and who far excel the other inhabitants of that country in the practice of archery. In fupport of this laft affertion, the following inftance is recorded. During a fiege, it happened, that two foldiers running in hafte toward a tower, fituated at a little diftance from them, were attacked with a number of arrows from the Welsh; which being shot with prodigious violence, fome penetrated through the oak doors of a portal, although they were the breadth of four fingers in thickness. The heads of thefe arrows were afterward driven out, and preferved, in order to continue the remembrance of fuch extraordinary force in fhooting with the bow. It happened alfo in a battle, at the time of William de Breufa, (as he himself relates) that a Welshman having directed an arrow at a horfe-foldier of his, who was clad in armour and had his leather coat under it; the arrow, befide piercing the man through the hip, ftruck alfo through the faddie, and mortally wounded the horse on which he fat. Another Welsh foldier, having fhot an arrow at one of his horfemen, who was covered with ftrong armour in the fame manner as the beforementioned perfon, the fhaft penetrated through his hip and fixed in the faddle: but what is most remarkable, is, that as the horfeman drew his bridle afide in order to turn round, he received another arrow in his hip on the oppofite fide, which paffing through it, he was firmly faftened to the faddle on both fides.'

Nothing particularly applicable to the long-bow (for I do not mean that archery remains unnoticed) is to be found in our early hiftorians, during the reigns immediately following, till that of Edward II, in whofe time this weapon is fuppofed to have been much in ufe *. Mr. Barrington entertains this opinion very reafonably, from circumftances which occurred at the battle of Crecy. The Arbalefts in the hands of the Genoefe were all

expofed to a violent ftorm, which happened juft before the battle com menced. This form falling on the ftrings of their bows, relaxed them fo far, as to render them incapable of proper fervice; while on the other hand, the English bows were kept in their cafes during the rain, and were not injured. From hence, Mr. Barrington concludes, the English ufed the long-bow, as that inftrument was. ufually provided with a cafe, but the crofs-bow, being of fo inconvenient a fhape, could not be provided with fuch covering Indeed, this latter kind of bow is not said to have been even furnithed with a cover, as far as I have been able to find.

The battle of Crecy, as well as that of Poitiers, (where the archers poured forth their quivers in fuch bloody victories) intimates the bow to have been highly cultivated by the English at thofe times; but it was found neceffary by Edward to enforce the practice of archery during the peace which followed, as the foldiers rather attended to other amusements, than archery.

During the reign of Richard II, little is recorded with refpect to the bow. We find, however, from Hollinfhead, that a number of archers were fent at the requeft of the Genoefe, to affift them against the Saracens on the coaft of Barbary; and that they performed fome meritorious exploits with their long-bow.

From a paffage in Stow, we find Richard II to have had a very numerous guard of archers; for in the year 397, as one day the members were leaving the parliament house, a great fir was made as was ufual; whereupon the king's archers, in number four thoufand, compaffed the parliament-houfe, thinking there had been fome broil, or fighting, with their bows bent, their arrows notched, and drawing, ready to shoot, to the terror of all that were there: but the king coming pacified them.'

The

trofe against the Scots, bowmen are repeatedly mentioned. One Neade, in the reign of Charles I, obtained a commiffion under the great feal, wherein, he and his fon, were empowered to teach the combined management of the pike and bow. A book entiled The doubled armed

man,' fhewing the proper exercise and attitudes, was written and published by William Neade, about the year 1625. It contains nothing of confequence relating to archery, but we may judge that that art was not laid afide at this period.

CHAPTER IV.

AS the adventurer flood defponding at the entrance of the deftined road, and reclined his weary limbs against an aged tree, all hopeless of fhelter or repofe, his fpirits were revived by the voice of mirth, which ftole in welcome melody on his ear. The pipe and the timbrel refounded through the air; and the viol with its thrilling ftrings.

He turned him around to behold whence this approached, and beheld a company of travellers on the road; with fongs and fweet minftrelfey they gladdened the heart, and with flambeaux illumined the way. Barefoot they walked, and humble was their attire; yet gladness seemed to smile at their hearts.

Orafmin joined them as they paffed, and enquired into the caufe of their nocturnal journey.

We are peafants,' replied they, on whom Alla has fmiled. We have reaped the harvefts of plenty from well cultured fields, and, bleffed be heaven, have received the fweet reward of our toils: and now, with the furplus of our respective stores, we are haftening to a diftant fair, to fupply ourfelves with fuch neceffaries, as through the enfuing year, may be needful for our families or our farms.'

an elderly peafant, with a fmile, is the day on which his people are bleft. Ours has been a festival all the year.'

Your farms then have been particularly profitable this year,' rejoined Orafmin.

As for that,' replied the ruftic, they have been much as usual; and we are thankful to Alla, they have been no worse. Induftrious perseverance procures us the comforts of life; and fhall not our hearts be grateful for the ftrength and the fuccefs, and fpeak in joyous fongs its contentment and its blifs? The cheerfulness that affifts us to perform our task, is therefore doubled when the task is done.'

Orafmin was surprised at the words of the ruftic fage; and concluded that felicity might be the lot of man. But he repined that he was removed from the humble vale, in which this felicity might be attained; forgetful that happiness depends not upon the ftate of life in which we are placed, but in the difpofition we have to enjoy.

While Orafmin was wrapped in gloomy meditation, the travellers haftened cheerfully along, marvelling at the dejection and anxiety of his mind, which the splendour of his garments could not conceal. Meanwhile he reclined upon a moffy bank, beneath the shelter of thick-fpreading trees, and, as the travellers quickly vanished from his purfuing fight, his heart, which revolted from the cheerful fcene, perfuaded him it was a phantom of the brain.

In the midst of his reflections he was overtaken by flumber; and bufy fancy

fancy revived his expiring hopes. The castle of Aladin rofe confpicuous to his view, and the figh of the blooming hourie vibrated on his enamoured ear. He awakened the bugle that fummoned forth the champions of enchantment; and fame clapped her founding pinions over his valiant head, as his fword laid his foes in the duft. Aladin at length fell the victim of his wrath, the enchantment was at once diffolved, and the opening gates of the late hoftile caftle, received the glowing victor in peace.

Now fofter was the fcene that gladdened his heart, and stirred up the fpirit of love. The timbrel and pipe played the measures of joy, and the Tute melted foftly through the domes, while fportive genii fluttered over his head, and miniftered to his wishes and delights. They ftripped the bloodftained garments from his manly limbs, and arrayed them in the bridal robe; and breathing rich fragrance over his foftened mien, conducted him to the bower of his hopes; where nymphs of radiant forms tripped in meafures of delight, and the walls loud-refounded the hymeneal fong. But far above the reft, exalted by her charms, fhone the hourie of immortal race; and the talisman of felicity foft-heaving with her fnowy breaft, hung confpicuous by a golden ftring.

Orafmin fprung forward to ftrain her to his heart, and awaked with the fond embrace.

And art thou gone, fleeting vifion of long-promifed joy? Art thou fled from my deluded arms? But my efforts fhall overtake thee ere the clofe of day, and seize thee with a ftronger hold."

He faid, and arifing vigorous with the hope, proceeded on his deftined way; while brightly fhone the fun from his eaftern throne, and cheerful was the rural scene.

As expatiating on profpects of future blifs, the adventurer was haftening along, he was met on the road by an aged dame, who greeted him with fair-feeming fpeech.

I

The furrows of experience feemed imprinted on her brow; reverend, over her forehead, ftrayed her filver locks ; and her fteps were supported by an ebon staff.

Favoured of heaven,' faid the beldam, as fhe advanced, the objects of thy purfuits are known, and regarded with friendly withes by the reclufe of the winding cell. By lonely meditation, I have gained wisdom and foreknowled e; and difcovered by my art the fecret of thy approach, the purpose of thy adventure, and the impediments that thwart thy way; and if thou wilt liften to the counfel devoted to thy fervice, thofe impediments may be all removed.

True, if ftill thou advanceft along this level road, the caftle of Aladin may at length be gained, and the hourie be obtained. But tedious is the lingering path, and danger lurks along the ambushed way. Turn then with me to my fecret cave, and its labyrinths fhall guide thee by a shorter route.'

Thus fpeaking, fhe pointed to her neighbouring cell, and conducted the adventurer through its low-bowed arch; while his bofom bounded high at the promised boon, and his impatient temper exulted in the hopedfor fhortening of his toils.

But fullen and dark was the rugged labyrinth he trod, and doubtful to the timid foot: fave at times, when the beldam, from her filver locks, shook thick the glow-worm fparks of fire.

Her voice, to allure him through the painful path, thus piqued the haughty courage of his foul.

What, faints then Orasmin in this dark retreat? Dies his courage in the fullen gloom? Is the long lightfome path through the beaten road, to be preferred to fhort-during toil? If so, let the fnail, crawling cautious in the duft, be preferred to the eagle, who foars, with ardent plume, through the radiant sky.

Sighs not the blooming heurie, locked in magic chains? Shall the lover then not fly to her redress? The

shortest

horteft and the fwifteft, is the eafieft track, and the brightest to the enamoured eye.'

The foul of the adventurer was roufed. Eager he purfued her, with ftill quickening fteps, low downward through the winding pit, and again upward toiled by an afcending path that feemed to open the wished-for day.

Like a ftar feen at diftance through the hazy fky, feemed the light through the long, long cave; and Orafmin fondly hailed it as the ftar of hope, and exulted as the ray enlarged, which fancy depictured as the end of his toils, and the gate of the enchanted caftle.

CHAPTER V.

How weak are the murmurs of inconfiderate man, who charges upon Providence his misfortunes and his woes! and how oft might we avoid the calamities we endure, if we thwarted not the divine will!

The finger of nature has plainly pointed out the fimple path we should tread: and though mountains at times may weary us with their height, and brambles may perplex the way, yet the fresh-watered vale often burfts upon our fight, and the floweret fweetly fmiles to the feafted fenfe. Nor if long prove the journey to the realm of promifed bliss should thanklefs man repine; for if hope be companion of the needful way, enjoyment comes to meet us when the purfuit begins, and gives the lively foretaste of our wish. But man, oft impatient of the growing bounty, feeks to feize it ere it is yet mature, then repines becaufe it withers in his fpoiling hand.

Such was the fate of Orafmin, the impatient and the fullen, who quitting the plain path directed by heaven, wandered through gloomy mazes with an illufive guide, who hurried him to ruin and to death; and to death muft he fink down the hideous chafin, if nwarned by fome friendly voice; for

full fifty fathoms yawns the cavern below, at whose brink his heedlefs feetare arrived; and torments, and horrors, wait expectant of their prey.

But the groan of suffering victims from the hideous gulph, ftruck the ear of the appalled Orafmin. He paused at the found, fufpicious of fraud; and his mind darkly ruminated on the error into which he had ftrayed.

And is this the cheerful path, mighty prophet!' he exclaimed, through which I was inftructed to pass? Be affiftant, O Alla! and refcue me from this danger.'

While thus he stood paufing on the brink of ruin, the beldam thirsting eager for her prey, turned furiously round, and catching his arm, would have precipitated him headlong down. But he drew forth his fword, and, with determined arm, ftruck furiously on her treacherous head. She funk to perdition, with a thundering yell, and the cavern, wide rent by the awful noise, let in the enfeebled light of day, and the horrors of the scene were revealed, where low, at the bottom of the yawning deep, were beheld the diminished forms of the victims of felf-willed error, emaciate and fupine on the flimy earth, with ferpents and monfters entwining their limbs, and breathing bloating poison on their lips.

Confpicuous over the reft appeared. the new-fallen demon, gnashing with torture her iron teeth, and breathing forth her infernal foul in volumes of peftiferous breath.

Orafmin trembled at the horrors he had escaped, and would have trod back the labyrinth he had traced: but intricate and dark was the lengthened way, and his mind must have been bewildered in the rafh attempt. The diftant opening before him affords the only hope; and wide, yawns the chafm between; but refolute and eager, he calls on the name of the prophet, and vaults across the dangerous gap. Then, haitening his pace, he paffes through the gloomy cave, and issue from the dark recefs.