312 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



On flattery fed, from cradle unto youth, 



Thence unto manhood, thence unto the grave 



Though clad in royal pomp, still unadorn'd, 



And flaunting with a hundred baubles poor 



Of lawless, vain, and weak self-seeking praise. 



Still flatter'd, and himself ambitious still, 



He sought the basest and the worst applause, 



Of hypocrite, of liar, and of slave. 



Led on from day to day with vile delight, 



By impious thoughts, and still more crying deeds, 



He restless grew, his death, unwitting, sought. 



The Isles of oreece had heard Salmoneus' fame, 



Her sons responded, and obey'd his call. 



The " miracle " he promis'd was his death. 



No miracle beside was ever seen, 



Or else, in truth, our God had been no God. 



The day appointed, the loud cry went forth 



O'er land and sea, far as Egean bounds, 



Proclaiming wonders, miracles, and fetes, 



To be perform'd by great Salmoneus. 



Surrounded by a burning flame of fire, 



Thunder abnormous, lightnings wonderful, 



And other marvels yet more strange- --convincing : 



And he, th' aspiring criminal, upborne, 



In middle air, from Arcady the blest, 



Should mount on high, and touch the gates of bliss ! 



Of brass a bridge, of sound funereal, 



Was made and finished by unletter'd men, 



Some thousands of artificers well skill'd. 



This had they flung o'er the obedient waves ; 



And now the mighty work was all complete. 



His chariot o'er this new-constructed work 



Was now to be propelled, to raise such sounds 



Of deep and hollow and portentous noise, 



That Heaven and earth, old ocean and the sky, 



Should move and bow obedient unto him. 



But our REVEALED GOD he knew not, knowing 



But Jove alone, and Jove alone he fear'd, 



Whose power he claim'd to wield eternal fires. 



The day the hour the time was come, and thousands 



On thousands hurried forth, and with a voice 



As one, confused and hoarse and dissonant, 



Anticipating wonders, rent the air. 



The sun had risen from the orient wave, 



His car more glorious, brighter than his wont, 



And all was streaming light and teeming day, 



When signal now was made to Elis' son. 



The scene was render'd awful to the sight 



By fears instinct and dread disquietudes, 



That steal unbidden through the heart of him 



Who once surveys a festival of guilt ! 



One vastly peopled plain beneath appear'd, 



Which, far as eye might reach, was spread before. 



The city in her matron pride was deck'd 



For the great show about to be begun ; 



Her towers reflected bright the sun's warm rays, 



The walls were crowded, and a huddling mass 



