The chief, who was also their supreme judge, recapitulated their words, in order that the parties might see whether or not he understood them aright. Then, after some reflection, he said, "Thou hast a son, friend, I believe?" "Yes." "And thou (addressing the other) a daughter?" "Yes." "Well, then, let thy son marry thy daughter, and bestow the treasure on the young couple for a marriage portion." Alexander seemed surprised and perplexed. "Think you my sentence unjust?" the chief asked him. "Oh, no!" replied Alexander; "but it astonishes me." "And how, then," rejoined the chief, "would the case have been decided in your country?" "To confess the truth," said Alexander, "we should have taken both into custody, and have seized the treasure for the king's use." "For the king's use!" exclaimed the chief. "Does the sun shine on that country?" "Oh, yes." "Does it rain there?" "Assuredly." "Wonderful! But are there tame animals in the country that live on the grass and green herbs?" "Very many, and of many kinds." "Ay, that must then be the cause," said the chief; "for the sake of those innocent animals the all-gracious Being continues to let the sun shine and the rain drop down on your own country, since its inhabitants are unworthy of such blessings."
Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, _With sweeter manners, purer laws._
Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, _Ring in the common love of good._
Ring in the valiant man and free, _The larger heart, the kindlier hand;_ Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.
"What shall I do, lest life in silence pass?" "And if it do, And never prompt the bray of noisy brass, What need'st thou rue? Remember, aye the ocean-deeps are mute; The shallows roar: Worth is the ocean,--fame is but the bruit Along the shore."
"What shall I do to be forever known?" "Thy duty ever." "This did full many who yet slept unknown." "Oh, never, never! Think'st thou perchance that they remain unknown Whom thou know'st not? By angel trumps in heaven their praise is blown-- Divine their lot."
"What shall I do to gain eternal life?" "Discharge aright _The simple dues with which each day is rife, Yea, with thy might_. Ere perfect scheme of action thou devise, Will life be fled, Where he, who ever acts as conscience cries, Shall live though dead."