Apology.

Esteem.

thought myself entitled to some part of what you can very well spare. I took the liberty of having your strong-box seized, that I might have wherewith to furnish myself suitably to the daughter of a man of fortune, and the bride of a man of fortune. His generous heart could not bear the thought of my taking any thing from you, which you did not choose to give me. He therefore insists upon my delivering you up the strong-box, if you require it. But I am in hopes, Sir, you Intreating. will not only grant me the trifling sum contained in it, but allow me a fortune suitable to your estate, and to the gentleman's, who is so kind as to marry me without the prospect of any.

Scr. Where must I have it; Can I make Peeviftnefs money ? Where is my strong-box? If this gentleman has married you without a fortune, let him keep you without a fortune. Where is my strongbox? He cannot say, I ever promised him a fortune with you. Where is my strong-box?

[Enter Mr. SAGELY.]

Sagely. Mr. Scrapely, this gentleman, my nephew, has, in consequence of a long mutual affection between him and your daughter, married her this day. He has a fortune sufficient to maintain his lady and family, without any addition by marriage; and he desires nothing with your daughter. But, as it is well known you can afford to give her a fortune, I insist upon it, though he is indifferent about the matter, that you sign this bond, which is ready filled up, for twenty thousand pounds, which is much less than you ought to give with your daughter to such a son-in-law.

Ser. Mr. Sagely! Are you out of your wits? I twenty thousand pounds! Where should I have the tenth part of twenty thousand pounds?

Demand.

Affected

furprise.

Sage. Harkye, Mr. Scrapely, [takes him Threatning

aside] I know enough of your tricks, your smug

gling, your extortion, and the like, (you know I

Vexation.

Fear.

Threatning

Fear.

Madness.

Vexation.

Complaint.

Apology.

know enough of them) to hang you. If, therefore, you don't directly sign this bond, I will go and lay the informations against you before the proper persons; so, that before you be a day older, you may depend on being safe in custody.

Scr. [Aside.] O devil on him. He has me. I feel the noose under my left ear already. [To him.] Why, Mr. Sagely, twenty thousand pounds is a great sum. How should I raise twenty thousand pounds? I believe I might, with the help. of some friends, raise two thousand; but-

Sage. Will you sign and seal directly? or shall I go and inform directly? I ask you only

this once. [Going.]

Ser. Hold; you are so hasty. Let me see the bond. [Aside.] I wish I had you in a private place, and a knife at your throat; I'd soon spoil your informing. [To him.] I will sign and seal. But I know not where the come from.

money

is to

James. Now, Sir, I hope you are satisfied, I am intirely conscious of meddling with your honour's worship's money; that I am a conscionable man, and not such a rogue as your honour's worship [makes a long pause] was pleased to take me for.

LXXX.

DISSUASION.

The wise advice of CHARIDEMUS, an Athenian exile at the court of Darius, when he was asked his opiniou of the event of the warlike preparations making by Darius against Alexander. [Q. Curt. L. III.]

PERHAPS

ERHAPS your majesty may not bear the truth from the mouth of a Grecian and an exile; and if I do not declare it now, I never will; perhaps I may never have another opportu

nity. Your majesty's numerous army, drawn Warning, from various nations, and which unpeopies the east, may seem formidable to the neighbouring countries. The gold, the purple, and the splen- Contempt. dour of arms, which strike the eyes of beholders, make a shew which surpasses the imagination of all who have not seen it. The Macedonian army, with which your majesty's forces are going to contend, is, on the contrary, grim and horrid of aspect, and clad in iron.

Alarm.

The irresistible Commen

dation.

phalanx, is a body of men, who in the field of battle, fear no onset, being practised to hold together, man to man, shield to shield, and spear to spear; so that a brazen wall might as soon be broke through. In advancing, in wheeling to right or left, attacking, in every exercise of arms, they act as one man. They answer the slightest sign from the commander, as if his soul animated the whole army. Every soldier has a knowledge of war sufficient for a general. And this discipline, by which the Macedonian army is become so formidable, was first established, and has been all along kept up, by a fixed contempt Contempt. of what your majesty's troops are so vain, I mean of gold and silver. The bare earth serves them for beds. Whatever will satisfy nature, is Commentheir luxury. Their repose is always shorter than the night. Your majesty may, therefore, judge, whether the Thessalian, Acarnanian, and Etolian cavalry, and the Macedonian Phalanx-an army, that has, in spite of all opposition, over-ran half the world-are to be repelled by a multitude (however numerous) armed with Contempt. slings and stakes, hardened at the points by fire. To be upon equal terms with Alexander, your majesty ought to have an army composed of the same sort of troops. And they are no where to be had, but in the same countries, which produced those conquerors of the world. It is therefore my opinion, that if your majesty were to ap

dation.

Advice.

Alarm.

ply the gold and silver, which now so superfluously adorns your men, to the purpose of hiring an army from Greece, to contend with Greeks, you might have some chance for success; otherwise I see no reason to expect any thing else, than that your army should be defeated, as all the others have been, who have encountered the irresistible Macedonians.

LXXXI.

A NEW YEAR'S ODE.

Reflection. ANOTHER YEAR is gone-and yet frail man
Heeds not the fleeting moments as they pass,
But on foul Dissipation's iuring scenes,
Bends his whole soul, nor turns a thought to Heaven.
Look on yon splendid tomb; there, deep in earth,
The young LEANDER lies! The bloom of health
Glow'd on his manly cheek-Honour to him
Bestow'd her choicest gifts-Illusive Wealth
Pour'd in his youthful lap her glittering store,
And smiling Pleasure strew'd his joyous paths
With fond variety, to lure the heart.

Pity.

Dread.

Distrofs.

Solemn addrefs.

But what avail'd it all? The tyrant Death
Mark'd with grim front th' unwilling victim out.
Ah! what avails the trembling tear, that sparkles
In a fond Sister's eye? What the loud cries-
The agony that rends a parent's breast?
The fell Destroyer heeds not human woe ;
Heeds not the pangs of supplicating age,
But strikes his victim with unerring aim-
Learns the proud rich, and lowly poor to die.

Unthinking Man! look on yon heap of earth!
'Twas once like thee, a fair, a perfect form.
Where is that towering pride that haughty air
That aspect fierce, that once commanded awe?
Where is that lofty soul that scornful smil'd
When bending Misery implor'd in vain?
Where is that glittering show of former pomp?

All, all, alas! have fled-and that remains,
The empty shadow of what once it was,
The miserable wreck of former greatness!
Perhaps, ere yon declining orb shall roll
Once more his splendid and unvaried course
Through boundless regions of eternal light,

Concern.

drefs.

Pity.

Retrofpection.

Accufing.

This, too, may be thy doom. Frail mortal, pause! Solemn ad-
And with a calm and moralising mind,
Reflect on past events-ask tell-tale Conscience
If all be right within: Time swiftly flies:
Then mark the present hour, and with thyself
Hold sweet communion; see if there be aught
In the past year that hangs upon thy soul,
And brings upon thy cheek the ready blush.
Didst e'er profane the vows of sacred friendship?
Didst wring the bitter tear from smiling innocence ?
Did humble wretchedness thy bounty ask
And not receive? That blush bespeaks it true.
Oh! turn thee now, and let the present year
Atone for past offence: Let gentle Mercy
Extend her heavenly sway, and ope thy heart
To deeds far nobler than prescriptive rules
Of Fashion's silly votaries would teach thee.
The wintry wind blows cold-the falling snow
Drives o'er the barren heath: See yonder wretch,
Trembling and pale, whose streaming eye bespeaks
Uncommon misery! ***
Two weeping babes cling to her shivering form
While heedless of herself she twines her garment Affection,
In various tatters round their little limbs.
Ye rich, ye proud, ye great, ye selfish band,
Who spend the passing hours in guilty joys,

* **

Ye ne'er experienc'd the extatic bliss

Perfuading.

Contempt.

Pity.

Anguish.

Reproving.

Delight.

That follows virtuous deed; ope your full hand! Perfuading.

Let gentle pity claim her mild dominion,
Nor let the sorrowing tear of pining poverty
Flow on unheeded. Yon poor fainting wretch
Liv'd once in affluence-once as blest as thou art-
Cheerful and gay :-How dreadful the reverse!
Sometime, perhaps, the same may be thy lot;

Distress. Compaffion.

Anguifh. Reflection.