Roundabout Papers - Penn State University

Roundabout PapersNearer and nearer he trails, with eyes flaming like thelamps of a railroad engine. How he squeals, rushing outthrough the darkness of his tunnel! Now he is near.Now he is here. And now—what?—lance, shield, knight,feathers, horse and all? O horror, horror! Next day, roundthe monster’s cave, there lie a few bones more. You,who wish to keep yours in your skins, be thankful thatyou are not called upon to go out and fight dragons. Begrateful that they don’t sally out and swallow you. Keepa wise distance from their caves, lest you pay too dearlyfor approaching them. Remember that years passed, andwhole districts were ravaged, before the warrior camewho was able to cope with the devouring monster. Whenthat knight does make his appearance, with all my heartlet us go out and welcome him with our best songs,huzzas, and laurel wreaths, and eagerly recognize hisvalor and victory. But he comes only seldom. Countlessknights were slain before St. George won the battle. Inthe battle of life are we all going to try for the honorsof championship? If we can do our duty, if we can keepour place pretty honorably through the combat, let ussay, Laus Deo! at the end of it, as the firing ceases, andthe night falls over the field.The old were middle-aged, the elderly were in theirprime, then, thirty years since, when yon royal Georgewas still fighting the dragon. As for you, my pretty lass,with your saucy hat and golden tresses tumbled in yournet, and you, my spruce young gentleman in yourmandarin’s cap (the young folks at the country-placewhere I am staying are so attired), your parents wereunknown to each other, and wore short frocks and shortjackets, at the date of this five-shilling piece. Only todayI met a dog-cart crammed with children—childrenwith moustaches and mandarin caps—children withsaucy hats and hair-nets—children in short frocks andknickerbockers (surely the prettiest boy’s dress that hasappeared these hundred years)—children from twentyyears of age to six; and father, with mother by his side,driving in front—and on father’s countenance I sawthat very laugh which I remember perfectly in the timewhen this crown-piece was coined—in his time, in KingGeorge’s time, when we were school-boys seated on the64