ELEGIACS.
163
LITERARY.
ELEGIACS.
CYPRIS ANADYOMENE.
AUSONIUS.
Rising fresh from the vital waves of the far-sounding ocean,
Faire-t Cypris behold, work of Apelles divine;
As she clasps in both hands her thick tresses all wet with the salt-foam.
Shaking adown the spray, tossing her bright-flowing hair.
"Cyprus, to thee we yield," say Hera and virgin Athene,
"Loveliness chief is thine, conquered, we give o'er the prize."
TO SESTIUS.
HORACE, I., 4.
Stern old Winter has fled, far driven by Spring and mild Zephyr,
Now the fishers draw down storm-beaten craft to the main;
Forth from their barns go the herds, and the plowman goes forth from his fireside.
Nor do the meadows at morn glitter all white with the snow.
Now Cytherea leads the chorus of beautiful Graces
Joined with the frolicsome Nymphs, 'neath the o'er hanging moon.
All through the grove they dance, while glowing Vulcan is lighting
Forges for Cyclops' toil, urging them on to the work.
Now it befits us to wreathe our shining brows with green myrtle.
Or with the flowers that the earth, loosed from her bonds, hath brought forth;
Now in the shady groves 'tis fitting we offer to Faunus,
Whether he asks for a lamb, whether a kid he prefers.
Pallid Death with equal hand both knocks at the cottage,
And at the towers of kings. O happy Sestius. Time
Flying swiftly forbids us hope to live long in life's pleasance.
Night soon upon thee will press, Pluto's starveling house
Soon will forever enclose thee, where, when thou hast once entered,
Feasts thou wilt rule never more, chosen master by chance.
THE EDUCATIONAL POWER OF FICTION.
The popular predilection for fiction has made it the characteristic literature of our century. By far the largest portion of books now published is devoted to this class of writing. Leaders in every branch of knowledge have chosen it as the most effective way of presenting their views to the public. A department of letters covering
so wide a range of thought, and having so great a number of readers, must of necessity possess a powerful influenc.
Fiction is the permanent flower of the imagination. The highest form is that which depicts Nature in the most accurate colors. The pen of the fictionist, the chisel of the sculptor and the brush of the painter, each