Bev. Your pity had been kinder to my. fame ; but you have traduced it; told a vile flory to the public ear, that I have wronged my fister. me. Lew. 'Tis falfe. Shew me the man who dares accufe Bev. I thought you brave, and of a foul fuperior to low malice; but I have found you, and will have vengeance. This is no place for argument. Lew. Nor fhall it be for violence. Imprudent man! who, in revenge for fancied injuries, would pierce the heart that loves him. But honeft friendship acts from itself unmoved by flander, or ingratitude. The life you thirst for fhall be employed to ferve you. Bev. 'Tis thus you would compound them. First do a wrong beyond forgivenefs, and, to redress it, load me with kindness unfolicited. I'll not receive them. Your zeal is troublesome. Lev. No matter, it fhall be useful.. Lero. It muft You know me not.. Bev. Yes, for the flanderer of my fame; who, under fhew of friendship, arraigns me of injustice; buzzing in every ear foul breach of truft and family dishonour. Lew. Have I done this? Who told you fo? Bev. The world. 'Tis talk'd of every where. It pleafed you to add threats, too. You were to call me to an account-Why, do it now, then; I fhall be proud of fuch an arbiter. Lew Put up your fword, and know me better. I have never injured you. The bafe fuggeftion comes from Stukely; I fee him, and his aims. Bev. What aims? I'll not conceal it; 'twas Stukely that accufed you. Lew Torid him of an enemy -Perhaps of two— He fears difcovery, and frames a tale of falfehood to ground revenge and murder on. Bv. I must have proof of this: Lew. I go to ferve you. Forget what's paft, as I do; and cheer your family with fmiles. To morrow may confirm them, and make all happy. (Exit.) Bev. (paufing.) How vile, and how abfurd is man! This boalted honour is but another name for pride, which eafier bears the concioufnefs of guilt, than the world's juft reproofs. But 'tis the fashion of the times; and in defence of falsehood and falfe honour, men die martyrs; I knew not my nature was fo bad. (Stands mufing.) * POETRY. THE Compiler has selected such pieces of poetry as, in his opinion, afford many opportunities for the scholar to exert his talents to advantage. A reader of nice and delicate discrimination will readily perceive in every poetical composition, however trifling, several situations wherein he may afford amusement, and produce aftonishing effects on the minds of his hearers. In the delivery of some paffages, fo much depends upon fuch a nicety of expression, look and manner, in the reader that it will be impoffible to point out the exact method. Graces, like these, which give the greatest beauty to a poem, cannot be reduced to any precise rules; but must be left to the discriminating tafte and powers of the reader * to find out; and the occafional remarks added to each piece, it is presumed, will greatly assist him in the research. CHAPTER CXV. THE OLD BEGGAR OF CUMBERLAND. I SAW an aged beggar in my walk, And he was feated by the highway fide On a low structure of rude mafonry, Built at the foot of a huge hill, that they All white with flour, the dole of village dames, And ever, fcatter'd, from his palfied hand, So helpless in appearance, that for him The fauntering horse-man traveller does not throw Shouts to him from behind, and, if perchance He travels on, a folitary man; His age has no compaion. On the ground Of fields with rural works, of hill and dale, At distance ftill the fame. Poor traveller ! Who have a broom still ready in your hands Heart-fwolen, while in your pride ye contemplate To acts of love; and habit does the work And the foul, By that fweet of pleafure unpurfu'd Then let him pass, a bleffing on his head ! Share his chance-gather'd meal, and, finally, CONTENTMENT. Within my breaft may peace a dwelling find; A careful hand, and wear an honeft heart. CHAPTER CXVI. HOW TO READ COLLIN'S ODE ON THE PASSIONS. If A piece of poetry, better adapted to the practice of reading than the following, cannot be recommended to the scholar. read with propriety, it will soon correct the monotonist of that sanieness of tone, which so disgusts in most common readers, and with which no person can ever reasonably except to give pleasure to those who are so unfortunate as to be his hearers. W THEN Mufic, heav'nly ma'd] was young, The Paffions oft, to hear her shell, [1] Read the words marked in an impressive manner. [2] The words in this fine to be read as conveying a kind of echo to the sense. The first in a high voice, expressive of exultation. The second in a 'tone of fear and trembling; the third expressive of rage; the last in a eak voice, low and fainting, with a pause at each word. [3] Read this line as recommended in the reading of the fifth line |