nd another
sacrifice--impossible not to accept this as full atonement to the
spirit of revenge. Over the body of Hakem, whom all lamented and
admired, peace was made.

The generous object of the slave was fully accomplished. His death
procured the long happiness of Maria.

THE LAY OF STARKATHER.

[The following lines are founded on the account given by
Saxo-Grammaticus (Lib. VIII.) of the guilt, penitence, and death
of Starkather, a fabulous Scandinavian hero, famous throughout the
North for his bodily strength and warlike achievements, as well as
for his poetical genius, of which traces are still to be found in
the metrical traditions and phraseology of his country. According
to the old legend, the existence of Starkather was prolonged for
three lifetimes, in each of which he was doomed to commit some act
of infamy; but this fiction has not here been followed out.
Oehlenschlaeger's drama, bearing the name of this hero, has many
beauties; but deviates widely from Saxo's story of his death.]

It was an aged man went forth with slow and tottering tread,
The frosts of many a Northland Yule lay thick upon his head;
A staff was in his outstretched hand, to lead him on his way,
And vainly rolled his faded eyes to find the light of day.

Yet in that ancient form was seen the pride of other years,
In ruined majesty and night the HERO there appears.
The awful brow, the ample breast, a shelter from the foe,
And there the massive weight of arm that dealt the deadly blow.

He stopped a passing stranger's steps, and thus his purpose told,--
"See here the twin swords by my side, and see this purse of gold;
Thy weapon choose to cope with One who should no longer live,
And by an easy slaughter earn the guerdon I would give.

"A hundred winters o'er my soul have shed their gathering gloom,
And still I seek, but seek in vain, an honourable tomb;
With friendly enmity consent to quench this lingering breath,
And give, to crown a warrior's life, one boon--a warrior's death.

"Of matchless might and fearless soul, with powers of song sublime,
I spread afar my name and fame in every Gothic clime;
Those godlike gifts were treasured long from blot and blemish clear,
But one dark act of fraudful guilt bedimmed my bright career.

"When Olo sat, the people's choice, in Sealand's kingly seat,
And tra