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"Well," resumed the unknown, "if he who can save || welcome-it torments us, from the impossibility of pene

thee should only exact of thee to live in accordance with his counsels, wouldst thou follow them implicitly?"

Edwin swore so to do, and the apparition stretching forth a hand and placing it on his head, said— "When a like sign presents itself to thee, remember this moment, and this discourse?"

trating it. If, then, this new doctrine can teach us any thing concerning it at all certain, it well deserves that we should follow it."

After the other chiefs had spoken, and the Roman had expounded his dogmas, the assembly voting, as if for the sanction of the national laws, solemnly renounced the worship of their ancient gods; but when the missionary proposed the destruction of the images of these divinities, no one amongst the number of newly converted Christians felt so strongly confirmed in their new belief as to brave the dangers of this profanation, till a cham

ted that the king would furnish him with arms and a war steed-in open defiance to the law of his order, to whom the use of both one and the other was forbidden. Girt with a sword, and brandishing a pike, he gallopped towards the temple, and in sight of all the people, who thought him out of his senses, he struck his lance against the walls and the images. A temple of wood was then constructed, in which the king and a great number besides were baptized, Paulin having thus in reality gained the episcopacy of which he bore the title, traversed the countries of Veire and of Bernciie, and baptised in the waters of the Swale and the Glen those who manifested a readiness to obey the decree of the assembly of sages.

Edwin escaped from his perilous situation by a most fortunate and unlooked for chance, and the remembrance of his dream was ever after engraven on his thoughts. One day, after the baptism of his son, when he was alone in his apartment, the door suddenly opened and he saw coming towards him a figure such as had pre-pion arose in the person of the high priest; he requessented itself in his dream; it advanced with the same slow, measured step, and without pronouncing a word, placed the right hand on his head. It was Paulin, to whom the holy spirit, according to ecclesiastical historians, had revealed the infallible means of conquering his obstinacy. The victory was complete; the Saxon struck with astonishment, fell with his face to the earth, and the Roman, now his master, raised him with expressions of kindness. Edwin promised to become a Christian, but his good sense was still unshaken: he promised but for himself alone, saying that his people should see and judge for themselves what was best for them to do. Paulin requested that he would convoke the national Council, which was called in the Saxon tongue "Wittena-Ghemote," the assembly of sages, who congregated around the kings of Germany on all important occasions, and at which also assisted the magistrates, the rich landed proprietors, the warriors of distinction, and the priests of their gods. The King explained to this assembly the motives which had led to his change of faith, and addressing each member personally, one after another, asked what was their opinion and intention with regard to this new doctrine. The chief Priest was the first to speak-" My opinion is," he said, "that our Gods have no power, and I ground my opinion simply on this-no man amongst this people has served them with more zeal and fidelity than I have done, yet am I far from being the most wealthy or the most honored amongst them; my opinion then is that our gods have no supremacy."

A chief amongst the men of war then rose, and spoke in these terms:

"Thou hast, O King, perhaps remarked a simple incident which sometimes occurs in the dark days of winter, when thou art seated at thy board, with thy captains and thy men at arms around thee, when a bright fire is blazing on thy hearth and thy hall is well heatedwhilst without it rains and snows, and the bleak winds howl-there comes a little bird, who traverses the hall upon outstretched wing, entering at one door and escaping through another: the instant of his passage is for him full of sweetness-he no longer feels the rain nor storm. But, alas! the interval is so brief, the bird has fled in the twinkling of an eye, and from winter he doth but repass to winter. Such seems to me to be the life of man upon this earth, such his course of a moment, compared to the lapse of time which precedes and which follows it. This interval of time is for us dark and un

Original.
ZENOBIA.

LOUD burst the music in its wildness 'round
And Rome re-echoed with the startling sound.
Aurchan's triumph graced that glorious day,
And Asia's spoils adorned the conqueror's way.
Oh, proudly wound the gay procession on-
The Emperor in his jewelled chariot borne
By four young stags in all their gracefulness,
The beauteous pride of Lybia's wilderness.
Next with their conqueror wound the saddened train
Of captive Syrians, Goths-who breathed in vain
Incessant curses on the victor's head,

And loathe each hated step they're forced to tread.
But there is yet a train that proudly moves,
No head is bent-no eye but firmly roves
Undaunted o'er the throng, in fearlessness,
That little speaks of maiden bashfulness.
Ten martial heroines approach, who braved
The foremost foe where Roman banners waved!
But what is she who rivets ev'ry eye
In ecstasy, as slowly she moves by?
"Tis great Zenobia, lost Palmyra's queen!
Oh! ne'er 'till she appeared was beauty seen-
Those eyes so sweetly brilliant-they did seem
More like the vision of a midnight dream,
Than aught of life-too delicately pure
For man in all his earthliness t' indure!

A slave her trembling, fainting limbs sustains-
Fainting beneath her gems and golden chains-
Her burning feet the sparkling car precede,
In which she hoped all captured Rome to lead.
Deluded queen! but thus it is that all
Our too presumptuous hopes do sadly fall!
Ah, could the proud Zenobia firmly bear
To enter Rome a fettered captive there?
Oh, no! "The spirit breaks that never bends,"
Palmyra's sov'reign wept!-Thus grandeur ends.

S.

Original.

THE SUICIDE.

business, or indisposition prevented his attendance they went off with a tiresome monotony, the bon vivante of their circle, his absence was felt by all. No song could be sung as he sang it, their bon mots were vapid compared with his, the cheerfulness of others lagged—his was so engaging, so versatile that it always enlivened. In his profession, he was a lawyer, he was equally popular. If he was not profound, he was brilliantly logical and irresistibly eloquent. It was on a criminal case I heard him for the first and only time plead. His client who had committed the heaviest of crimes-murder, was a man far advanced in life's vale, one whose arm more holier and proudly had pushed the strong steel of the revolution. During the examination of the witnesses he sat apparently in sullen and listless composure, his countenance was free and unburthened as it could ever have been. There was no droop of remorse: no fixedness of dispair; not an emotion heaved within him, he appeared like a cold and unfeeling old sinner whose pulse of humanity had ceased to throb, and whose

It was in the Spring of '30 that I first became acquainted with Mary She was then in the hey-day of youth, and the occasion on which I met her, was one that proudly set forth all the attractiveness of her beauty. It was at an evening party of the then much admired Madame G's. Many were there, whose faultless forms, winning graces, and luxuriant charms, drew admiration around them. But Mary stood preeminent among all of them, for that rich and dignified beauty, which claims the homage of intelligence, and which inherent grandeur alone can bestow; she mingled amongst the gay throng of beauty and fashion, as an Egle among the Naides, apparently plucking from each some charm wherewith to deck herself. At her side stood the talented and, alas! too popular Henry Fleming. She was indeed happy, he for whom her fondest affection beat and thrilled, at whose touch Love's lightning-flash responsive played in her unclouded face, was there in the person of Henry Fleming. Nor was he un-kindlier veins had been congealed by frosts as blasting as affected with the obvious ecstasy of her feelings; his intelligent and bland face glowed with more than its wonted radiance and gentleness of expression. Oh, how I envied him the bliss, that then mantled around || his heart. I gazed upon her with admiration till my attention, abstracted from the rest, was riveted to her's: pride, fortune-aye, life, would I have given for one How beautiful and happy she appeared, all was yet sunny and bright before her; no chill retarded the delightful soarings of her buoyant spirit.

caress.

She was richly clad in the fashionable habiliments of the season; one solitary flower bright in its hues adorned her head, but how prophetic! it was not what it seemed; it ne'er had decked the garden bower, or in the wild mead grown-it was fashioned by art. Like that too many wear within their unsuspecting breasts, until the heart that bathes it with the moisture of its affection, is stained with its dies, and its very core is blighted with the mildew of its false leaves.

those that had silvered o'er his temples. Impression was strong against him. The prosecuting attorney urged law and facts, and eloquence which were irresistible, against him, and when he sat down even Mercy's self in that court could scarce have had the power to save him.

Henry as he arose glanced at the audience with a look that chided the low mutterings which were thickening, and deepening throughout the court. Unfavorable as opinion was against the prisoner, the rebuke was not lost, in a moment all were silent. The first sound of his voice seemed, as the muttered complaint was suppressed, to silence, and it was not long before their indignation was also hushed and still. The attention of the jury was at each sentence losing its indifference, and yielding more and more to the blandishment of his fascinating exordium. By-and-bye, it was unconsciously changed to admiring and absorbed interest; all were alike captivated, their several expressions of interest might have been seen like a concentrated ray lighting up the features of Henry. The deep interchange of feel

Her person was of that graceful mould which defies the stoic heart to gaze on without feeling something warmer than admiration; it was such a form as we meeting mutually played between advocate and jury. with in the dreaming and fanciful haunts of romance. In her look there was an unaffected willingness to please, her smile was radiant as the light of heaven. The straggling tresses of her dark hair played in graceful negligence, half concealing and anon revealing the soft whiteness of her neck; it was the snowy and chaste beauty of Phoebus bursting the dark mantle of the dawn. Her dark liquid eyes in language more potent than the tongue's, spoke the devoted and happy feelings of her soul. They alone were in converse with Henry, what she uttered hung half hesitating on her lips till || started by a sigh from the heart. Oh! she was one whom to behold was to love, and to love was to adore.

Henry Fleming was alike the esteemed and favorite of both sexes, his pleasing manners, mellow disposition, suavity of conversation and brilliant talents made him an admired and courted companion, and a guest of all their social parties and convivial meetings. When

His

appeals like the rod of Moses drew water where'er they touched. Most vividly did he picture forth the dark forms of passion, and most deeply did he impress upon them their fearful strength and wild impetuosity-their || writhing under the spurning contumely—their burning beneath the scathing scowl of arrogant authority-their foul, insidious resolves when jealousy goads them—their swelled, braced and strained attitude when in the hand of oppression. And the Laocoon-like vengeance, the intense, nerved and concentrated blow that resents the crushing assault. He then argued man's inculpability when they were dominant over reason and the benevolent attributes-that they were implanted in him by nature-by the Divinity himself, and that, consequently, man must be guiltless for their possession. And he pictured to their shuddering gaze the dark immensity of their power-their tyrannical mastery in the human breast, when once they have empire-until each breast

seemed to mirror forth a hell of fiends. He then took || arrived in the city of P―, where Henry Fleming up the weapons of logic and reason, and ingeniously resided. My feelings partook of the melancholy that fashioned them to his purpose. Nature and nature's appeared to reign in the country, as I approached the laws were summoned in behalf of his client. With a city. The chilly breath of autumn had swept o'er its master-hand he broke open the floodgate of sympathy, fair face, turning the green woods red, and withering and to its convulsive tide consigned his object-a sup- its rich verdure-yet it was interesting. But its appearpliant, pleading to his kindred element. Such was the ance contrasted mournfully with the modest glow effect-the magic-power of his eloquence that every of its budding tinge when I left it. The balmy breast seemed to heave with a bursting emotion-verily, dews of summer no longer freshened them into smiling the God himself seemed to mix in the strife, and battle serenity. in his cause. Long and ably he dwelt on the old man's services, his struggles and toilsome marches in summer's heat and winter's cold, in defence of our then bleeding country.

In a few hours after my arrival I was at the residence of Henry. I inquired for him, and was startled at the answer, "My master's dying." "Good Heaven's," I exclaimed, "conduct me to his room." There the scene I "And shall he," he exclaimed, "who had knelt at witnessed, Belshazzar's could not have surpassed in the altar of '76 when the torch of our liberty was first horror. Stretched on the bed lay the now bloated, haglighted, shall he who defended it amidst storm and gard, and bloody form of Henry Fleming-his features darkness, on the march and in the field where his com- had settled into a stupid unconscious-like fixedness, and rades lay buried in the trench where they had fallen- were momentarily sinking into a cold stiffness. I gazed and whose head is now silvered o'er by the frosts of upon him in speechless horror. A female form emaciafour score winters-shall he be doomed to blacken on ted and wan was anxiously bending over him; there the scaffold, or sigh and weep his last few days away was an intense and almost divine melancholy agony in the gloomy and chilling shades of the dungeon. No-blended with the sweet serenity of her hectic face. Gratitude forbid! Spirits of the patriots who have gone With a struggling and convulsed effort he threw himself before him interpose your aid against it."

almost out of the bed, at the same time discharging from his mouth a large quantity of blood-Oh! sickening sight, my paralyzed tongue did not for some minutes recover its speech. "Oh, my friend, Henry Fleming, speak to me," I exclaimed as I rushed to his bed.

The female that was bending over him started at my voice, and after a look of inquiring interest, criedSisperne-Henry, it is Sisperne."

66

and attempt

But feeble is my pourtrayment of his high wrought eloquence, nor would I be more happy in a description of his suasive manner, impressive delivery, and graceful and emphatic action-suffice it to say, it was such a display of oratory as I never before, or since have heard. The jury were melted into compassion for the old veteran, and the judge was evidently much affected; but his was a mind too strongly fortified to be charmed into forgetfulness of He started at the mention of my name, his office; his warning to the jury as they were leaving ing to rise, gasped "Sisperne." He fixed on me a look the room, "not to forget, or lose sight of the plain of wild scrutiny, and then pressed his forehead with his evidence and facts in the case," showed that, however hand as if to arrest remembrance-his gaze rested upon much he might yield to the Siren allurement of elome again" Ah, it is my friend Sisperne-God bless quence, he was more influenced by the Rhadamanthus you," he continued, "this is a mournful meeting. Ah, pride of justice and impartiality. The jury gave a how changed since you saw me last!-then I was camomentary look of surprise at the judge's hint, which,ressed, and blessed with the love of my friends—now as it fell on the prisoner settled into a calm and stern expression that augured ill for his acquittal. In less than half-an-hour a verdict of manslaughter was returned, but before the court could move, a petition for the prisoner's pardon was presented, and in a moment there was a simultaneous rush towards it,-all signed it. The pardon was granted. I have dwelt on this subject longer than I purposed, and perhaps more so than faithfulness to my story will sanction.

As my acquaintance with Henry threw off its reserve and warmed into friendship, I became a more frequent visitor of Mary's; and when I left them on a distant and hazardous tour, eternal friendship was feelingly pledged between us.

Eighteen months had elapsed since my departure, and during that period I had not received any intelligence of Henry's success. Successful I doubted not he would be; his, appeared to be no meteor blaze that would illume for a moment and then vanish.

*

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what am I-a suicide, who has courted death-aye, worse than suicide; I am a false, cruel, and obdurate wretch-behold my Mary, her life blood poisoned and saped by me, as by a vampire. Sisperne, I am a murderer, yes! I have stabbed my constant and confiding Mary with ingratitude and base neglect." Then turning to the wan and spectre-like Mary ho resumed, “forgive, forgive me, Mary."

"Gracious Heaven! can this be Mary?" I asked.

"Yes!-it is my work-no, bless me not-curses fall upon me, I merit them. Oh, Hell-your punishment cannot equal my guilt-rack, torture, I am prepared to abide it."

I here interrupted him, saying he was torturing himself with a frenzied anticipation of the future.

"No-no," he replied, "the hot burnings of guilt can never cease to flame around me, and the stinging worm of remorse will never cease its gnawing-you see this frame is now almost insensible, its organs are stupid

It was on a gloomy and cold day in December that I and palsied in their offices. These pangs are not cor

poreal, nor will they cease when all these limbs have become torpid in their sockets, and when they will no longer obey the will-or, why is it they grow more intense as the flesh loses its sensitiveness and can no longer feel. 'Tis the spirit's pang-hell-hell." Here he gave a maddened start and sank lifeless on his pillow.

Such was the lamentable fate of Henry Fleming, one who in the early part of his career, promised future greatness. Few regarded him but as one of fame's favorites-one who was destined to rise to proud distinction in his profession, and shine a bright constellation in the world's broad expanse. But how disappointed were their expectations-how blasted their hopesand how affecting the change that wrought it. Envy, that accursed distorter of the human breast, the stinging spur that pricks the side of conscious inferiority, alone could have contemplated the wreck unmov

ed. We all know its insidious spirit, far more dangerous and foul than the folded snake that hisses in spiteful malice in our path. Two years had not passed since I left him a proud, happy and conscientious man-esteemed, admired, aye, beloved. But this admiration and popular favor were his ruin. Envy beheld him on a summit, it panted for, but ne'er could reach. Like the strify elements, when conscious of the impossibility of its reaching the proud eminence on which distinction rests, it endeavors to effect an equilibrium. His talents and fascinations won him friends, which the warm kindness and adhesiveness of his nature followed and clung

A SCENE DURING THE PLAGUE
IN MILAN, 1630.

Translated from "I Promessi Sposi" of Manzoni. THROUGH the very heart of this frightful desolation, Renzo made his way; nor paused, till uncertain which

of two roads to take. He was about to turn down the one indicated to him, when there issued from it a horrible confusion of sounds, above which was clearly distinguishable the sharp, appalling tinkle which proceeded the pest carts; he shuddered, yet went on, with difficulty threading his way through the street broad as it was. Three of these horrible vehicles followed one upon another, and now stopped. The scene which followed might not inaptly be compared to a corn market; there was a hurrying to and fro of persons and burdens, sacks filled and emptied of their contents. *Monatti hurrying into the houses, others coming out, tottering beneath

the burthens they carried on their shoulders, which they the carts; some in their red liveries, others without this deposited with little precaution on one or the other of insignia, and a still greater number distinguished by one more revolting, with jerkins and plumes of various colors, as if to denote that this fearful public calamity were to them a festival. From window to window there issued at each moment a sepulchral sound, which scarce resembled the human voice, though it articulated "Ina Monatti!" then with a sound yet more sinister there arose above the sad wailing, a sharp voice in reply "adess' adesso!" With these there mingled heart-ren

to, from the harmless and social party, to the convivial ding lamentations, and entreaties to make speed, to

carouse,

until the frolicsome circle, and inebriating bowl were alone enjoyed. Envy smiled approbation,

and hurried him on in his downward course.
The gam-
bling-table, where guilt and degradation consumate,
their degrees found him a reckless and frequent guest at
its hell-alluring sides.

And the fond, beautiful, and high expectant Mary, how prostrated in her hopes, and how withered and faded was her beauty. And her constant love that was wont to thrill at the mutual throb, now how cheerless and distressed did its emotions sink beneath the stupid glance of her husband. Her sweet lips that were once rich as the Pomegranite's huc, and seemed a paradise as "the smile took its rosy rise," in were in sad melancholy. And her eyes, which were united sense and sweetness, and beamed

now

forth naught but happiness-now were lustreless, and parched to deformity by the hot burnings of her misery.

The raving of Henry had affected her feelings to the highest excitability of agony; her frame was fairly worked into contortions. So intense was her distress, that her heaving breast seemed almost rent with bursting convulsion. As Henry's last pang, half gasped in

muttered breath, fell upon her senses the pent-up misery of her breast discharged like a volcano, in a terrific

burst, then all was still. I raised her head-all was fled, breath, consciousness-and that angelic spirit-it too was gone-gone to Heaven, it cannot be otherwise. Niles, Michigan.

which the Monatti replied with impatient oaths. Renzo pursued his way endeavoring to bestow no more attention on the obstacles in his path, than was necessary to avoid stumbling over them; till, at length, his shrink

ing gaze fixed on a sight of peculiar and touching misery-a sight which, whilst it prompted, rived, the soul to contemplate. He stood transfixed to the spot as it were spell bound. Down the steps of one of the largest houses, there descended a graceful female form, her appearance denoted that if the first bloom of youth had On her sweet countenance passed, its prime had not. were traces of loveliness faded and obscured, but not

destroyed-of cruel suffering and mortal languor; yet, withal, there shone pre-eminent that beauty, at once soft and majestic, so peculiar to Lombardy. She moved towards the convoy, her step was slow and painful, but not unsteady-her eyes were free from tears, but bore evidence of having shed so many that their source was dried up; there was in her grief a comething tranquil and profound which indicated a soul keenly

sensible to, yet fully competent to struggle with it. Yet

was it not her appearance only which in the midst of so much misery pointed her out as an object of peculiar commiseration and awakened on her behalf the feeling which had been weakened or extinguished in almost every heart. She held in her arms a little girl about the

*Thus were denominated the men to whom was assigned the laborious and perilous task of removing dead bodies from the houses, the roads, and the Lazaretto to the pit which formed one vast tomb for rich and poor; as well as to conduct those suffering under the disease to the Lazaretto, and superintend the burning of infected apparel.

Original.

THE STUDENT'S DREAM.

A. W.

age of nine-dead, but attired with the most scrupulous || of strength, she laid her infant on the bed, stretched hernicety; her flaxen locks were minutely parted on her self beside it, and breathed out her pure soul at the forehead; her robe was of the finest texture and daz- same moment its little spirit also winged its flight to zlingly white: in short, one might have fancied that the realms supernal! tender hand of a mother had arrayed her for some fête which had long been promised, and was now accorded as a reward. Neither was she held in a reclining posture, but upright as in life, with her little cold breast supported against the one which had nourished her infancy. One might have thought she slept, were it not for the little hand, white and rigid as marble, which hung so heavily, so inanimately by her side; for the little hand which rested on its mother's shoulder with an adandonment which betokened the slumber of deathyes, she who so tenderly supported the little unconscious being was her mother! did not the resemblance between those two lovely, pallid faces attest the fact, the anguish of the one which still bore faint evidence of life, must have incontestibly proved it! A turpid Monatto advanced, and extended his hands to relieve her of her burden; yet, was there an involuntary hesitation in his manner, a sort of tender respect. The mother shrank back but betrayed neither displeasure nor disdain.

"No," she exclaimed in a soft low voice, "you must not take her from me yet; I, myself must lay her on her bier: take this," and she placed a well-filled purse in the hand which the Monatto extended; "promise me," she continued, “promise me that you will not remove the most trifling article from this precious form, that you will not suffer any one else to do so; but lay her in her grave just as she now is."

The Monatto placed his right hand on his breast, then with obsequious civility, the result of the ne'er till then felt emotions which subdued his hardened nature, rather than of the unexpected boon he had received, busied himself in clearing a space on the cart for the little corpse.

The mother imprinted a long kiss on her child's brow, and laid her softly down, as though on a bed to sleep; she then arranged her snowy garment in graceful folds around her. "Farewell, my Cecilia," she murmured, " repose in peace! ere another day has dawned we shall follow thee, and then we shall all be together for ever; meanwhile, pray for us, and I will pray for the other dear ones who have gone before!farewell!" She then carefully spread a coverlit of fine white linen over the rigid little form, and turning to the Monatto addressed him in a voice yet more low and unearthly; "Monatto," she said, "you will re-pass at Vespers, forget not to enter, and ascend to the front chamber on the right of the first floor, you will then have to take me, and not me only, my last earthly treasure is dying also."

Thus saying, she returned slowly into the house, and in an instant after appeared on the balcony holding in her arms her youngest darling, still breathing it is true, but, with the stamp of death on its little face. Pressing the little sufferer to her breast, and trying to hush its mournful wailings, the still youthful mother stood contemplating the unworthy obsequies of her first-born, till the pest cart moved on and was finally lost to sight. Then she too, disappeared, and with an expiring effort

His nadir goal the sun has passed,
And hushed is every cradled blast;
Yet still, besieged by well-conn'd tomes,
O'er classic land the student roams.
Illum'd by Cynthia's hueless beam,
His marcid cheeks with fulgence gleam,
While bending o'er the learned page,
He scans the lore of gifted sage.
Though features wan and tabid brow,
Sate dire consumption's vampire now,
His sinking limbs ambition stays
And fame prospective lends her rays
To cheer the heart, to ease the pain,
And points the way to glory's fane.

Low burns the lamp. His eyes grow dim,
And phantom shapes before him swim,
While Somnus comes his own to claim,
And brighten hopes of deathless fame.
He drops his head upon his breast,
And, pillow'd there, partakes of rest.
Then dreamy forms of beauty rise,
And fairer scenes and bluer skies:
He sees his fondest wish attain'd,
And proud renown's high acme gain'd.

Now graced his brow a wreath of flowers,
By maidens cull'd in green-leaf'd bowers,
And long-drawn plaudits wake to praise
The beetling rocks of other days.
A fairy form, of witching eye,
Returns his smile and shares his sigh-
Without a tear, without a groan,
And every form of bliss his own,
He revels on the sweets of earth,
And drinks th' unmingled cup of mirth.

The charm dissolves. He slow unseals
His languid eye, and thus reveals
His garret-room, by art ungraced,
But, here and there, with cobwebs laced-
He feels his vitals fast consumed,
And yet his hopes are all relumed.
Disease, and want, and famine stare-
Without one friend his woes to share;
Gone are his dreams all clear and bright,
O'er all around sits ebon night.
But trampling on the present ills,
No fear his kindling ardor chills:
He turns the lore-fraught page again,
While sleep regales the sons of men.

ALLAN.

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