Part 4

10. "Lo, yonder doth Earl Douglas come-- His men in armor bright, Full twenty hundred Scottish spears All marching in our sight."

11. Earl Douglas on his milk-white steed, Most like a baron bold, Rode foremost of his company, Whose armor shone like gold.

12. "Show me," said he, "whose men you be, That hunt so boldly here, That, without my consent, do chase And kill my fallow-deer."

13. The first man that did answer make Was noble Percy he-- Who said: "We list not to declare, Nor show whose men we be:

14. "Yet will we spend our dearest blood Thy chiefest harts to slay." Then Douglas swore a solemn oath, And thus in rage did say:

15. "Ere thus I will out-bravèd be, One of us two shall die! I know thee well, an earl thou art-- Lord Percy, so am I.

16. "Let you and me the battle try, And set our men aside." "Accursed be he," Earl Percy said, "By whom this is denied!"

17. Then stepped a gallant squire forth, Witherington was his name, Who said: "I would not have it told To Henry, our king, for shame,

18. "That e'er my captain fought on foot, And I stood looking on. You two be earls," said Witherington, "And I a squire alone.

19. "I'll do the best that do I may, While I have power to stand; While I have power to wield my sword I'll fight with heart and hand."

20. Our English archers bent their bows-- Their hearts were good and true; At the first flight of arrows sent, Full fourscore Scots they slew.

21. Yet stays Earl Douglas on the bent, As chieftain stout and good; As valiant captain, all unmoved, The shock he firmly stood.

22. His host he parted had in three, As leaders ware and tried; And soon his spearmen on their foes Bore down on every side.

23. At last these two stout earls did meet; Like captains of great might, Like lions wode, they laid on lode, And made a cruel fight.

24. "Yield thee, Lord Percy," Douglas said. "In faith I will thee bring Where thou shalt high advancèd be By James, our Scottish king.

25. "Thy ransom I will freely give, And this report of thee-- Thou art the most courageous knight That ever I did see."

26. "No, Douglas," saith Earl Percy then, "Thy proffer I do scorn; I will not yield to any Scot That ever yet was born."

27. With that there came an arrow keen Out of an English bow, Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart-- A deep and deadly blow;

28. Who never spake more words than these "Fight on, my merry men all; For why, my life is at an end; Lord Percy sees my fall."

29. Then leaving life, Earl Percy took The dead man by the hand, And said: "Earl Douglas, for thy life Would I had lost my land!

30. "In truth, my very heart doth bleed With sorrow for thy sake; For sure a more redoubted knight Mischance did never make."

31. A knight amongst the Scots there was Who saw Earl Douglas die, Who straight in wrath did vow revenge Upon the Earl Percy.

32. Sir Hugh Mountgomery was he called, Who with a spear full bright, Well mounted on a gallant steed, Ran fiercely through the fight;

33. And past the English archers all, Without a dread or fear, And through Earl Percy's body then He thrust his hateful spear.

34. So thus did both these nobles die, Whose courage none could stain. An English archer then perceived The noble earl was slain.

35. Against Sir Hugh Mountgomery To right a shaft he set; The gray goose-wing that was thereon In his heart's blood was wet.

36. This fight did last from break of day Till setting of the sun; For when they rung the evening-bell The battle scarce was done.

37. Of fifteen hundred Englishmen Went home but fifty-three; The rest in Chevy-Chase were slain, Under the greenwood-tree.

38. The news was brought to Edinburg, Where Scotland's king did reign, That brave Earl Douglas suddenly Was with an arrow slain.

39. "Oh, heavy news!" King James did say; "Scotland can witness be, I have not any captain more Of such account as he."

40. Like tidings to King Henry came Within as short a space, That Percy of Northumberland Was slain in Chevy-Chase;

41. "Now God be with him," said our king, "Since 'twill no better be; I trust I have within my realm Five hundred as good as he:

42. "Yet shall not Scot or Scotland say But I will vengeance take; I'll be revengèd on them all For brave Earl Percy's sake!"

43. This vow full well the king performed After at Humbledown: In one day fifty knights were slain, With lords of high renown;

44. And of the rest, of small account, Did many hundreds die: Thus endeth the hunting of Chevy-Chase, Made by the Earl Percy.

45. God save the king and bless this land With plenty, joy, and peace; And grant, henceforth, that foul debate 'Twixt noblemen may cease!

_Old Ballad._

_XVIII.--VALENTINE AND URSINE._

1. When Flora 'gins to deck the fields With colors fresh and fine, Then holy clerks their matins sing To good St. Valentine.

2. The King of France, that morning fair, He would a-hunting ride, To Artois Forest prancing forth In all his princely pride.

3. To grace his sports a courtly train Of gallant peers attend, And with their loud and cheerful cries The hills and valleys rend.

4. Through the deep forest swift they pass, Through woods and thickets wild, When down within a lonely dell They found a new-born child.

5. All in a scarlet kerchief laid, Of silk so fine and thin, A golden mantle wrapt him round, Pinned with a silver pin.

6. The sudden sight surprised them all, The courtiers gathered round; They look, they call, the mother seek-- No mother could be found.

7. At length the king himself drew near, And, as he gazing stands, The pretty babe looked up and smiled, And stretched his little hands.

8. "Now, by the rood," King Pepin says, "This child is passing fair; I wot he is of gentle blood, Perhaps some prince's heir.

9. "Go, bear him home unto my court, With all the care you may, Let him be christened Valentine, In honor of this day.

10. "And look me out some cunning nurse, Well nurtured let him be; Nor aught be wanting that becomes A bairn of high degree."

11. They looked him out a cunning nurse, And nurtured well was he; Nor aught was wanting that became A bairn of high degree.

12. Thus grew the little Valentine, Beloved of king and peers, And showed in all he spake or did A wit beyond his years.

13. But chief in gallant feats of arms He did himself advance, That, ere he grew to man's estate, He had no peer in France.

14. And now the early down began To shade his youthful chin, When Valentine was dubbed a knight, That he might glory win.

15. "A boon, a boon, my gracious liege, I beg a boon of thee: The first adventure that befalls May be reserved for me."

16. "The first adventure shall be thine," The king did smiling say. Not many days, when lo! there came Three palmers clad in gray.

17. "Help, gracious lord," they weeping said, And knelt, as it was meet; "From Artois Forest we are come, With weak and weary feet.

18. "Within those deep and dreary woods There dwells a savage boy, Whose fierce and mortal rage doth yield Thy subjects dire annoy.

19. "To more than savage strength he joins A more than human skill; For arms no cunning may suffice His cruel rage to still."

20. Up then rose Sir Valentine And claimed that arduous deed. "Go forth and conquer," said the king, "And great shall be thy meed."

21. Well mounted on a milk-white steed, His armor white as snow, As well beseemed a virgin knight, Who ne'er had fought a foe--

22. To Artois Forest he repairs, With all the haste he may, And soon he spies the savage youth A-rending of his prey!

23. His unkempt hair all matted hung His shaggy shoulders round; His eager eye all fiery glowed, His face with fury frowned.

24. Like eagle's talons grew his nails, His limbs were thick and strong, And dreadful was the knotted oak He bare with him along.

25. Soon as Sir Valentine approached, He starts with sudden spring, And yelling forth a hideous howl, He made the forest ring.

26. As when a tiger fierce and fell Hath spied a passing roe, And leaps at once upon his throat, So sprang the savage foe.

27. So lightly leaped with furious force, The gentle knight to seize, But met his tall uplifted spear, Which sank him on his knees.

28. A second stroke, so stiff and stern, Had laid the savage low; But, springing up, he raised his club, And aimed a dreadful blow.

29. The watchful warrior bent his head, And shunned the coming stroke; Upon his taper spear it fell, And all to shivers broke.

30. Then, lighting nimbly from his steed, He drew his burnished brand; The savage quick as lightning flew To wrest it from his hand.

31. Three times he grasped the silver hilt, Three times he felt the blade; Three times it fell with furious force, Three ghastly cuts it made.

32. Now with redoubled rage he roared, His eyeballs flashed with fire, Each hairy limb with fury shook, And all his heart was ire.

33. But soon the knight, with active spring, O'erturned his hairy foe, And now between their sturdy fists Passed many a bruising blow.

34. But brutal force and savage strength To art and skill must yield; Sir Valentine at length prevailed, And won the well-fought field.

35. Then binding straight his conquered foe Fast with an iron chain, He ties him to his horse's tail, And leads him o'er the plain.

36. To court his hairy captive soon Sir Valentine doth bring, And, kneeling down upon his knee, Presents him to the king.

37. With loss of blood and loss of strength, The savage tamer grew, And to Sir Valentine became A servant tried and true.

38. And, 'cause with bears he first was bred, Ursine they called his name-- A name which unto future times The Muses shall proclaim.

_Old Ballad._

EARLY EASTERN RECORD.

_XIX.--SENNACHERIB._

1. Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, that which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.

2. This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

3. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

4. By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots, I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar-trees thereof, and the choice fir-trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.

5. I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.

6. Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.

7. Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

8. But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

9. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

10. And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.

11. And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

12. For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of Mount Zion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.

13. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.

14. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord.

15. For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

16. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the Lord went out and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred fourscore and five thousand; and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

17. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

_II Kings, xix, 20-36._

THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB.

1. The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

2. Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, That host with its banners at sunset was seen; Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown, That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

3. For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed on the face of the foe as he passed; And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and forever grew still.

4. And there lay the steed, with his nostrils all wide, But through them there rolled not the breath of his pride; And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf, And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

5. And there lay the rider, distorted and pale, With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail, And the tents were all silent, the banners alone, The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

6. And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail, And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal; And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord.

_Byron._

_XX.--GLAUCON._

1. When Glaucon, the son of Ariston, attempted to harangue the people, from a desire, though he was not yet twenty years of age, to have a share in the government of the state, no one of his relatives, or other friends, could prevent him from getting himself dragged down from the tribunal and making himself ridiculous; but Socrates, who had a friendly feeling toward him on account of Charmides, the son of Glaucon, as well as on account of Plato, succeeded in prevailing on him, by his sole dissuasion, to relinquish his purpose.

2. Meeting him by chance, he first stopped him by addressing him as follows, that he might be willing to listen to him: "Glaucon," said he, "have you formed an intention to govern the state for us?" "I have, Socrates," replied Glaucon. "By Jupiter," rejoined Socrates, "it is an honorable office, if any other among men be so; for it is certain that, if you attain your object, you will be able yourself to secure whatever you may desire, and will be in a condition to benefit your friends; you will raise your father's house, and increase the power of your country; you will be celebrated first of all in your own city, and afterward throughout Greece, and perhaps, also, like Themistocles, among the barbarians, and, wherever you may be, you will be an object of general admiration." Glaucon, hearing this, was highly elated, and cheerfully stayed to listen. Socrates next proceeded to say: "But it is plain, Glaucon, that if you wish to be honored, you must benefit the state." "Certainly," answered Glaucon. "Then, in the name of the gods," said Socrates, "do not hide from us how you intend to act, but inform us with what proceeding you will begin to benefit the state." But as Glaucon was silent, as if just considering how he should begin, Socrates said: "As, if you wished to aggrandize the family of a friend, you would endeavor to make it richer, tell me whether you will in like manner also endeavor to make the state richer?" "Assuredly," said he. "Would it then be richer, if its revenues were increased?" "That is at least probable," said Glaucon. "Tell me then," proceeded Socrates, "from what the revenues of the state arise, and what is their amount; for you have doubtless considered, in order that if any of them fall short, you may make up the deficiency, and that if any of them fail, you may procure fresh supplies." "These matters, by Jupiter," replied Glaucon, "I have not considered."

3. "Well, then," said Socrates, "if you have omitted to consider this point, tell me at least the annual expenditure of the state; for you undoubtedly mean to retrench whatever is superfluous in it." "Indeed," replied Glaucon, "I have not yet had time to turn my attention to that subject." "We will therefore," said Socrates, "put off making our state richer for the present; for how is it possible for him who is ignorant of its expenditure and its income to manage those matters?"

4. "But Socrates," observed Glaucon, "it is possible to enrich the state at the expense of our enemies." "Extremely possible, indeed," replied Socrates, "if we be stronger than they; but if we be weaker, we may lose all that we have." "What you say is true," said Glaucon.

5. "Accordingly," said Socrates, "he who deliberates with whom he shall go to war, ought to know the force both of his own country and of the enemy, so that, if that of his own country be superior to that of the enemy, he may advise it to enter upon the war, but if inferior, may persuade it to be cautious of doing so." "You say rightly," said Glaucon.

6. "In the first place, then," proceeded Socrates, "tell us the strength of the country by land and sea, and next that of the enemy." "But, by Jupiter," exclaimed Glaucon, "I should not be able to tell you on the moment, and at a word." "Well, then, if you have it written down," said Socrates, "bring it, for I should be extremely glad to hear what it is." "But, to say the truth," replied Glaucon, "I have not yet written it down."

7. "We will therefore put off considering about war for the present," said Socrates, "for it is very likely that on account of the magnitude of these subjects, and as you are just commencing your administration, you have not yet examined into them. But to the defense of the country, I am quite sure that you have directed your attention, and that you know how many garrisons are in advantageous positions, and how many not so, what number of men would be sufficient to maintain them, and what number would be insufficient, and that you will advise your countrymen to make the garrisons in advantageous positions stronger, and to remove the useless ones."

8. "By Jove," replied Glaucon, "I shall recommend them to remove them all, as they keep guard so negligently, that the property is secretly carried off out of the country." "Yet, if we remove the garrisons," said Socrates, "do you not think that liberty will be given to anybody that pleases to pillage? But," added he, "have you gone personally and examined as to this fact, or how do you know that the garrisons conduct themselves with such negligence?" "I form my conjectures," said he. "Well, then," inquired Socrates, "shall we settle about these matters also, when we no longer rest upon conjecture, but have obtained certain knowledge?" "Perhaps that," said Glaucon, "will be the better course."

9. "To the silver-mines, however," continued Socrates, "I know that you have not gone, so as to have the means of telling us why a smaller revenue is derived from them than came in some time ago." "I have not gone thither," said he. "Indeed, the place," said Socrates, "is said to be unhealthy, so that when it is necessary to bring it under consideration, this will be a sufficient excuse for you." "You jest with me," said Glaucon. "I am sure, however," proceeded Socrates, "that you have not neglected to consider, but have calculated, how long the corn which is produced in the country, will suffice to maintain the city, and how much it requires for the year, in order that the city may not suffer from scarcity unknown to you, but that, from your own knowledge, you may be able, by giving your advice concerning the necessaries of life, to support the city and preserve it." "You propose a vast field for me," observed Glaucon, "if it will be necessary for me to attend to such subjects."

10. "Nevertheless," proceeded Socrates, "a man can not order his house properly, unless he ascertains all that it requires, and takes care to supply it with everything necessary; but since the city consists of more than ten thousand houses, and since it is difficult to provide for so many at once, how is it that you have not tried to aid one first of all, suppose that of your uncle, for it stands in need of help? If you be able to assist that one, you may proceed to assist more; but if you be unable to benefit one, how will you be able to benefit many? Just as it is plain that, if a man can not carry the weight of a talent, he need not attempt to carry a greater weight?"

11. "But I would improve my uncle's house," said Glaucon, "if he would but be persuaded by me." "And then," resumed Socrates, "when you can not persuade your uncle, do you expect to make all the Athenians, together with your uncle, yield to your arguments?