Part 12 (1/2)

His jaws then opening fearfully, With angry teeth he struck at me; But now my dogs, with wrath new-born, Rushed on his belly with fierce bite, So that, by dreadful anguish torn, He howling stood before my sight.”

”And ere he from their teeth was free, I raised myself up hastily, The weak place of the foe explored, And in his entrails plunged my sword, Sinking it even to the hilt; Black gus.h.i.+ng forth, his blood was spilt.

Down sank he, burying in his fall Me with his body's giant ball, So that my senses quickly fled; And when I woke with strength renewed, The dragon in his blood lay dead, While round me grouped my squires all stood.”

The joyous shouts, so long suppressed, Now burst from every hearer's breast, Soon as the knight these words had spoken; And ten times 'gainst the high vault broken, The sound of mingled voices rang, Re-echoing back with hollow clang.

The Order's sons demand, in haste, That with a crown his brow be graced, And gratefully in triumph now The mob the youth would bear along When, lo! the master knit his brow, And called for silence 'mongst the throng.

And said, ”The dragon that this land Laid waste, thou slew'st with daring hand; Although the people's idol thou, The Order's foe I deem thee now.

Thy breast has to a fiend more base Than e'en this dragon given place.

The serpent that the heart most stings, And hatred and destruction brings, That spirit is, which stubborn lies, And impiously cast off the rein, Despising order's sacred ties; 'Tis that destroys the world amain.”

”The Mameluke makes of courage boast, Obedience decks the Christian most; For where our great and blessed Lord As a mere servant walked abroad, The fathers, on that holy ground, This famous Order chose to found, That arduous duty to fulfil To overcome one's own self-will!

'Twas idle glory moved thee there: So take thee hence from out my sight!

For who the Lord's yoke cannot bear, To wear his cross can have no right.”

A furious shout now raise the crowd, The place is filled with outcries loud; The brethren all for pardon cry; The youth in silence droops his eye-- Mutely his garment from him throws, Kisses the master's hand, and--goes.

But he pursues him with his gaze, Recalls him lovingly, and says: ”Let me embrace thee now, my son!

The harder fight is gained by thee.

Take, then, this cross--the guerdon won By self-subdued humility.”

FEMALE JUDGMENT.

Man frames his judgment on reason; but woman on love founds her verdict; If her judgment loves not, woman already has judged.

FRIDOLIN; OR, THE WALK TO THE IRON FOUNDRY.

A gentle was Fridolin, And he his mistress dear, Savern's fair Countess, honored in All truth and G.o.dly fear.

She was so meek, and, ah! so good!

Yet each wish of her wayward mood, He would have studied to fulfil, To please his G.o.d, with earnest will.

From the first hour when daylight shone Till rang the vesper-chime, He lived but for her will alone, And deemed e'en that scarce time.

And if she said, ”Less anxious be!”

His eye then glistened tearfully.

Thinking that he in duty failed, And so before no toil he quailed.

And so, before her serving train, The Countess loved to raise him; While her fair mouth, in endless strain, Was ever wont to praise him.

She never held him as her slave, Her heart a child's rights to him gave; Her clear eye hung in fond delight Upon his well-formed features bright.

Soon in the huntsman Robert's breast Was poisonous anger fired; His black soul, long by l.u.s.t possessed, With malice was inspired; He sought the Count, whom, quick in deed, A traitor might with ease mislead, As once from hunting home they rode, And in his heart suspicion sowed.

”Happy art thou, great Count, in truth,”

Thus cunningly he spoke; ”For ne'er mistrust's envenomed tooth Thy golden slumbers broke; A n.o.ble wife thy love rewards, And modesty her person guards.

The tempter will be able ne'er Her true fidelity to snare.”

A gloomy scowl the Count's eye filled: ”What's this thou say'st to me?

Shall I on woman's virtue build, Inconstant as the sea?

The flatterer's mouth with ease may lure; My trust is placed on ground more sure.