Write me as one who loves his fellow men. --Page 11. When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. --Page 145. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. --Page 145. _Et tu Brute!_ Then fall, Cæsar. --Page 154. Surely man is but a shadow, and life a dream. --Page 286. All service ranks the same with God. --Page 301. The year's at the spring, And day's at the morn; Morning's at seven; The hillside's dew-pearled: The lark's on the wing; The snail's on the thorn; God's in his heaven-- All's right with the world. --Page 303. For what are the voices of birds-- Ay, and of beasts--but words, our words, Only so much more sweet? --Page 314. I will pass each, and see their happiness, And envy none--being just as great, no doubt, Useful to men, dear to God as they! --Page 317. CHAPTER VIII HOW TO READ FICTION 1. _Different Kinds of Literature_ If there were but one kind of literature, it would be an easy matter to give the few directions that would be necessary to make good readers. In reality there are, however, several types, so different in their purpose, style and content that the reader must study them in many different ways if he would get the varied and inspiring messages. To appreciate what this means, let us look over the field. For our purposes, as has been said, true literature, as distinguished from the practical literature of fact, may be grouped under the two general heads of poetry and prose. At first thought the difference between the two seems wide and unmistakable. Poetry differs from prose not only in form, but also in rhythm, music, beauty and sentiment. The former is usually more figurative, and aims to stimulate the imagination more keenly and to enthral the feelings more completely. Upon a closer consideration it is seen that poetry and good prose have much in common, and that often it is really but a question of form, for lyric beauty glows in the phrases of our finest prose, and both heart and soul are moved by its powerful appeals. There are narratives and arguments in both poetry and prose, and essays in the form of both. For this reason our general method of study may be the same for both, except when form alone is considered.