CALM AT SEA. COLERIDGE. ["The Ancient Mariner" of that gifted "old man eloquent " has always been a choice piece for recitation. The following extract is full of animated description, grandeur, and power of language.] Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down, "Twas sad as sad coul be: And we did speak only to break The silence of the sea! All in a hot and copper sky, Day after day, day after day, We stuck; no breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean. Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink: Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink. The very deep did rot: alas ! Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs About, about, in reel and rout The death-fires danced at night; The water, like a witch's oils, Burnt green, and blue, and white. And some in dreams assured were And every tongue, through utter drought We could not speak, no more than if There passed a weary time. Each throat At first it seemed a little speck, It moved, and moved, and took at last A speck, a mist, a shape, I wist! And still it neared and neared: As if it dodged a water sprite, It plunged, and tacked, and veered. With throats unslaked, with black lips baked, Through utter drought all dumb we stood; YOUNG LOCHINVAR. SCOTT. [This bold Border Ballad is the most spirited recitation ever written. It's all ablaze with the fire of wild daring and adventurous love. It should be given with spirit and vivacity. Where the description of the escape of the young and dashing wooer is recited the words should be full of vim and vigor.] Oн, young Lochinvar is come out of the west! He staid not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone, But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate, The bride had consented, the gallant came late : So boldly he enter'd the Netherby Hall, 'Mong bride's men, and kinsmen, and brothers, and all! The bride kiss'd the goblet; the knight took it up, So stately his form, and so lovely her face While her mother did fret, and her father did fume, One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, near, So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung! "She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur; They'll have fleet steeds that follow!" quoth young Lochinvar. There was mounting 'mong Græmes of the Netherby clan ; THE TRIAL SCENE. From SHAKSPEARE's play of the MERCHANT OF VENICE. CHARACTERS: DUKE, of Venice, ANTONIO, the Merchant, BASSANIO, GRATIANO,his Friends, PORTIA, a Noble Lady, [The Merchant of Venice is justly considered one of the best productions of the Bard of Avon. The plot of the piece is mainly taken up with the misfortunes of Antonio, a real "merchant prince," of great wealth and liberality. Being suddenly straitened for money, he borrows from Shylock to meet pressing wants, giving as security a bond in which it was the whim of the usurer to have a clause that Autonio, failing to repay the borrowed money. should forfeit to the Jew a pound of flesh. Antonio, smilingly signs the bond. When he is unable to pay the sum. Shylock demands that the forfeit should be paid, and summons Antonio before these" strict constructionists" the Coun. selors of Venice How he fares in his suit appears from our extract. Shylock's character is a strange mixture of fawning sycophancy and overbearing hanteur, as the scales incline for or against him ; Antonio is a right noble character, and his words and actions should be characterised by serene dignity: Gratiano is a merry jester, but gentlemanly withal; Portia's speeches are full of mellow wisdom and abound in eloquent passages, COSTUMES Antonio, and his friends may be dressed in any of the garbs worn by the individuals portrayed by Titian or Raphael-viz, a rich Italian dress. Antonio in rather sober colors-the Duke somewhat more gorgeously. Shylock should wear a long brown robe, of coarse material and simple form, Portia and Nerissa wear black stuff gowns like English lawyers.] SCENE.- Venice. A Court of Justice. Enter the DUKE, the Magnificoes; ANTONIO, BASSANIO, GRATIANO, SALARINO, SALANIO, and others. DUKE. What, is Antonio here? ANT. Ready, so please your grace. DUKE. I am sorry for thee; thou art come to answer A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch, Uncapable of pity, void and empty From any dram of mercy. ANT. I have heard, Your grace hath ta'en great pains o qualify His rigorous course; but since he stands obdurate, Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose My patience to his fury, and am arm'd The very tyranny and rage of his. DUKE. Go one, and call the Jew into the court. Enter SHYLOCK. DUKE. Make room, and let him stand before our face.Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so to, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice. To the last hour of act; and then, 'tis thought, Thou'lt shew thy mercy, and remorse, more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty; And where thou now exact'st the penalty, (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh,) But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, We will expect a gentle answer, Jew. SHY. I have possess'd your grace of wha. - purpose, And by our holy Sabbath have 1 sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond: If you deny it, let the danger light |