8. At this, galled Renard winced, and swore 9. "Thou knave, thou fool," the dog replied, LESSON LVIII. The Hare and the Tortoise.-LLOYD. 1. IN days of yore,* when time was young, A forward hare of swiftness vain, He'd boast, his flight 'twere vain to follow; 2. A tortoise heard his vain oration, I lay my shell upon the trial." "Twas "Done !" and "Done !" "All fair!" "A bet!" Judges prepared, and distance set. 3. The scampering hare outstripped the wind; The creeping tortoise lagged behind, *Yore, long ago of old time. And scarce had passed a single pole, 5. The bets were won, the hare awoke, LESSON LIX. The Painter who pleased Nobody and Every Body.-GAY 1. LEST men suspect your tale untrue, The trav'ller, leaping o'er those bounds, Who with his tongue hath armies routed, 2. But flatt'ry never seems absurd; They take the strongest praise on trust; Will still come short of self conceit. An illustrious Roman General who opposed Hannibal in Italy. He died 203 years B. C. 3. So very like a painter drew, 5. Two busto's, fraught with ev'ry grace, He plac'd in view-resolv'd to please, 6. All things were set; the hour was come, In proper attitude and light, The painter look'd, he sketch'd the piece; 7. Observe the work."-My Lord reply'd, Dear sir, for me 'tis far too young.' * Venus, one of the most celebrated of the heathen deities. She was the goddess of beauty. Copies of her statue are used as models by painters. † Apollo, another of the ancient heathen deities. The Apollo-Belvidere is an ancient statue of the first class in excellence. Palette, a little oval table, or board, on which the painter places his colors to be used. and mixes them to obtain the requisite tints. An Italian painter. "O pardon me," the artist cry'd, My Lord examin'd it anew, No looking-glass seem'd half so true. 9. Through all the town his art they prais'd, Would any man the picture own? LESSON LX. Story of the Siege of Calais. 1. EDWARD the III. after the battle of Cressy,* laid siege to Calais. He had fortified his camp in so impregnable a manner, that all the efforts of France proved ineffectual to raise the siege, or throw succors into the city. The citizens under count Vienne, their gallant governor, made an admirable defence. 2. France had now put the sickle into her second harvest, since Edward, with his victorious army, sat down before the town. The eyes of all Europe were intent on the issue. At length, famine did more for Edward than arms. 3. After suffering unheard of calamities, they resolved to attempt the enemy's camp. They boldly sallied forth; the English joined battle; and after a long and desperate engagement, count Vienne was taken prisoner, and the citizens, who survived the slaughter, retired within their gates. 4. The command devolving upon Eustace St. Pierre, a man of mean birth, but of exalted virtue, he offered to capitulate with * Cressy, a town of France, situated on the river Maye, 100 miles north of Paris. It is celebrated for the great victory gained on the 26th of August, A. D. 1346, by Edward III. of England, over Philip VI. of France. +Cal-ais, a town of France, situated on the Straits of Dover, taken by Edward III. in 1347. Edward, provided he permitted him to depart with life and liberty. Edward, to avoid the imputation of cruelty, consented to spare the bulk of the Plebeians, provided they delivered up to him six of their principal citizens, with halters about their necks, as victims of due atonement for that spirit of rebellion with which they had inflamed the vulgar. 5. When the messenger, Sir Walter Mauny, delivered the terms, consternation and pale dismay were impressed on every countenance. To a long and dead silence, deep sighs and groans succeeded, till Eustace St. Pierre, getting up to a little eminence, thus addressed the assembly: 6. " My friends, we are brought to great straits this day; we must either yield to the terms of our cruel and ensnaring conqueror, or give up our tender infants, our wives and daughters, to the bloody and brutal lusts of the violating soldiers. 7. "Is there any expedient left whereby we may avoid the guilt and infamy of delivering up those who have suffered every misery with you, on the one hand; or the desolation and horror of a sacked city, on the other? There is, my friends; there is one expedient left; a gracious, an excellent, a godlike expedient! Is there any here to whom virtue is dearer than life? Let him offer himself an oblation for the safety of his people! He shall not fail of a blessed approbation from that power, who offered up his only Son for the salvation of mankind.” 8. He spoke but an universal silence ensued. Each man looked around for the example of that virtue and magnanimity, which all wished to approve in themselves, though they wanted the resolution. At length St. Pierre resumed, "I doubt not but there are many as ready, nay, more zealous of this martyrdom, than I can be; though the station to which I am raised, by the captivity of Lord Vienne, imparts a right to be the first in giving my life for your sakes. I give it freely; I give it cheerfully. 9. "Who comes next ;" "Your son," exclaimed a youth, not yet come to maturity. "Ah, my child!" cried St. Pierre, "I am then twice sacrificed. But, no; I have rather begotten thee a second time. Thy years are few, but full, my son. The victim of virtue has reached the utmost purpose and goal of mortality. Who next, my friends? This is the hour of heroes!"' "Your kinsman," cried John de Aire. "Your kinsman," cried James Wissant. "Your kinsman," cried Peter Wissant. 10. "Ah!" exclaimed Sir Walter Mauny, bursting into tears, "Why was I not a citizen of Calais ?" The sixth victim was * Plebeian, one of the common people, or lower ranks of men. |