The morning call., 1893-04-18

brighter brains than mine to working: But
see. Venus follows Mars-a pretty picture
a dainty thought
THE dancing girls? Aye, and they say
Georgius AlexanGru5 and Amadeus Joul-
linus had the selecting of them. Ihey are.
indeed, pretty contrast to the heavily
armed soldiery, | grant thee"
Truly; and yet more to yon black slaves
from the latest conquered province In lar
Their Africa. How must Rome. in all her
pomp to-day, strike the eye OF such captlves,
l wonder? The outer skin may be differ
ent in hue. but the heart"
'Have done with thy moralizing, old
philosopher. Thou wilt miss the sacred
virgins, an thou takest not care.
The vestal YiTginsl guardians OF the
sacred fire, memorial OF the Immortal hold
the gods ever keep upon mortals. Already
we are beginning TO mock al the deltleS OF
our fathers, but new gods-and yet the
same-will arise. As the sacred hams IN
the capitol is never eXtnguished from
generation to generation, so are Inc gouS
eternal. Rome may fall"
List! an appropriate ode, was it not,
Flaccus. and we'll rendered. too? Dost
know who wrote il? l cannot help but
hum that musical cadence:
Phe5us, Dian. forest Queen,
Hear us IN THIS sacred houri
'Phebus, Dian. forest queen why that
is mine! 1t is my ode they sing"
II thought l recognized thy mastery
touch. old friend. Optime. Optime, | say.
Here, friends is the poet Of the vestals !
They will crown thee with laurel; see,
Cesar himself signs approval Wrre not
thy fortune already made as client Of
M9cenas, it were made now, truly"
Then thou thinkesJ they recognize the
ring of some little merit in my poor verse,
Gains"
Think, man Why, 1t is a gem, classic.
and Will be chanted in colseums hundreds
OF years to come, when this great pile has
crumhed into dust"
Ere perennius. more lasting than
brass, - murmured the gratifed poet. 81
thank thee, good Caius. as l thank the citi-
zens here for this grateful guerdon Of
praise"
"Bnt hither come tie athletes; stout fell
lows, are they not? Thews like iron bands
covered with satil. Good material this for
ROme'S future corquests."
And seel the Lady Candida leans for
ward. How eagerly she scans the ranks of
gallant youths. l wonder which one has
been fortunate enough to win her interest."
Il believe thou art jealous of that I'M
known youth. old FIaccus. Time was when
thou vert more indulgent to youth and
beauty remembered thou not:
Nor scorn thou, youth loves war to wage
The dance-the sweet caress-
While yet thy Yigor dauuts boar age
And ages feebIeuess.
'But, Caius. thou forgettest that the
verse continues:
Let fitting cares thy DAYS control
The race-the tOurney-lisu.
And thou, thyself, forgettest the closing
OF that very verse:
But softer whispers thrill thy soul
At twilight at the tryst;
The laugh betrayiug She turks nigh
All boy, for such JOYS live
Or keepsakes reft OF nngers shy
That, While denying. give!
Enough, enough. friendl' besought the
poet, flushed with qualification at thus
being beaten with his own weapons. 1.-The
foolish lines come to thy tongue right read
lily; 'twould take a Cicero TO discomfort such
artlul reasoning. L will let Candida be,
though just now l thought detected a re-
.polsive glance In her direction launched
By one of those tall and shapely athletic
Vlct0rs."
AYE. and yon ancient Sibyl in the upper
tier marked that meaning interchange of