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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11107 ***
+
+[Illustration: MEETING OF THEOBALD AND ARNOLD.--SEE CHAPTER
+III.]
+
+
+
+
+THEOBALD, THE IRON-HEARTED;
+
+OR,
+
+LOVE TO ENEMIES.
+
+
+FROM THE FRENCH OF REV. CESAR MALAN.
+
+
+
+1808
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+GOTTFRIED AND ERARD--PURSUIT OF A HORSEMAN--RESCUE OF THE WOUNDED
+CHEVALIER
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+TRAPPINGS OF THE HORSE--MIDNIGHT ARRIVAL--CHARACTER OF THE WOUNDED MAN
+DISCOVERED--HIS NARRATIVE--FAMILY WORSHIP
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THEOBALD'S ACCOUNT OF HIS CONFLICT WITH ARNOLD THE LION--HATRED OF
+ENEMIES--DISTRESS OF THE FAMILY
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+KINDNESS TO AN ENEMY--ARNOLD ARRIVES ALIVE, BUT WOUNDED--THEOBALD'S
+AMAZEMENT AT THE KINDNESS HE RECEIVES
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ARNOLD'S NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE AND WHAT FOLLOWED--HILDEGARDE AND
+THEOBALD'S CHILDREN
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+ANXIETIES OF THEOBALD--WORSHIP OF MARY--THEOBALD INFORMED WHERE HE IS
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ARNOLD INFORMED OF WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE--HIS JOYFUL SURPRISE--ABSENCE OF
+GOTTFRIED
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+FRIENDLY MEETING OF THE WARRIORS--MUTUAL FORGIVENESS--THEOBALD'S DESIRE
+FOR INSTRUCTION--RETURN OF GOTTFRIED--THE BIBLE--LESSON OF LOVE TO
+ENEMIES
+
+
+
+
+THEOBALD, THE IRON-HEARTED.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+GOTTFRIED AND ERARD--PURSUIT OF A HORSEMAN--RESCUE OF THE WOUNDED
+CHEVALIER
+
+In the long and bloody war which followed the martyrdom of John Huss and
+Jerome of Prague,[1] two hostile armies met, in 1423, in one of the most
+beautiful valleys of Bohemia.
+
+The battle commenced towards the close of day, and continued until after
+sunset.
+
+It was then that old Gottfried, accompanied by Erard, his grandson,
+climbed to the summit of a steep hill, from the edge of which might be
+perceived, in the depth of the valley, behind a wood, some troops still
+fighting.
+
+The old man and the child, (Erard was scarcely nine years of age,) were
+sad and silent. They both looked towards the plain, and it was with a
+profound sigh that Erard at last said, "O, how good is the Lord, if he
+has preserved my father!"
+
+"The Lord can preserve him!" said Gottfried, with solemnity, "Arnold
+belongs to him; yes, my son, your father is one of his dear children!"
+
+"But, grandpapa," resumed Erard, looking at the old man, "do not
+Christians also die in battle? God does not preserve them all."
+
+"If my son has laid down his life for the Lord," continued Gottfried,
+"he is not dead: his soul has gone from this world to be with his
+Saviour."
+
+"To be with my good mamma!" said the child. "In heaven with the angels,
+is it not, dear grandpapa?"
+
+"To be with thy mother, my son," replied the old man, drawing the child
+towards him. "Yes, in the heaven of the blessed! It is there that all
+those who love Jesus go, and your mother was his faithful servant."
+
+Erard sighed, and exclaimed, "O, how good will God be if he has
+preserved my father, my good father! O, grandpapa, why did you let him
+go?"
+
+"Erard," replied the old Christian, "your father would rather not have
+fought, he has so much patience and in his heart; but then he also has
+courage: he has been surnamed----"
+
+"Grandpapa," interrupted the child, with agitation, and pointing with
+his hand towards the plain, under the declivity of the hill, and in a
+narrow passage between the rocks and woods, "do you see those three
+horsemen?"
+
+In fact, three armed warriors were hastening, at the utmost speed of
+their horses, towards a thick coppice, which they entered, and
+disappeared. The first seemed to be flying before the two others, who
+appeared to be in furious pursuit.
+
+Gottfried listened, but no sound was heard; and, a few moments
+afterwards, he distinctly saw two of the warriors come out of the wood
+and hasten towards the plain, repassing the defile.
+
+"Alas!" said the old man, groaning, "they have killed him! They have
+dipped their hands in the blood of their brother!"
+
+"They have killed him! Do you say so, grandpapa? Whom have they killed?
+Is it my father?"
+
+"No, my son; the first warrior was not Arnold. But it was a man, and
+those are men who have killed him! O Lord, when wilt thou teach them to
+love one another? But let us go to him," added the old man.
+
+"To the dead man!" exclaimed Erard with affright. "Grandpapa, see! it is
+already night."
+
+"Come, my child," said Gottfried, "and fear not. Perhaps he is not yet
+dead; and if God sends us to his assistance, will you not be happy?"
+
+"But, grandpapa, the wood is so dark, that I don't see how we shall
+find our way."
+
+"Well, Erard, I will wait here. Run to the house, and return immediately
+with Ethbert and Matthew. Tell them that I have sent for them, and let
+them bring a torch and the long hand-barrow. Make haste!"
+
+Erard was soon out of sight, and only a short time had elapsed before he
+returned with the two domestics, who held each a flambeaux and brought
+the litter.
+
+The child trembled while they descended, over the rocks and through the
+woods. It seemed to him that he was about to step in the blood or fall
+over the body of the dead man. The flame of the torches, which wavered
+in the evening breeze, now struck a projection of the rock, which seemed
+to assume the form of a man, now penetrated behind the trunks of the
+pines, which appeared like ranks of soldiers. The imagination of Erard
+was excited: he scarcely breathed, and felt his heart sink when Ethbert,
+who was walking before, exclaimed, "Here he is! He is dead!"
+
+It was a chevalier and a nobleman; whom Gottfried immediately recognized
+by the form of his casque and the golden scarf to which was suspended
+the scabbard of his sword.
+
+The visor of the casque was closed. Gottfried raised it, and saw the
+pale and bloody countenance of a man, still young, whose features
+expressed courage and valor.
+
+He had fallen under his horse, in whose side was found the point of a
+lance which had killed him; and the whole body of his steed had covered
+and crushed one of his limbs. The right hand of the chevalier still
+grasped the handle of a sword of which the blade was broken.
+
+Gottfried and his servants looked on some moments. The light of the
+torches shone on the rich armor of the chevalier and on the
+gold-embroidered housing of his horse, and it seemed as if its
+brilliancy must open his closed eyes and re-animate his motionless
+limbs.
+
+Erard kept close to his grandfather and a little behind him. He wept
+gently, but not with fear--it was with grief and sorrow,--and he
+repeated, in a low voice, "They have killed him! The wicked men!"
+
+"Perhaps he still lives," said Gottfried, kneeling and placing his ear
+to the chevalier's mouth. "Raise him! Loose him!" exclaimed he, rising
+hastily. "He is not dead!"
+
+"He is not dead! he is not dead!" repeated Erard; and he began with all
+his little force to push the body of the dead horse, which the three men
+raised, and from beneath which they at last disengaged the leg of the
+chevalier. It was bruised against a stone which had torn the flesh, and
+the blood was flowing from it copiously.
+
+"Water!" cried Gottfried, unlacing the armor of the chevalier and taking
+off his casque, which one of the domestics took that he might fill it
+with water from the foot of the rocks.
+
+Meanwhile the benevolent old man had laid the chevalier on the ground,
+upon the housing of his horse and his own garment, which he had taken
+off; he supported his head with one hand, and with the other lightly
+rubbed his breast, to revive the beating of his heart.
+
+At last the servant brought water. Gottfried bathed and cooled with it
+the face and head of the chevalier, who, after a few moments, sighed,
+and half-opened his eyes.
+
+"Almighty God," exclaimed Gottfried, "thou hast revived him! O, may it
+be for thy glory!" "Amen!" said his servants.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[Footnote 1: Both were burned alive at Constance, by order of the
+council held in that city: the first on the 6th of July, 1415; the
+second on the 30th of May, 1416.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+TRAPPINGS OF THE HORSE--MIDNIGHT ARRIVAL--CHARACTER OF THE WOUNDED MAN
+DISCOVERED--HIS NARRATIVE--FAMILY WORSHIP.
+
+The dear and sensible Erard was delighted. He laughed, he wept, he
+looked at the chevalier, whose cheeks had recovered some color, and
+asked him, softly, whether he lived, and whether he heard and saw them.
+
+"Where am I?" asked the chevalier, faintly, turning his eyes towards one
+of the torches.
+
+"With God and with your brethren!" replied Gottfried, taking one of his
+hands. "But say no more now, and may God aid us!"
+
+It was necessary to transport the warrior to the dwelling of Gottfried,
+and the passage was long and difficult.
+
+Gottfried first spread upon the litter some light pine-branches, over
+which he placed the housing of the horse and his own outer garments,
+those of his servants, and even that of Erard, who begged him to take
+this also; then, after the old man had bound up the bruised limb between
+strong splinters of pine, which he had cut with the blade of the
+chevalier's sword, and which he tied with his scarf, he laid the warrior
+on the branches, while two robust servants carefully raised and bore the
+litter towards the summit of the hill.
+
+"And the poor horse!" said Erard, at the moment when his grandpapa, who
+bore the flambeaux and the sword of the Chevalier, began his march.
+
+"You will return to-morrow morning," said Gottfried to his servants,
+"and take off the trappings. As to the body, the eagles and the crows
+must devour it. Come, and may God guard and strengthen us!"
+
+The chevalier had recovered his senses. He saw himself in the hands of
+friends, and doubted not that the old man was a supporter of the cause
+he had himself defended.
+
+It was not until midnight that the convoy reached the house of
+Gottfried. The journey was made slowly, and more than once the master
+had desired his servants to rest.
+
+The bed of the old man himself received the wounded knight, on whom
+Gottfried, who was no stranger to the art of healing wounds and
+fractures, bestowed the most judicious cares, and beside whom this
+devoted Christian passed the remainder of the night.
+
+"Go and take some rest," said he to Erard and the domestics, "and may
+our God and Saviour keep your souls while his goodness gives you sleep!"
+
+Erard embraced his grandfather, Ethbert and Matthew bent before him
+respectfully, and Gottfried remained alone, in silence, near the bed,
+which was lighted by a little lamp, through a curtain which concealed
+it.
+
+"You have saved me!" said the chevalier to the old man, when all was
+quiet in the house. "May the Holy Virgin recompense you."
+
+"It is then one of our enemies!" said Gottfried to himself, as he heard
+this prayer. "O God!" said he in his heart, "make thy charity to abound
+in me!"
+
+"I am your friend," replied the old man, affectionately, "and God
+himself has granted me the blessing of being useful to you. But, I pray
+you, remain silent, and, if possible, sleep a few moments."
+
+Gottfried needed to collect his thoughts, and to ask God for his Spirit
+of peace and love. He had already supposed, at sight of the chevalier's
+shield, that he belonged to the army of the enemy; but he had just
+received the certainty of it, and "perhaps, perhaps," said he to
+himself, "I have before me one who may have killed my son!"
+
+The old man therefore spent the moments not employed beside the
+chevalier in praying to God and in reading his gospel of grace.
+
+The knight slept peacefully towards morning, and on awaking showed that
+he was refreshed. "If it were not," said he, "for my bruised limb, I
+would ask for my arms. O, why am I not at the head of my men?"
+
+Gottfried sighed, and as he gave the warrior some drink, said, in a low
+voice, "Why do men hate and kill each other, invoking the name of Him
+who died to save them?"
+
+"But," exclaimed the warrior, in a deep voice, "are those who despise
+and fight against the holy Church Christians?"
+
+At this moment Erard half opened the door, and showed his pretty curly
+head, saying, "Grandpapa, has the wounded man been able to sleep? I have
+prayed God for him."
+
+"Much obliged, my child," said the chevalier, extending his hand to him.
+"Come! do not fear; approach. O, how you resemble my second son! What is
+your age and name?"
+
+"I am called Erard," replied the child, giving his hand to the
+chevalier, "and I shall soon be nine years old."
+
+"That is also the age of my Rodolph," pursued the chevalier. "Alas!
+they will think me dead! Those villains! those cowards! Did they not see
+that I had no lance, and that my sword was broken?"
+
+"Go, my child," said Gottfried. "Let the table and the books be
+prepared, I will soon come and pray to God with you. Call all the
+servants."
+
+"Will you also pray for me?" asked the chevalier, "If you will, pray
+also for my dear Hildegarde and our five children. O, when shall my eyes
+see them again?"
+
+"Is it long since you left them?" asked Gottfried.
+
+"It is a week," replied the chevalier, with firmness. "I learned that
+the intrepid Arnold----"
+
+"What Arnold?" asked Gottfried, with anxiety.
+
+"Arnold the Lion, as he is called," said the warrior, "and one of the
+chiefs of these rebels." (_Gottfried turned pale and raised his eyes to
+heaven_.) "I learned that this audacious Arnold had joined his camp, and
+I felt that my duty called me immediately to the field. I therefore left
+my family and my house, and have shown the rebels that my arm and my
+heart are as strong as ever,"
+
+"Have you encountered this Arnold?" asked Gottfried, hardly daring to
+ask this question.
+
+"Have I encountered him!" cried the chevalier. "And who but myself could
+have----?"
+
+"They are waiting for prayers," said Erard, opening the door. "Dear
+grandpapa, will you come?"
+
+The old man followed the child, and his tearful eyes soon rested on the
+Book of God.
+
+"Grandpapa, you are weeping!" said Erard, approaching the old man. "What
+is the matter? Are you suffering?"
+
+"Listen to the word of consolation," said Gottfried, making the child
+sit down; "and may the Spirit of Jesus himself address it to our
+hearts."
+
+He read then from the book of Psalms, and said a few words on
+resignation to the will of God, and in his humble prayer supplicated God
+to remember the chevalier and his family, and to bless him in the house
+whither he had been brought in his mercy. "Amen! Amen!" repeated all the
+servants.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+THEOBALD'S ACCOUNT OF HIS CONFLICT WITH ARNOLD THE LION--HATRED OP
+ENEMIES--DISTRESS OF THE FAMILY.
+
+"You are pious people," said the chevalier to Gottfried, in the
+afternoon of the same day, and while Erard was present. "Religion is a
+good thing."
+
+"One who loves Jesus is always happy," said the child.
+
+"Let them love Jesus!" replied the warrior. "But this is what I heard
+last evening, when I was about to fight the Lion."
+
+"I pray you," said Gottfried, do not talk any more now; it will increase
+your sufferings."
+
+"I do not suffer," replied the chevalier, "This leg is very painful, it
+is true; but it is only a leg," added he, smiling. "Ought I to make
+myself uneasy about it?"
+
+"You fought with a lion, then, last evening?" asked Erard, with
+curiosity, "Was he very large and strong?"
+
+Gottfried would have sent Erard away, for he feared for him the story of
+the chevalier; but the latter asked that he might be allowed to remain.
+"Erard must become a man," added he. "My children know what a battle is.
+Let Erard then not be afraid at what I am about to say.
+
+"My name is Theobald," continued the chevalier, "and from my earliest
+youth I was surnamed _the iron-hearted_, because I never cried at pain,
+and never knew what it was to be afraid. My father, one of the powerful
+noblemen of Bohemia, accustomed me, from my earliest years, to despise
+cold, hunger, thirst and fatigue; and I was scarcely Erard's age when I
+seized by the throat and strangled a furious dog that was springing upon
+one of my sisters.
+
+"War has always been my life. This has now lasted nearly four years, and
+my sword has not been idle. The Hussites and the Calixtans[2] have felt
+it."
+
+At these words Erard, who was sitting beside the bed of the chevalier,
+rose and went to a window, at the farther end of the room.
+
+"I had spent some weeks with my family, when I learned that the enemy
+was approaching, and that one of their principal chiefs had just joined
+them. This chief was the Lion."
+
+_Erard, rising_. Grandpapa, perhaps it was----.
+
+"Be silent, my son," said Gottfried.
+
+"Our camps had been in sight of each other two days," continued
+Theobald, "when we decided at last to attack them; and last evening the
+combat took place.
+
+"It had lasted more than three hours, when I caused a retreat to be
+sounded, in order to suspend, if possible, the conflict, and myself to
+terminate the day by a single combat with the most valiant of the
+enemy's chieftains.
+
+"Our troops stopped, retired, and I challenged the Lion, who, without
+delay, left the ranks and advanced alone to meet me." (_Gottfried leans
+against a table, and rests his head on his hand_.)
+
+He was a man younger than myself, and of noble appearance. His sword
+was attached to a scarf of silver and azure, and from beneath his
+casque, the visor of which was raised, escaped curls of light hair.
+
+"Grandpapa!" exclaimed Erard, running towards Gottfried, "was it not--?"
+
+"Be quiet, Erard," said his grandfather, ordering him to sit down.
+"Should a child interrupt an older person who is speaking?"
+
+"This chevalier," resumed Theobald, "advanced towards me, who had also
+left the ranks, and when all was ready, stopped his horse, and said to
+me, mildly, but with a deep and manly voice, 'Jesus has shed his blood
+for us: why would you shed mine? I will defend myself,' added he,
+pulling down his visor and holding out his shield, 'but I will not
+strike.'"
+
+"These words affected me, I confess, and I was on the point of
+withdrawing, when, fixing my eyes on the shield which he presented, I
+saw that golden chalice."
+
+"It was he! yes, it was he!" exclaimed Erard, sobbing and flying from
+the room.
+
+"This boy," said Theobald, "is still a child, and the idea of bloodshed
+inspires him with fear."
+
+"Ah!" said Gottfried, "his father is also in the army, and this
+narrative gives him anxiety on his account. You did not then spare this
+warrior?"
+
+"I have told you: the sight of the chalice awoke my fury, and
+exclaiming, Defend thyself, I took my sword with both hands, and with a
+single blow dashed aside his shield and cleft his helmet.
+
+"But my sword broke; and at the moment when the Lion fell----"
+
+_Gottfried, with terror_. Did Arnold then fall? Was Arnold killed?
+
+"So perish all who hate the Holy Church! (_Gottfried conceals his face
+in his hands_.) But as soon as I had struck him, his soldiers
+precipitated themselves upon ours, and five of their chevaliers threw
+themselves upon me and surrounded me. I had no arms: I had laid down my
+lance to combat with the Lion, and my sword was broken. I could yet,
+with the fragment that remained, repulse and strike down three men; but
+I was alone, my people were themselves surrounded, and I saw that I must
+perish. It was then that I fled. (O, how I regret it! But the cowards!
+they did not give me even a sword!) Yes, I fled towards the forest,
+hoping to find there a branch with which I could arm and defend myself;
+but my horse stumbled over the roots, in consequence of which I fell
+and fainted.
+
+"The rest you know. I owe my life to you; and you have taken care of me
+like a father."
+
+"Arnold is then dead!" cried Gottfried, without perceiving that the
+chevalier had finished his narrative.
+
+"Do not regret it," replied Theobald. "He was an enemy of our faith; one
+of those ferocious Taborites,[3] who deny the Holy Father and demolish
+sacred places."
+
+"And it was you," continued Gottfried, "it was you yourself who struck
+him, when he refused to draw his sword against you!"
+
+"It was not I, it was the Holy Virgin, who overthrew him! It was she to
+whom I had devoted my sword, and it was in her service that it was
+broken. It is thus she consecrated it. May she bless you also,--you who,
+for love of her, receive me as a son!"
+
+Gottfried had nothing to say in reply. He wished to pour out his tears
+before the Lord, and left the chevalier, to whom he sent the faithful
+and prudent Ethbert.
+
+"Sit down," said Theobald to the domestic, and tell me who is this
+Prince of peace, of whom you spoke to me, last night. "Was it not you
+who bore me hither with another servant, and who, leaning towards me,
+when we passed the threshold of this house, said to me: May the Prince
+of peace himself receive you? Who is this Prince? Is it thy master, this
+venerable and mild old man?"
+
+"Jesus is the Prince of peace," replied Ethbert; "for he is love, and
+love does not war against any one."
+
+"Jesus! did you say, is the Prince of peace! But is he not with us who
+support his cause, and who yet fight valiantly?"
+
+_Ethbert_. The cause of Jesus is the gospel of his grace. His cause is
+not supported by the sword and lance; but is defended by truth and love.
+
+_Theobald, surprised_. Your words, Ethbert, are sermons. Where do they
+come from?
+
+_Ethbert_. He who is acquainted with God speaks the word of God; and God
+is love. God will not revenge and kill with hatred. God pardons and
+bestows grace.
+
+_Theobald, agitated_. You would say, perhaps, that God is not with me,
+because I avenge myself of my enemies. Have they not deserved my
+hatred?
+
+_Ethbert_. "Love your enemies," saith God to those who know him. "Avenge
+not yourselves," he says again to his beloved.
+
+_Theobald, still more astonished_. Your words trouble me. Is it then a
+crime to destroy an adversary?
+
+_Ethbert_. Cain rose up against his brother Abel; and it was because the
+works of his brother were good, but his own were evil. The Christian
+does not hate. The Christian does not avenge himself.
+
+_Theobald_. Am I then not a Christian?
+
+_Ethbert, mildly and respectfully_. He who is of Christ, walks as Christ
+himself walked. Christ went from place to place doing good; and it is
+Christ himself, who says to his Church: "Love one another. He who
+loveth is of God."
+
+Theobald was silent. These words: "He who loveth is of God," had touched
+his heart, and he was affected and humbled. Ethbert was also silent,
+secretly asking of God to enlighten and soften the heart of the
+chevalier, for which Matthew and himself had already prayed more than
+once.
+
+At last Theobald said, slowly, "It is not, then, like Christians, for
+men to hate and war with each other? And yet these impious men deserve
+to be burned; and are not those who imitate them the enemies of God and
+of the Church?"
+
+"It is no Christian," replied Ethbert, "who kindles the fire that
+consumes a friend of Jesus; and this Huss and Jerome, who were delivered
+to the flames, loved Jesus."
+
+_Theobald_. But did they not blaspheme the Holy Church?
+
+_Ethbert_. He who loves Jesus does not blaspheme his name; and the name
+of Jesus is written on the Church of Jesus. No, no: the Christian does
+not hate or revenge himself; and he blasphemes neither his God nor the
+Church of God!
+
+"It is enough!" said Theobald to the servant. "Leave me--I have need of
+repose and silence:" and the servant went out.
+
+Meanwhile Gottfried had retired into his room, and, like David, wept and
+sobbed before the Lord, repeating, with bitterness, "Arnold! my son
+Arnold! Thou art no more! thy father will never more see thee on earth!"
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[Footnote 2: Those who followed the doctrine of John Huss against the
+Church of Rome. The Calixtans, in particular, maintained that in the
+sacrament the cup or _chalice_ should be given to the people.]
+
+[Footnote 3: A name assumed by the Hussites, under the command of John
+Ziska, after having built a fortress which they called Tabor, near the
+city of Bechin, in Bohemia.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+KINDNESS TO AN ENEMY--ARNOLD ARRIVES ALIVE, BUT WOUNDED--THEOBALD'S
+AMAZEMENT AT THE KINDNESS HE RECEIVES.
+
+Erard heard the voice of his grandfather, and ran to throw himself in
+his arms, exclaiming, "The wicked man! the wicked man!--he has killed my
+father! God has not preserved him, grandpapa! My father is dead!"
+
+"Adore God, my son!" said Gottfried, overcoming his grief, "and do not
+murmur! Especially, my son, do not grow angry, and do not hate!"
+
+"But, grandpapa," replied Erard, with anguish, "it was he who was
+struck! It was my father whom he killed!"
+
+"No, my son; the warrior killed one whom he fancied an enemy, Erard!
+Theobald believed himself serving God, and doing a holy work, in
+killing a Calixtan."
+
+"He then does not love Jesus--this poor chevalier!" exclaimed the pious
+child. "O, grandpapa, how unhappy he must be!"
+
+"Yes, my son--very unhappy!" replied Gottfried. "Do not hate him,
+therefore, but pray to God for him. Was it not God who conducted him
+hither--and was it not that we might speak to him of Jesus, and that we
+might love him--yes, Erard, that we might love him, for the sake of our
+Saviour?"
+
+"But," exclaimed the old man, rising and advancing towards the window of
+his room, "what is this? What do I see in the distance, toward the
+rocks, at the entrance to the wood?" Erard looked also, and was sure
+that he saw men. "Yes--soldiers!" exclaimed he; "for I see their
+helmets glisten. There are many of them, grandpapa! Are they coming to
+kill us also, because we love Jesus?"
+
+"Yes," continued the old man, without replying to the child; "they are,
+indeed, soldiers. But they are marching slowly, and it would seem----
+Ah, my child! they are our own warriors; and it is my son--it is the
+body of your father--that they are bearing. O God of mercy, support us
+at this hour!"
+
+"I dare not see him!" exclaimed Erard, running after the old man, who
+hastened to the road. "Grandpapa, hide me! hide me, I pray you!"
+
+"Here is some one coming to us," said Gottfried: and at the same time,
+and in the opposite direction, Matthew and Ethbert ran out of the house,
+from which they had perceived the convoy; and all together hastened to
+meet a warrior, who advanced, waving a scarf, and exclaiming, "Praise
+God! Arnold is living!"
+
+Gottfried staggered, and his servants received him in their arms, where
+he remained weak and motionless. Erard embraced him, sobbing.
+
+The soldier, all out of breath, reached them, and taking the cold hands
+of the old man, said, "Joy, my dear lord! Bless God! your son is living!
+Here he is! Come, come; he desires your presence--he calls for you!"
+
+"Grandpapa, he is calling for you!" repeated Erard, approaching the pale
+countenance of the old man. "Do not weep any more. Come, come quickly,
+and embrace him!"
+
+"O the kindness of God! the mercy of Jesus!" said Gottfried, as he
+recovered; Arnold is living! He is restored to me!"--and leaning on the
+arms of his servants, he walked to meet the approaching troops.
+
+"My father!--my son!" was soon heard. "Let us bless God! I am restored
+to you. He has preserved my life!"
+
+This was Arnold--who had just perceived his father and his child, and
+was making an effort to glorify the Lord with them.
+
+He was lying on five lances tied together, which ten warriors sustained
+by five other lances passed across beneath. A shield and some cloaks
+supported the head of Arnold, while a company of soldiers followed and
+guarded their chief.
+
+Gottfried embraced his son, and blessed the name of the Lord: but after
+Erard had also manifested his tenderness, the strength of the chief did
+not allow him to speak any more; and it was in quiet and in silence that
+Arnold was borne into the house, then laid in a chamber adjoining that
+in which Theobald was.
+
+The latter had fallen asleep, after Ethbert left him; and when he awoke,
+all was tranquil around him. The warriors, after having taken some
+nourishment, had returned to their camp, and Arnold was sleeping beneath
+the eyes of his happy father, and of Erard, who repeated incessantly, in
+a low voice, "O, how good the Lord is! He has preserved my father!"
+
+"This is a singular house," thought Theobald. "What kindness, what
+benevolence, and, at the same time, what seriousness and solemnity, even
+down to this child! How they speak of God, of Jesus, and of heaven!
+But, am I mistaken? No: not one among them has named either the Holy
+Virgin or the saints!
+
+"Can it be possible!" added he, after long reflection. "Perhaps I am in
+the family of a Hussite, one of those Calixtans whom I abhor. No, no!
+They would hate me also--for they know now who I am--and perhaps I shall
+see no more of the love and interest they have shown me.
+
+"But," said he again, "there is something here that I cannot comprehend.
+I must inquire and inform myself."
+
+Gottfried had returned. His countenance was serene; and it was with
+affectionate cordiality that he inquired of the chevalier if he was
+refreshed by his sleep.
+
+"I am as quiet as possible," replied Theobald; "though this limb pains
+me some, and I am slightly feverish. O, if I could only learn the
+welfare of my family! What keen anxiety must torment my wife and my dear
+children! For it will be published in the two camps that the
+Iron-Hearted has been killed!"
+
+"Reassure yourself!" said Gottfried. "I have attended to that. I have
+caused the army to be informed that you are living and comfortable. But
+they are ignorant of your retreat. We shall also have, as soon as
+to-morrow, certain intelligence of your family. Do not agitate yourself,
+therefore; but be patient, and await the Lord's will--for he alone
+reigneth."
+
+In fact, Gottfried, at the moment of the departure of the soldiers, had
+placed in the hands of their captain, a letter, to be read on the way,
+in which, under the seal of secrecy, he confided to him all that
+concerned Theobald, and charged him to send the intelligence to his
+family; but concealing the place where he was. He also requested of the
+captain that a messenger might bring back some reply from the family, as
+soon as possible.
+
+"Angel of goodness!" exclaimed Theobald, with profound emotion, which he
+was almost ashamed to display, "your love confounds me! I have never
+seen such up to this day. Whence do you derive it? Who gives it to you
+all?--for you all have the same love."
+
+"God is love!" said Gottfried. "And if we know him, if he has revealed
+his love to us, ought we not also to love one another? Is it not in
+this, before everything else, that his image consists?"
+
+_Theobald_. His image! The image of God! These words were never before
+spoken in my ears. I have never thought that I myself might bear the
+image of God. Who has suggested to you this unheard-of and sublime idea?
+
+_Gottfried_. Was it not for this that the Son of God purchased us by his
+blood? Was it not that his Spirit might renew and sanctify us, to the
+resemblance of God our Father?
+
+_Theobald_, (_leaning his forehead on one of his hands._) Purchased by
+his blood! Renewed by his Spirit! What does that mean? These are, I am
+sure, the things of God, of heaven; but they are hid from my eyes. I do
+not understand them. Repeat them, I pray you.
+
+_Gottfried_. Is it possible that the sacrifice of Jesus can be unknown
+to you? Do you not know, then, that the Saviour has shed his blood on
+the cross?
+
+At this question, Theobald drew from beneath his tunic of fine linen, a
+little crucifix, which was suspended from his neck by a chain of gold,
+and after having kissed it, showed it to Gottfried.
+
+"Well, then," said the old man, "since you wear upon your person a
+representation of this sacrifice, why do you not rejoice in what He has
+done for us? Yes; why do you not glorify him who loved us with such a
+love?"
+
+"But I have not yet merited it," said Theobald, casting down his head,
+and coloring.
+
+"Merited it!" exclaimed Gottfried. "Is Jesus, think you, a Saviour, if
+his salvation is not a gift?"
+
+Theobald looked at the old man a long time in silence, and at last said,
+"This thought has never before occurred to me. If Jesus is a Saviour,
+you say his salvation is a gift. What a faith! Is that your religion?"
+
+_Gottfried_. I am by nature a wicked man, like all others, but my soul
+reposes upon Jesus; and I desire to love him, because he has loved me,
+even unto dying for my sins. His blood has washed my soul; I therefore
+know that I am saved. Can I love him enough for such grace----?"
+
+"Some one knocks at the door," said Theobald; and on the permission to
+enter, Ethbert announced that the hour for supper approached, and that
+his master was expected to attend prayers.
+
+"You will not forget me!" said Theobald, extending his hand to
+Gottfried. "Go! and may God himself be with me as he is with you! I have
+much, much to think of."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+ARNOLD'S NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE AND WHAT FOLLOWED--HILDEGARDE AND
+THEOBALD'S CHILDREN.
+
+Prayers were held in Arnold's room. His wound was severe, but not
+dangerous, and his heart needed to hear his father thank God for the
+great deliverance which he had granted him.
+
+It was carefully concealed from the two wounded men, that they were so
+near each other. The father did not, therefore, pray for Theobald, to
+whom neither himself nor any person made the least allusion. It was from
+Arnold that his father was to learn all that concerned him; and it was
+not until the next day, and in the afternoon, that Gottfried, having
+summoned Erard and Ethbert, listened with them to the narrative of his
+son. Matthew remained with the chevalier.
+
+"You know, my father," said Arnold, "that I went forth against my will.
+Ah, what a denial of faith, to make war in the name of the religion of
+Jesus! But I thought my presence would control certain spirits, and that
+I might, perhaps, even prevent a conflict between the two parties.
+
+"I communicated my sentiments to some true friends of the Saviour, who
+had repaired to the camp with the same intentions as myself; and we
+often assembled together, in my tent, to arrange our plans, and
+especially to pray to God.
+
+"But the number in favor of peace and forgiveness of injuries was too
+small, and all our efforts were useless. The only thing we could obtain
+was, that we should not be the first to attack, and that, at the first
+signal of truce, we should cease fighting.
+
+"For myself and brethren, we had pledged ourselves before God to limit
+ourselves to defense, and to use our arms only to protect our own lives,
+but not to strike our enemies.
+
+"We had learned that Theobald, one of their chieftains, the lord of
+Rothenwald, a strong castle in the neighborhood, and who, for his
+indomitable courage, as well as the inflexible firmness of his manners,
+has been surnamed 'The Iron-Hearted,' had arrived at their camp,
+breathing only retaliation and revenge. We knew, besides, that his wife,
+the lady of the castle, named Hildegarde, was very hostile to the cause
+of the gospel, and had even treated harshly two of our brethren, who had
+been taken prisoners by Theobald, in a preceding action, and to whom
+the hatred of his wife had been cruelly manifested.
+
+"Nevertheless, my brethren and myself had all a sincere desire to pray
+to God fervently for the welfare of Theobald and his men. Alas, he has
+been killed! He is dead! He has gone to give an account of his soul to
+God. Poor, poor Theobald!"
+
+Here Erard, who was seated beside his grandfather, laid his hand on his
+knee and looked at him with a knowing expression. His grandfather placed
+his finger on Erard's lips, and kept it there, as if to enjoin upon the
+child the greatest secrecy; and Erard, with a sigh, turned his eyes
+again upon his father.
+
+"But it was he, it was Theobald, who commenced the combat. He ordered
+his troops forward; and, himself advancing in front of ours, who had
+also formed themselves in battle array, he provoked us, calling us
+heretics and infidels, whom Heaven had already cursed, and whom the Holy
+Virgin, he said, was about to crush beneath her feet.
+
+"We did not reply; and the conflict which then took place, soon became
+terrific. We were almost equal in number, and well armed. But neither of
+us had that powder of sulphur and fire which strikes and kills the most
+valiant, even by the most cowardly hand.
+
+"We, therefore, fought hand to hand; and those of us who only defended
+ourselves, disabled several men, by the extreme fatigue which we caused
+them in warding off all their blows.
+
+"I do not know whether the Iron-Hearted perceived this; but toward
+evening, about sunset, he sounded a retreat. At that instant, our army,
+according to our decision, paused, and we thought the conflict was
+over; but it was only suspended, that Theobald might send me a challenge
+to fight single-handed.
+
+"I immediately advanced, and heard my brethren say, 'Arnold, may God
+preserve thee! We pray for thee!'
+
+"Theobald, with closed visor, approached me. Our horses neighed, while
+the two armies each uttered a cry, only a space necessary for the combat
+being left between them.
+
+"I advanced, and in the profound silence which surrounded us, said aloud
+to Theobald, 'Jesus has shed his blood for us. He sees us from heaven;
+he bids us love one another. Why, Theobald, will you not hear him? Why
+will you shed my blood, and, if you can, take my life?'
+
+"'Perish the infidels!' replied the Iron-Hearted, approaching me and
+brandishing an enormous sword.
+
+"'Well, then, I am ready for you,' I exclaimed, drawing down my visor
+also. 'Let God be our judge!' I will defend myself--but I will not
+strike.'
+
+"On saying these words, I held up my shield and fixed myself firmly in
+the stirrups of my saddle. We had both laid down our lances, and were
+armed only with a sword--mine was still in its scabbard.
+
+"It seemed to me that Theobald trembled, when I spoke to him of the love
+of Jesus; but as soon as I had raised my shield, he became furious, and
+seizing his sword with both hands, he urged his horse against mine, and
+struck me on the head with all his force, so that I was overthrown and
+my casque cleft by the blow.
+
+"See in this, my father, the hand of God; for it was thus that he saved
+my life. When I came to myself, I was in a cottage, in the midst of a
+wood, and surrounded by three of my brethren, who had transported me
+thither. My wound was stanched; I did not suffer much, and my soul was
+in perfect peace. I was able to sleep a little towards the latter part
+of this night--alas, so fatal for the unfortunate Theobald and his men!"
+
+"To his men also?" asked Gottfried, almost betraying the secret of his
+heart.
+
+"Ah! the vengeance of our soldiers, I was told, was terrible! As soon as
+they saw me fall, they threw themselves furiously upon the enemy.
+Theobald, they said, was overwhelmed by numbers and killed in a thick
+wood, whither he had fled. His troops were repulsed and routed, and
+many lives lost; and about midnight a soldier came from one of the
+chieftains, to tell us that they were about to seize on the fort of
+Rothenwald.
+
+"Then my heart was moved. I thought of the wife and children of the
+unfortunate Theobald, and I entreated one of my brethren, a captain, in
+great favor with his chieftain, to bear to the latter a letter which I
+wrote, notwithstanding my great weakness, in which I earnestly
+requested, as a personal favor, that he would allow the wife and family
+of Theobald to be conducted safely from the chateau. I told him that
+their lives were precious to me; and that, since I could not myself be
+their protector, I committed this charge to him, in the name of the Lord
+Jesus.
+
+"My friend immediately set out, after having received from me
+particular instructions as to the house to which he should himself
+conduct the lady of the castle and her children; and towards day-break,
+I received from this brother the message, that my wishes had been
+received and regarded as commands, and that the whole family of Theobald
+was in safety."
+
+"Dear papa," said Erard, taking his father's hand and covering it with
+kisses, "you have done as the Saviour commanded--'Do good to them that
+hate you.'"
+
+"My son," replied Arnold, "it was my duty, and I glorify God for having
+made it easy for me. Rothenwald is now only a smoking ruin. It was
+pillaged, then burnt. O, my poor soldiers, how deluded they have been!
+O, how far are they still from comprehending that religion of Jesus
+which they professed to defend!"
+
+"But, my dear Arnold," asked Gottfried, "how were you restored to me?
+Who brought you here?"
+
+"It was, truly, the hand of God, my father. I was in the cabin of the
+wood-cutter, with the two friends who never left me, when the
+wood-cutter's daughter came running in, alarmed, to tell us that a
+numerous company of soldiers were advancing towards the wood, and
+appeared to be in search of the house where I was concealed. 'Here they
+are!' she exclaimed. 'They are coming to kill you! O, may God save you!'
+
+"But these soldiers were of our own party, and came to carry me to some
+other place. Their captain was known to me: he was a man who feared God
+and protected his servants. I expressed to him the ardent desire I had
+to be with you, my father; and my request was granted. The wood-cutter
+wished to make me a litter; but the soldiers cried, 'Our lances and our
+arms are the Lion's!' And you have seen how these brave people
+accomplished their work of love and honor.
+
+"My two brethren insisted upon accompanying me: I opposed them. 'Go!'
+said I; 'hasten to your own families: for many hearts are in anguish on
+your account.' They embraced me; they committed me to the care of the
+faithful captain, and to our God; and our God himself has preserved me,
+and brought me to you."
+
+"And Hildegarde, and her children?" asked Gottfried, with lively
+interest.
+
+"Thanks to God, I have been able to send them to the house of your
+sister, my worthy and pious aunt, at Waldhaus. Her dwelling is at a
+safe distance; and her heart has received this unfortunate mother and
+her five orphans, as you, my father, would have welcomed them yourself.
+A messenger from my aunt reached me, while I was on my way hither, and I
+know that all is well. Alas! as well as it can be for a widow, suddenly
+driven from her home, despoiled of all her property, and who, I fear,
+knows not yet the peace and strength which are from God."
+
+"The thoughts of the Almighty," said Gottfried, rising, "are not our
+thoughts, and his ways are not our ways! His mercies are over all his
+works, and his judgments are a great deep! Remain quiet, then, beneath
+his hand, and let his Spirit teach you to wait. He can 'make the
+wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water,' So his
+holy word declares; and this word, saith Jesus, is truth."
+
+Thereupon the old man embraced his son. "I have received thee from God,
+the second time, dear Arnold," said he, "and it is a new and great joy
+to my heart. Happy the son," added he, with emotion, "who has been to
+his father only a subject of gratitude to God."
+
+Arnold pressed the hand of his father, who went out with Erard. Ethbert
+was left with Arnold, and upon Gottfried's order, revealed to him
+cautiously all which concerned Theobald, to whose room the old man now
+went.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+ANXIETIES OF THEOBALD--WORSHIP OF MARY--- THEOBALD INFORMED WHERE HE IS.
+
+"No news yet?" asked the chevalier, sadly; "and the night has come, and
+a long day has also passed! Matthew led me to hope the speedy arrival of
+the express; but he does not come: and I know not why, I experience in
+my heart oppression and anguish. O, who will tell me what has become of
+Hildegarde and my children? But what have I to fear? Rothenwald is
+impregnable, and should all our enemies surround it, is it not under the
+protection of Our Lady? Who shall conquer it?"
+
+"He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High," said Gottfried,
+"shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Happy is the man who
+makes his refuge in the shadow of his wings, until his calamity be
+overpast."
+
+"Your confidence is then in God alone!" replied Theobald. "You do not
+even name the Holy Virgin!"
+
+"It is because she did not create me, nor does she keep me alive. This
+woman, blessed as she has been, did not purchase me with her blood, and
+is only a creature of God. What dependence can I place upon a creature?"
+
+"But," said Theobald, "if God made the queen of heaven and the angels,
+and if all power has been given them----"
+
+"Chevalier!" exclaimed Gottfried, "it is Jesus--it is the Eternal Son of
+the Father--it is the King, sitting on the holy mount of Zion--who says
+these words, applying them to himself, 'All power has been given to me
+in heaven and on earth.' Beware then, for the love of your soul, of
+attributing this authority to a woman, to whom, when she forgot that she
+was in the presence of her son, Jesus said, reproachfully, 'Woman! what
+have I to do with thee?'"
+
+Upon this, Gottfried approached Theobald, whom he looked at
+affectionately, as he pressed his hand, saying, "May God himself be with
+you, and strengthen your heart! To-morrow, certainly, we shall have news
+of your family, and we know it will be good news, since it will be the
+will of God: and God, Theobald, is love."
+
+Gottfried went out, and Matthew came to sit with the chevalier, whom he
+was to take care of during the night, and to whom he had orders to say a
+few words about Arnold and his arrival.
+
+The night rolled away, and Theobald could not sleep. He was suffering,
+and sometimes groaned, and the name of Hildegarde was continually on his
+lips.
+
+Matthew did not cease to pray to God in his heart, that he would visit
+this soul in mercy; and as the chevalier exclaimed, "O, how my heart
+aches!" Matthew approached him, and said, "My lord is suffering. What
+can I do for him?"
+
+"Ah, Matthew!" replied Theobald, "it is my heart that suffers. It seems
+to me that it will break."
+
+"If my lord," said Matthew, gently, "could weep, it would surely relieve
+him."
+
+"Weep!" exclaimed Theobald, looking at Matthew; "weep, do you say? I do
+not know what it is. I have never wept. Shall the Iron-Hearted become a
+woman?"
+
+"'Jesus wept!' is written in the Gospel," replied Matthew. "And our good
+Saviour is our pattern in all things."
+
+"You weep, then, here?" said the chevalier, with visible interest; "for
+here you do in all things like Jesus?"
+
+_Matthew, (humbly.)_ At least, we desire to. Our pious lord--
+
+_Theobald_. Gottfried is then a nobleman?
+
+_Matthew_. My master is the Count of Winkelthal.
+
+_Theobald, (with agitation.)_ The Count of Winkelthal, Matthew? Arnold,
+the Lion, was then his son? Am I then, indeed, in the house of his
+father?
+
+_Matthew_. Arnold is the only son of my master; and he is not dead!
+
+"Not dead!" exclaimed Theobald, extending his hands to the domestic.
+"Tell me, Matthew, are you sure of this?"
+
+_Matthew_. Arnold is living. God has preserved him, and he is here; he
+is near you--yes, in the room adjoining!
+
+"Now I can weep!" said Theobald, putting his hands over his face, and
+sobbing aloud.
+
+Matthew approached him with emotion, and Theobald, passing his arm
+around the neck of the servant, leaned his head upon his bosom, weeping
+abundantly, and saying,
+
+"Have pity on me, Matthew. My soul is overwhelmed!"
+
+"O, my lord!" said the Christian to him, "it is God himself who has
+visited you and who calls you. Fear not; and let your tears flow before
+him."
+
+"Matthew! dear Matthew!" said Theobald, clasping his hands; "pray to God
+for me!"
+
+Matthew knelt beside the bed of the chevalier, and poured out his soul
+in prayer. Theobald was still weeping when the servant rose; and it was
+only by degrees that he became composed, and at last fell asleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+ARNOLD INFORMED OF WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE--HIS JOYFUL SURPRISE--ABSENCE OF
+GOTTFRIED.
+
+So passed the night in the chamber of Theobald. Arnold had slept
+quietly. Ethbert did not at first speak of Theobald; and it was not
+until morning, after his master had awakened and had with Ethbert lifted
+his soul to God in prayer, that the servant pronounced the name of
+Rothenwald, lamenting the ruin of that beautiful and splendid dwelling.
+
+"It is the Lord!" replied Arnold: "'He casteth down and he raiseth up,
+and his judgments are over all the earth.' But what bitterness for the
+wife, alas! for the widow of the unfortunate Theobald! Imprudent man!
+why did he flee? Would it not have been better for him to have
+submitted to numbers, and been taken prisoner? He would now be living,
+and his house would not have been burned!"
+
+"Did his pursuers say," asked Ethbert, "that he was dead?"
+
+_Arnold_. They were two of our chevaliers; and I was informed, that
+their intention was to seize him; that they called to him repeatedly,
+and at last, in the wood, pierced his horse with a lance, that they
+might be able to take him prisoner; but they declared that, in falling,
+the horse had crushed his rider, who had been killed immediately by
+striking his head against a rock. Such was their account. The Lord knows
+whether it was so; but Theobald has perished. Poor widow! Sorrowful and
+feeble orphans!
+
+"My lord would then have defended him," said Ethbert, feelingly, "had
+he been able?"
+
+_Arnold, (with warmth.)_ I would have preserved his life at the peril of
+my own.
+
+_Ethbert_. The life of your enemy?
+
+_Arnold_. Does Ethbert forget the word of his God? Or, does he not yet
+know that "if we love those who love us," we act only like publicans and
+men of the world?
+
+_Ethbert_. Arnold, the Lion, will, therefore, bless the Lord, when he
+learns that the Iron-Hearted was not killed, and that he was taken, a
+living man, from the spot where he fell.
+
+"Ethbert! is that the truth?" said Arnold, seizing the arm of his
+servant.
+
+"It was I, my lord, who held the torch which illuminated the dark
+forest, and it was between the trunks of the oaks and pines that I saw
+first a horse extended on the motionless body of a warrior."
+
+_Arnold_. And this warrior----
+
+_Ethbert_. Was Theobald! Yes, my lord, it was he who had just, as he
+thought, struck your death-blow.
+
+_Arnold_. And who directed your steps thither, at night?
+
+_Ethbert_. God, himself. O, what a work of his wonderful love! Yes, God
+himself guided your noble father and your son to the Stag Cliffs at the
+moment when Theobald, flying before the two chevaliers, passed through
+the defile of the wood; and your father summoned Matthew and myself to
+descend there with him.
+
+_Arnold, (with adoration.)_ My father! sent from God to the murderer of
+his son? How wonderful are the ways of the Most High! But, Ethbert, did
+you not say that he was dead?
+
+_Ethbert_. We thought so. But your pious and benevolent father, my lord,
+knelt, touched the supposed, corpse, and exclaimed, "He is not dead!"
+and aided by our hands, disengaged him. He extended him on the mossy
+ground, called for water, bathed and refreshed the pale countenance of
+the chevalier; his life returned, and your father glorified God.
+
+"Theobald is living!" said Arnold, lifting towards heaven his eyes
+filled with tears. "O, who will make it known to his wife and children?"
+
+_Ethbert_. Your father, my lord, commissioned the captain who brought
+you here, to inform them of his safety; but she is still ignorant of the
+asylum of her husband.
+
+"And where is he?" asked Arnold.
+
+Ethbert turns, and pointing to one side of the chamber, says, "Behind
+that wall, my lord--Theobald is in your father's bed."
+
+Arnold clasped his hands, praying, and blessing God. Erard, who had just
+entered softly, approached him, and said to him, with tenderness, "Good
+papa, have you slept well? It is I, papa!--It is your little Erard! Will
+you not embrace me?"
+
+"O, my son," said Arnold, placing one hand upon the shoulder of his
+child, "if you knew how good the Lord is!"
+
+"O, yes, dear papa," said Erard; "God is good--since he has preserved
+you."
+
+"And he has also preserved Theobald," added the father.
+
+"Theobald, papa!--the cavalier who was dead! and whom grandpapa, by the
+goodness of God restored! Do you know him?"
+
+Erard looked at Ethbert, as if to know whether he might continue; and
+his father, who saw this look, said to him, "Yes, dear child--I know
+him; and I know that God has confided him to our care. O, Erard,
+remember that even an enemy has a claim on our love."
+
+"Yes, dear papa," continued the child, "and, like the good Samaritan, we
+should love him and bind up his wounds. Papa, that is what grandpapa did
+the other night, in the wood. O, if you knew how afraid I was at first!
+Think, papa--a dead man!--blood!
+
+"But now this chevalier is so good to me! I have just been to see him
+with Matthew; and he wept as he embraced me."
+
+"Theobald wept, and embraced you, my son!" asked the father.
+
+_Erard_. Yes, dear papa; and even said to me, placing his hand on my
+head, "May the God of thy father bless thee, and make thee resemble
+him!"
+
+_Arnold, (much affected.)_ Erard, did he say that to you?
+
+_Erard_. Yes, dear papa; and when I was coming away, he called me back,
+and giving me this flower, said to me, "Erard, go to your father and
+tell him that Theobald sent this:" and he wept much. Here it is, dear
+papa. I did not dare to give it to you at first, because I did not know
+whether Ethbert----
+
+"Embrace me, my child," said Arnold; "and go, and tell my good father,
+that I entreat him to come to me."
+
+_Erard_. O, dear papa, grandpapa would have come before--but he went
+away in the night, with two servants, in a carriage.
+
+_Arnold_. My father went away in the night, Erard! And do you know, and
+can you tell me where he is gone?
+
+_Erard_. No, papa. Only he said, when he set out--for I was awake and
+heard him--"Go by way of the heath."
+
+"He is then gone to Waldhaus," said Ethbert; "since the heath is on the
+direct road to the chateau."
+
+These are the fruits of Christian love! It is active, fervent, and does
+not put off until to-morrow the good that may be done to-day. Sure and
+powerful consolation was necessary for the heart of the wife and mother
+whom God had afflicted, and the servant of the "God of consolation" was
+hastening, in his name, to Hildegarde, whom he hoped to bring to him
+whose death she was deploring.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+FRIENDLY MEETING OF THE WARRIORS--MUTUAL FORGIVENESS--THEOBALD'S DESIRE
+FOR INSTRUCTION--RETURN OF GOTTFRIED--THE BIBLE--LESSON OF LOVE TO
+ENEMIES.
+
+Arnold did not at first reply to Ethbert. His mind was troubled; but
+having sent away his son, he said to the servant, "Ethbert, God has
+given you wisdom. Go, therefore, now, to the chevalier, and bear him, in
+the name of the Lord, the salutation of Arnold. You will also say to
+him, that my great desire, my true and cordial desire, is to come to
+him. But say nothing of my father."
+
+Ethbert entered the chamber of Theobald, who said to him, as soon as he
+saw him, "Ethbert, I have not yet seen your master to-day. Is he sick?"
+
+"My master," said Ethbert, "is not now in the castle. But, my lord, you
+must know that God is now displaying his goodness--"
+
+_Theobald_. To me, you would say, Ethbert. I know that Arnold is living;
+that he is here; that he is near me.
+
+_Ethbert_. And my lord knows also that a disciple of Christ can love
+even an enemy?
+
+_Theobald_. I was ignorant of it; but I have learned it here. Ethbert,
+do not fear to tell me all. Do you know whether Erard carried to his
+father a flower?
+
+_Ethbert_. I know that his father blessed God when he received it, and
+that the desire of his soul is that the Baron of Rothenwald----
+
+_Theobald_. Say, simply, Theobald--and you may also say, his friend, his
+humbled and repentant friend.
+
+_Ethbert, (respectfully.)_ The father of Erard says to the chevalier
+Theobald, that the cordial desire of his heart is to visit him, without
+delay.
+
+"Arnold! Arnold!" exclaimed the chevalier; "do you hear my voice? O, why
+can I not come to you, and ask your pardon?"
+
+"Theobald," was heard through the partition, "I am coming! Ethbert!
+Ethbert!"
+
+The domestic immediately went out, and Theobald remained, with his eyes
+fixed on the door, until he heard the steps of Arnold and of his
+servant. Then his heart failed him, and he covered his face with his
+hands, while Arnold entered, and approached the bed, beside which he sat
+down, saying, "O, Theobald! I must give way to my joy! It is beyond my
+strength. May God support us at this hour!" At these words Ethbert left
+the room, saying, "Amen."
+
+"It was I--it was I who struck you!" exclaimed Theobald, bathing with
+tears the hands with which he had covered his face. "Arnold, it was my
+sword that made this still bleeding wound! Pardon! pardon! in the name
+of God alone! Arnold, forgive! O forgive one who would have been your
+murderer!"
+
+"And let our tears and our hearts mingle," said Arnold, rising, and
+embracing Theobald, "to bless this great God who sees us and who has
+brought me to you!"
+
+"To me!" exclaimed Theobald, looking at Arnold, and coloring. "Ah, that
+bandage! that wound!"--and he began again to weep.
+
+"But for this wound," replied Arnold, with energy, "would you be here,
+and would Theobald ever have been my friend?"
+
+"Yes, thy friend, noble and charitable soul!" repeated Theobald. "You
+said to me, Arnold, when I advanced to kill you, 'Why would you shed my
+blood and take my life?' To-day, here is my blood and my life! It
+belongs to you. I call God, who now hears me, to witness."
+
+"O, how wonderful are his ways!" said Arnold. "What an admirable
+Providence has united us--you, the Iron-Hearted, and me, the Lion!"
+added he, smiling. "Did the Baron of Rothenwald think, three days since,
+that he would be lying in the bed of the Earl of Winkelthal, and
+peacefully smiling at the words of a Calixtan?"
+
+Theobald reddened: this last word had surprised and disturbed him; and
+it was only by controlling the secret indignation of his soul, that he
+said, "I did not know that peace and charity entered these lofty towers
+and innumerable battlements. I had been told, Arnold--and I believed
+it--that impiety alone made its dwelling here."
+
+"No, Theobald--it is not impiety; it is the word of the Lord, and the
+love of Jesus, we trust, which directs and consoles our hearts."
+
+_Theobald_. Yours! yes: I believe it; for I see it hourly. But these
+Taborites, Arnold--this ferocious and cruel Ziska--do they know the name
+of Jesus--they who persecute the Holy Church?
+
+_Arnold_. You have seen them only at a distance, Theobald; and you do
+not even suspect that it was for the cause of Jesus and for his holy
+gospel that John Huss ended his days at the stake.
+
+_Theobald, (surprised.)_ Were not this Huss and his friend Jerome
+infidels?
+
+_Arnold_. Ah, Theobald! was that John Huss an infidel, who, when the
+sentence that condemned him to be burned was read to him, immediately
+threw himself on his knees, exclaiming, "O, Lord Jesus, pardon my
+enemies! Pardon them, for the love of thy great mercy and goodness?"
+
+_Theobald, (affected.)_ Arnold! did John Huss, indeed, speak thus?
+
+_Arnold_. He did! John Huss knew Jesus, and, like Jesus, prayed for his
+murderers. No, Theobald; he who loves--who loves unto death, and who can
+pray for his executioners--is not an infidel.
+
+"O, Hildegarde! Hildegarde!" exclaimed Theobald, groaning; "what hast
+thou done, and what have I done! Poor prisoners! What injustice!"
+
+_Arnold_. Your heart is oppressed, Theobald; some sorrowful remembrance
+distresses you.
+
+The chevalier was about to reply, when a noise was heard at the door,
+which was opened by Gottfried, holding Erard by the hand.
+
+"Here they both are!" said the old man to the child. "Look, Erard, and
+see whether the chevalier hates thy father. See, if what Ethbert told me
+was not true!
+
+"This dear child," added he, "had some fears for his father: for he
+knows all, Theobald."
+
+_Theobald, (with tenderness.)_ Come, then, Erard, and give me your hand.
+Come, my child, and also pardon me. O, how I need pardon from every
+heart here! Say, Erard, will you not forgive me?
+
+_Erard, (giving his hand to the chevalier.)_ I love you much, since my
+father loves you.
+
+"Well, my son!" said Gottfried. "Go now to Ethbert, and tell him to be
+in readiness to accompany me."
+
+_Theobald_. Shall you leave us again? Will it be for many hours?
+
+_Gottfried_. It is on your behalf, chevalier, that I must now act. The
+express which we expected, did not come, and I feared that my message
+had not reached your dear Hildegarde. I, therefore, went myself to tell
+her of your welfare.
+
+_Theobald_. Is it possible! O, tell me if all is well with her!
+
+_Gottfried_. Thanks to God, Hildegarde and her precious children are
+well--very well. She has been very anxious until last night. My message
+did not reach her until then; and her express, who did not start until
+day-break, was detained on the way. I met him, and bring you more than
+he would have said himself.
+
+_Theobald_. She knows, then, that her husband is---- with the Count of
+Winkelthal?
+
+_Gottfried_. Hildegarde knows that her husband is with his friends, and
+she blesses God with us.
+
+"Theobald," added Gottfried, "there should be no difference between us.
+Jesus will unite us by his grace."
+
+_Theobald_. As he has already done, has he not? The old father, after
+having bound up with his trembling hands the wounds of a stranger--of an
+enemy--afterwards to bestow all the treasures of his kindness, and more
+than paternal charity, on him whose hands he supposed to be stained
+with the blood of his son! O, may this Jesus, who makes us love, reveal
+himself in my soul also! Arnold, my dear Arnold! teach me to know him!
+
+"Theobald," replied Arnold, "he who desires to know Jesus is no longer a
+stranger to his love."
+
+_Theobald_. And yet, my true friends, how far am I still from that
+charity which flows in your hearts like a river! You have pardoned even
+me; and you can love, pity, succor, and console your enemies! Arnold, it
+is to Hildegarde that your father is going--to her who, shall I tell
+you? caused the eyes of two of your brethren to be put out!
+
+_Arnold_. No, Theobald, no; you could not have done that!
+
+_Theobald, (with a groan.)_ O, what was our injustice!--our cruelty!
+(_He weeps._) And when their eyes were pierced, they stretched out their
+hands on all sides, saying, "Where are you, lord of Rothenwald, that we
+may take your hand and pardon you in the name of Jesus!"
+
+_Gottfried, (with solemnity.)_ Theobald, these two blind men are now
+with me; they knew, last evening, who was the chevalier brought here
+from the forest, and they have already prayed God for you many times!
+They have even asked Ethbert to assure you of their sincere love, before
+God their Saviour.
+
+_Theobald_. O, withdraw from me!--leave me! I am stained with blood! God
+of heaven, how severely hast thou punished me!
+
+_Arnold_. Is that to say, Theobald, that you believe us to be better
+and more charitable than God? Rash and blind man that you are! You see,
+that, by his grace in our hearts, we can forget and forgive an
+injury--an offence; and through the same grace of the same God, show
+mercy and love to our enemies,--you see that, you are affected by it,
+you admire it; then, when you look towards that God who teaches his
+children to be charitable or merciful, you see only an angry Judge--an
+implacable avenger--an enemy, about to strike you! Theobald, do you
+comprehend your mistake?
+
+"But, Arnold," resumed Theobald, with humility, "by what right, wicked
+as I am, can I ask God to pardon me?"
+
+"By the right," replied Gottfried, taking from among his books a Bible,
+which he placed on Theobald's bed, "yes, by the right that every man,
+every sinner has, who reads and believes the word of God, to receive its
+precious invitations and promises."
+
+_Theobald, (laying his hand on the Bible.)_ Tell me, my friends, is it
+by reading and believing this Bible that you learned to love your
+enemies?
+
+_Gottfried and Arnold, (together.)_ Yes, Theobald.
+
+_Theobald_. I will then read it also; and, if God enables me, I will
+believe it: for, if men have called me the Iron-Hearted, I need now that
+God should soften my heart and make me his child--his ransomed one; and
+that his Spirit should teach me, like you, my noble friends, to imitate
+Jesus, in pardoning injuries and loving those who hate me!
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Theobald, The Iron-Hearted, by Anonymous
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11107 ***