That gave my spirit strength to sweep I saw the last of human mold The Sun's eye had a sickly glare, Some had expired in fight, the brands Earth's cities had no sound nor tread; (Yet, prophet-like, that lone one stood, With dauntless words and high, That shook the sere leaves from the wood As if a storm passed by, Saying, We are twins in death, proud Sun! Thy face is cold, thy race is run, "Tis mercy bids thee go: For thou ten thousand thousand years That shall no longer flow. What though beneath thee man put forth The vassals of his will? Yet mourn I not thy parted sway, For all those trophied arts And triumphs that beneath thee sprang, Healed not a passion or a pang Entailed on human hearts. Go, let oblivion's curtain fall Nor with thy rising beams recall Life's tragedy again: Its piteous pageants bring not back, Stretched in disease's shapes abhorred, Even I am weary in yon skies My lips that speak thy dirge of death- The eclipse of Nature spreads my pall, This spirit shall return to Him Go, Sun, while Mercy holds me up, Or shake his trust in God! HUBERT AND ARTHUR. From SHAKSPEARE's tragedy of KING JOHN. CHARACTERS: PRINCE ARTHUR, a Young Lad, HUBERT, a Rough Soldier. TWO ATTENDANTS. [King John was at once the most tyrannical and the most pusillani. mous monarch that ever disgraced the throne of England-which he had usurped: most of the authorities claiming that the throne of right belonged to young Prince Arthur, the son of Constance of Bretagne. The father being Geoffrey, the third son of Henry II. Dreading the tumult that might arise if he put the young and much loved Prince to death, John determined to have his sight destroyed, and thus virtually rid himself of a much feared competitor. Our extract opens with the entrance of the tools selected to carry out the cowardly King's design. Prince Arthur should be represented by a lad of twelve or fourteen or a young lady might well take and person ate the character; as the soft, pleading tones and beseeching expression would be very suitable for a female. Hubert should be represented much as possible, as a rough, robust, stern-looking soldier; and should speak in a bluff, off-handed manner. The contrast between the two characters make this scene highly effective. COSTUMES.-A very proper dress for Arthur might be made of black velveteen-a close-fitting shape. i. e. with black tights, and shoes. Hubert and the attendants should wear dresses of dark brown cheap serge or flannel in same fashion. Any skillful girl could make dresses in a few hours.] A room supposed to be in the castle, enter HUBERT and two ATTENDANTS. HUBERT. Heat me these irons hot; and, look thou stand Within the arras; when I strike my foot Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy which you shall find with me, Fast to the chair: be heedful. Hence, and watch. 1ST ATTENDANT. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. Hu. Uncleanly scruples: fear not you; look to't,— [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with thee AR. Good morrow, Hu. Good morrow, Enter ARTHUR. Hubert. little prince. AR. As little prince (having so great a title To be more prince) as may be.-You are sad. Hu. Indeed, I have been merrier. AR. Mercy on me! Methinks nobody should be sad but I: Is it my fault that I was Geoffrey's son? No, indeed, is't not; and I would to heaven, 1 I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. Hu. (aside). If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead: Therefore I will be sudden, and dispatch. AR. Are you sick, Hubert? you look pale to-day. In sooth, I would you were a little sick, That I might sit all night, and watch with you: I warrant I love you more than you do me. HU. (aside). His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here, young Arthur. (showing a paper). (aside.) How now, foolish rheum! Turning despiteous torture out of door? I must be brief, lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.- AR. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? AR. And will you? Hu. And I will. AR. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkerchief about your brows, (The best I had, a princess wrought it me), And I did never ask it you again: And with my hand at midnight held your head, And, like the watchful minutes to the hour, Still and anon cheered up the heavy time, Saying, what lack you? and, where lies your grief? If heaven be pleased that you will use me ill, HU. I have sworn to do it, And with hot irons must I burn them out. AR. Ah! none but in this iron age would do it. Approaching near these eyes, would drink my tears, Even in the matter of mine innocence: Nay, after that, consume away in rust, Are you more stubborn-hard than hammered iron ? An if an angel should have come to me, And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes, I would not have believed him; no tongue but Hubert's. Hu. Come forth. (stamps.) Re-enter ATTENDANTS, with cord, irons, &c. Do as I bid you do. AR. O! save me Hubert, save me! my eyes are out, Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men. Hu. Give me the iron, I say, and bind him here. AR. Alas! what need you be so boisterous-rough? I will not struggle; I will stand stone-still. For heaven's sake, let me not be bound, Nay, hear me, Hubert: drive these men away, I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word, Nor look upon the iron angerly. Thrust but these men away, and I'll forgive you, Whatever torment you do put me to. HU. Go, stand within; let me alone with him. FIRST ATTENDANT. I am best pleased to be from such [Exeunt ATTENDANTS. deed. AR. Alas! I then have chid away my friend; |