2. Where is Japan? Is it an island? What is its government? Through what war did it come prominently before the world? Is it a civilized nation? How do their customs differ from ours? Do they dress like Europeans?

XCIII. THE STREAM OF LIFE.

1. O silvery streamlet of the fields,
That flowest full and free!

For thee the rains of spring return,
The summer dews for thee;

2. And when thy latest blossoms die
In autumn's chilly showers,
The winter fountains gush for thee,
Till May brings back the flowers.
3. O Stream of Life! the violet springs
But once beside thy bed;

But one brief summer, on thy path,
The dews of heaven are shed.

4. Thy parent fountains shrink away,
And close their crystal veins,

And where thy glittering current flowed
The dust alone remains.

1. Crystal, shrink, glittering, current.

2. What two streams are contrasted in this poem? Explain the contrast. What is meant by "crystal veins"? How long is the "one brief summer"?

XCIV. THE LITTLE DOUGLASS.

PART I.

1. King James did not always show himself so kind and merciful as in the adventure with John Howieson. Though in general, and for those times, a just, wise, and generous monarch, he was in some cases very stern, stubborn, and revengeful. In his early youth he had been wronged and really oppressed by the Douglasses, the most powerful and unruly family in Scotland, and from the time when he made his escape from them and set up as an independent king, he devoted himself to humbling and subduing those enemies of his kingdom.

2. It may have been a great and good work for the people, but it hardened his naturally kind heart, and left in some instances a reproach upon his memory. He seized upon the estates of all the Douglasses, drove them out of the kingdom, and took an oath that he would never employ or show favor to any one who bore the hated name. How well he kept this vow we shall see in the following story:

3. Among the banished Douglasses there was one who had been a great favorite with the king, on account of his manly qualities, his personal strength, and his skill in all warlike exercises. This was Archibald Douglass of Kilspindie. The king used to make much of him on all occasions of hunts and

tournaments, and on his part Archibald was devotedly attached to the king, and never lent his countenance to any plot against him.

4. Notwithstanding, when his great family was disgraced, not even he was excepted, but sternly driven into exile with the rest, King James being resolved to spare not even his friend for whom his heart secretly pleaded. So Archibald of Kilspindie was obliged to seek a refuge in England, where he remained several years.

5. At length, getting to be an old man, and pining to see his dear country once more and the king whom, for all his harshness, he yet loved, he resolved to return to Scotland and make one last attempt to touch his sovereign's heart.

6. He went to Stirling, and one day, when the king was returning from the chase, threw himself in his way. James knew him at a distance, and said, with a smile, "See, yonder is my brave Greysteel!"—a name he had himself given him. But the next moment he remembered his vow and hardened his heart. When he met his old servant he pretended not to recognize him, but put spurs to his horse and rode fast up the hill to his castle.

7. Poor old Archibald wore a heavy coat of mail under his clothes, but his heart so yearned for a reconciliation with his king that he would not let him pass, but ran along by his side and kept up

with him, looking into his face, now and then, with wistful, heart-breaking expression.

*

Douglass without word or look. The old man sank at the gate exhausted, and faintly asked for a glass of wine, but the warder gruffly refused him this charitable courtesy, and sent him away. King James afterward reprimanded his servant for such inhospitality, but with little reason. "Like master,

like man."

9. The king was the more angry at this attempt to soften his heart because he was conscious that he did wrong in resisting it, and the next day he sent word to old Archibald that he must prepare to go again into exile, this time to France. After this cruel act he went out to amuse himself with hunting. He rode furiously all the afternoon, and said nothing pleasant to anyone.

1. Stubborn, revengeful, independent, trembling, reproach, tournaments, devotedly, sovereign's, recognize, yearned, reconciliation, courtesy, reprimanded.

2. Was it right to punish a whole race for what one or two had done? What is " a coat of mail?" Why was it worn?

So nigh is grandeur to our dust,
So near is God to man,

When Duty whispers low, "Thou must,"
The youth replies, "I can!"