The lightning's past, the post must go, The pear doth rot, the plum doth fall, The snow dissolves, and so must all. WASTELL. THE OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD. Dweller in heaven, and ruler below! Fain would I know thee, yet tremble to know! That being can not be, but present with thee? HOGG. THE SUPERIOR BEAUTY OF THE EYE. Lovely the milk-white orient pearl, And bright the blush of the Ruby's red, Through the darkness of the mine: Than the pearl's soft white, or the ruby's blaze, Or the fairest gems that shine. So the brow may be pure as the unsunned snow, But these fading charms can never vie Each feeling pictured here we find, The Palace of the Soul. A. W. L. THE POLISH CHILDREN. Forth went they from their father-land, A fallen and fetter'd race, To find upon a distant strand, Forth went they-not as freemen go, But with the bow'd down mien of woe The aged in their silver hair, No sounds disturb'd the desert air, Save when at times re-echoed there When hark! another cry peal'd out- Answer'd and heighten'd by the shout 'Twas childhood's voice-but ah! how wild, The mother shriek'd to hear her child And fathers wrung their fetter'd hands, And curses deep and low were said, Whose murmur reach'd to heaven; While all forgetful of their woes, The children onward trod, voices rose *It is said that the Russians intoxicated the children of the condemned Poles, in order that they might sing while on their way to the mines. 145 DRAMATIC SCENES.* THE TRIAL OF THE MACEDONIAN PRINCES. Perseus, the eldest son of Philip, the last King of Macedon, having for a considerable time seen with extreme indignation the regard which the Macedonians entertained for his brother Demetrius, took the most culpable means to gain over to his side as many chiefs of the nation as he possibly could, who formed the determination of taking the earliest opportunity of ruining him in the opinion of his father, or of even taking his life. As was the custom, after a certain annual festival the army was reviewed, and a sham fight took place. On this occasion the army was divided into two parts, one of which was commanded by Perseus, and the other by Demetrius; and, although the troops fought with foils, they entered so much into the spirit of the engagement as to cause bloodshed. Demetrius's party had the advantage, which increased the hatred of his brother, and made him more intent than ever on his destruction. After the battle the two princes gave a grand entertainment, and Perseus was invited by his brother to his banquet; he, however, refused to go, but sent a spy, whose object being known, was treated rather roughly by some of Demetrius's party, but entirely without the knowledge of Demetrius. Demetrius, wishing to conciliate his brother, proposed to his friends to visit him; they all agreed, but those who had ill-treated the spy, took with them, privately, arms to defend themselves if attacked, as they expected they might be. This being told to Perseus, he refused their admittance, under the pretence that he feared assassination, and the next day went to Philip, and accused his brother of endeavouring to take his life. Philip immediately ordered Demetrius to appear before him to answer the charge; the accusation and defence form the groundwork of the following dramatic scene. CHARACTERS. PHILIP, King of Macedon. DEMETRIUS, his younger son. ANTIGONUS, a minister of state. * In the Dramatic Scenes, the Orations, Impassioned and Comic Pieces intended for Recitation; those words which are Emphatic are printed in italics, while those which require decidedly a very full emphasis are printed in capitals. H The King appears seated. Dymas stands by the side of the King. The King's manner is naturally most dignified, but his peculiar position, in being the judge between his sons, requires the tone of voice to be most solemn, and expressive of the feelings which must necessarily harass and distress his mind. KING. Bring forth the prisoners. Strange trial this! Here sit I to debate, Which vital limb to lop, nor that to save, But render wretched life more wretched still. What see I, but heaven's vengeance in my sons? THEIR guilty scourge for MINE. 'Tis thus heav'n writes Its awful meaning, plain in human deeds. And language leaves to man. Enter PERSEUS and DEMETRIUS in chains, from opposite sides; Perseus followed by Pericles, and Demetrius by Antigonus. *Dread Sir, your sons. DYMAS. What pains, I took to curb their rising rage! But I have wept, and you have sworn, in vain! How was this morning's counsel thrown away! She, when she bore you, suffered less. Her pangs, DEM. You can't condemn me, Sir, to worse than this. * In the most respectful manner. Much affected. + With intense feeling. In a severe tone. |