EXERCISE 125. The Dead Sea.-CROLY. The wind blows chill across those gloomy waves;- 2 Yes, on that plain, by wild waves cover'd now, 3 Lovely and splendid all,--but Sodom's soul Was stain'd with blood, and pride, and perjury; 4 And still she mock'd, and danced, and, taunting spoke 5 Yet, in her final night, amid her stood Immortal messengers; and pausing Heaven, Pleaded with man, but she was quite imbued, Her last hour waned, she scorn'd to be forgiven! 6 'Twas done!--Down pour'd at once the sulph'rous show'r Down stoop'd, in flame, the heaven's red canopy. Oh! for the arm of God, in that fierce hour!"Twas vain, nor help of God or man was nigh. They rush, they bound, they howl, the men of sin ;— 8 PARIS! thy soul is deeper dyed with blood, EXERCISE 126. New Missionary Hymn. S. F. SMITH. Theological Student, Andover. Yes, my native land, I love thee, Far in heathen lands to dwell? 2 Home! thy joys are passing lovely; Far in heathen lands to dwell? 3 Scenes of sacred peace and pleasure, Holy days and Sabbath bell, Richest, brightest, sweetest treasure! Can I say a last farewell? Can I leave you- Far in heathen lands to dwell? 4 Yes! I hasten from you gladly, From the scenes I loved so well! Far in heathen lands to dwell. 5 In the deserts let me labor, On the mountains let me tell, Far in heathen lands to dwell. 6 Bear me on, thou restless ocean, Let the winds the canvas swellheart with warm emotion, While I go far hence to dwell. Heaves my Glad I bid thee, Native land-FAREWELL-FAREWELL. } EXERCISE 127. The Valley of Jehoshaphat.-CHATEAUBRIAND. The Valley of Jehoshaphat has in all ages served as the burying-place to Jerusalem: you meet there, side by side, monuments of the most distant times and of the present century. The Jews still come there to die, from 5 all the corners of the earth. A stranger sells to them, for almost its weight in gold, the land which contains the bones of their fathers. Solomon planted that valley: the shadow of the Temple by which it was overhung-the torrent, called after grief, which traversed it-the Psalms 10 which David there composed-the Lamentations of Jeremiah, which its rocks re-echoed, render it the fitting abode of the tomb. Jesus Christ commenced his Passion in the same place: that innocent David there shed, for the expiation of our sins, those tears which the guilty 15 David let fall for his own transgressions. Few names awaken in our minds recollections so solemn as the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It is so full of mysterics, that, according to the Prophet Joel, all mankind will be assembled there before the Eternal Judge. 20 The aspect of this celebrated valley is desolate; the western side is bounded by a ridge of lofty rocks which support the walls of Jerusalem, above which the towers of the city appear. The eastern is formed by the Mount of Olives, and another eminence called the Mount of Scan25 dal, from the idolatry of Solomon. These two moun-tains, which adjoin each other, are almost bare, and of a red and sombre hue; on their desert side you see here and there some black and withered vineyards, some wild olives, some ploughed land, covered with hyssop, and a 30 few ruined chapels. At the bottom of the valley, you perceive a torrent, traversed by a single arch, which appears of great antiquity. The stones of the Jewish cemetery appear like a mass of ruins at the foot of the mountain of Scandal, under the village of Siloam. You 85 can hardly distinguish the buildings of the village from the ruins with which they are surrounded. Three ancient monuments are particularly conspicuous; those of Zachariah, Josaphat, and Absalom. The sadness of Jerusalem, from which no smoke ascends, and in which no sound is 40 to be heard; the solitude of the surrounding mountains, where not a living creature is to be seen; the disorder of those tombs, ruined, ransacked, and half exposed to view, would almost induce one to believe that the last trump, had been heard, and that the dead were about to 45 rise in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. EXERCISE 128. Roderick in Battle.-SOUTHEY. Count Julian's soldiers and the Austrian host 5 When from the expiring miscreant's neck they saw Thy pride and strength! Orelio, my good horse, 20 The happiest of his fields!-Then he drew forth Rode toward the troops; its unaccustomed shape Was dipp'd, would not to-day be misbestowed །། On this right hand!-Go, some one, Gunderick cried, 30 And bring Count Julian's sword. Whoe'er thou art The worth which thou hast shown avenging him Entitles thee to wear it. But thou goest For battle unequipp'd-haste there, and strip Yon villain of his armor! L te he spake, Than his wonted leathern gipion, will be found 45 Who tastes thy edge!-Make ready for the charge! They come they come !-On, brethren, to the field!The word is, Vengeance! Vengeance was the word; 55 Deliberately, with slow and steady step, Advanced; the bow-strings twang'd, and arrows hiss'd, Armor was riven, and wounds were interchanged, Hurried to bliss or bale. Well did the chiefs 65 Their old esteem; and well Count Pedro there Bore on his bloody lance dismay and death. Through thickest ranks, trampling beneath his feet Appall'd they say, who to What man is this, the front of war |
