What! will the line stretch out to the crack of doom? Another yet? A seventh? I'll see no more: And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass, Horrible sight! Terror. SHAKSPEARE. 4. Lost! lost! I know I'm surely lost! But give me rum. I will have rum. 5. Go, chase him out. Look! here he comes! 6. Fire! water! help! Come! haste! I'll die! Come take me from this burning bed! The smoke-I'm choking—can not cry: There now it's catching at my head! But see! again that demon comes! Look there! he peeps through yonder crack! Mark how his burning eyeballs flash! How fierce he grins! - what brought him back? ALLISON. Suspicion and suppressed Fear. 7. Alas! I am afraid they have awaked, 8. And 't is not done. The attempt, and not the deed, He could not miss them. Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done it. Whence is that knocking? How is 't with me, when every noise appalls me? SHAKSPEARE. 10. Of this dull sickness at my heart, afraid; And, in my eyes, the death-sparks flash and fade; Over my bosom, like a frozen hand, And this is death! But why It can not be The immortal spirit shuddereth to be free! Like a chained eaglet at its parent's call? Articulate properly a in canvass, cottage, and, inheritance, portal; u in consti tutional, columns; e in consciousness. SELECTIONS IN PROSE AND POETRY.- Concluded. [The language of affirmation, denial, reproof, authority, anger, and defiance. generally requires a strong, full, energetic voice, with strong emphasis, varied movement, and falling inflection.] Strong Affirmation. 1. It is the ancient and constitutional right of this people, to canvass public measures, and the merits of public men. It is a home-bred right, a fireside privilege. It has ever been enjoyed in every house, cottage, and cabin in the nation. It is as undoubted as the right of breathing the air and walking on the earth. 2. This high constitutional privilege I shall defend and `exercise, within this House, and without this House, and in all places, in time of war, in time of peace, and at all times. Living, I will assert it; dying, I will assert it; and, should I leave no other legacy to my children, by the blessing of God, I will leave them the inheritance of free principles, and the example of a manly, independent, and constitutional defense of them! Indignant Denial. WEBSTER. 3. In their own bosoms my countrymen carry the high consciousness, that never was imputation more foully false, or more detestably calumnious! I repeat, Sir, with all the vehemence of indignant asseveration, the charge is false, utterly false ! - SHIEL. Reproof. 4. Men of Altorf,* what fear ye? Why stand you wondering there? Why look you on a man that's like yourselves, That ye are men, Or know you not yourselves, that ye have hearts and thoughts To feel and think the deeds of men, and hands * AL'TORF, a town of Switzerland, near the southern extremity of the Lake of Lucerne. It has a decorated tower, said to mark the place where Tell shot the apple off his son's head. This selection is the supposed language of Tell to the citizens of Altorf, when required to bow to Gesler's cap. To do them? You say your prayers, and make 5. You hunt the chamois, and you've seen him take The precipice, before he 'd yield the freedom His Maker gave him, — and you are content To live in bonds, who have a thought of freedom And see bold deeds achieved by other's hands? Authority and Defiance. KNOWLES. 6. Ho! sound the tocsin from my tower; and fire the culverin ; Bid, each retainer arm with speed; call every vassal in: Up with my banner on the wall; the banquet board pre pare; Throw wide the portal of my hall; and bring my armor there. 7. Ye're there; but I see you not! Draw forth each trusty sword; And let me hear your faithful steel clash once around my board! I hear it faintly;-louder yet! What clogs my heavy breath? Up, all! and shout for Rudiger, "Defiance unto death!” Angry Menace with Defiance. GREENE. 8. BLAZE with your serried columns! I will not bend the knee : The shackle ne'er again shall bind the arm which now 1 free! I've mailed it with the thunder, when the tempest muttered low; And where it falls ye well may dread the lightning of its blow. 9. I've scared you in the city; I've scalped you on the plain : Go, count your chosen where they fell beneath my leaden rain! I scorn your proffered treaty: the pale face I defy: Revenge is stamped upon my spear; and "blood,” my battle-cry! 10. I loathe you with my bosom! I scorn you with mine eye! And I'll taunt you with my latest breath, and fight you till I die! I ne'er will ask for quarter; and I ne'er will be your slave; But I'll swim the sea of slaughter, till I sink beneath the wave! 11. "This to me!" he said: "An 't were not for thy hoary beard, Such hand as Marmion's had not spared And first I tell thee, haughty peer, 12. "And, Douglas, ‡ more I tell thee here, Here in thy hold, thy vassals near, And lay your hands upon your sword!) I tell thee thou 'rt defied!" PATTEN. * MAR'MI-ON, an imaginary person, represented as an English nobleman. AN'GUS, another name for Douglas. DOUGLAS, one of the most warlike of the Scottish lords. SCOTT. |