the borders of his native land, he gave himself neither to ambition nor to glory; though basely treated, he gave not way to despondency or revenge; though of the highest genius in poetry, he gave it not license to sing his own deeds, nor to ennoble any worldly sentiment or attachment of the human heart, however virtuous or honorable, but constrained it to sing the praises of God and the victories of the right hand of the Lord of hosts, and His admirable works which are old from everlasting. The force of his character was vast, and the scope of his life was immense. His harp was full-stringed, and every angel of joy or of sorrow swept over the chords as he passed, but the melody always breathed of Heaven. And such oceans of affection lay within his breast as could not always slumber in their calmness; for the hearts of a hundred men strove and struggled together within the narrow confines of his single heart. And will the scornful man have no sympathy for one so conditioned, but scorn him because he ruled not with constant quietness the unruly host of divers natures which dwelt within his soul? Of self-command he surely will not be held deficient who endured Saul's javelin to be so often launched at him, while the people without were willing to hail him king; who endured all bodily hardships and taunts of his enemies when revenge was in his hand, and ruled his desperate band, and restrained them from their country's injury. But that he should be able to enact all characters without a fault, the simple shepherd, the conquering hero, and the romantic lover; the perfect friend, the innocent outcast, and the royal monarch; the poet and the prophet; and withal the man, the man of vast soul, who played not these parts by turns, but was the original of them all, and wholly present in them all,-oh! that he should have fulfilled this high-priesthood of humanity, this universal ministry of manhood, without an error, were Inore than human! With the defence of his backslidings, which he hath himself more keenly scrutinized, more clearly discerned against, and more bitterly lamented than any of his censors, we do not charge ourselves; but if, when he became convinced of these acts, he be found less true to God, and to righteousness; indisposed to repentance, and sorrow, and anguish; exculpatory of himself; stout-hearted in his courses; a formalist in his penitence, or in any way less worthy in those than in the rest of his infinite moods, then let his Psalms become legends or what you please. But if those penitential Psalms lay bare the iron ribs of misery whereon the very heart dissolveth, then, we say, let us keep these records of the Psalmist's grief and despondency as the most precious of his utterances. EDWARD IRVING 56 SOLOMON AND HIS SAGES One day the Queen of Sheba gave Solomon a ring, with many score of oxen. She bade him bestow it on the wisest of his sages. So Solomon commanded his wise men to appear before him on the feast of the full moon. They came from Bethel and Dan, the court and the school of the prophets. Then King Solomon, arrayed in his regal robes, sat on his throne, the sceptre of Israel in his right hand. The Queen of Sheba sat beside him. He commanded his sages to speak. Many opened their mouths, and discoursed most eloquently; they told of many things. The eyes of the queen shone like dew-drops which quiver at sunrise on the peachblossoms. Solomon was sad. At last one arose of courtly mien. He told of wondrous cities in far-off lands; how the sun scalds the dew in Sahara; how it forsakes the chill North for whole months, leaving the cold moon in its place; he spoke of the fleets that go down to the sea; he told how they weave wax at Tyrus, spin gold at Ophir; of the twisted shell that comes from Oroba, and the linen in Egypt that endures the fire; he spoke of fleets, of laws, of the art that makes men happy. 66 Truly, he is wise," said the king. others speak." "But let Another came forth; he was young in years, his cheek was burning with enthusiasm, the fire of genius shone in his eye, like the day-star when all the others are swallowed up in light. He spoke of the works of the great One; told how the cedar of Lebanon, when the sun kisses its forehead, lifts up its great arms with a shout, shaking off the feathery snow in winter, or the pearly dew of autumn, to freshen the late river that glistens at its foot. He spoke of the elephant, the antelope, the jackal, the camel, the eagle; he knew them all. He told of the fish that make glad the waters as the seasons dance and frolic round about their heads. He sang in liquid softness of the daughters of air who melt the heaven into song; he rose to the stars, spoke of old chaos, of the world, of the ladder Jacob saw. "He is wiser than Solomon," said the king; "to him belongs the prize." But at that moment some men in humble garb brought a stranger unwillingly along. His raiment was poor, but comely and snow-white. The seal of labor was on his hand; the dust of travel covered his sandals. His beard, long and silvery, went down to his girdle; a sweet smile, like a sleeping infant's, sat unconscious on his lip. As he leaned on his shepherd's staff in the gay court, a blush stole over his cheek. "I have nothing to say," exclaimed the hoary man. "I know only how unwise and frail I am. I am no sage." And Solomon's countenance rose. "By the sceptre of Elshaddai, I charge thee to speak, thou ancient man." Then he began: "My study is myself; my acts, my sentiments. I learn how frail I am; I of myself can know nothing. I listen to that voice within, and I know all; I can do all." Then he spoke of his glees, his glooms, and his hopes; his aspirations, his faith. He spoke of nature, the modest trees, the pure, golden stars. When he came to Him who is All in All, he bowed his face and was dumb. 66 Give him the ring," said Solomon. "He knows himself; he is the wisest. The spirit of the Holy is in him." "Take back thy gift," said the sage; "I need it not. He that knows himself needs no reward,he knows God, he sees the All of things. Alas! I do but feebly know myself-I deserve no ring. Let me return to my home and my duty." ANONYMOUS 57 SOLOMON AND THE SOWER In open field King Solomon Beneath the sky sets up his throne; |