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Yonge + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Book of Golden Deeds, by Charlotte M. Yonge + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Book of Golden Deeds + +Author: Charlotte M. Yonge + +Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6489] +Last Updated: January 9, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOOK OF GOLDEN DEEDS *** + + + + +Produced by Hanh Vu, Sandra Laythorpe, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + A BOOK OF GOLDEN DEEDS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Charlotte M. Yonge + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> WHAT IS A GOLDEN DEED? </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE STORIES OF ALCESTIS AND ANTIGONE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE CUP OF WATER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> HOW ONE MAN HAS SAVED A HOST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> THE PASS OF THERMOPYLAE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> THE ROCK OF THE CAPITOL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> THE TWO FRIENDS OF SYRACUSE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> THE DEVOTION OF THE DECII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> REGULUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> THE BRAVE BRETHREN OF JUDAH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> THE CHIEF OF THE ARVERNI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> WITHSTANDING THE MONARCH IN HIS WRATH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> THE LAST FIGHT IN THE COLISEUM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> THE SHEPHERD GIRL OF NANTERRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> LEO THE SLAVE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> THE BATTLE OF THE BLACKWATER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> GUZMAN EL BUENO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> FAITHFUL TILL DEATH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> WHAT IS BETTER THAN SLAYING A DRAGON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> THE KEYS OF CALAIS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> THE BATTLE OF SEMPACH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE CONSTANT PRINCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> THE CARNIVAL OF PERTH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> THE CROWN OF ST. STEPHEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> GEORGE THE TRILLER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> SIR THOMAS MORE'S DAUGHTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> UNDER IVAN THE TERRIBLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> FORT ST. ELMO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> THE VOLUNTARY CONVICT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> THE HOUSEWIVES OF LOWENBURG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> FATHERS AND SONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> THE SOLDIERS IN THE SNOW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> GUNPOWDER PERILS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> HEROES OF THE PLAGUE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> THE SECOND OF SEPTEMBER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> THE VENDEANS </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + As the most striking lines of poetry are the most hackneyed, because they + have grown to be the common inheritance of all the world, so many of the + most noble deeds that earth can show have become the best known, and + enjoyed their full meed of fame. Therefore it may be feared that many of + the events here detailed, or alluded to, may seem trite to those in search + of novelty; but it is not for such that the collection has been made. It + is rather intended as a treasury for young people, where they may find + minuter particulars than their abridged histories usually afford of the + soul-stirring deeds that give life and glory to the record of events; and + where also other like actions, out of their ordinary course of reading, + may be placed before them, in the trust that example may inspire the + spirit of heroism and self-devotion. For surely it must be a wholesome + contemplation to look on actions, the very essence of which is such entire + absorption in others that self is forgotten; the object of which is not to + win promotion, wealth, or success, but simple duty, mercy, and + loving-kindness. These are the actions wrought, 'hoping for nothing + again', but which most surely have their reward. + </p> + <p> + The authorities have not been given, as for the most [Page] part the + narratives lie on the surface of history. For the description of the + Coliseum, I have, however, been indebted to the Abbé Gerbet's Rome + Chrétienne; for the Housewives of Lowenburg, and St. Stephen's Crown, to + Freytag's Sketches of German Life; and for the story of George the + Triller, to Mr. Mayhew's Germany. The Escape of Attalus is narrated (from + Gregory of Tours) in Thierry's 'Lettres sur l'Histoire de France;' the + Russian officer's adventures, and those of Prascovia Lopouloff the true + Elisabeth of Siberia, are from M. le Maistre; the shipwrecks chiefly from + Gilly's 'Shipwrecks of the British Navy;' the Jersey Powder Magazine from + the Annual Registrer, and that at Ciudad Rodrigo, from the traditions of + the 52nd Regiment. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + <a href="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/yonge/deeds/pardon.html">See + Clebration of Women Writers:</a> + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + There is a cloud of doubt resting on a few of the tales, which it may be + honest to mention, though they were far too beautiful not to tell. These + are the details of the Gallic occupation of Rome, the Legend of St. + Genevieve, the Letter of Gertrude von der Wart, the stories of the Keys of + Calais, of the Dragon of Rhodes, and we fear we must add, both Nelson's + plan of the Battle of the Nile, and likewise the exact form of the heroism + of young Casabianca, of which no two accounts agree. But it was not + possible to give up such stories as these, and the thread of truth there + must be in them has developed into such a beautiful tissue, that even if + unsubstantial when tested, it is surely delightful to contemplate. + </p> + <p> + Some stories have been passed over as too devoid of foundation, in + especial that of young Henri, Duke of Nemours, who, at ten years old, was + said to have been hung up with his little brother of eight in one of Louis + XI's cages at Loches, with orders that two of the children's teeth should + daily be pulled out and brought to the king. The elder child was said to + have insisted on giving the whole supply of teeth, so as to save his + brother; but though they were certainly imprisoned after their father's + execution, they were released after Louis's death in a condition which + disproves this atrocity. + </p> + <p> + The Indian mutiny might likewise have supplied glorious instances of + Christian self-devotion, but want of materials has compelled us to stop + short of recording those noble deeds by which delicate women and light- + hearted young soldiers showed, that in the hour of need there was not + wanting to them the highest and deepest 'spirit of self-sacrifice.' + </p> + <p> + At some risk of prolixity, enough of the surrounding events has in general + been given to make the situation comprehensible, even without knowledge of + the general history. This has been done in the hope that these extracts + may serve as a mother's storehouse for reading aloud to her boys, or that + they may be found useful for short readings to the intelligent, though + uneducated classes. + </p> + <p> + NOVEMBER 17, 1864. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT IS A GOLDEN DEED? + </h2> + <p> + We all of us enjoy a story of battle and adventure. Some of us delight in + the anxiety and excitement with which we watch the various strange + predicaments, hairbreadth escapes, and ingenious contrivances that are + presented to us; and the mere imaginary dread of the dangers thus + depicted, stirs our feelings and makes us feel eager and full of suspense. + </p> + <p> + This taste, though it is the first step above the dullness that cannot be + interested in anything beyond its own immediate world, nor care for what + it neither sees, touches, tastes, nor puts to any present use, is still + the lowest form that such a liking can take. It may be no better than a + love of reading about murders in the newspaper, just for the sake of a + sort of startled sensation; and it is a taste that becomes unwholesome + when it absolutely delights in dwelling on horrors and cruelties for their + own sake; or upon shifty, cunning, dishonest stratagems and devices. To + learn to take interest in what is evil is always mischievous. + </p> + <p> + But there is an element in many of such scenes of woe and violence that + may well account for our interest in them. It is that which makes the eye + gleam and the heart throb, and bears us through the details of suffering, + bloodshed, and even barbarity—feeling our spirits moved and elevated + by contemplating the courage and endurance that they have called forth. + Nay, such is the charm of brilliant valor, that we often are tempted to + forget the injustice of the cause that may have called forth the actions + that delight us. And this enthusiasm is often united with the utmost + tenderness of heart, the very appreciation of suffering only quickening + the sense of the heroism that risked the utmost, till the young and ardent + learn absolutely to look upon danger as an occasion for evincing the + highest qualities. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'O Life, without thy chequer'd scene + Of right and wrong, of weal and woe, + Success and failure, could a ground + For magnanimity be found?' +</pre> + <p> + The true cause of such enjoyment is perhaps an inherent consciousness that + there is nothing so noble as forgetfulness of self. Therefore it is that + we are struck by hearing of the exposure of life and limb to the utmost + peril, in oblivion, or recklessness of personal safety, in comparison with + a higher object. + </p> + <p> + That object is sometimes unworthy. In the lowest form of courage it is + only avoidance of disgrace; but even fear of shame is better than mere + love of bodily ease, and from that lowest motive the scale rises to the + most noble and precious actions of which human nature is capable—the + truly golden and priceless deeds that are the jewels of history, the salt + of life. + </p> + <p> + And it is a chain of Golden Deeds that we seek to lay before our readers; + but, ere entering upon them, perhaps we had better clearly understand what + it is that to our mind constitutes a Golden Deed. + </p> + <p> + It is not mere hardihood. There was plenty of hardihood in Pizarro when he + led his men through terrible hardships to attack the empire of Peru, but + he was actuated by mere greediness for gain, and all the perils he so + resolutely endured could not make his courage admirable. It was nothing + but insensibility to danger, when set against the wealth and power that he + coveted, and to which he sacrificed thousands of helpless Peruvians. + Daring for the sake of plunder has been found in every robber, every + pirate, and too often in all the lower grade of warriors, from the savage + plunderer of a besieged town up to the reckless monarch making war to feed + his own ambition. + </p> + <p> + There is a courage that breaks out in bravado, the exuberance of high + spirits, delighting in defying peril for its own sake, not indeed + producing deeds which deserve to be called golden, but which, from their + heedless grace, their desperation, and absence of all base motives—except + perhaps vanity have an undeniable charm about them, even when we doubt the + right of exposing a life in mere gaiety of heart. + </p> + <p> + Such was the gallantry of the Spanish knight who, while Fernando and + Isabel lay before the Moorish city of Granada, galloped out of the camp, + in full view of besiegers and besieged, and fastened to the gate of the + city with his dagger a copy of the Ave Maria. It was a wildly brave + action, and yet not without service in showing the dauntless spirit of the + Christian army. But the same can hardly be said of the daring shown by the + Emperor Maximilian when he displayed himself to the citizens of Ulm upon + the topmost pinnacle of their cathedral spire; or of Alonso de Ojeda, who + figured in like manner upon the tower of the Spanish cathedral. The same + daring afterwards carried him in the track of Columbus, and there he + stained his name with the usual blots of rapacity and cruelty. These + deeds, if not tinsel, were little better than gold leaf. + </p> + <p> + A Golden Deed must be something more than mere display of fearlessness. + Grave and resolute fulfillment of duty is required to give it the true + weight. Such duty kept the sentinel at his post at the gate of Pompeii, + even when the stifling dust of ashes came thicker and thicker from the + volcano, and the liquid mud streamed down, and the people fled and + struggled on, and still the sentry stood at his post, unflinching, till + death had stiffened his limbs; and his bones, in their helmet and + breastplate, with the hand still raised to keep the suffocating dust from + mouth and nose, have remained even till our own times to show how a Roman + soldier did his duty. In like manner the last of the old Spanish infantry + originally formed by the Great Captain, Gonzalo de Cordova, were all cut + off, standing fast to a man, at the battle of Rocroy, in 1643, not one man + breaking his rank. The whole regiment was found lying in regular order + upon the field of battle, with their colonel, the old Count de Fuentes, at + their head, expiring in a chair, in which he had been carried, because he + was too infirm to walk, to this his twentieth battle. The conqueror, the + high-spirited young Duke d'Enghien, afterwards Prince of Condé, exclaimed, + 'Were I not a victor, I should have wished thus to die!' and preserved the + chair among the relics of the bravest of his own fellow countrymen. + </p> + <p> + Such obedience at all costs and all risks is, however, the very essence of + a soldier's life. An army could not exist without it, a ship could not + sail without it, and millions upon millions of those whose 'bones are dust + and good swords are rust' have shown such resolution. It is the solid + material, but it has hardly the exceptional brightness, of a Golden Deed. + </p> + <p> + And yet perhaps it is one of the most remarkable characteristics of a + Golden Deed that the doer of it is certain to feel it merely a duty; 'I + have done that which it was my duty to do' is the natural answer of those + capable of such actions. They have been constrained to them by duty, or by + pity; have never even deemed it possible to act otherwise, and did not + once think of themselves in the matter at all. + </p> + <p> + For the true metal of a Golden Deed is self-devotion. Selfishness is the + dross and alloy that gives the unsound ring to many an act that has been + called glorious. And, on the other hand, it is not only the valor, which + meets a thousand enemies upon the battlefield, or scales the walls in a + forlorn hope, that is of true gold. It may be, but often it is a mere + greed of fame, fear of shame, or lust of plunder. No, it is the spirit + that gives itself for others—the temper that for the sake of + religion, of country, of duty, of kindred, nay, of pity even to a + stranger, will dare all things, risk all things, endure all things, meet + death in one moment, or wear life away in slow, persevering tendance and + suffering. + </p> + <p> + Such a spirit was shown by Leaena, the Athenian woman at whose house the + overthrow of the tyranny of the Pisistratids was concerted, and who, when + seized and put to the torture that she might disclose the secrets of the + conspirators, fearing that the weakness of her frame might overpower her + resolution, actually bit off her tongue, that she might be unable to + betray the trust placed in her. The Athenians commemorated her truly + golden silence by raising in her honor the statue of a lioness without a + tongue, in allusion to her name, which signifies a lioness. + </p> + <p> + Again, Rome had a tradition of a lady whose mother was in prison under + sentence of death by hunger, but who, at the peril of her own life, + visited her daily, and fed her from her own bosom, until even the stern + senate were moved with pity, and granted a pardon. The same story is told + of a Greek lady, called Euphrasia, who thus nourished her father; and in + Scotland, in 1401, when the unhappy heir of the kingdom, David, Duke of + Rothesay, had been thrown into the dungeon of Falkland Castle by his + barbarous uncle, the Duke of Albany, there to be starved to death, his + only helper was one poor peasant woman, who, undeterred by fear of the + savage men that guarded the castle, crept, at every safe opportunity, to + the grated window on a level with the ground, and dropped cakes through it + to the prisoner, while she allayed his thirst from her own breast through + a pipe. Alas! the visits were detected, and the Christian prince had less + mercy than the heathen senate. Another woman, in 1450, when Sir Gilles of + Brittany was savagely imprisoned and starved in much the same manner by + his brother, Duke François, sustained him for several days by bringing + wheat in her veil, and dropping it through the grated window, and when + poison had been used to hasten his death, she brought a priest to the + grating to enable him to make his peace with Heaven. Tender pity made + these women venture all things; and surely their doings were full of the + gold of love. + </p> + <p> + So again two Swiss lads, whose father was dangerously ill, found that they + could by no means procure the needful medicine, except at a price far + beyond their means, and heard that an English traveler had offered a large + price for a pair of eaglets. The only eyrie was on a crag supposed to be + so inacessible, that no one ventured to attempt it, till these boys, in + their intense anxiety for their father, dared the fearful danger, scaled + the precipice, captured the birds, and safely conveyed them to the + traveler. Truly this was a deed of gold. + </p> + <p> + Such was the action of the Russian servant whose master's carriage was + pursued by wolves, and who sprang out among the beasts, sacrificing his + own life willingly to slake their fury for a few minutes in order that the + horses might be untouched, and convey his master to a place of safety. But + his act of self-devotion has been so beautifully expanded in the story of + 'Eric's Grave', in 'Tales of Christian Heroism', that we can only hint at + it, as at that of the 'Helmsman of Lake Erie', who, with the steamer on + fire around him, held fast by the wheel in the very jaws of the flame, so + as to guide the vessel into harbour, and save the many lives within her, + at the cost of his own fearful agony, while slowly scorched by the flames. + </p> + <p> + Memorable, too, was the compassion that kept Dr. Thompson upon the + battlefield of the Alma, all alone throughout the night, striving to + alleviate the sufferings and attend to the wants, not of our own wounded, + but of the enemy, some of whom, if they were not sorely belied, had been + known to requite a friendly act of assistance with a pistol shot. Thus to + remain in the darkness, on a battlefield in an enemy's country, among the + enemy themselves, all for pity and mercy's sake, was one of the noblest + acts that history can show. Yet, it was paralleled in the time of the + Indian Mutiny, when every English man and woman was flying from the rage + of the Sepoys at Benares, and Dr. Hay alone remained because he would not + desert the patients in the hospital, whose life depended on his care—many + of them of those very native corps who were advancing to massacre him. + This was the Roman sentry's firmness, more voluntary and more glorious. + Nor may we pass by her to whom our title page points as our living type of + Golden Deeds—to her who first showed how woman's ministrations of + mercy may be carried on, not only within the city, but on the borders of + the camp itself—'the lady with the lamp', whose health and strength + were freely devoted to the holy work of softening the after sufferings + that render war so hideous; whose very step and shadow carried gladness + and healing to the sick soldier, and who has opened a path of like shining + light to many another woman who only needed to be shown the way. Fitly, + indeed, may the figure of Florence Nightingale be shadowed forth at the + opening of our roll of Golden Deeds. + </p> + <p> + Thanks be to God, there is enough of His own spirit of love abroad in the + earth to make Golden Deeds of no such rare occurrence, but that they are + of 'all time'. Even heathen days were not without them, and how much more + should they not abound after the words have been spoken, 'Greater love + hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend', and + after the one Great Deed has been wrought that has consecrated all other + deeds of self-sacrifice. Of martyrdoms we have scarcely spoken. They were + truly deeds of the purest gold; but they are too numerous to be dwelt on + here: and even as soldiers deem it each man's simple duty to face death + unhesitatingly, so the 'glorious army of martyrs' had, for the most part, + joined the Church with the expectation that they should have to confess + the faith, and confront the extremity of death and torture for it. + </p> + <p> + What have been here brought together are chiefly cases of self-devotion + that stand out remarkably, either from their hopelessness, their courage, + or their patience, varying with the character of their age; but with that + one essential distinction in all, that the dross of self was cast away. + </p> + <p> + Among these we cannot forbear mentioning the poor American soldier, who, + grievously wounded, had just been laid in the middle bed, by far the most + comfortable of the three tiers of berths in the ship's cabin in which the + wounded were to be conveyed to New York. Still thrilling with the + suffering of being carried from the field, and lifted to his place, he saw + a comrade in even worse plight brought in, and thinking of the pain it + must cost his fellow soldier to be raised to the bed above him, he + surprised his kind lady nurses (daily scatterers of Golden Deeds) by + saying, 'Put me up there, I reckon I'll bear hoisting better than he + will'. + </p> + <p> + And, even as we write, we hear of an American Railway collision that + befell a train on the way to Elmira with prisoners. The engineer, whose + name was William Ingram, might have leapt off and saved himself before the + shock; but he remained in order to reverse the engine, though with certain + death staring him in the face. He was buried in the wreck of the meeting + train, and when found, his back was against the boiler he was jammed in, + unable to move, and actually being burnt to death; but even in that + extremity of anguish he called out to those who came round to help him to + keep away, as he expected the boiler would burst. They disregarded the + generous cry, and used every effort to extricate him, but could not + succeed until after his sufferings had ended in death. + </p> + <p> + While men and women still exist who will thus suffer and thus die, losing + themselves in the thought of others, surely the many forms of woe and + misery with which this earth is spread do but give occasions of working + out some of the highest and best qualities of which mankind are capable. + And oh, young readers, if your hearts burn within you as you read of these + various forms of the truest and deepest glory, and you long for time and + place to act in the like devoted way, bethink yourselves that the alloy of + such actions is to be constantly worked away in daily life; and that if + ever it be your lot to do a Golden Deed, it will probably be in + unconsciousness that you are doing anything extraordinary, and that the + whole impulse will consist in the having absolutely forgotten self. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STORIES OF ALCESTIS AND ANTIGONE + </h2> + <p> + It has been said, that even the heathens saw and knew the glory of self- + devotion; and the Greeks had two early instances so very beautiful that, + though they cannot in all particulars be true, they must not be passed + over. There must have been some foundation for them, though we cannot now + disentangle them from the fable that has adhered to them; and, at any + rate, the ancient Greeks believed them, and gathered strength and + nobleness from dwelling on such examples; since, as it has been truly + said, 'Every word, look or thought of sympathy with heroic action, helps + to make heroism'. Both tales were presented before them in their solemn + religious tragedies, and the noble poetry in which they were recounted by + the great Greek dramatists has been preserved to our time. + </p> + <p> + Alcestis was the wife of Admetus, King of Pherae, who, according to the + legend, was assured that his life might be prolonged, provided father, + mother, or wife would die in his stead. It was Alcestis alone who was + willing freely to give her life to save that of her husband; and her + devotion is thus exquisitely described in the following translation, by + Professor Anstice, from the choric song in the tragedy by Euripides: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Be patient, for thy tears are vain + They may not wake the dead again: + E'en heroes, of immortal sire + And mortal mother born, expire. + Oh, she was dear + While she linger'd here; + She is dear now she rests below, + And thou mayst boast + That the bride thou hast lost + Was the noblest earth can show. + + 'We will not look on her burial sod + As the cell of sepulchral sleep, + It shall be as the shrine of a radiant god, + And the pilgrim shall visit that blest abode + To worship, and not to weep; + And as he turns his steps aside, + Thus shall he breathe his vow: + 'Here sleeps a self-devoted bride, + Of old to save her lord she died. + She is a spirit now. + + Hail, bright and blest one! grant to me + The smiles of glad prosperity.' + Thus shall he own her name divine, + Thus bend him at Alcestis' shrine.' +</pre> + <p> + The story, however, bore that Hercules, descending in the course of one of + his labors into the realms of the dead, rescued Alcestis, and brought her + back; and Euripides gives a scene in which the rough, jovial Hercules + insists on the sorrowful Admetus marrying again a lady of his own choice, + and gives the veiled Alcestis back to him as the new bride. Later Greeks + tried to explain the story by saying that Alcestis nursed her husband + through an infectious fever, caught it herself, and had been supposed to + be dead, when a skilful physician restored her; but this is probably only + one of the many reasonable versions they tried to give of the old tales + that were founded on the decay and revival of nature in winter and spring, + and with a presage running through them of sacrifice, death, and + resurrection. Our own poet Chaucer was a great admirer of Alcestis, and + improved upon the legend by turning her into his favorite flower— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The daisie or els the eye of the daie, + The emprise and the floure of flouris all'. +</pre> + <p> + Another Greek legend told of the maiden of Thebes, one of the most + self-devoted beings that could be conceived by a fancy untrained in the + knowledge of Divine Perfection. It cannot be known how much of her story + is true, but it was one that went deep into the hearts of Grecian men and + women, and encouraged them in some of their best feelings; and assuredly + the deeds imputed to her were golden. + </p> + <p> + Antigone was the daughter of the old King Oedipus of Thebes. After a time + heavy troubles, the consequence of the sins of his youth, came upon him, + and he was driven away from his kingdom, and sent to wander forth a blind + old man, scorned and pointed at by all. Then it was that his faithful + daughter showed true affection for him. She might have remained at Thebes + with her brother Eteocles, who had been made king in her father's room, + but she chose instead to wander forth with the forlorn old man, fallen + from his kingly state, and absolutely begging his bread. The great + Athenian poet Sophocles began his tragedy of 'Oedipus Coloneus' with + showing the blind old king leaning on Antigone's arm, and asking— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Tell me, thou daughter of a blind old man, + Antigone, to what land are we come, + Or to what city? Who the inhabitants + Who with a slender pittance will relieve + Even for a day the wandering Oedipus?' + POTTER. +</pre> + <p> + The place to which they had come was in Attica, hear the city of Colonus. + It was a lovely grove— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'All the haunts of Attic ground, + Where the matchless coursers bound, + Boast not, through their realms of bliss, + Other spot so fair as this. + Frequent down this greenwood dale + Mourns the warbling nightingale, + Nestling 'mid the thickest screen + Of the ivy's darksome green, + Or where each empurpled shoot + Drooping with its myriad fruit, + Curl'd in many a mazy twine, + Droops the never-trodden vine.' + ANSTICE. +</pre> + <p> + This beautiful grove was sacred to the Eumenides, or avenging goddesses, + and it was therefore a sanctuary where no foot might tread; but near it + the exiled king was allowed to take up his abode, and was protected by the + great Athenian King, Theseus. There his other daughter, Ismene, joined + him, and, after a time, his elder son Polynices, arrived. + </p> + <p> + Polynices had been expelled from Thebes by his brother Eteocles, and had + been wandering through Greece seeking aid to recover his rights. He had + collected an army, and was come to take leave of his father and sisters; + and at the same time to entreat his sisters to take care that, if he + should fall in the battle, they would prevent his corpse from being left + unburied; for the Greeks believed that till the funeral rites were + performed, the spirit went wandering restlessly up and down upon the banks + of a dark stream, unable to enter the home of the dead. Antigone solemnly + promised to him that he should not be left without these last rites. + Before long, old Oedipus was killed by lightning, and the two sisters + returned to Thebes. + </p> + <p> + The united armies of the seven chiefs against Thebes came on, led by + Polynices. Eteocles sallied out to meet them, and there was a terrible + battle, ending in all the seven chiefs being slain, and the two brothers, + Eteocles and Polynices, were killed by one another in single combat. + Creon, the uncle, who thus became king, had always been on the side of + Eteocles, and therefore commanded that whilst this younger brother was + entombed with all due solemnities, the body of the elder should be left + upon the battlefield to be torn by dogs and vultures, and that whosoever + durst bury it should be treated as a rebel and a traitor to the state. + </p> + <p> + This was the time for the sister to remember her oath to her dead brother. + The more timid Ismene would have dissuaded her, but she answered, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'To me no sufferings have that hideous form + Which can affright me from a glorious death'. +</pre> + <p> + And she crept forth by night, amid all the horrors of the deserted field + of battles, and herself covered with loose earth the corpse of Polynices. + The barbarous uncle caused it to be taken up and again exposed, and a + watch was set at some little distance. Again Antigone + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Was seen, lamenting shrill with plaintive notes, + Like the poor bird that sees her lonely nest + Spoil'd of her young'. +</pre> + <p> + Again she heaped dry dust with her own hands over the body, and poured + forth the libations of wine that formed an essential part of the ceremony. + She was seized by the guard, and led before Creon. She boldly avowed her + deed, and, in spite of the supplications of Ismene, she was put to death, + a sufferer for her noble and pious deeds; and with this only comfort: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Glowing at my heart + I feel this hope, that to my father, dear + And dear to thee, my mother, dear to thee, + My brother, I shall go.' + POTTER. +</pre> + <p> + Dim and beautiful indeed was the hope that upbore the grave and beautiful + Theban maiden; and we shall see her resolution equaled, though hardly + surpassed, by Christian Antigones of equal love and surer faith. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CUP OF WATER + </h2> + <p> + No touch in the history of the minstrel king David gives us a more warm + and personal feeling towards him than his longing for the water of the + well of Bethlehem. Standing as the incident does in the summary of the + characters of his mighty men, it is apt to appear to us as if it had taken + place in his latter days; but such is not the case, it befell while he was + still under thirty, in the time of his persecution by Saul. + </p> + <p> + It was when the last attempt at reconciliation with the king had been + made, when the affectionate parting with the generous and faithful + Jonathan had taken place, when Saul was hunting him like a partridge on + the mountains on the one side, and the Philistines had nearly taken his + life on the other, that David, outlawed, yet loyal at the heart, sent his + aged parents to the land of Moab for refuge, and himself took up his abode + in the caves of the wild limestone hills that had become familiar to him + when he was a shepherd. Brave captain and Heaven-destined king as he was, + his name attracted around him a motley group of those that were in + distress, or in debt, or discontented, and among them were the 'mighty + men' whose brave deeds won them the foremost parts in that army with which + David was to fulfill the ancient promises to his people. There were his + three nephews, Joab, the ferocious and imperious, the chivalrous Abishai, + and Asahel the fleet of foot; there was the warlike Levite Benaiah, who + slew lions and lionlike men, and others who, like David himself, had done + battle with the gigantic sons of Anak. Yet even these valiant men, so wild + and lawless, could be kept in check by the voice of their young captain; + and, outlaws as they were, they spoiled no peaceful villages, they lifted + not their hands against the persecuting monarch, and the neighboring farms + lost not one lamb through their violence. Some at least listened to the + song of their warlike minstrel: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Come, ye children, and hearken to me, + I will teach you the fear of the Lord. + What man is he that lusteth to live, + And would fain see good days? + Let him refrain his tongue from evil + And his lips that they speak no guile, + Let him eschew evil and do good, + Let him seek peace and ensue it.' +</pre> + <p> + With such strains as these, sung to his harp, the warrior gained the + hearts of his men to enthusiastic love, and gathered followers on all + sides, among them eleven fierce men of Gad, with faces like lions and feet + swift as roes, who swam the Jordan in time of flood, and fought their way + to him, putting all enemies in the valleys to flight. + </p> + <p> + But the Eastern sun burnt on the bare rocks. A huge fissure, opening in + the mountain ridge, encumbered at the bottom with broken rocks, with + precipitous banks, scarcely affording a foothold for the wild goats—such + is the spot where, upon a cleft on the steep precipice, still remain the + foundations of the 'hold', or tower, believed to have been the David's + retreat, and near at hand is the low-browed entrance of the galleried cave + alternating between narrow passages and spacious halls, but all + oppressively hot and close. Waste and wild, without a bush or a tree, in + the feverish atmosphere of Palestine, it was a desolate region, and at + length the wanderer's heart fainted in him, as he thought of his own home, + with its rich and lovely terraced slopes, green with wheat, trellised with + vines, and clouded with grey olive, and of the cool cisterns of living + water by the gate of which he loved to sing— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'He shall feed me in a green pasture, + And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort'. +</pre> + <p> + His parched longing lips gave utterance to the sigh, 'Oh that one would + give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem that is by the + gate?' + </p> + <p> + Three of his brave men, apparently Abishai, Benaiah, and Eleazar, heard + the wish. Between their mountain fastness and the dearly loved spring lay + the host of the Philistines; but their love for their leader feared no + enemies. It was not only water that he longed for, but the water from the + fountain which he had loved in his childhood. They descended from their + chasm, broke through the midst of the enemy's army, and drew the water + from the favorite spring, bearing it back, once again through the foe, to + the tower upon the rock! Deeply moved was their chief at this act of + self-devotion—so much moved that the water seemed to him to be too + sacred to be put to his own use. 'May God forbid it me that I should do + this thing. Shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives + in jeopardy, for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it?' And as + a hallowed and precious gift, he poured out unto the Lord the water + obtained at the price of such peril to his followers. + </p> + <p> + In later times we meet with another hero, who by his personal qualities + inspired something of the same enthusiastic attachment as did David, and + who met with an adventure somewhat similar, showing the like nobleness of + mind on the part of both leader and followers. + </p> + <p> + It was Alexander of Macedon, whose character as a man, with all its dark + shades of violence, rage, and profanity, has a nobleness and sweetness + that win our hearts, while his greatness rests on a far broader basis than + that of his conquests, though they are unrivalled. No one else so gained + the love of the conquered, had such wide and comprehensive views for the + amelioration of the world, or rose so superior to the prejudice of race; + nor have any ten years left so lasting a trace upon the history of the + world as those of his career. + </p> + <p> + It is not, however, of his victories that we are here to speak, but of his + return march from the banks of the Indus, in BC 326, when he had newly + recovered from the severe wound which he had received under the fig tree, + within the mud wall of the city of the Malli. This expedition was as much + the expedition of a discoverer as the journey of a conqueror: and, at the + mouth of the Indus, he sent his ships to survey the coasts of the Indian + Ocean and Persian Gulf, while he himself marched along the shore of the + province, then called Gedrosia, and now Mekhran. It was a most dismal + tract. Above towered mountains of reddish- brown bare stone, treeless and + without verdure, the scanty grass produced in the summer being burnt up + long before September, the month of his march; and all the slope below was + equally desolate slopes of gravel. The few inhabitants were called by the + Greeks fish-eaters and turtle-eaters, because there was apparently, + nothing else to eat; and their huts were built of turtle shells. + </p> + <p> + The recollections connected with the region were dismal. Semiramis and + Cyrus were each said to have lost an army there through hunger and thirst; + and these foes, the most fatal foes of the invader, began to attack the + Greek host. Nothing but the discipline and all-pervading influence of + Alexander could have borne his army through. Speed was their sole chance; + and through the burning sun, over the arid rock, he stimulated their steps + with his own high spirit of unshrinking endurance, till he had dragged + them through one of the most rapid and extraordinary marches of his + wonderful career. His own share in their privations was fully and freely + taken; and once when, like the rest, he was faint with heat and deadly + thirst, a small quantity of water, won with great fatigue and difficulty, + was brought to him, he esteemed it too precious to be applied to his own + refreshment, but poured it forth as a libation, lest, he said, his + warriors should thirst the more when they saw him drink alone; and, no + doubt, too, because he felt the exceeding value of that which was + purchased by loyal love. A like story is told of Rodolf of Hapsburgh, the + founder of the greatness of Austria, and one of the most open-hearted of + men. A flagon of water was brought to him when his army was suffering from + severe drought. 'I cannot,' he said, 'drink alone, nor can all share so + small a quantity. I do not thirst for myself, but for my whole army.' + </p> + <p> + Yet there have been thirsty lips that have made a still more trying + renunciation. Our own Sir Philip Sidney, riding back, with the mortal hurt + in his broken thigh, from the fight at Zutphen, and giving the draught + from his own lips to the dying man whose necessities were greater than his + own, has long been our proverb for the giver of that self-denying cup of + water that shall by no means lose its reward. + </p> + <p> + A tradition of an act of somewhat the same character survived in a Slesvig + family, now extinct. It was during the wars that ranged from 1652 to 1660, + between Frederick III of Denmark and Charles Gustavus of Sweden, that, + after a battle, in which the victory had remained with the Danes, a stout + burgher of Flensborg was about to refresh himself, ere retiring to have + his wounds dressed, with a draught of beer from a wooden bottle, when an + imploring cry from a wounded Swede, lying on the field, made him turn, + and, with the very words of Sidney, 'Thy need is greater than mine,' he + knelt down by the fallen enemy, to pour the liquor into his mouth. His + requital was a pistol shot in the shoulder from the treacherous Swede. + 'Rascal,' he cried, 'I would have befriended you, and you would murder me + in return! Now I will punish you. I would have given you the whole bottle; + but now you shall have only half.' And drinking off half himself, he gave + the rest to the Swede. The king, hearing the story, sent for the burgher, + and asked him how he came to spare the life of such a rascal. + </p> + <p> + 'Sire,' said the honest burgher, 'I could never kill a wounded enemy.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thou meritest to be a noble,' the king said, and created him one + immediately, giving him as armorial bearings a wooden bottle pierced with + an arrow! The family only lately became extinct in the person of an old + maiden lady. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW ONE MAN HAS SAVED A HOST + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 507 + </h3> + <p> + There have been times when the devotion of one man has been the saving of + an army. Such, according to old Roman story, was the feat of Horatius + Cocles. It was in the year B.C. 507, not long after the kings had been + expelled from Rome, when they were endeavoring to return by the aid of the + Etruscans. Lars Porsena, one of the great Etruscan chieftains, had taken + up the cause of the banished Tarquinius Superbus and his son Sextus, and + gathered all his forces together, to advance upon the city of Rome. The + great walls, of old Etrurian architecture, had probably already risen + round the growing town, and all the people came flocking in from the + country for shelter there; but the Tiber was the best defense, and it was + only crossed by one wooden bridge, and the farther side of that was + guarded by a fort, called the Janiculum. But the vanguards of the + overwhelming Etruscan army soon took the fort, and then, in the gallant + words of Lord Macaulay's ballad,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Thus in all the Senate + There was no heart so bold + But sore it ached, and fast it beat, + When that ill news was told. + Forthwith uprose the Consul, + Up rose the Fathers all, + In haste they girded up their gowns, + And hied them to the wall. + + 'They held a council standing + Before the River Gate: + Short time was there, ye well may guess, + For musing or debate. + Out spoke the Consul roundly, + 'The bridge must straight go down, + For, since Janiculum is lost, + Nought else can save the town.' + + 'Just then a scout came flying, + All wild with haste and fear: + 'To arms! To arms! Sir Consul, + Lars Porsena is here.' + On the low hills to westward + The Consul fixed his eye, + And saw the swarthy storm of dust + Rise fast along the sky. + + ................. + + 'But the Consul's brow was sad, + And the Consul's speech was low, + And darkly looked he at the wall, + And darkly at the foe. + 'Their van will be upon us + Before the bridge goes down; + And if they once may win the bridge + What hope to save the town?' + + 'Then out spoke brave Horatius, + The Captain of the Gate, + 'To every man upon this earth + Death cometh soon or late; + And how can man die better + Than facing fearful odds, + For the ashes of his fathers, + And the temples of his gods? + + 'And for the tender mother + Who dandled him to rest, + And for the wife who nurses + His baby at her breast? + And for the holy maidens + Who feed the eternal flame, + To save them from false Sextus, + That wrought the deed of shame? + + 'Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, + With all the speed ye may, + I, with two more to help me, + Will hold the foe in play. + In yon strait path a thousand + May well be stopp'd by three: + Now who will stand on either hand, + And keep the bridge with me?' + + 'Then out spake Spurius Lartius, + A Ramnian proud was he, + 'Lo, I will stand at thy right hand, + And keep the bridge with thee.' + And out spake strong Herminius, + Of Titian blood was he, + 'I will abide on thy left side, + And keep the bridge with thee.' +</pre> + <p> + So forth went these three brave men, Horatius, the Consul's nephew, + Spurius Lartius, and Titus Herminius, to guard the bridge at the farther + end, while all the rest of the warriors were breaking down the timbers + behind them. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'And Fathers mixed with commons, + Seized hatchet, bar, and crow, + And smote upon the planks above, + And loosen'd them below. + 'Meanwhile the Tuscan army, + Right glorious to behold, + Came flashing back the noonday light, + Rank behind rank, like surges bright, + Of a broad sea of gold. + Four hundred trumpets sounded + A peal of warlike glee, + As that great host, with measured tread, + And spears advanced, and ensigns spread, + Roll'd slowly towards the bridge's head, + Where stood the dauntless three. + + 'The three stood calm and silent, + And look'd upon the foes, + And a great shout of laughter + From all the vanguard rose.' +</pre> + <p> + They laughed to see three men standing to meet the whole army; but it was + so narrow a space, that no more than three enemies could attack them at + once, and it was not easy to match them. Foe after foe came forth against + them, and went down before their swords and spears, till at last— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Was none that would be foremost + To lead such dire attack; + But those behind cried 'Forward!' + And those before cried 'Back!' +</pre> + <p> + .................. + </p> + <p> + However, the supports of the bridge had been destroyed. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'But meanwhile axe and lever + Have manfully been plied, + And now the bridge hangs tottering + Above the boiling tide. + 'Come back, come back, Horatius!' + Loud cried the Fathers all; + 'Back, Lartius! Back, Herminius! + Back, ere the ruin fall!' + + 'Back darted Spurius Lartius, + Herminius darted back; + And as they passed, beneath their feet + They felt the timbers crack; + But when they turn'd their faces, + And on the farther shore + Saw brave Horatius stand alone, + They would have cross'd once more. + + 'But with a crash like thunder + Fell every loosen'd beam, + And, like a dam, the mighty wreck + Lay right athwart the stream; + And a long shout of triumph + Rose from the walls of Rome, + As to the highest turret-tops + Was splashed the yellow foam.' +</pre> + <p> + The one last champion, behind a rampart of dead enemies, remained till the + destruction was complete. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Alone stood brave Horatius, + But constant still in mind, + Thrice thirty thousand foes before + And the broad flood behind.' +</pre> + <p> + A dart had put out one eye, he was wounded in the thigh, and his work was + done. He turned round, and— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Saw on Palatinus, + The white porch of his home, + And he spake to the noble river + That rolls by the walls of Rome: + 'O Tiber! father Tiber! + To whom the Romans pray, + A Roman's life, a Roman's arms + Take thou in charge this day.' +</pre> + <p> + And with this brief prayer he leapt into the foaming stream. Polybius was + told that he was there drowned; but Livy gives the version which the + ballad follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'But fiercely ran the current, + Swollen high by months of rain, + And fast his blood was flowing, + And he was sore in pain, + And heavy with his armor, + And spent with changing blows, + And oft they thought him sinking, + But still again he rose. + + 'Never, I ween, did swimmer, + In such an evil case, + Struggle through such a raging flood + Safe to the landing place. + But his limbs were borne up bravely + By the brave heart within, + And our good father Tiber + Bare bravely up his chin. + + ................. + + 'And now he feels the bottom, + Now on dry earth he stands, + Now round him throng the Fathers, + To press his gory hands. + And now with shouts and clapping, + And noise of weeping loud, + He enters through the River Gate, + Borne by the joyous crowd. + + 'They gave him of the corn land, + That was of public right, + As much as two strong oxen + Could plough from morn to night. + And they made a molten image, + And set it up on high, + And there it stands unto this day, + To witness if I lie. + + 'It stands in the Comitium, + Plain for all folk to see, + Horatius in his harness, + Halting upon his knee: + And underneath is written, + In letters all of gold, + How valiantly he kept the bridge + In the brave days of old.' +</pre> + <p> + Never was more honorable surname than his, of Cocles, or the one-eyed; and + though his lameness prevented him from ever being a Consul, or leading an + army, he was so much beloved and honored by his fellow citizens, that in + the time of a famine each Roman, to the number of 300,000, brought him a + day's food, lest he should suffer want. The statue was shown even in the + time of Pliny, 600 years afterwards, and was probably only destroyed when + Rome was sacked by the barbarians. + </p> + <p> + Nor was the Roman bridge the only one that has been defended by one man + against a host. In our own country, Stamford Bridge was, in like manner, + guarded by a single brave Northman, after the battle fought A.D. 1066, + when Earl Tostig, the son of Godwin, had persuaded the gallant sea king, + Harald Hardrada, to come and invade England. The chosen English king, + Harold, had marched at full speed from Sussex to Yorkshire, and met the + invaders marching at their ease, without expecting any enemy, and wearing + no defensive armor, as they went forth to receive the keys of the city of + York. The battle was fought by the Norsemen in the full certainty that it + must be lost. The banner, 'Landwaster', was planted in the midst; and the + king, chanting his last song, like the minstrel warrior he had always + been, stood, with his bravest men, in a death ring around it. There he + died, and his choicest warriors with him; but many more fled back towards + the ships, rushing over the few planks that were the only way across the + River Ouse. And here stood their defender, alone upon the bridge, keeping + back the whole pursuing English army, who could only attack him one at a + time; until, with shame be it spoken, he died by a cowardly blow by an + enemy, who had crept down the bank of the river, and under the bridge, + through the openings between the timbers of which he thrust up his spear, + and thus was able to hurl the brave Northman into the river, mortally + wounded, but not till great numbers of his countrymen had reached their + ships, their lives saved by his gallantry. + </p> + <p> + In like manner, Robert Bruce, in the time of his wanderings, during the + year 1306, saved his whole band by his sole exertions. He had been + defeated by the forces of Edward I. at Methven, and had lost many of his + friends. His little army went wandering among the hills, sometimes + encamping in the woods, sometimes crossing the lakes in small boats. Many + ladies were among them, and their summer life had some wild charms of + romance; as the knightly huntsmen brought in the salmon, the roe, and the + deer that formed their food, and the ladies gathered the flowering + heather, over which soft skins were laid for their bedding. Sir James + Douglas was the most courtly and graceful knight of all the party, and + ever kept them enlivened by his gay temper and ready wit; and the king + himself cherished a few precious romances, which he used to read aloud to + his followers as they rested in their mountain home. + </p> + <p> + But their bitter foe, the Lord of Lorn, was always in pursuit of them, + and, near the head of the Tay, he came upon the small army of 300 men with + 1000 Highlanders, armed with Lochaber axes, at a place which is still + called Dalry, or the King's Field. Many of the horses were killed by the + axes; and James Douglas and Gilbert de la Haye were both wounded. All + would have been slain or fallen into the hand of the enemy, if Robert + Bruce had not sent them all on before him, up a narrow, steep path, and + placed himself, with his armor and heavy horse, full in the path, + protecting the retreat with his single arm. It was true, that so tall and + powerful a man, sheathed in armor and on horseback, had a great advantage + against the wild Highlanders, who only wore a shirt and a plaid, with a + round target upon the arm; but they were lithe, active, light-footed men, + able to climb like goats on the crags around him, and holding their lives + as cheaply as he did. + </p> + <p> + Lorn, watching him from a distance, was struck with amazement, and + exclaimed, 'Methinks, Marthokson, he resembles Gol Mak Morn protecting his + followers from Fingal;' thus comparing him to one the most brilliant + champions a Highland imagination could conceive. At last, three men, named + M'Androsser, rushed forward, resolved to free their chief from this + formidable enemy. There was a lake on one side, and a precipice on the + other, and the king had hardly space to manage his horse, when all three + sprang on him at once. One snatched his bridle, one caught him by the + stirrup and leg, and a third leaped from a rising ground and seated + himself behind him on his horse. The first lost his arm by one sweep of + the king's sword; the second was overthrown and trampled on; and the last, + by a desperate struggle, was dashed down, and his skull cleft by the + king's sword; but his dying grasp was so tight upon the plaid that Bruce + was forced to unclasp the brooch that secured it, and leave both in the + dead man's hold. It was long preserved by the Macdougals of Lorn, as a + trophy of the narrow escape of their enemy. + </p> + <p> + Nor must we leave Robert the Bruce without mentioning that other Golden + Deed, more truly noble because more full of mercy; namely, his halting his + little army in full retreat in Ireland in the face of the English host + under Roger Mortimer, that proper care and attendance might be given to + one sick and suffering washerwoman and her new-born babe. Well may his old + Scotch rhyming chronicler remark:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'This was a full great courtesy + That swilk a king and so mighty, + Gert his men dwell on this manner, + But for a poor lavender.' +</pre> + <p> + We have seen how the sturdy Roman fought for his city, the fierce Northman + died to guard his comrades' rush to their ships after the lost battle, and + how the mail-clad knightly Bruce periled himself to secure the retreat of + his friends. Here is one more instance, from far more modern times, of a + soldier, whose willing sacrifice of his own life was the safety of a whole + army. It was in the course of the long dismal conflict between Frederick + the Great of Prussia and Maria Theresa of Austria, which was called the + Seven Years' War. Louis XV. of France had taken the part of Austria, and + had sent an army into Germany in the autumn of 1760. From this the Marquis + de Castries had been dispatched, with 25,000 men, towards Rheinberg, and + had taken up a strong position at Klostercamp. On the night of the 15th of + October, a young officer, called the Chevalier d'Assas, of the Auvergne + regiment, was sent out to reconnoitre, and advanced alone into a wood, at + some little distance from his men. Suddenly he found himself surrounded by + a number of soldiers, whose bayonets pricked his breast, and a voice + whispered in his ear, 'Make the slightest noise, and you are a dead man!' + In one moment he understood it all. The enemy were advancing, to surprise + the French army, and would be upon them when night was further advanced. + That moment decided his fate. He shouted, as loud as his voice would carry + the words, 'Here, Auvergne! Here are the enemy!' By the time the cry + reached the ears of his men, their captain was a senseless corpse; but his + death had saved the army; the surprise had failed, and the enemy + retreated. + </p> + <p> + Louis XV was too mean-spirited and selfish to feel the beauty of this + brave action; but when, fourteen years later, Louis XVI came to the + throne, he decreed that a pension should be given to the family as long as + a male representative remained to bear the name of D'Assas. Poor Louis XVI + had not long the control of the treasure of France; but a century of + changes, wars, and revolutions has not blotted out the memory of the + self-devotion of the chevalier; for, among the new war-steamers of the + French fleet, there is one that bears the ever-honored name of D'Assas. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PASS OF THERMOPYLAE + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 430 + </h3> + <p> + There was trembling in Greece. 'The Great King', as the Greeks called the + chief potentate of the East, whose domains stretched from the Indian + Caucasus to the Aegaeus, from the Caspian to the Red Sea, was marshalling + his forces against the little free states that nestled amid the rocks and + gulfs of the Eastern Mediterranean. Already had his might devoured the + cherished colonies of the Greeks on the eastern shore of the Archipelago, + and every traitor to home institutions found a ready asylum at that + despotic court, and tried to revenge his own wrongs by whispering + incitements to invasion. 'All people, nations, and languages,' was the + commencement of the decrees of that monarch's court; and it was scarcely a + vain boast, for his satraps ruled over subject kingdoms, and among his + tributary nations he counted the Chaldean, with his learning and old + civilization, the wise and steadfast Jew, the skilful Phoenician, the + learned Egyptian, the wild, free-booting Arab of the desert, the + dark-skinned Ethiopian, and over all these ruled the keen-witted, active + native Persian race, the conquerors of all the rest, and led by a chosen + band proudly called the Immortal. His many capitals—Babylon the + great, Susa, Persepolis, and the like—were names of dreamy splendor + to the Greeks, described now and then by Ionians from Asia Minor who had + carried their tribute to the king's own feet, or by courtier slaves who + had escaped with difficulty from being all too serviceable at the tyrannic + court. And the lord of this enormous empire was about to launch his + countless host against the little cluster of states, the whole of which + together would hardly equal one province of the huge Asiatic realm! + Moreover, it was a war not only on the men but on their gods. The Persians + were zealous adorers of the sun and of fire, they abhorred the idol + worship of the Greeks, and defiled and plundered every temple that fell in + their way. Death and desolation were almost the best that could be looked + for at such hands—slavery and torture from cruelly barbarous masters + would only too surely be the lot of numbers, should their land fall a prey + to the conquerors. + </p> + <p> + True it was that ten years back the former Great King had sent his best + troops to be signally defeated upon the coast of Attica; but the losses at + Marathon had but stimulated the Persian lust of conquest, and the new King + Xerxes was gathering together such myriads of men as should crush down the + Greeks and overrun their country by mere force of numbers. + </p> + <p> + The muster place was at Sardis, and there Greek spies had seen the + multitudes assembling and the state and magnificence of the king's + attendants. Envoys had come from him to demand earth and water from each + state in Greece, as emblems that land and sea were his, but each state was + resolved to be free, and only Thessaly, that which lay first in his path, + consented to yield the token of subjugation. A council was held at the + Isthmus of Corinth, and attended by deputies from all the states of Greece + to consider of the best means of defense. The ships of the enemy would + coast round the shores of the Aegean sea, the land army would cross the + Hellespont on a bridge of boats lashed together, and march southwards into + Greece. The only hope of averting the danger lay in defending such + passages as, from the nature of the ground, were so narrow that only a few + persons could fight hand to hand at once, so that courage would be of more + avail than numbers. + </p> + <p> + The first of all these passes was called Tempe, and a body of troops was + sent to guard it; but they found that this was useless and impossible, and + came back again. The next was at Thermopylae. Look in your map of the + Archipelago, or Aegean Sea, as it was then called, for the great island of + Negropont, or by its old name, Euboea. It looks like a piece broken off + from the coast, and to the north is shaped like the head of a bird, with + the beak running into a gulf, that would fit over it, upon the main land, + and between the island and the coast is an exceedingly narrow strait. The + Persian army would have to march round the edge of the gulf. They could + not cut straight across the country, because the ridge of mountains called + Ceta rose up and barred their way. Indeed, the woods, rocks, and + precipices came down so near the seashore, that in two places there was + only room for one single wheel track between the steeps and the impassable + morass that formed the border of the gulf on its south side. These two + very narrow places were called the gates of the pass, and were about a + mile apart. There was a little more width left in the intervening space; + but in this there were a number of springs of warm mineral water, salt and + sulphurous, which were used for the sick to bathe in, and thus the place + was called Thermopylae, or the Hot Gates. A wall had once been built + across the western-most of these narrow places, when the Thessalians and + Phocians, who lived on either side of it, had been at war with one + another; but it had been allowed to go to decay, since the Phocians had + found out that there was a very steep narrow mountain path along the bed + of a torrent, by which it was possible to cross from one territory to the + other without going round this marshy coast road. + </p> + <p> + This was, therefore, an excellent place to defend. The Greek ships were + all drawn up on the farther side of Euboea to prevent the Persian vessels + from getting into the strait and landing men beyond the pass, and a + division of the army was sent off to guard the Hot Gates. The council at + the Isthmus did not know of the mountain pathway, and thought that all + would be safe as long as the Persians were kept out of the coast path. + </p> + <p> + The troops sent for this purpose were from different cities, and amounted + to about 4,000, who were to keep the pass against two millions. The leader + of them was Leonidas, who had newly become one of the two kings of Sparta, + the city that above all in Greece trained its sons to be hardy soldiers, + dreading death infinitely less than shame. Leonidas had already made up + his mind that the expedition would probably be his death, perhaps because + a prophecy had been given at the Temple of Delphi that Sparta should be + saved by the death of one of her kings of the race of Hercules. He was + allowed by law to take with him 300 men, and these he chose most + carefully, not merely for their strength and courage, but selecting those + who had sons, so that no family might be altogether destroyed. These + Spartans, with their helots or slaves, made up his own share of the + numbers, but all the army was under his generalship. It is even said that + the 300 celebrated their own funeral rites before they set out, lest they + should be deprived of them by the enemy, since, as we have already seen, + it was the Greek belief that the spirits of the dead found no rest till + their obsequies had been performed. Such preparations did not daunt the + spirits of Leonidas and his men, and his wife, Gorgo, who was not a woman + to be faint-hearted or hold him back. Long before, when she was a very + little girl, a word of hers had saved her father from listening to a + traitorous message from the King of Persia; and every Spartan lady was + bred up to be able to say to those she best loved that they must come home + from battle 'with the shield or on it'—either carrying it + victoriously or borne upon it as a corpse. + </p> + <p> + When Leonidas came to Thermopylae, the Phocians told him of the mountain + path through the chestnut woods of Mount Ceta, and begged to have the + privilege of guarding it on a spot high up on the mountain side, assuring + him that it was very hard to find at the other end, and that there was + every probability that the enemy would never discover it. He consented, + and encamping around the warm springs, caused the broken wall to be + repaired, and made ready to meet the foe. + </p> + <p> + The Persian army were seen covering the whole country like locusts, and + the hearts of some of the southern Greeks in the pass began to sink. Their + homes in the Peloponnesus were comparatively secure—had they not + better fall back and reserve themselves to defend the Isthmus of Corinth? + But Leonidas, though Sparta was safe below the Isthmus, had no intention + of abandoning his northern allies, and kept the other Peloponnesians to + their posts, only sending messengers for further help. + </p> + <p> + Presently a Persian on horseback rode up to reconnoitre the pass. He could + not see over the wall, but in front of it, and on the ramparts, he saw the + Spartans, some of them engaged in active sports, and others in combing + their long hair. He rode back to the king, and told him what he had seen. + Now, Xerxes had in his camp an exiled Spartan Prince, named Demaratus, who + had become a traitor to his country, and was serving as counsellor to the + enemy. Xerxes sent for him, and asked whether his countrymen were mad to + be thus employed instead of fleeing away; but Demaratus made answer that a + hard fight was no doubt in preparation, and that it was the custom of the + Spartans to array their hair with special care when they were about to + enter upon any great peril. Xerxes would, however, not believe that so + petty a force could intend to resist him, and waited four days, probably + expecting his fleet to assist him, but as it did not appear, the attack + was made. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks, stronger men and more heavily armed, were far better able to + fight to advantage than the Persians, with their short spears and wicker + shields, and beat them off with great ease. It is said that Xerxes three + times leapt off his throne in despair at the sight of his troops being + driven backwards; and thus for two days it seemed as easy to force a way + through the Spartans as through the rocks themselves. Nay, how could + slavish troops, dragged from home to spread the victories of an ambitious + king, fight like freemen who felt that their strokes were to defend their + homes and children! + </p> + <p> + But on that evening a wretched man, named Ephialtes, crept into the + Persian camp, and offered, for a great sum of money, to show the mountain + path that would enable the enemy to take the brave defenders in the rear! + A Persian general, named Hydarnes, was sent off at nightfall with a + detachment to secure this passage, and was guided through the thick + forests that clothed the hillside. In the stillness of the air, at + daybreak, the Phocian guards of the path were startled by the crackling of + the chestnut leaves under the tread of many feet. They started up, but a + shower of arrows was discharged on them, and forgetting all save the + present alarm, they fled to a higher part of the mountain, and the enemy, + without waiting to pursue them, began to descend. + </p> + <p> + As day dawned, morning light showed the watchers of the Grecian camp below + a glittering and shimmering in the torrent bed where the shaggy forests + opened; but it was not the sparkle of water, but the shine of gilded + helmets and the gleaming of silvered spears! Moreover, a Cimmerian crept + over to the wall from the Persian camp with tidings that the path had been + betrayed, that the enemy were climbing it, and would come down beyond the + Eastern Gate. Still, the way was rugged and circuitous, the Persians would + hardly descend before midday, and there was ample time for the Greeks to + escape before they could be shut in by the enemy. + </p> + <p> + There was a short council held over the morning sacrifice. Megistias, the + seer, on inspecting the entrails of the slain victim, declared, as well he + might, that their appearance boded disaster. Him Leonidas ordered to + retire, but he refused, though he sent home his only son. There was no + disgrace to an ordinary tone of mind in leaving a post that could not be + held, and Leonidas recommended all the allied troops under his command to + march away while yet the way was open. As to himself and his Spartans, + they had made up their minds to die at their post, and there could be no + doubt that the example of such a resolution would do more to save Greece + than their best efforts could ever do if they were careful to reserve + themselves for another occasion. + </p> + <p> + All the allies consented to retreat, except the eighty men who came from + Mycenae and the 700 Thespians, who declared that they would not desert + Leonidas. There were also 400 Thebans who remained; and thus the whole + number that stayed with Leonidas to confront two million of enemies were + fourteen hundred warriors, besides the helots or attendants on the 300 + Spartans, whose number is not known, but there was probably at least one + to each. Leonidas had two kinsmen in the camp, like himself, claiming the + blood of Hercules, and he tried to save them by giving them letters and + messages to Sparta; but one answered that 'he had come to fight, not to + carry letters'; and the other, that 'his deeds would tell all that Sparta + wished to know'. Another Spartan, named Dienices, when told that the + enemy's archers were so numerous that their arrows darkened the sun, + replied, 'So much the better, we shall fight in the shade.' Two of the 300 + had been sent to a neighboring village, suffering severely from a + complaint in the eyes. One of them, called Eurytus, put on his armor, and + commanded his helot to lead him to his place in the ranks; the other, + called Aristodemus, was so overpowered with illness that he allowed + himself to be carried away with the retreating allies. It was still early + in the day when all were gone, and Leonidas gave the word to his men to + take their last meal. 'To-night,' he said, 'we shall sup with Pluto.' + </p> + <p> + Hitherto, he had stood on the defensive, and had husbanded the lives of + his men; but he now desired to make as great a slaughter as possible, so + as to inspire the enemy with dread of the Grecian name. He therefore + marched out beyond the wall, without waiting to be attacked, and the + battle began. The Persian captains went behind their wretched troops and + scourged them on to the fight with whips! Poor wretches, they were driven + on to be slaughtered, pierced with the Greek spears, hurled into the sea, + or trampled into the mud of the morass; but their inexhaustible numbers + told at length. The spears of the Greeks broke under hard service, and + their swords alone remained; they began to fall, and Leonidas himself was + among the first of the slain. Hotter than ever was the fight over his + corpse, and two Persian princes, brothers of Xerxes, were there killed; + but at length word was brought that Hydarnes was over the pass, and that + the few remaining men were thus enclosed on all sides. The Spartans and + Thespians made their way to a little hillock within the wall, resolved to + let this be the place of their last stand; but the hearts of the Thebans + failed them, and they came towards the Persians holding out their hands in + entreaty for mercy. Quarter was given to them, but they were all branded + with the king's mark as untrustworthy deserters. The helots probably at + this time escaped into the mountains; while the small desperate band stood + side by side on the hill still fighting to the last, some with swords, + others with daggers, others even with their hands and teeth, till not one + living man remained amongst them when the sun went down. There was only a + mound of slain, bristled over with arrows. + </p> + <p> + Twenty thousand Persians had died before that handful of men! Xerxes asked + Demaratus if there were many more at Sparta like these, and was told there + were 8,000. It must have been with a somewhat failing heart that he + invited his courtiers from the fleet to see what he had done to the men + who dared to oppose him! and showed them the head and arm of Leonidas set + up upon a cross; but he took care that all his own slain, except 1,000, + should first be put out of sight. The body of the brave king was buried + where he fell, as were those of the other dead. Much envied were they by + the unhappy Aristodemus, who found himself called by no name but the + 'Coward', and was shunned by all his fellow-citizens. No one would give + him fire or water, and after a year of misery, he redeemed his honor by + perishing in the forefront of the battle of Plataea, which was the last + blow that drove the Persians ingloriously from Greece. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks then united in doing honor to the brave warriors who, had they + been better supported, might have saved the whole country from invasion. + The poet Simonides wrote the inscriptions that were engraved upon the + pillars that were set up in the pass to commemorate this great action. One + was outside the wall, where most of the fighting had been. It seems to + have been in honor of the whole number who had for two days resisted— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Here did four thousand men from Pelops' land + Against three hundred myriads bravely stand'. +</pre> + <p> + In honor of the Spartans was another column— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Go, traveler, to Sparta tell + That here, obeying her, we fell'. +</pre> + <p> + On the little hillock of the last resistance was placed the figure of a + stone lion, in memory of Leonidas, so fitly named the lion-like, and + Simonides, at his own expense, erected a pillar to his friend, the seer + Megistias— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The great Megistias' tomb you here may view, + Who slew the Medes, fresh from Spercheius fords; + Well the wise seer the coming death foreknew, + Yet scorn'd he to forsake his Spartan lords'. +</pre> + <p> + The names of the 300 were likewise engraven on a pillar at Sparta. + </p> + <p> + Lions, pillars, and inscriptions have all long since passed away, even the + very spot itself has changed; new soil has been formed, and there are + miles of solid ground between Mount Ceta and the gulf, so that the Hot + Gates no longer exist. But more enduring than stone or brass—nay, + than the very battlefield itself—has been the name of Leonidas. Two + thousand three hundred years have sped since he braced himself to perish + for his country's sake in that narrow, marshy coast road, under the brow + of the wooded crags, with the sea by his side. Since that time how many + hearts have glowed, how many arms have been nerved at the remembrance of + the Pass of Thermopylae, and the defeat that was worth so much more than a + victory! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE ROCK OF THE CAPITOL + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 389 + </h3> + <p> + The city of Rome was gradually rising on the banks of the Tiber, and every + year was adding to its temples and public buildings. + </p> + <p> + Every citizen loved his city and her greatness above all else. There was + as yet little wealth among them; the richest owned little more than a few + acres, which they cultivated themselves by the help of their families, and + sometimes of a few slaves, and the beautiful Campagna di Roma, girt in by + hills looking like amethysts in the distance, had not then become almost + uninhabitable from pestilential air, but was rich and fertile, full of + highly cultivated small farms, where corn was raised in furrows made by a + small hand plough, and herds of sheep, goats, and oxen browsed in the + pasture lands. The owners of these lands would on public days take off + their rude working dress and broad-brimmed straw hat, and putting on the + white toga with a purple hem, would enter the city, and go to the valley + called the Forum or Marketplace to give their votes for the officers of + state who were elected every year; especially the two consuls, who were + like kings all but the crown, wore purple togas richly embroidered, sat on + ivory chairs, and were followed by lictors carrying an axe in a bundle of + rods for the execution of justice. In their own chamber sat the Senate, + the great council composed of the patricians, or citizens of highest + birth, and of those who had formerly been consuls. They decided on peace + or war, and made the laws, and were the real governors of the State, and + their grave dignity made a great impression on all who came near them. + Above the buildings of the city rose steep and high the Capitoline Hill, + with the Temple of Jupiter on its summit, and the strong wall in which was + the chief stronghold and citadel of Rome, the Capitol, the very centre of + her strength and resolution. When a war was decided on, every citizen + capable of bearing arms was called into the Forum, bringing his helmet, + breast plate, short sword, and heavy spear, and the officers called + tribunes, chose out a sufficient number, who were formed into bodies + called legions, and marched to battle under the command of one of the + consuls. Many little States or Italian tribes, who had nearly the same + customs as Rome, surrounded the Campagna, and so many disputes arose that + every year, as soon as the crops were saved, the armies marched out, the + flocks were driven to folds on the hills, the women and children were + placed in the walled cities, and a battle was fought, sometimes followed + up by the siege of the city of the defeated. The Romans did not always + obtain the victory, but there was a staunchness about them that was sure + to prevail in the long run; if beaten one year, they came back to the + charge the next, and thus they gradually mastered one of their neighbors + after another, and spread their dominion over the central part of Italy. + </p> + <p> + They were well used to Italian and Etruscan ways of making war, but after + nearly 400 years of this kind of fighting, a stranger and wilder enemy + came upon them. These were the Gauls, a tall strong, brave people, long + limbed and red-haired, of the same race as the highlanders of Scotland. + They had gradually spread themselves over the middle of Europe, and had + for some generations past lived among the Alpine mountains, whence they + used to come down upon the rich plans of northern Italy for forays, in + which they slew and burnt, and drove off cattle, and now and then, when a + country was quite depopulated, would settle themselves in it. And thus, + the Gauls conquering from the north and the Romans from the south, these + two fierce nations at length came against one another. + </p> + <p> + The old Roman story is that it happened thus: The Gauls had an unusually + able leader, whom Latin historians call Brennus, but whose real name was + most likely Bran, and who is said to have come out of Britain. He had + brought a great host of Gauls to attack Clusium, a Tuscan city, and the + inhabitants sent to Rome to entreat succor. Three ambassadors, brothers of + the noble old family of Fabius, were sent from Rome to intercede for the + Clusians. They asked Brennus what harm the men of Clusium had done the + Gauls, that they thus made war on them, and, according to Plutarch's + account, Brennus made answer that the injury was that the Clusians + possessed land that the Gauls wanted, remarking that it was exactly the + way in which the Romans themselves treated their neighbors, adding, + however, that this was neither cruel nor unjust, but according— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'To the good old plan +That they should take who have the power And they should keep who can.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Footnote: These lines of Wordsworth on Rob Roy's grave + almost literally translate the speech Plutarch gives the + first Kelt of history, Brennus.] +</pre> + <p> + The Fabii, on receiving this answer, were so foolish as to transgress the + rule, owned by the savage Gauls, that an ambassador should neither fight + nor be fought with; they joined the Clusians, and one brother, named + Quintus, killed a remarkably large and tall Gallic chief in single combat. + Brennus was justly enraged, and sent messengers to Rome to demand that the + brothers should be given up to him for punishment. The priests and many of + the Senate held that the rash young men had deserved death as + covenant-breakers; but their father made strong interest for them, and + prevailed not only to have them spared, but even chosen as tribunes to + lead the legions in the war that was expected. [Footnote: These events + happened during an experiment made by the Romans of having six military + tribunes instead of two consuls.] Thus he persuaded the whole nation to + take on itself the guilt of his sons, a want of true self-devotion + uncommon among the old Romans, and which was severely punished. + </p> + <p> + The Gauls were much enraged, and hurried southwards, not waiting for + plunder by the way, but declaring that they were friends to every State + save Rome. The Romans on their side collected their troops in haste, but + with a lurking sense of having transgressed; and since they had gainsaid + the counsel of their priests, they durst not have recourse to the + sacrifices and ceremonies by which they usually sought to gain the favor + of their gods. Even among heathens, the saying has often been verified, 'a + sinful heart makes failing hand', and the battle on the banks of the River + Allia, about eleven miles from Rome, was not so much a fight as a rout. + The Roman soldiers were ill drawn up, and were at once broken. Some fled + to Veii and other towns, many were drowned in crossing the Tiber, and it + was but a few who showed in Rome their shame-stricken faces, and brought + word that the Gauls were upon them. + </p> + <p> + Had the Gauls been really in pursuit, the Roman name and nation would have + perished under their swords; but they spent three day in feasting and + sharing their plunder, and thus gave the Romans time to take measures for + the safety of such as could yet escape. There seems to have been no notion + of defending the city, the soldiers had been too much dispersed; but all + who still remained and could call up something of their ordinary courage, + carried all the provisions they could collect into the stronghold of the + Capitol, and resolved to hold out there till the last, in hopes that the + scattered army might muster again, or that the Gauls might retreat, after + having revenged themselves on the city. Everyone who could not fight, took + flight, taking with them all they could carry, and among them went the + white-clad troop of vestal virgins, carrying with them their censer of + fire, which was esteemed sacred, and never allowed to be extinguished. A + man named Albinus, who saw these sacred women footsore, weary, and + weighted down with the treasures of their temple, removed his own family + and goods from his cart and seated them in it—an act of reverence + for which he was much esteemed—and thus they reached the city of + Cumae. The only persons left in Rome outside the Capitol were eighty of + the oldest senators and some of the priests. Some were too feeble to fly, + and would not come into the Capitol to consume the food that might + maintain fighting men; but most of them were filled with a deep, solemn + thought that, by offering themselves to the weapons of the barbarians, + they might atone for the sin sanctioned by the Republic, and that their + death might be the saving of the nation. This notion that the death of a + ruler would expiate a country's guilt was one of the strange presages + abroad in the heathen world of that which alone takes away the sin of all + mankind. + </p> + <p> + On came the Gauls at last. The gates stood open, the streets were silent, + the houses' low-browed doors showed no one in the paved courts. No living + man was to be seen, till at last, hurrying down the steep empty streets, + they reached the great open space of the Forum, and there they stood still + in amazement, for ranged along a gallery were a row of ivory chairs, and + in each chair sat the figure of a white-haired, white- bearded man, with + arms and legs bare, and robes either of snowy white, white bordered with + purple, or purple richly embroidered, ivory staves in their hands, and + majestic, unmoved countenances. So motionless were they, that the Gauls + stood still, not knowing whether they beheld men or statues. A wondrous + scene it must have been, as the brawny, red-haired Gauls, with freckled + visage, keen little eyes, long broad sword, and wide plaid garment, + fashioned into loose trousers, came curiously down into the marketplace, + one after another; and each stood silent and transfixed at the spectacle + of those grand figures, still unmoving, save that their large full liquid + dark eyes showed them to be living beings. Surely these Gauls deemed + themselves in the presence of that council of kings who were sometimes + supposed to govern Rome, nay, if they were not before the gods themselves. + At last, one Gaul, ruder, or more curious than the rest, came up to one of + the venerable figures, and, to make proof whether he were flesh and blood, + stroked his beard. Such an insult from an uncouth barbarian was more than + Roman blood could brook, and the Gaul soon had his doubt satisfied by a + sharp blow on the head from the ivory staff. All reverence was dispelled + by that stroke; it was at once returned by a death thrust, and the fury of + the savages wakening in proportion to the awe that had at first struck + them, they rushed on the old senators, and slew each one in his curule + chair. + </p> + <p> + Then they dispersed through the city, burning, plundering, and destroying. + To take the Capitol they soon found to be beyond their power, but they + hoped to starve the defenders out; and in the meantime they spent their + time in pulling down the outer walls, and such houses and temples as had + resisted the fire, till the defenders of the Capitol looked down from + their height on nothing but desolate black burnt ground, with a few heaps + of ruins in the midst, and the barbarians roaming about in it, and driving + in the cattle that their foraging parties collected from the country + round. There was much earnest faith in their own religion among the + Romans: they took all this ruin as the just reward of their shelter of the + Fabii, and even in their extremity were resolved not to transgress any + sacred rule. Though food daily became more scarce and starvation was fast + approaching, not one of the sacred geese that were kept in Juno's Temple + was touched; and one Fabius Dorso, who believed that the household gods of + his family required yearly a sacrifice on their own festival day on the + Quirinal Hill, arrayed himself in the white robes of a sacrificer, took + his sacred images in his arms, and went out of the Capitol, through the + midst of the enemy, through the ruins to the accustomed alter, and there + preformed the regular rites. The Gauls, seeing that it was a religious + ceremony, let him pass through them untouched, and he returned in safety; + but Brennus was resolved on completing his conquest, and while half his + forces went out to plunder, he remained with the other half, watching the + moment to effect an entrance into the Capitol; and how were the defenders, + worn out with hunger, to resist without relief from without? And who was + there to bring relief to them, who were themselves the Roman State and + government? + </p> + <p> + Now there was a citizen, named Marcus Furius Camillus, who was, without + question, at that time, the first soldier of Rome, and had taken several + of the chief Italian cities, especially that of Veii, which had long been + a most dangerous enemy. But he was a proud, haughty man, and had brought + on himself much dislike; until, at last, a false accusation was brought + against him, that he had taken an unfair share of the plunder of Veii. He + was too proud to stand a trial; and leaving the city, was immediately + fined a considerable sum. He had taken up his abode at the city of Ardea, + and was there living when the plundering half of Brennus' army was + reported to be coming thither. Camillus immediately offered the + magistrates to undertake their defense; and getting together all the men + who could bear arms, he led them out, fell upon the Gauls as they all lay + asleep and unguarded in the dead of night, made a great slaughter of them, + and saved Ardea. All this was heard by the many Romans who had been living + dispersed since the rout of Allia; and they began to recover heart and + spirit, and to think that if Camillus would be their leader, they might + yet do something to redeem the honor of Rome, and save their friends in + the Capitol. An entreaty was sent to him to take the command of them; but, + like a proud, stern man as he was, he made answer, that he was a mere + exile, and could not take upon himself to lead Romans without a decree + from the Senate giving him authority. The Senate was—all that + remained of it—shut up in the Capitol; the Gauls were spread all + round; how was that decree to be obtained? + </p> + <p> + A young man, named Pontius Cominius, undertook the desperate mission. He + put on a peasant dress, and hid some corks under it, supposing that he + should find no passage by the bridge over the Tiber. Traveling all day on + foot, he came at night to the bank, and saw the guard at the bridge; then, + having waited for darkness, he rolled his one thin light garment, with the + corks wrapped up in it, round his head, and trusted himself to the stream + of Father Tiber, like 'good Horatius' before him; and he was safely borne + along to the foot of the Capitoline Hill. He crept along, avoiding every + place where he saw lights or heard noise, till he came to a rugged + precipice, which he suspected would not be watched by the enemy, who would + suppose it too steep to be climbed from above or below. But the resolute + man did not fear the giddy dangerous ascent, even in the darkness; he + swung himself up by the stems and boughs of the vines and climbing plants, + his naked feet clung to the rocks and tufts of grass, and at length he + stood on the top of the rampart, calling out his name to the soldiers who + came in haste around him, not knowing whether he were friend or foe. A + joyful sound must his Latin speech have been to the long-tried, half + starved garrison, who had not seen a fresh face for six long months! The + few who represented the Senate and people of Rome were hastily awakened + from their sleep, and gathered together to hear the tidings brought them + at so much risk. Pontius told them of the victory at Ardea, and that + Camillus and the Romans collected at Veii were only waiting to march to + their succor till they should give him lawful power to take the command. + There was little debate. The vote was passed at once to make Camillus + Dictator, an office to which Romans were elected upon great emergencies, + and which gave them, for the time, absolute kingly control; and then + Pontius, bearing the appointment, set off once again upon his mission, + still under shelter of night, clambered down the rock, and crossed the + Gallic camp before the barbarians were yet awake. + </p> + <p> + There was hope in the little garrison; but danger was not over. The + sharp-eyed Gauls observed that the shrubs and creepers were broken, the + moss frayed, and fresh stones and earth rolled down at the crag of the + Capitol: they were sure that the rock had been climbed, and, therefore, + that it might be climbed again. Should they, who were used to the snowy + peaks, dark abysses, and huge glaciers of the Alps, be afraid to climb + where a soft dweller in a tame Italian town could venture a passage? + Brennus chose out the hardiest of his mountaineers, and directed them to + climb up in the dead of night, one by one, in perfect silence, and thus to + surprise the Romans, and complete the slaughter and victory, before the + forces assembling at Veii would come to their rescue. + </p> + <p> + Silently the Gauls climbed, so stilly that not even a dog heard them; and + the sentinel nearest to the post, who had fallen into a dead sleep of + exhaustion from hunger, never awoke. But the fatal stillness was suddenly + broken by loud gabbling, cackling, and flapping of heavy wings. The sacred + geese of Juno, which had been so religiously spared in the famine, were + frightened by the rustling beneath, and proclaimed their terror in their + own noisy fashion. The first to take the alarm was Marcus Manlius, who + started forward just in time to meet the foremost climbers as they set + foot on the rampart. One, who raised an axe to strike, lost his arm by one + stroke of Manlius' short Roman sword; the next was by main strength hurled + backwards over the precipice, and Manlius stood along on the top, for a + few moments, ready to strike the next who should struggle up. The whole of + the garrison were in a few moments on the alert, and the attack was + entirely repulsed; the sleeping sentry was cast headlong down the rock; + and Manlius was brought, by each grateful soldier, that which was then + most valuable to all, a little meal and a small measure of wine. Still, + the condition of the Capitol was lamentable; there was no certainty that + Pontius had ever reached Camillus in safety; and, indeed, the discovery of + his path by the enemy would rather have led to the supposition that he had + been seized and detected. The best hope lay in wearying out the besiegers; + and there seemed to be more chance of this since the Gauls often could be + seen from the heights, burying the corpses of their dead; their tall, bony + forms looked gaunt and drooping, and, here and there, unburied carcasses + lay amongst the ruins. Nor were the flocks and herds any longer driven in + from the country. Either all must have been exhausted, or else Camillus + and his friends must be near, and preventing their raids. At any rate, it + appeared as if the enemy was quite as ill off as to provisions as the + garrison, and in worse condition as to health. In effect, this was the + first example of the famous saying, that Rome destroys her conquerors. In + this state of things one of the Romans had a dream that Jupiter, the + special god of the Capitol, appeared to him, and gave the strange advice + that all the remaining flour should be baked, and the loaves thrown down + into the enemy's camp. Telling the dream, which may, perhaps, have been + the shaping of his own thoughts, that this apparent waste would persuade + the barbarians that the garrison could not soon be starved out, this + person obtained the consent of the rest of the besieged. Some approved the + stratagem, and no one chose to act contrary to Jupiter's supposed advice; + so the bread was baked, and tossed down by the hungry men. + </p> + <p> + After a time, there was a report from the outer guards that the Gallic + watch had been telling them that their leader would be willing to speak + with some of the Roman chiefs. Accordingly, Sulpitius, one of the + tribunes, went out, and had a conference with Brennus, who declared that + he would depart, provided the Romans would lay down a ransom, for their + Capital and their own lives, of a thousand pounds' weight of gold. To this + Sulpitius agreed, and returning to the Capitol, the gold was collected + from the treasury, and carried down to meet the Gauls, who brought their + own weights. The weights did not meet the amount of gold ornaments that + had been contributed for the purpose, and no doubt the Gauls were resolved + to have all that they beheld; for when Sulpitius was about to try to + arrange the balance, Brennus insultingly threw his sword into his own + scale, exclaiming, Voe victis! 'Woe to the conquered!' The Roman was not + yet fallen so low as not to remonstrate, and the dispute was waxing sharp, + when there was a confused outcry in the Gallic camp, a shout from the + heights of the Capitol, and into the midst of the open space rode a band + of Roman patricians and knights in armor, with the Dictator Camillus at + their head. + </p> + <p> + He no sooner saw what was passing, than he commanded the treasure to be + taken back, and, turning to Brennus, said, 'It is with iron, not gold, + that the Romans guard their country.' + </p> + <p> + Brennus declared that the treaty had been sworn to, and that it would be a + breach of faith to deprive him of the ransom; to which Camillus replied, + that he himself was Dictator, and no one had the power to make a treaty in + his absence. The dispute was so hot, that they drew their swords against + one another, and there was a skirmish among the ruins; but the Gauls soon + fell back, and retreated to their camp, when they saw the main body of + Camillus' army marching upon them. It was no less than 40,000 in number; + and Brennus knew he could not withstand them with his broken, sickly army. + He drew off early the next morning: but was followed by Camillus, and + routed, with great slaughter, about eight miles from Rome; and very few of + the Gauls lived to return home, for those who were not slain in battle + were cut off in their flight by the country people, whom they had + plundered. + </p> + <p> + In reward for their conduct on this occasion, Camillus was termed Romulus, + Father of his Country, and Second Founder of Rome; Marcus Manlius received + the honorable surname of Capitolinus; and even the geese were honored by + having a golden image raised to their honor in Juno's temple, and a live + goose was yearly carried in triumph, upon a soft litter, in a golden cage, + as long as any heathen festivals lasted. The reward of Pontius Cominius + does not appear; but surely he, and the old senators who died for their + country's sake, deserved to be for ever remembered for their brave + contempt of life when a service could be done to the State. + </p> + <p> + The truth of the whole narrative is greatly doubted, and it is suspected + that the Gallic conquest was more complete than the Romans ever chose to + avow. Their history is far from clear up to this very epoch, when it is + said that all their records were destroyed; but even when place and period + are misty, great names and the main outline of their actions loom through + the cloud, perhaps exaggerated, but still with some reality; and if the + magnificent romance of the sack of Rome be not fact, yet it is certainly + history, and well worthy of note and remembrance, as one of the finest + extant traditions of a whole chain of Golden Deeds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TWO FRIENDS OF SYRACUSE + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 380 (CIRCA) + </h3> + <p> + Most of the best and noblest of the Greeks held what was called the + Pythagorean philosophy. This was one of the many systems framed by the + great men of heathenism, when by the feeble light of nature they were, as + St. Paul says, 'seeking after God, if haply they might feel after Him', + like men groping in the darkness. Pythagoras lived before the time of + history, and almost nothing is known about him, though his teaching and + his name were never lost. There is a belief that he had traveled in the + East, and in Egypt, and as he lived about the time of the dispersion of + the Israelites, it is possible that some of his purest and best teaching + might have been crumbs gathered from their fuller instruction through the + Law and the Prophets. One thing is plain, that even in dealing with + heathenism the Divine rule holds good, 'By their fruits ye shall know + them'. Golden Deeds are only to be found among men whose belief is earnest + and sincere, and in something really high and noble. Where there was + nothing worshiped but savage or impure power, and the very form of + adoration was cruel and unclean, as among the Canaanites and + Carthaginians, there we find no true self-devotion. The great deeds of the + heathen world were all done by early Greeks and Romans before yet the last + gleams of purer light had faded out of their belief, and while their moral + sense still nerved them to energy; or else by such later Greeks as had + embraced the deeper and more earnest yearnings of the minds that had + become a 'law unto themselves'. + </p> + <p> + The Pythagoreans were bound together in a brotherhood, the members of + which had rules that are not now understood, but which linked them so as + to form a sort of club, with common religious observances and pursuits of + science, especially mathematics and music. And they were taught to + restrain their passions, especially that of anger, and to endure with + patience all kinds of suffering; believing that such self-restraint + brought them nearer to the gods, and that death would set them free from + the prison of the body. The souls of evil-doers would, they thought, pass + into the lower and more degraded animals, while those of good men would be + gradually purified, and rise to a higher existence. This, though + lamentably deficient, and false in some points, was a real religion, + inasmuch as it gave a rule of life, with a motive for striving for wisdom + and virtue. Two friends of this Pythagorean sect lived at Syracuse, in the + end of the fourth century before the Christian era. Syracuse was a great + Greek city, built in Sicily, and full of all kinds of Greek art and + learning; but it was a place of danger in their time, for it had fallen + under the tyranny of a man of strange and capricious temper, though of + great abilities, namely Dionysius. He is said to have been originally only + a clerk in a public office, but his talents raised him to continually + higher situations, and at length, in a great war with the Carthaginians, + who had many settlements in Sicily, he became general of the army, and + then found it easy to establish his power over the city. + </p> + <p> + This power was not according to the laws, for Syracuse, like most other + cities, ought to have been governed by a council of magistrates; but + Dionysius was an exceedingly able man, and made the city much more rich + and powerful, he defeated the Carthaginians, and rendered Syracuse by far + the chief city in the island, and he contrived to make everyone so much + afraid of him that no one durst attempt to overthrow his power. He was a + good scholar, and very fond of philosophy and poetry, and he delighted to + have learned men around him, and he had naturally a generous spirit; but + the sense that he was in a position that did not belong to him, and that + everyone hated him for assuming it, made him very harsh and suspicious. It + is of him that the story is told, that he had a chamber hollowed in the + rock near his state prison, and constructed with galleries to conduct + sounds like an ear, so that he might overhear the conversation of his + captives; and of him, too, is told that famous anecdote which has become a + proverb, that on hearing a friend, named Damocles, express a wish to be in + his situation for a single day, he took him at his word, and Damocles + found himself at a banquet with everything that could delight his senses, + delicious food, costly wine, flowers, perfumes, music; but with a sword + with the point almost touching his head, and hanging by a single + horsehair! This was to show the condition in which a usurper lived! + </p> + <p> + Thus Dionysius was in constant dread. He had a wide trench round his + bedroom, with a drawbridge that he drew up and put down with his own + hands; and he put one barber to death for boasting that he held a razor to + the tyrant's throat every morning. After this he made his young daughters + shave him; but by and by he would not trust them with a razor, and caused + them to singe of his beard with hot nutshells! He was said to have put a + man named Antiphon to death for answering him, when he asked what was the + best kind of brass, 'That of which the statues of Harmodius and + Aristogeiton were made.' These were the two Athenians who had killed the + sons of Pisistratus the tyrant, so that the jest was most offensive, but + its boldness might have gained forgiveness for it. One philosopher, named + Philoxenus, he sent to a dungeon for finding fault with his poetry, but he + afterwards composed another piece, which he thought so superior, that he + could not be content without sending for this adverse critic to hear it. + When he had finished reading it, he looked to Philoxenus for a compliment; + but the philosopher only turned round to the guards, and said dryly, + 'Carry me back to prison.' This time Dionysius had the sense to laugh, and + forgive his honesty. + </p> + <p> + All these stories may not be true; but that they should have been current + in the ancient world shows what was the character of the man of whom they + were told, how stern and terrible was his anger, and how easily it was + incurred. Among those who came under it was a Pythagorean called Pythias, + who was sentenced to death, according to the usual fate of those who fell + under his suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Pythias had lands and relations in Greece, and he entreated as a favor to + be allowed to return thither and arrange his affairs, engaging to return + within a specified time to suffer death. The tyrant laughed his request to + scorn. Once safe out of Sicily, who would answer for his return? Pythias + made reply that he had a friend, who would become security for his return; + and while Dionysius, the miserable man who trusted nobody, was ready to + scoff at his simplicity, another Pythagorean, by name of Damon, came + forward, and offered to become surety for his friend, engaging, if Pythias + did not return according to promise, to suffer death in his stead. + </p> + <p> + Dionysius, much astonished, consented to let Pythias go, marveling what + would be the issue of the affair. Time went on and Pythias did not appear. + The Syracusans watched Damon, but he showed no uneasiness. He said he was + secure of his friend's truth and honor, and that if any accident had cause + the delay of his return, he should rejoice in dying to save the life of + one so dear to him. + </p> + <p> + Even to the last day Damon continued serene and content, however it might + fall out; nay even when the very hour drew nigh and still no Pythias. His + trust was so perfect, that he did not even grieve at having to die for a + faithless friend who had left him to the fate to which he had unwarily + pledged himself. It was not Pythias' own will, but the winds and waves, so + he still declared, when the decree was brought and the instruments of + death made ready. The hour had come, and a few moments more would have + ended Damon's life, when Pythias duly presented himself, embraced his + friend, and stood forward himself to receive his sentence, calm, resolute, + and rejoiced that he had come in time. + </p> + <p> + Even the dim hope they owned of a future state was enough to make these + two brave men keep their word, and confront death for one another without + quailing. Dionysius looked on more struck than ever. He felt that neither + of such men must die. He reversed the sentence of Pythias, and calling the + two to his judgment seat, he entreated them to admit him as a third in + their friendship. Yet all the time he must have known it was a mockery + that he should ever be such as they were to each other—he who had + lost the very power of trusting, and constantly sacrificed others to + secure his own life, whilst they counted not their lives dear to them in + comparison with their truth to their word, and love to one another. No + wonder that Damon and Pythias have become such a byword that they seem too + well known to have their story told here, except that a name in everyone's + mouth sometimes seems to be mentioned by those who have forgotten or never + heard the tale attached to it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DEVOTION OF THE DECII + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 339 + </h3> + <p> + The spirit of self-devotion is so beautiful and noble, that even when the + act is performed in obedience to the dictates of a false religion, it is + impossible not to be struck with admiration and almost reverence for the + unconscious type of the one great act that has hallowed every other + sacrifice. Thus it was that Codrus, the Athenian king, has ever since been + honored for the tradition that he gave his own life to secure the safety + of his people; and there is a touching story, with neither name nor place, + of a heathen monarch who was bidden by his priests to appease the supposed + wrath of his gods by the sacrifice of the being dearest to him. His young + son had been seized on as his most beloved, when his wife rushed between + and declared that her son must live, and not by his death rob her of her + right to fall, as her husband's dearest. The priest looked at the father; + the face that had been sternly composed before was full of uncontrolled + anguish as he sprang forward to save the wife rather than the child. That + impulse was an answer, like the entreaty of the mother before Solomon; the + priest struck the fatal blow ere the king's hand could withhold him, and + the mother died with a last look of exceeding joy at her husband's love + and her son's safety. Human sacrifices are of course accursed, and even + the better sort of heathens viewed them with horror; but the voluntary + confronting of death, even at the call of a distorted presage of future + atonement, required qualities that were perhaps the highest that could be + exercised among those who were devoid of the light of truth. + </p> + <p> + In the year 339 there was a remarkable instance of such devotion. The + Romans were at war with the Latins, a nation dwelling to the south of + them, and almost exactly resembling themselves in language, habits, + government, and fashions of fighting. Indeed the city of Rome itself was + but an offshoot from the old Latin kingdom; and there was not much + difference between the two nations even in courage and perseverance. The + two consuls of the year were Titus Manlius Torquatus and Publius Decius + Mus. They were both very distinguished men. Manlius was a patrician, or + one of the high ancient nobles of Rome, and had in early youth fought a + single combat with a gigantic Gaul, who offered himself, like Goliath, as + a champion of his tribe; had slain him, and taken from him a gold torque, + or collar, whence his surname Torquatus. Decius was a plebeian; one of the + free though not noble citizens who had votes, but only within a few years + had been capable of being chosen to the higher offices of state, and who + looked upon every election to the consulship as a victory. Three years + previously, when a tribune in command of a legion, Decius had saved the + consul, Cornelius Cossus, from a dangerous situation, and enabled him to + gain a great victory; and this exploit was remembered, and led to the + choice of this well-experienced soldier as the colleague of Manlius. + </p> + <p> + The two consuls both went out together in command of the forces, each + having a separate army, and intending to act in concert. They marched to + the beautiful country at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, which was then a + harmless mountain clothed with chestnut woods, with spaces opening + between, where farms and vineyards rejoiced in the sunshine and the fresh + breezes of the lovely blue bay that lay stretched beneath. Those who + climbed to the summit might indeed find beds of ashes and the jagged edge + of a huge basin or gulf; the houses and walls were built of dark- red and + black material that once had flowed from the crater in boiling torrents: + but these had long since cooled, and so long was it since a column of + smoke had been seen to rise from the mountain top, that it only remained + as a matter of tradition that this region was one of mysterious fire, and + that the dark cool lake Avernus, near the mountain skirts, was the very + entrance to the shadowy realms beneath, that were supposed to be inhabited + by the spirits of the dead. + </p> + <p> + It might be that the neighborhood of this lake, with the dread + imaginations connected with it by pagan fancy, influenced even the stout + hearts of the consuls; for, the night after they came in sight of the + enemy, each dreamt the same dream, namely, that he beheld a mighty form of + gigantic height and stature, who told him 'that the victory was decreed to + that army of the two whose leader should devote himself to the Dii Manes,' + that is, to the deities who watched over the shades of the dead. Probably + these older Romans held the old Etruscan belief, which took these 'gods + beneath' to be winged beings, who bore away the departing soul, weighted + its merits and demerits, and placed it in a region of peace or of woe, + according to its deserts. This was part of the grave and earnest faith + that gave the earlier Romans such truth and resolution; but latterly they + so corrupted it with the Greek myths, that, in after times, they did not + even know who the gods of Decius were. + </p> + <p> + At daybreak the two consuls sought one another out, and told their dreams; + and they agreed that they would join their armies in one, Decius leading + the right and Manlius the left wing; and that whichever found his troops + giving way, should at once rush into the enemy's columns and die, to + secure the victory to his colleague. At the same time strict commands were + given that no Roman should come out of his rank to fight in single combat + with the enemy; a necessary regulation, as the Latins were so like, in + every respect, to the Romans, that there would have been fatal confusion + had there been any mingling together before the battle. Just as this + command had been given out, young Titus Manlius, the son of the consul, + met a Latin leader, who called him by name and challenged him to fight + hand to hand. The youth was emulous of the honor his father had gained by + his own combat at the same age with the Gaul, but forgot both the present + edict and that his father had scrupulously asked permission before + accepting the challenge. He at once came forward, and after a brave + conflict, slew his adversary, and taking his armor, presented himself at + his father's tent and laid the spoils at his feet. + </p> + <p> + But old Manlius turned aside sadly, and collected his troops to hear his + address to his son: 'You have transgressed,' he said, 'the discipline + which has been the support of the Roman people, and reduced me to the hard + necessity of either forgetting myself and mine, or else the regard I owe + to the general safety. Rome must not suffer by one fault. We must expiate + it ourselves. A sad example shall we be, but a wholesome one to the Roman + youth. For me, both the natural love of a father, and that specimen thou + hast given of thy valor move me exceedingly; but since either the consular + authority must be established by thy death, or destroyed by thy impunity, + I cannot think, if thou be a true Manlius, that thou wilt be backward to + repair the breach thou hast made in military discipline by undergoing the + just meed of thine offence. He then placed the wreath of leaves, the + reward of a victor, upon his son's head, and gave the command to the + lictor to bind the young man to a stake, and strike off his head. The + troops stood round as men stunned, no one durst utter a word; the son + submitted without one complaint, since his death was for the good of Rome: + and the father, trusting that the doom of the Dii Manes was about to + overtake him, beheld the brave but rash young head fall, then watched the + corpse covered with the trophies won from the Latins, and made no + hindrance to the glorious obsequies with which the whole army honored this + untimely death. Strict discipline was indeed established, and no one again + durst break his rank; but the younger men greatly hated Manlius for his + severity, and gave him no credit for the agony he had concealed while + giving up his gallant son to the wellbeing of Rome. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, the expected battle took place, and after some little + time the front rank of Decius' men began to fall back upon the line in + their rear. This was the token he had waited for. He called to Valerius, + the chief priest of Rome, to consecrate him, and was directed to put on + his chief robe of office, the beautiful toga proetexta, to cover his head, + and standing on his javelin, call aloud to the 'nine gods' to accept his + devotion, to save the Roman legions, and strike terror into his enemies. + This done, he commanded his lictors to carry word to his colleague that + the sacrifice was accomplished, and then girding his robe round him in the + manner adopted in sacrificing to the gods, he mounted his white horse, and + rushed like lightning into the thickest of the Latins. At first they fell + away on all sides as if some heavenly apparition had come down on them; + then, as some recognized him, they closed in on him, and pierced his + breast with their weapons; but even as he fell the superstition that a + devoted leader was sure to win the field, came full on their minds, they + broke and fled. Meanwhile the message came to Manlius, and drew from him a + burst of tears—tears that he had not shed for his son—his hope + of himself meeting the doom and ending his sorrow was gone; but none the + less he nerved himself to complete the advantage gained by Decius' death. + Only one wing of the Latins had fled, the other fought long and bravely, + and when at last it was defeated, and cut down on the field of battle, + both conqueror and conquered declared that, if Manlius had been the leader + of the Latins, they would have had the victory. Manlius afterwards + completely subdued the Latins, who became incorporated with the Romans; + but bravely as he had borne up, his health gave way under his sorrow, and + before the end of the year he was unable to take the field. + </p> + <p> + Forty-five years later, in the year 294, another Decius was consul. He was + the son of the first devoted Decius, and had shown himself worthy of his + name, both as a citizen and soldier. His first consulate had been in + conjunction with one of the most high-spirited and famous Roman nobles, + Quintus Fabius, surnamed Maximus, or the Greatest, and at three years' end + they were again chosen together, when the Romans had been brought into + considerable peril by an alliance between the Gauls and the Samnites, + their chief enemies in Italy. + </p> + <p> + One being a patrician and the other a plebeian, there was every attempt + made at Rome to stir up jealousies and dissensions between them; but both + were much too noble and generous to be thus set one against the other; and + when Fabius found how serious was the state of affairs in Etruria, he sent + to Rome to entreat that Decius would come and act with him. 'With him I + shall never want forces, nor have too many enemies to deal with.' + </p> + <p> + The Gauls, since the time of Brennus, had so entirely settled in northern + Italy, that it had acquired the name of Cisalpine Gaul, and they were as + warlike as ever, while better armed and trained. The united armies of + Gauls, Samnites, and their allies, together, are said to have amounted to + 143,330 foot and 46,000 horse, and the Roman army consisted of four + legions, 24,000 in all, with an unspecified number of horse. The place of + battle was at Sentinum, and here for the first time the Gauls brought + armed chariots into use,—probably the wicker chariots, with scythes + in the midst of the clumsy wooden wheels, which were used by the Kelts in + Britain two centuries later. It was the first time the Romans had + encountered these barbarous vehicles; they were taken by surprise, the + horses started, and could not be brought back to the charge, and the + legions were mowed down like corn where the furious Gaul impelled his + scythe. Decius shouted in vain, and tried to gather his men and lead them + back; but the terror at this new mode of warfare had so mastered them, + that they paid no attention to his call. Then, half in policy, half in + superstition, he resolved to follow his father in his death. He called the + chief priest, Marcus Livius, and standing on his javelin, went through the + same formula of self-dedication, and in the like manner threw himself, + alone and unarmed, in the midst of the enemy, among whom he soon fell, + under many a savage stroke. The priest, himself a gallant soldier, called + to the troops that their victory was now secured, and thoroughly believing + him, they let him lead them back to the charge, and routed the Gauls; + whilst Fabius so well did his part against the other nations, that the + victory was complete, and 25,000 enemies were slain. So covered was the + body of Decius by the corpses of his enemies, that all that day it could + not be found; but on the next it was discovered, and Fabius, with a full + heart, pronounced the funeral oration of the second Decius, who had + willingly offered himself to turn the tide of battle in favor of his + country. It was the last of such acts of dedication—the Romans + became more learned and philosophical, and perhaps more reasonable; and + yet, mistaken as was the object, it seems a falling off that, 200 years + later, Cicero should not know who were the 'nine gods' of the Decii, and + should regard their sacrifice as 'heroic indeed, but unworthy of men of + understanding'. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REGULUS + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 249 + </h3> + <p> + The first wars that the Romans engaged in beyond the bounds of Italy, were + with the Carthaginians. This race came from Tyre and Zidon; and were + descended from some of the Phoenicians, or Zidonians, who were such + dangerous foes, or more dangerous friends, to the Israelites. Carthage + had, as some say, been first founded by some of the Canaanites who fled + when Joshua conquered the Promised Land; and whether this were so or not, + the inhabitants were in all their ways the same as the Tyrians and + Zidonians, of whom so much is said in the prophecies of Isaiah and + Ezekiel. Like them, they worshipped Baal and Ashtoreth, and the frightful + Moloch, with foul and cruel rites; and, like them, they were excellent + sailors and great merchants trading with every known country, and living + in great riches and splendor at their grand city on the southern shore of + the Mediterranean. That they were a wicked and cruel race is also certain; + the Romans used to call deceit Punic faith, that is, Phoenician faith, and + though no doubt Roman writers show them up in their worst colours, yet, + after the time of Hiram, Solomon's ally at Tyre, it is plain from Holy + Scripture that their crimes were great. + </p> + <p> + The first dispute between Rome and Carthage was about their possession in + the island of Sicily; and the war thus begun had lasted eight years when + it was resolved to send an army to fight the Carthaginians on their own + shores. The army and fleet were placed under the command of the two + consuls, Lucius Manlius and Marcus Attilius Regulus. On the way, there was + a great sea fight with the Carthaginian fleet, and this was the first + naval battle that the Romans ever gained. It made the way to Africa free; + but the soldiers, who had never been so far from home before, murmured, + for they expected to meet not only human enemies, but monstrous serpents, + lions, elephants, asses with horns, and dog-headed monsters, to have a + scorching sun overhead, and a noisome marsh under their feet. However, + Regulus sternly put a stop to all murmurs, by making it known that + disaffection would be punished by death, and the army safely landed, and + set up a fortification at Clypea, and plundered the whole country round. + Orders here came from Rome that Manlius should return thither, but that + Regulus should remain to carry on the war. This was a great grief to him. + He was a very poor man, with nothing of his own but a little farm of seven + acres, and the person whom he had employed to cultivate it had died in his + absence; a hired laborer had undertaken the care of it, but had been + unfaithful, and had run away with his tools and his cattle; so that he was + afraid that, unless he could return quickly, his wife and children would + starve. However, the Senate engaged to provide for his family, and he + remained, making expeditions into the country round, in the course of + which the Romans really did fall in with a serpent as monstrous as their + imagination had depicted. It was said to be 120 feet long, and dwelt upon + the banks of the River Bagrada, where it used to devour the Roman soldiers + as they went to fetch water. It had such tough scales that they were + obliged to attack it with their engines meant for battering city walls, + and only succeeded with much difficulty in destroying it. + </p> + <p> + The country was most beautiful, covered with fertile cornfields and full + of rich fruit trees, and all the rich Carthaginians had country houses and + gardens, which were made delicious with fountains, trees, and flowers. The + Roman soldiers, plain, hardy, fierce, and pitiless, did, it must be + feared, cruel damage among these peaceful scenes; they boasted of having + sacked 300 villages, and mercy was not yet known to them. The Carthaginian + army, though strong in horsemen and in elephants, kept upon the hills and + did nothing to save the country, and the wild desert tribes of Numidians + came rushing in to plunder what the Romans had left. The Carthaginians + sent to offer terms of peace; but Regulus, who had become uplifted by his + conquests, made such demands that the messengers remonstrated. He + answered, 'Men who are good for anything should either conquer or submit + to their betters;' and he sent them rudely away, like a stern old Roman as + he was. His merit was that he had no more mercy on himself than on others. + </p> + <p> + The Carthaginians were driven to extremity, and made horrible offerings to + Moloch, giving the little children of the noblest families to be dropped + into the fire between the brazen hands of his statue, and grown- up people + of the noblest families rushed in of their own accord, hoping thus to + propitiate their gods, and obtain safety for their country. Their time was + not yet fully come, and a respite was granted to them. They had sent, in + their distress, to hire soldiers in Greece, and among these came a + Spartan, named Xanthippus, who at once took the command, and led the army + out to battle, with a long line of elephants ranged in front of them, and + with clouds of horsemen hovering on the wings. The Romans had not yet + learnt the best mode of fighting with elephants, namely, to leave lanes in + their columns where these huge beasts might advance harmlessly; instead of + which, the ranks were thrust and trampled down by the creatures' bulk, and + they suffered a terrible defeat; Regulus himself was seized by the + horsemen, and dragged into Carthage, where the victors feasted and + rejoiced through half the night, and testified their thanks to Moloch by + offering in his fires the bravest of their captives. + </p> + <p> + Regulus himself was not, however, one of these victims. He was kept a + close prisoner for two years, pining and sickening in his loneliness, + while in the meantime the war continued, and at last a victory so decisive + was gained by the Romans, that the people of Carthage were discouraged, + and resolved to ask terms of peace. They thought that no one would be so + readily listened to at Rome as Regulus, and they therefore sent him there + with their envoys, having first made him swear that he would come back to + his prison if there should neither be peace nor an exchange of prisoners. + They little knew how much more a true- hearted Roman cared for his city + than for himself—for his word than for his life. + </p> + <p> + Worn and dejected, the captive warrior came to the outside of the gates of + his own city, and there paused, refusing to enter. 'I am no longer a Roman + citizen,' he said; 'I am but the barbarian's slave, and the Senate may not + give audience to strangers within the walls.' + </p> + <p> + His wife Marcia ran out to greet him, with his two sons, but he did not + look up, and received their caresses as one beneath their notice, as a + mere slave, and he continued, in spite of all entreaty, to remain outside + the city, and would not even go to the little farm he had loved so well. + </p> + <p> + The Roman Senate, as he would not come in to them, came out to hold their + meeting in the Campagna. + </p> + <p> + The ambassadors spoke first, then Regulus, standing up, said, as one + repeating a task, 'Conscript fathers, being a slave to the Carthaginians, + I come on the part of my masters to treat with you concerning peace, and + an exchange of prisoners.' He then turned to go away with the ambassadors, + as a stranger might not be present at the deliberations of the Senate. His + old friends pressed him to stay and give his opinion as a senator who had + twice been consul; but he refused to degrade that dignity by claiming it, + slave as he was. But, at the command of his Carthaginian masters, he + remained, though not taking his seat. + </p> + <p> + Then he spoke. He told the senators to persevere in the war. He said he + had seen the distress of Carthage, and that a peace would only be to her + advantage, not to that of Rome, and therefore he strongly advised that the + war should continue. Then, as to the exchange of prisoners, the + Carthaginian generals, who were in the hands of the Romans, were in full + health and strength, whilst he himself was too much broken down to be fit + for service again, and indeed he believed that his enemies had given him a + slow poison, and that he could not live long. Thus he insisted that no + exchange of prisoners should be made. + </p> + <p> + It was wonderful, even to Romans, to hear a man thus pleading against + himself, and their chief priest came forward, and declared that, as his + oath had been wrested from him by force, he was not bound to return to his + captivity. But Regulus was too noble to listen to this for a moment. 'Have + you resolved to dishonor me?' he said. 'I am not ignorant that death and + the extremest tortures are preparing for me; but what are these to the + shame of an infamous action, or the wounds of a guilty mind? Slave as I am + to Carthage, I have still the spirit of a Roman. I have sworn to return. + It is my duty to go; let the gods take care of the rest.' + </p> + <p> + The Senate decided to follow the advice of Regulus, though they bitterly + regretted his sacrifice. His wife wept and entreated in vain that they + would detain him; they could merely repeat their permission to him to + remain; but nothing could prevail with him to break his word, and he + turned back to the chains and death he expected so calmly as if he had + been returning to his home. This was in the year B.C. 249. + </p> + <p> + 'Let the gods take care of the rest,' said the Roman; the gods whom alone + he knew, and through whom he ignorantly worshipped the true God, whose + Light was shining out even in this heathen's truth and constancy. How his + trust was fulfilled is not known. The Senate, after the next victory, gave + two Carthaginian generals to his wife and sons to hold as pledges for his + good treatment; but when tidings arrived that Regulus was dead, Marcia + began to treat them both with savage cruelty, though one of them assured + her that he had been careful to have her husband well used. Horrible + stories were told that Regulus had been put out in the sun with his + eyelids cut off, rolled down a hill in a barrel with spikes, killed by + being constantly kept awake, or else crucified. Marcia seems to have set + about, and perhaps believed in these horrors, and avenged them on her + unhappy captives till one had died, and the Senate sent for her sons and + severely reprimanded them. They declared it was their mother's doing, not + theirs, and thenceforth were careful of the comfort of the remaining + prisoner. + </p> + <p> + It may thus be hoped that the frightful tale of Regulus' sufferings was + but formed by report acting on the fancy of a vindictive woman, and that + Regulus was permitted to die in peace of the disease brought on far more + probably by the climate and imprisonment, than by the poison to which he + ascribed it. It is not the tortures he may have endured that make him one + of the noblest characters of history, but the resolution that would + neither let him save himself at the risk of his country's prosperity, nor + forfeit the word that he had pledged. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BRAVE BRETHREN OF JUDAH + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 180 + </h3> + <p> + It was about 180 years before the Christian era. The Jews had long since + come home from Babylon, and built up their city and Temple at Jerusalem. + But they were not free as they had been before. Their country belonged to + some greater power, they had a foreign governor over them, and had to pay + tribute to the king who was their master. + </p> + <p> + At the time we are going to speak of, this king was Antiochus Epiphanes, + King of Syria. He was descended from one of those generals who, upon the + death of Alexander the Great, had shared the East between them, and he + reigned over all the country from the Mediterranean Sea even into Persia + and the borders of India. He spoke Greek, and believed in both the Greek + and Roman gods, for he had spent some time at Rome in his youth; but in + his Eastern kingdom he had learnt all the self-indulgent and violent + habits to which people in those hot countries are especially tempted. + </p> + <p> + He was so fierce and passionate, that he was often called the 'Madman', + and he was very cruel to all who offended him. One of his greatest desires + was, that the Jews should leave their true faith in one God, and do like + the Greeks and Syrians, his other subjects, worship the same idols, and + hold drunken feasts in their honor. Sad to say, a great many of the Jews + had grown ashamed of their own true religion and the strict ways of their + law, and thought them old-fashioned. They joined in the Greek sports, + played games naked in the theatre, joined in riotous processions, carrying + ivy in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine, and offered incense to the + idols; and the worst of all these was the false high priest, Menelaus, who + led the King Antiochus into the Temple itself, even into the Holy of + Holies, and told him all that would most desecrate it and grieve the Jews. + So a little altar to the Roman god Jupiter was set up on the top of the + great brazen altar of burnt offerings, a hog was offered up, and broth of + its flesh sprinkled everywhere in the Temple; then all the precious + vessels were seized, the shewbread table of gold, the candlesticks, and + the whole treasury, and carried away by the king; the walls were thrown + down, and the place made desolate. + </p> + <p> + Some Jews were still faithful to their God, but they were horribly + punished and tortured to death before the eyes of the king; and when at + last he went away to his own country, taking with him the wicked high + priest Menelaus, he left behind him a governor and an army of soldiers + stationed in the tower of Acra, which overlooked the Temple hill, and sent + for an old man from Athens to teach the people the heathen rites and + ceremonies. Any person who observed the Sabbath day, or any other + ordinance of the law of Moses, was put to death in a most cruel manner; + all the books of the Old Testament Scripture that could be found were + either burnt or defiled, by having pictures of Greek gods painted upon + them; and the heathen priests went from place to place, with a little + brazen altar and image and a guard of soldiers, who were to kill every + person who refused to burn incense before the idol. It was the very + saddest time that the Jews had ever known, and there seemed no help near + or far off; they could have no hope, except in the promises that God would + never fail His people, or forsake His inheritance, and in the prophecies + that bad times should come, but good ones after them. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks, in going through the towns to enforce the idol worship, came + to a little city called Modin, somewhere on the hills on the coast of the + Mediterranean Sea, not far from Joppa. There they sent out, as usual, + orders to all the men of the town to meet them in the marketplace; but + they were told beforehand, that the chief person in the place was an old + man named Mattathias, of a priestly family, and so much respected, that + all the other inhabitants of the place were sure to do whatever he might + lead them in. So the Greeks sent for him first of all, and he came at + their summons, a grand and noble old man, followed by his five sons, + Johanan, Simon, Judas, Jonathan, and Eleazar. The Greek priest tried to + talk him over. He told him that the high priest had forsaken the Jewish + superstition, that the Temple was in ruins, and that resistance was in + vain; and exhorted him to obtain gratitude and honor for himself, by + leading his countrymen in thus adoring the deities of the king's choice, + promising him rewards and treasures if he would comply. + </p> + <p> + But the old man spoke out with a loud and fearless voice: 'Though all the + nations that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every + one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his + commandments; yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant + of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the + ordinances! We will not hearken to the king's words, to go from our + religion, either on the right hand or the left!' + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, up came an apostate Jew to do sacrifice at the heathen altar. + Mattathias trembled at the sight, and his zeal broke forth. He slew the + offender, and his brave sons gathering round him, they attacked the Syrian + soldiers, killed the commissioner, and threw down the altar. Then, as they + knew that they could not there hold out against the king's power, + Mattathias proclaimed throughout the city: 'Whosoever is zealous of the + law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me!' With that, he and + his five sons, with their families, left their houses and lands, and drove + their cattle with them up into the wild hills and caves, where David had + once made his home; and all the Jews who wished to be still faithful, + gathered around them, to worship God and keep His commandments. + </p> + <p> + There they were, a handful of brave men in the mountains, and all the + heathen world and apostate Jews against them. They used to come down into + the villages, remind the people of the law, promise their help, and throw + down any idol altars that they found, and the enemy never were able to + follow them into their rocky strongholds. But the old Mattathias could not + long bear the rude wild life in the cold mountains, and he soon died. + First he called all his five sons, and bade them to 'be zealous for the + law, and give their lives for the covenant of their fathers'; and he + reminded them of all the many brave men who had before served God, and + been aided in their extremity. He appointed his son Judas, as the + strongest and mightiest, to lead his brethren to battle, and Simon, as the + wisest, to be their counsellor; then he blessed them and died; and his + sons were able to bury him in the tomb of his fathers at Modin. + </p> + <p> + Judas was one of the bravest men who ever lived; never dreading the + numbers that came against him. He was surnamed Maccabeus, which some + people say meant the hammerer; but others think it was made up of the + first letters of the words he carried on his banner, which meant 'Who is + like unto Thee, among the gods, O Lord?' Altogether he had about six + thousand men round him when the Greek governor, Apollonius, came out to + fight with him. The Jews gained here their first victory, and Judas killed + Apollonius, took his sword, and fought all his other battles with it. Next + came a captain called Seron, who went out to the hills to lay hold of the + bold rebels that dared to rise against the King of Syria. The place where + Judas met him was one to make the Jews' hearts leap with hope and trust. + It was on the steep stony broken hillside of Beth-horon, the very place + where Joshua had conquered the five kings of the Amorites, in the first + battle on the coming in of the children of Israel to Palestine. There was + the rugged path where Joshua had stood and called out to the sun to stand + still in Gibeon, and the moon in the valley of Ajalon. Miracles were over, + and Judas looked for no wonder to help him; but when he came up the + mountain road from Joppa, his heart was full of the same trust as + Joshua's, and he won another great victory. + </p> + <p> + By this time King Antiochus began to think the rising of the Jews a + serious matter, but he could not come himself against them, because his + provinces in Armenia and Persia had refused their tribute, and he had to + go in person to reduce them. He appointed, however, a governor, named + Lysias, to chastise the Jews, giving him an army of 40,000 foot and 7000 + horse. Half of these Lysias sent on before him, with two captains, named + Nicanor and Gorgias, thinking that these would be more than enough to hunt + down and crush the little handful that were lurking in the hills. And with + them came a great number of slave merchants, who had bargained with + Nicanor that they should have ninety Jews for one talent, to sell to the + Greeks and Romans, by whom Jewish slaves were much esteemed. + </p> + <p> + There was great terror in Palestine at these tidings, and many of the + weaker-minded fell away from Judas; but he called all the faithful + together at Mizpeh, the same place where, 1000 years before, Samuel had + collected the Israelites, and, after prayer and fasting, had sent them + forth to free their country from the Philistines. Shiloh, the sanctuary, + was then lying desolate, just as Jerusalem now lay in ruins; and yet + better times had come. But very mournful was that fast day at Mizpeh, as + the Jews looked along the hillside to their own holy mountain crowned by + no white marble and gold Temple flashing back the sunbeams, but only with + the tall castle of their enemies towering over the precipice. They could + not sacrifice, because a sacrifice could only be made at Jerusalem, and + the only book of the Scriptures that they had to read from was painted + over with the hateful idol figures of the Greeks. And the huge army of + enemies was ever coming nearer! The whole assembly wept, and put on + sackcloth and prayed aloud for help, and then there was a loud sounding of + trumpets, and Judas stood forth before them. And he made the old + proclamation that Moses had long ago decreed, that no one should go out to + battle who was building a house, or planting a vineyard, or had just + betrothed a wife, or who was fearful and faint- hearted. All these were to + go home again. Judas had 6,000 followers when he made this proclamation. + He had only 3,000 at the end of the day, and they were but poorly armed. + He told them of the former aid that had come to their fathers in + extremity, and made them bold with his noble words. Then he gave them for + their watchword 'the help of God', and divided the leadership of the band + between himself and his brothers, appointing Eleazar, the youngest, to + read the Holy Book. + </p> + <p> + With these valiant men, Judas set up his camp; but tidings were soon + brought him that Gorgias, with 5000 foot and 1000 horse, had left the main + body to fall on his little camp by night. He therefore secretly left the + place in the twilight; so that when the enemy attacked his camp, they + found it deserted, and supposing them to be hid in the mountains, + proceeded hither in pursuit of them. + </p> + <p> + But in the early morning Judas and his 3,000 men were all in battle array + in the plains, and marching full upon the enemy's camp with trumpet sound, + took them by surprise in the absence of Gorgias and his choice troops, and + utterly defeated and put them to flight, but without pursuing them, since + the fight with Gorgias and his 5,000 might be yet to come. Even as Judas + was reminding his men of this, Gorgias's troops were seen looking down + from the mountains where they had been wandering all night; but seeing + their own camp all smoke and flame, they turned and fled away. Nine + thousand of the invaders had been slain, and the whole camp, full of arms + and treasures, was in the hands of Judas, who there rested for a Sabbath + of glad thanksgiving, and the next day parted the spoil, first putting out + the share for the widows and orphans and the wounded, and then dividing + the rest among his warriors. As to the slave merchants, they were all made + prisoners, and instead of giving a talent for ninety Jews, were sold + themselves. + </p> + <p> + The next year Lysias came himself, but was driven back and defeated at + Bethshur, four or five miles south of Bethlehem. And now came the saddest, + yet the greatest, day of Judas's life, when he ventured to go back into + the holy city and take possession of the Temple again. The strong tower of + Acra, which stood on a ridge of Mount Moriah looking down on the Temple + rock, was still held by the Syrians, and he had no means of taking it; but + he and his men loved the sanctuary too well to keep away from it, and + again they marched up the steps and slopes that led up the holy hill. They + went up to find the walls broken, the gates burnt, the cloisters and + priests' chambers pulled down, and the courts thickly grown with grass and + shrubs, the altar of their one true God with the false idol Jupiter's + altar in the middle of it. These warriors, who had turned three armies to + flight, could not bear the sight. They fell down on their faces, threw + dust on their heads, and wept aloud for the desolation of their holy + place. But in the midst Judas caused the trumpets to sound an alarm. They + were to do something besides grieving. The bravest of them were set to + keep watch and ward against the Syrians in the tower, while he chose out + the most faithful priests to cleanse out the sanctuary, and renew all that + could be renewed, making new holy vessels from the spoil taken in + Nicanor's camp, and setting the stones of the profaned altar apart while a + new one was raised. On the third anniversary of the great profanation, the + Temple was newly dedicated, with songs and hymns of rejoicing, and a + festival day was appointed, which has been observed by the Jews ever + since. The Temple rock and city were again fortified so as to be able to + hold out against their enemies, and this year and the next were the most + prosperous of the life of the loyal-hearted Maccabee. + </p> + <p> + The great enemy of the Jews, Antiochus Epiphanes, was in the meantime + dying in great agony in Persia, and his son Antiochus Eupator was set on + the throne by Lysias, who brought him with an enormous army to reduce the + rising in Judea. The fight was again at Bethshur, where Judas had built a + strong fort on a point of rock that guarded the road to Hebron. Lysias + tried to take this fort, and Judas came to the rescue with his little + army, to meet the far mightier Syrian force, which was made more terrific + by possessing thirty war elephants imported from the Indian frontier. Each + of these creatures carried a tower containing thirty-two men armed with + darts and javelins, and an Indian driver on his neck; and they had 1000 + foot and 500 horse attached to the special following of the beast, who, + gentle as he was by nature, often produced a fearful effect on the enemy; + not so much by his huge bulk as by the terror he inspired among men, and + far more among horses. The whole host was spread over the mountains and + the valleys so that it is said that their bright armor and gold and silver + shields made the mountains glisten like lamps of fire. + </p> + <p> + Still Judas pressed on to the attack, and his brother Eleazar, perceiving + that one of the elephants was more adorned than the rest, thought it might + be carrying the king, and devoted himself for his country. He fought his + way to the monster, crept under it, and stabbed it from beneath, so that + the mighty weight sank down on him and crushed him to death in his fall. + He gained a 'perpetual name' for valor and self-devotion; but the king was + not upon the elephant, and after a hard- fought battle, Judas was obliged + to draw off and leave Bethshur to be taken by the enemy, and to shut + himself up in Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + There, want of provisions had brought him to great distress, when tidings + came that another son of Antiochus Epiphanes had claimed the throne, and + Lysias made peace in haste with Judas, promising him full liberty of + worship, and left Palestine in peace. + </p> + <p> + This did not, however, last long. Lysias and his young master were slain + by the new king, Demetrius, who again sent an army for the subjection of + Judas, and further appointed a high priest, named Alcimus, of the family + of Aaron, but inclined to favor the new heathen fashions. + </p> + <p> + This was the most fatal thing that had happened to Judas. Though of the + priestly line, he was so much of a warrior, that he seems to have thought + it would be profane to offer sacrifice himself; and many of the Jews were + so glad of another high priest, that they let Alcimus into the Temple, and + Jerusalem was again lost to Judas. One more battle was won by him at + Beth-horon, and then finding how hard it was to make head against the + Syrians, he sent to ask the aid of the great Roman power. But long before + the answer could come, a huge Syrian army had marched in on the Holy Land, + 20,000 men, and Judas had again no more than 3000. Some had gone over to + Alcimus, some were offended at his seeking Roman alliance, and when at + Eleasah he came in sight of the host, his men's hearts failed more than + they ever had done before, and, out of the 3000 at first collected, only + 800 stood with him, and they would fain have persuaded him to retreat. + </p> + <p> + 'God forbid that I should do this thing,' he said, 'and flee away from + them. If our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let + us not stain our honor.' + </p> + <p> + Sore was the battle, as sore as that waged by the 800 at Thermopylae, and + the end was the same. Judas and his 800 were not driven from the field, + but lay dead upon it. But their work was done. What is called the moral + effect of such a defeat goes further than many a victory. Those lives, + sold so dearly, were the price of freedom for Judea. + </p> + <p> + Judas's brothers Jonathan and Simon laid him in his father's tomb, and + then ended the work that he had begun; and when Simon died, the Jews, once + so trodden on, were the most prosperous race in the East. The Temple was + raised from its ruins, and the exploits of the Maccabees had nerved the + whole people to do or die in defense of the holy faith of their fathers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHIEF OF THE ARVERNI + </h2> + <h3> + B.C. 52 + </h3> + <p> + We have seen the Gauls in the heart of Rome, we have now to see them + showing the last courage of despair, defending their native lands against + the greatest of all the conquerors that Rome ever sent forth. + </p> + <p> + These lands, where they had dwelt for so many years as justly to regard + them as their inheritance, were Gaul. There the Celtic race had had their + abode ever since history has spoken clearly, and had become, in Gaul + especially, slightly more civilized from intercourse with the Greek colony + at Massilia, or Marseilles. But they had become borderers upon the Roman + dominions, and there was little chance that they would not be absorbed; + the tribes of Provence, the first Roman province, were already conquered, + others were in alliance with Rome, and some had called in the Romans to + help them fight their battles. There is no occasion to describe the seven + years' war by which Julius Caesar added Gaul to the provinces claimed by + Rome, and when he visited Britain; such conquests are far from being + Golden Deeds, but are far worthier of the iron age. It is the stand made + by the losing party, and the true patriotism of one young chieftain, that + we would wish here to dwell upon. + </p> + <p> + In the sixth year of the war the conquest seemed to have been made, and + the Roman legions were guarding the north and west, while Caesar himself + had crossed the Alps. Subjection pressed heavily on the Gauls, some of + their chiefs had been put to death, and the high spirit of the nation was + stirred. Meetings took place between the warriors of the various tribes, + and an oath was taken by those who inhabited the centre of the country, + that if they once revolted, they would stand by one another to the last. + These Gauls were probably not tall, bony giants, like the pillagers of + Rome; their appearance and character would be more like that of the modern + Welsh, or of their own French descendants, small, alert, and dark-eyed, + full of fire, but, though fierce at the first onset, soon rebuffed, yet + with much perseverance in the long run. Their worship was conducted by + Druids, like that of the Britons, and their dress was of checked material, + formed into a loose coat and wide trousers. The superior chiefs, who had + had any dealings with Rome, would speak a little Latin, and have a few + Roman weapons as great improvements upon their own. Their fortifications + were wonderfully strong. Trunks of trees were laid on the ground at two + feet apart, so that the depth of the wall was their full length. Over + these another tier of beams was laid crosswise, and the space between was + filled up with earth, and the outside faced with large stones; the + building of earth and stone was carried up to some height, then came + another tier of timbers, crossed as before, and this was repeated again to + a considerable height, the inner ends of the beams being fastened to a + planking within the wall, so that the whole was of immense compactness. + Fire could not damage the mineral part of the construction, nor the + battering ram hurt the wood, and the Romans had been often placed in great + difficulties by these rude but admirable constructions, within which the + Gauls placed their families and cattle, building huts for present shelter. + Of late, some attempts had been made at copying the regular streets and + houses built round courts that were in use among the Romans, and Roman + colonies had been established in various places, where veteran soldiers + had received grants of land on condition of keeping the natives in check. + A growing taste for arts and civilization was leading to Romans of + inferior classes settling themselves in other Gallic cities. + </p> + <p> + The first rising of the Gauls began by a quarrel at the city we now call + Orleans, ending in a massacre of all the Romans there. The tidings were + spread through all the country by loud shouts, repeated from one to the + other by men stationed on every hill, and thus, what had been done at + Orleans at sunrise was known by nine at night 160 miles off among the + mountains, which were then the homes of a tribe called by the Romans the + Arverni, who have left their name to the province of Auvergne. + </p> + <p> + Here dwelt a young chieftain, probably really called Fearcuincedorigh, or + Man who is chief of a hundred heads, known to us by Caesar's version of + his name, as Vercingetorix, a high-spirited youth, who keenly felt the + servitude of his country, and who, on receiving these tidings, instantly + called on his friends to endeavor to shake off the yoke. His uncle, who + feared to provoke Roman vengeance, expelled him from the chief city, + Gergovia, the remains of which may be traced on the mountain still called + Gergoie, about six miles from Clermont; but he collected all the younger + and more high-spirited men, forced a way into the city, and was proclaimed + chief of his tribe. All the neighboring tribes joined in the league + against the common enemy, and tidings were brought to Caesar that the + whole country round the Loire was in a state of revolt. + </p> + <p> + In the heart of winter he hurried back, and took the Gauls by surprise by + crossing the snows that lay thick on the wild waste of the Cebenna, which + the Arverni had always considered as their impenetrable barrier throughout + the winter. The towns quickly fell into his hands, and he was rapidly + recovering all he had lost, when Vercingetorix, collecting his chief + supporters, represented to them that their best hope would be in burning + all the inhabited places themselves and driving off all the cattle, then + lying in wait to cut off all the convoys of provisions that should be sent + to the enemy, and thus starving them into a retreat. He said that burning + houses were indeed a grievous sight, but it would be more grievous to see + their wives and children dragged into captivity. To this all the allies + agreed, and twenty towns in one district were burnt in a single day; but + when they came to the city of Avaricum, now called Bourges, the tribe of + Bituriges, to whom it belonged, entreated on their knees not to be obliged + to destroy the most beautiful city in the country, representing that, as + it had a river on one side, and a morass everywhere else, except at a very + narrow entrance, it might be easily held out against the enemy, and to + their entreaties Vercingetorix yielded, though much against his own + judgment. + </p> + <p> + Caesar laid siege to the place, but his army suffered severely from cold + and hunger; they had no bread at all, and lived only on the cattle driven + in from distant villages, while Vercingetorix hovered round, cutting off + their supplies. They however labored diligently to raise a mount against a + wall of the town; but as fast as they worked, the higher did the Gauls + within raise the stages of their rampart, and for twenty- five days there + was a most brave defense; but at last the Romans made their entrance, and + slaughtered all they found there, except 800, who escaped to the camp of + Vercingetorix. He was not disconcerted by this loss, which he had always + expected, but sheltered and clothed the fugitives, and raised a great body + of archers and of horsemen, with whom he returned to his own territory in + Auvergne. There was much fighting around the city of Gergovia; but at + length, owing to the revolt of the Aedui, another Gallic tribe, Caesar was + forced to retreat over the Loire; and the wild peaks of volcanic Auvergne + were free again. + </p> + <p> + But no gallant resolution could long prevail against the ever-advancing + power of Rome, and at length the Gauls were driven into their fortified + camp at Alesia, now called Alise [footnote: In Burgundy, between Semur and + Dijon.], a city standing on a high hill, with two rivers flowing round its + base, and a plain in front about three miles wide. Everywhere else it was + circled in by high hills, and here Caesar resolved to shut these brave men + in and bring them to bay. He caused his men to begin that mighty system of + earthworks by which the Romans carried on their attacks, compassing their + victim round on every side with a deadly slowness and sureness, by those + broad ditches and terraced ramparts that everywhere mark where their foot + of iron was trod. Eleven miles round did this huge rampart extend, + strengthened by three-and-twenty redoubts, or places of defense, where a + watch was continually kept. Before the lines were complete, Vercingetorix + brought out his cavalry, and gave battle, at one time with a hope of + success; but the enemy were too strong for him, and his horsemen were + driven into the camp. He then resolved to send home all of these, since + they could be of no use in the camp, and had better escape before the + ditch should have shut them in on every side. He charged them to go to + their several tribes and endeavor to assemble all the fighting men to come + to his rescue; for, if he were not speedily succored, he and 80,000 of the + bravest of the Gauls must fall into the hands of the Romans, since he had + only corn for thirty days, even with the utmost saving. + </p> + <p> + Having thus exhorted them, he took leave of them, and sent them away at + nine at night, so that they might escape in the dark where the Roman + trench had not yet extended. Then he distributed the cattle among his men, + but retained the corn himself, serving it out with the utmost caution. The + Romans outside fortified their camp with a double ditch, one of them full + of water, behind which was a bank twelve feet high, with stakes forked + like the horns of a stag. The space between the ditches was filled with + pits, and scattered with iron caltrops or hooked spikes. All this was + against the garrison, to prevent them from breaking out; and outside the + camp he made another line of ditches and ramparts against the Gauls who + might be coming to the rescue. + </p> + <p> + The other tribes were not deaf to the summons of their friends, but + assembled in large numbers, and just as the besieged had exhausted their + provisions, an army was seen on the hills beyond the camp. Their commander + was Vergosillaunus (most probably Fearsaighan, the Man of the Standard), a + near kinsman of Vercingetorix; and all that bravery could do, they did to + break through the defenses of the camp from outside, while within, + Vercingetorix and his 80,000 tried to fill up the ditches, and force their + way out to meet their friends. But Caesar himself commanded the Romans, + who were confident in his fortunes, and raised a shout of ecstasy wherever + they beheld his thin, marked, eagle face and purple robe, rushing on the + enemy with a confidence of victory that did in fact render them + invincible. The Gauls gave way, lost seventy-four of their standards, and + Vergosillaunus himself was taken a prisoner; and as for the brave garrison + within Alesia, they were but like so many flies struggling in vain within + the enormous web that had been woven around them. Hope was gone, but the + chief of the Arverni could yet do one thing for his countrymen—he + could offer up himself in order to obtain better terms for them. + </p> + <p> + The next day he convened his companions in arms, and told them that he had + only fought for the freedom of their country, not to secure his private + interest; and that now, since yield they must, he freely offered himself + to become a victim for their safety, whether they should judge it best for + themselves to appease the anger of the conqueror by putting him to death + themselves, or whether they preferred giving him up alive. + </p> + <p> + It was a piteous necessity to have to sacrifice their noblest and bravest, + who had led them so gallantly during the long war; but they had little + choice, and could only send messengers to the camp to offer to yield + Vercingetorix as the price of their safety. Caesar made it known that he + was willing to accept their submission, and drawing up his troops in + battle array, with the Eagle standards around him, he watched the whole + Gallic army march past him. First, Vercingetorix was placed as a prisoner + in his hands, and then each man lay down sword, javelin, or bow and + arrows, helmet, buckler and breastplate, in one mournful heap, and + proceeded on his way, scarcely thankful that the generosity of their + chieftain had purchased for them subjection rather than death. + </p> + <p> + Vercingetorix himself had become the property of the great man from whom + alone we know of his deeds; who could perceive his generous spirit and + high qualities as a general, nay, who honored the self-devotion by which + he endeavored to save his countrymen. He remained in captivity—six + long years sped by—while Caesar passed the Rubicon, fought out his + struggle for power at Rome, and subdued Egypt, Pontus, and Northern Africa—and + all the time the brave Gaul remained closely watched and guarded, and with + no hope of seeing the jagged peaks and wild valleys of his own beautiful + Auvergne. For well did he, like every other marked foe of Rome, know for + what he was reserved, and no doubt he yielded himself in the full + expectation of that fate which many a man, as brave as he, had escaped by + self-destruction. + </p> + <p> + The day came at last. In July, B.C. 45, the victorious Caesar had leisure + to celebrate his victories in four grand triumphs, all in one month, and + that in honor of the conquest of Gaul came the first. The triumphal gate + of Rome was thrown wide open, every house was decked with hangings of silk + and tapestry, the household images of every family, dressed with fresh + flowers, were placed in their porches, those of the gods stood on the + steps of the temples, and in marched the procession, the magistrates first + in their robes of office, and then the trumpeters. Next came the tokens of + the victory—figures of the supposed gods of the two great rivers, + Rhine and Rhone, and even of the captive Ocean, made in gold, were carried + along, with pictures framed in citron wood, showing the scenes of victory—the + wild waste of the Cevennes, the steep peaks of Auvergne, the mighty camp + of Alesia; nay, there too would be the white cliffs of Dover, and the + struggle with the Britons on the beach. Models in wood and ivory showed + the fortifications of Avaricum, and of many another city; and here too + were carried specimens of the olives and vines, and other curious plants + of the newly won land; here was the breastplate of British pearls that + Caesar dedicated to Venus. A band of flute-players followed, and then came + the white oxen that were to be sacrificed, their horns gilded and flowers + hung round them, the sacrificing priests with wreathed heads marching with + them. Specimens of bears and wolves from the woods and mountains came next + in order, and after them waved for the last time the national ensigns of + the many tribes of Gaul. Once more Vercingetorix and Vergosillaunus saw + their own Arvernian standard, and marched behind it with the noblest of + their clan: once more they wore their native dress and well-tried armor. + But chains were on their hands and feet, and the men who had fought so + long and well for freedom, were the captive gazing-stock of Rome. Long, + long was the line of chained Gauls of every tribe, before the four white + horses appeared, all abreast, drawing the gilded car, in which stood a + slight form in a purple robe, with the bald head and narrow temples + encircled with a wreath of bay, the thin cheeks tinted with vermilion, the + eager aquiline face and narrow lips gravely composed to Roman dignity, and + the quick eye searching out what impression the display was making on the + people. Over his head a slave held a golden crown, but whispered, + 'Remember that thou too art a man.' And in following that old custom, how + little did the victor know that, bay-crowned like himself, there followed + close behind, in one of the chariots of the officers, the man whose + dagger-thrust would, two years later, be answered by his dying word of + reproach! The horsemen of the army followed, and then the legions, every + spear wreathed, every head crowned with bay, so that an evergreen grove + might have seemed marching through the Roman streets, but for the war + songs, and the wild jests, and ribald ballads that custom allowed the + soldiers to shout out, often in pretended mockery of their own victorious + general, the Imperator. + </p> + <p> + The victor climbed the Capitol steps, and laid his wreath of bay on + Jupiter's knees, the white oxen were sacrificed, and the feast began by + torchlight. Where was the vanquished? He was led to the dark prison vault + in the side of Capitoline hill, and there one sharp sword-thrust ended the + gallant life and long captivity. + </p> + <p> + It was no special cruelty in Julius Caesar. Every Roman triumph was + stained by the slaughter of the most distinguished captives, after the + degradation of walking in chains had been undergone. He had spirit to + appreciate Vercingetorix, but had not nobleness to spare him from the + ordinary fate. Yet we may doubt which, in true moral greatness, was the + superior in that hour of triumph, the conqueror who trod down all that he + might minister to his own glory, or the conquered, who, when no resistance + had availed, had voluntarily confronted shame and death in hopes to win + pardon and safety for his comrades. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WITHSTANDING THE MONARCH IN HIS WRATH + </h2> + <h3> + A.D. 389 + </h3> + <p> + When a monarch's power is unchecked by his people, there is only One to + whom he believes himself accountable; and if he have forgotten the dagger + of Damocles, or if he be too high-spirited to regard it, then that Higher + One alone can restrain his actions. And there have been times when princes + have so broken the bounds of right, that no hope remains of recalling them + to their duty save by the voice of the ministers of God upon Earth. But as + these ministers bear no charmed life, and are subjects themselves of the + prince, such rebukes have been given at the utmost risk of liberty and + life. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that though Nathan, unharmed, showed David his sin, and + Elijah, the wondrous prophet of Gilead, was protected from Jezebel's fury, + when he denounced her and her husband Ahab for the idolatry of Baal and + the murder of Naboth; yet no Divine hand interposed to shield Zachariah, + the son of Jehoiada, the high priest, when he rebuked the apostasy of his + cousin, Jehoash, King of Judah, and was stoned to death by the ungrateful + king's command in that very temple court where Jehoiada and his armed + Levites had encountered the savage usurping Athaliah, and won back the + kingdom for the child Jehoash. And when 'in the spirit and power of + Elijah', St. John the Baptist denounced the sin of Herod Antipas in + marrying his brother Philip's wife, he bore the consequences to the + utmost, when thrown into prison and then beheaded to gratify the rage of + the vindictive woman. + </p> + <p> + Since Scripture Saints in the age of miracles were not always shielded + from the wrath of kings, Christian bishops could expect no special + interposition in their favor, when they stood forth to stop the way of the + sovereign's passions, and to proclaim that the cause of mercy, purity, and + truth is the cause of God. + </p> + <p> + The first of these Christian bishops was Ambrose, the sainted prelate of + Milan. It was indeed a Christian Emperor whom he opposed, no other than + the great Theodosius, but it was a new and unheard-of thing for any voice + to rebuke an Emperor of Rome, and Theodosius had proved himself a man of + violent passions. + </p> + <p> + The fourth century was a time when races and all sorts of shows were the + fashion, nay, literally the rage; for furious quarrels used to arise among + the spectators who took the part of one or other of the competitors, and + would call themselves after their colours, the Blues or the Greens. A + favorite chariot driver, who had excelled in these races at Thessalonica, + was thrown into prison for some misdemeanor by Botheric, the Governor of + Illyria, and his absence so enraged the Thessalonican mob, that they rose + in tumult, and demanded his restoration. On being refused, they threw such + a hail of stones that the governor himself and some of his officers were + slain. + </p> + <p> + Theodosius might well be displeased, but his rage passed all bounds. He + was at Milan at the time, and at first Ambrose so worked on his feelings + as to make him promise to temper justice with mercy; but afterwards fresh + accounts of the murder, together with the representations of his courtier + Rufinus, made him resolve not to relent, and he sent off messengers + commanding that there should be a general slaughter of all the race-going + Thessalonicans, since all were equally guilty of Botheric's death. He took + care that his horrible command should be kept a secret from Ambrose, and + the first that the Bishop heard of it was the tidings that 7,000 persons + had been killed in the theatre, in a massacre lasting three hours! + </p> + <p> + There was no saving these lives, but Ambrose felt it his duty to make the + Emperor feel his sin, in hopes of saving others. Besides, it was not + consistent with the honor of God to receive at his altar a man reeking + with innocent blood. The Bishop, however, took time to consider; he went + into the country for a few days, and thence wrote a letter to the Emperor, + telling him that thus stained with crime, he could not be admitted to the + Holy Communion, nor received into church. Still the Emperor does not seem + to have believed he could be really withstood by any subject, and on + Ambrose's return, he found the imperial procession, lictors, guards, and + all, escorting the Emperor as usual to the Basilica or Justice Hall, that + had been turned into a church. Then to the door came the Bishop and stood + in the way, forbidding the entrance, and announcing that there, at least, + sacrilege should not be added to murder. + </p> + <p> + 'Nay,' said the Emperor, 'did not holy King David commit both murder and + adultery, yet was he not received again?' + </p> + <p> + 'If you have sinned like him, repent like him,' answered Ambrose. + </p> + <p> + Theodosius turned away, troubled. He was great enough not to turn his + anger against the Bishop; he felt that he had sinned, and that the + chastisement was merited, and he went back to his palace weeping, and + there spent eight months, attending to his duties of state, but too proud + to go through the tokens of penitence that the discipline of the Church + had prescribed before a great sinner could be received back into the + congregation of the faithful. Easter was the usual time for reconciling + penitents, and Ambrose was not inclined to show any respect of persons, or + to excuse the Emperor from a penance he would have imposed on any + offender. However, Rufinus could not believe in such disregard, and + thought all would give way to the Emperor's will. Christmas had come, but + for one man at Milan there were no hymns, no shouts of 'glad tidings!' no + midnight festival, no rejoicing that 'to us a Child is born; to us a Son + is given'. The Basilica was thronged with worshippers and rang with their + Amens, resounding like thunder, and their echoing song—the Te Deum—then + their newest hymn of praise. But the lord of all those multitudes was + alone in his palace. He had not shown good will to man; he had not learnt + mercy and peace from the Prince of Peace; and the door was shut upon him. + He was a resolute Spanish Roman, a well-tried soldier, a man advancing in + years, but he wept, and wept bitterly. Rufinus found him thus weeping. It + must have been strange to the courtier that his master did not send his + lictors to carry the offending bishop to a dungeon, and give all his court + favor to the heretics, like the last empress who had reigned at Milan. + Nay, he might even, like Julian the Apostate, have altogether renounced + that Christian faith which could humble an emperor below the poorest of + his subjects. + </p> + <p> + But Rufinus contented himself with urging the Emperor not to remain at + home lamenting, but to endeavor again to obtain admission into the church, + assuring him that the Bishop would give way. Theodosius replied that he + did not expect it, but yielded to the persuasions, and Rufinus hastened on + before to warn the Bishop of his coming, and represented how inexpedient + it was to offend him. + </p> + <p> + 'I warn you,' replied Ambrose, 'that I shall oppose his entrance, but if + he chooses to turn his power into tyranny, I shall willingly let him slay + me.' + </p> + <p> + The Emperor did not try to enter the church, but sought Ambrose in an + adjoining building, where he entreated to be absolved from his sin. + </p> + <p> + 'Beware,' returned the Bishop, 'of trampling on the laws of God.' 'I + respect them,' said the Emperor, 'therefore I have not set foot in the + church, but I pray thee to deliver me from these bonds, and not to close + against me the door that the Lord hath opened to all who truly repent.' + </p> + <p> + 'What repentance have you shown for such a sin?' asked Ambrose. + </p> + <p> + 'Appoint my penance,' said the Emperor, entirely subdued. + </p> + <p> + And Ambrose caused him at once to sign a decree that thirty days should + always elapse between a sentence of death and its execution. After this, + Theodosius was allowed to come into the church, but only to the corner he + had shunned all these eight months, till the 'dull hard stone within him' + had 'melted', to the spot appointed for the penitents. There, without his + crown, his purple robe, and buskins, worked with golden eagles, all laid + aside, he lay prostrate on the stones, repeating the verse, 'My soul + cleaveth unto the dust; quicken me, O Lord, according to thy word.' This + was the place that penitents always occupied, and there fasts and other + discipline were also appointed. When the due course had been gone through, + probably at the next Easter, Ambrose, in his Master's name, pronounced the + forgiveness of Theodosius, and received him back to the full privileges of + a Christian. When we look at the course of many another emperor, and see + how easily, where the power was irresponsible, justice became severity, + and severity, bloodthirstiness, we see what Ambrose dared to meet, and + from what he spared Theodosius and all the civilized world under his sway. + Who can tell how many innocent lives have been saved by that thirty days' + respite? + </p> + <p> + Pass over nearly 700 years, and again we find a church door barred against + a monarch. This time it is not under the bright Italian sky, but under the + grey fogs of the Baltic sea. It is not the stately marble gateway of the + Milanese Basilica, but the low-arched, rough stone portal of the newly + built cathedral of Roskilde, in Zealand, where, if a zigzag surrounds the + arch, it is a great effort of genius. The Danish king Swend, the nephew of + the well-known Knut, stands before it; a stern and powerful man, fierce + and passionate, and with many a Danish axe at his command. Nay, only + lately for a few rude jests, he caused some of his chief jarls to be slain + without a trial. Half the country is still pagan, and though the king + himself is baptized, there is no certainty that, if the Christian faith do + not suit his taste, he may not join the heathen party and return to the + worship of Thor and Tyr, where deeds of blood would be not blameworthy, + but a passport to the rude joys of Valhall. Nevertheless there is a + pastoral staff across the doorway, barring the way of the king, and that + staff is held against him by an Englishman, William, Bishop of Roskilde, + the missionary who had converted a great part of Zealand, but who will not + accept Christians who have not laid aside their sins. + </p> + <p> + He confronts the king who has never been opposed before. 'Go back,' he + says, 'nor dare approach the alter of God—thou who art not a king + but a murderer.' + </p> + <p> + Some of the jarls seized their swords and axes, and were about to strike + the bishop away from the threshold, but he, without removing his staff, + bent his head, and bade them strike, saying he was ready to die in the + cause of God. But the king came to a better frame of mind, he called the + jarls away, and returning humbly to his palace, took off his royal robes, + and came again barefoot and in sackcloth to the church door, where Bishop + William met him, took him by the hand, gave him the kiss of peace, and led + him to the penitents' place. After three days he was absolved, and for the + rest of his life, the bishop and the king lived in the closest friendship, + so much so that William always prayed that even in death he might not be + divided from his friend. The prayer was granted. The two died almost at + the same time, and were buried together in the cathedral at Roskilde, + where the one had taught and other learnt the great lesson of mercy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LAST FIGHT IN THE COLISEUM + </h2> + <h3> + A.D. 404 + </h3> + <p> + As the Romans grew prouder and more fond of pleasure, no one could hope to + please them who did not give them sports and entertainments. When any + person wished to be elected to any public office, it was a matter of + course that he should compliment his fellow citizens by exhibitions of the + kind they loved, and when the common people were discontented, their cry + was that they wanted panem ac Circenses, 'bread and sports', the only + things they cared for. In most places where there has been a large Roman + colony, remains can be seen of the amphitheatres, where the citizens were + wont to assemble for these diversions. Sometimes these are stages of + circular galleries of seats hewn out of the hillside, where rows of + spectators might sit one above the other, all looking down on a broad, + flat space in the centre, under their feet, where the representations took + place. Sometimes, when the country was flat, or it was easier to build + than to excavate, the amphitheatre was raised above ground, rising up to a + considerable height. + </p> + <p> + The grandest and most renowned of all these amphitheatres is the Coliseum + at Rome. It was built by Vespasian and his son Titus, the conquerors of + Jerusalem, in a valley in the midst of the seven hills of Rome. The + captive Jews were forced to labour at it; and the materials, granite + outside, and softer travertine stone within, are so solid and so admirably + built, that still at the end of eighteen centuries it has scarcely even + become a ruin, but remains one of the greatest wonders of Rome. + </p> + <p> + Five acres of ground were enclosed within the oval of its outer wall, + which outside rises perpendicularly in tiers of arches one above the + other. Within, the galleries of seats projected forwards, each tier coming + out far beyond the one above it, so that between the lowest and the outer + wall there was room for a great space of chambers, passages, and vaults + around the central space, called the arena, from the arena, or sand, with + which it was strewn. + </p> + <p> + When the Roman Emperors grew very vain and luxurious, they used to have + this sand made ornamental with metallic filings, vermilion, and even + powdered precious stones; but it was thought better taste to use the + scrapings of a soft white stone, which, when thickly strewn, made the + whole arena look as if covered with untrodden snow. Around the border of + this space flowed a stream of fresh water. Then came a straight wall, + rising to a considerable height, and surmounted by a broad platform, on + which stood a throne for the Emperor, curule chairs of ivory and gold for + the chief magistrates and senators, and seats for the vestal virgins. Next + above were galleries for the equestrian order, the great mass of those who + considered themselves as of gentle station, though not of the highest + rank; farther up, and therefore farther back, were the galleries belonging + to the freemen of Rome; and these were again surmounted by another plain + wall with a platform on the top, where were places for the ladies, who + were not (except the vestal virgins) allowed to look on nearer, because of + the unclothed state of some of the performers in the arena. Between the + ladies' boxes, benches were squeezed in where the lowest people could seat + themselves; and some of these likewise found room in the two uppermost + tiers of porticoes, where sailors, mechanics, and persons in the service + of the Coliseum had their post. Altogether, when full, this huge building + held no less than 87,000 spectators. It had no roof; but when there was + rain, or if the sun was too hot, the sailors in the porticoes unfurled + awnings that ran along upon ropes, and formed a covering of silk and gold + tissue over the whole. Purple was the favorite color for this velamen, or + veil; because, when the sun shone through it, it cast such beautiful rosy + tints on the snowy arena and the white purple-edged togas of the Roman + citizens. + </p> + <p> + Long days were spent from morning till evening upon those galleries. The + multitude who poured in early would watch the great dignitaries arrive and + take their seats, greeting them either with shouts of applause or hootings + of dislike, according as they were favorites or otherwise; and when the + Emperor came in to take his place under his canopy, there was one loud + acclamation, 'Joy to thee, master of all, first of all, happiest of all. + Victory to thee for ever!' + </p> + <p> + When the Emperor had seated himself and given the signal, the sports + began. Sometimes a rope-dancing elephant would begin the entertainment, by + mounting even to the summit of the building and descending by a cord. Then + a bear, dressed up as a Roman matron, would be carried along in a chair + between porters, as ladies were wont to go abroad, and another bear, in a + lawyer's robe, would stand on his hind legs and go through the motions of + pleading a case. Or a lion came forth with a jeweled crown on his head, a + diamond necklace round his neck, his mane plaited with gold, and his claws + gilded, and played a hundred pretty gentle antics with a little hare that + danced fearlessly within his grasp. Then in would come twelve elephants, + six males in togas, six females with the veil and pallium; they took their + places on couches around an ivory table, dined with great decorum, + playfully sprinkled a little rosewater over the nearest spectators, and + then received more guests of their unwieldy kind, who arrived in ball + dresses, scattered flowers, and performed a dance. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes water was let into the arena, a ship sailed in, and falling to + pieces in the midst, sent a crowd of strange animals swimming in all + directions. Sometimes the ground opened, and trees came growing up through + it, bearing golden fruit. Or the beautiful old tale of Orpheus was acted; + these trees would follow the harp and song of the musician; but—to + make the whole part complete—it was no mere play, but real earnest, + that the Orpheus of the piece fell a prey to live bears. + </p> + <p> + For the Coliseum had not been built for such harmless spectacles as those + first described. The fierce Romans wanted to be excited and feel + themselves strongly stirred; and, presently, the doors of the pits and + dens round the arena were thrown open, and absolutely savage beasts were + let loose upon one another—rhinoceroses and tigers, bulls and lions, + leopards and wild boars—while the people watched with savage + curiosity to see the various kinds of attack and defense; or, if the + animals were cowed or sullen, their rage would be worked up—red + would be shown to the bulls, white to boars, red-hot goads would be driven + into some, whips would be lashed at others, till the work of slaughter was + fairly commenced, and gazed on with greedy eyes and ears delighted, + instead of horror-struck, by the roars and howls of the noble creatures + whose courage was thus misused. Sometimes indeed, when some especially + strong or ferocious animal had slain a whole heap of victims, the cries of + the people would decree that it should be turned loose in its native + forest, and, amid shouts of 'A triumph! a triumph!' the beast would prowl + round the arena, upon the carcasses of the slain victims. Almost + incredible numbers of animals were imported for these cruel sports, and + the governors of distant provinces made it a duty to collect troops of + lions, elephants, ostriches, leopards—the fiercer or the newer the + creature the better—to be thus tortured to frenzy, to make sport in + the amphitheatre. However, there was daintiness joined with cruelty: the + Romans did not like the smell of blood, though they enjoyed the sight of + it, and all the solid stonework was pierced with tubes, through which was + conducted the stream of spices and saffron, boiled in wine, that the + perfume might overpower the scent of slaughter below. + </p> + <p> + Wild beasts tearing each other to pieces might, one would think, satisfy + any taste of horror; but the spectators needed even nobler game to be set + before their favorite monsters—men were brought forward to confront + them. Some of these were at first in full armor, and fought hard, + generally with success; and there was a revolving machine, something like + a squirrel's cage, in which the bear was always climbing after his enemy, + and then rolling over by his own weight. Or hunters came, almost unarmed, + and gaining the victory by swiftness and dexterity, throwing a piece of + cloth over a lion's head, or disconcerting him by putting their fist down + his throat. But it was not only skill, but death, that the Romans loved to + see; and condemned criminals and deserters were reserved to feast the + lions, and to entertain the populace with their various kinds of death. + Among these condemned was many a Christian martyr, who witnessed a good + confession before the savage-eyed multitude around the arena, and 'met the + lion's gory mane' with a calm resolution and hopeful joy that the + lookers-on could not understand. To see a Christian die, with upward gaze + and hymns of joy on his tongue, was the most strange unaccountable sight + the Coliseum could offer, and it was therefore the choicest, and reserved + for the last part of the spectacles in which the brute creation had a + part. + </p> + <p> + The carcasses were dragged off with hooks, and bloodstained sand was + covered with a fresh clean layer, the perfume wafted in stronger clouds, + and a procession came forward—tall, well-made men, in the prime of + their strength. Some carried a sword and a lasso, others a trident and a + net; some were in light armor, others in the full heavy equipment of a + soldier; some on horseback, some in chariots, some on foot. They marched + in, and made their obeisance to the Emperor; and with one voice, their + greeting sounded through the building, Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant! + 'Hail, Caesar, those about to die salute thee!' + </p> + <p> + They were the gladiators—the swordsmen trained to fight to the death + to amuse the populace. They were usually slaves placed in schools of arms + under the care of a master; but sometimes persons would voluntarily hire + themselves out to fight by way of a profession: and both these, and such + slave gladiators as did not die in the arena, would sometimes retire, and + spend an old age of quiet; but there was little hope of this, for the + Romans were not apt to have mercy on the fallen. + </p> + <p> + Fights of all sorts took place—the light-armed soldier and the + netsman—the lasso and the javelin—the two heavy-armed warriors—all + combinations of single combat, and sometimes a general melee. When a + gladiator wounded his adversary, he shouted to the spectators, Hoc habet! + 'He has it!' and looked up to know whether he should kill or spare. If the + people held up their thumbs, the conquered was left to recover, if he + could; if they turned them down, he was to die: and if he showed any + reluctance to present his throat for the deathblow, there was a scornful + shout, Recipe ferrum! 'Receive the steel!' Many of us must have seen casts + of the most touching statue of the wounded man, that called forth the + noble lines of indignant pity which, though so often repeated, cannot be + passed over here: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'I see before me the Gladiator lie; + He leans upon his hand—his manly brow + Consents to death, but conquers agony. + And his droop'd head sinks gradually low, + And through his side the last drops, ebbing slow + From the red gash, fall heavy one by one, + Like the first of a thunder shower; and now + The arena swims around him—he is gone + Ere ceased the inhuman shout which hailed the wretch who won. + + 'He heard it, but he heeded no—this eyes + Were with his heart, and that was far away. + He reck'd not of the life he lost, nor prize, + But where his rude hut by the Danube lay, + There were his young barbarians all at play, + There was their Dacian mother—he their sire, + Butcher'd to make a Roman holiday. + All this rush'd with his blood—Shall he expire, + And unavenged? Arise ye Goths and glut your ire.' +</pre> + <p> + Sacred vestals, tender mothers, fat, good-humored senators, all thought it + fair play, and were equally pitiless in the strange frenzy for exciting + scenes to which they gave themselves up, when they mounted the stone + stairs of the Coliseum. Privileged persons would even descend into the + arena, examine the death agonies, and taste the blood of some specially + brave victim ere the corpse was drawn forth at the death gate, that the + frightful game might continue undisturbed and unencumbered. Gladiator + shows were the great passion of Rome, and popular favor could hardly be + gained except by ministering to it. Even when the barbarians were + beginning to close in on the Empire, hosts of brave men were still kept + for this slavish mimic warfare—sport to the beholders, but sad + earnest to the actors. + </p> + <p> + Christianity worked its way upwards, and at least was professed by the + Emperor on his throne. Persecution came to an end, and no more martyrs fed + the beasts in the Coliseum. The Christian emperors endeavored to prevent + any more shows where cruelty and death formed the chief interest and no + truly religious person could endure the spectacle; but custom and love of + excitement prevailed even against the Emperor. Mere tricks of beasts, + horse and chariot races, or bloodless contests, were tame and dull, + according to the diseased taste of Rome; it was thought weak and + sentimental to object to looking on at a death scene; the Emperors were + generally absent at Constantinople, and no one could get elected to any + office unless he treated the citizens to such a show as they best liked, + with a little bloodshed and death to stir their feelings; and thus it went + on for full a hundred years after Rome had, in name, become a Christian + city, and the same custom prevailed wherever there was an amphitheatre and + pleasure-loving people. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the enemies of Rome were coming nearer and nearer, and Alaric, + the great chief of the Goths, led his forces into Italy, and threatened + the city itself. Honorius, the Emperor, was a cowardly, almost idiotical, + boy; but his brave general, Stilicho, assembled his forces, met the Goths + at Pollentia (about twenty-five miles from where Turin now stands), and + gave them a complete defeat on the Easter Day of the year 403. He pursued + them into the mountains, and for that time saved Rome. In the joy of the + victory the Roman senate invited the conqueror and his ward Honorius to + enter the city in triumph, at the opening of the new year, with the white + steeds, purple robes, and vermilion cheeks with which, of old, victorious + generals were welcomed at Rome. The churches were visited instead of the + Temple of Jupiter, and there was no murder of the captives; but Roman + bloodthirstiness was not yet allayed, and, after all the procession had + been completed, the Coliseum shows commenced, innocently at first, with + races on foot, on horseback, and in chariots; then followed a grand + hunting of beasts turned loose in the arena; and next a sword dance. But + after the sword dance came the arraying of swordsmen, with no blunted + weapons, but with sharp spears and swords—a gladiator combat in full + earnest. The people, enchanted, applauded with shouts of ecstasy this + gratification of their savage tastes. Suddenly, however, there was an + interruption. A rude, roughly robed man, bareheaded and barefooted, had + sprung into the arena, and, signing back the gladiators, began to call + aloud upon the people to cease from the shedding of innocent blood, and + not to requite God's mercy in turning away the sword of the enemy by + encouraging murder. Shouts, howls, cries, broke in upon his words; this + was no place for preachings—the old customs of Rome should be + observed 'Back, old man!' 'On, gladiators!' The gladiators thrust aside + the meddler, and rushed to the attack. He still stood between, holding + them apart, striving in vain to be heard. 'Sedition! Sedition!' 'Down with + him!' was the cry; and the man in authority, Alypius, the prefect, himself + added his voice. The gladiators, enraged at interference with their + vocation, cut him down. Stones, or whatever came to hand, rained down upon + him from the furious people, and he perished in the midst of the arena! He + lay dead, and then came the feeling of what had been done. + </p> + <p> + His dress showed that he was one of the hermits who vowed themselves to a + holy life of prayer and self-denial, and who were greatly reverenced, even + by the most thoughtless. The few who had previously seen him, told that he + had come from the wilds of Asia on pilgrimage, to visit the shrines and + keep his Christmas at Rome—they knew he was a holy man—no + more, and it is not even certain whether his name was Alymachus or + Telemachus. His spirit had been stirred by the sight of thousands flocking + to see men slaughter one another, and in his simple-hearted zeal he had + resolved to stop the cruelty or die. He had died, but not in vain. His + work was done. The shock of such a death before their eyes turned the + hearts of the people; they saw the wickedness and cruelty to which they + had blindly surrendered themselves; and from the day when the hermit died + in the Coliseum there was never another fight of the Gladiators. Not + merely at Rome, but in every province of the Empire, the custom was + utterly abolished; and one habitual crime at least was wiped from the + earth by the self-devotion of one humble, obscure, almost nameless man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SHEPHERD GIRL OF NANTERRE + </h2> + <h3> + A.D. 438 + </h3> + <p> + Four hundred years of the Roman dominion had entirely tamed the once wild + and independent Gauls. Everywhere, except in the moorlands of Brittany, + they had become as much like Romans themselves as they could accomplish; + they had Latin names, spoke the Latin tongue, all their personages of + higher rank were enrolled as Roman citizens, their chief cities were + colonies where the laws were administered by magistrates in the Roman + fashion, and the houses, dress, and amusements were the same as those of + Italy. The greater part of the towns had been converted to Christianity, + though some Paganism still lurked in the more remote villages and + mountainous districts. + </p> + <p> + It was upon these civilized Gauls that the terrible attacks came from the + wild nations who poured out of the centre and east of Europe. The Franks + came over the Rhine and its dependent rivers, and made furious attacks + upon the peaceful plains, where the Gauls had long lived in security, and + reports were everywhere heard of villages harried by wild horsemen, with + short double-headed battleaxes, and a horrible short pike, covered with + iron and with several large hooks, like a gigantic artificial minnow, and + like it fastened to a long rope, so that the prey which it had grappled + might be pulled up to the owner. Walled cities usually stopped them, but + every farm or villa outside was stripped of its valuables, set on fire, + the cattle driven off, and the more healthy inhabitants seized for slaves. + </p> + <p> + It was during this state of things that a girl was born to a wealthy + peasant at the village now called Nanterre, about two miles from Lutetia, + which was already a prosperous city, though not as yet so entirely the + capital as it was destined to become under the name of Paris. She was + christened by an old Gallic name, probably Gwenfrewi, or White Stream, in + Latin Genovefa, but she is best known by the late French form of + Genevieve. When she was about seven years old, two celebrated bishops + passed through the village, Germanus, of Auxerre, and Lupus, of Troyes, + who had been invited to Britain to dispute the false doctrine of Pelagius. + All the inhabitants flocked into the church to see them, pray with them, + and receive their blessing; and here the sweet childish devotion of + Genevieve so struck Germanus, that he called her to him, talked to her, + made her sit beside him at the feast, gave her his special blessing, and + presented her with a copper medal with a cross engraven upon it. From that + time the little maiden always deemed herself especially consecrated to the + service of Heaven, but she still remained at home, daily keeping her + father's sheep, and spinning their wool as she sat under the trees + watching them, but always with a heart full of prayer. + </p> + <p> + After this St. Germanus proceeded to Britain, and there encouraged his + converts to meet the heathen Picts at Maes Garmon, in Flintshire, where + the exulting shout of the white-robed catechumens turned to flight the + wild superstitious savages of the north,—and the Hallelujah victory + was gained without a drop of bloodshed. He never lost sight of Genevieve, + the little maid whom he had so early distinguished for her piety. + </p> + <p> + After she lost her parents she went to live with her godmother, and + continued the same simple habits, leading a life of sincere devotion and + strict self-denial, constant prayer, and much charity to her poorer + neighbors. + </p> + <p> + In the year 451 the whole of Gaul was in the most dreadful state of terror + at the advance of Attila, the savage chief of the Huns, who came from the + banks of the Danube with a host of savages of hideous features, scarred + and disfigured to render them more frightful. The old enemies, the Goths + and the Franks, seemed like friends compared with these formidable beings + whose cruelties were said to be intolerable, and of whom every exaggerated + story was told that could add to the horrors of the miserable people who + lay in their path. Tidings came that this 'Scourge of God', as Attila + called himself, had passed the Rhine, destroyed Tongres and Metz, and was + in full march for Paris. The whole country was in the utmost terror. + Everyone seized their most valuable possessions, and would have fled; but + Genevieve placed herself on the only bridge across the Seine, and argued + with them, assuring them in a strain that was afterwards thought of as + prophetic, that, if they would pray, repent, and defend instead of + abandoning their homes, God would protect them. They were at first almost + ready to stone her for thus withstanding their panic, but just then a + priest arrived from Auxerre, with a present for Genevieve from St. + Germanus, and they were thus reminded of the high estimation in which he + held her; they became ashamed of their violence, and she held them back to + pray and to arm themselves. In a few days they heard that Attila had + paused to besiege Orleans, and that Aetius, the Roman general, hurrying + from Italy, had united his troops with those of the Goths and Franks, and + given Attila so terrible a defeat at Chalons that the Huns were fairly + driven out of Gaul. And here it must be mentioned that when the next year, + 452, Attila with his murderous host came down into Italy, and after + horrible devastation of all the northern provinces, came to the gates of + Rome, no one dared to meet him but one venerable Bishop, Leo, the Pope, + who, when his flock were in transports of despair, went forth only + accompanied by one magistrate to meet the invader, and endeavor to turn + his wrath side. The savage Huns were struck with awe by the fearless + majesty of the unarmed old man. They conducted him safely to Attila, who + listened to him with respect, and promised not to lead his people into + Rome, provided a tribute should be paid to him. He then retreated, and, to + the joy of all Europe, died on his way back to his native dominions. + </p> + <p> + But with the Huns the danger and suffering of Europe did not end. The + happy state described in the Prophets as 'dwelling safely, with none to + make them afraid', was utterly unknown in Europe throughout the long + break-up of the Roman Empire; and in a few more years the Franks were + overrunning the banks of the Seine, and actually venturing to lay siege to + the Roman walls of Paris itself. The fortifications were strong enough, + but hunger began to do the work of the besiegers, and the garrison, + unwarlike and untrained, began to despair. But Genevieve's courage and + trust never failed; and finding no warriors willing to run the risk of + going beyond the walls to obtain food for the women and children who were + perishing around them, this brave shepherdess embarked alone in a little + boat, and guiding it down the stream, landed beyond the Frankish camp, and + repairing to the different Gallic cities, she implored them to send succor + to the famished brethren. She obtained complete success. Probably the + Franks had no means of obstructing the passage of the river, so that a + convoy of boats could easily penetrate into the town, and at any rate they + looked upon Genevieve as something sacred and inspired whom they durst not + touch; probably as one of the battle maids in whom their own myths taught + them to believe. One account indeed says that, instead of going alone to + obtain help, Genevieve placed herself at the head of a forage party, and + that the mere sight of her inspired bearing caused them to be allowed to + enter and return in safety; but the boat version seems the more probable, + since a single boat on a broad river would more easily elude the enemy + than a troop of Gauls pass through their army. + </p> + <p> + But a city where all the valor resided in one woman could not long hold + out, and in another inroad, when Genevieve was absent, Paris was actually + seized by the Franks. Their leader, Hilperik, was absolutely afraid of + what the mysteriously brave maiden might do to him, and commanded the + gates of the city to be carefully guarded lest she should enter; but + Geneviere learnt that some of the chief citizens were imprisoned, and that + Hilperik intended their death, and nothing could withhold her from making + an effort in their behalf. The Franks had made up their minds to settle, + and not to destroy. They were not burning and slaying indiscriminately, + but while despising the Romans, as they called the Gauls, for their + cowardice, they were in awe of the superior civilization and the knowledge + of arts. The country people had free access to the city, and Genevieve in + her homely gown and veil passed by Hilperik's guards without being + suspected of being more than an ordinary Gaulish village maid; and thus + she fearlessly made her way, even to the old Roman halls, where the + long-haired Hilperik was holding his wild carousal. Would that we knew + more of that interview—one of the most striking that ever took + place! We can only picture to ourselves the Roman tessellated pavement + bestrewn with wine, bones, and fragments of the barbarous revelry. There + were untamed Franks, their sun-burnt hair tied up in a knot at the top of + their heads, and falling down like a horse's tail, their faces close + shaven, except two moustaches, and dressed in tight leather garments, with + swords at their wide belts. Some slept, some feasted, some greased their + long locks, some shouted out their favorite war songs around the table + which was covered with the spoils of churches, and at their heads sat the + wild, long-haired chieftain, who was a few years later driven away by his + own followers for his excesses, the whole scene was all that was abhorrent + to a pure, devout, and faithful nature, most full of terror to a woman. + Yet, there, in her strength, stood the peasant maiden, her heart full of + trust and pity, her looks full of the power that is given by fearlessness + of them that can kill the body. What she said we do not know—we only + know that the barbarous Hilperik was overawed; he trembled before the + expostulations of the brave woman, and granted all she asked—the + safety of his prisoners, and mercy to the terrified inhabitants. No wonder + that the people of Paris have ever since looked back to Genevieve as their + protectress, and that in after ages she has grown to be the patron saint + of the city. + </p> + <p> + She lived to see the son of Hilperik, Chlodweh, or, as he was more + commonly called, Clovis, marry a Christian wife, Clotilda, and after a + time became a Christian. She saw the foundation of the Cathedral of + Notre-Dame, and of the two famous churches of St. Denys and of St. Martin + of Tours, and gave her full share to the first efforts for bringing the + rude and bloodthirsty conquerors to some knowledge of Christian faith, + mercy, and purity. After a life of constant prayer and charity she died, + three months after King Clovis, in the year 512, the eighty-ninth of her + age. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Footnote: Perhaps the exploits of the Maid of Orleans were + the most like those of Genevieve, but they are not here + added to our collection of 'Golden Deeds,' because the + Maid's belief that she was directly inspired removes them + from the ordinary class. Alas! the English did not treat her + as Hilperik treated Genevieve.] +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LEO THE SLAVE + </h2> + <h3> + A.D. 533 + </h3> + <p> + The Franks had fully gained possession of all the north of Gaul, except + Brittany. Chlodweh had made them Christians in name, but they still + remained horribly savage—and the life of the Gauls under them was + wretched. The Burgundians and Visigoths who had peopled the southern and + eastern provinces were far from being equally violent. They had entered on + their settlements on friendly terms, and even showed considerable respect + for the Roman-Gallic senators, magistrates, and higher clergy, who all + remained unmolested in their dignities and riches. Thus it was that + Gregory, Bishop of Langres, was a man of high rank and consideration in + the Burgundian kingdom, whence the Christian Queen Clotilda had come; and + even after the Burgundians had been subdued by the four sons of Chlodweh, + he continued a rich and prosperous man. + </p> + <p> + After one of the many quarrels and reconciliations between these fierce + brethren, there was an exchange of hostages for the observance of the + terms of the treaty. These were not taken from among the Franks, who were + too proud to submit to captivity, but from among the Gaulish nobles, a + much more convenient arrangement to the Frankish kings, who cared for the + life of a 'Roman' infinitely less than even for the life of a Frank. Thus + many young men of senatorial families were exchanged between the domains + of Theodrik to the south, and of Hildebert to the northward, and quartered + among Frankish chiefs, with whom at first they had nothing more to endure + than the discomfort of living as guests with such rude and coarse + barbarians. But ere long fresh quarrels broke out between Theodrik and + Hildebert, and the unfortunate hostages were at once turned into slaves. + Some of them ran away if they were near the frontier, but Bishop Gregory + was in the utmost anxiety about his young nephew Attalus, who had been + last heard of as being placed under the charge of a Frank who lived + between Treves and Metz. The Bishop sent emissaries to make secret + enquiries, and they brought word that the unfortunate youth had indeed + been reduced to slavery, and was made to keep his master's herds of + horses. Upon this the uncle again sent off his messengers with presents + for the ransom of Attalus, but the Frank rejected them, saying, 'One of + such high race can only be redeemed for ten pounds' weight of gold.' + </p> + <p> + This was beyond the Bishop's means, and while he was considering how to + raise the sum, the slaves were all lamenting for their young lord, to whom + they were much attached, till one of them, named Leo, the cook to the + household, came to the Bishop, saying to him, 'If thou wilt give me leave + to go, I will deliver him from captivity.' The Bishop replied that he gave + free permission, and the slave set off for Treves, and there watched + anxiously for an opportunity of gaining access to Attalus; but though the + poor young man—no longer daintily dressed, bathed, and perfumed, but + ragged and squalid—might be seen following his herds of horses, he + was too well watched for any communication to be held with him. Then Leo + went to a person, probably of Gallic birth, and said, 'Come with me to + this barbarian's house, and there sell me for a slave. Thou shalt have the + money, I only ask thee to help me thus far.' + </p> + <p> + Both repaired to the Frank's abode, the chief among a confused collection + of clay and timber huts intended for shelter during eating and sleeping. + The Frank looked at the slave, and asked him what he could do. + </p> + <p> + 'I can dress whatever is eaten at lordly tables,' replied Leo. 'I am + afraid of no rival; I only tell thee the truth when I say that if thou + wouldst give a feast to the king, I would send it up in the neatest + manner.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' said the barbarian, 'the Sun's day is coming—I shall invite my + kinsmen and friends. Cook me such a dinner as may amaze them, and make + then say, 'We saw nothing better in the king's house.' 'Let me have plenty + of poultry, and I will do according to my master's bidding,' returned Leo. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, he was purchased for twelve gold pieces, and on the Sunday + (as Bishop Gregory of Tours, who tells the story, explains that the + barbarians called the Lord's day) he produced a banquet after the most + approved Roman fashion, much to the surprise and delight of the Franks, + who had never tasted such delicacies before, and complimented their host + upon them all the evening. Leo gradually became a great favorite, and was + placed in authority over the other slaves, to whom he gave out their daily + portions of broth and meat; but from the first he had not shown any + recognition of Attalus, and had signed to him that they must be strangers + to one another. A whole year had passed away in this manner, when one day + Leo wandered, as if for pastime, into the plain where Attalus was watching + the horses, and sitting down on the ground at some paces off, and with his + back towards his young master, so that they might not be seen together, he + said, 'This is the time for thoughts of home! When thou hast led the + horses to the stable to-night, sleep not. Be ready at the first call!' + </p> + <p> + That day the Frank lord was entertaining a large number of guests, among + them his daughter's husband, a jovial young man, given to jesting. On + going to rest he fancied he should be thirsty at night and called Leo to + set a pitcher of hydromel by his bedside. As the slave was setting it + down, the Frank looked slyly from under his eyelids, and said in joke, + 'Tell me, my father-in-law's trusty man, wilt not thou some night take one + of those horses, and run away to thine own home?' + </p> + <p> + 'Please God, it is what I mean to do this very night,' answered the Gaul, + so undauntedly that the Frank took it as a jest, and answered, 'I shall + look out that thou dost not carry off anything of mine,' and then Leo left + him, both laughing. + </p> + <p> + All were soon asleep, and the cook crept out to the stable, where Attalus + usually slept among the horses. He was broad awake now, and ready to + saddle the two swiftest; but he had no weapon except a small lance, so Leo + boldly went back to his master's sleeping hut, and took down his sword and + shield, but not without awaking him enough to ask who was moving. 'It is I—Leo,' + was the answer, 'I have been to call Attalus to take out the horses early. + He sleeps as hard as a drunkard.' The Frank went to sleep again, quite + satisfied, and Leo, carrying out the weapons, soon made Attalus feel like + a free man and a noble once more. They passed unseen out of the enclosure, + mounted their horses, and rode along the great Roman road from Treves as + far as the Meuse, but they found the bridge guarded, and were obliged to + wait till night, when they cast their horses loose and swam the river, + supporting themselves on boards that they found on the bank. They had as + yet had no food since the supper at their master's, and were thankful to + find a plum tree in the wood, with fruit, to refresh them in some degree, + before they lay down for the night. The next morning they went on in the + direction of Rheims, carefully listening whether there were any sounds + behind, until, on the broad hard-paved causeway, they actually heard the + trampling of horses. Happily a bush was near, behind which they crept, + with their naked swords before them, and here the riders actually halted + for a few moments to arrange their harness. Men and horses were both those + they feared, and they trembled at hearing one say, 'Woe is me that those + rogues have made off, and have not been caught! On my salvation, if I + catch them, I will have one hung and the other chopped into bits!' It was + no small comfort to hear the trot of the horses resumed, and soon dying + away in the distance. That same night the two faint, hungry, weary + travelers, footsore and exhausted, came stumbling into Rheims, looking + about for some person still awake to tell them the way to the house of the + Priest Paul, a friend of Attalus' uncle. They found it just as the church + bell was ringing for matins, a sound that must have seemed very like home + to these members of an episcopal household. They knocked, and in the + morning twilight met the Priest going to his earliest Sunday morning + service. + </p> + <p> + Leo told his young master's name, and how they had escaped, and the + Priest's first exclamation was a strange one: 'My dream is true. This very + night I saw two doves, one white and one black, who came and perched on my + hand.' + </p> + <p> + The good man was overjoyed, but he scrupled to give them any food, as it + was contrary to the Church's rules for the fast to be broken before mass; + but the travelers were half dead with hunger, and could only say, 'The + good Lord pardon us, for, saving the respect due to His day, we must eat + something, since this is the forth day since we have touched bread or + meat.' The Priest upon this gave them some bread and wine, and after + hiding them carefully, went to church, hoping to avert suspicion; but + their master was already at Rheims, making strict search for them, and + learning that Paul the Priest was a friend of the Bishop of Langres, he + went to church, and there questioned him closely. But the Priest succeeded + in guarding his secret, and though he incurred much danger, as the Salic + law was very severe against concealers of runaway slaves, he kept Attalus + and Leo for two days till the search was blown over, and their strength + was restored, so that they could proceed to Langres. There they were + welcomed like men risen from the dead; the Bishop wept on the neck of + Attalus, and was ready to receive Leo as a slave no more, but a friend and + deliverer. + </p> + <p> + A few days after Leo was solemnly led to the church. Every door was set + open as a sign that he might henceforth go whithersoever he would. Bishop + Gregorus took him by the hand, and, standing before the Archdeacon, + declared that for the sake of the good services rendered by his slave, + Leo, he set him free, and created him a Roman citizen. + </p> + <p> + Then the Archdeacon read a writing of manumission. 'Whatever is done + according to the Roman law is irrevocable. According to the constitution + of the Emperor Constantine, of happy memory, and the edict that declares + that whosoever is manumitted in church, in the presence of the bishops, + priests, and deacons, shall become a Roman citizen under the protection of + the Church: from this day Leo becomes a member of the city, free to go and + come where he will as if he had been born of free parents. From this day + forward, he is exempt from all subjection of servitude, of all duty of a + freed-man, all bond of client-ship. He is and shall be free, with full and + entire freedom, and shall never cease to belong to the body of Roman + citizens.' + </p> + <p> + At the same time Leo was endowed with lands, which raised him to the rank + of what the Franks called a Roman proprietor—the highest reward in + the Bishop's power for the faithful devotion that had incurred such + dangers in order to rescue the young Attalus from his miserable bondage. + </p> + <p> + Somewhat of the same kind of faithfulness was shown early in the + nineteenth century by Ivan Simonoff, a soldier servant belonging to Major + Kascambo, an officer in the Russian army, who was made prisoner by one of + the wild tribes of the Caucasus. But though the soldier's attachment to + his master was quite as brave and disinterested as that of the Gallic + slave, yet he was far from being equally blameless in the means he + employed, and if his were a golden deed at all, it was mixed with much of + iron. + </p> + <p> + Major Kascambo, with a guard of fifty Cossacks, was going to take the + command of the Russian outpost of Lars, one of the forts by which the + Russian Czars have slowly been carrying on the aggressive warfare that has + nearly absorbed into their vast dominions all the mountains between the + Caspian and Black seas. On his way he was set upon by seven hundred + horsemen of the savage and independent tribe of Tchetchenges. There was a + sharp fight, more than half his men were killed, and he with the rest made + a rampart of the carcasses of their horses, over which they were about to + fire their last shots, when the Tchetchenges made a Russian deserter call + out to the Cossacks that they would let them all escape provided they + would give up their officer. Kascambo on this came forward and delivered + himself into their hands; while the remainder of the troops galloped off. + His servant, Ivan, with a mule carrying his baggage, had been hidden in a + ravine, and now, instead of retreating with the Cossacks, came to join his + master. All the baggage was, however, instantly seized and divided among + the Tchetchenges; nothing was left but a guitar, which they threw + scornfully to the Major. He would have let it lie, but Ivan picked it up, + and insisted on keeping it. 'Why be dispirited?' he said; 'the God of the + Russians is great, it is the interest of the robbers to save you, they + will do you no harm.' + </p> + <p> + Scouts brought word that the Russian outposts were alarmed, and that + troops were assembling to rescue the officer. Upon this the seven hundred + broke up into small parties, leaving only ten men on foot to conduct the + prisoners, whom they forced to take off their iron-shod boots and walk + barefoot over stones and thorns, till the Major was so exhausted that they + were obliged to drag him by cords fastened to his belt. + </p> + <p> + After a terrible journey, the prisoners were placed in a remote village, + where the Major had heavy chains fastened to his hands and feet, and + another to his neck, with a huge block of oak as a clog at the other end; + they half-starved him, and made him sleep on the bare ground of the hut in + which he lodged. The hut belonged to a huge, fierce old man of sixty named + Ibrahim, whose son had been killed in a skirmish with the Russians. This + man, together with his son's widow, were continually trying to revenge + themselves on their captive. The only person who showed him any kindness + was his little grandson, a child of seven years old, called Mamet, who + often caressed him, and brought him food by stealth. Ivan was also in the + same hut, but less heavily ironed than his master, and able to attempt a + few alleviations for his wretched condition. An interpreter brought the + Major a sheet of paper and a reed pen, and commanded him to write to his + friends that he might be ransomed for 10,000 roubles, but that, if the + whole sum were not paid, he would be put to death. He obeyed, but he knew + that his friends could not possibly raise such a sum, and his only hope + was in the government, which had once ransomed a colonel who had fallen + into the hands of the same tribe. + </p> + <p> + These Tchetchenges professed to be Mahometans, but their religion sat very + loose upon them, and they were utter barbarians. One piece of respect they + paid the Major's superior education was curious—they made him judge + in all the disputes that arose. The houses in the village were hollowed + out underground, and the walls only raised three or four feet, and then + covered by a flat roof, formed of beaten clay, where the inhabitants spent + much of their time. Kascambo was every now and then brought, in all his + chains, to the roof of the hut, which served as a tribunal whence he was + expected to dispense justice. For instance, a man had commissioned his + neighbour to pay five roubles to a person in another valley, but the + messenger's horse having died by the way, a claim was set up to the + roubles to make up for it. Both parties collected all their friends, and a + bloody quarrel was about to take place, when they agreed to refer the + question to the prisoner, who was accordingly set upon his judgment seat. + </p> + <p> + 'Pray,' said he, 'if, instead of giving you five roubles, your comrade had + desired you to carry his greetings to his creditor, would not your horse + have died all the same?' + </p> + <p> + 'Most likely.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then what should you have done with the greetings? Should you have kept + them in compensation? My sentence is that you should give back the + roubles, and that your comrade gives you a greeting.' + </p> + <p> + The whole assembly approved the decision, and the man only grumbled out, + as he gave back the money, 'I knew I should lose it, if that dog of a + Christian meddled with it.' + </p> + <p> + All this respect, however, did not avail to procure any better usage for + the unfortunate judge, whose health was suffering severely under his + privations. Ivan, however, had recommended himself in the same way as Leo, + by his perfections as a cook, and moreover he was a capital buffoon. His + fetters were sometimes taken off that he might divert the villagers by his + dances and strange antics while his master played the guitar. Sometimes + they sang Russian songs together to the instrument, and on these occasions + the Major's hands were released that he might play on it; but one day he + was unfortunately heard playing in his chains for his own amusement, and + from that time he was never released from his fetters. + </p> + <p> + In the course of a year, three urgent letters had been sent; but no notice + was taken of them, and Ivan began to despair of aid from home, and set + himself to work. His first step was to profess himself a Mahometan. He + durst not tell his master till the deed was done, and then Kascambo was + infinitely shocked; but the act did not procure Ivan so much freedom as he + had hoped. He was, indeed, no longer in chains, but he was evidently + distrusted, and was so closely watched, that the only way in which he + could communicate with his master was when they were set to sing together, + when they chanted out question and answer in Russ, unsuspected, to the + tune of their national airs. He was taken on an expedition against the + Russians, and very nearly killed by the suspicious Tchetchenges on one + side, and by the Cossacks on the other, as a deserter. He saved a young + man of the tribe from drowning; but though he thus earned the friendship + of the family, the rest of the villagers hated and dreaded him all the + more, since he had not been able to help proving himself a man of courage, + instead of the feeble buffoon he had tried to appear. + </p> + <p> + Three months after this expedition, another took place; but Ivan was not + allowed even to know of it. He saw preparations making, but nothing was + said to him; only one morning he found the village entirely deserted by + all the young men, and as he wandered round it, the aged ones would not + speak to him. A child told him that his father had meant to kill him, and + on the roof of her house stood the sister of the man he had saved, making + signals of great terror, and pointing towards Russia. Home he went and + found that, besides old Ibrahim, his master was watched by a warrior, who + had been prevented by an intermitting fever from joining the expedition. + He was convinced that if the tribe returned unsuccessful, the murder of + both himself and his master was certain; but he resolved not to fly alone, + and as he busied himself in preparing the meal, he sung the burden of a + Russian ballad, intermingled with words of encouragement for his master: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The time is come; + Hai Luli! +The time is come, Hai Luli! +Our woe is at an end, Hai Luli! +Or we die at once! Hai Luli! +To-morrow, to-morrow, Hai Luli! +We are off for a town, Hai Luli! +For a fine, fine town, Hai Luli! +But I name no names, Hai Luli! +Courage, courage, master dear, Hai Luli! +Never, never, despair, Hai Luli! +For the God of the Russians is great, Hai Luli! +</pre> + <p> + Poor Kascambo, broken down, sick, and despairing, only muttered, 'Do as + you please, only hold your peace!' + </p> + <p> + Ivan's cookery incited the additional guard to eat so much supper, that he + brought on a severe attack of his fever, and was obliged to go home; but + old Ibrahim, instead of going to bed, sat down on a log of wood opposite + the prisoner, and seemed resolved to watch him all night. The woman and + child went to bed in the inner room, and Ivan signed to his master to take + the guitar, and began to dance. The old man's axe was in an open cupboard + at the other end of the room, and after many gambols and contortions, + during which the Major could hardly control his fingers to touch the + strings, Ivan succeeded in laying his hands upon it, just when the old man + was bending over the fire to mend it. Then, as Ibrahim desired that the + music should cease, he cut him down with a single blow, on his own hearth. + And the daughter-in-law coming out to see what had happened, he slew her + with the same weapon. And then, alas! in spite of the commands, + entreaties, and cries of his master, he dashed into the inner room, and + killed the sleeping child, lest it should give the alarm. Kascambo, + utterly helpless to save, fell almost fainting upon the bloody floor, and + did not cease to reproach Ivan, who was searching the old man's pockets + for the key of the fetters, but it was not there, nor anywhere else in the + hut, and the irons were so heavy that escape was impossible in them. Ivan + at last knocked off the clog and the chains on the wrist with the axe, but + he could not break the chains round the legs, and could only fasten them + as close as he could to hinder them clanking. Then securing all the + provisions he could carry, and putting his master into his military cloak, + obtaining also a pistol and dagger, they crept out, but not on the direct + road. It was February, and the ground was covered with snow. All night + they walked easily, but at noon the sun so softened it that they sank in + at every step, and the Major's chains rendered each motion terrible + labour. It was only on the second night that Ivan, with his axe, succeeded + in breaking through the fastenings, and by that time the Major's legs were + so swollen and stiffened that he could not move without extreme pain. + However, he was dragged on through the wild mountain paths, and then over + the plains for several days more, till they were on the confines of + another tribe of Tchetchenges, who were overawed by Russia, and in a sort + of unwilling alliance. Here, however, a sharp storm, and a fall into the + water, completely finished Kascambo's strength, and he sank down on the + snow, telling Ivan to go home and explain his fate, and give his last + message to his mother. + </p> + <p> + 'If you perish here,' said Ivan, 'trust me, neither your mother nor mine + will ever see me again.' + </p> + <p> + He covered his master with his cloak, gave him the pistol, and walked on + to a hut, where he found a Tchetchenge man, and told him that here was a + means of obtaining two hundred roubles. He had only to shelter the major + as a guest for three days, whilst Ivan himself went on to Mosdok, to + procure the money, and bring back help for his master. The man was full of + suspicion, but Ivan prevailed, and Kascambo was carried into the village + nearly dying, and was very ill all the time of his servant's absence. Ivan + set off for the nearest Russian station, where he found some of the + Cossacks who had been present when the major was taken. All eagerly + subscribed to raise the two hundred roubles, but the Colonel would not let + Ivan go back alone, as he had engaged to do, and sent a guard of Cossacks. + This had nearly been fatal to the Major, for as soon as his host saw the + lances, he suspected treachery, and dragging his poor sick guest to the + roof of the house, he tied him up to a stake, and stood over him with a + pistol, shouting to Ivan, 'If you come nearer, I shall blow his brains + out, and I have fifty cartridges more for my enemies, and the traitor who + leads them.' + </p> + <p> + 'No traitor!' cried Ivan. 'Here are the roubles. I have kept my word!' + </p> + <p> + 'Let the Cossacks go back, or I shall fire.' + </p> + <p> + Kascambo himself begged the officer to retire, and Ivan went back with the + detachment, and returned alone. Even then the suspicious host made him + count out the roubles at a hundred paces from the house, and at once + ordered him out of sight; but then went up to the roof, and asked the + Major's pardon for all this rough usage. + </p> + <p> + 'I shall only recollect that you were my host, and kept your word,' said + Kascambo. + </p> + <p> + In a few hours more, Kascambo was in safety among his brother officers. + Ivan was made a non-commissioned officer, and some months after was seen + by the traveler who told the story, whistling the air of Hai Luli at his + former master's wedding feast. He was even then scarcely twenty years old, + and peculiarly quiet and soft in manners. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BATTLE OF THE BLACKWATER + </h2> + <h3> + 991 + </h3> + <p> + In the evil days of King Ethelred the Unready, when the teaching of good + King Alfred was fast fading away from the minds of his descendants, and + self-indulgence was ruining the bold and hardy habits of the English, the + fleet was allowed to fall into decay, and Danish ships again ventured to + appear on the English coasts. + </p> + <p> + The first Northmen who had ravaged England came eager for blood and + plunder, and hating the sight of a Christian church as an insult to their + gods, Thor and Odin; but the lapse of a hundred years had in some degree + changed the temper of the North; and though almost every young man thought + it due to his fame to have sailed forth as a sea rover, yet the attacks of + these marauders might be bought off, and provided they had treasure to + show for their voyage, they were willing to spare the lives and lands of + the people of the coasts they visited. + </p> + <p> + King Ethelred and his cowardly, selfish Court were well satisfied with + this expedient, and the tax called Danegeld was laid upon the people, in + order to raise a fund for buying off the enemy. But there were still in + England men of bolder and truer hearts, who held that bribery was false + policy, merely inviting the enemy to come again and again, and that the + only wise course would be in driving them back by English valor, and + keeping the fleet in a condition to repel the 'Long Serpent' ships before + the foe could set foot upon the coast. + </p> + <p> + Among those who held this opinion was Brythnoth, Earl of Essex. He was of + partly Danish descent himself, but had become a thorough Englishman, and + had long and faithfully served the King and his father. He was a friend to + the clergy, a founder of churches and convents, and his manor house of + Hadleigh was a home of hospitality and charity. It would probably be a + sort of huge farmyard, full of great barn-like buildings and sheds, all + one story high; some of them serving for storehouses, and others for + living-rooms and places of entertainment for his numerous servants and + retainers, and for the guests of all degrees who gathered round him as the + chief dispenser of justice in his East-Saxon earldom. When he heard the + advice given and accepted that the Danes should be bribed, instead of + being fought with, he made up his mind that he, at least, would try to + raise up a nobler spirit, and, at the sacrifice of his own life, would + show the effect of making a manful stand against them. + </p> + <p> + He made his will, and placed it in the hands of the Archbishop of + Canterbury; and then, retiring to Hadleigh, he provided horses and arms, + and caused all the young men in his earldom to be trained in warlike + exercises, according to the good old English law, that every man should be + provided with weapons and know the use of them. + </p> + <p> + The Danes sailed forth, in the year 991, with ninety-three vessels, the + terrible 'Long Serpents', carved with snakes' heads at the prow, and the + stern finished as the gilded tail of the reptile; and many a lesser ship, + meant for carrying plunder. The Sea King, Olaf (or Anlaff), was the + leader; and as tidings came that their sails had been seen upon the North + Sea, more earnest than ever rang out the petition in the Litany, 'From the + fury of the Northmen, good Lord, deliver us'. + </p> + <p> + Sandwich and Ipswich made no defense, and were plundered; and the fleet + then sailed into the mouth of the River Blackwater, as far as Maldon, + where the ravagers landed, and began to collect spoil. When, however, they + came back to their ships, they found that the tide would not yet serve + them to re-embark; and upon the farther bank of the river bristled the + spears of a body of warriors, drawn up in battle array, but in numbers far + inferior to their own. + </p> + <p> + Anlaff sent a messenger, over the wooden bridge that crossed the river, to + the Earl, who, he understood, commanded this small army. The brave old + man, his grey hair hanging down beneath his helmet, stood, sword in hand, + at the head of his warriors. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord Earl,' said the messenger, 'I come to bid thee to yield to us thy + treasure, for thy safety. Buy off the fight, and we will ratify a peace + with gold.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hear, O thou sailor!' was Brythnoth's answer, 'the reply of this people. + Instead of Danegeld, thou shalt have from them the edge of the sword, and + the point of the spear. Here stands an English Earl, who will defend his + earldom and the lands of his King. Point and edge shall judge between us.' + </p> + <p> + Back went the Dane with his message to Anlaff, and the fight began around + the bridge, where the Danes long strove to force their way across, but + were always driven back by the gallant East-Saxons. The tide had risen, + and for some time the two armies only shot at one another with bows and + arrows; but when it ebbed, leaving the salt-marches dry, the stout old + Earl's love of fair play overpowered his prudence, and he sent to offer + the enemy a free passage, and an open field in which to measure their + strength. + </p> + <p> + The numbers were too unequal; but the battle was long and bloody before + the English could be overpowered. Brythnoth slew one of the chief Danish + leaders with his own hand, but not without receiving a wound. He was still + able to fight on, though with ebbing strength and failing numbers. His + hand was pierced by a dart; but a young boy at his side instantly withdrew + it, and, launching it back again, slew the foe who had aimed it. Another + Dane, seeing the Earl faint and sinking, advanced to plunder him of his + ring and jeweled weapons; but he still had strength to lay the spoiler low + with his battleaxe. This was his last blow; he gathered his strength for + one last cheer to his brave men, and then, sinking on the ground, he + looked up to heaven, exclaiming: 'I thank thee, Lord of nations, for all + the joys I have known on earth. Now, O mild Creator! have I the utmost + need that Thou shouldst grant grace unto my soul, that my spirit may speed + to Thee with peace, O King of angels! to pass into thy keeping. I sue to + Thee that Thou suffer not the rebel spirits of hell to vex my parting + soul!' + </p> + <p> + With these words he died; but an aged follower, of like spirit, stood over + his corpse, and exhorted his fellows. 'Our spirit shall be the hardier, + and our soul the greater, the fewer our numbers become!' he cried. 'Here + lies our chief, the brave, the good, the much-loved lord, who has blessed + us with many a gift. Old as I am, I will not yield, but avenge his death, + or lay me at his side. Shame befall him that thinks to fly from such a + field as this!' + </p> + <p> + Nor did the English warriors fly. Night came down, at last, upon the + battlefield, and saved the lives of the few survivors; but they were + forced to leave the body of their lord, and the Danes bore away with them + his head as a trophy, and with it, alas! ten thousand pounds of silver + from the King, who, in his sluggishness and weakness had left Brythnoth to + fight and die unaided for the cause of the whole nation. One of the + retainers, a minstrel in the happy old days of Hadleigh, who had done his + part manfully in the battle, had heard these last goodly sayings of his + master, and, living on to peaceful days, loved to rehearse them to the + sound of his harp, and dwell on the glories of one who could die, but not + be defeated. + </p> + <p> + Ere those better days had come, another faithful-hearted Englishman had + given his life for his people. In the year 1012, a huge army, called from + their leader, 'Thorkill's Host', were overrunning Kent, and besieging + Canterbury. The Archbishop Aelfeg was earnestly entreated to leave the + city while yet there was time to escape; but he replied, 'None but a + hireling would leave his flock in time of danger;' and he supported the + resolution of the inhabitants, so that they held out the city for twenty + days; and as the wild Danes had very little chance against a well-walled + town, they would probably have saved it, had not the gates been secretly + opened to them by the traitorous Abbot Aelfman, whom Aelfeg had once + himself saved, when accused of treason before the King. + </p> + <p> + The Danes slaughtered all whom they found in the streets, and the + Archbishop's friends tried to keep him in the church, lest he should run + upon his fate; but he broke from them, and, confronting the enemy, cried: + 'Spare the guiltless! Is there glory in shedding such blood? Turn your + wrath on me! It is I who have denounced your cruelty, have ransomed and + re-clad your captive.' The Danes seized upon him, and, after he had seen + his cathedral burnt and his clergy slain, they threw him into a dungeon, + whence he was told he could only come forth upon the payment of a heavy + ransom. + </p> + <p> + His flock loved him, and would have striven to raise the sum; but, + miserably used as they were by the enemy, and stripped by the exactions of + the Danes, he would not consent that they should be asked for a further + contribution on his account. After seven months' patience in his + captivity, the Danish chiefs, who were then at Greenwich desired him to be + brought into their camp, where they had just been holding a great feast. + It was Easter Eve, and the quiet of that day of calm waiting was disturbed + with their songs, and shouts of drunken revelry, as the chained Archbishop + was led to the open space where the warriors sat and lay amid the remains + of their rude repast. The leader then told him that they had agreed to let + him off for his own share with a much smaller payment than had been + demanded, provided he would obtain a largesse for them from the King, his + master. + </p> + <p> + 'I am not the man,' he answered, 'to provide Christian flesh for Pagan + wolves;' and when again they repeated the demand, 'Gold I have none to + offer you, save the true wisdom of the knowledge of the living God.' And + he began, as he stood in the midst, to 'reason to them of righteousness, + temperance, and judgment to come.' + </p> + <p> + They were mad with rage and drink. The old man's voice was drowned with + shouts of 'Gold, Bishop—give us gold!' The bones and cups that lay + around were hurled at him, and he fell to the ground, with the cry, 'O + Chief Shepherd, guard Thine own children!' As he partly raised himself, + axes were thrown at him; and, at last, a Dane, who had begun to love and + listen to him in his captivity, deemed it mercy to give him a deathblow + with an axe. The English maintained that Aelfeg had died to save his flock + from cruel extortion, and held him as a saint and martyr, keeping his + death day (the 19th of April) as a holiday; and when the Italian + Archbishop of Canterbury (Lanfranc) disputed his right to be so esteemed, + there was strong opposition and discontent. Indeed, our own Prayer Book + still retains his name, under the altered form of St. Alphege; and surely + no one better merits to be remembered, for having loved his people far + better than himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GUZMAN EL BUENO + </h2> + <h3> + 1293 + </h3> + <p> + In the early times of Spanish history, before the Moors had been expelled + from the peninsula, or the blight of Western gold had enervated the + nation, the old honor and loyalty of the Gothic race were high and pure, + fostered by constant combats with a generous enemy. The Spanish Arabs were + indeed the flower of the Mahometan races, endowed with the vigor and honor + of the desert tribes, yet capable of culture and civilization, excelling + all other nations of their time in science and art, and almost the equals + of their Christian foes in the attributes of chivalry. Wars with them were + a constant crusade, consecrated in the minds of the Spaniards as being in + the cause of religion, and yet in some degree freed from savagery and + cruelty by the respect exacted by the honorable character of the enemy, + and by the fact that the civilization and learning of the Christian + kingdoms were far more derived from the Moors than from the kindred + nations of Europe. + </p> + <p> + By the close of the thirteenth century, the Christian kingdoms of Castille + and Aragon were descending from their mountain fastnesses, and spreading + over the lovely plains of the south, even to the Mediterranean coast, as + one beautiful Moorish city after another yielded to the persevering + advances of the children of the Goths; and in 1291 the nephew of our own + beloved Eleanor of Castille, Sancho V. called El Bravo, ventured to invest + the city of Tarifa. + </p> + <p> + This was the western buttress of the gate of the Mediterranean, the base + of the northern Pillar of Hercules, and esteemed one of the gates of + Spain. By it five hundred years previously had the Moorish enemy first + entered Spain at the summons of Count Julian, under their leader Tarif- + abu-Zearah, whose name was bestowed upon it in remembrance of his landing + there. The form of the ground is said to be like a broken punch bowl, with + the broken part towards the sea. The Moors had fortified the city with a + surrounding wall and twenty-six towers, and had built a castle with a + lighthouse on a small adjacent island, called Isla Verde, which they had + connected with the city by a causeway. Their fortifications, always + admirable, have existed ever since, and in 1811, another five hundred + years after, were successfully defended against the French by a small + force of British troops under the command of Colonel Hugh Gough, better + known in his old age as the victor of Aliwal. The walls were then unable + to support the weight of artillery, for which of course they had never + been built, but were perfectly effective against escalade. + </p> + <p> + For six months King Sancho besieged Tarifa by land and sea, his fleet, + hired from the Genoese, lying in the waters where the battle of Trafalgar + was to be fought. The city at length yielded under stress of famine, but + the King feared that he had no resources to enable him to keep it, and + intended to dismantle and forsake it, when the Grand Master of the + military order of Calatrava offered to undertake the defense with his + knights for one year, hoping that some other noble would come forward at + the end of that time and take the charge upon himself. + </p> + <p> + He was not mistaken. The noble who made himself responsible for this post + of danger was a Leonese knight of high distinction, by name Alonso Perez + de Guzman, already called El Bueno, or 'The Good', from the high qualities + he had manifested in the service of the late King, Don Alonso VI, by whom + he had always stood when the present King, Don Sancho, was in rebellion. + The offer was readily accepted, and the whole Guzman family removed to + Tarifa, with the exception of the eldest son, who was in the train of the + Infant Don Juan, the second son of the late King, who had always taken + part with his father against his brother, and on Sancho's accession, + continued his enmity, and fled to Portugal. + </p> + <p> + The King of Portugal, however, being requested by Sancho not to permit him + to remain there, he proceeded to offer his services to the King of + Morocco, Yusuf-ben-Yacoub, for whom he undertook to recover Tarifa, if + 5,000 horse were granted to him for the purpose. The force would have been + most disproportionate for the attack of such a city as Tarifa, but Don + Juan reckoned on means that he had already found efficacious; when he had + obtained the surrender of Zamora to his father by threatening to put to + death a child of the lady in command of the fortress. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, after summoning Tarifa at the head of his 5,000 Moors, he led + forth before the gates the boy who had been confided to his care, and + declared that unless the city were yielded instantly, Guzman should behold + the death of his own son at his hand! Before, he had had to deal with a + weak woman on a question of divided allegiance. It was otherwise here. The + point was whether the city should be made over to the enemies of the faith + and country, whether the plighted word of a loyal knight should be broken. + The boy was held in the grasp of the cruel prince, stretching out his + hands and weeping as he saw his father upon the walls. Don Alonso's eyes, + we are told, filled with tears as he cast one long, last look at his + first-born, whom he might not save except at the expense of his truth and + honor. + </p> + <p> + The struggle was bitter, but he broke forth at last in these words: 'I did + not beget a son to be made use of against my country, but that he should + serve her against her foes. Should Don Juan put him to death, he will but + confer honor on me, true life on my son, and on himself eternal shame in + this world and everlasting wrath after death. So far am I from yielding + this place or betraying my trust, that in case he should want a weapon for + his cruel purpose, there goes my knife!' + </p> + <p> + He cast the knife in his belt over the walls, and returned to the Castle + where, commanding his countenance, he sat down to table with his wife. + Loud shouts of horror and dismay almost instantly called him forth again. + He was told that Don Juan had been seen to cut the boy's throat in a + transport of blind rage. 'I thought the enemy had broken in,' he calmly + said, and went back again. + </p> + <p> + The Moors themselves were horrorstruck at the atrocity of their ally, and + as the siege was hopeless they gave it up; and Don Juan, afraid and + ashamed to return to Morocco, wandered to the Court of Granada. + </p> + <p> + King Sancho was lying sick at Alcala de Henares when the tidings of the + price of Guzman's fidelity reached him. Touched to the depths of his heart + he wrote a letter to his faithful subject, comparing his sacrifice to that + of Abraham, confirming to him the surname of Good, lamenting his own + inability to come and offer his thanks and regrets, but entreating + Guzman's presence at Alcala. + </p> + <p> + All the way thither, the people thronged to see the man true to his word + at such a fearful cost. The Court was sent out to meet him, and the King, + after embracing him, exclaimed, 'Here learn, ye knights, what are exploits + of virtue. Behold your model.' + </p> + <p> + Lands and honors were heaped upon Alonso de Guzman, and they were not a + mockery of his loss, for he had other sons to inherit them. He was the + staunch friend of Sancho's widow and son in a long and perilous minority, + and died full of years and honors. The lands granted to him were those of + Medina Sidonia which lie between the Rivers Guadiana and Guadalquivir, and + they have ever since been held by his descendants, who still bear the + honored name of Guzman, witnessing that the man who gave the life of his + first-born rather than break his faith to the King has left a posterity as + noble and enduring as any family in Europe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FAITHFUL TILL DEATH + </h2> + <h3> + 1308 + </h3> + <p> + One of the ladies most admired by the ancient Romans was Arria, the wife + of Caecina Paetus, a Roman who was condemned by the Emperor Claudius to + become his own executioner. Seeing him waver, his wife, who was resolved + to be with him in death as in life, took the dagger from his hand, plunged + it into her own breast, and with her last strength held it out to him, + gasping out, 'It is not painful, my Paetus.' + </p> + <p> + Such was heathen faithfulness even to death; and where the teaching of + Christianity had not forbidden the taking away of life by one's own hand, + perhaps wifely love could not go higher. Yet Christian women have endured + a yet more fearful ordeal to their tender affection, watching, supporting, + and finding unfailing fortitude to uphold the sufferer in agonies that + must have rent their hearts. + </p> + <p> + Natalia was the fair young wife of Adrian, an officer at Nicomedia, in the + guards of the Emperor Galerius Maximianus, and only about twenty- eight + years old. Natalia was a Christian, but her husband remained a pagan, + until, when he was charged with the execution of some martyrs, their + constancy, coupled with the testimony of his own wife's virtues, triumphed + over his unbelief, and he confessed himself likewise a Christian. He was + thrown into prison, and sentenced to death, but he prevailed on his gaoler + to permit him to leave the dungeon for a time, that he might see his wife. + The report came to Natalia that he was no longer in prison, and she threw + herself on the ground, lamenting aloud: 'Now will men point at me, and + say, 'Behold the wife of the coward and apostate, who, for fear of death, + hath denied his God.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, thou noble and strong-hearted woman,' said Adrian's voice at the + door, 'I bless God that I am not unworthy of thee. Open the door that I + may bid thee farewell.' + </p> + <p> + But this was not the last farewell, though he duly went back to the + prison; for when, the next day, he had been cruelly scourged and tortured + before the tribunal, Natalia, with her hair cut short, and wearing the + disguise of a youth, was there to tend and comfort him. She took him in + her arms saying, 'Oh, light of mine eyes, and husband of mine heart, + blessed art thou, who art chosen to suffer for Christ's sake.' + </p> + <p> + On the following day, the tyrant ordered that Adrian's limbs should be one + by one struck off on a blacksmith's anvil, and lastly his head. And still + it was his wife who held him and sustained him through all and, ere the + last stroke of the executioner, had received his last breath. She took up + one of the severed hands, kissed it, and placed it in her bosom, and + escaping to Byzantium, there spent her life in widowhood. + </p> + <p> + Nor among these devoted wives should we pass by Gertrude, the wife of + Rudolf, Baron von der Wart, a Swabian nobleman, who was so ill-advised as + to join in a conspiracy of Johann of Hapsburg, in 1308, against the + Emperor, Albrecht I, the son of the great and good Rudolf of Hapsburg. + </p> + <p> + This Johann was the son of the Emperor's brother Rudolf, a brave knight + who had died young, and Johann had been brought up by a Baron called + Walther von Eschenbach, until, at nineteen years old, he went to his uncle + to demand his father's inheritance. Albrecht was a rude and uncouth man, + and refused disdainfully the demand, whereupon the noblemen of the + disputed territory stirred up the young prince to form a plot against him, + all having evidently different views of the lengths to which they would + proceed. This was just at the time that the Swiss, angry at the + overweening and oppressive behaviour of Albrecht's governors, were first + taking up arms to maintain that they owed no duty to him as Duke of + Austria, but merely as Emperor of Germany. He set out on his way to + chastise them as rebels, taking with him a considerable train, of whom his + nephew Johann was one. At Baden, Johann, as a last experiment, again + applied for his inheritance, but by way of answer, Albrecht held out a + wreath of flowers, telling him they better became his years than did the + cares of government. He burst into tears, threw the wreath upon the + ground, and fed his mind upon the savage purpose of letting his uncle find + out what he was fit for. + </p> + <p> + By and by, the party came to the banks of the Reuss, where there was no + bridge, and only one single boat to carry the whole across. The first to + cross were the Emperor with one attendant, besides his nephew and four of + the secret partisans of Johann. Albrecht's son Leopold was left to follow + with the rest of the suite, and the Emperor rode on towards the hills of + his home, towards the Castle of Hapsburg, where his father's noble + qualities had earned the reputation which was the cause of all the + greatness of the line. Suddenly his nephew rode up to him, and while one + of the conspirators seized the bridle of his horse, exclaimed, 'Will you + now restore my inheritance?' and wounded him in the neck. The attendant + fled; Der Wart, who had never thought murder was to be a part of the + scheme, stood aghast, but the other two fell on the unhappy Albrecht, and + each gave him a mortal wound, and then all five fled in different + directions. The whole horrible affair took place full in view of Leopold + and the army on the other side of the river, and when it became possible + for any of them to cross, they found that the Emperor had just expired, + with his head in the lap of a poor woman. + </p> + <p> + The murderers escaped into the Swiss mountains, expecting shelter there; + but the stout, honest men of the cantons were resolved not to have any + connection with assassins, and refused to protect them. Johann himself, + after long and miserable wanderings in disguise, bitterly repented, owned + his crime to the Pope, and was received into a convent; Eschenbach + escaped, and lived fifteen years as a cowherd. The others all fell into + the hands of the sons and daughters of Albrecht, and woeful was the + revenge that was taken upon them, and upon their innocent families and + retainers. + </p> + <p> + That Leopold, who had seen his father slain before his eyes, should have + been deeply incensed, was not wonderful, and his elder brother Frederick, + as Duke of Austria, was charged with the execution of justice; but both + brothers were horribly savage and violent in their proceedings, and their + sister Agnes surpassed them in her atrocious thirst for vengeance. She was + the wife of the King of Hungary, very clever and discerning, and also + supposed to be very religious, but all better thoughts were swept away by + her furious passion. She had nearly strangled Eschenbach's infant son with + her own bare hands, when he was rescued from her by her own soldiers, and + when she was watching the beheading of sixty-three vassals of another of + the murderers, she repeatedly exclaimed, 'Now I bathe in May dew.' Once, + indeed, she met with a stern rebuke. A hermit, for whom she had offered to + build a convent, answered her, 'Woman, God is not served by shedding + innocent blood and by building convents out of the plunder of families, + but by compassion and forgiveness of injuries.' + </p> + <p> + Rudolf von der Wart received the horrible sentence of being broken on the + wheel. On his trial the Emperor's attendant declared that Der Wart had + attacked Albert with his dagger, and the cry, 'How long will ye suffer + this carrion to sit on horseback?' but he persisted to the last that he + had been taken by surprise by the murder. However, there was no mercy for + him; and, by the express command of Queen Agnes, after he had been bound + upon one wheel, and his limbs broken by heavy blows from the executioner, + he was fastened to another wheel, which was set upon a pole, where he was + to linger out the remaining hours of his life. His young wife, Gertrude, + who had clung to him through all the trial, was torn away and carried off + to the Castle of Kyburg; but she made her escape at dusk, and found her + way, as night came on, to the spot where her husband hung still living + upon the wheel. That night of agony was described in a letter ascribed to + Gertrude herself. The guard left to watch fled at her approach, and she + prayed beneath the scaffold, and then, heaping some heavy logs of wood + together, was able to climb up near enough to embrace him and stroke back + the hair from his face, whilst he entreated her to leave him, lest she + should be found there, and fall under the cruel revenge of the Queen, + telling her that thus it would be possible to increase his suffering. + </p> + <p> + 'I will die with you,' she said, 'tis for that I came, and no power shall + force me from you;' and she prayed for the one mercy she hoped for, speedy + death for her husband. + </p> + <p> + In Mrs. Hemans' beautiful words— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'And bid me not depart,' she cried, + 'My Rudolf, say not so; + This is no time to quit thy side, + Peace, peace, I cannot go! + Hath the world aught for me to fear + When death is on thy brow? + The world! what means it? + Mine is here! + I will not leave thee now. + 'I have been with thee in thine hour + Of glory and of bliss; + Doubt not its memory's living power + To strengthen me through this. + And thou, mine honor'd love and true, + Bear on, bear nobly on; + We have the blessed heaven in view, + Whose rest shall soon be won.' +</pre> + <p> + When day began to break, the guard returned, and Gertrude took down her + stage of wood and continued kneeling at the foot of the pole. Crowds of + people came to look, among them the wife of one of the officials, whom + Gertrude implored to intercede that her husband's sufferings might be + ended; but though this might not be, some pitied her, and tried to give + her wine and confections, which she could not touch. The priest came and + exhorted Rudolf to confess the crime, but with a great effort he repeated + his former statement of innocence. + </p> + <p> + A band of horsemen rode by. Among them was the young Prince Leopold and + his sister Agnes herself, clad as a knight. They were very angry at the + compassion shown by the crowd, and after frightfully harsh language + commanded that Gertrude should be dragged away; but one of the nobles + interceded for her, and when she had been carried away to a little + distance her entreaties were heard, and she was allowed to break away and + come back to her husband. The priest blessed Gertrude, gave her his hand + and said, 'Be faithful unto death, and God will give you the crown of + life,' and she was no further molested. + </p> + <p> + Night came on, and with it a stormy wind, whose howling mingled with the + voice of her prayers, and whistled in the hair of the sufferer. One of the + guard brought her a cloak. She climbed on the wheel, and spread the + covering over her husband's limbs; then fetched some water in her shoe, + and moistened his lips with it, sustaining him above all with her prayers, + and exhortations to look to the joys beyond. He had ceased to try to send + her away, and thanked her for the comfort she gave him. And still she + watched when morning came again, and noon passed over her, and it was + verging to evening, when for the last time he moved his head; and she + raised herself so as to be close to him. With a smile, he murmured, + 'Gertrude, this is faithfulness till death,' and died. She knelt down to + thank God for having enabled her to remain for that last breath— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'While even as o'er a martyr's grave + She knelt on that sad spot, + And, weeping, blessed the God who gave + Strength to forsake it not!' +</pre> + <p> + She found shelter in a convent at Basle, where she spent the rest of her + life in a quiet round of prayer and good works; till the time came when + her widowed heart should find its true rest for ever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT IS BETTER THAN SLAYING A DRAGON + </h2> + <h3> + 1332 + </h3> + <p> + The next story we have to tell is so strange and wild, that it would seem + better to befit the cloudy times when history had not yet been + disentangled from fable, than the comparatively clear light of the + fourteenth century. + </p> + <p> + It took place in the island of Rhodes. This Greek isle had become the home + of the Knights of St. John, or Hospitaliers, an order of sworn brethren + who had arisen at the time of the Crusades. At first they had been merely + monks, who kept open house for the reception of the poor penniless + pilgrims who arrived at Jerusalem in need of shelter, and often of nursing + and healing. The good monks not only fed and housed them, but did their + best to cure the many diseases that they would catch in the toilsome + journey in that feverish climate; and thus it has come to pass that the + word hospitium, which in Latin only means an inn, has, in modern + languages, given birth, on the one hand, to hotel, or lodging house, on + the other, to hospital, or house of healing. The Hospital at Jerusalem was + called after St. John the Almoner, a charitable Bishop of old, and the + brethren were Hospitaliers. By and by, when the first Crusade was over, + and there was a great need of warriors to maintain the Christian cause in + Jerusalem, the Hospitaliers thought it a pity that so many strong arms + should be prevented from exerting themselves, by the laws that forbade the + clergy to do battle, and they obtained permission from the Pope to become + warriors as well as monks. They were thus all in one—knights, + priests, and nurses; their monasteries were both castles and hospitals; + and the sick pilgrim or wounded Crusader was sure of all the best tendance + and medical care that the times could afford, as well as of all the + ghostly comfort and counsel that he might need, and, if he recovered, he + was escorted safely down to the seashore by a party strong enough to + protect him from the hordes of robber Arabs. All this was for charity's + sake, and without reward. Surely the constitution of the Order was as + golden as its badge—the eight-pointed cross—which the brethren + wore round their neck. They wore it also in white over their shoulder upon + a black mantle. And the knights who had been admitted to the full honors + of the Order had a scarlet surcoat, likewise with the white cross, over + their armor. The whole brotherhood was under the command of a Grand + Master, who was elected in a chapter of all the knights, and to whom all + vowed to render implicit obedience. + </p> + <p> + Good service in all their three capacities had been done by the Order as + long as the Crusaders were able to keep a footing in the Holy Land; but + they were driven back step by step, and at last, in 1291, their last + stronghold at Acre was taken, after much desperate fighting, and the + remnant of the Hospitaliers sailed away to the isle of Cyprus, where, + after a few years, they recruited their forces, and, in 1307, captured the + island of Rhodes, which had been a nest of Greek and Mahometan pirates. + Here they remained, hoping for a fresh Crusade to recover the Holy + Sepulcher, and in the meantime fulfilling their old mission as the + protectors and nurses of the weak. All the Mediterranean Sea was infested + by corsairs from the African coast and the Greek isles, and these brave + knights, becoming sailors as well as all they had been before, placed + their red flag with its white cross at the masthead of many a gallant + vessel that guarded the peaceful traveler, hunted down the cruel pirate, + and brought home his Christian slave, rescued from laboring at the oar, to + the Hospital for rest and tendance. Or their treasures were used in + redeeming the captives in the pirate cities. No knight of St. John might + offer any ransom for himself save his sword and scarf; but for the + redemption of their poor fellow Christians their wealth was ready, and + many a captive was released from toiling in Algiers or Tripoli, or still + worse, from rowing the pirate vessels, chained to the oar, between the + decks, and was restored to health and returned to his friends, blessing + the day he had been brought into the curving harbour of Rhodes, with the + fine fortified town of churches and monasteries. + </p> + <p> + Some eighteen years after the conquest of Rhodes, the whole island was + filled with dismay by the ravages of an enormous creature, living in a + morass at the foot of Mount St. Stephen, about two miles from the city of + Rhodes. Tradition calls it a dragon, and whether it were a crocodile or a + serpent is uncertain. There is reason to think that the monsters of early + creation were slow in becoming extinct, or it is not impossible that + either a crocodile or a python might have been brought over by storms or + currents from Africa, and have grown to a more formidable size than usual + in solitude among the marshes, while the island was changing owners. The + reptile, whatever it might be, was the object of extreme dread; it + devoured sheep and cattle, when they came down to the water, and even + young shepherd boys were missing. And the pilgrimage to the Chapel of St. + Stephen, on the hill above its lair, was especially a service of danger, + for pilgrims were believed to be snapped up by the dragon before they + could mount the hill. + </p> + <p> + Several knights had gone out to attempt the destruction of the creature, + but not one had returned, and at last the Grand Master, Helion de + Villeneuve, forbade any further attacks to be made. The dragon is said to + have been covered with scales that were perfectly impenetrable either to + arrows or any cutting weapon; and the severe loss that encounters with him + had cost the Order, convinced the Grand Master that he must be let alone. + </p> + <p> + However, a young knight, named Dieudonne de Gozon, was by no means willing + to acquiesce in the decree; perhaps all the less because it came after he + had once gone out in quest of the monster, but had returned, by his own + confession, without striking a blow. He requested leave of absence, and + went home for a time to his father's castle of Gozon, in Languedoc; and + there he caused a model of the monster to be made. He had observed that + the scales did not protect the animal's belly, though it was almost + impossible to get a blow at it, owing to its tremendous teeth, and the + furious strokes of its length of tail. He therefore caused this part of + his model to be made hollow, and filled with food, and obtaining two + fierce young mastiffs, he trained them to fly at the under side of the + monster, while he mounted his warhorse, and endeavored to accustom it + likewise to attack the strange shape without swerving. + </p> + <p> + When he thought the education of horse and dogs complete, he returned to + Rhodes; but fearing to be prevented from carrying out his design, he did + not land at the city, but on a remote part of the coast, whence he made + his way to the chapel of St. Stephen. There, after having recommended + himself to God, he left his two French squires, desiring them to return + home if he were slain, but to watch and come to him if he killed the + dragon, or were only hurt by it. He then rode down the hillside, and + towards the haunt of the dragon. It roused itself at his advance, and at + first he charged it with his lance, which was perfectly useless against + the scales. His horse was quick to perceive the difference between the + true and the false monster, and started back, so that he was forced to + leap to the ground; but the two dogs were more staunch, and sprang at the + animal, whilst their master struck at it with his sword, but still without + reaching a vulnerable part, and a blow from the tail had thrown him down, + and the dragon was turning upon him, when the movement left the undefended + belly exposed. Both mastiffs fastened on it at once, and the knight, + regaining his feet, thrust his sword into it. There was a death grapple, + and finally the servants, coming down the hill, found their knight lying + apparently dead under the carcass of the dragon. When they had extricated + him, taken off his helmet, and sprinkled him with water, he recovered, and + presently was led into the city amid the ecstatic shouts of the whole + populace, who conducted him in triumph to the palace of the Grand Master. + </p> + <p> + We have seen how Titus Manlius was requited by his father for his breach + of discipline. It was somewhat in the same manner that Helion de + Villeneuve received Dieudonne. We borrow Schiller's beautiful version of + the conversation that took place, as the young knight, pale, with his + black mantle rent, his shining armor dinted, his scarlet surcoat stained + with blood, came into the Knights' Great Hall. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Severe and grave was the Master's brow, + Quoth he, 'A hero bold art thou, + By valor 't is that knights are known; + A valiant spirit hast thou shown; + But the first duty of a knight, + Now tell, who vows for CHRIST to fight + And bears the Cross on his coat of mail.' + The listeners all with fear grew pale, + While, bending lowly, spake the knight, + His cheeks with blushes burning, + 'He who the Cross would bear aright + Obedience must be learning.' +</pre> + <p> + Even after hearing the account of the conflict, the Grand Master did not + abate his displeasure. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'My son, the spoiler of the land + Lies slain by thy victorious hand + Thou art the people's god, but so + Thou art become thine Order's foe; + A deadlier foe thine heart has bred + Than this which by thy hand is dead, + That serpent still the heart defiling + To ruin and to strife beguiling, + It is that spirit rash and bold, + That scorns the bands of order; + Rages against them uncontrolled + Till earth is in disorder. + + 'Courage by Saracens is shown, + Submission is the Christian's own; + And where our Saviour, high and holy, + Wandered a pilgrim poor and lowly + Upon that ground with mystery fraught, + The fathers of our Order taught + The duty hardest to fulfil + Is to give up your own self-will + Thou art elate with glory vain. + Away then from my sight! + Who can his Saviour's yoke disdain + Bears not his Cross aright.' + + 'An angry cry burst from the crowd, + The hall rang with their tumult loud; + Each knightly brother prayed for grace. + The victor downward bent his face, + Aside his cloak in silence laid, + Kissed the Grand Master's hand, nor stayed. + The Master watched him from the hall, + Then summoned him with loving call, + 'Come to embrace me, noble son, + Thine is the conquest of the soul; + Take up the Cross, now truly won, + By meekness and by self-control.' +</pre> + <p> + The probation of Dieudonne is said to have been somewhat longer than the + poem represents, but after the claims of discipline had been established, + he became a great favorite with stern old Villeneuve, and the dragon's + head was set up over the gate of the city, where Thèvenot professed to + have seen it in the seventeenth century, and said that it was larger than + that of a horse, with a huge mouth and teeth and very large eyes. The name + of Rhodes is said to come from a Phoenician word, meaning a serpent, and + the Greeks called this isle of serpents, which is all in favor of the + truth of the story. But, on the other hand, such traditions often are + prompted by the sight of the fossil skeletons of the dragons of the elder + world, and are generally to be met with where such minerals prevail as are + found in the northern part of Rhodes. The tale is disbelieved by many, but + it is hard to suppose it an entire invention, though the description of + the monster may have been exaggerated. + </p> + <p> + Dieudonne de Gozon was elected to the Grand Mastership after the death of + Villeneuve, and is said to have voted for himself. If so, it seems as if + he might have had, in his earlier days, an overweening opinion of his own + abilities. However, he was an excellent Grand Master, a great soldier, and + much beloved by all the poor peasants of the island, to whom he was + exceedingly kind. He died in 1353, and his tomb is said to have been the + only inscribed with these words, 'Here lies the Dragon Slayer.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE KEYS OF CALAIS + </h2> + <h3> + 1347 + </h3> + <p> + Nowhere does the continent of Europe approach Great Britain so closely as + at the straits of Dover, and when our sovereigns were full of the vain + hope of obtaining the crown of France, or at least of regaining the great + possessions that their forefathers has owned as French nobles, there was + no spot so coveted by them as the fortress of Calais, the possession of + which gave an entrance into France. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that when, in 1346, Edward III. had beaten Philippe VI. at the + battle of Crecy, the first use he made of his victory was to march upon + Calais, and lay siege to it. The walls were exceedingly strong and solid, + mighty defenses of masonry, of huge thickness and like rocks for solidity, + guarded it, and the king knew that it would be useless to attempt a direct + assault. Indeed, during all the Middle Ages, the modes of protecting + fortifications were far more efficient than the modes of attacking them. + The walls could be made enormously massive, the towers raised to a great + height, and the defenders so completely sheltered by battlements that they + could not easily be injured and could take aim from the top of their + turrets, or from their loophole windows. The gates had absolute little + castles of their own, a moat flowed round the walls full of water, and + only capable of being crossed by a drawbridge, behind which the + portcullis, a grating armed beneath with spikes, was always ready to drop + from the archway of the gate and close up the entrance. The only chance of + taking a fortress by direct attack was to fill up the moat with earth and + faggots, and then raise ladders against the walls; or else to drive + engines against the defenses, battering-rams which struck them with heavy + beams, mangonels which launched stones, sows whose arched wooden backs + protected troops of workmen who tried to undermine the wall, and moving + towers consisting of a succession of stages or shelves, filled with + soldiers, and with a bridge with iron hooks, capable of being launched + from the highest story to the top of the battlements. The besieged could + generally disconcert the battering- ram by hanging beds or mattresses over + the walls to receive the brunt of the blow, the sows could be crushed with + heavy stones, the towers burnt by well-directed flaming missiles, the + ladders overthrown, and in general the besiegers suffered a great deal + more damage than they could inflict. Cannon had indeed just been brought + into use at the battle of Crecy, but they only consisted of iron bars + fastened together with hoops, and were as yet of little use, and thus + there seemed to be little danger to a well-guarded city from any enemy + outside the walls. + </p> + <p> + King Edward arrived before the place with all his victorious army early in + August, his good knights and squires arrayed in glittering steel armor, + covered with surcoats richly embroidered with their heraldic bearings; his + stout men-at-arms, each of whom was attended by three bold followers; and + his archers, with their crossbows to shoot bolts, and longbows to shoot + arrows of a yard long, so that it used to be said that each went into + battle with three men's lives under his girdle, namely, the three arrows + he kept there ready to his hand. With the King was his son, Edward, Prince + of Wales, who had just won the golden spurs of knighthood so gallantly at + Crecy, when only in his seventeenth year, and likewise the famous Hainault + knight, Sir Walter Mauny, and all that was noblest and bravest in England. + </p> + <p> + This whole glittering army, at their head the King's great royal standard + bearing the golden lilies of France quartered with the lions of England, + and each troop guided by the square banner, swallow-tailed pennon or + pointed pennoncel of their leader, came marching to the gates of Calais, + above which floated the blue standard of France with its golden flowers, + and with it the banner of the governor, Sir Jean de Vienne. A herald, in a + rich long robe embroidered with the arms of England, rode up to the gate, + a trumpet sounding before him, and called upon Sir Jean de Vienne to give + up the place to Edward, King of England, and of France, as he claimed to + be. Sir Jean made answer that he held the town for Philippe, King of + France, and that he would defend it to the last; the herald rode back + again and the English began the siege of the city. + </p> + <p> + At first they only encamped, and the people of Calais must have seen the + whole plain covered with the white canvas tents, marshalled round the + ensigns of the leaders, and here and there a more gorgeous one displaying + the colours of the owner. Still there was no attack upon the walls. The + warriors were to be seen walking about in the leathern suits they wore + under their armor; or if a party was to be seen with their coats of mail + on, helmet on head, and lance in hand, it was not against Calais that they + came; they rode out into the country, and by and by might be seen driving + back before them herds of cattle and flocks of sheep or pigs that they had + seized and taken away from the poor peasants; and at night the sky would + show red lights where farms and homesteads had been set on fire. After a + time, in front of the tents, the English were to be seen hard at work with + beams and boards, setting up huts for themselves, and thatching them over + with straw or broom. These wooden houses were all ranged in regular + streets, and there was a marketplace in the midst, whither every Saturday + came farmers and butchers to sell corn and meat, and hay for the horses; + and the English merchants and Flemish weavers would come by sea and by + land to bring cloth, bread, weapons, and everything that could be needed + to be sold in this warlike market. + </p> + <p> + The Governor, Sir Jean de Vienne, began to perceive that the King did not + mean to waste his men by making vain attacks on the strong walls of + Calais, but to shut up the entrance by land, and watch the coast by sea so + as to prevent any provisions from being taken in, and so to starve him + into surrendering. Sir Jean de Vienne, however, hoped that before he + should be entirely reduced by famine, the King of France would be able to + get together another army and come to his relief, and at any rate he was + determined to do his duty, and hold out for his master to the last. But as + food was already beginning to grow scarce, he was obliged to turn out such + persons as could not fight and had no stores of their own, and so one + Wednesday morning he caused all the poor to be brought together, men, + women, and children, and sent them all out of the town, to the number of + 1,700. It was probably the truest mercy, for he had no food to give them, + and they could only have starved miserably within the town, or have + hindered him from saving it for his sovereign; but to them it was dreadful + to be driven out of house and home, straight down upon the enemy, and they + went along weeping and wailing, till the English soldiers met them and + asked why they had come out. They answered that they had been put out + because they had nothing to eat, and their sorrowful, famished looks + gained pity for them. King Edward sent orders that not only should they go + safely through his camp, but that they should all rest, and have the first + hearty dinner that they had eaten for many a day, and he sent every one a + small sum of money before they left the camp, so that many of them went on + their way praying aloud for the enemy who had been so kind to them. + </p> + <p> + A great deal happened whilst King Edward kept watch in his wooden town and + the citizens of Calais guarded their walls. England was invaded by King + David II. of Scotland, with a great army, and the good Queen Philippa, who + was left to govern at home in the name of her little son Lionel, assembled + all the forces that were left at home, and crossed the Straits of Dover, + and a messenger brought King Edward letters from his Queen to say that the + Scots army had been entirely defeated at Nevil's Cross, near Durham, and + that their King was a prisoner, but that he had been taken by a squire + named John Copeland, who would not give him up to her. + </p> + <p> + King Edward sent letters to John Copeland to come to him at Calais, and + when the squire had made his journey, the King took him by the hand + saying, 'Ha! welcome, my squire, who by his valor has captured our + adversary the King of Scotland.' + </p> + <p> + Copeland, falling on one knee, replied, 'If God, out of His great + kindness, has given me the King of Scotland, no one ought to be jealous of + it, for God can, when He pleases, send His grace to a poor squire as well + as to a great Lord. Sir, do not take it amiss if I did not surrender him + to the orders of my lady the Queen, for I hold my lands of you, and my + oath is to you, not to her.' + </p> + <p> + The King was not displeased with his squire's sturdiness, but made him a + knight, gave him a pension of 500l. a year, and desired him to surrender + his prisoner to the Queen, as his own representative. This was accordingly + done, and King David was lodged in the Tower of London. Soon after, three + days before All Saint's Day, there was a large and gay fleet to be seen + crossing from the white cliffs of Dover, and the King, his son, and his + knights rode down to the landing place to welcome plump, fair haired Queen + Philippa, and all her train of ladies, who had come in great numbers to + visit their husbands, fathers, or brothers in the wooden town. + </p> + <p> + Then there was a great Court, and numerous feasts and dances, and the + knights and squires were constantly striving who could do the bravest deed + of prowess to please the ladies. The King of France had placed numerous + knights and men-at-arms in the neighboring towns and castles, and there + were constant fights whenever the English went out foraging, and many bold + deeds that were much admired were done. The great point was to keep + provisions out of the town, and there was much fighting between the French + who tried to bring in supplies, and the English who intercepted them. Very + little was brought in by land, and Sir Jean de Vienne and his garrison + would have been quite starved but for two sailors of Abbeville, named + Marant and Mestriel, who knew the coast thoroughly, and often, in the dark + autumn evenings, would guide in a whole fleet of little boats, loaded with + bread and meat for the starving men within the city. They were often + chased by King Edward's vessels, and were sometimes very nearly taken, but + they always managed to escape, and thus they still enabled the garrison to + hold out. + </p> + <p> + So all the winter passed, Christmas was kept with brilliant feastings and + high merriment by the King and his Queen in their wooden palace outside, + and with lean cheeks and scanty fare by the besieged within. Lent was + strictly observed perforce by the besieged, and Easter brought a betrothal + in the English camp; a very unwilling one on the part of the bridegroom, + the young Count of Flanders, who loved the French much better than the + English, and had only been tormented into giving his consent by his unruly + vassals because they depended on the wool of English sheep for their cloth + works. So, though King Edward's daughter Isabel was a beautiful + fair-haired girl of fifteen, the young Count would scarcely look at her; + and in the last week before the marriage day, while her robes and her + jewels were being prepared, and her father and mother were arranging the + presents they should make to all their Court on the wedding day, the + bridegroom, when out hawking, gave his attendants the slip, and galloped + off to Paris, where he was welcomed by King Philippe. + </p> + <p> + This made Edward very wrathful, and more than ever determined to take + Calais. About Whitsuntide he completed a great wooden castle upon the + seashore, and placed in it numerous warlike engines, with forty men-at- + arms and 200 archers, who kept such a watch upon the harbour that not even + the two Abbeville sailors could enter it, without having their boats + crushed and sunk by the great stones that the mangonels launched upon + them. The townspeople began to feel what hunger really was, but their + spirits were kept up by the hope that their King was at last collecting an + army for their rescue. + </p> + <p> + And Philippe did collect all his forces, a great and noble army, and came + one night to the hill of Sangate, just behind the English army, the + knights' armor glancing and their pennons flying in the moonlight, so as + to be a beautiful sight to the hungry garrison who could see the white + tents pitched upon the hillside. Still there were but two roads by which + the French could reach their friends in the town—one along the + seacoast, the other by a marshy road higher up the country, and there was + but one bridge by which the river could be crossed. The English King's + fleet could prevent any troops from passing along the coast road, the Earl + of Derby guarded the bridge, and there was a great tower, strongly + fortified, close upon Calais. There were a few skirmishes, but the French + King, finding it difficult to force his way to relieve the town, sent a + party of knights with a challenge to King Edward to come out of his camp + and do battle upon a fair field. + </p> + <p> + To this Edward made answer, that he had been nearly a year before Calais, + and had spent large sums of money on the siege, and that he had nearly + become master of the place, so that he had no intention of coming out only + to gratify his adversary, who must try some other road if he could not + make his way in by that before him. + </p> + <p> + Three days were spent in parleys, and then, without the slightest effort + to rescue the brave, patient men within the town, away went King Philippe + of France, with all his men, and the garrison saw the host that had + crowded the hill of Sangate melt away like a summer cloud. + </p> + <p> + August had come again, and they had suffered privation for a whole year + for the sake of the King who deserted them at their utmost need. They were + in so grievous a state of hunger and distress that the hardiest could + endure no more, for ever since Whitsuntide no fresh provisions had reached + them. The Governor, therefore, went to the battlements and made signs that + he wished to hold a parley, and the King appointed Lord Basset and Sir + Walter Mauny to meet him, and appoint the terms of surrender. + </p> + <p> + The Governor owned that the garrison was reduced to the greatest extremity + of distress, and requested that the King would be contented with obtaining + the city and fortress, leaving the soldiers and inhabitants to depart in + peace. + </p> + <p> + But Sir Walter Mauny was forced to make answer that the King, his lord, + was so much enraged at the delay and expense that Calais had cost him, + that he would only consent to receive the whole on unconditional terms, + leaving him free to slay, or to ransom, or make prisoners whomsoever he + pleased, and he was known to consider that there was a heavy reckoning to + pay, both for the trouble the siege had cost him and the damage the + Calesians had previously done to his ships. + </p> + <p> + The brave answer was: 'These conditions are too hard for us. We are but a + small number of knights and squires, who have loyally served our lord and + master as you would have done, and have suffered much ill and disquiet, + but we will endure far more than any man has done in such a post, before + we consent that the smallest boy in the town shall fare worse than + ourselves. I therefore entreat you, for pity's sake, to return to the King + and beg him to have compassion, for I have such an opinion of his + gallantry that I think he will alter his mind.' + </p> + <p> + The King's mind seemed, however, sternly made up; and all that Sir Walter + Mauny and the barons of the council could obtain from him was that he + would pardon the garrison and townsmen on condition that six of the chief + citizens should present themselves to him, coming forth with bare feet and + heads, with halters round their necks, carrying the keys of the town, and + becoming absolutely his own to punish for their obstinacy as he should + think fit. + </p> + <p> + On hearing this reply, Sir Jean de Vienne begged Sir Walter Mauny to wait + till he could consult the citizens, and, repairing to the marketplace, he + caused a great bell to be rung, at sound of which all the inhabitants came + together in the town hall. When he told them of these hard terms he could + not refrain from weeping bitterly, and wailing and lamentation arose all + round him. Should all starve together, or sacrifice their best and most + honored after all suffering in common so long? + </p> + <p> + Then a voice was heard; it was that of the richest burgher in the town, + Eustache de St. Pierre. 'Messieurs high and low,' he said, 'it would be a + sad pity to suffer so many people to die through hunger, if it could be + prevented; and to hinder it would be meritorious in the eyes of our + Saviour. I have such faith and trust in finding grace before God, if I die + to save my townsmen, that I name myself as the first of the six.' + </p> + <p> + As the burgher ceased, his fellow townsmen wept aloud, and many, amid + tears and groans, threw themselves at his feet in a transport of grief and + gratitude. Another citizen, very rich and respected, rose up and said, 'I + will be second to my comrade, Eustache.' His name was Jean Daire. After + him, Jacques Wissant, another very rich man, offered himself as companion + to these, who were both his cousins; and his brother Pierre would not be + left behind: and two more, unnamed, made up this gallant band of men + willing to offer their lives for the rescue of their fellow townsmen. + </p> + <p> + Sir Jean de Vienne mounted a little horse—for he had been wounded, + and was still lame—and came to the gate with them, followed by all + the people of the town, weeping and wailing, yet, for their own sakes and + their children's not daring to prevent the sacrifice. The gates were + opened, the governor and the six passed out, and the gates were again shut + behind them. Sir Jean then rode up to Sir Walter Mauny, and told him how + these burghers had voluntarily offered themselves, begging him to do all + in his power to save them; and Sir Walter promised with his whole heart to + plead their cause. De Vienne then went back into the town, full of + heaviness and anxiety; and the six citizens were led by Sir Walter to the + presence of the King, in his full Court. They all knelt down, and the + foremost said: 'Most gallant King, you see before you six burghers of + Calais, who have all been capital merchants, and who bring you the keys of + the castle and town. We yield ourselves to your absolute will and + pleasure, in order to save the remainder of the inhabitants of Calais, who + have suffered much distress and misery. Condescend, therefore, out of your + nobleness of mind, to have pity on us.' + </p> + <p> + Strong emotion was excited among all the barons and knights who stood + round, as they saw the resigned countenances, pale and thin with patiently + endured hunger, of these venerable men, offering themselves in the cause + of their fellow townsmen. Many tears of pity were shed; but the King still + showed himself implacable, and commanded that they should be led away, and + their heads stricken off. Sir Walter Mauny interceded for them with all + his might, even telling the King that such an execution would tarnish his + honor, and that reprisals would be made on his own garrisons; and all the + nobles joined in entreating pardon for the citizens, but still without + effect; and the headsman had been actually sent for, when Queen Philippa, + her eyes streaming with tears, threw herself on her knees amongst the + captives, and said, 'Ah, gentle sir, since I have crossed the sea, with + much danger, to see you, I have never asked you one favor; now I beg as a + boon to myself, for the sake of the Son of the Blessed Mary, and for your + love to me, that you will be merciful to these men!' + </p> + <p> + For some time the King looked at her in silence; then he exclaimed: 'Dame, + dame, would that you had been anywhere than here! You have entreated in + such a manner that I cannot refuse you; I therefore give these men to you, + to do as you please with.' + </p> + <p> + Joyfully did Queen Philippa conduct the six citizens to her own + apartments, where she made them welcome, sent them new garments, + entertained them with a plentiful dinner, and dismissed them each with a + gift of six nobles. After this, Sir Walter Mauny entered the city, and + took possession of it; retaining Sir Jean de Vienne and the other knights + and squires till they should ransom themselves, and sending out the old + French inhabitants; for the King was resolved to people the city entirely + of English, in order to gain a thoroughly strong hold of this first step + in France. + </p> + <p> + The King and Queen took up their abode in the city; and the houses of Jean + Daire were, it appears, granted to the Queen—perhaps, because she + considered the man himself as her charge, and wished to secure them for + him—and her little daughter Margaret was, shortly after, born in one + of his houses. Eustache de St. Pierre was taken into high favor, and + placed in charge of the new citizens whom the King placed in the city. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, as this story is told by no chronicler but Froissart, some have + doubted of it, and thought the violent resentment thus imputed to Edward + III inconsistent with his general character; but it is evident that the + men of Calais had given him strong provocation by attacks on his shipping—piracies + which are not easily forgiven—and that he considered that he had a + right to make an example of them. It is not unlikely that he might, after + all, have intended to forgive them, and have given the Queen the grace of + obtaining their pardon, so as to excuse himself from the fulfillment of + some over-hasty threat. But, however this may have been, nothing can + lessen the glory of the six grave and patient men who went forth, by their + own free will, to meet what might be a cruel and disgraceful death, in + order to obtain the safety of their fellow- townsmen. + </p> + <p> + Very recently, in the summer of 1864, an instance has occurred of self- + devotion worthy to be recorded with that of Eustache de St. Pierre. The + City of Palmyra, in Tennessee, one of the Southern States of America, had + been occupied by a Federal army. An officer of this army was assassinated, + and, on the cruel and mistaken system of taking reprisals, the general + arrested ten of the principal inhabitants, and condemned them to be shot, + as deeming the city responsible for the lives of his officers. One of them + was the highly respected father of a large family, and could ill be + spared. A young man, not related to him, upon this, came forward and + insisted on being taken in his stead, as a less valuable life. And great + as was the distress of his friend, this generous substitution was carried + out, and not only spared a father to his children, but showed how the + sharpest strokes of barbarity can still elicit light from the dark stone—light + that but for these blows might have slept unseen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BATTLE OF SEMPACH + </h2> + <h3> + 1397 + </h3> + <p> + Nothing in history has been more remarkable than the union of the cantons + and cities of the little republic of Switzerland. Of differing races, + languages, and, latterly, even religions—unlike in habits, tastes, + opinions and costumes—they have, however, been held together, as it + were, by pressure from without, and one spirit of patriotism has kept the + little mountain republic complete for five hundred years. + </p> + <p> + Originally the lands were fiefs of the Holy Roman Empire, the city + municipalities owning the Emperor for their lord, and the great family of + Hapsburg, in whom the Empire became at length hereditary, was in reality + Swiss, the county that gave them title lying in the canton of Aargau. + Rodolf of Hapsburg was elected leader of the burghers of Zurich, long + before he was chosen to the Empire; and he continued a Swiss in heart, + retaining his mountaineer's open simplicity and honesty to the end of his + life. Privileges were granted by him to the cities and the nobles, and the + country was loyal and prosperous in his reign. + </p> + <p> + His son Albert, the same who was slain by his nephew Johann, as before- + mentioned, permitted those tyrannies of his bailiffs which goaded the + Swiss to their celebrated revolt, and commenced the long series of wars + with the House of Hapsburgor, as it was now termed, of Austria—which + finally established their independence. + </p> + <p> + On the one side, the Dukes of Austria and their ponderous German chivalry + wanted to reduce the cantons and cities to vassalage, not to the Imperial + Crown, a distant and scarcely felt obligation, but to the Duchy of + Austria; on the other, the hardy mountain peasants and stout burghers well + knew their true position, and were aware that to admit the Austrian + usurpation would expose their young men to be drawn upon for the Duke's + wars, cause their property to be subject to perpetual rapacious exactions, + and fill their hills with castles for ducal bailiffs, who would be little + better than licensed robbers. No wonder, then, that the generations of + William Tell and Arnold Melchthal bequeathed a resolute purpose of + resistance to their descendants. + </p> + <p> + It was in 1397, ninety years since the first assertion of Swiss + independence, when Leopold the Handsome, Duke of Austria, a bold but + misproud and violent prince, involved himself in one of the constant + quarrels with the Swiss that were always arising on account of the + insulting exactions of toll and tribute in the Austrian border cities. A + sharp war broke out, and the Swiss city of Lucerne took the opportunity of + destroying the Austrian castle of Rothemburg, where the tolls had been + particularly vexatious, and of admitting to their league the cities of + Sempach and Richensee. + </p> + <p> + Leopold and all the neighboring nobles united their forces. Hatred and + contempt of the Swiss, as low-born and presumptuous, spurred them on; and + twenty messengers reached the Duke in one day, with promises of support, + in his march against Sempach and Lucerne. He had sent a large force in the + direction of Zurich with Johann Bonstetten, and advanced himself with + 4,000 horse and 1,400 foot upon Sempach. Zurich undertook its own defense, + and the Forest cantons sent their brave peasants to the support of Lucerne + and Sempach, but only to the number of 1,300, who, on the 9th of July, + took post in the woods around the little lake of Sempach. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Leopold's troops rode round the walls of the little city, + insulting the inhabitants, one holding up a halter, which he said was for + the chief magistrate; and another, pointing to the reckless waste that his + comrades were perpetrating on the fields, shouted, 'Send a breakfast to + the reapers.' The burgomaster pointed to the wood where his allies lay + hid, and answered, 'My masters of Lucerne and their friends will bring + it.' + </p> + <p> + The story of that day was told by one of the burghers who fought in the + ranks of Lucerne, a shoemaker, named Albert Tchudi, who was both a brave + warrior and a master-singer; and as his ballad was translated by another + master-singer, Sir Walter Scott, and is the spirited record of an + eyewitness, we will quote from him some of his descriptions of the battle + and its golden deed. + </p> + <p> + The Duke's wiser friends proposed to wait till he could be joined by + Bonstetten and the troops who had gone towards Zurich, and the Baron von + Hasenburg (i.e. hare-rock) strongly urged this prudent counsel; but— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'O, Hare-Castle, thou heart of hare!' + Fierce Oxenstiern he cried, + 'Shalt see then how the game will fare,' + The taunted knight replied.' +</pre> + <p> + 'This very noon,' said the younger knight to the Duke, 'we will deliver up + to you this handful of villains.' + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'And thus they to each other said, + 'Yon handful down to hew + Will be no boastful tale to tell + The peasants are so few.' +</pre> + <p> + Characteristically enough, the doughty cobbler describes how the first + execution that took place was the lopping off the long-peaked toes of the + boots that the gentlemen wore chained to their knees, and which would have + impeded them on foot; since it had been decided that the horses were too + much tired to be serviceable in the action. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'There was lacing then of helmets bright, + And closing ranks amain, + The peaks they hewed from their boot points + Might well nigh load a wain.' +</pre> + <p> + They were drawn up in a solid compact body, presenting an unbroken line of + spears, projecting beyond the wall of gay shields and polished + impenetrable armor. + </p> + <p> + The Swiss were not only few in number, but armor was scarce among them; + some had only boards fastened on their arms by way of shields, some had + halberts, which had been used by their fathers at the battle of Morgarten, + others two-handed swords and battleaxes. They drew themselves up in the + form of a wedge and + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The gallant Swiss confederates then + They prayed to God aloud, + And He displayed His rainbow fair, + Against a swarthy cloud.' +</pre> + <p> + Then they rushed upon the serried spears, but in vain. 'The game was + nothing sweet.' + </p> + <p> + The banner of Lucerne was in the utmost danger, the Landamman was slain, + and sixty of his men, and not an Austrian had been wounded. The flanks of + the Austrian host began to advance so as to enclose the small peasant + force, and involve it in irremediable destruction. A moment of dismay and + stillness ensued. Then Arnold von Winkelried of Unterwalden, with an eagle + glance saw the only means of saving his country, and, with the decision of + a man who dares by dying to do all things, shouted aloud: 'I will open a + passage.' + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'I have a virtuous wife at home, + A wife and infant son: + I leave them to my country's care, + The field shall yet be won!' + He rushed against the Austrian band + In desperate career, + And with his body, breast, and hand, + Bore down each hostile spear; + Four lances splintered on his crest, + Six shivered in his side, + Still on the serried files he pressed, + He broke their ranks and died!' +</pre> + <p> + The very weight of the desperate charge of this self-devoted man opened a + breach in the line of spears. In rushed the Swiss wedge, and the weight of + the nobles' armor and length of their spears was only encumbering. They + began to fall before the Swiss blows, and Duke Leopold was urged to fly. + 'I had rather die honorably than live with dishonor,' he said. He saw his + standard bearer struck to the ground, and seizing his banner from his + hand, waved it over his head, and threw himself among the thickest of the + foe. His corpse was found amid a heap of slain, and no less then 2000 of + his companions perished with him, of whom a third are said to have been + counts, barons and knights. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Then lost was banner, spear and shield + At Sempach in the flight; + The cloister vaults at Konigsfeldt + Hold many an Austrian knight.' +</pre> + <p> + The Swiss only lost 200; but, as they were spent with the excessive heat + of the July sun, they did not pursue their enemies. They gave thanks on + the battlefield to the God of victories, and the next day buried the dead, + carrying Duke Leopold and twenty-seven of his most illustrious companions + to the Abbey of Konigsfeldt, where they buried him in the old tomb of his + forefathers, the lords of Aargau, who had been laid there in the good old + times, before the house of Hapsburg had grown arrogant with success. + </p> + <p> + As to the master-singer, he tells us of himself that + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'A merry man was he, I wot, + The night he made the lay, + Returning from the bloody spot, + Where God had judged the day.' +</pre> + <p> + On every 9th of July subsequently, the people of the country have been + wont to assemble on the battlefield, around four stone crosses which mark + the spot. A priest from a pulpit in the open air gives a thanksgiving + sermon on the victory that ensured the freedom of Switzerland, and another + reads the narrative of the battle, and the roll of the brave 200, who, + after Winkelried's example, gave their lives in the cause. All this is in + the face of the mountains and the lake now lying in summer stillness, and + the harvest fields whose crops are secure from marauders, and the + congregation then proceed to the small chapel, the walls of which are + painted with the deed of Arnold von Winkelried, and the other + distinguished achievements of the confederates, and masses are sung for + the souls of those who were slain. No wonder that men thus nurtured in the + memory of such actions were, even to the fall of the French monarchy, + among the most trustworthy soldiery of Europe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CONSTANT PRINCE + </h2> + <h3> + 1433 + </h3> + <p> + The illustrious days of Portugal were during the century and a half of the + dynasty termed the House of Aviz, because its founder, Dom Joao I. had + been grand master of the military order of Aviz. + </p> + <p> + His right to the throne was questionable, or more truly null, and he had + only obtained the crown from the desire of the nation to be independent of + Castile, and by the assistance of our own John of Gaunt, whose daughter, + Philippa of Lancaster, became his wife, thus connecting the glories of his + line with our own house of Plantagenet. + </p> + <p> + Philippa was greatly beloved in Portugal, and was a most noble-minded + woman, who infused her own spirit into her children. She had five sons, + and when they all had attained an age to be admitted to the order of + knighthood, their father proposed to give a grand tournament in which they + might evince their prowess. This, however, seemed but play to the + high-spirited youths, who had no doubt fed upon the story of the manner in + which their uncle, the Black Prince, whose name was borne by the eldest, + had won his spurs at Crecy. Their entreaty was, not to be carpet—knights + dubbed in time of peace, and King Joao on the other hand objected to + entering on a war merely for the sake of knighting his sons. At last Dom + Fernando, the youngest of the brothers, a lad of fourteen, proposed that + their knighthood should be earned by an expedition to take Ceuta from the + Moors. A war with the infidel never came amiss, and was in fact regarded + as a sacred duty; moreover, Ceuta was a nest of corsairs who infested the + whole Mediterranean coast. Up to the nineteenth century the seaports along + the African coast of the Mediterranean were the hives of pirates, whose + small rapid vessels were the terror of every unarmed ship that sailed in + those waters, and whose descents upon the coasts of Spain, France, and + Italy rendered life and property constantly insecure. A regular system of + kidnapping prevailed; prisoners had their fixed price, and were carried + off to labour in the African dockyards, or to be chained to the benches of + the Moorish ships which their oars propelled, until either a ransom could + be procured from their friends, or they could be persuaded to become + renegades, or death put an end to their sufferings. A captivity among the + Moors was by no means an uncommon circumstance even in the lives of + Englishmen down to the eighteenth century, and pious persons frequently + bequeathed sums of money for the ransom of the poorer captives. + </p> + <p> + Ceuta, perched upon the southern Pillar of Hercules, was one of the most + perilous of these dens of robbery, and to seize it might well appear a + worthy action, not only to the fiery princes, but to their cautious + father. He kept his designs absolutely secret, and contrived to obtain a + plan of the town by causing one of his vessels to put in there as in quest + of provisions, while, to cover his preparations for war, he sent a public + challenge to the Count of Holland, and a secret message at the same time, + with the assurance that it was only a blind. These proceedings were + certainly underhand, and partook of treachery; but they were probably + excused in the King's own mind by the notion, that no faith was to be kept + with unbelievers, and, moreover, such people as the Ceutans were likely + never to be wanting in the supply of pretexts for attack. + </p> + <p> + Just as all was ready, the plague broke out in Lisbon, and the Queen fell + sick of it. Her husband would not leave her, and just before her death she + sent for all her sons, and gave to each a sword, charging them to defend + the widow and orphan, and to fight against the infidel. In the full + freshness of their sorrow, the King and his sons set sail from the Bay of + Lagos, in the August of 1415, with 59 galleys, 33 ships of war, and 120 + transports; the largest fleet ever yet sent forth by the little kingdom, + and the first that had left a Peninsular port with the banners and + streamers of which the more northern armaments were so profuse. + </p> + <p> + The governor of Ceuta, Zala ben Zala, was not unprepared for the attack, + and had collected 5,000 allies to resist the Christians; but a great storm + having dispersed the fleet on the first day of its appearance, he thought + the danger over, and dismissed his friends On the 14th August, however, + the whole fleet again appeared, and the King, in a little boat, directed + the landing of his men, led by his sons, the Infantes Duarte and Henrique. + The Moors gave way before them, and they entered the city with 500 men, + among the flying enemy, and there, after a period of much danger, were + joined by their brother Pedro. The three fought their way to a mosque, + where they defended themselves till the King with the rest of his army + made their way in. Zala ben Zala fled to the citadel, but, after one + assault, quitted it in the night. + </p> + <p> + The Christian captives were released, the mosque purified and consecrated + as a cathedral, a bishop was appointed, and the King gave the government + of the place to Dom Pedro de Menezes, a knight of such known fidelity that + the King would not suffer him to take the oath of allegiance. An attempt + was made by the Moors four years later to recover the place; but the + Infantes Pedro and Henrique hurried from Portugal to succor Menezes, and + drove back the besiegers; whereupon the Moors murdered their King, Abu + Sayd, on whom they laid the blame of the disaster. + </p> + <p> + On the very day, eighteen years later, of the taking of Ceuta, King Joao + died of the plague at Lisbon, on the 14th of August, 1433. Duarte came to + the throne; and, a few months after, his young brother, Fernando, + persuaded him into fitting out another expedition to Africa, of which + Tangier should be the object. + </p> + <p> + Duarte doubted of the justice of the war, and referred the question to the + Pope, who decided against it; but the answer came too late, the + preparations were made, and the Infantes Henrique and Fernando took the + command. Henrique was a most enlightened prince, a great mathematician and + naval discoverer, but he does not appear to have made good use of his + abilities on the present occasion; for, on arriving at Ceuta, and + reviewing the troops, they proved to have but 8,000, instead of 14,000, as + they had intended. Still they proceeded, Henrique by land and Fernando by + sea, and laid siege to Tangier, which was defended by their old enemy, + Zala ben Zala. Everything was against them; their scaling ladders were too + short to reach to the top of the walls, and the Moors had time to collect + in enormous numbers for the relief of the city, under the command of the + kings of Fez and Morocco. + </p> + <p> + The little Christian army was caught as in a net, and, after a day's hard + fighting, saw the necessity of re-embarking. All was arranged for this to + be done at night; but a vile traitor, chaplain to the army, passed over to + the Moors, and revealed their intention. The beach was guarded, and the + retreat cut off. Another day of fighting passed, and at night hunger + reduced them to eating their horses. + </p> + <p> + It was necessary to come to terms, and messengers were sent to treat with + the two kings. The only terms on which the army could be allowed to depart + were that one of the Infantes should remain as a hostage for the delivery + of Ceuta to the Moors. For this purpose Fernando offered himself, though + it was exceedingly doubtful whether Ceuta would be restored; and the + Spanish poet, Calderon, puts into his mouth a generous message to his + brother the King, that they both were Christian princes, and that his + liberty was not to be weighed in the scale with their father's fairest + conquest. + </p> + <p> + Henrique was forced thus to leave his brave brother, and return with the + remnants of his army to Ceuta, where he fell sick with grief and vexation. + He sent the fleet home; but it met with a great storm, and many vessels + were driven on the coast of Andalusia, where, by orders of the King, the + battered sailors and defeated soldiers were most kindly and generously + treated. + </p> + <p> + Dom Duarte, having in the meantime found out with how insufficient an army + his brothers had been sent forth, had equipped a fresh fleet, the arrival + of which at Ceuta cheered Henrique with hope of rescuing his brother; but + it was soon followed by express orders from the King that Henrique should + give up all such projects and return home. He was obliged to comply, but, + unable to look Duarte in the face, he retired to his own estates at the + Algarve. + </p> + <p> + Duarte convoked the States-general of the kingdom, to consider whether + Ceuta should be yielded to purchase his brother's freedom. They decided + that the place was too important to be parted with, but undertook to raise + any sum of money for the ransom; and if this were not accepted, proposed + to ask the Pope to proclaim a crusade for his rescue. + </p> + <p> + At first Fernando was treated well, and kept at Tangier as an honorable + prisoner; but disappointment enraged the Moors, and he was thrown into a + dungeon, starved, and maltreated. All this usage he endured with the + utmost calmness and resolution, and could by no means be threatened into + entreating for liberty to be won at the cost of the now Christian city + where his knighthood had been won. + </p> + <p> + His brother Duarte meantime endeavored to raise the country for his + deliverance; but the plague was still desolating Portugal, so that it was + impossible to collect an army, and the infection at length seized on the + King himself, from a letter which he incautiously opened, and he died, in + his thirty-eighth year, in 1438, the sixth year of his reign and the + second of his brother's captivity. His successor, Affonso V., was a child + of six years old, and quarrels and disputes between the Queen Mother and + the Infante Dom Pedro rendered the chance of redeeming the captivity of + Fernando less and less. + </p> + <p> + The King of Castille, and even the Moorish King of Granada, shocked at his + sufferings and touched by his constancy, proposed to unite their forces + against Tangier for his deliverance; but the effect of this was that Zala + ben Zala made him over to Muley Xeques, the King of Fez, by whom he was + thrown into a dungeon without light or air. After a time, he was brought + back to daylight, but only to toil among the other Christian slaves, to + whom he was a model of patience, resignation, and kindness. Even his + enemies became struck with admiration of his high qualities, and the King + of Fez declared that he even deserved to be a Mahometan! + </p> + <p> + At last, in 1443, Fernando's captivity ended, but only by his death. Muley + Xeque caused a tall tower to be erected on his tomb, in memory of the + victory of Tangier; but in 1473, two sons of Muley being made prisoners by + the Portuguese, one was ransomed for the body of Dom Fernando, who was + then solemnly laid in the vaults of the beautiful Abbey of Batalha on the + field of Aljubarota, which had given his father the throne. Universal + honor attended the name of the Constant Prince, the Portuguese Regulus; + and seldom as the Spanish admire anything Portuguese, a fine drama of the + poet Calderon is founded upon that noble spirit which preferred dreary + captivity to the yielding up his father's conquest to the enemies of his + country and religion. Nor was this constancy thrown away; Ceuta remained a + Christian city. It was held by Portugal till the house of Aviz was + extinguished in Dom Sebastiao, and since that time has belonged to the + crown of Spain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CARNIVAL OF PERTH + </h2> + <h3> + 1435 + </h3> + <p> + It was bedtime, and the old vaulted chambers of the Dominican monastery at + Perth echoed with sounds that would seem incongruous in such a home of + austerity, but that the disturbed state of Scotland rendered it the habit + of her kings to attach their palaces to convents, that they themselves + might benefit by the 'peace of the Church', which was in general accorded + to all sacred spots. + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that Christmas and Carnival time of 1435-6 had been spent by + the Court in the cloisters of Perth, and the dance, the song, and the + tourney had strangely contrasted with the grave and self-denying habits to + which the Dominicans were devoted in their neighboring cells. The festive + season was nearly at an end, for it was the 20th of February; but the + evening had been more than usually gay, and had been spent in games at + chess, tables, or backgammon, reading romances of chivalry, harping, and + singing. King James himself, brave and handsome, and in the prime of life, + was the blithest of the whole joyous party. He was the most accomplished + man in his dominions; for though he had been basely kept a prisoner at + Windsor throughout his boyhood by Henry IV of England, an education had + been bestowed on him far above what he would have otherwise obtained; and + he was naturally a man of great ability, refinement, and strength of + character. Not only was he a perfect knight on horseback, but in wrestling + and running, throwing the hammer, and 'putting the stane', he had scarcely + a rival, and he was skilled in all the learned lore of the time, wrote + poetry, composed music both sacred and profane, and was a complete + minstrel, able to sing beautifully and to play on the harp and organ. His + Queen, the beautiful Joan Beaufort, had been the lady of his minstrelsy in + the days of his captivity, ever since he had watched her walking on the + slopes of Windsor Park, and wooed her in verses that are still preserved. + They had now been eleven years married, and their Court was one bright + spot of civilization, refinement, and grace, amid the savagery of + Scotland. And now, after the pleasant social evening, the Queen, with her + long fair hair unbound, was sitting under the hands of her tire-women, who + were preparing her for the nights rest; and the King, in his furred + nightgown, was standing before the bright fire on the hearth of the wide + chimney, laughing and talking with the attendant ladies. + </p> + <p> + Yet dark hints had already been whispered, which might have cast a shadow + over that careless mirth. Always fierce and vindictive, the Scots had been + growing more and more lawless and savage ever since the disputed + succession of Bruce and Balliol had unsettled all royal authority, and led + to one perpetual war with the English. The twenty years of James's + captivity had been the worst of all—almost every noble was a robber + chief; Scottish Borderer preyed upon English Borderer, Highlander upon + Lowlander, knight upon traveler, everyone who had armor upon him who had + not; each clan was at deadly feud with its neighbour; blood was shed like + water from end to end of the miserable land, and the higher the birth of + the offender the greater the impunity he claimed. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, James himself had been brought next to the throne by one of the + most savage and horrible murders ever perpetrated—that of his elder + brother, David, by his own uncle; and he himself had probably been only + saved from sharing the like fate by being sent out of the kingdom. His + earnest words on his return to take the rule of this unhappy realm were + these: 'Let God but grant me life, and there shall not be a spot in my + realm where the key shall not keep the castle, and the bracken bush the + cow, though I should lead the life of a dog to accomplish it.' + </p> + <p> + This great purpose had been before James through the eleven years of his + reign, and he had worked it out resolutely. The lawless nobles would not + brook his ruling hand, and strong and bitter was the hatred that had + arisen against him. In many of his transactions he was far from blameless: + he was sometimes tempted to craft, sometimes to tyranny; but his object + was always a high and kingly one, though he was led by the horrid + wickedness of the men he had to deal with more than once to forget that + evil is not to be overcome with evil, but with good. In the main, it was + his high and uncompromising resolution to enforce the laws upon high and + low alike that led to the nobles' conspiracies against him; though, if he + had always been true to his purpose of swerving neither to the right nor + to the left, he might have avoided the last fatal offence that armed the + murderer against his life. + </p> + <p> + The chief misdoers in the long period of anarchy had been his uncles and + cousins; nor was it till after his eldest uncle's death that his return + home had been possible. With a strong hand had he avenged upon the princes + and their followers the many miseries they had inflicted upon his people; + and in carrying out these measures he had seized upon the great earldom of + Strathern, which had descended to one of their party in right of his wife, + declaring that it could not be inherited by a female. In this he appears + to have acted unjustly, from the strong desire to avail himself by any + pretext of an opportunity of breaking the overweening power of the great + turbulent nobles; and, to make up for the loss, he created the new earldom + of Menteith, for the young Malise Graham, the son of the dispossessed + earl. But the proud and vindictive Grahams were not thus to be pacified. + Sir Robert Graham, the uncle of the young earl, drew off into the + Highlands, and there formed a conspiracy among other discontented men who + hated the resolute government that repressed their violence. Men of + princely blood joined in the plot, and 300 Highland catherans were ready + to accompany the expedition that promised the delights of war and plunder. + </p> + <p> + Even when the hard-worked King was setting forth to enjoy his holiday at + Perth, the traitors had fixed upon that spot as the place of his doom; but + the scheme was known to so many, that it could not be kept entirely + secret, and warnings began to gather round the King. When, on his way to + Perth, he was about to cross the Firth of Forth, the wild figure of a + Highland woman appeared at his bridle rein, and solemnly warned him 'that, + if he crossed that water, he would never return alive'. He was struck by + the apparition, and bade one of his knights to enquire of her what she + meant; but the knight must have been a dullard or a traitor, for he told + the King that the woman was either mad or drunk, and no notice was taken + of her warning. + </p> + <p> + There was likewise a saying abroad in Scotland, that the new year, 1436, + should see the death of a king; and this same carnival night, James, while + playing at chess with a young friend, whom he was wont to call the king of + love, laughingly observed that 'it must be you or I, since there are but + two kings in Scotland—therefore, look well to yourself'. + </p> + <p> + Little did the blithe monarch guess that at that moment one of the + conspirators, touched by a moment's misgiving, was hovering round, seeking + in vain for an opportunity of giving him warning; that even then his + chamberlain and kinsman, Sir Robert Stewart, was enabling the traitors to + place boards across the moat for their passage, and to remove the bolts + and bars of all the doors in their way. And the Highland woman was at the + door, earnestly entreating to see the King, if but for one moment! The + message was even brought to him, but, alas! he bade her wait till the + morrow, and she turned away, declaring that she should never more see his + face! + </p> + <p> + And now, as before said, the feast was over, and the King stood, gaily + chatting with his wife and her ladies, when the clang of arms was heard, + and the glare of torches in the court below flashed on the windows. The + ladies flew to secure the doors. Alas! the bolts and bars were gone! Too + late the warnings returned upon the King's mind, and he knew it was he + alone who was sought. He tried to escape by the windows, but here the bars + were but too firm. Then he seized the tongs, and tore up a board in the + floor, by which he let himself down into the vault below, just as the + murderers came rushing along the passage, slaying on their way a page + named Walter Straiton. + </p> + <p> + There was no bar to the door. Yes, there was. Catherine Douglas, worthy of + her name, worthy of the cognizance of the bleeding heart, thrust her arm + through the empty staples to gain for her sovereign a few moments more for + escape and safety! But though true as steel, the brave arm was not as + strong. It was quickly broken. She was thrust fainting aside, and the + ruffians rushed in. Queen Joan stood in the midst of the room, with her + hair streaming round her, and her mantle thrown hastily on. Some of the + wretches even struck and wounded her, but Graham called them off, and bade + them search for the King. They sought him in vain in every corner of the + women's apartments, and dispersed through the other rooms in search of + their prey. The ladies began to hope that the citizens and nobles in the + town were coming to their help, and that the King might have escaped + through an opening that led from the vault into the tennis court. + Presently, however, the King called to them to draw him up again, for he + had not been able to get out of the vault, having a few days before caused + the hole to be bricked up, because his tennis balls used to fly into it + and be lost. In trying to draw him up by the sheets, Elizabeth Douglas, + another of the ladies, was actually pulled down into the vault; the noise + was heard by the assassins, who were still watching outside, and they + returned. + </p> + <p> + There is no need to tell of the foul and cruel slaughter that ensued, nor + of the barbarous vengeance that visited it. Our tale is of golden, not of + brazen deeds; and if we have turned our eyes for a moment to the Bloody + Carnival of Perth, it is for the sake of the King, who was too upright for + his bloodthirsty subjects, and, above all, for that of the noble-hearted + lady whose frail arm was the guardian of her sovereign's life in the + extremity of peril. + </p> + <p> + In like manner, on the dreadful 6th of October, 1787, when the infuriated + mob of Paris had been incited by the revolutionary leaders to rush to + Versailles in pursuit of the royal family, whose absence they fancied + deprived them of bread and liberty, a woman shared the honor of saving her + sovereign's life, at least for that time. + </p> + <p> + The confusion of the day, with the multitude thronging the courts and park + of Versailles, uttering the most frightful threats and insults, had been + beyond all description; but there had been a pause at night, and at two + o'clock, poor Queen Marie Antoinette, spent with horror and fatigue, at + last went to bed, advising her ladies to do the same; but their anxiety + was too great, and they sat up at her door. At half-past four they heard + musket shots, and loud shouts, and while one awakened the Queen, the + other, Madame Auguier, flew towards the place whence the noise came. As + she opened the door, she found one of the royal bodyguards, with his face + covered with blood, holding his musket so as to bar the door while the + furious mob were striking at him. He turned to the lady, and cried, 'Save + the Queen, madame, they are come to murder her!' Quick as lightning, + Madame Auguier shut and bolted the door, rushed to the Queen's bedside, + and dragged her to the opposite door, with a petticoat just thrown over + her. Behold, the door was fastened on the other side! The ladies knocked + violently, the King's valet opened it, and in a few minutes the whole + family were in safety in the King's apartments. M. de Miomandre, the brave + guardsman, who used his musket to guard the Queen's door instead of to + defend himself, fell wounded; but his comrade, M. de Repaire, at once took + his place, and, according to one account, was slain, and the next day his + head, set upon a pike, was borne before the carriage in which the royal + family were escorted back to Paris. + </p> + <p> + M. de Miomandre, however, recovered from his wounds, and a few weeks + after, the Queen, hearing that his loyalty had made him a mark for the + hatred of the mob, sent for him to desire him to quit Paris. She said that + gold could not repay such a service as his had been, but she hoped one day + to be able to recompense him more as he deserved; meanwhile, she hoped he + would consider that as a sister might advance a timely sum to a brother, + so she might offer him enough to defray his expenses at Paris, and to + provide for his journey. In a private audience then he kissed her hand, + and those of the King and his saintly sister, Elizabeth, while the Queen + gratefully expressed her thanks, and the King stood by, with tears in his + eyes, but withheld by his awkward bashfulness from expressing the feelings + that overpowered him. + </p> + <p> + Madame Auguier, and her sister, Madame Campan, continued with their royal + lady until the next stage in that miserable downfall of all that was high + and noble in unhappy France. She lived through the horrors of the + Revolution, and her daughter became the wife of Marshal Ney. + </p> + <p> + Well it is that the darkening firmament does but show the stars, and that + when treason and murder surge round the fated chambers of royalty, their + foulness and violence do but enhance the loyal self-sacrifice of such + doorkeepers as Catherine Douglas, Madame Auguier, or M. de Miomandre. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Such deeds can woman's spirit do, + O Catherine Douglas, brave and true! + Let Scotland keep thy holy name + Still first upon her ranks of fame.' +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CROWN OF ST. STEPHEN + </h2> + <h3> + 1440 + </h3> + <p> + Of all the possessions of the old kingdom of Hungary, none was more valued + than what was called the Crown of St. Stephen, so called from one, which + had, in the year 1000, been presented by Pope Sylvester II. to Stephen, + the second Christian Duke, and first King of Hungary. A crown and a cross + were given to him for his coronation, which took place in the Church of + the Holy Virgin, at Alba Regale, also called in German Weissenburg, where + thenceforth the Kings of Hungary were anointed to begin their troubled + reigns, and at the close of them were laid to rest beneath the pavement, + where most of them might have used the same epitaph as the old Italian + leader: 'He rests here, who never rested before'. For it was a wild realm, + bordered on all sides by foes, with Poland, Bohemia, and Austria, ever + casting greedy eyes upon it, and afterwards with the Turk upon the + southern border, while the Magyars, or Hungarian nobles, themselves were a + fierce and untameable race, bold and generous, but brooking little + control, claiming a voice in choosing their own Sovereign, and to resist + him, even by force of arms, if he broke the laws. No prince had a right to + their allegiance unless he had been crowned with St. Stephen's Crown; but + if he had once worn that sacred circle, he thenceforth was held as the + only lawful monarch, unless he should flagrantly violate the Constitution. + In 1076, another crown had been given by the Greek Emperor to Geysa, King + of Hungary, and the sacred crown combined the two. It had the two arches + of the Roman crown, and the gold circlet of the Constantinopolitan; and + the difference of workmanship was evident. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1439 died King Albert, who had been appointed King of Hungary + in right of his wife, Queen Elizabeth. He left a little daughter only four + years old, and as the Magyars had never been governed by a female hand, + they proposed to send and offer their crown, and the hand of their young + widowed Queen, to Wladislas, the King of Poland. But Elizabeth had hopes + of another child, and in case it should be a son, she had no mind to give + away its rights to its father's throne. How, then, was she to help herself + among the proud and determined nobles of her Court? One thing was certain, + that if once the Polish king were crowned with St. Stephen's crown, it + would be his own fault if he were not King of Hungary as long as he lived; + but if the crown were not to be found, of course he could not receive it, + and the fealty of the nobles would not be pledged to him. + </p> + <p> + The most trustworthy person she had about her was Helen Kottenner, the + lady who had the charge of her little daughter, Princess Elizabeth, and to + her she confided her desire that the crown might be secured, so as to + prevent the Polish party from getting access to it. Helen herself has + written down the history of these strange events, and of her own struggles + of mind, at the risk she ran, and the doubt whether good would come of the + intrigue; and there can be no doubt that, whether the Queen's conduct were + praiseworthy or not, Helen dared a great peril for the sake purely of + loyalty and fidelity. 'The Queen's commands', she says, 'sorely troubled + me; for it was a dangerous venture for me and my little children, and I + turned it over in my mind what I should do, for I had no one to take + counsel of but God alone; and I thought if I did it not, and evil arose + therefrom, I should be guilty before God and the world. So I consented to + risk my life on this difficult undertaking; but desired to have someone to + help me.' This was permitted; but the first person to whom the Lady of + Kottenner confided her intention, a Croat, lost his color from alarm, + looked like one half-dead, and went at once in search of his horse. The + next thing that was heard of him was that he had had a bad fall from his + horse, and had been obliged to return to Croatia, and the Queen remained + much alarmed at her plans being known to one so faint-hearted. However, a + more courageous confidant was afterwards found in a Hungarian gentleman, + whose name has become illegible in Helen's old manuscript. + </p> + <p> + The crown was in the vaults of the strong Castle of Plintenburg, also + called Vissegrad, which stands upon a bend of the Danube, about twelve + miles from the twin cities of Buda and Pesth. It was in a case within a + chest, sealed with many seals, and since the King's death, it had been + brought up by the nobles, who closely guarded both it and the Queen, into + her apartments, and there examined and replaced in the chest. The next + night, one of the Queen's ladies upset a wax taper, without being aware of + it, and before the fire was discovered, and put out, the corner of the + chest was singed, and a hole burnt in the blue velvet cushion that lay on + the top. Upon this, the lords had caused the chest to be taken down again + into the vault, and had fastened the doors with many locks and with seals. + The Castle had further been put into the charge of Ladislas von Gara, the + Queen's cousin, and Ban, or hereditary commander, of the border troops, + and he had given it over to a Burggraf, or seneschal, who had placed his + bed in the chamber where was the door leading to the vaults. + </p> + <p> + The Queen removed to Komorn, a castle higher up the Danube, in charge of + her faithful cousin, Count Ulric of Eily, taking with her her little + daughter Elizabeth, Helen Kottenner, and two other ladies. This was the + first stage on the journey to Presburg, where the nobles had wished to + lodge the Queen, and from thence she sent back Helen to bring the rest of + the maids of honor and her goods to join her at Komorn. It was early + spring, and snow was still on the ground, and the Lady of Kottenner and + her faithful nameless assistant travelled in a sledge; but two Hungarian + noblemen went with them, and they had to be most careful in concealing + their arrangements. Helen had with her the Queen's signet, and keys; and + her friend had a file in each shoe, and keys under his black velvet dress. + </p> + <p> + On arriving in the evening, they found that the Burggraf had fallen ill, + and could not sleep in the chamber leading to the vault, because it + belonged to the ladies' chambers, and that he had therefore put a cloth + over the padlock of the door and sealed it. There was a stove in the room, + and the maidens began to pack up their clothes there, an operation that + lasted till eight o'clock; while Helen's friend stood there, talking and + jesting with them, trying all the while to hide the files, and contriving + to say to Helen: 'Take care that we have a light.' So she begged the old + housekeeper to give her plenty of wax tapers, as she had many prayers to + say. At last everyone was gone to bed, and there only remained in the room + with Helen, an old woman, whom she had brought with her, who knew no + German, and was fast asleep. Then the accomplice came back through the + chapel, which opened into this same hall. He had on his black velvet gown + and felt shoes, and was followed by a servant, who, Helen says, was bound + to him by oath, and had the same Christian name as himself, this being + evidently an additional bond of fidelity. Helen, who had received from the + Queen all the keys to this outer room, let them in, and, after the + Burggraf's cloth and seal had been removed, they unlocked the padlock, and + the other two locks of the outer door of the vault, and the two men + descended into it. There were several other doors, whose chains required + to be filed through, and their seals and locks broken, and to the ears of + the waiting Helen the noise appeared fatally loud. She says, 'I devoutly + prayed to God and the Holy Virgin, that they would support and help me; + yet I was in greater anxiety for my soul than for my life, and I prayed to + God that He would be merciful to my soul, and rather let me die at once + there, than that anything should happen against his will, or that should + bring misfortune on my country and people.' + </p> + <p> + She fancied she heard a noise of armed men at the chapel door, but finding + nothing there, believed—not in her own nervous agitation, a thing + not yet invented—that it was a spirit, and returning to her prayers, + vowed, poor lady, to make a pilgrimage to St. Maria Zell, in Styria, if + the Holy Virgin's intercessions obtained their success, and till the + pilgrimage could be made, 'to forego every Saturday night my feather bed!' + After another false alarm at a supposed noise at the maiden's door, she + ventured into the vault to see how her companions were getting on, when + she found they had filed away all the locks, except that of the case + containing the crown, and this they were obliged to burn, in spite of + their apprehension that the smell and smoke might be observed. They then + shut up the chest, replaced the padlocks and chains with those they had + brought for the purpose, and renewed the seals with the Queen's signet, + which bearing the royal arms, would baffle detection that the seals had + been tampered with. They then took the crown into the chapel, where they + found a red velvet cushion, so large that by taking out some of the + stuffing a hiding place was made in which the crown was deposited, and the + cushion sewn up over it. + </p> + <p> + By this time day was dawning, the maidens were dressing, and it was the + hour for setting off for Komorn. The old woman who had waited on them came + to the Lady of Kottenner to have her wages paid, and be dismissed to Buda. + While she was waiting, she began to remark on a strange thing lying by the + stove, which, to the Lady Helen's great dismay, she perceived to be a bit + of the case in which the crown was kept. She tried to prevent the old + woman from noticing it, pushed it into the hottest part of the stove, and, + by way of further precaution, took the old woman away with her, on the + plea of asking the Queen to make her a bedeswoman at Vienna, and this was + granted to her. + </p> + <p> + When all was ready, the gentleman desired his servant to take the cushion + and put it into the sledge designed for himself and the Lady of Kottenner. + The man took it on his shoulders, hiding it under an old ox-hide, with the + tail hanging down, to the laughter of all beholders. Helen further records + the trying to get some breakfast in the marketplace and finding nothing + but herrings, also the going to mass, and the care she took not to sit + upon the holy crown, though she had to sit on its cushion in the sledge. + They dined at an inn, but took care to keep the cushion in sight, and then + in the dusk crossed the Danube on the ice, which was becoming very thin, + and halfway across it broke under the maidens' carriage, so that Helen + expected to be lost in the Danube, crown and all. However, though many + packages were lost under the ice, her sledge got safe over, as well as all + the ladies, some of whom she took into her conveyance, and all safely + arrived at the castle of Komorn late in the evening. + </p> + <p> + The very hour of their arrival a babe was born to the Queen, and to her + exceeding joy it was a son. Count von Eily, hearing 'that a king and + friend was born to him', had bonfires lighted, and a torchlight procession + on the ice that same night, and early in the morning came the Archbishop + of Gran to christen the child. The Queen wished her faithful Helen to be + godmother, but she refused in favor of some lady whose family it was + probably needful to propitiate. She took off the little princess + Elizabeth's mourning for her father and dressed her in red and gold, all + the maidens appeared in gay apparel, and there was great rejoicing and + thanksgiving when the babe was christened Ladislas, after a sainted King + of Hungary. + </p> + <p> + The peril was, however, far from ended; for many of the Magyars had no + notion of accepting an infant for their king, and by Easter, the King of + Poland was advancing upon Buda, to claim the realm to which he had been + invited. No one had discovered the abstraction of the crown, and + Elizabeth's object was to take her child to Weissenburg, and there have + him crowned, so as to disconcert the Polish party. She had sent to Buda + for cloth of gold to make him a coronation dress, but it did not come in + time, and Helen therefore shut herself into the chapel at Komorn, and, + with doors fast bolted, cut up a rich and beautiful vestment of his + grandfather's, the emperor Sigismund, of red and gold, with silver spots, + and made it into a tiny coronation robe, with surplice and humeral (or + shoulder-piece), the stole and banner, the gloves and shoes. The Queen was + much alarmed by a report that the Polish party meant to stop her on her + way to Weissenburg; and if the baggage should be seized and searched, the + discovery of the crown might have fatal consequences. Helen, on this, + observed that the King was more important than the crown, and that the + best way would be to keep them together; so she wrapped up the crown in a + cloth, and hid it under the mattress of his cradle, with a long spoon for + mixing his pap upon the top, so, said the Queen, he might take care of his + crown himself. + </p> + <p> + On Tuesday before Whit Sunday the party set out, escorted by Count Ulric, + and several other knights and nobles. After crossing the Danube in a large + boat, the Queen and her little girl were placed in a carriage, or more + probably a litter, the other ladies rode, and the cradle and its precious + contents were carried by four men; but this the poor little Lassla, as + Helen shortens his lengthy name, resented so much, that he began to scream + so loud that she was forced to dismount and carry him in her arms, along a + road rendered swampy by much rain. + </p> + <p> + They found all the villages deserted by the peasants, who had fled into + the woods, and as most of their lords were of the other party, they + expected an attack, so the little king was put into the carriage with his + mother and sister, and the ladies formed a circle round it 'that if anyone + shot at the carriage we might receive the stroke'. When the danger was + over the child was taken out again, for he would be content nowhere but in + the arms of either his nurse or of faithful Helen, who took turns to carry + him on foot nearly all the way, sometimes in a high wind which covered + them with dust, sometimes in great heat, sometimes in rain so heavy that + Helen's fur pelisse, with which she covered his cradle, had to be wrung + out several times. They slept at an inn, round which the gentlemen lighted + a circle of fires, and kept watch all night. + </p> + <p> + Weissenburg was loyal, five hundred armed gentlemen came out to meet them, + and on Whitsun Eve they entered the city, Helen carrying her little king + in her arms in the midst of a circle of these five hundred holding their + naked swords aloft. On Whit Sunday, Helen rose early, bathed the little + fellow, who was twelve weeks old that day, and dressed him. He was then + carried in her arms to the church, beside his mother. According to the old + Hungarian customs, the choir door was closed—the burghers were + within, and would not open till the new monarch should have taken the + great coronation oath to respect the Hungarian liberties and laws. + </p> + <p> + This oath was taken by the Queen in the name of her son, the doors were + opened, and all the train entered, the little princess being lifted up to + stand by the organ, lest she should be hurt in the throng. First Helen + held her charge up to be confirmed, and then she had to hold him while he + was knighted, with a richly adorned sword bearing the motto + 'Indestructible', and by a stout Hungarian knight called Mikosch Weida, + who struck with such a goodwill that Helen felt the blow on her arm, and + the Queen cried out to him not to hurt the child. + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop of Gran anointed the little creature, dressed him in the + red and gold robe, and put on his head the holy crown, and the people + admired to see how straight he held up his neck under it; indeed, they + admired the loudness and strength of his cries, when, as the good lady + records, 'the noble king had little pleasure in his coronation for he wept + aloud'. She had to hold him up for the rest of the service, while Count + Ulric of Eily held the crown over his head, and afterwards to seat him in + a chair in St. Peter's Church, and then he was carried home in his cradle, + with the count holding the crown over his head, and the other regalia + borne before him. + </p> + <p> + And thus Ladislas became King of Hungary at twelve weeks old, and was then + carried off by his mother into Austria for safety. Whether this secret + robbery of the crown, and coronation by stealth, was wise or just on the + mother's part is a question not easy of answer—though of course she + deemed it her duty to do her utmost for her child's rights. Of Helen + Kottenner's deep fidelity and conscientious feeling there can be no doubt, + and her having acted with her eyes fully open to the risk she ran, her + trust in Heaven overcoming her fears and terrors, rendered her truly a + heroine. + </p> + <p> + The crown has had many other adventures, and afterwards was kept in an + apartment of its own, in the castle of Ofen, with an antechamber guarded + by two grenadiers. The door was of iron, with three locks, and the crown + itself was contained in an iron chest with five seals. All this, however, + did not prevent it from being taken away and lost in the Revolution of + 1849. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GEORGE THE TRILLER + </h2> + <h3> + 1455 I. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Why, Lady dear, so sad of cheer? + Hast waked the livelong night?' + 'My dreams foreshow my children's woe, + Ernst bold and Albrecht bright. + + 'From the dark glades of forest shades + There rushed a raging boar, + Two sapling oaks with cruel strokes + His crooked tusks uptore.' + + 'Ah, Lady dear, dismiss thy fear + Of phantoms haunting sleep!' + 'The giant knight, Sir Konrad hight, + Hath vowed a vengeance deep. + + 'My Lord, o'erbold, hath kept his gold, + And scornful answer spake: + 'Kunz, wisdom learn, nor strive to burn + The fish within their lake.' + + 'See, o'er the plain, with all his train, + My Lord to Leipzig riding; + Some danger near my children dear + My dream is sure betiding.' + + 'The warder waits before the gates, + The castle rock is steep, + The massive walls protect the halls, + Thy children safely sleep.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + II. + + 'T is night's full noon, fair shines the moon + On Altenburg's old halls, + The silver beams in tranquil streams + Rest on the ivied walls. + + Within their tower the midnight hour + Has wrapt the babes in sleep, + With unclosed eyes their mother lies + To listen and to weep. + + What sudden sound is stirring round? + What clang thrills on her ear? + Is it the breeze amid the trees + Re-echoing her fear? + + Swift from her bed, in sudden dread, + She to her lattice flies: + Oh! sight of woe, from far below + Behold a ladder rise: + + And from yon tower, her children's bower, + Lo! Giant Kunz descending! + Ernst, in his clasp of iron grasp, + His cries with hers is blending. + + 'Oh! hear my prayer, my children spare, + The sum shall be restored; + Nay, twenty-fold returned the gold, + Thou know'st how true my Lord.' + + With mocking grace he bowed his face: + 'Lady, my greetings take; + Thy Lord may learn how I can burn + The fish within their lake.' + + Oh! double fright, a second knight + Upon the ladder frail, + And in his arm, with wild alarm, + A child uplifts his wail! + + Would she had wings! She wildly springs + To rouse her slumbering train; + Bolted without, her door so stout + Resists her efforts vain! + + No mortal ear her calls can hear, + The robbers laugh below; + Her God alone may hear her moan, + Or mark her hour of woe. + + A cry below, 'Oh! let me go, + I am no prince's brother; + Their playmate I—Oh! hear my cry + Restore me to my mother!' + + With anguish sore she shakes the door. + Once more Sir Kunz is rearing + His giant head. His errand sped + She sees him reappearing. + + Her second child in terror wild + Is struggling in his hold; + Entreaties vain she pours again, + Still laughs the robber bold. + + 'I greet thee well, the Elector tell + How Kunz his counsel takes, + And let him learn that I can burn + The fish within their lakes.' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + III. + + 'Swift, swift, good steed, death's on thy speed, + Gain Isenburg ere morn; + Though far the way, there lodged our prey, + We laugh the Prince to scorn. + + 'There Konrad's den and merry men + Will safely hold the boys— + The Prince shall grieve long ere we leave + Our hold upon his joys. + + 'But hark! but hark! how through the dark + The castle bell is tolling, + From tower and town o'er wood and down, + The like alarm notes rolling. + + 'The peal rings out! echoes the shout! + All Saxony's astir; + Groom, turn aside, swift must we ride + Through the lone wood of fir.' + + Far on before, of men a score + Prince Ernst bore still sleeping; + Thundering as fast, Kunz came the last, + Carrying young Albrecht weeping. + + The clanging bell with distant swell + Dies on the morning air, + Bohemia's ground another bound + Will reach, and safety there. + + The morn's fresh beam lights a cool stream, + Charger and knight are weary, + He draws his rein, the child's sad plain + He meets with accents cheery. + + 'Sir Konrad good, be mild of mood, + A fearsome giant thou! + For love of heaven, one drop be given + To cool my throbbing brow!' + + Kunz' savage heart feels pity's smart, + He soothes the worn-out child, + Bathes his hot cheeks, and bending seeks + For woodland berries wild. + + A deep-toned bark! A figure dark, + Smoke grimed and sun embrowned, + Comes through the wood in wondering mood, + And by his side a hound. + + 'Oh, to my aid, I am betrayed, + The Elector's son forlorn, + From out my bed these men of dread + Have this night hither borne!' + + 'Peace, if thou 'rt wise,' the false groom cries, + And aims a murderous blow; + His pole-axe long, his arm so strong, + Must lay young Albrecht low. + + See, turned aside, the weapon glide + The woodman's pole along, + To Albrecht's clasp his friendly grasp + Pledges redress from wrong. + + Loud the hound's note as at the throat + Of the false groom he flies; + Back at the sounds Sir Konrad bounds: + 'Off hands, base churl,' he cries. + + The robber lord with mighty sword, + Mailed limbs of giant strength— + The woodman stout, all arms without, + Save his pole's timber length— + + Unequal fight! Yet for the right + The woodman holds the field; + Now left, now right, repels the knight, + His pole full stoutly wields. + + His whistle clear rings full of cheer, + And lo! his comrades true, + All swarth and lusty, with fire poles trusty, + Burst on Sir Konrad's view. + + His horse's rein he grasps amain + Into his selle to spring, + His gold-spurred heel his stirrup's steel + Has caught, his weapons ring. + + His frightened steed with wildest speed + Careers with many a bound; + Sir Konrad's heel fast holds the steel, + His head is on the ground. + + The peasants round lift from the ground + His form in woeful plight, + To convent cell, for keeping well, + Bear back the robber knight. + + 'Our dear young lord, what may afford + A charcoal-burners' store + We freely spread, milk, honey, bread, + Our heated kiln before!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + IV. + + Three mournful days the mother prays, + And weeps the children's fate; + The prince in vain has scoured the plain— + A sound is at the gate. + + The mother hears, her head she rears, + She lifts her eager finger— + 'Rejoice, rejoice, 't is Albrecht's voice, + Open! Oh, wherefore linger?' + + See, cap in hand the woodman stand— + Mother, no more of weeping— + His hound well tried is at his side, + Before him Albrecht leaping, + + Cries, 'Father dear, my friend is here! + My mother! Oh, my mother! + The giant knight he put to flight, + The good dog tore the other.' + + Oh! who the joy that greets the boy, + Or who the thanks may tell, + Oh how they hail the woodman's tale, + How he had 'trilled him well!' +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Footnote: Trillen, to shake; a word analogous to our rill, + to shake the voice in singing] +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'I trilled him well,' he still will tell + In homely phrase his story, + To those who sought to know how wrought + An unarmed hand such glory. + + That mother sad again is glad, + Her home no more bereft; + For news is brought Ernst may be sought + Within the Devil's Cleft. + + That cave within, these men of sin + Had learnt their leader's fall, + The prince to sell they proffered well + At price of grace to all. + + Another day and Earnest lay, + Safe on his mother's breast; + Thus to her sorrow a gladsome morrow + Had brought her joy and rest. + + The giant knight was judged aright, + Sentenced to death he lay; + The elector mild, since safe his child, + Sent forth the doom to stay. + + But all to late, and o'er the gate + Of Freiburg's council hall + Sir Konrad's head, with features dread, + The traitor's eyes appal. + + The scullion Hans who wrought their plans, + And oped the window grate, + Whose faith was sold for Konrad's gold, + He met a traitor's fate +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + V. + + Behold how gay the wood to-day, + The little church how fair, + What banners wave, what tap'stry brave + Covers its carvings rare! + + A goodly train—the parents twain, + And here the princess two, + Here with his pole, George, stout of soul, + And all his comrades true. + + High swells the chant, all jubilant, + And each boy bending low, + Humbly lays down the wrapping gown + He wore the night of woe. + + Beside them lay a smock of grey, + All grimed with blood and smoke; + A thankful sign to Heaven benign, + That spared the sapling oak. + + 'What prize would'st hold, thou 'Triller bold', + Who trilled well for my son?' + 'Leave to cut wood, my Lord, so good, + Near where the fight was won.' + + 'Nay, Triller mine, the land be thine, + My trusty giant-killer, + A farm and house I and my spouse + Grant free to George the Triller!' + + Years hundred four, and half a score, + Those robes have held their place; + The Triller's deed has grateful meed + From Albrecht's royal race. +</pre> + <p> + The child rescued by George the Triller's Golden Deed was the ancestor of + the late Prince Consort, and thus of our future line of kings. He was the + son of the Elector Friedrich the mild of Saxony, and of Margarethe of + Austria, whose dream presaged her children's danger. The Elector had + incurred the vengeance of the robber baron, Sir Konrad of Kauffingen, who, + from his huge stature, was known as the Giant Ritter, by refusing to make + up to him the sum of 4000 gulden which he had had to pay for his ransom + after being made prisoner in the Elector's service. In reply to his + threats, all the answer that the robber knight received was the proverbial + one, 'Do not try to burn the fish in the ponds, Kunz.' + </p> + <p> + Stung by the irony, Kunz bribed the elector's scullion, by name Hans + Schwabe, to admit him and nine chosen comrades into the Castle of + Altenburg on the night of the 7th of July, 1455, when the Elector was to + be at Leipzig. Strange to say, this scullion was able to write, for a + letter is extant from him to Sir Konrad, engaging to open the window + immediately above the steep precipice, which on that side was deemed a + sufficient protection to the castle, and to fasten a rope ladder by which + to ascend the crags. This window can still be traced, though thenceforth + it was bricked up. It gave access to the children's apartments, and on his + way to them, the robber drew the bolt of their mother's door, so that + though, awakened by the noise, she rushed to her window, she was a captive + in her own apartment, and could not give the alarm, nor do anything but + join her vain entreaties to the cries of her helpless children. It was the + little son of the Count von Bardi whom Wilhelm von Mosen brought down by + mistake for young Albrecht, and Kunz, while hurrying up to exchange the + children, bade the rest of his band hasten on to secure the elder prince + without waiting for him. He followed in a few seconds with Albrecht in his + arms, and his servant Schweinitz riding after him, but he never overtook + the main body. Their object was to reach Konrad's own Castle of Isenburg + on the frontiers of Bohemia, but they quickly heard the alarm bells + ringing, and beheld beacons lighted upon every hill. They were forced to + betake themselves to the forests, and about half-way, Prince Ernst's + captors, not daring to go any father, hid themselves and him in a cavern + called the Devil's Cleft on the right bank of the River Mulde. + </p> + <p> + Kunz himself rode on till the sun had risen, and he was within so few + miles of his castle that the terror of his name was likely to be a + sufficient protection. Himself and his horse were, however, spent by the + wild midnight ride, and on the border of the wood of Eterlein, near the + monastery of Grunheim, he halted, and finding the poor child grievously + exhausted and feverish, he lifted him down, gave him water, and went + himself in search of wood strawberries for his refreshment, leaving the + two horses in the charge of Schweinitz. The servant dozed in his saddle, + and meanwhile the charcoal-burner, George Schmidt, attracted by the + sounds, came out of the wood, where all night he had been attending to the + kiln, hollowed in the earth, and heaped with earth and roots of trees, + where a continual charring of wood was going on. Little Albrecht no sooner + saw this man than he sprang to him, and telling his name and rank, + entreated to be rescued from these cruel men. The servant awaking, leapt + down and struck a deadly blow at the boy's head with his pole-ax, but it + was parried by the charcoal-burner, who interposing with one hand the + strong wooden pole he used for stirring his kiln, dragged the little + prince aside with the other, and at the same time set his great dog upon + the servant. Sir Konrad at once hurried back, but the valiant charcoal- + burner still held his ground, dangerous as the fight was between the + peasant unarmed except for the long pole, and the fully accoutered knight + of gigantic size and strength. However, a whistle from George soon brought + a gang of his comrades to his aid, and Kunz, finding himself surrounded, + tried to leap into his saddle, and break through the throng by weight of + man and horse, but his spur became entangled, the horse ran away, and he + was dragged along with his head on the ground till he was taken up by the + peasants and carried to the convent of Grunheim, whence he was sent to + Zwickau, and was thence transported heavily ironed to Freiburg, where he + was beheaded on the 14th of July, only a week after his act of violence. + The Elector, in his joy at the recovery of even one child, was generous + enough to send a pardon, but the messenger reached Freiburg too late, and + a stone in the marketplace still marks the place of doom, while the grim + effigy of Sir Konrad's head grins over the door of the Rathhaus. It was a + pity Friedrich's mildness did not extend to sparing torture as well as + death to his treacherous scullion, but perhaps a servant's power of + injuring his master was thought a reason for surrounding such instances of + betrayal with special horrors. + </p> + <p> + The party hidden in the Devil's Cleft overheard the peasants in the wood + talking of the fall of the giant of Kauffingen, and, becoming alarmed for + themselves, they sent to the Governor of the neighboring castle of + Hartenstein to offer to restore Prince Ernst, provided they were promised + a full pardon. The boy had been given up as dead, and intense were the + rejoicings of the parents at his restoration. The Devil's Cleft changed + its name to the Prince's Cleft, and the tree where Albrecht had lain was + called the Prince's Oak, and still remains as a witness to the story, as + do the moth-eaten garments of the princely children, and the smock of the + charcoal-burner, which they offered up in token of thanksgiving at the + little forest church of Ebendorff, near the scene of the rescue. + </p> + <p> + 'I trillirt the knaves right well,' was honest George's way of telling the + story of his exploit, not only a brave one, but amounting even to + self-devotion when we remember that the robber baron was his near + neighbour, and a terror to all around. The word Triller took the place of + his surname, and when the sole reward he asked was leave freely to cut + wood in the forest, the Elector gave him a piece of land of his own in the + parish of Eversbach. In 1855 there was a grand celebration of the rescue + of the Saxon princes on the 9th of July, the four hundredth anniversary, + with a great procession of foresters and charcoal-burners to the + 'Triller's Brewery', which stands where George's hut and kiln were once + placed. Three of his descendants then figured in the procession, but since + that time all have died, and the family of the Trillers is now extinct. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SIR THOMAS MORE'S DAUGHTER + </h2> + <h3> + 1535 + </h3> + <p> + We have seen how dim and doubtful was the belief that upbore the grave and + beautiful Antigone in her self-sacrifice; but there have been women who + have been as brave and devoted in their care of the mortal remains of + their friends—not from the heathen fancy that the weal of the dead + depended on such rites, but from their earnest love, and with a fuller + trust beyond. + </p> + <p> + Such was the spirit of Beatrix, a noble maiden of Rome, who shared the + Christian faith of her two brothers, Simplicius and Faustinus, at the end + of the third century. For many years there had been no persecution, and + the Christians were living at peace, worshipping freely, and venturing + even to raise churches. Young people had grown up to whom the being thrown + to the lions, beheaded, or burnt for the faith's sake, was but a story of + the times gone by. But under the Emperor Diocletian all was changed. The + old heathen gods must be worshipped, incense must be burnt to the statue + of the Emperor, or torture and death were the punishment. The two brothers + Simplicius and Faustinus were thus asked to deny their faith, and + resolutely refused. They were cruelly tortured, and at length beheaded, + and their bodies thrown into the tawny waters of the Tiber. Their sister + Beatrix had taken refuge with a poor devout Christian woman, named Lucina. + But she did not desert her brothers in death; she made her way in secret + to the bank of the river, watching to see whether the stream might bear + down the corpses so dear to her. Driven along, so as to rest upon the + bank, she found them at last, and, by the help of Lucina, she laid them in + the grave in the cemetery called Ad Ursum Pileatum. For seven months she + remained in her shelter, but she was at last denounced, and was brought + before the tribunal, where she made answer that nothing should induce her + to adore gods made of wood and stone. She was strangled in her prison, and + her corpse being cast out, was taken home by Lucina, and buried beside her + brothers. It was, indeed, a favorite charitable work of the Christian + widows at Rome to provide for the burial of the martyrs; and as for the + most part they were poor old obscure women, they could perform this good + work with far less notice than could persons of more mark. + </p> + <p> + But nearer home, our own country shows a truly Christian Antigone, + resembling the Greek lady, both in her dutifulness to the living, and in + her tender care for the dead. This was Margaret, the favorite daughter of + sir Thomas More, the true-hearted, faithful statesman of King Henry VIII. + </p> + <p> + Margaret's home had been an exceedingly happy one. Her father, Sir Thomas + More, was a man of the utmost worth, and was both earnestly religious and + conscientious, and of a sweetness of manner and playfulness of fancy that + endeared him to everyone. He was one of the most affectionate and dutiful + of sons to his aged father, Sir John More; and when the son was Lord + Chancellor, while the father was only a judge, Sir Thomas, on his way to + his court, never failed to kneel down before his father in public, and ask + his blessing. Never was the old saying, that a dutiful child had dutiful + children, better exemplified than in the More family. In the times when it + was usual for parents to be very stern with children, and keep them at a + great distance, sometimes making them stand in their presence, and + striking them for any slight offence, Sir Thomas More thought it his duty + to be friendly and affectionate with them, to talk to them, and to enter + into their confidence; and he was rewarded with their full love and duty. + </p> + <p> + He had four children—Margaret, Elizabeth, Cicely, and John. His + much- loved wife died when they were all very young, and he thought it for + their good to marry a widow, Mrs. Alice Middleton, with one daughter named + Margaret, and he likewise adopted an orphan called Margaret Giggs. With + this household he lived in a beautiful large house at Chelsea, with + well-trimmed gardens sloping down to the Thames; and this was the resort + of the most learned and able men, both English and visitors from abroad, + who delighted in pacing the shady walks, listening to the wit and wisdom + of Sir Thomas, or conversing with the daughters, who had been highly + educated, and had much of their father's humor and sprightliness. Even + Henry VIII. himself, then one of the most brilliant and graceful gentlemen + of his time, would sometimes arrive in his royal barge, and talk theology + or astronomy with Sir Thomas; or, it might be, crack jests with him and + his daughters, or listen to the music in which all were skilled, even Lady + More having been persuaded in her old age to learn to play on various + instruments, including the flute. The daughters were early given in + marriage, and with their husbands, continued to live under their father's + roof. Margaret's husband was William Roper, a young lawyer, of whom Sir + Thomas was very fond, and his household at Chelsea was thus a large and + joyous family home of children and grandchildren, delighting in the kind, + bright smiles of the open face under the square cap, that the great + painter Holbein has sent down to us as a familiar sight. + </p> + <p> + But these glad days were not to last for ever. The trying times of the + reign of Henry VIII. were beginning, and the question had been stirred + whether the King's marriage with Katherine of Aragon had been a lawful + one. When Sir Thomas More found that the King was determined to take his + own course, and to divorce himself without permission from the Pope, it + was against his conscience to remain in office when acts were being done + which he could not think right or lawful. He therefore resigned his office + as Lord Chancellor, and, feeling himself free from the load and + temptation, his gay spirits rose higher than ever. His manner of + communicating the change to his wife, who had been very proud of his state + and dignity, was thus. At church, when the service was over, it had always + been the custom for one of his attendants to summon Lady More by coming to + her closet door, and saying, 'Madam, my lord is gone.' On the day after + his resignation, he himself stepped up, and with a low bow said, 'Madam, + my lord is gone,' for in good soothe he was no longer Chancellor, but only + plain Sir Thomas. + </p> + <p> + He thoroughly enjoyed his leisure, but he was not long left in + tranquillity. When Anne Boleyn was crowned, he was invited to be present, + and twenty pounds were offered him to buy a suitably splendid dress for + the occasion; but his conscience would not allow him to accept the + invitation, though he well knew the terrible peril he ran by offending the + King and Queen. Thenceforth there was a determination to ruin him. First, + he was accused of taking bribes when administering justice. It was said + that a gilt cup had been given to him as a New Year's gift, by one lady, + and a pair of gloves filled with gold coins by another; but it turned out, + on examination, that he had drunk the wine out of the cup, and accepted + the gloves, because it was ill manners to refuse a lady's gift, yet he had + in both cases given back the gold. + </p> + <p> + Next, a charge was brought that he had been leaguing with a half-crazy + woman called the Nun of Kent, who had said violent things about the King. + He was sent for to be examined by Henry and his Council, and this he well + knew was the interview on which his safety would turn, since the + accusation was a mere pretext, and the real purpose of the King was to see + whether he would go along with him in breaking away from Rome—a + proceeding that Sir Thomas, both as churchman and as lawyer, could not + think legal. Whether we agree or not in his views, it must always be + remembered that he ran into danger by speaking the truth, and doing what + he thought right. He really loved his master, and he knew the humor of + Henry VIII., and the temptation was sore; but when he came down from his + conference with the King in the Tower, and was rowed down the river to + Chelsea, he was so merry that William Roper, who had been waiting for him + in the boat, thought he must be safe, and said, as they landed and walked + up the garden— + </p> + <p> + 'I trust, sir, all is well, since you are so merry?' + </p> + <p> + 'It is so, indeed, son, thank God!' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you then, sir, put out of the bill?' + </p> + <p> + 'Wouldest thou know, son why I am so joyful? In good faith I rejoice that + I have given the devil a foul fall; because I have with those lords gone + so far that without great shame I can never go back,' he answered, meaning + that he had been enabled to hold so firmly to his opinions, and speak them + out so boldly, that henceforth the temptation to dissemble them and please + the King would be much lessened. That he had held his purpose in spite of + the weakness of mortal nature, was true joy to him, though he was so well + aware of the consequences that when his daughter Margaret came to him the + next day with the glad tidings that the charge against him had been given + up, he calmly answered her, 'In faith, Meg, what is put off is not given + up.' + </p> + <p> + One day, when he had asked Margaret how the world went with the new Queen, + and she replied, 'In faith, father, never better; there is nothing else in + the court but dancing and sporting,' he replied, with sad foresight, + 'Never better. Alas, Meg! it pitieth me to remember unto what misery, poor + soul, she will shortly come. These dances of hers will prove such dances + that she will spurn off our heads like footballs, but it will not be long + ere her head will take the same dance.' + </p> + <p> + So entirely did he expect to be summoned by a pursuivant that he thought + it would lessen the fright of his family if a sham summons were brought. + So he caused a great knocking to be made while all were at dinner, and the + sham pursuivant went through all the forms of citing him, and the whole + household were in much alarm, till he explained the jest; but the earnest + came only a few days afterwards. On the 13th of April of 1534, arrived the + real pursuivant to summon him to Lambeth, there to take the oath of + supremacy, declaring that the King was the head of the Church of England, + and that the Pope had no authority there. He knew what the refusal would + bring on him. He went first to church, and then, not trusting himself to + be unmanned by his love for his children and grandchildren, instead of + letting them, as usual, come down to the water side, with tender kisses + and merry farewells, he shut the wicket gate of the garden upon them all, + and only allowed his son-in-law Roper to accompany him, whispering into + his ear, 'I thank our Lord, the field is won.' + </p> + <p> + Conscience had triumphed over affection, and he was thankful, though for + the last time he looked on the trees he had planted, and the happy home he + had loved. Before the council, he undertook to swear to some clauses in + the oath which were connected with the safety of the realm; but he refused + to take that part of the oath which related to the King's power over the + Church. It is said that the King would thus have been satisfied, but that + the Queen urged him further. At any rate, after being four days under the + charge of the Abbot of Westminister, Sir Thomas was sent to the Tower of + London. There his wife—a plain, dull woman, utterly unable to + understand the point of conscience—came and scolded him for being so + foolish as to lie there in a close, filthy prison, and be shut up with + rats and mice, instead of enjoying the favor of the King. He heard all she + had to say, and answered, 'I pray thee, good Mrs. Alice, tell me one thing—is + not this house as near heaven as my own?' To which she had no better + answer than 'Tilly vally, tilly vally.' But, in spite of her folly, she + loved him faithfully; and when all his property was seized, she sold even + her clothes to obtain necessaries for him in prison. + </p> + <p> + His chief comfort was, however, in visits and letters from his daughter + Margaret, who was fully able to enter into the spirit that preferred death + to transgression. He was tried in Westminster Hall, on the 1st of July, + and, as he had fully expected, sentenced to death. He was taken back along + the river to the Tower. On the wharf his loving Margaret was waiting for + her last look. She broke through the guard of soldiers with bills and + halberds, threw her arms round his neck, and kissed him, unable to say any + word but 'Oh, my father!—oh, my father!' He blessed her, and told + her that whatsoever she might suffer, it was not without the will of God, + and she must therefore be patient. After having once parted with him, she + suddenly turned back again, ran to him, and, clinging round his neck, + kissed him over and over again—a sight at which the guards + themselves wept. She never saw him again; but the night before his + execution he wrote to her a letter with a piece of charcoal, with tender + remembrances to all the family, and saying to her, 'I never liked your + manner better than when you kissed me last; for I am most pleased when + daughterly love and dear charity have no leisure to look to worldly + courtesy.' He likewise made it his especial request that she might be + permitted to be present at his burial. + </p> + <p> + His hope was sure and steadfast, and his heart so firm that he did not + even cease from humorous sayings. When he mounted the crazy ladder of the + scaffold he said, 'Master Lieutenant, I pray you see me safe up; and for + my coming down let me shift for myself.' And he desired the executioner to + give him time to put his beard out of the way of the stroke, 'since that + had never offended his Highness'. + </p> + <p> + His body was given to his family, and laid in the tomb he had already + prepared in Chelsea Church; but the head was set up on a pole on London + Bridge. The calm, sweet features were little changed, and the loving + daughter gathered courage as she looked up at them. How she contrived the + deed, is not known; but before many days had passed, the head was no + longer there, and Mrs. Roper was said to have taken it away. She was sent + for to the Council, and accused of the stealing of her father's head. She + shrank not from avowing that thus it had been, and that the head was in + her own possession. One story says that, as she was passing under the + bridge in a boat, she looked up, and said, 'That head has often lain in my + lap; I would that it would now fall into it.' And at that moment it + actually fell, and she received it. It is far more likely that she went by + design, at the same time as some faithful friend on the bridge, who + detached the precious head, and dropped it down to her in her boat + beneath. Be this as it may, she owned before the cruel-hearted Council + that she had taken away and cherished the head of the man whom they had + slain as a traitor. However, Henry VIII. was not a Creon, and our + Christian Antigone was dismissed unhurt by the Council, and allowed to + retain possession of her treasure. She caused it to be embalmed, kept it + with her wherever she went, and when, nine years afterwards, she died (in + the year 1544), it was laid in her coffin in the 'Roper aisle' of St. + Dunstan's Church, at Canterbury. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + UNDER IVAN THE TERRIBLE + </h2> + <h3> + 1564. + </h3> + <p> + Prince Andrej Kourbsky was one of the chief boyards or nobles at the Court + of Ivan, the first Grand Prince of Muscovy who assumed the Eastern title + of Tzar, and who relieved Russia from the terrible invasions of the + Tatars. This wild race for nearly four hundred years had roamed over the + country, destroying and plundering all they met with, and blighting all + the attempts at civilization that had begun to be made in the eleventh + century. It was only when the Russians learnt the use of firearms that + these savages were in any degree repressed. In the year 1551 the city of + Kazan, upon the River Kazanka, a tributary of the Volga, was the last city + that remained in the hands of the Tatars. It was a rich and powerful + place, a great centre of trade between Europe and the East, but it was + also a nest of robbers, who had frequently broken faith with the Russians, + and had lately expelled the Khan Schig Alei for having endeavored to + fulfill his engagements to them. The Tzar Ivan Vassilovitch, then only + twenty-two years of age, therefore marched against the place, resolved at + any cost to reduce it and free his country from these inveterate foes. + </p> + <p> + On his way he received tidings that the Crimean Tatars had come plundering + into Russia, probably thinking to attack Moscow, while Ivan was besieging + Kazan. He at once sent off the Prince Kourbsky with 15,000 men, who met + double that number of Tatars at Toula, and totally defeated them, pursuing + them to the River Chevorona, where, after a second defeat, they abandoned + a great number of Russian captives, and a great many camels. Prince + Kourbsky was wounded in the head and shoulder, but was able to continue + the campaign. + </p> + <p> + Some of the boyards murmured at the war, and declared that their strength + and resources were exhausted. Upon this the Tzar desired that two lists + might be drawn up of the willing and unwilling warriors in his camp. 'The + first', he said, 'shall be as dear to me as my own children; their needs + shall be made known to me, and I will share all I have with them. The + others may stay at home; I want no cowards in my army.' No one of course + chose to be in the second list, and about this time was formed the famous + guard called the Strelitzes, a body of chosen warriors who were always + near the person of the Tzar. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of August, 1552, Ivan encamped in the meadows on the banks + of the Volga, which spread like a brilliant green carpet around the hill + upon which stood the strongly fortified city of Kazan. The Tatars had no + fears. 'This is not the first time', they said, 'that we have seen the + Muscovites beneath our walls. Their fruitless attacks always end in + retreats, till we have learned to laugh them to scorn;' and when Ivan sent + them messengers with offers of peace, they replied, 'All is ready; we only + await your coming to begin the feast.' + </p> + <p> + They did not know of the great change that the last half-century had made + in sieges. One of the Italian condottieri, or leaders of free companies, + had made his way to Moscow, and under his instructions, Ivan's troops were + for the first time to conduct a siege in the regular modern manner, by + digging trenches in the earth, and throwing up the soil in front into a + bank, behind which the cannon and gunners are posted, with only small + openings made through which to fire at some spot in the enemy's walls. + These trenches are constantly worked nearer and nearer to the + fortifications, till by the effect of the shot an opening or breach must + be made in the walls, and the soldiers can then climb up upon scaling + ladders or heaps of small faggots piled up to the height of the opening. + Sometimes, too, the besiegers burrow underground till they are just below + the wall, then fill the hole with gunpowder, and blow up all above them; + in short, instead of, as in former days, a well- fortified city being + almost impossible to take, except by starving out the garrison, a siege is + in these times almost equally sure to end in favor of the besiegers. + </p> + <p> + All through August and September the Russians made their approaches, while + the Tatars resisted them bravely, but often showing great barbarity. Once + when Ivan again sent a herald, accompanied by a number of Tatar prisoners, + to offer terms to Yediguer, the present Khan, the defenders called out to + their countrymen, 'You had better perish by our pure hands than by those + of the wretched Christians,' and shot a whole flight of arrows at them. + Moreover, every morning the magicians used to come out at sunrise upon the + walls, and their shrieks, contortions, and waving of garments were + believed, not only by the Tatars but by the Russians, and by Andrej + Kourbsky himself, to bring foul weather, which greatly harassed the + Russians. On this Ivan sent to Moscow for a sacred cross that had been + given to the Grand Prince Vladimir when he was converted; the rivers were + blessed, and their water sprinkled round the camp, and the fair weather + that ensued was supposed to be due to the counteraction of the + incantations of the magicians. These Tatars were Mahometans, but they must + have retained some of the wind-raising enchantments of their Buddhist + brethren in Asia. + </p> + <p> + A great mine had been made under the gate of Arsk, and eleven barrels of + gunpowder placed in it. On the 30th of September it was blown up, and the + whole tower became a heap of ruins. For some minutes the consternation of + the besieged was such that there was a dead silence like the stillness of + the grave. The Russians rushed forward over the opening, but the Tatars, + recovering at the sight of them, fought desperately, but could not prevent + them from taking possession of the tower at the gateway. Other mines were + already prepared, and the Tzar gave notice of a general assault for the + next day, and recommended all his warriors to purify their souls by + repentance, confession, and communion, in readiness for the deadly strife + before them. In the meantime, he sent Yediguer a last offer of mercy, but + the brave Tatars cried out, 'We will have no pardon! If the Russians have + one tower, we will build another; if they ruin our ramparts we will set up + more. We will be buried under the walls of Kazan, or else we will make him + raise the siege.' + </p> + <p> + Early dawn began to break. The sky was clear and cloudless. The Tatars + were on their walls, the Russians in their trenches; the Imperial eagle + standard, which Ivan had lately assumed, floated in the morning wind. The + two armies were perfectly silent, save here and there the bray of a single + trumpet, or beat of a naker drum in one or the other, and the continuous + hum of the hymns and chants from the three Russian chapel- tents. The + archers held their arrows on the string, the gunners stood with lighted + matches. The copper-clad domes of the minarets began to glow with the + rising sunbeams; the muezzins were on the roofs about to call the Moslemin + to prayer; the deacon in the Tzar's chapel-tent was reading the Gospel. + 'There shall be one fold and one Shepherd.' At that moment the sun's disk + appeared above the eastern hills, and ere yet the red orb had fully + mounted above the horizon, there was a burst as it were of tremendous + thunderings, and the ground shook beneath the church. The Tzar went to the + entrance, and found the whole city hill so 'rolled in sable smoke', that + he could distinguish nothing, and, going back to his place, desired that + the service should continue. The deacon was in the midst of the prayer for + the establishment of the power of the Tzar and the discomfiture of his + enemies, when the crushing burst of another explosion rushed upon their + ears, and as it died away another voice broke forth, the shout raised by + every man in the Russian lines, 'God is with us!' On then they marched + towards the openings that the mines had made, but there the dauntless + garrison, in spite of the terror and destruction caused by the two + explosions, met them with unabated fury, rolling beams or pouring boiling + water upon them as they strove to climb the breach, and fighting hand to + hand with them if they mounted it. However, by the time the Tzar had + completed his devotions and mounted his horse, his eagle could be seen + above the smoke upon the citadel. + </p> + <p> + Still the city had to be won, step by step, house by house, street by + street; and even while struggling onwards the Russians were tempted aside + by plunder among the rich stores of merchandise that were heaped up in the + warehouses of this the mart of the East. The Khan profited by their lack + of discipline, and forced them back to the walls; nay, they would have + absolutely been driven out at the great gate, but that they beheld their + young Tzar on horseback among his grey-haired councillors. By the advice + of these old men Ivan rode forward, and with his own hand planted the + sacred standard at the gates, thus forming a barrier that the fugitives + were ashamed to pass. At the same time he, with half his choice cavalry, + dismounted, and entered the town all fresh and vigorous, their rich armor + glittering with gold and silver, and plumes of various colours streaming + from their helmets in all the brilliancy of Eastern taste. This + reinforcement recalled the plunderers to their duty, and the Tatars were + driven back to the Khan's palace, whence, after an hour's defense, they + were forced to retreat. + </p> + <p> + At a postern gate, Andrej Kourbsky and two hundred men met Yediguer and + 10,000 Tatars, and cut off their retreat, enclosing them in the narrow + streets. They forced their Khan to take refuge in a tower, and made signs + as if to capitulate. 'Listen,' they said. 'As long as we had a government, + we were willing to die for our prince and country. Now Kazan is yours, we + deliver our Khan to you, alive and unhurt—lead him to the Tzar. For + our own part, we are coming down into the open field to drain our last cup + of life with you.' + </p> + <p> + Yediguer and one old councillor were accordingly placed in the hands of an + officer, and then the desperate Tatars, climbing down the outside of the + walls, made for the Kazanka, where no troops, except the small body under + Andrej Kourbsky and his brother Romanus, were at leisure to pursue them. + The fighting was terrible, but the two princes kept them in view until + checked by a marsh which horses could not pass. The bold fugitives took + refuge in a forest, where, other Russian troops coming up, all were + surrounded and slain, since not a man of them would accept quarter. + </p> + <p> + Yediguer was kindly treated by Ivan, and accompanying him to Moscow, there + became a Christian, and was baptized by the name of Simeon, in the + presence of the Tzar and his whole court, on the banks of the Moskwa. He + married a Russian lady, and his whole conduct proved that his conversion + was sincere. + </p> + <p> + But this story has only been told at so much length to show what manner of + man Andrej Kourbsky was, and Ivan Vassilovitch had been, and how they had + once been brethren in arms; and perhaps it has been lingered over from the + melancholy interest there must always be in watching the fall of a + powerful nation, and the last struggles of gallant men. Ivan was then a + gallant, religious and highly gifted prince, generous and merciful, and + with every promise of a glorious reign, full of benefits to his country. + Alas! this part of his career was one glimpse of brightness in the course + of a long tempestuous day. His reign had begun when he was but three years + old. He had had a violent and cruel mother, and had, after her death, been + bred up by evil-minded courtiers, who absolutely taught him cruel and + dissolute amusements in order to prevent him from attending to state + affairs. For a time, the exhortations of the good and fearless patriarch, + and the influence of his gentle wife Anastasia, had prevailed, and with + great vigor and strong principle he had shaken off all the evil habits of + his boyhood, and begun, as it seemed, an admirable reign. + </p> + <p> + Too soon, a severe illness shook the balance of his mind, and this was + quickly followed by the death of the excellent Tzarina Anastasia. Whether + grief further unsettled him, or whether the loss of her gentle influence + left him a prey to his wicked councillors, from that time forward his + conduct was so wildly savage and barbarous as to win for him the surname + of the Terrible. Frantic actions, extravagant excesses, and freaks of + horrible cruelty looked like insanity; and yet, on the other hand, he + often showed himself a clear-headed and sagacious monarch, anxious for the + glory and improvement of his people. + </p> + <p> + But he lived in continual suspicion, and dreaded every eminent man in his + dominions. Kourbsky whom he had once loved and trusted, and had charged + with the command of his army, as his most able boyard, fell under his + suspicion; and, with horror and indignation, learnt that the Tzar was + plotting against his life, and intended to have him put to death. Kourbsky + upon this explained to his wife that she must either see him put to a + shameful death, or let him leave her for ever. He gave his blessing to his + son, a boy of nine years old, and leaving his house at night he scaled the + wall of Moscow, and meeting his faithful servant, Vasili Shibanoff, with + two horses, he made his escape. This Vasili was his stirrup-bearer, one of + those serfs over whom the boyard on whose land they were born possessed + absolute power. That power was often abused, but the instinctive + faithfulness of the serf towards his master could hardly be shaken, even + by the most savage treatment, and a well- treated serf viewed his master's + family with enthusiastic love and veneration. Vasili accompanied his + master's flight through the birch forests towards the Livonian frontier, + the country where but lately Kourbsky had been leading the Tzar's armies. + On the way the prince's horse became exhausted by his weight, and Vasili + insisted on giving up his own in its stead, though capture in the course + of such desertion would have been certain death. However, master and + servant safely arrived at Wolmar in Livonia, and there Andrej came to the + determination of renouncing the service of the ungrateful Ivan, and + entering that of the King of Poland. For this last step there was no + excuse. Nothing can justify a man in taking up arms against his country, + but in the middle Ages the tie of loyalty was rather to the man than to + the state, and Andrej Kourbsky seems to have deemed that his honor would + be safe, provided he sent a letter to his sovereign, explaining his + grievance and giving up his allegiance. The letter is said to have been + full of grave severity and deep, suppressed indignation, though temperate + in tone; but no one would consent to be the bearer of such a missive, + since the cruel tyrant's first fury was almost certain to fall on him who + presented it. Believing his master's honor at stake, Vasili offered + himself to be the bearer of the fatal letter, and Kourbsky accepted the + offer, tendering to him a sum of money, which the serf rejected, knowing + that money would soon be of little service to him, and seeking no reward + for what he deemed his duty to his lord. + </p> + <p> + As Ivan's justice had turned into barbarity, so his religion had turned + into foolish fanatic observance. He had built a monastery near Moscow for + himself and three hundred chosen boyards, and every morning at three or + four o'clock he took his two sons into the belfry with him and proceeded + to strike the bells, the Russian mode of ringing them, till all the + brethren were assembled. This bell-sounding was his favorite occupation, + and in it he was engaged when Vasili arrived. The servant awaited him in + the vestibule, and delivered the letter with these words: 'From my master + and thine exile, Prince Andrej Kourbsky.' + </p> + <p> + Ivan answered by such a blow on the leg with his iron-tipped rod that the + blood poured from the wound; but Vasili neither started, cried out, nor + moved a feature. At once the Tzar bade him be seized and tortured, to make + him disclose whether his master had any partners in guilt, or if any plans + were matured. But no extremity of agony could extract aught but praises of + the prince, and assurances of his readiness to die for him. From early + morning till late at night the torturers worked, one succeeding when + another was tired out; but nothing could overcome his constancy, and his + last words were a prayer to implore his God to have mercy on his master + and forgive his desertion. + </p> + <p> + His praise came even from the tyrant, who wrote to Kourbsky—'Let thy + servant Vaska [Footnote: the abbreviation of Vasili or Basil.] shame thee. + He preserved his truth to thee before the Tzar and the people. Having + given thee his word of faith, he kept it, even before the gates of death.' + </p> + <p> + After the flight of Kourbsky, the rage of Ivan continued to increase with + each year of his life. He had formed a sort of bodyguard of a thousand + ruffians, called the Oprichnina, who carried out his barbarous commands, + and committed an infinity of murders and robberies on their own account. + He was like a distorted caricature of Henry VIII, and, like him, united + violence and cruelty with great exactness about religious worship, + carrying his personal observances to the most fanatic extravagance. + </p> + <p> + In the vacancy of the Metropolitan See, he cast his eyes upon the + monastery in the little island of Solovsky, in the White Sea, where the + Prior, Feeleep Kolotchof, was noted for his holy life, and the good he had + done among the wild and miserable population of the island. He was the son + of a rich boyard, but had devoted himself from his youth to a monastic + life, and the fame of his exertions in behalf of the islanders had led the + Tzar to send him not only precious vessels for the use of his church, but + contributions to the stone churches, piers, and hostelries that he raised + for his people; for whom he had made roads, drained marshes, introduced + cattle, and made fisheries and salt pans, changing the whole aspect of the + place, and lessening even the inclemency of the climate. + </p> + <p> + On this good man the Tzar fixed his choice. He wrote to him to come to + Moscow to attend a synod, and on his arrival made him dine at the palace, + and informed him that he was to be chief pastor of the Russian Church. + Feeleep burst into tears, entreating permission to refuse, and beseeching + the Tzar not to trust 'so heavy a freight to such a feeble bark'. Ivan + held to his determination, and Feeleep then begged him at least to dismiss + the cruel Oprichnina. 'How can I bless you,' he said, 'while I see my + country in mourning?' + </p> + <p> + The Tzar replied by mentioning his suspicions of all around him, and + commanded Feeleep to be silent. He expected to be sent back to his convent + at once, but, instead of this, the Tzar commanded the clergy to elect him + Archbishop, and they all added their entreaties to him to accept the + office, and endeavor to soften the Tzar, who respected him; and he yielded + at last, saying, 'The will of the Tzar and the pastors of the church must, + then, be done.' + </p> + <p> + At his consecration, he preached a sermon on the power of mildness, and + the superiority of the victories of love over the triumphs of war. It + awoke the better feelings of Ivan, and for months he abstained from any + deed of violence; his good days seemed to have returned and he lived in + intimate friendship with the good Archbishop. + </p> + <p> + But after a time the sleeping lion began to waken. Ivan's suspicious mind + took up an idea that Feeleep had been incited by the nobles to request the + abolition of the Oprichnina, and that they were exciting a revolt. The + spies whom he sent into Moscow told him that wherever an Oprichnik + appeared, the people shrank away in silence, as, poor things! they well + might. He fancied this as a sign that conspiracies were brewing, and all + his atrocities began again. The tortures to which whole families were put + were most horrible; the Oprichniks went through the streets with poignards + and axes, seeking out their victims, and killing from ten to twenty a day. + The corpses lay in the streets, for no one dared to leave his house to + bury them. Feeleep vainly sent letters and exhortations to the Tzar—they + were unnoticed. The unhappy citizens came to the Archbishop, entreating + him to intercede for them, and he gave them his promise that he would not + spare his own blood to save theirs. + </p> + <p> + One Sunday, as Feeleep was about to celebrate the Holy Communion, Ivan + came into the Cathedral with a troop of his satellites, like him, + fantastically dressed in black cassocks and high caps. He came towards the + Metropolitan, but Feeleep kept his eyes fixed on the picture of our Lord, + and never looked at him. Someone said, 'Holy Father, here is the prince; + give him your blessing.' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' said the Archbishop, 'I know not the Tzar in this strange disguise—still + less do I know him in his government. Oh, Prince! we are here offering + sacrifice to the Lord, and beneath the altar the blood of guiltless + Christians is flowing in torrents... You are indeed on the throne, but + there is One above all, our Judge and yours. How shall you appear before + his Judgment Seat?—stained with the blood of the righteous, stunned + with their shrieks, for the stones beneath your feet cry out for vengeance + to Heaven. Prince, I speak as shepherd of souls; I fear God alone.' + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop was within the golden gates, which, in Russian churches, + close in the sanctuary or chancel, and are only entered by the clergy. He + was thus out of reach of the cruel iron-tipped staff, which the Tzar could + only strike furiously on the pavement, crying out, 'Rash monk, I have + spared you too long. Henceforth I will be to you such as you describe.' + </p> + <p> + The murders went on in their full horrors; but, in spite of the threat, + the Archbishop remained unmolested, though broken-hearted at the cruelties + around him. At last, however, his resolute witness became more than the + tyrant would endure, and messengers were secretly sent to the island of + Solovsky, to endeavor to find some accusation against him. They tampered + with all the monks in the convent, to induce them to find some fault in + him, but each answered that he was a saint in every thought, word, and + deed; until at last Payssi, the prior who had succeeded him, was induced, + by the hope of a bishopric, to bear false witness against him. + </p> + <p> + He was cited before an assembly of bishops and boyards, presided over by + the Tzar, and there he patiently listened to the monstrous stories told by + Payssi. Instead of defending himself, he simply said, 'This seed will not + bring you a good harvest;' and, addressing himself to the Tzar, said, + 'Prince, you are mistaken if you think I fear death. Having attained an + advanced age, far from stormy passions and worldly intrigues, I only + desire to return my soul to the Most High, my Sovereign Master and yours. + Better to perish an innocent martyr, than as Metropolitan to look on at + the horrors and impieties of these wretched times. Do what you will with + me! Here are the pastoral staff, the white mitre, and the mantle with + which you invested me. And you, bishops, archimandrites, abbots, servants + of the altar, feed the flock of Christ zealously, as preparing to give an + account thereof, and fear the Judge of Heaven more than the earthly + judge.' + </p> + <p> + He was then departing, when the Tzar recalled him, saying that he could + not be his own judge, and that he must await his sentence. In truth, worse + indignities were preparing for him. He was in the midst of the Liturgy on + the 8th of November, the Greek Michaelmas, when a boyard came in with a + troop of armed Oprichniks, who overawed the people, while the boyard read + a paper degrading the Metropolitan from his sacred office; and then the + ruffians, entering through the golden gates tore off his mitre and robes, + wrapped him in a mean gown, absolutely swept him out of the church with + brooms, and took him in a sledge to the Convent of the Epiphany. The + people ran after him, weeping bitterly, while the venerable old man + blessed them with uplifted hands, and, whenever he could be heard, + repeated his last injunction, 'Pray, pray to God.' + </p> + <p> + Once again he was led before the Emperor, to hear the monstrous sentence + that for sorcery, and other heavy charges, he was to be imprisoned for + life. He said no reproachful word, only, for the last time, he besought + the Tzar to have pity on Russia, and to remember how his ancestors had + reigned, and the happy days of his youth. Ivan only commanded the soldiers + to take him away; and he was heavily ironed, and thrown into a dungeon, + whence he was afterwards transferred to a convent on the banks of the + Moskwa, where he was kept bare of almost all the necessaries of life: and + in a few days' time the head of Ivan Borissovitch Kolotchof, the chief of + his family, was sent to him, with the message, 'Here are the remains of + your dear kinsman, your sorcery could not save him!' Feeleep calmly took + the head in his arms, blessed it, and gave it back. + </p> + <p> + The people of Moscow gathered round the convent, gazed at his cell, and + told each other stories of his good works, which they began to magnify + into miracles. Thereupon the Emperor sent him to another convent, at a + greater distance. Here he remained till the next year, 1569, when Maluta + Skouratof, a Tatar, noted as a favorite of the Tzar, and one of the chief + ministers of his cruelty, came into his cell, and demanded his blessing + for the Tzar. + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop replied that blessings only await good men and good works, + adding tranquilly, 'I know what you are come for. I have long looked for + death. Let the Tzar's will be done.' The assassin then smothered him, but + pretended to the abbot that he had been stifled by the heat of the cell. + He was buried in haste behind the altar, but his remains have since been + removed to his own cathedral at Moscow, the scene where he had freely + offered his own life by confronting the tyrant in the vain endeavor to + save his people. + </p> + <p> + Vain, too, was the reproof of the hermit, who shocked Ivan's scruples by + offering him a piece of raw flesh in the middle of Lent, and told him that + he was preying on the flesh and blood of his subjects. The crimes of Ivan + grew more and more terrible, and yet his acuteness was such that they can + hardly be inscribed to insanity. He caused the death of his own son by a + blow with that fatal staff of his; and a last, after a fever varied by + terrible delirium, in which alone his remorse manifested itself, he died + while setting up the pieces for a game at chess, on the 17th of March, + 1584. + </p> + <p> + This has been a horrible story, in reality infinitely more horrible than + we have made it; but there is this blessing among many others in + Christianity, that the blackest night makes its diamonds only show their + living luster more plainly: and surely even Ivan the Terrible, in spite of + himself, did something for the world in bringing out the faithful + fearlessness of Archbishop Feeleep, and the constancy of the stirrup- + bearer, Vasili. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FORT ST. ELMO + </h2> + <h3> + 1565 + </h3> + <p> + The white cross of the Order of St. John waved on the towers of Rhodes for + two hundred and fifty-five years. In 1552, after a desperate resistance, + the Turks, under their great Sultan, Solyman the Magnificent, succeeded in + driving the Knights Hospitaliers from their beautiful home, and they were + again cast upon the world. + </p> + <p> + They were resolved, however, to continue their old work of protecting the + Mediterranean travelers, and thankfully accepted, as a gift from the + Emperor Charles V., the little islet of Malta as their new station. It was + a great contrast to their former home, being little more than a mere rock + rising steeply out of the sea, white, glaring and with very shallow earth, + unfit to bear corn, though it produced plenty of oranges, figs, and melons—with + little water, and no wood,—the buildings wretched, and for the most + part uninhabited, and the few people a miserable mongrel set, part Arab, + part Greek, part Sicilian, and constantly kept down by the descents of the + Moorish pirates, who used to land in the unprotected bays, and carry off + all the wretched beings they could catch, to sell for slaves. It was a + miserable exchange from fertile Rhodes, which was nearly five times larger + than this barren rock; but the Knights only wanted a hospital, a fortress, + and a harbour; and this last they found in the deeply indented northern + shore, while they made the first two. Only a few years had passed before + the dreary Citta Notabile had become in truth a notable city, full of fine + castle-like houses, infirmaries, and noble churches, and fenced in with + mighty wall and battlements—country houses were perched upon the + rocks—the harbors were fortified, and filled with vessels of war—and + deep vaults were hollowed out in the rock, in which corn was stored + sufficient to supply the inhabitants for many months. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere that there was need was seen the red flag with the eight- + pointed cross. If there was an earthquake on the shores of Italy or + Sicily, there were the ships of St. John, bringing succor to the crushed + and ruined townspeople. In every battle with Turk or Moor, the Knights + were among the foremost; and, as ever before, their galleys were the aid + of the peaceful merchant, and the terror of the corsair. Indeed, they were + nearer Tunis, Tripoli, and Algiers, the great nests of these Moorish + pirates, and were better able to threaten them, and thwart their cruel + descents, than when so much farther eastward; and the Mahometan power + found them quite as obnoxious in Malta as in Rhodes. + </p> + <p> + Solyman the Magnificent resolved, in his old age, to sweep these obstinate + Christians from the seas, and, only twelve years after the siege of + Rhodes, prepared an enormous armament, which he united with those of the + Barbary pirates, and placed under the command of Mustafa and Piali, his + two bravest pashas, and Dragut, a terrible Algerine corsair, who had + already made an attempt upon the island, but had been repulsed by the good + English knight, Sir Nicholas Upton. Without the advice of this pirate the + Sultan desired that nothing should be undertaken. + </p> + <p> + The Grand Master who had to meet this tremendous danger was Jean Parisot + de la Valette, a brave and resolute man, as noted for his piety and + tenderness to the sick in the infirmaries as for his unflinching courage. + When he learnt the intentions of the Sultan, he began by collecting a + Chapter of his Order, and, after laying his tidings before them, said: 'A + formidable army and a cloud of barbarians are about to burst on this isle. + Brethren, they are the enemies of Jesus Christ. The question is the + defense of the Faith, and whether the Gospel shall yield to the Koran. God + demands from us the life that we have already devoted to Him by our + profession. Happy they who in so good a cause shall first consummate their + sacrifice. But, that we may be worthy, my brethren, let us hasten to the + altar, there to renew our vows; and may to each one of us be imparted, by + the very Blood of the Saviour of mankind, and by faithful participation in + His Sacraments, that generous contempt of death that can alone render us + invincible.' + </p> + <p> + With these words, he led the way to the church, and there was not an + individual knight who did not on that day confess and receive the Holy + Communion; after which they were as new men—all disputes, all + trivialities and follies were laid aside—and the whole community + awaited the siege like persons under a solemn dedication. + </p> + <p> + The chief harbour of Malta is a deep bay, turned towards the north, and + divided into two lesser bays by a large tongue of rock, on the point of + which stood a strong castle, called Fort St. Elmo. The gulf to the + westward has a little island in it, and both gulf and islet are called + Marza Muscat. The gulf to the east, called the Grand Port, was again + divided by three fingers of rock projecting from the mainland, at right + angles to the tongue that bore Fort St. Elmo. Each finger was armed with a + strong talon—the Castle of La Sangle to the east, the Castle of St. + Angelo in the middle, and Fort Ricasoli to the west. Between St. Angelo + and La Sangle was the harbour where all the ships of war were shut up at + night by an immense chain; and behind was il Borgo, the chief + fortification in the island. Citta Notabile and Gozo were inland, and + their fate would depend upon that of the defenses of the harbor. To defend + all this, the Grand Master could only number 700 knights and 8,500 + soldiers. He sent to summon home all those of the Order who were dispersed + in the different commanderies in France, Spain, and Germany, and entreated + aid from the Spanish king, Philip II., who wished to be considered as the + prime champion of Roman Catholic Christendom, and who alone had the power + of assisting him. The Duke of Alva, viceroy for Philip in Sicily, made + answer that he would endeavor to relieve the Order, if they could hold out + Fort St. Elmo till the fleet could be got together; but that if this + castle were once lost, it would be impossible to bring them aid, and they + must be left to their fate. + </p> + <p> + The Grand Master divided the various posts to the knights according to + their countries. The Spaniards under the Commander De Guerras, Bailiff of + Negropont, had the Castle of St. Elmo; the French had Port de la Sangle; + the Germans, and the few English knights whom the Reformation had left, + were charged with the defense of the Port of the Borgo, which served as + headquarters, and the Commander Copier, with a body of troops, was to + remain outside the town and watch and harass the enemy. + </p> + <p> + On the 18th of May, 1565, the Turkish fleet came in sight. It consisted of + 159 ships, rowed by Christian slaves between the decks, and carrying + 30,000 Janissaries and Spahis, the terrible warriors to whom the Turks + owed most of their victories, and after them came, spreading for miles + over the blue waters, a multitude of ships of burthen bringing the horses + of the Spahis, and such heavy battering cannon as rendered the dangers of + a siege infinitely greater than in former days. These Janissaries were a + strange, distorted resemblance of the knights themselves, for they were + bound in a strict brotherhood of arms, and were not married, so as to care + for nothing but each other, the Sultan, and the honor of their troop. They + were not dull, apathetic Turks, but chiefly natives of Circassia and + Georgia, the land where the human race is most beautiful and nobly formed. + They were stolen from their homes, or, too often, sold by their parents + when too young to remember their Christian baptism, and were bred up as + Mahometans, with no home but their corps, no kindred but their fellow + soldiers. Their title, given by the Sultan who first enrolled them, meant + New Soldiers, their ensign was a camp kettle, as that of their Pashas was + one, two, or three horses' tails, in honor of the old Kurdish chief, the + founder of the Turkish empire; but there was no homeliness in their + appointments, their weapons—scimitars, pistols, and carabines—were + crusted with gold and jewels; their head-dress, though made in imitation + of a sleeve, was gorgeous, and their garments were of the richest wool and + silk, dyed with the deep, exquisite colours of the East. Terrible warriors + were they, and almost equally dreaded were the Spahis, light horsemen from + Albania and the other Greek and Bulgarian provinces who had entered the + Turkish service, and were great plunderers, swift and cruel, glittering, + both man and horse, with the jewels they had gained in their forays. + </p> + <p> + These were chiefly troops for the land attack, and they were set on shore + at Port St. Thomas, where the commanders, Mustafa and Piali, held a + council, to decide where they should first attack. Piali wished to wait + for Dragut, who was daily expected, but Mustafa was afraid of losing time, + and of being caught by the Spanish fleet, and insisted on at once laying + siege to Fort St. Elmo, which was, he thought, so small that it could not + hold out more than five or six days. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, it could not hold above 300 men, but these were some of the + bravest of the knights, and as it was only attacked on the land side, they + were able to put off boats at night and communicate with the Grand Master + and their brethren in the Borgo. The Turks set up their batteries, and + fired their enormous cannon shot upon the fortifications. One of their + terrible pieces of ordnance carried stone balls of 160 lb., and no wonder + that stone and mortar gave way before it, and that a breach was opened in + a few days' time. That night, when, as usual, boatloads of wounded men + were transported across to the Borgo, the Bailiff of Negropont sent the + knight La Cerda to the Grand Master to give an account of the state of + things and ask for help. La Cerda spoke strongly, and, before a great + number of knights, declared that there was no chance of so weak a place + holding out for more than a week. + </p> + <p> + 'What has been lost,' said the Grand Master, 'since you cry out for help?' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' replied La Cerda, 'the castle may be regarded as a patient in + extremity and devoid of strength, who can only be sustained by continual + remedies and constant succor.' + </p> + <p> + 'I will be doctor myself,' replied the Grand Master, 'and will bring + others with me who, if they cannot cure you of fear, will at least be + brave enough to prevent the infidels from seizing the fort.' + </p> + <p> + The fact was, as he well knew, that the little fort could not hold out + long, and he grieved over the fate of his knights; but time was + everything, and the fate of the whole isle depended upon the white cross + being still on that point of land when the tardy Sicilian fleet should set + sail. He was one who would ask no one to run into perils that he would not + share, and he was bent on throwing himself into St. Elmo, and being rather + buried under the ruins than to leave the Mussulmans free a moment sooner + than could be helped to attack the Borgo and Castle of St. Angelo. But the + whole Chapter of Knights entreated him to abstain, and so many volunteered + for this desperate service, that the only difficulty was to choose among + them. Indeed, La Cerda had done the garrison injustice; no one's heart was + failing but his own; and the next day there was a respite, for a cannon + shot from St. Angelo falling into the enemy's camp, shattered a stone, a + splinter of which struck down the Piali Pasha. He was thought dead, and + the camp and fleet were in confusion, which enabled the Grand Master to + send off his nephew, the Chevalier de la Valette Cornusson, to Messina to + entreat the Viceroy of Sicily to hasten to their relief; to give him a + chart of the entrance of the harbour, and a list of signals, and to desire + in especial that two ships belonging to the Order, and filled with the + knights who had hurried from distant lands too late for the beginning of + the siege, might come to him at once. To this the Viceroy returned a + promise that at latest the fleet should sail on the 15th of June, adding + an exhortation to him at all sacrifices to maintain St. Elmo. This reply + the Grand Master transmitted to the garrison, and it nerved them to fight + even with more patience and self-sacrifice. A desperate sally was led by + the Chevalier de Medran, who fought his way into the trenches where the + Turkish cannon were planted, and at first drove all before him; but the + Janissaries rallied and forced back the Christians out of the trenches. + Unfortunately there was a high wind, which drove the smoke of the + artillery down on the counter-scarp (the slope of masonry facing the + rampart), and while it was thus hidden from the Christians, the Turks + succeeded in effecting a lodgment there, fortifying themselves with trees + and sacks of earth and wool. When the smoke cleared off, the knights were + dismayed to see the horse-tail ensigns of the Janissaries so near them, + and cannon already prepared to batter the ravelin, or outwork protecting + the gateway. + </p> + <p> + La Cerda proposed to blow this fortification up, and abandon it, but no + other knight would hear of deserting an inch of wall while it could yet be + held. + </p> + <p> + But again the sea was specked with white sails from the south-east. Six + galleys came from Egypt, bearing 900 troops—Mameluke horsemen, + troops recruited much like the Janissaries and quite as formidable. These + ships were commanded by Ulucciali, an Italian, who had denied his faith + and become a Mahometan, and was thus regarded with especial horror by the + chivalry of Malta. And the swarm thickened for a few days more; like + white-winged and beautiful but venomous insects hovering round their prey, + the graceful Moorish galleys and galliots came up from the south, bearing + 600 dark-visaged, white-turbaned, lithe-limbed Moors from Tripoli, under + Dragut himself. The thunders of all the guns roaring forth their salute of + honor told the garrison that the most formidable enemy of all had arrived. + And now their little white rock was closed in on every side, with nothing + but its own firmness to be its aid. + </p> + <p> + Dragut did not approve of having begun with attacking Fort St. Elmo; he + thought that the inland towns should have been first taken, and Mustafa + offered to discontinue the attack, but this the Corsair said could not now + be done with honor, and under him the attack went on more furiously than + ever. He planted a battery of four guns on the point guarding the entrance + of Marza Muscat, the other gulf, and the spot has ever since been called + Dragut's Point. Strange to say, the soldiers in the ravelin fell asleep, + and thus enabled the enemy to scramble up by climbing on one another's + shoulders and enter the place. As soon as the alarm was given, the Bailiff + of Negropont, with a number of knights, rushed into the ravelin, and + fought with the utmost desperation, but all in vain; they never succeeded + in dislodging the Turks, and had almost been followed by them into the + Fort itself. Only the utmost courage turned back the enemy at last, and, + it was believed, with a loss of 3,000. The Order had twenty knights and a + hundred soldiers killed, with many more wounded. One knight named Abel de + Bridiers, who was shot through the body, refused to be assisted by his + brethren, saying, 'Reckon me no more among the living. You will be doing + better by defending our brothers.' He dragged himself away, and was found + dead before the altar in the Castle chapel. The other wounded were brought + back to the Borgo in boats at night, and La Cerda availed himself of a + slight scratch to come with them and remain, though the Bailiff of + Negropont, a very old man, and with a really severe wound, returned as + soon as it had been dressed, together with the reinforcements sent to + supply the place of those who had been slain. The Grand Master, on finding + how small had been La Cerda's hurt, put him in prison for several days; + but he was afterwards released, and met his death bravely on the ramparts + of the Borgo. + </p> + <p> + The 15th of June was passed. Nothing would make the Sicilian Viceroy move, + nor even let the warships of the Order sail with their own knights, and + the little fort that had been supposed unable to hold out a week, had for + full a month resisted every attack of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + At last Dragut, though severely wounded while reconnoitring, set up a + battery on the hill of Calcara, so as to command the strait, and hinder + the succors from being sent across to the fort. The wounded were laid down + in the chapel and the vaults, and well it was for them that each knight of + the Order could be a surgeon and a nurse. One good swimmer crossed under + cover of darkness with their last messages, and La Valette prepared five + armed boats for their relief; but the enemy had fifteen already in the + bay, and communication was entirely cut off. It was the night before the + 23rd of June when these brave men knew their time was come. All night they + prayed, and prepared themselves to die by giving one another the last + rites of the Church, and at daylight each repaired to his post, those who + could not walk being carried in chairs, and sat ghastly figures, sword in + hand, on the brink of the breach, ready for their last fight. + </p> + <p> + By the middle of the day every Christian knight in St. Elmo had died upon + his post, and the little heap of ruins was in the hands of the enemy. + Dragut was dying of his wound, but just lived to hear that the place was + won, when it had cost the Sultan 8,000 men! Well might Mustafa say, 'If + the son has cost us so much, what will the father do?' + </p> + <p> + It would be too long to tell the glorious story of the three months' + further siege of the Borgo. The patience and resolution of the knights was + unshaken, though daily there were tremendous battles, and week after week + passed by without the tardy relief from Spain. It is believed that Philip + II. thought that the Turks would exhaust themselves against the Order, and + forbade his Viceroy to hazard his fleet; but at last he was shamed into + permitting the armament to be fitted out. Two hundred knights of St. John + were waiting at Messina, in despair at being unable to reach their + brethren in their deadly strait, and constantly haunting the Viceroy's + palace, till he grew impatient, and declared they did not treat him + respectfully enough, nor call him 'Excellency'. + </p> + <p> + 'Senor,' said one of them, 'if you will only bring us in time to save the + Order, I will call you anything you please, excellency, highness, or + majesty itself.' + </p> + <p> + At last, on the 1st of September, the fleet really set sail, but it + hovered cautiously about on the farther side of the island, and only + landed 6,000 men and then returned to Sicily. However, the tidings of its + approach had spread such a panic among the Turkish soldiers, who were worn + out and exhausted by their exertions, that they hastily raised the siege, + abandoned their heavy artillery, and, removing their garrison from Fort + St. Elmo, re-embarked in haste and confusion. No sooner, however, was the + Pasha in his ship than he became ashamed of his precipitation, more + especially when he learnt that the relief that had put 16,000 men to + flight consisted only of 6,000, and he resolved to land and give battle; + but his troops were angry and unwilling, and were actually driven out of + their ships by blows. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, the Grand Master had again placed a garrison in St. Elmo, + which the Turks had repaired and restored, and once more the cross of St. + John waved on the end of its tongue of land, to greet the Spanish allies. + A battle was fought with the newly arrived troops, in which the Turks were + defeated; they again took to their ships, and the Viceroy of Sicily, from + Syracuse, beheld their fleet in full sail for the East. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the gates of the Borgo were thrown open to receive the brethren + and friends who had been so long held back from coming to the relief of + the home of the Order. Four months' siege, by the heaviest artillery in + Europe, had shattered the walls and destroyed the streets, till, to the + eyes of the newcomers, the town looked like a place taken by assault, and + sacked by the enemy; and of the whole garrison, knights, soldiers, and + sailors altogether, only six hundred were left able to bear arms, and they + for the most part covered with wounds. The Grand Master and his surviving + knights could hardly be recognized, so pale and altered were they by + wounds and excessive fatigue; their hair, beards, dress, and armor showing + that for four full months they had hardly undressed, or lain down unarmed. + The newcomers could not restrain their tears, but all together proceeded + to the church to return thanks for the conclusion of their perils and + afflictions. Rejoicings extended all over Europe, above all in Italy, + Spain, and southern France, where the Order of St. John was the sole + protection against the descents of the Barbary corsairs. The Pope sent La + Valette a cardinal's hat, but he would not accept it, as unsuited to his + office; Philip II. presented him with a jeweled sword and dagger. Some + thousand unadorned swords a few months sooner would have been a better + testimony to his constancy, and that of the brave men whose lives Spain + had wasted by her cruel delays. + </p> + <p> + The Borgo was thenceforth called Citta Vittoriosa; but La Valette decided + on building the chief town of the isle on the Peninsula of Fort St. Elmo, + and in this work he spent his latter days, till he was killed by a + sunstroke, while superintending the new works of the city which is + deservedly known by his name, as Valetta. + </p> + <p> + The Order of St. John lost much of its character, and was finally swept + from Malta in the general confusion of the Revolutionary wars. The British + crosses now float in the harbour of Malta; but the steep white rocks must + ever bear the memory of the self-devoted endurance of the beleaguered + knights, and, foremost of all, of those who perished in St. Elmo, in order + that the signal banner might to the very last summon the tardy Viceroy to + their aid. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE VOLUNTARY CONVICT + </h2> + <h3> + 1622 + </h3> + <p> + In the early summer of the year 1605, a coasting vessel was sailing along + the beautiful Gulf of Lyons, the wind blowing gently in the sails, the + blue Mediterranean lying glittering to the south, and the curved line of + the French shore rising in purple and green tints, dotted with white towns + and villages. Suddenly three light, white-sailed ships appeared in the + offing, and the captain's practiced eye detected that the wings that bore + them were those of a bird of prey. He knew them for African brigantines, + and though he made all sail, it was impossible to run into a French port, + as on, on they came, not entirely depending on the wind, but, like + steamers, impelled by unseen powers within them. Alas! that power was not + the force of innocent steam, but the arms of Christian rowers chained to + the oar. Sure as the pounce of a hawk upon a partridge was the swoop of + the corsairs upon the French vessel. A signal to surrender followed, but + the captain boldly refused, and armed his crew, bidding them stand to + their guns. But the fight was too unequal, the brave little ship was + disabled, the pirates boarded her, and, after a sharp fight on deck, three + of the crew lay dead, all the rest were wounded, and the vessel was the + prize of the pirates. The captain was at once killed, in revenge for his + resistance, and all the rest of the crew and passengers were put in + chains. Among these passengers was a young priest named Vincent de Paul, + the son of a farmer in Languedoc, who had used his utmost endeavors to + educate his son for the ministry, even selling the oxen from the plough to + provide for the college expenses. A small legacy had just fallen to the + young man, from a relation who had died at Marseilles; he had been thither + to receive it, and had been persuaded by a friend to return home by sea. + And this was the result of the pleasant voyage. The legacy was the prey of + the pirates, and Vincent, severely wounded by an arrow, and heavily + chained, lay half- stifled in a corner of the hold of the ship, a captive + probably for life to the enemies of the faith. It was true that France had + scandalized Europe by making peace with the Dey of Tunis, but this was a + trifle to the corsairs; and when, after seven days' further cruising, they + put into the harbour of Tunis, they drew up an account of their capture, + calling it a Spanish vessel, to prevent the French Consul from claiming + the prisoners. + </p> + <p> + The captives had the coarse blue and white garments of slaves given them, + and were walked five or six times through the narrow streets and bazaars + of Tunis, by way of exhibition. They were then brought back to their ship, + and the purchasers came thither to bargain for them. They were examined at + their meals, to see if they had good appetites; their sides were felt like + those of oxen; their teeth looked at like those of horses; their wounds + were searched, and they were made to run and walk to show the play of + their limbs. All this Vincent endured with patient submission, constantly + supported by the thought of Him who took upon Him the form of a servant + for our sakes; and he did his best, ill as he was, to give his companions + the same confidence. + </p> + <p> + Weak and unwell, Vincent was sold cheap to a fisherman; but in his new + service it soon became apparent that the sea made him so ill as to be of + no use, so he was sold again to one of the Moorish physicians, the like of + whom may still be seen, smoking their pipes sleepily, under their white + turbans, cross-legged, among the drugs in their shop windows—-these + being small open spaces beneath the beautiful stone lacework of the + Moorish lattices. The physician was a great chemist and distiller, and for + four years had been seeking the philosopher's stone, which was supposed to + be the secret of making gold. He found his slave's learning and + intelligence so useful that he grew very fond of him, and tried hard to + persuade him to turn Mahometan, offering him not only liberty, but the + inheritance of all his wealth, and the secrets that he had discovered. + </p> + <p> + The Christian priest felt the temptation sufficiently to be always + grateful for the grace that had carried him through it. At the end of a + year, the old doctor died, and his nephew sold Vincent again. His next + master was a native of Nice, who had not held out against the temptation + to renounce his faith in order to avoid a life of slavery, but had become + a renegade, and had the charge of one of the farms of the Dey of Tunis. + The farm was on a hillside in an extremely hot and exposed region, and + Vincent suffered much from being there set to field labour, but he endured + all without a murmur. His master had three wives, and one of them, who was + of Turkish birth, used often to come out and talk to him, asking him many + questions about his religion. Sometimes she asked him to sing, and he + would then chant the psalm of the captive Jews: 'By the waters of Babylon + we sat down and wept;' and others of the 'songs' of his Zion. The woman at + last told her husband that he must have been wrong in forsaking a religion + of which her slave had told her such wonderful things. Her words had such + an effect on the renegade that he sought the slave, and in conversation + with him soon came to a full sense of his own miserable position as an + apostate. A change of religion on the part of a Mahometan is, however, + always visited with death, both to the convert and his instructor. An + Algerine, who was discovered to have become a Christian, was about this + time said to have been walled up at once in the fortifications he had been + building; and the story has been confirmed by the recent discovery, by the + French engineers, of the remains of a man within a huge block of clay, + that had taken a perfect cast of his Moorish features, and of the surface + of his garments, and even had his black hair adhering to it. Vincent's + master, terrified at such perils, resolved to make his escape in secret + with his slave. It is disappointing to hear nothing of the wife; and not + to know whether she would not or could not accompany them. All we know is, + that master and slave trusted themselves alone to a small bark, and, + safely crossing the Mediterranean, landed at Aigues Mortes, on the 28th of + June, 1607; and that the renegade at once abjured his false faith, and + soon after entered a brotherhood at Rome, whose office it was to wait on + the sick in hospitals. + </p> + <p> + This part of Vincent de Paul's life has been told at length because it + shows from what the Knights of St. John strove to protect the inhabitants + of the coasts. We next find Vincent visiting at a hospital at Paris, where + he gave such exceeding comfort to the patients that all with one voice + declared him a messenger from heaven. + </p> + <p> + He afterwards became a tutor in the family of the Count de Joigni, a very + excellent man, who was easily led by him to many good works. M. de Joigni + was inspector general of the 'Galeres', or Hulks, the ships in the chief + harbors of France, such as Brest and Marseilles, where the convicts, + closely chained, were kept to hard labour, and often made to toil at the + oar, like the slaves of the Africans. Going the round of these prison + ships, the horrible state of the convicts, their half-naked misery, and + still more their fiendish ferocity went to the heart of the Count and of + the Abbé de Paul; and, with full authority from the inspector, the tutor + worked among these wretched beings with such good effect that on his + doings being represented to the King, Louis XIII., he was made almoner + general to the galleys. + </p> + <p> + While visiting those at Marseilles, he was much struck by the broken- down + looks and exceeding sorrowfulness of one of the convicts. He entered into + conversation with him, and, after many kind words, persuaded him to tell + his troubles. His sorrow was far less for his own condition than for the + misery to which his absence must needs reduce his wife and children. And + what was Vincent's reply to this? His action was so striking that, though + in itself it could hardly be safe to propose it as an example, it must be + mentioned as the very height of self- sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + He absolutely changed places with the convict. Probably some arrangement + was made with the immediate jailor of the gang, who, by the exchange of + the priest for the convict, could make up his full tale of men to show + when his numbers were counted. At any rate the prisoner went free, and + returned to his home, whilst Vincent wore a convict's chain, did a + convict's work, lived on convict's fare, and, what was worse, had only + convict society. He was soon sought out and released, but the hurts he had + received from the pressure of the chain lasted all his life. He never + spoke of the event; it was kept a strict secret; and once when he had + referred to it in a letter to a friend, he became so much afraid that the + story would become known that he sent to ask for the letter back again. It + was, however, not returned, and it makes the fact certain. It would be a + dangerous precedent if prison chaplains were to change places with their + charges; and, beautiful as was Vincent's spirit, the act can hardly be + justified; but it should also be remembered that among the galleys of + France there were then many who had been condemned for resistance to the + arbitrary will of Cardinal de Richelieu, men not necessarily corrupt and + degraded like the thieves and murderers with whom they were associated. At + any rate, M. de Joigni did not displace the almoner, and Vincent worked on + the consciences of the convicts with infinitely more force for having been + for a time one of themselves. Many and many were won back to penitence, a + hospital was founded for them, better regulations established, and, for a + time, both prisons and galleys were wonderfully improved, although only + for the life-time of the good inspector and the saintly almoner. But who + shall say how many souls were saved in those years by these men who did + what they could? + </p> + <p> + The rest of the life of Vincent de Paul would be too lengthy to tell here, + though acts of beneficence and self-devotion shine out in glory at each + step. The work by which he is chiefly remembered is his establishment of + the Order of Sisters of Charity, the excellent women who have for two + hundred years been the prime workers in every charitable task in France, + nursing the sick, teaching the young, tending deserted children, ever to + be found where there is distress or pain. + </p> + <p> + But of these, and of his charities, we will not here speak, nor even of + his influence for good on the King and Queen themselves. The whole tenor + of his life was 'golden' in one sense, and if we told all his golden deeds + they would fill an entire book. So we will only wait to tell how he showed + his remembrance of what he had gone through in his African captivity. The + redemption of the prisoners there might have seemed his first thought, but + that he did so much in other quarters. At different times, with the alms + that he collected, and out of the revenues of his benefices, he ransomed + no less then twelve hundred slaves from their captivity. At one time the + French Consul at Tunis wrote to him that for a certain sum a large number + might be set free, and he raised enough to release not only these, but + seventy more, and he further wrought upon the King to obtain the consent + of the Dey of Tunis that a party of Christian clergy should be permitted + to reside in the consul's house, and to minister to the souls and bodies + of the Christian slaves, of whom there were six thousand in Tunis alone, + besides those in Algiers, Tangier, and Tripoli! + </p> + <p> + Permission was gained, and a mission of Lazarist brothers arrived. This, + too, was an order founded by Vincent, consisting of priestly nurses like + the Hospitaliers, though not like them warriors. They came in the midst of + a dreadful visitation of the plague, and nursed and tended the sick, both + Christians and Mahometans, with fearless devotion, day and night, till + they won the honor and love of the Moors themselves. + </p> + <p> + The good Vincent de Paul died in the year 1660, but his brothers of St. + Lazarus, and sisters of charity still tread in the paths he marked out for + them, and his name scarcely needs the saintly epithet that his church as + affixed to it to stand among the most honorable of charitable men. + </p> + <p> + The cruel deeds of the African pirates were never wholly checked till + 1816, when the united fleets of England and France destroyed the old den + of corsairs at Algiers, which has since become a French colony. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HOUSEWIVES OF LOWENBURG + </h2> + <h3> + 1631 + </h3> + <p> + Brave deeds have been done by the burgher dames of some of the German + cities collectively. Without being of the first class of Golden Deeds, + there is something in the exploit of the dames of Weinsberg so quaint and + so touching, that it cannot be omitted here. + </p> + <p> + It was in the first commencement of the long contest known as the strife + between the Guelfs and Ghibellines—before even these had become the + party words for the Pope's and the Emperor's friends, and when they only + applied to the troops of Bavaria and of Swabia—that, in 1141, Wolf, + Duke of Bavaria, was besieged in his castle of Weinberg by Friedrich, Duke + of Swabia, brother to the reigning emperor, Konrad III. + </p> + <p> + The siege lasted long, but Wolf was obliged at last to offer to surrender; + and the Emperor granted him permission to depart in safety. But his wife + did not trust to this fair offer. She had reason to believe that Konrad + had a peculiar enmity to her husband; and on his coming to take possession + of the castle, she sent to him to entreat him to give her a safe conduct + for herself and all the other women in the garrison, that they might come + out with as much of their valuables as they could carry. + </p> + <p> + This was freely granted, and presently the castle gates opened. From + beneath them came the ladies—but in strange guise. No gold nor + jewels were carried by them, but each one was bending under the weight of + her husband, whom she thus hoped to secure from the vengeance of the + Ghibellines. Konrad, who was really a generous and merciful man, is said + to have been affected to tears by this extraordinary performance; he + hastened to assure the ladies of the perfect safety of their lords, and + that the gentlemen might dismount at once, secure both of life and + freedom. He invited them all to a banquet, and made peace with the Duke of + Bavaria on terms much more favorable to the Guelfs than the rest of his + party had been willing to allow. The castle mount was thenceforth called + no longer the Vine Hill, but the Hill of Weibertreue, or woman's fidelity. + We will not invidiously translate it woman's truth, for there was in the + transaction something of a subterfuge; and it must be owned that the + ladies tried to the utmost the knightly respect for womankind. + </p> + <p> + The good women of Lowenburg, who were but citizens' wives, seem to us more + worthy of admiration for constancy to their faith, shown at a time when + they had little to aid them. It was such constancy as makes martyrs; and + though the trial stopped short of this, there is something in the + homeliness of the whole scene, and the feminine form of passive + resistance, that makes us so much honor and admire the good women that we + cannot refrain from telling the story. + </p> + <p> + It was in the year 1631, in the midst of the long Thirty Years' Was + between Roman Catholics and Protestants, which finally decided that each + state should have its own religion, Lowenburg, a city of Silesia, + originally Protestant, had passed into the hands of the Emperor's Roman + Catholic party. It was a fine old German city, standing amid woods and + meadows, fortified with strong walls surrounded by a moat, and with gate + towers to protect the entrance. + </p> + <p> + In the centre was a large market-place, called the Ring, into which looked + the Council-house and fourteen inns, or places of traffic, for the cloth + that was woven in no less than 300 factories. The houses were of stone, + with gradually projecting stories to the number of four or five, + surmounted with pointed gables. The ground floors had once had trellised + porches, but these had been found inconvenient and were removed, and the + lower story consisted of a large hall, and strong vault, with a spacious + room behind it containing a baking-oven, and a staircase leading to a + wooden gallery, where the family used to dine. It seems they slept in the + room below, though they had upstairs a handsome wainscoted apartment. + </p> + <p> + Very rich and flourishing had the Lowenburgers always been, and their + walls were quite sufficient to turn back any robber barons, or even any + invading Poles; but things were different when firearms were in use, and + the bands of mercenary soldiers had succeeded the feudal army. They were + infinitely more formidable during the battle or siege from their + discipline, and yet more dreadful after it for their want of discipline. + The poor Lowneburgers had been greatly misused: their Lutheran pastors had + been expelled; all the superior citizens had either fled or been + imprisoned; 250 families spent the summer in the woods, and of those who + remained in the city, the men had for the most part outwardly conformed to + the Roman Catholic Church. Most of these were of course indifferent at + heart, and they had found places in the town council which had formerly + been filled by more respectable men. However, the wives had almost all + remained staunch to their Lutheran confession; they had followed their + pastors weeping to the gates of the city, loading them with gifts, and + they hastened at every opportunity to hear their preachings, or obtain + baptism for their children at the Lutheran churches in the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + The person who had the upper hand in the Council was one Julius, who had + been a Franciscan friar, but was a desperate, unscrupulous fellow, not at + all like a monk. Finding that it was considered as a reproach that the + churches of Lowenburg were empty, he called the whole Council together on + the 9th of April, 1631, and informed them that the women must be brought + to conformity, or else there were towers and prisons for them. The + Burgomaster was ill in bed, but the Judge, one Elias Seiler, spoke up at + once. 'If we have been able to bring the men into the right path, why + should not we be able to deal with these little creatures?' + </p> + <p> + Herr Mesnel, a cloth factor, who had been a widower six weeks, thought it + would be hard to manage, though he quite agreed to the expedient, saying, + 'It would be truly good if man and wife had one Creed and one Paternoster; + as concerns the Ten Commandments it is not so pressing.' (A sentiment that + he could hardly have wished to see put in practice.) + </p> + <p> + Another councilor, called Schwob Franze, who had lost his wife a few days + before, seems to have had an eye to the future, for he said it would be a + pity to frighten away the many beautiful maidens and widows there were + among the Lutheran women; but on the whole the men without wives were much + bolder and more sanguine of success than the married ones. And no one + would undertake to deal with his own wife privately, so it ended by a + message being sent to the more distinguished ladies to attend the Council. + </p> + <p> + But presently up came tidings that not merely these few dames, whom they + might have hoped to overawe, were on their way, but that the Judge's wife + and the Burgomaster's were the first pair in a procession of full 500 + housewives, who were walking sedately up the stairs to the Council Hall + below the chamber where the dignitaries were assembled. This was not by + any means what had been expected, and the message was sent down that only + the chief ladies should come up. 'No,' replied the Judge's wife, 'we will + not allow ourselves to be separated,' and to this they were firm; they + said, as one fared all should fare; and the Town Clerk, going up and down + with smooth words, received no better answer than this from the Judge's + wife, who, it must be confessed, was less ladylike in language than + resolute in faith. + </p> + <p> + 'Nay, nay, dear friend, do you think we are so simple as not to perceive + the trick by which you would force us poor women against our conscience to + change our faith? My husband and the priest have not been consorting + together all these days for nothing; they have been joined together almost + day and night; assuredly they have either boiled or baked a devil, which + they may eat up themselves. I shall not enter there! Where I remain, my + train and following will remain also! Women, is this your will?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yea, yea, let it be so,' they said; 'we will all hold together as one + man.' + </p> + <p> + His honor the Town Clerk was much affrighted, and went hastily back, + reporting that the Council was in no small danger, since each housewife + had her bunch of keys at her side! These keys were the badge of a wife's + dignity and authority, and moreover they were such ponderous articles that + they sometimes served as weapons. A Scottish virago has been know to dash + out the brains of a wounded enemy with her keys; and the intelligence that + the good dames had come so well furnished, filled the Council with panic. + Dr. Melchior Hubner, who had been a miller's man, wished for a hundred + musketeers to mow them down; but the Town Clerk proposed that all the + Council should creep quietly down the back stairs, lock the doors on the + refractory womankind, and make their escape. This was effected as silently + and quickly as possible, for the whole Council 'could confess to a state + of frightful terror.' Presently the women peeped out, and saw the stairs + bestrewn with hats, gloves, and handkerchiefs; and perceiving how they had + put all the wisdom and authority of the town to the rout, there was great + merriment among them, though, finding themselves locked up, the more + tenderhearted began to pity their husbands and children. As for + themselves, their maids and children came round the Town Hall, to hand in + provisions to them, and all the men who were not of the Council were + seeking the magistrates to know what their wives had done to be thus + locked up. + </p> + <p> + The Judge sent to assemble the rest of the Council at his house; and + though only four came, the doorkeeper ran to the Town Hall, and called out + to his wife that the Council had reassembled, and they would soon be let + out. To which, however, that very shrewd dame, the Judge's wife, answered + with great composure, 'Yea, we willingly have patience, as we are quite + comfortable here; but tell them they ought to inform us why we are + summoned and confined without trial.' + </p> + <p> + She well knew how much better off she was than her husband without her. He + paced about in great perturbation, and at last called for something to + eat. The maid served up a dish of crab, some white bread, and butter; but, + in his fury, he threw all the food about the room and out the window, away + from the poor children, who had had nothing to eat all day, and at last he + threw all the dishes and saucepans out of window. At last the Town Clerk + and two others were sent to do their best to persuade the women that they + had misunderstood—they were in no danger, and were only invited to + the preachings of Holy Week: and, as Master Daniel, the joiner, added, 'It + was only a friendly conference. It is not customary with my masters and + the very wise Council to hang a man before they have caught him.' + </p> + <p> + This opprobrious illustration raised a considerable clamor of abuse from + the ruder women; but the Judge's and Burgomaster's ladies silenced them, + and repeated their resolution never to give up their faith against their + conscience. Seeing that no impression was made on them, and that nobody + knew what to do without them at home, the magistracy decided that they + should be released, and they went quietly home; but the Judge Seiler, + either because he had been foremost in the business, or else perhaps + because of the devastation he had made at home among the pots and pans, + durst not meet his wife, but sneaked out of the town, and left her with + the house to herself. + </p> + <p> + The priest now tried getting the three chief ladies alone together, and + most politely begged them to conform; but instead of arguing, they simply + answered; 'No; we were otherwise instructed by our parents and former + preachers.' + </p> + <p> + Then he begged them at least to tell the other women that they had asked + for fourteen days for consideration. + </p> + <p> + 'No, dear sir,' they replied: 'we were not taught by our parents to tell + falsehoods, and we will not learn it from you.' + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Schwob Franze rushed to the Burgomaster's bedside, and begged + him, for Heaven's sake, to prevent the priest from meddling with the + women; for the whole bevy, hearing that their three leaders were called + before the priest, were collecting in the marketplace, keys, bundles, and + all; and the panic of the worthy magistrates was renewed. The Burgomaster + sent for the priest, and told him plainly, that if any harm befel him from + the women, the fault would be his own; and thereupon he gave way, the + ladies went quietly home, and their stout champions laid aside their + bundles and keys—not out of reach, however, in case of another + summons. + </p> + <p> + However, the priest was obliged, next year, to leave Lowenburg in + disgrace, for he was a man of notoriously bad character; and Dr. Melchior + became a soldier, and was hanged at Prague. + </p> + <p> + After all, such a confession as this is a mere trifle, not only compared + with martyrdoms of old, but with the constancy with which, after the + revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the Huguenots endured persecution—-as, + for instance, the large number of women who were imprisoned for + thirty-eight years at Aigues Mortes; or again, with the steady resolution + of the persecuted nuns of Port Royal against signing the condemnation of + the works of Jansen. Yet, in its own way, the feminine resistance of these + good citizens' wives, without being equally high-toned, is worthy of + record, and far too full of character to be passed over. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FATHERS AND SONS + </h2> + <h3> + 219—1642—1798 + </h3> + <p> + One of the noblest characters in old Roman history is the first Scipio + Africanus, and his first appearance is in a most pleasing light, at the + battle of the River Ticinus, B.C. 219, when the Carthaginians, under + Hannibal, had just completed their wonderful march across the Alps, and + surprised the Romans in Italy itself. + </p> + <p> + Young Scipio was then only seventeen years of age, and had gone to his + first battle under the eagles of his father, the Consul, Publius Cornelius + Scipio. It was an unfortunate battle; the Romans, when exhausted by long + resistance to the Spanish horse in Hannibal's army, were taken in flank by + the Numidian calvary, and entirely broken. The Consul rode in front of the + few equites he could keep together, striving by voice and example to rally + his forces, until he was pierced by one of the long Numidian javelins, and + fell senseless from his horse. The Romans, thinking him dead, entirely + gave way; but his young son would not leave him, and, lifting him on his + horse, succeeded in bringing him safe into the camp, where he recovered, + and his after days retrieved the honor of the Roman arms. + </p> + <p> + The story of a brave and devoted son comes to us to light up the sadness + of our civil wars between Cavaliers and Roundheads in the middle of the + seventeenth century. It was soon after King Charles had raised his + standard at Nottingham, and set forth on his march for London, that it + became evident that the Parliamentary army, under the Earl of Essex, + intended to intercept his march. The King himself was with the army, with + his two boys, Charles and James; but the General-in-chief was Robert + Bertie, Earl of Lindsay, a brave and experienced old soldier, sixty years + of age, godson to Queen Elizabeth, and to her two favorite Earls, whose + Christian name he bore. He had been in her Essex's expedition to + Cambridge, and had afterwards served in the Low Countries, under Prince + Maurice of Nassau; for the long Continental wars had throughout King + James' peaceful reign been treated by the English nobility as schools of + arms, and a few campaigns were considered as a graceful finish to a + gentleman's education. As soon as Lord Lindsay had begun to fear that the + disputes between the King and Parliament must end in war, he had begun to + exercise and train his tenantry in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, of + whom he had formed a regiment of infantry. With him was his son Montagu + Bertie, Lord Willoughby, a noble-looking man of thirty-two, of whom it was + said, that he was 'as excellent in reality as others in pretence,' and + that, thinking 'that the cross was an ornament to the crown, and much more + to the coronet, he satisfied not himself with the mere exercise of virtue, + but sublimated it, and made it grace.' He had likewise seen some service + against the Spaniards in the Netherlands, and after his return had been + made a captain in the Lifeguards, and a Gentleman of the Bedchamber. + Vandyke has left portraits of the father and the son; the one a + bald-headed, alert, precise-looking old warrior, with the cuirass and + gauntlets of elder warfare; the other, the very model of a cavalier, tall, + easy, and graceful, with a gentle reflecting face, and wearing the long + lovelocks and deep point lace collar and cuffs characteristic of Queen + Henrietta's Court. Lindsay was called General-in-chief, but the King had + imprudently exempted the cavalry from his command, its general, Prince + Rupert of the Rhine, taking orders only from himself. Rupert was only + three-and- twenty, and his education in the wild school of the Thirty + Years' War had not taught him to lay aside his arrogance and + opinionativeness; indeed, he had shown great petulance at receiving orders + from the King through Lord Falkland. + </p> + <p> + At eight o'clock, on the morning of the 23rd of October, King Charles was + riding along the ridge of Edgehill, and looking down into the Vale of Red + Horse, a fair meadow land, here and there broken by hedges and copses. His + troops were mustering around him, and in the valley he could see with his + telescope the various Parliamentary regiments, as they poured out of the + town of Keinton, and took up their positions in three lines. 'I never saw + the rebels in a body before,' he said, as he gazed sadly at the subjects + arrayed against him. 'I shall give them battle. God, and the prayers of + good men to Him, assist the justice of my cause.' The whole of his forces, + about 11,000 in number, were not assembled till two o'clock in the + afternoon, for the gentlemen who had become officers found it no easy + matter to call their farmers and retainers together, and marshal them into + any sort of order. But while one troop after another came trampling, + clanking, and shouting in, trying to find and take their proper place, + there were hot words round the royal standard. + </p> + <p> + Lord Lindsay, who was an old comrade of the Earl of Essex, the commander + of the rebel forces, knew that he would follow the tactics they had both + together studied in Holland, little thinking that one day they should be + arrayed one against the other in their own native England. He had a high + opinion of Essex's generalship, and insisted that the situation of the + Royal army required the utmost caution. Rupert, on the other hand, had + seen the swift fiery charges of the fierce troopers of the Thirty Years' + war, and was backed up by Patrick, Lord Ruthven, one of the many Scots who + had won honor under the great Swedish King, Gustavus Adolphus. A sudden + charge of the Royal horse would, Rupert argued, sweep the Roundheads from + the field, and the foot would have nothing to do but to follow up the + victory. The great portrait at Windsor shows us exactly how the King must + have stood, with his charger by his side, and his grave, melancholy face, + sad enough at having to fight at all with his subjects, and never having + seen a battle, entirely bewildered between the ardent words of his + spirited nephew and the grave replies of the well-seasoned old Earl. At + last, as time went on, and some decision was necessary, the perplexed + King, willing at least not to irritate Rupert, desired that Ruthven should + array the troops in the Swedish fashion. + </p> + <p> + It was a greater affront to the General-in-chief than the king was likely + to understand, but it could not shake the old soldier's loyalty. He + gravely resigned the empty title of General, which only made confusion + worse confounded, and rode away to act as colonel of his own Lincoln + regiment, pitying his master's perplexity, and resolved that no private + pique should hinder him from doing his duty. His regiment was of foot + soldiers, and was just opposite to the standard of the Earl of Essex. + </p> + <p> + The church bell was ringing for afternoon service when the Royal forces + marched down the hill. The last hurried prayer before the charge was stout + old Sir Jacob Astley's, 'O Lord, Thou knowest how busy I must be this day; + if I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me;' then, rising, he said, 'March + on, boys.' And, amid prayer and exhortation, the other side awaited the + shock, as men whom a strong and deeply embittered sense of wrong had + roused to take up arms. Prince Rupert's charge was, however, fully + successful. No one even waited to cross swords with his troopers, but all + the Roundhead horse galloped headlong off the field, hotly pursued by the + Royalists. But the main body of the army stood firm, and for some time the + battle was nearly equal, until a large troop of the enemy's cavalry who + had been kept in reserve, wheeled round and fell upon the Royal forces + just when their scanty supply of ammunition was exhausted. + </p> + <p> + Step by step, however, they retreated bravely, and Rupert, who had + returned from his charge, sought in vain to collect his scattered + troopers, so as to fall again on the rebels; but some were plundering, + some chasing the enemy, and none could be got together. Lord Lindsay was + shot through the thigh bone, and fell. He was instantly surrounded by the + rebels on horseback; but his son, Lord Willoughby, seeing his danger, + flung himself alone among the enemy, and forcing his way forward, raised + his father in his arms thinking of nothing else, and unheeding his own + peril. The throng of enemy around called to him to surrender, and, hastily + giving up his sword, he carried the Earl into the nearest shed, and laid + him on a heap of straw, vainly striving to staunch the blood. It was a + bitterly cold night, and the frosty wind came howling through the + darkness. Far above, on the ridge of the hill, the fires of the King's + army shone with red light, and some way off on the other side twinkled + those of the Parliamentary forces. Glimmering lanterns or torches moved + about the battlefield, those of the savage plunderers who crept about to + despoil the dead. Whether the battle were won or lost, the father and son + knew not, and the guard who watched them knew as little. Lord Lindsay + himself murmured, 'If it please God I should survive, I never will fight + in the same field with boys again!'—no doubt deeming that young + Rupert had wrought all the mischief. His thoughts were all on the cause, + his son's all on him; and piteous was that night, as the blood continued + to flow, and nothing availed to check it, nor was any aid near to restore + the old man's ebbing strength. + </p> + <p> + Toward midnight the Earl's old comrade Essex had time to understand his + condition, and sent some officers to enquire for him, and promise speedy + surgical attendance. Lindsay was still full of spirit, and spoke to them + so strongly of their broken faith, and of the sin of disloyalty and + rebellion, that they slunk away one by one out of the hut, and dissuaded + Essex from coming himself to see his old friend, as he had intended. The + surgeon, however, arrived, but too late, Lindsay was already so much + exhausted by cold and loss of blood, that he died early in the morning of + the 24th, all his son's gallant devotion having failed to save him. + </p> + <p> + The sorrowing son received an affectionate note the next day from the + King, full of regret for his father and esteem for himself. Charles made + every effort to obtain his exchange, but could not succeed for a whole + year. He was afterwards one of the four noblemen who, seven years later, + followed the King's white, silent, snowy funeral in the dismantled St. + George's Chapel; and from first to last he was one of the bravest, purest, + and most devoted of those who did honor to the Cavalier cause. + </p> + <p> + We have still another brave son to describe, and for him we must return + away from these sad pages of our history, when we were a house divided + against itself, to one of the hours of our brightest glory, when the cause + we fought in was the cause of all the oppressed, and nearly alone we + upheld the rights of oppressed countries against the invader. And thus it + is that the battle of the Nile is one of the exploits to which we look + back with the greatest exultation, when we think of the triumph of the + British flag. + </p> + <p> + Let us think of all that was at stake. Napoleon Bonaparte was climbing to + power in France, by directing her successful arms against the world. He + had beaten Germany and conquered Italy; he had threatened England, and his + dream was of the conquest of the East. Like another Alexander, he hoped to + subdue Asia, and overthrow the hated British power by depriving it of + India. Hitherto, his dreams had become earnest by the force of his + marvelous genius, and by the ardor which he breathed into the whole French + nation; and when he set sail from Toulon, with 40,000 tried and victorious + soldiers and a magnificent fleet, all were filled with vague and unbounded + expectations of almost fabulous glories. He swept away as it were the + degenerate Knights of St. john from their rock of Malta, and sailed for + Alexandria in Egypt, in the latter end of June, 1798. + </p> + <p> + His intentions had not become known, and the English Mediterranean fleet + was watching the course of this great armament. Sir Horatio Nelson was in + pursuit, with the English vessels, and wrote to the First Lord of the + Admiralty: 'Be they bound to the Antipodes, your lordship may rely that I + will not lose a moment in bringing them to action.' + </p> + <p> + Nelson had, however, not ships enough to be detached to reconnoitre, and + he actually overpassed the French, whom he guessed to be on the way to + Egypt; he arrived at the port of Alexandria on the 28th of June, and saw + its blue waters and flat coast lying still in their sunny torpor, as if no + enemy were on the seas. Back he went to Syracuse, but could learn no more + there; he obtained provisions with some difficulty, and then, in great + anxiety, sailed for Greece; where at last, on the 28th of July, he learnt + that the French fleet had been seen from Candia, steering to the + southeast, and about four weeks since. In fact, it had actually passed by + him in a thick haze, which concealed each fleet from the other, and had + arrived at Alexandria on the 1st of July, three days after he had left it! + </p> + <p> + Every sail was set for the south, and at four o'clock in the afternoon of + the 1st of August a very different sight was seen in Aboukir Bay, so + solitary a month ago. It was crowded with shipping. Great castle-like + men-of-war rose with all their proud calm dignity out of the water, their + dark port-holes opening in the white bands on their sides, and the + tricolored flag floating as their ensign. There were thirteen ships of the + line and four frigates, and, of these, three were 80-gun ships, and one, + towering high above the rest, with her three decks, was L'Orient, of 120 + guns. Look well at her, for there stands the hero for whose sake we have + chose this and no other of Nelson's glorious fights to place among the + setting of our Golden Deeds. There he is, a little cadet de vaisseau, as + the French call a midshipman, only ten years old, with a heart swelling + between awe and exultation at the prospect of his first battle; but, + fearless and glad, for is he not the son of the brave Casabianca, the + flag-captain? And is not this Admiral Brueys' own ship, looking down in + scorn on the fourteen little English ships, not one carrying more than 74 + guns, and one only 50? + </p> + <p> + Why Napoleon had kept the fleet there was never known. In his usual mean + way of disavowing whatever turned out ill, he laid the blame upon Admiral + Brueys; but, though dead men could not tell tales, his papers made it + plain that the ships had remained in obedience to commands, though they + had not been able to enter the harbour of Alexandria. Large rewards had + been offered to any pilot who would take them in, but none could be found + who would venture to steer into that port a vessel drawing more than + twenty feet of water. They had, therefore, remained at anchor outside, in + Aboukir Bay, drawn up in a curve along the deepest of the water, with no + room to pass them at either end, so that the commissary of the fleet + reported that they could bid defiance to a force more than double their + number. The admiral believed that Nelson had not ventured to attack him + when they had passed by one another a month before, and when the English + fleet was signaled, he still supposed that it was too late in the day for + an attack to be made. + </p> + <p> + Nelson had, however, no sooner learnt that the French were in sight than + he signaled from his ship, the Vanguard, that preparations for battle + should be made, and in the meantime summoned up his captains to receive + his orders during a hurried meal. He explained that, where there was room + for a large French ship to swing, there was room for a small English one + to anchor, and, therefore, he designed to bring his ships up to the outer + part of the French line, and station them close below their adversary; a + plan that he said Lord Hood had once designed, though he had not carried + it out. + </p> + <p> + Captain Berry was delighted, and exclaimed, 'If we succeed, what will the + world say?' + </p> + <p> + 'There is no if in the case,' returned Nelson, 'that we shall succeed is + certain. Who may live to tell the tale is a very different question.' + </p> + <p> + And when they rose and parted, he said, 'before this time to-morrow I + shall have gained a peerage or Westminster Abbey.' + </p> + <p> + In the fleet went, through a fierce storm of shot and shell from a French + battery in an island in advance. Nelson's own ship, the Vanguard, was the + first to anchor within half-pistol-shot of the third French ship, the + Spartiate. The Vanguard had six colours flying, in any case any should be + shot away; and such was the fire that was directed on her, that in a few + minutes every man at the six guns in her forepart was killed or wounded, + and this happened three times. Nelson himself received a wound in the + head, which was thought at first to be mortal, but which proved but + slight. He would not allow the surgeon to leave the sailors to attend to + him till it came to his turn. + </p> + <p> + Meantime his ships were doing their work gloriously. The Bellerophon was, + indeed, overpowered by L'Orient, 200 of her crew killed, and all her masts + and cables shot away, so that she drifted away as night came on; but the + Swiftsure came up in her place, and the Alexander and Leander both poured + in their shot. Admiral Brueys received three wounds, but would not quit + his post, and at length a fourth shot almost cut him in two. He desired + not to be carried below, but that he might die on deck. + </p> + <p> + About nine o'clock the ship took fire, and blazed up with fearful + brightness, lighting up the whole bay, and showing five French ships with + their colours hauled down, the others still fighting on. Nelson himself + rose and came on deck when this fearful glow came shining from sea and sky + into his cabin; and gave orders that the English boars should immediately + be put off for L'Orient, to save as many lives as possible. + </p> + <p> + The English sailors rowed up to the burning ship which they had lately + been attacking. The French officers listened to the offer of safety, and + called to the little favorite of the ship, the captain's son, to come with + them. 'No,' said the brave child, 'he was where his father had stationed + him, and bidden him not to move save at his call.' They told him his + father's voice would never call him again, for he lay senseless and + mortally wounded on the deck, and that the ship must blow up. 'No,' said + the brave child, 'he must obey his father.' The moment allowed no delay + the boat put off. The flames showed all that passed in a quivering flare + more intense than daylight, and the little fellow was then seen on the + deck, leaning over the prostrate figure, and presently tying it to one of + the spars of the shivered masts. + </p> + <p> + Just then a thundering explosion shook down to the very hold every ship in + the harbour, and burning fragments of L'Orient came falling far and wide, + plashing heavily into the water, in the dead, awful stillness that + followed the fearful sound. English boats were plying busily about, + picking up those who had leapt overboard in time. Some were dragged in + through the lower portholes of the English ships, and about seventy were + saved altogether. For one moment a boat's crew had a sight of a helpless + figure bound to a spar, and guided by a little childish swimmer, who must + have gone overboard with his precious freight just before the explosion. + They rowed after the brave little fellow, earnestly desiring to save him; + but in darkness, in smoke, in lurid uncertain light, amid hosts of + drowning wretches, they lost sight of him again. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The boy, oh where was he! + Ask of the winds that far around +With fragments strewed the sea; With mast and helm, and pennant fair +That well had borne their part: But the noblest thing that perished there +Was that young faithful heart! +</pre> + <p> + By sunrise the victory was complete. Nay, as Nelson said, 'It was not a + victory, but a conquest.' Only four French ships escaped, and Napoleon and + his army were cut off from home. These are the glories of our navy, gained + by men with hearts as true and obedient as that of the brave child they + had tried in vain to save. Yet still, while giving the full meed of + thankful, sympathetic honor to our noble sailors, we cannot but feel that + the Golden Deed of Aboukir Bay fell to— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'That young faithful heart.' +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SOLDIERS IN THE SNOW + </h2> + <h3> + 1672 + </h3> + <p> + Few generals had ever been more loved by their soldiers than the great + Viscount de Turenne, who was Marshal of France in the time of Louis XIV. + Troops are always proud of a leader who wins victories; but Turenne was + far more loved for his generous kindness than for his successes. If he + gained a battle, he always wrote in his despatches, 'We succeeded,' so as + to give the credit to the rest of the army; but if he were defeated, he + wrote, 'I lost,' so as to take all the blame upon himself. He always + shared as much as possible in every hardship suffered by his men, and they + trusted him entirely. In the year 1672, Turenne and his army were sent to + make war upon the Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg, in Northern + Germany. It was in the depth of winter, and the marches through the heavy + roads were very trying and wearisome; but the soldiers endured all + cheerfully for his sake. Once when they were wading though a deep morass, + some of the younger soldiers complained; but the elder ones answered, + 'Depend upon it, Turenne is more concerned than we are. At this moment he + is thinking how to deliver us. He watches for us while we sleep. He is our + father. It is plain that you are but young.' + </p> + <p> + Another night, when he was going the round of the camp, he overheard some + of the younger men murmuring at the discomforts of the march; when an old + soldier, newly recovered from a severe wound, said: 'You do not know our + father. He would not have made us go through such fatigue, unless he had + some great end in view, which we cannot yet make out.' Turenne always + declared that nothing had ever given him more pleasure than this + conversation. + </p> + <p> + There was a severe sickness among the troops, and he went about among the + sufferers, comforting them, and seeing that their wants were supplied. + When he passed by, the soldiers came out of their tents to look at him, + and say, 'Our father is in good health: we have nothing to fear.' + </p> + <p> + The army had to enter the principality of Halberstadt, the way to which + lay over ridges of high hills with narrow defiles between them. + Considerable time was required for the whole of the troops to march + through a single narrow outlet; and one very cold day, when such a passage + was taking place, the Marshal, quite spent with fatigue, sat down under a + bush to wait till all had marched by, and fell asleep. When he awoke, it + was snowing fast; but he found himself under a sort of tent made of + soldiers' cloaks, hung up upon the branches of trees planted in the + ground, and round it were standing, in the cold and snow, all unsheltered, + a party of soldiers. Turenne called out to them, to ask what they were + doing there. 'We are taking care of our father,' they said; 'that is our + chief concern.' The general, to keep up discipline, seems to have scolded + them a little for straggling from their regiment; but he was much affected + and gratified by this sight of their hearty love for him. + </p> + <p> + Still greater and more devoted love was shown by some German soldiers in + the terrible winter of 1812. It was when the Emperor Napoleon I. had made + his vain attempt to conquer Russia, and had been prevented from spending + the winter at Moscow by the great fire that consumed all the city. He was + obliged to retreat through the snow, with the Russian army pursuing him, + and his miserable troops suffering horrors beyond all imagination. Among + them were many Italians, Poles, and Germans, whom he had obliged to become + his allies; and the 'Golden Deed' of ten of these German soldiers, the + last remnant of those led from Hesse Darmstadt by their gallant young + Prince Emilius, is best told in Lord Houghton's verses:— + </p> + <p> + 'From Hessen Darmstadt every step to Moskwa's blazing banks, Was Prince + Emilius found in flight before the foremost ranks; And when upon the icy + waste that host was backward cast, On Beresina's bloody bridge his banner + waved the last. + </p> + <p> + 'His valor shed victorious grace on all that dread retreat—That path + across the wildering snow, athwart the blinding sleet; And every follower + of his sword could all endure and dare, Becoming warriors, strong in hope, + or stronger in despair. 'Now, day and dark, along the storm the demon + Cossacks sweep—The hungriest must not look for food, the weariest + must not sleep. No rest but death for horse or man, whichever first shall + tire; They see the flames destroy, but ne'er may feel the saving fire. + 'Thus never closed the bitter night, nor rose the salvage morn, But from + the gallant company some noble part was shorn; And, sick at heart, the + Prince resolved to keep his purposed way With steadfast forward looks, nor + count the losses of the day. + </p> + <p> + 'At length beside a black, burnt hut, an island of the snow, Each head in + frigid torpor bent toward the saddle bow; They paused, and of that sturdy + troop—that thousand banded men—At one unmeditated glance he + numbered only ten! + </p> + <p> + 'Of all that high triumphant life that left his German home—Of all + those hearts that beat beloved, or looked for love to come—This + piteous remnant, hardly saved, his spirit overcame, While memory raised + each friendly face, recalled an ancient name. + </p> + <p> + 'These were his words, serene and firm, 'Dear brothers, it is best That + here, with perfect trust in Heaven, we give our bodies rest; If we have + borne, like faithful men, our part of toil and pain, Where'er we wake, for + Christ's good sake, we shall not sleep in vain.' + </p> + <p> + 'Some uttered, others looked assent—they had no heart to speak; Dumb + hands were pressed, the pallid lip approached the callous cheek. They laid + them side by side; and death to him at last did seem To come attired in + mazy robe of variegated dream. + </p> + <p> + 'Once more he floated on the breast of old familiar Rhine, His mother's + and one other smile above him seemed to shine; A blessed dew of healing + fell on every aching limb; Till the stream broadened, and the air + thickened, and all was dim. + </p> + <p> + 'Nature has bent to other laws if that tremendous night Passed o'er his + frame, exposed and worn, and left no deadly blight; Then wonder not that + when, refresh'd and warm, he woke at last, There lay a boundless gulf of + thought between him and the past. + </p> + <p> + 'Soon raising his astonished head, he found himself alone, Sheltered + beneath a genial heap of vestments not his own; The light increased, the + solemn truth revealing more and more, The soldiers' corses, + self-despoiled, closed up the narrow door. + </p> + <p> + 'That every hour, fulfilling good, miraculous succor came, And Prince + Emilius lived to give this worthy deed to fame. O brave fidelity in death! + O strength of loving will! These are the holy balsam drops that woeful + wars distil.' + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GUNPOWDER PERILS + </h2> + <h3> + 1700 + </h3> + <p> + The wild history of Ireland contains many a frightful tale, but also many + an action of the noblest order; and the short sketch given by Maria + Edgeworth of her ancestry, presents such a chequerwork of the gold and the + lead that it is almost impossible to separate them. + </p> + <p> + At the time of the great Irish rebellion of 1641 the head of the Edgeworth + family had left his English wife and her infant son at his castle of + Cranallagh in county Longford, thinking them safe there while he joined + the royal forces under the Earl of Ormond. In his absence, however, the + rebels attacked the castle at night, set fire to it, and dragged the lady + out absolutely naked. She hid herself under a furze bush, and succeeded in + escaping and reaching Dublin, whence she made her way to her father's + house in Derbyshire. Her little son was found by the rebels lying in his + cradle, and one of them actually seized the child by the leg and was about + to dash out his brains against the wall; but a servant named Bryan Ferral, + pretending to be even more ferocious, vowed that a sudden death was too + good for the little heretic, and that he should be plunged up to the + throat in a bog-hole and left for the crows to pick out his eyes. He + actually did place the poor child in the bog, but only to save his life; + he returned as soon as he could elude his comrades, put the boy into a + pannier below eggs and chickens, and thus carried him straight though the + rebel camp to his mother at Dublin. Strange to say, these rebels, who + thought being dashed against the wall too good a fate for the infant, + extinguished the flames of the castle out of reverence for the picture of + his grandmother, who had been a Roman Catholic, and was painted on a panel + with a cross on her bosom and a rosary in her hand. + </p> + <p> + John Edgeworth, the boy thus saved, married very young, and went with his + wife to see London after the Restoration. To pay their expenses they + mortgaged an estate and put the money in a stocking, which they kept on + the top of the bed; and when that store was used up, the young man + actually sold a house in Dublin to buy a high-crowned hat and feathers. + Still, reckless and improvident as they were, there was sound principle + within them, and though they were great favorites, and Charles II. + insisted on knighting the husband, their glimpse of the real evils and + temptations of his Court sufficed them, and in the full tide of flattery + and admiration the lady begged to return home, nor did she ever go back to + Court again. + </p> + <p> + Her home was at Castle Lissard, in full view of which was a hillock called + Fairymount, or Firmont, from being supposed to be the haunt of fairies. + Lights, noises, and singing at night, clearly discerned from the castle, + caused much terror to Lady Edgeworth, though her descendants affirm that + they were fairies of the same genus as those who beset Sir John Falstaff + at Hearne's oak, and intended to frighten her into leaving the place. + However, though her nerves might be disturbed, her spirit was not to be + daunted; and, fairies or no fairies, she held her ground at Castle + Lissard, and there showed what manner of woman she was in a veritable and + most fearful peril. + </p> + <p> + On some alarm which caused the gentlemen of the family to take down their + guns, she went to a dark loft at the top of the house to fetch some powder + from a barrel that was there kept in store, taking a young maid-servant to + carry the candle; which, as might be expected in an Irish household of the + seventeenth century, was devoid of any candlestick. After taking the + needful amount of gunpowder, Lady Edgeworth locked the door, and was + halfway downstairs when she missed the candle, and asking the girl what + she had done with it, received the cool answer that 'she had left it + sticking in the barrel of black salt'. Lady Edgeworth bade her stand + still, turned round, went back alone to the loft where the tallow candle + stood guttering and flaring planted in the middle of the gunpowder, + resolutely put an untrembling hand beneath it, took it out so steadily + that no spark fell, carried it down, and when she came to the bottom of + the stairs dropped on her knees, and broke forth in a thanksgiving aloud + for the safety of the household in this frightful peril. This + high-spirited lady lived to be ninety years old, and left a numerous + family. One grandson was the Abbe Edgeworth, known in France as De + Firmont, such being the alteration of Fairymount on French lips. It was he + who, at the peril of his own life, attended Louis XVI. to the guillotine, + and thus connected his name so closely with the royal cause that when his + cousin Richard Lovell Edgeworth, of Edgeworths-town, visited France + several years after, the presence of a person so called was deemed + perilous to the rising power of Napoleon. This latter Mr. Edgeworth was + the father of Maria, whose works we hope are well known to our young + readers. + </p> + <p> + The good Chevalier Bayard was wont to mourn over the introduction of + firearms, as destructive of chivalry; and certainly the steel-clad knight, + with barbed steed, and sword and lance, has disappeared from the + battle-field; but his most essential qualities, truth, honor, + faithfulness, mercy, and self-devotion, have not disappeared with him, nor + can they as long as Christian men and women bear in mind that 'greater + love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend'. + </p> + <p> + And that terrible compound, gunpowder, has been the occasion of many + another daring deed, requiring desperate resolution, to save others at the + expense of a death perhaps more frightful to the imagination than any + other. Listen to a story of the King's birthday in Jersey 'sixty years + since'—in 1804, when that 4th of June that Eton boys delight in, was + already in the forty-fourth year of its observance in honor of the then + reigning monarch, George III. + </p> + <p> + All the forts in the island had done due honor to the birthday of His + Majesty, who was then just recovered from an attack of insanity. In each + the guns at noon-day thundered out their royal salute, the flashes had + answered one another, and the smoke had wreathed itself away over the blue + sea of Jersey. The new fort on the hill just above the town of St. Heliers + had contributed its share to the loyal thunders, and then it was shut up, + and the keys carried away by Captain Salmon, the artillery officer on + guard there, locking up therein 209 barrels of gunpowder, with a large + supply of bombshells, and every kind of ammunition such as might well be + needed in the Channel islands the year before Lord Nelson had freed + England from the chance of finding the whole French army on our coast in + the flat-bottomed boats that were waiting at Boulogne for the dark night + that never came. + </p> + <p> + At six o'clock in the evening, Captain Salmon went to dine with the other + officers in St. Heliers and to drink the King's health, when the soldiers + on guard beheld a cloud of smoke curling out at the air-hole at the end of + the magazine. Shouting 'fire', they ran away to avoid an explosion that + would have shattered them to pieces, and might perhaps endanger the entire + town of St. Heliers. Happily their shout was heard by a man of different + mould. Lieutenant Lys, the signal officer, was in the watch-house on the + hill, and coming out he saw the smoke, and perceived the danger. Two + brothers, named Thomas and Edward Touzel, carpenters, and the sons of an + old widow, had come up to take down a flagstaff that had been raised in + honor of the day, and Mr. Lys ordered them to hasten to the town to inform + the commander-in-chief, and get the keys from Captain Salmon. + </p> + <p> + Thomas went, and endeavored to persuade his brother to accompany him from + the heart of the danger; but Edward replied that he must die some day or + other, and that he would do his best to save the magazine, and he tried to + stop some of the runaway soldiers to assist. One refused; but another, + William Ponteney, of the 3rd, replied that he was ready to die with him, + and they shook hands. + </p> + <p> + Edward Touzel then, by the help of a wooden bar and an axe, broke open the + door of the fort, and making his way into it, saw the state of the case, + and shouted to Mr. Lys on the outside, 'the magazine is on fire, it will + blow up, we must lose our lives; but no matter, huzza for the King! We + must try and save it.' He then rushed into the flame, and seizing the + matches, which were almost burnt out (probably splinters of wood tipped + with brimstone), he threw them by armfuls to Mr. Lys and the soldier + Ponteney, who stood outside and received them. Mr. Lys saw a cask of water + near at hand; but there was nothing to carry the water in but an earthen + pitcher, his own hat and the soldier's. These, however, they filled again + and again, and handed to Touzel, who thus extinguished all the fire he + could see; but the smoke was so dense, that he worked in horrible doubt + and obscurity, almost suffocated, and with his face and hands already + scorched. The beams over his head were on fire, large cases containing + powder horns had already caught, and an open barrel of gunpowder was close + by, only awaiting the fall of a single brand to burst into a fatal + explosion. Touzel called out to entreat for some drink to enable him to + endure the stifling, and Mr. Lys handed him some spirits-and-water, which + he drank, and worked on; but by this time the officers had heard the + alarm, dispelled the panic among the soldiers, and come to the rescue. The + magazine was completely emptied, and the last smoldering sparks + extinguished; but the whole of the garrison and citizens felt that they + owed their lives to the three gallant men to whose exertions alone under + Providence, it was owing that succor did not come too late. Most of all + was honor due to Edward Touzel, who, as a civilian, might have turned his + back upon the peril without any blame; nay, could even have pleaded Mr. + Lys' message as a duty, but who had instead rushed foremost into what he + believe was certain death. + </p> + <p> + A meeting was held in the church of St. Heliers to consider of a + testimonial of gratitude to these three brave men (it is to be hoped that + thankfulness to an overruling Providence was also manifested there), when + 500l. was voted to Mr. Lys, who was the father of a large family; 300l. to + Edward Touzel; and William Ponteney received, at his own request, a life + annuity of 20l. and a gold medal, as he declared that he had rather + continue to serve the King as a soldier than be placed in any other course + of life. + </p> + <p> + In that same year (1804) the same daring endurance and heroism were + evinced by the officers of H.M.S. Hindostan, where, when on the way from + Gibraltar to join Nelson's fleet at Toulon, the cry of 'Fire!' was heard, + and dense smoke rose from the lower decks, so as to render it nearly + impossible to detect the situation of the fire. Again and again + Lieutenants Tailour and Banks descended, and fell down senseless from the + stifling smoke; then were carried on deck, recovered in the free air, and + returned to vain endeavor of clearing the powder-room. But no man could + long preserve his faculties in the poisonous atmosphere, and the two + lieutenants might be said to have many deaths from it. At last the fire + gained so much head, that it was impossible to save the vessel, which had + in the meantime been brought into the Bay of Rosas, and was near enough to + land to enable the crew to escape in boats, after having endured the fire + six hours. Nelson himself wrote: 'The preservation of the crew seems + little short of a miracle. I never read such a journal of exertions in my + life.' + </p> + <p> + Eight years after, on the taking of Ciudad Rodrigo, in 1812, by the + British army under Wellington, Captain William Jones, of the 52nd + Regiment, having captured a French officer, employed his prisoner in + pointing out quarters for his men. The Frenchman could not speak English, + and Captain Jones—a fiery Welshman, whom it was the fashion in the + regiment to term 'Jack Jones'—knew no French; but dumb show supplied + the want of language, and some of the company were lodged in a large store + pointed out by the Frenchman, who then led the way to a church, near which + Lord Wellington and his staff were standing. But no sooner had the guide + stepped into the building than he started back, crying, 'Sacre bleu!' and + ran out in the utmost alarm. The Welsh captain, however, went on, and + perceived that the church had been used as a powder-magazine by the + French; barrels were standing round, samples of their contents lay loosely + scattered on the pavement, and in the midst was a fire, probably lighted + by some Portuguese soldiers. Forthwith Captain Jones and the sergeant + entered the church, took up the burning embers brand by brand, bore them + safe over the scattered powder, and out of the church, and thus averted + what might have been the most terrific disaster that could have befallen + our army. [Footnote: The story has been told with some variation, as to + whether it was the embers or a barrel of powder that he and the sergeant + removed. In the Record of the 52d it is said to have been the latter; but + the tradition the author has received from officers of the regiment + distinctly stated that it was the burning brands, and that the scene was a + reserve magazine—not, as in the brief mention in Sir William + Napier's History, the great magazine of the town.] + </p> + <p> + Our next story of this kind relates to a French officer, Monsieur Mathieu + Martinel, adjutant of the 1st Cuirassiers. In 1820 there was a fire in the + barracks at Strasburg, and nine soldiers were lying sick and helpless + above a room containing a barrel of gunpowder and a thousand cartridges. + Everyone was escaping, but Martinel persuaded a few men to return into the + barracks with him, and hurried up the stairs through smoke and flame that + turned back his companions. He came alone to the door of a room close to + that which contained the powder, but found it locked. Catching up a bench, + he beat the door in, and was met by such a burst of fire as had almost + driven him away; but, just as he was about to descend, he thought that, + when the flames reached the powder, the nine sick men must infallibly be + blown up, and returning to the charge, he dashed forward, with eyes shut, + through the midst, and with face, hands, hair, and clothes singed and + burnt, he made his way to the magazine, in time to tear away, and throw to + a distance from the powder, the mass of paper in which the cartridges were + packed, which was just about to ignite, and appearing at the window, with + loud shouts for water, thus showed the possibility of penetrating to the + magazine, and floods of water were at once directed to it, so as to drench + the powder, and thus save the men. + </p> + <p> + This same Martinel had shortly before thrown himself into the River Ill, + without waiting to undress, to rescue a soldier who had fallen in, so near + a water mill, that there was hardly a chance of life for either. Swimming + straight towards the mill dam, Martinel grasped the post of the sluice + with one arm, and with the other tried to arrest the course of the + drowning man, who was borne by a rapid current towards the mill wheel; and + was already so far beneath the surface, that Martinel could not reach him + without letting go of the post. Grasping the inanimate body, he actually + allowed himself to be carried under the mill wheel, without loosing his + hold, and came up immediately after on the other side, still able to bring + the man to land, in time for his suspended animation to be restored. + </p> + <p> + Seventeen years afterwards, when the regiment was at Paris, there was, on + the night of the 14th of June, 1837, during the illuminations at the + wedding festival of the Duke and Duchess of Orleans, one of those + frightful crushes that sometimes occur in an ill-regulated crowd, when + there is some obstruction in the way, and there is nothing but a horrible + blind struggling and trampling, violent and fatal because of its very + helplessness and bewilderment. The crowd were trying to leave the Champ de + Mars, where great numbers had been witnessing some magnificent fireworks, + and had blocked up the passage leading out by the Military College. A + woman fell down in a fainting fit, others stumbled over her, and thus + formed an obstruction, which, being unknown to those in the rear, did not + prevent them from forcing forward the persons in front, so that they too + were pushed and trodden down into one frightful, struggling, suffocating + mass of living and dying men, women, and children, increasing every + moment. + </p> + <p> + M. Martinel was passing, on his way to his quarters, when, hearing the + tumult, he ran to the gate from the other side, and meeting the crowd + tried by shouts and entreaties to persuade them to give back, but the + hindmost could not hear him, and the more frightened they grew, the more + they tried to hurry home, and so made the heap worse and worse, and in the + midst an illuminated yew-tree, in a pot, was upset, and further barred the + way. Martinel, with imminent danger to himself, dragged out one or two + persons; but finding his single efforts almost useless among such numbers, + he ran to the barracks, sounded to horse, and without waiting till his men + could be got together, hurried off again on foot, with a few of his + comrades, and dashed back into the crowd, struggling as vehemently to + penetrate to the scene of danger, as many would have done to get away from + it. + </p> + <p> + Private Spenlee alone kept up with him, and, coming to the dreadful heap, + these two labored to free the passage, lift up the living, and remove the + dead. First he dragged out an old man in a fainting fit, then a young + soldier, next a boy, a woman, a little girl—he carried them to freer + air, and came back the next moment, though often so nearly pulled down by + the frantic struggles of the terrified stifled creatures, that he was each + moment in the utmost peril of being trampled to death. He carried out nine + persons one by one; Spenlee brought out a man and a child; and his brother + officers, coming up, took their share. One lieutenant, with a girl in a + swoon in his arms, caused a boy to be put on his back, and under this + double burthen was pushing against the crowd for half and hour, till at + length he fell, and was all but killed. + </p> + <p> + A troop of cuirassiers had by this time mounted, and through the Champ de + Mars came slowly along, step by step, their horses moving as gently and + cautiously as if they knew their work. Everywhere, as they advanced, + little children were held up to them out of the throng to be saved, and + many of their chargers were loaded with the little creatures, perched + before and behind the kind soldiers. With wonderful patience and + forbearance, they managed to insert themselves and their horses, first in + single file, then two by two, then more abreast, like a wedge, into the + press, until at last they formed a wall, cutting off the crowd behind from + the mass in the gateway, and thus preventing the encumbrance from + increasing. The people came to their senses, and went off to other gates, + and the crowd diminishing, it became possible to lift up the many unhappy + creatures, who lay stifling or crushed in the heap. They were carried into + the barracks, the cuirassiers hurried to bring their mattresses to lay + them on in the hall, brought them water, linen, all they could want, and + were as tender to them as sisters of charity, till they were taken to the + hospitals or to their homes. Martinel, who was the moving spirit in this + gallant rescue, received in the following year one of M. Monthyon's prizes + for the greatest acts of virtue that could be brought to light. + </p> + <p> + Nor among the gallant actions of which powder has been the cause should be + omitted that of Lieutenant Willoughby, who, in the first dismay of the + mutiny in India, in 1858, blew up the great magazine at Delhi, with all + the ammunition that would have armed the sepoys even yet more terribly + against ourselves. The 'Golden Deed' was one of those capable of no + earthly meed, for it carried the brave young officer where alone there is + true reward; and all the Queen and country could do in his honor was to + pension his widowed mother, and lay up his name among those that stir the + heart with admiration and gratitude. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HEROES OF THE PLAGUE + </h2> + <h3> + 1576—1665—1721 + </h3> + <p> + When our Litany entreats that we may be delivered from 'plague, + pestilence, and famine', the first of these words bears a special meaning, + which came home with strong and painful force to European minds at the + time the Prayer Book was translated, and for the whole following century. + </p> + <p> + It refers to the deadly sickness emphatically called 'the plague', a + typhoid fever exceedingly violent and rapid, and accompanied with a + frightful swelling either under the arm or on the corresponding part of + the thigh. The East is the usual haunt of this fatal complaint, which some + suppose to be bred by the marshy, unwholesome state of Egypt after the + subsidence of the waters of the Nile, and which generally prevails in + Egypt and Syria until its course is checked either by the cold of winter + or the heat in summer. At times this disease has become unusually + malignant and infectious, and then has come beyond its usual boundaries + and made its way over all the West. These dreadful visitations were + rendered more frequent by total disregard of all precautions, and + ignorance of laws for preserving health. People crowded together in towns + without means of obtaining sufficient air or cleanliness, and thus were + sure to be unhealthy; and whenever war or famine had occasioned more than + usual poverty, some frightful epidemic was sure to follow in its train, + and sweep away the poor creatures whose frames were already weakened by + previous privation. And often this 'sore judgment' was that emphatically + called the plague; and especially during the sixteenth and seventeenth + centuries, a time when war had become far more cruel and mischievous in + the hands of hired regiments than ever it had been with a feudal army, and + when at the same time increasing trade was filling the cities with more + closely packed inhabitants, within fortifications that would not allow the + city to expand in proportion to its needs. It has been only the + establishment of the system of quarantine which has succeeded in cutting + off the course of infection by which the plague was wont to set out on its + frightful travels from land to land, from city to city. + </p> + <p> + The desolation of a plague-stricken city was a sort of horrible dream. + Every infected house was marked with a red cross, and carefully closed + against all persons, except those who were charged to drive carts through + the streets to collect the corpses, ringing a bell as they went. These men + were generally wretched beings, the lowest and most reckless of the + people, who undertook their frightful task for the sake of the plunder of + the desolate houses, and wound themselves up by intoxicating drinks to + endure the horrors. The bodies were thrown into large trenches, without + prayer or funeral rites, and these were hastily closed up. Whole families + died together, untended save by one another, with no aid of a friendly + hand to give drink or food; and, in the Roman Catholic cities, the + perishing without a priest to administer the last rites of the Church was + viewed as more dreadful than death itself. + </p> + <p> + Such visitations as these did indeed prove whether the pastors of the + afflicted flock were shepherds or hirelings. So felt, in 1576, Cardinal + Carlo Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan, the worthiest of all the successors + of St. Ambrose, when he learnt at Lodi that the plague had made its + appearance in his city, where, remarkably enough, there had lately been + such licentious revelry that he had solemnly warned the people that, + unless they repented, they would certainly bring on themselves the wrath + of heaven. His council of clergy advised him to remain in some healthy + part of his diocese till the sickness should have spent itself, but he + replied that a Bishop, whose duty it is to give his life for his sheep, + could not rightly abandon them in time of peril. They owned that to stand + by them was the higher course. 'Well,' he said, 'is it not a Bishop's duty + to choose the higher course?' + </p> + <p> + So back into the town of deadly sickness he went, leading the people to + repent, and watching over them in their sufferings, visiting the + hospitals, and, by his own example, encouraging his clergy in carrying + spiritual consolation to the dying. All the time the plague lasted, which + was four months, his exertions were fearless and unwearied, and what was + remarkable was, that of his whole household only two died, and they were + persons who had not been called to go about among the sick. Indeed, some + of the rich who had repaired to a villa, where they spent their time in + feasting and amusement in the luxurious Italian fashion, were there + followed by the pestilence, and all perished; their dainty fare and the + excess in which they indulged having no doubt been as bad a preparation as + the poverty of the starving people in the city. + </p> + <p> + The strict and regular life of the Cardinal and his clergy, and their home + in the spacious palace, were, no doubt, under Providence, a preservative; + but, in the opinions of the time, there was little short of a miracle in + the safety of one who daily preached in the cathedral,—bent over the + beds of the sick, giving them food and medicine, hearing their + confessions, and administering the last rites of the Church,—and + then braving the contagion after death, rather than let the corpses go + forth unblest to their common grave. Nay, so far was he from seeking to + save his own life, that, kneeling before the altar in the cathedral, he + solemnly offered himself, like Moses, as a sacrifice for his people. But, + like Moses, the sacrifice was passed by—'it cost more to redeem + their souls'—and Borromeo remained untouched, as did the + twenty-eight priests who voluntarily offered themselves to join in his + labors. + </p> + <p> + No wonder that the chief memories that haunt the glorious white marble + cathedral of Milan are those of St. Ambrose, who taught mercy to an + emperor, and of St. Carlo Borromeo, who practiced mercy on a people. + </p> + <p> + It was a hundred years later that the greatest and last visitation of the + plague took place in London. Doubtless the scourge called forth—as + in Christian lands such judgments always do—many an act of true and + blessed self-devotion; but these are not recorded, save where they have + their reward: and the tale now to be told is of one of the small villages + to which the infection spread—namely, Eyam, in Derbyshire. + </p> + <p> + This is a lovely place between Buxton and Chatsworth, perched high on a + hillside, and shut in by another higher mountain—extremely + beautiful, but exactly one of those that, for want of free air, always + become the especial prey of infection. At that time lead works were in + operation in the mountains, and the village was thickly inhabited. Great + was the dismay of the villagers when the family of a tailor, who had + received some patterns of cloth from London, showed symptoms of the plague + in its most virulent form, sickening and dying in one day. + </p> + <p> + The rector of the parish, the Rev. William Mompesson, was still a young + man, and had been married only a few years. His wife, a beautiful young + woman, only twenty-seven years old, was exceedingly terrified at the + tidings from the village, and wept bitterly as she implored her husband to + take her, and her little George and Elizabeth, who were three and fours + years old, away to some place of safety. But Mr. Mompesson gravely showed + her that it was his duty not to forsake his flock in their hour of need, + and began at once to make arrangements for sending her and the children + away. She saw he was right in remaining, and ceased to urge him to forsake + his charge; but she insisted that if he ought not to desert his flock, his + wife ought not to leave him; and she wept and entreated so earnestly, that + he at length consented that she should be with him, and that only the two + little ones should be removed while yet there was time. + </p> + <p> + Their father and mother parted with the little ones as treasures that they + might never see again. At the same time Mr. Mompesson wrote to London for + the most approved medicines and prescriptions; and he likewise sent a + letter to the Earl of Devonshire, at Chatsworth, to engage that his + parishioners should exclude themselves from the whole neighborhood, and + thus confine the contagion within their own boundaries, provided the Earl + would undertake that food, medicines, and other necessaries, should be + placed at certain appointed spots, at regular times, upon the hills + around, where the Eyamites might come, leave payment for them, and take + them up, without holding any communication with the bringers, except by + letters, which could be placed on a stone, and then fumigated, or passed + through vinegar, before they were touched with the hand. To this the Earl + consented, and for seven whole months the engagement was kept. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Mompesson represented to his people that, with the plague once among + them, it would be so unlikely that they should not carry infection about + with them, that it would be selfish cruelty to other places to try to + escape amongst them, and thus spread the danger. So rocky and wild was the + ground around them, that, had they striven to escape, a regiment of + soldiers could not have prevented them. But of their own free will they + attended to their rector's remonstrance, and it was not known that one + parishoner of Eyam passed the boundary all that time, nor was there a + single case of plague in any of the villages around. + </p> + <p> + The assembling of large congregations in churches had been thought to + increase the infection in London, and Mr. Mompesson, therefore, thought it + best to hold his services out-of-doors. In the middle of the village is a + dell, suddenly making a cleft in the mountain-side, only five yards wide + at the bottom, which is the pebble bed of a wintry torrent, but is dry in + the summer. On the side towards the village, the slope upwards was of soft + green turf, scattered with hazel, rowan, and alder bushes, and full of + singing birds. On the other side, the ascent was nearly perpendicular, and + composed of sharp rocks, partly adorned with bushes and ivy, and here and + there rising up in fantastic peaks and archways, through which the sky + could be seen from below. One of these rocks was hollow, and could be + entered from above—a natural gallery, leading to an archway opening + over the precipice; and this Mr. Mompesson chose for his reading-desk and + pulpit. The dell was so narrow, that his voice could clearly be heard + across it, and his congregation arranged themselves upon the green slop + opposite, seated or kneeling upon the grass. + </p> + <p> + On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays arose the earnest voice of prayer from + that rocky glen, the people's response meeting the pastor's voice; and + twice on Sundays he preached to them the words of life and hope. It was a + dry, hot summer; fain would they have seen thunder and rain to drive away + their enemy; and seldom did weather break in on the regularity of these + service. But there was another service that the rector had daily to + perform; not in his churchyard—that would have perpetuated the + infection—but on a healthy hill above the village. There he daily + read of 'the Resurrection and the Life', and week by week the company on + the grassy slope grew fewer and scantier. His congregation were passing + from the dell to the healthy mound. + </p> + <p> + Day and night the rector and his wife were among the sick, nursing, + feeding, and tending them with all that care and skill could do; but, in + spite of all their endeavors, only a fifth part of the whole of their + inhabitants lived to spend the last Sunday in Cucklet Church, as the dell + is still called. Mrs. Mompesson had persuaded her husband to have a wound + made in his leg, fancying that this would lessen the danger of infection, + and he yielded in order to satisfy her. His health endured perfectly, but + she began to waste under her constant exertions, and her husband feared + that he saw symptoms of consumption; but she was full of delight at some + appearances in his wound that made her imagine that it had carried off the + disease, and that his danger was over. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, she sickened with symptoms of the plague, and her frame + was so weakened that she sank very quickly. She was often delirious; but + when she was too much exhausted to endure the exertion of taking cordials, + her husband entreated her to try for their children's sake, she lifted + herself up and made the endeavor. She lay peacefully, saying, 'she was but + looking for the good hour to come', and calmly died, making the responses + to her husband's prayers even to the last. Her he buried in the + churchyard, and fenced the grave in afterwards with iron rails. There are + two beautiful letters from him written on her death—one to his + little children, to be kept and read when they would be old enough to + understand it; the other to his patron, Sir George Saville, afterwards + Lord Halifax. 'My drooping spirits', he says, 'are much refreshed with her + joys, which I assure myself are unutterable.' He wrote both these letters + in the belief that he should soon follow her, speaking of himself to Sir + George as 'his dying chaplain', commending to him his 'distressed + orphans', and begging that a 'humble pious man' might be chosen to succeed + him in his parsonage. 'Sire, I thank God that I am willing to shake hands + in peace with all the world; and I have comfortable assurance that He will + accept me for the sake of His Son, and I find God more good than ever I + imagined, and wish that his goodness were not so much abused and + contemned', writes the widowed pastor, left alone among his dying flock. + And he concludes, 'and with tears I entreat that when you are praying for + fatherless and motherless infants, you would then remember my two pretty + babes'. + </p> + <p> + These two letters were written on the last day of August and first of + September, 1666; but on the 20th of November, Mr. Mompesson was writing to + his uncle, in the lull after the storm. 'The condition of this place hath + been so dreadful, that I persuade myself it exceedeth all history and + example. I may truly say our town has become a Golgotha, a place of + skulls; and had there not been a small remnant of us left, we had been as + Sodom, and like unto Gomorrah. My ears never heard such doleful + lamentations, my nose never smelt such noisome smells, and my eyes never + beheld such ghastly spectacles. Here have been seventy-six families + visited within my parish, out of which died 259 persons.' + </p> + <p> + However, since the 11th of October there had been no fresh cases, and he + was now burning all woolen cloths, lest the infection should linger in + them. He himself had never been touched by the complaint, nor had his + maid-servant; his man had had it but slightly. Mr. Mompesson lived many + more years, was offered the Deanery of Lincoln, but did not accept it, and + died in 1708. So virulent was the contagion that, ninety-one years after, + in 1757, when five laboring men, who were digging up land near the + plague-graves for a potato-garden, came upon what appeared to be some + linen, though they buried it again directly, they all sickened with typhus + fever, three of them died, and it was so infectious that no less than + seventy persons in the parish were carried off. + </p> + <p> + The last of these remarkable visitations of the plague, properly so + called, was at Marseilles, in 1721. It was supposed to have been brought + by a vessel which sailed from Seyde, in the bay of Tunis, on the 31st of + January, 1720, which had a clean bill of health when it anchored off the + Chateau d'If, at Marseilles, on the 25th of May; but six of the crew were + found to have died on the voyage, and the persons who handled the freight + also died, though, it was said, without any symptoms of the plague, and + the first cases were supposed to be of the fevers caused by excessive + poverty and crowding. The unmistakable Oriental plague, however, soon + began to spread in the city among the poorer population, and in truth the + wars and heavy expenses of Louis XIV. had made poverty in France more + wretched than ever before, and the whole country was like one deadly sore, + festering, and by and by to come to a fearful crisis. Precautions were + taken, the infected families were removed to the infirmaries and their + houses walled up, but all this was done at night in order not to excite + alarm. The mystery, however, made things more terrible to the imagination, + and this was a period of the utmost selfishness. All the richer + inhabitants who had means of quitting the city, and who were the very + people who could have been useful there, fled with one accord. Suddenly + the lazaretto was left without superintendents, the hospitals without + stewards; the judges, public officers, notaries, and most of the superior + workmen in the most necessary trades were all gone. Only the Provost and + four municipal officers remained, with 1,100 livres in their treasury, in + the midst of an entirely disorganized city, and an enormous population + without work, without restraint, without food, and a prey to the deadliest + of diseases. + </p> + <p> + The Parliament which still survived in the ancient kingdom of Provence + signalized itself by retreating to a distance, and on the 31st of May + putting out a decree that nobody should pass a boundary line round + Marseilles on pain of death; but considering what people were trying to + escape from, and the utter overthrow of all rule and order, this penalty + was not likely to have much effect, and the plague was carried by the + fugitives to Arles, Aix, Toulon, and sixty-three lesser towns and + villages. What a contrast to Mr. Mompesson's moral influence! + </p> + <p> + Horrible crimes were committed. Malefactors were released from the prisons + and convicts from the galleys, and employed for large payment to collect + the corpses and carry the sick to the infirmaries. Of course they could + only be wrought up to such work by intoxication and unlimited + opportunities of plunder, and their rude treatment both of the dead and of + the living sufferers added unspeakably to the general wretchedness. To be + carried to the infirmary was certain death,—no one lived in that + heap of contagion; and even this shelter was not always to be had,—some + of the streets were full of dying creatures who had been turned out of + their houses and could crawl no farther. + </p> + <p> + What was done to alleviate all these horrors? It was in the minority of + Louis XV., and the Regent Duke of Orleans, easy, good-natured man that he + was, sent 22,000 marks to the relief of the city, all in silver, for paper + money was found to spread the infection more than anything else. He also + sent a great quantity of corn, and likewise doctors for the sick, and + troops to shut in the infected district. The Pope, Clement XI., sent + spiritual blessings to the sufferers, and, moreover, three shiploads of + wheat. The Regent's Prime Minister, the Abbe Dubois, the shame of his + Church and country, fancied that to send these supplies cast a slight upon + his administration, and desired his representative at Rome to prevent the + sailing of the ships, but his orders were not, for very shame, carried + out, and the vessels set out. On their way they were seized by a Moorish + corsair, who was more merciful than Dubois, for he no sooner learnt their + destination than he let them go unplundered. + </p> + <p> + And in the midst of the misery there were bright lights 'running to and + fro among the stubble'. The Provost and his five remaining officers, and a + gentleman call Le Chevalier Rose, did their utmost in the bravest and most + unselfish way to help the sufferers, distribute food, provide shelter, + restrain the horrors perpetrated by the sick in their ravings, and provide + for the burial of the dead. And the clergy were all devoted to the task of + mercy. There was only one convent, that of St. Victor, where the gates + were closed against all comers in the hope of shutting out infection. + Every other monastic establishment freely devoted itself. It was a time + when party spirit ran high. The bishop, Henri Francois Xavier de Belzunce, + a nephew of the Duke de Lauzun, was a strong and rigid Jesuit, and had + joined so hotly in the persecution of the Jansenists that he had forbidden + the brotherhood called Oratorian fathers to hear confessions, because he + suspected them of a leaning to Jansenist opinions; but he and they both + alike worked earnestly in the one cause of mercy. They were content to + obey his prejudiced edict, since he was in lawful authority, and threw + themselves heartily into the lower and more disdained services to the + sick, as nurses and tenders of the body alone, not of the soul, and in + this work their whole community, Superior and all, perished, almost + without exception. Perhaps these men, thus laying aside hurt feeling and + sense of injustice, were the greatest conquerors of all whose golden deeds + we have described. + </p> + <p> + Bishop Belzunce himself, however, stands as the prominent figure in the + memory of those dreadful five months. He was a man of commanding stature, + towering above all around him, and his fervent sermons, aided by his + example of severe and strict piety, and his great charities, had greatly + impressed the people. He now went about among the plague- stricken, + attending to their wants, both spiritual and temporal, and sold or + mortgaged all his property to obtain relief for them, and he actually went + himself in the tumbrils of corpses to give them the rites of Christian + burial. His doings closely resembled those of Cardinal Borromeo, and like + him he had recourse to constant preaching of repentance, processions and + assemblies for litanies in the church. It is curiously characteristic that + it was the English clergyman, who, equally pious, and sensible that only + the Almighty could remove the scourge, yet deemed it right to take + precautions against the effects of bringing a large number of persons into + one building. How Belzunce's clergy seconded him may be gathered from the + numbers who died of the disease. Besides the Oratorians, there died + eighteen Jesuits, twenty-six of the order called Recollets, and + forty-three Capuchins, all of whom had freely given their lives in the + endeavor to alleviate the general suffering. In the four chief towns of + Provence 80,000 died, and about 8,000 in the lesser places. The winter + finally checked the destroyer, and then, sad to say, it appeared how + little effect the warning had had on the survivors. Inheritances had + fallen together into the hands of persons who found themselves rich beyond + their expectations, and in the glee of having escaped the danger, forgot + to be thankful, and spent their wealth in revelry. Never had the cities of + Provence been so full of wild, questionable mirth as during the ensuing + winter, and it was remarked that the places which had suffered most + severely were the most given up to thoughtless gaiety, and even + licentiousness. + </p> + <p> + Good Bishop Belzunce did his best to protest against the wickedness around + him, and refused to leave his flock at Marseilles, when, four years after, + a far more distinguished see was offered to him. He died in 1755, in time + to escape the sight of the retribution that was soon worked out on the + folly and vice of the unhappy country. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SECOND OF SEPTEMBER + </h2> + <h3> + 1792 + </h3> + <p> + The reign of the terrible Tzar was dreadful, but there was even a more + dreadful time, that which might be called the reign of the madness of the + people. The oppression and injustice that had for generations past been + worked out in France ended in the most fearful reaction that history + records, and the horrors that took place in the Revolution pass all + thought or description. Every institution that had been misused was + overthrown at one fell swoop, and the whole accumulated vengeance of + generations fell on the heads of the persons who occupied the positions of + the former oppressors. Many of these were as pure and guiltless as their + slaughterers were the reverse, but the heads of the Revolution imagined + that to obtain their ideal vision of perfect justice and liberty, all the + remnants of the former state of things must be swept away, and the + ferocious beings who carried out their decrees had become absolutely + frantic with delight in bloodshed. The nation seemed delivered up to a + delirium of murder. But as + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Even as earth's wild war cries heighten, + The cross upon the brow will brighten', +</pre> + <p> + These times of surpassing horror were also times of surpassing devotion + and heroism. Without attempting to describe the various stages of the + Revolution, and the different committees that under different titles + carried on the work of destruction, we will mention some of the deeds that + shine out as we look into that abyss of horror, the Paris of 1792 and the + following years. + </p> + <p> + Think of the Swiss Guards, who on the 10th of August, 1792, the miserable + day when the King, Queen, and children were made the captives of the + people, stood resolutely at their posts, till they were massacred almost + to a man. Well is their fidelity honored by the noble sculpture near + Lucerne, cut out in the living rock of their own Alps, and representing a + lion dying to defend the fleur-de-lis. + </p> + <p> + A more dreadful day still was in preparation. The mob seemed to have + imagined that the King and nobility had some strange dreadful power, and + that unless they were all annihilated they would rise up and trample all + down before them, and those who had the direction of affairs profited by + this delusion to multiply executioners, and clear away all that they + supposed to stand in the way of the renewal of the nation. And the + attempts of the emigrant nobility and of the German princes to march to + the rescue of the royal family added to the fury of their cowardly + ferocity. The prisons of Paris were crowded to overflowing with + aristocrats, as it was the fashion to call the nobles and gentry, and with + the clergy who had refused their adhesion to the new state of things. The + whole number is reckoned at not less than 8,000. + </p> + <p> + Among those at the Abbaye de St. Germain were M. Jacques Cazotte, an old + gentleman of seventy-three, who had been for many years in a government + office, and had written various poems. He was living in the country, in + Champagne, when on the 18th of August he was arrested. His daughter + Elizabeth, a lovely girl of twenty, would not leave him, and together they + were taken first to Epernay and then to Paris, where they were thrown into + the Abbaye, and found it crowded with prisoners. M. Cazotte's bald + forehead and grey looks gave him a patriarchal appearance, and his talk, + deeply and truly pious, was full of Scripture language, as he strove to + persuade his fellow captives to own the true blessings of suffering. + </p> + <p> + Here Elizabeth met the like-minded Marie de Sombreuil, who had clung to + her father, Charles Viscount de Sombreuil, the Governor of the Invalides, + or pensioners of the French army; and here, too, had Madame de Fausse + Lendry come with her old uncle the Abbé de Rastignac, who had been for + three months extremely ill, and was only just recovering when dragged to + the prison, and there placed in a room so crowded that it was not possible + to turn round, and the air in the end of August was fearfully close and + heated. Not once while there was the poor old man able to sleep. His niece + spent the nights in a room belonging to the jailer, with the Princess de + Tarente, and Mademoiselle de Sombreuil. + </p> + <p> + On the 2nd of September these slaughter-houses were as full as they could + hold, and about a hundred ruffians, armed with axes and guns, were sent + round to all the jails to do the bloody work. It was a Sunday, and some of + the victims had tried to observe it religiously, though little divining + that, it was to be their last. They first took alarm on perceiving that + their jailer had removed his family, and then that he sent up their dinner + earlier than usual, and removed all the knives and forks. By and by howls + and shouts were heard, and the tocsin was heard, ringing, alarm guns + firing, and reports came in to the prisoners of the Abbaye that the + populace were breaking into the prisons. + </p> + <p> + The clergy were all penned up together in the cloisters of the Abbaye, + whither they had been brought in carriages that morning. Among them was + the Abbé Sicard, an admirable priest who had spent his whole lifetime in + instructing the deaf and dumb in his own house, where— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'The cunning finger finely twined +The subtle thread that knitteth mind to mind; There that strange bridge +of signs was built where roll The sunless waves that sever soul from +soul, And by the arch, no bigger than a hand, Truth travell'd over to +the silent land'. +</pre> + <p> + He had been arrested, while teaching his pupils, on the 26th of August, + 1792, and shut up among other clergy in the prison of the Mayoralty; but + the lads whom he had educated came in a body to ask leave to claim him at + the bar of the National Assembly. Massieu, his best scholar, had drawn up + a most touching address, saying, that in him the deaf and dumb were + deprived of their teacher, nurse, and father. 'It is he who has taught us + what we know, without him we should be as the beasts of the field.' This + petition, and the gestures of the poor silent beings, went to the heart of + the National Assembly. One young man, named Duhamel, neither deaf nor + dumb, from pure admiration of the good work, went and offered to be + imprisoned in the Abbé's place. There was great applause, and a decree was + passed that the cause of the arrest should be enquired into, but this took + no effect, and on that dreadful afternoon, M. Sicard was put into one of a + procession of carriages, which drove slowly through the streets full of + priests, who were reviled, pelted, and wounded by the populace till they + reached the Abbaye. + </p> + <p> + In the turnkey's rooms sat a horrible committee, who acted as a sort of + tribunal, but very few of the priests reached it. They were for the most + part cut down as they stepped out into the throng in the court—-consisting + of red-capped ruffians, with their shirt sleeves turned up, and still more + fiendish women, who hounded them on to the butchery, and brought them wine + and food. Sicard and another priest contrived, while their companions + fell, to rush into the committee room, exclaiming, 'Messieurs, preserve an + unfortunate!' + </p> + <p> + 'Go along!' they said, 'do you wish us to get ourselves massacred?' + </p> + <p> + But one, recognizing him, was surprised, knowing that his life was to be + spared, and took him into the room, promising to save him as long as + possible. Here the two priests would have been safe but for a wretched + woman, who shrieked out to the murderers that they had been admitted, and + loud knocks and demands for them came from without. Sicard thought all + lost, and taking out his watch, begged one of the committee to give it to + the first deaf mute who should come and ask for him, sure that it would be + the faithful Massieu. At first the man replied that the danger was not + imminent enough; but on hearing a more furious noise at the door, as if + the mob were going to break in, he took the watch; and Sicard, falling on + his knees, commended his soul to God, and embraced his brother priest. + </p> + <p> + In rushed the assassins, they paused for a moment, unable to distinguish + the priests from the committee, but the two pikemen found them out, and + his companion was instantly murdered. The weapons were lifted against + Sicard, when a man pushed through the crowd, and throwing himself before + the pike, displayed his breast and cried, 'Behold the bosom through which + you must pass to reach that of this good citizen. You do not know him. He + is the Abbé Sicard, one of the most benevolent of men, the most useful to + his country, the father of the deaf and dumb!' + </p> + <p> + The murderer dropped his pike; but Sicard, perceiving that it was the + populace who were the real dispensers of life or death, sprang to the + window, and shouted, 'Friends, behold an innocent man. Am I to die without + being heard?' + </p> + <p> + 'You were among the rest,' the mob shouted, 'therefore you are as bad as + the others.' + </p> + <p> + But when he told his name, the cry changed. 'He is the father of the deaf + and dumb! he is too useful to perish; his life is spent in doing good; he + must be saved.' And the murderers behind took him up in their arms, and + carried him out into the court, where he was obliged to submit to be + embraced by the whole gang of ruffians, who wanted to carry him home in + triumph; but he did not choose to go without being legally released, and + returning into the committee room, he learnt for the first time the name + of his preserver, one Monnot, a watchmaker, who, though knowing him only + by character, and learning that he was among the clergy who were being + driven to the slaughter, had rushed in to save him. + </p> + <p> + Sicard remained in the committee room while further horrors were + perpetrated all round, and at night was taken to the little room called Le + Violon, with two other prisoners. A horrible night ensued; the murders on + the outside varied with drinking and dancing; and at three o'clock the + murderers tried to break into Le Violon. There was a loft far overhead, + and the other two prisoners tried to persuade Sicard to climb on their + shoulders to reach it, saying that his life was more useful than theirs. + However, some fresh prey was brought in, which drew off the attention of + the murderers, and two days afterwards Sicard was released to resume his + life of charity. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of the night, all the ladies who had accompanied their + relatives were separated from them, and put into the women's room; but + when morning came they entreated earnestly to return to them, but + Mademoiselle de Fausse Lendry was assured that her uncle was safe, and + they were told soon after that all who remained were pardoned. About + twenty-two ladies were together, and were called to leave the prison, but + the two who went first were at once butchered, and the sentry called out + to the others, 'It is a snare, go back, do not show yourselves.' They + retreated; but Marie de Sombreuil had made her way to her father, and when + he was called down into the court, she came with him. She hung round him, + beseeching the murderers to have pity on his grey hairs, and declaring + that they must strike him only through her. One of the ruffians, touched + by her resolution, called out that they should be allowed to pass if the + girl would drink to the health of the nation. The whole court was swimming + with blood, and the glass he held out to her was full of something red. + Marie would not shudder. She drank, and with the applause of the assassins + ringing in her ears, she passed with her father over the threshold of the + fatal gates, into such freedom and safety as Paris could then afford. + Never again could she see a glass of red wine without a shudder, and it + was generally believed that it was actually a glass of blood that she had + swallowed, though she always averred that this was an exaggeration, and + that it had been only her impression before tasting it that so horrible a + draught was offered to her. + </p> + <p> + The tidings that Mademoiselle de Sombreuil had saved her father came to + encourage the rest of the ladies, and when calls were heard for 'Cazotte', + Elizabeth flew out and joined her father, and in like manner stood between + him and the butchers, till her devotion made the crowd cry 'Pardon!' and + one of the men employed about the prison opened a passage for her, by + which she, too, led her father away. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Fausse Lendry was not so happy. Her uncle was killed early in + the day, before she was aware that he had been sent for, but she survived + to relate the history of that most horrible night and day. The same work + was going on at all the other prisons, and chief among the victims of La + Force was the beautiful Marie Louise of Savoy, the Princess de Lamballe, + and one of the most intimate friends of the Queen. A young widow without + children, she had been the ornament of the court, and clever learned + ladies thought her frivolous, but the depth of her nature was shown in the + time of trial. Her old father-in-law had taken her abroad with him when + the danger first became apparent, but as soon as she saw that the Queen + herself was aimed at, she went immediately back to France to comfort her + and share her fate. + </p> + <p> + Since the terrible 10th of August, the friends had been separated, and + Madame de Lamballe had been in the prison of La Force. There, on the + evening of the 2nd of September, she was brought down to the tribunal, and + told to swear liberty, equality, and hatred to the King and Queen. + </p> + <p> + 'I will readily swear the two former. I cannot swear the latter. It is not + in my heart.' + </p> + <p> + 'Swear! If not, you are dead.' + </p> + <p> + She raised her eyes, lifted her hands, and made a step to the door. + Murderers closed her in, and pike thrusts in a few moments were the last + 'stage that carried from earth to heaven' the gentle woman, who had loved + her queenly friend to the death. Little mattered it to her that her corpse + was soon torn limb from limb, and that her fair ringlets were floating + round the pike on which her head was borne past her friend's prison + window. Little matters it now even to Marie Antoinette. The worst that the + murderers could do for such as these, could only work for them a more + exceeding weight of glory. + </p> + <p> + M. Cazotte was imprisoned again on the 12th of September, and all his + daughter's efforts failed to save him. She was taken from him, and he died + on the guillotine, exclaiming, 'I die as I have lived, faithful to my God + and to my King.' And the same winter, M. de Sombreuil was also imprisoned + again. When he entered the prison with his daughter, all the inmates rose + to do her honor. In the ensuing June, after a mock trial, her father and + brother were put to death, and she remained for many years alone with only + the memory of her past days. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE VENDEANS + </h2> + <h3> + 1793 + </h3> + <p> + While the greater part of France had been falling into habits of self- + indulgence, and from thence into infidelity and revolution, there was one + district where the people had not forgotten to fear God and honor the + King. + </p> + <p> + This was in the tract surrounding the Loire, the south of which is now + called La Vendee, and was then termed the Bocage, or the Woodland. It is + full of low hills and narrow valleys, divided into small fields, enclosed + by high thick hedgerows; so that when viewed from the top of one of the + hills, the whole country appears perfectly green, excepting near + harvest-time, when small patches of golden corn catch the eye, or where + here and there a church tower peeps above the trees, in the midst of the + flat red-tiled roofs of the surrounding village. The roads are deep lanes, + often in the winter beds of streams, and in the summer completely roofed + by the thick foliage of the trees, whose branches meet overhead. + </p> + <p> + The gentry of La Vendee, instead of idling their time at Paris, lived on + their own estates in kindly intercourse with their neighbours, and + constantly helping and befriending their tenants, visiting them at their + farms, talking over their crops and cattle, giving them advice, and + inviting them on holidays to dance in the courts of their castles, and + themselves joining in their sports. The peasants were a hardworking, + sober, and pious people, devoutly attending their churches, reverencing + their clergy, and, as well they might, loving and honoring their good + landlords. + </p> + <p> + But as the Revolution began to make its deadly progress at Paris, a gloom + spread over this happy country. The Paris mob, who could not bear to see + anyone higher in station than themselves, thirsted for noble blood, and + the gentry were driven from France, or else imprisoned and put to death. + An oath contrary to the laws of their Church was required of the clergy, + those who refused it were thrust out of their parishes, and others placed + in their room; and throughout France all the youths of a certain age were + forced to draw lots to decide who should serve in the Republican army. + </p> + <p> + This conscription filled up the measure. The Vendeans had grieved over the + flight of their landlords, they had sheltered and hidden their priests, + and heard their ministrations in secret; but when their young men were to + be carried way from them, and made the defenders and instruments of those + who were murdering their King, overthrowing their Church, and ruining + their country, they could endure it no longer, but in the spring of 1793, + soon after the execution of Louis XVI., a rising took place in Anjou, at + the village of St. Florent, headed by a peddler named Cathelineau, and + they drove back the Blues, as they called the revolutionary soldiers, who + had come to enforce the conscription. They begged Monsieur de Bonchamp, a + gentleman in the neighborhood, to take the command; and, willing to devote + himself to the cause of his King, he complied, saying, as he did so, 'We + must not aspire to earthly rewards; such would be beneath the purity of + our motives, the holiness of our cause. We must not even aspire to glory, + for a civil war affords none. We shall see our castles fall, we shall be + proscribed, slandered, stripped of our possessions, perhaps put to death; + but let us thank God for giving us strength to do our duty to the end.' + </p> + <p> + The next person on whom the peasants cast their eyes possessed as true and + strong a heart, though he was too young to count the cost of loyalty with + the same calm spirit of self-devotion. The Marquis de la Rochejacquelein, + one of the most excellent of the nobles of Poitou, had already emigrated + with his wife and all his family, excepting Henri, the eldest son, who, + though but eighteen years of age, had been placed in the dangerous post of + an officer in the Royal Guards. When Louis XVI. had been obliged to + dismiss these brave men, he had obtained a promise from each officer that + he would not leave France, but wait for some chance of delivering that + unhappy country. Henri had therefore remained at Paris, until after the + 10th of August, 1792, when the massacre at the Tuileries took place, and + the imprisonment of the royal family commenced; and then every gentleman + being in danger in the city, he had come to his father's deserted castle + of Durballiere in Poitou. + </p> + <p> + He was nearly twenty, tall and slender, with fair hair, an oval face, and + blue eyes, very gentle, although full of animation. He was active and + dexterous in all manly sports, especially shooting and riding; he was a + man of few words; and his manners were so shy, modest, and retiring, that + his friends used to say he was more like an Englishman than a Frenchman. + </p> + <p> + Hearing that he was alone at Durballière, and knowing that as an officer + in the Guards, and also as being of the age liable to the conscription, he + was in danger from the Revolutionists in the neighboring towns, his + cousin, the Marquis de Lescure, sent to invite him to his strong castle of + Clisson, which was likewise situated in the Bocage. This castle afforded a + refuge to many others who were in danger—to nuns driven from their + convents, dispossessed clergy, and persons who dreaded to remain at their + homes, but who felt reassured under the shelter of the castle, and by the + character of its owner, a young man of six-and-twenty, who, though of high + and unshaken loyalty, had never concerned himself with politics, but led a + quiet and studious life, and was everywhere honored and respected. + </p> + <p> + The winter passed in great anxiety, and when in the spring the rising at + Anjou took place, and the new government summoned all who could bear arms + to assist in quelling it, a council was held among the party at Clisson on + the steps to be taken. Henri, as the youngest, spoke first, saying he + would rather perish than fight against the peasants; nor among the whole + assembly was there one person willing to take the safer but meaner course + of deserting the cause of their King and country. 'Yes,' said the Duchess + de Donnissan, mother to the young wife of the Marquis de Lescure, 'I see + you are all of the same opinion. Better death than dishonor. I approve + your courage. It is a settled thing:' and seating herself in her armchair, + she concluded, 'Well, then, we must die.' For some little time all + remained quiet at Clisson; but at length the order for the conscription + arrived, and a few days before the time appointed for the lots to be + drawn, a boy came to the castle bringing a note to Henri from his aunt at + St. Aubin. 'Monsieur Henri,' said the boy, 'they say you are to draw for + the conscription next Sunday; but may not your tenants rise against it in + the meantime? Come with me, sir, the whole country is longing for you, and + will obey you.' + </p> + <p> + Henri instantly promised to come, but some of the ladies would have + persuaded him not to endanger himself—representing, too, that if he + was missing on the appointed day, M. de Lescure might be made responsible + for him. The Marquis, however, silenced them, saying to his cousin, 'You + are prompted by honor and duty to put yourself at the head of your + tenants. Follow out your plan, I am only grieved at not being able to go + with you; and certainly no fear of imprisonment will lead me to dissuade + you from doing your duty.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, I will come and rescue you,' said Henri, embracing him, and his + eyes glancing with a noble soldier-like expression and an eagle look. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the servants were gone to bed, he set out with a guide, with a + stick in his hand and a pair of pistols in his belt; and traveling through + the fields, over hedges and ditches, for fear of meeting with the Blues, + arrived at St. Aubin, and from thence went on to meet M. de Bonchamp and + his little army. But he found to his disappointment that they had just + been defeated, and the chieftains, believing that all was lost, had + dispersed their troops. He went to his own home, dispirited and grieved; + but no sooner did the men of St. Aubin learn the arrival of their young + lord, than they came trooping to the castle, entreating him to place + himself at their head. + </p> + <p> + In the early morning, the castle court, the fields, the village, were + thronged with stout hardy farmers and laborers, in grey coats, with broad + flapping hats, and red woolen handkerchiefs round their necks. On their + shoulders were spits, scythes, and even sticks; happy was the man who + could bring an old fowling-piece, and still more rejoiced the owner of + some powder, intended for blasting some neighboring quarry. All had bold + true hearts, ready to suffer and to die in the cause of their Church and + of their young innocent imprisoned King. + </p> + <p> + A mistrust of his own powers, a fear of ruining these brave men, crossed + the mind of the youth as he looked forth upon them, and he exclaimed, 'If + my father was but here, you might trust to him. Yet by my courage I will + show myself worthy, and lead you. If I go forward, follow me: if I draw + back, kill me; if I am slain, avenge me!' They replied with shouts of joy, + and it was instantly resolved to march upon the next village, which was + occupied by the rebel troops. They gained a complete victory, driving away + the Blues, and taking two small pieces of cannon, and immediately joined + M. de Bonchamp and Cathelineau, who, encouraged by their success, again + gathered their troops and gained some further advantages. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, the authorities had sent to Clisson and arrested M. de + Lescure, his wife, her parents, and some of their guests, who were + conducted to Bressuire, the nearest town, and there closely guarded. There + was great danger that the Republicans would revenge their losses upon + them, but the calm dignified deportment of M. de Lescure obliged them to + respect him so much that no injury was offered to him. At last came the + joyful news that the Royalist army was approaching. The Republican + soldiers immediately quitted the town, and the inhabitants all came to ask + the protection of the prisoners, desiring to send their goods to Clisson + for security, and thinking themselves guarded by the presence of M. and + Madame de Lescure. + </p> + <p> + M. de Lescure and his cousin Bernard de Marigny mounted their horses and + rode out to meet their friends. In a quarter of an hour afterwards, Madame + de Lescure heard the shouts 'Long live the King!' and the next minute, + Henri de la Rochejacquelein hurried into the room, crying, 'I have saved + you.' The peasants marched in to the number of 20,000, and spread + themselves through the town, but in their victory they had gained no taste + for blood or plunder—they did not hurt a single inhabitant, nor + touch anything that was not their own. Madame de Lescure heard some of + them wishing for tobacco, and asked if there was none in the town. 'Oh + yes, there is plenty to be sold, but we have no money;' and they were very + thankful to her for giving the small sum they required. Monsieur de + Donnissan saw two men disputing in the street, and one drew his sword, + when he interfered, saying, 'Our Lord prayed for His murderers, and would + one soldier of the Catholic army kill another?' The two instantly + embraced. + </p> + <p> + Three times a day these peasant warriors knelt at their prayers, in the + churches if they were near them, if not, in the open field, and seldom + have ever been equaled the piety, the humility, the self-devotion alike of + chiefs and of followers. The frightful cruelties committed by the enemy + were returned by mercy; though such of them as fell into the hands of the + Republicans were shot without pity, yet their prisoners were instantly set + at liberty after being made to promise not to serve against them again, + and having their hair shaved off in order that they might be recognized. + </p> + <p> + Whenever an enterprise was resolved on, the curates gave notice to their + parishioners that the leaders would be at such a place at such a time, + upon which they crowded to the spot, and assembled around the white + standard of France with such weapons as they could muster. + </p> + <p> + The clergy then heard them confess their sins, gave them absolution, and + blessed them; then, while they set forward, returned to the churches where + their wives and children were praying for their success. They did not + fight like regular soldiers, but, creeping through the hedgerows and + coppices, burst unexpectedly upon the Blues, who, entangled in the hollow + lanes, ignorant of the country, and amazed by the suddenness of the + attack, had little power to resist. The chieftains were always foremost in + danger; above all the eager young Henri, with his eye on the white + standard, and on the blue sky, and his hand making the sign of the cross + without which he never charged the enemy, dashed on first, fearless of + peril, regardless of his life, thinking only of his duty to his king and + the protection of his followers. + </p> + <p> + It was calmness and resignation which chiefly distinguished M. de Lescure, + the Saint of Poitou, as the peasants called him from his great piety, his + even temper, and the kindness and the wonderful mercifulness of his + disposition. Though constantly at the head of his troops, leading them + into the most dangerous places, and never sparing himself, not one man was + slain by his hand, nor did he even permit a prisoner to receive the least + injury in his presence. When one of the Republicans once presented his + musket close to his breast, he quietly put it aside with his hand, and + only said, 'Take away the prisoner'. His calmness was indeed well founded, + and his trust never failed. Once when the little army had received a + considerable check, and his cousin M. de Marigny was in despair, and + throwing his pistols on the table, exclaimed, 'I fight no longer', he took + him by the arm, led him to the window, an pointing to a troop of peasants + kneeling at their evening prayers, he said, 'See there a pledge of our + hopes, and doubt no longer that we shall conquer in our turn.' + </p> + <p> + Their greatest victory was at Saumur, owing chiefly to the gallantry of + Henri, who threw his hat into the midst of the enemy, shouting to his + followers, 'Who will go and fetch it for me?' and rushing forward, drove + all before him, and made his way into the town on one side, while M. de + Lescure, together with Stofflet, a game-keeper, another of the chiefs, + made their entrance on the other side. M. de Lescure was wounded in the + arm, and on the sight of his blood the peasants gave back, and would have + fled had not Stofflet threatened to shoot the first who turned; and in the + meantime M. de Lescure, tying up his arm with a handkerchief, declared it + was nothing, and led them onwards. + </p> + <p> + The city was entirely in their hands, and their thankful delight was + excessive; but they only displayed it by ringing the bells, singing the Te + Deum, and parading the streets. Henri was almost out of his senses with + exultation; but at last he fell into a reverie, as he stood, with his arms + folded, gazing on the mighty citadel which had yielded to efforts such as + theirs. His friends roused him from his dream by their remarks, and he + replied, 'I am reflecting on our success, and am confounded'. + </p> + <p> + They now resolved to elect a general-in-chief, and M. de Lescure was the + first to propose Cathelineau, the peddler, who had first come forward in + the cause. It was a wondrous thing when the nobles, the gentry, and + experienced officers who had served in the regular army, all willingly + placed themselves under the command of the simple untrained peasant, + without a thought of selfishness or of jealousy. Nor did Cathelineau + himself show any trace of pride, or lose his complete humility of mind or + manner; but by each word and deed he fully proved how wise had been their + judgment, and well earned the title given him by the peasants of the + 'Saint of Anjou'. + </p> + <p> + It was now that their hopes were highest; they were more numerous and + better armed than they had ever been before, and they even talked of a + march to Paris to 'fetch their little king, and have him crowned at + Chollet', the chief town of La Vendee. But martyrdom, the highest glory to + be obtained on this earth, was already shedding its brightness round these + devoted men who were counted worthy to suffer, and it was in a higher and + purer world that they were to meet their royal child. + </p> + <p> + Cathelineau turned towards Nantes, leaving Henri de la Rochejaquelein, to + his great vexation, to defend Saumur with a party of peasants. But he + found it impossible to prevent these poor men from returning to their + homes; they did not understand the importance of garrison duty, and + gradually departed, leaving their commander alone with a few officers, + with whom he used to go through the town at night, shouting out, 'Long + live the king!' at the places where there ought to have been sentinels. At + last, when his followers were reduced to eight, he left the town, and, + rejoicing to be once more in the open field, overtook his friends at + Angers, where they had just rescued a great number of clergy who had been + imprisoned there, and daily threatened with death. 'Do not thank us,' said + the peasants to the liberated priests; 'it is for you that we fight. If we + had not saved you, we should not have ventured to return home. Since you + are freed, we see plainly that the good God is on our side.' + </p> + <p> + But the tide was now about to turn. The Government in Paris sent a far + stronger force into the Bocage, and desolated it in a cruel manner. + Clisson was burnt to the ground with the very fireworks which had been + prepared for the christening of its master's eldest child, and which had + not been used because of the sorrowful days when she was born. M. de + Lescure had long expected its destruction, but had not chosen to remove + the furniture, lest he should discourage the peasants. His family were + with the army, where alone there was now any safety for the weak and + helpless. At Nantes the attack was unsuccessful, and Cathelineau himself + received a wound of which he died in a few days, rejoicing at having been + permitted to shed his blood in such a cause. + </p> + <p> + The army, of which M. d'Elbee became the leader, now returned to Poitou, + and gained a great victory at Chatillon; but here many of them forgot the + mercy they had usually shown, and, enraged by the sight of their burnt + cottages, wasted fields, and murdered relatives, they fell upon the + prisoners and began to slaughter them. M. de Lescure, coming in haste, + called out to them to desist. 'No, no,' cried M. de Marigny; 'let me slay + these monsters who have burnt your castle.' 'Then, Marigny,' said his + cousin, 'you must fight with me. You are too cruel; you will perish by the + sword.' And he saved these unhappy men for the time; but they were put to + death on their way to their own army. + </p> + <p> + The cruelties of the Republicans occasioned a proclamation on the part of + the Royalists that they would make reprisals; but they could never bring + themselves to act upon it. When M. de Lescure took Parthenay, he said to + the inhabitants, 'It is well for you that it is I who have taken your + town; for, according to our proclamation, I ought to burn it; but, as you + would think it an act of private revenge for the burning of Clisson, I + spare you'. + </p> + <p> + Though occasional successes still maintained the hopes of the Vendeans, + misfortunes and defeats now became frequent; they were unable to save + their country from the devastations of the enemy, and disappointments + began to thin the numbers of the soldiers. Henri, while fighting in a + hollow road, was struck in the right hand by a ball, which broke his thumb + in three places. He continued to direct his men, but they were at length + driven back from their post. He was obliged to leave the army for some + days; and though he soon appeared again at the head of the men of St. + Aubin, he never recovered the use of his hand. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after, both D'Elbee and Bonchamp were desperately wounded; and M. + de Lescure, while waving his followers on to attack a Republican post, + received a ball in the head. The enemy pressed on the broken and defeated + army with overwhelming force, and the few remaining chiefs resolved to + cross the Loire and take refuge in Brittany. It was much against the + opinion of M. de Lescure; but, in his feeble and suffering state, he could + not make himself heard, nor could Henri's representations prevail; the + peasants, in terror and dismay, were hastening across as fast as they + could obtain boats to carry them. The enemy was near at hand, and + Stofflet, Marigny, and the other chiefs were only deliberating whether + they should not kill the prisoners whom they could not take with them, + and, if set at liberty, would only add to the numbers of their pursuers. + The order for their death had been given; but, before it could be + executed, M. de Lescure had raised his head to exclaim, 'It is too + horrible!' and M. de Bonchamp at the same moment said, almost with his + last breath, 'Spare them!' The officers who stood by rushed to the + generals, crying out that Bonchamp commanded that they should be pardoned. + They were set at liberty; and thus the two Vendean chiefs avenged their + deaths by saving five thousand of their enemies! + </p> + <p> + M. de Bonchamp expired immediately after; but M. de Lescure had still much + to suffer in the long and painful passage across the river, and + afterwards, while carried along the rough roads to Varades in an armchair + upon two pikes, his wife and her maid supporting his feet. The Bretons + received them kindly, and gave him a small room, where, the next day, he + sent for the rest of the council, telling them they ought to choose a new + general, since M. d'Elbee was missing. They answered that he himself alone + could be commander. 'Gentlemen,' he answered: 'I am mortally wounded; and + even if I am to live, which I do not expect, I shall be long unfit to + serve. The army must instantly have an active chief, loved by all, known + to the peasants, trusted by everyone. It is the only way of saving us. M. + de la Rochejaquelein alone is known to the soldiers of all the divisions. + M. de Donnissan, my father-in-law, does not belong to this part of the + country, and would not be as readily followed. The choice I propose would + encourage the soldiers; and I entreat you to choose M. de la + Rochejaquelein. As to me, if I live, you know I shall not quarrel with + Henri; I shall be his aide-de-camp.' + </p> + <p> + His advice was readily followed, Henri was chosen; but when a second in + command was to be elected, he said no, he was second, for he should always + obey M. de Donnissan, and entreated that the honor might not be given to + him, saying that at twenty years of age he had neither weight nor + experience, that his valor led him to be first in battle, but in council + his youth prevented him from being attended to; and, indeed, after giving + his opinion, he usually fell asleep while others were debating. He was, + however, elected; and as soon as M. de Lescure heard the shouts of joy + with which the peasants received the intelligence, he sent Madame de + Lescure to bring him to his bedside. She found him hidden in a corner, + weeping bitterly; and when he came to his cousin, he embraced him, saving + earnestly, again and again, that he was not fit to be general, he only + knew how to fight, he was too young and could never silence those who + opposed his designs, and entreated him to take the command as soon as he + was cured. 'That I do not expect,' said M. de Lescure; 'but if it should + happen, I will be your aide-de-camp, and help you to conquer the shyness + which prevents your strength of character from silencing the murmurers and + the ambitious.' + </p> + <p> + Henri accordingly took the command; but it was a melancholy office that + devolved upon him of dragging onward his broken and dejected peasants, + half-starved, half-clothed, and followed by a wretched train of women, + children, and wounded; a sad change from the bright hopes with which, not + six months before, he had been called to the head of his tenants. Yet + still his high courage gained some triumphs, which for a time revived the + spirits of his forces and restored their confidence. He was active and + undaunted, and it was about this time, when in pursuit of the Blues, he + was attacked by a foot soldier when alone in a narrow lane. His right hand + was useless, but he seized the man's collar with his left, and held him + fast, managing his horse with his legs till his men came up. He would not + allow them to kill the soldier, but set him free, saying 'Return to the + Republicans, and tell them that you were alone with the general of the + brigands, who had but one hand and no weapons, yet you could not kill + him'. Brigands was the name given by the Republicans, the true robbers, to + the Royalists, who, in fact, by this time, owing to the wild life they had + so long led, had acquired a somewhat rude and savage appearance. They wore + grey cloth coats and trousers, broad hats, white sashes with knots of + different colours to mark the rank of the officers, and red woolen + handkerchiefs. These were made in the country, and were at first chiefly + worn by Henri, who usually had one round his neck, another round his + waist, and a third to support his wounded hand; but the other officers, + having heard the Blues cry out to aim at the red handkerchief, themselves + adopted the same badge, in order that he might be less conspicuous. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime a few days' rest at Laval had at first so alleviated the + sufferings of M. de Lescure, that hopes were entertained of his recovery; + but he ventured on greater exertions of strength than he was able to bear, + and fever returned, which had weakened him greatly before it became + necessary to travel onwards. Early in the morning, a day or two before + their departure, he called to his wife, who was lying on a mattress on the + floor, and desired her to open the curtains, asking, as she did so, if it + was a clear day. 'Yes,' said she. 'Then,' he answered, 'I have a sort of + veil before my eyes, I cannot see distinctly; I always thought my wound + was mortal, and now I no longer doubt. My dear, I must leave you, that is + my only regret, except that I could not restore my king to the throne; I + leave you in the midst of a civil war, that is what afflicts me. Try to + save yourself. Disguise yourself, and attempt to reach England.' Then + seeing her choked with tears, he continued: 'Yes, your grief alone makes + me regret life; for my own part, I die tranquil; I have indeed sinned, but + I have always served God with piety; I have fought, and I die for Him, and + I hope in His mercy. I have often seen death, and I do not fear it I go to + heaven with a sure trust, I grieve but for you; I hoped to have made you + happy; if I ever have given you any reason to complain, forgive me.' + Finding her grief beyond all consolation, he allowed her to call the + surgeons, saying that it was possible he might be mistaken. They gave some + hope, which cheered her spirits, though he still said he did not believe + them. The next day they left Laval; and on the way, while the carriage was + stopping, a person came to the door and read the details of the execution + of Marie Antoinette which Madame de Lescure had kept from his knowledge. + It was a great shock to him, for he had known the Queen personally, and + throughout the day he wearied himself with exclamations on the horrible + crime. That night at Ernee he received the Sacrament, and at the same time + became speechless, and could only lie holding his wife's hand and looking + sometimes at her, sometimes toward heaven. But the cruel enemy were close + behind, and there was no rest on earth even for the dying. Madame de + Lescure implored her friends to leave them behind; but they told her she + would be exposed to a frightful death, and that his body would fall into + the enemy's hands; and she was forced to consent to his removal. Her + mother and her other friends would not permit her to remain in the + carriage with him; she was placed on horseback and her maid and the + surgeon were with him. An hour after, on the 3rd of November, he died, but + his wife did not know her loss till the evening when they arrived at + Fongeres; for though the surgeon left the carriage on his death, the maid, + fearing the effect which the knowledge might have upon her in the midst of + her journey, remained for seven hours in the carriage by his side, during + two of which she was in a fainting fit. + </p> + <p> + When Madame de Lescure and Henri de la Rochejaquelein met the next + morning, they sat for a quarter of an hour without speaking, and weeping + bitterly. At last she said 'You have lost your best friend,' and he + replied, 'Take my life, if it could restore him.' + </p> + <p> + Scarcely anything can be imagined more miserable than the condition of the + army, or more terrible than the situation of the young general, who felt + himself responsible for its safety, and was compelled daily to see its + sufferings and find his plans thwarted by the obstinacy and folly of the + other officers, crushed by an overwhelming force, knowing that there was + no quarter from which help could come, yet still struggling on in + fulfillment of his sad duty. The hopes and expectations which had filled + his heart a few months back had long passed away; nothing was around him + but misery, nothing before him but desolation; but still he never failed + in courage, in mildness, in confidence in Heaven. + </p> + <p> + At Mans he met with a horrible defeat; at first, indeed, with a small + party he broke the columns of the enemy, but fresh men were constantly + brought up, and his peasants gave way and retreated, their officers + following them. He tried to lead them back through the hedges, and if he + had succeeded, would surely have gained the victory. Three times with two + other officers he dashed into the midst of the Blues; but the broken, + dispirited peasants would not follow him, not one would even turn to fire + a shot. At last, in leaping a hedge, his saddle turned, and he fell, + without indeed being hurt, but the sight of his fall added to the terror + of the miserable Vendeans. He struggled long and desperately through the + long night that followed to defend the gates of the town, but with the + light of morning the enemy perceived his weakness and effected their + entrance. His followers had in the meantime gradually retired into the + country beyond, but those who could not escape fell a prey to the cruelty + of the Republicans. 'I thought you had perished,' said Madame de Lescure, + when he overtook her. 'Would that I had,' was his answer. + </p> + <p> + He now resolved to cross the Loire, and return to his native Bocage, where + the well-known woods would afford a better protection to his followers. It + was at Craon, on their route to the river, that Madame de Lescure saw him + for the last time, as he rallied his men, who had been terrified by a + false alarm. + </p> + <p> + She did not return to La Vendee, but, with her mother, was sheltered by + the peasants of Brittany throughout the winter and spring until they found + means to leave the country. + </p> + <p> + The Vendeans reached the Loire at Ancenis, but they were only able to find + two small boats to carry them over. On the other side, however, were four + great ferry boats loaded with hay; and Henri, with Stofflet, three other + officers, and eighteen soldiers crossed the river in their two boats, + intending to take possession of them, send them back for the rest of the + army, and in the meantime protect the passage from the Blues on the + Vendean side. Unfortunately, however, he had scarcely crossed before the + pursuers came down upon his troops, drove them back from Ancenis, and + entirely prevented them from attempting the passage, while at the same + time Henri and his companions were attacked and forced from the river by a + body of Republicans on their side. A last resistance was attempted by the + retreating Vendeans at Savenay, where they fought nobly but in vain; four + thousand were shot on the field of battle, the chiefs were made prisoners + and carried to Nantes or Angers, where they were guillotined, and a few + who succeeded in escaping found shelter among the Bretons, or one by one + found their way back to La Vendee. M. de Donnissan was amongst those who + were guillotined, and M. d'Elbee, who was seized shortly after, was shot + with his wife. + </p> + <p> + Henri, with his few companions, when driven from the banks of the Loire, + dismissed the eighteen soldiers, whose number would only have attracted + attention without being sufficient for protection; but the five chiefs + crossed the fields and wandered through the country without meeting a + single inhabitant—all the houses were burnt down, and the few + remaining peasants hidden in the woods. At last, after four-and-twenty + hours, walking, they came to an inhabited farm, where they lay down to + sleep on the straw. The next moment the farmer came to tell them the Blues + were coming; but they were so worn out with fatigue, that they would not + move. The Blues were happily, also, very tired, and, without making any + search, laid down on the other side of the heap of straw, and also fell + asleep. Before daylight the Vendeans rose and set out again, walking miles + and miles in the midst of desolation, until, after several days, they came + to Henri's own village of St. Aubin, where he sought out his aunt, who was + in concealment there, and remained with her for three days, utterly + overwhelmed with grief at his fatal separation from his army, and only + longing for an opportunity of giving his life in the good cause. + </p> + <p> + Beyond all his hopes, the peasants no sooner heard his name, than once + more they rallied round the white standard, as determined as ever not to + yield to the Revolutionary government; and the beginning of the year 1794 + found him once more at the head of a considerable force, encamped in the + forests of Vesins, guarding the villages around from the cruelties of the + Blues. He was now doubly beloved and trusted by the followers who had + proved his worth, and who even yet looked forward to triumphs beneath his + brave guidance; but it was not so with him, he had learnt the lesson of + disappointment, and though always active and cheerful, his mind was made + up, and the only hope he cherished was of meeting the death of a soldier. + His headquarters were in the midst of a forest, where one of the + Republican officers, who was made prisoner, was much surprised to find the + much-dreaded chieftain of the Royalists living in a hut formed of boughs + of trees, dressed almost like a peasant, and with his arm still in a + sling. This person was shot, because he was found to be commissioned to + promise pardon to the peasants, and afterwards to massacre them; but Henri + had not learnt cruelty from his persecutors, and his last words were of + forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + It was on Ash Wednesday that he had repulsed an attack of the enemy, and + had almost driven them out of the wood, when, perceiving two soldiers + hiding behind a hedge, he stopped, crying out, 'Surrender, I spare you.' + As he spoke one of them leveled his musket, fired, and stretched him dead + on the ground without a groan. Stofflet, coming up the next moment, killed + the murderer with one stroke of his sword; but the remaining soldier was + spared out of regard to the last words of the general. The Vendeans wept + bitterly, but there was no time to indulge their sorrow, for the enemy + were returning upon them; and, to save their chieftain's corpse from + insult, they hastily dug a grave, in which they placed both bodies, and + retreated as the Blues came up to occupy the ground. The Republicans + sought for the spot, but it was preserved from their knowledge; and the + high-spirited, pure-hearted Henri de la Rochejaquelein sleeps beside his + enemy in the midst of the woodlands where he won for himself eternal + honor. His name is still loved beyond all others; the Vendeans seldom + pronounce it without touching their hats, and it is the highest glory of + many a family that one of their number has served under Monsieur Henri. + </p> + <p> + Stofflet succeeded to the command, and carried on the war with great skill + and courage for another year, though with barbarities such as had never + been permitted by the gentle men; but his career was stained by the death + of Marigny, whom, by false accusations, he was induced to sentence to be + shot. Marigny showed great courage and resignation, himself giving the + word to fire—perhaps at that moment remembering the warning of M. de + Lescure. Stofflet repented bitterly, and never ceased to lament his death. + He was at length made prisoner, and shot, with his last words declaring + his devotion to his king and his faith. + </p> + <p> + Thus ends the tale of the Vendean war, undertaken in the best of causes, + for the honor of God and His Church, and the rescue of one of the most + innocent of kings, by men whose saintly characters and dauntless courage + have seldom been surpassed by martyrs or heroes of any age. It closed with + blood, with fire, with miseries almost unequalled; yet who would dare to + say that the lives of Cathelineau, Bonchamp, Lescure, La Rochejaquelein, + with their hundreds of brave and pious followers, were devoted in vain? + Who could wish to see their brightness dimmed with earthly rewards? + </p> + <p> + And though the powers of evil were permitted to prevail on earth, yet what + could their utmost triumph effect against the faithful, but to make for + them, in the words of the child king for whom they fought, one of those + thorny paths that lead to glory! + </p> + <p> + THE END. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's A Book of Golden Deeds, by Charlotte M. 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