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mently agitating the crowd. This man, while the tiger, impatient to encounter his expected prey, rushed from side to side through the empty arena, leaned himself unconcernedly upon his elbow, his eyes languid and heavy, like those of a hay-maker, who fatigued with tail on a warm summer-day, throws himself on the grass and is about falling asleep.

3. Meanwhile, from the crowded benches a number of eager spectators called upon the munerator, or intendant of the games, to bring forward the victim; for either the tiger had not discov cred him, or had disdained to touch him, seeing him so resigned and passive. The officers of the arena, armed with long pikes, hastened to obey the will of the cruel and bloody-minded people, and with the sharpened ends of their weapons stirred up the gladiator.

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4. No sooner did he feel the puncture of their lances, than he rose with a cry so wild and terrible that the savage beasts, shut up in the cells of the vast amphitheatre, responded with a howl of affright. Snatching at one of the lances with which his skin had been pricked, he wrested it, by a single effort, from the hand which held it, broke it into two pieces, threw one at the intendant's head, prostrating him by the blow, and then, retaining the sharpened remainder of the lance, went, provided with this weapon, to meet his ferocious foe.

5. When the gladiator had first risen from the sand, and offered to the multitude the spectacle of the shadow cast by his colossal stature, a murmur of astonishment ran through the crowd, and more than one voice, calling him by name, recounter anecdotes of his prowess in the circus and his exploits in moment of popular sedition. The multitude were well content: tiger an gladiator were worthy of each other.

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6. In the mean time, the gladiator advanced with measurec steps to the very centre of the arena, turning occasionally tow ard the imperial box, and letting fall his arms with a rud show of obeisance, or scooping with the point of his lance the earth which he was about to crimson with gore. As it was contrary to custom for criminals to be armed, several voices exclaimed: "No arms for the bes'tia'ry! The bestiary without arms!" But he, brandishing the fragment which he had retained, and exhibiting it to the multitude, exclaimed between his teeth, with pale lips, and a hoarse voice, almost stifled with rage, “Come and take it!”

7. The cries having redoubled, however, he haughtily raised his head, skimmed his glance over the whole assembly, smiled on them disdainfully, and then, breaking anew between his hands the weapon he had been called upon to lay down, threw the rem

nants at the head of the tiger, who was, at the moment, sharpening his teeth and claws against the socle of a column." Here was a defiance! The animal, feeling himself struck, turned his head, and, seeing his adversary standing in the middle of the arena, rushed with a single bound towards him. But the gladiator avoided the assault by stooping nearly to a level with the earth; and the tiger, with a howl of rage, fell some paces distant from the mark at which he had aimed in his spring.

8. Rising to his feet, the gladiator, by the same manoeuvre, thrice baffled the fury of his savage enemy. At length the tiger approached him with slow, cautious, cat-like steps. The eyes of the beast glittered like flame; his tail was straight, his tongue already bloody, and he showed his teeth, and protruded his nose, as if to snuff his prey with the more certainty. But this time it was the gladiator who made a leap. At the moment the beast drew near to seize him, he cleared him by a bound which called down the furious applauses of the spectators, already mastered by the emotions which this extraordinary struggle excited.

9. At length, after having for some time fatigued his ferocious foe, the gladiator, more wearied by the exclamations of the crowd than by the delays of a combat which had seemed so unequal at the outset, awaited with firm-set foot the approach of the tiger. The latter ran panting towards him, with a howl of satisfaction. A cry of horror, perhaps of joy also, escaped at the same time from the occupants of all the benches, as the animal, raising himself on his hind legs, placed his fore-paws on the naked shoulders of the gladiator, and thrust forward his jaws to devour him. But the gladiator bent backward to protect his head, and seizing, with both his stiffened arms, the animal's silken neck, he squeezed it with such force, that the tiger, without letting go his hold, struggled violently to throw up his head, and let the air reach his lungs, the passage to which was closed, as if by a vice, by the gladiator's hands.

10. The gladiator, however, perceiving that with his loss of blood his strength was failing him, under the tenacious claws of his antagonist, now redoubled his efforts to hasten the termination of the contest; for, with its prolongation, his chances were diminishing every moment. Erecting himself on his feet, and bearing with all his weight on his enemy, whose legs bent under the pressure, he broke the ribs of the animal, and made the jammed chest give forth a gurgling sound, followed by an effu sion of blood and foam from the tightened throat.

11. Then, all at once, half-raising himself, and disengaging his shoulders, a shred of flesh from which remained attached to one of the animal's claws, the victor placed a knee upon the

tiger's palpitating flank, and pressed upon him with a force which the prospect of victory redoubled. The gladiator felt the tiger struggle a moment under him; and, tightening his pressure, he saw the beast's muscles stiffen, and his head, one moment lifted, fall upon the sand, his jaws half-opened and covered with foam, his teeth locked, and his eyes extinct.

12. A general acclamation from the spectators ensued ; and the gladiator, whose triumph had reänimated his strength, rose to his feet, and, seizing the monstrous carcass, threw it far from him, as a trophy, beneath the imperial box.

ORIGINAL TRANSLATION FROM THE FRENCH

XXX.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE THOUGHTS.

1. LET us consider our thoughts as so much company, and inquire, which of them one would wish to exclude and send away, which to let in and receive ?132 It is much easier to prevent disagreeable visitants from entering, than to get rid of them when they are entered. It will be a great matter, therefore, to have a trusty porter at the gate, to keep a good guard at the door by which bad thoughts come in, and to avoid those occasions which commonly excite them.

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2. In the first place, then, it may be taken for granted, no cne would choose to entertain guests that were peevish and dis contented with everything. Their room is certainly much better than their company. They are uneasy in themselves, and will soon make the whole house so; like wasps, that not only are restless, but will cause universal uneasiness, and sting the family. Watch, therefore, against all thoughts of this kind, which do but chafe and corrode the mind to no purpose. It is equally a Christian's interest and duty to learn, in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content.

3. There is another set of people, who are not the most comfortable companions in the world; such as are evermore anxious about what is to happen,― fearful of everything, and apprehensive of the worst. Open not the door to thoughts of this complexion; since, by giving way to tormenting fears and suspicions of some approaching danger, or troublesome event, you not only anticipate but double the evil you fear; and undergo much more from the apprehension of it before it comes, than from the whole weight of it when it is present. Are not all these events under the direction of a wise and gracious Providence 2128 Learn to trust God and be at peace. "In quietness and peace shall be your strength."

4. You esteem it a dreadful thing to be obliged to live with persons who are passionate and quarrelsome. You undoubtedly judge right; it is like living in a house that is on fire. Dismiss therefore, as soon as may be, all angry and wrathful thoughts. They canker the mind, and dispose it to the worst temper in the world, that of fixed malice and revenge. Never ruminate upon past injuries and provocations. Anger may steal into the heart of a wise man, but rests only in the bosom of fools. The apostle's precept is, "let not the sun go down upon your wrath." The Pythagoreans, a sect of heathen philosophers, are said to have practised it literally; who, if at any time in a passion they had broken out into abusive language, before sunset, gave each other their hands, and with them a discharge from all injuries, and so parted friends. Above all things, be sure to set a guard on the tongue, while the angry fit is upon you. In anger, as well as in a fever, it is good to have the tongue kept smooth and clean.

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5. Whoever has been much con versant with the world, must have often met with silly, trifling," and unreasonable people, who will talk forever about nothing. How far preferable is solitude to such society! There are silly, trifling, and unreasonable thoughts, as well as persons; such are always about, and, if care be not taken, they will get into the mind we know not how, seize and possess it before we are aware. There is little difference whether we spend the time in sleep, or in these waking dreams. They ought to be dismissed, because they keep out better company.

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6. There is something particularly tiresome in your projectors and castle-builders, who will detain you for hours with relations of their probable and improbable schemes. One should never be at home to this sort of visitants. Give your porter, therefore, directions to be in a more special manner upon his guard against all wild and extravagant thoughts, all vain and fantastical imaginations. It is unknown how much time is wasted by many persons in these airy and chimerical schemes, while they neglect their duty to God and man, and even their own worldly interest; thus losing the substance by grasping at the shadow," and dream. ing themselves princes, till they awake beggars.

7. There is one sort of guests who are no strangers to the mind of man. These are gloomy and melancholy thoughts. There are times and seasons when, to some, everything appears dismal and disconsolate, though they know not why. A black cloud hangs hovering over their minds, which, when it falls in showers through their eyes, is dispersed, and all is serene again. This is often purely mechanical, and owing either to some fault

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in the bodily constitution," or some accidental disorder in the animal frame. It comes on in a dark month, a thick sky, and an east wind. Constant employment and a cheerful friend are two excellent remedies. Certain, however, it is, that, whatever means can be devised, they should instantly and incessantly be used to drive away such dreary and desponding imaginations.

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8. It is needless to say that we should repel all impure thoughts; because, if we possess a fair character, and frequents1 good company, it is to be hoped they will not have the assurance to knock at our door. Lastly with abhorrence reject immediately all profane and blasphemous thoughts. When the body is disordered, the mind will be so too; and thoughts will arise in it of which no account can be given. But let those who are thus afflicted know, for their comfort, the bare thoughts will not be imputed to them for sins, while they do not cherish and encourage them, but, on the contrary, exert all their endeavors to expel and banish them; which, with prayers and help from above, will not fail of success in the end.

9. These, then, are the thoughts against which you should carefully guard: such as are peevish and discontented, anxious and fearful, passionate and quarrelsome, silly and trifling, vain and fantastical, gloomy and melancholy, impure, profane, and blasphemous. A formidable band! to whose importunity, more or less, every one is subject. Reason, aided by the grace of God, must watch diligently at the gate, either to bar their entrance, or drive them away forthwith when entered, not only as impertinent, but mischievous intruders, that will otherwise forever destroy the peace and quiet of the family.

10. The best method, after all, perhaps, is to contrive matters so as always to be preëngaged when they come; engaged with better company; and then there will be no room for them. For, other kinds of thoughts there are, to which, when they stand at the door and knock, the porter should open immediately; which you should let in and receive, retain and improve, to your soul's health and happiness.

11. The grand secret in this, as in many other cases, is employment. An empty house is everybody's property. All the vagrants about the country will take up their quarters in it. Always, therefore, have something to do, and you will always have something to think about. God has placed every person in some station; and every station has a set of duties belonging to it. Did we not forget or neglect these, evil thoughts would sue11 for admission in vain. Indeed, they would not come near our dwell. ing, any more than idle, vain, profligate people would think of visiting and teasing a man who labored constantly for his daily bread.

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