Than I will wrong such honorable men. Let but the commons hear this testament, And they would go and kiss dead Cæsar's wounds, Unto their issue. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent; Look! In this place ran Cassius' dagger through; Through this, the well-beloved Brutus stabbed, For Brutus, as you know, was Cæsar's angel; Judge, O, ye gods, how dearly Cæsar loved him! For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquished him. Then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. Kind souls! What, weep you when you but behold Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honorable! But as you all know me, a plain, blunt man, I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, Shakspeare. GRIZZLY GRUMBLER'S ADVICE. MY DEAR FELLOW-GRUMBLERS:-Poets, philosophers, and fools, in all ages, have been writing and preaching on the art of being happy, without a mighty sight of seals to their ministry, I guess. But, as many can't be satisfied unless miserable in body and mind, I am going to show all such persons the several means to be used for the attainment of such a desirable end. In the first place, my beloved whiners, in order to attain any end, you must get up a stiff resolution and determination to conquer. Yes, my hearers, you must set down your foot, grit your teeth, let your resolution be as stiff as boiler-plate, let your firmness be as unwavering as the rocks of Gibraltar. Be determined to be miserable, and you shall get your desires. Never mind what people tell you about the bounties of Providence and the beauties of Nature, the balmy breezes of spring, the twittering and warbling of birds,-you must sheer off from them like a wealthy upstart from a poor relation. Put on a sour, savage, snapping-turtle physiognomy; look daggers, and act out your feelings; this is the first great commandment with misery: Think you are the most forsaken mortal that misery ever held a mortgage Hate mankind; call 'em all liars, cheats, swindlers, villains. Look at everything on the wrong side. If it on. has no dark side, make one, just so as to enjoy yourself looking at it. Take it for granted that everybody about is especially interested to torment you. Fight everybody and everything. You can't hit amiss. The world is all wrong. Everybody is a villain but yourself, and it is your duty to teach mankind manners. can't fail to be miserable. Go at 'em. You THE YOUNG GRAY HEAD. I'm thinking that to-night, if not before, As threats, the water will be out anon. Best let the young ones bide from school to-day. The children join in this request; but the mother resolves that they shall set out,-the two girls, Lizzy and Jenny, the one five, the other seven. As the dame's will was law, so,-One last fond kiss, "God bless my little maids," the father said, And cheerily went his way to win their bread. Prepared for their journey, they depart, with the mother's admonition to the elder: 'Now, mind and bring Jenny safe home," the mother said. To pull a bough or berry by the way;. "Don't stay And when you come to cross the ford, hold fast That plank is so crazy, and so slippery, If not overflowed, the stepping-stones will be; sure, "said she, The mother watches them with foreboding, though she knows not why. In a little while the threatened storm sets in. Night comes, and with it comes the father from his daily toil; There's a treasure hidden in his hat, A plaything for his young ones. -he has found A dormouse nest; the living ball coiled round And graver Lizzy's quieter surprise, When he should yield, by guess, and kiss, and prayer, No little faces greet him as wont at the threshold; and to his hurried question, "Are they come ?" 'twas "no." To throw his tools down, hastily unhook The old cracked lantern from its dusty nook, And, while he lit it, speak a cheering word That almost choked him, and was scarcely heard, To where a fearful foresight led him on. A neighbor goes with him, and the faithful dog follows the children's tracks. "Hold the light Low down, he's making for the water. Hark! I know that whine; the old dog's found them, Mark;" So speaking, breathlessly he hurried on Toward the old crazy foot-bridge. It was gone! And all his dull, contracted light could show, Was the black void, and dark swollen stream below. "Yet there's life somewhere, more than Tinker's whine, That's sure," said Mark. "So, let the lantern shine Down yonder. There's the dog,—and hark!” "O dear!" And a low sob came faintly on the ear, Mocked by the sobbing gust. Down, quick as thought, "My babes, my lambkins!" was the father's cry; 'Twas Lizzy's. There she crouched, with face as white, More ghastly, by the flickering lantern light, Than sheeted corpse; the pale blue lips drawn tight, Wide parted, showing all the pearly teeth, * * They lifted her from out her watery bed; * And one small hand; the mother's shawl was tied, That caught and pinned her to the river's bed; "She might have lived, Struggling like Lizzy," was the thought that rived Mother, indeed, indeed I kept fast hold, And tied the shawl quite close,-she can't be cold; And it's so dark and cold! Oh dear! oh dear!- THE PARTING HOUR. There's something in "the parting hour" Yet kindred, comrades, lovers, friends, Are fated all to part; But this I've seen,-and many a pang Has pressed it on my mind, The one who goes is happier Than those he leaves behind. |