the guest would answer: "Such and such a thing passed." The lord would say: "I thought he would mar a good dinner." Discretion of speech is more than eloquence, and to speak agreeably to him with whom we deal is more than to speak in good words, or in good order. A good continued speech, without a good speech of interlocution, shows slowness, and a good reply or second speech, without a good settled speech, showeth shallowness and weakness. As we see in beasts that those that are weakest in the course are yet nimblest in the turn, as it is betwixt the greyhound and the hare. To use too many circumstances, ere one come to the matter, is wearisome, to use none at all is blunt. SHAKESPEARE. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. Born 1564; died 1616. He began life apparently as an actor; and before his death retired with a competence to Stratford-on-Avon. known of his life. Little is About forty dramas are attributed to him; some, however, on meagre grounds. He holds the first place in the literature of our own or any other country; alike on account of his marvellous versatility, his wealth of imagination, his dramatic power, and the rapidity and ease with which he carries us along with him over the whole range of human thought and interest. MARK ANTONY'S ORATION. FRIENDS, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; The good is oft interred with their bones: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Cæsar answer'd it. So are they all, all honourable men- He was my friend, faithful and just to me; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, When that the poor have cried, Cæsar hath wept. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that, on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition ?— Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: My heart is in the coffin there with Cæsar. And I must pause till it come back to me But yesterday the word of Cæsar might Have stood against the world;—now lies he there, And none so poor to do him reverence. O masters! if I were disposed to stir Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, Let but the commons hear this testament- And, dying, mention it within their wills, Unto their issue. * If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle: I remember The first time ever Cæsar put it on: "Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent That day he overcame the Nervii : Look, in this place ran Cassius' dagger through: See what a rent the envious Casca made: For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab, Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell, Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable : I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts: But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, I tell you that which you yourselves do know; Show you sweet Cæsar's wounds, poor, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me; but were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue WOLSEY'S FAREWELL. Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness! |