And laughed in death-pang, that his blade Now toil'd the Bruce, the battle done, Fell faintly on his ear! "Save, save his life," he cried, "Oh! save Helm, cuish, and breast-plate, stream'd with gore; He strove, even then, to couch his lance :— The effort was in vain! The spur-stroke fail'd to rouse the horse; Then foremost was the generous Bruce, My sovereign's charge, and adverse fate, As boon from ancient comrade, crave,— Bruce press'd his dying hand :-its grasp It stiffen'd and grew cold ; And, "Oh! farewell!" the victor cried, "Of chivalry the flower and pride, The arm in battle bold, The courteous mien, the noble race, EXERCISE VII.-SPEECH AGAINST WRITS OF ASSISTANCE.-Otis. [This exercise is introduced for the sake of practice in the direct tones of actual business, and as a means of avoiding a uniform declamatory swell. To speak such a piece with sustained force and spirit, is an attainment of higher merit, than to recite well the most brilliant passage of poetry.] May it please your Honours, I was desired by one of the court to look into the books, and consider the question now before them, concerning writs of assistance. I have accordingly considered it, and now appear not only in obedience to your order, but likewise in behalf of the inhabitants of this town, who have presented another petition, and out of regard to the liberties of the subject. And I take this opportunity to declare, that, whether under a fee or not, (for, in such a case as this, I despise a fee,) I will, to my dying day, oppose with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand, and villany on the other, as this writ of assistance is. It appears to me the worst instrument of arbitrary power,the most destructive of English liberty, and the fundamental principles of law, that ever was found in an English lawbook. I must therefore beg your Honours' patience and attention to the whole range of an argument that may perhaps appear uncommon, in many things, as well as to points of learning that are more remote and unusual, that the whole tendency of my design may be the more easily perceived, the conclusions better descend, and the force of them be better felt. I shall not think much of my pains in this cause, as I engaged in it from principle. I was solicited to argue this cause as 'advocate general;' and, because I would not, I have been charged with desertion from my office. To this charge I can give a very sufficient answer. I renounced that office, and I argue this cause, from the same principle; and I argue it with the greater pleasure, as it is in favour of British liberty, at a time when we hear the greatest monarch on earth, declaring from the throne, that he glories in the name of Briton, and that the privileges of his people are dearer to him than the most valuable prerogatives of his crown; and it is in opposition to a kind of power, the exercise of which, in former periods of English history, cost one king of England his head, and another his throne. I have taken more pains in this cause, than I ever will take * Boston. again; although my engaging in this, and another popular cause, has raised much resentment. But I think I can sincerely declare, that I submit myself to every odious name for conscience' sake; and, from my soul, I despise all those whose guilt, or malice, or folly, has made them my foes. Let the consequences be what they will, I am determined to proceed. The only principles of public conduct, that are worthy of a gentleman or a man, are to sacrifice estate, ease, health, applause, and even life, at the sacred call of his country. EXERCISE VIII.-BERNARDO AND KING ALPHONSO.-Translated by Lockhart. [To avoid sing-song tone, is the great point for practice, in pieces such as this, and to give the emotion, with full, vivid modulation.] With some good ten of his chosen men, Bernardo hath appeared, Before them all in the palace hall, The lying king to beard; He came in reverend guise, And flame broke from his eyes. "A curse upon thee," cries the king, But what from traitor's blood should spring, His sire, lords, had a traitor's heart,- May think it were a pious part 66 Whoever told this tale The king hath rashness to repeat," Before the liar's feet. No treason was in Sancho's blood, No stain in mine doth lie, Below the throne, what knight will own "The blood that I like water shed, When Roland did advance, By secret traitors brought and led, I saved at Ronceval, Your words, lord king, were recompense 66 Your horse was down,-your hope was flown, Ye saw the falchion shine, That soon had drunk your royal blood, Had I not ventured mine. But memory, soon, of service done, Deserteth the ingrate; And ye've thanked the son for life and crown, "Ye swore upon your kingly faith, To set Don Sancho free; But, curse upon your paltering breath! Were all they gave to me: "The king that swerveth from his word, No Spanish lord shall draw his sword But noble vengeance shall be mine; The king hath injured Carpio's line, And Bernard is his foe!" Seize, seize him!" loud the king doth scream,— "There are a thousand here,— Let his foul blood this instant stream, What! caitiffs, do ye fear? Seize, seize the traitor!" But not one To move a finger dareth: Bernardo standeth by the throne, And calm his sword he bareth. He drew the falchion from its sheath, And all the hall was still as death:- And here's the sword that owns no lord, Fain would I know who dares its point,- Then to his mouth his horn he drew,- "Ha! Bernard!" quoth Alphonso, Ye know your worth I prize!"- EXERCISE IX.-VALUE OF DECISION AND INTREPIDITY.-Walsh. [The following piece is designed for practice in the style of animated narrative. It differs from Exercise I., in possessing more energy of tone, and a livelier movement of voice. A distinct and spirited enunciation of every word, is, in this and similar exercises, indispensable to appropriate elocution.] The election of Gomez Pedraza to the presidency of Mexico, was not acquiesced in by the people; and from discontent and murmurs, they soon proceeded to open revolt. At night, they took possession of the artillery barracks, a large building, commonly called the 'Accordada,' which is so situated at the termination of the main street, that a battery erected opposite to it commanded the palace. Near the Accordada, is the Alameda, a public walk, about three-quarters of a mile in circumference, and ornamented with noble trees. The action commenced here, after a vain attempt on the part of the government to negotiate with the people. The government forces were driven out of the Alameda, and batteries established higher up the street. The second day, the troops of the Accordada, commanded by Zavala and Lobato, advanced towards the centre of the |