XVII. THE RIVER. BY PAUL H. HAYNE.' ["Man's life is like a River, which likewise hath its Seasons, or phases of progress: first, its Spring rise, gentle and beautiful; next, its Summer, of eventful maturity, mixed calm and storm, followed by Autumnal decadence and mists of Winter, after which cometh the allembracing Sea, type of that mystery we call Eternity!"] Up among the dew-lit fallows Slight but fair it took its rise, And through rounds of golden shallows Merged and mellowed into one, Flashed the shafts from sundown's quiver,' Royal breadths of sky-born blushes Shone the snow-white swans at rest; How earth's wild, sweet voices rang! 5 10 15 80 Till the strong, swift, glorious river Nay; a something born of shadow And the smiling heavens waxed dim Out of dreamy cloudlands dun, Came a low gust moaning leaward, Chilling leaf and sun. Then, from gloom to gloom intenser, Thence, to softer scenes it wandered, Slow it wound now, slow and slower In and out the cordial river Strayed in peaceful curves that won Glory from the great Life-giver, Beauty from the sun! Thence again with quaintest ranges, Longed to meet the mightier main, Mingled with his grand refrain ; Oh, the languid, lapsing river, Weak of pulse and soft of tune— Lo! the sun hath set forever, Lo! the ghostly moon! But thenceforth through moon and starlight Sudden-swift the streamlet's sweep; Yearning for the mystic far light, Pining for the solemn deep; While the old strength gathers o'er it, And in pallid mist before it Fade the phantom shows of time— Till, with one last, eddying quiver, All its checkered journey done, Seaward breaks the ransomed river, Goal and grave are won! 10 15 20 25 30 XVIII. SPEECH ON A RESOLUTION TO PUT VIRGINIA INTO A STATE OF DEFENCE. BY PATRICK HENRY.' But 5 MR. PRESIDENT,-No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining, as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this coun- 10 try. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great re-15 sponsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the Majesty of Heaven, which I20 revere above all earthly kings. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren' till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of 25 wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging 10 by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British Ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately 15 received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are 20 fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation—the last argu-25 ments to which kings resort. I ask, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumu-30 lation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British Ministry have been so |