about the same as in the preceding case, though more disastrous in its consequences. For in this case we have no longer to do with dead worlds but possibly with a universe overtaken in full life by a terrible and inexorable decree — the more terrible as the event was, perhaps, long before its occurrence forseen by the planetary inhabitants of the threatened system. Those situated on the other side of the central sun could watch the destruction of the planets whose orbits brought them first in collision with the nebula, thinking with agony of the horrible death that awaited them in a few moments. A third hypothesis suggests in explanation a kind of explosion of the solar surface caused by the expansion of its incandescent gases. The consequences would be about the same as in the second hypothesis, a horrible death, less the Heng agony that characterizes the former. One fine day the sun would appear greatly disturbed, spreading an unbearable light and heat all over the sky, and in a few moments there would not be even the dead left to witness the annihilation of their universe. These are the three principal theories, the others leading to the same or nearly the same results. But these terrible occurrences, which we now observe and discuss, may after all not belong to the present time, but long since be lost in an immemorable past; and there where we suppose all these agonies in connection with the phenomenon now reigns a perfect calm, or a new era of joyous life has been setting in. In fact, what we saw is but the aspect, the light of the event which perhaps occurred several centuries ago! Light, which we know to travel 186,000 miles in a second, requires more than four years to reach us from the nearest star, and from the others ten, twenty, thirty, one hundred, nay, millions of years. The light of the "Nova" of 1901 had perhaps travelled many centuries before reaching us, and what we saw are the rays it darted out in its terrible spasms of the past.-Londsberg. WHO-WHEN-WHERE SERIES.-6. WILLIAM BASSE. 1613-1648. Renowned Spencer, lie a thought more nigh To learned Chaucer, and rare Beaumont lie A little nearer Spenser, to make room For Shakespeare in your three-fold, four-fold tomb. -On Shakespeare. SIR WILLIAM DAVENANT. 1605-1668. Since knowledge is but sorrow's spy, It is not safe to know.-The Just Italian. Act V, Scc. v. SIR JOHN DENHAM. Though with those streams he no resemblance hold, Whose foam is amber and their gravel gold; His genuine and less guilty wealths explore, Search not his bottom, but survey his shore.-Cooper's Hill. O, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull; Strong without rage; without o'erflowing full.-Cooper's Hill. Actions of the last age are like almanacs of the last year. -The Soph. THOMAS DECKER. The best of men That e'er wore earth about him was a sufferer; A soft, meek, patient humble, tranquil spirit. The first true gentleman that ever breathed.-Part I, Act I, Sc. 12 And though mine arm should conquer twenty worlds, There's a lean fellow beats all conquerors.-Old Fortunatus. Of the offspring of the gentilman Jafeth, come Habraham, Moyses, Aaron, and the profettys; and also the Kyng of the right lyne of Mary, of whom that gentilman Jhesus was borne. -Julia Berners, Heraldic Blazonry. We are ne'er like angels till our passion dies.-Part II, Act I, Sc. 2. Honest labour bears a lovely face.-Patient Grissell, Act I, Sc. 1. ABRAHAM COWLEY. 1618-1667. What shall I do to be forever known, And make the age to come my own?-The Motto. His time is forever, everywhere his place.-Friendship in absence. -On the Death of Crashaw. -Pope, Essay on Man, Ep. III, Line 306. A mighty pain to love it is, And 't is a pain that pain to miss; But of all pains, the greatest pain It is to love, but love in vain.-Gold. Nothing is there to come, and nothing past, But an eternal now does always last.-Davideis, Vol. I, Book 1. One of our poets (which is it?) speaks of an everlasting now. Southey, The Doctor, Ch. XXV, P. 1. Words that weep and tears that speak.-The Prophet. EDMUND WALLER. 1605-1687. The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed, Lets in new light through chinks that time has made. As they draw nearer to their eternal home.-Divine Poesy. A narrow compass! and yet there Dwelt all that's good, and all that's fair: Give me but what this riband bound, Take all the rest the sun goes round.-On a Girdle. Poets lose half the praise they should have got, Could it be known what they discreetly blot. -On Roscommon's Translation of Horace De Arte Poetica. Could we forbear dispute, and practice love, We should agree as angels do above.-Divine Love, Canto III. JOHN MILTON. PARADISE LOST. Of Man's first disobedience and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world and all our woe.-Book I, Line v. What in me is dark Illumine, what is low raise and support; That to the height of this great argument I may assert eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men.-Line 22. But vindicate the ways of God to man.-Pope. Line 16. What though the field be lost? All is not lost; th' unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield.-Line 105. Who overcomes By force, hath overcome but half his foe.-Line 648. Let none admire That riches grow in hell; that soil may best Deserve the precious bane.-Line 690. Back to thy punishment, False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings.-Bk. II, Line 699. Hail, holy light! offspring of heaven's first-born.-Bk. III, Line 1. Imparadis'd in one another's arms.-Bk. IV, Line 506. Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep.-Bk. IV, Line (?7. Good, the more Communicated, more abundant grows.-Bk. V, Line 71. To know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom.-Bk. VIII, Line 192. Revenge, at first though sweet, Bitter ere long back on itself recoils.-Bk. IX, Line 171. For solitude sometimes is best society, And short retirement urges sweet return.-Bk. IX, Line 249. Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou livest Live well; how long or short permit to heaven.-Bk. IX, Line 553. PARADISE Regained. Beauty stands In the admiration of weak minds Led captive.—Bk. II, Line 220. Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'd.-Bk. II, Line 228. Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise.-Bk. III, Lîne 56. The childhood shows the man As morning shows the day.-Bk. IV, Line 220. The child is father to the man.-Wordsworth. Deep versed in books, and shallow in himself.—Bk. IV, Line 327. SAMSON AGONISTES Just are the ways of God, And justifiable to men; Unless there be who think not God at all.-Line 293. What boots it at one gate to make defense, And at another to let in the foe?-Line 560. He's gone, and who knows how he may report Thy words by adding fuel to the flame?-Line 1350. For evil news rides post, while good news baits.-Line 1538. COMUS. Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot, Which men call Earth.-Line 5. That golden key That opes the palace of eternity.—Line 13. From out the purple grape Crushed the sweet poison of misused wine.-Line 46. Breathe such divine enchanting ravishment?-Line 244. It were a journey like the path to heaven, To help you find them.-Line 303. Virtue could see to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk.-Line 373. He that has light within his own clear breast May sit in the center and enjoy bright day; She that has that is clad in complete steel.-Line 420. |