102 I GO A -FISHING. 



and so on, which we used for choosing a runner ; and 

 Latin hymns are always more firmly fixed in my memory 

 than English." 



The Doctor. "Philip, you were abusing the 'Dies Irae' 

 the other day." 



Philip. " Not abusing, Doctor ; I was differing from 

 you when you spoke of it as the finest of the mediaeval 

 hymns." 



The Doctor. " That is abuse. It's always acknowl- 

 edged to be the finest." 



Philip. " So you said." 



The Doctor. " Don't you believe it ?" 



Philip. " I told you no." 



The Doctor. "Why not, man? Speak out. You aren't 

 used to be afraid to express an opinion." 



Philip. " My good fellow, don't bother about my opin- 

 ions. You and John agree about the 'Dies Ira,' and want 

 to drag me into a debate." 



Steenburger. " Not a bit of it, Phil ; but you will con- 

 fess it is a remarkably strong piece of Latin rhyme ; the 

 most musical, in fact, that we have." 



Philip. " I disagree with you ; and, since you will have 

 it, I'll give you my opinion in plain words. I think the 

 'Dies Iras' has a reputation founded on but little. Its long 

 use in the Christian world as a funeral hymn has made it 

 almost sacred. But if produced now for the first time it 

 would be justly and severely criticised. The Latin is bad, 

 of course, because it is mediaeval. The expressions are 

 variable — sometimes very strong, sometimes weak, some- 

 times worse than weak. The rhymes are abominable." 



Steenburger {starting up). " What do you mean by 

 that? They're the finest rhymes conceivable." 



Philip. "John, do me the favor to open that Breviary 



