But weep for him that weareth The captive's galling chain : To the agony he beareth, Death were but little pain. Weep not for him that dieth, For he hath ceased from tears, Which he hath not heard for years; MRS. NORTON. 163. ADVICE TO THE ASPIRANT FOR FAME. If thou wouldst win a lasting fame; If thou canst plan a noble deed, Though in the strife thy heart should bleed; If thou canst dine upon a crust, If thou canst see with tranquil breast, If thou in darkest days canst find, Whatever obstacles control, Thine hour will come;-go on, true soul! If not, what matters ?-tried by fire, And purified from low desire, But, if so bent on worldly fame, If failure might thy soul oppress, Pause, ere thou 'tempt the hard career— Content thee with a meaner lot: CHARLES MACKAY. DIALOGUES. 1. A QUARREL SCENE. Glenalvon and Norval. Glenalvon. His port I love; he's in a proper mood To chide the thunder, if at him it roared! Has Norval seen the troops? Norval. The setting sun With yellow radiance lightened all the vale; No leader of our host, Glenalvon. Thou talk'st it well! Norval. If I shall e'er acquire a leader's name, My speech will be less ardent. Novelty Now prompts my tongue, and youthful admiration Of praise, pertaining to the great in arms. Glenalvon. You wrong yourself, brave sir! Your martial deeds Have ranked you with the great: but, mark me, Norval; Above his veterans of famous service. Let me who know these soldiers counsel you: Else they will scarcely brook your late-sprung power, Norval. Sir, I have been accustomed, all my days, Who borrow Friendship's tongue to speak their scorn, Glenalvon. I did not mean To gall your pride, which now I see is great. Glenalvon. Suppress it, as you wish to prosper; Glenalvon. Yes;-if you presume To bend on soldiers these disdainful eyes, What will become of you? Norval. Hast thou no fears for thy presumptuous self? Norval. Didst thou not hear? Glenalvon. Unwillingly, I did; a nobler foe Had not been questioned thus. But, such as thou! Glenalvon. Norval. Norval. So I am; And who is Norval in Glenalvon's eyes ? Glenalvon. A peasant's son,-a wand'ring beggar-boy, Norval. False as thou art, dost thou suspect my truth? Thou'rt all a lie, and false as fiends Is the vain-glorious tale thou told'st to Randolph. Perhaps I might revile; but as I am, I have no tongue to rail. The humble Norval Is of a race who strive not but with deeds! Did I not fear to freeze thy shallow valor, And make thee sink, too soon, beneath my sword, I'd tell thee what thou art I know thee well. Glenalvon. Dost thou not know Glenalvon born to command Ten thousand slaves like thee? Norval. Villain !-no more ; Draw, and defend thy life. (They draw their swords.) I did design; To have defied thee in another cause; But Heaven accelerates its vengeance on thee. Now for my own and Lady Randolph's wrongs !— (Enter Lord Randolph.) (They fight.) Lord Randolph. Hold !-I command you both ;The man that stirs makes me his foe. Norval. Another voice than thine That threat had vainly sounded, noble Randolph. Glenalvon. Hear him, my lord, he's wondrous condescending: Mark the humility of shepherd Norval! Norval. Now you may scoff in safety. Lord Randolph. Speak not thus, (Both sheathe their swords.) Taunting each other; but unfold to me The cause of quarrel: then I'll judge betwixt you. I blush to speak-I will not-cannot speak The opprobrious words that I from him have borne. I owe a subject's homage; but even him, Within my bosom reigns another lord, Hence as he came,-alone-but not dishonored. Lord Randolph. Thus far I'll mediate with impartial voice: The ancient foe of Caledonia's land, Now waves his banners o'er her frighted fields. Suspend your purpose till your country's arms The private quarrel. Glenalvon. I agree to this Norval. And I. Glenalvon. Norval, Let not our variance mar the social hour, (Exit Randolph.) |