King Gelimer's Death Lay.

And the Numiclians took counsel again , ancl sent off messengers to the tribes , ancl a great gathering was made to cut off the Vandal host wdth the edge of the sword ancl utterly destroy it . So the Numidians came up from the West far away , from the uttermost parts of the earth , where stands , say the bards , the ancient man upon whose shoulders are supported both heaven ancl earth . From the southwhere sands cover the track of the traveller

, , where whitecl bones alone teach the road , where water is not , ancl the palm trees are few , come a host of black horsemen to fight against Gelimer . From the east , where the ancient buildings of the Egyptians lie half buried in sand , ancl where magic and might hold their ruined state , come clouds of warriors , like flights of locusts , eating up the lands . Tet Gelimer lies quietly in his encampment and his stout heart never fails

him . Then with one accord the Numiclians and Africans attacked Gelimer , ancl Gelimer saw that his death hour had come . His chiefs were slain , his men were starving , his children dying ; and thereupon he resolved upon a Vandal ' s death . From the gates , then , see approach a haggard train of ragged men , with

jaws starved to terrible conclusions ; with solemn tread they wend their way to the Numidian camp . Audience is given them . They ask not for food , for life , for freedom , for mercy , for as they desire not life they have food enough , as their life is in their own hand they crave not for freedom which a dagger could give them in a moment , ancl mercy is not wanted by men who have freedom .

They ask for the gift of a harp , that , like the swan , they may sing and die . Shouts of laughter arose from the Numidian lips at this request . " What is this fooling that the proud King Gelimer , vanquished though he be , puts upon us ? " But the request is granted , the harp received , and the emissaries again return to their stronghold amid the mountains , ancl a truce of one day was proclaimed .

Now there was m the camp of the Vandals a sorcerer of mi ghty power , a man cunning in the preparation of poison ancl of skill in the arts of destruction .

King Gelimer reposed m the shade of a palm-tree , and summoned Rualac to his presence , ancl said : " Behold , Rualac , how great ancl glorious is the One we worship . To the hosts of Gelimer , although vanquished , hath he , decreed victory . For my people shall die like men , unooiiquerecl by the potent poison , dealing destruction the while . Rualac , man of might , cunning magician , prepare a poison of power . Sayhast thou onethat will certainly killbut kill slowl—not kill

, , , y for one day ? Speak , Rualac , and tell me ? " Ancl Rualac answered ancl said , " Such a poison have I , King ; and a poison ivhich , if taken at dawn , will not kill till sunset . " Then said Gelimer : " Speed thee , Rualac , and make it ready , for by it will we vanquish the barbarians ! " Ancl Rualac hastened to prepare the poison , while Gelimer sjiake to his

men in such words as these : " Men of the east ! bow yourselves before the decrees of the Holy One ! " And they bowed themselves , ere he continued . " The Numidians have come up with great strength against us , ancl they have reduced our number and harassed our tribe . There is no way of escape , think ye ? Yes , indeed , is there a way of escape ! We have our freedom , and a glorious one . We cannot pass aAvay to the peaceful country of our ancestors

, but we can follow our ancestors to the throne of the All-powerful ! Our road is a short and easy one into the presence of His countenance I Rualac will prepare poison which we will drink . His poison will grant us one day to live , and for that day , steeled against the pangs of hunger , the fears of slavery