Page 144 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

Bui lo, escaped from the weapons of the Greeks, wif.li his
own hands drags along the sac:red vessels, his vanquished gods, and
his little grandson. and comes running to niv door, “ How stands the
O r *1 ^
fortune of the Stale, Panihens? What stronghold are wc lo seize?”
Scarce had I spoken the words, when, with a groan, he answers :
41 Troy has reached lier final day nnd her inevitable hour. The
Trojans are no more. Iiium is no more. Rclcairiess Jove has trans­
ferred all power to Argos; the Greeks lord it in the city they have
fired, The horse, erect in the heart of the town, pours forth from its
height armed men, and Si non, now a conqueror, insolent:/ flings the
flames abroad, Some are crowding- in at ike double gates, all the
thousands that ever came from proud Mycenrs ; others with their
weapons have barred the narrower streets; the sharp sword with
glittering blade is drawn and fixed, prepared to kill. The guards
at the gates hardly attempt a contest! 11
By such words and by the will of Heaven, I am carried into the
flames and the firdil, whiilier the fell furv of battle calls me. Comrades
O -1
join me. When I saw that they formed a band, and were bold
for battle, to incite them further : '• Warriors,” I began, 14 hearts most
valiant, you see what is the state of our fortunes; the gods by whom
this realm stood last, have all departed, and ief: the sanctuaries and
shrines. Ilasie yc, to succor a city that is set on fire! Let us rush
into the thickest of the fight and, if need be, die! "
Thereupon, like ravening wolves, v/C make our way through
weapons, through foes, and press or. to the centre of the city. Who
in words could describe the carnage o.l that night? An ancient city
is falling ! Helpless forms in vast numbers are stretched on all sides,
throughout the streets, the houses, and the hallowed thresholds of the
gods. Nor from 1 be Troj.-.ms on!y is exacted the penally of blood.
Sometimes tu the hearts of the vanquished also valor returns, and the
victorious Greeks fall. Everywhere is cruel woe; everywhere is panic
and death in many a shape.
When the night is spent, 1 find with as ton^sh merit that a vast number
have flock cd to join me, both matrons £uld husbands; a band of men