Oakfield (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1855. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. " ' Look ' cries the world, ' so many rages lulled, So many fiery spirits quite cooled down; Look how so many valors, long undulled, After short commerce with me, fear my frown. Thou, too, when thou against my crimes wouldst cry, Let thy foreboded homage check thy tongue.' The world speaks well: yet might her foe reply, ' Are wills so weak ? then let not mine wait long. Hast thou so rare a poison ? let me bo Keener to slay thee, lest thou poison me.' " Empedocles on Etna, and other Poems, by A. Oakfield was thoroughly glad that he had deserted his solitude; he liked Vernon more and more, and could not but feel happily conscious of the good influence he exercised over him, by recalling him to himself, and inducing him to believe that there was another standard of right and wrong, honor and dishonor, than that of his brother officers. Cade was rather a bore at times, when he brought his friends over from the billiard-table to smoke, and drink brandy and water, and talk filthily in the veranda; on these occasions he always retreated to his own room, or would go over to. play billiards with Vernon. He had some difficulty as to his dealings with the Cade set, but much less than he would have had, had he belonged to the mess. Indeed, it must be allowed to Indian regimental blackguardism, that it is generally too indolent to proselytize; its tyranny is felt by those who make no effort to resist, but it is generally content to let quite alone those who do; so Oakfield was on perfectly civil terms with all the officers; talked with them when they met on parade and other public places, and otherwise saw DEGREES very little of them. Not belonging to the regiment, it was much easier for him to keep aloof from company he was not inclined for, than for poor ...