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Show Art12 <br><br> THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. In the history of Rome, says Cook, it is related that in 331, B.C. a great chasm opened in the middle of the forum, which it was found impossible to fill. The soothsayers said it would close when it contained what Rome possessed of most value, and then the state would be perpetual. A noble youth name M. Curtius, demanded if Rome had anything of more value than arms and valor. He counted his horse, richly caparisoned, and amid the silence of the people, spurred him over the brink of the tremendous precipice (vide Liv. 1. vit. 6) I have seen a striking picture of this somewhere. It represented the horse and rider after they had passed the brink and were descending to the unknown depths. There was a remarkable contrast between the fright of the brute and the unruffled self-possession of the man. The limbs of the horse were tightened to his body and the muscles of his neck drew his head to his chest, and a shuddering horror expressed itself in the flash of his starting eyes. The rider was serene and calm, with a solemn expression of majesty on his face, as of one who lived with high thoughts. If I were to spiritualize this picture, I would say that it was no mean representation of a ripe Coristian departing this life. The horse is the body and the rider is the spirit. Flesh shrinking, spirit steady and calm and solemn. Flesh dreading the terrible shock, and spirit wrapt in the glory of action, descending that it may ascend. |
