habergeons, only bows and arrows-bows and arrows. Ha ha ha!" Here the captain sunk back in an exhausted condition, altogether unable to resist the sense of the ludicrous with the idea of these ancient weapons of war. It was a long time ere he recovered his senses; and in the meantime we leave him in the care of the Daughters of the Mist-nurses as kind and attentive in reality as they were wild and uncouth in outward appearance. From "A Legend of Montrose," by SIR WALTER SCOTT. 68. INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP. You know, we French stormed Ratisbon: A mile or so away, On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming-day With neck outthrust, you fancy how, Legs wide, arms locked behind, As if to balance the prone brow Just as perhaps he mused, "My plans Let once my army-leader Lannes Out 'twixt the battery-smokes there flew Full-galloping; nor bridle drew Until he reached the mound. Then off there flung in smiling joy, By just his horse's mane, a boy; You hardly could suspect (So tight he kept his lips compressed, "Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace And you'll be there anon To see your flag-bird flap his vans Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans The chief's eye flashed, but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye When her bruised eaglet breathes- "You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride Touched to the quick, he said, “I'm killed, sire!" And his chief beside, Smiling, the boy fell dead. ROBERT BROWNING. 69. YE MARINERS OF ENGLAND. Ye mariners of England, That guard our native seas; Whose flag has braved a thousand years And sweep through the deep While the stormy winds do blow; The spirits of your fathers Shall start from every wave! For the deck it was their field of fame, Britannia needs no bulwarks, No towers along the steep; Her march is o'er the mountain waves, When the stormy winds do blow; The meteor flag of England Till danger's troubled night depart, Then, then, ye ocean warriors! When the storm has ceased to blow; And the storm has ceased to blow. T. CAMPBELL. NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS. Historical and other References and Allusions, and Uncommon Page 1. The Valley of Diamonds. 1 This extract is from the History of Sindbad the Sailor, being the second of a series of seven voyages full of marvellous incidents. It forms part of the collection of Eastern tales known as the "Arabian Nights' Entertainments," which includes the History of Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp, and many other well-known tales. 2. A Family Picture. 8 Piquet, a card game played by two persons. 10 Limner, a painter of portraits (from limn-pron. lim-to paint). 11 Venus, among the ancient Romans the goddess of love. Cupid, the son of Venus, and god of love, usually represented as a winged boy with bow and arrows. Whistonian controversy. William Whiston (1667-1752) was the author of many works, some of which aroused much opposition. Amazon. The Amazons were female warriors mentioned by ancient Greek writers. Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), King of Macedonia, founder of a great empire in Western Asia. 3. Parted Friendship. 13 Roland and Sir Leoline, two English knights mentioned in the story of "Christabel." The poem is merely a fragment, and the story is unfinished. 4. The Chimney Swallow. 14 Affect, choose; show preference for: now used to imply a pretended feeling. 15 Dam, mother: now used only of quadrupeds. (A form of dame.) 17 Hawking, hunting on the wing in the manner of a hawk. 18 Mandibles, jaws: the word is chiefly used of birds and insects. Page 5. The House Martin. 20 Nidification, nest-building. (Lat. nidus, a nest, and facere, Eng. fy, to make.) Migrate, etc. The writer was uncertain whether the swallow spends the winter in hiding-places in this country, or migrates to warmer lands. Fulcrum, a support, especially the point of support of a lever or crowbar. Green, unripe; here, not yet dry or solid. 21 Incubation, sitting on the eggs to hatch them out. Presently, rapidly; in a short time. 22 Sleight, a quick, clever movement; generally a trick or deception. 23 Michaelmas, 29th September, the feast of St. Michael the archangel. Aits, eyots or small islands. 6. To a Waterfowl. 25 From zone to zone. Many water-birds--swans, geese, etc.-spend the summer in the arctic regions and the winter in the warmer temperate regions. 7. A Cave on the Fiords. 26 Fiord, a name given in Norway to a long, narrow arm of the sea; a firth. Nordland, the name of a province of Norway (north-land). Rolf, the hero of the tale, "Feats on the Fiord." 27 Erica, the heroine of the tale, afterwards married to Rolf. 28 Hund, the villain of the story, from whom Rolf was at present hiding. 31 Essayed, attempted. with some part or work. 8. Crusoe's Cave. An essay is a writing which aims at dealing aspect of a subject-an attempt, not a finished 32 Wildfire, a mixture of substances which would catch fire quickly. Strait, a narrow place: now used chiefly of a narrow sea passage. 34 Magazine, store; store-house, used chiefly for gunpowder, etc. 9. Alexander Selkirk's Soliloquy. 35 Alexander Selkirk or Selcraig (1676–1721), who is supposed to speak in this poem, lived for four years alone on the island of Juan Fernandez, off the coast of Chile. His adventures are supposed to form the foundation of the story of "Robinson Crusoe." Soliloquy, a speaking to one's self; a speech not addressed to any listener. |