He which, 'twixt a lion and a pard,

Through all the world with nimble pinions fared,

And to his greedy whelps his conquered kingdoms shared.

He wept for worlds to conquer; half the earth
Knows not his name, or but his death and birth.

PHINEAS FLETCHER.

BYRON.

Therefore the he-goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. — DANIEL viii. 8, 22.

ROME.

So completely had Greece arrived at the season of autumn, while at Rome it was yet the early spring. - ARNOLD.

THE history of Rome now begins to be more trustworthy. About the middle of the century she began a career of conquest.

The long period of her infancy was employed in a laborious. struggle against the tribes of Italy, the neighbors and enemies of the rising city.-AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS.

When we see this noble republic devoting three or four centuries to the solid establishment of its power in a radius of under a hundred miles, about the same time that Alexander was spreading out his marvellous empire in the course of a few years, it is not difficult to foresee the fate of the two empires, though the one usefully prepared the East for the succession of the other. COMTE.

The main source of wealth among the Romans, and their most honorable occupation, was agriculture. The greatest generals and statesmen, after holding for a time the helm of the republic, and gaining victories and triumphs, did not scruple to return to the plough and live in rural retirement. SCHMITZ.

Invasion

About the year 390 B. C. the Gauls, under Brennus, pressed down into Central Italy, and took and destroyed Rome. Although but a passing inroad with tranof the sient results, this invasion is noteworthy as marking the first appearance of the barbaric hordes, who in later times were to change the civilization of the world.

Gauls.

Hark! the Gaul is at her gates!

COWPER.

The fourth century before the Christian era brought the Gauls for the first time within the observation of the civilized world. They then crossed the Apennines, and overran Central and Southern Italy; they then also broke in upon the Illyrian tribes, established themselves between the Danube and Greece, and became known to the kings of Macedon. - ARNOLD.

The victorious attack of Brennus, in the fourth century of her [Rome's] career, marks the era at which the tide of Gaulish conquest was at its full. About that period the name of Gauls was more terrible, throughout Europe and Western Asia, than that of any other conquerors. MERIVALE.

Then Rome was poor; and there you might behold

The palace, thatched with straw, now roofed with gold.

The silver goose before the shining gate

There flew, and by her cackle saved the state;

She told the Gauls' approach: the approaching Gauls,
Obscure in night, ascend, and seize the walls.

VIRGIL. Tr. Dryden.

The Gaulish invasion and conquest of Rome was but the instrument of her greater and surer advance to the dominion of Italy. — ARNOLD.

Patricians

It was at this period that the Plebeians succeeded in enforcing their claim to hold a share in the high offices of the state. In the year 366 B. C. Lucius Sextius and Ple- was chosen consul, the first Plebeian who held that dignity. This event led to a gradual reconcilement of the two orders and to a great increase of military vigor and activity.

beians.

It is now acknowledged that the struggle at Rome between the Plebeians and Patricians was a sequel and a prolongation of the war of conquest, was an effort on the part of the aristocracy of the cities conquered by Rome to share the rights of the conquering aristocracy. GUIZOT.

At last the commons attain their object. They acquire an equal share in the public offices and honors, participate in the same system of law, in the same rites of religion, and in the common fruits of conquest. The two nations coalesce into one. From this era the body politic appears to be animated with new vigor. The career of victory is no longer checked by the defection of the bulk of the people at some important crisis. — MERIVALE.

The results of this great change were singularly happy and glorious. Two centuries of prosperity, harmony, and victory followed the reconciliation of the orders. Men who remembered Rome engaged in waging petty wars almost within sight of the Capitol lived to see her the mistress of Italy. - MACAULAY.