Charles Wells

“ Christian said, "Pardon thou hast, but mercy none—and yet a little—as much as thou didst give Gustavus. Art thou so mean a beast as to wish to live in thine own filth, a tyrant's engine of unholy wrath?—O fool! O fool! how worse than mad. What hast thou lost? Where are the shouts up from a thousand hearts made happy by shaking the dull leaves from overblown oppression? Where is the echo that high heaven would send in answer to that peal? Where is thy banner in the victory—thine oath—thine honour—and thy name in heaven? All gone. Would you yet wish to live? ”

“ Lysius answered, "Sir, if I were insensible to the beauty of your child, I must be more than stone; but affection is a matter of deep birth, and cannot be called up of one's own accord. I do more honour your daughter than love her; but considering my poorness of fortune, and the good estate I shall receive at your hands, I will so far bind myself as to marry your daughter, and will do all in my power to behave virtuously towards her; teaching myself (if it may so be) continual lessons of affection, so that in time I may perhaps fully answer her passion: but this is in the hands of fate. ”

“ The man answered, "I suppose you mean the lady Gertrude, who went into England, and has just returned, afflicted with lameness." Claudius shifted, as if he had been hit a blow: he saw, at once, the hitherto inexplicable cause of her silence and sorrow, and retired perplexed and full of pain.
Notwithstanding his great love for her, so repugnant was his feeling to her misfortune that he could not master it. He went up and down distracted; flying from the noise of the city to the quiet of the forest, and from the quiet of the forest back to the city. ”

“ I think thy passion is foremost: I do not think this youth loves you, and it is not delicate in us to ask him in marriage." Julia began weeping afresh, and said, "In matters of this nature we may sometimes break through the common laws. I think I could ask him to marry me." Her father, seeing her thus bent on it, kissed her, and said, "Though his fortunes are most mean compared to thine, and his estate low; yet, if he like it, you shall be his wife: and if he take thee, I pray that he may grow into that passion for thee that thy tender nature deserves. ”

“ His penetrating eye soon discovered some sorrow at her heart, which he was too delicate to ask the cause of, but did all in his power to comfort her. She, feeling this, was melted to tenderness, and said, "Christian, I have an offer to make to thee. There is nothing on earth thou desirest so much as thy liberty, and there is nothing on earth I desire so much as to be thy servant. If thou wilt take me for thy wife, thou art free; if not, thou art still free, only thou dost owe me thy love; which, if thou art long in paying, my heart will be bankrupt and broken." ”

“ Christian replied, "You have spoken the truth; but there is one thing greater than revenge, and hand-friend to our cause—it is mercy. Let him live: we can spare him and all who are traitors. His cause (which was his armour) and his power being gone, he is become weak as a naked sworder. If you will be revenged, let him be sent forth in a burnished car, decked in a purple vest and garlanded, with chains upon his wrists, to his new master the great king; and let his dishonourable wife take him to her arms, and pay him for his loss of peace and honour with a kiss: then he may work for the king. ”

“ The giant, mad at the blow, seized upon the sword and attacked Alfred desperately; but he being determined on having the life of the duke, defended himself suddenly.
When they had fought some time, Alfred struck him on the head; he reeled against a tree, and fell. And seeing Alfred standing over him, he said, "Pause." Alfred replied, "Sir, you did not pause when your dear lady's life could have been saved through it. You have felt only for yourself, and have sacrificed her. When her pale look and aching eye have begged a merciful hour at your hand, you cared not for her pain. ”

“ Her husband fell into an oblivion of despair, and was as a single weed in the garden of paradise, misery's heir. On the third day he buried her with his own hands. When the sharpness of his agony was somewhat past, he loved to linger about her favourite haunts, and bestowed all tenderness on the camel she had so dearly loved; and this patient creature, missing the gentle hand that had fostered it daily, shewed a dumb sorrow by a thousand signs, that found a way to his breaking heart. ”

“ My child, thy peace is as precious to me as my life; nevertheless, I know you to be mistress of so delicate a sense, that if you feel disinclined to impart to me your thoughts, do not do it; and I will take more patience to myself, till time, that healeth all wounds, shall have fulfilled the will of Heaven on thy desires. ”

“ Edward was touched to the heart, and fell on his neck in tears, saying to him, "Canst thou bid a dead rose to live?" Edmund answered, "Your question is idle." Edward replied, "Then can you not help me." And rising frantic from his seat, he said, "I am glad of it; I am a beast, and deserve no help. I must sow my seed upon a rock, and then must starve, and my dear friends must grieve. ”

“ It chanced that Zara passed a mausoleum where they were burying the dead; and as her breast was always open to powerful excitement, she delayed her suite, and went alone to the door of the sepulchre; here she sat herself on a stone, by a pillar; and sighing, she began the painful office of noticing the feelings of those who mourned. One figure, the peculiar beauty and power of which was subdued by inward sorrow to a declining tenderness, engrossed her wholly. Her interest waxed great, and her heart soft ”

“ Albeit thou hast saved the life of a fellow being, we understand it not." She replied, "Stifle your amazement. The gods are above. We two are declared innocent. I know not why, my soul, but I have some hope." Saying this, she took Lysius's hand and kissed it, and a tear fell on it; so she departed. When she touched him he trembled like a child (for he knew her) , but was dumb with remorse and wonder. After this time Julia became more peaceful, seeing she had saved her lover's life.
Now away went Lysius into Athens, full of love and affection for Julia ”

“ They turned, however, as savage as wolves, and fought a bloody battle with their enemies, who were ten times their number; but the valour of Frederick was a host in itself, and he ever cheered on his men with enthusiastic shouts of liberty. Although his numbers were so great, the captain of the guard began to doubt the issue of the fight; and to put more spirit in his men, promised them each a piece of gold if they were conquerors. This did much, but Frederick and his fellows fought till every man lay stretched amongst the grass; most of them hacked to death, and but a few wounded. ”

“ It happened that Lysius, who was highly related in Athens, received word suddenly, saying, that the two youths who stood in his way to an immense estate had fallen in a quarrel by each other's hands, and were dead; and inviting him to come and take possession of his riches. Now when Lysius heard this, he bethought him how he should act; first inquiring the truth of this matter, and finding it correct, he went to the apartment of the judge, and spoke to him as follows. "The news that I have to tell you at once grieves and rejoices me. When I said I would marry your daughter, I was a beggar. ”

“ Gertrude, wearied with the day's sorrow, slept that night well, and her spirits were refreshed; but more by her dream than any other thing, for it was full of promise and hope. At what will not the wretched grasp! Soon she heard of Claudius's fame, of his passiveness, his furious victory, and retire; and well her heart could interpret the cause. So fond was she in her affection, that angels could not have persuaded her to stay from the court that day. She put on her most plain attire and went. When Claudius rode in, gallant in hope, and saw his lady there, he shouted ”

“ Edmund, however, did not immediately give up his public employment, but carried it on like a patriot; till it ended in covering him with honour, and hearty thanks. For his poor friend he knew nothing could be done but supplying him with money: he hoped, however, that so good a heart and such great faith would not be thrown away. He also had seen this woman, who was one of those, who, with virtue, would have been most virtuous and admired by all. Humanity would have dropped a tear, seeing such noble beauty run to waste. ”

“ I purpose to lead the life of a wealthy man; and being a great admirer of woman's beauty, and my affections free, I cannot now bind myself to the benefit of her passion alone." After a pause, the judge said, "I am afraid my daughter will die in consequence." Lysius replied, "It grieves me; but we must part here." So saying, he took horse and went to Athens.
Now when Julia's father told this, she stifled much of her grief, seeing his great pain for her ”

“ Humanity was repulsed; for Frederick won it, and condemned him to death, swearing an oath that he should die. Christian, finding nothing would prevail upon him to relinquish his design, came down, and folding his arms about Gustavus, embraced him, saying, "Care not, we are parted but for a little time. I will be always anxious to do more than I have done, as being mindful of the sorrow you feel at having left undone so much. ”

“ I have laboured thus far, only to strike your heart against your rocky ribs, and so bruise it; I have done so, and glory in it. I now look upon thee as mine enemy, who has fallen from the battlement of his strength; and cursing him, leave him to die." And he went out smiling, with affected malice. She followed him with her eye as far as she could see, and then, listening to his last footfall, gathered her hair, and holding her forehead, turned to the right and to the left; and looking mournfully round, burst into fresh tears, as a child who hath lost its way. ”

“ The remainder of the money, that Zara in her charity had sent to her husband, was now their daily life and anchor; it was soon gone, and they bethought themselves how they might live. Zara said, "Heaven did not put it into the head of my dear father to bestow on me the camel to no use; howbeit I love the animal with almost a holy love, not only that it fondles me and is so gentle to kneel when I shall mount it, but that it is allied to the best remembrance of my home; why should we not turn this gift to our use? Hew thyself a bow and arrows, and a spear; hunt thou the beasts for their skins ”

“ Where is thine hatred to a tyrant king? All turned to love—nay, worse, to callous nothing. Thyself remembering, but all else forgot that makes thee worth remembrance. I forget thee not. Poor worm, dost struggle? This for the cause of liberty: this for the nobler Gustavus; myself and heaven come last. ”