THE FATHERLAND

Where is the true man's fatherland,
Is it where he by chance is born?
Doth not the yearning spirit scorn
In such scant borders to be spanned?
O yes! his fatherland must be
As the blue heaven wide and free!

Is it alone where freedom is,

Where God is God and man is man?
Doth he not claim a broader span
For the soul's love of home than this?
O yes! his fatherland must be
As the blue heaven wide and free!

Where'er a human heart doth wear
Joy's myrtle wreath or sorrow's gyves,
Where'er a human spirit strives
After a life more true and fair

There is the true man's birthplace grand,

His is a world-wide fatherland!

Where'er a single slave doth pine,
Where'er one man may help another,·

Thank God for such a birthright, brother,-
That spot of earth is thine and mine!
There is the true man's birthplace grand,
His is a world-wide fatherland!

-JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

A SONG OF APOLLO

AFTER the burning of Troy, to Argos there came

A soldier aged and weary:

Naught had he gained in the contest, treasure nor fame, So now he lifted his lyre, and day after day

Stood in the streets or the market, and strove to play.

No one gave him a lepton, no one waited to hear
A song so ancient and simple;

Hungry and hopeless, he ceased; then a youth drew near-
A youth with a beautiful face—and he said, “Old man,
Now strike on thy lyre and sing, for I know thou can."

"O Greek," said old Akera'tos, "I have lost the power, With handling of swords and lances."

"Then here's a didrachmon - lend me thy lyre an hour; Thou hold out the cap in thine hand, and I will play : Surely these men that are deaf shall listen to-day."

Then with a mighty hand sweeping the trembling strings, Over the tumult and chatting,

Like the call of a clear sweet trumpet, the young voice

rings;

For he sings of the taking of Troy, and the chords

Sound like the trampling of hoofs and the clashing of

swords.

There in the market of Argos is Hector slain,

There in their midst is Achilles.

Breathless, they listen, again and again,

Fill up the cap with coins, and shout in the crowded street, "Strike up thy lyre once more, O singer strange and sweet."

Ah! then came magical notes, soft melodies low;
The air grew purple and amber,

Scented with honey, and spices, and roses a-blow:

And there in the glory sat Love - mother and queenAnd eyes grew misty with tears for days that had

been.

Eyes grew misty, hearts grew tender, tender and free:
Every one gave to the soldier

Bracelets, and rings, and perfumes from over the sea.
Then said the singer, "Now, soldier, gather thy store,
The hands that have fought for Greece need never beg

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more.

Greeks, dwelling in Argos, this is a shameful sight —
A soldier wounded and begging."

The singer grew splendid and godlike, and rose in unbearable light:

Then they knew it was Phoebus Apollo, and said, "Never again in Argos shall the brave beg bread."

- AMELIA E. BARR.

THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX

Now when Athena saw that the Greeks were perishing by the hand of Hector and his companions, it grieved her sore. So she came down from the heights of Olympus, if haply she might help them. And Apollo met her and said:

"Art thou come, Athena, to help the Greeks whom thou lovest? Well, let us stay the battle for this day; hereafter they shall fight till the doom of Troy be accomplished."

But Athena answered, "How shall we stay it?"

And Apollo said, "We will set on Hector to challenge the bravest of the Greeks to fight with him, man to man."

So they two put the matter into the mind of Helenus the seer. Then Helenus went near to Hector:

"Listen to me, for I am thy brother. Cause the rest of the sons of Troy and of the Greeks to sit down, and do thou challenge the bravest of the Greeks to fight with thee, man to man. And be sure thou shalt not fall in the battle, for the will of the immortal gods is that thou shalt live."

Then Hector greatly rejoiced, and passed to the front of the army, holding his spear by the middle, and kept back the sons of Troy; and King Agamemnon did likewise with his own people. Then Hector spake :

"Hear me, sons of Troy, and ye men of Greece. Let