第1章

Contents：

TheFirstDiscoveryofAmericaCyrus，ServantoftheLordAncientCivilisationRondeletVesaliusParacelsusBuchananTHEFIRSTDISCOVERYOFAMERICA

Letmebeginthislecture{1}withasceneintheNorthAtlantic863

yearssince。

\"BjarneGrimolfsonwasblownwithhisshipintotheIrishOcean;andtherecamewormsandtheshipbegantosinkunderthem。Theyhadaboatwhichtheyhadpayedwithseals’blubber，forthatthesea—

wormswillnothurt。Butwhentheygotintotheboattheysawthatitwouldnotholdthemall。ThensaidBjarne，’Astheboatwillonlyholdthehalfofus，myadviceisthatweshoulddrawlotswhoshallgoinher;forthatwillnotbeunworthyofourmanhood。’

Thisadviceseemedsogoodthatnonegainsaidit;andtheydrewlots。AndthelotfelltoBjarnethatheshouldgointheboatwithhalfhiscrew。Butashegotintotheboat，therespakeanIcelanderwhowasintheshipandhadfollowedBjarnefromIceland，’Artthougoingtoleavemehere，Bjarne？’QuothBjarne，’Soitmustbe。’Thensaidtheman，’Anotherthingdidstthoupromisemyfather，whenIsailedwiththeefromIceland，thantodesertmethus。Forthousaidstthatwebothshouldsharethesamelot。’

Bjarnesaid，’Andthatwewillnotdo。Getthoudownintotheboat，andIwillgetupintotheship，nowIseethatthouartsogreedyafterlife。’SoBjarnewentupintotheship，andthemanwentdownintotheboat;andtheboatwentonitsvoyagetilltheycametoDublininIreland。MostmensaythatBjarneandhiscomradesperishedamongtheworms;fortheywereneverheardofafter。\"

Thisstorymayserveasatextformywholelecture。Notonlydoesitsmackofthesea—breezeandthesaltwater，likeallthefinestoldNorsesagas，butitgivesaglimpseatleastofthenoblenesswhichunderlaythegrimandoftencruelnatureoftheNorseman。Itbelongs，too，totheculminatingepoch，tothebeginningofthaterawhentheScandinavianpeopleshadtheirgreattimes;whentheoldfiercenessoftheworshippersofThorandOdinwastempered，withoutbeingeffeminated，bytheFaithofthe\"WhiteChrist，\"tilltheverymenwhohadbeenthedestroyersofWesternEuropebecameitscivilisers。

Itshouldhave，moreover，aspecialinteresttoAmericans。For——asAmericanantiquariesarewellaware——BjarnewasonhisvoyagehomefromthecoastofNewEngland;possiblyfromthatveryMountHopeBaywhichseemstohavebornethesamenameinthetimeofthoseoldNorsemen，asafterwardsinthedaysofKingPhilip，thelastsachemoftheWampanongIndians。HewasgoingbacktoGreenland，perhapsforreinforcements，finding，heandhisfellow—captain，Thorfinn，theEsquimauxwhothendweltinthatlandtoostrongforthem。FortheNorsemenwerethenontheveryedgeofdiscovery，whichmighthavechangedthehistorynotonlyofthiscontinentbutofEuropelikewise。TheyhadfoundandcolonisedIcelandandGreenland。TheyhadfoundLabrador，andcalleditHelluland，fromitsice—polishedrocks。TheyhadfoundNovaScotiaseemingly，andcalleditMarkland，fromitswoods。TheyhadfoundNewEngland，andcalleditVinlandtheGood。Afairlandtheyfoundit，wellwooded，withgoodpasturage;sothattheyhadalreadyimportedcows，andabullwhoselowingsterrifiedtheEsquimaux。Theyhadfoundself—sowncorntoo，probablymaize。Thestreamswerefullofsalmon。ButtheyhadcalledthelandVinland，byreasonofitsgrapes。Quaintenough，andbearinginitsveryquaintnessthestampoftruth，isthestoryofthefirstfindingofthewildfox—grapes。HowLeiftheFortunate，almostassoonashefirstlanded，missedalittlewizenedoldGermanservantofhisfather’s，Tyrkerbyname，andwasmuchvexedthereat，forhehadbeenbroughtupontheoldman’sknee，andhurryingofftofindhimmetTyrkercomingbacktwistinghiseyesabout——atrickofhis——smackinghislipsandtalkingGermantohimselfinhighexcitement。AndwhentheygethimtotalkNorseagain，hesays：\"Ihavenotbeenfar，butIhavenewsforyou。I

havefoundvinesandgrapes！\"\"Isthattrue，foster—father？\"saysLeif。\"Trueitis，\"saystheoldGerman，\"forIwasbroughtupwheretherewasneveranylackofthem。\"

Thesaga——asgivenbyRafn——hadadetaileddescriptionofthisquaintpersonage’sappearance;anditwouldnotheamissifAmericanwine—growersshouldemployanAmericansculptor——andtherearegreatAmericansculptors——torenderthatdescriptionintomarble，andsetuplittleTyrkerinsomepublicplace，astheSilenusoftheNewWorld。

ThusthefirstcargoeshomewardfromVinlandtoGreenlandhadbeenoftimberandofraisins，andofvine—stocks，whichwerenotliketothrive。

Andmore。BeyondVinlandtheGoodtherewassaidtobeanotherland，Whiteman’sLand——orIrelandtheMickle，assomecalledit。

FortheseNorsetradersfromLimerickhadfoundAriMarson，andKetlaofRuykjanes，supposedtohavebeenlongsincedrownedatsea，andsaidthatthepeoplehadmadehimandKetlachiefs，andbaptizedAri。Whatisallthis？andwhatisthis，too，whichtheEsquimauxchildrentakeninMarklandtoldtheNorthmen，ofalandbeyondthemwherethefolkworewhiteclothes，andcarriedflagsonpoles？Arethesealldreams？orwassomepartofthatgreatcivilisation，therelicswhereofyourantiquariansfindinsomanypartsoftheUnitedStates，stillinexistencesome900yearsago;andweretheseoldNorsecousinsofoursupontheveryedgeofit？Bethatasitmay，hownearlydidthesefierceVikings，someofwhomseemedtohavesailedfarsouthalongtheshore，becomeawarethatjustbeyondthemlayalandoffruitsandspices，goldandgems？TheadversecurrentoftheGulfStream，itmaybe，wouldhavelongpreventedtheirgettingpasttheBahamasintotheGulfofMexico;but，soonerorlater，somestormmusthavecarriedaGreenlandvikingtoSanDomingoortoCuba;andthen，ashasbeenwellsaid，someScandinaviandynastymighthavesatuponthethroneofMexico。

Thesestoriesarewellknowntoantiquarians。Theymaybefound，almostallofthem，inProfessorRafn’s\"AntiquitatesAmericanae。\"

Theactioninthemstandsoutoftensoclearanddramatic，thattheinternalevidenceofhistorictruthisirresistible。Thorvald，who，whenhesawwhatseemstobe，theysay，thebluffheadofAldertonatthesouth—eastendofBostonBay，said，\"HereshouldIliketodwell，\"and，shotbyanEsquimauxarrow，badeburyhimonthatplace，withacrossathisheadandacrossathisfeet，andcalltheplaceCrossNessforevermore;Gudrida，themagnificentwidow，whowinsheartsandseesstrangedeedsfromIcelandtoGreenland，andGreenlandtoVinlandandback，andatlast，wornoutandsad，goesoffonapilgrimagetoRome;HelgiandFinnbogi，theNorwegians，who，likeourArcticvoyagersinaftertimes，deviseallsortsofsportsandgamestokeepthemeninhumourduringthelongwinteratHope;andlast，butnotleast，theterribleFreydisa，who，whentheNorseareseizedwithasuddenpanicattheEsquimauxandfleefromthem，astheyhadthreeweeksbeforefledfromThorfinn’sbellowingbull，turns，whensoweakthatshecannotescape，single—

handedonthesavages，andcatchingupaslainman’ssword，putsthemalltoflightwithherfiercevisageandfiercecries——FreydisatheTerrible，who，inanothervoyage，persuadesherhusbandtofallonHelgiandFinnbogi，whenasleep，andmurderthemandalltheirmen;andthen，whenhewillnotmurderthefivewomentoo，takesupanaxeandslaysthemallherself，andgettingbacktoGreenland，whenthedarkandunexplainedtalecomesout，livesunpunished，butabhorredhenceforth。Allthesefolks，Isay，arenophantoms，butrealities;atleast，ifIcanjudgeofinternalevidence。

Butbeyondthem，andhoveringonthevergeofMythusandFairyland，thereisaballadcalled\"FinntheFair，\"andhowAnuplandEarlhadtwabrawsons，Mystorytobegin;

ThetanewasLightHaldanethestrong，ThetitherwaswinsomeFinn。

andsoforth;whichwasstillsung，withother\"rimur，\"orballads，intheFaroes，attheendofthelastcentury。ProfessorRafnhasinsertedit，becauseittalksofVinlandasawell—knownplace，andbecausethebrothersaresentbytheprincesstoslayAmericankings;butthatRimehasanothervalue。Itisofabeautysoperfect，andyetsoliketheoldScotchballadsinitsheroicconceptionoflove，andinallitsformsanditsqualities，thatitisoneproofmore，toanystudentofearlyEuropeanpoetry，thatweandtheseoldNorsemenaremenofthesameblood。

IfanythingmoreimportantthanistoldbyProfessorRafnandMr。

Black{2}benowknowntotheantiquariansofMassachusetts，letmeentreatthemtopardonmyignorance。Butletmerecordmyopinionthat，thoughsomewhattoomuchmayhavebeenmadeinpastyearsofcertainrock—inscriptions，andsoforth，onthissideoftheAtlantic，therecanbenoreasonabledoubtthatourownracelandedandtriedtosettleontheshoreofNewEnglandsixhundredyearsbeforetheirkinsmen，and，inmanycases，theiractualdescendants，theaugustPilgrimFathersoftheseventeenthcentury。Andso，asI

said，aScandinaviandynastymighthavebeenseatednowuponthethroneofMexico。Andhowwasthatstrangechancelost？First，ofcourse，bythelengthanddangerofthecoastingvoyage。Itwasonethingtohave，likeColumbusandVespucci，CortesandPizarro，theAzoresasahalfwayport;anothertohaveGreenland，orevenIceland。Itwasonethingtorunsouth—westuponColumbus’strack，acrosstheMardeDamas，theLadies’Sea，whichhardlyknowsastorm，withtheblazingblueabove，theblazingbluebelow，inanever—warmingclimate，whereeverybreathislifeandjoy;anothertostruggleagainstthefogsandicebergs，therocksandcurrentsofthedrearyNorthAtlantic。Nowonder，then，thattheknowledgeofMarkland，andVinland，andWhiteman’sLanddiedawayinafewgenerations，andbecamebutfiresidesagasforthewinternights。

Buttherewereothercauses，morehonourabletothedoggedenergyoftheNorse。Theywereinthoseveryyearsconqueringandsettlingnearerhomeasnootherpeople——unless，perhaps，theoldIonianGreeks——conqueredandsettled。

Greenland，wehaveseen，theyheld——thewesternsideatleast——andhelditlongandwellenoughtoafford，itissaid，2，600poundsofwalrus’teethasyearlytithetothePope，besidesPeter’spence，andtobuildmanyaconvent，andchurch，andcathedral，withfarmsandhomesteadsround;foronesagaspeaksofGreenlandasproducingwheatofthefinestquality。Allisruinednow，perhapsbygradualchangeofclimate。

ButtheyhadricherfieldsofenterprisethanGreenland，Iceland，andtheFaroes。Theirboldestoutlawsatthatverytime——whetherfromNorway，Sweden，Denmark，orBritain——wereformingtheimperiallife—guardoftheByzantineEmperor，astheoncefamousVarangersofConstantinople;andthatsplendidepochoftheirracewasjustdawning，ofwhichmylamentedfriend，thelateSirEdmundHead，sayssowellinhisprefacetoVigaGlum’sIcelandicSaga，\"TheSagas，ofwhichthistaleisone，werecomposedforthemenwhohavelefttheirmarkineverycornerofEurope;andwhoselanguageandlawsareatthismomentimportantelementsinthespeechandinstitutionsofEngland，America，andAustralia。ThereisnopageofmodernhistoryinwhichtheinfluenceoftheNorsemenandtheirconquestsmustnotbetakenintoaccount——Russia，Constantinople，Greece，Palestine，Sicily，thecoastsofAfrica，SouthernItaly，France，theSpanishPeninsula，England，Scotland，Ireland，andeveryrockandislandroundthem，havebeenvisited，andmostofthematonetimeortheotherruled，bythemenofScandinavia。ThemottoontheswordofRogerGuiscardwasaproudone：

AppulusetCalaber，SiculusmihiservitetAfer。

Everyisland，saysSirEdmundHead，andtruly——forthenameofalmosteveryislandonthecoastofEngland，Scotland，andEasternIreland，endsineitherEYorAYorOE，aNorseappellative，asistheword\"island\"itself——isamarkofitshavingbeen，atsometimeorother，visitedbytheVikingsofScandinavia。

Norway，meanwhile，wasconvulsedbywar;andwhatperhapswasofmoreimmediateconsequence，SvendFork—beard，whomweEnglishmencallSweyn——therenegadefromthatChristianFaithwhichhadbeenforcedonhimbyhisGermanconqueror，theEmperorOttoII。——withhisillustrioussonCnut，whomwecallCanute，werejustcallingtogetherallthemostdaringspiritsoftheBalticcoastsforthesubjugationofEngland;andwhenthatgreatfeatwasperformed，theScandinavianemigrationwasparalysed，probably，foratimebythefearfulwarsathome。WhilethekingofSweden，andSt。OlafTryggvason，kingofNorway，weresettingonDenmarkduringCnut’spilgrimagetoRome，andCnut，sailingwithamightyfleettoNorway，wasdrivingSt。OlafintoRussia，toreturnandfallinthefratricidalbattleofStiklestead——during，strangelyenough，atotaleclipseofthesun——Vinlandwaslikeenoughtoremainstilluncolonised。AfterCnut’sshort—livedtriumph——kingashewasofDenmark，Norway，England，andhalfScotland，andwhatnotofWendishFolkinsidetheBaltic——theforceoftheNorsemenseemstohavebeenexhaustedintheirnativelands。Oncemoreonly，ifIrememberright，did\"Lochlin，\"reallyandhopefullysendforthher\"mailedswarm\"toconqueraforeignland;andwitharesultunexpectedalikebythemandbytheirenemies。Haditbeenotherwise，wemightnothavebeenherethisday。

Letmesketchforyouoncemore——thoughyouhaveheardit，doubtless，manyatime——thetaleofthattremendousfortnightwhichsettledthefateofBritain，andthereforeofNorthAmerica;whichdecided——justinthosegreattimeswhenthedecisionwastobemade—

—whetherweshouldbeonaparwiththeothercivilisednationsofEurope，likethemthe\"heirsofalltheages，\"withoursharenotonlyofRomanChristianityandRomancentralisation——amemberofthegreatcomityofEuropeannations，heldtogetherinoneChristianbondbythePope——butheirsalsoofRomancivilisation，Romanliterature，RomanLaw;andtherefore，induetime，ofGreekphilosophyandart。Nolessaquestionthanthis，itseemstome，hunginthebalanceduringthatfortnightofautumn，1066。

PooroldEdwardtheConfessor，holy，weak，andsad，layinhisnewchoirofWestminster——wherethewickedceasedfromtroubling，andthewearywereatrest。Thecrownedascetichadleftnoheirbehind。Englandseemedasacorpse，towhichalltheeaglesmightgathertogether;andtheSouth—English，intheirutterneed，hadchosenfortheirkingtheablest，anditmaybethejustest，maninBritain——EarlHaroldGodwinsson：himself，likehalftheupperclassesofEnglandthen，oftheall—dominantNorseblood;forhismotherwasaDanishprincess。ThenoutofNorway，withamightyhost，cameHaroldHardraade，tallerthanallmen，theidealVikingofhistime。Half—brotherofthenowdeadSt。Olaf，severelywoundedwhenhewasbutfifteen，atStiklestead，whenOlaffell，hehadwarredandplunderedonmanyacoast。HehadbeenawaytoRussiatoKingJaroslaf;hehadbeenintheEmperor’sVarangerguardatConstantinople——and，itwaswhispered，hadslainaliontherewithhisbarehands;hehadcarvedhisnameandhiscomrades’inRuniccharacters——ifyougotoVeniceyoumayseethematthisday——

ontheloinsofthegreatmarblelion，whichstoodinhistimenotinVenicebutinAthens。Andnow，kingofNorwayandconqueror，forthetime，ofDenmark，whyshouldhenottakeEngland，asSweynandCanutetookitsixtyyearsbefore，whenthefloweroftheEnglishgentryperishedatthefatalbattleofAssingdune？Ifheandhishalf—barbaroushosthadconquered，thecivilisationofBritainwouldhavebeenthrownback，perhaps，forcenturies。Butitwasnottobe。

EnglandWAStobeconqueredbytheNorman;butbythecivilised，notthebarbaric;bytheNorsewhohadsettled，butfourgenerationsbefore，intheNorthEastofFranceunderRou，Rollo，RolftheGanger——so—called，theysay，becausehislegsweresolongthat，whenonhorseback，hetouchedthegroundandseemedtogang，orwalk。HeandhisNorsemenhadtakentheirshareofFrance，andcalleditNormandytothisday;andmeanwhile，withthatdocilityandadaptabilitywhichmarkssooftentrulygreatspirits，theyhadchangedtheircreed，theirlanguage，theirhabits，andhadbecome，fromheathenandmurderousBerserkers，themosttrulycivilisedpeopleofEurope，and——aswasmostnaturalthen——themostfaithfulalliesandservantsofthePopeofRome。Sogreatlyhadtheychanged，andsofast，thatWilliamDukeofNormandy，thegreat—

great—grandsonofRolfthewildViking，wasperhapsthefinestgentleman，aswellasthemostcultivatedsovereign，andthegreateststatesmanandwarriorinallEurope。

SoHaroldofNorwaycamewithallhisVikingstoStamfordBridgebyYork;andtook，bycoming，onlythatwhichHaroldofEnglandpromisedhim，namely，\"forasmuchashewastallerthananyotherman，sevenfeetofEnglishground。\"

Thestoryofthatgreatbattle，toldwithafewinaccuracies，buttoldasonlygreatpoetstell，youshouldread，ifyouhavenotreaditalready，inthe\"Heimskringla\"ofSnorriSturluson，theHomeroftheNorth：

Highfeastthatdayheldthebirdsoftheairandthebeastsofthefield，White—tailederneandsallowglede，Duskyraven，withhornyneb，Andthegraydeerthewolfofthewood。

Thebonesoftheslain，mensay，whitenedtheplaceforfiftyyearstocome。

Andremember，thatonthesamedayonwhichthatfightbefell——

September27，1066——William，DukeofNormandy，withallhisFrench—

speakingNorsemen，wassailingacrosstheBritishChannel，undertheprotectionofabannerconsecratedbythePope，toconquerthatEnglandwhichtheNorse—speakingNormanscouldnotconquer。

AndnowKingHaroldshowedhimselfaman。HeturnedatoncefromtheNorthofEnglandtotheSouth。HeraisedthefolkoftheSouthern，ashehadraisedthoseoftheCentralandNorthernshires;

andinsixteendays——afteramarchwhichinthosetimeswasaprodigiousfeat——hewasentrencheduponthefataldownwhichmencalledHeathfieldthen，andSenlac，butBattletothisday——withWilliamandhisFrenchNormansoppositehimonTelhamhill。

ThencamethebattleofHastings。Youallknowwhatbefelluponthatday;andhowtheoldweaponwasmatchedagainstthenew——theEnglishaxeagainsttheNormanlance——andbeatenonlybecausetheEnglishbroketheirranks。Ifyouwishtorefreshyourmemories，readthetaleoncemoreinMr。Freeman’s\"HistoryofEngland，\"orProfessorCreasy’s\"FifteenDecisiveBattlesoftheWorld，\"oreven，bestofall，thelateLordLytton’ssplendidromanceof\"Harold。\"AndwhenyougotoEngland，go，assomeofyoumayhavegonealready，toBattle;andtherefromofftheAbbeygrounds，orfromMountjoyebehind，lookdownoffwhatwasthen\"TheHeathyField，\"overthelongslopesofgreenpastureandtherichhop—

gardens，wherewerenohop—gardensthen，andtheflattide—marsheswindingbetweenthewoodedheights，towardsthesouthernsea;andimagineforyourselvesthefeelingsofanEnglishmanashecontemplatesthatbroadgreenslopinglawn，onwhichwasdecidedthedestinyofhisnativeland。Here，rightbeneath，rodeTailleferuptheslopebeforethemall，singingthesongofRoland，tossinghislanceinairandcatchingitasitfell，withalltheNorseberserkerspiritofhisancestorsflashingoutinhim，atthethoughtofonefairfight，andthenpurgatory，orValhalla——

Tailleferperhapspreferredthelatter。Yonderontheleft，inthatcopsewherethered—ochregullyruns，isSanguelac，thedrainofblood，intowhich（astheBayeuxtapestry，wovenbyMatilda’smaids，stillshows）theNormanknightsfell，horseandman，tillthegullywasbridgedwithwrithingbodiesforthosewhorodeafter。Here，whereyoustand——thecrestofthehillmarkswhereitmusthavebeen——wasthestockadeonwhichdependedthefateofEngland。

Yonder，perhaps，stalkedoutoneEnglishsquireorhouse—carleafteranother：tallmenwithlong—handledbattle—axes——onespeciallyterrible，withawoodenhelmetwhichnoswordcouldpierce——whohewedandheweddownknightonknight，tilltheythemselveswerebornetoearthatlast。Andhere，amongthetreesandruinsofthegarden，kepttrimbythosewhoknowthetreasurewhichtheyown，stoodHarold’stwostandardsofthefighting—manandthedragonofWessex。Andhere，closeby（forhere，formanyacentury，stoodthehighaltarofBattleAbbey，wheremonkssangmassesforHarold’ssoul），uponthisveryspottheSwan—neckfoundherhero—lover’scorpse。\"Ah，\"saysmanyanEnglishman——andwhowillblamehimforit——\"howgrandtohavediedbeneaththatstandardonthatday！\"

Yes，andhowright。Andyethowright，likewise，thattheNorman’scryofDEXAIE！——\"GodHelp！\"——andnottheEnglishhurrah，shouldhavewonthatday，tillWilliamrodeupMountjoyeintheafternoontoseetheEnglisharmy，terribleevenindefeat，strugglingthroughcopseandmarshawaytowardBrede，and，likeretreatinglionsdrivenintotheirnativewoods，slayingmoreinthepursuitthantheysleweveninthefight。

Butsoitwastobe;forsoitoughttohavebeen。You，myAmericanfriends，delight，asIhavesaidalready，inseeingtheoldplacesoftheoldcountry。Go，Ibegyou，andlookatthatoldplace，andifyoubewise，youwillcarrybackfromitonelesson：ThatGod’sthoughtsarenotasourthoughts;norHiswaysasourways。

Itwasafearfultimewhichfollowed。Icannotbutbelievethatourforefathershadbeen，insomewayorother，greatsinners，ortwosuchconquestsasCanute’sandWilliam’swouldnothavefallenonthemwithintheshortspaceofsixtyyears。Theydidnotwantforcourage，asStamfordBriggandHastingsshowedfullwell。Englishswine，theirNormanconquerorscalledthemoftenenough;butneverEnglishcowards。Theirruinousvice，ifwearetotrusttherecordsofthetime，waswhattheoldmonkscalledaccidia——[Greektext]——

andrankeditasoneofthesevendeadlysins：ageneralcareless，sleepy，comfortablehabitofmind，whichletsallgoitswayforgoodorevil——ahabitofmindtoooftenaccompanied，asinthecaseoftheAngle—Danes，withself—indulgence，oftencoarseenough。Hugeeatersandhugerdrinkers，fuddledwithale，werethemenwhowentdownatHastings——thoughtheywentdownlikeheroes——beforethestaidandsoberNormanoutofFrance。

Butthosewerefearfultimes。AslongasWilliamlived，ruthlessashewastoallrebels，hekeptorderanddidjusticewithastrongandsteadyhand;forhebroughtwithhimfromNormandytheinstinctsofatrulygreatstatesman。Andinhissons’timemattersgrewworseandworse。Afterthat，inthetroublesofStephen’sreign，anarchyletloosetyrannyinitsmostfearfulform，andthingsweredonewhichrecallthecrueltiesoftheoldSpanishCONQUISTADORESinAmerica。Scott’scharmingromanceof\"Ivanhoe\"mustbetaken，I

fear，asatootruepictureofEnglishsocietyinthetimeofRichardI。

Andwhatcameofitall？Whatwastheresultofallthismiseryandwrong？

This，paradoxicalasitmayseem：ThattheNormanconquestwasthemakingoftheEnglishpeople;oftheFreeCommonsofEngland。

Paradoxical，buttrue。First，youmustdismissfromyourmindsthetoocommonnotionthatthereisnow，inEngland，agoverningNormanaristocracy，orthattherehasbeenone，atleastsincetheyear1215，whenMagnaChartawaswonfromtheNormanJohnbyNormansandbyEnglishalike。ForthefirstvictorsatHastings，likethefirstconquistadoresinAmerica，perished，asthemonkchroniclespointout，rapidlybytheirowncrimes;andveryfewofournobilitycantracetheirnamesbacktotheauthenticBattleAbbeyroll。Thegreatmajorityofthepeershavesprungfrom，andallhaveintermarriedwith，theCommons;andthepeeragehasbeenfromthefirst，andhasbecomemoreandmoreascenturieshaverolledon，theprizeofsuccessinlife。

Thecauseisplain。TheconquestofEnglandbytheNormanswasnotoneofthoseconquestsofasavagebyacivilisedrace，orofacowardlyracebyabraverace，whichresultsintheslaveryoftheconquered，andleavesthegulfofcastebetweentworaces——masterandslave。ThatwasthecaseinFrance，andresulted，aftercenturiesofoppression，inthegreatanddreadfulrevolutionof1793，whichconvulsednotonlyFrancebutthewholecivilisedworld。

Butcaste，thankGod，hasneverexistedinEngland，sinceatleastthefirstgenerationaftertheNormanconquest。

Thevastmajority，allbutthewholepopulationofEngland，havebeenalwaysfree;andfree，astheyarenotwherecasteexiststochangetheiroccupations。Theycouldintermarry，iftheywereablemen，intotheranksabovethem;astheycouldsink，iftheywereunablemen，intotheranksbelowthem。AnymanacquaintedwiththeoriginofourEnglishsurnamesmayverifythisfactforhimself，bylookingatthenamesofasingleparishorasinglestreetofshops。

There，jumbledtogether，hewillfindnamesmarkingthenoblestSaxonorAngleblood——KenwardorKenric，OsgoodorOsborne，sidebysidewithCorderyorBanister——nownamesoffarmersinmyownparish——orotherNorman—Frenchnameswhichmaybe，likethosetwolast，inBattleAbbeyroll——andsidebysidethealmostubiquitousBrown，whoseancestorwasprobablysomeDanishorNorwegianhouse—

carle，proudofhisnameBiorntheBear，andtheubiquitousSmithorSmythe，theSmiter，whoseforefather，whetherhebenowpeasantorpeer，assuredlyhandledthetongsandhammerathisownforge。ThisholdstrueequallyinNewEnglandandinOld。WhenIsearchthrough（asIdelighttodo）yourNewEnglandsurnames，Ifindthesamejumbleofnames——WestSaxon，Angle，Danish，Norman，andFrench—

Normanlikewise，manyofprimaevalandheathenantiquity，manyofhighnobility，allworkedtogether，asathome，toformtheFreeCommonersofEngland。

Ifanyshouldwishtoknowmoreonthiscuriousandimportantsubject，letmerecommendthemtostudyFerguson’s\"TeutonicNameSystem，\"abookfromwhichyouwilldiscoverthatsomeofourquaintest，andseeminglymostplebeiansurnames——manysurnames，too，whichareextinctinEngland，butremaininAmerica——arereallycorruptionsofgoodoldTeutonicnames，whichourancestorsmayhavecarriedintheGermanForest，beforeanEnglishmansetfootonBritishsoil;fromwhichhewillrisewiththecomfortablefeelingthatweEnglish—speakingmen，fromthehighesttothelowest，areliterallykinsmen。Nay，soutterlymadeupnowistheoldblood—

feudbetweenNorsemanandEnglishman，betweenthedescendantsofthosewhoconqueredandthosewhowereconquered，thatinthechildrenofourPrinceofWales，after800years，thebloodofWilliamofNormandyismingledwiththebloodoftheveryHaroldwhofellatHastings。Andso，bythebitterwoeswhichfollowedtheNormanconquestwasthewholepopulation，Dane，Angle，andSaxon，earlandchurl，freemanandslave，crushedandweldedtogetherintoonehomogeneousmass，madejustandmercifultowardseachotherbythemostwholesomeofallteachings，acommunityofsuffering;andiftheyhadbeen，asIfeartheywere，alazyandasensualpeople，weretaughtThatlifeisnotasidleore，Butheatedhotwithburningfears，Andbathedinbathsofhissingtears，AndbatteredwiththestrokesofdoomToshapeanduse。

ButhowdidthesewildVikingsbecomeChristianmen？Itisalongstory。Sostancharacewassuretobeconvertedonlyveryslowly。

NoblemissionariesasAnsgar，Rembert，andPoppo，hadworkedfor150

yearsandmoreamongtheheathensofDenmark。ButthepatriotismoftheNorsemanalwaysrecoiled，eventhoughinsecret，fromthefactthattheywereGermanmonks，backedbytheauthorityoftheGermanemperor;andmanyaman，likeSvendFork—beard，fatherofthegreatCanute，thoughhehadtheKaiserhimselfforgodfather，turnedheathenoncemorethemomenthewasfree，becausehisbaptismwasthebadgeofforeignconquest，andneitherpopenorkaisershouldlorditoverhim，bodyorsoul。St。Olaf，indeed，forcedChristianityontheNorseatthesword’spoint，oftenbyhorridcruelties，andperishedintheattempt。ButwhoforceditontheNorsemenofScotland，England，Ireland，Neustria，Russia，andalltheEasternBaltic？Itwasabsorbedandinmostcases，Ibelieve，graduallyandwillingly，asagospelandgoodnewstoheartswornoutwiththestormoftheirownpassions。AndwhencecametheirChristianity？Muchofit，asinthecaseoftheDanes，andstillmoreoftheFrenchNormans，camedirectfromRome，thecitywhich，letthemdefyitsinfluenceastheywould，wasstillthefountofalltheology，aswellasofallcivilisation。ButImustbelievethatmuchofitcamefromthatmysteriousancientWesternChurch，theChurchofSt。Patric，St。Bridget，St。Columba，whichhadcoveredwithrudecellsandchapelstherockyisletsoftheNorthAtlantic，eventoIcelanditself。EventoIceland;forwhenthatislandwasfirstdiscovered，aboutA。D。840，theNorsemenfoundinanisle，ontheeastandwestandelsewhere，Irishbooksandbellsandwoodencrosses，andnamedthatislandPapey，theisleofthepopes——somelittlecolonyofmonks，wholivedbyfishing，andwhoaresaidtohaveleftthelandwhentheNorsemensettledinit。Letusbelieve，foritisconsonantwithreasonandexperience，thatthesightofthosepoormonks，plunderedandmassacredagainandagainbythe\"mailedswarmsofLochlin，\"yetneverexterminated，butspringingupagaininthesameplace，readyforfreshmassacre，asacredplantwhichGodhadplanted，andwhichnorageofmancouldtrampleout——letusbelieve，Isay，thatthatsighttaughtatlasttothebuccaneersoftheoldworldthattherewasapurermanliness，aloftierheroism，thantheferociousself—assertionoftheBerserker，eventheheroismofhumility，gentleness，self—restraint，self—sacrifice;thattherewasastrengthwhichwasmadeperfectinweakness;aglory，notoftheswordbutofthecross。WewillbelievethatthatwasthelessonwhichtheNorsemenlearnt，aftermanyawildandblood—stainedvoyage，fromthemonksofIonaorofDerry，whichcausedthebuildingofsuchchurchesasthatwhichSightrys，kingofDublin，raisedabouttheyear1030，notintheNorsebutintheIrishquarterofDublin：asacredtokenofamitybetweenthenewsettlersandthenativesonthegroundofacommonfaith。Letusbelieve，too，thattheinfluenceofwomanwasnotwantinginthegoodwork——thatthestoryofSt。MargaretandMalcolmCanmorewasrepeated，thoughinversely，inthecaseofmanyaheathenScandinavianjarl，who，marryingtheprincelydaughterofsomeScottishchieftain，foundinhercreedatlastsomethingmorepreciousthanherself;whilehisbrotherorhiscousinbecame，atDublinorWexfordorWaterford，thehusbandofsomesaffron—robedIrishprincess，\"fairasanelf，\"astheoldsayingwas;some\"maidenofthethreetranscendenthues，\"ofwhomtheoldbookofLinanesays：

Redasthebloodwhichflowedfromstrickendeer，Whiteasthesnowonwhichthatbloodrandown，Blackastheravenwhodrankupthatblood;

—andpossibly，asinthecaseofBrianBoru’smother，hadgivenhisfair—hairedsisterinmarriagetosomeIrishprince，andcouldnotresistthespelloftheirnewcreed，andthespelltoo，itmaybe，ofsomesisteroftheirswhohadlonggivenupallthoughtofearthlymarriagetotendtheundyingfireofSt。BridgetamongtheconsecratedvirginsofKildare。

Iamnotdrawingfrommereimagination。Thatsuchthingsmusthavehappened，andhappenedagainandagain，iscertaintoanyonewhoknows，evensuperficially，thedocumentsofthattime。AndIdoubtnotthat，inmannersaswellasinreligion，theNorsewerehumanisedandcivilisedbytheircontactwiththeCelts，bothinScotlandandinIreland。Bothpeopleshadvalour，intellect，imagination：buttheCelthadthatwhichtheburlyangularNorsecharacter，howeverdeepandstately，andhoweverhumorous，wanted;

namely，musicofnature，tenderness，grace，rapidity，playfulness;

justthequalities，combiningwiththeScandinavian（andinScotlandwiththeAngle）elementsofcharacterwhichhaveproduced，inIrelandandinScotland，twoschoolsoflyricpoetrysecondtononeintheworld。

Andsotheywereconvertedtowhatwasthenadarkandawfulcreed;

acreedofasceticself—tortureandpurgatorialfiresforthosewhoescapethestillmoredreadful，becauseendless，doomoftherestofthehumanrace。But，becauseitwasasadcreed，itsuitedbetter，menwhohad，whenconsciencere—awakenedinthem，buttoogoodreasontobesad;andtheminstersandcloisterswhichsprangupoverthewholeofNorthernEurope，andevenbeyondit，alongthedrearywesternshoresofGreenlanditself，arethesymbolsofasplendidrepentancefortheirownsinsandforthesinsoftheirforefathers。

Gudrunaherself，ofwhomIspokejustnow，oneofthoseoldNorseheroineswhohelpedtodiscoverAmerica，thoughahistoricpersonage，isasymboliconelikewise，andthepatternofawholeclass。Shetoo，aftermanyjourneystoIceland，Greenland，andWinland，goesonapilgrimagetoRome，toget，Ipresume，absolutionfromthePopehimselfforallthesinsofherstrange，rich，stormy，waywardlife。

Haveyounotread——manyofyousurelyhave——LaMotteFouque’sromanceof\"Sintram？\"ItembodiesallthatIwouldsay。ItisthespiritualdramaofthatearlyMiddleAge;verysad，morbidifyouwill，buttruetofact。TheLadyVerenaoughtnot，perhaps，todesertherhusband，andshutherselfupinacloister。Butsoshewouldhavedoneinthoseolddays。Andwhoshalljudgeherharshlyforsodoing？Whenthebrutalityofthemanseemspastallcure，whoshallblamethewomanifsheglidesawayintosomeatmosphereofpeaceandpurity，toprayforhimwhomneitherwarningsnorcaresseswillamend？Itisasadbook，\"Sintram。\"Andyetnottoosad。Fortheywereasadpeople，thoseoldNorseforefathersofours。TheirChristianitywassad;theirminsterssad;therearefewsadder，thoughfewgrander，buildingsthanaNormanchurch。

Andyet，perhaps，theirChristianitydidnotmakethemsad。Itwasbuttheotherandthehealthiersideofthatsadnesswhichtheyhadasheathens。Readwhichyouwilloftheoldsagas——heathenorhalf—

Christian——theEyrbiggia，VigaGlum，BurntNiall，GrettirtheStrong，and，aboveall，SnorriSturluson’s\"Heimskringla\"itself——

andyouwillseeatoncehowsadtheyare。Thereis，intheoldsagas，noneofthatenjoymentoflifewhichshinesouteverywhereinGreekpoetry，eventhroughitsdeepesttragedies。NotincomplacencywithNature’sbeauty，butinthefiercestrugglewithherwrath，doestheNorsemanfeelpleasure。Naturetohimwasnot，asinMr。Longfellow’sexquisitepoem，{3}thekindoldnurse，totakehimonherkneeandwhispertohim，everanew，thestorywithoutanend。Shewasaweirdwitch—wife，motherofstormdemonsandfrostgiants，whomustbefoughtwithsteadily，warily，wearily，overdrearyheathsandsnow—cappedfells，andruggednessesandtossingsounds，andawayintotheboundlesssea——orwhocouldlive？—

—tillhegothardenedinthefightintoruthlessnessofneedandgreed。Thepoorstripofflatstrath，ploughedandre—ploughedagainintheshortsummerdays，wouldyieldnomore;orwetharvestsspoiledthecrops，orheavysnowsstarvedthecattle。AndsotheNorsemanlaunchedhisshipswhenthelandsweresowninspring，andwentforthtopillageortotrade，asluckwouldhave，tosummerted，ashehimselfcalledit;andcameback，ifheevercame，inautumntothewomentohelpatharvest—time，withblooduponhishand。Buthadhestayedathome，bloodwouldhavebeentherestill。Threeoutoffourofthemhadbeenmixedupinsomeman—slaying，orhadsomeblood—feudtoavengeamongtheirownkin。

ThewholeofScandinavia，Denmark，Sweden，Norway，Orkney，andtherest，remindmeeverofthatterriblepictureofthegreatNorsepainter，Tiddeman，inwhichtwosplendidyouths，lashedtogether，intrueNorseduelfashionbythewaist，arehewingeachothertodeathwiththeshortaxe，aboutsomehotwordsovertheirale。Thelossoflife，andthatofthemostgallantoftheyoung，inthosedaysmusthavebeenenormous。Ifthevitalityoftheracehadnotbeenevenmoreenormous，theymusthavedestroyedeachother，astheRedIndianshavedone，offthefaceoftheearth。TheylivedtheseNorsemen，nottolive——theylivedtodie。Forwhatcaredthey？

Death——whatwasdeathtothem？whatitwastotheJomsburgerViking，who，whenledouttoexecution，saidtotheheadsman：\"Die！withallpleasure。WeusedtoquestioninJomsburgwhetheramanfeltwhenhisheadwasoff？NowIshallknow;butifIdo，takecare，forIshallsmitetheewithmyknife。Andmeanwhile，spoilnotthislonghairofmine;itissobeautiful。\"

But，oh！whatwaste！Whatmightnotthesemenhavedoneiftheyhadsoughtpeace，notwar;iftheyhadlearnedafewcenturiessoonertodojustly，andlovemercy，andwalkhumblywiththeirGod？

Andyetonelovesthem，blood—stainedastheyare。Yourownpoets，menbroughtupundercircumstances，underideasthemostoppositetotheirs，lovethem，andcannothelpit。Andwhy？Itisnotmerelyfortheirbolddaring，itisnotmerelyfortheirsternendurance;

noragainthattheyhadinthemthatshiftandthrift，thosesteadyandcommon—sensebusinesshabits，whichmadetheirnoblestmennotashamedtogoonvoyagesofmerchandise。Norisit，again，thatgrimhumour——humourasofthemodernScotch——whichsooftenflashesoutintoanactualjest，butmoreusuallyunderliesunspokenalltheirdeeds。Isitnotratherthatthesemenareourforefathers？

thattheirbloodrunsintheveinsofperhapsthreemenoutoffourinanygeneralassembly，whetherinAmericaorinBritain？

Startlingastheassertionmaybe，Ibelieveittobestrictlytrue。

Bethatasitmay，Icannotreadthestoriesofyourwesternmen，thewritingsofBretHarte，orColonelJohnHay，forinstance，withoutfeelingateveryturnthattherearetheoldNorsealiveagain，beyondtheveryoceanwhichtheyfirstcrossed，850yearsago。

Letmetrytoprovemypoint，andendwithastory，asIbeganwithone。

ItisjustthirtyyearsbeforetheNormanconquestofEngland，theeveningofthebattleofSticklestead。St。Olaf’scorpseisstilllyingunburiedonthehillside。ThereformingandChristiankinghasfallenintheattempttoforceChristianityanddespotismontheConservativeandhalf—heathenparty——thefreebondersoryeoman—

farmersofNorway。Thormod，hispoet——theman，ashisnamemeans，ofthundermood——whohasbeenstandingintheranks，atlasthasanarrowinhisleftside。Hebreaksofftheshaft，andthussorewoundedgoesup，whenallislost，toafarmwhereisagreatbarnfullofwounded。OneKimbecomes，amanoutoftheoppositeorbonderpart。\"Thereisgreathowlingandscreaminginthere，\"hesays。\"KingOlaf’smenfoughtbravelyenough：butitisashamebriskyoungladscannotbeartheirwounds。Onwhatsidewertthouinthefight？\"\"Onthebestside，\"saysthebeatenThormod。KimbeseesthatThormodhasagoodbraceletonhisarm。\"Thouartsurelyaking’sman。GivemethygoldringandIwillhidethee，erethebonderskillthee。\"

Thormodsaid，\"Takeit，ifthoucanstgetit。Ihavelostthatwhichisworthmore;\"andhestretchedouthislefthand，andKimbetriedtotakeit。ButThormod，swinginghissword，cutoffhishand;anditissaidKimbebehavednobetteroverhiswoundthanthosehehadbeenblaming。

ThenThormodwentintothebarn;andafterhehadsunghissongthereinpraiseofhisdeadking，hewentintoaninnerroom，wherewasafire，andwaterwarming，andahandsomegirlbindingupmen’swounds。Andhesatdownbythedoor;andonesaidtohim，\"Whyartthousodeadpale？Whydostthounotcallfortheleech？\"ThensungThormod：

\"Iamnotblooming;andthefairAndslendermaidenlovestocareForbloomingyouths。Fewcareforme，WithFenri’sgoldmealIcan’tfee;\"

andsoforth，improvisingaftertheoldNorsefashion。ThenThormodgotupandwenttothefire，andstoodandwarmedhimself。Andthenurse—girlsaidtohim，\"Goout，man，andbringsomeofthesplit—

firewoodwhichliesoutsidethedoor。\"Hewentoutandbroughtanarmfulofwoodandthrewitdown。Thenthenurse—girllookedhimintheface，andsaid，\"Dreadfulpaleisthisman。Whyartthouso？\"

ThensangThormod：

\"Thouwonderest，sweetbloom，atme，Amansohideoustosee。

Thearrow—drifto’ertookme，girl，Afine—groundarrowinthewhirlWentthroughme，andIfeelthedartSits，lovelylass，toonearmyheart。\"

Thegirlsaid，\"Letmeseethywound。\"ThenThormodsatdown，andthegirlsawhiswounds，andthatwhichwasinhisside，andsawthattherewasapieceofironinit;butcouldnottellwhereithadgone。Inastonepotshehadleeksandotherherbs，andboiledthem，andgavethewoundedmanofittoeat。ButThormodsaid，\"Takeitaway;Ihavenoappetitenowformybroth。\"Thenshetookagreatpairoftongsandtriedtopullouttheiron;butthewoundwasswelled，andtherewastoolittletolayholdof。NowsaidThormod，\"Cutinsodeepthatthoucanstgetattheiron，andgivemethetongs。\"Shedidashesaid。ThentookThormodthegoldbraceletoffhishandandgaveitthenurse—girl，andbadeherdowithitwhatsheliked。

\"Itisagoodman’sgift，\"saidhe。\"KingOlafgavemetheringthismorning。\"

ThenThormodtookthetongsandpulledtheironout。Butontheironwasabarb，onwhichhungfleshfromtheheart，somered，somewhite。Whenhesawthat，hesaid，\"Thekinghasfeduswell。Iamfat，eventotheheart’sroots。\"Andsoleantbackandwasdead。

CYRUS，THESERVANTOF—THELORD{4}

Iwishtospeaktoyouto—nightaboutoneofthoseolddespoticempireswhichwereineverycasetheearliestknownformofcivilisation。WereImindedtoplaythecynicorthemountebank，I

shouldchoosesomecorruptandeffetedespotism，alreadygrownweakandridiculousbyitsdecay——asdidatlasttheRomanandthentheByzantineEmpire——and，afterraisingalaughattheexpenseoftheoldsystemsay：Seewhatasuperiorpeopleyouarenow——howimpossible，underfreeandenlightenedinstitutions，isanythingsobaseandsoabsurdaswenton，evenindespoticFrancebeforetheRevolutionof1793。Well，thatwouldbeonthewholetrue，thankGod;butwhatneedistheretosayit？

Letuskeepourscornforourownweaknesses，ourblameforourownsins，certainthatweshallgainmoreinstruction，thoughnotmoreamusement，byhuntingoutthegoodwhichisinanythingthanbyhuntingoutitsevil。Ihavechosen，nottheworst，butthebestdespotismwhichIcouldfindinhistory，foundedandruledbyatrulyheroicpersonage，onewhosenamehasbecomeaproverbandalegend，thatsoImightliftupyourminds，evenbythecontemplationofanoldEasternempire，toseethatit，too，couldbeaworkandordinanceofGod，anditsherotheservantoftheLord。ForwearealmostboundtocallCyrus，thefounderofthePersianEmpire，bythisaugusttitlefortworeasons——First，becausetheHebrewScripturescallhimso;thenext，becauseheprovedhimselftobesuchbyhisactionsandtheirconsequences——atleastintheeyesofthosewhobelieve，asIdo，inafar—seeingandfar—

reachingProvidence，bywhichallhumanhistoryisBoundbygoldchainsuntothethroneofGod。

Hisworkwasverydifferentfromanythatneedbedone，orcanbedone，intheseourdays。ButwhilewethankGodthatsuchworkisnowasunnecessaryasimpossible;wemaythankGodlikewisethat，whensuchworkwasnecessaryandpossible，amanwasraiseduptodoit：andtodoit，asallaccountsassert，better，perhaps，thanithadeverbeendonebeforeorsince。

True，theoldconquerors，whoabsorbednationafternation，tribeaftertribe，andfoundedempiresontheirruins，arenow，Itrust，abouttobereplaced，throughouttheworld，ashereandinBritainathome，byfreeself—governedpeoples：

Theoldorderchangeth，givingplacetothenew;

AndGodfulfilsHimselfinmanyways，Lestonegoodcustomshouldcorrupttheworld。

Andthatcustomofconquestandempireandtransplantationdidmorethanoncecorrupttheworld。Andyetinit，too，GodmayhavemorethanoncefulfilledHisowndesigns，asHedid，ifScriptureistobebelieved，inCyrus，wellsurnamedtheGreat，thefounderofthePersianEmpiresome2400yearsago。Fortheseempires，itmustberemembered，didatleastthatwhichtheRomanEmpiredidamongascatterednumberofsavagetribes，orseparatelittleraces，hatingandmurderingeachother，speakingdifferenttongues，andworshippingdifferentgods，andlosingutterlythesenseofacommonhumanity，tilltheylookedonthepeoplewhodweltinthenextvalleyasfiends，tobesacrificed，ifcaught，totheirownfiendsathome。Amongsuchasthese，empiresdidintroduceorder，law，commonspeech，commoninterest，thenotionofnationalityandhumanity。They，asitwere，hammeredtogetherthefragmentsofthehumanracetilltheyhadmouldedthemintoone。Theydiditcruelly，clumsily，ill：butwasthereeverworkdoneonearth，howevernoble，whichwasnot——alas，alas！——donesomewhatill？

Letmetalktoyoualittleabouttheoldhero。HeandhishardyPersiansshouldbespeciallyinterestingtous。Forinthemfirstdoesourrace，theAryanrace，appearinauthentichistory。Inthemfirstdidourracegivepromiseofbeingtheconqueringandcivilisingraceofthefutureworld。AndtotheconquestsofCyrus—

—sostrangelyareallgreattimesandgreatmovementsofthehumanfamilylinkedtoeachother——tohisconquests，humanlyspeaking，isowingthefactthatyouarehere，andIamspeakingtoyouatthismoment。

Itisanoft—toldstory：butsograndaonethatImustsketchitforyou，howeverclumsily，oncemore。

InthatmountainprovincecalledFarsistan，north—eastofwhatwenowcallPersia，thedwelling—placeofthePersians，theredwelt，inthesixthandseventhcenturiesbeforeChrist，ahardytribe，ofthepurestbloodofIran，abranchofthesameraceastheCeltic，Teutonic，Greek，andHindoo，andspeakingatongueakintotheirs。

Theyhadwanderedthither，saytheirlegends，outofthefarnorth—

east，fromoffsomeloftyplateauofCentralAsia，drivenoutbytheincreasingcold，whichleftthembuttwomouthsofsummertotenofwinter。

Theydespisedatfirst——wouldthattheyhaddespisedalways！——theluxuriouslifeofthedwellersintheplains，andtheeffeminatecustomsoftheMedes——abranchoftheirownracewhohadconqueredandintermarriedwiththeTuranian，orFinnishtribes;andadoptedmuchoftheircreed，aswellasoftheirmorals，throughouttheirvastbutshort—livedMedianEmpire。\"Softcountries，\"saidCyrushimself——sorunsthetale——\"gavebirthtosmallmen。Noregionproducedatoncedelightfulfruitsandmenofawar—likespirit。\"

Lettersweretothem，probably，thenunknown。Theyborrowedtheminafteryears，astheyborrowedtheirart，fromBabylonians，Assyrians，andotherSemiticnationswhomtheyconquered。Fromtheageoffivetothatoftwenty，theirladswereinstructedbutintwothings——tospeakthetruthandtoshootwiththebow。Toridewasthethirdnecessaryart，introduced，accordingtoXenophon，aftertheyhaddescendedfromtheirmountainfastnessesstoconquerthewholeEast。

Theircreedwassimpleenough。AhuraMazda——Ormuzd，ashehasbeencalledsince——wastheoneeternalCreator，thesourceofalllightandlifeandgood。Hespakehisword，anditaccomplishedthecreationofheaven，beforethewater，beforetheearth，beforethecow，beforethetree，beforethefire，beforemanthetruthful，beforetheDevasandbeastsofprey，beforethewholeexistinguniverse;beforeeverygoodthingcreatedbyAhuraMazdaandspringingfromTruth。

Heneedednosacrificesofblood。Hewastobeworshippedonlywithprayers，withofferingsoftheinspiringjuiceofthenowunknownherbHoma，andbythepreservationofthesacredfire，which，understand，wasnothe，butthesymbol——aswaslightandthesun——ofthegoodspirit——ofAhuraMazda。Theyhadnoimagesofthegods，theseoldPersians;notemples，noaltars，sosaysHerodotus，andconsideredtheuseofthemasignoffolly。Theywere，ashasbeenwellsaidofthem，thePuritansoftheoldworld。Whentheydescendedfromtheirmountainfastnesses，theybecametheiconoclastsoftheoldworld;andthelaterIsaiah，outofthedepthsofnationalshame，captivity，andexile，sawinthembrother—

spirits，thechosenoftheLord，whoseheroCyrus，theLordwasholdingbyHisrighthand，tillallthefoulsuperstitionsandfouleffeminaciesoftherottenSemiticpeoplesoftheEast，andevenofEgyptitself，shouldbecrushed，though，alas！onlyforawhile，bymenwhofeltthattheyhadacommissionfromtheGodoflightandtruthandpurity，tosweepoutallthatwiththebesomofdestruction。

Butthatwasalaterinspiration。Inearlier，anditmaybehappier，timesthedutyofthegoodmanwastostriveagainstallevil，disorder，uselessness，incompetenceintheirmoresimpleforms。\"Hethereforeisaholyman，\"saysOrmuzdintheZend—

avesta，\"whohasbuiltadwellingontheearth，inwhichhemaintainsfire，cattle，hiswife，hischildren，andflocksandherds;hewhomakestheearthproducebarley，hewhocultivatesthefruitsofthesoil，cultivatespurity;headvancesthelawofAhuraMazdaasmuchasifhehadofferedahundredsacrifices。\"

Toreclaimthewaste，totilltheland，tomakeacorneroftheearthbetterthantheyfoundit，wastothesementorescueabitofOrmuzd’sworldoutoftheusurpeddominionofAhriman;torescueitfromthespiritofevilanddisorderforitsrightfulowner，theSpiritofOrderandofGood。

Fortheybelievedinanevilspirit，theseoldPersians。Evilwasnotforthemalowerformofgood。Withtheirintensesenseofthedifferencebetweenrightandwrongitcouldbenothinglessthanhateful;tobeattacked，exterminated，asapersonalenemy，tillitbecametothematlastimpersonateandaperson。

Zarathustra，themysteryofevil，weighedheavilyonthemandontheirgreatprophet，Zoroaster——splendourofgold，asIamtoldhisnamesignifies——wholived，nomanknowsclearlywhenorclearlywhere，butwholivedandlivesforever，forhisworksfollowhim。

He，too，triedtosolveforhispeoplethemysteryofevil;andifhedidnotsucceed，whohassucceededyet？WarringagainstOrmuzd，AhuraMazda，wasAhriman，AngraMainyus，literallythebeingofanevilmind，theill—conditionedbeing。HewaslabouringperpetuallytospoilthegoodworkofOrmuzdalikeinnatureandinman。Hewasthecauseofthefallofman，thetempter，theauthorofmiseryanddeath;hewaseternalanduncreateasOrmuzdwas。Butthat，perhaps，wasacorruptionofthepurerandolderZoroastriancreed。

Withit，ifAhrimanwereeternalinthepast，hewouldnotbeeternalinthefuture。Somehow，somewhen，somewhere，inthedaywhenthreeprophets——theincreasinglight，theincreasingtruth，andtheexistingtruth——shouldariseandgivetomankindthelastthreebooksoftheZend—avesta，andconvertallmankindtothepurecreed，thenevilshouldbeconquered，thecreationbecomepureagain，andAhrimanvanishforever;and，meanwhile，everygoodmanwastofightvaliantlyforOrmuzd，histruelord，againstAhrimanandallhisworks。

Menwhoheldsuchacreed，andcouldspeaktruthanddrawthebow，whatmighttheynotdowhenthehourandthemanarrived？TheywerenotaBIGnation。No;buttheywereaGREATnation，evenwhiletheywereeatingbarley—breadandpayingtributetotheirconquerorstheMedes，inthesterilevalleysofFarsistan。

Andatlastthehourandthemancame。Thestoryishalflegendary—

—differentlytoldbydifferentauthors。Herodotushasonetale，Xenophonanother。Thefirst，atleast，hadamplemeansofinformation。AstyagesistheoldshahoftheMedianEmpire，thenattheheightofitsseemingmightandsplendourandeffeminacy。Hehasmarriedhisdaughter，thePrincessMandane，toCambyses，seeminglyavassal—kingorprinceofthepurePersianblood。Onenighttheoldmanistroubledwithadream。Heseesavinespringfromhisdaughter，whichovershadowsallAsia。HesendsfortheMagitointerpret;andtheytellhimthatMandanewillhaveasonwhowillreigninhisstead。Havingsonsofhisown，andfearingforthesuccession，hesendsforMandane，and，whenherchildisborn，givesittoHarpagus，oneofhiscourtiers，tobeslain。Thecourtierrelents，andhandsitovertoaherdsman，tobeexposedonthemountains。Theherdsmanrelentsinturn，andbringthebabeupashisownchild。

Whentheboy，whogoesbythenameofAgradates，isgrown，heisatplaywiththeotherherdboys，andtheychoosehimforamimicking。

Somehemakeshisguards，somehebidsbuildhouses，somecarryhismessages。ThesonofaMedeofrankrefuses，andAgradateshashimseizedbyhisguardsandchastisedwiththewhip。Theancestralinstinctsofcommandanddisciplineareshowingearlyinthelad。

Theyounggentlemancomplainstohisfather，thefathertotheoldking，whoofcoursesendsfortheherdsmanandhisboy。TheboyanswersinatonesoexactlylikethatinwhichXenophon’sCyruswouldhaveanswered，thatImustbelievethatbothXenophon’sCyrusandHerodotus’sCyrus（likeXenophon’sSocratesandPlato’sSocrates）arerealpicturesofarealcharacter;andthatHerodotus’sstory，thoughXenophonsaysnothingofit，istrue。

Hehasdonenothing，thenobleboysays，butwhatwasjust。Hehadbeenchosenkinginplay，becausetheboysthoughthimmostfit。

Theboywhomhehadchastisedwasoneofthosewhochosehim。Alltherestobeyed：buthewouldnot，tillatlasthegothisduereward。\"IfIdeservepunishmentforthat，\"saystheboy，\"Iamreadytosubmit。\"

Theoldkinglookskeenlyandwonderinglyattheyoungking，whosefeaturesseemsomewhatlikehisown。Likelyenoughinthosedays，whenanIraniannobleorprincewouldhaveaquitedifferentcastofcomplexionandoffacefromaTuranianherdsman。Asuspicioncrosseshim;andbythreatsoftorturehegetsthetruthfromthetremblingherdsman。

Tothepoorwretch’srapturetheoldkingletshimgounharmed。Hehasamoreexquisiterevengetotake，andsendsforHarpagus，wholikewiseconfessedthetruth。Thewilyoldtyranthasnaughtbutgentlewords。Itisbestasitis。Hehasbeenverysorryhimselfforthechild，andMandane’sreproacheshadgonetohisheart。\"LetHarpagusgohomeandsendhissontobeacompaniontothenew—foundprince。To—nighttherewillbegreatsacrificesinhonourofthechild’ssafety，andHarpagusistobeaguestatthebanquet。\"

Harpaguscomes;andaftereatinghisfill，isaskedhowhelikestheking’smeat？Hegivestheusualanswer;andacoveredbasketisputbeforehim，outofwhichheistotake——inMedianfashion——whathelikes。Hefindsinittheheadandhandsandfeetofhisownson。

LikeatrueEasternheshowsnosignsofhorror。Thekingaskshimifheknewwhatfleshhehadbeeneating。Heanswersthatheknewperfectly。Thatwhateverthekingdidpleasedhim。

LikeanEasterncourtier，heknewhowtodissemble，butnottoforgive，andbidedhistime。TheMagi，totheircredit，toldAstyagesthathisdreamhadbeenfulfilled，thatCyrus——aswemustnowcallthefoundlingprince——hadfulfilleditbybecomingakinginplay，andtheboyislettogobacktohisfatherandhishardyPersianlife。ButHarpagusdoesnotleavehimalone，norperhaps，dohisownthoughts。Hehaswrongstoavengeonhisgrandfather。

Anditseemsnotaltogetherimpossibletotheyoungmountaineer。

HehasseenenoughofMedianluxurytodespiseitandthosewhoindulgeinit。Hehasseenhisowngrandfatherwithhischeeksrouged，hiseyelidsstainedwithantimony，livingawomanlikelife，shutupfromallhissubjectsintherecessesofavastseraglio。

Hecallstogetherthemountainrulers;makesfriendswithTigranes，anArmenianprince，avassaloftheMede，whohashiswrongslikewisetoavenge。Andthetwolittlearmiesoffoot—soldiers——thePersianshadnocavalry——defeattheinnumerablehorsemenoftheMede，taketheoldking，keephiminhonourablecaptivity，andsochange，onelegendsays，inasinglebattle，thefortunesofthewholeEast。

Andthenbeginsthatseriesofconquestsofwhichweknowhardlyanything，savethefactthattheyweremade。Theyoungmountaineerandhisplaymates，whomhemakeshisgeneralsandsatraps，sweeponwardtowardstheWest，teachingtheirmentheartofriding，tillthePersiancavalrybecomesmorefamousthantheMedianhadbeen。

Theygathertothem，asasnowballgathersinrolling，thepickedyouthofeverytribewhomtheyovercome。Theyknitthesetribestotheminloyaltyandaffectionbythatrighteousness——thattruthfulnessandjustice——forwhichIsaiahinhisgrandestlyricstrainshasmadethemillustrioustoalltime;whichXenophonhascelebratedinlikemannerinthatexquisitebookofhis——the\"Cyropaedia。\"ThegreatLydiankingdomofCroesus——AsiaMinoraswecallitnow——goesdownbeforethem。Babylonitselfgoesdown，afterthatworld—famedsiegewhichendedinBelshazzar’sfeast;andwhenCyrusdied——stillintheprimeoflife，thelegendsseemtosay——heleftacoherentandwell—organisedempire，whichstretchedfromtheMediterraneantoHindostan。

Sorunsthetale，whichtome，Iconfess，soundsprobableandrationalenough。Itmaynotdosotoyou;forithasnottomanylearnedmen。Theyareinclinedto\"relegateitintotheregionofmyth;\"inplainEnglish，tocalloldHerodotusaliar，oratleastadupe。Whatmeansthosewisemencanhaveatthisdistanceofmorethan2000years，ofknowingmoreaboutthematterthanHerodotus，wholivedwithin100yearsofCyrus，Iformyselfcannotdiscover。

AndIsaythiswithouttheleastwishtodisparagethesehypercriticalpersons。Forthereare——andmorethereoughttobe，aslongasliesandsuperstitionsremainonthisearth——aclassofthinkerswhoholdinjustsuspicionallstorieswhichsavourofthesensational，theromantic，eventhedramatic。Theyknowtheterribleusestowhichappealstothefancyandtheemotionshavebeenapplied，andarestillappliedtoenslavetheintellects，theconsciences，theverybodiesofmenandwomen。Theydreadsomuchfromexperiencetheabuseofthatformula，that\"athingissobeautifulitmustbetrue，\"thattheyareinclinedtoreply：

\"Ratherletussayboldly，itissobeautifulthatitcannotbetrue。Letusmistrust，orevenrefusetobelieveepriori，andatfirstsight，allstartling，sensational，evenpoetictales，andacceptnothingashistory，whichisnotasdullastheledgerofadry—goods’store。\"ButIthinkthatexperience，bothinnatureandinsociety，areagainstthatditch—waterphilosophy。Theweather，beinggovernedbylaws，oughtalwaystobeequableandnormal，andyetyouhavewhirlwinds，droughts，thunderstorms。Theshare—market，beinggovernedbylaws，oughttobealwaysequableandnormal，andyetyouhavestartlingtransactions，startlingpanics，startlingdisclosures，andawholesensationalromanceofcommercialcrimeandfolly。Whichofushaslivedtobefiftyyearsold，withouthavingwitnessedinprivatelifesensationtragedies，alas！sometimestoofearfultobetold，oratleastsensationalromances，whichweshalltakecarenottotell，becauseweshallnotbebelieved？Lettheditch—waterphilosophysaywhatitwill，humanlifeisnotaditch，butawildandroaringriver，floodingitsbanks，andeatingoutnewchannelswithmanyalandslip。Itisastrangeworld，andman，astrangeanimal，guided，itistrue，usuallybymostcommon—placemotives;but，forthatreason，readyandgladattimestoescapefromthemandtheirdulnessandbaseness;togivevent，ifbutforamoment，inwildfreedom，tothatdemoniacelement，which，asGoethesays，underlieshisnatureandallnature;andtopreferforanhour，tothenormalandrespectableditch—water，abottleofchampagneorevenacarouseonfire—water，lettheconsequencesbewhattheymay。

Howelseshallweexplainsuchaphenomenonasthoseoldcrusades？

Weretheyundertakenforanypurpose，commercialorother？

Certainlynotforlighteninganoverburdenedpopulation。Nay，isnotthehistoryofyourownMormons，andtheirexodusintothefarWest，oneofthemoststartlinginstanceswhichtheworldhasseenforseveralcenturies，oftheunexpectedandincalculableforceswhichliehidinman？Believeme，man’spassions，heatedtoignitingpoint，ratherthanhisprudencecooleddowntofreezingpoint，arethenormalcausesofallgreathumanmovement。Andatruerlawofsocialsciencethananythatpoliticaleconomistsarewonttolaydown，isthatoldDOV’ELADONNA？oftheItalianjudge，whousedtoask，asapreliminarytoeverycase，civilorcriminal，whichwasbroughtbeforehim，Dov’eladonna？\"Whereisthelady？\"

certain，likeawiseoldgentleman，thatawomanwasmostprobablyatthebottomofthematter。

Strangeness？Romance？Didanyofyoueverread——ifyouhavenotyoushouldread——ArchbishopWhately’s\"HistoricDoubtsabouttheEmperorNapoleontheFirst\"？ThereinthelearnedandwittyArchbishopproved，asearlyas1819，byfairuseofthecriticismofMr。HumeandtheScepticSchool，thatthewholehistoryofthegreatNapoleonoughttobetreatedbywisemenasamythandaromance，thatthereislittleornoevidenceofhishavingexistedatall;

andthatthestoryofhisstrangesuccessesandstrangedefeatswasprobablyinventedbyourGovernmentinordertopandertothevanityoftheEnglishnation。

Iwillsaythis，whichArchbishopWhately，inalateedition，foreshadows，wittilyenough——thatifoneortwothousandyearshence，whenthehistoryofthelateEmperorNapoleontheThird，hisriseandfall，shallcometobesubjectedtocriticalanalysisbyfuturePhilistinehistoriansofNewZealandorAustralia，itwillbeprovedbythemtobeutterlymythical，incredible，monstrous——andthatallthemore，themoretheactualfactsremaintopuzzletheirunimaginativebrains。Whatwilltheymaketwothousandyearshence，ofthelandingatBoulognewiththetameeagle？Willnotthat，andstrangerfactsstill，butjustastrue，berelegatedtotheregionofmyth，withthedreamofAstyages，andtheyoungandprincelyherdsmanplayingatkingoverhisfellow—slaves？

Butenoughofthis。Tomethesebitsofromanceoftenseemthetruest，aswellasthemostimportantportionsofhistory。

WhenoldHerodotustellsmehow，KingAstyageshavingguardedthefrontier，HarpagussentahuntertoyoungCyruswithafresh—killedhare，tellinghimtoopenitinprivate;andhow，sewnupinitwastheletter，tellinghimthatthetimetorebelwascome，Iaminclinedtosay，Thatmustbetrue。Itissobeneaththedignityofhistory，soquaintandunexpected，thatitisallthemorelikelyNOTtohavebeeninvented。

Sowiththatotherstory——HowyoungCyrus，givingoutthathisgrandfatherhadmadehimgeneralofthePersians，summonedthemall，eachmanwithasickleinhishand，intoaprairiefullofthorns，andbadethemclearitinoneday;andhowwhenthey，likeloyalmen，hadfinished，hebadethembathe，andnextdayhetookthemintoagreatmeadowandfeastedthemwithcornandwine，andallthathisfather’sfarmwouldyield，andaskedthemwhichdaytheylikedbest;and，whentheyansweredaswastobeexpected，howheopenedhisparableandtoldthem，\"Choose，then，toworkforthePersianslikeslaves，ortobefreewithme。\"

Suchatalesoundstometrue。IthastheverysavouroftheparablesoftheOldTestament;ashave，surely，thedreamsoftheoldSultan，withwhichthetalebegins。DotheynotputusinmindofthedreamsofNebuchadnezzar，intheBookofDaniel？

Suchstoriesareactuallysobeautifulthattheyareverylikelytobetrue。Understandme，Ionlysaylikely;theditch—waterviewofhistoryisnotallwrong。Itsadvocatesarerightinsayinggreathistoricchangesarenotproducedsimplybyonegreatperson，byoneremarkableevent。Theyhavebeenpreparing，perhapsforcenturies。

Theyaretheresultofnumberlessforces，actingaccordingtolaws，whichmighthavebeenforeseen，andwillbeforeseen，whenthescienceofHistoryismoreperfectlyunderstood。

Forinstance，CyruscouldnothaveconqueredtheMedianEmpireatasingleblow，iffirstthatempirehadnotbeenutterlyrotten;andnext，ifheandhishandfulofPersianshadnotbeentemperedandsharpened，bylonghardihood，tothefinestcuttingedge。

Yes，therewereallthematerialsforthecatastrophe——thecannon，thepowder，theshot。ButtosaythatthePersiansmusthaveconqueredtheMedes，evenifCyrushadneverlived，istosay，astoomanyphilosophersseemtometosay，that，givencannon，powder，andshot，itwillfireitselfoffsomedayifweonlyleaveitalonelongenough。

Itmaybeso。ButourusualexperienceofNatureandFactis，thatspontaneouscombustionisarareandexceptionalphenomenon;thatifacannonistobefired，someonemustariseandpullthetrigger。

AndIbelievethatinSocietyandPolitics，whenagreateventisreadytobedone，someonemustcomeanddoit——doit，perhaps，halfunwittingly，bysomesinglerashact——likethatfirstfatalshotfiredbyanelectricspark。

ButtoreturntoCyrusandhisPersians。

Iknownotwhetherthe\"Cyropaedia\"ismuchreadinyourschoolsanduniversities。ButitisoneofthebookswhichIshouldliketosee，eitherinatranslationoritsownexquisiteGreek，inthehandsofeveryyoungman。Itisnotallfact。Itisbutahistoricromance。Butitisbetterthanhistory。Itisanidealbook，likeSidney’s\"Arcadia\"orSpenser’s\"FairyQueen\"——theidealself—

educationofanidealhero。Andthemoralofthebook——ponderitwell，allyoungmenwhohavethechanceorthehopeofexercisingauthorityamongyourfollow—men——thenobleandmostChristianmoralofthatheathenbookisthis：thatthepathtosolidandbeneficentinfluenceoverourfellow—menlies，notthroughbruteforce，notthroughcupidity，butthroughthehighestmorality;

throughjustice，truthfulness，humanity，self—denial，modesty，courtesy，andallwhichmakesmanorwomanlovelyintheeyesofmortalsorofGod。

Yes，the\"Cyropaedia\"isanoblebook，aboutanoblepersonage。ButIcannotforgetthattherearenoblerwordsbyfarconcerningthatsamenoblepersonage，inthemagnificentseriesofHebrewLyrics，whichbegins\"Comfortye，comfortye，mypeople，saiththeLord\"——inwhichtheinspiredpoet，watchingtheriseofCyrusandhisPuritans，andthefallofBabylon，andtheidolatriesoftheEast，andthecomingdeliveranceofhisowncountrymen，speaksofthePersianheroinwordssograndthattheyhavebeenoftenenoughapplied，andwithallfitness，toonegreaterthanCyrus，andthanallmen：

WhoraiseduptherighteousmanfromtheEast，Andcalledhimtoattendhissteps？

Whosubduednationsathispresence，Andgavehimdominionoverkings？

Andmadethemlikethedustbeforehissword，Andthedrivenstubblebeforehisbow？

Hepursueththem，hepassethinsafety，Byawaynevertroddenbeforebyhisfeet。

Whohathperformedandmadethesethings，Callingthegenerationsfromthebeginning？

I，Jehovah，thefirstandthelast，Iamthesame。

Beholdmyservant，whomIwilluphold;

Mychosen，inwhommysouldelighteth;

Iwillmakemyspiritrestuponhim，Andheshallpublishjudgmenttothenations。

Heshallnotcryaloud，norclamour，Norcausehisvoicetobeheardinthestreets。

Thebruisedreedheshallnotbreak，Andthesmokingflaxheshallnotquench。

Heshallpublishjustice，andestablishit。

Hisforceshallnotbeabated，norbroken，Untilhehasfirmlyseatedjusticeintheearth，AndthedistantnationsshallwaitforhisLaw。

ThussaiththeGod，evenJehovah，Whocreatedtheheavens，andstretchedthemout;

Whospreadabroadtheearth，anditsproduce：

I，Jehovah，havecalledtheeforarighteousend，AndIwilltakeholdofthyhand，andpreservethee，AndIwillgivetheeforacovenanttothepeople，Andforalighttothenations;

Toopentheeyesoftheblind，Tobringthecaptivesoutofprison，Andfromthedungeonthosewhodwellindarkness。

IamJehovah——thatismyname;

AndmyglorywillInotgivetoanother，Normypraisetothegravenidols。