SECTION VI..

HEAVEN.

THE rose is sweet, but it is surrounded with thorns: the lily of the valley is fragrant, but it springs up amongst the brambles. The spring is pleasant, but it is soon past the summer is bright, but the winter destroys its beauty. The rainbow is very glorious, but it soon vanishes away: life is good, but it is quickly swallowed up in death.

In

There is a land where the roses are without thorns, where the flowers are not mixed with brambles. that land there is eternal spring, and light without any eloud. The tree of life grows in the midst thereof; rivers of pleasure are there, and flowers that never fade. Myriads of happy spirits are there, and surround the throne of God with a perpetual hymn. The angels with their golden harps sing praises continually, and the cherubims fly on wings of fire! This country is heaven; it is the country of those that are good; and nothing that is wicked must inhabit there. The toad must not spit its venom amongst turtle-doves; nor the poisonous henbane grow amongst sweet flowNeither must any one that does ill enter into

ers.

that good land.

This earth is pleasant, for it is God's earth, and it is filled with many delightful things. But that country is far better; there we shall not grieve any more, nor be sick any more, nor do wrong any more; there the cold of winter shall not wither us, nor the heats of

summer scorch us. In that country there are no wars nor quarrels, but all love one another with dear love. ·

When our parents and friends die, and are laid in the cold ground, we see them here no more; but there we shall embrace them again, and live with them, and be separated no more. There we shall meet all good men, whom we read of in holy books. There we shall see Abraham, the called of God, the father of the faithful; and Moses, after his long wanderings in the Arabian desart; and Elijah, the prophet of God; and Daniel, who escaped the lions' den; and there the son of Jesse, the shepherd king, the sweet singer of Israel. They loved God on earth; they praised him on earth; but in that country they will praise him better, and love him more.

There we shall see Jesus, who is gone before us to that happy place; and there we shall behold the glory of the high God. We cannot see him here, but we

will love him here.

We must be now on earth, but

we will often think on heaven. That happy land is our home; we are to be here but for a little while, and there for ever, even for eternal ages.

BARBAULD.

CHAPTER VI.

DIALOGUES.

SECTION I.

CANUTE AND HIS COURTIERS.

Flattery Reproved.

CANUTE.

Is it true, my friends, as you have often told me, that I am the greatest of monarchs?

OFFA.

It is true, my liege, you are the most powerful of all kings.

OSWALD.

We are all your slaves; we kiss the dust of your feet.

OFFA.

Not only we, but even the elements are your slaves. The land obeys you from shore to shore; and the sea obeys you.

CANUTE.

Does the sea, with its loud boisterous waves, obey me? Will that terrible element be still at my bidding?

OFFA.

Yes, the sea is yours; it was made to bear your ships upon its bosom, and to pour the treasures of the

world at your royal feet. It is boisterous to your enemies; but it knows you to be its sovereign.

CANUTE.

Is not the tide coming up?

OSWALD.

Yes, my liege, you may perceive the swell already.

CANUTE.

Bring me a chair then; set it here upon the sands.

OFFA.

Where the tide is coming up, my gracious lord?

Yes, set it just here.

CANUTE.

OSWALD. (Aside.).

I wonder what he is going to do!

OFFA. (Aside.)

Surely he is not such a fool as to believe us !
CANUTE.

O mighty Ocean! thou art my subject; my courtiers tell me so; and it is thy duty to obey me. Thus, then, I stretch my sceptre over thee, and command thee to retire. Roll back thy swelling waves, nor let them presume to wet the feet of me, thy royal master.

I believe the sea will pay very little regard to his royal commands.

OFFA.

See how fast the tide rises!

OSWALD.

'The next wave will come up to the chair. It is folly to stay we shall be covered with salt water.

CANUTE.

Well, does the sea obey my commands? If it be my subject, it is a very rebellious subject. See how it

swells, and dashes the angry foam and salt spray over my sacred person! Vile sycophants! did you think I was the dupe of your base lies? that I believed your abject flatteries? Know, there is but one Being whom the sea will obey. He is Sovereign of heaven and earth, King of kings, and Lord of lords. It is only he who can say to the ocean, "Thus far shalt thou go, but no farther, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed."

worm.

A king is but a man; and a man is but a Shall a worm assume the power of the great God, and think that the elements will obey him? May kings learn to be humble from my example, and courtiers learn truth from your disgrace!

SECTION II.

BARBAULD,

THE TWO ROBBERS.

We often condemn in others what we practise ourselves.

Alexander the Great in his tent. A man with a fierce countenance, chained and fettered, brought before him.

ALEXANDER.

WHAT, art thou the Thracian robber, of whose exploits I have heard so much?

ROBBER.

I am a Thracian, and a soldier.

ALEXANDER.

A soldier!-a thief, a plunderer, an assassin! the