Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt:...Hill? At Rome Yon petty Steep in truth the fearful Rock, Tarpeian named of yore, and keeping still That name, a local Phantom proud to mock The Traveller's expectation!--Could our Will Destroy the ideal Power within, 'twere done Thro' what men see and touch,--slaves wandering on, Impelled by thirst of all but Heaven-taught skill. Full oft, our wish obtained, deeply we sigh; Yet not unrecompensed are they who learn, From that depression raised, to mount on high With stronger wing, more clearly to discern Sternal things; and, if need be, defy Change, with a brow not insolent, though stern. Those old credulities, to nature dear, Niebuhr's Shall they no longer bloom upon the stock History of Of History, stript naked as a rock ome 'Mid a dry desert i What is it we hear? The glory of Infant Rome must disappear, Her morning splendours vanish, and their place Know them no more. If Truth, who veiled herface With those bright beams yet hid it not, must steer Henceforth a humbler course perplexed and slow; One solace yet remains for us who came Into this world in days when story lacked Severe research, that in our hearts we know How, for exciting youth's heroic flame, Assent is power, belief the soul of fact. Legends of Complacent Fictions were they, yet the same Early Rome Involved a history of no doubtful sense, History that proves by inward evidence From what a precious source of truth it came. Ne'er could the boldest Eulogist have dared Such deeds to paint, such characters to frame, But for coeval sympathy prepared To greet with instant faith their loftiest claim. None but a noble people could have loved Flattery in Ancient Rome's pure-minded style: Not in like sort the Runic Scald was moved; He, nursed 'mid savage passions that defile Humanity, sang...