Reformer none could Athens boast And, deeper than did ever plummet sound, 62 The Academicians shall be regarded for their modesty of opinion and rational theology; the Peripatetics for their natural science and logic; the stoics for their belief of a particular providence, and their doctrine of fortitude; (up to that sublime point, beyond which stoicism ceases to be a virtue!) the Epicureans for their refined idea of enjoy. ment, and the Pythagoreans for their instinctive tenderness to the whole animal creation, of itself a religion to soften the cruelty of man!.. 63 The morning of October 27, 1553, broke over Geneva with the calm sweetness of autumn in that delightful country. In this beauty and repose of nature a man was seen tottering from the prison-gate to the council-chamber. He was in the summer of his days, but wasted to a skeleton, and his hair had become white in his chains. The eye fell on piles of oak wood, still in leaf, and a stake with a block and iron chains. The hour was come, and the man. A damp, smoky blaze, drifted heavily upwards; a wild, agonizing shriek for mercy and of despair burst above through smoke and flame, piercing the ears of the crowd, who "fell back with a shudder!" the sun shone brightly overhead; the clock of St. Peter's tower struck twelve-and the soul of Servetus went to its own place! Where was the fanatical and ferocious Frenchman who proclaimed himself a chosen minister, elect and precious, of the Prince of Peace? Where was the High Priest of D Was virtue loved for virtue's sake.64 Her august, heroic story 65 Wins for Britons crowns of glory, the Geneva Inquisition, who, to his last hour gloried in the awful guilt of this appalling martyrdom ?" Servetus," says M. Audin, "appeared before God, and Calvin closed the window, where he had come to seat himself to assist at the last agonies of his enemy.". .... "I am able to assure you," wrote Calvin, jocosely, "that they have acted very humanely towards the guilty (viz. one of the reformer's heretics!); they hoist him up upon the stake, and cause him to lose the earth by suspending him from the two arms." How quietly facetious is this tale of swinging and torture! No wonder that it was a common saying in Geneva (a fact recorded even by Calvin's apologists, who have suppressed, and given a false colouring, as best suited their crooked purpose), "It were better to be with Beza in hell than with Calvin in heaven." But why in hell? Not, we fain hope, for writing a few rather free pieces, (see his Poemata, 1548) which bringing scandal and reproach upon him, he suppressed in subsequent editions. If loose lyrics, be such a crying sin how will fare little Tom, alias Tom Little? ... "Ah, Tam! ah, Tam! thou'lt get thy fairin!, In hell they'll roast thee like a herrin!" 64 Most of the Orations of Demosthenes enforce this principle; more particularly, that of the crown, that against Aristocrates, that for the immunities, and the Philippics. All antiquity has taught, Every noble deed and thought Time has to your treasury brought- With hand most reverent sweep the dust! Cast the weeds, but spare the flowers.68 (Mr. Motley the inquisitor!) 65 The Athenians were a politic as well as brave people; and when Timagoras, who was sent by them as ambassador to the King of Persia, had the imprudence to degrade his country by the act of prostration, he was condemned to die on his return... 66 When Zeno consulted the oracle in what manner he should live, the answer was, that he should inquire of the dead. "Lives of great men all remind us Foot-prints on the sands of time!" 67 Cato determined not to outlive his liberty; Themistocles refused to survive his honor. The death of the Roman was noble; that of the Athenian nobler still. 68 Is fickle fortune cross or kind, Or foul or fair the wanton wind, With leisure that no tedium knows, That ne'er deceive, and ne'er can die! I the pabulum am after Looking that I live on-Laughter! Hither flock the village fry! With an appetite and swallow 69 Enter Gaffer Grig, followed by the Town's-folk. 1st Townsman. Neighbour neighbour ! What new mountain is in labour? Is the earthquake coming down? Is the comet's tail in town? Here I am Would I with fairy fancy stray, Would I a pensive hour beguile, And would I in the vista bright Keep heaven, my happy home! in sight, Of the Lion and Lamb! And scarlet Dick And Trimming Tib, And Mat the Miller and his rib! That makes you shiver and shake in your shoes! And, Goodman Grig, Disorders your wig! SONG, Gaffer Grig. The day is fast coming of doom, The Castle's astonish'd! astounded! From the Master of Horse to the Groom Answer I'll not for a sound head! For suddenly came marching in, Surely the couple were crazy! Religion opes her page, and see, Withdraws the veil 'twixt heaven and me! Friends! and old familiar faces Fortune keep you in your places! pray that we may never part Till heaves with life's last throb my heart. Uncle Timothy. 69 Pamphlet. "Believe it!-believe any thing; no swallow like a true born Englishman's: a man in a quart bottle, or a victory, it's all one-down it goes."-The Upholsterer, by Arthur Murphy. Act 2. Scene 1. |