DEFENCE OF PRA DEL TOR. 691 gorge in which the Piedmontese army was imprisoned. Tearing up the great stones with which the hill-side was strewn, the Vaudois sent them rolling down upon the host. Unable to advance from the wall of dead in front, and unable to flee from the ever accumulating masses behind, the 692 THE CHILDREN'S CHURCH. soldiers were crushed in dozens by the falling rocks. Panic set in; and famine in such a position was dreadful. Wedged together on the narrow ledge, with a murderous rain of rocks falling on them, their struggles to escape was frightful. They jostled one another, and trod each other under foot, while vast numbers fell over the precipice, and were dashed on the rocks or drowned in the torrent. When those at the entrance of the valley who were watching the result saw the crystal of the Angrogna begin about midday to be changed into blood, "Ah!" said they, "the Pra del Tor has been taken; La Trinita has triumphed; then flows the blood of the Vaudois." And, indeed, the Count on beginning his march that morning is said to have boasted that by noon the torrent of the Angrogna would be seen to change color; and so in truth it did. Instead of a pellucid stream, rolling along on a white gravelly bed, which is its usual appearance at the mouth of the valley, it was now deeply dyed from recent slaughter. But when the few who had escaped the catastrophe returned to tell what had that day passed within the defiles of the Angrogna, it was seen that it was not the blood of the Vaudois, but the blood of the ruthless invaders, which dyed the waters of the Angrogna. The Count withdrew on that same night, to return no more to the Valley. T THE CHILDREN'S CHURCH. TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF PAUL GEROT. HE bells of the church are ringing, While the bells toll away in the steeple, So as free as the birds or the breezes Their music no rythm nor tune; But theirs reaches God quite as soon. Their angels stand close to the Father, His Heaven is made bright by these flowers; And the dear God above us would rather Hear praise from their lips than from ours. Sing on, little children, your voices Fill the air with contentment and love; And the birds warble sweetly above. The liturgies sacred and long, Though wisely our prayers may be planned, Hold our book the wrong way in our hand. And the tide drifts the sea-sand in the streets Of the drowned city. Thou, meanwhile, afar In the green chambers of the middle sea, Where broadest spread the waters and the line Sinks deepest, while no eye beholds thy Creator! thou dost teach the coral worm Welters in shallows, headlands crumble down, To break upon Japan. With the three charms of riches, beauty, Week followed week, and, it must be confest, dress, He did not, as he ought, The bridegroom and the bride had both been blest: Think of aught else; so no inquiry made he Month after month had languidly transpired. As to the temper of the lady. And here was certainly a great omission; None should accept of Hymen's gentle fet ter, "For worse or better," Both parties became tired: Ah! foolish pair! My lot to see, I think you'll own your wife As good or better than the generality. "An interest in your case I really take, Also my five best horses with my cart; And be particular, I beg; But where the wives, an egg. I'll ease you of your wife,-I will-I fegs!" Away the married man departed, Not doubting that, of course, The first five houses each would take a horse. At the first house he knocked, He felt a little shocked To hear a female voice, with angry roar, Scream out,-Hullo! Who's there below? See who it is, I beg." But first laid at the door an egg. I will not, all his journey through, The discontented traveler pursue; Suffice it here to say That when his first day's task was nearly done, He'd seen an hundred husbands, minus one, And eggs just ninety-nine had given away. "Ha, here's a house where he I seek must dwell," At length cried John; "I'll go and ring the bell." The servant came,-John asked him, "Pray, Friend, is your master in the way?" " 'No," said the man, with smiling phiz, My master is not, but my mistress is; Walk in that parlor, sir, my lady's in it: Master will be himself there in a minute. ' The lady said her husband then was dressing, And, if his business was not very pressing, She would prefer that he should wait until His toilet was completed; Adding, "Pray, sir, be seated." Said John, with great politeness; "but I own Can tell me all I wish to know; Pardon my rudeness. And just have the goodness (A wager to decide) to tell me-do Who governs in this house,-your spouse or you?" 'Sir," said the lady with a doubting nod, But as I think none ought to be But here's my husband (always sad without me); Take not my word, but ask him, if you doubt me." Why, husband, are you deaf? Go to the "Sir," said the husband "it is most true; |