speaking, the decisive blow is struck, which may involve millions in the consequence. And, believe me, the very first drop of blood which is shed will cause a wound which may never be healed.

LORD CHATHAM.

VII.-EPISODE FROM A NEW ENGLAND
TRAGEDY.

SIMON KEMPTHORN, a sea-captain, under bonds to take some Quakers back to Barbadoes.

EDWARD BUTTER, Treasurer of the Commonwealth.

Scene.-The Tavern of the Three Mariners, Boston, 1665.
Kempthorn. A dull life this,-a dull life, anyway!
Ready for sea; the cargo all aboard,

Cleared for Barbadoes, and a fair wind blowing
From nor'-nor'-west; and I, an idle lubber,
Laid neck and heels by that confounded bond!
I said to Ralph, says I, "What's to be done?"
Says he: "Just slip your hawser in the night;
Sheer off, and pay it with the topsail, Simon."
But that won't do, because, you see, the owners
Somehow or other are mixed up with it.

Enter Edward Butter with an ear-trumpet.

Butter. Good-morning, Captain Kempthorn.

Kemp.

Sir, to you.

You've the advantage of me. I don't know you.

What may I call your name?

Butter.

Kemp. Yes, that's my name. What's yours?

Butter.

I am the treasurer of the Commonwealth.

Kemp. Will you be seated?
Butter.

That's not your name?

My name is Butter.

What say? Who's conceited?

Kemp. Nothing's the matter with it that I know of.
I have seen better, and I have seen worse.

The wind's nor'-west. That's fair for them that sail.
Butter. You need not speak so loud; I understand you.
You sail to-day.

Кетр.

No, I don't sail to-day.

So, be it fair or foul, it matters not.

Say, will you smoke? There's choice tobacco here.
Butter. No, thank you. It's against the law to smoke.
Kemp. Well, almost everything's against the law
In this good town. Give a wide berth to one thing,
You're sure to fetch up soon on something else.
Butter. And so you sail to-day for dear Old England?

I am not one of those who think a sup

Of this New England air is better worth

Than a whole draft of our Old England's ale.

Kemp. Nor I. Give me the ale and keep the air.
But, as I said, I do not sail to-day.

Butter. Ah, yes; you sail to-day.

Кетр.

I'm under bonds

To take some Quakers back to the Barbadoes;
And one of them is banished, and another

Is sentenced to be hanged.

All are set free by order of the Court;

But some of them would fain return to England.
You must not take them. Upon that condition
Your bond is canceled.

Kemp.

Ah, the wind has shifted!

I pray you, do you speak officially?

Kemp.

it.

Butter. I always speak officially. To prove it,
Here is the bond. (Rising and giving a paper.)
And here's my hand upon
And, look you, when I say I'll do a thing
The thing is done. Am I now free to go?
Butter. What say?

Kemp.

I say, confound the tedious man,

With his strange speaking-trumpet! Can I go?

Butter. You're free to go, by order of the Court.

Your servant, sir. [Exit.]

Kemp. (Shouting from the window.) Swallow, ahoy! Hallo!

If ever a man was happy to leave Boston,

That man is Simon Kempthorn of the Swallow! (Re-enter Butter.) Butter. Pray, did you call?

Kemp.

Call? Yes, I hailed the Swallow.

Butter. That's not my name. My name is Edward Butter.

You need not speak so loud.

Kemp. (shaking hands). Good-bye! Good-bye!

Butter. Your servant, sir.

Kemp.

I

And yours, a thousand times. [Exeunt.
H.W. LONGFELLOW.

VIII. THE HEROINE OF NANCY.

PART FIRST.

N the year 1476, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, laid siege to the town of Nancy, capital of the duchy of Lorraine. In the absence of the young duke, René* II., who had gone to raise troops among the enemies of Charles, the town and its little garrison were left in charge of a brave and patriotic governor, who had an only daughter, named Télésile. It is with the noble conduct of this heroic young girl that our story has chiefly to do.

2. Charles the Bold-who ought rather to have been called the Rash, or the Furious, from his headlong and violent disposition-had sought to erect a kingdom within the dominions of his great rival, Louis XI. of France. To extend his power, he had overrun provinces, which, as soon as his strong hand was withdrawn, took the first opportunity to revolt against him. Lorraine was one of these; and he now appeared before the walls of Nancy, resolved to punish its inhabitants, whom he regarded as rebels.

3. But, thanks to the governor and his heroic daughter, the city held out bravely, both against the assaults of his soldiers, and the threats and promises with which he tried to induce a surrender. While the governor directed and encouraged the defenders, Télésile inspired their wives and daughters.

* Pronounced Ren-a'.

+ Pronounced Ta-la-zēēl.

66

4. "Let us do," she cried, as did the women of Beauvais when this same cruel Charles laid siege to their town. Mothers armed themselves, young girls seized whatever weapons they could find,-hatchets, broken lances, which they bound together with their hair; and they joined their sons and brothers in the fight. They drove the invader from their walls; and so will we defeat and drive him back!"

5. "Put no trust in the tyrant!" said the intrepid governor, addressing the people. "He is as faithless as he is cruel. He has promised to spare our lives and our property if we will accept him as our ruler; but be not deceived. Once within our walls, he will give up to massacre and pillage the city that has cost him so dear.

6. But if not for our own sakes," he went on, "then for the love of our rightful lord, Duke René, let us continue the glorious struggle. Already at the head of a brave Swiss army, he is hastening to our relief. He will soon be at our gates. Let us hold out till then; or, sooner than betray our trust, let us fall with our defenses and be buried in the ruins of our beloved city!"

7. Thus defended, Nancy held out until Charles, maddened to fury by so unexpected and so prolonged a resistance, made a final, desperate attempt to carry the town. By stratagem, quite as much as by force, he succeeded in gaining an entrance within the walls; and Nancy was at his mercy.

8. In the flush of vengeance and success, he was for putting at once all the inhabitants-men, women, and children—to the sword. A young maider was brought before him.

"Barbarian!" she cried, "if we are all to perish, over whom will you reign?"

Who are you, bold girl! that dare to speak to me thus?" said the astonished Charles.

g.

"Your prisoner, and one who would prevent you from adding to the list of your cruelties!"

10. Her beauty, her courage, and the prophetic tones in which she spoke, arrested Charles's fury.

"Give up to me your governor, whom I have sworn to punish," he said, "and a portion of the inhabitants shall be spared."

11. But the governor was her own father, for the young girl was no other than Télésile. Listening to the entreaties of his friends, he had assumed the dress of a private citizen; and all loved the good old man too well to point him out to the tyrant.

12. When Télésile sorrowfully reported to her father the duke's words, he smiled. "Be of good cheer, my daughter!" he said. "I will see the duke Charles, and try what I can do to persuade him.”

13. When brought before the conqueror, he said, "There is but one man who can bring the governor to you. Swear on your sword to spare all the inhabitants of the town, and he shall be given up."

14. "That will I not!" cried the angry duke. "They have braved my power too long; they have scorned my offers; they have laughed at my threats; now woe to the people of Nancy!"

Then, turning to his officers, he commanded that every tenth person in the town should be slain, and they at once gave orders for the decimation.

IX. THE HEROINE OF NANCY.

PART SECOND.

HE inhabitants, young and old, women and infants,

THE

were assembled in a line which extended through the principal street of the city; while soldiers ransacked the houses, in order to drive forth or kill any that might remain concealed.

2. It was a terrible day for the doomed city. Families clung together, friends embraced friends, some weeping