I OFTEN apply this rule to myself; and when I hear of a satirical speech or writing that is aimed at me, I examine my own heart, whether I deserve it or not. If I bring in a verdict against myself, I endeavour to rectify my conduct for the future in those particulars which have drawn the censure on me; but if the whole invective be grounded upon a falsehood, I trouble myself no further about it, and look upon my name at the head of it to signify no more than one of those fictitious names made use of by an author to introduce an imaginary character. Why should a man be sensible of the sting of a reproach, who is a stranger to the guilt that is implied in it? or subject himself to the penalty, when he knows he has never committed the crime? This is a piece of fortitude which everyone owes to his own innocence, and without which it is impossible for a man of any merit or figure to live at peace with himself in a country that abounds with wit and liberty. IDEM LATINE. QUAM regulam mihi ipsi saepe ita adhibeo, ut quoties me verbo scriptove irrisum atque lacessitum esse audiverim, pectus meum excutiam, utrum merito annon vituperer. Igitur si mihi iudicanti condemnandus videor, posterae vitae ea vitia emendare conor, propter quae exprobratus sum: sin tota mendaciis fulta atque innixa est accusatio, nil ultra commoveor, neque maioris esse momenti nomen meum palam propositum puto quam ficta ea nomina quibus utuntur, cum simulatas inducant personas, fabularum scriptores. Cur enim aculeos illius opprobrii quasi infixos sentiat is, qui criminibus occulte significatis prorsus intactus fuerit? Cur, qui scelus se nunquam admisisse sciat, is poenae se ultro obiciat? Hoc illius est constantiae, quam suae menti quisque ut recti consciae debeat, sine qua nullo pacto is qui virtute aut moribus insignis sit sibi satisfacere possit, cum quidem inter eos homines versetur, quibus eadem ingenii copia ac dicendi libertas. J. C. GODLEY. FITZ-EUSTACE'S SONG. WHERE shall the lover rest, Whom the fates sever From his true maiden's breast Parted for ever? Where, through groves deep and high, Sounds the far billow, Where early violets die Under the willow. There, through the summer day, Cool streams are laving; There, while the tempests sway, There thy rest shalt thou take, Parted for ever, Never again to wake, Never, O never! Where shall the traitor rest, He, the deceiver, Who could win maiden's breast, Ruin, and leave her? In the lost battle, Borne down by the flying, Where mingles war's rattle With groans of the dying. Her wing shall the eagle flap O'er the false-hearted; His warm blood the wolf shall lap Ere life be parted: Shame and dishonour sit By his grave ever; Blessing shall hallow it Never, O never! SCOTT. IDEM LATINE. QUALI dignus erit toro Quem Parcae iuvenem lege sub aspera Ereptum prohibent ne repetat suam? Per densum patula fronde sonant nemus; Et languet violae vere novo caput. Tempestas rabie, vix folium tremit. O per saecla tuis rapte ab amoribus, Voto, sed premeris compede ferrea. Calcetur pedibus praecipitantium; Qua Martis strepitu feri Miscentur gemitus mortiferi virum. Pennis immineant super Plaudentes aquilae vertice in impio, Viventis rabiem sanguine repleant; Tristique assideant toro Huius perpetuum dedecus et probra: Nunquam gratia posteri Felici generis nomine consecret. J. C. GODLEY. A FAREWELL. FLOW down, cold rivulet, to the sea, Flow, softly flow, by lawn and lea, But here will sigh thine alder tree, A thousand suns will stream on thee A thousand moons will quiver; But not by thee my steps shall be, For ever and for ever. TENNYSON. |