Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

1. A fox, being inclined to play a practical joke upon his neighbour the stork, asked him to dinner, which he caused to be served up in broad shallow dishes. The stork, perceiving the trick, took no notice, but, at parting, pressed the fox very much to return the visit. When the day arrived, and he repaired to his appointment, reynard was very much displeased to see the dinner served up in long narrownecked glasses. They that cannot take a jest," said the

stork, "should never make one."

2. Alexander the Great, having taken Sidon, ordered one of his generals to bestow the crown upon the citizen who seemed to be most worthy, when he offered it to two brothers in whose house he was quartered. Both, however, refused it, stating that it was contrary to the laws for any one to wear the crown, who was not of the royal family, and, at the same time, recommending Abdolonymus, whom misfortune had reduced to the necessity of cultivating a small garden in the suburbs of the city. Abdolonymus was weeding his garden, when the messengers went to him, and at first thought that they were insulting his poverty, when they saluted him as king; but at last he was prevailed upon to go to the palace, and accept the regal office. Pride and envy created him so many enemies, that Alexander sent for him, and inquired with what temper of mind he had borne his poverty. "I pray," replied Abdolonymus, "that I may bear my crown with equal moderation." Alexander was so highly pleased with his answer, that he confirmed him in the throne, and added a neighbouring province to his government.

3. Once I beheld a captive, whom these wars
Had made an inmate of the prison-house,
Cheering with wicker-work (that almost seemed
To him a sort of play) his dreary hours.
I asked his story: in my native tongue
(Long use had made it easy as his own),
He answered thus:-Before these wars began,
I dwelt upon the willowy banks of Loire :

I married one, who, from my boyish days,

Had been my playmate. One morn,—I'll ne'er forget !—
While busy choosing out the prettiest twigs,
To warp a cradle for our child unborn,
We heard the tidings, that the conscript lot
Had fallen on me: it came like a death-knell,
The mother perished, but the babe survived;
And ere my parting day, his rocking couch
I made complete, and saw him sleeping smile,—
The smile that played upon the cheek of her
Who lay clay-cold. Alas! the hour soon came
That forced my fettered arms to quit my child:
And whether now he lives to deck with flowers
The sod upon his mother's grave, or lies beneath it
By her side, I ne'er could learn:

I think he's gone; and now I only wish

For liberty and home, that I may see,

And stretch myself, and die upon that grave.

4. Androcles, the slave of a noble Roman, who was proconsul of Africa, having fled into the deserts to escape punishment for some offence, went into a cave, in which he had scarcely seated himself, when a huge lion entered, and, coming up to him, laid its paw upon his lap. When he had recovered from his fright, he pulled out a large thorn, which he observed had caused the lion's foot to swell; upon which the grateful animal went away, and soon after returned with a fawn, which it had just killed. For many days he was supported in the same manner; till, tired of this savage society, he determined to give himself up to his master. He was condemned to fight with wild beasts in the amphitheatre at Rome. When the day at last arrived, and everything was ready, a monstrous lion sprang from its den; but it no sooner saw Androcles, than it fell to the ground, and began to lick his feet. It was his friend of the African deserts; and the spectators having heard the story, interceded for the slave, who was immediately set at liberty, and received the lion as a present. He used to lead it through the streets

of Rome, the people saying to one another, as they passed, “This is the lion, who was the man's host; this is the man, who was the lion's physician.”

3. NARRATION FROM HEADS.

Exercise 44.

Write narrative paragraphs from the following detached

sentences:

EXAMPLE.

Cincinnatus.

Cincinnatus was chosen consul.

He had for some time lived in retirement, cultivating a small farm.

He regretted that his assistance should be required.

He resolved to side with neither the patrician nor the plebeian faction.

Having restored tranquillity, he returned home.

An assembly having been appointed for choosing another consul, the senate fixed upon Quintius Cincinnatus. This noble Roman had, for some time, given up all views of ambition, and retired to a little farm, where the deputies of the senate found him holding the plough, and dressed in the humble attire of a labouring husbandman. Preferring the charms of country retirement to the fatiguing splendours of office, he appeared but little elevated by the dignity which was offered to him, and rather testified a concern that his aid should be wanted. Having taken a tender leave of his wife, he departed for the city, where he found the two parties violently inflamed against each other. The new consul, however, resolved to side with neither; but, by a strict attention to the interests of his country, instead of gaining the confidence of faction, endeavoured to secure the esteem of all. By his moderation, humanity, and justice, he at length

restored to the people that tranquillity which he so much loved himself; when he again renounced the splendours of ambition, and returned with increasing relish to the enjoyment of his farm.

1. Cincinnatus was chosen dictator.

He was the only person on whom his countrymen could depend.

As before, he was found labouring in his field.

He was astonished, but not elated, by the unbounded power offered to him.

He nominated Tarquitius, another poor man, his master of the horse.

Cincinnatus delivered his country, and resigned the dictatorship in fourteen days.

He was content with temperance and fame.

2. The city of Falerii was besieged by Camillus, general of the Romans.

A schoolmaster decoyed the children of the principal citizens into the Roman camp.

He told Camillus that the possession of these children would soon make the citizens surrender.

Camillus replied, that the Romans loved courage, but hated treachery.

He ordered the schoolmaster to be whipt into the city by the boys.

The citizens immediately submitted to the Romans.

3. The city of Troy was taken by the Greeks.

The conquerors permitted every free citizen to choose any one thing which he valued most.

Æneas carried away his household gods.

The Greeks gave him permission to take what he valued next.

He raised his aged father upon his shoulders.

The Greeks then gave him leave to carry away all his property.

4. Damon was condemned to death by the tyrant Dionysius.

He was permitted to go home to settle his affairs.

Pythias offered to submit to death if his friend did not

return.

The tyrant blamed Pythias for his foolish confidence.
At the very hour Damon arrived.

Dionysius pardoned Damon, and begged to be honoured with the friendship of two such worthy men.

5. After the battle of Cressy, Calais was besieged by Edward III.

Provoked by the resistance of the inhabitants, he ordered them to choose six of their number to be put to death.

While all were struck with horror at this sentence, Eustace de St Pierre offered himself for one.

Five more soon joined him; and they came with halters about their necks to Edward.

He ordered them to be executed; but his queen pleaded so powerfully for them, that he pardoned them.

The queen not only entertained them sumptuously in her own tent, but sent them back loaded with presents.

6. David was born at Bethlehem.

He was sent to the camp to inquire for his brothers. He was provoked to hear the Israelites challenged by Goliah.

He slew their champion with a stone thrown from a sling, and the Philistines fled.

4. FABLES AND STORIES.

Exercise 45.

Write detached sentences on the following incidents, and then write paragraphs from these:—

1. The Hare and the Tortoise.
2. The Wind and the Sun.

« AnteriorContinuar »