"There, at the foot of yonder nodding beech "Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn, “One morn I miss'd him on the custom'd hill, "The next, with dirges due, in sad array, THE EPITAPH. Here rests his head, upon the lap of Earth, Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere ; He gain'd from Heaven ('twas all he wish'd) a friend. No further seek his merits to disclose, THOMAS GRAY. XCIV. THE STIRRUP CUP. Death, thou'rt a cordial old and rare; David to thy distillage went, Omar Khayyam and Chaucer bright Then, Time, let not a drop be spilt; SIDNEY LANIER. XCV. PERSEVERANCE.. Every man who observes vigilantly, and resolves steadfastly, grows unconsciously into genius. BULWER-LYTTON. Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labors in any great and laudable undertaking has his fatigues first supported by hope and afterwards rewarded by joy. DR. JOHNSON. Those who would attain to any marked degree of excellence in a chosen pursuit must work, and work hard for it, prince or peasant. BAYARD TAYLOR. I'm proof against the word "failure." I've seen behind it. The only failure a man ought to fear is failure in cleaving to the purpose he sees to be best. GEORGE ELIOT. Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. STEELE. Did you ever hear of a man who had striven all his life faithfully and singly towards one object, and in no measure obtained it? If a man constantly aspires, is he not elevated? He who distrusts the security of chance takes more pains to effect the safety which results from labor. To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says, "Leave no stone unturned." BULWER-LYTTON. XCVI. THE FUNERAL OF JULIUS CÆSAR. SCENE. The Forum in Rome. Present, ANTONY and a throng of Citizens, with CÆSAR's body. 1 Cit. Stay, ho! and let us hear Mark Antony. 3 Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; We'll hear him. - Noble Antony, go up. Ant. For Brutus' sake, I am beholding to you. 4 Cit. What does he say of Brutus? 3 Cit. [Goes up. He says, for Brutus' sake, He finds himself beholding to us all. 4 Cit. 'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here. 1 Cit. This Cæsar was a tyrant. 3 Cit. Nay, that's certain: We're bless'd, that Rome is rid of him. 2 Cit. Peace! let us hear what Antony can say. Ant. You gentle Romans, Citizens. Peace, ho! let us hear him. Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears: I come to bury Cæsar, not to praise him. For Brutus is an honorable man; He was my friend, faithful and just to me: And Brutus is an honorable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; You all did see that on the Lupercal Was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honorable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, And men have lost their reason! Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar, And I must pause till it come back to me. 1 Cit. Methinks there is much reason in his sayings. 2 Cit. If thou consider rightly of the matter, Cæsar has had great wrong. 3 Cit. Has he not, masters? |