But Rodrick once had home and wife and | "Let traitors leave us and let cowards fly; We go," he cried, "to conquer or to die." child, A peaceful man, was loving, gentle, mild, wife, Naught leaving but his courage and his life. Deep buried in his inmost soul his woes, With dauntless breast he met his country's foes, And vengeance dealt on many a battle-day, His faithful comrades, one by one they fell, Yet unsubdued remain a valiant few, do. Though history's page records not now their name In living letters of undying fame, Not Greece's heroes in her brightest days "Here perish we," said Rodrick, "one by one, And none may live to see our freedom won; The last defenders of a conquered land. II. The monarch grand, within his castle wall, Who unsubdued maintained guerilla-war. That festive hall, what signal now alarms? "The rebel foe!" they cry; "to arms! to arms!" With terror hear resounding Rodrick's name. The walls are gained, the castle is on flame, throne In his great banquet-hall is left alone. Brave Rodrick! This the hour to vengeance due, To right thy wrongs and save thy people. too That sacred hour thou long hast prayed to see, Thy country's chain to break, proclaim her free. What bravest yet may dare thou dar'st to do. And fighting by thy side are comrades true; For unto thee their trust and lives are given: Thy country's only hope is thee and Heav'n. Oh, fruitless now is valor, vain the strife: These valiant rustics can but yield their life, There fighting, not to conquer, but to die, And from their country's foes they will not fly; For Rodrick speeds once more to open war; They bravely fall beneath the conqueror's That rebel chief will vanquish thee or die. Life's closing day! Brave chief, the die is Oh, brave is Rodrick, fleet and stanch his cast: last. steed, The trumpet's call proclaims this hour thy But naught avails it in this hour of need: But who would live a captive and a slave? In bloody fray throughout this vengeful war- That swift pursuit began with midday sun, No bridle checked that rider brave, with speed A gulf before thee, Rodrick, dread and deep; Behind, surrounding thee, thy foemen sweep: The lion strong is caged; they have thee there, And with wild shouts of triumph rend the air. But Rodrick, ever calm, no look behind, IV. As changed the wind her organ, so she changed Though many years have passed by Elward's Perpetually; and whom she praised to-day, Vexing his ear with acclamation loud, AT LAST. ROBERT POLLOK. THE old, old story o'er again, Made up of passion, parting, pain: Some tears most sad and innocent, Another man, who vowed and loved, So she was wed, and children bore, Her children gather: some are gone, No child she calls, no husband needs : name The deed alone, though dyed in human gore," Call him!" she cried. Her first love's Leapt from her heart with life's last flame. ROSE TERRY. THE DECEITFUL MARRIAGE. FROM THE SPANISH OF MIGUEL DE CERVANTES SAAVEDRA. T last resolving to push my 66 stitched it all; and it would have been woven at home had that been possible. If I give myself these commendations, it is because I cannot incur your censure by uttering what it is absolutely necessary that you should know. In fine, I wish to say that I desire a husband to protect, command and honor me, and not a gallant to flatter and abuse me. If you like to accept the gift that is offered you, here I am, ready and willing to put myself wholly at your disposal." 'Señor Alferez Campuzano, I have inherited no fortune either from my pa- My wits were not in my head at that rents or any other relation, and yet the moment, but in my heels. Delighted befurniture of my house is worth a good two yond imagination, and seeing before me such thousand five hundred ducats, and would a quantity of property, which I already befetch that sum if put up to auction at held by anticipation converted into ready any moment. With this property I look money, without making any other reflecfor a husband to whom I may devote my- tions than those suggested by the longing self in all obedience, whilst I apply myself that fettered my reason, I told her that I with incredible solicitude to the task of de- was fortunate and blest above all men, since lighting and serving him; for there is no mas- Heaven had given me by a sort of miracle ter-cook who can boast of a more refined pal- such a companion that I might make her the ate or can turn out more exquisite ragouts lady of my affections and my fortune-a forand made-dishes than I can when I choose tune which was not so small but that with to display my housewifery in that way. I that chain which I wore round my neck, and can be the major-domo in the house, the tidy other jewels which I had at home, and by wench in the kitchen and the lady in the disposing of some military finery, I could drawing-room; in fact, I know how to com- muster more than two thousand ducats, mand and make myself obeyed. I squander which, with her two thousand five hunnothing and accumulate a great deal; my coin dred, would be enough for us to retire goes all the farther for being spent under my upon to a village of which I was a naown directions. My household linen, of which tive, and where I had relations and some I have a large and excellent stock, did not patrimony. Its yearly increase, helped by come out of the drapers' shops or warehouses: our money, would enable us to lead a cheerthese fingers and those of my maidservants ful and unembarrassed life. In fine, our |