42

DliATH S DOINGS.

terrestrial things; and, though allied to earth beforethe time allotted to baser souls, ere he quits hismortal tenement, leaves, in imagination, earth be-hind, and revels midst a world of spirits; and, butfor the loud rapping of the dun, would not awakenfrom his reverie, till Death, reminding him of life,translates him to eternity.

So the sculptor chips the rude block, and la-bours on, inspired, heedless of sublunary things,until the cold marble breathes beneath his ani-mating hand; and then that hand which gave itlife is cold itself as marble. Glorious end! for,ere the enthusiast's tongue is mute, or eye is dim,he smiles on Death, and, dying, cries—Behold, Ilive for ever in that wondrous statue.

So with the happy hero in this piece: wrappedin his art, he heeds not him who is so close athand, regardless of that hole that is about to opebeneath his feet, deep as eternity. He labourson serene, and, having given the last finishing toTime, yields to him who is Time's vassal, andcalmly receives that dart which finishes himself.