3. The stroke of the whip maketh marks in the flesh; but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword; but not so many as have fallen by the tongue. 4. The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them; but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance. The heart of fools is in their mouth; but the mouth of the wise is in their heart. 5. He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babblinge shall have less evil. Rehearsef not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse. Whether it be a friend' or foe', talk not of other men's lives'; and if thou canst, without offense', reveal them not. 6. Admonish a friend': it may be ne hath not done' it, and, if he have done it', that he do it no more'. Admonish thy friend': it may be he hath not said' it, and, if he have', that he speak it not again. Admonish a friend; for many times it is a slandera and believe not every tale. Selections from Ecclesiasticus. 7. 8. 9. A whisper woke the air A soft, light tone, and low, Yet barbedh with shame and woe: Now might it only perish there, Nor farther go! Ah me! a quick and eager ear Caught up the little meaning sound; And so it wandered round, From ear to lip, from lip to ear, And that-it broke: Hers was the only heart it found- And dreamed the summer morn away, The very SOUND-a death-blow came! [In this lesson the general principles of the former two lessons are still farther illustrated and enforced; but here vast evils are shown to flow from apparently small beginnings. 1. What is backbiting, and what is said of it? 4. What is said of the lips of talkers? 5. Of ruling the tongue? 6. Of admonishing friends? 7. What was the character of the "whisper that woke the air?" The results, etc.? 9. What beautiful simile in the 9th and 10th verses? The selections from the Book of Ecclesiasticus are of the character of proverbs. What are proverbs? (See p. 153.) In the closing four verses of poetry in this lesson, the rhyme is imperfect; but the sentiment compensates for this defect. What wish is expressed in the 7th verse? Observe the pause of suspension after "shudder," in the last line; and that the last word, "died," is pronounced low.] LIFE, PEACE, AND JOY. Ar best, life is not very long. A few more smiles, a few more tears, some pleasure, much pain, sunshine and songs, clouds and darkness, hasty greetings, abrupt farewells-then our little day of life will close, and the injurer and injured will pass away. Is it worth while, then, to hate one another? Peace of mind is far better than short-lived joy. Joy is an uneasy guest, and always on tip-toe to depart. It tires us, and wears us out, and yet keeps us ever fearing that the next moment it will be gone. Peace is not so. It comes more quietly, it stays more contentedly, and it never wearies us, nor gives us one anxious thought about the future. GREAT minds would rather deserve applause, without obtaining it, than obtain, without deserving it. Cato said, he would much rather that posterity should inquire why no statues were erected to him, than why they were. LESSON LXXVII. THE STORY OF WILLIAM TELL.--A Drama. GESLER, the Austrian governor of Switzerland, had ruled with such cruelty, that a noble band of the hardy mountaineers, headed by William Tell, one of their number, had formed a league to rise against the tyrant, and restore their country's liberty. In the drama of "William Tell," written by Sheridan Knowles, Gesler is first represented as descending a mountain, alone, with a hunting-pole in his hands. Having been accidentally separated from his attendants, he has lost his way on the mountains. Overcome with terror, not daring to stop where he was, yet fearing to proceed, he thus speaks: Gesler. Alone, alone'! and every step the mist Thickens around' me! On these mountain tracks To lose one's way, they say, is sometimes death'. What ho'! halloo! No tongue replies' to me! Whose brinke with fatal horror rivets him My voice sounds weaker to mine ear; I've not He leans against a rock, stupefied) with terror and exhaustion. It grows Jarker and darker; the rain pours down in torrents; a furious wind arises, and the mountain streams begin to swell and roar. At this moment the lad Albert, the only son of Tell, is seen descending the mountain by the side of one of the streams, which, in his course, he crosses with the help of his pole. Gaining a level space, he stops to rest a moment. Alb. I'll breathe upon this level, if the wind Will let me. Ha! a rock to shelter me'! Thanks' to it. A man! and fainting'! Courage', friend'! Courage'! A stranger that has lost his way'! Take heart-take heart: you're safe. How feel you now! [Gives him drink from a flask. Ges. Better. Alb. You've lost your way upon the hill'? Ges. I have. Alb. And whither would you go'? Ges. To Altorf. Alb. I'll guide you thither. * At this moment a loud clap of thunder startles him, and he calls out again. Ges. You're a child. Alb. I know The way: the track I've come is harder far To find. Ges. The track you've come'! What mean' you? Sure, You have not been still farther in the mountains'! Alb. I've traveled from Mount Faigel. Ges. No one with thee'? Alb. No one but God. Ges. Do you not fear these storms'? Alb. God's in the storm. Ges. And there are torrents, too, That must be crossed. Alb. God's by the torrent, too. Ges. You're but a child. Alb. God will be with a child. Ges. You're sure you know the way'? Alb. 'Tis but to keep The side of yonder stream. Ges. But guide me safe, I'll give thee gold. Alb. I'll guide thee safe without. Ges. Here's earnest for thee. [Offers gold.] Here—I'll double that, Yea, treble it, but let me see the gate Of Altorf. Why do you refuse the gold'? Take it. Alb. No. Ges. You shall. Alb. I will not. Ges. Why'? Alb. Because I do not covet' it; and, though I did, It would be wrong to take it as the price Of doing one a kindness. Ges. Ha'! who taught Thee that'? |