5.

6.

7.

Their cloud-capt heads; grim-aged ranks
Of Sphinxes, 'midst the tombs appearing.
And the Memnonium,' too, was there,-

Gigantic-musical-and solemn;

While high in the transparent air,

Old Pompey raised his wondrous column.

I sought that classic scene again,

How little of its beauty lingers!
For Memnon lies, upon the plain,

O'erthrown by Time's decaying fingers!
And where is Carthage? where is Rome,
With all the glories which it cherished?
Where sumptuous Athens? Balbec's3 dome?
Time touched them-and they perished!

LESSON XIV.

DIRECTION.-The movement of the voice in reading or speaking the following poetry, should, for the most part, be quick, expressing earnestThe fifth verse should be spoken in a tone denoting sadness and disappointment.

ness.

1.

2.

THE VOTARY OF PLEASURE.

I saw a gallant youth depart

From his early home,

O'er the world to roam;

CHARLES H. LYON.

With joyous eye, and bounding heart,

Did he speed along

Through the mingled throng;

And he recked not of aught that lay in his course,

As he onward moved, with the impetuous force
Of a spirit free, and unrestrained,

That ne'er would rest till its goal was gained.

"Whither, O Youth," a voice inquired,

With an earnest tone,

And a stifled groan,

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3.

"Art bound so swift, as thou wast fired
In thy inmost mind

With an impulse blind ?”

"I am bound for the realm, be it far or near,"
The rover replied, as he checked his career,
"Where pleasure is found, and mirth, and glee,
And a ceaseless flow of gayety."

4.

I saw that youthful form once more,
When the goal was gained,

And its end attained ;

I knew its brief pursuit was o'er,

From its altered mien,

And its faded sheen.

Ah the bounding heart, and the joy-beaming eye,
Were succeeded by tears, and the deep-drawn sigh.
Of beauty, and manly pride, and grace,

There scarcely lingered a single trace.

"O, what," the voice inquired again,
"Hath wrought this change,

So sad and strange?

Didst thou at length, O Youth, obtain,

In its full measure,

Thy heart's fond treasure?

"Didst thou gain the realm where the pleasures of sense In profusion flow, unrestrained, and intense?

Didst thou reach the sphere where mirth and glee
Are blended with ceaseless gayety?"

5.

"Too soon!" exclaimed the stricken form,

With down cast eye

And a bitter sigh,

"While hope was young, and passion warm,

Did my ardent soul

Reach the fatal goal.

"Ah! my spirit hath been with the giddy throng,

And shared in the revel, the cup, and the song.

7. Give Pleasure's name to naught but what has passed The authentic seal of Reason, and defies

The tooth of Time; when past a pleasure still;
Dearer on trial, lovelier for its age,

And doubly to be prized, as it promotes

Our future, while it forms our present joy.

8. Some joys the future overcast, and some
Throw all their beams that way, and gild the tomb.
Some joys endear eternity; some give

Abhorred Annihilation dreadful charms.

Are rival joys contending for thy choice?
Consult thy whole existence, and be safe;
That oracle will put all doubt to flight.-YOUNG.

LESSON XV.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.-1. NAZARENE was a name given in derision to the first Christians by their enemies, because Nazareth was the place of residence of our Savior.

2. APOLLO, among the ancients, was the fabled god of fine arts. He is said to have performed several great deeds, as the destroying of a monstrous serpent sent by the goddess Juno to persecute Latona.

THE GLADIATOR..

1. STILLNESS reigned in the vast amphitheater, and from the countless thousands that thronged the spacious inclosure, not

a breath was heard. Every tongue was mute with suspense, and every eye strained with anxiety toward the fatal portal, where the gladiator was momentarily expected to enter. At length the trumpet sounded, and they led him forth into the broad arena. There was no mark of fear upon his manly countenance, as with majestic step and fearless eye he entered. He stood there, like another Apollo2, firm and unbending as the rigid oak. His fine proportioned form was matchless, and his turgid muscles spoke his giant strength.

2. "I am here," he cried, as his proud lip curled in scorn, "to glut the savage eyes of Rome's proud populace. Aye, like a dog you throw me to a beast; and what is my offense? Why, forsooth, I am a Christian. But know, ye can not fright my soul, for it is based upon a foundation stronger than the adamantine rock. Know ye, whose hearts are harder than the flinty stone, my heart quakes not with fear; and here I aver, I would not change conditions with the blood-stained Nero, crowned though he be, not for the wealth of Rome. Blow ye your trumpet-I am ready."

3. The trumpet sounded, and a long, low growl was heard to proceed from the cage of a half-famished Numidian Lion, situated at the farthest end of the arena. The growl deepened into a roar of tremendous volume, which shook the enormous edifice to its very center. At that moment, the door was thrown open, and the huge monster of the forest sprung from his den, with one mighty bound to the opposite side of the arena. His eyes blazed with the brilliancy of fire, as he slowly drew his length along the sand, and prepared to make a spring upon his formidable antagonist. The gladiator's eye quailed not; his lip paled not; but he stood immovable as a statue, waiting the approach of his wary foe.

4. At length, the lion crouched himself into an attitude for springing, and with the quickness of lightning, leaped full at the throat of the gladiator. But he was prepared for him, and bounding lightly on one side, his falchion flashed for a moment over his head, and in the next it was deeply dyed in the purple blood of the monster. A roar of redoubled fury again

resounded through the spacious amphitheater, as the enraged animal, mad with anguish from the wound he had just received, wheeled hastily round, and sprung a second time at the Nazarene.1

5. Again was the falchion of the cool and intrepid gladiator, deeply planted in the breast of his terrible adversary; but so sudden had been the second attack, that it was impossible to avoid the full impetus of his bound, and he staggered and fell upon his knee. The monster's paw was upon his shoulder, and he felt his hot fiery breath upon his cheek, as it rushed through his wide distended nostrils. The Nazarene drew a short dagger from his girdle, and endeavored to regain his feet. But his foe, aware of his design, precipitating himself upon him, threw him with violence to the ground.

6. The excitement of the populace was now wrought up to a high pitch, and they waited the result with breathless suspense. A low growl of satisfaction now announced the noble animal's triumph, as he sprang fiercely upon his prostrate enemy. But it was of short duration; the dagger of the gladiator pierced his vitals, and together they rolled over and over, across the broad arena. Again the dagger drank deep of the monster's blood, and again a roar of anguish reverberated through the stately edifice.

7. The Nazarene, now watching his opportunity, sprung with the velocity of thought from the terrific embrace of his enfeebled antagonist, and regaining his falchion which had fallen to the ground in the struggle, he buried it deep in the heart. of the infuriated beast. The noble king of the forest, faint from the loss of blood, concentrated all his remaining strength in one mighty bound; but it was too late; the last blow had been driven home to the center of life, and his huge form fell with a mighty crash upon the arena, amid the thundering acclamations of the populace.

8. O, gentle doctrine of Christ !-doctrine of love, and of peace,—when shall all mankind know thy truth, and the world smile, with a new happiness, under thy life-giving reign.