Of pipe, and lyre, and trumpet, wild and dread,
Is heard upon the midnight air to float;
And voices, clamorous as in phrenzied mirth,
Mingle their thousand tones which are not of the
earth.

These are no mortal sounds-their thrilling strain Hath more mysterious power, and birth more high;

And the deep horror chilling every vein

Owns them of stern terrific augury.
Beings of worlds unknown! ye pass away,
O ye invisible and awful throng!
Your echoing footsteps and resounding lay
To Cæsar's camp exulting move along.
Thy gods forsake thee, Antony! the sky
By that dread sign reveals-thy doom-" Despair
and die!"(2)

NOTES.

Note 1, page 136, col. 2.

Dread knowledge of the pangs that ransom from the chain. Cleopatra made a collection of poisonous drugs, and being desirous to know which was least painful in the operation, she tried them on the capital convicts. Such poisons as were quick in their operation, she found to be attended with violent pain and convulsions; such as were mildest were slow in their effect: she therefore applied herself to the examination of venomous creatures; at length she found that the bite of the asp was the most eligible kind of death, for it brought on a gradua kind of lethargy.-See Plutarch.

Note 2, page 137, col. 1.

Despair and die!

"To-morrow in the battle think on me,

And fall thy edgeless sword; despair and die!"

ALARIC IN ITALY.

Richard III.

pedition which he already meditated against the continent of Africa. The straits of Rhegium and Messina are twelve miles in length, and, in the narrowest passage, about one mile and a half broad; and the fabulous monsters of the deep, the rocks of Scylla, and the whirlpool of Charybdis, could terrify none but the most timid and unskilful mariners: yet, as soon as the first division of the Goths had embarked, a sudden tempest arose, which sunk or scattered many of the transports: their courage was daunted by the terrors of a new element; and the whole design was defeated by the premature death of Alaric, which fixed, after a short illness, the fatal term of his conquests The ferocious character of the barbarians was displayed in the funeral of a hero, whose valor and fortune they celebrated with mournful applause. By the labour of a captive multitude they forcibly diverted the course of the Busentinus, a small river that washes the walls of Consentia. The royal sepulchre, adorned with the splendid spoils and trophies of Rome, was constructed in the vacant bed; the waters were then restored to their natural channel, and the secret spot, where the remains of Alaric had been deposited, was for ever concealed by the inhuman massacre of the prisoners who had been employed to execute the work." -See The Decline and Fall of the Roman Em pire, vol. v. p. 329.

HEARD ye the Gothic trumpet's blast? The march of hosts, as Alaric passed? His steps have tracked that glorious clime, The birth-place of heroic time; But he, in northern deserts bred, Spared not the living for the dead,(1) Nor heard the voice, whose pleading cries From temple and from tomb arise. He passed-the light of burning fanes Hath been his torch o'er Grecian plains; And woke they not-the brave, the free, To guard their own Thermopyla? And left they not their silent dwelling, When Scythia's note of war was swelling? No! where the bold Three Hundred slept, After describing the conquest of Greece and Sad freedom battled not-but wept! Italy by the German and Scythian hordes, united For nerveless then the Spartan's hand, under the command of Alaric, the historian of And Thebes could rouse no Sacred Band, "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," Nor one high soul from slumber broke, thus proceeds:—" Whether fame, or conquest, or When Athens owned the northern yoke. nches, were the object of Alaric, he pursued that But was there none for thee to dare object with an indefatigable ardor, which could The conflict, scorning to despair? neither be quelled by adversity, nor satiated by O city of the seven proud hills! success. No sooner had he reached the extreme Whose name e'en yet the spirit thrills, land of Italy than he was attracted by the neigh-As doth a clarion's battle-call, bouring prospect of a fair and peaceful island. Didst thou too, ancient empress, fall? Yet even the possession of Sicily he considered Did not Camillus from the chain only as an intermediate step to the important ex-Ransom thy Capitol again?

Thou, where no step may e'er intrude,
Shalt rest in regal solitude,

Till, bursting on thy sleep profound,
The Awakener's final trumpet sound.
Turn ye the waters from their course,
Bid Nature yield to human force,
And hollow in the torrent's bed,
A chamber for the mighty dead.
The work is done-the captive's hand
Hath weli obeyed his lord's commnand.
Within that royal tomb are cast
The richest trophies of the past,
The wealth of many a stately dome,
The gold and gems of plundered Rome:
And when the midnight stars are beaming,
And ocean-waves in stillness gleaming,
Stern in their grief, his warriors bear
The Chastener of the Nations there;
To rest at length from victory's toil,
Alone, with all an empire's spoil!

Then the freed current's rushing wave
Rolls o'er the secret of the grave;
Then streams the martyred captives' blood
To crimson that sepulchral flood,
Whose conscious tide alone shall keep
The mystery in its bosom deep.

Time hath past on since then-and swept
From earth the urns where heroes slept;
Temples of gods, and domes of kings,
Are mouldering with forgotten things;
Yet shall not ages e'er molest

The viewless home of Alaric's rest;
Still rolls, like them, th' unfailing river,
The guardians of his dust for ever.

NOTES.

Note 1, page 137, col. 2.

Spared not the living for the dead.

silently opened, and the inhabitants were awakened by the tremendous sound of the Gothic trumpet. Eleven hundred and sixty-three years after the foundation of Rome, the imperial city, which had subdued and civilized so considerable a portion of mankind, was delivered to the licentious fury of the tribes of Germany and Scythia."-Decline and Full of the Roman Empire, vol. v. p. 311.

Note 3, page 138, col. 1.

With rich libations duly shed.

The plane-tree was much cultivated among the Romans, on account of its extraordinary shade; and they used to nourish it with wine instead of water, believing (as Sir W. Temple observes) that "this tree loved that liquor as well as those who used to drink under its shade."- See the notes to Melmoth's Pliny.

Note 4, page 138, col. 2.

Soon shall the isle of Ceres weep.

Sicily was anciently considered as the favoured and peculiar dominion of Ceres.

THE WIFE OF ASDRUBAL.

"This governor, who had braved death when it was at a distance, and protested that the sun should never see him survive Carthage, this fierce Asdrubal, was so mean-spirited, as to come alone, and privately throw himself at the conqueror's feet. The general, pleased to see his proud rival humbled, granted his life, and kept him to grace his triumph. The Carthaginians in the citadel no sooner understood that their coinmander had abandoned the place, than they threw open the gates, and put the After the taking of Athens by Sylla, "though proconsul in possession of Byrsa. The Romans such numbers were put to the sword, there were had now no enemy to contend with but the nine as many who laid violent hand upon themselves in hundred deserters, who, being reduced to despair, grief for their sinking country. What reduced the retired into the temple of Esculapius, which was a best men among them to this despair of finding second citadel within the first: there the proconsul any mercy or moderate terms for Athens, was the attacked them; and these unhappy wretches, findwell-known cruelty of Sylla; yet partly by the in- ing there was no way to escape, set fire to the temtercession of Midias and Calliphon, and the exiles ple. As the flames spread, they retreated from one who threw themselves at his feet, partly by the part to another, till they got to the roof of the entreaties of the senators who attended him in that building: there Asdrubal's wife appeared in her expedition, and being himself satiated with blood best apparel, as if the day of her death had been a besides, he was at last prevailed upon to stop his hand, and in compliment to the ancient Athenians, he said, 'he forgave the many for the sake of the few, the living for the dead."-Plutarch.

day of triumph; and after having uttered the most bitter imprecations against her husband, whom she saw standing below with Emilianus,-' Base cow. ard!' said she, 'the mean things thou hast done to save thy life shall not avail thee; thou shalt die this instant, at least in thy two children.' Having thus spoken, she drew out a dagger, stabbed thein "At the hour of midnight, the Salarian gate was both, and while they were yet struggling for life.

Note 2, page 138, col. 1.

That fearful sound, at midnight deep.

threw them from the top of the temple, and leaped down after them into the flames."-Ancient Universal History.

THE sun sets brightly-but a ruddier glow
O'er Afric's heaven the flames of Carthage throw;
Her walls have sunk, and pyramids of fire
In lurid splendor from her domes aspire;
Swayed by the wind, they wave-while glares the
sky

As when the desert's red Simoom is nigh:
The sculptured altar, and the pillared hall,
Shine out in dreadful brightness ere they fall;
Far o'er the seas the light of ruin streams,
Rock, wave, and isle are crimsoned by its beams;
While captive thousands, bound in Roman chains,
Gaze in mute horror on their burning fanes;
And shouts of triumph, echoing far around,
Swell from the victor's tents with ivy crowned.*
But mark! from yon fair temple's loftiest height
What towering form bursts wildly on the sight,
All regal in magnificent attire,

And sternly beauteous in terrific ire?

She might be deemed a Pythia in the hour
Of dread communion and delirious power;
A being more than earthly, in whose eye
There dwells a strange and fierce ascendancy.
The flames are gathering round-intensely bright,
Full on her features glares their meteor-light,
But a wild courage sits triumphant there,
The stormy grandeur of a proud despair;
A daring spirit, in its woes elate,
Mightier than death, untameable by fate.
The dark profusion of her locks unbound,
Waves like a warrior's floating plumage round;
Flushed is her cheek, inspired her haughty mien,
She seems th' avenging goddess of the scene.

Are those her infants, that with suppliant cry Cling round her, shrinking as the flame draws nigh,

Clasp with their feeble hands her gorgeous vest,
And fain would rush for shelter to her breast?
Is that a mother's glance, where stern disdain,
And passion awfully vindictive, reign?

Fixed is her eye on Asdrubal, who stands,
Ignobly safe, amidst the conquering bands;
On him, who left her to that burning tomb,
Alone to share her children's martyrdom;
Who when us country perished, fled the strife,
And knelt to win the worthless boon of life.

"Live, traitor, live!" she cries, " since dear to thee,
E'en in thy fetters can existence be!
Scorned and dishonored live!-with blasted name,
'The Roman's triumph not to grace, but shame.
O slave in spirit! bitter be thy chain

With tenfold anguish to avenge my pain!

Still may the manès of thy children rise
To chase calm slumber from thy wearied eyes.
Still may their voices on the haunted air
In fearful whispers tell thee to despair,
Till vain remorse thy withered heart consume,
E'en now my sons shall die-and thou, their sire,
Scourged by relentless shadows of the tomb!
In bondage safe, shalt yet in them expire.
Think'st thou I love them not ?-'Twas thine to
fly-

'Tis mine with these to suffer and to die.
Behold their fate!-the arms that can not save
Have been their cradle, and shall be their grave."
Bright in her hand the lifted dagger gleams,
Swift from her children's hearts the life-blood
streams;

With frantic laugh she clasps them to the breast
Whose woes and passions soon shall be at rest;
Lifts one appealing, frenzied glance on high,
Then deep 'midst rolling flames is lost to mortal
eye.

HELIODORUS IN THE TEMPLE.

From Maccabees, book 2, chapter iii. 21. "Then of the multitude of all sorts, and the fear of the it would have pitied a man to see the falling down high priest, being in such an agony.-22. They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure, for those that had committed them.-23. Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.24. Now as he was there present himself with his the Prince of all Power, caused a great apparition, guard about the treasury, the Lord of Spirits, and so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid.-25. For there appeared unto them a horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had complete harness of gold.-26. Moreover, two other young men appeared before him, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and comely in apparel, who stood by him on either side, and scourged him continually, and gave him many sore stripes. -27. And Heliodorus fell suddenly to the ground, that were with him took him up and put him and was compassed with great darkness; but they into a litter.-28. Thus him that lately came with great train, and with all his guard into the said treasury, they carried out, being unable to help himself with his weapons, and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God.-29. For he by

* It was a Roman custom to adorn the tents of victors with the hand of God was cast down, and lay speech

less, without all hope of life."

A SOUND of wo in Salem!-mournful cries
Rose from her dwellings-youthful cheeks were
pale,

Tears flowing fast from dim and aged eyes,

And voices mingling in tumultuous wail;
Hands raised to heaven in agony of prayer,
And powerless wrath, and terror, and despair.
Thy daughters, Judah! weeping, laid aside

The regal splendour of their fair array,
With the rude sackcloth girt their beauty's pride,
And thronged the streets in hurrying, wild dis-

may;

While knelt thy priests before his awful shrine,
Who made, of old, renown and empire thine.

But on the spoiler moves-the temple's gate,

The bright, the beautiful, his guards unfold,
And all the scene reveals its solemn state,

Its courts and pillars, rich with sculptured gold;
And man, with eye unhallowed, views th' abode,
The severed spot, the dwelling-place of God.
Where art thou, Mighty Presence! that of yore
Wert wont between the cherubim to rest,
Veiled in a cloud of glory, shadowing o'er
Thy sanctuary the chosen and the blest?
Thou! that didst make fair Sion's ark thy throne,
And call the oracle's recess thine own!
Angel of God! that through th' Assyrian host,
Clothed with the darkness of the midnight hour,
To tame the proud, to hush th' invader's boast,
Didst pass triumphant in avenging power,
Till burst the day-spring on the silent scene,
And death alone revealed where thou hadst been.
Wilt thou not wake. O Chastener! in thy might,
To guard thine ancient and majestic hill,
Where oft from heaven the full Shechinah's light
Hath streamed the house of holiness to fill?
Oh! yet once more defend thy loved domain,
Eternal one! Deliverer! rise again!

Fearless of thee, the plunderer, undismayed,

Hastes on, the sacred chambers to explore
Where the bright treasures of the fane are laid,'

The orphan's portion, and the widow's store;
What recks his heart though age unsuccoured die,
And want consume the cheek of infancy?
Away, intruders!-hark! a mighty sound!
Behold a burst of light!-away, away!
A fearful glory fills the temple round.

A vision bright in terrible array!
And lo! a steed of no terrestrial frame,
His path a whirlwind, and his breath a flame!
His neck is clothed with thunder*—and his mane
Seems waving fire-the kindling of his eye

"Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed ais neck with thunder "-Job, xxxix. 19.

Is a meteor-ardent with disdain

His glance-his gesture, fierce in majesty! Instinct with light he seems, and formed to bear Some dread archangel through the fields of air.

But who is he, in panoply of gold,

Throned on that burning charger ?—bright his form,

Yet in its brightness awful to behold,

And girt with all the terrors of the storm! Lightning is on his helmet's crest-and fear Shrinks from the splendour of his brow severe.

And by his side two radiant warriors stand

All armed, and kingly in commanding grace-
Oh! more than kingly, godlike !—sternly grand
Their port indignant, and each dazzling face
Beams with the beauty to immortals given,
Magnificent in all the wrath of heaven.
Then sinks each gazer's heart-each knee is bowed
In trembling awe-but, as to fields of fight,
Th' unearthly war-steed, rushing through the
crowd,

Bursts on their leader in terrific might;
And the stern angels of that dread abode
Pursue its plunderer with the scourge of God.
Darkness-thick darkness!-low on earth he lies,
Rash Heliodorus-motionless and pale-
Bloodless his cheek, and o'er his shrouded eyes

Mists, as of death, suspend their shadowy veil;
And thus th' oppressor, by his fear-struck train,
Is borne from that inviolable fane.

The light returns-the warriors of the sky

Then wakes the timbrel, swells the song on high
Have passed, with all their dreadful pomp, away;
Triumphant, as in Judah's elder day;
Rejoice, O city of the sacred hill!
Salem, exult! thy God is with thee still.

NIGHT-SCENE IN GENOA.

FROM SISMONDI'S REPUBLIQUES ITALIENNES." "En même temps que les Génois poursuivoient avec ardeur la guerre contre Pise, ils étoient déchires euxmêmes par une discorde civile. Les consuls de l'année 1169, pour établir la paix dans leur patrie, au milieu des factions sourdes à leur voix et plus puissantes qu' eux, furent obligés d'ourdir en quelque sorte une conspiration. Ils commencèrent par s'assurer secrétement des dispositions pacifiques de plusieurs des citoyens, qui cependant étoient entraînés dans les émeutes par leur parenté avec les chefs de faction; puis, se concertant avec le vénérable vieillard, Hugues, iear archevêque, ils firent, long-temps avant le lever du