2.

The physicians having declared to Robert, son of William the Conqueror, who had been wounded by a poisoned arrow, that he could only be cured by causing (1) the wound to be speedily sucked: "I will die then," said he; "I will never be so (2) cruel as to permit any one to expose himself to die for me.' " The princess Sybille his wife, during his sleep, sucked the wound, and lost her life in saving that of her husband.

3.

Cyrus had taken (3) the young prince of Armenia and his beautiful consort prisoners. When they were brought before that monarch, surrounded by all his courtiers, he asked the prince, "what he would give to be reinstated in his kingdom." He answered, with an air of indifference, "That, as for (4) his crown and his liberty, he valued each at a very low rate; but

(1) By causing the wound to be sucked, en fai sant sucer la blessure.

(2) So...... as to, assez...... pour.

(8) To take prisoner, faire prisonnier. (4) As for, quant à.

that, if Cyrus would restore his beloved Princess to her native dignity and hereditary possessions, he should be inexpressibly (1) happy; "" and," continued he with tenderness and ardour, "] would most willingly pay my life for the purchase (2)." When all the prisoners were liberated, it is impossible to express how much they were charmed with their royal (3) benefactor : some extolled his military achievements (4), some celebrated his social virtues, and all were lavish of his praise" And you," said the Prince, addressing himself to his bride, "what do you think of Cyrus (5) "I did not observe him,' swered the Princess.-"Not observe him! Upon

an

(1) Inexpressibly, au-delà de toute expression, (2) To pay one's life for the purchase, payer de sa propre vie le prix d'un bienfait.

(3) Royal, auguste.

(4) Achievements, talents.

(5) What do you think of Cyrus? Que pensezvous de Cyrus? Dans les propositions interrogatives ou négatives, tout verbe qui n'est pas auxiliaire se conjugue avec do, qui fait does à la troisième personne du singulier du présent, et did au passé.

what then was your attention fixed?"

Upon that dear generous man who declared he would purchase my liberty at the expense of his own life."

4.

A memorable, but not an unusual instance of affection, and of female (1) presence of mind, occurred in the city of Haarlem, many years since (2), at a spot (3) whereon an ancient castle stood, the lord of which was severely pressed (4)– by the burghers of the town, who besieged it on account of (5) his tyrannical conduct towards them. Driven to the last extremity, and when his life was upon the point of paying the forfeit (6) of his crimes, his lady appeared on the ramparts, and offered to surrender, provided she might be

(1) Female, d'une femme.

(2) Many years since, il y a bien des années. (3) Spot, endroit.

(4) To be severely pressed, être serré de tr près.

(5) On account of, à cause de.

(6) Forfeit, peine.

permitted to (1) carry with her her most valuable goods which being complied with (2), she brought her husband out upon her shoulders, preserved him from the fury of the troops, and gave up to them the possession of the castle.

FILIAL AFFECTION.

Filial love is the basis of all virtues.

5.

While Octavius was at Samos, after the famous battle of Actium, which made him master of the universe, he held a council to examine the prisoners who had been engaged in (3) Antony's party. Among the rest there was brought (4) before him an old man named Metellus, op

(1) Provided she might be permitted to, pourvu qu'on lui permit de....

(2) Which being complied with, ce qui lui ayant été accordé.

(3) Had been engaged in, avaient suivi.

(4) There was brought, on amena.

pressed with (1) years and infirmities, disfigured by a long beard and a neglected head of hair (2), but especially by his clothes, which by his misfortunes were become very ragged. The son of this Metellus was one of the judges, and he had great difficulty in (3) recognizing his father in the deplorable condition in which he saw him. At last, however, having recollected his features, instead of being (4) ashamed to own him, he ran to embrace him, crying (5) bitterly. Afterwards, turning towards the tribunal: "Cæsar," says he, "my father has been your enemy, and I your officer he deserves to be punished, and I to be rewarded. The favour (6) I desire of you is either to save him on my account (7), or to order me to be put to death in his stead." All the judges were touched with compassion at this

(1) Oppressed with, accablé de. (2) Head of hair, chevelure.

(3) In, à.

(4) Instead of being, au lieu d'être.

(5) Crying, en pleurant.

(6) Sous-ent. that.

(7) On my account, en faveur de moi.