/i. AN EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOEY, IN VERSE. DESiaNED EXPEESSLY FOE THE YOUNG, AEEANGED UPON A PLAN APFORDING- ASSISTANCE TO MEMOEY_, WITH MARGINAL DATES^ AND AN INDEX TO THE MOST IMPORTANT CHAEACTEES AND EVENTS IN THE HISTOET OP THE WORLD BY ALFEED H. EJ^GELBACH. LO^-DON": GEOOMBEIDQE AND SONS, PATERNOSTEE EOW. MDCCCLXII. -ES. HAEKILD, p«^^!(JeR, LONDOI^. •7 ' j 3 ^^ PREFACE. History^ not Poetry^ has been the Autlior^s object in tMs epitome : it does not aspire to tlie rank of Poems from His- tory ; it is simply History in Yerse. It is written expressly for the young, and is designed to fta-nish the means either of committing to memory, of at least of impressing more forcibly on the mind, the chief historical events and characters presenting themselves in the course of ordinary and more detailed study. In carrying out this design, the Author has endeavoured to keep the following ends in view : — 1. To present to his young readers a summary of uni- versal history, in which they might be imperceptibly led to recognize all nations as one great family, scattered indeed over the face of the earth, yet ever acting in subservience to the will and designs of the Father and Creator of all. 2. To interweave throughout some thoughts of holy things, and some simple and even trite reflections, such as may commend themselves to a youthful mind ; so as to lead the reader beyond the dry region of mere facts and dates and even mere worldly consequences, to which school his- tories are too often Hmited. IV PREEACE. 3. To lead young minds to form just estimates of the chief characters in history^ and thus to guard them against the too common error of confounding mere celebrity with true greatness. 4. To introduce occasional sketches of the contemporary history of various states,, so as to convey some vivid impres- sions of the relative epochs of their rise and fall. It has been sought^ by means of frequent changes in the metre^ and by the subdivision of the work into sections of no great length (many, indeed^ sufficiently short to be learned by heart) J to give the volume a character as light and attrac- tive as possible, and thus to amuse as well as to instruct. The insertion, in a margin specially appropriated for the purpose, of nearly a thousand dates, carefully selected and revised, may give the work an additional claim to usefulness, where more elaborate books of reference may not be at hand. The table of contents will serve to indicate the general aim and extent of the work; and although differences of opinion must necessarily exist upon such a point as the selection of subjects sufficiently important to claim a place in a field hmited to the compass of some 300 pages, it is hoped that the care and thought bestowed upon this point have at least prevented the omission of any events, which can claim to be of paramount importance in the history of the world. London, 8e])tember, 1862. CONTENTS, Introduction ... PAET I. The First Foiar Thoxisand Tears The First Thousand . The Second Thousand . The Flood . The Dispersion The Third Thousand . Abraham Israel in Egypt The Promised Land The Fourth Thousand . Judah and Israel . Persia and Greece . Greece and Eome . Darius .... The Four Kingdoms of Daniel PAET n. ANCIENT GREECE. The Mythic Age . States of Greece . PAGE IX. 15 16 17 18 8 19 5 20 6 21 ^6. 22 ih. 8 23 it. 9 24 10 25 13 ih. 26 16 27 17 28 19 29 20 30 31 32 33 34 35 27 36 28 37 Athens. Early Times . Pisistratus The Pisistratidse • The Persian Invasions Pericles . Sparta. Early Days . The Messenian Wars The First Peloponnesian War .... The Second Peloponnesian War .... Alcibiades . The Eetreat of the Ten Thou, sand .... Thrasybulus Agesilaus Thebes Leuctra Epaminondas Philip of Macedon Alexander the Great . Greece . The March to Egypt Persia and the East The Last Tears . The Fate of Greece Earthly Light 29 30 ih. 31 33 35 36 37 40 42 43 ih. 45 46 ih. 48 52 ih. 54 55 56 58 ih. vi CONTENTS. PAGE PAGK PAET III. 64 The First Century The Promised Seed ; Per- 97 ANCIENT ROME. secutions ; Rome ; Her- 38 ^neas ..... 65 mann; Judasa; Britain. 39 EomulTis and Eemus . 66 65 The Second Century . 99 40 Kings of Rome . 67 Rome; Persecutions 41 Constils .... 71 66 The Third Century . 100 42 The Wars of the Tarquins : ih. Rome ; Palmyra ; Inroads 43 Coriolamis .... n of Barbarians. 44 Cinciimatus ; . . . ih. 67 The Fourth Century . 101 45 The Laws of the Twelve Constantine ; Christian Tables . . ■. 73 Rome; The Church; 46 Yirginius .... ih. The Eastern and West- 47 New Forms of Government . 74 ern Empires; The Bar- 48 Camillns .... ih. barians; Goths and 49 Marcns Cnrtiiis 76 Huns. 50 Pyrrhus .... ih. 68 The Fifth Century 104 51 The First Piinic War . 77 Fan of Rome; Britain 52 The Second Pimic War 78 and the Saxons; The 53 Syracuse and Syria 80 Church; Attila; The 54 The Third Punic War . 81 Huns checked at Cha- 55 The Gracchi 82 lons. 56 Spain and Greece 83 69 The Sisth Century 107 57 Marius and Sylla . 84 The Heptarchy; Augus- 58 Pompey and Crassus . 85 tine's Work ; The East- 59 Julius Caesar ih. ern Empire; Justinian 60 The Second Trinmvirate 88 and Belisarius ; The 61 Decline and Fall . 89 Lombards. 62 The Roman Emperors . PART IV. 90 70 The Seventh Century . Chosroes and Herachus; Mahomet ; Progress of the Gospel. 110 THE FIFTH THOUSAND 71 The Eighth Century . The Saracens stayed ; 113 YEARS. The Church ; The Car- 63 The Light of the World 95 lovingians ; Civiliza- CONTENTS. Vii PAGE PAGE tion ; Papal Influence ; 85 Italy 168 The Battle of Tours j 86 Asiatic Conquest . 172 Cliarleniagne. 87 Discovery .... 176 72 The Ninth Century . 120 88 The French Eevolution : The Inroads of the North- 1. Causes 179 men; Britain; Saxon 2. The States General . 180 "Kings; Papal Eome; 3. The National Assem- Darkness of the bly . . . . 181 Church; The Chain of 4. The Legislative As- Witnesses. sembly . 183 73 The Tenth Century . 123 5. The National Con- New Monarchies; Ger- vention . 186 many; Superstitions. 6. The Eeign of Terror 7. The Directory . 187 188 8. The Consulate . 9. The Empire . 190 191 PAET V. 10. The Hundred Days . 194 THE SIXTH THOUSAND YEAES. PAET VI. 74 The Crusades 129 ENGLISH HISTOEY. 75 France Conquered and Lost . 185 76 Printing .... 138 89 Ancient Britons . 197 77 The Eefomiation : 90 The Eomans .... ih. 1. The Darkness . 140 91 The Saxon Heptarchy . 198 2. The Dawn 142 92 Saxon Kings 199 3. The Daylight . 146 93 Saxons, Danes, Normans 201 78 The Ma^ssacre of St. Bartho- 94 The Battle of Hastings 203 lomew .... 152 95 Stephen and Maud 212 79 The Thirty Years' War 154 96 Henry the Third . 214 80 Louis Quatorze . 157 97 Edward the First . 215 81 The War of the Spanish 98 The Black Prince. 216 Succession 159 99 The Wars of the Eoses 217 82 Narva and Pultowa 162 100 The Eeformation in England 219 83 The Seven Years' War 165 101 Charles the First . 221 84 American Independence ih. 102 The Eestoration . 223 CONTENTS. 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 The Eye-House Plot Monmoutli's EebeUion The Seven Bishops The B.evohition . England's Liberties PAET YII. ENGLAND'S VICTORIES, The Giver of Victory The Armada Rodney's Victory , Howe's Victory , St. Vincent . Oamperdown The Nile PAGE 224 116 225 117 226 118 227 119 229 120 121 122 233 123 239 124 240 125 241 126 243 245 247 248 Nelson at Copenhagen . Trafalgar .... Copenhagen in 1807 The "Shannon" and the Algiers . . . , Wellington : Early Career — India The Peninsula . The Pyrenees . Quatre-Bras Waterloo . The Statesman . Conclusion . PAGE 251 254. 255 256 260 261 263 272 275 284 287 Index INTRODUCTION. Great, striking epoclis, borne in mind, Serve as the readiest helps to find Sncli others as we know have been Before them, after, or between. Like beacons in a wide-spread view. History has its landmarks too, Which, well remembered, help to trace The changeful annals of our race. If thou wonldst truly profit by the page That tells the history of any age. Scripture alone supphes thee with a key Unlocking much that else were mystery. Mark well two wondrous truths pervading all The Fall of all mankind in Adam's fall ; And then the fulness of Redeendng Grace In One Atonement made for all the race. For aU ! In God's good promise of the Seed No bound or limit do we find decreed ; INTRODUCTION. N"or is it said some only should be blest In that Great Promise, leaving out the rest. It is not ours to scan the mysteries Of Grod, or fathom all His great decrees ; To know why many nations of the earth, Before or after the Redeemer's birth, Have risen up, and lived, and pass'd away Without the cheering light of Gospel day. God gave a law within themselves to them ; A law to justify them, or condemn. Before His Judgment-seat. Let us adore The love and mercy that have set before Our eyes a prospect of the life to come. Which His sure wisdom has denied to some. What would it profit if we were to know Whether a Pericles or Cicero — Men of high intellect, whose fame survives To testify to moral heathen lives — Is saved or not ? But it will profit us To mark their actions and their words and thus Gaiu earthly knowledge and experience. By which we may increase our influence For good on those around us. Here we see One chiefest use in studying History. But if the liistory of man betrays Some traces of the Fall in aU his ways, INTRODUCTION. Those ways invisibly but surely tend, Beneath God's sov'reign sway, to one great end- Man's rescue from the Fall, — and thus foMl, By paths unknown to us. His holy will : Famine and fire and pestilence and sword Together work for those who fear the Lord. Then let us, as we read, bear well in mind, How ev'ry race of this our fallen kind. Whether or not they know Jehovah, still Act only in subservience to His will ; That every human soul, — as Scripture proves, — E'en though unknowingly, yet lives, and moves, And has its being, in the all ruling Lord, Whether or not it has received the Word. Yiew all as one great scheme, one mighty plan, Its scope the Fall and Raising-up of Man, — Each race and nation, ay, each single soul, Contributing to this most wondrous whole. If thus we read aright, the history Of man is that of one great family, Spread o'er the world, and scatter'd all abroad,*) Yet all pursuing one eventful road r That ends at last before the throne of God. ^ And thou art one of this same family, — Koble or lowly as thy rank may be, — An object of His love. Take warning then By what thou readest of thy fellow men. INTEODTJCTION. Learn to avoid their faults, and imitate The actions that have made them truly great. For aught thou knowest, God may give to thee Hereafter some important destiny, In which thou mayst be called to play a part In this world's history. Train then thy heart And mind in ways of holiness and love. That, whatsoe'er thy mission from above, In humble life or lofty station cast, Thou fail not to obtain that Crown at last, Assured to those alone that fight the fight. And run their course as Children of the Light. PART THE FIRST. THE FIEST FOUR THOUSAND TEAES. B.C. THE FIEST FOUR THOUSAIsD TEARS. 3 1. THE FIEST FOUE THOUSAND YEAES. 1 Four thousand years liad roll'd away 4004. Since Adam sprang from eartli, Before that great eventful day That saw the Saviour's birth. A race of long-liv'd Patriarchs First on the scene appears ; 2948. And well the birth of JS'oah marks The first full thousand years. The flood has pass'd, and overthrown I Is Babel's tow'r of scorn : The second thousand years are flown, 1998. And Abraha,Tn is born. j 1 Three thousand years are past and gone, i And God's own Word relates How, lowly kneeling, Solomon 1004. His temple dedicates. Four thousand years and four have pass'd, W hen angel hosts by night Proclaim the Saviour come at last ' To give us life and light. B.C. 4 EPTTOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Mark, as thou readest on, how all things prove That nothing could suffice except the plan Design' d by God, in mercy and in love, To rescue from the Fall the race of man. Man, in his first estate of innocence, Was tried in Eden by the Lord, and fail'd ; The serpent's cunning, and the influence Of appetite for earthly things prevail'd. How God conversed with man from Adam's time To that of I^^oah, we have not been told ; How soon the world was overspread with crime In the avenging Plood we may behold. God chose a favour'd race, to whom He gave A perfect law, revealing His commands ; Perfect, yet ineffectual to save. As Judah to this day a witness stands. Then in the light of intellect alone Full many a nation of the earth was train 'd ; In Greece and Rome supremely bright it shone. But mark what fearful moral darkness reign' d. And last of all, God gave His own dear Son To die for us, that we through Him might live, To make us with our God once more at one, — And an ensample for our lives to give. Mark, as thou readest on, all history To thee is useless, if thou fail to trace Some message sent from heav'n direct to thee. In many a record of thy fallen race. B.C. THE FIRST FOUR THOUSAND TEARS. 5 2. THE FIRST THOUSAND YEAES. The first nullennial period claims Its list of patriarclial names. 4004. Of Adam and the Fall we read, And Grod's great promise of tlie Seed, Which, when four thousand years had fled, Came forth to bruise the serpent's head. The curse on man was first fulfilled : dbt. 3875. We read of righteous Abel killed ; Of the posterity of Cain ; Of Lamech, who a man had slain ; Jubal, who first of music thought, And Tubal Cain, who metals wrought ; h. 3874. Of children sprung from holy Seth ; 3017. Enoch, translated free from death ; d. 2349. And old Methuselah, who ran The longest course ascribed to man. h. 2948. To Koah's birth we come at last, And lo ! a thousand years have pass'd. • . .i B.C. 6 EPITOME OF TJNIYEESAL HISTORY. i THE SECOJSTD THOUSAJSTD YEAES. 3. THE FLOOD. The second period displays Man wholly giv'n to evil ways ; Yet to be holy IS'oah dared, And eight of all mankind were spared. In vain he preach'd to deafen'd ears ; Sixteen hundred and sixty years This fair and lovely world was old, 2349. When over it the Deluge roll'd. 4. THE dispersio:n-. 2348. Yet scarcely had the waters dried, W hen man returned to sin and pride. alt. 2247. Now Babel's tower arose on high. As though God's judgments to defy. And curb His power with human bounds ; But lo ! their language He confounds ; And o'er the world to find a home, Noah's descendants quickly roam. Shem's sons to Asia turn'd their face, And founded each Semitic race ; Westward the sons of Japheth bent B.C. THE FTEST FOUR THOUSAND TEARS. Their steps, and into Europe went ; Africa, witli its burning sun, By sons of Ham was overrun. And still each naked slave attests The changeless truth of God's behests. And even now, we still can trace, Some names of that primeval race ; The Muscovite thus Meshech founds, ■ And Javan iD Ionia sounds ; From Asshur proud Assyria came ; Lud to the Lydians gave a name ; Tiras in Thrace we plainly see, And Gomer's name in Germany. But God's unchanging purpose had decreed From Abraham should come the promised seed. So, as the sacred histories disclose, aht. 2234. Whilst proud Assyi-ia first of empires rose, Whilst Mmrod from his own first settlement At Babylon, to conquer Asshur's went, aht. 2233. (Babylon, first new city built by man). And, in the plains where mighty TigTis ran, Built Nineveh, whose pow'r, as time roll'd on, 2059. Ninus united with great Babylon, — The sires of holy Abram's chosen race. Safe in Chaldea found a dwelling-place. B.C. EPITOME OP UNIVEESAL HISTOEY. THE THIRD THOUSAND YEAES. 5. ABRAHAM. 1996. alt. 1897 aU. 1897. 1871. Two thousand years and eiglit liad roll'd away, When Abram first beheld the light of day : — Abram, to whom God gave the glorious name Of Abraham, in token of his claim Under the covenant with him renew' d. To be the father of a multitude. And amongst them, of that great promised seed- Abraham, who with God once dared to plead For those unhallow'd cities of the plain, And whose bold pleading had not been in vain Had but ten righteous souls been found therein Amidst so many thousands steep'd in sin — Abraham, father of the faithful styled, Ready to give to God the one loved child In whom his aged eyes had hope to see The father of that great posterity. He stagger'd not in faith, but kiss'd the rod. And won the title of the Friend of God. Ah ! well may he as our example serve, When from obedience or from faith we swerve. B.C. THE FIEST FOUR THOUSAND TEAES. 9 6. ISRAEL IN EGYPT. 5.1896. J.1837 And Isaac then, and Jacob next, Fumisli^l many a glorious text. S.1745, d.lGdb And Joseph too ; yet why relate The story of his changeful fate ? In God's own book it forms a tale, Whose interest can never fail. 1729. Sold into Egypt, he but served God's stedfast purpose, and preserved Ah've the race of Israel. \ And next the sacred pages tell [ How for two centuries they dwell ) In Egypt, till a Pharaoh rose. aht. 1577. Who heavy tasks upon them throws. God's chosen people, sore oppress'd, Cry not in vain for help and rest. 1571. Lo ! Moses' mother the stern edict braves, And Pharaoh's daughter soon the infant saves. In Pharaoh's palace well in learning train'd, 1531. Moses had forty years of age attain'd, When the Egyptian taskmaster he slew, And then into the wilderness withdrew. There, train'd by God, he passes forty years, 1491. And then once more in Egypt reappears. See ! before Pharaoh he and Aaron stand, And ask to lead God's people from the land. But Pharaoh will not let the people go. And plagnies and wonders in the land they show, Each one exalting the Lord God of hosts Above the idols of which Egypt boasts. B.C. 10 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOET. At length, tlie first-born die : in fear and doubt Wbat next may come, King Pbaraoli drives them out. Two thousand and five hundred and thirteen Eventful years this mortal ^orld had seen, When Moses lifted up that wond'rous rod, 1491. And through the sea God's people went dry shod. Then forty years through the bare wilderness They roam, ere they the promised land possess, Because they hearken'd to the faithless spies ; 1451. Then in full sight of it meek Moses dies ; And Joshua then, at God's divine command, 1451. Brings them in triumph to the promised land. They bore with them from Sinai's mount of awe, Jehovah's great commandments, and the law, That God, through Moses, to His people gave ; A law all powerless indeed to save. But which for His great purposes suflS.ced, A schoolmaster to bring men unto Christ. 7. THE PROMISED LAND. till 1095. Pour centuries of Judges then succeed, 356 years. In which the chosen people have to fight Long murd'rous wars in their attempts to weed Out of the land the heathen Canaanite. Now mighty men, stout both of heart and hand, Arose as Judges in the Holy Land. .0. THE FIRST FOUR THOUSAND TEARS. 11 1405. -) 1336. [• 1325.) 1285. 1245. alt, 1187. alt. 1136. 1156. d. 1116 alt. 1141. 1095. anointed 1095,1063. 1015 fo 975. Full oft tkej tnm'd war's fierce and fitful tide, And liumbled Amnion's and Philistia's pride. Then Otliniel, Ehud, Shamgar, play their part, And Deborah, of bold and manly heart ; Gideon, doubting first, bnt brave and true ; Jephthah, who rashly vows, but keeps his vows ; Samson the mighty, who his thousands slew ; Eli, who meekly to his sentence bows ; And lastly, Samuel call'd in childhood's days Holy, and wise, and just in all his ways ; Yet to the winds the thankless nation flings Its sworn allegiance to the King of kings. And seeks its heav'nly Master to supplant ; It is an earthly monarch that they want. Grod hears them, and refuses not their wish, And Samuel then anoints the son of Eash. The lives of Saul and David, so replete With interest, we need not here repeat. Full many a page were needful to relate. Even in outline, their eventful fate. Gro to the sacred pages, they unfold A wond'rous tale, how marvellously told ! Suffice it that in their successive reigns Increasing strength the favour 'd nation gains. Till in the reign of Solomon at last. Its wealth and splendour could not be surpass'd By aught that then was known upon the earth. But what at best is earthly grandeur worth ? Wise Solomon confesses, ere he dies. That all is vanity of vanities. But yet, before his earthly course was run, B.C. 12 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTOEY. One great and noble work at least was done : He built a temple to the Holy One, Where the Shechinah, glorious, pure, and bright, Jehovah, symbolized in wond'rous light, 1004. Between the golden cherubim appear. And lo ! the world has lived three thousand years. B.C. THE FIEST FOUE THOUSAND YEAES. 13 975. 726 to 698. alt. 906. 896. THE FOUETH THOUSAND YEAES. 8. JtTDAH AND ISRAEL. "When Solomon had pass'd away, in E/ehoboam's reign, Ten of the tribes revolted, and thus rent the realm in twain ; And Israel at Samaria had monarchs of its own, N'ow waging war, and now at peace, with those on Judah's throne. Too many vile and wicked kings those rival thrones possess'd ; But those who govern'd Judah must be counted far the best. Amongst those true to God was Hezekiah, greatly bless'd. And mighty prophets now arose, holy and full of grace, To cast down Baal's altars, and to warn the chosen race: For still the stubborn Israelites to heathen idols tum'd. And worshipp'd in the groves, and stiU their babes to Moloch burn'd. Elijah on the priests of Baal wreaks his holy ire, And up to heaven is taken in a chariot of fire. B.C. 14 EPITOME OE UNIVEESAL HISTOET. alt. 758 1o 713 or 697. 725. 7210/722. 6C8. Then on Elisha, Shapliat's son, the prophet's mantle fell, Isaiah and full many more the coming wrath fore- tell. Yet not of wrath alone they tell, but visions pure and bright, Of that great coming King, the glorious Lord of Life and Light. ■ Alas, they would not hearken, they believ'd not the report ; For man is ever loth to think his days may be cut short. From Nineveh and Babylon came God's chastising stroke, And Israel, first, was doom'd to feel a captive's gaU-ing yoke. Hoshea, last of all her kings attempting to evade The tribute, which, till then, to proud Assyria he had paid, Is swept by Shalmaneser into Media's sultry plains. With all the House of Israel, to captivity and chains. From that eventful day, B.C. sev'n hundred twenty- two, Ke'er did the tribes of Israel reappearto human view. 'For upwards of a century may Judah yet be spar'd, But chastisement as sure, tho' not so lasting, is prepar'd. Lo ! Judah into bondage next, Nebuchadnezzar sweeps. By Babylon's proud waters, sev'nty years the captive weeps, B.C. THE FIEST FOUR THOUSAND YEARS. 15 536. 520. 166, 15. 332. 63. reb. 445. 18. Till Cyrus, in five thirty-six, releas'd and sent tliem back. When Babylon had fall'n in turn, on Cyrus's attack. Zerubbabel soon hastens to rebuild the sacred fane. But never more what once was there, the Temple shall contain. The glorious Shechinah to that Temple ne'er returned. Gone are the Ark, and holy fire with which the ofi''ring burn'd ; Urim and Thummim, too, are gone, and mute the priest stands by. Fled from the Holy Temple is the giffc of prophecy. Yet Judah'srace for centuries remain'd anation still. Humbled or spar'd by conquerors at pleasure and at will, Although its ancient courage was not wholly lost or gone ; And brightly once again in Judas Maccabeus shone. Great Alexander, fear'd and spay?'d when he could have destroy'd, And safety at the victor's hands Jerusalem enjoy 'd; But Pompey, less magnanimous, the blood of Judah spilt. And batter' d down the walls that N'ehemiah had rebuilt. Another Temple* yet arose ; within its walls the Lord Gave forth to deaf unwilling ears his pure and holy Word. * Herod enlarged, or rather rebuilt, the Temple between the years 18 and 8 B.C. A.D. 16 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Once more the Light of Griory sHnes within its sacred walls, Once more God's people hear the Word, before the Temple falls. 70. Titus, at last, was destin'd to destroy the sacred fane; From that disastrous fatal day, Judah ne'er rose . again. 9. PERSIA AKD GREECE. But in that fourth millennial space Of other realms we read Besides the great and chosen race That nursed the promis'd seed. B.C. Whilst Judah wept at Babylon 538. , B.C. five thirty-eight, Erom Cyrus, the predicted one. Babylon met its fate. And after him twelve monarchs more The Persian sceptre wield ; Soon they invade the Grecian shore, But Greece disdains to yield. The might that conquer'd Babylon To Grecia now gives way. 480, 490. From Salamis and Marathon, Recoiling in dismay. B.C. THE FIEST FOUR THOUSAND TEARS. 17 443. Greece, soon the mistress of tlie seas, Grrows stronger every hour. Four forty-three finds Pericles At Athens, high in pow'r. 359 to 336. 331. A hundred years, and Phih'p reigns Kling over Macedon ; Then Persia on Arbela's plains. Falls vanquish'd by his son. Yet as some conquering warrior dies ^ Just as the fight is won, "With Alexander's victories Sets Grecia's glorious sun. Or like two coursers in the race Whom noble ardour fires, One wins at last the foremost place, And at the goal expires. 10. GREECE Al^D ROME. But whilst these haughty rival states For chief dominion fight, Rome, her approaching day awaits And rises to her height. Mark well how Greece and Rome had, side by side. Been borne along on Time's advancing tide. 753. More than a century before the date When Romulus first form'd the Roman State, B.C. 18 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. aht. 884. 640. alt. 624. ace. 560, c?. 527 510. 449. 443. 443. 360. 336 to 323. Lycurgus, skilful in the arts of peace, Framed his ascetic laws for Southern Greece. The year that saw Rome's diadem adorn The brow of Ancus, saw wise Solon born. Solon was yet a youth when Draco made His cruel laws, which Grreece not long obey'd. Contemporary with Pisistratns Was Servius Tullins, Eang of Rome ; and thus To Hippias, driv'n from Athens, next we come, The year that Tarquin was ex^ll'd from Rome. Just six years from Virginia's death, the year When the two censors first in Rome appear, Great Pericles supreme at Athens reigned, And Grecian art its highest point attaiu'd ; And glorious works of Phidias, at this day The triumph of the sculptor's art display. Camillus had rebuilt Rome's shatter'd walls — Ahala's sword was vanquishing the Gauls, Just before Philip, King of Macedon, Began his conquering career to run. The splendid empire Alexander bought With blood, whilst Rome against the Samnites fought, Cast Rome into the shade, but not for long — A fabric rear'd in haste is seldom strong. Scarcely had Alexander pass'd away When Greece became the Roman eagle's prey. B.C. THE FIRST FOUR THOUSAND TEARS. 19 146. Tlien Cartilage fell ; and then, from hour to hour, Rome conquer' d on, increasing still in power, Till, with the Ceesars seated on the throne. She seem'd to call the whole wide world her own ; Thus, when the Lord of Life was doom'd to die, *' We have no king but Oassar," was the cry. And lo ! at length fonr thousand years had pass'd ; Four more, behold the day-spring from on high. Say, canst thou tell how long the world shall last? Perhaps the end may even now be nigh. Then turn thee humbly to the Lord, and pray For saving grace, while yet 'tis call'd to-day ; Then when this earth shall melt with fervent heat. Thou in the air thy risen Lord shalt meet, And find He hath prepared for thee a place To dwell with Him for ever, face to face. 11. DARIUS. Four monarchs, named Darius, in the East a sceptre sway'd ; 538. The first of them by Cyrus, King of Babylon was made; He who decreed that men should pray to none but him, and then Cast Daniel, who still worshipp'd God, into the lions' den. Then, awed by great Jehovah's pow'r, we see the monarch own His error, and decree that men should worship God alone. B.C. 20 EPITOME OF TJNIVEESAL HISTORY. 521^0 485. 509. 424 to 405. 336 to 331. 820. He, uncle of great Cyrus, is in Scripture called tlie Mede. The second was Hjstaspes, made a monarch through his steed ; This was the Persian king whose pride at Mara- thon was tamed, And who in Holy Scripture is Ahasuerus* named. He, too, became a witness to Jehovah's wondrous ways; At Esther's prayer he spares the Jews, and wicked Haman slays. The third, Darius Nothus, is less widely known to fame; !N"iQth of the Persian kings, he after Sogdianus came. The fourth was Codomannus, who was treacher- ously slain, As, vanquished, he was flying from Arbela's fatal plain. 12. THE FOUR KINGDOMS OF DANIEL. Daniel ii. 31. Eight centuries and twenty years before the Sa- viour's birth. The great Assyrian empire, first of kingdoms on the earth, Came to an end ; and with the fall of that great monarchy Sardanapalus perish'd in the flames of Mneveh. * Some think Xerxes, others Artaxerxes Longimanus, to have been the Ahasuerus of Scripture. B.C. THE FIRST FOUR THOUSAND TEAES. 21 2059. 2007. For nearly fourteen centuries that mighty realm had stood, 2234. Founded by Asshur, son of Shem, a witness of the flood. 2233. ]^rimrod about the self-same time had founded Babylon, And going forth, as some suppose, the land of Asshur won ; While others think that Mneveh continued separate Two hundred years, when Babylon became the subject state : Ninevite JSTinus conquer' d it two thousand fifty-nine ; Semiramis soon after built its gardens fair and fine. Then for about twelve centuries, proud Nineveh maintains The mastery, and Babylon a subject state remains. The Median Prince Arbaces his allegiance then disowns, And Babylon and Media set up independent thrones ; For Mneveh's adversity was Babylon's great hour, And Babylon soon rivaU'd even Nineveh in power. But yet, though shorn of many states, Assyria had not ceas'd To rank amongst the mightiest of empires in the East. Of this, its second' monarchy, six kings the crown enjoy'd, And then this most renown'd of ancient kingdoms was destroy'd. 770. The first was Pul, who Israel at Samaria assail'd ; But Israel's time was not yet come, and golden bribes prevail' d. 820. B.C. 22 EPITOME OP UNIYBRSAL HISTORY. 735. 721. 710. 606. 538. Soon they were forc'd to bow before the fierce Tiglatb-Pileser, And captive then were swept away at last by Shalmaneser. Sennacherib came next, and now 'twas Jndab's turn to fear ; But good King Hezekiab's prayer Jebovab deign' d to bear : Then Esarbaddon, tben ISTabncbodonosor succeeds ; Tben conies tbat migbty realm's complete destruc- tion by tbe Medes. Nineveh's fall took place six hundred years and six B.C., Mark well the year, the first of Judah's long cap- tivity : Cyaxares the Mede dealt forth the final fatal blow, And Babylon assisted at her rival's overthrow : Nebuchadnezzar lent his aid fi?om Babylon the Grreat, But Babylon in turn must fall, B.C. five thirty-eight. For after Evil-Merodach, Belshazzar, impious king. While yet the holy vessels with his heathen orgies ring. And ere the fearful writing well has faded from the walls, Conquer' d by famous Cyrus, with his ruin'd empire falls. Thus fell that mighty head of gold : Then rose, at God's behest, Tbe Medo-Persian empire old, The silver arms and breast. B.C. THE FIRST FOUE THOUSAND TEARS. 23 529. 521. 521. 490. 480. 331. 334. 333. Cambyses after Cyrus reign' d, See Smerdis tlien succeed ; Darius next the crown obtain' d, And ow'd it to his steed. Now great Darius presses on Athenae to enslave : Miltiades at Marathon Rolls back the threat'ning wave. Proud Xerxes then attempts to seize Fair Hellas, but in vain ; At Salamis Themistocles Delivers Grreece again. Bat from the earth, God hath proclaimed, That silver throne must pass, And yield to one how fitly nam'd Belly and thighs of brass. One hundred years and forty- nine roll'd rapidly away, Between the fight of Salamis and that eventful day, When, in the memorable year three thirty-one B.C., Great Alexander worked out God's immutable decree ; Darius Codomannus from the Persian throne was hurl'd, And Greece became the mistress of the mighty eastern world. Granicus could not stop the Macedonian's bold career ; Then Issus sees him capture those to Persia's monarch dear : B.C. 24 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. 331. At length, on famed Arbela's plain, tlie giant con- flict ends, The Diledo-Persian empire to the Grecian phalanx bends. !N"ot long that Grecian empire held its sway : With him who founded it, it passed away. 323. Scarcely had mighty Alexander died, Ere his ambitions generals divide The wide-spread empire into separate states ; And piecemeal thns the torrent it awaits Whose iron waves, like a resistless flood, Sweep o'er the world, and deluge it with blood. Yes, haughty Rome was now to have her day ; The iron legs, and feet of miry clay. Colossus-like, the narrow world bestride, And know no limit to their conqu'ring pride. Till, rent asunder into kingdoms ten. The strength of Rome is partly broken ; then The great and wondrous stone — hewn without hands, Destroys their power, and overspreads all lands ; A mightier empire far than all the rest, One that shall know no bounds from East to West. Gold, silver, brass, and iron thrones must cease ; This lasts for ever — 'tis the Throne of Peace. V PART THE SECOND. ANCIENT GEEECE. B.C. ANCIENT GEEECE. 27 AKOIEISTT GREECE. 13. THE MYTHIC AGE. A MIST of fable and romance enslirouds In legendary myth, and mystery, Like some vast ruin, dim amongst tlie clouds. The early days of Grecian history. Japheth, perhaps, was their lapetus. And Noah the Deucalion of old Greece ; And, doubtless, real adventures gave to us 1263. The tale of Jason and his Golden Fleece. Great Jove was one of Greecia's early kings. And Hercules a hero, whose renown For doing wonderful romantic things. In the Twelve Labours has been handed down. If to unravel it we will but stop, 1493. The tale of Cadmus and his dragon's teeth. That wondrous seed, and yet more wondrous crop. Is fable, but with hidden truth beneath. The man who fought and conquered agauist odds, In this world's ignorant and early stage, Soon rank'd among the gods or demigods Sung by the wand'ring bards of such an age. B.C. 28 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOKT. When fable thus o'er truth a cobweb spins, 'Tis difficult to say where truth begins ; The following would seem to be the chief And leading facts deserving of belief. 14. STATES OF GREECE. Greece was divided into many states Whose jealousies, and rivalries, and hates, Join'd to their own internal feuds and broils. Inured the people soon to warlike toils. Among the states, there first and foremost come Athenian Attica — Art's chosen home — Epirus, Macedonia, Thessaly, The lovely isles that stud the deep blue sea, Peloponnesus, with its ocean belt, Where Spartan Lacedsemon sternly dwelt. With others boasting almost equal fame. While yet no sep'rate sovereignty they claim. Attica justly claims a chiefest place, And thus her early annals we may trace. 15. ATHENS. EARLY TIMES. 1556. Cecrops, some fifteen centuries B.C., First founded Athens. Some assert that he From Egypt came ; but whence soe'er he springs He founded a long line of Attic kings. 5.C. 1184. 1070. 624. 5.640, £?.558 594. ANCIENT GREECE. 29 560. About B.C. eleven eighty-four, A league of warlike kings from Grraecia's shore Besiege for ten long years the famous walls Of Troy, which then with Priam's kingdom falls. The year ten sev'nty bringing to a close The line of Attic kings, then next arose A government with Archons at its head ; Draco was one of these, of whom 'twas said His laws deserv'd to be inscrib'd in blood. Then foUow'd Solon, upright, wise, and good ; He soon repeal' d the harsh inhuman code Of Draco, and to him Greece truly ow'd 1^0 little measure of that great renown With which her memory comes handed down. 16. PISISTRATUS. When Solon late in life to Egypt went, Pisistratus seiz'd on the government ; By stratagem the highest pow'r he gain'd, But not long undisturb'd at Athens reign'd. Internal feuds and quarrels soon arose, Megacles and Lycurgus were his foes ; (Mind, not the lawgiver of Spartan fame. But an Athenian noble of that name) . Pisistratus from Athens twice expell'd. At length his enemies completely quell' d, And then reigned undisputed and supreme. Right well the state he govern'd, it would seem And whilst he play'd a high ambitious part. Did much for learning, poetry, and art. B.C. 30 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. To him, indeed, is due our grateful praise, Fl.abt.QOl For having gather'd Homer's scattered lays ; or 850. Uniting, with a true poetic soul. The fragments into one harmonious whole. 17. THT^ PISISTRATID^. And after great Pisistratus, His sons together reign' d ; Till murder'd by Harmodius 514 Hipparchus fell, and Hippias thus Sole power at Athens gain'd. Not long, impatient, Athens bears The tyrant's iron hand. Hippias, expell'd from Greece, repairs To Persia ; and with Persia dares Invade his fatherland. 18. THE PERSIAN INVASIONS. But Greece with Sparta at the head. The countless foe defies ; Miltiades the onset led. * 490. Marathon ! say how well he sped ; Vanquish' d, Darius flies. B.C. AlfCIENT GREECE. 31 Ten years, and yet a miglitier mass Of warriors Xerxes brouglit ; 480. Thermopylae ! thy narrow pass, Held by the brave Leonidas, Told him how Sparta fonght. 480. But Athens bums ; well, what of this ? Grreece is not overcome, W hat tho' her famed metropolis 480. In ashes lies ! soon Salamis Sends the pron^ Xerxes home. Four ninety saw the fight of Marathon ; Four eighty that of Salamis was won. Avenging Greece the flying foe pursued, Then in the year B.C. four sev'nty-nine 479. Platsea saw the Persian host subdued ; Mardonius fell before that onset rude ; This glory, false Pausanias, was thine. 19. PERICLES. Scarcely had Hellas driven from her coast, A second time th' invading Persian host, When one whom Greece might weU be proud to own, — Perhaps the greatest statesman she has known, — Rises to view, and every age agrees In honouring the name of Pericles. B.C. 32 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Ten years had pass'd since fam'd Platasa's strife, 469. When first he enter'd on his public life ; Well train'd in youth, endow'd with moral worth, With the advantage, too, of noble birth ; In poHtics alike and warfare skill' d, A prominent position soon he fiU'd, 461 & 444. And thus when Cimon and Thucydides Had both been ostracis'd, then Pericles Rose to the highest power in the state. His services indeed were truly great ; 448. The sacred war beheld him at the head Of proud Athense's troops — right well he sped. 445. Euboea was regain' d by Pericles ; (Under him fought the poet Sophocles.) 440. Then Samos felt his bold and conqu'ring stroke ; Samos, that long endur'd the Persian yoke 479. Until Mycale's sea-fight freedom brought. The self-same year Platsea's fight was fought. And now, when he from danger and alarm Had sav'd his country by his warlike arm. He tum'd his noble mind to arts of peace. And Athens soon surpass'd the rest of Greece. Still to this day her glorious works of art. In ruins, tell how well he play'd his part. Yet in this time of peace he still foresees The coming storm that lurks in ev'ry breeze. To strengthen Athens ev'ry means he pKes, And gives her navy constant exercise. He saw full well those clouds that low'r'd afar. Would one day burst and deluge Greece with war. And so before he died it came to pass : — First came the pride of false Pausanias ; i.e. ANCIENT GREECE. 33 435. 431. 432. 431. 430. 429. Corcyi^a tlieu cast off tlie liatefiil yoke Of Corintli, wtio from Sparta aid bespoke. Plataea by the Tbebans was attack' d, And straight her quarrel was by Athens back'd. Into revolt then Potidsea rush'd, But this revolt by Athens soon was crush'd. Athens was proud, and Sparta was the same ; Each to supremacy in Greece laid claim ; And thus the quarrels of the minor states Daily increas'd their jealousies and hates, Till war broke out B.C. four thirty-one. The race of Pericles was nearly run ; But two years more he liv'd. Alas ! those years Wrung from his manly eyes the bitter tears. A pestilence, unparaUel'd and dire, Seem'd with the foes of Athens to conspire ; Pericles saw his children swept away. Then he himself at last became its prey. Four twenty-nine he died, and left a name, On which his deadliest foe could cast no blame. But ere that giant conflict we record. Which seven and twenty years, with fire and sword Wasted unhappy Grreece, we must premise A brief account of haughty Sparta's rise. 20. SPARTA, EARLY DATS. Peloponnesus truly must have been In the remotest times a constant scene B.C. 34 EPITOME OF "UNIVERSAL HISTOEY. Of warlike feuds amongst its petty kings ; But fable over them her mantle flings, And these brief outlines lend us not the space Their mythic legendary lore to trace. 2089. On Sicyon's old realm we cannot dwell, Nor ought of Argos or Mycenae tell ; Enough to say, Argos at last is found aht. 1800. Head of the petty states spread all around ; 1104. Till just eleven centuries B.C., Eighty years after Troy had ceased to be, When the fam'd Heraclidee, as we learn, Erom Doris to their ancient home return. This was the Dorian conquest known to fame : Helots and slaves the ancient race became ; And Sparta a supremacy then gain'd. Which for eight centuries she still retain'd. Sparta ! a name with ancient glories rife, Deriv'd of old from Lacedsemon's wife. Sparta in early times, unlike the rest Of Grecia's cities, no stout walls possess'd, Deeming her children's stalwart arms the best. Three centuries of little note ensued, Mark'd only by intestine war and feud ; And then Lycurgus rises to our view, Of noble soul, wise, learned, just, and true. He for his rightful king preserv'd the throne Which one less honest would have made his own. aht. 884. His laws a firm and sure foundation laid For Sparta's greatness. At the last he made The Spartans swear his statutes to maintain Till 'his return, — and ne'er return'd again. B.C. ANCIEKT GREECE. 35 743. 723. 21. THE MESSENIAJSr WAES. Next the two great Messenian wars occurr'd, And later on in Mstory a third ; Sparta could brook no greatness save her own, Messenia therefore must be overthrown. The first B.C. sev'n forty-three arose, And twenty years elapsed before its close. Aristodemus valiantly contends. But all in vain ; subdued, Messenia bends, And with Ithome's fall the first war ends. 685. 668. Then peace ensues for eight and thirty years : Once more her warlike crest Messenia rears ; And Aristomenes shines forth, by far The chiefest hero of this second war, Which lasted till B.C. six sixty-eight, And then Messenia, vanquish'd, met her fate. Ira, her famous mountain stronghold falls, And conquering Sparta ruthlessly enthrals Yast multitudes among her Helot bands, Whilst myriads wander into other lands. Two centuries pass by in bondage sore, 464. Then the Messenians, in four sixty-four. Taking advantage of an earthquake dire, Yet once again to hberty aspire. Ten years of war dispel their hopeful dream ; Still at Ithome Sparta rules supreme ; Yet the Messenians partially succeed, At least from Spartan bondage they are freed ; B.C. 86 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Tliougli, driven from the conntry of their birth, 455. They wander homeless exiles o'er the earth. Again a century rolls on, and lo ! Epaminondas strikes the welcome blow That home and fatherland once more restores, Brings back the exiles to their native shores, 369. Making Messenia prosperous and free, 146. Till in the year one forty-six B.C. To haughty Rome Achaia bends the knee. 22. THE FIRST PELOPONN-ESIAN WAR. The first Peloponnesian war 431. Four thirty- one began ; Eleven years of blood and tears Its cruel course it ran. 430. To Athens from the country round The people fly in haste ; But Spartan Archidamus soon Lays aU the country waste. Next year the fearful plague breaks out Within the city walls ; 429. It rages sore, and Pericles At length a victim falls. 429. Plat^a next we find besieged ; But two whole years are pass'd Ere to the Spartan's close blockade 427. 'Tis forced to yield at last. B.C. 424. 422. 428. 425. 424. 422. 421. 416. ANCIENT GREECE. 37 The Spartan leader Brasidas, In Thessaly and Thrace, Gains many brilliant victories, For which we have not space. Amphipolis before him falls ; And when rude Cleon tries To wrest it from him, Brasidas Defeats the foe, and dies. While Sparta thus prevail'd on land, Athens by sea excell'd ; And Mytilene's bold revolt Was soon completely quell'd. At Pylus too, Demosthenes (Not he who spoke so well) Prevail'd, and into Cleon's hands Four hundred Spartans fell. But Oleon, who against a peace Had ever raised his voice, Falls at Amphipolis ; and now The friends of peace rejoice. Both sides, grown weary of the war, By Mcias are sway'd ; And in four twenty- one B.C. Through him a peace is made. 28. THE SECOND PELOPONNESIAN WAR. Bemain at peace for fifty years ! The hope, alas ! was vain ; And thanks to Alcibiades, Five years brought war again. B.C. 38 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. The fable of tlie wolf and lamb "Would fitly serve to tell How wolfisb Athens took ofience, 416. And how weak Melos fell. Next, Athens both by sea and land 415. Famed Syracuse assail'd ; She might perhaps have ruled the world Had this attack prevail' d ; But bravely Syracuse holds out, And each assault withstands ; Recall' d is Alcibiades, And Nicias commands. But Nicias, irresolute, Still wastes the time away ; Demosthenes, with succours sent, HI brooks the long delay. 413. Then comes the onslaught terrible, The fearful night attack ; A small but brave Boeotian band Drives the Athenian back. Complete defeat by sea ensues, And total rout on shore ; d. 412. Demosthenes and Nicias Never see Athens more. Yet though proud Athens thus is foil'd. Sparta, 'twas not by thee ; Thou yet shalt feel that Athens holds The mastery at sea. B.C. ANCIENT GREECE. 39 411 to 407. After this Alcibiades Victorious, laurels won At Cynossema, Cjzicus, Byzantium, Chalcedon. 406. The Spartan and Athenian fleets At ArginusEe meet ; And Lacedeemon there sustains A terrible defeat. But the victorious admirals Athens condemns to die ; Because, forsooth, the slain, unburn 'd. In ocean buried lie. 405. But mark war's strange vicissitudes : Next year Lysander won The fight of ^gos Potamos, And lo ! the war was done. 404. But, first, the terrors of a siege Athens was doom'd to bear ; Alas ! no Alcibiades, No Pericles was there. Defeated Athens had to sign A hard and humbling peace ; And Sparta thus for thirty years Became supreme in Greece. 415. Famed Syracuse became the scene Of war, four hundred and fifteen ; B.C. 40 EPITOME OF UKrVEESAL HTSTOEY. But two years later, Athens foil'd 413. And beaten, from the siege recoil'd. Four hundred years and six, B.C. 406. Came Arginusse's victory. Then the next year Athensa's loss 405. At famous ^gos Potamos. B.C. Four hundred years and four 404. Saw Athens siu"k to rise no more. I. aht 450. 24 ALCIBTADES. Train up a child in the way he should go, And he will not depart from it when he is old ; Weeds in the spring-time permitted to grow, In the autumn of life will be rampant and bold. The youth of Alcibiades Was much with vices stain'd ; No spotless name succeeded these, When manhood he attain'd. Brilliant, yet wanting self-control. Though born of noble race ; The lofty self-denying soul In him we fail to trace. 422. Unceasingly when Cleon fell. His voice for war contends. 416. Unhappy Melos ! thou canst tell How soon he gain'd his ends, B.C. 1 ANCIENT GREECE. 41 Eecall'd from Syracuse to meet Tlie charges of his foes, Too soon his treason is complete ; To Sparta's side he goes. But Sparta fonnd him not more true Than Athens had before, 412. And soon to Persia he withdrew, A traitor thus once more. Here he so artfully employs His skill in dark intrigue, That Tissaphernes he decoys To quit the Spartan league. Athens is glad to welcome back So powerful a son. Sparta soon feels his fierce attack. 411^0 407. And many a fight is won. 'Twas now that Alcibiades His laurels fairly earn'd ; But four whole years of victories 407. Elaps'd ere he return' d. At Athens, then, with transport hail'd. Chief general he became ; But when the fleet at IS'otinm fail'd, On him they cast the blame. 406. Forc'd into exile once again. Towards Persia now he flies ; His house is burn'd, and he is slain, 404. And all unhonour'd dies. B.C. 42 EPITOME OP UNIVEESAL HISTORY. 529. 401. 401. 400. 25. THE EETREAT OF THE TEN THOUSAND. In battle with. Queen Tomyris, Cyrus the Great was kill'd ; And after him the Persian throne no other Cyrus fiU'd. Five twenty-nine B.C. beheld that mighty Cyrus slain — A century elapses ere we meet the name again ; And then a son of Nothus, as the younger Cyrus known, Attempts to drive his brother Artaxerxes from the throne. Aided by thirteen thousand Greeks, the crown he strove to gain, And won the day, but lost his life, upon Cunaxa's plain. Then wily Tissaph ernes, at a banquet to the Greeks, His malice on their general, Clearchus, basely wreaks. Who now shall save the Grecian host, encom- pass'd round with foes ? Lo ! in the trying crisis famous Xenophon arose. Eorth from the plains of Babylon ten thousand men he led : Across the burning plains — along the Tigris bank they sped— Over the rugged mountains, and through many a deep defile, Wending their weary way, at death and danger still they smile ; B.C. ANCIENT GEEECE. 43 Over Armenia's table-land still bravely on they bore — Reaching at length Trapezus, ou the Euxine*s southern shore ; 399. And marching to CbryRopoliSjthree ninety-nine B.C., Accomplish' d a retreat surpass' d by none in history. 26. THRASiJBULUS. 404. On prostrate Athens Sparta now imposed The Thirty Tyrants ; but their rule was brief. Brave Thrasybulus came to her relief, 403. And soon the Thirty Tyrants' reign he closed. 'Twas Thrasybulus, who his aid had lent Democracy in Athens to restore, W hen Athens, only eight short years before, 411. Drove the Eoxir Hundred from the government. h. alt. 440, 27. AGESILAUS. d. 360. 404. Athens was humbled — Sparta was supreme ; Though ill she used her conquest, it would seem. But in the scanty interval of peace That now ensued, so prosperous was Greece, That we can only wonder and lament Over her centuries in warfare spent. But Sparta was both proud, and selfish too. Supreme in Greece, she only kept in view B.C. 44 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Her aggrandizement, caring not for those Who, not secured as friends, soon turn'd to foes. Yet profiting at first by peace at home, Agesilans, who had now become Her king, leads forth her armies to the plains 396 to 394. Of Asia Minor, and in these campaigns Many a Persian satrapy he wastes. The bitter cup first Pharnabazus tastes ; A fresh campaign was then with skill prepared. And then no better Tissaphernes fared. But danger greater far at home impends, 394. And Sparta for Agesilaus sends. Thebes, Argos, Coriath foes to Sparta rise ; In vain to stem the threat'ning tide she tries, For Conon, ever brooding o'er the loss Athens had met at ^gos Potamos, Aided by Pharnabazus, soon defeats 394. Pisander, who his death at Cnidus meets. Pull soon the scale Agesilaus turns ; Presh laurels he at Coronea earns. This in three ninety-four B.C. took place ; And then, altho' 'tis needless here to trace The part which each in this great drama play'd, 387. The treaty of Antalcidas was made. A little while these fierce dissensions cease, And Hellas has an interval of peace. B.C. ANCIENT GREECE. 45 28. THEBES. 382. 379. 378. Peace ! 'twas a mockery to name tlie word, While Sparta had the strength to wield a sword. Olinthus much too powerfal is grown ; Well then, Olinthus must be overthrown. Straightway a Spartan army issues forth. And Phoebidas conducts it towards the north. It chanced that ancient Thebes lay in his way. And Thebes to Sparta soon became a prey. For Leontiades, with Sparta's aid. Succeeded in a plot that he had laid The highest office in the state to gain ; The Polemarch Ismenias was slain ; Many a Theban patriot was expell'd, And Sparta basely the Cadmea held. But there were souls in Thebes who could not rest. Whilst by a foe their country was oppress'd ; And these, with some who bore an exile's lot. At length contriv'd a deep and daring plot. Three seventy-nine B.C. they struck the stroke, ExpeU'd the Spartans, and threw off the yoke. This Sparta could not brook ; the prize was great, Thebes might become too powerful a state ; And Cleombrotus, taking the command, Invades Bceotia, and lays waste the land. B.C. 46 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 29. LEUCTRA. Athens, scarce yet recover' d from the smart Of former wars, at first took little part In all these conflicts, but was now aroused, And thoroughly the Theban cause espoused. 378. Sphodrias, one of Sparta's generals, Insulted her beneath her very walls. So when Agesilaus took command, Whilst Chabrias defeats his schemes on land. The fleet of Athens, under Conon's son, Timotheas, no small successes won. Now as the time rolls on, stern Sparta finds That Thebes has generals and lofty minds. Of these amongst the foremost we must class Epaminondas and Pelopidas, Whose splendid talents in that trying hour Hais'd Thebes from ruin to the height of pow'r ; For Cleombrotus, marching north again, 371. At Leuctra is discomfited and slain. Three sev'nty-one B.C. Epaminondas won Great Leuctra' s victory, surpass'd indeed by none ; The first red lurid glare of Sparta's setting sun. 30. EPAMINONDAS. Then follow'd peace for just a little space ; 'Twas brought about by Jason, King of Thrace, B.C. ANCIENT GEEECE. 47 Who fear'd that Thebes might thwart his schemes of pride, 370. Though ere he could fulfil them, Jason died. But peace could not last long in Grreece. Tegea, With the Arcadian States and Mantinea, Shake Sparta off; Sparta resents the act, And in her turn is now by Thebes attack'd. A mighty Theban army issues forth ; 369. Down sweeps Epaminondas from the north. Laying the intermediate country waste ; 'Tis Sparta's turn war's fearful woes to taste. Still, still Epaminondas presses on, If Sparta fall, his task indeed is done. Sparta itself at last the foe has reach'd, And Sparta has no ramparts to be breach' d. See ! in her hippodrome the Theban stands. And IN'eptune's sacred fane is in his hands. But who shall beard the lion in his den ? The very name of Sparta sav'd her then. Not daring to attack, the Thebans pause, Epaminondas soon his force withdraws ; Sparta is sav'd from her impending fate, But all around is spoil' d and desolate. Messenia too, which so much blood had cost, Is liberated and by Sparta lost. Then Athens all her ancient hate forgot, And with her former foe cast in her lot, Though all in vain Iphicrates would stay The now returning Thebans on their way. And thus Epaminondas, having eam'd For Thebes the chiefest rank in Greece, re- turn'd. B.C. 48 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Arcadia next again asserts her rights, But Archidamus, sent against her, fights 367. That tearless battle, where, historians tell, Not one of all his Spartan warriors fell. But soon the very friends of Thebes became More and more jealous of her rising fame ; And when fresh troubles in Tegea rose, Thebes, interfering, met with nought but foes. Arcadia, Athens, and Achaia too. Their swords against her in the balance threw. But while Epaminondas is alive. The Theban cause, in spite of all, must thrive. Consummate skill his movements all display. Finding AgesHaus sent away, Once more he threatens Sparta, though in vain ; Agesilaus hastens back again. Sparfca once more is rescued from the foe, Though soon to meet a last disastrous blow. 362. And lo ! at Mantinea's fatal fray, Epaminondas, as he pass'd away, Wrested from Sparta's brow the laurel crown, Through centuries of valour handed down. I. 382. d. 336. 31. PHILIP OF MACEDOlSr. Not long was Thebes to be the chief Among the states of Greece ; Her proud supremacy was brief. And destin'd soon to cease. B.C. ANCIENT GREECE. 49 359. 358. Pelopidas to Thebes had brought A hostage young in years ; And well in war and wisdom tauarht, A hero soon appears. Philip the Grreat of Macedon Never sustain'd defeat ; And Grreece, before his course was run, Confess'd his sway complete. Perdiccas, Philip's brother, died, Amyntas was his son ; But Philip set the youth aside, Thus was his reign begun. At first not unopposed he reign'd : — Argaeus claim'd the throne ; Philip Edessa's vict'ry gain'd. And made it all his own. Unlike most conquerors of old. He show'd himself humane ; No captives he to bondage sold But set them free asrain. A peace with Athens now he tries, And gives her, as her due, Amphipolis, his conquer'd prize. And Potidasa too. And now his great ambitious views Need not a false pretext ; The fierce Peeonians he subdues, And the lUyrians next. B.C. 50 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 356. 354. 355. But Athens holds his friendship light, Her memory is short : She seizes Pydna, — his by right, — Indeed, his only port. Incensed, and jnstly too, by this, With Athens soon he breaks ; And Pydna, and Amphipolis, And Potidsea takes. l!Tow come the glorious war in Thrace And marvellous successes : He wins the fight, — his horse the race ; And he a son caresses. Then, greater than a victory, — Perhaps his greatest feat, — Whilst liberating Thessaly, His masterly retreat. A second sacred war meantime Most of the States engaged ; This war on Phocis for the crime Of sacrilege was waged. But Philomelus valiantly The Phocian cause defends. On his death, aid to Thessaly Brave Onomarchus lends. 353. But Onomarchus being slain And Lycophron o'erthrown. Their freedom the Thessalians gain Through Philip's aid alone. B.C. A:N^CIENT GREECE. 51 346. 339. 338. After ten long and weary years, This sacred war lie closed ; And just and generous appears In all that lie proposed. The famed Amphictyons among ISTow Philip takes his seat, Who, arbiters of right and wrong, In solemn council meet. In Greece so prominent a star Athens but ill could brook ; And more or less, in every war A part against him took. At sea her honour to uphold Chares completely fails, Whilst Philip with Crenidee's gold, Past multiplies his sails. Often, indeed, Demosthenes Sought Athens to alarm ; Till his Philippics by degrees Prevail'd on her to arm. Amphissa's sacrilege fall fast A sacred war brought on. Amphissa fell, and then at last, Jealous of Macedon, Athens and Thebes their strength unite, Great Philip's course to stay ; But Chaeronea's famous fight O'erthrows them in a day. B.C. 52 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY, 336. Thus at bis feet had Philip laid Most of the Grecian states, And now proud Persia to invade Boldly he contemplates. 'Twas not to be. — Pausanias Cut short the monarch's life. The deed, some thought, Olympias Connived at though his wife. E-arely indeed those ages knew One quite unstain'd with crimes. Philip had faults, but they were few, And common to the times. And though his vast ambition must Be ever deem'd a stain, Philip was generous and just, Sagacious and humane. 32. ALEXANDEia THE GREAT.— GREECE. Well may it need a muse of nobler pow'rs To tell of famous Alexander's might; But yet that task shall not in vain be ours, If we portray his character aright. Great ! yes, if greatness truly can consist With such fierce impulses of good and ill ; Magnanimous when none his sword resist, Savage to those who thwart his sov'reign will. B.C. ANCIENT GREECE. 356. 338, 336. 335. But let US first tlie wond'rous tale relate, How lialf the world he conquered — how he fell : And whether he deserv'd the name of " Great," The story of his actions best will tell. Born in three fifty-six, his early years Gave promise of a great ambitious mind — His father's victories he hails with tears. Lest he himself no field of fame should find. Bucephalus, that most renown'd of steeds, Whilst yet a stripling fearlessly he tames ; Then, at eighteen, war's fierce assault he leads, And Chseronea's chiefest glory claims. Three thirty-six beheld him on the throne, At twenty years a chief Amphictyon : The States of Greece now hasten to disown The sov'reign sway of haughty Macedon. They little know with whom they have to deal ; Full well he proves himself brave Philip's son ; And Thebes, and Athens, and the rest soon feel That he will never lose what Philip won. To quell the rude barbarians in the north, Full soon the Danube's mighty stream is cross'd ; The moment seems propitious, Thebes stands forth Once more in bold revolt ; 'tis to her cost. She bitterly repents of having brav'd The wrath which yet she might have turn'd away — Thousands are slain, and one sole fabric sav'd Tells how completely Thebes in ruin lay. B.C. 334. 54 EPITOME OE UNIVERSAL HISTOET. Chosen at Corinth, to command the force Destin'd to conquer many an eastern host, With scarcely forty thousand foot and horse, Three thirty-four the Hellespont he cross'd. 333. 333. 33. ALEXAl^-DER.— THE MARCH TO EGYPT. 331. Soon at Granicns, in the foremost rank. He plunges in ; and, giving loose the reins To brave Bucephalus, he mounts the bank, Slays Mithridates, and the battle gains. He visits Troy, and, passing round the coast, Arrives next year at Gordium, the spot Where for the struggle he collects his host. And with his falchion cuts the famous knot. A conqueror on Issus' plain he stands ; From that wild rout Darius flies for hfe. Leaving in no ungen'rous captor's hands All that he loves — his children, mother, wife. And southward now his conquering footsteps bend j Alas for Tyre, she dares but shut a gate. 332. Sev'n months elapse — the siege attains an end, No words can paint the city's cruel fate. Jerusalem submits, and she is spar'd. Behold proud Alexander bowing low Before her high priest. What if she had dar'd To thwart him, would he then have spar'd her so ? B.C. ANCIENT GEEECE. 55 Answer it, Gaza ! Thou didst but refuse To yield to one whom none had yet withstood ; Ten thousand, sold as slaves, their freedom lose, And Betis bathes his chariot wheels in blood. 331. Egypt submits, and so no blood is spilt. Jupiter Ammon finds he has a son ; And famous Alexandria is built. Of twenty, caU'd the same, this was but one. 1 34 ALEXAN'DER.— PERSIA AND THE EAST. 331. The Persian monarch's fate is now at hand ; Arbela witnesses the fatal blow. That brazen phalanx nothing can withstand ; Three thirty-one sees Persia's overthrow. The traitor Bessus treacherously slays His King, as from that fatal field he flies ; But Alexander in the end repays The traitor's deed, and Bessus tortured dies. 331. ISTow, mighty Babylon and Susa yield ; Yet not unsullied is the glory earned — The flaming torch his wanton courtiers wield. And recklessly Persepolis is burn'd. 329. But worlds, unconquer'd yet, lie further on : His martial soul pants for new battle fields. Eastward he marches, provinces are won. And Sogdianus to his prowess yields. B.C. 56 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOEY. Alas ! the noble features of his mind Were now debased and spoil'd by his success. Clitus^ the friend who saved his life, we find Slain by the monarch in his drunkenness. 328. Roxana was a Bactrian princess, W ho, taken captive in a mountain strife, Forced by her charms the victor to confess Himself subdued, and she became his wife. 327. Onward he goes ; the Indus now is pass'd ; Soon Porus meets this king of conquerors ; Nobly he fights, but is subdued at last, And Alexander all his realm restores. 327—326. Men cannot stop his path, but nature may. At last, full near the Ganges' sacred tide, The rains of India check his onward way. And murmurings are heard on every side. 325. And Alexander no more glory earns — His great career of victory is done ; Three twenty-five to Susa he returns. And thence, last scene of aU, to Babylon. 35. ALEXANDER.— THE LAST YEARS. Marvellous were the efi'orts which he made In organizing his vast mighty realm; Ably the politician's part he play'd, And guided well and skilfully the helm. B.C. ANCIENT GREECE. 57 324. 323. A second wife, Statira, now lie weds, The daughter of Darius, once his foe. Alas ! the path that now the monarch treads Is one that lays both mind and body low. Intemperance is seldom found alone ; From that foul source too many vices flow ; A hero ne'er in battle overthrown Ignobly yields to passions base and low. Thus perish' d, at the age of thirty- two, B.C. three twenty -three, at Babylon, One whose ambitious pride no limit knew — The greatest conqueror the world has known. An instrument in God's Almighty hand, To change the fate of nations was his lot ; Few, few, perhaps, could such a trial stand. And pass through such a life without a blot. Matchless in valour — oft in victory Magnanimous — and generous of mind ; Unselfish — with a soul for poetry — SkiU'd in the art of governing mankind ; Yain of a fabled birth ; and oftentimes. When thwarted, fiercely savage in his hate ; Led by base passions into many crimes : — Judge if he truly eam'd the name of " Great. B.C. 58 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. 36. THE FATE OF GREECE. Alas for Greece ! lier glory was obscur'd, Not heigliten'd, by this Empire of the East ; Which only for the monarch's life endnr'd, 301. Then, parcell'd out in fragments, wholly ceas'd. Selencus seiz'd on Syria rich and fair ; Ptolemy Lagus fertile Egypt gains ; Antipater of Greece obtains a share ; d. 301. Antigonus awhile in Asia reigns. Lysimachus takes Thrace, and Eamenes Possesses Cappadocia as his own ; Thus, at his death, his proud lieutenants seize The mighty realms that Alexander won. One last bright flash the world may yet behold, Ere humbled Greece becomes a Roman State, 280. When Pyrrhus leads his Grecian warriors bold, Victorious nearly to Rome's very gate. But soon the States of Greece, each in its turn. Enfeebled and degenerate must bend, And haughty Rome's supremacy must learn ; The history of Greece was at an end. 37. EARTHLY LIGHT. Greece, mighty Greece, had fall'n to rise no more ; But still to live for ages yet to come : Aye, till the world itself shall pass away. Fresh in the memories of wond'ring men, B.C. fi. 531 1. 468. 6. 429, b. 384, d. 212. alt. 884, I aJz^ 594. I /. 907 07- 850. /. 427. I. 525, 5. 495, 6. 480. h. 484, 5. 471. h. abt. 444. /. 611,/. 531 h. 518. 5. aSi^. 490. fi. 364. /. 424 to 400. .^. 332 ^0 300. fi. 336 ^0 323. ANCIENT GREECE. 59 The type of all that men tliink beautiful And great, in learning, poetry, and art. Her very name straight conjures up to view The shadows of her great and glorious sons, Rising colossal through the mist of time. Grand as the monuments that still remain Where once her poets sang, and heroes fought. What is there in which Greece did not excel ? Whilst other lands may boast of one or two Philosophers, she, with a host besides, Had her Pythagoras and Socrates, Plato and Aristotle — famous names — With Archimedes. In the field of Law, ISToble Lycurgus and wise Solon, too, Stand forth pre-eminent. In Poetry Of every kind, the Grecian claims a rank Second to none — from Homer's epic grand To Aristophanes of comic vein, ^schylus, Sophocles, Euripides, In tragedy ; — In History, we find Herodotus, Thucydides, and then The warrior and historian Xenophon. In Lyric Poetry pre-eminent, Sappho, Anacreon, and Pindar sang. In Sculpture, Phidias, as yet unmatch'd, Praxiteles, and many more she boasts. Whose names are -lost, altho' their works remain To stamp her excellence. The painter's work Was all too perishable : envious Time Has left us nothing ; yet we cannot doubt S That Zeuxis and Protogenes surpass'd All but Apelles, chiefest of them all. B.C. 60 EPITOME OP UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Where shall we find the Statesmen that excelled d. 527 d. 429. Pisistratns and famous Pericles, d 336. Or Philip, skill'd alike in peace and war ? Then as for heroes, we may count the stars As easily as those who died for Greece. 480. Thermopylee, in savage grandeur clad, So sternly great in sure self-sacrifice And utter hopelessness of victory. And Marathon whose fame shall never die. Stand forth like constellations ; noble stars Of greatest magnitude, Leonidas And brave Miltiades, attract the eye ; But was there not a nebula in each Of countless minor glories, all unnamed ? And then we pause. Is it not passing strange That such a nation should have lived and died And never known, in all its great career. The God, who yet as surely from his throne Beheld their every act, and knew each thought As though they had been martyrs for his word ? Light without God ! Yes, truly, but the light Of intellect alone. And intellect, Although it shines so nobly forth in man. The reflex of the wisdom throned on high ; Although with virtue link'd and probity, It raises man above the common herd ; And joined to perfect love and perfect faith, Raises his soul to all that he can hope To be on earth ; yet, by itself alone. Is but a worthless, vain, and useless thing To save the soul. This light, indeed, was theirs B.C. ANCIENT GREECE. 61 What was its use to them ? ay, ev'n to those In whom it shone ; and doubtless they were few — Too few compared with myriads around In darkness plunged. Let Paul of Tarsus tell What Rome and Corinth, with their earthly light (Excell'd perhaps by none) became at last ! Thou to whom God has now reveal'd himself. Thou hast a purer light ; be warn'd by them : Let not the cultivation of thy mind Be all thy care, or ev'n thy chiefest care. Remember that the issues both of life And death are from the heart and not the mind. God gives to thee his pure and holy word : If thou wouldst understand his wondrous ways, From Scripture only may those ways be learned. What says the Scripture ? "In my Father's house Are many mansions." We are also told That Gentile nations who have not the law. Yet do by nature what the law commands, Are to themselves a law. A thousand years With God are only as a single day ; And, if we but reflect, a multitude That seems to our weak finite minds so great, May be as nothing in comparison With all the vast innumerable hosts Of creatures, or of this or other worlds, Whom, if we be God's children, we may meet One day, adoring round th' eternal throne. But let us well beware, nor waste away The little time we yet may call our own In useless speculations. Let us learn From Ancient Greece this lesson : Intellect, B.C. 62 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Courage, and skill in art, may all consist With ignorance of God. In thankfulness Let ns right humbly bend our hearts to love The merciful Creator who has giv'n To lis a brighter light — a promise sure. Such as they never had of old — that those Who love and honour Him, and do His will, Shall, for the sake of One who died for all, Hereafter dwell with Him, and taste of joys Imperishable, and surpassing far All that our finite minds can comprehend. PABT THE THIRD. ANCIENT ROME. B.C. aht. 1187. 1184. d, 884. ANCIENT EOME. 65 ANCIEN'T ROME. 38. JEl^EAS. About twelve hundred years B.C., wHle Jephthah rashly vowed, The walls of Troy before the banded Grecian monarchs bowed : Great Agamemnon, keen Ulysses, JSTestor, wise and old, Wrong'd Menelans, Ajax loud, Achilles brave and bold :— j^neas fled the city with a small but chosen band, Anchises on his back, he led Ascanius by the hand, But lost his wife Creusa 'mid the slaughter and the flame. And, tempest-toss'd, the sea he cross'd, and thus to Latium came. But did he visit Carthage, — did he see Queen Dido there ? Ko, for he lived three hundred years before that lady fair : Queen Dido's aunt was Ahab's queen, the wicked Jezebel, Bat Judges still rul'd Israel in the days when Ilium fell. F B.C. 66 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Latinus welcom'd well his guest, escap'd from storm and slaughter, And gave to him in marriage soon Lavinia fair, his daughter, ^neas brought a son with him, Ascanius, born at Troy; His Latin wife, Lavinia, bore him soon another boy ; This son, ^nea,s Silvius, all the Latian realm retains ; Ascanius Alba Longa founds, and separately reigns. 39. ROMULUS AND REMUS. Four hundred years roll on, and then King Kumitor we find Dethron'd by fierce Amulius, tho' his brother ; yes, but mind, IN'umitor had a daughter, Rhea Sylvia, who had twins, N"amed Romulus and Remus, — mighty Rome with them begins. Amulius fear'd to let them live, and hence the cruel doom ; " The infants to the Tiber, and the mother to the tomb :" But Faustulus, the shepherd, to the infants' rescue came ; Laurentia Lupa suckled them, no she-wolf but in name. The boys grew up to man's estate, and rustic quarrels bring B.C. ANCIENT EOME. 67 Tiiem face to face witli JSTumitor, — again they make him king ; They slay the fierce Amnlins who had robb'dthem of their home, 753. And then, seven fifty -three B.C., they fonnd that famous Rome. Alas ! the work begins in blood, and with the crime of Cain, For Eemas is by Romulus, his own twin brother, slain. 40. KINGS OF ROME. On seven hills the city stood, Close by the Tiber's yellow flood ; And seven kings in order came, First founders of its fature fame. "Kings rul'd in Rome from seven fifty- three. Till Tarquin's fall, five hundred nine B.C. 753, 714, Romulus first, and Numa second. 671 Tullus Hostilius third is reckon'd. 640. The fourth is Ancus Martins grim. 616. Tarquinius Priscus follows hiln. ; 577. Sixthly, Servius Tullius reigns, The seventh and last alone remains ; 534. Tarquinius, cail'd Superbus, brings Soon to a close the list of kings. B.C. 68 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Romulus builds, and witli a wall surrounds The city, and the Boman senate founds ; Forms the Patrician and Plebeian classes, With patrons, and dependent client masses ; The city into parishes divides. And boldly gives his people Sabine brides ;» Becomes a tyrant towards the close of life. And dies at last by the assassin's knife. 750. 716. 667. N"uma Pompilius gives the Roman nation A quiet reign of peace and legislation. TuUus the wars of Romulus renews. And many a neighb'ring nation he subdues ; The warlike Sabine first before him quails, Then Yeii and Fidense he assails ; See ! young Horatius flies across the plain, N'o coward's flight ; look, now he turns again ; His scatter'd foes with ease are overcome, And Alba Longa bows to conqu'ring Rome. The next reign, that of Ancus Martins, shows Many successes over Latin foes. The sons of Ancus, when their father died. Were by Tarquinius Prisons set aside. This monarch's reign was mark'd by great success In jvar, and in the works of peace no less ; Rome's mighty sewers to this day proclaim The noble things this Tarquin did for fame. But of the kings of Rome, as all attest, Grreat Servius Tullius was by far the best : B.C. ANCIENT EOME. 69 509. He lighten'd taxes, — eas'd the people's loads, Constructed many public works and roads ; And though, he was himself a king, he still Curtail' d the sov'reign's power of doing ill. Wisely and well he govern'd, but at length, Hurl'd from the throne by haughty Tarquin's strength, His mangled body in the public street. Proud TuUia spurns beneath her horses' feet. By violence proud Tarquin gains the throne, His tyranny soon makes his country groan ; His nephew Sextus, too, by his misdeeds. Adds fuel to the flame, — Lucretia bleeds, — And Rome arous'd to vengeance by that stroke. Expels the Tar quins, and shakes off the yoke. And while the warlike sons of ancient Rome Were thus developing those mighty powers, That afterwards subdued the whole known world, The chosen race of Grod had ceased to be An independent nation of the earth. The favoured people, who had onoe obeyed N'o less a monarch than the Lord of Hosts, Had cast Him off; and now they found themselves In turn cast off by Him; their earthly kings Availing nought to save them from their foes. The reign of Romulus had not yet closed, When haughty Shalmaneser swept away The house of Israel : — Prisons still was kino". When Judah's sore captivity began. Unsearchable, indeed, are all His ways. B.C. ^0 EPITOME OP UNIVERSAL HISTOKT. The chosen race is smitten to the dust, Others, that know not God, are destined soon To rule the world. Tet though they knew Him not, Think ye the Great Creator of them all Ruled less supreme at Athens, or at Rome, Than in Jerusalem ? Be well assured That, tho' our hearts be ignorant of God, — Whether from want of light or wilfully, — He still is ever near, about our path. About our bed, and seeth all our ways. The hunted bird on Afric's burning plains May hide its head, and think itself unseen, It does but hasten its impending fate : Destruction follows, with unerring step. On wilful blindness. God hath giv'n to thee The light, and hath reveal'd to thee his will. Cast off the darkness that enshrouds thy heart ; Look up to Him in answ'ring love and faith ; Praying for strength to keep thyself unstain'd By those dark passions that deface and blot Too many a page of this world's history ; For strength to keep within that narrow path That leads to certain and eternal bliss, Through One in his good pleasure not reveal'd To Ancient Greece and Rome, but in his love Reveal'd to thee — thine only way to heav'n, And the ensample for thy life on earth. B.C. AI^CIENT ROME. 71 509 or 508. 508. 507. 499. 498. 41. CONSULS. N'o more by hauglity monarclis vex'd, The Romans choose two Consuls next ; Lictors before them fasces bear, And they can only rule one year. See CoUatinus first in turn, With Lucius Junius Brutus stern ; Sfcern, but so just that, with unfalt'ring breath, His sons rebelling he condemns to death. 42. THE WAES OF THE TAEQUmS. IS'ow many a neighb'ring state with Tarquin sides. The Yolsci first Publicola defeats ; Lars Porsena to Rome triumphant rides, But at the bridge Horatius Codes meets. Who to beleaguer' d Rome shall succour lend ? See Mutius, with his right hand in the flame. Turning Lars Porsena from foe to friend, And earning for himself a deathless name. ISText come the Latins to proud Tarquin's aid. And Titus Lartius is dictator made. A truce ensues, but scarce a twelvemonth later, The Romans choose Posthumus as dictator. For Tarquin' s cause again the Latins aid. And Rome with forty thousand men invade. But Lake Regillus sees its silver flood, Dy'd crimson with the vanquish'd Latins' blood ; And Rome for ages to her children boasts. Castor and Pollux fought among her hosts. B.C. 72 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTOET. 43. CORIOLANUS. Yet scarcely is the outward foe repuls'd, When Rome is by domestic feuds convuls'd ; 493. And Tribunes now the populace elect, Their rights from the Patricians to protect. Lo ! now to arms the warlike Yolsces fly, 493. But Caius Marcius takes Corioli, And by his valour wins undying fame, 491. Yet, banish'd by the populace, — oh, shame ! He joins the Yolsces, and thus lifts his hand . To wage fierce war against his fatherland. Ruin soon threatens Rome ; but Caius hears 489. His wife's entreaties — sees his mother's tears. Alas ! he proves a traitor once again, Draws ofl" the Yolsces, and by them is slain. 488. 'Twas in the year B.C. four eighty-eight Unhappy Caius Marcius met his fate. Twenty eventfal years had passed away. Since last a king in Rome had held his sway. 44. CmCINNATUS. The next great man who ruled Rome's destiny Was Cincinnatus, who in years gone by Had filled the highest offices of State ; Then, with a modesty most truly great. Retir'd again to till his humble farm ; But, in the day of danger and alarm, B.C. AlfClENT ROME. 73 458. 454 CJiosen dictator, from the plough he goes, And saves Minutius hemm'd around by foes. In fourteen days he gains the laurel crown, And the dictatorship again lays down. Rewards and offices ahke he spurns, And to his humble farm again returns. 45. THE LAWS OF THE TWELVE TABLES. Rome for a little while is now at peace, And so she sends ambassadors to Grreece For lessons in the art of legislation. Lycurgus and wise Solon of that nation, Had by their wisdom and their codes of laws. Most worthily deserv'd the world's applause ; 'Twas thus, B.C. four fifty-four, were fram'd The laws of the Twelve Tables justly fam'd. 451. 46. VIRGINIIJS. About this time much discontent arose Against the Consuls ; so the Romans chose Decemvirs ten to govern in their stead, But none the better for the change they sped. For though it was appointed these should reign Only one year, the caution was in vain ; Since, when the year was out, the ten refus'd To render up the office they abus'd. One of them, Appius Claudius was his name, A shamefal notoriety may claim ; B.C. 74 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Dentatus would have clieck'd him, but in vain, He caused "him to be treacherously slain. At length when he the shameful sentence gave, Awarding fair Virginia as a slave, 449. Yirginius in her bosom plunged the knife, And bought Rome's freedom with his daughter's life. For not in vain did that poor maiden bleed, Rome was arous'd to vengeance by the deed ; 449. And in the year four forty-nine o'erthrew The hateful reign of Appius and his crew. 47. NEW FORMS OF GOVERNMENT. The Consulate was next restored, and then The form of government was changed again, 445. Six Military Tribunes were elected ; But this, too, fail'd, and they were soon rejected. Rome then return' d to Consuls, as of old, But by two Censors these were soon controU'd. 443. This office first four forty-three appears. And those elected held the post five years. 48. CAMILLUS. Amongst the noblest names that gild the page Of Roman history in any age, That of Camillus is most justly fam'd. 403. Forty years after Censors first were nam'd, B.C. ANCIENT EOME. 75 He held that dignity ; five times lie fill'd The proud dictatorship ; in warfare skill' d Beat Fidenates, and Falisci too, 396. And Yeii in three ninety-six o'erthrew. Yet this great Roman into banishment 391. By his nngrateM countrymen was sent, Because he strove the influence to restrain Which the Plebeians ever sought to gain. But hark ! fierce Brennus, with his warlike Gauls, 390. Has reached triumphantly Rome's very walls. The town is sack'd, the senators are slain, The Capitol's proud walls alone remain ; A six months' siege they sturdily withstand. Soon they had fall'n, but rescue was at hand ; Just as unhappy Rome seem'd all subdued, Nobly forgetting her ingratitude The brave Camillus on the scene appears ; The city of her enemies he clears, Destroys the Gauls, or drives them vanquished home; Banish'd Camillus saves ungrateful Rome. The city then he soon rebuilds, and thus Earns well the name of " Second Romulus." 390. 'Twas in three ninety that Camillus sav'd Old Rome from being by the Gauls enslav'd ; He liv'd to eighty two, but ere he died Again in battle humbled Gallia's pride ; At eighty years of age he triumphed o'er The Gauls (three sixty-seven B.C.) once more; Then two years after this, Rome's annals tell, A victim to the pestilence he fell. B.C. 1Q EPITOME OP TJNIVEESAL HISTORY. 49. MARCUS CUHTIUS. 361. About this time the Forum, with a spasm, Bursts open, and displays a yawning chasm. The Augurs say the fearful gulf shall last Till into it Rome's choicest things be cast. Curtius declaring Rome's far richest prize In stern self-sacrificing valour lies, Mounted and armed leaps down amid the gloom Lo, the abyss has closed — the warrior's tomb. 342. 282. 280. 280. 50. PTRRHUS. The hardy Samnites next invok'd The crimson God of war ; 'Twas sixty years ere they were yok'd To Rome's triumphal car. Yet one thing is beyond a doubt, The Romans lov'd not peace ; This the Tarentines soon found out, And call'd for aid from Grreece. King Pyrrhus, answ'ring to the call, Forth from Bpirus goes ; Before him Rome's proud eagles fall, Lsevinus he o'erthrows. 275. Too dear the victory has cost, Pyrrhus ne'er reaches Rome ; And Beneventum's battle lost Sends him defeated home. B.C. ANCIENT EOME. 77 272. 270. Two eighty brave Lsevinus lost Fain'd Heraclea's fight ; Pyrrlms two sev'nty-five recross'd To Greece in sorry plight. In vain to conquer mighty Rome he tried, And by a woman's hand at Argos died. The Samnites and Tarentines soon in turn, The prowess of the conqn'ring Romans learn. Two sev'nty years B.C. thus found the whole Of Italy beneath proud Rome's control. 51. THE FIRST PimiC WAR. Now those three famous Punic wars arise, Which ruled the destinies of all the world ; Carthage the growing pow'r of Rome defies, And Carthage to the dust at last is hurl'd. 264. The first began B.C. two sixty-four, And lasted three and twenty years or more. Hiero, King of Sicily, had made War upon Mamertina ; to its aid Rome sent her legions. In an evil hour, Carthage, now jealous of Rome's growing power, Espous'd the cause of Hiero, and so Made Rome at once implacably her foe. In Sicily and Corsica at first Por nine long years war slak'd its cruel thirst, 256. And then at length on Africa it burst. B.C. 78 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Begulus was the liero of this war ; Great victories lie gains when first he lands ; But, in the end, Xanf ippus dims his star ; He falls into the Carthaginian's hands. 255. 250. 241. Five weary years a captive he remains, And then the Carthaginians send him home, Pledg'd to return, and reassnme his chains. Unless he can extort a peace from Rome. Sternly npon the Senate he prevails The peace thns sought by Carthage to deny ; Contented then for Africa he sails, Though sure a cruel ling'ring death to die. War is renew' d, but Carthage, to her cost. Exhausted finds she must at last give way ; Sicilian towns and Corsica are lost, And tribute to her rival she must pay. 52. THE SECOND PUNIC WAR. But Carthage is not dead, she does but sleep, And Rome's first triumph is to be but brief ; Eor Carthage has been rearing up a chief Whose sword shall soon make Rome's proud matrons weep. Hannibal, from his infancy brought up, By stern Hamilcar in his Punic home. To hate the very name of conqu'ring Rome, Has sworn from boyhood to avenge the cup B.C. 218. ANCIENT EOME. 79 218. 218. 217. 216. 207. 203. That Rome had made unhappy Carthage drain ; And cause of quarrel soon is found in Spain. Saguntum, one of haughty Rome's allies, Before the Carthaginian hero falls ; In vain on Rome for help Saguntum calls, But not in vain to Rome for vengeance cries. See ! Hannibal the Pyrenees, the Rhone, The Alps, has cross'd, tho' with diminish'd ranks. And Rome's proud legions on Ticinus' banks, And on the Trebia next, are overthrown. Lake Thrasymenus fresh disaster brings. And Cann^'s plain is strewn with knightly rings. Cannae, the Romans' most disastrous field. Had well nigh brought the conflict to an end ; But mighty Rome is still too proud to bend ; She cannot be destroyed, she will not yield. -^milius and Marcellus may be slain. But Fabius lives, to conquer by delay, Nero, to stop all succours on the way, Scipio, to close the war on Zama's plain. Eleven years of war ! yet Rome survives ; Her fate is seal'd if Asdrubal arrives. But Asdrubal, with succours from afar, At the Metaurus Consul Nero meets ; Nero the Carthaginian force defeats. And changes thus the fortunes of the war. Scipio, victorious in Spain, has cross'd To Africa, and lays the country waste ; And Hannibal quits Italy in haste. Lest Carthage, and with Carthage all be lost. B.C. 80 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. 202. Then a great victory, at Zama won, Sees Carthage humbled, Hannibal undone. Carthage may still exist, but in that hour Her ships and colonies are swept away ; And tribute she again is forc'd to pay. And never more regains her former power : Hannibal later from his country flies, alt. 183. And still pursued by Rome, self-poison'd dies. 216. B.C. two hundred and sixteen Saw Cannas's fatal day ; Mne years of war then intervene 207. Ere the Metaurus' fray. Two hundred and two years B.C. Beheld the work complete, 202. When Rome, by Zama's victory, Laid Carthage at her feet. 53. SYRACUSE AJS^D SYRIA 'Tis marvellous how Rome, whilst thus engag'd With Hannibal in this fierce struggle, wag'd Another war of no small magnitude. And famous Syracuse at length subdued. W hilst Hannibal lays waste the Latian fields, 212. This ancient city to Marcellus yields ; E'en Archimedes tried his skill in vain, And Svracuse ne'er rose to pow'r again. Freed from her Punic rival for a time Rome pants for conquest in some other clime ; B.C. 192. 188. leg.aU.U^ ANCIENT ROME. 81 Syria, whose king Antioclins had giv'n A home to Hannibal from Carthage driv'n, Was next attack'd ; need we the issue name ? Syria a province of proud Rome became. 54. THE THIKD PUOTO WAR. Fifty-six years at length had reach' d a close Since Rome and Carthage outwardly were foes, Fifty-six years of insult and of wrong Had Carthage her existence dragg'd along. At last when Masinissa, once her friend, But now proud Rome's ally, attempts to rend Away from her a province near his own. Thus aggrandizing his !N"umidian throne, Carthage at first complains and then resents j Rome finds a cause of war in these events. She long had meant her foe should be destroy'd. And on the task her utmost strength employ'd ; First Carthage must her small demands concede ; But these to greater and still greater lead. Then, when unarm' d and weaponless she stands, ^milianus issues his commands — That, in subjection to imperious Rome, The people shall forsake their Punic home. Then, to resist despairingly they dare, They turn to make one fierce and desp'rate stand, In vain rude hasty weapons they prepare. In vain the maidens give their raven hair For bowstrings ; 'tis too late, the end's at hand. B.C. 146. 82 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Resisting to the last, proud Carthage falls, Who once had rivall'd even Rome in fame ; And not one stone of those once mighty walls, Those glorious palaces and stately halls, Is left upon another, to proclaim Where Carthage once had stood ; her day is past. And Rome has swept her from the earth at last. 55. THE GRACCHI. 133. 132. But whilst thus waging war abroad, old Rome Was sowing seeds of discontent at home. Carthage had been destroyed but thirteen years, When lo ! her gory head sedition rears. The Gracchi, taking up the people's cause. Sought to revive those old Agrarian laws Enacted in Rome's rude unpolish'd state To curb the wealth and influence of the great, Ry which five hundred acres, at the most, Was all of which one single man might boast. The nobles felt their pow'r would be no more If once the Gracchi could those laws restore ; To crush them they exert their utmost strength ; And when Tiberius Gracchus seeks at length The Tribunate unduly to retain. They cause him in a tumult to be slain. His death one thirty-two B.C. took place, But Rome had yet another of his race ; B.C. 121. alt. 133. 146. 113. 106. 102, 101, ANCIENT ROME. S3 Eleven years after this attempt, his brother, Whose name was Caius Gracchus, made another ; Again Patrician influence proved too great, And Caius Grracchus met the self-same fate. 56. SPAES" AND GREECE. Scarcely was Carthage levell'd with the dust, When Eome, as though afraid her sword might rust, Sends forth her eagles and subdues all Spain ; Then turning eastward from the west again. Proud conqu'ring Macedonia she enthrals ; And then all Greece beneath her sceptre falls. But hark ! a storm is gath'ring in the l!^orth ; Soon from their German fastnesses burst forth The Cimbri and Teutones. Who shall stay The sweeping torrent of their onward way ? Fear not ! Rome never in her hour of need Wanted brave sons her conqu'ring bands to lead. See ! Caius Marius rises on the scene ; Conqueror of Jugurtha he had been, And then from Africa return'd to Rome, And led th^ party of the Plebs at home. Two victories, in two successive years. He gains ; in each a nation disappears. Thus in one century and one B.C. From these fierce hordes he sets his country free. B.C. 84 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTOET. 88. 88 to 84. 83. 79 (fZ. 78). 67. MARIUS AND SYLLA. Free ! yes, alas ! the way was clear For civil war and strife ; Soon every Koman liv'd in fear Of the assassin's knife. For Marius and Sylla now Are rivals in the State ; And scarcely blood enough can flow To satisfy their hate. First Cains, like a tiger raging, Spread terror wide and far ; Sylla was then in Pontus waging The Mithridatic war. Woe, woe to him, whom on his way Marins greeteth not ; The victim, be he who he may, Is bntcher'd on the spot. And after Marins was dead, Sylla returned once more ; Then blood, alas ! in Rome was shed More fiercely than before. Sylla at last his pow'r resign'd In sev'nty-nine B.C., And Rome for some few years we find From blood and slauo:hter free. B.C. ANCIENT EOME. 71. 71. 73 to 71. 67. 66. 63. 63. 62. 62. 58. POMPEY AIS-D CRASSUS. CrassTis and Cneius Pompey (called tlie Great) Next shar'd the highest offices of State ; Both military reputations gain ; Pompey subdnes a grave revolt in Spain, Whilst wealthy Crassns, left to rule at Eome, And carry on the government at home, Quells a revolt that fiU'd all Rome with dread, By Spartacus the gladiator led. In sixty-seven B.C. Pompey, with ease, Swept all the pirates from the Grecian seas. Then, as Rome's general, to Asia sent, Some years in great successful wars he spent ; Ph-st Mithridates, then Tigranes falls, ]^or aught avail Jerusalem's proud walls. The title of " The Great" thus justly earned, Pompey in sixty-two to Rome return'd. Vile Catiline that same year sixty-two Rome's profligates around his standard drew. Cicero's wise precautions sav'd the Sfcate, And Catiline soon met his well-earn' d fate. S-100,^.44. 59. JULIUS C^SAR. And now in Rome arose a mighty name, The greatest of her sons ; one who may claim Upon the highest pinnacle of Fame, The loftiest, noblest place. B.C. 86 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 60. 53. 59 to 50. 49. In Cains Julius Caesar's master mind With the consummate general we find Orator, Author, Statesman — all combined ; The greatest of his race. Sylla had spared his life, but had foretold That that unyielding spirit, calm and bold. One da J full many a Marius would unfold ; Eome had not long to wait. Pompey and Crassus had become sworn foes, Ctesar as yet unable to oppose. First reconcil'd, thenjoin'd them; thus arose The first Triumvirate. ISTow it was Pompey's turn to rule at home ; Crassus in Asia wields the sword of Rome, But by the flying Parthians overcome. He meets a dreadful fate. Soon Caesar's wars the master mind reveal ; Gauls, Britons, and the neighb'ring nations feel Nine years the edge of his all-conqu'ring steel. And tremble at his name. Twice had his valiant legions cross 'd the Rhine In those nine years, when, B.C. forty-nine, Caesar was sternly order'd to resign The sword that won his fame. For, by his brilliant victories appall' d, The senate fear'd lest Rome might be enthrall'd ; At Pompey's bidding Caesar they recall'd ; But Pompey's day was past. E.G. ANCIENT EOME. 87 49. 48. 48. 44. Caesar Ms army undisbanded keeps, Down from the N'orth on Italy he sweeps, And see ! as in the Rubicon he leaps — Exclaims, " The die is cast !" Pompey for safety to Dyrrachium hies. And for a time successfully defies Csesar's attacks — then into Greece he flies ; Rome he will see no more. The rival armies at Pharsalia meet ; Pompey sustains a terrible defeat, And forc'd from Greece to Egypt to retreat, Is stabb'd upon the shore. Thus perish'd Pompey, B.C. forty-eight ; Csesar pursues him, but arrives too late. And Cleopatra's syren arts await One they can not enthral. Caesar return' d to Rome ; and soon 'twas thought To gain the kingly dignity he sought ; A deeply-laid conspiracy soon wrought The mighty Csesar's fall. Cassius, some thirty more, and Brutus too, Csesar's own friend, their daggers on him drew, And basely in the capitol th^y slew A chief surpass'd by none. Thus murder' d fell, in B.C. forty-four, He who victoriously Rome's standard bore From Britain's cliffs to Egypt's sandy shore, Rome's greatest, mightiest son. B.C. 88 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 60. THE SECOND TRIUMYIRATE. Kot unaveng'd great Caesar falls ; Sounding war's dire alarms, Antony, Caesar's nephew, calls His partisans to arms. Octavianus, thongli lie fights First on the other side, Yet soon with Antony nnites, And they their power divide 43. With Lepidus, whom now they chose Their colleague in the State ; And thus in forty-three arose A new Triumvirate. 43. Each of the three his enemies Slaughters with vengeful hate ; Thus Cicero a victim dies, And hundreds meet their fate. 42. Brutus and Cassius sought in vain In Greece to hold their ground ; And on Philippi's fatal plain. Defeat and death they found. 41. Antony next, on Asia's fields. Treads the great road to fame ; To Cleopatra's charms he yields, And tarnishes his name. B.C. AXCTENT EOME. 89 Forgetting what to Rome lie owes, Unbounded pow'r lie claims ; Once more Octavius overtlirows His great ambitions aims. 31. Actinm, in B.C. tbirty-one, Seqs the decisive fray ; Mark Antony bis race has run, Octavius gains tbe day : See ! Cleopatra's galley flies, Witb glittering sails nnfurl'd ; 30. Self-slain, liice Antony, she dies ; And, master of tbe world, — Octavius, tbougb be never wore Tbe crown and robes of State, Becomes first Roman emperor. named in 27. Augustus, wise and great. A.D. 61. DECLINE AND FALL. Tbe reign of Christian Constantine, 306. A.D. three hundred and six began. 409 & 410. The Goths, a.d. four hundred and nine. Witb Alaric Rome overran, 452. And desolation next ensued. From Attila, tbe warlike Hun ; By Genseric's fierce Yandals rude, 455, Four fifty-five 'twas overrun. A.D. 90 EPITOME OF "UNIVERSAL HISTOEY. Angustulus, son of Orestes, bore The name of emperor, but was clepos'd Bj Odoacer, and for evermore The list of Roman emperors was clos'd. Orestes was, in fact, the last to reign Over the Empire of the West ; and he 476. B.C. four hundred seventy-six was slain, And then that mighty empire ceas'd to be. But still the eastern empire held its ground, 1453. And still in fourteen fifty-three was found And then that eastern empire had to bend The knee to Mahomet, and saw an end. 62. THE ROMAIC EMPERORS. A Roman emperor ! The very name In the stern page of history comes down, Sullied by every deed of blood and shame. That can disgrace the proud, imperial crown. By such a race of emperors oppress'd, Unhappy Rome, for near five hundred years Known as the famous Empire of the West, Had little rest from reigns of blood and tears. Yet in that catalogue so foul, so black, Some brighter names appear from time to time, Who did not follow in the beaten track Of murder, sensuality, and crime. A.D. ace. 96, 79, 70 , ace. 138. ace. 98, 211. aec: 161. ace. 364. AXCIEKT KOME. 91 Thus JSTerva, Titus, and Vespasian too, And Antoninus Pius, merit well, With Trajan, Geta, and, perhaps, some few AVhose reigns in rather later times befel, K'ot to be class'd among those men of blood ; Some few had faults comparatively slight ; Marcus Aurelius may be counted good. And Yalentinian's name is clear and brio-ht o But God's avenging hand full oft appears Even on earth in punishing our sins, Whether a royal crown the sinner wears, Or by his toil a daily pittance wins. How few of those who Rome's proud purple wore. Peacefully in their beds departed hence ; Some fifty — and amongst them twenty-four All in succession — died by violence. Those proud Prsetorian Guards, just as they chose, Set up at will an emp'ror of their own ; And then, when some new favourite arose. Slew the last wretch they plac'd upon the throne. Oh, who would pass this little life, That fleeteth in an hour, In those dread scenes of blood and strife, That mark the road to pow'r ! Happy are they who keep in view Those words in mercy sent ; If ye have food and raiment too. Be ye therewith content. A.D. 92 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOET. Wliat if thou be of lowlj birth, He maketh thee His care, Who sweeps a nation from the earth, And hears an orphan's pray'r. Where now are those great emperors ? What helps them their renown ? They pass'd away like meteors. Thou yet mayst wear a crown, Not like to theirs destructible, And lasting but a day, — Eternal, incorruptible, That fadeth not away. PART THE FOURTH. TSE FIFTH TEOUSAND YEAES. A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEAES. 95 THE FIFTH THOUSAND YEARS. 63. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. The glorious snnliglit from above Had burst upon mankind ; And beams of Christian truth, and love Soon spread abroad we find. Man's finite mind but dimly now Grod's hidden ways may read ; Yet all, — though we perceive not how,— To some wise purpose lead. Nations their sep'rate paths may tread, Yet all one day shall meet In joyful hope, or hopeless dread, Before one judgment seat. An empire's ruin, and the joys That fill a poor man's heart, God's providence alike employs, — Alike they play their part. Salvation's great and glorious scheme,— Mankind from Adam's fall In love and mercy to redeem, — ■ Faith can discern in all. A.D. 96 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. If Rome a distant province seize, It happens not in vain ; JSTor yet in vain, great victories May Alexander gain. Unconsciously the path is made O'er which, in after times, The Gospel's light shall be convey'd To those remoter climes. 63. If Paul to Rome a pris'ner sails. Christ's banner is unfurl'd Amongst a race whose tongue prevails Throughout the whole known world. 34. One Ethiopian on his way Baptiz'd by Philip stands ; And bears the Gospel's cheering ray , To distant heathen lands. Barbarous heathen nations, far and near, Swept by the tide of conquest to and fro, The "Word of Life are destin'd thus to hear. And in their turn the precious seed to sow. Rome is supreme, and now the mighty stone. Hewn without hands, and soon a kingdom vast. Chiefest of all arises, and alone Imperishable, shall for ever last. And Rome must fall ; yet not like Ancient Greece, • Suddenly from her proudest, loftiest height ; Her pow'r must wane, and wither, and decrease. Beneath soft luxury's destroying blight. A.D. from 4 B.C. to 33 A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEAES. 97 A rapid growth is quickest to decay ; The stately oak that slowly reach'd its prime, While flow'rets sprang and wither'd in a day, Seems almost to defy the hand of time. The great Creator's wisdom, and his care, And love for man, shine equally in both ; Yet 'tis his will and pleasure to prepare Strength and endurance by a slower growth. But let us scan each century, and see What are its prominent events, and trace Their bearing on the world's great history, And mark the rise of each prevailing race. 64. THE FIRST CENTURY. The Lord of hfe, the very Son of God, Incarnate, wrought redemption's wondrous plan. For seven and thirty years the earth He trod. From sin to rescue fall'n and sinful man. I pause in silent awe ! and will not tread On ground so hallow'd. In God's holy Book, For Jesus born, and suffering, and dead. And ris'n agam from death, I bid thee look. God's gracious promise was fulfill'd ; the seed Promised to Adam and to Abram too Was visiting the earth, fiiU soon to bleed Even for those who ne'er that promise knew. H A.D. 98 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HTSTOET. 64 & 70. 70. 61. The work was all achiev'd. But let us trace How man receiv'd the blessing God had sent. Rome in the world then held the chiefest place, On Rome our eyes must first be chiefly bent. Eierce persecutions vainly would destroy The purer faith, aye, in the very bud ; God even persecutions can employ In his designs, and ev'n a mart^/r's blood. The furnace does but purify the gold, And not destroy it. Persecution's sword Reaches not all who stay ; some, not so bold, Flee forth, and bear abroad the cherish'd Word. The great pre-eminence that Rome enjoy'd Was shaken first by rude barbarian swords, When the proud hosts of Varus were destroy'd By Hermann, and his brave Cheruscan hordes. Yet Rome awhile her conquests may extend, The Briton and the Parthian yet must yield ; Pull many a European tribe must bend, 'Not may Zenobia fam'd Palmyra shield. The days are come, the prophecies fulfiU'd, And Judah falls beneath the fearful blow ; The arm of Titus lays, so God hath will'd, Jerusalem in blood and ashes low. Old things are passing, and give way to new ; Jerusalem's proud temple is no more. Nine years before, Suetonius overthrew The Druid altars upon Mona's shore. A.D. 61. 78 to 85. 101. 136. 114 & 162. 193. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEARS. 99 That self-same year Boadicea fell, And Rome became in England all supreme. Then came Agricola, who rul'd so well, Shedding upon the land a brighter beam. And, whether Paul these islands ever reach'd, Or Roman soldier, or some trader brought The Word of Life, that 'twas in England preach' d Soon after this, by many has been thought. And lo ! before the century had clos'd The written Word of Grod was all complete ; And the belov'd disciple, John, repos'd Where he no persecution more should meet. 65. THE SECOND CENTURY. Fewer events of great importance mark The progress of the second century ; But light, where all before was drear and dark, Shining abroad from east to west, we see. Rome's history was that of all mankind. At Trajan's feet the Dacian conquer' d lies ; The Jews revolt, slaughter alone they find ; And deadly persecutions still arise. Imperial Rome's decline is drawing nigh, For luxury and vice at Rome prevail : And Didius Julianus now may buy The Purple, shamefully set up for sale. A.D. 100 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. m. THE THIRD CENTUEY. Anotlier century, the third, Beholds the rise of many sects ; And each, on Grod's pure simple Word, Some strange new theory erects : Forgetting Him who can alone For man's delinquency atone, Some think that God can be content With self-inflicted punishment. 202, 237, 250, ^ Arid now five cruel persecutions more ^ Harass the Christian church and vex it sore. 257, 272. I^Tow Rome attains her loftiest height. No more her pow'r shall be increas'd ; 209. Yet with the Scots her legions fight, 280. And with the Persians in the east. Amid a host of odious names. h. 205, d. 235. The good Severus justly claims As high a rank as any one On whom the Grospel never shone. 273. Aurelian's triumph o'er Palmyra gain'd. Is by the death of great Longinus stain' d. But now the Groths and Pranks arise, 260, 271. And make fierce inroads upon Rome ; At first she one and aU defies, But nearer and still nearer home She sees the threat'ning foes, whose hate Serves but to rouse and stimulate A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEAES. 101 269, 273. b. 272, d. 337. 324. The spirit of those former tinies, When Rome was not yet steep'd in crimes. 'Tis vain. The race of Pagan Rome is run, As night recedes before the rising sun. 67. THE FOURTH CENTURY. The worldly and perverted mind of man Sees nought but sorrow and calamity In all that robs him of a present joy. It loves prosperity, as though the aim And only end of life were ease on earth ; Forgetting that the riches of this world, With heav'nly treasure incompatible, Stifle and clog the efforts of the soul To rise, once more, the image of its Grod. But suffering and tribulation sore Are heav'nly messengers from Grod to man, Though clad in woful garb, in mercy sent ; And they beset the narrow path, to cleanse And purify the soul from worldliness. Envy not those who now (mark well the words) , Because they have no changes, fear not Grod. Was it a blessing to the Christian church That Constantine, the Roman emperor. Became a Christian ? let us rather say (For hardly he deserv'd that holy name) Became the patron of the Christian world. Decking its rising fanes with gold and gems. And casting down the temples of the gods ? A.D. 102 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Alas ! that holy fire, that shone so bright Amid the gloom of prisons and of caves, And cast a halo round each martyr's crown, Must needs be quench'd by popularity, And perish in the sunshine of the world. Whole nations might adopt the name of Christ Under a Christian emperor of Rome ; But they had their reward at once on earth, And wide, not narrow, was the path they trod. A ray of mercy gleams in all ; the tenth heg. 303. Great persecution thus became the last. But we perhaps may rather look upon The worldly triumph of the outward Church, Illot as a blessing sent by heav'nly love. But a malignant thrust from Satan's hand, Permitted, and still overrul'd for good. And made the means of spreading through the world The faith it was intended to subvert. Mark what ensued ; relics and bones of saints Are venerated and ador'd ; then came The practice of seclusion from a world Too plainly all at enmity with God ; As though the faithful soldier of the Cross Fought best by flying from his enemy. The Roman bishops — now that Rome protects The Christians — claim the Headship of the Church, And lay the first foundations of that power That held the world for centuries in thrall. And Arius now puts forth his heresy, 296, d. 373. Oppos'd by Athanasius ; then at Nice 325. The first great Council held, maintains the truth. A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAJ^D TEARS. lO'J Great crimes disgraced tlie life of Constantine ; And thougli the spreading of the Christian Church Is coupled with his name, 'tis doubted much How far our gratitude is due to one Who acted probably for selfish ends. Hated at Rome, he to Byzantium thence Remov'd the seat of- government, and died, Little regretted, in three thirty-seven. 328. 337. 361. 363. 364. 379. 395 Lo ! Julian the Apostate vainly tries At Rome the Pagan worship to restore. He fails, and fighting with the Persians, dies. And then, as time roll'd on, this mighty realm Was rent in twain, and in three sixty-four The sep'rate Empires of the East and West At length arose. Good Yalentinian first E/ul'd in the West, and Valens in the East. Once more they were united for a time By Theodosius, called the Great ; and then Arcadius and Honorius, in their turn. Severed them, never to be join'd again. 358. 379. 395. 379. 364 Meanwhile the G-othic and the German tribes, And rude Sarmatse, gave the sword of Rome But little rest ; and other races too, The Alemanni, and Sicambri fierce, Like Hydra's heads, rose up on ev'ry side, Still, still to be by Julian overthrown, By Theodosius, or by Stilicho, Though Yalens fail'd, and met a dreadfal fate. Britain, invaded by the Picts and Scots, Is yet reconquer' d for a little while. A.D. 104 .EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. 409. 446. 455, 409 and 410. 410. ah. 446 to 452, 451. IS'ow from the distant East another race, The savage Huns, impell'd by that desire To wander forth and conquer on the way, That sways the Central Asiatic tribes, Were sweeping eastward. Soon the swelling tide Of nations, rolling tow'rds unhappy Rome, And scarcely now repress'd, shall overflow, And Goths, and Huns, and Yandals, in their turn, See at their feet the mistress of the world. 68. THE FIFTH CENTURY. Behold at last the time had come : The Goths, led on by Alaric, came first. To slake in blood their hot and vengeful thirst, Sacking and burning mighty Rome. Scarcely had thirty summers pass'd When warlike Huns, with Attila their king. Founding a claim upon Honoria's ring. Came sweeping like a with'ring blast. Their cruel work was done ; again Sweeping from Rome across the Alps, they find The Romans and the Visigoths combin'd To stay their course on Chalons' plain. And this was Rome's last victory. Perhaps, indeed, her most important one — Since, from the thraldom of the savage Hun, The Christian world was thus set free. A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEAES. 105 The famous Merovic, they say, The founder of the Meroyingian line, Came with his valiant Franks across the E/hine, And fought against the Huns that day. ace. 481c?. 511. Clovis, four ninety-three, erects The monarchy of France, call'd from the Franks ; And Paris, on the Seine's now famous banks, As her metropolis selects. 455. IS'ine years elapse, and Yandal hordes, Fresh from their victories in Africa, Led on by Grenseric, make Rome their prey, Dyeing in Roman blood their swords. 476. Twenty-one years, and one who bore A deadlier sword than even Grenseric' s, Great Odoacer, in four sev'nty-six, O'erthrows proud Rome to rise no more. 409. In Britain, Yortigern, meanwhile, (The Romans having left it) vainly fights Against the Picts ; and Hengist he invites To help him to regain the Isle. 449. And Hengist came right willingly — Out of the land full soon the foe was swept ; But England for themselves the Saxons kept, And thus arose the Heptarchy. ah. 410. Meanwhile the Church was sorely tried By errors, and by heresies within ; And man's original and inborn sin Now by Pelagius was denied. A.D. 106 EPITOME OP UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Yet many a saintly genius bright^ — Augustine, Vigilantius, Chrysostora — Adorn'd tlie Churcli, and gilded Christendom With radiant beams of holy light. The Church, four thirty-one, expell'd With all his followers, Nestorius : 431. This third great Council sat at Ephesus : 451. The fourth was at Chalcedon held. Thus the ISTestorian Christians rose, Unshackled by the heresies of Rome : Secluded in the East, they found a home, And there their little lamp still glows. Thus many a distant branch, we mark, A purer, holier, lasting light possess'd; Whilst the great churches of the East and West Began to wander in the dark : Of East and West, for deadly schism On things important to our one great hope. Sprang up between the Patriarch and the Pope, Between Greek Church and Romanism. 'Twas now the Popes became so nam'd ; And (now that miracles by relics wrought, And image-worship into vogue were brought,) Infallibility they claim' d. But who had stemmed that mighty Hunnish tide, Which, bursting from its Asiatic home, Deluged and ravaged Europe far and wide. And even humbled proud Imperial Rome ? A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEAKS. 107 451. 'Twas ^tius, in the year four fifty-one, Who fonght that fearful fight on Chalons' plain, And stay'd the onward progress of the Hun ; For though both armies on the field remain, The mighty avalanche was turn' d aside ; Relentless Attila had had his day, 452. And when, two short years afterwards, he died, His Empire, like a meteor, pass'd away. ab. 516 to 544, or earlier. 597. 69. THE SIXTH CENTURY. All England now is master'd by the warlike Saxon race, And soon their Pagan idols Christianity displace ; But still the sturdy Britons, after Yortigern was dead. Fought bravely to the last, by many a gallant chieftain led. 'Twas now that brave Prince Arthur fought, and round his famous table Sat with his knights, those heroes bold, of wild romantic fable. Bravely they fought, retreating into Cornwall, till their foes Crush' d them at length, and then the Saxon Hep- tarchy arose. The century had nearly clos'd, when Ethelbert embrac'd The Christian faith, which never had completely been efiaced; A.D. 108 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. For lioly men and true there were, who kept God's holy word, And still had pray'd and worshipp'd, spite of per- secution's sword. But surely now these faithful ones come forward, and rejoice To see the Church thus rescu'd by the monk Augustine's voice. Alas, more deadly now to them was persecution's sword Than when the Saxon conqueror his Pagan gods restor'd. And all who will not bow to Eome, but venture to deny What E/ome commands them to believe, at once are doom'd to die. This was Augustine's work ; and let it never be belie v'd That England first from him the light of Gospel truth receiv'd ; A pure and Apostolic church our native land could claim Some centuries before the Romish monk Augus- tine came. 5. 483,0-00. 527. d. 565. Meanwhile the Eastern Empire was attaining to a height, Rivalling even ancient Rome in council and in fight. Society no little debt of gratitude has ow'd, Even in modern times to great Justinian and his Code: A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND TEAES. 109 d. 565. 527—534. 539—541. 554. In tHs, and in his other famous works, may yet be trac'd The laws on whi oil fall many a European code is bas'd. And now too, Belisarius, in conquering career, Subdu'd the mightiest nations in succession, far and near. The Persian first, and then the warhke Vandal he defeats ; In Sicily and Italy the Hke success he meets. And ere his marvellous career of victory was run. His valour sav'd Byzantium from the bold ad- vancing Hun. And famous Belisarius comes nobly handed down, As one of those who wisely have refus'd a profier'd crown. The sixth and seventh centuries beheld the Popes assert Their temporal supremacy, to help them to subvert AU monarchs who may dare to disobey what they dictate. And thus secure their spiritual rule in ev'ry State. 493. 554. The kingdom which the Ostrogoths in Italy had gain'd, On Odoacer's death, they but for sixty years re- tain'd. Totila, in five fifty-four was overcome and slain By Narses, and that kingdom fell, never to rise again. Italy, when this Ostrogoth supremacy had ceas'd. Was ruled awhile by Narses for the Emp'ror of the East ; A.D. 110 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOET. 568. But little time elapsed before the Exarcli was re- call'd, d. 564. And Alboin, the Lombard, King of Italy install'd. Thus it befel that Lombard rule in Italy arose ; Two centuries had nearly pass'd before it saw a close : Two centliries that weU sufficed foundation firm to lay For that more modern Italy which we behold to-day. 70. THE SEVENTH CENTURY. The seventh century Saw the false faith of Islam rise ; Deadliest of the enemies Of Christianity. But ere we here record The Moslem conquests, we may glance At Chosroes, and his advance With Persia's conqu'ring sword. 616. Jerusalem is won ; Egypt succumbs, and Syria falls, And to Byzantium's very waUs He leads his warriors on. Whilst, like a mighty tide, The fierce Avars come sweeping down. , And deadly foes beset the town 626. Closely on ev'ry side. A.D. THE FIFTH THOUSAND YEAES. Ill 622. Heraclius at length, Leaving Ms own war-wasted land Uncared for, witli a chosen band In Persia shows his strength. 627. Thus home at last he drew The Persian ; then, at Nineveh, Chosroes, by one victory, He utterly o'erthrew. 5.570,(^.632. But Mahomet was now Founding the faith, beneath whose sway Throughout the East, e'en to this day, So many nations bow. 610. The year six hundred ten. Beheld at last the Koran fram'd ; And Mahomet himself proclaim' d Grod's prophet among men. And not alone a creed. Set up by Mahomet we see : To found his earthly monarchy Unnumbered thousands bleed. The page of hist'ry shows No realm of such extent and might, That ever to so vast a height • So suddenly arose. Ere Mahomet was dead. That false religion, far and wide. In aU its mighty conqu'ring pride, Through many lands had spread. A.D. 112 EPITOME OP UNIVERSAL HISTORY. First Caliph of the East, 632. Abubeker came next ; then came ae. 634,(^.643. Omar, who Islam's pow'r and fame So mightily increas'd. In fifty years at most. Syria, Persia, Egypt fall. "With Palestine, beneath its thrall, And all the Libyan coast. A prey to Moslem spears 638. Zion became ; and so remain' d, 1099. Until by Godfrey's sword regain'd, After four hundred years. It is not ours to know. Why Grod has suffered Islam's creed To check the growth the Gospel seed Had then begun to show. Perhaps, because more bright, Before His chosen converts' eyes. The purer faith would one day rise, By missionary light. Than if the Word of Life In peace the world had overspread, All unoppos'd, all free from dread, And this world's cruel strife. But while at God's behest, Success the Moslem standard crown'd, The Gospel too was gaining ground, Throughout the favour'd West. A.B. THE FIFTH THOUSAND YEARS. 118 Brave, lioly men there were, Who, Kke the good Colninba, went From land to land, in mercy sent, Heaven's pathway to prepare. In many lands they preach' d : Casting abroad the precious leaven, That fits repentant sonls for heaven. By one Atonement reach' d. 71. THE EIGHTH CEISTTURY. Another century, the eighth, beholds A mighty conflict. On the famoas plain 732. Of Tours, the great decisive fight was fought, In which proud Islam and the Christian faith Contended for the Empire of the West. The tribes that dwelt on Afric's northern coast, Chafing beneath Byzantium's heavy yoke, In evil hour invoke the Saracen, — Full soon the coast from Egypt to the Straits Succumbs to Moslem rule. — Anon, a feud Amongst the Visigoths, the lords of Spain, (Discord at home is ever fruitful source Of ruin from abroad) prepares the way For ftirther conquest, and the Saracens, Ere thirteen years of this same century Had pass'd away, cross over into Spain. 71 3. Spain was soon overrun ; and twenty years See Abderrahman, with his Moslem host, I A.D. 732. 114 EPITOME OP UNIYERSAL HISTORY. aco.7l4,cZ. 741 acc.741,ec. 10, 1520. 1521. Had witness' d that debate ; and its effects Were soon apparent in tlie rapid growtli That Luther's doctrine found, while he himself In studying, in thinking, and no less In thus debating on the Word of Life, Came to this new conviction, that the Pope Was really either Antichrist himself, Or else his messenger. What wonder then That when the Pope, now thoroughly arous'd, Issued a Bull to excommunicate This bold, rebellious preacher, and condemn'd His writings to be burnt, Luther, whose soul Was now awaken' d to a new idea, At once bade bold defiance to the Pope, Burning the Papal Bull at Wittemberg, And wholly casting off the yoke of Rome ? Remember well that great eventful day : In fifteen twenty, and December tenth, The new protesting Gospel- Church came forth And stood alone, owning no head save Him Who came from heav'n to give us light and life. Behold the famous champion of the Word Summon' d, in April fifteen twenty-one. Before the Diet held by Charles the Fifth At Worms. Among the princes there he stood, Proclaiming earnestly the cause of truth. Recant ! they little knew his honest heart, Or how such men are strengthen' d from above. The edict might be issued : what of that ? Luther had toil'd and labour'd night and day, Answering, guiding all throughout the land Who sought the light, and join'd the holy work. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEARS. 151 m. 1524. b. 1490, ace. 1523, d. 1560. 5.1484ci:.1531 His doctrines now had firmly taken root ; No pow'r on eartli conld now eradicate The purer faith. Yet there was risk enough That some of his relentless enemies Might wreak on Luther their fanatic hate ; So the Elector, fearing for his life, Convey'd him to the Wartburg. There he liv'd Conceal'd from aU his foes ; nor idly pass'd His time ; for in that Patmos Luther made That great translation of the Holy Word Which to this day is used in Grermany ; Thus giving to his Fatherland a work That would alone have justly earn'd for him The blessings of mankind. The closing years Of Luther's life (too offc, alas ! the case With those who thus have wholly spent themselves In serving God and benefiting man) Were full of anxious cares. His wedded life Was happy, it is true, but he was doom'd To see divisions in the rescued Church, And grieve at wild excesses which arose Out of the liberty so newly found And did dishonour to the holy cause. But the great work was done. In Germany Eull many a prince and province had embraced The truth, and shaken off the rule of Rome. In Sweden (having bravely freed the land From Danish tyranny) judiciously Gustavus Yasa led the people on To follow in the Reformation's path. Switzerland too, by famous Zwingle led, Was Protestant. In England Papal Rome A.D. 152 EPITOME OP UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Soon ceased to be supreme ; and Denmark too, And Holland, ctose the light, and broke away From Rome. 'Twas all in vain the Diet met 1530. At Angsburg, fifteen thirty, and conde'mn'd The tenets by Melancthon well set forth In the far-famed " Confession." To avert The storm that threaten'd them, the princes met. And form'd for purposes of self-defence 1531. The League of Smalcalde. "What might now have been The issue of the struggle, had it then Burst forth in all its fury, none can tell. But happily the Emp'ror Charles the Fifth, Eager that all his empire should unite To aid him in his war against the Turks, And willing to conciliate, now recall' d 1532. The Edicts both of Worms and Augsburg too ; And Luther, ere his mighty spirit pass'd 1546. From earth to heav'n, in fifteen forty-six, Thus liv'd to see his holy task fulfill' d, — The truth triumphant in his Fatherland, And half of Europe rescued from the thrall Of Papal Rome, — its darkness swept away Before the gladd'ning beams of Gospel light. 78. THE MASSACRE OF BAINT BARTHOLOMEW. 1572. The massacre of St. Bartholomew Took place in fifteen hundred seventy-two. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEAES. 153 ace. 1560, d. 1574. ace. 1574, d. 1589. i.l504,c^.l589, 5.1550, c^.l 588. h. 1553, ") ace. 1589, [ d. 1610. 3 King Charles the Ninth of France, a cruel king, Did this most wicked and inhuman thing, And laid this direst of all royal plots Against the Protestants, or Huguenots. Henry the Third was Charles's cruel brother ; Cath'rine de Medicis their wicked mother. How could a deed like this result in good ? It fiU'd the land with anarchy and blood. The Duke of Guise, a man of dark intrigue, Headed the Papists in their famous league ; Henry the Fourth, then Monarch of l^avarre, Headed the Protestants in that fierce war. In Henry of ITavarre much good we find ; But yet though brave, and generous, and kind. He wanted purity and strength of mind. His nature in too soft a mould was cast. His impulses were good, but quickly past. And he became a Romanist at last. And all too well did Charles's plot succeed : The consequences of this awful deed In France's later history we read. She riveted Rome's iron fetters tight ; She clos'd her eyes against the dawning light ; Her Church sits shrouded yet in Papal night. Protestantism is friend to liberty ; We look around, and wheresoe'er we see Rome still supreme, the nation is not free. A.D. 154 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 79. THE THIRTY TEARS' WAR. 1534. J.1491,rf.l566. 1545. 1552. They little knew the pride of Papal Rome Who thought the newlj rescued Church was safe From further danger. In the self-same year When Luther gave his Bible to the world The order of the Jesuits arose, Founded by stern Ignatius Loyola, A soldier once, now an enthusiast. Protestantism has had no enemy More deadly than this famous brotherhood, Whose doctrine into proverb now has pass'd, That evil, done to benefit the Church, Is good and holy. Fifteen forty-five Saw the great Council caU'd at Trent (prolong'd For nearly eighteen years in all), at which The claims of Rome were all upheld ; and then The Diet, next at Ratisbon convened, Confirm'd its force against the Protestants. War soon broke out. In fifteen forty- seven Mlihlhausen's sore defeat cast down the hopes Of Germany ; but not indeed for long. Maurice of Saxony soon took the field, And so successfully, that he obtain' d In fifteen fifty-two the famous peace Of Passau, which confirm'd the Protestants In civil and religious Hberty. Then came a time comparatively calm ; It was the calm before a hurricane. The reign of Rudolph served to alienate A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEAES. 155 1619 to 1648. The motley States beneatli tlie Austrian rule From tlie Imperial Crown. Matthias next Succeeds to him in sixteen hundred twelve, But ere his reign is ended we behold Bohemia, one of the revolted States, Choose for its king a sterling Protestant, In Fred'rick the Elector Palatine. 'Twas to recover this revolted State That Ferdinand the Second, Emperor Of Germany, now went to war ; array' d With him we find the mighty pow'r of Spain, And Maximilian of Bavaria Headed the League against the Protestants. On Fred'rick's side was many a German prince, Determined to uphold the purer faith ; And France, though Roman Catholic herself, From policy and hate to Austria Aided the Protestants in Germany, Whilst blindly persecuting them at home. Yolumes indeed might scarce suffice to tell The various changes of this fearful war, Which now from sixteen hundred and nineteen To sixteen forty-eight, just thirty years, Brought desolation upon Germany. Its horrors never yet have been surpass'd. Alas ! the sword, drawn in the sacred name Of God and of religion, ever strikes With tenfold bitterness. The chief events May briefly thus be told. The Protestants Suffer' d their first and chief defeat at Prague In sixteen twenty. Then a famous League With Denmark and King Christian at its head A.D. 156 EPITOME OE UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 5.1583, cZ.1634. ^».1559,c^.l632, 1630. h. 1595, ace. 1611, d. 1632. ; )5, 7 11, 52. 5 1631. 1632. 1634 to 1645, 1634. 1648. Revived their sinking hopes. And now we see The famous Austrian leaders, Wallenstein And Tilly, bearing all resistance down ; Proud, haughty, and imperious Wallenstein, And Tilly, fierce, relentless man of blood. Alas for Magdeburg ! too well indeed Could she describe the horrors of the war ; But she was soon avenged. Tor now appear'd Another hero on the battle field. Who turn'd full soon the sweeping tide of war. In great Grustavus, great alike in peace And war, the Protestants at last had found A champion worthy of so great a cause ; And Leipsic soon saw such a victory, That after that renown' d decisive day (Although the war yet lasted sixteen years) , The Romish cause in Germany was lost. Another year roll'd past, and Liitzen's fight. Whilst adding one more laurel to his crown, Beheld the hero slain ; — his work was done. The fights of Nordlingen might cast by turns A temporary weight in either scale ; But though the German princes made a peace With Austria, yet the gallant Swedes we find, Join'd with the French commanded by Turenne, Gain'd many victories, until at length In sixteen forty-eight a peace was sign'd At Osnaburg and Miinster, better known As the Westphalia peace. Thus finally The rights of all were settled and confirm'd : The War of Thirty Years was at an end. A.D. I. 1638, ace. 1643. d. 1715 t3,[ 5. J 1648. 1665. 1668. 5.1621,dl686, ^1611,(^.1675 1672. 1678. -I THE SIXTH THOUSAl^^D TEARS. 167 80. LOUIS QUATOEZE. The long long reign of King Louis Quatorze, Which, lasted in all two and seventy years, Was fraught with cruel and profitless wars, That plunged many nations in sorrow and tears. In Sixteen hundred and forty and eight, Five years after Louis ascended the throne, Westphalia's treaty had settled each State, The bounds and the limits of each being shown. In sixteen hundred and sixty and five. On Flanders his troops irresistibly fell ; The Spaniards out of the country they drive, And then conies the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. A great French Marshal, the famous Conde, Led Louis's legions to victory then. Whilst all the province of Franche-Comte, Was won in a fortnight by Marshal Turenne. The Dutch, the next whom King Louis attack' d. Were very soon swept nearly out of their land ; At last some monarchs the Hollanders back'd ; And Wilham of Orange then made such a stand, That sixteen seventy-eight, to his cost, King Louis, quite foil'd in his lofty design, At once, by Nimeguen's treaty has lost Both Flanders and aU he had gain'd on the Rhine. A.D. 158 EPITOME OP UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 1697. 5.1650, cZ.1722. 1713. 1715. But when of struggles so profitless tired, King Louis, exhausted, seems willing to pause, His foes by fear or by hatred inspired. Make war upon him without any good cause. Alas ! full many a city so fair, That stood on the banks of the Rhine's rapid tide. Lights up the stream with a terrible glare. And deeply with slaughter its eddies are dyed. Stern fate o'er Louis now seems to impend ! He calls upon France, and he calls not in vain ; And Ryswick's treaty then brings to an end, Sixteen ninety-seven, war's terrible reign. Once more, ere humbled and broken he died. The merciless sword was by Louis unsheathed ; Who could refuse, with some right on his side. The kingdom of Spain to his grandson be- queath'd ? Turenne is gone, and the famous Conde ; Though had they yet lived it had little avail' d ; Where Marlb'rough marshall'd his troops in array, Conde or Turenne might full surely have fail'd. The direst of struggles must, happily, cease, And Louis, most woefully humbled in pride. In sev'nteen thirteen concluded the peace Of Utrecht, and then two years afterwards died. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEARS. 159 81. THE WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSIOK Come and listen to me ; with a very few lines You may put yourself quite in possession Of the principal actors, their aims, and designs. In the War of the Spanish Succession. ace. 1665, d. 1700. Charles the Second of Spain, son of Philip the Fourth, Had no children ; and so to his crown, While the king was yet living, three claimants stood forth — In their order we'll set them aU down. First, King Philip the Fourth's eldest daughter (her name Was Maria- Theresa) was spouse Of King Louis Quatorze, so he put in a claim For the Dauphin, the heir of his house. Second, Leopold's Empress, like Louis's Queen, Was a daughter of Philip the Fourth ; So her grandson — the Prince of Bavaria, I mean — Had a title of no little worth. Thirdly, Leopold, Austria's Emp'ror, preferr'd A fair claim by descent from his mother, Because she was a daughter of Philip the Third, So that Philip the Fourth was her brother. A.D. 160 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. 1699. N^ow a female, by old Salic law, over Spain Could not reign, thongli Iter male issne might ; So if tMs had been all, then the Dauphin, 'tis plain, Or the Prince, would have had the best right. But both daughters of Philip the Fourth had in fact, When they married, relinquish'd all claims ; So 'twas urged that their heirs were not bound by an act To which they had not set their own names. Well, the monarchs, of war audits horrors afraid, A more peaceful arrangement devise ; And amongst them a treaty was very soon made, To divide the magnificent prize. But the stern hand of death set their treaty aside, And defeated their peaceful design ; The Electoral Prince of Bavaria died In the year sixteen ninety and nine. On this, Leopold, Louis, and William the Third, Tried their hands at a treaty again ; But now one or the other the matter deferr'd Until all their endeavours were vain. For the wretched career of King Charles now was run ; He, in seventeen hundred, died, too ; And his throne he bequeath' d to the French Dau- phin's son — Namely Philip, then Duke of Anjou. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEARS. 161 1701. France and Austria soon went to war for the plunder ; But with neither was England allied, Until Louis committed a very great blunder, And thus drove her to Austria's side. For in seventeen hundred and one, ex-King James Died in France, as no doubt you have heard ; And then openly Louis acknowledg'd the claims Of his son, whom he styled " James the Third." Then King William, who had until now stood aloof, Watching all with his eagle-ey'd glance, Against such a plain insult as this was not proof, And at once declared war against France, The war lasted for nearly the whole of Anne's reign. And all Europe was terribly shaken ; Many ancient possessions were wrested from Spain, And Gibraltar by England was taken. And great Marlborough's triumphs on Louis's brow Soon imprinted fall many a furrow ; While in Spain the strong walls of Montjuich had to bow To eccentric, but brave Peterborough. Marshals Villeroi, Catinat, Boufflers, Tallard, Many famous, great victories lost ; They had taught their opponents the science of war. And they now found it out to their cost. 1704. 1705. 1. 1658, d. 1735. A.D. 162 EPITOME OF UNIVEKSAL HISTOET. I. 1654, d. 1712. Yet, before the war closed, tlie great Due de Yen- dome And great Yillars such victories gained, That King Philip the Tiffch in his new Spanish home Undisputed as monarch remained. 1713. And the Treaty of Utrecht, in sev'nteen thirteen, Where the limits of France were concern'd, Grave her back all that Marlb 'rough and noble Eugene* * I. 1663, d. 1736. By their signal successes had earn'd. 82. N-ARVA AND PULTOWA. Charles the Twelfth and Peter the Great 1700. In seventeen hundred at N'arva fought ; I. 1672, Peter suffer' d a great defeat, d. 1725. Though eight to one to the field he brought. 1709. Nine years later Pultowa's field Beholds a change in the chance of war ; Kow the Swedes to the Russians yield, ace. 1697, And Charles succumbs to the conqu'ring Czar. c^. 1718. Pultowa well may claim a chiefest rank Amongst the battle-fields of modern days ; Russia this famous victory may thank Por the great part she now in Europe plays. A.D. aec. 1462. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEAES. 163 E,uric the Russian monarcLj began ; Then it owed much to Vladimir's bold sword : Then, overrun by warlike Grenghis Khan, The land was held by many a Tartar horde. And then brave Alexander Nevsky broke The Tartar rod with which the land was scourged; Ivan the Third wholly cast off the yoke, And Russia from its rudest state emerg-ed. Yet, sunk in barb'rous ig-norance, the land Govern'd by brutal monarchs still remained, Till, under Peter's energetic hand, Civilization it at once attain' d. Perhaps no other nation ever made Such mighty progress in so short a space ; And had not Peter's bold designs been stayed, Europe might now have worn a diff 'rent face. But ISTarva check'd him first ; and then the Turk, After Pultowa, foil'd him on the Pruth ; And Russia furnished him with nobler work Than foreign thrones to conquer and uproot. Great statesmanship and energy we see. And courage too, display'd in Peter's life ; But vices low, and selfish cruelty. In this great Russian's character were rife. Sweden, meanwhile, had not essay'd in vain Amongst the thrones of Europe to stand forth. Gustavus Yasa freed her from the Dane ; And then the famous " Lion of the North" A.D. 164 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOET. Gave to her arms a fame surpass'd by none, And diaries tlie Twelfth, at eigliteen years of age, Bade fair to rival him of Macedon, And claim in history a glorious page. But Charles, altho' a hero in the fight, Was half a madman, reckless, coarse and rude ; And, holding ev'ry rule of prudence light. By Peter's genius he was soon subdued. Thus the dominion of the North engaged In deadly war these monarchs of renown, Whilst Austria, France, and England, fiercely waged Their famous war about the Spanish crown. Pultowa's fight the self-same year was fought As that which Marlb' rough gained at Malplaquet: Old Louis and young Charles ahke were taught How quickly earthly glories pass away. They learn'd what Charlemagne too had learn'd before. And what Napoleon yet was doom'd to learn, The days of Empires vast, like those of yore, On Earth are destin'd never to return. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEAES. 165 1756. 1757, 1757, 1758. 1762. 1763. 83. THE SEVEN TEARS' WAR. The Seven Tears' War was brought on by the Prussians, (King Ered'rick the Great having seized on Silesia,) The Anstrians, leagued with French, Saxons, and Russians, Asserting the rights of Maria-Theresa. The war in sev'nteen fifty-six was begun ; And Fritz (though he met some defeats with his Prussians), At Rossbach, and Leuthen, and Zorrendorf, won Great victories over French, Anstrians, and Russians. How all might have ended is doubtful indeed ; But Peter the Third became Czar of the Russians, Deserting the cause ; — soon the others secede ; — Silesia remain'd in the hands of the Prussians. 84. AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. When boys have grown too old for schools. And enter into life as men. What parent would enforce the rules By which he govern' d them tiU then ? When Albion's sons had learn' d to roam Oer the wide world, on daring wings, They would not brook that those at home Should hold them yet in leading-strings. A.D. 166 EPITOME OF UNIYEESAL HISTORY. 1773-1774. June 16, 1775. Oct. 17, 1777 Sept. 1777. Sept. 1777. ♦ h. 1732, d. 1799. Feb. 1776. Oct. 29, 1781 So it fell out in sev'nty-five, Her sons across th' Atlantic Ocean Britannia manag'd thus to drive Into rebellion and commotion. Old England wrathfuUy insists On duties, both on tea and stamps ; Young England stubbornly resists What, as she thinks, her progress cramps. Yow not where thou canst not command : Till he should crush them George the Third Yow'd he would never sheathe the brand ; They triumph'd — and he broke his word. Loud riQg the shouts in Faneuil Hall ! Boston is first to strike the stroke j To arms, to arms ! is now the call ; Away with Britain's hateftd yoke ! They win the fight at Bunker's Hill, At Bennington, and other fields ; And, lo ! a greater vict'ry still ! Burgoyne at Saratoga yields. But they, too, some repulses meet ; The English Philadelphia master ; Brandywine brings a sore defeat ; And Valley Forge still worse disaster. Lord Howe, hemm'd in by "Washington,* Boston at length evacuates ; Worse failure, too, in eighty-one, Cornwallis at York Town awaits. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND YEARS. 167 In eighty-two a peace we find At Paris sign'd ; in eighty-three Sept 3, 1783. Britannia every claim, resigned, And own'd Columbia wholly free. In sev'nteen hundred sev'nty-six They made that famous Declaration, From which in history we fix July 4, 1776. Their independence as a nation. Yes ! all men are born free and equal ! Great, glorious code of human right ! Alas ! it turn'd out in the sequel, " All men" meaut " all whose skins are white. And slavery, that dire disgrace — That blot upon the human name — That foulest stigma of our race, — Tarnish' d Columbia's flag and fame. True, she but did as others did ; 'Tis an excuse too oft thought ample ; But when for freedom thus she bid, She should have set a great example. And when, at last, the nations came To cast away so foul a stain ; At least she might have done the same ; But no, she still held fast the chain. Lo ! as some dread distemper wears And saps the strongest frame at length — So, in herself, Columbia bears The bane that shall destroy her strength. A.D. 168 EPITOME OF TJNIVEESAL HISTOET. No foreign State or outward foe She needs to deal the fatal thrust ; She, she herself, shall strike the blow That lays the Union in the dust. 85. ITALY. What ! shall Italy rise, and sit in the Council of nations ? Mistress once of the world, her glory is surely departed. 409 & 410. Did. not barbarous Goths dishonour the tombs of the Caesars ? 452. Did not Huns defile the soil once trod by Ca- millus ? 455. Did not Genseric's Yandal hordes encamp in the Forum ? Rome, imperial Rome, so lately the terror of nations, 476. Prostrate lay in the dust at the feet of the stern Odoacer. Who shall bid her arise, renewing the pride of her eagles ? Italy did but sleep ; the fire, not wholly extin- guish' d, Smouldering lay conceal' d under Rome's soul- stifling oppression. Still from time to time that fire, pent up in her bosom. A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND YEAES. 169 aht. 452. 800. .1468,r. I. CAUSES. Oppressive taxes, join'd to royal waste, Unjust, and useless wars, these are the crimes, "With haughty nobles, and a Court unchaste. That lead to troublous and rebellious times. 'Twas so in France ; and hapless Louis Seize, Although himself of such things innocent. Dies on the scaffold, and unjustly pays The penalty of past misgovernment. The hurricane of conquest sweeps the scene With sudden desolation far and wide ; And where a great and mighty realm had been. Soon nought but crumbling ruins are descried ; While literature, like the gentle breeze, ISTot strength alone and healthful vigour brings Too oft the seeds of death and dire disease It bears upon its slow and poison' d wings. The few will ever for the many think ; And if their thoughts and writings be impure. The many, who from poison'd sources drink, Show the result ; — 'tis slow, but not less sure. A.D. 6.1712,(^.1778. 6.1694,c^.l778 1781. Feh. 22, 1787. 1788. May 7, 1789' 180 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTORY. Rousseau, Voltaire, and others in their day, Wielded no other weapon than a pen ; But deadly and destructive was the sway They exercised upon the minds of men. It is, in truth, impossible to doubt That all the pois'nous seed which they had sown In France, did much indeed to bring about The fearful storm that overturn' d the throne. II. THE STATES-GENEEAL. And France like one immense volcano lay, The pent up fires of anarchy and strife Scarcely conceal'd beneath a fair outside ; While fitful, hollow murmurings at times Gave awful presage of her coming fate. N'ecker had been dismiss'd ; the only man To whom the nation gave its confidence. Calonne was little able to avert The total bankruptcy that threaten'd France. The Notables, in sev'nteen eighty-seven, Were then conven'd ; and they at last agreed To tax themselves, — the great ones of the State,- And bear some portion of the burthens laid Upon the people. But as easily Might some vast, falling fabric be sustain'd By straws and rushes. After this, Brienne Was call'd to take the helm, but all in vain ; And ISTecker was recall'd. By his advice The Three Estates, call'd the States- General, In eighty-nine at Paris were conven'd. A.D. 5.1749, t?.1791 5.l747,c^.l793. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEARS. 181 III. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. All seem'd to promise well. There seem'd a hope That France might yet be sav'd. Yain hope, indeed ! The Tiers-Etat, or Commons, rose at once In bold defiance. It proclaimed itself The National Assembly, and assumed In stern effect the government of France, Though for a while the throne might yet exist. Fierce, wild debates ensued, in which the voice Of Mirabeau resounded over all ; And France, by hot and headlong passions led, Swept madly on to Revolution's goal. Now many a noble too, the torrent swell' d : Highest of all, and basest, was the Duke Of Orleans, though the cousin of the king, — Ejiown better by the name " Egalite." Powerful minds indeed were some of those That led the revolution ; yet, alas ! The most were cruel, low, and profligate. Few, in the end, — noble or lowly born, — Of those who fann'd the fierce, devouring flame, Escap'd the cruel fate to which they doom'd Thousands on thousands of their countrymen. Amongst the chiefest of them all we find Mirabeau, Danton, Robespierre, and Marat. The first alone (who for his selfish ends Sought, ere he died, to stay the avalanche That his bold voice had brought upon the land) Escap'd a death by violence. And now Behold the populace, to fury rous'd. A.D, 182 EPITOME OF UNIVEESAL HISTORY. Julyl% 1789. June 16, 1790 Oct. 6, 1789. 1790. Storming the dread Bastille, and casting down, With those gaunt, low'ring walls, the tyranny That long had crush'd the liberties of Trance. Yes ! It was swept away. Bat there arose, Instead of it, a direr tyranny. That fatal day the tiger tasted blood : That day in France a reign of blood began, As yet unparallel'd. Full soon we see The National Assembly rooting out All titles and distinctions, by decrees. Which, breaking down all wholesome barriers, Led on the lowest, vilest profligates, To treat as crimes that call'd aloud for blood, High rank and noble birth. What wonder then That monarchy should fare the worst of all ! Already, in the previous year, the mob Had fiercely storm' d Versailles ; and Lafayette Just barely saved from violence and death. Amidst the slaughter of the faithful Guards, The hapless king and queen, and tbose they lov'd. To Paris they were brought, and there remain' d, Appearing free, — but, prisoners in truth, — Till actual imprisonment and death Ended the tragic scene. Full many laws the new Assembly made, Altering ev'rything ; the land itself Into Departments was divided. Soon, Unable to obtain supplies of funds To carry on the government, they made Vast confiscations of the property Belonging to the Church ; demanding, too. Oaths of allegiance, which but few indeed A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND YEAES. 183 June 20, 1791 Se^t. 3,1791. Se-^t. 14 8e:^t. 30. 1792. Of all the clergy would consent to take. As for the nobles, their estates, of course. Were seiz'd upon. Nobles and clergy too, And all who now can manage to escape. Quit their devoted land, and emigrate To foreign countries, or enrol themselves Amongst the forces headed by Conde, And gather'd on the frontier, in the hope Of striking soon a blow for royalty. To flee from Paris an attempt was made By Louis and his queen, in ninety-one ; 'Twas all in vain. Ketaken at Yarennes, They were conducted back, to linger on Yet for a little while, — mere shadows now Of royalty. September, ninety-one. The great Constituent Assembly gave Its Constitution forth. The king went down, And swore to hold it all inviolate. Again there was a lull, — a ghastly pause ; — It was the fearful stillness that precedes The howling tiger's leap upon his prey. IV. THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. The old Constituent Assembly next Dissolv'd itself, as though its work were done : One, call'd the Legislative, took its place. Danger now threaten' d from the foreign powers. Which long had held aloof for very fear Lest interference should arouse the ire Of France, and thus endanger Louis' life. A.D. 184 EPITOME OF (TNIVEESAL HISTORY. July 25, 1792 Sept. 20. Ang. 10. They took up arms in seventeen ninety-two ; The Duke of Brunswick, in the chief command Of an invading army on the north, Issued a manifesto, threat'ning France With chastisement for all her cruel work. It seal'd the fate of thousands, and indeed Cut off all hope, if any hope remain'd. For Louis and poor Marie- Antoinette. Some small successes Brunswick gained at first At Longwy and Yerdun ; but France was rous'd, And Yalmy's victory, ere long proclaim'd The mighty conqu'ring spirit, destin'd soon To lay full many a nation in ^e dust. The Revolution triumph' d : Yalmy's fight, The glory of the elder Kellermann, Decided Europe's fate in that of France. Meanwhile the sight of an invading foe Had rous'd afresh the passions of the mob. We pause with horror at the fearful scenes That then ensued. A rabble, fierce and fell, In August had attack'd the Tuileries, And massacred the Swiss who form'd the Guard ; While Louis would have shared the self-same fate With all he lov'd, had he not taken flight, And sought a refuge in the very walls Of the Assembly. Now the hour had come For sterner measures : they were aU confin'd Captives within the Temple's gloomy walls. Insulted by the lowest of the low, They yet maintain'd a calm and holy peace. The lives of Louis and his family. While thus confin'd, a touching picture form A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEAKS. 185 Of resignation and domestic love. Alas ! tlie deadliest passions now broke loose, And massacres of savage cruelty E-eign'd all nnclieck'd ; and not indeed alone At Paris ; Lyons, Orleans too, and Rheims, ' And other cities, vied in cruel deeds With Paris ; thougli we chiefly hear of those Which there befel. And none of them surpass'd The horrors of the wholesale massacres Sept. ' Of thousands in the sad Bicetre's walls ; And then the slaughter of the priests who died Extorting admiration e'en from those Who did the fearful work. And then we come To those mock trials, hastily got through, To sweep away all traces that remain'd In France of rank or of nobility ; The forms of Justice were too slow to meet The savage thirst for blood ; and thus we find Hundreds of victims daily doom'd to die, Like the pure, gentle, beautiful Princess De Lamballe. But we draw the veil, and pause In horror at the dread and awful thought. That those who did these fearful deeds were men. Men like ourselves ; many, perhaps, had been As loving, kindly, and affectionate. And thought as little they should ever come To such a heart of blood. Be Avarn'd by them ! Once leave the path of love and holiness, Once cast aside the wholesome fear of God, Once lose the reverence for holy things. And there is n*othing base and devilish That even thou mayst not become at last. A.D. 186 EPITOME OF UNIYEESAL HISTORY. Sept. 21, 1792, Sept. 22. Bee. 11, 1792, Jan. 21, 1793, Oct. 16, 1793, y. THE NATIONAL CONTENTION. The ifsTational Convention now sprang up, And govern'd France awhile. Its first decrees Proclaim'd that monarchy was at an end, And France was a E/cpublic. Ev'rywhere Men aim'd at imitating ev'rything That might recall the glories of old Rome. Manners and customs, dresses, ev'rything Republican, was now the rage in France ; And Citizen became throughout the land The only title known. It was not long , Before the last act of the tragedy Fill'd Europe with dismay ; for they arraign'd Unhappy Louis for his so-called crimes Against the nation. Then, of course, there came A mockery they call'd a trial ; then The guillotine perform'd its fearful work. And Louis Seize was sent to his account. Gentle and harmless tow'rds his fellow-men, He dearly loved the France that murdered him ; And died at last a victim to the crimes Of others, and to past misgovernment. Before that fearful, fatal year had closed, His queen, unhappy Marie- Antoinette, Whose gentle courage had so long assuag'd His bitter trials, and whose character (Though indiscretion was at times her fault In days full trying to a Queen of France) Deserves our warmest admiration, fell Like him a victim to thfe nation's rage. And in the Temple's cheerless solitude A.D. June 9, 1795. 1793 & 1794. 1794. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEARS. 187 The Dauphin too pass'd from this stormj world. But Europe, rous'd to vengeance by the death Of Louis, now arose in arms. Yet France Quail' d not before the coming storm ; at once All her tremendous energy shone forth In preparations for the deadly fight. Ten kingdoms she defied to open war, And prov'd full soon the prowess of her arms. YI. THE EEiaN OF TEEEOE. At home, alas ! the horrors still went on Increasing daily. The Committee form'd For " Public Safety" soon at Paris rose, With hundreds more throughout the land ; their aim Was to root out, beneath the guillotine. And quench in blood, all that oppos'd their sway. This was the Reign of Terror. It is said That nineteen thousand persons met their fate In Paris by the guillotine alone. The land was now one hideous theatre Of fearful massacres ; nor high nor low Afc last were safe ; all that was holy too Was spurn'd and scouted by the reckless men Who sway'd with impious and polluted hands The destinies of France. Yet, one by one. They fell before each others' vengeful hate, Till, finally, in ninety-four, we find Robespierre supreme. Terror was at its height, And no one now felt certain that his turn A.D. 188 EPITOME OF UNIVERSAL HISTOET. July 28, 1794, Oct. 27, 1795, Oct. 4, 1795. To perish migM not be the very next. At length the cup o'erflow'd. In self-defence Some of the boldest rose, and overthrew The hateful wretch, who miserably died, , Amidst the execrations of the world, By that dread guillotine beneath whose edge So many victims he had doom'd to die ; And France, now wearied out with blood, return'd To ways less savage, wild, and terrible. VI. THE DIEECTOET. The form of government that next ensued. In ninety-five, was the Directory Of Five, assisted by two Councils ; one, The Council of the Ancients nam'd ; and one. The Council of Five Hundred. Milder men Now held the reins. Hope seem'd to dawn again Of peace and happiness in store for France. Tet not at once the high and boist'rous waves Calmly subside, v\rhen such a hurricane Has lash'd them to a height. Unpopular The old Convention had at length become : Paris had been the scene of fresh revolt : October, ninety-five, the Sections rose. Full thirty thousand men, National Guards And Citizens of Paris (not the low And senseless mob), combin'd to overawe The government. On that day's issue hung Once more the fate of France ; and, happily, The cause of order triumph' d. There was one A.D. THE SIXTH THOUSAND TEARS. 189 5. Aug. 15, ") 1769. ( d. May 5, t 1821. J 1796. 1796. 1787. 1797. Whose rising talent was already mark'd By some of those who govern'd then the State. The troops on which the government relied Were few indeed ; but one was in command, Whose courage, genius, and decision, turn'd The scale that day. ISTapoleon Bonaparte So well employ'd his little force, and made Such dispositions, such precautions took, That, after struggles terrible but short. The masses of insurgents were dispers'd And order was restored. From this time forth The bayonet in France became supreme. They well might welcome even that as mild And merciful — a change with blessings fraught- Who for so many years had liv'd beneath The shadow of the fearful guillotine. And now came foreign wars. In ninety-six The French, commanded by young Bonaparte, Skilfully turn'd the Alps. The famous names Of Montenotte, and Millesimo, Of Lodi, and Areola, others too, And Rivoli, in sev'nteen ninety-seven, Told how a mighty genius had appear'd, And revolutioniz'd the art of war. Yenice was conquer'd too ; and Austria, With Italy and Switzerland, compell'd To make a treaty, sign'd in ninety-sev'n At Campo Formio. The Directory ISTow sought to rid itself of one who might ]