Voices for the Speechless Part 8

_Measure for Measure_, Act 2, Sc. 2.

QUESTIONS.

Is there not something in the pleading eye Of the poor brute that suffers, which arraigns The law that bids it suffer? Has it not A claim for some remembrance in the book, That fills its pages with the idle words Spoken of man? Or is it only clay, Bleeding and aching in the potter's hand, Yet all his own to treat it as he will, And when he will to cast it at his feet, Shattered, dishonored, lost for evermore?

My dog loves me, but could he look beyond His earthly master, would his love extend To Him who--Hush! I will not doubt that He Is better than our fears, and will not wrong The least, the meanest of created things.

O. W. HOLMES.

HEROES.

The heroes are not all six feet tall, Large souls, may dwell in bodies small, The heart that will melt with sympathy For the poor and the weak, whoe'er it be, Is a thing of beauty, whether it shine In a man of forty or lad of nine.

_Scattered Seed._

FOR THE SAKE OF THE INNOCENT ANIMALS.

During his march to conquer the world, Alexander, the Macedonian, came to a people in Africa, who dwelt in a remote and secluded corner, in peaceful huts, and knew neither war nor conqueror. They led him to the hut of their chief, and placed before him golden dates, golden figs, and bread of gold.

"Do you eat gold in this country?" said Alexander. "I take it for granted,"

replied the chief, "that thou wert able to find eatables in thine own country. For what reason, then, art thou come among us?" "Your gold has not tempted me hither," said Alexander; "but I would become acquainted with your manner and customs." "So be it," rejoined the other; "sojourn among us as long as it pleaseth thee." At, the close of this conversation two citizens entered, as into their court of justice. The plaintiff said: "I bought of this man a piece of land, and as I was making a deep drain through it, I found a treasure. This is not mine, for I only bargained for the land, and not for any treasure that might be concealed beneath it; and yet the former owner of the land will not receive it." The defendant answered: "I hope I have a conscience as well as my fellow-citizen. I sold him the land with all its contingent, as well as existing advantages, and consequently the treasure inclusively."

The chief, who was also their supreme judge, recapitulated their words, in order that the parties might see whether or not he understood them aright.

Then, after some reflection, he said, "Thou hast a son, friend, I believe?"

"Yes." "And thou (addressing the other) a daughter?" "Yes." "Well, then, let thy son marry thy daughter, and bestow the treasure on the young couple for a marriage portion." Alexander seemed surprised and perplexed. "Think you my sentence unjust?" the chief asked him. "Oh, no!" replied Alexander; "but it astonishes me." "And how, then," rejoined the chief, "would the case have been decided in your country?" "To confess the truth," said Alexander, "we should have taken both into custody, and have seized the treasure for the king's use." "For the king's use!" exclaimed the chief.

"Does the sun shine on that country?" "Oh, yes." "Does it rain there?"

"a.s.suredly." "Wonderful! But are there tame animals in the country that live on the gra.s.s and green herbs?" "Very many, and of many kinds." "Ay, that must then be the cause," said the chief; "for the sake of those innocent animals the all-gracious Being continues to let the sun shine and the rain drop down on your own country, since its inhabitants are unworthy of such blessings."

UNKNOWN.

RING OUT.

Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the n.o.bler modes of life, _With sweeter manners, purer laws._

Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, _Ring in the common love of good._

Ring in the valiant man and free, _The larger heart, the kindlier hand;_ Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.

A. TENNYSON.

FAME AND DUTY.

"What shall I do, lest life in silence pa.s.s?"

"And if it do, And never prompt the bray of noisy bra.s.s, What need'st thou rue?

Remember, aye the ocean-deeps are mute; The shallows roar: Worth is the ocean,--fame is but the bruit Along the sh.o.r.e."

"What shall I do to be forever known?"

"Thy duty ever."

"This did full many who yet slept unknown."

"Oh, never, never!

Think'st thou perchance that they remain unknown Whom thou know'st not?

By angel trumps in heaven their praise is blown-- Divine their lot."

"What shall I do to gain eternal life?"

"Discharge aright _The simple dues with which each day is rife, Yea, with thy might_.

Ere perfect scheme of action thou devise, Will life be fled, Where he, who ever acts as conscience cries, Shall live though dead."

SCHILLER.

NO CEREMONY.

No ceremony that to great ones 'longs, Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Become them with one half so good a grace As mercy does. If he had been as you, And you as he, you would have slipt like him; But he, like you, would not have been so stern.

_Measure for Measure_, Act 2, Sc. 2.

TRUE LEADERS.

Languor is not in your heart, Weakness is not in your word, Weariness not in your brow.

Ye alight in our van! at your voice.

Panic, despair flee away.

Ye move through the ranks, recall The stragglers, refresh the outworn, Praise, reinspire the brave.

Order, courage return; Eyes rekindling, and prayers Follow your steps as you go.

Ye fill up the gaps in our files, Strengthen the wavering line, Stablish, continue our march, On, to the bound of the waste, On, to the City of G.o.d.

MATTHEW ARNOLD.

BE KIND TO DUMB CREATURES.

A SONG.

Be kind to dumb creatures, be gentle, be true, For food and protection they look up to you; For affection and help to your bounty they turn.

Oh, do not their trusting hearts wantonly spurn!