The Imperial Pocket Reader Ed By Ha Viles

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... in his perfect figure; His horns, his dreadful tail, his sting, Scales, teeth, and claws, and every thing Complete and in their vigour. The Old Dragon was delighted, And prond withal to see In what perfection he had hatched His hellish progeny; And round and round, with fold on fold, His tail about the imp he rolled In fond and close enlacement; And neck round neck with many a turn He coiled, which was, you may discern, Their manner of embracement. Compared to that strong armour Of scales which he was in, The hide of a rhinoceros Was like a lady's skin. A battering-ram might play in vain Upon his head, with might and main, Though fifty men had worked it; And from his tail he'd fiercely fling Ont, like a rocket, a long sting, When he for pastime jerked it. N To whom of gods or heroes Should Antioch apply? Where should they look for succour now, Or whither should they fly? Por now no demigods were found Like those whose deathless deeds abound In ancient song and story; No Hercules was then on earth, Nor yet of her St. George's birth Could Cappadocia glory. And even these against him Had found their strength but small; He could have swallowed llercules, Club, lionskin, and all. Yea, had St. George himself been there, Upon the fiercest steed that e'er To battle bore bestrider, This dreadful dragon, in his might, One mouthful only, and one bite, Had made of horse and rider. They see how unavailing All human force must prove; Oh, might their earnest prayers obtain Protection from above! The Christians sought Our Lady's shrine To invocate her aid divine; And, with a like emotion, The Pagans on that fearful day Took to Diana's fane their way, And offered their devotion. But there the offended goddess Beheld them with a frown; The indignant altar...

Vols. for 1871-76, 1913-14 include an extra number, The Christmas bookseller, separately paged and not included in the consecutive numbering of the regular series.