These jewels and pearls and precious stones
Cannot cure the aches in thy bones,

Nor keep the feet of Death one hour

From climbing the stairways of thy tower!' 8. "Then into his dungeon I locked the drone, And left him to feed there all alone,

In the honey-cells of his golden hive.
Never a prayer, nor a cry, nor a groan,
Was heard from those massive walls of stone,
Nor again was the Kalif seen alive!

9. "When at last we unlocked the door,
We found him dead upon the floor;

The rings had dropped from his withered hands,
His teeth were like bones in the desert-sands :
Still clutching his treasure he had died;
And as he lay there, he appeared

A statue of gold with a silver beard,
His arms outstretched as if crucified."
10. This is the story, strange and true,
That the great captain Aläu

Told to his brother the Tartar Khan,
When he rode that day into Kambalu,
By the road that leadeth to Ispahan.

H. W. LONGFELLOW.

XXXVIII.

ARCHERY IN THE OLDEN TIME.-I.

"The yeomen and commons," said De Bracy, "must not be dismissed discontented, for lack of their share in the_sports."

"The day," said Waldemar, is not yet very far spent-let the archers shoot a few rounds at the target, and the prize be adjudged. This will be an abundant fulfilment of the Prince's promises, so far as this herd of Saxon serfs is concerned."

"I thank thee, Waldemar," said the Prince; "thou remindest me, too, that I have a debt to pay to that insolent peasant who yesterday insulted our person. Our banquet also shall go forward to-night as forward to-night as we proposed. Were this my last hour of power, it should be an hour sacred to revenge and to pleasure-let new cares come with to-morrow's new day."

The list of competitors for sylvan fame amounted to eight. Prince John stepped from his royal seat to view more nearly the persons of these chosen yeomen, several of whom wore the royal livery. Having thus satisfied his curiosity, he looked for the object of his resentment, whom he observed standing on the same spot, and with the same composed countenance which he had exhibited upon the preceding day.

"Fellow," said Prince John, "I guessed by thy insolent babble thou wert no true lover of the longbow, and I see thou darest not adventure thy skill among such merry men as stand yonder."

"Under favour, sir," replied the yeoman, "I have another reason for refraining to shoot, besides the fearing defeat and disgrace.

دو

"And what is thy other reason ? said Prince John, who, for some cause which perhaps he could not himself have explained, felt a painful curiosity respecting this individual.

"Because," replied the woodsman, "I know not if these yeomen and I are used to shoot at the same marks; and because, moreover, I know not how your grace might relish the winning of a third prize by one who has unwittingly fallen under your displeasure."

Prince John coloured as he put the question, "What is thy name, yeoman?"

Locksley," answered the yeoman.

"Then, Locksley," said Prince John, "thou shalt shoot in thy turn, when these yeomen have displayed their skill. If thou carriest the prize, I will add to it twenty nobles; but if thou losest it, thou shalt be stript of thy Lincoln green, and scourged out of the lists with bowstrings, for a wordy and insolent braggart."

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"And how if I refuse to shoot on such a wager said the yeoman. "Your grace's power, supported as it is by so many men-at-arms, may indeed easily strip and scourge me, but cannot compel me to bend or draw my bow."

"If thou refusest my fair proffer," said the Prince, "the Provost of the lists shall cut thy bow-string, break thy bow and arrows, and expel thee from the presence as a faint-hearted craven."

"This is no fair chance you put on me, proud Prince," said the yeoman, "to compel me to peril myself against the best archers of Leicester and Staffordshire, under the penalty of infamy if they should overshoot me. Nevertheless, I will obey your pleasure.

"Look to him close, men-at-arms, "said Prince John, "his heart is sinking;. I am jealous lest he attempt to escape the trial. And do you, good fellows, shoot boldly round; a buck and a butt of wine are ready for your refreshment in yonder tent, when the prize is won."

A target was placed at the upper end of the southern avenue which led to the lists. The contending archers took their station in turn, at the bottom of the southern access; the distance between that station and the mark allowing full distance for what was called a shot at rovers. The archers, having previously determined by lot their order of precedence, were to shoot each three shafts in

succession. The sports were regulated by an officer of inferior rank, termed the Provost of the Games; for the high rank of the marshals of the lists would have been held degraded, had they condescended to superintend the sports of the yeomanry.

One by one the archers, stepping forward, delivered their shafts yeomanlike and bravely. Of twenty-four arrows, shot in succession, ten were fixed in the target, and the others ranged so near it, that considering the distance of the mark, it was accounted good archery. Of the ten shafts which hit the target, two within the inner ring were shot by Hubert, a forester in the service of Malvoisin, who was accordingly pronounced victorious.

"Now, Locksley," said Prince John to the bold yeoman, with a bitter smile, "wilt thou try conclusions with Hubert, or wilt thou yield up bow, baldric, and quiver to the Provost of the sports?"

"Sith it be no better," said Locksley, "I am content to try my fortune; on condition that when I have shot two shafts at yonder mark of Hubert's, he shall be bound to shoot one at that which I shall propose."

"That is but fair," answered Prince John, "and it shall not be refused thee. If thou dost beat this braggart, Hubert, I will fill the bugle with silver pennies for thee."

"A man can do but his best," answered Hubert; 66 but my grandsire drew a good long-bow at Hastings, and I trust not to dishonour his memory."

1. Though till now ungraced in story, scant although thy waters be,

Alma, roll those waters proudly, proudly roll them to the sea.

2. Yesterday unnamed, unhonoured, but to wandering Tartar known,

Now thou art a voice for ever, to the world's four corners blown.