RING OUT, WILD BELLS RING out, wild bells, to the wild sky, Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring out the grief that saps the mind, Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, Ring out false pride in place and blood, Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring out old shapes of foul disease; ALFRED TENNYSON. THE STORY OF A ROMAN GENERAL ROME and Carthage were located on opposite sides of the sea. Both were very powerful, and it was certain that, were war to break out between them, it would prove to be a long and terrible struggle. Unfortunately these two great cities were not friendly and, finally, this feeling resulted in war. The conflict was long and doubtful. No one could foretell how it would end. Sometimes fortune seemed to favor Rome. Then, again, it seemed as though Carthage might win. Thus the conflict was prolonged for many years. Once during the war the Carthaginians captured a Roman general named Regulus. He was a brave man, and a good man as well. It is said of him that he always kept his word. But, brave as he was, he lost a battle with his enemies, and was captured and put into prison. About this time the Carthaginians realized that, on the whole, they were losing ground in the contest. It seemed to them that sooner or later Rome would conquer. They had already found it necessary to try to hire soldiers from other countries to fight their battles, and they felt that they could not hold out much longer in the struggle. Some of their rulers, therefore, visited the prison to talk with the Roman general. They told him that it was their desire that Carthage should be at peace with Rome. They assured him that if the Roman rulers knew the actual conditions of the war they would desire peace also. Then they said to Regulus: "We will allow you to return to Rome provided that you will tell your people about the battles you have lost, and that they have gained nothing by this long war." But this is not all that they demanded of Regulus if he were to be set free. They asked him to promise that, in case the Romans were unwilling to make peace, he would return to prison. Regulus consented to return if the Romans refused to make peace. Then the Carthaginians released him from prison, and he made his journey to Rome. When he reached the great capital he was gladly welcomed by the people. The wise men who made the laws of Rome came to him to inquire about the war across the sea. Then Regulus told them how he happened to be in Rome. He explained to them how he was sent to make peace. But he advised the Roman rulers not to make peace. He assured them that although Rome had lost several battles, nevertheless Carthage was growing weak. He said that if Rome held out a little longer he was sure that she would conquer. Then he added: "I have come to say farewell to my wife and children. To-morrow I must return to prison, for I have promised the Carthaginian rulers that I would do so if the Romans refused to make peace.' Regulus was an able general, and the Roman rulers urged him not to go back. They offered to send another man in his stead. But he said: "A Roman must keep his word. I must return." If it was hard to return against the wish of the rulers; it was still harder when his wife and children begged him not to go back. Nevertheless he said: "I must return. I have promised; I cannot break my word." Then he bade farewell to Rome, and to his family, and went bravely back to prison and to death. THANATOPSIS To him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language; for his gayer hours |