ed, we
may gather the dangers we are exposed to, and how cautious we should be
of invoking the devil to our assistance, as well as of committing our
family to his power. Let us guard our hearts, and beware that he catch
not up the sinful soul, and plunge it into the lake of everlasting
misery; where there is snow and ice unthawed; crystal, that reflects the
awakened and agonized conscience perpetually burning with immortal fire.

XXVII.--A VERSE EXERCISE.

Alexander had an only son called Celestinus, whom he loved with the
utmost tenderness. He desired to have him well instructed; and sending
for a certain philosopher, said, "Sir, instruct my son, and I will pay
you bountifully." The philosopher agreed, and took the boy home with
him. He diligently performed his duty; and it happened, that one day
entering a meadow with his pupil, they saw a horse lying on the ground,
grievously affected with the mange. Near the animal two sheep were tied
together, which busily cropped the grass that grew around them. It so
chanced that the sheep were on each side of the horse, and the cord with
which they were bound passed over his back, and chafing the sores,
galled him exceedingly. Disturbed by this, he got up; but the cord, then
loaded with the weight of the sheep, afflicted him more and more; and
filled with fury, he began to run off at a great speed, dragging along
the unfortunate sheep. And in equal proportion to their resistance was
the increase of the horse's suffering, for the cord, having worn itself
into a hollow, sunk, at every struggle, deeper into the wound.

Adjoining the meadow was the house of a miller, toward which the horse,
impelled by the anguish of his wound, galloped, and entered, with the
sheep hanging as we have said. The house was then unoccupied; but there
was a fire burning upon the hearth; and the horse plunging and striking
his hoofs, so scattered the fire, that the flame caught hold of the
building, and burnt all to ashes, together with the horse and the sheep.
"Young man," said the preceptor to his pupil, "you have witnessed the
beginning, the middle, and the end of this incident: make me some
correct verses upon it; and show me why the house was burnt. Unless you
do this, I promise I will punish you severely."

Celestinus, during the absence of his master, applied himself diligently
to study, but he was unable to do his task. This much troubled him; and
the devil, ever on the alert, met him i