Ancient Eloquence [pp. 703-706]

1840.] ncien Eloquence. 703
By thy pure and gentle mind,
And thy manners, frankly kind;
By all the pretty vows of Love,
By Lovers ever breathed in song,
Maidens' hearts to win and move;
Maiden! thou hast done me wrong!
I have feelings, wishes, fears, Thoughts of dear and olden time,
That would vent themselves in tears,
Did I vent them not in rhyme:
I have penned them hastily Feeling first, and reason after,
And thou readest them to me,
Maiden fair, with jest and laughter.
Maiden!'tis a weary world!
Filled with grief and pain and sorrow;
Where to-day joy smiles-unfurled,
Sorrow's wings may brood to-morrow:
He who never felt a wound,
At another's scars may jest, Soon or later, he hath found
Some stray dart to pierce his breast:
And since sorrow comes to all,
Should it ever come to thee,
Then may'st thou, perchance, recall
Thoughts of yesternight, and me!
Arid if e'er, in after times,
Disappointment should be thine;
And thy lone heart's saddened chimes
Steal from thee in idle line;
May no other, then, thy rhymes
Read to thee,-as thou did'st mine f
Cincinnati, Ohio.
notice the characteristic varieties of manner, the
'distinguishing traits of elocution, which mere differences of temper, of habit, and of manner, will
impress on the noblest and sublimest oratory. On
torical abilities, effect achievements almost equal
dled and excessive vehemence, will seem, for
ANCIENT ELOQUENCE.
BY WV. G. IIOWARD.
"Clear arguments may rise
In short succession: yet th' oratoric draught
Shall occupy attention's steadfast soul."
Eloquence, in its most comprehensive sense, is
the art of speaking well. It is, essentially, too,
the most brilliant department of the human intellect. Like the' Genius of Poesy,' it disdains, in
its very nature, to thread the intricate mazes of a
refined philosophy, and gain its favor, but courts
the winning smiles of popular applause. The abstract speculations, and the generic deductions of
the mere Metaphysician, are subversive of that
warmth of interest, and vivacity of spirit, and richness of sentiment, which it is the peculiar prerogative of the orator to enkindle; and seal up, with a
relentless frost; those rich overflowings of the
streams of thrilling emotion, that gushl, with irresistible impetuosity, from the deep fountains of his
own bosom.
It is unnecessary to attempt an accurate analysis
of eloquence, for the most labored and protracted
effort in this branch of intellectual chemistry, would
prove entirely abortive. Its general features, and
not its separate properties, are all that can be pro
1840.]
./ncient Eloquence.
703
IF
ever, which have been transmitted to us, and which