Whether the wars of the Hebrews, the famous campaigns of the Romans, 75 Or the artillery practice, designed for belligerent Christians. Finally down from its shelf he dragged the ponderous Roman, Seated himself at the window, and opened the book, and in silence Turned o'er the well-worn leaves, where thumb-marks thick on the margin, Like the trample of feet, proclaimed the battle was hottest. 80 Nothing was heard in the room but the hurrying pen of the stripling, Busily writing epistles important, to go by the "Mayflower," Ready to sail on the morrow, or next day at latest,' God willing! Homeward bound with the tidings of all that terrible winter, Letters written by Alden, and full of the name of Pris cilla,' 85 Full of the name and the fame of the Puritan maiden Priscilla! II. LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. NOTHING was heard in the room but the hurrying pen of the stripling, Or an occasional sigh from the laboring heart of the Captain, Reading the marvellous words and achievements of Julius Cæsar. After a while he exclaimed, as he smote with his hand, palm downwards, 66 Heavily on the page: A wonderful man was this Cæsar! 5 You are a writer, and I am a fighter, but here is a fellow 1 The ship sailed on April 5, 1621, taking only her crew on the homeward voyage. This line fixes definitely the time of the story. 2 Among the emigrants on the "Mayflower" are mentioned: "Mr. William Mullines and his wife and two children, Joseph and Priscilla; and a servant, Robart Carter." Who could both write and fight, and in both was equally skilful!" Straightway answered and spake John Alden, the comely, the youthful: "Yes, he was equally skilled, as you say, with his pen and his weapons. Somewhere have I read, but where I forget, he could dictate 10 Seven letters at once, at the same time writing his memoirs." "Truly," continued the Captain, not heeding or hearing the other, 66 Truly a wonderful man was Caius Julius Cæsar! Better be first, he said, in a little Iberian village, Than be second in Rome,' and I think he was right when he said it. 15 Twice was he married before he was twenty, and many times after; Battles five hundred he fought, and a thousand cities he con quered; He, too, fought in Flanders, as he himself has recorded; 20 When the rear-guard of his army retreated, the front giving way too, 1 Iberia was an ancient name of Spain. 2 Plutarch thus relates the incident: "In his journey, as he was crossing the Alps and passing by a small village of the barbarians with but few inhabitants, and those wretchedly poor, his companions asked the question among themselves by way of mockery if there were any canvassing for offices there; any contention which should be uppermost, or feuds of great men one against another. To which Cæsar made answer seriously, 'For my part I had rather be the first man among these fellows, than the second man in Rome.' .””— Cæsar, in Lives of Illustrious Men, translated by Dryden, etc., vol. ii., page 511. 3 Marcus Junius Brutus (85-42 B.C.), a Roman soldier, statesman, and scholar. He was in turn an adherent of Pompey and Cæsar, became governor of Cisalpine Gaul and afterwards City Praetor. He was induced by Cassius, on the plea of patriotism, to take part in the assassination of his friend Cæsar. After his defeat in the second battle at Philippi, he committed suicide. And the immortal Twelfth Legion' was crowded so closely together There was no room for their swords? Why, he seized a shield from a soldier, Put himself straight at the head of his troops, and commanded the captains, Calling on each by his name, to order forward the ensigns; 25 Then to widen the ranks, and give more room for their weapons; So he won the day, the battle of something-or-other." That's what I always say; if you wish a thing to be well done, You must do it yourself, you must not leave it to others! All was silent again; the Captain continued his reading. 30 Nothing was heard in the room but the hurrying pen of the stripling Writing epistles important to go next day by the "Mayflower," Filled with the name and the fame of the Puritan maiden Priscilla; Every sentence began or closed with the name of Priscilla, cilla! Finally closing his book, with a bang of the ponderous cover, Sudden and loud as the sound of a soldier grounding his musket, Thus to the young man spake Miles Standish the Captain of Plymouth: 1 A Roman legion, the most perfect fighting machine of ancient times, was, in the first century B.C., composed of about 6,000 men, divided into ten cohorts, each of these into three maniples, and these in turn into two centuries. 2 Cæsar's Commentaries, Book II., chap. x. "When you have finished your work, I have something important to tell you. 40 Be not however in haste; I can wait; I shall not be impatient!" Straightway Alden replied, as he folded the last of his letters, Pushing his papers aside, and giving respectful attention: "Speak; for whenever you speak, I am always ready to listen, Always ready to hear whatever pertains to Miles Standish." 45 Thereupon answered the Captain, embarrassed, and culling his phrases: ""Tis not good for a man to be alone,' say the Scriptures. This I have said before, and again and again I repeat it; Every hour in the day, I think it, and feel it, and say it. Since Rose Standish died, my life has been weary and dreary; 50 Sick at heart have I been, beyond the healing of friendship. Oft in my lonely hours have I thought of the maiden Pris cilla. 2 She is alone in the world; her father and mother and brother Died in the winter together; I saw her going and coming, Now to the grave of the dead, and now to the bed of the dying, 55 Patient, courageous, and strong, and said to myself, that if ever There were angels on earth, as there are angels in heaven, Two have I seen and known; and the angel whose name is Priscilla Holds in my desolate life the place which the other abandoned. Long have I cherished the thought, but never have dared to reveal it, 1 Genesis ii., 18. 60 2 "Mr. Molines," says Bradford, "and his wife, his sone and his servant, dyed the first winter. Only his daughter Priscila survived and married with John Alden, who are both living and have 11 children.”-History of Plymouth Plantation, p. 452. |