iUoUtif& The way was long, the wind was cold, The Minstrel was infirm and old ; His wither'd cheek, and tresses grey, Seem'd to have known a better day ; The harp, his sole remaining joy, Was carried by an orphan boy. The last of all the Bards was he, Who sung of Border chivalry ; For, well-a-day ! their date was fled, His tuneful brethren all were dead ; And he, neglected and oppress'd, Wish'd to be with them, and at rest No more on prancing palfrey borne, He caroll'd light as lark at morn ; No longer courted and caress'd. High placed in hall, a welcome guest. He pour'd to lord and lady gay, The unpremeditated lay : Old times were changed, old manners gone ' A stranger filled the Stuarts' throne ; Jl'he bigots of the iron time iHad called his harmless art a crime. A wandering Harper, scorn'd and poor, He begg'd his bread from door to door, And tuned, to please a peasant's ear. The harp a king had loved to hear. / He pass'd where Newark's stately tower Looks out from Yarrow's birchen bower : The Minstrel gazed with wishful eye — No humbler resting-r»lace was nif^h • With hesitating step, at last. The embattled portal arch he pass'd. Whose ponderous grate and massy bar 46 THE LAY OF THE EAST MINTSREL, Had oft roll'd back the tide of war, But never closed the iron door Against the desolate and poor. The Duchess mark'd his weary pace, His timid mien, his reverend face, And bade her page the menials tell, That they should tend the old man well : For she had known adversity, Though born in such a high degree ; In pride of power, in Beauty's bloom, Had wept o'er Monmouth's bloody tomb. ^Vhen kindness had his wants supplied, And the old man was gratified, Began to rise his minstrel pride ; And he began to talk anon, Of good Earl Francis, dead and gone, And of Earl Walter, rest him, (iod ! A braver ne'er to battle rode ; And how full many a tale he knew, Of the old warriors of Buccleuch ; And, would the nol,le Duchess deign To listen to an old man's strain, Though stiff his hand, his voice though weak, He thought even yet, the sooth to speak, That, if she k ved the harp to liear, He could m.Tke music to her ear. The humble boon was soon obtain'd ; The Aged Minstrel audience gain'd. Hut, when he reach'd the room of state, Where she, with all her ladies, sate. Perchance he wish'd his boon denied : For, when to tune his harp he tried, His trembling hand had lost the ease Which marks security to please ; And scenes, long past, of joy and pain, Came wildering o'er his aged brain — He tried to tune his harp in vain ! i he puyiug Duchess praised its chime, And gave him heart, and gave him time, Till every string's according glee INTRO nUCT/ON. 47 Was blended into harmony. And then, he said, he would full fain He could recall an ancient strain, He never thought to sing again. It was not framed for village churls, But for high dames and mighty earls ; He had played it to King Charles the good, When he kept court in Holyrood ; ^ _- ^ And much he wish'd, yet fear'd, to try The long-forgotten melody. •^A.mid the strings his fingers stray'd, And an uncertain warbling made, And oft he shook his hoary head. But when he caught the measure wild, The old man raised his face and smiled ; And lighten'd up his faded eye, ^ With all a poet's ecstasy! In varying cadence, soft or strong, He swept the sounding chords along : The present scene, the future lot, His toils, his wants, were all forgot : Cold diffidence, and age's frost, In the full tide of song were lost ; Each blank, in faithless memory void. The poet's glowing thought supplied ; And, while his harp responsive rung, 'Twas thus the Latest Minstrel sung; CANTO FIRST I. The feast was over in Branksome tower, And the Ladye had gone to her secret bower ; Her bower was guarded by word and by spell, Deadly to hear, and deadly to tell— Jesu Maria, shield us well I No living wight, save the Ladye alone, Had dared to cross the threshold stone. II. The tables were drawn, it was idlesse all ; Knight, and page, and household squire, Loiter'd through the lofty hall. Or crowded round the ample fire : The stag-hound, weary with the chase. Lay stretch 'd upon the rushy floor. And urged, in dreams, the forest race, From Teviot-stone to Eskdale-moor. ^iii. Nine-and-twenty knights of fame Hung their shields in Branksome Hall ; . Nine-and-twenty squires of name Brought them their steeds to bower from stall : Nine-and-twenty yeomen tall Waited, duteous, on them all : They were all knights of mettle true Kinsmen of the bold Buccleuch. ^iv. Ten of them were sheathed in steel, With belted sword, and spur on heel : They quitted not their harness bright, Neither by day, nor yet by night : They lay down to rest, ■'•A*.,.^ CANTO FIRST. 49 With corslet laced, Pillow'd on buckler cold and hard ; They carv'd at the meal With gloves of steel, And they drank the red wine through the helmet barr'd. Ten squires, ten yeomen, mail-clad men, Waited the beck of the warders ten ; Thirty steeds, both fleet and wight, Stood saddled in stable day and night. Barbed with frontlet of steel, I trow, And with Jedwood-axe at saddle-bow : A hundred more fed free in stall : — Such was the custom of Branksome Hall. ,vi. Why do these steeds stand ready dight ? Why watch these warriors, arm'd, by night ? — They watch to hear the blood-hound baying : They watch to hear the war-horn braying : To see St. George's red cross streammg. To see the midnight beacon gleaming ; They watch, against Southern force and guile. Lest Scroop, or Howard, or Percy's powers, Threaten Branksome's lofty towers. From Warkworth, or Naworth, or merry Carlisle. VII. Such is the custom of Branksome Hall. — . t Many a valiant knight is here ; But he, the chieftain of them all. His sword hangs rusting on the wall. Beside his broken spear. Bards long shall tell. How Lord Walter fell ! -^ yv When startled burghers fled, afar, ' The furies of the Border war ; ■1171 iU_ _t f„ «f u;,.u TV..— «^:,, Vv iicii mc 3ncct3 ui nijjii X^uticuiM Saw lances gleam, and falchions redden, / And heard the slogan's deadly yell— ^ t. Then the Chief of Branksome fell. m r /.f^l' M^'^^'^'-i so THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. VIII. Can piety the discord heal Or stanch the death-feud's enmity? <^an Christian lore, can patriot zeal, Lan love of blessed charity ? No! vainly to each holy shrine, f ^'^/ T ' '" ^'»'-" Jiuiy snrine, ty..,u^,^^ In mutual pilgrimage they drew; «' ''■ ^'t«r,,imDlored. in vmn tu^ ' j- ■ ' Au'4> slew .implored, m vain, the grace divine wtZ r f ^^/' °^'" '^^ ^^'^hions s w. ,^^^'^°'''^ °"'"'' the rule of Carr, VVhile Ettnck boasts the line of Scott The slaughter'd chiefs, the mortal jar Ihe havoc of the feudal war, Shall never, never be forgot 1 IX. In sorrow o'er Lord Walter's bier 1 he warlike foresters had bent • OIhT^'' ?°'''''' ^"^ "^^"y a tear, Bn?nl r""^ ' "'•^"^' ^"^ "^^trons lent : But oer her warrior's bloody bier The Ladye dropp'd nor flower nor tear I nf/!!? "^J'lP-'^'^'^^^S °'^^ the slain. Had lock'd the source of softer woe: And burning pride, and high disdain, TT ^°'"^^<^? the rising tear to flow ; Uritil, amid his sorrowing clan Her son lisp'd from the nurse's knee,^ Am. It I live to be a man. My father's death revenged shall be 1" Then fast the mother's tears did seek To dew the infant's kindling cheek • i ; r j->^o i 'U*v-%»t 1 4.^a<^j. RIVER SPIRIT. Sleep'st thou, brother ?"— MOUNTAIN SPIRIT. A . •'„ , — "Brother, niTy— Un my hills the moonbeams play. /• From Craik-cross to Sk'elfhill-p'en, By every rill, in every glen, M^ry elves their morris pacing, To aerial minstrelsy. Emerald rings on brown heath tf^icing. , Trip it deft and merrily. Up, and mark their nimble feet I !. ,^ ^ /t.rdlr lance by knee • Ha^'ll^S^Pe ^tTsnioo^rH'^^ . InEskeorliddJ^rord'w^^^^^^^^^^ Ahkc to h,m was time or tide, ^ Alike to hmi was tide or time ^e?H '? k''^"'^^^' °^ matin 'prime • As ever drove prey from Cumberland Five tmies outlawed had he been By England's King, and Scotland's Queen xxii. /)^i-v '•/•■ J>pare not the spur, nor stinf .^ ridf> l^ntd thou come to fair Tweedside ' And m Melrose's holy pile ' Seek thou the Monk of St Mary's •sle / vr. CANTO FIRST. Greet the Father well from me ; Say that the fated hour is come, ^ And to-night he shall watch with thee, To win the treasure of the tomb : For this will be St, Michael's night, And, though stars be dun, the moon is bright ; And the Cross of bloody red, \Vill point to the grave of the mighty dead. XXIII. What he gives thee, see thou keep, Stay not thou for food or sleep : Be it scroll, or be it book, Into it, Knight, thou must not look : If thou readest, thou art lorn ! Better hadst thou ne'er been born 1" — 55 ,^' XXIV. " O swiftly can speed my dapple-grey steed^ Which drinks of the Teviot clear ; Ere break of day," the warrior 'gan say, " Again will I be here ; And safer by none may thy errand be done, Than, noble Dame, by me : Letter nor line know I never a one, Wer't my neck-verse at Hairibee." XXV. Soon in his saddle sate he fast, And soon the steep descent he past, Soon cross'd the sounding barbican, And soon the Teviot's side he won. Eastward the wooded path he rode, ;-^reen hazels o'er his basnet nod ; He pass'd the Peel of Goldiland, And cross'd old Borth wick's roaring strand ; Dimly he view'd the ^aL-hill's mound, . ,■ " Where Druid shades still flitted round ; Tn Hawick twinkled many a light ; Behind him soon they set in night ; And soon he spurr'd his courser keen Beneath the tower ot Hazeldean. M :^ ■( . S6 T//E LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. XXVI. The clattering hoofs the watchmen mark :— "Stand, ho ! thou courier of the dark." . /'For Branksome, ho !" the knight rejoin'd, And left the friendly tower behind. He tuin'd him now from Teviolside, And, guided by the tinkling rill, Northward the dark ascent did ride, And gained the moor of Horsliehill ; Broad on the left before him lay, For many a mile, the Roman way. f^Cv^aiUM., jpd -Oci^( fj. nHiv Uu iu ,J,1 .U.' •It U^fi{ XXVII. *- A mom-nt now he slack'd his speed, A moment breathnd his panting steed ; Drew saddle-girth and corslet-band, And loosen'd in the sheath his brand ; On Minto-crags the moonbeams glint, Where Barnhill hew'd his bed of flint ; Who flung his outlaw'd limbs to rest, Where falcons hang their giddy nest. Mid cliffs, from whence his eagle eye ,, ^_«- For many a league his prey could spy ; J - ', ■ -. Cliffs, doubling, on their echoes borne,-- '^^'^jV'- '^*^!^^-—i J'he terrors of the robber's horn ; ^ ' \ """ Cliffs, which, for many a later year, ., ^ /// p,r€ ,.Jli ^hewarbHng Doric reed shall hear, ^'^t^Jli^^l^^^f? L /* vJtf*< rffiic: When some sad swain shall teach the grove,' ^Ambition is no cure for love 1 , . , . ^- Unihahenged, thenc^ pals'd.Deloraine To ancient Riddel's fair domain. Where Aill, from mountains freed, Down from the lakes did ravinu' rome; Each wave was crested wiih :.iuny foam, r^ I^ike the mane of a chestnut steed. In vain ! no torrent deep or broad, Might bar the bold moss-trooper's road. XXIX. At the first plunge the horse sunk low, And the water broke o'er the saddlebgw : CANTO FIRST. Above the foamim tide, I ween, Scarce half the charger's neck was seen ; For he was barded Irom counter to tail, And the rider was armed complete in mail ; Never heavier man and horse Stemm'd a midnight torrent's force. The warrior's very plume, I say, Was daggled_by the dashing spray; Yet, through good heart, and Our Ladye's grace, At length he gained the landing place. 57 XXX. Now Bowden Moor the march-man won, And sternlv shook his plumM head, As glanced his eye o'er Halidon ; For on his soul the slaughter red Of that unhallow'd morn arose, When first the Scott and Carr were foes ; When royal James beheld the fray, Prize to the victor of the day. When Home and Douglas, in the van, Bore down Buccleuch's retiring clan, Till gallant Cessford's heart-blood dear Reek'd on dark Elliot's Border spear. ':i XXXI. In bitter mood he spurred fast. And soon the hated heath was past ; And far beneath, in lustre wan. Old Melros' rose, and fair Tweed ran, Like some tall rock with lichens grey, Seem'd, dimly huge, the dark Abbaye. When Hawick he pass'd, had curfew rung. Now midnight lauds were in Melrose sung. ^^■'■'^ ' ' The sound, upon the fitful gale. In solemn wise did rise and fail,''' ■ ■ ■■' , \ Like that wild harp, whose magic tone -,«/<- Is waken'd by the winds aiune. But when Melrose he reach'd, 'twas silence all : He meetly stabled his steed in stall, Zk'>i'.t-,: , And sought the convent's lonely wall 58 THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, ■/" t Here paused the harp ; and with the swell The Master's fire and courage fell j Dejectedly, and low, he bow'd, And, gazing timid on the crowd. He seem'd to seek, in every eye, If they approved his minstrelsy; And, diffident of present praise, Somewhat he spoke of former days, And how old age, and wand'ring long. Had done his hand and harf) some wrong. The Duchess and her daughters fair, And every gentle lady there. Each after each, in due degree. Gave praises to his melody ; His hand was true, his voice was clear, And much they longed the rest to hear. Encouraged thus, the Aged Man, After meet rest, again began. Su^t^ CANTO SECOND. /^ If thou would'st view fair Melrose aright, Go visit it by the pale moonlight ; For the ga} ' leams of lightsome day, Gild, hut to flout, the ruins grey. When the broken arches are black in night, And each shafterl oriel glimmers white ; When the cold light's uncertain shower Streams on the ruined central tower ; When buttress and buttress, alternately. Seem framed of ebon and ivory ; When silver edges the imagery, And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die ; When(distant Tweed is heard to rave,^ And the owlet to hoot o'er the dead man's grave, Then go — but go alone the while — - Then view S,t. David's ruin'd pile ; i And, home returning, soothly swear, Was never scene so sad and fair ! II. Short halt did Deloraine make there : Little reck'd he of the scene so fair ; With dagger's hilt, on the wicket strong, He struck full loud, and struck full long. • The porter hurried to the gate — "Who knocks so loud, and knocks so late ? " — ■ " From Branksome I," the warrior cried ; And straight the wicket open'd wide ; For Branksome's Chiefs had in battle stood, To fence the rights of fair Melrose ; And lands and livings, many a rood. Had gifted the shrine for their souls' repose. III. Bold Deloraine his errand said ; The porter bent his humble head , 'i 6o ^^ ,i^<-»(ta •('v/ r//^ LA y OF THE LAST MINSTHEL, With torch in hand, and feet unshod, And noiseless step the path he trod ; The archfed cloister, far and wide, Rang to the warrior's clanking stride, Till, stooping low his lofty crest. He enter'd the cell of the ancient priest, And lifted his barrM avcntavle ■ L' L ''. J^ To hail the Monk of S. Ma%^' aislk ' ^'^ -^'""^ IV. " The Ladye of Branksome greets thee by me ; bays, that the fated hour is come, And that to-night I shall watch with thee, ^ To win the treasure of the tomb." From sackcloth couch the monk arose With toil his stiffen'd limbs he rear'd • A hundred years had flung their snows ' On his thin locks and floating beard. V. And strangely on the knight look'd he. And his blue eyes gleam'd wild and' wide : And, darest thou, Warrior ! seek to see What heaven and hell alike would hide > My breast in belt of iron pent, With shirt of hair and scourge of thorn ; For threescore years in penance spent, My knees those flinty stones have worn • Yet all'too little to atone For knowing what should ne'er be known. Would'st thou thy every future year In ceaseless prayer and penance dree. Yet wait thy latter end with fear— "" Then, daring Warrior, follow me 1 "— VI. ^ " Penance, father, will I none ; Prayer knnvv I hardly one • .^n.c..;2U1^^^^^^ or prayer can I rarely tarry, bave to patter an Ave Mary, When I ride on a Border foray. CAMTO SECO/VD. Other prayer.can I none; /-" ' ' So speed me my errand and let me be gone."— VII. Again -'.» ti.. Knight look'd the C'f.urchman old, An i again u.- sighed heavily ; For h i Jnd hin, Mf been a warrior bold, An-' 1 jg!,t i); Spain and Italy, And he thou Ij on .ne days that were long since by, When his Im... were strong and his courage was high Now, slow and faint, he led tlie way, Where, cloister'd round, the garden lay ; The pillar'd arches were over their head' And beneath their feet were the bones o'f the dead. VIII. Spreading herbs, and flowerets bright Glisten'd with the dew of night ; ' Nor herb, nor floweret, glisten'd there, But was carved in the cloister-arches as fair. The Monk gazed long on the lovely moon Then mto the night he looked forth ; And red and bright the streamers light j'^Jlu'Z. Were dancing in the glowing north. So had he seen, in fair Castile, The youth in glittering s(iuadrons start • Sudden the flying jennet wheel, ' And hurl the unexpected dart. He knew, by the streamers that shot so bright I hat Spirits were riding the northern light. ' IX. By a steel-clenched postern door, They enter'd now the chancel tall ; The darken'd roof rose high aloof ' . - On pillars lofty, and light, and small • The key-stone, that lock'd each ribbed aisle Was a fleur-de-lys. or a quatre-feuille • ' The corbells were carved grotesque and grim • And the pillars, with cluster'd shafts so trim ' With base and with capital flourish'd around Seemed bundles of lances which garlands had bound 6i v' ■J >r„ 62 •i'^-tK. THE LA Y OF THE LAST MLNSTREL. uitr; ■I / ^A.:/. ■ -, .c /.. -. S^°°k to the cold night-wind of heaven,' ^/ -^ H U'h ir--- ^"? ^^T ?^ "^^"8 '^'"P^ ^'d burn, "rlil *' ^'^'^''"^•"^ <^^ ^illant Chief of Otterburne ! J^--^. ^a>'v£ ./■ 4' ^4.r, (■.lii/t^W '^ fA J./:'j-.**itV nf^rt'j O fadj^ig honours of the dead f\ I . 10 high ambition^ lowly laid ! / , . ,■ Q . »^'>>» .L.*f ^- ff Hi The moon on the eaSt oriel shone ^rj:?J-;.^^^(fci!i^^^'^'^V^^^''^ ''''''^^' of shapely stone, ' f , By foliage tracery combined ; ' ' P}^}^ would'st have thought some fairy's hand 1 wixt poplars straight the ozier wand, In many a freakish knot, had twined ; Then framed a spell, when the work was done, And changed the willow wreaths to stone The silver light, so pale and faint, Show'd many a prophet, and many a saint, Whose image on the glass was dyed : full in the midst, his Cross of Red Triumphant Michael brandished, And trampled the apostate's pride. ^-'■".' The moonbeam kiss'd the holy pane. And threw on the pavement a bloody stain. XII. They sate them down on a marble stone, -f(SS ^., _ (A Scottish monarch slept below ;) Thus spoke the Monk, in solemn tone :— "I was not always a man of woe ; Por Paynim countries I have trod. And "fought beneath the Cross of God : Now, strange to my eyes thine arms appear. And their iron clang sounds strange to my ear. XIII. In these far climes it was m/ lot To meet the wondrous Michael Scott ; <,/ , y Ci "t •U-v (iAy, L/^ L.u^ J'/fc.-/j«. / * _ i^^-^^Z-^i'-f.^ ...yF .-. arr^ L'y ^CiAi^i. /.vi" CANTO SECOND. A Wizard, of such dreaded fame, That when, in Salamanca's cave, Him hsted his magic wand to wave, The bells would ring in Nr're Dame! Some of his skill he taught to me ; And, Warrior, I could say to thee The words that cleft Eildon hills in three, And bridled the Tweed with a curb of stone : But to speak them were a deadly sin ; And for having but thoug t them my heart within A treble penance must be done. XIV. When Michael lay on his dying bed, His conscierice was awakened : He bethought him of his sinful deed. And he gave me a sign to come with speed : I was in Spain when the morning rose. But I stood by his bed ere evening close. The words may not again be said, That he spoke to me, on death-bed laid ; They would rend this Abbaye's massy nave. And pile it in heaps above his grave. XV. I swore to bury his Mighty Book, That never mortal might therein lock ; And never to tell where it was hid. Save at his Chief of Branksome's need ; And when that need was past and o'er. Again the volume to restore. I buried him on St. Michael's night, When the bell toll'd one, and the moon was bright ; And I dug his chamber among the dead, When the floor of the chancel was stained red. That his patron's cross might over him wave. And scare the fiends from the Wizard's grave. XVI. It was a night of woe and dread, When Michael in the tomb I laid ! 63 64 ltl( U I I (l:^ T/iE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL Strange sounds along the chancel pass'd. 1 he banners waved without a blasL"- Yet somewhat was he chiU'd with dread And h.s hair did bristle upon his head XVII. " Lo, Warrior I now the Cross of Red Points to the grave of the mighty dead • W.thm ,t burn^ a wondrous lth[ ' To chase the spirits that love the night • rhat lamp shall burn unquenchably, ' Until the eternal doom shall be "— Slow moved the Monk to the broad flag-stone Which the bloody Cross was traced ujon ' He pointed to a secret nook • ' An iron bar the Warrior took • The gmvX^lrn^'.".''^'^ "'^'^ "^^ ^■^^^••'d hand, 1 ne grave s Hugh portal to expand. XVIII. With beating heart to the task he v . at • His sinewy frame o'er the grave-stone bent • W J h bar of iron heaved amain, It was by dint of passing strength, . That he moved the massy stone at length. I would you had been there, to see ^ How the light bioke forth so gloriously, Stream d upward to the chancel roof, And through the galleries far aloof ' No earthly flame blazed e'er so bright • It shone like heaven's own blessed light And issuing from the tomb, ' Show d the Monk's cowl, and visage pale. Danced on the Uark-brow'd Warrior's mail. And kiss d his waving plume. CANTO SECOND. 6S A'v XIX. Before their eyes the Wizard lay, As if he had not been dead a day. His hoary beard in silver roll'd, Ke seem'd some seventy winters old : A palmer's amice wrapp'd him round. With a wrought Spanish baldric bound, ' Like a j)ilgrirn from beyond the sea : His left hand held his Book of might ; A silver cross was in his right ; The lamp was placed beside his knee : H'gh and majestic was his look, At which the fellest fiends had shook, And all unruffled was his face : They trusted his soul had gotten grace. XX. Often had William of Deloraine Rode throt\!-h the battle's bloody plain, And trampled down the warriors slain, And neither known remorse nor awe ; Yet now remorse and awe he own'd ; His breath came thick, his head swam round, When this strange scene of death he saw. Bewilder'd and unnerv'd he stood, And the priest prayed fervently and loud : With eyes averted pray'd he ; He might not endure the sight to see, Of the man he had loved so brotherly. XXI. And when the priest his death-prayer had pray'd, Thus unto Dejoraine he ^aid : — "Now, speed^theVwhat thou hast to do, ^^^-^^r Or, Warrior, we may dearly rue ; For those, thou may'st not look upon, ^ Are gathering fast round the yawning stone ! " Then Deloiaine, in terror, took From the cold hand the Mighty Book, With iron clasp'd, and with iron bound : He thought, as he took it, the dead man frown'd ; 'r^]*4'*y>,-l And said that she would die a maid •- '/^•^♦•'' '''" Vet, might the bloody feud be stay'd ' Henry of Cranstoun, and only he ' Margaret of Branksome's choice should be. XXX. Alas ! fair dames, your ho . are vain » My harp has lost the .ncK.-ing strain; My'hi;?-""' "°"'^ V,,.r4)rove:' •M fiair:, u.c grey, m^ ., ^-,.5 ^^e old, My heart is dead, my ve n : are cold • I may not, must not, sa.- ex jve. ' r- :;."<., '■M Ul: ^rya/^vj inriiJ /i^ llu '■tf^ -^ «r HUc,. . CANTO SECOND. 69 XXXI. Beneath an oak, moss'd o'er by .elcU f'^i- 'ft- The Baron's Dwarf his courser held, And held his crested helm and spear : That Dwarf was scarce an earthly man. If the tales were true that of him ran Through all the Border, far and near. 'Twas said, when the Baron a-hunting rode Through Reedsdale's glens but rarely trode, He heard a voice cry, " Lost ! lost ! lost 1 " '^ • And, like tennis-ball by racket toss'd, A leap of thirty feet and three Made from the gorse this elfin shape, Distorted like some dwarfish ape, And lighted at Lord Cranstoun's knee. Lord Cranstoun was some whit dismay'd ; *Tis said that five good miles he rade, To rid him of his company ; But where he rode one mile, the Dwarf ran four, And the Dwarf was first at the castle door. XXXII. Use lessens marvel, it is said : This elvish Dwarf with the Baron staid : Little he ate and less he spoke, " Nor mingled with the menial flock : And oft apart his arms he toss'd, ' And often mutter'd " Lost ! lo?t ! lost 1 " • y . 'H-^r^Hp was^vasmsh, ^rch, and jltherli^ /^nc . ■■^■^'^^''^^ y />.,... -g.^^ well LorH'CranstounservM he; And he of his service was full fain ; For once he had been ta'en or slain, An it had not been for his ministry. All between Home and Hermitage, Talk'd of Lord Cranstoun's Goblin-page. XXXIII, For the Baron went on pilgrimage, (/ \ And took with him this elvish Page', To Mary's chapel of the Lowes : lie. J-«,UI 'icM "frrt* 4u 'feu t,fi. ; '-"'/^^'^-^r ^^^^"^w/;:' ^^--/,/^'-^ -^//^-^w. LAY OF Tfff? TAT^\7rvrJ:fr.~,''-^'^ *^^. ' Ui iU^i I J (tit t.^ i[ THE LA if' OF THE LASTMmSTREL. For there, beside our Ladye's lake. An offering he had sworn to make, And he would pay his vows. But the Ladye of Branksome gather'd a band 1 he trysting-place was Newark Lee. An^ ?kS'"''^^" "^^""^ thither amaiiv/"'^'-^ a^>>^. And huher came John of ThirlesSie, And thither came William of Deloraine ; ^^^"<- ThTnnaVn ^ three hundred spears and hree. T^ ? I^ouglas-burn, up Yarrow stream Their horses prance, their lances gleam, rhey came to St. Mary's lake ere day ; But the chapel was void, and the Baron away. They burn'd the chapel for very rage And cursed Lord Cranstoun's Goblin-page. XXXIV. And now, in Branksome's good green-wood ' As under the aged oak he Itoodf The Baron's courser pricks his ears, As If a distant noise he hears The Dwarf waves his long lean urm on high. And signs to the lovers to part and fly • ^ No time was then to vow or sigh. Fair Margaret through the hazel grove, Flew like the startled cushat-dove : The Dwarf the stirrup held and rein ; Vaulted the Knight on his steed amain, And, pondering deep that morning's scene Rode eastward through the hawthorns green. ?? ' AT*^"' S^ P°"''^ *he lengthen'd tale, The Minstrel's voice began to fail : i;ull slyly smiled the observant page And gave the wither'd hand of age A goblet, crown'd with mighty wine, The blood of Velez' scorch^ vine He raised the silver cup on high ^nd while the big drop fill'd his eye, Pray d God to bless the Duchess long, And all who cheer'd the son of song CANTO SECOND. 7» The attending maidens smiled to see How long, how deep, how zealously, The precious juice the Minstrel quaff'd ; And he, embolden'd by the draught, Look'd gaily back to them, and laugh'd. The cordial nectar of the bowl _^ // Sweirdhi/old)veins, and cheer'd his soul; ^^^^ ^"^ A lighter, livelier prelude ran, / Ere thus his tale again began. (jiti luo "'LT. ^i IP- 'SD.'"^ CANTO THIRD. a ■^M-^ c \' C'-' I. And said I that my limbs were old, And fh"? ^ '^^■ '"y '^'^^^ ^as .old, And that my kmdiy fire was fled AnH"Il "?°/ ^"^•'■'^ ''^^^ ^'^^ dead. Hnl:, M I '"'S^' "O^ sing of love ?-- How could.I, to the dearest theme 1 har ever warm'd a minstrel's 'ream bo lou so false a recreant u.ove ! ' Howcould I name love's very^^name Nor wake my heart to notes of flame! II. In peace. Love tun s the shephe.ri's reed • i" ,^^,';. he mounts t!ie warrior's steed ' ^, In halls mga> attire is seen: ' ' V In ha ,!ets, dances on the green Love lies the court, the camp, the grove And men below, and saints above : ^ ' For love is heaven, and heaven is love. ,' HI. WMeT r"'"'^ ?''^"^'°""' '' ' ween, While J.,,, idering deep the tena-^r scene H^ ode through Branksome's hawthon ' green. ^ ti page shouted Ud and shrill, ^ ^ An carce his helmet could he don ■.hen downward from tl- shadv hill ' A stately knight came pricking on. ^ That warrior's steed, so dapple-grey Was dark with sweat, and splashed with clav • His armour red w.th mnp„ - „.•"'* ^'^^ > "^-^-edinsuchaweiry^plVh^"'^^ For f. ^'^ (ir^^^ '^' ''^^■'^"g night; ^''ife- For It was Wilham of Deloraine. CANTO THIRD. n f lU- IV. But no whit weary did he seem, When, dancing in the sunny beam, He mark'd t^e^.crane on the Baron's crest ; For his ready .spear was in his rest. Few were the words, and stern and high, Thn*^ marked the foemen's feudal hate; For question fierce, and proud reply, Gave signal soon of dire debate. •, Their very coursers seem'd to know That each was other's mortal foe, And snorted fire, when wheel'd around To give each knight his vantage-ground ciii Jt c • V. In rapid round the Baron bent ; He sigh'd a sigh, and pray'd a prayer ; The prayer was to his patron saint, The sigh was to his iadye fair. Stout Deloraine nor sighed nor pray'd. Nor saint, nor Iadye, called to aid ; But he stoop'd his head and couch'd his spear, And spurr'd his steed to full career. The meeting of these champions proud Seem'd like the bursting thunder-cloud. rri'-*. "VI. h. ri-itttt(^i {LrtiAju id,) c d*t' 74 THE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. The Baron onward pass'd his course ; Nor knew— so giddy roUd his brain— His loc lay stretched upon the plain. C Y •:i' »Vll. But when he rein'd his courser round, And saw his foeman on the ground Lie senseless as the bloody clay, He bade his page to stanch the wound, And there beside the warrior stay. And tend him in his doubtful state, And lead him to Branksome castle-gate: His noble mind was inly moved For the kinsman of the maid he loved. " This shalt thou do without delay ; No longer here myself may stay ; Unless the swifter I speed away, Short shrift will be at my dying'day." 'vni. Away in speed Lord Cranstoun rede; The r.obhn-page behind abode ; His lord's command he ne'er withstood, V"^' ■ Though small his pleasure to do good. As the corslet off he took, The Dwarf espied the Mighty Book ! Much he marvell'd a knight of pride, Like a book-bosom'd priest should ride : He thought not to search or stanch the wound, Until the secret he had found. V i . If; tlX, The iron band, the iron clasp, Resisted long the elfin grasp ; For when the first he had undone, It closed as he the next begun. Those iron clasps, that iron band. Would not yield to unchristen'd hand. Till he smear'd he cover o'er With the Bordt r's curdled gore; A moment then the volume spread, And one short spell therein he read, ; X Jkj -'', ^•flO* CANTO THIRD. /,. It had much of glamour might, Could make a ladye seem a knight ; The t ol)wtbi on a dungeon wall Seem tapestry in lordly hall ; 4ukUai:>h.A nut-shell seem a gilded barge, / A sheelmg seem a palace large, "'■'■^'' And youth seem age, and age seem youth- All was delusion, nought was truth. 7S )^•.V ■i^- X. < He had not read another spell, When on his cheek a buffet fell. So fierce, it stretch'd him on the plain, Beside the wounded Deloraine. From the ground he rose dismay'd. And shook his huge and matted head ; One word he mutter'd, and no more, " Man of age, thou smitest sore ! " No more the Elfin Page durst try Into the wondrous Book to jiry : The clasps, though smear'd with Christian gore. Shut faster than they were before. He hid it underneath his cloak. — Now, if you ask who gave the stroke, I cannot tell, so mote I thrive ; It was not given by man alive. XI. Unwillingly himself he address'd To do his master's high behest : He lifted up the living corse, And laid it on the weary horse : He led Inm into Branksome Hall, Before the beards of the warders all ; And each did after swear and say, There only pass'd a wain of hay. He took him to Lord David's tower. Even to the Ladye's secret bower : And but that stronger spells were spread. And the door might not be openfed, He had laid him on her very bed. , B A/4* 76 THE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL, Whate'er he did of ^ramarye, ^.,. VVas always done mSiciously / "^ Anrl r^M ' r''"^^ °" the Vound. And the blood well'd freshly from the wound. ■'XII. As he repass'd the outer court 5" ^P'^^i^/'J^^'O'oung child 'at sport; Ac d^rl' FoVn. .^ -^ k''." '^'"^ ^° the wood ; TaUu.c ^^SJr.l boi at a word, be it understood, He was always for ill, and never for good Seem d to the boy some comrade gay Led him forth to the woods to play ; On the drawbridge the warders stout baw a terrier and lurcher passing out. XIII. " Hnn^Il^ ^°^ °'"'" ^^""^ ^"d fell, M^. U ( Until they came to a woodland brook • A nnl"'"^ '^'^^"' dissolved the spelV.:^/v '1°"'"^ ^' ^''^°'^ "^^" and sound. Withm the course of a night and day. Ful long she toil'd ; for she did rue ;n,.7; Mishap to friend so stout and true." ' XXIV. So pass'd the day— the evening fell Twas near the time of curfew bell •' The air was mild, the wind was calm, 1 he stream was smooth, the dew was balm ; -b en the rude watchman on the tower i^njoy d and bless'd the lovely hour ' Far more fair Margaret loved and bless'd 1 ne hour of silence and of rest. On the high turret sitting lone She waked at times the lute's .soft tone ■ Touched a wild note, and all between ' . -xougi.t of the bower of hawthorns green. Her golden hair stream'd free from band. Her fair cheek rested on her hand CANTO THIRD. 8i Her blue eyes sought the west afar, For lovers love the western star. XXV. Is yon the star, o'er Pencliryst Pen, That rises slowly to her ken, And, spreading broad its wavering light, Shakes its loose tresses on the night ? Is yon red glare the western star ( — Oh ; 'tis the beacon-blaze of war ! Scarce could she draw her tighten'd breath, For well she knew the fire of death 1 XXVI. The Warder view'd it blazing strong, And blew his war-note loud and long. Till, at the high and haughty sound, Rock, wood, and river i ung around. The blast alarin'd the festal hall. And startled forth the warriors all ; Far downward, in the castle yard. Full many a torch and cresset glared ; And helms and plumes, confusedly toss'd. Were in the blaze half-seen, half-lost ; And spears in wild disorder shook, Like reeds beside a frozen brook. , Jiii xxvn. The Seneschal, whose silver hair Was re>-Iden'd by the torches' glare, Stood in the midst with gesture proud, And issued forth his mandates loud : — " On Penchryst glows a bale of fire, And three are kindling on Priesthaughswire : Ride out, ride out. The foe to scout ! Mount, mount for Branksome every man ! Thou, Todrig, warn the Johnstone clan, ~ That ever arc true and stout — j,^<.<'*^Ye need not send to Liddesdale ; For when they see the blazing bale, Elliots and Armstrongs never fail ; 1- 8s « 1^ 4 r//E LA y OF 7 HE LAS 7 MJNSTREL. Ride. Alton ride for death and life ! And warn the Warder of the strife Voung Gilben ,et our beac:n'^^^^^^^^^ Our km, and clan, and friends to raise." xxvm. Fair Margaret, from the turret heid Heard ta, below, the coursers' t^ead V\ hie loud the harness rung, ' As to the.r seats with cJ.mour dread, The ready horsemen sprung • An"d S?''"^ '""'^' ^"^ '^°" '^«-ts, And leaders voices, mingled notes, ' And out ! and out ! In hasty rout. The horsemen gallop'd forth ; n.spersmg to the south to scout And east, and west, and north. To view the.r coming enemies, And warn their vassals and allies. XXIX. The ready page with hurried hand Awaked tlve need-fire's slumbering brand And ruddy blush'd the heaven^ ' -For a sheet of flame, from the turret hieh In fl^'''' " ^•^"^-fl^S «" the sky ^ ' ■ All ilanng and uneven ■ And soon a score of fires,' I ween. From height, and hill, and cliff, were seen • Each with wariike tidings fraught : ' Each from each the signal caught • Each after each they glanced to sight, As stars arise upon the night. They gleam'd on many a dusky tarn Haunted by the lonely earn • On many a cairn's grey pyramid, JI^^"i^™°f "Eighty chiefs lie hid; Till high Dunedm the blazes saw, i-rom Soltra and Dumpender Law; ^ CANTO THIRD. 83 And T,othian heard the Regent's order, That all should howne them for the Border. XXX. The livelong night in Hranksome rang 'I'lie ceaseless sound of steel ; The castle-bell, with backward clang, Sent forth the larum peal : Was frequent heard the heavy jar, Where massy stone and iron bar Were piled on echoing keep and tower, To whelm the foe with deadly shower ; W;\s frequent heard the clanging guard, And watch-word from the sleepless ward While, wearied by the endless din, Blood-hound and ban-dog yell'd within. XXXI. The noble Dame amid the broil. Shared the grey Seneschal's high toil, And spoke of danger with a smile ; Cheer'd the young knights, and counsel sage Held with the chiefs of riper age. No tidings of the foe were brought, Nor of his numbers knew they aught, Nor what, in time of truce, he sought. Some said that there were thousands ten ; And others ween'd that it was nought, But Leven Clans, or Tynedale men, Who came to gather in black mail ; And Liddesdale with small avail, Might drive them lighdy back agen. So pass'd the anxious night away. And welcome was the peep of day. Ceased the high sound — the listening throng Applaud the Master of the Song ; , ^ And marvel much in helpless age, 7-<«..«yt,vt/ >/«>&/" So hard should be his pilgrimage. * ' Had he no friend — no daughter dear, '■^4yJ^ ^f<^r^\% wanderingjoil to share and chegr^Ji^^'', ki^(*«. I fortTiikj 84 THE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. No son to be his father's stay, And guide him on the rugged way ? " Ay, once he had— but lie was dead 1 " Upon the harp he stoop'd his head. And busied himself the strings withal, To hide the tear that fain would fall ' ^'u^ - v^*'/./-' - T r" ^"^ ^^'"' tf-'at fam would fa f-alt^ti^^ iJl'^ J" solemn measure, soft and slow, Arose a father's notes of woe. <^i i v A- r ^^M /> CANTO FOURTH. Mfc V ':i MtA Sweet Teviot ! on thy silver tide The glaring bale-fires blaze no more ; No longer steel-clad warriors ride Along thy wild and willow'd shore ; Where'er thou wind'st, by dale or hill, All, all is peacelul, all is still^/*- . >.^ J As if thy waves, since Tinte was born, Since first they roU'd upon the Tweed, -(,-!!T--Had only heard the shepherd's reed, ;- Nor started at the bugle-horn. • • "Jt.ti.i-* ait _ Aits J, /i/,, ».,-,, . 'A, f^-«,i. ■ ' " The hour my brave, my only boy. Fell by the side of great Dundee. Why, when the volleying musket play'd Against the bloody Highland blade, Why was I not beside him laid ? , , /Enough — he died the death of fame ; ^ WjW^. [Enough — he died with conquering Graeme. ^^''"•"'' | m L^'Ai -*>_ ^r,-£../«tc III. Now over Border dale and fell. Full wide and far was terror spread ; For pathless marsh, and mountain cell, The peasant Ir'ft his lowly shed. The frighten J fl» ,ks and herds were pent Beneath the pv. il's rude battlement ; 1 A4 I^M[, I /i-'-^«'*ti^''i-**«*A.*i- 86 \'"-y I* f 'V TI^E LAV OF THE LAST MINSTREL. And maids and matrons dropp'd the tear While ready warriors seiz'd the spear \VW^Z r °^.^'S'^"^ smoke can spy, ^ Which curhng m the rising sun, ' ^• Show d southern ravage was be;. un. >^ow loud the heedful gate-ward cried- W u/t'?^ y^/" ^o*- ^lows and blood ! W.Ut Fmlmn, fiom the Liddel-side Knn^Tfu'^'^';'"^ '^'■^"gh the flood. 1-ull oft the Tynedalesnatchers knock At his lone gate, and prove the lock • It was but last St. Barnabright 7 hey s^ged him a whole summer night, But fled at morning : well they k ew p ^ul^'u^ "^''^'" '^^"f^''^ the yew ?lf.^ If^'P.^''' ^^^'"" '^'^ evening shower That drove h.m from his Liddel tower ^nh,/k7 n'^^'" '^^ S^^^-^^'-d said, ' i thmk twill prove a Warden-Raid." V V. y vy- ' S"^."^ ?"u ^^ "P^^e- ^he bold yeoman /.M,.,. Entered the echoing barbican/ • ?K.^1.^'"'^"^"d shaggy nag, .• - ^*^^ ih'-ough a bog, from hag to ha-. .^......,f ould bound like any Billhope stag*' A hnT WK^'i'"" '"'^ chndren twain ; A hall-clothed serf was all their train : His wife, stout, ruddy, and dark-brow'd Of silver brooch and bracelet proud He"w.fof°sMr '"'"'^- ^"°"^' he c'rowd. tte was of stature .jmsjuig tall,.- / A K !r M ^ ^^'"'^'^ ^"d '^^" withal ; A batter d morion on his brow A leather jack, as fence enow, ', ,,, J On his broad shoulders l^selV huntV A Loraer axe behind was slung • His spear, six Scottish ells in length. Seemed newly dyed with gore; />, Mr,- ,\-,..: CANTO FOURTH. 87 His shafts and bow, of wondrous strength, His hardy partner bore. J" VI. Thus to the Ladye di .linn show The tidings of the Eng,. ,n foe : — 1 " Belted Will Howard is marching here, ,. And hot Lord Dacre, with many a spear, And all the German hackbut-men, -f,./- . ■ Who have long lain at Askerten : - .- '- They cross'd the Liddel at curfew hour, And burn'd my little lonely tower : The fiend receive their souls therefor ! It had not been burnt this year or more. Barn-yard and dwelling, blazing bright, . Served to guide me on my flight ; ' But I was chased the livelong night. Black John of Akeshaw, and Fergus Graeme, Fast upon my traces came. Until 1 turned at Priesthaugh Scrogg, ^ - And shot their horses in the bog, Slew Fergus with my lance outright — I had him long at high despite : . ., He drove my cows last Fastern's night." 2^1^^' VII. Now weary scouts from Liddesdale, Fast hurrying in, confirm'd the tale ; As far as they could judge by ken. Three hours would bring to Teviot's strand Three thousand arm^d Englishmen — Meanwhile full many a warlike band. From Teviot, Aill, and Ettrick shade. Came in, their Chiefs defence to aid. There was saddling and mounting in haste. There was pricking o'er moor and lea; He tha' vas last at the trysting place Was bit lightly held of his gay ladye. .// «'"^.,^*i^ H. VIII. From fair St. M ary's silver w ave. It' /^;- From dreary Gamescleugh's dusky height (^(^''-pCu*- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 l^|28 U2 I.I Hi, 2.5 2.2 2.0 IL25 ■ 1.4 m 1.6 - — 6" .VJ Photographii Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 r_^'^^^' i v, %> y. V £. \\\ "%' \\ ^.^^ ^■^ '<^J5^ A ,^ 4^ W I 88 J-Uu^f' *V./ , /Y THE LA V OF THE LAST MINSTREL, His ready lances Thirlestane brave Arrayed beneath a banner brieht. The tressured fleur-de-Iuce he claims, To wrea h h.s shield, since royal Jan es r tncamp'd by I-ala's mossy wave . ' 1 he proud distinction grateful gave I"or faith 'mid feudal jars: .What time save Thirlestane alone, ly'^^iL''"'^ ' stubborn barons, none VVould march to southern wars : And hence in fair remembrance worn. Yon sheaf of spears his crest has borne ; Hence his high motto shines reveal'd- Ready, aye ready," for the field. IX. . / r< ur^u"^ ^"'ght, to danger steel'd, With many a moss-trooper came on • And azure in a golden field ^m*. '4 ^i^^iift Wifh'^'f ^Tk"^ l'"'?"' ^'■^^^^ h'« shield, • Withou the bend of Murdiesion. Wide lay his lands round Oakwood tower And wide round haunted Castle-Ower • H..> -- In youth, might tame his rage for arms And sti , m age, he spurn'd at rest, Am v'lu ^1'. ^'°"'' ^'^^ helmet press'd, Albeit the blanched locks below Were white as Dinlay's spotless snow : . f^^rL^u Five stately warriors drew the sword ^ Before their father's band " iSIr hiu'!? ' ^''^'lJ«^'-den's lord U/a^.-r7 ,! U..i Ne er belted on a brand, „„. .,->;.,., L- -, , >" ,>' ■ ■ Y tj I't ',-t"-Jf airt, CANTO FOURTH. 89 ^jU. Scotts of Eskdale, a stalwart band, Came trooping down the Todshaw-hill ; By the sword they won their land, And by the sword they hold it still. Hearken, Ladye, to the talc. How thy sires won fair P:skdale. - Earl Morton was lord of that ^alley fair, The Beattisons were his vassals there. The Earl was gentle and mild of mood, The vassals were warlike, and fierce, and rude ; High of heart, and haughty of word, - Little they reckd of a tame liege Lord. The Karl into fair Eskdalc came Homage and seignory to claim: 'ii-.zlc i/ .->#/. • ,Of Gilbert the (Milliard a heriot^he sought, t^C-'^^/-, lACo^i Saying, " (live thy best steed, as a vassal ought." > — " Dear to me is my bonny white steed, '» .'V* Oft has he help'd me at pinch of need ; 4 //. Lord and PZarl though thou be, I trow. - I can rein Bucksfoot better than thou.''— Word on word gave fuel to fire. Till so highly blazed the Beattison's ire, - But that the Earl the flight had ta'en. The vassals there their lord had slain. / - Sore he plied both whip and spur, As he urged his steed through Eskdale muir ; And it fell down a weary weight. Just on the threshold of Branksome gate. ^i^ix'tk '/* A./. - XI. The Earl was a wrathful man to .see, Full fain avenged would he be. In haste to Branksome's Lord he spoke, Saying, " Take these traitors to thy yoke ; For a cast of hawks, and a purse of gold, All Eskdale Fll sell thee, to have and hold : 3eshr-w thy heart, of the Beattisons' clan Ui^~i^ . If thou leavest on F.ske a landed man ; <^.- --^ • ^ But spare VVoodkerrick's lands alone, For he lent me his horse to escape upon." '''.•fut-iV ■•' ' ti .^ THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. A glad man then was Branksome bold, Down he flung him the purse of gold ; To Eikdale soon he spurr'd amain, / ' , , And with him five hundred riders has tae n. ^^\^}^ his merrymen in the mist of the hill And bade them hold them close and still • ' ' And alone he wended to the plain -■ To meet with the Galliard and all 'his train. I o Gilbert the Galliard tlTu's he said • "Know thou me for thy liege-lord and head ; Ueal not with me as with Morton tame For Scotts play best at the roughest game. Give me in peace my heriot due, Thy bonny white steed, or thou shalt rue. If my horn I three times wind, Eskdale shall long have the sound in mind." XII. Loudly the Beattison laughed in scorn : Little care we for thy winded horn Ne'er shall ic be the Galliard's lot To yield his steed to a haughty Scott Wend thou to Branksome back on foot With rusty spur and miry boot." ' He blew his bugle so loud and hoarse 1 hat the dun deer started at fair Craikcross , He blew again so loud and clear, Through the grey mountain mist there did lances appear : And the third blast rang with such a din That the echoes answer'd from PentoTm-linn, ,. And all his riders came lightly in. Then had you seen a gallant shock, When saddles were emptied, and lances broke ' ^ox each scornful word the Galliard had said A Beattison on the field was laid. ' His own good sword the chieftain drew, And he bore the Galliard through and through • Where the Beattisons' blood mix'd with the rill ' llic Galhards H_au<.h men call it stih. m/l — ]\ he Scotts have scatter'd the Beattison dan In Eskdale they lef. but one landed man. ' 1 he valley of Eske, from the mouth to the source Was lost and won for that bonny white horse I CANTO FOURTH. 9» y^f J ly' XIII. \Vhitslade the Hawk, and Headshaw raine, And warriors more than I may name. From Yarrow clench to Hindhaugh-swair, [•rom Woodhouselee to Chester-glen. Troop'd man and horse, and bow and spea^ ; Their gathering word was Ik'Iienden. And better hearts o'er Border sod To siege or resore never rode. The I.adye mark'd the aids come in, And high her heart of pride arose : She bade her youthful son attend, That he might know his father's friend, And learn to face his ibes. " The boy is ripe to look on war ; I saw him draw a cross-bow stiff, And his true arrow struck afar The raven's nest upon the cliff; The red cross on a southern breast, Is broader than the raven's nest ; Thou, Whitslade, shall teach him his weapon to wield, And o'er him hold his father's shield." — XIV. Well may you think, the wily page Cared not to face the Ladye sage. He counterfeited childish fear. And shriek'd and shed lull many a tear. And moan'd and plain'd in manner wild.-^ The attendants to the Ladye told. Some fairy, sure, had changed the child, That wont to be so free and bold.,^:^ :><■*■ Then wrathful was the noble Dame ; She blush'd blood-red for very shame : .--<•■■ " Hence ! ere the clan his fai'ntness vievv ; Hence with the \.eakling to Buccleuch ! Watt Tinlinn, thou shalt be his guide To Rrlngleburn's lonely side. — Sure some fell fiend has cursed our line That coward should e'er be son of mine ! " m 92 b'' y -% TJ/£ LAY OF THE LAST M/A'STREL, XV. A heavy task Watt Tinlinn had, lo guide the counterfeited lad Soon as the palfrey felt the wc-ight Of that ill-onien'd elfish freit-lu, He bolted, sprung, and rear'd amain, Nor heeded bit, nor curb, nor rein. It cost Watt Tinlinn mickle toil - 1 o arive him but a Scottish mile ; Hut as a shallow brook they cross'd, 1 he elf, amid the running stream, His figure ehangd like form in dream, - Full L^M ' ""r-' '''""'"'^^' " ^^°«' •' '"«t •' lost ! " J;ull fast the urchin ran and laugh'd. Rut faster still a doth-yard shaft \\ histled from startled Tinlinn's yew Ahhnn'TT.'' '"' •'''""'^^''' ^'^^"^'«'^ '-'"'^l through. Although the imp might not be slain, ^ And though the wound soon heal'd again, \et asheran, he yell'd for pain ; And Watt of Tinlinn, much aghast, Rode back to Branksome fiery fost. XVI. Soon on the hill's steep verge he stood, Ihat looks oer Branksome's towers and wood • And martial murmurs, from below Th?Jf ")"'?, '^'i '-^ff^-^^^-hing southern foe. Vv>rg ?' ^"^'^ ^■°°^' '" "^'"y'^^d tone. . ■■ VVere Border pipes and bugles blown: ' The coursers neighing he could ken, And measured tread of marching men ; \Vh.le broke at times the solemn hum, 1 lie .Almayn s sullen kettle-drum • And banners tall, of crimson sheen. Above the copse appear ; And glistening through the hawthorns green Shine helm, and shield, and spear •1 7i-( Liuht XVII, ^^ lorayers first, to view the ground. Spurr'd their fleet coursers loosely round; 'Ucit,^^ _ r' , CANTO FOURTH. 93 i^r-r Behind, in close array, and fast, 'J'he Kendal archers, all in green, Obedient to tlie hiigle blast. Advancing from the wood were seen To back and guard the an her band, •i.ord Dacres bill-men were at hand : A hardy race, on Irthing bred. With kirtles white, and crosses red, Array'd beneath the banner tall. That stream'd o'er Acre's contiu'er'd wall • And minstrels, as thevjiiarch'd in order ' Play'd, " Noble I,ord 1 )acre, he dwells on the Border.' XVIII. Behind the English bill and bow, The mercenaries, firm and slow, ' Moved on to fight, in dark array, By Conrad led ot W'olfenstein, Who brought the band from distant Rhine And sold their blood for foreign pay * ' The camp their home, their law the sword, 1 hey knew no country, own'd no lord : 1 hey were not arm'd like England's sons, But bore the levin-darting guns ; Buff cans, all frounced and 'bro'ider'd o'er, And njorsing-horns and scarfs thev wore : a., -u Each better knee was bared, to aid The warriors in the escalade ; . . ,; . All, as they march'd, in rugged tongue, ' Songs of Teutonic feuds they sung. .XIX. But louder still the clamour grew. And louder still the minstrels blew, When, from beneath the greenwood tree Rode forth Eord Howard's chivalry ; His men-at-arms, with glaive and spear ^-u.. ■ Brought up the battle's glittering rear. [here many a youthful knight, full keen lo gain his spurs, in arms was seen ; With favour in his crest, or glove, it 94 THE LA Y OF THE LAST MLXSTRE Z. Ak'iiiorial of hi?, ladyc love. So rode tliey tortli in fair array, Till full their lengihcn'd lines display ; 'Ihen call'd a halt, and made a stand And cried, "St. (ieorge, for merry I'aigland'" XX. Now every iMiglish e\e intent Un liranksome's armed towers was bent ; So near they were, that they might know' Ihe straining harsh of each cross-bow ; On battlement and bartizan ^ a-..,, • ■;.',:;.. ^/t U ,,..j'^/« jGleam'd axe, and spear, and partisan ; I J- « A'^^ /-Vx; A ^V *':^V'^lcon and culver on each tiJ^-er, , fj^y <.J - ''■)n Stood prompt thefr deadly hail to shT^**"'^' Stood prompt thefr deadly nan to shower And flashing armour frequent broke J'Vom eddying whirls of sable smoke, \\ here upon tower and turret head. The seething pitch and molten lead < Reek'd, like a witch's cauldron red. \yhile yet they gaze, the bridges fall, The wicket opes, and from the wall Rides forth the hoary Senesch al a,^;.^ ^^ . XXI. Armed he rode, all save the head, His white beard o'er his breast-plate spread ; Unbroke by age, erect his seat. He ruled his eager courser's gait ; Forced him, with chasten 'd fire, to prance, And, high curvetting, slow advance : In sign of truce, his better hand Display'd a peeled willow wand ; His squire, attending in the rear, ^^ , ^ Bore high a gauntlet on a spear. ",.i<^,,.. ' ' When they espied him riding out, A'-^- Lord Howard and Lord Dacre stout S[)ed to the front of their array, To hear what this old knight should say. :,/ ' .A-*-**-*-- /■ C r L CAXTO FOURTH. 95 W- • r XXII. " Ye English warden lords, of you Demands the Ladye of Buccleuch, - Why, 'gainst the truce oJ Border tide, (^^ '""" In hostile guise ye dare to ride, ^'^^ ' , With Kendal how, and dilsland brand, - And all yon niiTcenary band. Upon the bounds of fair Scotland ? My Ladye reads you swith return; ^t^>'""'*' And, if but one poor straw you burn, Or do our towers so much molest As scare one swallow from her nest, »> >-^<=St. Mary ! but we'll light a brand ^ Shall warm your hearths in Cumberland." — XXIII. A wrathful man was Dacre's lord, But calmer Howard took the word : " May't please thy Dame, Sir Seneschal, To seek the castle's outward wall, .^ Our pursuivant-at-arms shall show A**^"" Both why we came, and when we go." — The message sped, the noble Dame To the wall's outward circle came ; Each chief around leaned on his spear, To see the pursuivant appear. All in Lord Howard's livery dress'd, The lion argent deck'd his breast ; He led a boy of blooming hue — O sight to meet a mother's view ! It was the heir of great Buccleuch. ' * Obeisance meet the herald made, And thus his master's will he said : — XXIV, " It irks, high Dame, my noble lords, -<■>* • ■ • , > 'Gainst Ladye fair to draw their swords ; '' But yet they may not tamely see, All through the VVestern Wardenry, Your law-contemning kinsmen ride. And burn and spoil the Border-side ; 7- 'W Utit*->'*- ■i:'J m 1 ! ^11 I' * 96 77//; Z^ K O/- T-Z/Z- Z^.V/- MINSTREL, And ill beseems your rank and birth I o make your towers a flemens-firth. \Vc , laini from thee William of Oeloraine. 1 hat he may suffer march-treason pain. It was but last St. Cuthbcrfs even He i)rick'd to .Stapleton un I. even Harried the lands of ki.hard Mus^-rave And slew his brother by dint of glaive ' 1 hen, smce a lone and widow'd Dame 1 hese restless riders may not tame, JJ.ither receive within thy towers 1 wo hundred of my master's powers, V^^"''"^'^^ they sound their warrison ' - ' And storm and spoil thy garrison : ' And this fair boy to London led, bhall good King Edward's page be bred." • XXV. He ceased— and loud the boy did cry And stretched his little arms on high • Implored for aid each well-known face And strove to seek the Dame's embrace. A moinent changed that Udye's cheer, Uush d to her eye the unbidden tear : bhe gazed upon the leaders round And dark and sad each warrior frown'd ; 1 hen, deep within her sobbing breast She lock d the struggling sigh to rest ; Unalter d and collected stood. And thus replied in dauntless' mood :^ XXVI. "Say to your lords of high emprize, Who war on women and on boys, ^.. .y-_ That either William of Deloraine Will cleanse him, by oath, of march-treason stain "\-^^. Or else he will the combat take ' '^z ''-^^^ Gainst Musgrave, for his honours sake. ^ ^" No knight in Cumberland so good But William may count with him kin and ^lood. Knighthood he took of Douglas' sword, >-^^;a.^--^ v r' %.. i~n CANTO FOURTH. When English blocjd swell'd_Ancram's ford j »'' V ' '"'^'^^'^ ^ '■/,Andj)Ut Lord Dacre's steed was wight, /'/« ^'*^'^' ■ •*'''*'" ' And hare him ahly in the flight, ?«^ii<4»>^«- t^J -''■■ Jliniself had seen him diil>h'd a knight. n Vyr tlie young heir of Jiranksome's line, CiOil he liis aid, and (iod he mine ; 'I'hrough me no friemi shall meet his doom ; Here, while 1 live, no Joe fmds room. Then, if thy I,(jrds liieir jjiirjiose urge, Take our deCiance loud and high ; A.kOur slogan is their Jyke-wake dirge, - - Our moat, the grave where they shall lie." XXVII, Proud she look'd round, applause to claim- Then lighten'd 'i'hirlestanes eve of flame ; His bugle \\att of Harden blew, Pensil.s and pennons wide were flung, diUti^^^ " '■«..,„ 4s, ^ ^"^ To heaven the Border slogan rung, • — " St. Mary for the young Buccleuch ! " The English war-cry answered wide, And forward bent each southern spear ; Each Kendal archer made a stride, ^ And drew the bowstring to his ear ; Each minstrel's war-note loud was blown ; iBut, ere a grey-goose shaft had '^own \ A horseman gallop'd from th "- ..■! V •> \ ar. XXVIII. ir " Ah ! noble lords !" he breathless said, '^''t^XX-' ^ •' What treason has your march betray 'd,' , . ' (>Vhat make you here) from aid so far, Aa A<^' -'' ^'"'^ '■'^ ^■ Before you, walls, around you, war ? Your foemen triumph in the thought, That in the toils the lion's caught. Already on dark Ruberslaw , j ; * 'i The Douglas holds his weapon-schaw ; ^ >».•«* '^' •^■^'"'j ^'*'"'^'' The lances, waving in hfs train, r.«. iJ i]ir 98 it /.*ke.. *r\S\: ■'•'It. >' )k ,v Y' rt^i^ 77/A- /..4 V OF THE FAST MINSTREL j^ord Maxwell ranks his merrvmen cood Beneath the ea^le and the fgijd.; >t.acre for England, win or die I "— XXX. ''Yet hear," quoth Howard, "calmly hear Nor deem my words the words of fear : For who, in field or foray slack. Saw the bhnche lion e'er fall back ?'''' ^'"" ""' But thus to risk ourBorder flower ^^"^^ In strife against a kingdom's power, Ten thousand Scots 'gainst thousands three Certes, were desperate policy. ^^. a-- i^h. Nay, take the terms the Ladye ma^de, Ere conscious of the advancing aid : ' Let Musgrave meet fierce Deloraine In single fight ; and, if he gain, He gains for us ; but if he's cross'd, 'Tis but a single warrior lost ; The rest, retreating as they came, Avoid defeat, and death, and shame." 1.^'i-' tr J 'I ^ (I '''<;: 1: ' •' • • •-. CANTO FOURTH. 99 XXXI. Ill could the luiugluy I Kicrc l)r()()k His brother Warden's sage rebuke ; And yet his forward step he stay'd, And slow and sullenly (jbeyed. liut ne'er again the Horder side Did these two lords in friendship ride And this slight discontent, men say, Cost blood upon another day. XXXII. • •* v' / • c* iL':iu . iiUc^^rfz The pursuivant-at-arins again before the castle took his stand ; , / (ilis trumpet call'd, with parleying strain,^ '^'", "'' " A/> The leaders of the Scottish band ; And he defied, in Musgrave's right, Stout Deloraine to single fight. A gauntlet at their feet he laid, And thus the terms of fight he said: — " If in the list good Musgrave's sword \'an(}uish the knight of Deloraine, Your youthful chieftain, Hranksome's Lord, Shall hostage for his clan remain : If Deloraine foil good Musgrave, The boy his liberty shall have. Howe'er it falls, the English band, Unharming Scots, by Scots unharm'd, In peaceful march, like men unarm'd, Shall straight retreat to Cumberland." xxxm. Unconscious of the near relief, The proffer pleased each Scottish chief, Though much the Ladye sage gainsay'd ; For though their heart! were brave and true, From Jedwood's recent sack they knew. How tardy was the Regent's aid ; And you may guess the noble Dame Durst not the secret prescience own. Sprung from the art she might not name. By which the coming help was known. 1!' lOO III ^1 ■/)U (%.//,, ^^ ^ ))" L<^' rHE LA Y OF THE LAST MLNSTREL. Closed was the compact, and agreed That hsts should be enclosed 4h speed Beneath the castle, on a lawn : ^ ' Ihey fixed the morrow fo. the strife, On foot, w.th Scottish axe and knife At the fourth hour from peep of dawn • gy^'f;?f^t,mpioninhis.tead, AS/T^'?^''^''^"^^'^'■^'"^^'"«tand, Against stout Musgrave, hand to hand XXXIV. horse, I know right well, that in their lav H.11 niany minstrels sing and say ' Such combat should be made or Ori foammg steed in full career, With brand to aid, when as the speanv Should shiver in the course: /,. But he, the jovial Harper taught Me yet a youth, how it was fought In ^mse which now I say : /;.,!„, Of^rr r'!i ^J^^'^'-ince and clause \ , , j -f-- Uf Black Lord Archibald'fi battle-laws /^^ '> /^i". ' m the old Douglas' dav "'Mk-t^-'^VJ^xM-i.i^^ ^^ ^M "''''^.''°'' '^^' t'^^t '^^offing tongue ^^'^ ^'^'^ "' '"^ Should MX his minstrelsy with wrong,^ , ^ Or call his song untrue • And such rude taunt had chafed his pride 1 he bard of ReuU he slew. ^ ' On Feviot's side in fighi they stood, And tuneful hands w.re stain'd wi^h blood • ^Vhere still the thorn's white branches wave' Memorial o'er his rival's grave. ' xxxV. 'Why should I tell the rigid doom, 1 hat dragg d my master to his tomb • • How Ilusenam's maidens lore their haiV // VVept till their eyes were dead and dm"'' ^' And wrung their hands for love of him, (' ."^ 'jf\ _ \u.. f ( 9cctr .-v;, . ?A- D ./« 7 101 CANTO FOURTH. Who died at Jedwood.Air,? .- ^r^^^^.. «^<-^. He died !- his scholars one by one, To the cold silent grave are gone ; And I, alas ! survive alone, To muse o'er rivalries of yore, ■ ,*- And grieve that I shall hear no more '^''' '^" 'rT" ^•'^f/"" ,■. , ^ /i/ A ^ The strains, with envy heard before ; ''• For, with my minstrel brethren fled, ; .. i My jealousy of song is dead. '/t /U ifa.. He paused : the listening dame? -ain , \,>'^ Applaud the hoary Minstrel's sti.; ,. . aV*T ^^ '^^ many a word of kindly cheer, ■ uV^ \ -i' In pity half, and half sincere,— ) .J ■4 V 'ri' .i> . . — , Marvell'd the Duchess how so well ^^ His legendary song could tell — Of ancient deeds, so long forgot ; ^ ■ Of feuds, whose memory was not ; Of forests, now laid waste and bare ; Of towers, which harbour now the hare ; Of manners, long since changed and gone ; Of chiefs, who under their grey stone So long had slept, that ficklejb'aoie A .^ , , Had blotted from her rolls their name. And twined round some new minion's head The fading wreath for which they bled ; In sooth, 'twas strange, this old man's verse Could call them from their marble hear^sg^. The Harper smiled, well pleased ■ for ne'er Was flattery lost on Poet's ear ; A simple race ! they waste their toil y For the yain tribute of a smile ; j^t/*" E'en when in age their flame expires, Her dulcet breath can fan its fires : Their drooping fancy wakes at praise. And strives to trim the short-liv'd blaze. ^ /'^-• ^t / J '/'"f j\i T h f^^-tTTr, Oi^.^/^ZcZt^y' / A^. i^ '*r Ui / .' ' ■ h > A-i ^>.- y^/ V ^A ^' CANTO FIFTH. Cai,l it not vain :— they do not err, Who say, that when the Poet dies Mute Nature mourns her worshipper, And celebrates his obsequies : VVho say, tall cliff and cavern lone;^ For the departed Bard make moan ; That mountains weep in crystal rill ; . , That flowers in tears of balm distil ; '-Aitl Through his loved groves that breezes sigh And oaks, in deeper groan, reply ; ' And rivers teach their rushing wave <^^-To murmur dirges round his grave. II. Not that, in sooth, o'er mortal urn Those things inanimate can mourn ; But that the stream, the wood, the gale, Is vocal with the plaintive wail Of those, who, else forgotten long. Lived in the poet's faithful song. ^UuT . y^^/ i-iveu m me poets taithtul song, \'\Y And, with the poet's parting breath, ,f/ \^ y Whose memory feels a secon d deaths [ The Maid's pale shade, who wails'her lot, That love, true love, should be forgot, From rose and hawthorn shakes the tear Upo 1 the gentle minstrel's bier : The phantom Knight, his glory fled, Mourns o'er the field he heap'd wit!, dead. Mounts the wild blast that sweeps amain, ' And shrieks along the battle-plain. The Chief, whose antique crownlet long Still sparkled in the feudal song. Now, from the mountain's mistv throne Sees, in the thanedom once his own. His ashes undistinguished lie, •^' \\i> n^ -:} y CANTO FIFTH. 103 His place, his power, his memory die : His groans the lonely cavern fill. His tears of rage impel the rill ; All mourn the Minstrel's harp unstrung. Their name unknown, their praise unsung. dU/ •> v>^ i^ ^ III. Scarcely the hot assault was staid, The terms of truce were scarcely made, iX When they could spy, from Branksome's towers, vi The advancing march of martial powers. Thick clouds of dust afar appear'd, / And trampling steeds were faintly heard \ Bright spears above the columns dim, Cilanced momentary to the sun ; And feudal banners fair display'd The bands that moved to Branksome's aid. iUt .V / IV. Vails not to tell each hardy clan, •'" • > Prom the fair Middle Marches came ; Tfie Bloody Heart .blazed in the van. Announcing Douglas, dreaded name ! Vails not to tell what steeds did spurn, Where the Seven Spears of Wedderburnc Their men in battle-order set ; And Swinton laid the lance in rest. That tamed of yore the sparkling crest Of Clarence's Plantaganet. Nor Jist I say what hundreds more, '' From the rich Merse and Lammermore, And Tweed's fciir borders, to the war. Beneath the crest of old Dunbar, And Hepburn's mingled banners come, Down the steep mountain glittering far, And shouting still, " A Home ! a Home !" V. Now squire and knight, Ironi Branksome sent, On many a courteous message went ; '^ To every chief and lord they paid 1 5 '■piM, ro4 THE LA V OF THE LAST MINSTREL. Meet thanks for prompt and powerful aid; / And told tlicni,-^ how a truce was made, ^. ,. 'Twixt Musgrave and stout Deloraine ; ■' ' \^ „n'^"^ '^"''' ^"^^ '-'^fly^^ prayed them dear, J V J hat all would stay the fight to see, \.i' A'yl f'l^^ign, in love and courtesy, jj"" ^ '"*• tii-^te of Hranksome cheer. Nor, while they bade to feast each Scot, Were England's noble Lords forgot. Hunself, the hoary Seneschal Rode forth, in seemly terms to call Those gallant foes to Branksome Hall. •Accepted Howard, than whom knight Was never duhb'd, more bold in fight ; Nor, when from war and armour free, More famed for stately courtesy : But angry 1 )aire rather chose In his pavilion to repose. Now, noble Dame, perchance you ask, , . How these two hostile armies met?' j r- - - ■' r 1 )eeming it were no ea.sy task To keep the truce which here was set • Where martial sjjirits, all on fire, * A Breathed only blood and mortal ire.— By mutual inroads, mutual blows, v-^ By habit, and by nation, foes, I'hey met on Teviots strand ; They met, and sate them mingled down, .'lc..c. AVithout a threat, without a frown, ^ As brothers meet in foreign land : Tbe hands, the spear that lately grasp'd, Still in the mailod gauntlet clasp'd. Were interchanged in greeting dear ; Visors were raised, and faces shown. And many a friend, to friend made known Partook of social cheer. ' Some drove tlic jolly bowl about ; With dice and draughts sjme chased the day ^'-'^ ■ ^vJ aMtii,^ CANTO FIFTH. 105 And some, with many a merry shout, In riot, revehy, and rout, Pursued the foot-bull play. X' VII. Yet, be it known, had bugles blown, Or sign of war been seen, Those bands, so .fair together ranged, ' ' Those hands so frankly interchanged. Had dyed with gore the green : The merry shout by Teviot-side Had sunk in war-cries wild and wide, And in the groan of death ; And whingers, now in friendship bare, A The social meal to part and share, / Had found a bloody sheath. 'Twixt truce and war, such sudden change Was not infrequent, or held strange. In the old Border-day ; But yet on Branksome's towers and town. In peaceful merriment sunk down The sun's declining ray. C'l-'.tCt - J x VIII. ■ The blithesome signs of wassel gay k<»^*^ • ^^-^ ^-^-^^ - Decay'd not with the dying day ; Soon through the latticed windows tall Of lofty Branksome's lordly hall, > '. Divided square by shafts of stone, /*<; • > / Huge flakes of ruddy lustre shone ', ir,r C'\U^ ■ ■ ■■ -u<«-'t / ■^y^ Nor less the gilded rafters rang tt-.< ■ ,'. -■ *4v^" — • . o>^uC\M\'i\\. merry harp and beakers' clang : X ^^^i ^ij-r /'"/"*'" ■/ And frequent, on th- darkening plain, --.,'', >v ''■ 'j^ * ^'; '^ Loud hollo, whoop, or whistle ran, ki-r^.^L ''-' ' <^ ~ *^»'(»^.,V /*../AjoV. )'As bands, their stragglers to regain, , ,/. Tf ^M nic Give the shrill watchword of their clan U'-ie^-^ji-^ ««^ And revellers o'er their bowls, proclaim '^'r"'* ^'^ Douglas' or Dacre's conquering name. al Less frequent heard, and fainter still, At length the various clamours died ; r\ i ; io6 y / ■^rC < # / ^' / THE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL, And you might hear, from Branksome hill No sound but Teviot's rushing tide • Save when tlie changing sentinel 1 he challenge of his watch could tell • And save, where, through the dark profound. 1 lie clanguig axe and hammer's sound Rung irom the nether lawn ; A,,^/... .„,V a -: ' tor many a busy hand toil'd there ^trong pales to shape, and beams to squareA""-'^* Ihe lists dje^>arriers to prepare vi. Agamst the morrow's dawn. /' 4t4?ry\i «f X. Margaret from hall did soon retreat, ^i j j - i ^^ Despite the Dames reproving eye ; ^.t^^,, . reprovmg eye Nor mark'd she, as she left her seat, Full many a stifled sigh ; For many a noble warrior strove To win the Flower of Teviot's love And many a bold ally. ' »*/. r«, ^t^ With throbbing head and anxious hesih^^f^ 'f All m her lonely bower apart ' ^*^ *'*- In broken sleep she lay : ' ^^ ""' '' ?y times^ from silken couch she rose : <^.r-u.y While yet the banner'd hosts repose, She view'd the dawning day : Of all the hundreds sunk to rest, First woke the loveliest and the 'best XI. She gazed upon the inner court, Which in the tower's tall shadow lay : Where courser's clang, and stamp, and snort. Had rung the livelong yesterday • Now still as death ; till stalking slow,— The jingling spurs announced his tread, A stately warrior pass'd below ; But when he raised his pIumM head- Blessed Mary ! can it be ?— Secure, as if in Ousenam bowers, He walks through Branksome's hostile towers. With fearless step and free. iL, ■I i- \' ..v V CANTO FIFTH. 107 ,^i,. ^V' She dared not sign, she dared not speak — Oh ! if one page's slumbers break, His blood the price must pay ! Not all the pearls Queen Mary wears, Not Margaret's yet more precious tears, A-,, , Shall buy h's life a day. XII. ' Yet was his hazard small ; for well You may bethink you of the spell • Of that sly urchin page ; This to his lord he did impart. And made him seem, by glamour art, / / A knight from Hermitage. Xc Unchalleng'd thus, the warder's post, ^'' ' The court, unchalleng'd, thus he cross'd, ^■>^' ^For all the vassalage ; - "- '^U.'' / /.h*. //^'' '' But O ! what magic's quaint dteguise! .":"-- Could blind fair Margaret's azure eyes ! She started from her seat ; While with surprise and fear she strove, And both could scarcely master love- Lord Henry's at her feet. XIII. ''It/'"' ' 'l Oft have I mused, what purpose bad That foul mahcious urchin had To bring this meeting round ; For happy love's a heavenly sight, And by a vile malignant sprite In such no joy is found ; . And oft I've deem'd perchance he thought J^J Their erring passion migh' have wrought \t' Sorrow, and sin, and ^'lame; And death to Cranstoun's j^allant Knight, And to the gentle ladye bright, Disgrace, and loss of fame. But earthly r,pirit could not tell The heart of them that loved so well, -^^rue Iowa's the gift which God has given To man alone beneath the heaven . ' "^n N • I A Ik vS^'K 1 08 , ^rt .\ V^ ut »>' ,t W^ Z^r OP THE LAST MINSTREL. ■■'' ^* m."°* fantasy's hot fire, Whose wishes, soon as granted fly • It hveth not in fierce desire, '^' Hath dead desire it doth not die: It IS the secret sympathy, I he s.lver link, the silken tie, " n hrl""! -^ ^'"■^' '-^"^^ '"'"d to mind In hody and in soul can bind.— Now leave we Margaret and her Kniuht I0 tell you of the approaching fightV^ ' XIV. Vo^'^'-n'" '''''^'■"!"S ^'asts the bugles blew 1 he trooping warriors eager ran ■ I o Branksome many a look they threw IndirH'^r^'^pp^^^^htoviivr ' About the knight each favour'd most 'i- /^i- or now arose disputed claim, ' Ofwho should fight for Deloraine fwix Harden and 'twixt Thirles'ane • Iheygan to reckon kin and rent A i^"^ frowning brow on brow was bent '\.^' A^'^ M "'f;' "^^ '°"g ^he strife-for, b 7 / l>^ . t^ ^ '''^' '^^ ^"''ght of Deloraine ' &^ \\^' r? "' '' '?'"'^' ""d '■'•^e from pain, y y y/ , I" ^™our sheath'd from top to toe Appeared, and craved the combat due ind.tT..'//l']!™---.^"»knew, ,/ V^ ■f hue y^v: ■U: A J 7 : """^ »-imrm successful knew > >, / -- 7 u me nerce chiefs their claims withdrew. .>;^-..,^^^^, Tif"/?'/\^ ^^^' '^^y ^°"^ht the plain. Ihe stately Ladye's silken rein CANTO FIFTH. 109 ■ 'nsir /■<^^ ■ Did noble Howard hold ; \ Unarmed by her side he walk'd, a} And much, in courteous phrase, they talk'd A ,^ Of feats of arms of old. J^ Costly his garb— his Flemish ruff - * y„'V Fell o'er his doublet, shaped of buff, '.^ v>'' y,y With satin slash'd and lined ; ./7 lYti ' ^" .^X^ f y /"' ,->'• .yf/tX /r^/^Cy,*i<" ';• In courtesy to cheer her tried ; ' Without his aid, her hand in vain "^"^f'/ '"' ''/^ ' /TT^ Had strove to guide her broider'd rein. ^; -j^ '"/'j".^' "''/- He deem'd, she shuddcr'd at the sight *>. '*^'^^\/^"'.ri . a^.^c .^^ Of warriors met for mortal fight ; ! ''' iL^^L ' irrr"h,^U, / But cause of terror, all unguess d, ^^ ^ ^y i\.^j*/^ . i^ 'i-.^ Was fluttering in her gentle breast, ' c\^^c^> ^T^-w-i*^'^'*-*^ When, in their chairs of crimson placed, t^Ti^ //'W 'uJJi-t^r>.^ The Dame and she the barriers graced, /^.i^ , /^A ?/';.'/« ^yj^ XVIII. ' * Prize of the field, the young Buccleuch, An English knight led forth to view ; Scarce rued the boy his present plight, So much he long'd to see the fight. Within the lists, in knightly pride. High Home and haughty Dacre ride ; Their leadii^ staffs of steel they ',vield, "/ • f fy> ■ ' ( y .:^ 110 v^ \' v ;^ / /hi^lic^ THE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 4 wlV"'^"'' °^ ^'^^ "^o"-'^! field ; A-u.^ . ;/ ^f ''^ •« ^'-^^h knight their care asW/^ " / ' • ., L.ke vantage of the sun and wind ^ ''^^ ^.> I hen heralds hoarse did loud proclaim ^ " '" / In Kmg and Queen, and Warden' name' .J V,"°"'\^'^"^''''^^'«^he strife, ' 'StonT'^'^''°°'^'°^^'g"'°^--d, Aid to a champion to afford On peril of his life ; ' Tm Ik°' l^'".^'^ '^'^ '''^"^e broke, rill thus the alternate Heralds spoke :- ENGLISH HERALD. " "^'•^^«»;''".deth Richard of Musgrave, Good knight and true, and freely born Amends from Deloraine to crave, ^ ' 1^ ? t ^//( t/ r \ / '<.,^ Ji? c \ \ ^^'oraine to crave, xTf^' ^°"' ^spitepus scathe and scorn, ^y He sayeth, that William ofDeloraine T^^ Is traitor false by Border laws : This with his sword he will maintain, ^o help him God, and his good cause !" XX. SCOTTISH HICK A LP. "Here standeth William of Deloraine ^ Good knight and true, of noble strain! ;^ Who sayeth that foul treason's stain, bince he bore arms, ne'er soiled his coat • And that, so help him God above. ' He will on Musgrave's body prove, / ,, He lies most foully in his throat." fri«M„ LORD DACRE. "Forward, brave champions, to the fight i Sound trumpets ! "—• »= "feiu . LORD HOME. --'.' God defend the right I"— J hen Teviot .' how thine echoes ra.^, /f .1/ ^y < / .^> ^/ O^'-f *J />^»A. f ..(V CANTO FIFTH. When buizk-BOund and trumpct-rlang Let loose tlie martial toes. And in mid list, with shield poised high, And measured steji and wary eye, The combatants did close. Ill 4 \f M * r I ^\ i •■ ft' ' It *-^ ■ XXI. Ill would it suit your gentle car, Ye lovely listeners, to bear How to the axe tlie helm did soimd, And blood poui'd down from many a wound; / For desperate was the strife, and long. And eitlier warrior fierce and strong. But, were each dame a listening knight, I well could tell how warriors fight I For I have seen \\;ar's lightning flashing, Seen the clavmore with bayonet clashing. Seen through rod blood the war-horse dashing, And scorn'd, amid the reeling strife, To yield a step for death or life. — XXII. 'Tis done, 'tis done ! that fatal blow Has stretched him on the bloody plain ; He strives to rise — Brave Musgrave, no ' x^'^^^^-i"J / Thence never shalt thou rise again ! , "'*^' . ,■ y He chokes in blood — some friendly hand Undo the visor's barred band. Unfix the gorget's iron clasp,.;£^/*«^J Y"^ And give "him room for life to gasp ! ' , O, ^otless aid 1 — haste, holy Friar, /<'.^"'«*^»«*^' — Haste, ere the sinner shall expire ! , , Of all his guilt let him be_shriven^ ,yu/)/'trd ^-.- And smooth his path from earth to heavt n 1 /S- /l.^h^ M*^ XXIII. / /In haste the holy Friar sped : — His naked foot was dyed with red. \/ >>> As through the lists he ran Unmindful of the shouts on high. That hail'd the conqueror's victory, ■■I I »' ^<.. • A , _/„/; ,A He raised the dying man : Loose waved his silvvr board and hair AL?7.T''^''^"^^'''^^'«^^n in prayed. And s , I the cn,cif,x on high ^^ * He holds before his darkening eve • And st.ll he bends an anxioasVar ' Hisfaherrngpenitencetohear; ' ■ ^ I props h.m from the bloody sod, Still, even when soul and body part And bids him trust in Cod ! v'^cU^'a ^Ar^>'' '-^^^ death-pang's o'er ' 1^ .chard of Musgrave breathes no .nore. XXIV, As if exhausted in the fight, Or musing o'er the piteous sight, I he silent victor stands; His beaver did he not unclasp.^ >*^'.'fi ^^v^*^^'^'^ Markd not the shouts, felt not the erasD ^'"-^' ^ 'i^^^^" Of gratulating hands. ^ ^ ' M^'"". '^ •' ''/■'''"fe''-* "'^« of wild surprise Mingled with seeming terror, rise Among the Scottish bands : And all, amid the throng'd array In panic haste gave open way ' "^<-teu,^. >^r- /,;°^i'^'f-naked ghastly man, / ' Who downward from the castle ran : ^/^ He cross d the barriers at a bound, A A'' -'^"'' ''^Sgard look'd around, Mdizzy and in pain ; . U' . %/ _J And all upon the armfed ground' P^new William of Deloraine T tach ladye sprung from seat with speed : Vaulted each marshal from his steed- ^^^^'•d who art thou," they cried, V - (last ih's battle fought and won ?" r.is )^ . 1- . hel-Mj was soon undone— Cru '.o!!n -,i Teviot-side ! For th.j.s i ';r ^Hize T'"p »' "K-- nrv^ •) A„^ i. 1 ,' \ \ , 0-' and won, ' — And to iJu L;idye led her son. i 'J ' :t>' / A/^-*■■ XXV. '/ y>A; , Full oft the rescued boy she kiss'd, And often press'd him to her breast ; B'or, under all her dauntless show, 1 - Her heart had throbb'd at every blow J Yet not [-ord Cranstoun deign'd she greet, ^. /Though low he kneelt'd at her feet. :kj. •/ / 'Z^ I ' « ^''■' t'^a-^ Me lists not tell what words were made, What Douglas, Home, and Howard said — — For Floward was a generous foe — And how the clan united pray'd /k- ■ The Ladye would the feud forego, /•/•/., And deign to bless the nuptial hour Of Cranstoun's Lord and Teviol's Flower. XXVI. She look'd to river, look'd to hill, Thought on the Spirit's prophecy, Then broke her silence stern and still, — "Not you, but Fate, has vanquish'd me; Their influence kindly stars may shower On Teviot's tide and Rranksome's tower, For pride is (luell'd, and love is free." — ^ - ' She took fair Margaret by the hand, Who, breathless, trembling, scarce might stand ; That hand to Cranstoun's lord gave she : — " As I am true to thee and thine. Do thou be true to me and mine ! This clasp of love our bond shall be ; Ji-or this is your betrothing day, And all these noble lords shall stay, To grace it with their company." — XXVII. All as they left the listed plain, Much of the story she did gain ; How Cranstoun fought with Deloraine, And of his page, and of the Book Which from the «oundcd kuight lie took; And how he sought her castle high, That morn, by help of gramarye ; fir..-hr7r i P*i t 4,<^ 114 THE LA Y OP THE LAST MINSTREL. ^•^- ^ f f V r' \K> / ■ How, mSn; William's rrmourdight Stolen by h,s page, while slept the kniuht / He took on him the single fight ^ ' H y But Mf his tale he left Snsl^'d," )/ J A i'"Ser'd till he join'd the maid ,^i y^J Cared not the Ladyi to betray ^•■~ '4: '^ -^ ■'^ ^ Her mystic arts in view of day • ^ ' ' ^ ^ "^^^ But well she thought, ere midnight came From i-''?"fuP'g^ the pride to tame ' And seild >"i^r^^ ^'^^ ^"°k to save? And send it back to Michael's grave -1 ,^eds not to tell each tender word /> And how her bosom fell and rose Nee'^s n'otTh' ^'T''''' bandied blows. - .^eeds not these lovers' joys to tell • One day, fair maids, you'll know them well. XXVIII. William of Deloraine, some chance A -,"!./(, ^ ^r. ^^^^' '" ^he listed plain - Another m his arms and shield, ' Against fierce Musgrave axe did wield. Under the name of Deloraine He greeted him right heartilie: ' He would not waken old debate, h^^^a^void of rancorous hate -■' , In rJ,7^ '■■?^^' ^"^ s'^^nt of courtesy" In aids he spilt but seldom blood, ^'■ Unless when men-at-arms withstood, Or as was meet, for deadly /eud. Ta\n'in'fn"''f;^;'">" '°'" ^'^^^^'^^^ blow, And ^/''■^^'''^'■^'"g^'^"'^"^ foe: ' And so twas seen of him, e'en now, 1:1" , r tn^.' \f/ CANTO FIFTH. "5 Mi,eL^ av-; j„ ,^ ■.«^ When on dead Musgrave he look'd down ; Grief darkened on his rugged brow, Though half disguised with a frown ; And, thus, while sorrow bent his head, His foeman's epitaph he made : — / XXIX. " Now, Richard Musgrave, liest thou here ! I ween my deadly enemy ; .*, For if I slew thy brother dear, Thou slew'st a sister's son to me ; And when I lay in dungeon dark, , Of Naworth's Casde, long months three, >/j Till ransom'd for a thousand mark, ;^.;r , ^»ju. m, ^Ju*\^ - \X Dark Musgrave, it was long oT'tiee. ■■ ^.r} ^^^»tu. .sTru-.^-^^y-^ ^ /And, Musgrave, could our fight be tried, ^ And thou wert now alive, as I,. /^■u-.-dT' No mortal man should us divide. Till one, or both of us, did die : Yet rest thee God ! for well I know I ne'er shall find a nobler foe. In all the northern counties here, , , / ^ , Whose word is Snaffle, spur, and spear, i^A*^ "; /v^^7/r Thou wert the best to follow_gear_! /vKj^— I 'Twas pleasure as we look'd behind, ' / - To see how thou the^hase could'st wind, /^.•'■j«'< *- '''^- jl^iX^,it^A Cheer the dark blood-hound on his way, . l>iked not to hear it rank'd so hi"h' Above his flowing poesy • '^ ^I W if'" ^'-^^^ ''"^ '^•"' th^t scornful jeer «W^ -Misprised the land he loved so dear • High was the sound, as thus again ' The bard resumed his minstrel strain .■^x •A \ V \ \' ■''Z -*■*-*• 1«. CANTO SIXTH. Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land ! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd, As home his footsteps he hath turn'd. From wandering on a foreign strand ! If such there breathe, go, mark him well; For him no minstrel raptures swell ; .-.^'.-'j r>^ High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his weaUh as wish can claim ; Despite those titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentred all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair r»;nown, And doubly dying, shall go down ',','■ '*<1^''('-^^ the vile dust from whence he sprung, ' ^^ Unwept, unhonour'd, and unsung. / / II. P Caledonia ! stern and wild, Ccm^a^ic- Meet nurse for a poetic child ! Land of brown heath and shaggy wood. Land of the mountain and the flood, Land of my sires ! what mortal hand Can e'er untie the filial band. That knits me to thy rugged strand ! Still, as I view each well-known scenej Think what is now, and what hath been, jy^eems as^to me, of all bereft. Sole friends thy woods and streams were left ; And thus I love them better still. Even in extremity of ill. By Yarrow's strc.Tms sti!! let me stray Though none should guide my feeble way ; Still feel the breeze down Ettrick break. Although it chill my wither'd cheek ; A. /' •. "^ v ^ ,V i.^ V \ y ^^' Y ^ .,t' ■^^^ ii8 ^tvf,L^ THE LAY OF THE LAST MmsTREL Thougj;re«fo'''>'Tev.o. Stone, XT '"• ^ot scorn'd like m^ f« u , The Minstrels cani I '^'^''^'^^^ Hall Rose-,,,epo„S.T-y-e, And hart t «rS"h« 'h"'"'''^ =°"»'' J That tovefy h ' " h l'^''''«""'^ -^^-^ek i False sia„j'e„tese':''1 ■°'>' P'»«' She wrought „:^;%;;i™-|f,-" \^* X %' ^ •tf-1 ' >*^X-'«V. (".' t tBL. I'-fi-.trlc I. -I. CANTO SIXTH. For mighty words and signs have power O'er sprites in planetary hour : Yet scarce I praise their venturous part, Who tamper with such dangerous art. But this for faithful truth I say, The Ladye by the altar stood. Of sable velvet her array, And on her head a crimson hood, With pearls embroider'd and entwined. Guarded with gold, with ermine lined : A merlin sat upon her wrist. Held by a leash of silken twist. 119 / \^^ \K''' .-': .^ ''■-■,■ t VI. The spousal rights were ended soon : 'Twas now the merry hour of noon, And in the lofty archtvl hall Was spread the gorgeous festival. Steward and squire, with heedful haste, Marshall'd the rank of every guest ; Pages, with ready blade, were there, The mighty meal to carve and share : O'er capon, heron-shew, and crane, frr*^ tw.r^.' And princely peacock's gilded train, ^ And o'er the boar-head, garnish'd bra,v:e,^W«>)' And cygnet from St. Mary's wave ; /-^^ *tu>2**^ O'er ptarmigan and venison, The priest had spoke his benison. Then rose the riot and the din, Above, beneath, without, within ! For, from the lofty balcony, Rung trumpet, shalm, and psaltery : Their clanging bowls old warriors quaffd, Loudly they spoke, and loudly laugh'd ; Whisper'd your.g knights, in tone more mild, To ladies fair ; and ladies smiled. The hooded hawks, high perch'd on beam, The clamour join'd with whistling scream, And flapp'd their wings, and shook their bells, In concert with che stag-hounds' yells. Round go the flasks of ruddy wine. From Bordeaux, Orleans, or the Rhine ; ,> i^lf^C*, V rao It -A^' "Si r A -i^,...f THE LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL, And all IS mirth and revelry. i 111 Conrad, J.ord of Wolfens ein By nature fierce, and warm with ^-ine And now m humour highly cross'd About some steeds his ban'd had lost High words to words succeeding sSl ' " ' iTot^^K ^'^ gauntlet, stout SunthiH. ' A hot and hardy Rutherford, ./...^7 1.: Hunthill had drivei ttsel^ds awav Ihen Howard, Home, and IWlas r ose The kindling discord to composf ^' Af I' ^ °''^' ^"d Shook his head - A fortnight tjience, in Inglewood Stou Conrad, cold, and drench'd in blood Was bv^w^^n'^ ''i'^ '"''^"y - wounJ SSv That Dickon wore a Cologne blade. -^ vni. The dwarf, who fear'd his master's evo Might his foul treachery espy ^^ Now sought the castle butter^. p1 'ipi"^"^ a yeoman, bold and free Revell'd as merrily and well ' I'^eVedt"^'^^' ''? '^^' -^'y -••- A " , V - o^-^^^^^"^"r Fiie-the-RraPc • /ix i / j,- To" Hot " h!'^ "'' '''^^"'"^ b°^' ' ' ' lo Howards merr5..men sent it raund. > ^.•eme. It was an English ladye bright, And IT"" 'm"''' '^''' °" Carlisle wall,) , And she would marry a Scottish knigh ' l*or Love will still be lord of all. Blithely tliey saw the rising sun, But flf." ' '°"^ ^^'■'" °" Carlisle wall, But they were sad ere day was done, 1 hough Love was still the lord of all. "wk"'^ ^f ^ ^'■''°^'' ''^"d Jewel fine, Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall • Her brother gave but a flask of wine * i^or ire that Love was lord of all. "' ^ wf ^ ^""u ^^"'''' '^°th meadow and lea VVhere the sun shines fair on Carlisle ^all • A ScotJrh^^''",^''!'^' ^'^ he would see ' A Scottish knight the lord of all! / y XII. That wine she had not tasted well, , ( h^,'"" '^'"es fair on Carlisle wall ) Vhen dead, m her true loves armsr^he fell For Love was still the lord of all ! ' He pierced her brother to the heart, Where the sun shines fnir na r^rjj-le w-]l - So perish all would true love"part; '' Ihat Love may still be lord of all. ■^' /' /fCMwIy: *V' CANtO SIXTH. And then he took the cross divine, (Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,) And died for her sake in Palestine ; So Love was still the lord of all. Now all ye lovers, that faithful prove, (The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,) Pray for their souls who died for love, For Love shall still be lord of all ! Xlll. As ended Albert's simple lay. Arose a bard of loftier _pc)rt ; /^o^l^ I''or sonnet, rhyme, and roundelay, X.^'^»- Renown'd in haughty Henry's court : - There rung thy hnrp. unriv^.U'd long, Litztraver of the silver song ! V The gentle Surrey loved his lyre — Who has not heard of Surrey's fame ! , His was the hero's soul of fire, .'•i*:6j^-"' '- And his the bard's immortal namej And his was love, exalted high. ^i ,...,. . . - f ' P,y all the glow of chivalry. j XIV. They sought, together, climes afar, And oft, within some olive grove, When even came with twinkling star, They sung of Surrey's absent love. Iu.u^ fit^a.--^ His step the Italian peasant stay'd. And deem'd that spirits from on high. Round where some hermit saint was laid, Were breathing heavenly melody ; So sweet did voice and harp combine, To praise the name of Geraldine. XV. Fitztraver ! O what tongue may say The pangs thy faithful bosom knew, When Surrey, of the deathless lay, nr^ i*-.>-.< ■• > ' Ungrateful Tudor's sentence slew ? "23 , ^'-U.A^utAt Irie^'^ t'iu I >•■» «4 THE LA V or THE LAST MINSTREL^ Regardless of the tyrant's frown, His harp caird wrath and vengeance down. He left for Naworth's iron towers Windsor's green glades, and courtly bowers, ' And, faithful to his patron's name, With Howard still Fitztraver came ; I-ord William's foremost flivourite he. ./ - A ■ ■ // And chiefofall his minstrelsy. ' ' ^'' ^'^ XVI, /ftT FITZTRAVER. ^ICC^^^ ^i. \.\l A rwas All-souls' eve and Surrey's heart beat^igfi : ,. Wh I .^'1? ?'^ midnight bell with anxious sta?t, \*- Which told the mystic hour, approaching nigh. ^ When wise Cornelius promised, bv his art. To show to him the ladye of his heart. Albeit betwixt them roar'd the ocean grim • .^.Yet so the sage had hight to play his part, U, / AnH \ c u"? '^^ ^^' ^^"""^ i" '•'■e and limb. And mark, ,f still she loved, and still slie thought of him. XVII. J}^ was the yaulted room of^ramarye, ^r.. ,r lo which the wizard led the gallant Knight, bave that before a mirror, huge and high, Ahallow'd taper shed a glimmering light - On mystic implements of magic might ; ' On cross, and^character, and talisman.. ^'«^a And almagest, and altar, nothing bright : ,V/- I For fitfyl was the lustre, pale fnd wan ^"^ Us watch-hgheby the bed of some departing man. XVII I. ; But soon, within that mirror huge and high. Was seen a self-emitted light to gleam ; And forms upon its breast the Earl 'gan spy, \Uoudy and indistinct, as feverish dream^; lill, slow arranging, and defined, they seem T o form a lordly and a lofty room, Di ^^1^^ ^y ^ ^^"^P ^"^ silver beam, Anrf ?u ^' ^ ''^'^''^ of Agra's silken loom, J--"^- ^ And part by moonshine p^e, and part was hid in gloom \ j Ar ft/tl . . a- z. CANTO SIXTH 125 XIX. /jj',' ^^-.-x-.a l\ •f hini. ^''■ Fair all the pageant hut how^)assing fair The slender form which lay on couch of Incl ! O'er her white bosom stray 'd her hazel hair, Pale her dear cheek, as if for love she pined ; All in her night-robe loose she lay reclined, And, pensive, read from tablet eburnine, •' ,'. -.v- Some strain that seemed her inmost soul to find :— That favour'd strain was Surrey's raptured line, That fair and lovely form, the Lady Geraldine. XX. Slow rolled the clouds upon the lovely form, And swept the goodly vision all away — So royal envy roll'd the murky storm O'er my beloved Master's glorious day. Thou jealous, ruthless tyrant 1 Heaven repay On thee, and on thy children's latest line, The wild caprice of thy despotic sway, The gory bridal bed, the plunder'd shrine. The murder'd Surrey's blood, the tears of Geraldine ! ^Mi. IV /< V ^tk\i. tt^i A- /«f ,. \u^i .... -J >■ ^fi-i- ■ cm. XXI. Both Scots, and Southern chiefs, prolong Applauses of Fitztraver's song : These hated Henry's name as death, And those still held the ancient faith, — Then, from his seat with lofty air. Rose Harold, bard of bravo St. Clair ; St. Clair, who, feasting hign at Home, Had with that lord to battle come. Harold was born where restless seas Howl round the storm-swept Orcadfs ; '.J.^^ - :£r. Where erst St. Glairs held princely sway O'er isle and islet, strait and bay ; — Still nods their palace to its fall. Thy pride and sorrow, fair Kirkwall; "^^/-r' , /i./,,,. Thence oft he marked fierce Pentland rave, As if grim Odin rode her wave ; ^,>i„ , .«: ,./i.,> ^' ^ a. /;. And watch'd, the whilst, with visage pale, . And throbbing heart, the struggling sail ; i^ 126 J/t^ttHkil THE LAV OF THE LAST MlNtiTREL. For all of wonderrul and wild Had rapture for the lonely child. xxir. And much of wild and wonderful in these ru For thither Stern I.och 'I'he N e^ rude isles might fancy cull; A 6.*lj^ times afar ^SkiU'd came, sons of rovinu war orsemen, " ^ prep., re the raven's train'd to spoil and hlood. ^— '" u 10 prep.ue the raven's food •) *^ ^r- . .^/"e^"^^he main their I...adersbrav^'- •■/<*. And there m many a stormy vale 1 he Scald had told his wondrous ale- And many a Runic column high /!^i >/... Had witnessed grim idolatry. i^( V I Andtj h,a Harold Jnli-;ou;C^^''' -' OUhat Sea-Snake, tremendous curld 'v .;./X,r "^^"^^°"« circle girds the world • ^ ^'''' MnH ^'-^k'I Maids, wnose hideous yell Maddens the battle's bloody swell ; ^ Of Chiefs who, guided through the gloom rL.' f' ' deuth-hghts of the tombf ^"^^J'^.^'fhe graves of warriors old \vZdt T\7'''^^'''^ ^^"'" ^-"^P^^^' hold, u akcd the deaf tomb with war's alarms W>1 ^'^' '^" ^'-^^^^ ^^'^e to arms ! ' Huh war and wonder all on flame. Whirl;"' °''''7 >°""fe^ "^••"'^ ^'^'"6, He learn'5 ^^''^^.5/'^'" -"^ greenwood trJe, tie Jearn d a milder minstrelsy • mTv'h'""!!''' u^ °^ '^' ^^'•thern spell Mix d with the softer numbers well ''t /i-55 Cd. >^v6'. pt xxin. HAROLD. >> >' r^(i'\(l <£'_ yi^ _ O listen, listen, ladies gay 1 No h.^ughty feat of arms I tell : ^J^y /boft IS the note, and sad the lay, t>> ^ Ihat mourns the lovely Rosabella .:// -iiiic . kiJtl f 'it >Cv''<--< w '■■^t^tC-. h <7tv7 /' ,$<^ittt, f ■ A -/r '»a^i: i*i, rci/.c u 'EL :=t*iJ|uv' Ort«i/^4{[^ t< ft/ / ^ - rf ..<, ■ / I'r' \ CANTO SIXTH. y • £,, *' Moor, moor th^ barge, ye gallant crew I ^n^//j And, gentle ladye, deign to stay I _/ /.< Rest thee in Castle Ravcnsheuch, ,. 7;^ y.,^- ,■ } Nor tempt the stormy tirth to-day. , The blackening wave is edged with white ;^ ''•— >^<^ - To inch and rock the sea-mews fly ; ^ T' .. The fishers have heard the Water-Sprite, Whose screams, forbode that wreck is ninh, . Last night the gifted Seer did view A wet shroud swathed round ladye gay ; Then stay thee, I'air, in Ravensheuch ; Why cross the gloomy firth to-day ? " — I a; /-^5^,; / " 'Tis not because Lord Lindesay's heir To-night at Roslin leads the ball, /But that my ladye-mother there Sits lonely in her castle-hall. 'Tis not because the ring they ride, And Lindesay at the ring rides well, But that my sire the wine will chide. If 'tis not fiU'd by Rosabelle." O'er Roslin all that dreary night, A wondrous blaze was seen to gleam ; 'Twas broader than the watch-fire's light,| And redder than the bright moonbeam. ttn. '<-( Ou- .' / rjif / , It glared on Roslin's castled rock, *'V >■;/<'*' It r.lfWioAl nil ^U^ ^^r,c„ 1 „1 ; r?. ^ ^ It ruddied all the copse-wood glenj /;.z ts^-'V /v? ii€.i^ ' ' ' 'Twas seen from Dry^en's groves of oak, And seen from cavern'd Hawthornden. X ^ <.* ^eem'd all on fire that chapel proud, • .^■^^, Where Roslin's chiefs uncoffin'd lie ; *^ Each Baron, for a sable shroud, 'x', , -. , h^^ieh Sheathed in his iron panoply, /^-i./)i^'n^ €crt .^tt^- we< Seem'd all on fire within, around, Y »'-j-'»^ Deep_sacristy and altar's pale; Shone every pillar foliage-bound, ^ , • ' And glimmer'd all the dead men's mail. ;'i-^ bo still they blaze, when fate is nigh t The lordly line of high St. CK^^_. " X ^^T-^ f^ .*'?"^y '^^ R"slin s barons bold ' Lie buned within that proud chapeuf- ^"- R .?k' '^" h^^^>'^"'^ ^oth hold^ '^ iiut the sea holds lovely Rosabella ! \ . And each St Clair was buried there ^' Bui t'h. ''"^''' ^''^ '^°^'^' '-^"d with'knell • V -out the sea-caves rune and tlin «.,i^ j The dirge of level" VosabelTe 1 "'"* """ ,jU„. --./•/'''.V- ■H' /<< i- ,•>-, -/ V *' XXIV ■ -■' I So sweet was Harold's piteou's lay ' Dramd by thesun fromien or bog; A;^i.'X Of no eclipse had sages told : And yet, as it came on apace. Each one could scarce his neighbour's face Could scarce his own stretch'd hand S.M And"?HM 7^ check'd thetasf. "^ '^''^^ V And ch.ll'd the soul of every guest • ^ - Even the high Dame stood hflf aghast She knew some evil on the blast/ ' InH r^.P^?^ ^"" ^° the ground, And, shuddenng,mutter'd,'" Found! found! found- ' XXV. '^ A^flf K^^l-",'- Y'^^Sh the darken'd air A flash of lightning came; bo broad, so bright, so red the glare, The castle seem'd on flame. ' Wanced every rafter of the hall Glancea every shield upon the wall • were mstant seen, and mstant gone ; ^. V -A T / f 4 ^ 6. > L. ' \-^^ \f- '■■ 'i.^ ¥ .iSkcO.. CANTO SIXTH. 129 ft' ■A Full through the guests' beda zzled band t<^0''t A-/.r'/>v*t-<^'^ Resistless flash'd the levin-brand, / I And fill'd the hall with smouldering smoke, As on the elvish page it broke. It broke with thunder long and loud, Dismay'd the brave, ai)paird the proud,— Trom sea to sea the larum rung ; On Berwick wall, and at Carlisle withal. To arms the startled warders sprung. When ended was the dreadful roar. The elvish dwarf was seen no more ! XXVI, Some heard a voice in Branksome Hall, Some saw a sight, not seen by all ; That dreadful voice was heard by some, Cry, with loud summons, "Gvlbin, comr!" V And on the spot where burst the brand, , ' Just where the page had flung him down, Some saw an arm, and' some a hand. And some the waving of a gown. The guests in silence prayed and shook, . And terror dimm d eachHofty look, i.,.^ * But none of all the astonished train ' Was so dismay'd as Deloraine : V V t^' His blood did freeze, his brain did burn, '^ ." \'^ 'Twas fear'd his mind would ne'er return ; ^ j^' For he was speechless, ghastly, wan, ^ V Like him of whom the .story ran, -V V*-? i«'ii' Who spoke the spectre-hound in Man. \ At length, by fits, he darkly told, -^ With broken hint, and shuddering cold That he had seen right certainly, A shape with amice rvrapfd around, "' -* m/h a wrought Spanish l^ldric bound; ^- '^' Like pilgrim from beyond the sea ; ^ And knew— but how it matter'd not It was the wizard, Michael Scoii. .J XXVII. The anxious crowd, with horror pale. All trembling heard the wondrous tale ; I30 THE LA V OF THE LAST MINSTREL No sound was made, no word was spoke, i^ •V v V" \ V % ■ A <^' K:t broke Till noble Angus silence And he a solemn sacred ^„.uu Did to St. Bride of Douglas nmke 1 hat he a pilgrimage would take M^, ^■ 1 o Melrose Abbey, for the sake Of Michael's restless sprite. 1 hen each, to ease his troubled breast lo some bless'd saint hjs prayers address'd • bome to St. Modan made their vows. Some to St. Mary of the Lowes Some to the Holy Rood of Lisle, Some to our Ladye of the Isle ; Each did his patron witness make, 1 hat he such pilgrimage would take, m And monks should sing, and bells should toll, All for the weal of Michael's soul While vows were ta'en, and prayers were pray'd. 1 IS said the noble dame, dismay'd Renounced, for aye,' dark magic's aid. xxvni. Nought of the bridal will I tell. Which after in short space befell ; Nor how brave sons and daughters fair Bless d Teviot's Flower, and Cranstoun's heir:- Atter such dreadful scene, 'twere vain To wake the note of mirth again. More meet it were to mark the day -, Of penitence, and prayer divine, U hen pilgnm-chiefs, in sad array, Sought Melrose' holy shrine. XXIX.- )/, ,^ With naked foot, and sackcloth vest • And arms enfolded on his breast, ' Did every pilgrim go ; The standeisby might hear une^th, /'uc ^^;^,,//" lKc •^^ .-,'*< The hymn of intercession rose ; And far the echoing aisles prolong The awful burthen of the song — fii:r /tf„^^ Dies m^, dies illa, SOL-VRT S/ECLUM IN FAVII.I.A : While the pealing organ rung ; Were it meet with sacred strain To close my lay, so light and vain, Thus the holy Fathers sung : — Kc.e. ■r I 132 / ^, .sy ^ ^: \ THir LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. XXXI. HYMN FOR THE DEAD. ^ \iT '^t^ ""^ '"■^^^' ^h^t dreadful day VVhen heaven and earth shall pass away Ho rr^ '^""^^ ^^ ^he sinner's stay? How shall he meet that dreadful day ? When, shrivelling like a parchW scroll 1 he flaming heavens together roll ' Swell, the high trump that wakes the dead ! Oh ! on that day, that wrathful day AV hen man to judgment wakes from clay ^l uV^^ trembling sinner's stay, ^' 1 hough heaven and earth shall pass^way I ?^,'«'P, V' the harp-the Minstrel gone And did he wander forth alone? Alone in indigence and age To Imger out his pilgrimage'? Arn .1 '^.•'^"^^*h P''°"d Newark's tower Arose the Mmstrel's lowly bower • ' A sunple hut : but there was seen The little garden hedged with green, rt f /"' i'"'"^ ^"d lattice clean. There shelter'd wanderers, by the blaze Oft heard the tale of othe; days ^' For much he loved to ope his door, And give the aid he begg'd before. So pass d the winter's day; but still, When summer smiled on sweet Bowhill ^tl'Ttr^ r'^ ^^'"^y breath, ' vJ^ lu^ '^ "e-bells on Nawark heath : When throstles sung in Harehead-shaw And corn was^ green on Carterhaugh, Thi ; w '^' '^y^^' B'ackandro^ oak, The aged Harper's soul awoke i Then would he sing achievements high, And circumstance of chivalry, z. CANTO SIXTH. Till the rapt traveller would stay, Forgetful of the closing day ; And noble youths the strain to hear, Forsook the hunting of the deer ; And Yarrow, as he roU'd along, Bore burden to the Minstrel's song. 133 ItTOTES. INTRODUCTION. Yarrow in Selkirkshire. l! wa, ,h' '''■V'*'"° ''°°d on the risht Innk of ,h ana Moninouth Widow of ^h^ulV^:^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Castle were just outside the lUV oJ Bowwl "'^^^li""'-^?^- Tiie ruins of NewS '^rl°ii;n:?i^"'^.L^^>' I^-lkeith '"• '" ^'°"^ '■"^'^ the favorite S WUdS*°rf --'^'°'^''' 'he truth, he was in Scotland with Lau'S the nTrn'°"" ^^ "^'^^^d '" X633 when ,hoS;-'-''f„';K™,»f Jfa ep,^^^^^^^^^^^^ .o«l- His bias ,„.,„,3 CANTO WRST. Branksome TawAr tk.v ry:_ >on is about ealth, under d minstrelsy of the later ver. Jank of the f Buccleuch itli, behead- -ards Duke i of Newark ivorite resi- atherof the 3s. der of the zed a huge or cloug/i, ^e have an 333. when Episcopal lien it was d brought linitted to towards r IBeardie tuarts. intury, — wick on >ion of it NOTES. >3S in the reign of James I. Scott tflls us that Rranvholm wa.« the proprr name of the barony, but that he adopteii Uranksome a.s suitalili- to the pronunciation and more proper for poetry. Ladye.— Thi! archaic spelling calls attention to the use of the word as the feminine of I,ord. • Secret bower. —Boudoir. Compare "Yarrow's birchen liDwer. " (Int. 28.) Jesu Maria, etc.— Scott acknowledges that he took this line botlilv from ( olondges Christabel, 1. 54. Wight. — Creature. Had dared.— Would have dared. 3- " The ancient barons of Euccleuch, both from feudal spk-ndor and from their frontier situation, retained in tlieir household at Hranksome a numbrr cf gentle- men of their own name who h'-'ld lands from their chief for the military service of watching and warding his castle. "—Scott. Wight. — Strong, active. / Jedwood axe.— A battle axe, made at Jedburgh, used by horsemen. 6. Readydlght.— A phrase from Chaucer,— dight— prepared Scroop, Howard, Percy.— As Buccleuch was the Warden of the West Marches of Scotland, so these three were the Wardens of the English Marc(i6s or Borderland. Scroop lived at Carlisle, Howard at Naworth in Cumberland ■ and Percy, Earl of Northumberland, at Warkwortii in Northumberland The noblemen mentioned were not .all wardens at the time of the story, but the poet IS not bound to be historically accurate. 7- Lord Walter fell.— Sir Walter .Scott, of Buccleuch, succeeded to his grand- father. Sir D.avid, in 1492. His death was the consequence of a feud between the two border clans, the Scotts and the Kerrs (or Carrs). Scott gives a long account of the origin of this feud. Suffice it to say that the trouble began with the battle of Melrose m 1526. Dunedln =--- Edinburgh, botli neaning the " hill-fortress of Edwyn," an early king of Northumbria. Dun is Celtic and burgh Saxon. Dunedin, as the more euphonic form, is preferred in poetry. Slogan,- The war-cry shouted by the combatants as they rush to battle We have several slogans in the poem : "St. Mary for the bold Burcleuch 1 " (iv 27V " A Home I a Home I" (v. 4. ) ' ' 8. In TS29, three years after the battle of Melrose, the chiefs of the clans of Scott and Carr, by the king's CDmmand, bound themselves over to keep the peace As a pledge of their mutu.al forgiveness, the cliiefs agreed to say masses at the four holy shnnes of Scone, Dundee, I'aislev and Melrose, for the souls of those of the opposite n.anie who had fallen during the continuation of the feudal war The indenture was a "vain" one, as the feud was shortlv renewed and lasted until the end of the century. It was in 1552, shortly before the opening of our story, that Sir Walter was nmrdered in the streets of Edinburgh. 9- ..,.•*?*..*' ^ "^^' etc-— 111 an old ballad, "Johnny Armstrongs Last Good Isigut, we find: — " O then bespoke his li't'e ion, As he sat on his nurse's knee, ' If ever I live to be a man, My father's death revenged shall ba"' '36 I > LA y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. have an alone lO. A clerk.— A scholar. "* or n«:^^t^ta"^'^.l^^^^^^^ The family Bethune that the principal scS'of n\"^ n^^f/^'.PP:^^^^ ^^ ^^-"-^ imvc niatle a certain proTreTs i ,hdr 'l^v ^''''''V^'''' '"'^^'^ ^ ^•'•'^^s «f -Students through a subtcrrancLS^vU?; LXiuftS^^^ they a, „,g^., ^,, ;^^ the race, unless he crosses th; hal7so spJeHi v h7t L^. "''''?'''-'" "'" hindmost in prehend his shadow. In the luter }^^. I ^^^ arch-enemy can only ap- throws any shade ; and those i-ho have (h A,'^f.'r- °^"'>' ^'''^'" "^^•'-^'- ^f'er the best magicians. "—Scott. thus /«/ their shadow, always prove The vie vless forms of air "ti, t; '••• i. a., intermediate class of spirit residiL in th^ ^f^""' ^^'^'T '" '^"^ ^^^^i<^nce of agency they ascribe rtoodl, storms and a sneh '"" '" "'^ ^^"-''■^' '« ^^hose osophy cannot readily exp ain. Th^.v arc smnni r;'"'"''"''<- *'^ ^^'''' °«" P'lil- mortals, sometimes with a malevSrournoTn '°, '''''''^'''■^ '" ^^'^ ^^^^'^ of views. "—Scott. "iait.vo.cnt purpose, and sometimes with milder I- It. etC-Comparc Christabel 1. ,.,,-.. is , the wind that moaneth bleak ? " ^ Crallc-croB, and Skemmi-pea are two high hills on eithet side of the upper is Jfe^^pSe^st'ir ^"^ ^"^^^°"> ''^ ^^« Little Bear, in the end of the tail of which isP;trr?f,^S^^J^,SXS=-. ^'^^^'-'^ ^-- - '•'e Dipper. OHon ^^^^^^^=^i^J^^^- - n.om the 19. fro^XSnTn ;^™°^^^^^^^^^^ of moss-tt^per on the border between the two WHn^c .1 "^ "? ""^''P' together. Liv n? the description of DdoraTne^-n ^'"fl°'"'' '"'^y "^^^^^ '^c laws of neither. Sef " ^'ve times outlawed had ho hrvn By England's king and Scotland's queen " See Scotfs fine description of the Borderers in Marmion. v. 4, beginning :•- NOTES. 137 have an alone this f'me they Lafly of Buc- icCranstoun, tho battle of ■" the story. m'ly Bcthitne 11 nourished 1 this fiimily. editary abil- of Scotland die ages the of students iged to run lindniost in 'an only ap- never after ivays prove •vistcnce of to \vh» 24. Qan. — This is not a shortened form of began, but an original A.-S. form. Neck- verse is the beginning of the sist Psalm ; Miserere tnei, anciently read by criminals who wished the ' ' benefit of clergy." The clergy had freedom from 138 : IM LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. anthoritiL's. ' *" *"''" ''^'"«>' ''andtd over to the ecclesiastical HaJrtbee.-The place at Carlisle where Border criminals were executed. ^^^B^^^^^^^^r^ ca^tl. ..Soundin,.. P^«1A~R ''.""'''•'* ''^''"■'^•'"P'-''^ helmet. ' rw\.~A Border tower or stronghold. BarnhlU. A famous outlaw ^'^' is no cure for love.'' '^ '^°'"^'"' '*^'-' ^'^ntmient of the hst line : "Ambition ?o"uJ'Jr Ichesf • "P""'^' '" ^ horse'lccoutred with defensive armor. Our Ladye.— The Virgin Mary. SO. a!l!5'j;^^a" ^?"^"' ^t'^' ?^ 'h« Carrs of Cessford •oyol Jiinea. -James V. , then a minor. Melros is the old form of Melrose Wlar'^^n" midnigin service of the Romish Church. Wise.— Manner. Compare with " puise " ^"""-"• Tbac Wild liarp._rhe ^olian harp, called from ^olus, the wn:d-god.- CANTO SECOND. I. toagery -Carved or painted figures. M^lJo^^rr? f.ffv*carlTan7;e'led^rff" ^'°"? "'^ ^'^'^ °^ '''^ -'- -^ «. «4Via. David I. of Scotland founded the monastery of Melrose. Aventarle. -The visor of the helmet. Dree or drle. -Endure or hold out. 8. Jennet.— A small Spanish horse. Aloof.— Aloft. * rib?^a?J!^t^Sr"' '° """ ''' '""^'' '°^^^^ ^' ^'^^ -"'--«=tion of the (»" T^" *"""* — "^ "5 roya! flower of France vicr^'USelL'wer!"'"''' ^'^'^ '""''^' «'''^"^>^« "^« °f 'his heraldic de- NOTES. 139 "was claimed ecclesiastical sxecuted. "Sounding" >oric dialect, iot, father of : "Ambition rmor. 1-god.' le ruins of s of saints, 5e. lever with ion of the 'aldic de> OortwllB.— A projection from which an arch springs in a wall,— usually a fan- tastic face ur mask. 10. Chief of Otterburne.— The battle of Otterburne was fought in 1388, betwct-ii Henry Percy, called Hotspur, and James, Ivirlof Duujjlas. Both these renowned champions, rivals in military fame, were at the head of a chosen lx)dy of troops, -he issue of the contlict is well known. Percy was made prisoner anil the Scots won the day, but their gallant general, the Earl of Dnisjlas, was killed in the action. He was buried at Melrose Ijeneath the higli altar. Read in " Percys Heliques" the stirring ballads, "The hattle of OtterlKjurm- " and " Ihe Hallad of Chevy-Chase." Kttlght Of Uddesdale. -William Douglas flourished in the reign of David II. and was so distinguished by his valor that he was called " The Klowor of Chi v- ^'^y-' . While hunting in Ettrick Forest, he was slain by his own god-son and chiefiain, William, Earl of Douglas. He was intened with great pomu in Mel- rose Abbey. ' II. The east oriel.—" It is imoossible to conceive a more beauiiful specimen of the lightness and elegance of jothic architecture, when in its piiritv, than the east- ern window of Melros- Abl>ey. "—Scott Triumphaat, i.e., overSataij. 12. . A Scottish monarch.— Alexander II. Pa}niim. — Pagan, Saracen. 13. Sir Michael Scott, of Balwearie in Fife, flourished during, the 13th century, but by a poetical anachronism he is here placed much later. He wrote several treatises on natural philosophy and hence passed among his contemporaries for a skilful magician. Many legends con'.ain reference to this pioneer scientist, and in the south of Scotland it used to be common to ascribe any great work of anti- quity to the agency of Ai4l(i Michael, Sir Wm. Wallace, or The Devil. Dante places poor Michael among the rest of the sorcerers in his Inferno :— " That other, round the loins So slender of his shape, was Michael Scoit, Practised in every slight of magic wile." "~ — Gary's Translation. Salamanca's cave.— Spain was regarded as a favorite residence o' magicians. There were public schools where magic, or the sciences supposed to be magical were regularly taught, at Toledo, Seville, and Salamanca. In the last mmed city, the students met in a deep cavern, the mouth of which was walled up by Queen Isab.-lla, wife of King Ferdinand. Him listed.— It pleased him. Bells would ring, —Scott tells us that once when Michael was sent as an am- bassador to Paris to demand satisia:tion for piracies, the king was about to re- fuse, when Michael besought him to suspend his resolve till the horse on which the wizard had come through the air to Paris should stamp three times. At the first stamp of the horse all the bells in Paris began to ring ; at the second, three towers of the palace fell down ; when the infernal steed raised his hoof the third time the king yielded. Clefl Elldon hlUa.— Michael was once embarrassed by a spirit, for whom he was under the obligation of finding continual employment. "The first task he gave him was to construct a dam-head across the Tweed at Kelso, which task was performed in one night. The second task was to divide the single cone of f-ildon hill, near Melrost;, into three, which are to be seen to this day. Michael r4o /-^J' OF THE LAST Xfl.VSTREL t'ihs^k!'^ l^nquenchably - ri„. „i J .. '^* PasBlnsr. -Surpassing. *^' Uffl"'-^ ^«J"-« ^'oth of fine linen tL about .he neck and han , Baldric - 4 i^r, . M . ^ hanging down Hardihood. -Courage. ^^' carter-, fell i, on the Cheviots abov?)edburgh. Utherlle.— r.n«>.» j..„.j-., ^ fr„,^^, f=aiS^^^j^^S'^^^^ the supple. Border, these iSSSrB'iEHJSviS;: •'^ee note on i. .„ Yarro^^'^ '^'°" '" '''"' ^^^ of Harden ^n aged Knight, etc." Our poet ■;^t_grandson oi Beardie, who ^w^^ 'd h.s fair dame, the " «ower of B1[)eiir." Debate. — Ilie word is used in an old sense of d " contest in deed," not in word. 6. Dint. — \ blow. Compare Milton's " that mortal dint," Lent from Scotch lene==" give." Jack. —A coat of mail. Acton. — A leathern jacket worn under a coat of mail. Book-boaom'd. - Carrying the mass-book in his bosom. 9- Olamour in the legends of .Scotland me.ins the magic powiir of imposing on the eyesight of the spectators so that the appearance of objects shall be A\t ferent from the reality. -fthnftllng —A shepherd's hut. Man of age.— The Goblin probably refers to the owner of the mighty hook — Michael Scott. Mote is the old ntpsent of the past " moste," our "must," which oriEinaliv meant " may " or ^'-" " 'can. Oramarye.— Magic. 13. To train Mm.— Allure. Compare Shakespeare: "I trained thee to my house." ■' At a word.— In short. T •< The running stream.—" It is a fum article of popular belief that no enchant- ment can subsist in a living strean). Nay. if you can interpose a brook betwixt you and witches, spectres, or even fiends, you are in perfect safety. Burns' 'Tarn O'Shanter ' turns entirely upon such a circumstance. "—ScoTT. VUde.— The old form of " vile." 16. Ban-dog="a dark bl(>od-hound " of the preceding stanza. See iii 00 where a distinction is made between the ban-dog and the blood-hound Fro.— An old form of •" jm." Barret-oap.— Battle cap, a small cap without a brim. " Barrat " is Scotch lor " battle." Klrtle. — A kind of gown or tunic. Furbiahed. —Polished. 17. Scott tells us that the description in this stanza he borrowed from the account of Robin Hood in Drayton's Polyolbion. 2a Oramercy.— Old French grand merci, "great thanks," "many thanks." Bandeller.— A band or belt for carrying ammunition. Hackbuteer. —Musketeer. rivcept -.^rcad. Sec 22. ' Into it, Knight, thou must not look : If thou readest, thou art lorn I Better hatJst thoq ne'er been bom I " 142 LA V OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 23. Salved tbe splinter— This method of surgery called " the cure bv sym- pathy," was actually practised as late as the middle of the 17th century! The wound was cleansed and bound up, and kept neither too hot nor too cold, while the medicaments were applied to the wounding weapon. 26. Cresset.— A lantern on a pole, or a hollow pan filled with oil or combustibles. 27. Seneschal.— The High Steward, the chief official of a castle. Bale.— Beacon-faggot. "The Border beacons, from their number and po- sition, formed a sort of telegraphic communication with Edinburgh. The Act of Parliament of 1451, directs that one bale or faggot should be warning of the approach of the English in any manner; two bales, that they are cominq indeed ; four bales blazing beside each other, that the enemy are in great force. "— ScOTT. PrieBthaugb-BWire.— " Haugh"=" cairn" or "hill"; "swire" or "swair" (IV. 13)=" neck" or "shoulder" of a hill. Mount for Branksome was the gathering word of the Scotts. ; 29« Need-flre. —Beacon . Tarn.— Mountain lake. Earn.— A Scottish eagle. Cairn.--" The cairns or piles of stones which crown the summit of most of our Scottish hills seem usually to have been sepulchral monuments. Six flat stones are commonly found in the centre forming a cavity in which an urn is placed." — Scott. Law. — Mound. Regent.— Queen Mary was only ten or eleven years old. The Regent was the Earl of Arran. Bowae or boun. — Make ready (to go). the Vi B B P V A £ Ma I sief C oft( £ I shr bef M. bei I of trt Keep. — The main inner 'itronghold of a castle. 31- Black mail.— Protection money exacted by free-booters. " Mail " is Scotch for " tribute." " Black " is used as in " black-guard." EPILOGUE. Withal.— An old emphatic form of "with," used .ifter the object at the end of a clause. CANI'O FOURTH. I. Boll'd upon the Tweed. - In the first edition this was " Roll'd their way to Tweed." 2. Great Dundee. — Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount of Dundee, slain in the battle of Killicrankie in 1689, after leading the Jacobites to victory. 3- Pathless marsh. — "The usual refuge of the Border herd.nmen on the ap- proach of an English army ; mountain cells or caves hewn in almost inacces* sible cliffs may still be seen on the banks of the Teviot." — ScoTT, , 4- Oftt<|-ward,— The guardian of the gate. yo di. in Bi m fo to S( (5 fi e eK- 'v/ii i..<- NOTES. U3 r- Watt Tlnllnn.— A retainer of the Buccleuch family who had a small tower on the frontier of Liddesdale. , .. n i„ ;„ ,,«rc,^r. Wardea-Ral(L— A raid commanded by the Warden of the Bonier in person. 5- Hag.— Broken ground in a bog. BUlhope.— In Liddesdale, remarkable for game. Passing. — Compare " passing strength," n. i8. Wittial.— Compare with " strings withal" in Epilogue in. Morion. — A helmet without a visor. Enow.— Enough. 6. Will Howard.— Son of the Duke of Norfolk, and Warden of the Western Marches He is introduced here a few years before he actually flourished. Lord Daore.— The name is derived from the exploits of an ancestor at the " siege of Acre under Richard CcEur de Lion. (See IV. 17.) German hackbut-men. -In the wars with Scotland the English monarchs . often employed mercenary troops. Scroge. — A shady wood. ~ . ,. j r Faswm.— The eve of the great Fast (of Lent), Shrove Tuesday, or the day of shriving. The Borderer is represented as commilting his last depredations just before the sanctities of the Fast. , ,.. , f,7 at Mary'B ellver wave— St Mary's Loch at the head of the v.ile of Yarrow. From the lake flows the river Yarrow. For a tine d< scnption of "Lone St. Mary's silent lake" seethe Introduction to the Second Canto of Marmion. Cleugh.— Cliff, or glen. , . , j • , •rressured.— Ihe tressure was an ornamental border around an armorial ^Tidriestane.— Sir John Scott of Thirlestane, to whom James V. gave a charter of arms entitling him to bear a border of /lertrs de luce (Mies) similar to the tressure in the royal arms,— with a bundle of spears for the crest. Mo^BF wave.— Marsh. 9. Without the bend, etc. —"The family of Harden are descended from a younger son of the Laird of Buccleuch, who flourished Ijcfore the estate of Mur- dieston was acquired by the marriage of one of those chieftains with the heiress in i2t6. Hence they bear merely the cognizance of the Scotts. whereas those of Buccleuch are disposed upon a bend dexter, assumed in consequence of that marriage."— Scott. r u- u 1 v A golden field —Field is the technical term for the sn-face of a shield ; bend, for a kind of belt crossing the shield diagonally ; bend dexier, from upper right to lower l«{t> 1 ' v-! Dinlay.— A mountain in Liddesdale. \ . , ,, Harden'8 lord.— Walter Scott of Harden (Auld Watt) who marr>ed Mary Scott, the Flower of Yarrow, and from whom Was descended the poet himself (See note on 11. 33.) aalUard.-Gay, . , .u r i . . -n,- HerlOt— A tribute exacted by a supenor on the death ot his tenant. I his fine was the pick of the property, generally a horse. This tribute was originally exacted probably to remind the new tenant of his feudal inferiority and duties. ii. A east of hawks.— .'\s many as were let loose at on"c time. Hold them, i.e., hold themselves. Linn. —A deep pool. Bangta.— A hili. Ut'l'V '44 LA V OF THE LAST MINSTREL. ^^^"^^^"^^^t^Stl^^^^ S-tts. and was ^o^T^ t^'^^^^^'T^-'^''^^^'^---^^^---^^^- have been referred IrthHiff.- A nver of Cumberland, flowing past Carlisle. wi WKS Sa^^-^f'^h"" SoTv' ''a^'=^"^^'« - --i"^ "- Engli* Berwick in 1,2,. Whea Edwarf IV^i.n^H ^^i""? T'^ "'^^^ '" '^e siege of tram Flemings armXhiffl^^feTai'''^ '" ^''''''^'"' "^ ^'♦^x. he had fn his levin. -Lightning. ^ Frauace(l.~i>iaited. "°™iOf-110m.— Powderhdrn. baSeTeclso'fliifKSh J^iSS/'^^ '^""« °f ^"^ "•«»'' I'"- - 'aken from the aK»la4e.-The assault of a fortress by scaling the walls. OlalTO.— Sword. '^' _ 20. m^~t,Z'Xrr *?^ ^"'^^y- "^-"^d fro"^ the bird of prey U«UV«r.-AnQther ancient piece of ordnance, named from a stiake. JoST'nZf!S.t'''-^£:''^'' ^, '^"- -- '^^ -Wem of faith Bo^e'?!r'oJp?'-^'l%^e'T^:cn51'^^^^^^^^^^^ '""^ ^°"''"-- --<•-« of Purgulvant— Herald. Argent.— Silver. 23. 24. /' IrlB.— Distresses. heSra"n|'^7efc''!""™'°'"°"'^"^' '■'•°™>-' " ««banish ." and "Jr^.r t«te.SchSonT''srg '^?rV:it:itLTfV'' '"^^ «°^^- --«- Warrlsoa. -Note of assault. ^of SJ5S Vr-'^'" '''''' •^'°"«' ^° »S5a or ,553. near the end of the reign bi Cj k h E li: a; i/ NOTES. '45 )tts, and was isent passage ce. «en referred the English the siege of 10 had in his :en from the s of a wall. y- m of faith warfare of of Border d '•Jrth," er consti- ig to ride, the reign Emprize.-- Enterprise, or undertaking of danger, or renown for bravery. . , , Cleanse Mm.—" In dubious cases the innocence of Border criminals was oc- casionally referred to their own oath." Count with him, etc. —Show as high a pedigree. Douglas' sword.— The honor of knighthood originally flowed from other knighthood and not from royalty. Afterwards this power of conferring knight- hood was confined to generals, who created knights after an engagement. This Douglas was Archibald, Earl of Angus, the Scottish general. Anoram'S ford.— The battle of Ancram Moor was fought in 1545. 1 he Eng- lish were routed and both their leaders slain in the action. The Earl of .Angus and the Laird of Buccleuch commanded the Scotch. But.— As in IV. 22. DuhbU— The word means '' dress," or " invest " (with knighthood). Lyke-wake.— Watching a corpse, before burial {.A.-S. lie, "body," and ■wake, " watch."). . ,-PenBllB.— The pensil was a streamer or banner, or a tapered flag, 28. What make yov Weapon-Bchav — The French idiom, Que faites-vous icif . ister or show of military forces ; a review. HarqnebUBB. — Hackbut, musket. 29. 30- Blanche lion,— The "lion argent " of iv. 23. This was the cognizance of the Howards. Certes.— The French form of the Latin certe, "certainly,' 3a. Parleying strain. — To " sound a parley," was to sound a trumpet as a signal for a conference with the enemy. 34- When as. — For the origin of such a collocation as this we must go back to the period when interrogative words were made relative by the addition of a particle such as "that" or "as"; compare "when that the poor have cried." Julius Caesar, III. 2. The Jovial Harper.—" An ancient Border minstrel called ' Rattling Roaring Wil ie.' He quarrelled with one of his own profession ; there was a light with swords, and his antagonist, the Bard of Rule Water (having the odd name of ' Sweet Milk '). was killed on the spot. Willie was taken and executed at Jed- burg." Lord Archibald was the framer of statutes on all points of Border warfare. He flourished about the middle of the isth century. 35- Ousenam, or Oxnam, the seat of the Cranstouns, near Jedburgh. Jedwood Air.— Air=sand-bank. CANTO FIFTH, Vails.— It avails. Bloody heart.- "The well-known cognizance of the House of Douglas, as* 146 LAV OF THE LAST MINSTREL. .«'7sonr""-^'^ ^^''^ "^'"^ "f Wedderburne. slain at Flodden, left List. —Wish for, desh-e ' ^^ unhorsed by feir John Swinion. A Home I a Home l-The slogan or war-cry of tlie family. ally'11'pSelortrr '"'''"*''' " ^"^°'"'''^ '^'^ ^" °^«^ Scotland, but especi- a Je^f "bVoS' ^'''■"^^^ ^^^ ^ '^*"d of poniard, used for a knife at meals and Wasgel.— Wassail, carousal. The Usts.— The enclosure for combats or tournaments. By tlmM.—Betimes, early.^ First woke.— Compare with the close of ii. 25. Ousenam.— See note on rv. 35 POT Ml tt, ™„Ug..-I„ spile ofThe numerous dependants. P0rt.-A martial piece of music adapted to the bag-pipes. Tbs Dams her charm, etc. -See in. 23 :_ " w^l-^^ 1''°"''^ •'^ ^'^o'^ man and sound. Within the course of a night and day." 16. S2h^^ T'f"'^' ^^^^ "^ '^'" ^o «hick as to resist even a sword wimple.— A folded neckerchief. ^^' DespiteouB. -Despiteful, malicious. Scathe.- Injury. He Ues, etc. -Compare:— " Bid them defiance stern and high. And give them in their throats the lie." ho mi aa SI Mi 'TheUrdo'fThe Fsles. ". 89. NOTES. 147 inice commit- Flodden, left the Duke of , but especi- at meals and :. Queen of erial. le comhat- g than the Gorg^et. — Armor for the throat. 22. 24. Beaver.— The movable mouth-piece of a helmet to enable the wearer to drink. 26. The spirit's prophecy.— See i, 17. 28. Death-like trance.— See in. 23. Wraith.— The spectral apparition of a living person. 29. It waa long of thee.— Along of thee, on account of thee. Snaffle. — A kind of bridle. ChaBe~C0Ul/8t wind.— Musgrave is represented here as pursuing with blood- hounds the retreating Scottish marauders. . . , , .-.^^.^t ^«m Alive again.- Deloraine's pity for liis enemy is the echo of a sentiment com- mon in old ballads. Compare the passage in Chevy-Chace :— •• Then leaving liffe, Erie Percy tooke the dead man by the hand ; And said, Erie Douglas, for thy life wold I had lost my land. O Christ ! my verry hart doth bleed with sorrow for thy sake ; __ For sure a more redoubted knight mischance cold never take. Another parallel may be found in the ballad of Sir Andrew Barton .— " But when they see his deadlye face, ^nd eyes so hollow in his head, i wold g ve, quoth the king, a thoiisand markes, This man were alive as he is dead." Stave. — Song or hymn. Miaprlsed.— Despised. EPILOGUE. CANTO SIXTH. I. 29. Seems as. — It seems as if. 3- PortcuUis.— A strong grating over the gateway to be dropped in case of need. 4- Tide. — See note on i. 21. Ouches.— Jewelled ornaments. Miniver.— Ermine, a white fur witli spots of black. 5- Forbl-iden spell.—" Popular belief made a distinction between magicians ard nPrrom.ancers or wizards ;-the former were supposed to command the evil spiritsrand the latter to serve, or at least to be 111 league and compact wilin. those enemies of mankind."— Scott. S£ri?*-A fpa^^w'^hawk was actually carried by ladies of rank, as a falcon was the constant attendant of a Knight in time of peace. '48 LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL Hwon-Bhew. -Young heron. the timerjf K?^:7o; mereraTS'iJouiTif ^^'^^^^^ iar solemnity. After being ro^s^ed tt w.c^o • " ^^'"^^cy- but as a dish of pecui- a sponge, dipped in h-rhte? Ss of win ^*'" 1«=°'^fed with its plumagL. and introduced oT days Tgrand^ fot?vaT' "f 'wl? Ph"'"^ '" H '^''"- ^»^«" '' ^'^ Knights to take upon thim vowf to r1n t^ ^ "i^ r'^?''' ^°^ '^e adventurous cock and the ladi« ■ " ^ '° '^^ '"'"^ ''"^^'^ ^^ <=hivalry, • before the pea- -^^^o^^^^^iiZi^^Z'l^ splendor. In Scotland it oygnei. — Wild swan. confef^dTha^**'^-^^'"^'"-^''^"--' ^"d a stringed instrument, as a or5"wfthiSrnird" £'S^^^^^^^ '-"''"5 i'^ head is cov- hawk quiet .i„d tractable and nreS.te^^K^ ^^^ ^'^^'- '^"'^'^ ''^^P^ 'he SeWT.- One who serves S X or"^shes °a wrer"''''"^ ''^'^^'^"'^^ ''^''• BuKiS?' l^^der of the German mercenaries, ^XS^'^ToS.Tt^^fr'l'"'^ °J ^''^'^ Lairds, of mortal re- ni •Act. I. Sc. I.) vPn^P Tn t:V7~ ° °"' '"^ '"""lb or the glove was a nl, ducS '***'~'^°'' ^^P'^"^'^°" °^ ^^^'^ -»"sion read note on Canto ,. Intro- Remembered Mm of=rcmembered. * See iv. 15 :^ " wL •'^^!!>7"" ^ cloth-yard shaft' Had feS Whistledfrom startled Tinlinn's yew" when chVi^^o-;* t*;|f«,S'2 Sri';" " '"• '"" ""' 10. S<5teh "SS. ""= "'" ""-1 "< "■» »i » "en. SCO,. MU u., f„„ „ „,„ ai^'lii a^^™» •" A., o, hi, »„,. un,°ueS„.blAfeS,^^^4a^^^^ Earl o,Su,r,y, w„ NOTES. 149 sidereil, durinjj a dish of pecul- s plumage, and When it Wrus le adventurous before the pea- In Scotland it s and achieve- ngof 'brave.' trument, as a ts head is cov- ['his keeps the y chance bait. if mortal re- iiy thumb at ;. I. Sc. I.) nto I. Intro- e run away claime d by )m an old arrey, was nnets dis- *s behead- ed on Tower-hill in 1546, a victim to the mean jealousy of Henry VIII., who could not bear .so brilliant a character near his throne. " The song of the supposed bard is founded on an incident said to have hap- pened to the Earl in his travels. Cornelius Agrippa, the celebrated alchemist, showed him, in a looking glass, the lovely Geraldine, to whose service he had devoted his pen and his sword. The vision represented her as indisposed, and reclining upon a couch reading her lover's verses by the light of a waxen taper." —Scott. Lord William.—" Belted Will Howard " ,iv. 6). 16. Hight. — Called ; here it means ' promised.' 17- Talisman.— "A magic image on which are mystical characters as charms against enchantments. Almagest.— " The Great Collection," an astronomical work by Ptolemy (140A.D.). Nothing toright.— Quite dim. 18. Agra. — See " couch of Ind " in next stanza. 19. Ebumlno.— Of ivory. 21. Orcades. — The Latinized form of Orkneys. Kirkwall..— The castle of Kirkwall was built by the St. Clairs (now Sinclairs), while Earls of Orkney. Odin. — The same as Wodan, the chief god of the Norsemen. 22. Skill'd to prepare the raven's food.— To make slaughter so that the ravens may feast on dead and dying. Kings of the main.- The chiefs of the Scandinavian pirates assumed the title Sea-kings. Dragons of the wave.— The Scalds thus described ships. Scald.— The Norse bard. Rur;!'. — Norse. Saiefa. — Ths Norse tale or epic, especially describing the heroic age of the loth century. Sea-snake.— One of the wildest fictions of the " Edda." This book (Edda) contains the mythical tales of the Scandinavians. Dread maids. — These are the Fatal sisters of Gray ; the Selecters of the Slain of Norse mythologfy, despatched by Odin from Valhalla to choose those who were to die. They correspond to the Fates of the Greeks, Of Chiefs. — The Norse warriors were usually buried with their arms. It was a common act of daring to rifle the tombs and to encounter the ghosts of the offended dead. 23. Castle Ravensheacb.— A strong castle in ruins near Kirkaldy, on a steep crag, washed by the Frith of Forth. It was long one of the residences of the Barons of Roslih. Inch.— Isle. ROBlin.— The promontory of the linn or water-fall ; alordly castle and an ad- jacent chapel built in the igtb centui^. The chapel is said to have appeared oq I50 LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. '^a^rfcSl.'^"^ '''^^ ^''^- «'• Clair family. castle^ There was a frightful strue^ h ^^h lP^<=";e-spaniel which haunted the speechless. After vainly try n^ to exni.tn ^ ''•^" ^^^ '"''^'■^■- <^a"'e back he was in hornbleconv^.lsions/j!^I"f..°^P''^'" -'■'''«"' ^^•'^' '''^'^ ''«??«"'-'" h- d^^ A Shape wltn amlce.-Zs^e u Lj'. " " " '• ' ' '^ - ''^- Pllfirht. -Pledge. ^7- An^s^^SnTcui/r'""'' ^''»'"' °' ^^e house of Douglas, and of the Ea'rl of Unoath.-WithdifficiiIty. 29. 30. Cowl.— A hood. 'S^r '" °'"^ '^'' "'""^ ""^'""^ ^^'^^'^ --'^ ^ ^-^ -ss;„, , Se?fr.i%ts"Uif,--^^^^^^^^^^ service. Scott's ''HymnfortheDead-'isavervfroe^T"^ k^"""^ '^S'" 'he fi st !tan"^ See Zephaniah. i. 15, 16. "^^"^^ ^'^'''' paraphrase of the original hymn." EPILOGl/K. ;i.e1rr'cS4laaih^e SL-^;-^ ^ 1^^^-^-- °^ h- At one of the Yarrow opposite to the mins of v. T'^'??'''''^"'^^ ^ '"arm on the bm?k however, was otherwise invested ' °^ ^"*'*^'* ^^"<= •■ «he purchase money. o-r OPINIONS AND QUESTIONS A soldier in h haunted tlic e back he was pened he dii-d >f the Earl of and crossing front. 1 the Roman vice. 2apolitan vil- >f three lines first stanza, final hymn. lis. At one )n the bank ^e money. (i.) Just after the " Lay " came out, Pitt is said to have repeated to a friend the lines describing the old harper's embarrassment on being asiced to play, and to have remarked : " This is a sort of thing which 1 might have expected m painting, but could never have fancied capable of bring given m poetry." Examine the great statesman's notion of what constitutes the picturesque. (v ^ " Till pride be quelled and love be free." Show that this line is of very special impvirtance in its bearing on the whole {3.) " It is an important aid in picturesque descriptions to indiviJuulise the picture ; that is, to give it under all the conditions of a particular moment." Apply this to c. n. i. . . , , •,, „ i 4. ) " In the description of Melrose, the reader will observe how skilfully the author calls in the aia of sentimental associations to heighten the effect of the picture which he presents to the eye." Apply this. _ ,,,,•. 1 (5.) Goethe says of dramatic poetry- that the facts should be in themselves significant, and should lead to something further. Show that Scott in the " Lay " obeys this canon, using as your illustrations (a) The Ladve's love for her son (See I. 9; V. 25, 26), (*) The death of Lord Walter, \c) The invasion of the English. V (6 ) Show that much of the story of Rosabelle is in dramatic form. What is the poetical effect secured by telling this pathetic tale " without one word of a distinct narrative " ? ,,.,,,/•'".,; . . , >-(7.) " Rosabelle is ' young-eved poesy all deftly masked in hoar antiquity , yet .still modern art shows itse'lf in the elaboration of the descriptions and the choice language and carefully constructed sentences. " Apply this. .,•■.! -^ (8. ) Describe each of the four parts into which Rosabelle may be divided. Show how these parts are related to one another and to the mam idea of the Y^a. )" " It is the author's object in these songs (c. vi.) to exemplify the different styles of ballad narrative which prevailed in this island at different periods or in different conditions of society." Compare the three songs in point of style. * (10. ) Are the songs of the last Canto connected with the action of the poem ? Notice that their respective subjects are (a) Love. {*) Magic, {c) Supernatural Afifcncv. ^(ii.) '" The Ballad is less discursive than the tale, it is generally made short and simple by rapidity in the succession of incidents, many things being merely SUfifffGStCCi. '* lllustratefromtheballadsof the "Lay." ' r(i2. ) (a) "The sixth Canto is altogether redundant, for the poem should cer- tainly have closed with the union of the lovers when the interest was at an end. -.^ ?(*) "The last Canto is no more redundant than the first ; it is a necessary ' part of the scheme of the poem." , , i Discuss the question here raised by this conflict of opinion. < (13) {<*) " The whole character and proceedings of the Goblin page may be considered as merely episodical ; no material part of the fable requires the in* t«r\'entien of supernatural agency," tZ-oi?-^ 152 .; LA Y OF THE LAST MINSTREL. than of the Iliad. The suoSural rtm?!^ "°u'"°''^ '™^ "^ Scott's poem ing the whole structure"^ ''""*-"' '^*""°' "^ ''«'^^''ed without deitrov ■ . /^f f"" w^°'' '^"^ i^''^'"' °f '•'"e views. .nft^in^Sl^r^SKtXrSsS^^^^^S^^'^^^^ Is the objection well taken ? ' ^SO- litJ^liire of ?he'tiLT.»"''"^' ""^'''""^ '"^y ^ '°°ked at in relation to the Notf' \', ."hl^K""^ ^^'^ to employ the supernatural in romance? brought the fashion to^ S£h CoIeS; '^^f "''' ^"'^ ' * ^°"^ Mariner" and his ''Christa^d'' The on^n^^^^ '^'■•'"^" ^'^ "Anci.ni its rapid spread to Britain iff curious illur^ioni/LT^;'! J" ^u^™^"^' «"" '^tyre something of an inteniationZnity of the fact that there is in liter- :lny S tLtorbtmSfn^^EeS ^Jlh^e^T ""' f"" ^'^^'^ ' "'^ «— intervention." "^ "iK'ng me action of the story depend on the dwarfs . (^h^frttr;^ fcSeS^^r^' '^ "^^'=^"'-' P-"^ °^'^e poem." thi^c''o!.r;;"o?£;?o'em°Spla^^^^^ !f°" '"- «'- once in ments to the cOuntess." P'^3'ully for himself and pays graceful compli- Illustrate this. Mlnstrll"' 'll^'^^'^t^^^^^^i^r^n' °^ '""^ ' ^^y °^ '^'^'^ Last throbbing before us » *°"' '^"'^ temperament laid bare and ^^Examlne thesepassages:-!. x; „. .,, :„. ,,. „, 3,. v. 7; v. xo; vz 6- ' , j-TsZf t£t'5L^^.i7w?serE?[f s ^r^-''T"r - (21.) Compare the style of ^hfrtronSr^anT^n;^"'^^-^^'^''^'"^"^ Canto with the style of the " Lay " itseif. ^ concluding hnes of each (22.) Show that the introduction of the Minstr«l hn.,.,»<. .u ^ springs naturally out of the narrative ^'"^^'^^^ between the Cantos always (23.) "The chief excellence of 'The Lav' consUt* in .i,» k scnptions of local . sceneiy and the accurate n^nt, I ? ""^ beauty of the de- among the Scottish Bordelrs at the time it refeS to '' '" ' ""'''^ "^"""" Criticise this statement. (24.) "The descriptions of natural scenery in ' Thp !=.„•=, . , effective, but illustrate that peculiar perceotion of L^ ^ "u* not only very which has been pointed out in the vL^sSs^ive nw?"- '^"l^'" ^''^" f°™ the ' Modern Painters'." ^ suggestive criticisni of Mr. Ruskin in Illustrate by a few striking examples. af.£'tL''^voS„rP^'=' '^'^'°"-' accuracy in making his minstrel live miSrlUad^?oTa'^^?e^dira'ndtS^^^ <='-. of men (the m the 39th year of Elizabeth a statuteT^ ^p°J°e^d Cwhiff HS Vat' OPINIONS AND QUESTIONS. 153 dering abroad ' were included among ' rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy oegRars and were adjudged to Ik; punished as such. This act seems to have put an end to the profession. In .Scotland the feudal system and the institutions of chivalry subsisted longer in force than in the .southern portion of the island, and for this reason the minstrels occupied a respectable footing in society longer than their brethren of the South. ' f (a6.) Scott defines a Romance as " .X fictitious narrative in prose or verse the interest of which turns upon marvellous and uncommon incidents.' Apply this to " The Lay." . , i, 1 . (27 ) "As the result of all mv reading and meditation, I abstracted two critical aphorisms, deeming them' to comprise the conditions and criteria of poetic stvle ; first, that not the poem which we have read, but that to which we return with the greatest pleasure, possesses the genuine power and claims of t\s. sential poetry ; second, that whatever lines can be translated into other words of the some language, without diminution of their ^inificance, either in sense or a.ssociation, or in any worthy foiling, are so far vicious in their diction. COLERIUGi:. r- 1 1 • What liearing have the folk-wing critical opinions on Coleridge s "aphorisms "? , . u . (a.) " Lovers of .wott revert to ' Ihe Lay with a greater fondness than to any of his other productions. " . (*.) " No writer of such power as Scott has furnished fewer cjuotations: he does not bring his idea to a consummate expression such lus incorporates itself within the memory. It is in this qua'ter that he is perhaps most in danger from the hand of time." • 1, (c.) " Scott is stronger in thought and substance than in form and expression. {28.) " Scott's earliest works were translations from the German, though the rill of foreign influence was soon lost in a river which flowed from a more abundant spring." Explain the metaphor. ., . . r (39.) "Scott's metre is the true English counterpart, if there be one, ot Homer." , , „ ^. , What are the advantages, and what the dangers, of the octosyllabic verse? (a.) That the tetrameter has some advantages over the pentameter the opening couplets of Pope's translation of Homer's Iliad have been used to prove. In each line there are two syllables forming a superfluous word: " Achilles' wrath to Greece the direful spring Of woes unnumbered, lieavenly goddess, sing ; That wrath which sent to Pluto's i^loomy reign, The souls niini^hty chiefs in battle slain, Whose bones, unburied on the desert ^\\0K, Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore. " Without impairing the sense the words in italics may be omitted, and tetrameter couplets are the result. (h.) Scott himself says: "The extreme facdity of the tetrameter couplet, which seems congenial to our language, and was doubtless for that reason so popular with our old minstrels, is apt to prove a snare to the composer by encouraging him in the habit of slovenly composition." Shakespeare contemptuously calls the tetrameter: "The butter -woman s rate to market." BytDn refers to "The fatal facility of the octosyllabic verse. The stu-dent without difficulty will find well exemplified in "The Lay the Strength and the weakness of tetrameter verse. w -.— ^ Tkirlst Caa ^^^, MAP OF SGOTT-LAN D. — — -■■' • J •"?! I ■- ■ ■■■ -I. * ■ r ' ■ , \ ^W% CITI AN] SELECTION'S FROM GOLDSMITH'S CITIZEN OF THE WORLD, WITH ANNOTATIONS AND LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. II H u !L.- ■-7 F.XT mar ifuU- ,.-'-.'.v.^*/ I loa? 1 hey have never read our books, they scarcely know even ^ \ :!>h^- from Le Comte The truth is, the Chinese and we ari pretty much ahke ^ l>'fferent degrees of refinement, and not of chl^ ■ I 4 1' "^ ^^^ distmctions among mankind. Savages of the ,/^.r Many of their favorite _tenets. in morals are illustr^er The>?^-*''''^/>' ^^./r/^r"'''''^'^^''^^y'T''''^' '^'■'^he. Simple; so is he The ' , '""r' V"Xh,nese are grave and seritentious ; so is he. But in one par ' t.cularthe re.semblance is peculiarly striking : the Chinese .re often dull ; and so is he. ^ Nor has nw ■^«\^f\...Z\ Ue fhp pHifnr'.l "T„.u . " "^^ V^y ^^■^•^'^^•i»^e been wantinc: hP hoc n c. 11 ^' ^^"^ intimacy between my author and m<' ,"^/.:r: clrcam shows uic loss of ius goods in going to the Fashion Fair. On awaking he complains that b,U for w iting hese he might have been famous too.! Tlie Prefarr Si a " But at present I belong to no parliculu clLf Tre^.b^ete »S8 ^(c ''*-y I 'f-'r i't/ THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. ci iltnfCX SpeV°hfS;5',t'"'''L^ My earliest vish wa.s\o es- pence M f?;/^ ?''^''' '"''' = ''"' ^ '^^^^ been set up for half- pence, to fret and scamper at the end of mv :• ^n Thn.ah 3 "-""^ ^y Lawnms, too obstinate to be taujilu nev tricVc - and too .mprovdent to mind what may l.appen. ^ \^^. ^i '^'SisK '^T^'^^^'t '"" ■l!'^'^' Sr intriguers UK>^^^.yr Ad as tar as h : °'""- / 'u"'~^"' ^^''^'-^^ signified what I .uni" <- iT , , ■ * '^^ course, known at the time that if wi« ^^^l^Jr^:^^r'' ^'^^-^> -^d such p rsona ^0 t.ons, .h.ch would rvA H tolerated now, were then custonu!^] LETTER I. INTKODUCT,OX-A CHARACTER OP THE CnrNESE PHH^OSOPHEK, » Merchant in London. Sir,— ^^ . Amsterdam. R^^lf'^^?:^''''^'^'^'^^ '^"'^' °"e on Messrs. Tx H, I 1^^"^ /°'-' ^"'^ the Other on Mr value custor f T'ni^ ?^M ^K '"""'y '" .'^'■^"g^'- to their manners and customs. I am told he is a philosopher ; I am sure he i. n honest man: that to you will be his best reconi endat on nex to the cons.derat.on of^his being the friend of. Sir, Yourre'tc A Visit to Westminster Abbey. J^rom Lien Chi A '^angi to Fun, Hoam. /,, , ^'u ^'V^\ returned froi, ". estminster Abbey the d^ ^ n. A.«.^ culture for the philosophers, heroes, and kin J of E^nglaad. ■1-U-. .t .Mv ^'UuuM^ ft. c 'Vj > ••-tc 7 i I > )fi I «-' /fl ."•". UHl '■-* ^. '^^*i'/^ /^. /'^ 7- >CX1 Wh r, mai 4A?^**-adc win Ihi sue my tior 2 chil sess her the; epit 3 int con thrc _exci fftC _^ was '^*i.v*''Eng latic . no ' dutj to it the a pi finei biti( oftl /.ct^ff^'imp, we \ mer 4. not appe guid pecii '"Y/'f^..^/vw< " Oi nd. SVhat a gloom do monumental inscriptions and all the vener->^»^ ^^W . .dXjtJ'^^ remains of decto'd_merit. inspire ! Imagine a temple , marked with the hand of antiquity, solemn as religious awe, c..- •*A<-i'*'-adorned with all the magnificence of barbarous, jirofusion, dimr,iv^Va"«. • ^^. . fw windows, fretted pillars, long colonnades, and dark ceilings. Think, then, what were my sensations at being introduced to ,, , ^ such a scene. I stood in the midst of the temple, and threw;;'' A " ' my eyes round on the walls, filled with the statues, the inscrip- '^ tions, and the monuments of the dead. 2. Alas ! I said to myself, how does pride attend the-puny . .*a, child of dust even to the grave. Even humble as I am, I pos- sess more consequence in the present scene than the greatest l^^^-jurM'^^ hero of them all ; they have toiled for an hour to gain a_tran- iJ, ,..,„. /*:^?>.^*ir7§ient iininortalityj and are at length retired to the grave where' / they have no" attendant but the worm, none to flatter but the epitaph. 3.^ As I was indulging such reflections, a gentlaiian, dressed in black, perceiving me to be a stranger, came up, entered into conversation, and politely off"ered to be my instructor and guide through the temple. " If any monument, should particularly • jexcite your curiosity, I shall endeavor to salisly your demand." I accepted with thanks the ^ gentleman's) offer, adding, that "I./.:^^ . . | _ was come to observe^olicy, the wisdom and the justice of the <».«■ >>^ 1 ;,.v.-English, in conferring rewards upon deceased merit ,If adu- lation, Hke this," continued I, " be propejlv conductectji^it can^..>/<«:^ j . no wafs injure those who are flattered,7so it may be a glorious , ,»L.;'f incentive to those who are now capable of enjoying it. It is the^, ^, ;^ ^ ft. i duty of every good government to turn this monumental pride//Ji^ ."^-^ ' . ' to its own advantage ; to become strong in the aggregate from '" '' *:♦ the weakness ot the individual If none but the truly great have a place in this awful repository, a temple like this will give the ^■ finest lessons of morality, and be a strong incentive to true am-/%r/,ye- bition. I am told that none have a place here but characters /'v/,,—-r of the most distinguished merit." The man in black seemed ^^ - " ibev'^'Sh "^7^ '^^^kable2../,,c tors ! how has he got here ? lilll' u ^"^' bead of my ances- guardians of the temple ocive huZ ^ "°"'d "^^er bribe the •ashamed to be seen amonrcoCnv'^^^^^^ Should he not be merit would look like infamv?"^';^' T '^''^" mod rate black." the gemlemanva?rLh andT°'''^iP^''^'^ '^e man in ' such a case, told him he was^r^.r »" "■'^."^'' ^' '' "«t,al in the guardians of the temnfe f. fh "^ 'l^^''^ '^^''eved them ; were ready to believe hZoo so h/-^° ^^ '^' ^^"""'^^'"^'O" monument; and the wo^mn ' '^^''^ *"' "'°"^y ^o*- '-^ fine of the most^beautful. Think nofC '''' ""^ "^^^^ ^im one 's smgular in his desire of bein^buWpH' "^"^^'"^ gentleman are several others in the temnle^who ^ f'T''^}^^^'^''^' there great while alive, have coJeterl fn'll '''^ and shunned by the company now they are deS " "">^ '^'^'^^^ ^^ keep them "tL^-^^s^J^^iSn^^^nr^^t'.?^^ °^^^^ ^-Ple. poet's corner ; thfre you se'eT T''''' ^'' ^"S^^' "^hat is the and Milton, and Priorf and Say 1^ " n''".'' t Shakespeare, never heard of him before bmA ^'^^^^^ ' ^ ""^Pbed. " I is he there ? " " Tf T? ' ^ l""^""^ '^^^en told of one Pone • hundred veLs : he i" noTlo^"^'^' V'^"^' my guide "th'^e hatmg him yet." ^^l^^^i^^ ^^^^.ot do^e bateaman,koseli.^-,^-,^,::-S^^^ can any be found to and gate, m- some o has tion." Iiave here. then :)\vns, rtak- ; but ever nt of mor- lies tiers, )rd," larly vhy, abiecw-.'oc ces- the tbe . rate -iCtn^., a in : ' in m; on, ine )ne lan ire he ;m le, be ■e, I a • - } se le o 1- THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. I6i structmg his fellow-creatures ? " "Yes," says my guide, "they hate '^: hnn for that very reason. There are a set of men called an- „,, swerers of books, who take upon them t6 watch the republic of ■^-^'letters, and distribute reputation by the sheet j these answer- ers have no other employment but to cry out dunce and scril)- bler ; to praise the dead and revile the living ; to grant a man of confessed abilities some small share of merit ; to applaud twenty blockheads, in order to gain the reputation of candour • i and to revile the moral character of the man whose writings they ' cannot injure. Such wretches are kept in pay by some mercen- ary bookseller, or more frequently the bookseller himself takes this dirty work off their hands, as all that is required is to be very abusive and very dull. Every poet of any genius is sure to hnd such enemies ; he feels, though he seems to despise, their malice ;,^hey make him miserable here, and Jo the pursuit of empty fame, at last he gains solid anxiet>y ^^^-p-a '<<- 6. " Has this been the case with every poet I See here ? " cried I. "Yes, every mother's son of them," replied he, "except he happened to be born a mandarine. If he has much money, he n ay buy reputation from your book answerers, as well as a monument from the guardians of the temple." 7. " But are there not some men of distinguished taste, as in China, who are willing to patronize men of merit, and soften the rancour of malevolent dulness?" " I own there are many," replied the man in black, " but, alas! sir, the book answerers crowd about them, and call themselves the writers of books ; and the patron is too indolent to distinguish ; thus poets are kept at a distance, while their enemies eat up all their rewards at the mandarine's table. 8. Leaving this part of the temple, we made up to an iron gate, through which my companion told me we were to pass in order to see the monuments of the kings. Accordingly I march- ed up without further ceremony, and was going to enter, when a person who held the gate in his hand, told me I must pay first. I was surprised at such a demand, and asked the man whether the people of England kept a show ? Whether the paltry sum he demanded was not a national reproach ? Wheth- er it was not more to the hv^ aour of the country to let their mag- nificence or their aniiq'-r , be openly seen, than thus meanly to tax a curiosity which tended to their own honour? "As for your questions," replied the gate-keeper, " to be sure they may be very right because I don't understand them ; but, as for that S^ i^i ■^"9 '■'^a lG2 THE CJTUKN (: HE WORLD. of the ten,pre aJr:":, 'i7iiv^°j-r '' ^t;*^^^"^^^'''^- nothing filled iiic uifi, c^l. 1 y'. '" ' • ' i"«. rusty wax. i ^vas 'orrvTh ? ' ^^^^ s^"^^' ^^^^ slovenly figu es in who, without once blush m^ fnU u ^ ^f '"" attended us, a lady who died bySin^ ..t '" ^""d^^d 'ies; he talked of head, an. i t ventv s^ch nt^.f '^"/'"fe^^l ' ^^ ^ ki"M witli a golden - tlemen,;say.^;;: ^o^^^^^ for ye, n th it rhnir M.,. i ,• T^ -. --'^"^ there's a cnnos tv see L^o a onfuTdem^^^^^^^ ''^''^ ^•^°^^'"^d: you could see no cSsi fp ^C '''I' ''°"' '^ J''^^^'^'^ P'''^ I could I, indeed bZw nnt f /," "^' ,"•''' '^^^^'■'- ""^ ^^e stone : in this, or Jacob's ShM ^"^1 ^'"^"^ of Englnnd seated something cSus il" 'e "ghtTut in^hf "' ^'"^^ "'«''^ »^^ was no more reason f/r n-^^^ '• I "'^ prcsuit case there from then streeTs and caTi T^'"'' ''''" '^ ^ '^'^""''^ P'^'^ '-» ^^^"^ sion. '''PP^"ed to tread upon ,t as he passed in a proces- wa?ks'XinXZruu"''" r' " ^^"^'^ -^-^' -^^ ^ ... . - .flourishing a wand wh . h hf kT, ^.'^'^^^V'^'"« ^o hin.self, and .r..t ..OL,^ ^f the^black maS ns - Knl '" a ? '^"'^ " "^ ^^'"^"ded fatigued with a Sev'f ^!'';' ;,^^^^^ ^ad been almost con.sidpr nt..„.;.. u"^^y of ..jjects, he at last desired me to con.sider attenHv^K; o^^' -.-'Jjeecs, ne at last desired me to ^Tonk." Very sur,; 's.n. S'' 1"'? '^^J .'^^'^"S ' ^° armour! " Andprav "^Hrfh""^ ?"' ^ S""^"' «hould%vear era] Monk's can "v'./f ^e, "observe this cap ; this is Gen- eral should haTe a cap'al "^"'p"''f •' ^^^f^-- thatagen- I u l^J i I '^^vecost origrnallv?^' "ThnVc • ^ ^' u"^"'' ^''^^^ "^'S^t th..s cap f/; // compense truly "'.aid r «^^r^fo. , very small re- gentleman pu?.' :ont monev nl'^-f"''. • 'P'^ '^^' "^^^ ^^^^y "VVhat.n-oremonev SHH^^ '^' »"?^' 'P^"d the money." . . ,., ,^ .. „ ^ometnmg.^^^, l::^ r:^-y.;; ;^;;^|enUeman gi4 ^ H-t':'- u^..,. squeeze thus from every spectator. When we pay f THE CITIZEN OE THE WORLD. 163 I f our money nt the door to see a show, we never give more as we ; mlf";!,"^' °"^- •^"'■^2'thc guardians „f tlie temple ran never di nk they get enough. Show nic Hk- gate ; if I stay longer, 1 maj pro .ably meet with more of those esdesiastiral beggars." <^'-'^ "7- o 1 hus leaving the temple precipitately, I returned to my f''""" Jodgmgs, m order to ruminate over what was great, and to de- spise what was mean, in the occurrences of the day. LETTER 14. 'i'HK RrXEPTION OF THE CHINESE FROM A f.ADV OF DISTINC- TION. From Lien Chi Altatitri. r. T was some days ago agreeably surprised by a message from a lady of distinction, who sent me word that she most pass-on- ately c sired the pleasure of my acquaintance ; and with the utmost -MHUience, expected an interview. I will not deny, my deal 'in Houm, but that my vanity was raised at such an ujvitation: i flattered myself that she had seen me in some public indue Ji^r; , T^f '"" f ""''°" ^"'" '"y l^^''--^^"' ^^'"^'^ ^»^"^ mduced h, to deviate from the usual decorums of the sex Mv imagmatuH. pa.ntc her in all the l;loom of youth and beauty. I ancK.>d her atteiK by the loves and graces ; and I set out h^d made'"" P'^'''"'^' expectations of seeing the conquest I 2. When I was introduced into her apartment, my expecta- tions were quickly at an end; I perceived a little shrivelled hgure mdolently reclined on a sofa, who nodded by way of ap- probation at my approach. This, as I was afterwards informed, ^^as the lady herself,-a woman equally distinguished for rank rJ; nn''f ?''' """"^ ""derstanding. As T was dressed after the fashion of Europe, she had taken me for an Englishman, and consequently saluted me in her ordinary manner; l)ut ^hen tlie footman mformed her grace that I was the gentleman from Chma, she instantly lifted herself from the couch, and while her eyes sparkled with unusual vivacity,-" Bless me ! can this be the gentleman that was born so far from home? What an un- usual share of somethingness in his w!v Xc appearance ! Lord, how I am charmed with the outlandish cut of his face! how bewitcl ng the exotic breadth of hi. forehead ! I would give the world to see him in his country dress. Pray turn about, /» ,/-<..*<> 164 THE CITIXEN OF THE WORLD. J'A, 1^^ •««*;. ,«,,v cut into small X's TlnveTli ^^ "^ ^''"'^ I^'^'*"^ '^^ ^^^^^ i^ray. sir. have you g^l ym^r ,Vir 's^ 'J', 'f^""" ^^«^■^• ^'"^ -^^' so pretty to see the S^r^nf u '"'"'"^ ^'^^ '^ '^ ^i" »>« speak a little C'hin "i 1 1 '^ " ' i"''""' "'"^ ^^ J^'^"^- ''^'O' something U at one does "^^^V^ '"''?' '^"" ^''^'"^ ^''-"t'v.n^ got .twenty things from Ch^nn Tl '"''"I '" ^'^ ^^•"'' •' ^ '^^^ve Look at thosebrs Tev ie of ' h'' '^°^ "° "^^- '" ^^e world, the furniture.-' ''bear ZJl - "1^' '''■''^■^"■^^■" = ^''^'S'-' are 'nay appear fine in y. u eyes "e bufn.h " \'^'^^.L^-'«" ^^ey as they are useful utensils I if. '^u '•■>' '° ^ <^hmese; but, protest - says he hdv " T Ih^f ""•''"' "'" ^^''^ heauty.»; " I an actual birbinan i sunnn^l ^'^'S '^/'''^^' thee of be.ng gods in contempt"' '^VlS ^' cTd t '< ^ '^ f'^^^^'f"' l>a gross superstitions here also?' vlat\^\^''}'' ''^'^'"^ ^is sion." " A Chinese n IZ n - ^ f ' "^''" '''"^s are my aver- se. Pray, S Sin\"h:"£it ^^^Lf S.' ' ^"'^^^T which you see at the end of the ga den 7' .^^mese temple China more beautiful ?" ''\vw t" J^ fT "">''^'"8 ^" ing/^ew-irs;^ th^cJ;^^:^^;*' ^\vS-'"'^'"*'^- that a Chinese temple ? Yon m , c , u "^* ' '"■' '^ ""t Freeze, who designed it c.Hs it on. '"'j'^ t IT'^^"'^^"- ^r. pretensions to tasfe " I now fo, nd if' '"""^ ""''^'^y ^''^P^^^^ ^s in anything she thomitTfn ? ''^'" ^° contradint the lady toact^he'discipfpSthe nstrucTer SheT --'-^^.-^ several rooms alf furnished as she toM ^°°'' V"^ ^^''^^gh manner. Sprawling dr^an^l she told me m the C^hinese mandarines L'eS^ckTupVS'Xr^^^^^^^ ^"^ ^^^-^ eni tur pel to we ma brc wa: wh ma cor Th , me cou fort Wh dull van of I I. and glea with that I se( is nc whic by e 2. lenc( kind *Tt hearir my al father I . vell'd asr :? of l)eef him eat. t will be rk. I'ray angiiage )Ut you ; 1 have e world. icsc are ^h they e; but, a place lat ! are plied I. L-n thc'v 'rid. as .y " I being ful pa- ad his y aver- ■•prises einple ing in thing, called build- s not Mr. s hjs ! lady ough nese imsy , )und £re-- lally I an 7y/A- CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. ,65 ^^^T'^^^TY' ""^f ^'1?'"'' '° "^^^'^^ •'»" adventure at every r^. rn^"l, K 1-'' "^^^^,'"^' «aid I, "do no accidents ever hap pen to all this /.nery?" '< Man, sir," replied the lady, "is born U. m.sfortunes, and it is but f.t I should have a shaJ;. Three mandarine. I had scarce done grieving for that when a monkey _, broke a beautiful jar. This I took the more to heart, as the n ury a, 7l^7T^' ' '^^'r^- """^"^^^' ' ^^'^^'^^'^ '»-' calamity';? vshen K'bterday, crash went half-a-do/en dragons upon the marble hearth-stone, and yet I live: I survive it -dl, Tcant conceive what comfort I Und under afflictions from i.hilosophy ,. ' - :' f hereis b^eneca. and ' Holingbroke, and some otherhh.'gufe 'cTuld Z'h. ''^''';'^""'^ '"^ ^" ^"1^'-" us calanm.Js^ ' I could not but smile at a woman who makes her own mis- fortunes, and then deplores the miseries of her sUuati n Wherefore, tired of acting with dissimulation, and jvviiC t n- • dulge my meditations in solitude, I took leave ju^TaTdie slr- rhisTistr^sr^Ad\n,^""^- ^'' '''' ^'"'^"^^"^ '^''^ ^'-'-- / LtfV/i.n./t.ty i-.,'^- J^':t// '^. LETTER 23. The English Subscription in Favour of the French Prisoners Commended. From Lien Chi Altangt. r. Yet * while I sometimes lament the cause of humanity and the depravity of human nature, there now and then appS; gleams of greatness that ^erve tor relieve the eye, opp S with the hideous prospect, and resemble those cultivated spots- hat are sometimes found in the midst of an Asiatic wildeme^ I see many superior excellencies =^ among the English wh ch it IS not m the power of all their follies To hide f I s,^e vi tue t;t:^^^, -' ^-- -^ - ^ ^ew; practised S ki ndj^Whether by being possessed^ f^£jhe^conv^^ The author closes letter 22 whinh o-i.„.t m. ■> hearing that his son wa a sLve ' wTthlhe^foIIo.^nr^' ^ ^'''""'y '•'^fl«<^"ons on my allfiet the following epS l^ sUten on T/. "k"^ ^r" ^^ "^'^ "f'= be fathers cri.es I receivfd ?his'? b?4rn%°L'e's^r,'i'&^^^^^^ ."^ /*t,' ^^ ^^^^ only 4. A late instance of h^. 'he approbation of reason. ^ .tself so strongi;r4 ^^^'^1 in^" ^"'^"^^ ^^^^ ci les me to pleasure, and once mnl i "" '^'''""^'' ^^con- friendofman. The English .n A T'\^^' '"^ ^^e universal reasons to induce them^^'Cl^J^t^ ^T "°^«"'yPolitical prevailing motive of private interLt'^''"' f "" ^^^ "^^'"^ war between other countJLs Tr. ^ '''''^^" ^^^ ^'^^^^- A figl^'^ against army, and" a man's o^^ ^^ collectively ; army m that of the community En S#r '^''^""'•^^"^ '« ^^It viduals of each coun^underfach fh'"^/""'^ ^^^ dress, and consequently feel tW w ^' ^^ '^^ ^'"^out re- which passengers do a^ a robber iT'^'l "^"'""^^ ^^^^ ^^^er carried on an expensive war and J ^"^ ^''^'"'^ ^^'^ ^^me time taken on both sides Those "^,1 n'"' ''^'T' ^^""^ been have been used with crueltv ^fl ^ r."^'' ^^ ^^^ ^'"^"^h caution ; those taken by the Enll^K^''^''^ ^''^ unnecessary ous, were confined in ?he ordina v ^ ^""^ "'""^ '"^^^ ""mer- eased by their countrymen beSr"fe7' If^u""^ ^^'"g ^'-^- 'ences which arise from want of ro. ^" 1^^'^ inconven- ment. • "" "^^"^ of covering and long confine- ati^n ^but th^e^oTe^'JnS iTZl'-''' ^^ ^^^'^^'^ ^'^u- A^elieving their frTends e/used?hrrT^ ""^'^'^^ than^ lish now saw thousands oflheir III ^^^'^^^"^^^ The Eng- every prison, forsaken hvVh?^'' Jellow-creatures^ starving in themJabouriS dtLeTndt^l' ^"'^ '^ was to proVct the severity of th. .Son M^ 1°'^. ""^^^^ *° ^^^P ^ff over nntioml -xJmr.; °?' ■ National benevolence nr^v^iVd but .h-ey wir;Ss^ inXSTe;"^ ■ndeedVneS' o'stress,,'they ceased to be hateful V t t a n \v ci tt 01 E I wi a wi hi: W( wi ha wa tur hit m;i gra dul sur to 1 oth hav invi the .ey are not ^judicious n. ;ed by the i as much the object e general ence pro- the peti- nor pityi hen only 1. ce forces er recon- universal political he more ach. A y ; army tit is lost the indi- hout re- h other ne time !Q been French Jcessary nunier- :ing re- ronven- :onfine- le situ- thani e Eng- 'ing in. 3rotect ;ep off ivailed emies, latetul T/fE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD 167 I on' hi^ScTasM-orSlnrr.h '"' '^^' ''"' f ^'"^^^ ^^'^^ contrilnUed w,sh thn^h! r ''!^' P'^'^o^ers of war, and naked." I only t.i?-^ '""'Y ^"^^ ''^^ "^"^h pleasure from his vi tues as I S him'^Sufh'a o ' upon them; that alone wiirampi; re nro h?' , "" °"^' '"y ^"^"^' '-^ ^1" honour to human m 7- rejoice at the destruction of our enemies k ni fniUh. surfif.'h r,'," ™>^°'^?'°"',"«'''""<:h an ill-founded plea- ,^ ,«Hf ■■" "I' '"""Ph '"to a" "« of benevolence wl o°hers ' "^ °" "" '" ^"'J-^-ing » banish anxietrfe™ l.av,wrrf A^ri? ","P'™' "'•'" "" """1 *= ">™ne, after emperor sear, he b yecUn^peppie^^ willing to do all *'l£Tsed'wi?h '.'?:■ '7r^ °u^ '"'■"'^ ^"d social ease. " "" ~" " ritased w,th thyself, whom all the world can please. »-r^. TraveUer, il' L 1,1 M i6S THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. hen t n h TI^a '^'"' ^"5 ^"^^ ' ^e therefore assured thui that he intended upon the feast of the Lanterns/ to ex- ■n f'hln? '^' '''°'' ^''""°"^ ^""'"P*^^ ^hat had ever been seen 9- The peoi)Ie were in raptures at his condescensions, and on he appointed day, assembled at the gates ofthepalace'with he s eager expectations. Here they waked for .some lime with- out see ng any of th^e preparations ^K usually precede a pagean i he lantern with ten thousand tapers weVe mn ye^ I)rm.glu forth ; the f.re-works. which usually covered the city walls, were not yet lighted; the people once more be.an to uirmur at this delay, when, in the midst of their impatience the palace-gates flew open, and the emj.eror himself appeared S/^T''"?'\";"'; T^^ifi^^-^n^^e, but in an ordinay' habJ followed by the blmd, the maimed, and the strangers of the cy an m new clothes, and each carrying in his hand money enough to supply his necessities for the year. The people were^ flm amazed but soon perceived the wisdom of their kng, who#ugl to hat to make one man happy, was more tnUy grellt than tet ^'-^"^df 7^^^"^1 '-^^^^^ S'-oaning at the wh'eds of Ws LETTER 25. The Char actkr of the Man in Black, with some Instances OF HIS Inconsistent Conduct. I. Though fond of many acquaintances. I desire an intimacv only with few. The man in black whom I have often meS^f IS one whose friendship I could wish to acquire, because he possesses my esteem. His manners, it is true, are tinctured wuh some strange inconsistencies : and he may be justly termed an humorist in a nation of humorists. Though he is geneTus even to profusion, he affects to be thought a prodigylf pars" mony and prudence; though his conversation be rfpletc S the mos sordid and selfish maxims, his heart is dilated with the most unbounded love. I have known him profess himself a man- hater, while h:s chees was glowing with compassion ; and, while his looks were softened into pity, 1 have heard him use the laiv guage ot the most unbounded ill-nature. Some affect humani y and tenderne ss, others boast of having such dispositions from *Hi:ld on the first full moon of the new year. THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. 169 to ex- of his ;! M ., h ' T'y "'\".^ "'"'■ '^"^^ ^^^° -^^^"^^^ ashamed of his natural benevolence. Retakes as much pains to hide his feehngs, as any hypocrite would to conceal his indifference ; but to tlu 1""^'"" r"^ TT"' '^'^ "^"^^ ^^«P^ °ff '-^"d reveal, him to the mos'c superficial observer. 2. In one of our late excursions into the country, happeninti t^":T^^ "^°" '^f ^"^^"^ '^'^' ^'' '"'-^^^ f«^ the poor ?n beTS fnnlM l'''"'f "'^^^^^^ how any of his countrymen conld bt so fool silly weak as to relieve occasional objects of charity ^■hen the laws had made such ample provision fir their su^S' wJ^''^7'"'"''^".'^'''>'' he, the poor are supplied with food clothes, fire, and a bed to lie on ; they want no more. I desS no more myself; yet still they seem discontented. I am sur prised at the inactivity of our magistrates, in not taking up such ,,. vagrants who are only a weight upon the industrioul^ arn mTT ; !k '^'^ P'°P'" ''' '°""d ^« ^^heve them, when the^ rZ. a\^^ '"'"" '""' ''"•'^•b'^' that it in some measure en^ courages idleness, extravagance and imposture Were I to ad tZt^ I ''"' "°' '° ^^ '"^I^^^^^l "P°" hy their false pre tences. Le me assure you, sir, they are imposters, every one of them, and rather merit a prison than relief 3- He was proceeding in this strain earnestly to dissuade me from an imprudence of which I am seldom gui ty, when an od man, who still had about him the remnantf of Ottered finer miplored our compassion. He assured us that he was no com- ■ mon beggar but forced into .he shameful profession to supp^t'"' a dying wife and five hungry children. Being prepossessed ' upon me ; but it was quite otherwise with the man in black I could see ,t visibly operate upon his countenance, and effectu- ally interrupt h-s harangue. I could easily perceive that his heart burned to relieve the five starving children! bu he seemed ashamed to discover his weakness to me. While he thusTesi- tated between compassion and pride, I pretended to look another way,and he seized^ this opportunity of giving the poor petUbne a piece of silver, bidding him at the same ?ime in order tlS" I should hear, go work for his bread, and not tease passengers ^f^^^'r with surh iripernnent^falsehoods for the future. i'^''^"g^'^-^ , / . Jh.-, . 4. As he hnd fancied hiniseif quite unperceived hecontlmiPrl ^"^ 1 , as we proceeded to rail againstleggars'with a^fmuch an 1^?;^"- ' as before: he threw m some episodes on his own imaginary ' .«^i. 170 THE CITIZEN OE THE WORLD. with beggars were^^e fliag tr "'"[nl";; l^'V"-^'"''^ ^^^' the prisons for their reception Vnd \^aI ^"'''^'■g'"« '^on'e of were robbed by beg,4men f"^^°'^/w« atones of ladies that same purpose/ whenTs^or %Zl ^''^".""'"« "" ^'^'^^ to the crossed our wilks, desiring our itv nnTn^"" '"^ once more was for goinir on withn, toi. ^ ^' '^""^ blessing our limbs. I would sho.^ni with how Zc ease r^ ^'t"^^ ^'«P' '''"^' he an impostor. ^"^^^ ''*- *-°»ld at any time detect an'ang^y tr^'iTn't'er^mm^the'^^'^ of importance, and in engagen,ent he wts tl us Sw,t/' T' ^^"''^"ding in what The sailor replied in Vtnn '^"d rendered unlit for service ■■ an officer on Cd , , ^va , "hin'ol " '^/^^ ^^ '^^ »-- hi» leg abroad in defence of thosr5r'i':i"^ ^'l'-^ '^'^ ^'""^ '^^^ At this reply, all my friend^imnf. "^"^ "°^'''"fe^ '-^t home. he had no^Lingl^'c^^s fon ret"4"?T'^' '" ^"^°'"^"^^ what method he should take to rJf.vf )'• "°T °"'>' ^^"died had, however, no easx m t to Z^ T '""" ""observed. He the appearance of mS e^>e?o;e"n^^ --^oH^^.^ to preserve by relieving the sailor Cast n ° Th. ^ "^ ^'f ''"'''^^^ himself some bundles of chips whkh tt f f "■"' '' •^"'■'^"'^ '"""^ "Pon h.s back, my friend demanded howte'lTh'' '" V^^'"^ ^^ not waiting for a replv.'^esired in o i •"' "'^^^hes ; but, hng's worth. The slilor seemed 1^ fi/^^ '°"' '° have a shiU but soon recollectincx hLseir.nH '"'^'''''"^ ''^^ his demand, ."Here, master," says hf-iake i^'^'^^'^g ^is whole bundle mto the bargain." ' """ "'^ ^^""So, and a blessing 6. It is impossible to descnb*> uifi, .. u . -y fnend matched off widf h^t 3 r 1 al" He '' ^"T^^'^ that he was firmly of opinion thnf /k3^ r ,, ^^ 5-''"''^d me stolen th^good«,)lho S^ thu rford lo f ^41^^? '^^^^^ value., He informed me of severe rl^Tf. ''" ^'" ^or half chips might be applied He expTth eJh" 1^'' '^ ^^1^'^'^ ^'^°-^^' that would result from hVhtinT.f ,7 ^^^7 "P°" ^he savings of thrusting them into htfire H n' ^^''^i^l "^'-^^^h, instead soon have parted with a tooth as X^^^^'f '?"' ''" ^°"'d as unless for some valuable coisideraor?' ,r«^b°"ds, this panetrvric nnon fn-^-iHt. '^- ^^^T cannot tell how lon.r bad not his attln^inn '"hl'i^^Xd'i'^l^^^^^ more lion been calTpTA/r k ""«",^ »ave cont "jun oeen called off by another object liscovering v'ould deal ig some of ladies that ird to the nee more hmbs. I end look- ', and he , "e detect e, and in ? in what r service, ad been had lost •t home, loment ; studied ;d. He ^reserve himself 5k upon tring at s; but^ ; a shil- sniand, Jundle, lessing iumph 'ed me t have )r half those ^vings 1 stead lid as 'onds, ' ^ony inued more T///C Cni/EM or THE WORLD. ,7, distressful than either of the former. A woman in ra^^s, with one ch, d ,n her ar.ns and anmher on her bark, was attni pting to mg ballads, but wuh such a mournful voice 'that it was diff' ^L n hpT^'"' r' r"^"" '^''^ '''''' "^^""^ '"• '•••y'"«- A wretch, vi ari^v L^ h !,'' '*^' "'"^^'^"^ ^^P^il>l^- of withstanding: his V acty and h,s discourse were instantly interrupted. Upon hs occasion his very dissimulation had forsaken h.m. Kv^n in ; o dc to'rolf '^^'•"'"f^'''^tely applied his hands to his pockets in ' hnrl ol f ^'^ ''^'"' ''"' ^^'^'^ '^'^ confusion when he found he former S)ter''"V]^''^' •'" '''' "^""^'>' '^" ^'^^"'"^ ''^'^'^"t '^i'" ^o no hnlf . . V'"" "'"'^'■>' f^^'"'"^ '" t'^^ ^^'O"''-^"'^ visage was not half so strongly expressed as the agony in his He c-on- tmued to search for some time, but to no^.u pose 1 at length recollectmg himself, with a face of ineffal!le good-nature Is he LE'J'TKR 26. The Historv of the MA>f in Black. I. As there appeared something reluctantly good in thechir such minilo i , %^''""^''"« ^■''■'"^s ^vhich others take such pains to display. I was unable to repress mv desirP of knowing the history of a man who thus seLed tact under continuous restraint, and whose benevolencrwas ItU" h, . effect of appetite'tRan reason. -««ief- inc thou/ht '^l^T;2"ZT'' "'" ^^'"'" '■^P^''^'^^ sohc-itations he " inoi^ght proper to gratify my curiosity. " Tf you are fond " siv^ p ea se° for^rh^^;' tnT' \' '^^^^^' "^^ history nnisrce'rtarni; Lr^^g'^:itL^^reveTbX r:Lr " "'°" ^'^ -''' ^^'^^ °' ed^f ;^Sf';^^^^-:^;^- ^^^j^odfamny, was po.ess- : m^Xt^? want.d:-:;th;;ame ^mSS^l^'aSS -^^ -I ortion t( ' "'*-' >v"'l,l lovecJ hi.n. "''' '"" ^''^' '''"H and he fancied all '"'■ tl'at was dross: he w ,s , '?'''">^^ '"^ '■'i''l^^ve V S^' ) :;-";.ch ^.a,ns to ionn" rn,o.;s1r;''!^''''"^^''''^'"''tS^ ^tandingy We were told t it n v 1 "^ ""'^'■*^^-^' *'"'• I'nder- 'irstren.entedsn,.; '!.. "'''^ "".versa! benevolence was what JUc wc were tan- hi ir. -■;•—«- >vas wnat ■'^["'"ns.deraU. the wants pit^j HAf.4. ;'f pity, -ul rondcS • in' ,:S'.''' ,"^ "I' '" '- ."-.m ^e, . vewore l«r.o.-,l,. ,„„„,;', .d„",j'"";'^ '««'«»; ■" :. wo, ;>>lore ivc were taugl,, ,he „,,„,''" '"^^"'"iJ ■'"■■y thousands "ng •' larthing, ° """^ necessary qualilicalions of ge, ;■":",::;« »^-". '^■^•i- i.:.™x?r'i'l™',,",'- ;•"""• i't.K' iw'>* A-" (^/-^' '^«t" '■"•St entrance into thi gladiators who wcrerexposed wirir'"':'""'"' '''''^'^^ «ne of tho t'-e at Rome. My fathe lowev ' ""TT^^^^ '^'^ aniphi tv on one side, seemed to tr , np ' "'\^, '^^^ ^"'j «^'-^ tile wold , ' ';"|^'^ '">• whole stock of " ,, 'V^y.'^^Pr'^'- disc-ernment W -/i^r^ versrly He had fl-ittered h Sf hi s'''';,' '"■•«'' '" '^e uni! "Sing into the foremost rnLlf, -^ ^^ *""''' '°°n see mel W^' .«i.,t^ "-"fled ,0 find n,e utterij u„„o ceS 'T'""""' •"" «^''' appointment might have been Mr Ll k "i"'"""™- His disJ rated my talents, and partly Sfe'^f? '° '''" •>••»"■"« over- '^^" " son.ng^ a, a titne »-hen , y n,a^n^r'""= ''C"''*'™"'i«l rea-t' ■^' -..fled, ..ere more ..er^S-r,-^ ZTiO:^ r>-.-'. -;7' liiat ; |)iit • lie t;il)le >n lo tin. "cicd all ' very ex- 1 money, ^ iL'aniing, ) nr Kokl jy ind took I" iindcr- as what le wants divine' ,v ' acliincs • liglitcst :i word, 'iisands o^x^'t- . . .;. lis Jes- ti little m my ■ those <:-"<^' y'^i, lithea- world nient,'>':'*^ de ta cause/ J.. were! tions uni- mel .\^- wasr'' disJ , , kx-f' ver- rea- , un- s of <*^ . *rtL 7 //A- ClTl/.EN OF Till: UORLD. rcnsoniuK "pon those I knew. This did not, however nl 173 my tutors, who observed indeed, that I lease ('(tiiat th was a little dull ; hut , „■-» c same time allowed that 1 seemed to he very K'-od natured and had no harm in me. 7- "'■yji''" ' Ii;i(l resided at College seven years, my lather died and left me -his blessing. Thus shoved (rom shore, with- out . 7n ti'M '^f-iitij A ">*=> •'i r >?«'«^ '74 4- r A^ r(^' f . gu.dcd were striking. ^^^ ' h 'h J *" ^>rP'«"^'^ '>>' ^vliich I was .^/.awU..,| ,^^ '-e at he XJu.' r/,.,;l'^vay,s observed, that a min n? '^"'""^ ^^e number • she ''^-^nd than a fool, and I """ on^f "m ^^"'^ '''^^^ ^ bet er'hus- ;n my own favou'r. she " ntin" 7 t'alk'^f '^^ ^'^^ ^b^--'- fncndshij, and the beauties nf/i "'^ ' '" '">' ^■omi)any of ^hnm,3, 'ny rival's hiif^ro,Jli!^^ '"md, and spoke of Mr ;-^'re tl,e circtnnstanc ' A.Vh r f'' T'^'^ detestation. These «y way of comola.ionX^eve ,T:,'*''''«h-''«l'=d ^""sl r him ,lMt now ,vas tlie time to nm li J °,* r"' 'JH informed I wanted to horrow a counle of h ,! i fT'"'!*'"? to fhe test ; that and ,v„s resolved to take if^mf u'^'''' ""^ •'' <:«ain occasion ;;')2;™^. ^o yo„ :r :,1 p X ,'"i„d-'"f ,"'">•• •'"•• S friends Vl[^;'n'';;':,'„"" 1"', '"'''^nation to one of the be,, deed, Mr. Orybotle " ri^s'trlrd V'T ''""t '-"l""' ''n- ^"me to thi.. You know r TwrnH" "■"''V''""*'"" '' ""« >- »n..ood; b„tyot,rco„d„cr^;;:i,x;]fb:;,,-,^it:,i<::,^ i *'>f /-^^^.... ir tl di ( r bl « 1 (a yc wl fo of ev fif hi! m( th; thi th( be me me SOI the an( all eas we( if ] hea ous spl< stai my bet my tha pail of] THE CITIZEN OF THE U'ORf.n. ,75 in the highest degree and some of your acquaintances always thought you a very s.lly fellow. Let me see, you want two hun- dred pounds. Do you want only two hundred, sir, exactly?' I o confess a truth,' returned I, 'I shall want three hundred ; but I have another friend from whom I can borrow the rest.' nhy, then, replied my friend, ' if you would take my advice (and you know- I should not presume to advise you but for your own good), I would recommend it to you to borrow the whole sum from that other friend, and then one note will serve lor all, you know. 13. " Poverty now began to come fast upon me ; yet instead of growing mor<^provident or cautiousAis I grew poor, I Ix'came ^ every day more indolent and ^simple, A friend was arrested for If ty pounds. I was unable to extricate him except by becoming his bail. U hen at liberty he fled from his creditors, and lef^ me to take his place. ; In prisoiVl expected greater .satisfactions han I had enjoyed(at large, I hoped to converse with men in this new world, simple and believing like myself; but I found, them as ciinmng and as cautious as those in the world 1 had left^ behind They sponged up my money whilst it lasted ; borrowed my coals, and never paid for them, and cheated me when I .--;j^^playedatmbba^ All this was done because they believed me to be very good-natured, and knew that I had no harm in me. '[ 14. "Upon my first entrance into this mansion, which is to some the abode of despair, I felt no sensations different from those I experienced abroad. I was now on one side the door, and those who were uncontined were on the other : this was all the difference between us. At first, indeed, 1 felt some un- easiness, in considering how I should be able to provide this week for the wants of the week nsuing ; Init after some time, If I found myself snare of eating ne day, I never troubled my head how I was to be supplied another. I seized every precari- u. ousmeal with the utmost good humor; indulged no rants ofW^ spleen at my situation ; never called down heaven and all the stars to behold me dining upon an half pennv worth of radishes • my very companions were taught to believe that I liked salad better than mutton I contented myself with thinking that all my life I should either ekt white bread or brown ; considered that all thai nappcnca was best ; laughed when 1 was not in pain ; took the world as it went, and read Tacitus often for want of more books and company. "^ j^-i^'uai: A v'k\ i : 1-1 176 THE CITIZEN OF THE IVOHLD. ,^ i ,,f- of sfn.;,idryVra'nnoS '" 'f, ^orpfd state old acquaintance, whom 1 knew ^^ u '""'^^ '^^ string an preferred to a place inVe governmen'; " r^'"/ ^'^^^^ead, >ad pursued a wrong track fnd th.T.K . ^ "°^' '^^""d 'hat I to rehevv others was^rsUo "im ^^^'/A^ "■"V''^>' ^^ being able -mmediate care, therefore, was ^t v. P'""^'"^" "^^^^'^ • "^y and make an entire reformSn ?n „,? '"^/^^"^^"^ habitation ^or a tree, open, undesSn^H-^^^^^^"^^ closeness, prudence, and fcit^ o:'"^^ f' °" '^^' -^ actions ever performed, and fo whic^r'.ffV'^" '"^^^ ^^^«'- ■ Jong as I live, was the refusimr T.k '^^" P'^^'^e myself as - f ;,..^/C^;»nce at the time when it^Z^^l'^ZTlT/'' °'^ ^-^"-"" A' ^ ^^'^-'one I des be decree'd'a'n^tuio:' " ^° ^^^"^^^^ ^^ ' . .. Sahty;seldr.trd"/drnraVd°"" o tw n I soon Ix^gan to get the chlrar^^r ^'^"^"^'>' '"^ ''^^d , ,:- a farthing from s\h...- , "' J ^ observing that if we take • "oiong4 ihai.'L; riS?;oT"''^''?^-^p°^d pretending to hate gravy and am n. P"^'"" f °ker's table by carnage with a rich widow for Tnlvh. '''""'k>' "P°" ^^^^^y of bread was rising. If eS L ^uf "^ observed that the know it or not, instead of i '"^'^^d, ^ question, whether I " «i«e. If a char ty s proposedTI""?' ^ °"'>' -^"^''^ ^nd look '^^^ • nothing in myself.^ If a wretch s^o^;S°"^ ^''^ '^' ^at, but put ' the world is filled with imposfers a S t.t ^ P''^' ^ "'''^^^^^ ^^a ' notbemg . ,eived by nevefreiieJ 1^^^^^ the truest way of finding elteemeven^V " l^^*:^' ^ "°^ ^^d ..ve away nothing and ^^usTem^^h^n^-;^.^^^^^^^^ LETTER 30. , , "'«-Des«,pt,o,v or . CHm.SE Garoe». I. The English have not --t hmn-i ■ .u ">e .a^e perfecon „i,K .he Chfe,'Ut;; °/. |-*^ng ,„ I' *-^'. 3"pi(l state seeing an blockhead, nd that I being able yself: my abitation, lehaviour. n that of St heroic myself as acquaint- ^ are. For ■\: pted fru- ■' in\ited ighunks^Q^imd^ ghbours s, and I acted a we take pounds ible by eaty of lat the . ;ther I i look >ut put ^e that hod of V find , is to give." IDEN- ^ igto m to T//E CITIZEN OF THE irORr.D. ,jy imitate them ; nature is now followed with greater assiduitv thnn ^Z^^:'^^.Z'tr " shoofoufntolhe'I^trt uAuii.ince, me streams, no longer forrec from their r>->u^^ meadoVonhr'h^ven green '' "'"""'• """ '"= '^"••'"""'■<' 2. Yel Still the English are far lichincl us in this , from the disposition of the proves strenm« nr Ir.t..?' ' '^!y'""g •.-en, a. .his distLe:[h'.,rh''hl,."ri,^,: ll^ljr" '" '"*"^'"« p.aUttraltrrht;'xn:r,^;:„T^^^^^ from , he house opened into a',! 4a C Sed v^u'^Z flowers, trees and shrubs, but all so disnose is 1?.^ ? ,' spontaneous produrtion of n«ur/ a?, 'f efch was the on this lawn.'^o your n'^hta",?dTe'?. ^1°:^:'^^^^^ stte ea ., other, of very different arehiter.ure and teign Id "' S:n>;ation^^'^"'P'^' """' '«"=' -"> "inute'^SncT^hTn 4- The right hand gate was planned with the utmost simnU a y^ or rather rudeness ; iv) clasped round the^ hrs he He ful cypress hung over it; time seemed to have destmverl oil '?! smootlmess and regularity of the cfnn^. 7 u ^ " '^" ^^'^ lifted elubs appear^ inZ-fct of g a ding'Ts t'TT."""' and serpents were seen in the mnZ u\a ''^^^f ^ dragons the spectator from WoacWng and the n-.'"'!" '" ^'''' lay behind,, seemed dark an^gioo.^ .Vthe'S^; d "'" 'Y ^-grwas tempted to ente^nl/f^.r^[^45j wreaths round the V^^^^^^^Z^^^^Zll^^ I \ I'-' IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 Ui 128 1 2.5 2.0 us 1^ M. 116 vl v) ^> ^VV Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ iV •1>^ '^ T\^ '^ :o- '78 'i TliE CITiy^E^ OF THE WORU, masterly niannpr • fi,^ S^y, luxuriant, and capable of nf? r ^^^ '^^"'^ '^^^^ seemed motto .tself contributedio invite hf'"r^ '"^'^^"^ P'^'-^^^^e. The gate was designed L^repJeseZ '/?''" ^° P^'-^e-ve that the gloomy he ,,ore agreeable pas'ag^loVier^^,^ '.°y'«ue; the opS pose that the spectator As ;^ J . ^"' '^"^ "''^'"'•^1 to «', whK^ ofl^red iL so';^^^;Sf d to^terbythe a!; he most pleasing imprSfon .'? '"."'' '" '"''^""'^'- «« to make msensibly foundihe gaS .^ ^^^"^^^ farther on he landscapes began to darken ThT .1^^ ""'' ""^ "" «ilderness the appeared to go^ downw^ ds"'n'i'/htfS 'o T^ '"°^^ ^^'^^^^ t his head, gloomy caverns Zl °f ""^ '^^^^^ed to hane ov r .' heaps of unburiei bone^^nd S-'^ ^^^^'P'--^' avvfi^ruTns seen waters, began to take the 0^"'^ T^ ^'''"^^^ ^y un ovcly; ,t was in vain to at Sm fr.H ' '^'^ "' ^'''' '^^PPeared so 00 much perplexed for any Z.T^' r'^'^ '^'•'^^"■"'h was n short, when sufficiently imp esse7 1 'V^"^ ^^e way back he saw, and the iniprudencHf ht k '•''' ^'^^ horrors of wha^ n-clden door a short%vay back nto th.°"'' i ''^""^'^^ him i.y a iie had strayed. ^ '"^° 'he area from whence at first -^ th4rSS^^£---f ^self before the stranger first od" ''^;^>^>-' ^'"'-r o .^^"^^^^^^^ figures l,!at^\ted tiist to disgust him : as he wonf tl^, ''^'''^'^^ conspired at open and wear a more „lct.s n". n '''■^- ^'""''^'^'^ all began to heds of flowers, trees loade i?^/"'''"^"" ' ^^^"'iful cascade. Pected brooks. ii„p.ovedh:t ^'T"^^^' -d une": ascending, and, as he procecdt^l nil' ""'^ '^^U"^' 'hat he was h" ■> the prospect widened as he 'u J^I^'T ^'''' ^ore bea ? -^'-ut,es,I.tiastledl^.HoanaHC?f[:^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,,. built still pre- f a master, in to approach ; ■ach, seemed asure. 'J'he [ate was writ- t the gloomy ■he opposite iral to sup- r by the gate '"s in these lat he took ' ^'ice, the IS to make ler on, he -mess, the tricate, he hang over ^'ful ruins, -d by un- peared so rinth was vay back, of what lim ()y a -e at first stranger, •mpt his >ceeded. seemed pi red at egan to 'scades, d unex- be was beauti- ir itself f from t'hence /"'•• r///': CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. 1 79 he could view the garden and the whole country around, and where he might own that the road to Virtue terminated in hap- pmess. 9. Though from this description, you may imagine that a vast tract of ground was nece.,sary to exhibit such a pleasing variety '"v.^J ^^ assured I have seen several gardens in England take iip^ten times the space which mine did, without half the beauty. A very small extent of ground is enough for an elegant taste the greater room is recjuired if magnificence is in view. There IS no spot, though ever so little, which a skilful designer might not thus improve, so as to convey a delicate allegory and im- press the mind with truths the most useful and necessarv Adieu. ^' LETTER 36. TnK Pfiii.osopher's Son Begins to he DisousTF.n in Pursuit jf Wisdom— An Allegory to prove its Futility. THE ( J,.. From Hiiii^po, a slave in Persia, to A/tangi, a travelling; phil- osopher. 1. I begin to have doubts whether wisdom be alone sufficient to make us happy, whether every step we make in refinement is ' not an inlet into new disquietudes. A mind too vigorous and active serves only to consume the body to which it is joined,,as ' the richest jewels are soonest found to wear their settings. ,^., 2. When we rise in knowledge, as the prospect widens t':e t, . ^'^ objects of our regard become more obscure, and the unlettered V'-A^i, peasant, whose views are only directed to the narrow sphere*'! V^ around him, beholds nature* with a finer relisn, and tastes her ''* ' blessings with a keener appetite, than the philosopher whose mind attempts to grasp an universal system. 3. As I was some days ago pursuing this subject among a circle of my fellow-slaves, an ancient (luebre of the number, ecjuapy remarkahle^ior his piety and wisdom, seemed touched with my conversation, and desired to illustrate what I had been saying with an allegory taken from the Zendavesta of Zoroaster • "By this we shall be taught," says he, "that they who travel in pursuit of wisdom, walk only in a circle, and after all their labour, at last return to theirjpristine ignorance ; and in this also ru'r^l r^. 4.. /.,..{ •■ . i^.-li I do THE CITIZEN Or TiIe ll'OAVJK ^ 4 /- order to explore those regTons thn?f ^ ^''"'^ ^'^^' ^^^epy cliff "n '-.,./ h'^"'" °^ ^he ^^^^^^ ^^^^"d it ; they knew the ■■'-'- be,ng made of adamant StS 'J' ^'^'"'^ "^en.ioned their the s,m],le, ancT serve "o "si enri ^ "'''^' "^ "^^ r'^-'isonings of < ■■ry„.l ^l^f^yfimotance. ' ''™''' *^ ^^oi'mrv Ms called [,,_„. „«r;''-.han ■h'ea-C^^iertoS'd-l"?''''''-^ ^°'"''. '""e aspirin. ;j 1.- ■'^«»'-- l"J *e sum,v.its wWrh ilJe hi ^ l"<""«ain's side a„3 ^m \'\Ju mhabitants from^Eefow gazed "w'iir"''''''!?^'''"^^" some applauded his coufa^f J. ''°"^^'" ^^ h, -eniditv however, he proceeded towfrdsth^ .''"'"^^^ '^'^ " '^^ heavens seemed to uniteTnd .Vi ^i^'^^ ^^^"-^ the earth and height rwith extreme KutrasS' )"■'"' ^^ ^^^ ^^'«hedS 7- " His first surnrise ^v.fr ^~x~^^ ^<^-^y^'^~^<^ .., ., , "' ed within his reac",iTu^S 4°far"nfl^'^' ^T^ "ot as he expec't: increased when he ^aw a w ie e^tende'' ^^^°^^ j ^^^ an^azeS Pos.te side of the mountain bntl '^^'°" ^>""^ °" 'he op Danquet; the inhabitants av^ ""0"tes to refine everysens.nl ', , ,_ "'^^"'""nsciousnessnf their «v •/v.-<.4-""'»_ Ar-»» I J.-^. "'""i'.', /< > . ^./". Uisf)ing doiif)t.s, >ns covered the ie valley. The t-y lofty moun- vhich they were rtti to meet the " to surround • steepy cliff, in they knew the 'eniioned their reasonings of - spontaneous ^<^ refreshing le simple in- ^lt; theyde- •eater; amhi- ei», and from ^y was called ore aspiring Icand exam- ' Me. The 'epidity, - -'Jy , still, - earth and Mvished-for ■.,. > he expect- miazement on the op- nent when id alluring i^'th a look Je and in- fi admire,' ^ • in that y sensua[ •'d cnjoy- s of their ^A.. - <^:.'v,. „#A ' Tf/J=: CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. iSt ^♦w»«v« >, ;ijff tt^,ulM„ ( f A ■ nuc:. .L own felicity : ignorance in that country is wholly unknown ; all there is satisfact.'oM without alloy, for every pleasure (irst under- goes the examination of reason. As for me, 1 am called the (lenius of Demonstration, and am stationed here in order to conduct every adventurer to that land of happiness through in- tervening regions you see over-hung with fogs and darkness, and- horrid with forests, cataracts, caverns, and various other shapes^ of danger. But foHow me, and in time I may lead you to that distant desirable land of tranquillity.' \ 9. " The intrepid traveller immediately put himself under the ^, direction of the (ienius, and i*ot]i journeying on together with a •" £/ slow but agreeable pace, deceived the tediousness of the way by conversation. The beginning of the journey seemed to promise true satisfaction, but as they proceeded 4orward; the skies be- came more gloomy and the way more intricate ; thev often in- advertently approached the brow of some frightful precipice or the brink of a torrent, and were obliged to measure back their former way. The gloom increasing as they proceeded, their pace became more slow ; they paused at every step, frequentl) stumbled, and their distrust and timidity increased. The (Jeniu's of Demonstration now there''.)re advised his pupil togroi)eupon hands and feet, as a method though more slow, yet less liable to error. / 10. ' In this maimer they attempted to pursue their journey for some time, when they were overtaken by another Genius, who, with a precipitate pace, seemed travelling the same way. He was instantly known by the other to be the Genius of Pro- bability. He wore two wide extended wings at his back, which incessantly waved without increasing the rapidity of his motion ; his countenance betrayed a confidence that the ignorant might mistake for sincerity, and he had but one eye, which was fixed in the middle of his forehead. 11. " ' Servant of Hormizda,' cried he, approaching the mortal pilgrim, ' If thou art tiavelliiig to the Land of Certainty, how is It possible to arriv3 there under the guidance of a Genius who proceeds-forward-so slowly, and is so little acquainted with the way. Follow me ; we shall soon perform the journey to where every pleasure awaits our arrival.' /./^ ,,^^ ,,, ^>-4.,^ 12. " The peremptory tone in which this Genius^^i^oke, and the speed with which he moved forward, induced the traveller to change his conductor, and, leaving hi smodest companion be->^ ,^^ ^v/, ' hind, he proceeded forward with bis more confident director,y r^4^,„ j/2 1 82 ^ .."x-fl, ^'"'"r'^':A- o,- n, n-o,,r>. IS seeni;n motion" ""' •* ""'^ P'^'^.^cd at the increased crease I* ''S""«' "" "-'Peated cape onlv'''"' ";"""="■ andt-n.- T i;, , *^- ^''^ ""quiet waves wnr/r '"''^f^ 'hat day H,c 1 ^ ' ^"° seemed unahl^ / \ " S-ive nj, the Ocean of T) ^"' °" your back a so. ? ^''^ ^'^"'"^ to the '-'ontinued the r ""'^^^'O" >v'ith punctuaJitv A /'^'"^"^ y°"'" ^^^ve bound this filiT'' '^'•^^^'"g the Sllef ""^ J« for you,' nor threitrfhl ^^ ''^""'^ your eves Je^ n^ ' "'''^" ""ce I ,, '"• TJ)Us sav nsr nn.i*;u_ . " '^'^T'^*^ ^t a res on ^f ,.j.„_. ^'. ^-^-^^ ^Demon, uttcWn?"^ ""'^"^'^^ tr^vdiy;^';;,;!:^f °" of pleasured "P-born'e by h?s'r''' "'^^^' '^'"^ on h^s nck"'^ 'r''^^' '^^ clouds XV.vi '^°"^' P'n'ons directed 1?', '^""^ '"stantly • ^'-'^^^^ the loudest thunder n.^L'^'^ht '-^"^""S th,' ^' nw the most angry tem / T f{ ■D. velorify of liis H'hcncvcr a fo de.sj)iso the 'ce presented, each moment ■ served to \n. •fore forward, L)orders of an '^ mists that • darkest hue, ations of the pd temerity, Certainty, a ^ to arrive : ^vith anoth- Confidence, 'St tranquil- :'ie Land of -e times on oomy fiend ive up the 'ght of the d hideous, he spread ?ht. The 'ding him iiquilh'ty. us to the over the -ct you'll for you,' 1 once I suasion, in order 1 below, easure.' red, the >^" ,■ .stantlyJ; ng th(f his eyes covered and would in all probability have arrived at 1 e happy land had not flattery effected what other means could not perform. Por now he heard himself welcomed on everv idc to the promised and, and an universal shout of joy was sent for 1 •' ^f 7/'^'^'- '^'he wearied traveller, desirous of seeing 'e ong-w,shed-for country, at length pulled the fillet from hise^^l b"nH .n"'"^ '° ^^""^ '■"""^ '^''^- ^"^ he had unloosed th J ^^ iund too soon ; he was not yet above half way over. The Demon, who was still hovering in the air, and had produced those sounds only m order ^to deceive, wa^ now freed Vronih^ commission ; wherefore 'thr^Wing the astonished traveller from his back^the unhappy youth fell headlong into the subjacen Ocean^fBoubts. W^vhence he never affer was seen to rise ">h32 leJ^i it^i^ /•? i'i'&C LETTER 37. The Chinkse Philosopher Praisks thk Justick of a I ati British Skntknck. ;,,;./„. />r#- From Lien Chi Aitangi to Fum Huam, President of the Cere niomal Academy at Pekin. I. When Parmenio the Grecian, had done something which excited an universal shout from the surrounding multitude he was instantly struck with the doubt, that what had tlK.r appro bation must certamly be wrong ; and turning to a philoso he who stood near him, -Pray, sir," says he, " pardon I Si have been guilty of some absurdity." \ ' ^ 2 You>now that I am not less than 4«^a Mespiser of th^ multitude^ you know that I equally detest flattery o the gre't yxH so many circumstances have concurred to give a lustre hi the latter part of the present English monarch^ LignX I ?^^ 0^ cannot withhold my contribution of praise ; 1 canno avoid nr ^ kno^edgmg the crowd, for once, jus\ in thdr unTnimoura^?:- 3. ] Ye^think not-;b^ battles gainfed, dominion extended or enemies brought to submission, are the virtues which a? Sen Claim my admiration. ,M\'ere the reigning monarch on^ famou ?/{£ ij^i e*.f~ L^uj' ^^''^" unbiassed bv"' ^'''" '>'''^"^^ ^hem- dictates of h^''^ ^'''.'''^^^^ fo rr^venes^''^:;'' °^ '"^^^^^^ ' than emL'fo^r?/^" ""-« be hfluenced h/''' °fwlause> ■/ ■lUe ff >" Tl ?. r-ct^f't D. 1 indifference ; istly regarded 'lynkind now * to man. The' -'It in VlQsy^ _is ^, '. St difficult of/i-A.- i. and yet de- t'^'e; a strict hout favour, ractised by a y rants them- or interest; >ursuing the fer our pri- gh love for •sions, what apposes they „ . the future ion : -ss, we add Wends -for n feelings, ■satisfy the de he may fancy our- 3unded by lature dis- aid before ready to ■ say, sup- ould find •red men ingly vir. ^Pplause^ niotives 1 with a ance of icerning k lo be smn an AOv ■^^^e Itrti- rHI: CITIZEN OF THE WO RID. i8s jM k \'^ 7- I liavcbeenledmtojhis common i)lacc train of thoughts by <]ate strikmg mstance^ this country of the .mnarliality of* justice, and of the king's inflwible resohition of inflicting pun- ishment where it was justly due. A man of the first Wlily in 4.J^ a tit,_either. of passion, melancholy, or madness, murdered his servant : it was expected that his station in life would have ' TJ'a ^h^^'g"o'^'"y of his punishment ; however, he was ar- rawed, condemned, and underwent the same degrading death -with the meanest malefactor. It was well considered that virtue ^ alone is true nobility, and that he whose actions sink him even • i;"?i u u "'"'S^'"'" •'''" "" '■'Sht to those distinctions which should be the rewards only of merit : it was perhaps considered that crimes were more heinous among the higher classes of peo- ple as necessity exposes them to fewer temptations. S^.Overall the east, even China not excepted, a person of the same quality guilty of such a crime, might, by giving up a share of his fortune to the judge, buy off his sentence. There are several countries, even in Euroi^e, where the servant is en- tirely the property of his master : if a slave kills his lord, he dies by the most excruciating tortures ; but if the circumstances are reversed a small fine buys ofT the punishment of the offender. Happy the country where all are ecjual, and where those who sit as judges have too much integrity to receive a bribe, and too- much honour to piiy, from a similitude of the prisoner's title or circumstances with their own ! ySuch^s Englandc yet think not ^. that It was always equally famed f^r this strict impartiality Ihere was a time, even here, when^title softened the rigours of the law, when dignified wretcheshvere suffered to live, and con- tinue for years^an equal disgrace to justice and nobility. 9- -l o this day, inCa neighbouring countryvthe great are often / most scandalously pardoned for the most scandalous offences A person is still alive among them who has'^ore than once de- PX|°l^e most ignominious severity of justice, (fliis being of, -'-. f^ J^e T)Tood royal, however, wa^hought:^ sufficient atonement for •■■' " / • his being a disgrace to humanityj) This remarkable nersonage^^"-c-^^'*^ ^ took Dleasiirp in chn/^finrr of tk„'*C l i r ' r, — -^^— ,v,^j took pleasure m shooting at the^sengers below, frobthTtSf; ^ • - of his palace ; and in this most princely amusement he usually spent some time every day. He was at length arraigned by the friends of a person whom in this manner he had killed, and was found guilty of the charge and condemned to die. His merciful -/WiT^ffiparch pardoned him in consideration of his rank and quality. ^ ' ' Ihe unrepenting criminal soon after renewed his usual enter- C /, s^ 186 Tl/r, cm/. EN or ////, /;oa'/./;. timoMliP v,.r,. ^ Pardon. ("Would you hclicvo iO? A third l||llt)lne^^c'rv same man WTB iriiiU.. .><• .u / . " ^ imra .IH- sav»K,. inhai;i,:„ , ' VvLo > ^ ,1," h' ""f '"^•."-"'""S inie, and iho roimtrv ul,.., i,' J '"^ *""■>■ '» '"" ""> I-KTTKR 49. AN An-KMPr to I )ek.nk what ,s Mk.nt nv En.,..sh I .hkktv. J'-rom Lien Chi Altangito Fum 7/uam. does It particularly consist in the security of h.ir J ^ ' T s^.s m .heir enjoying all ,i,e adSges of democrlcv" ^."h this superior prerogative borrowed from moSv fhi,,,^ roSiiil.""^" '"^ -y "^ -'-<• w"HZ"^£gell Z estf .h'e"i:„T;"rbe tS 'St,^ r^er' t'Th '' TT people should be unanimous in the brlXf am oL fn "'' ticular, ye. s.ill there is an effective prefsuLr"^," a" r*""" pie. capable o. enforcing obedience, wheneverTmly bi p'^^e" man. Ho was ;i sfcotul time 'P A third le offence ; a liim guilty— ■is the rcst-- ^ such a sfory ui'dcscrihing y is hut too ;ards itself a,s ^n F-IHKKTV. jnjoys most ^sk him in s instantly >m the peo- where-r for I ; nor does V countries trained by nany ; nor operty, for )f Europe. e free they > or under idom con- racy, with , that the gering the is strong- lough the e in par- > the peo- t)e proper TJ/h crii/.EN or Till.: woiu.n. ,«; J^mmtu^ ''' "^ -l-r toward, thcsupport or weltare of the tion from Ih.i'l'. l^^f ^"'■"■""^^"^''' ^^''"^ lawsdcriu. tluirsnn, smsm i»iig dent m their mnsistrate,, and happy for ,1,1' people h ,',l™" t^eZr^'^^t' '"' """" "" "'^ ^^-' orVreL'=arX:!;;j of the laws fhnf an T?„„r u ^^ , -^"^ tothis ducti ity laws, that an Englishman owes the freedom he enjoys —■ ^•yery diminution of ZZ^^'^^.nT''^" ■'' ;''^'»°'-^''»ti<' form of the suhjecfs freedom tu e r?;; ''' '"- ^"^'' ^ diminution ernment more popular not onk n? '''"^^^ ^"^ '"^^"^er the gov- ••nd the old <.cminue in^foree th5''„r""; '''^'^ ''^^^' '"ult-plyin^s 'liened with a nn.hiphcit nj,,'.' ''^J'^^"^'* are opprcssed/bi.r- r.om whon, to expe.'t re re an nor'"';"' ' '^''' ''^ """-' s'on m the state ^an vind , i e the.n "^V'''' ' '^^^""f^' '^°"vul- tlK- people of Rome, a fev^'t-ion^^^^ T- '"'^'^^y ^ ^hu'^- freedom imder their emnerorsMrni '''''' '''''^' '"""^ more rea experienced in the old X J 'u?^^^ ''"■'"'•^' ^^'-^^ ^'^^V had laws were^hecome nu ne'nn, and o inrT"'''^'''^'" ''-^^^^'^ ^^eir every daA^iacting, and the old on,. ^^' !," ^'^"^'^ "^^^' ^^ws - . even refused to l)e Vein ta^.j fn leirT"''^ ''''^ ^'■«""^- '^'^^X an offer made then) to this nu no . /""'u^'""'"^'''*''^'^^' ^'P«" ' emperors the only .neans o so eninV.?' -^'^ ""'"^"y '""^'"^ '^titution. soittnmg the rigours of their con- 9- 'i'he constitution of Fn.rhnrJ ,-e .» strength of its native oak a'r^d Irfl ^'?^"^ ^'^-^'^^''-^^d of the , .tamarisk ; but should the peo^^ '^t .nv'^"''^ "^ ^^' ^^"^ing : ■ ^eal. pant after an ima^.nay freedom n^i^'' "''^'^ ^'^ '''^''^^^^ monarchy was increasing the r nn J ^'j^^^^ that abridging much mistaken, since eve y jevve n S?' , r'^ ^'?'^ ^^ ^^O majesty, would only be made^u^e of .^ K 'k"' '^^ "'■°^^-" °f 't m.ght enrich the few who sha edt l"" "u^ to corruption ; fact impoverish the public MtV S """^ '''^"'' '^"^ ^^^^W in and impe.ceptible de^rreps hi 'Ionian senators, by slow still. flattered them wkh a 'shoT'oT r'^'" "' '^' '^'^^P'^'- ye^ only were free ; so is i poss ble for T^^^-^'/hile themselves • stand up for privileges to rrl f """^y °^"^^"' ^^'hile they themselves, and the publ c b'ecle n' ,^",f-^">-'^"-e of powe' >i^ome of its individuals only governed "^''^ dependent, while on\L/throne\a"k'ingwhVt^^^^ l'°^'^'" ^his country ever be giveupthesmailS^a t^fhi^S ^ ^g', sh"u?d should come a minLer of n,S and " ° • •''''^''' ' '^'^''' room for no more. Adieu. populanty-but I have A* ■^i'.^- ; every siof), ocratic' form, a diminution fidcr the gov- -rty, but even to last only multiplying, [)rcssed, bur- re arc none ■ong convul- l)<-Tty : thus, tid more real m they had 1 which their h new laws gour. 'I'hey itives, upon ually found f^ their con- ■ssed of the le bending '1 mistaken abridging d be very ■ crown of arruption ; It would in i. by slow -opie, yet ^lemselves hile they of power nt, while ' ever he •, should ; if there t I have >//A' CITIZEN or Tin: WORLD. .So m;i"|'kk 50 A HooK.sKi.iKKs .Visit it> ihk CMi,Ni,st; ti^uu ,ur hu^ ffroin Jlu: saiii<\ ■ -of ;;.a\m. "I'd!m!nn'''' "'"'"' •■" ''"'•''"•"•' "^•'•■' ^ tensive di.lm^.... jji.1. .•ou,,,anion, who introdm-ed xsZ^ 7 '"•' l"" '^''"•' ^'"'' like himself 'VU , , "-^ '* -stranger, dressed pretty mudi vish »-' :i / K^'"."-'"ian made several apologies ' lor h, . h Ics rfl ; ,T '" "T"'- .'^" '"'^^'^'"'^ tn'the"nu-erity . '"^ rLspn t, and the warmth of his curiositv veo" .•^iN^th.lm^.nv''"''""' '''"'">■ ^'"'"'''^"y ^^h^" I ""d thorn cares era. ^'"> ^'PParent reason, I answered ihe strangers M. 4^Srpir ,^;vp;:b[;:h^;i- r;;;^^ -' tiir ti!;:^:;n^S' :;■ -is;!;^: :'*^ 7"^ ^-i^ — = ^-^^ have mS? A ^i^:^ f '::;L:S;: ^"-"-' ^-^P^ very hght-gocxls summer reader ' LutKlr ^ik^r^llLr^lJ^^^S^r '1 ' spnng and w nter tnrlf. » t . "■ vauicwe reserve lor a the peculiar advinMcr nf K ''''"' " '"-^ ^^^'^^ '1^ least hnve buys the book, not to learn pleasure of seeing his own , . o reflecttu. uw you speak as if you yourself wrote the book ery new sentimenls, but to have the :«-'d." But, sir, interrupted T, u- .,,g y^^ publish ; may 190 THE CITIZEN OF THE IVORLD. I I QumH^ u- sir," replied C t^S!^ ^^^^ ^^^ ;' As tcTthat, pl^ns myself; and though n m f- ' ""'>' '^'"'''^ o"^ the ting them to any, yet s m the end7l''"''"^' "^ '^ommunica- shall see a few of them H I '''''1: ^ ^^'"'•'' '« '^'^^ you the first water,,! assu^\"LT'-^''" '^'^' ""''' ^"''^'"^"ds of -edical prec;pts r ,r use Tsuci; ^^f^^^'^^^'-^ -^ several' understand Latin. Item the vcMmH^^^'^^^^^^^ patches regularly, witlfal sertS^ ^"?h^d;;/^ "\°' ^^^^'"^^ of smihng without distorting the face Jr^ ^'f^rent manners love r.,ade oerfectlv f^^Z \ t , ' ■^'^"^' the whole art of the proper'manne^oT c'uttL' ^l^""' 'P''""^' ^^'^>'- ^^^-l crayons; by the Rigf t Hot^he Ea;^? ^^'^^^ "^"^^"^ muster-master general, or the Review of reviews " s '"' ^'^? 1, interrupting him mv riirin«,>„ ^ ^'reviews— Sir, cried satisfied, I sho^uld^e7ad to s2 ome7''^ ^° ^^^^^ P^g^^ '« u history, or an epic poem '' Tilf^ ^> """S^" "manuscript, a try, "now you speak o?'nn .n '""'^"^« the man of indus- lent farce. ^ Here it is dioTl ^^^'^k' ^'"^ ^^^^" ''^ ^" ^xcel. found replete wifh trie mode n I '"■' ^'^^ ^^■'"' " ^v'" be filled with strokS of wit nnTf, ""'°"''- ^'^'^^^^^s, sir : it is those dashes of the p n trokef r'erdTV'T'' ^° >'°" -" can see no other ? " \nd n "' • " ' "' ^ """"^ ^^^^^ss I you call them? Do vouseeSh''''"'"?"^^ ^'' " ^^hat do not filled up with strokes and dat^^.^"^' "^^-^ays that is makes half the wit of nnr «,r,>« r ,^' ^ well-placed dash last seasona p7eL ha"lXo'l'""^''"^""^°"'--'' I'^^ti^ nine hundred a^nd m-netyS bre.k. "'""' "P"" ^^^^^ than good things and a Trtel ^"^^.^'.^^'^ '.^^vx^nty-two ha-ha's, three and crackid and made more soorfth" "'T^ °^^' ""^ bounced then, sir, you were atn'sidraCgni ^r'p '^.^^Vt , ' '^"^.^ orisrti^ Kcct^ T" -^r"' ^ cantri'crK lost by an ill-timrd d ilylfrmon ^*"° "'*^^^^^' ^"^ ^^en I ererby my Direct Roa^ to "„ ^3, J ^'^^ '? ^^^^^^^^^ brought me up again. Ah sir fW ^- ^''^^'^^^ guide by the hand of a mas er filled w./h ^^f ^P'^^^ touched off to the other. The author hnH f "'^ [^'"^^ ^''O'" one end no dull moral lu king'beneath nor"n '*"? '^"1^ '^' ^''' '" ^''^^ ^ • reader's good-humou'r: he widely Se? i"h"^ ^° ^""^ ^'^^ humour at the same time wer^ c^itJ^^ So .^^ 'Zl!,^ hui.^' r:. ■Ui L-nded publi- ;'As to that, raw out the rommunica- to ask, you Jiamonds of Jii of several' > as do not ■t of placing lit manners ihole art of ey. Item, nd making Item, the Sir, cried •le pages is inuscript, a n of indus- e an excelr it will be , sir ; it is >o you call confess I "what do lys that is aced dash I bought arth than la's, three bounced I fancy be owned ich boast It then I rable suf- lal guide ched off one end in view ; sour the Jrai and Jsiness." THE CIT'ZEN OF THE WORLD ^gt To what purpose was the book then published ? cried I. «' Sir he book was published in order to be sold ; and no book sola better except the criticisms upon it, which came out soon after of a 1 k,nds of writings that goes off best at present ; and I g n erally festen a criticism upon every selling book (hat is jfuE- fnr^ihl'^. V ''^ ^f^ '''" ''"?°'' '"'''' "^^^'" left the least opening fo the critics : close was the word, always very right, and vLrf . dull ever on the safe side of an argument ; yetT with all h s quahfications, incapable of coming into favour. ' I oon pe ceived that his bent was for criticism ; and. as he was good for nothing else supplied him with pens and paper! and ^planted him at the beginning of every mont'- as a censor on the^ works of others. In short. I found him r. .easure ; no merit coild escape him, but what is most remarkable of all, he ev^r wrote best and bitterest when drunk." But are there ^ot sonle works interrupted I, that from the very manner of their composh ori must be exempt from criticism ; particularly such asTrS to disregard Its law "There is no work whatsoever but what he can criticise » replied the bookseller ; " even though you wrote n Chinese he would have a pluck at you. Suppose you should ' take ,t into your head to publish a book, let it be a volume of . - Chinese letters, for instance ; write how ;ou will, he shaUhow - / the world you could have written better. Should you, wth the ^ / most local exactness, stick to the manners and custoins of the ^^ country from whence you come ; should you confin TourLl to the narrow imits of eastern knowledge, and be perfectly simple and perfectly natural, he has then the stronge t reason to eS c aim. He may with a sneer send you backlo China for read- ers. He may observe that after the first or second letter the Iteration of the same simplicity is insupportably tedious ' hm the worst of all is, the public in such a case w^ antoat; hi censures, and leave you with all your instructive simplidty to be mauled at discretion." Yes, cried I, but in order to avoid his mdignation, and what I should fear more, that of the pubHc I would, in such a case, write with all the knowledge I was mas ' ter of. As I am not possessed of much learning, at TeaTt I would not suppress what little I had ; nor would I appear more !£' ?r r "n "''^ "" " ^'^^ ''''-'" criesThe book =eilcr wc should nave you entirely in our power : unnatural uneastern, quite out of character, erroneously sensibewoud be the whole cry; sir. we should then hunt you down like a rat » i' I i Qi Nl 192 r//E CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. V'Wvli J,, /t natural or ur^.t^tura . <' V^T't "P',?* ' "^"^' -'^^r be you," returned the bookseller "7S" '""' ^^''' ^^^" criticise «pite of your teeth Bufsi i ' .■« f T"" >'"" '"^ '^'""^^ in business. I have just noW n he nr?' '^w' ^ ^'^°"'^ ^°'»^ *« • you will but put your nan e n .r If ^''''''U °f China ; and • the obligation with^gratkuc^^e » vhn, ' '"'^'^'^' I shall repay name to a work I have not written .' v' '^^^^ ^' P"t my Proj)er respect for the public and n ^r^-.'^u^'^''^' ^ ''^tain i •"y reply quite abated theardorof fhe bn 1, n^^' '^luntness of and, after about half-an holrdisaLp^?n '""' ' "^ -a. ceremony, took his W^n'fStw/TdSu '^' '''''' LET'J'ER 55. the ear th.n?heHw!^gf ofTSr d L^M'SrH "T. P'^--'''"S '» ceived two hundred of thy le ers bt ^h/p • ' '""'' *'"' "^• criphve of the manners of Europe 'tl.f f ^'""^an, des- Sraphers to determine the sit, o??h^ ''^^ ''^f' " 'o Seo- •heir lakes, seeming o„yemp|oved'nT""'"'' ""'' '^'"'^'"'"' .he government, aid dis'pSS, "e ptT""* *= S'"'-. you^r Li„r„^^'rXtl'>err:r:^r;' .f ^^ r™'"- of travels from one buildinf tranot'hJr r """" " '''=""' "f y^' of this ruin, or that obelfsk o?oav1' L "' '■°"'' '^^'"S " draught commodity, or laying up a d,,^ £. S * r° ""J"*' '""""^ f"' *is new wilderness. ^ "^ ^^P"' '""■« f".- *= Passage of some janted a .ife'of an hSndred years mo'rj tot "' 'T' E"'P'™^-'S- design. A savage people mavT T u ^'"S •■'''°"' ^'s vast eses ; a few year? ar^ ScS to e Srawav tht 'hf °™ *■"- agncultu.-.; but it reouir^^ ', ™ '^"".^ "^^ *e obstructions to proper deg/ee of fmSy 'he Ssl's^^^^r "'^'"'''^^ "^ cent prejudices, asain re„»," .udr V? 'Z*"''^'' '" """' in- dulge every former brutal ei.^^ fS^ tS:SSJ^Z !• Ilnversatioii, '. he, with F EUROPF. inderer. less as they ►leasing to <'e just re- ivan, des- it to geo- extent of e genius, ations of J of your ■ draught s for this of some lation is Emperor /?;;p/r his vast )wn for- ^. <,.,./, :tionsto., ^.j.' luires ai leir an- and in- revolu- THR Cnr/.EN OF THE WORf.D. 193 or°am?ll'^°"'-^'^''°^^"'^^''^^"'^' ^^e revolutions of folly ed 'iv rTr'^''''.< l"^ "f'^y- " ^^ ^'•^ "°t ^° be astonish- road to virmo h"% 1^''' \'^" ^'''^^ ^'^^"^ '"'^^e «l«^ly ■" their drai us nn^ J", ""''J" ''''"■ '^''^^^^^^ ^'^ ^'"^^ ' ^'^^e passion drags us along, while w.sd<.m only points out the way." * cient inml""'"'''"' ^^";P'''''' ^''^^ '■^^"^"''^"t of the majesty of an- t^on ThT;n?Ph'''' ^T ^""^ f ^°""^^' °" the evj of dissolu- ment to nn,' f^h "■' ""^^ ''' ''^'' ^"^^ ^^"^ ^^^^X ^ie of govern- iln . f '^ *^'^"'' """^ ''^^''' feebly held together only by their boXoT. ' "^ ''' '" f''' "''^t'°"^ "^''^'^es one of the strongest each of L^rnh T'r".'' •'"' '''"" ^''' f°^ ^«"^e time laid aside ; tlK nett st.fe uh'"n' ''""r^ more proud of being called from > knorn"t^tlfofVerman'''^ '^'" ''"'' ^^^" ^^ ^^^ ^^ -"" mai*ter'?n/rrr'"' "'''^ ^' '"^^'"^^^ '" ^^e light of a severe ect to Zu ^""^^J^Wonent. The states which are now sub- ■•> oason n fl ' ^i^ 't' "T"""' ^'^ °"ly ^^tching a proper oc-, ^>"' po e^fu^to b! °^ '^V?'' \"^ ^'^^^^ ^hich are become too dk at ni in h.. TP'^'^^r? obedience, now begin to think of fore no? in n 5 l"'"' ^ ^' l''""^^'^^ '"^ ^his state are, there- ' tuSn if on.-t<5 -P''''^' ^'^ *° ^^^t^°y the ancient consti- Sic if hon^h^^ '"'''^'^'' '•'" g^^ernment must become des- S^ siiborHinnr ' kT'^^ 'f ^•" '"^'^'^t without even nomi- - wm be no ro^' ' '" ' ' '"'"' '''" ^'™'"*' constitution ous\ssSfor"'or-/''ir"'''''''y; '^°"Sh now seemingly a strenu- , desDotkm Th ''•'"'■'"'' '' P'-ohably only hastening on to freedom of t^^ "T""''' ^^''" ^'^^>' f^'-^^end to vindicate the . uendence Th/n?-?'/''^ ^^.'^ establishing their own inde- ptndence. The deluded people will, however, at last perceive heniKsenesof an aristocratic government; they will perre ve S;n th';t oZf "'r %t ^°^'^^y °^ "^^^ '^ -^" --e painfu of al fori r ^- ^^'^ ^'" ^y '■'■^"^ this most opi/ressive ^rolI?nl luTX 7^'^ °,"^ ''"Sle member is capable of con- eve b! Inem- '; '?.'"''" ''^r ""^^^ the throne, which will ever be attentive to their complaints. No people long endure ^d?eTs " Th/r'""^';;^' "*^f" '"'^y ^^" ^PP^' else^e^^e ?;; redress. The lower orders of people may be enslaved for a long's ff phteoK?" "'' '^^'^'•"■^ C<.nluoi»:bm i, ,s saU „o,"»i;; ^ 194 ^z / I THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. 7 Ac i\^c. c A ^ "t>*^ '" uespotisiu or demormrv po£«^^t;;riSS:rtr^S|r^S^'^^ ^^^-S to des- d-cating themselves into fretdon . wtnl //"P^P^^bly vin- parliaments (the members of whk:h are nU "'','^u'" '^^^ '^ose the presidents of which can act onlv U ; ''^'^"^ ^^ '^^ ^«"". presume even to mention privLes and^ ITf^'""'^ ^■'■^'^^'■«") late, received directions from tt^Srone j th ^'"'"l- ^\°' ^'^ "^ when this is considered, I cannot hlh?^ '"'^'''*'"'^ humihty ; of freedom has entered^Lt Cdom^n H '^'"^ '^"^ ^^^ g^"'"^ but three weak monarchs Lre sn?r. f^""^" ^^ ^^ey have mask will belaid asldt a^ tC^ounT.^'^ ^f ^^^ more be free. country will certainly once prise. In Asia, I find them he ^r.-t'i J""' Z^''"'^'' ^"^ sur- seas; m Europ^ the dmid inhaS s o^^^^^^ °',.^" '""^ '^^^^'^ longer the sons of freedom, but o avlricl n^n '^' ''''"• ^^ of their rights by courage but bv ni ," '°"^^'' ^ssertors those who insult them and crou^J 1^ '?'°".' ' ^^^^'"'"g «" neighboring power. Without a friend ^n"""^'' '^^ ^^^ ^^ ^W and without virtue to save hens^"ve "Z" '^'"^ '" ^'^^^^^«' poor and their private wealth wi] eve t" tf'^T'"^ '' neighbormg invader. ""^ ^^ '"^ite some 9-1 Jong with impatience for your Wf^rc <• l^enmark, Holland, and Italy -vet whv?^ ^'■°"' England, only describe new calam tS/vvSh sLw'tw''^^'^"^ "*^'^h avarice are equally terrible in eyeryregroT! Adiet ^'°" '"^ LETTER 6o, Phopkr Lessons to a Youth EnTEKiNc the World with Fables Suited TO THE Occasion. ^''' ''"" . J'rom Lien Chi Altangi to Hingpo applaud his resignation u^e; catn^ ie? and '^'''^-' ^^^i extncatmg himself from them. ' ""^ ^'^ conduct in 2 You are now free, just let loose from the h.. ? hard iuaster. This is the crisis of your Le and t^' "' "" / "« late , and as you now opportunity, :racy, iches to des- rceptibly vin- ier that those by the court, te direction) who, till of (-'it humility ; It the genius If they have i throne, the rtainly once ch make in ■^ with sur- the Indian state. No ;er assertors fawning on od of every in distress, -rnnient is H'ite some England, ions which ^ition and LD, WITH r anxiety It regret, nduct in ?e of an you now THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. 195 oTmiserv'"''' T'f ^""^^^^^'"^ "'■^ ^^''I ^^ "parked with happiness or misery A few years' perseverence in i)nidcn(x-, w 1 ( h at your age is but another name for virtue, w 11 ensure omLt S"[hktTn^"'^ '''T'' ^-eagcr'an enjoyment of";;?; good that now offt. s will reverse the medal and present you with poverty, anxiety, remorse, contempt. ^ 3. As It has been observed that none are better qualified to give others advice, than those who have taken the least of i^ themselves, so in this respect I find myself perfectly authorised tv utnT!i'''" '^^^^'' ^ '^'^"'^ '^'^''^ '">• l-^^-^^' -t'- ■ ity upon this occasion^], solnhn?^^'?*;? "'"""^ ''^>' "".'"""S young men who have no re- solution of their own, is first to ask one friend s advice and follow It for some time; then to ask advice of another and Howev '^h'' '" «f \ third, still unsteady, always changing worl inV''"''"^ ',^' ^""'■'■y ^'^""Se of this nature is forShe vorse : people may tell you of your being unfit for some pecu- .ar occupations in life but heed them not; whatever employ- ent you follow with perseverance and assiduity, will be found htforyou; itwillbe your support in youth, and comfort "n age In learning the useful part of every profession verv moderate abilities will suffice; even if the mindCa mt^^ baT anced with stupidity, it may in this case be useful. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors^Lan nioderateones.^] Life has been compared to a race but the kn^^^^idTh.-T^^T^'^'T «"'>'' •■•'^ ^"°ugh for one man to know, and this (whatever the professors may tell you to the contrary) is soon learned. Be contented therefore with one good employment : for if you understand two at a time peoo^e will give you business in neither ' '^ ^ Jhe^ '°T''^,^"^ ^ l^^'^' °"^^ happened to converse to- gether. Alas, cries the tailor, "what an unhappy poor crea- ture am I ; It people should ever take it in their head^o'^ without^othes I am undone ; I have no other trade to ha;e observations upon'that'tr. of ?"ot't';Ln'VL ?,,,^,^;7,H't"- ^ '"^" life, as 11 is called." " ~ man - conniic. on hb ciUiTing into 2 '« Great abilities are generally obnoxious to the possessors. "~£ssuvs 3 ' Most apt to stray from the course. "—£ssuj's. ' 196 THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. the conjurer; " bu^ ank K^^ tti ^°" ^'"--^^^'y'" Mies «"th me ; for if one trick shS f'' f ""'^ T ''"'^^ «« bad more for tl,em yet. Howeve if ' ^^'^ '" ''""'^''ed tricks to beggary, apply to n^Tnd I will r'?-^ '''''' y'''' ''' ^^^ured overspread the land: the tailor , ''''^ y^"" ^ famine his customers could not be 's' ?ou cWh' "^f ^" ''^'^■' because urer, wuh all his hundred 'k l^'I Y '^'' P^°^ ^°"- "'oney to throu- away : it was in v. in . ^""^ "°"^ ^hat had hre or vomit pins; no sin Je ' " ^ ^^'""^ ''^ Promised to eat was at last obliged to bee from S.' ''?"''' '"^^'^^'^ him, till he formerly despised. ^ °"' '^' ^"'■>' ^^'''^'^ ^hose calling he had and%eTe:rm:nrryrtS S'^^^^^^- ^-tune than pride suppress your indi.mation S l^ '"■'"'■'^^ «t all, at Jeast away : the resentm'cnt of rpoo^marr r^ \^"^ ^'^^'^ ^S harmless insect to stin? • l S? J.^ ^'''^ 'he efforts of a defend him. Who Ses' haTLfer wh" T"^'^^ ^"^ -"- 'n empty menaces. T ^"^^"^ ^h'ch is consumed only anj a^g^^r sic^Jr-^^CrnS if aP "^ ^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^e ; and excessively punctilious If anv '!u'^^y^ ^''^'"ely proud least design to offend, happened toLt.K f ""^^^' ^'^'^°"t the •mmediately at him. xKond I? ^•!.' ""^y- ^^e goose was would n^aintain a right in it IZ' '^''^' '""^^ hers, and she had a bill to hiss, ^r a Ji^g^'^^ 'S'er' 'f ^T""'' "^^''^ ^^^ drove away ducks, pigs and chicken, n " *^'' "^^""e^" she oat was seen to scamner Y.^f''^"^; nay, even the insidious ^ fd to pass by, and "Eighth no S •V?''!' '^ ^^^' C^n ^ ^ he water, as he was thirstv ThJ ^^ ''^^"'^ ''-^P a little of hke a fury, pecked at him w^ih her bSk h ^?°^^ '^^^^^ '^^ him her feathers. The dog grew an^rv h^H".""^ '^'^P'^ ^^'"^ ^ith mmd to give her a slv snan h,?^^ ^' ""^ ^"^^"'^ times a good cause his'master waTn "h^' !^ a nT^.T'^u^'^ indignation^ be fool ! sure those whoSn^viiP? take thee," cries he, "for a should at least be civ^l Fth t S,' 1^'"^'^ '^Z "^^P°"« ^o fight may one day get thTne hearsnapped off' if"^^'^^'"^ of thfne jure thy enemies, or ever protect thee "^1 ^ '"" ""'''''' ^"■ forward to the pond, quenched hLthi J • ''''"«^' ^^ ^^nt and followed his master ^"'^' '" 'P'^^ of the goose :e was omitted in the essays. rely," replies quite so bad ndred tricks are reduced A famine live, because le poor con- le that had lised to eat him, till he 'Iling he had - than pride ill, at least 1 then show fforts of a 3ut cannot Jmed only iond side ; ely proud, ithout the goose was ', and she while she inner she insidious ,~ . , happen- a little of w at him liim with s a good tion, be- e, "fora ' to fight of thine ither in- le went - goose, 7///-: CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. ,97 f4,urg, this time to s"udy mLdSe h'^ '° ^'^^ ^'"^ *« Edln- '752,and remained there fortwoven^,^ ""'"' *° Edinburg in his fnends, chiefly by Contarine H. I ""^ "'^^^'^ supplied by f'een a more devoted studc'nt her^f. °'', "°' ''^P^^^''^^ ^o have «ongs and stories made him a vd^^^^^^^^^ his Irish o whose solicitations he w,s eve^'^^ ^"^t' ^'''"^ ^"^^ ^°"^ivial However, the accounts heTent hi ^^ '''^? ^''"'"S ^^ yield, tmued to satisfy his uncle h?1 hef/' *° ^f P^^g^ess'con- :noney to take a course of S res in R^n'^^i^ "^"^"^^ him year at Leyden, but not at lectures mn.^r?'^- ■ "^ ^P^"' ^ voted to general reading irlHn^,' T'^ of his time being de- popular, always in aSt n^.on".'^ ^""'^""S' ^^'"g «'Ws rowmg achieving succeL on ly 7 th^ Sf ' ^"^.^'-^y^ bo'r- »ng with this object one of hi. .. . "^'^' occasionally writ- uncle Contarine. His next .'h ^^^^ ''^^^'"g ^^"e'-s to h^ a course of lecturesfrom the tSi:^i ^" P ^° ^^'^ ^o take money for this trip from a feUow iSh .f'/^''" ' ^^ ^^^^^^^d made preparations for the journev t,?"'^'"' f I^eyden, and ment he spent most of it on^me^tuiv? 'V^ ^^^"ghtless mo- sought after, which he sent to hSuic ? f '' '''"" ^^"^ "^"<^h more money, he determined to walk th' JTI ""^'^^^ ^° ^'-^^^^ and started on his memorable tour of F^'''*'^'''^""^ *° ^^^'s, or what he did during these win/ "'°P^- ^°^ he lived philosophica vaRabond" in ,L ir ,'"' account of the cannot tell where nV?o wh^Je,, JS f ''''"'=''"<'> ''"' "^ .-.e. a..,«ions ."o. Hln,,1„1rhe'a:^S4nrhl'=S'^:,S er paying his ^len the ship ith, h'ke most acts. ion for hinj, e Contarine aw. On his intances and by gambling, ome, he was ', on hearing •nly brought lim to Edin- Edinburg in supplied by >ear to have ; his Irish le convivial ig to yield, •gress con- ivance him Je spent a t: being de- ing always ilways bor- mally writ- es to his ris to take borrowed yden, and itless mo- ery much e to raise ■ to Paris, he lived n ; much It of the ', but we 'lored for 'aris with cure had n gained £//'£ OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH. joi h^\h'.T\?''''^?K "'^y '^^^^ contributed largely in giving Iv d.i^n'fH t'Pt''''"l« ''>''' ^°""^ '" h.s worksfas it certain^ ly did mould his thoughts and sentiments. Q J/^"? A ^^ J°"''"*^yed through southern France, Germany Switzerland, and Italy, playing on his flute, singing sonTs dis- m^lTlT''')^ ^-""'^^'^ '^ universities and'actlngTtufo. While at Padua, he is supposed to have taken his decree in dhtv'orh'I^ Jk '^ '''T ""' ^^^^"^^ °f ^he disease and'Tmbe uhty of his kind-hearted uncle Contarine. All money from that source was now cut off, and Goldsmith turned his fLeTome wards. Perhaps the very kindness of his Uncle had been a m.sloriune to the thoughtless spendthrift-those succeed bes^ who have self reliance, and if nature or ambition does not sup ly that necessity often teaches it. Goldsmith only now saw the nec^ ssity of doing something /or himself. How lie got to Ens land ,s a mystery, but he armed there-in abject povett and how he lived for sometime after landing ihe?iTs a'g eatL'mys tery, for his music would then have lost its charm. hIe'sTuD posed to have been at one time a strolling actor, next an u her £ a poor school, then an apothecary's clerk ; he next, assisted by an old friend, started the practice of medicine but failed to i^ patients. He became proofreader to Richardson the novehs for a time, and again tried teaching, being given a position hi an old iriend named Milner. His darkest h^urs had nrSee^ past, and the dawn was soon to appear At Dr MUn^r^^hr. he met with Griffiths, the publisher' who, sLck w h h s lite? ary taste entered into an agreement with him to wri^e dirini a year for his paper, the Mo^/A/y /Review. Here was an tmX hnj into the field of literature in which he was trachiev" fern, compe;f4''"H'''""^ ^^"^^"^^ '^^^ g^'^^d conXt and competence His connection with the MonM(y Review how ever, ud not last long. He was dilatory, and Griffith and hi wife were exactmg and disagreeable. An open quaire ensued resulting m lasting enmity. He was now known to pubH hers and could get emplojment on one or another of the nurnerous Through Milner's influence he wa« onri-^v.^-.^ post on the CoromandefcoaS, and fo raf e mo„ey"f m W " «lf ou. for .his duty h. wrote 'his Entuiry' iZ^'lfnt ^Z 30S UFE or OUVBR GOIMSMlTir. X. ..ion' f*d.'"""Hr:;:::,: T^'n" •••"^"•= V'r^ °' applk„,ion f„r a position in an ho;i.,'''Km;'„ "'''■'' '"k^^ ance .hose dis,.pUn.men.s his iCi >r, pulii h.'cTin f-t wrker. R f''"''^''T''""^ *^^^ "ft^"" ^"^i-^ed by^oTher writers,. He also wrote for Smollett's Rrit,\h nr • 1 Newhprv'Q P«/./.v. AW '"' J3IU01ICII s Jirtttsh Magazine and i\ewDery s /'^M.r ^<^'^^^'-, to the latt planned and partly Sen 'n^ ?"" ' ^'^'^^ '" ^"''^P^' ^•d through, but he beSd S? ^"^^e countries he had pass! and thepo^m lay by h™ for 1 ^' ' "^'^ "^^ desire poetry, Johnson as to itsVubSion Th ' ^'^'' ^'^'''' ^^ ^°"«"Ited '">ly 'evised, and WIS nhr'/^.P^^""^^^ fi"'shed and care- Tra.e,,er. Dr Johnirg^.^'fa f/ ""k;'^"^'" ^^64 as the ca/J^ev/era, and other mI'^'"''^'" °^ "gh^ °" his thoughtless garrulity. He was most at home in resorts of a lower order among his congenial bohemians whom he met at genial clubs, the Devil 1 avern or the Globe Tavern, where the time was spent n songs, jokes, and sallies of humor. It was in these resorts that he gathered the materials for his comedies and his humor- ous writings. He was at this tiine elaborating his Good-natured Man, which was finished early in 1767, and submitced to h?.."'^."' r^'^ '"''^, f^^y^o'^s for approval, and which was brought on ahcr much delay at Covent (iarden after being re- fused by Gamck at Drury Lane. He spent this summer at Islington working at a History of Rome. On his return to town in the autumn he was solicited by the government to write inde- ence of colonial taxation which was then the great political ques- lon and for which Lord North's administration was being fierce- ly attacked by Junius, Wilkes and other writers. Goldsmith declined the offer, preferring to retain his independence, and if necessary, his poverty. The messenger who was sent on this mission tells the interview : " I found him in a miserable suite of chambers in the Temple ; I told him my authority ; I told him how 1 was empowered to pav most libemllv for his exer tions ; and, would you believe it, he was so absurd as to say J can earn as much as will supply my wants without writing for rary intel- I from get- was never rsonal de- nersation he associ- he imper- f method- such men led on to Itercation Johnson an (lold- when he de would "genius"' as Mark •er, when ind true )ughtless er Order al clubs, ^is spent e resorts I humor- '-natuted litced to lich was eing re- nmer at to town te in de- ;al ques- g fierce- Idsmith , and, if on this lie suite ; I told is exer- to say, ting for LIFE OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 207 mi' ''Ind' so 'r I'f r "'' ^?" "'"'"''' '^ ^'''^^^^"^^ unnecessary to me , ana so 1 left hnn m his garret " The Good-natttred Man realized for him ^500, a lar^c sum to come suddenly and unexpectedly to such a man He L e hately launched out into extravagance, bought a lease of ex- pensive apartments in the Temple which he furnished nnunif, cent ly clothed hunself in wonderful raiment, gave gr^nd nr ics to all his fnends and literary acquaintances ^and helcl Ins time o^rsook sr' '-vt '>^^^' °^ "^^ : j^"y i>'Wns ' whoVj;: orsook hmi ihe ^500 soon took to themsdvcs win^s and flew, followed by nmch larger sums- borrowed on the crcdi h..s new fame. All was merry while the borrowing sc In he loans soon ceased to be found and the debts remaineclo hamper and worry him till his death. rtmamccl to book-bu Id ng. Durmg the summer of 1768, he be-an his L>escr^ed li^/a^r. His brother Henry had jut die.l 1 s Te h makmg a deep mipression on our author ,,nd much o tie pathet.c description of that poem no do ,bt arose fom 1 e med,tat.on over his early life with his brother in the v iZe of -.ssay, the home of their childhood. He, no doubt^•ontrSed f^aSes^lia;:^:^" •'^'"^«^^--" ^^^'^ "''^ ow^^:;^ acquamtai^ce of the Hornecks, a lady and her two dauahtcrs in m el^ctual and refmed family who could overlook poo Gold o n-^.^ '''■'" ''''"''"'"*^' '^''^ g^"'"^- ^V'th this fami; he formed a warm mtunacy and appeared particularly desirous of appearmg well m the eyes of the younger daughter Ma y wi,o was known as the "Jessamy IJride." Though he probab y'nevc^ aspired to her hand, it is possible that nuul) of hi S ravLance especially in gaudy dress was owing t(, this desire His /)iv' /^Jc/'^rj "^"' ^'";1^^^ '" '769, and a new work beg mS Msfory of Ammated Nature, to be published by ( Iriffiths Thesi works are compilations, a species of work for which Goldsmith had a peculiar talent. Johnson says of him, " He has hra of compiling and saying everything he has to say in an easi', manner. He .s now writing a natural history, and wiU make .^ as pleasing as a Persian fale." In this year also, the Royal Academy was founded Sir Toshm Reynolds being the first president (and receiving his Kn It hood), Johnson, professor of ancient li erature, anToo Idsm th of 2o8 LIFE OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH. Next year, 1770, the Deserted Village was published and had bntZTtK ^t'/"^/^"'°"^ ^^'"g ^^hausted in one year guineas whici hM h °'^ '' •?'; " ^^'P"'^^^^ P"^^' °"^ hundred guineas which had been paid long in advance. Goldsmith took p the draggle-tailed muse only in his moments of ?allbnce ' othi Tr'"^i^' """.'"''" '^"^^'^' 'I «hall starve, but by my wTs and Ihl. tn k'' ""'' '^^ ^^^e'^/Z-^r that first made him lamous and able to charge a proper remuneration for his work ^lory if^thf pe':^^^^^'''^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ""^ ^^ ^-n in tl. J\IJIV "TTT '''' ""^ ''^"^"'■^' The Mistakes of a Night; or She Stoops to Conquor. Much difficulty was exr,erienced in getting this comedy on the boards, but, through Tohnsonl in farv'leir^'hf \'r^'^ °"^'" March, ^73, aTd'took la r y well. The chief incident m thw play, the mistake of m'a>h' P7?'^J?°"«i.fo^ a hotel, was one that waT actual^ made by Goldsmith in his youth, and the leading character has many of Goldsmith's characteristics. By the pmceeds of this pay Goldsmith was enabled to pay off some of his debrs. bu his anxiety was by no means relieved. He however assumed gaiety he did not feel, and appeared to be enjoying ife as we bar ofTh'dul.''''' '' ^°'"'"' "'° ^''^ y^^^ ^'^^'"^ ^ "^^ cZT !|jf^PP<^'"t"?ents now came to dash the hopes of poor Goldsmith. He had conceived the scheme of publishinea iterarymenoftheday promised to contribute, but no pub hsher would undertake it, and all his labour proved "n v^a"n His mortification at this failure was intensified shortly after- wards by the refusa of the government to grant him a pens on an apphratjon for which had been made by his friends ' He had little heart (or work now, hopelessly in debt and in failing health, as he was, yet he maintained his wont.d L.et, TnL^lTi^f °"'" e«ravagantiy. He, however, finished h s Animated Nature, and began a short History of England III LIFE Oh OLIVER GOLDSMITH. oog once produced the following "He,r,tvS J^ ,p^™'< •■>' shortness called Noll whnSr«,.it ''"','^,'^°'"^"™"*. for poor P„U,. ™?co:pre.7?b abl, •" .^of^ 'slt'11 "'k'^ l^mith, but it is inTerior ?o S^™ "„?s "^y^Tfr 1- °^"'- left unfinished, breakins off in the ™id%» „f K'taltam was .rait of Sir Joshua Reyn'"e of vagance and a thoughtless irenerositv fh,.? "^'^.' '" ^^^'"''1- But we must notil^re^Eo^much ' w'" '" ''''\ • gemus down to rules made for ordinary men Ho w""? '^'"^ and no writer is rore^^lo^'eTbJX" fe^r^^d'^ '^""^^^ not avo.d detecting the Personalfty'SfhTpt/lS^^^^^^^ schoL^ ntmiStTnot v:"c"om?T ''"^^'^ ^ P-^-"^ great originality. He had no sTrnn^E'^ v "T"' ^"^ ^^ ^ad no ions; his mind Hv temperament and K? or religious opin- abovemuch of the tradhS .L ^ ^•'■^''^' ^^ ^'evated the day, which enaUdtn?t'o^Tcom:rv^^^^^^^ T"^'^- «^ He was a gentle, amiable sitin\7 V ^ ' •'"'^'cious critic, philosophic poetUXoLsiinT/i ?• """■""' farce writer-a ist. He .rie^d almost e^ve^kfnd o?t ''' '"' ' ^^^^^^"^ ^^^^y succeeded in alI-nVh..tZrt'othrbe'arnrd!J'°" ^"' » --A a greater and fitted by the i might have reless, roving for her o»vn. competence ; ith he had a sent value of man, but it -d, in extra- > J)ejust. cannot bind was his own beloved by his bounty ; -r, who can- lor on every a profound i he had no igious opin- as elevated •ejudices of cious critic, e writer — a ceful essay- 3sition and cl." HSrOTES. ;■ THE CniZEX OF THE WORLD. i >n ICngland. There are I2Vietl^rs^•7an Uuf!!]lV ^"'?'^ Philosopher living ently only 119, owing tothl.Mu ^;'?"^'" 'he first ed.tio.i there are appar text in the prLnt edition i^tli^on^^ 57 and 116. '^U- benng is that of the old edition ,808 "^ """'"^^ani edition. 1854, and the ni.ni- lar taste. In this species "f vvr tini \.llJ a ^^'''u^>' '^''^'" ^old on the popu- that day borrowed KeTy ?rom ffich liteS^ " "i1""'.' ^'"^"^'^ ^^"'^-^ «f ^ nature/some of which were ceTebrated al The T i -'^^ c'^' ''I'^'y ^'''^^ "^ this -^ters. /he Persian Letters of Montoquieu (on which 'r- n^^'^l^'' ^'''"'^^ ^et- rhe Orphan of Chaon. Voltain's Tr i re Iv r 'n I V.°'''i""'h s are founded), ^^^r ^"^'-''>^' ^ Orphelin de la Chine, and Le Phinig:^^^;^^!SS^::;-^^;-?u2^sh spy had been translated by or. " The Pleasing History " ^i ) VlumL h?H '"''I' ^T ^''"'' ^'""'"^ Chinese Orphan, 'founded on V-nhnV; • .""^P"/ ^ad produced a play. "The tion, The Orphan of hna ^ slory .uinrlf.c '' ^'"'P^^^T. h^^vingVfounda- •s.de these, Defoe's '' Tourthroug u'S-^nd ''^^^^^ Confucius. Be- an Indian chief on \ \'isit to Eifgand W- Ino^^^^^^ ^teeles paper from philosopher in London, to Liena^t v'^^^l J ^^ u""V^'' ^^"^ "^ <^"hi"ese ^^^/'-i^-*^';- cJnosityasJothe cc^i^ll^^'X ^^ ^^^^^^^-^ had on the public. Curiosity as o he coiSn X •7^'''' /?°j^ '"'^'^ ^^"""ng^ ■ by SirVViiiiL cLmbers-'Sinese t"^^^^ '"'if"''^ ^"^ J^s the Chinese with h,?h artis^^' I'm «ill^i"!:^' ' '.".which ■Stimulated also ,on their intrinsic merit JtS'sh "is JyT'''™'^'"' P''^^''^ '" ^'"^'•^'"'- d'S bably have lost its firce iFuttered by'rLronS;^''';hlf ■^»»''-« -hich would pro- have an eastern hue. and perhaps an^e.^sreri^S-H^h T'""^ reflections often acterization. thougl,, are Goldsmith'^ own Th ' ^^ *'""2''"'' ''*"'' '^e ch.-ir- V^orld consists in? " Its fre^j orSl n^X^,,.- ''• ^'ifV" °f '^e Citizen of th<- and manners, its wit aiui hu, iTI s pl?lffi delineation of life gaiety, its clear and lively style ''-Kv '"'vcrtmgsaMre, its exhilarating popuCVSdS';^ "^'-^ t^^£^f%^^T^^'. - 'otters for and propriety, with only an occasional nafcurxcvwLnf^"'?''*^^ ^^ Parity he he sought to be c'ear not precise and hi/trL Writing for the general puti him to say what he wanted to 'pv in ,ho ' ', ^^^""^ °^ language enabled His sentences are never involved' o intricate and^avf' "!^ ,P'"'^*"^ f^™- clauses are sometimes carelessly arrnnTpM,;, 1 . u^-^ '"'''^'^'""s flow; the struct grammatical accuracy 'y^t h senteAcTs ar? ^'"l^ '"."^^ ^^'"er 'than and reg^tlar. seldom havijlg the artificK^n^e^ .nd^'so^ro'rouY'irnS'^S 212 IVOTES. lather of the loose variety HU in! P*'"°^'<= s'y'e. I'is long sentences beim i accuracy of Johnson? buf a pSy and"a mH^T "^f,l^.g'-^"<=e of Addison Ldh^ are generally confined to a sKsubt^, ."''^,1''' ^'^ own.. His paragraphs al^ short in this work, ^1s S ntt Snd hlrP^^'"?""' = 'he/arelS' /a7 ^'"f i' ^•'"'^'■*' ^i«-"^ then of GoldsmTh's sll^ Penod.ca hterature the World, wemavsavthatr.f.t,^ I^- ^!'y'^' '''■'' shown n the Ci/i-PH „/ quahties of clearne^ s^° i'^tV'Sh'fni"^''^ he possesses the int^t ^^^ hewant of precision in the use of woTds or fr '^ ambiguity arising from terms. The emotional qualities of sTvIp nr^ i ™ ^ '^''^r^''^^'* collocation of Velated actwe. aggressiye side % the e^ua i'^ ^Trinlt^T',"""' ''" '"'^ ''°'^'- ^o the m this or m any other wo-k soars infnfhfK?' ^^ '^■"' "o claim. He never tremulous rhythmical prose 7il n.^.l r'""""' ''"^ has no ,>assagesof Toflv by sunh nrHino, _ J.- '\^y ".*- "^^er seeks strcntrth hu fr^r^.Li i^i"" '°"> ' £ tn^ "J,'^^"" '"''"S^*^- ^'ot, indeed bThe nathetirf..' !" '""ii '^"-" '"''''^'■°"-^- h^ him to show a command over thr- powers nfl.h' 2' "'""^''^ ^^^ ^'O^^'d e.xpect seemed to have a double existence one wi»^'-"*^'' •^'^ -'■'''^' ''"''"'P'" '"'• "^^ wagging his tongue among hi '-y,"/ S^^oPf., '" hand and the Sther while seemed to suppress all L'^deep fediifjs of 'll^^''''';'-''' '° "^^ ^^^''^^ auay ; and he ^t sentiments of the ^efined^S^t S'S^^S^^^^t^-- .!>Slfs;tS£S^^^^^^^^ This is seen best in his expect from an Irish humorist. In these rhfn^f>»'"°"u'^'"'' ^"^h ,^s we v- , consists only in a quiet, sly humour. defyeredwitK/r' ^""T"'' '^^ '"^icu .., aim nierely to put the reader in good humour or to nfn ^^ ^^^^- "« ^^'''"is '« the absurdities and whimsicalities of oSry litUe minH^J' ^ ^"''^^ ^^'»"« ^t Often he raises this smile by taking a ^otl.mL • "'^^^ "^'=" '^"d women. men often will do, of his own mbfortunS 151 wTT' T F""""^' disappointed gamed^an epigrammatic force by givi^rgln u^e\;;^c\?d"furn^X^^;rof ^e ^ei/^sI'atSS^^SSrS^^^^SSl^ - g^'"^ t^ fine art f.eling-he His sentiments are eaSy of comprThSsbnanLr. I"''' °^'^^''= ''^"'^ thought. "Mguage. that pleases by its very melody He t^'P,'"'''''!^ '" '""P'^' graceful forced thoughts^ or fanciful expresS.lerSlyn.^^^^^^^ '" "° P^^^ "-nceits, thcexception of the ordinary metaphor calmoSf '^^"'■ative language with ploys abundantly and with ^eat fSdty on eve^^^^^^^^ '^"' ^^^^^^ he em- LETTER I. NOTES. 213 The last sentenceTch.d s ,r ?''°'"'! ^nrt „K,n„er.s ? vate letters in Goldsn^'^ ■ ' ^/e e^S^;, '.'"'^ ''' '-' custunu.rv no.v, but all pri- IT'V"^ '^'^'^y^ '"eluding L'cSeUVn' ^';^'"'''' ^°'"Piin,ent often "xt'l '•ng the compliment, but we retafn .»,» i "'' '^"'''^ "^« last sentence ot , plimamao.. "^^ """ ""■="" °" »«'"»l l«'" "clfbe nnvrhSg tarconl' FJ.raphra?e * vSbIe'?eml?of dectsed'^ ^^:" ^^^ "^ -^lamatory style Scl" :?'""'"? °^ 'venerable' and .TnUc^""b r ^'"^'^^u""' ^"^ 'he^iv^e': '^tailat^rc'-Would .fan > • '" '"""'' '"'^' kemarkon'the force anfprofe 'with' and 'by' ■barbarous profusiCn.P OruL^r^S r'''^.::°'^'"" ^' ^^''■^-^ .-. monument. <= 'canons, t/ipeio my eyes round. iiwe,' " None^;i%iVT^ . (fame).-What name.s given to this form of expres- «one tgt flatter but the enitnni, t . . Gray s stahEa containing the iS "°"^ 'he right word here ? Quote what such an institutiS. Luld'be and" d.5>o 'f''''^^^' ^"°«' ''^^ing indicated -^..o compare the.«ecti^^Jj^S^-hhi,^.en^ in -eT' whlXr r eSs°o/ th ^^ '' T'^ --"•- ^^ envy dies with out : when I meet with theKof parentsTn ""' """^ '"ordinate^ gSs" with compa-ssion ; when I sle the tCmb o? ."h^ " "" '"^bstone my heart S he vanity of grieving for those whom L P''^'''^"'^ themselves. I cons^er kings^ lying by those who deposed th^m^ri ''"''^'^'y f°"°^ = WhenTsee by s,de or the holy men thaSS ,h; S I, v'^'.^"' ''"^^ '''^^ placed sfde JebSof "' n"T ^"^ ^'0"isC„t on °ht, 1 h '^eir con tests and disputes fh,t !f^'^"'^"K'"^- When I read the severe h. ^°"lPet'tions, factions and that died yesterday, and some siv hnnH^ J ' ^^^^^ °f "'« «ombs, of some 3- jaentlemaiL-The usher i. =q Jn", fJ"'. '^f r sentiment and satire .0 a negati.^: Omit bilJ! ^J S' 2' an°d 'ul "°' f'^f^T - '-affirmative cleuse wr and ' between the two. ^' ^"'^ "'^ "'"'« before the first clause, 214 AVr£S. ii his country ts>'' 74.) "'''''''^^' °^ ^'^"'^y ' '""> ''^^ I"i^''-- '-' the glory of coS^uialiM.;? ""**'»>"»'=»«"• -iMhis use of character a condensation or a as'° 'atr'f^oTJ,.":;^ "■"''' "°''' """''^ "^^^ '^"— ' "- P-i--. • So ' jT/oDhr*"'?^? '°«''T"*- -««-^'""ve the ambiguity l.ere AeI,Z/„~^-r,'''"P''^i''""'"'K''t word here? *" • lI.TJiSgm'dArSr'.C'T'''^ """ ""• "^'"■^■^ ■"•>"•" l'"n--'y. . sarcasiicfuraacreusl^tT .1 a^^^ h^' '^ •""^'' too M-.Ui,nents areT'oIdsmitlk ' ''"'' '^^ '""^" '"•'> '«= "•'■ "-^hur-s but th. .e^"SSSrS^''J^:^;^f^°'^-ith-susua,epigran.n,atic w^!lp,S^l^?!fS^'-^^^;pf';p;J|-S;thr '^''^ '^V^'''"-^' ^^'- /„//u/. ""' ^^'- r-^f'-iy detect Chinese peculiarities in .-iV- vefy l,Sf J'?Sh'l,.:ir-T.i «f:r'^'^r";^'<'"« ^' -J-d man ashan.ed is into his writings! '^" ''""'"'" '-'onversation that has slipped ■^^^f^r^^M^ZS'utr''^ '' ,""^"'^""y "^'d^^i" these essays, had ridiculed' h?defrc for o^.h?;r '''^''^ ''"""'^ •'*'^-^°"- I" '"'ter I2 he that none but lie (^^4erv n[. v • <'?""r' "?'^ *'''''* expressed his belief , 5. Prior -Matthew V Ik, honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey. firayton -MkwTr ^^."I'f/^ * ''J'"-"'^ P"^'' "' '""^•'' originality. ' still is for his iSySi' ^^ ^ '■ '^ ^^'"'"'»'>"^ P"*-''- ^"•'>°^'-^' '" his'time, and poft^SrhTs'ien.u^/^ut^lilof now'r^^^^^^ . "l" ''''' ^"<^ g"-'«^ ^-^>^ as a man that Sd peo^r^^r f,?^ '" ''^ '"^^ ^''"^- ^' ^^ ^'^ ^^^'-^-^ snSj;;^ "K!f oFtldlS;;;::? ;r "'^"^ «'"'^^^"y '» -^ue about GoH. to criticise n^w books Go d mhh hin I/*"''"' "' ", "* """' ^^ ■^"'"■'^ litfrature, he here satirize' ai^l^^ Su.dd ^>^ hf.^r' -n' '" ''''' «"'"y °^ '^e faults sm • ^ i"t (^'-r sVe nou, ^lo^r '"'^ '^" "'^^^^ "" ^■"''-■ ga"on of Shs"-~^°'^''"'''' '^'"^ ^''' '^"^ '^"^'^ked, probably at the insti- • E^^y KS^^^^S^i: t::^:' ""'^''^ -^ ^^^ -lew of the maticefS^^ ^^ """"^ '^ "^*^^ '" contrast with 'empty' for the epigram- •V/LS Vapprop\\^tSy'7i^.d'b;Z\"^^^ ' ^""Z^' ' '' '' P-'^Po^ition. • Your • is here ulTS^nAor Sntemp?'"-"^"""' ''''"'' '"'" -'— - fic^ItTesVnd"^r whic'l.^" h^rir^mr f J'''' h"'^' r"' '''''' ''^"""''^ "« «f ^^e dif- , there were scarc:!;:t;'Srn!"a'S.d1h'^^ l^rpgn m order to gam the fayorable opinion of the general readers. Gold. ualepigrr.nunatic / smith's personal appearance an 1 laLu, ,, i to this species of aVsis.ance! ) t to his ".^i'lnrr'^ *^"^ ''..Mimer.cs in his wav 'lependtnce and s^lf-reliance enough oTer, "" '","''^'''^'" *^"''' ^'■- ^^'^ '"' hgured none of his hooks with '^r.' ,c -s i , 'r •"""'''"« '\ "»^'-'"'>'- ' ^^ dis- o good taste by their fulson.e Tttm an I ^ ■i"''''-' ''"'"^ '^ ""-' ^'^"> ""■-■"'^iv^' cations were to his intimate frien K (,, i.f,, ,^'"'; '-'J'-^gi-rations. Ilisdedi- man he aske.. on ,h,.., ^ngofieaius,: -*^ '^'i'*'' ^'»«/M' .• '^fc' words! and'theSeT^'"'""^"'-^''- ^'^•'" '^ "-■ftect of us,ng .he «OV^rfl"iS«r.l-l'''k f ^Pi«^-" ? (B. 4.). 'r^^^^^^'^^^^^S^^ ''' I^uchess of Richmond, etc., and on being told th4t the- heaSad be^n''o;'!;!;''' '""''^l "" •^'""^ ^''f-^"' a hea.l, ed, that probably some Whi/ ad s.olen ,> ■''■■ V'"^ ''■'"' *^'" ^tol^n, remark ''^K^^-£?r"'^- !ri^:j^S'^ •^•^'" tolockupthlir and Criticisn., ^SninSlKrP^SI;""'^^^^'^' P'^^'^^'-' ^"'^-ture. Critics " E'en from our ashes snr;,,,, .u • "Thepathofgro^rJ'^^^Srii^^'fo^rgrj"''''' )r the epigrani- LETTER 14. "v '" Lie saiirized. The sarcasm Tc i, "" '""^^^ qu; From home.— What kfV^t^^ 'f' however, mild and o OutlandCh ._iih?,^,' ,'5 ^l"^ '''""•e here ? ^5^^ ,,j,„ ^^^J: vV. 0uul^7lXr.^n,^^''^»^^'''i'-ehere . _ .„,_,...„.^ at hrst for an EngHshmin ? ""What^i^^.L £"" yo" Justif^-'ihetdy's taking him Ii6 JVOTES. ChlneBe. We now say Chin.imun, but Bret Harfe's huinor<^d'they,'al hough not emphatic, is made more or less so by the pause after it. Say but (being ) more , . than (on) relieving their friends, they refused, etc. Starving.— Has the literal meaning— dying, perishing. ^mMr,\ labouring With dl8ea8e.-( Under disease), or suffering from (or afflicted with) disease. T/wusands in every prison is not the meaning intended. Their priBOnera.— We have to go back two sentences to find an anteceaent for ' their.' A semicolon after distress would divide the sentence better than a comma. The next two clauses are balanced and might have had a simi anly ot structure; they ceased to be hateful when they ceased to be iormidable. ine author chose variety of expression, however. Forgetting . . their. -This sentence shows the danger incurred by changing the subject in the course of a sentence when pronouns are used. Ihe sense is clear enough, but the effect is weak, though the sentence is evidently formed with the intention of being impressive. Gay BOns. — An ornamental periphrasis. Once more taught— (taught once more to resume). They had not been taught before. For ' taught ' say enabled. 6 Scarce.—' Scarcely ' is the form for the adverb now. ... , , Cttlsen of the World.— This phrase, afterwards selected as the title ot these collected letters, was borrowed from Addison. Nations were just beginning to be conscious of the absurdity of international hatred or contempt ; OoldsmiUi delighted to think himself free from such prejudices, andconsequently extols the virtue. A Frenchman, however, writing of this incident might have given a dit- ferent version, as their historians, during the Napoleon wars at least, accuse the English of great harshness towards prisoners. 1 nave done (found). ,, , u • Friends to him —Point out the two meanings here. How does emphasis re- move the difficulty? Arrange the phrase so as to remove the necessity of em- phasis. This phrase shows the difference between spoken and wntten words, and the greater care required in written discourse to make the sense clear with- out the assistance of emphasis, inflection and intonation. . . . 7 Grafted upon human (our) nature.- A philosophic writer of the present time would probably drop the metaphor and say it is one of our hereditary in- stincts that is gradually being "evolved " from our nature, and should not be ' indulged ' unless the destruction is necessary, and then needs no atoning. Our own Joy.— Requires something about the joy of others ; the contrast and balance also require similarity of structure, such as, to testify our own joy by endeavouring to restore (or promote) that of others. , . . , , The proposition is now stated and discussed and this isolated sentence gives the generalization of the incident. It consists of two parts separated by a colon ; that stop being here correctly used to indicate the union of two state- ments, the latter having a logical but not a grammatical dependence on the 8 The principle of benevolence is now illustrated by other examples— always a useful expedient in a composition- the incident here being drawn from Chinese history in keeping with the fictitious auihoiship. 1 he letter c!op,fts wj.n the general deduction or moral. The secoiK} sentepce is long and might have been divided at the colon after ' make,' NOTES. 219 We would say 'waited Tnatliad ever been genn Tn,;„ »», menlioned had „„, b °„ s™'"^" !"""« » °°' ""'■">' «°'™". « the .,i„„,ph »Si"',?p?ss'si?!Sf,''''''':Th^,'r. rr,:'; ""■• ' -"-" ■ "»■ ^^ ffiiic;Sii-rh^;i;r?sH'r-r^^^^^^ Themes :-A criticisn f ,lf .• '"° '-'°-''= "'^ "le essay, ions by referring ^^^^ ^^^^^.^^^ ' ;^^^^^ your op,,,. pve than to receive-rul,l,c and priAte ch^riu ^ ~ ''f ''^ -'' '' ^'^"" '" let who will be grerit." '^ '-"anty-.Synipathy_"Be goorl and LEllER 25. resembles Goldsmith hinse^ that the nn^h'"''''-''"'"'"'"^'' '^^'^'^'f"" 'ife so murh the ■• Strolling Player" i"the A^Lr y^- 'iV'/F"^'"''^''-^' ^"'^P""''' here a" Lfeand character. We have a hCo?^us vSn//" n '^''^'''^ f'""' ^''^ ow, ness and perhaps also of his assu^d ,^d ffertnce ^^?Jf ^'""h ^ o^^ " great weak- in Black are much like those praised in the J. rHi" .."'^^^"''""-•"ts of the Man :s-^S-eaS:ir'--"-"-"-co^S^ style a,K, careful arrangement The phr s "n^^ ^ fr'^^"''"^'"* •'^^''^urate parallel arrangcMiiMU, and balance amlvue.w^ ""^^^ '"''^''^ frequently the Be replete.— The indicative i.w.n,^ 1 ''r^iwing contrasts, dilated 'shows that a fS a d,.oTu^ to be required here as • is the clauses in this and the foHo winj s™ e "" ''T"' n\^' ^™-'y^'n--"t of yet an evident effort has been nuuk to 'J-, ' ''r,?'"^'"; ^h''7 are contrasted, oach reverses the order of thought -though ^n.r ''"■' = "'*-■ •'^*^^°"^' '^''^"^'^ '" though sordid, yet . . love So ^ gL-nerous, yet . . prudence - sion; while . . pity vet -n " Z "'"" hater ; while . . como'is rhyme a.b.b.a it. th'e nUoWm stal"rSetrT'' ^'''■'^' """'^^'^^ this wS S^;;S i^S^S^-S'S;;' h "1l^^« -— . indeed 2. Says he (said he) - rhe , rtSt.n,. h" ''"^^"^"'*°" ^^°"''' have sai.l what is called the figure of "sion *"■ ''"''"'^■'-■'■' S'^'^-s animation, being They want (need) no more -Thoncrh tt,» • , shows the care necessary in usin^worri. nf , ''"'^ " '^''^'^'"' ^his word ■ want ' 2S6Jrom B.) ^ """"^^ ^""^^^ ^^ '^^o or more meanings. (Sec ]/. Are found to relieve tham Tt,« . • val of 'are found to ■^om!^'p7j.e\h7Zr::J^^^^ ' ^"e remo- Illustrates a device sometimes used to make '„"-' '^^'' '^''' '™"'"'^'= The three nouns are strong by their pSon^'^r'"?'"^ "'"'^ in a sentence. slr^LSf-;-^. ^^^ -"«t'o^^-d^l^S£.-^? wf S s'a?TesererJfrSl,1?Sst^^^^^^^^ "•"" ^-"-.censure. 3- But was forced. -ExDlicit rpfir^n ? ^"^^^^^ 'han merit relief. ' Of demonstratU. conneS^ndSS "l^'^.^f " '■^^"'^ -P«''tion3 lil 'he' ' But ' and after the' principle of propinquity of their goods for half value must PrepoBBesaed agalnBt.-We are P-Po--^>>ViJh?;n!l ^^: '"' '"' judiced against ; ^r\^^^°vZXV£^^LetC-m^^ l>ere? .ote^Jd^r^TfrXXranrn^ghn^e heen divided into two at the colon. ,. , . ,;r;„,i> nistinffuish wislifullv and wistfuUy. rAnSSriangrras'hiit or'omirfnX^ or sa/'in a tone just as •"live WmBelfDyrelleving. etc.-This is the variety of eompassion sa,d in Letter 23 to be not J£"gl'sh. ^ _Omit the commas and insert But, not waiting for a "Ply. oeBirea. unm ^j ^n. < before 'desired.' Excess of P""';'"^^ °" '.'but he did not wait, etc,' i introduces the negative, the sense be ng Dut ne uiu rne°gS Ihe su^ect should generally be repeated. 6. Those fellows . . wlio.. etc.- un related words say; The fellows who ... have stolen them.' .„„„i,, i,v thpse instance- is to exercise A wretch, who, etc.-'ihe ^ff ^our c larhy as the most deserving came He had no money 1 At 'a^t, stmck by » "^ppy «,^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ p„,„j ^ style, rth^s^c^nstntction i's sug-^Srn.erll'J as a variation and not as an .mprove- ment. LETTER 26. bv the editor (see Preface). . , . Goldsmith himself. 4-alVSdlVtta^^«ifofr ViS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -S^tsS^^i^th^^^-rtX^^^^ inthat and the followmg ^^^.; 7.^' °^jS "^^i^^nnuu^^^^^^ and social '''HSn7ate'ivlne.-Who is the author ? Point out the figures in this sen- tence . „.,;„;„„ _This word has lost much of its prescntive nature Gettlng--earnmg-gainmg.- 1 ms woru nas y ^s, to get accus- (see Earle), and^as sometimes a symbo^c torcea^^ . have ' has resulted in rbrgeieraltri"hatloV'?.rtp^^^^^^^ hing, and prc- t on. y here ? Aed the law of ranged in the ito two at the d wistfully, a tone just as ompassion said ind insert ' he ' iition. 'But' etc,' and after propinquity of half value must ;;, is to exercise deserving came ginning with ' I iing the sentence vacity . :iim.' yle, reserves the 1 rendered more purpose, ti . . . good : a pointed style, t as an improve - desire to believe V. plied as pretended loldsmith himself. Deserted Village. 15 much discussed 16 love of the sexes Dtection and social ent political state figures in this sen- s presentive nature y, as, to get accus- ive ' has resulted in ,ve' to denote mere NOTES. 221 • .-Suny o??hem':'^""'""^ '"" °'^ ' «°''^--'" -- it. hut critics speak dis- •m^^K wTr?urf^Ss"is\?"'^"^^'^ ''^--- Express it f„„y. Partly Mcrtbeds..?'^ ,''"■"'■ '^ "°"' 'colloquial. "'-''•''^-"^acle'morf e(?ectK?bv repel^^t!r"~ ^^'f depreciation, which is after! auuBiBt me.— An unusua evDressinn '"r^ ■• . "'They advfsei'" ^'"-l"''^ ^uhsistence ' ' ^° P''"^''"^" "'^''^'^ "'^'"tain the a comn,on e.vpedS. F^rThe'lse SSh' ',''' '^' '"'^'"'■"P'ing parenthesis ; Orders.-Holv orders • to tnUp nr P^'^''"'hetic matter, see Af. rqi. 8. Black coat'-G Jd;n, .h'. '^''^ , " "'°'"« "^ed. for orders before th';trh;' ^atX trnt^h.^T;"' h ^n presenting himself M '■««^':.'' "■'^'■'-'h no doubt nhade an imnrpS ' ^<^ j^PP'^^'-'cd in a pair of Mortified creature -l„ let -r .V i, T '^J" °" "^'^ '^'^hop. »m,lh "■nsfondofas,ociaii,H"S,'|°/BS, °i;Jr»''"''>;sl'P(«ee life). Gold- ;;ra&'ss^.";;"i'-s4 3 Sir": '^""--^^ 'd'om. "^'i «8po8al.-Change this to the present ^^^Seemlng to Study. etc.-Is this phrase figurative? How, ifhehad sa,d Out at last It came (it came at Hstl r^i . ., short sentence nor the i,Wertedorder~burho?'n"'''".^°'/ "°' °f"-'" "^^ the was (she had but one objection to cnn,ni.r P'7'''''I"S: for the clin.a.v. There : .she was (had been) '. MoXr\-l' ^""yJ happiness; which was nou,. with c."S2!;^^/^^-yS;;JJe cyjrcuUy of using pro- anticlimax-. "'^^' '"*= ''''°''^ ^avmg the efrect of the epigram and the 13. At large. -Derive this Dhrl,!^'^^'"°" ^« '" the ne.vt paragraph ? ^ the^m'etfnr' '•^^^-''^P^e and believing. -Use synonyms to bring out u„htp?y^r '^ °^ ''^'^ ^'°'^-> -^ - 'ioubt Goldsmiths own during hi, 222 NOTES. 15. Preferred. — Advanced to a higher position, or, as here, chosen for a posi- tion. Prefer and preferment are usual in this sense. To aim at (to achieve) Independence.— Merely to aim at it was not the true way. 16. Along with the liunior of character in the Man in Black we have his humorous sentiments, which, besides being whimsical, carry a satire on them- selves and on the world that jiuts them into practice, 'llie man exhibits a strug- gle between the worldly and the poetical qualities of our race with apparent vic- tory, but real defeat to the former. Rich Widow.— This widow reminds us of Addison's celebrated "perverse widow " who tormented Sir Roger Ue Coverley. In the closing letter this en- gagement is suddenly broken off by a quarrel over the question whether in carv- ing a turkey the wing or the leg should be taken of first. TIIEMKS. f. Discuss Goldsmith's invention, characterization, and knowledge of human nature, as shown in this and other characters. 2. lienevolence and benevolent characters in literature. 3. Humor and benevolence ; wit and malevolence. Discuss why these qualities are thus associated, and how they have been associated in literature, 4. Write a critique on the Man in Black as a literary work. LEI ri'lR 30. 2. A (the) power, an (a) liuroijean, scarce (scarcely), a (one) garden. When one is not taught —Omit ' not.' The description given in this letter is Irom the traveller's point of view, m which the scene varies and new objects are taken in as the supposed traveller advances (B. Description, chap. I. j). The excellence claimed here for the Chinese is imaginary and was based on a work on Chinese gardening and architecture by Sir W'm. Chambers, which had come out about that time. The statuary and painting of the Chinese are in reality devoid of beautv. Thev knew, and yet know nothing about perspec- tive, and it is not likely that they arranged their trees to make a perspective view ; to claim for them the use of Latin inscriptions is absurd. The sanie may be said of the beckoning ' nvniphs.' .^s an allegory, however, it is a piece ot easy, graceful wrking. The iwp paths are excellently described and the moral taught is sound, except, iierhaps, that virtue is net of so forbidding aspect. The sentences and paragraphs are carefuUv formed and should be closely studied. 'I'he easy gracefulness of the style and' the clear distinct descriistion are remark- able. 3. Proceeded forward. -Omit 'forward.' 4. Planned, clashed round, seemed, appeared.- -Discuss the use of these terms here. 7. Attempt returning. — Would 'to return' suit here. To take place.— To take the place. Perplexed.— How do we use this word at present ? When sufficiently Impressed.— Point out and remove theambiguity in the word ' impressed.' 8. Thus pleased. — What is the ambiguity in this sentence? 9 Take up (each) ten times.— The insertion of 'each' would remove a slight ambiguity ? Addison (^pei/aior, 414) writes of Chinese gardening as follows : — " \\ riters who have given us an account of China tell us the inhabitants of that country laugh at the plantations of our Europeans, which are laid it by the rule and line, because, they say, anyone may place trees in equal rows and figures. They osen for a posl- vas not the true ick we have his satire on them- xhibiLsa strug- ;h apparent vic- ited ' ' perverse ; letter this en- vhetherin carv- ledge of human iv these quahties lure. ) garden. oint of view, in pposed traveller \ was based on hanibers, which the Chinese are ; about perspoe- ike a perspective The same may , it is a piece of J and the moral ling aspect. The closely studied, tion are remark- i tlie use of these ambiguity in the would remove a owt : — " Writers i of that country by the rule and md figures. They NOTES. 223 SS^^*^e^i:,^^;Xci^.;;^;i^^'^is nature, and therefo. always 3criUdaisSn'"'''^'^''°'*''^^'"P^'-°'-'''^' has the concealed art da- DfcslJ'l'^ccf ' ^i'^.beauty of gardens in cities or towns naruSenery?"'"^' ^'"'"''^ ""^^^^^^ is adorned theirs,." as regards LETTER 36. of Altang?rfam[!y""Heti'' £1aTe?un '"?'*' '"''IT'' "P°" '"'"' -^ others to escapl from Ch na iSe caotur^. InH^ educated by a friend, and enabled falls in7ove with his Mo'f slfve^Sfluh ^S^^ Persia he meets and Irom a band of pirates who attarkf-Hth If ^"^ escapes, but m escaping till after many adventures that b^fhnufm' l\^^ ^""'"^ separated, and it is nol proves to be (he dauber of the Man nXl^ ■"""' '" .^"g'and, where Zelis of family history conftitutes a sori nf n?.? ^"''-' ""T '" ^*^"«'" ^)- This bit World, adding to kther^e^nte?e.fof^^^^^^^ .'i)''°"«'^ »''« ^"'^e" of the «n, means of securi^^S^ff ^-t^-^u^-^i^c^^ cr'asinf^'ur^nStfeSoStn'''""^^ '^* ^'^^' '"^-^ ^-^--ent by in- dent that the unettSd peasant view^^^^ may be defended, the further state- educated man is ve Tfor from trVj^ '"'^"^h than does the 3. afendavestaotiowS-ZorJ^ster^^^^^^^^ V"^' happiness, religion, lived about the ijfh "ntur^ Tr ' Th ^'^''l "^ '^'^ ^"'=''^"' ^^''^'''i" and doctrines attributed to him and a book ofT^n.r^^'''^'°"^ '^"^ '^V'""* n the translation into a mor erecent lan^e .hf ' 'f '^ ""J!'"""- ^' '' ''"°^^'" it^:;iz sr-^ '^ caned-^SLS r th: 1^^-- -s; he!?S?g"hrh*a^S^;:;;^^tLtre^.i:*f- '-- ^^'-^ o'd ^ook, the assertion prfmeval^fff '?^TaS,^L''jh™" "'"f"^ "^/^^ '^'-^^'''^"^ "^ ^"ch happv also in moderntimetas in the tale o^'hrLmufp 7"^ '? ^^yP'.^"^ ^f^''^^ ^o even in the present darSer Ha^^rH'. r^'''-^'- '^n s Rasselas. and white races in Africa. "aggard s romantic .cories of primeval No Other world but (than). -See note 8 letter 26 Steepy (steep) cliff, raoie (the) regions dic'tio'nTd?"^y InLlx'jrlssfo'nYinfe ''K^'^'^' ^^'^^^ «" P-'-' •refreshing breeze!^ ' glidi.rgC?: d ■ gXl" t ■ ' ""^^f "° '°'^' ' however, so beaut ful that one canAot vn«h i. ntff "^"'f^^' . The language is, the thought and sentient wTrcKonV to fhr'^ "■" ^ «»'*"& S^rb for poetry. ° "^'""^ '« the imaginative dreaming of '-'■ J:^:^lt^^^ ^^ S in^^if i^r.S"^^'°"^ '^ "^ in'theTr^"o7rcltn":r"" "'°'»^*^«"t. wonder -Are these words used Criticise these expressSfs'^'afuSd*?'" is S^J" ''' '^'^ ""^ '*"'- 224 NOTES, ri. Hormlzda. — Ormuzd, the name of the supreme deity in the Persian re- ligion. Proceeds forward.— Conect this. 14. A country where . . to arrive, but . . offered, lived with the utmost tranquillity, tasted . satisfaction, the yawning earth gave up, etc., the light of the day, his aspect betrayed, etc.— Estimate the propriuty and force of these expressions, correcting where necessary. 15. Region of pleasure. — Observe it is not of 'certainty.' Probability, whom lie had voluntarily chosen forced upon him the Demon of Error ; but error could never lead him to certainty, though with his eyes bound in darkness he might have escaped the ocean of doubt, — " where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise. " 16. Thus saying, etc. — This participle is not used absolutely and has no noun or pronoun. Apparently it refers to Demon, which is not the meaning. Say " the genius having uttered these words and having covered the traveller s eyes, etc.," or use the adverbial clause ( W. ijs). Flattery effected what other means could not perform. —Is 'perform' necessary here ? Whv is it used ? (.1/. 5ji?. ) Look round, unloosed the band, above half way over, throwing . . youthful. — Criticise these expressions. Is the allegory true here ? Does flattery throw an ignorant man into doubt ? Is a state of doubt worse than ignorance ? Or is it the same (as we would e.\- pect from ' walking a circle,' and return to ' pristine ignor-tnce '). I Write out this allegory in plain language as an essay on the pursuit of know- fledge, using metaphors and similes by way of illustration. This letter was answered by Aliangi^LiMcT 43) with a general discussion of the subject that " wisdom and precept may lessen our miseries, but can never in- crease our positive satisfactions. He sees little happiness in the present, none in the memory of the past, and none in the hopes of the future. The man who lives for pleasure alone lives a life of regret and misery : the man who lives for business alone gains continual anxiety only. The true way to dissipate our troubles in the present, our regrets for the past, and our fears for the future, is to include all mankind in our sympathies, and it is by teaching us to do this that philosophy diminishes our miseries. Both letters are full of the pessimisai.that discusses such questions as " Is life worth living?" The subject is one that will never lose its interest or become exhausted. The discussion of it may afford ex- cellent school exercises. Goldsmith's arguments may be answered by asserting that : 1. The present has more happiness than misery ; healthy existence is itself intensely enjoyable. 2. Wisdom and culture do increase our happiness by enlarging our suscepti- bility to pleasure. Every step in knowledge, every advance in enlightenment opens new fields of beauty, and therefore new sources of enjoyment; gives new and large sympathies, and hence pleasure in their gratification. 3. The past comes to us idealized by memory. The life we led seems happy, and its miseries are diminished by distance. 4. The'future, in our hopes, is always one of happiness. The student in gathering ideas on this subject may consult Aikenside's Pleasures of Memory and Campbell's Pleasures of Hope, and may take Words- worth's Psalm of Life for his motto. LETTER 37. 2. Not less than him (he), - ' Th.-in ' is .i conjunction, not a preposition. The position of ' him ' has probably led to the mistake in case. ' Than whom' is, however, sanctioned by good usage ; the position of ' whom ' has probably perpef lated a mistake originating in a period of confused inflections. [Or. VI. 43, ) Desplser of the multitude. — i. e. , of the opinions held by the multitude. he Persian re- d, Uved with iwnlng earth —Estimate the ary. Probability, of Error ; but Tid in darkness 5 bliss, 'tis folly ly and has no It the meaning. the travellers —Is ' perform ' hrowlnff . . lan into doubt ? we would ex- ursuit of know- liscussion of the t can never in- e present, none The man who 1 who lives for dissipate our >r the future, is s to do this that pessimisai.that is~6ne that will may afford ex- ■ed by asserting xistence is itself ig our suscepti- 1 enlightenment lent; gives new i seems happy, jult Aikenside's ay take Words- a preposition. ' Than whom' 1 ' has probablv IS. {Gr. Vr.43',) he multitude. NOTES 225 tha^Ce'^'Ljfl^'^'r-H^^ouId ^^^^^ usTo'n'Jf'r^ for a commisslCas^xpfoSn Ui'a"''"li°r ■• "^ ""''^ *" '^is ver? , ffi™ '"•=•'' ^'^^''•^''^'""etrSen' ''"'^ '•"'°'"y ""'-'^"o' 'each •fi»r8efolfCrThese'''lm'"^^'''°''- ' the niean^cmpioyed^o emphSizriusfTr^ h!!'.^ '^•^"^"^'y^ 'o strength ? Notice •'AirKS^ll^^^nSdS;^''^^'^^ political writers in advocating absolul?.!^^';"""' J.":""'' ''"'"^ has been used bv ^^JlSoii^e^Ic^^S^^H^r- ^- -'-''- <-en unS^ thee.xecutionofthiscrinSMo„^'^„%^XP''' ^T' °^ ^ords demKnd^d 5 For 'Sy !!p °"'i^ P"'iS"e^xSenc£' "^" '='^^''- ^'^ '^e King's 'die- question, see Po«ia-s"[4S'^;'^ea?for mercv '^^0^1^^ "''''' ''""' °' "^« ^^^s!;^^^l^!>:^^^^^^ OmmmaticaUv -.^^Areconstructionofthe^i^ore^Sc?-)^^^^ No'!^51^'r,"h;'s^t'tit^nT^[t,^^^^^^^^ •espons.bilities of rulers, and woS Ll^^; " ^ ^?'"^ "''^''-i''/ ^t the duties Ind mems as defective as hs sencm". ''^r ,P"h''^*^ '°,T?^ '^e author's sen ^ " ^m.th s time. The next sentj^icc^s wcll^o ,«^h ""^'l^.^^l "^o^'^'d far from Gold- good mstance (let us, I say, etc.! oS" "n L^i' 'r'^^ ^^''^ "^ '' P^^ents a , 6. This sentence is exquisitelvnLTH?P''''' '''^^'^^^^- been divided at the colon. ^ "•°'^'-""^- ^' '=* rather long and might have 7- FiTBt quality sitha« /- DrSJed V P"^*"'- '^•iSVor'^aisr^f '^''^ ''"'''' ^' "^^d here ? ^A^«l^''^'"^".'^°'^''J^«^arcelybehancedaff^^^^ "'"^ "^ ^^ese were ■Arraigned, etc.— Thl- is nri^K^i ^ ■ ' '"^ present day. acy. The kiAg could not nterpSeL'^m'rdon?'" °^ Goldsmith's want of accur- arraigned and convicted. ^ ^ Pardonmg power till the culprit had been Degrading death. —This was Pari c king's reply to the petitioners^^.sfha I'lhJlj ^""^^^r ^^^^^ 4th. 1760. The found h,m guilty he would not n erfere m"»°"fV^ ^^"''^' ^ad unanimouslv been of royal birth ? nieriere. \\ hat if Ferrers, like Charolais, had In satirizing (in Letter 44) the EnHish f„„j refers to the desire of the c oVd To obti,?"^"^'' ^"^ I'&hts, etc., the author . 9. 8canda?ouB offeiCimalTs^,:'.'^ |?^ '^?-. tive ? Is it the correct word to use V '^''' °^ ^^^ repetition of this adjec . PaH8en8rer8.-What is meant ? Point n,u fh sions m these sentences, and the meanrtaken in inf "^ v^'^l.^'^^ "°"'''^^ e'^'Pres- mon people led ?oVhe"corplEst^a%?r;.'eL"^^^^ ^"^ conrem'pJ^:;?the cot the order of nobility, and executeteS^SX^^n'o^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 226 NOTES. The subject of this letter suggests many themes for exeroisss, i.e., the following may be used : THKMES. " Be good, and let who will be great." /" Honour and fame from no condition rise, Act well your part, there all the glory lies," > ilero worship true and false. - Pa-^i*-^'^ ■public executions. • . . i . • i,> \ •The king can do no wrong (comparing the present time with Ooldsmitli s;. y All arc e^ual in the eye of the law. Fiat justitia : mat lartiim. .Vlan is naturall) a beneficent creature. L..> ■,lu~^t.-^*(*'j^ fL LETTER 49. 1. This bappy, etc.— Point out the distinction between ' this ' and ' that ' in making a back-reference ; which is preferable here ? In legrlBlatloa than elsewhere. —Remove the ambiguity. No people . . with so many.— Why incorrect? Polite.— What is the meaping? ?. Note the animation given by the question and answer, and the parenthetic style. Advantages, prerogative, borrowed.— Discuss the propriety of the words. This paragraph finishes the introduction, and the last sentence lays down the proposition to be discussed. If the statement had been as is really implied, that the English possess all the freedom of a democracy enhanced and secured by the stability of a monarchy, no objection could be taken to it ; but as it stands one is disposed to question the utility of laws whose severity needs to be constantly relaxed, and to object to the precarious nature of the freedom depending on such relaxation. Having stated his proposition, the author proceeds to discuss it, but much of his reasoning is inaccurate and many of his statements are unscientific. 3. In T^hich . . is stronjfest.— The comma here shows the meaning, but otherwise there would be an ambiguity, as ' which ' might be restrictive or ex- planatory. Power superior to the people. — Even if unanimous in the breach ! This was the doctrine held by a certain school of writers who took the most optimistic view of the British constitution, proclaiming the beautiful poise and mutual check of its three estates as absolute perfection. Blackstone, Goldsmith's fellow lodger in the Temple, wrote about this time his celebrated ' ' Commentaries on Knglish Laws," in which he takes the same view and places the ultimate sover- eignty of the nation in parliament. " What the parliament doth, no authority on earth can undo." Suppose it decreed that all the male children of the kingdom should be slain I It has the legal right to enact such a law, but dare it exercise that right ! He forgot the people. There is a wide difference between legality and expediency in politics. Burke saw the distinction and brought himself abreast with the present century, "as a law directed against the mass of the nation has not the nature of a reasonable institution, so neither has it the au- thority, for in all forms of government the people is the true legislator." This is found in his speech against the Irish penal laws, and it brings to mind the dif- ficulty exf)erienced in enforcing even good laws in that country at present, in opposition not to the whole people but perhaps to a majority. To inculcate (enforce) the law either towards (for) the support (preserva- tion) or (tor) the welfare, etc 4. They who . . are those who. (See B. 91. ) Little less Ulan. — Vary the expression in this sentence. The reasoning as to the loss of sanction in this paragraph, applies to monarchies as well as re- '.., the fcUowing Goldsmith's), - (Lit. s ' and ' that ' in id the parenthetic iety of the words, ce lays down the sally implied, that nd secured by the t as it stands one to be constantly epending on sucli 5 to discuss it, but s are unscientific, the meaning, but restrictive or ex- breach ! This was J most optimistic joise and mutual Goldsmith's fellow Commentaries on le ultimate sover- ;h, no authority on ;n of the kingdom lUt dare it exercise J between legality [ brought himself ist the mass of the her has it the au- legislator." This gs to mind the dif- ntry at present, in lupport (preserva- The reasoning as lies as well as re- NOTES. 22-. aS\ed"trtreaUy"wtt;."edWwo-^^^ fj^^'^ ^-^ °"' by history. 4 ;: *"• — '^o antecedent. And yet (to permit) tbose laws «t/» n, ... force." ^ '"" ^*^''' ***■ -Or .say, " without wciikening then otL^i/?'L^wou.drequfr^''^ero^r^^^^^^ ■-'•• -^ '-• ler." however, the author saw? ^ '"'" *''"• ^^ " '^'''^ ''>''Vfl- 1' Each wanton judge new penal statutes draw Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law. " civnre!;;*?oTorS?'°K^' •*r/^''' ^•^^"'"-' P-f-' «'-'>te of here alluded to were accordinLMo onr^^ ' '■f^""''' "'^""- ^"""^ «f »he laws atrocious. They oriEfnated from .h^ ^"''T- "°"°"'' absurdly severe-<;ven constitution ; bu^ have since nasTed in lo'I. '''■'' '^ f^^"^^ the stability of the the historian or the anticSvtha^^^^^^^ 'J"? '*.'"' "°'' ''"°^"' ^"'^' '« and given to the people ^•""'^''"""- J™'^''^ P'^^ked from the cr'own cu?e plce'Str^ i»<»ulgence.-This would be a wretched method to .se- ^. Ductility, he eiUoys. superior to others, i^gal authority. - criti- oppotT ''^'Z^^^^^^^zr' '" f ^'^'« °^ -'"- '^^ J^ShSr^a;-^;^-£;35Sii;^^ ty to the sovereignty of the st-i,^ l'^ '-^" man surrendered part of his liber- an Englishman.'? Ws wifhi nS 1 ifi^^^^^ \'^^'-'^'-\o agentle.nan and senu for its chief advocate but the srn h ,„ ^;- • ^H'S^ial contract had Ros- but " chafif and rags and mltrv hWr^H*- l''"'^''^'^™ ^^ Burke left nothing of it man." ^ ^ P'^'^^ ^^""^"^^^ ^^reds of paper about the rights of soLS!l:al^SnTh?m'^^i:,\^';'eienf "'"' against republics, and there is theory of governnienttherwerc ruled hrr"'™""''''=' ^'^ "°' understand the dicesandimmemorialcustoms Stil^ he Hn ?'•"'• ^"P"=^'i'i"'«, clan preju- and a Nero or a Ca^tuTa w^^^ doo sub.^i^f, "?' ""^"A'"" "^"^ Greek republics, two forms of government ^re now so n.?, h ?'. ''^ ^^'^ ""' ^ ^'■"'"^- The is whether the chief men shlll tiki X-i hv '^V'^^'l "'"'u^''^ "'^*" difference people or by direct choice of the neonle Rn, t^ f ™' """^ .'^'^ "^"'^"'°" «f 'he if, in Professor Huxley's words ^^^^}^'.^^ ^^^^ovm is not of much importance community.- "^''^y « words, government is the corporate reason of the of^he'SSTgenTi'lir^^''^'^^ ^° ^P'^^'^ ^''"^^ Privileges of parliament, but not Ses n^l^^^^^l^So.^^^^? containinghis sentiments here. Hh doctrine, as ali^ady stated SJ^^^^^^^ ^y divine right, stone Places absolute ^o.^^^^^^^^^^ "^^^^.JT^ 328 NOTES. I I I Hurke, in the \v'n\Ae. The distributirn of power between the crown and the iwa houses was much discusseJ about that tin^e. Goldsmith belonRecl to the old school thnt would not allow any chantjc in the beautiful symmetry of the consti- tution, unless it were to increase the power of the king. Georfjc- 111. afterwards resolved to settlt- the qu"stion himself, and determined to " be a king" to the great peril of the nation and with the loss of a continent in wliich one of those very same detested republics uas established. 10. TtaemBelves only were ftee,— Cf. " To call it freedom, uiii.n themselves are free." — Traveller. i. >■■■;■■•■' 11. Theaposiopesii, if supplied uould prove a warning for his own time, (ieorge II. was aged and feeble, the popular nnnister also existed— and Gold- smith foresaw and found the power being gradually assumed by the House ot ( ommons. Hut in the light of subsetiuent liistory we might complete the un- finished sentence with much less of the Cassandra 'oreboding than is implied by his significant pause. ^^ Goldsmith gives a much better reason for English liberty in his "Traveller.' See the celebrated passage begin.iing : " Fired a' tfie sound, my genius spread her wing," which brought the tears to Johnson's ny^.—Boswell by Croker^p. jS^. That patriotic passage is succeeded in the poem by a lirie of argument similar to that employed in this letter, and we must admit that he had some ground for the view he took History was against republics as a stable form of government, and a view of lAirope at the \ime was not more encouragi i. The Dutch re- public was an assemblage of towns without iny other bond than commerce. " I'Acii liberty itself is bartend here. At gold's superior charms all freedom Hies ; The needy sell it and the rich man biiyy." Genoa was fast becoming one of those towns of Ita'y which were nothing " But towns unmanned, and lords w'lhout a slave.'' -And Switzerland was merely the union of a number of semi-dependent clans. On the other hand, Russia had just lost its great Czar, Peter the (ireat. Prussia was led by the popular hero, Frederick the Great, Austria by the famous Maria Theresa. All that was great and noble was on the side of monr rchies. A change from the paternal government of a good sovereign to that oi an oli- garchy would certainly be a misfortune, and if Goldsmith dreaded that fate we cannot blame him lor being unable to anticipate history. The world had then known no experiment in popular government. I'r.ance still groaned under a despot ; the United States were yet a few separate and loyal colonies, and Cana- da had only just been wrested from the French. Yet even then he must have seen that popular governments gave most freedom and happiness to the people; moreover, the very qualities that he saw in the British might have led him to the conclusion that the ' jewels ' plucked from the crown by the magnates of parlia- ment would eventually be distributed among the people. Goldsmith lived on the very verge of the new life. He foretold its advent in France, but the very weakness he sa,v in (jermany and Holland (Letter 55) was the fount of their liberty. Had he lived the allotted term of human life he might have seen these very states extorting liberal constitutions from their rulers, but he would have had to look into the next generation to see the Reform Bill in England quietly transfer political power into the hands of the real sovereign— the people. LETTER so. I. Pensive dish of tea,— What figure? Disli had become ' cup ' in Cowper's time, " The cup that cheers but not inebriates." ^d friend, i.e.. The Man in Black. iwn and the iwa nRi'cl to the old ry of the const i- HI. aftorwnrtis a king" to the :h one of tlioso vht.n ilieinselves his own tinu". ted — and Gold- f the House ot smplete the iin- an is implied by is "Traveller." V genius spread ■ i:roker,p.3S.i. rgument similar ioine ground lor of government, The Dutch re- 1 commerce, vere nothing semi-dependent Peter the (ireat. ia by the famous ; of monrrchies. I that oi an oli- led that fate we : world had then roaned under a anies, and Cana- en he must have :ss to the people ; ve led him to the gnates of parlia- Idsmith lived on ice, but the very e fount of their have seen these he would have England quietly e people. ;up ' in Cowper's curjo.sity. "^ ' "'"'^'^'^' *•'<=•' »"' 't 's not usual to u.sc ihe term with 8u.p¥c\^B -isSk''^"-'^'^' ''' 'h'' difference? Z^^^^. He,S'r':!^K,:^a"i:J suspicion, conjecture, sur. 8tr '^^°'""'**^"»*'*^»^«-lJiscusstheorderof thcword, n.rce" H'',?T:i^lSow s;^^^^^^ '»"-' ^"^"-""K --'"^ P^"bably at Townley« a. Cowper. •• A prologue interdashed with n.anv a stroke^ ^" ,f \'-"»":iv'-'fl to advertise a joke So hatthejestisclearlvtobeieen' Not m the wonls-but in the gap ^iween " (S^a^-f. ^-^^- and Hlnst.tes the 1 [r tr:L..„... .,.„,, Jun'JKo^o^SS tK.r 'u*S ""% - -■ ^^'-^ ' '^ ^- in the su. ' move the ambiguity.^ -^ho v t le di Lren T''"'^ ''PP^:^'' '° ^^ »he case. Re. placing the phras,.^. at the L,^N':T„^^ g.'«'n to the sentence by That goes off.- U .here •,, V ,> iliHerent positions. "' QeneraUy fasten ulion' '^'■' '" ' ''''''"■'^'' The student should analyse ciost-hf^he^wr'" "'"' *-"^P'"«sion correct? bookmakers, and the sly hints ,unhv^icSn/i^"^ "''"'""'^ °" booksellers and S^Jn'T"'' P^ ""^ f'oolfselle coS t ' Whv Sh" ""'l'"'"''^- therein does to moral and satire ? ^^">^ "O'-s the author make him object votes^^^P^£,:^.l^h the ethics th^ ,, ^^^^,^_ ^^ critics of his own Chinese letter^'utifi ..''"'' ^u*^ '■'•'••^">' ^n answer to hi- ^anly unfit tobe an author. h^w^V ^ to n er°tZV''^' ''^•^°"^' '"''•'''^ ''^ "«-- ne.ss the critic must write while dn ', k H^ then «fh. ''^'^"""'^ "'« proper bitter- have censured his letters if they h id been ur^? °^^ ^^"^ '"""^ "'"cs would and m the final paragraph tells us hL,h ",".'". T'^ '" ^^"^ Chinese strain tually written. Thi.s letter resenibles.nH^ T'^'} ^'^ '^"^^^^ ^s they were ac' ?^cnbing a ride to O.vford wi^h j „ " he h^nnt'^n^ ""'^^tes Fope'.s letter de bookseller Griffiths. (See Letter ,3?' ^°"'*^^"«'-- Goldsmith, too. had his The letters received by LETTER 55. I. Than thetldlnea. etc —is < m^ > S^j!"«"— Why objectionable here> tioninSt'n";ue]J^Tata'YceL"e^^^^^^^^ ^'^^ ^t-ence of descrip ture of his day. In the Elizabe han nerf^f.^'"'"'' ""known in English S nient produced some desSve ooem. ' h^''''^"'^.''"^^' °f national m1- IceH n'? ^'■^y'?"'^ /'^/K^/W The poets of".'ne'A'^''"°"^'''"'^ an^bitious of duced nature in the true sense inH r!;. P°°'^ "' '"e Augustan age rarelv infrn But a new school had already bc^enushertd'^n^^ '°"°^^'^^ ^'^•^•" '" 'K pec°" sons, and natural scenery was then"'?.';,?!" '« "'^'-^n^e by Thomsons -'sei: P?r'2\u ^ '""«'' Goldsmith belonged'to the oM"TP^'' P/omin'^nt place in nnl '-^^ 5'°"^^^^ °f *e new in anmher \f.n u°°^ '"• "''^ "-espect, he was now claimed a place in literature Gravh/n • ' '? ^"* ^^"c Joys and miseries smith was soon'to foUow Shi,^^lttner''2^^ dveiier and Peserted Vjlla|^e." stUI, 830 NOTES. however, with a pure didacive purpose, but Burns. Crabb, and Cowpor were already le;irninK ''i'' "I^.J'r"^'.,-,,;. ;, .i^,, subiective style of writing and its ef- feet on the reader 'l^'Pf "^s "" vhetht the optr^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^ reading. A higher «rt cons Ms '" K>vmg "le^ ^^^,;,,„^ ^^ ^r»oX\on^. The art way as to suggest in the '^'^,^f'^;^^\*',^J^,'^t ' e We tould not tolerate the dull of writing travels t^>«"8*;° ^^XrLy^more than the goographical details moralising {•oldsmith hen, <;"";";'^""' ; ,(, ^^ ,i,,e. and tin- country ttiey live i.^G,;i;:;SrS«rr^S thr2;^i. See-rhon^son's panegyricof him in ""^.^vi^^'reBeTnbled to (resembles).- Or use some other v^ord. S^tIS^.do;.^hatisU.^.ean. ^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^. cius (550-478, "i/.-.f .y^'^J:',,^^^^^^^^^^ t„ n,-.,duce a mor.ilaiul pol.t,c;d reform. At ing and six-nt his life in auempiint, ^ I ^ Kurooe h;u existed for r2f) hif time 1 feudalisin almost ;;^-\^\\y J, "^^^ power of the feudal barons an.l years ; this he tried 'V'^J"" |1 ^;',' ^^gjjo'^^hat a model ruler will make a elevating the morals of all rultTso^^^tu^^^ ._^ ^.^^^^ ^^ ^^,„. model people. He '-^"8^1 the g<^dy. ru . m ^^^^^.^^^_^ ^^^^^ f..udal sni prised in one word, but did ." '\.'';;;^ ' ' .v,,'',^^^^ „rove to destroy the inrtuenee Afterwards gave place Vo„f';^^"^^'\';;',/J7''Hi teachings have continued lor SSf cen^i^ lir^wlJ^hrc^^ g.iu.u,erings of liberty the Chinese en- ^\ That remnant. etc.-Remnant rather of Charlemagnes Empire of the ^Want every tie -Remove 'hf. ^"^£''.'f„„t overdrawn, and the author's ,.0- The w-eakness of Germany at that time is not over ;m , ^^^ ^^^^__^ litical forecast has proved '-^f '"..?»":.'■ .^.^clf .. Prussia^-tssisted by Kng- Years' War then going on betwt.'nl rede rck 11 .^ ^. ^^^ ^,^^ ^„,^,i, land, and Maria iheresa, of ^'■•'' '•^; -ytr, "^^^ This war had al- states, was really ^'f^^^S^^'^^^^^^-^'^'^^Sn^Uc^^^ ready removed part of t^olfsmit s ac s. i o . - ^f^^, ^.e battle of timent and a love of "fatherland. J^'' ;"^" 'j^,. , j.^.;^,, and became n.uion- Rosb.aek ( 1757). ceas«d.to be a mmymita^^^^^^ ,il and German. Jhe independence onLSiaa. increased by Napo- ed until the French rr.olution. after wh^^^^^^^^ „,^1 ,^^,^ of .tffairs leon to secure the.r favour . '^^ ^^^^e^^^^^^^^ of the people who war revived, but a new sp' ''"*« ^^^^^^^^ vvhich were reluctantly given them, now clamored for reforms . ;"=o"f ".^^'°„"^^' p/^'.^ia continued, and remained a Meanwhile the rivalry between ^^"'•f ,^/"J' ' 7' ^ ,var of seven weeks ending sourceof weakness up to cjuitereceiUlyvh^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ with the battle of Sadowa. ^ '^"j'\^,.,'-°if7"a strong alliance. This alliance gathered the various states around hcTSclfn a ^^""S^^^^^d j^t^ ,, union by feft the states more or less 'n^X^^^^^^^Hhe P^ssL King was rrr>wned at the Franco-Prussian war of ,870. ^!l^"f^'=^^f^™de spoken of by Goldsmith Versailles as Emperor "^ £«™y„„,,i"eon 'tUution ^^^ 'no more.' and yet there has in turn triumphed ; the old ^^rman consm ^,^^^^^ revolution is no despotism, or a very "V'l' ^.tfr own r Hhts and their own power. The onened the eyes of the people to the.r ^0*" Jjg|i^ts^an _^^^ ^.^^ .^ ^.^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ±^,?ir^t=i;^ ^lil/^" ^pf ^e only tcT^e people. 6. Their 8ei«ltor8.--No antecedent^ ^ ^^^^ ^ ^i, ^j, „g°|£if tkS^oUn p^E-S were dri^n^om history and were correct. rt Cowprr wera ting aiifl its ef- in.'l' arc wortli E facts in such n lions. The art )lcr.it.' the (lull raphictil details ountrv tiiey live • all the better, igyric of him in lomte. Confu- liiniself to learn- itical reform. At existed for 12) •udal barons and ruler will make a Chinese is com- When feudal sni •oy the inrtueiici' ive continued for the Chinese en- 's Empire of the d the author's po- gle in the Seven iissisted by Eng- and the smaller This war had al- rong national sen- after the battle of nd became nation- .•niained umhang- reased by Napo- Id state of affairs nf the people who tantly given them. I, and remained a ven weeks ending ler opponent and :e. This alliance 1 into a union by ig was rrowned at n of by Goldsmith jore,' and yet there French revolution own power. The il in time the gov- lie. sme of his others, y and were correct, /VOTES. leaving the country hoSeslV?„'V,;"lJP'''^"^»>''^- Louis XIV. died m ,7., ceeded by his grandson^ Loui?\v'rv.,^' '^7'''*' '" P"^'-"^ "" " 's sue' •" bring it ,0 pass. Thi was I Sxv?''^''''.''-"' '""^ "'•'■''"' ""'^' "" ' k kinl' the very year llf Goldsnmh's de.^lh '' ' ^'''" '""'"'■"'•^l '" ""^ "'r-n.. in ,771 thor's Z^^I^Zri^^ irii:::JX ^^ "°* ^^^^^^ ^— ^ : t^e a.,. wealtli, and perhaps aIs.K,gainsrenubli,-s P'r?"'','?" ''l^''*'"^' commerce a | very .mportant place in Iluropean h to v for I n', '..""-'' ''^'""'"^ ^•'^ «"'"'!' of the sea, and at th.- ,x-ace of U re 1 ^h " "*-, '^''■'^' P''"l'''" «'f re masters rhe student should read the " Trivellpr " ,1 • u . author describes new calamities; J ^5^S:n,:»^E:/;^;;;;^£^^ i., ....h „. THEMES. ^l' l^^ Vr'^ "'" ^'""""P^ '" ^-"i'lsmith's time 2. Republicanism in htMorv ' 3- f.^P^]f^ y^rs" nardiy. (I fly from potty tyrants to the Ih-one ■' LETTER 60. I. In Letter 58, Hineto, the son nf /.-» n, ■ ■ along w,th the beautiful captWefromthefi^P' ^■''^' "" ^^^°""' ^f^'^ escape pomt of being forced into mardage Ud pm ''^" master jus. r,, .h.un.c'^X ful slave. The adventures of thfse tin ^", ^"i ^"^' ''^ ^^'^'"^^ °f 'I - "■w, .nto the general scheme of heali^n^of^L %"' ^V"" "' '^'°' '".erwo en daughter had been reduced to slavery i;^c-iu{e £ h'^""''^' i:^''"'''^''"^ '"'^^^ -'"d of the empire without leave, but his so^ ^tl k'*/?."^ ^^^'y^''^ the borders {f""."' Letter 6). The son resolv.^ f° «„^?r«?*i' .^'^d _been concealed bv fi^^.^ 232 NOTES. \ \ ) be the niece of the Man in Black, and marries Hingpo. In the same letter the Man m Black quarrels with the widow. 2. An hard.— Notipe that ' an ' is used by Goldsmith throughout these letters 'T^ J°"S a. and often before h aspirate, where 'a' would now be used, Tne CTlBlB.— Quote Shakespeare's lines on this subject. The paragraphs in this letter are short, but each has a distinct break from the others. They should be exammed and discussed. The sentences are also carefully formed. Gold- smith evidently took more care of his form in some of these letters than in others, and this one was one of the few from the Citizen of the World that he afterwards •selected in republishing the Essays. In this paragraph, note the balance of the tour nouns in the last sentence and the omission of ' and ' in each series. Write a paragraph on Goldsmith's own neglect of this advice. 3. The antithesis has led the author into too strong a statement ; advice from most of those who have been heedless of advice is of little use. But his mean- mg IS correct ; experience brings reflection, and reflection produces wisdom and prudence. State the matter in other words, and justify the emendation given in the foot note. Write a paragraph on Goldsmith's qualifications here alluded to. 4. A little tMOanced with stupidity (balanced with a little).— Express this thought. Would ballasted or weighted be equally good metaphor. Discuss the emendations made in the essay form. S- The advice here given is sound, but it is designed more for English youth than for a Chinaman to whom it was given. Goldsmith himself did not find it very easy to learn one profession, and it was his second that gave him subsis- tence and fame 6-. The chief Asiatic peculiarity in these letters consists in illustrating or en- forcing the sentiments by means of fables or examples. The story given here is a version of "The fox with many tricks and the cat with one." Notice that each sentiment has its anecdote. 7. Is it correct to speak of obstructions as being fatal to fortune ! Is the ad- vice given here sound ? Is it intended to be so? 8. Exce8Slve(ly)punctlIl0UB.- Thisuseof the adjective form as an «'' -r^ is much less frequently found now than iormerly. See also sure for sun lin<»3 down. 9. From bence, etc.— Omit • from,' or use son. ^ other expression. (They) comply.— The insertion of ' they ' here v. -tdd show the sense more clearly by removing all doubt as to the mood of 'comply," It ""^uld also -*,par- ate the general term endeavor, etc. , from the special terms enumerated un- er It. OontlgruoUB Impression.— Express the meaning differently. Generality of admirers, attempt- pleasing.- Express in other terms. 10. He tbongtat proper.— Is there any ambiguity here? UnlversaL— Why objectionable? Point out what is objectionable in the last sentence, and justify the correction given in the foot note. I. 2. 3- 4- THEMES. A young man's answer to this "advice." Periodical literature. A critique on the Citizen of the Worlds Literary club life. "Poor Goldsmith." " Nullum quod tetegit non ornavit.'" — Epitaph. TUB END. '/^ J^f 1 the same letter the roughout these letters now be used. The paragraphs in : Others. They should fully formed. Gold- letters than in others, r/d that he afterwards )te the balance of the n each series. Write Ltement ; advice from use. But his mean- jroduces wisdom and ! emendation given in lions here alluded to. little). — Express this metaphor. Discuss are for English youth imself did not find it hat gave him subsis- n illustrating or en- rhe story given here I one." Notice that Fortune ! Is the ad- 3 form as an a' sure for sun. 'rt-. :pression. ihow the sense more It ""^uld also -tpar- ms enumerated un- tly. in other terms. ustify the correction pUaph,