The Truce of God / A Tale of the Eleventh Century

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aught that can claim your sympathy or awaken your attention; if the "Dark Ages" be to you Ages of Faith, or even lit with the gray morning-light of civiliz

ess, and seemed to mock him as he passed. On he went, as if danger were behind and safety before him; as if he galloped to save his own life, not to risk it in taking a boar's. An angry bark and a fearful howl rang in the distance, and the hunter's bugle sounded a merry blast. On he went, faster than before, and now as if he sought his mortal foe. The boar was at bay; monarch of the wood, he had turned to defend his realm, and his white tusks were soon red with the blood of the noble hounds who fearlessly disputed his right. The youth leaped from his horse with the speed of thought. Bred to the chase, the well-

owing fainter and fainter as the

steeds were fleet. Out of sight and out of

ound that panted at his feet, as unconcernedly as though the forest now contained nothing more formidable tha

the young and innocent. He built fifteen air-castles in as many minutes. But at last he grew impatient; he sounded blast after blast; still no ans

the youth, springing up and addressing the boar

s tusks. Depositing the precious relic in a hunting pouch he wor

it," said our hunter, "but if the forest have an end, I'll f

at sunset was near. On went the noble steed, with steady step and trembling nostril while his finely veined ears spoke so rapidly that the rider could scarcely understand their language. They passed through long lines of trees that opened into other lines, from one limited horizon to another, yet all was green before and behind, to the right and to the left, one interminable emerald. The light turned from a rich gold to a g

orward to listen; "a horseman? Let him come

t certainly not over twenty-three. The youth knit his brows as the horseman approached, and eyed him keenly and sternly. When within a few yards of the spring, the stranger dismounted and drew his sword. The youth did the same. His handsome features wer

de Hers," he muttered; "you

the mellow sound of a distant bell. It was like the voice of an angel forbidding strife. Those soft, lingering notes seemed to have won a sweetness from the skies to pour out upon t

or fancied offence offered to any of his kindred. The most deadly enmity frequently existed between neighboring chiefs, and the bitter feeling was transmitted unimpaired from father to son. The most dreadful consequences inevitably resulted from this fatal installation of might in the outraged temple of justice. Until lately a blind prejudice and a perverted history have charged this unfortunate state of things to the pernicious influence of the Church of Rome. But the wiser Protestants of the present day, considering

had taken deep root; for, in the language of a well-known Protestant historian, "it flattered the pride of the nobles, and gratified their favorite passions." But in the eleventh century the Church had gained a partial victory over the dearest appetites of the fiery Frank and the wa

oned bell announced the sunset of Wednesday. The young men stood gazing at each other, as though some spell had transformed them into stone. But the messenger of pea

angry heart, in the first heat of its wild career, still stops obedient to the voice of religion. Amid the dross o

eir faces, so lately flushed with

men," said Gilbert, as h

and, almost side by side, they pro

ring his innocence, Henry's impetuous father, the Lord Sandrit de Stramen, swore over the dead body of his brother to take a bitter revenge on the Baron of Hers and all his line. Henry de Stramen had been nursed in the bitterest hostility to all who bore the name of Hers, and the unrelenting persecution of the Lord Sandrit had made Gilbert detest most cordially the hous

before them a broad expanse of hill and dale, wood and field. Scattered here and there were the humble dwellings of the forester and husbandman, and, from their midst, towering above them, like Jupiter among the demigods, stately and stern rose the old castle of the house of Stramen. The western sky was still bathed in light, and shared its glories w

ltar was solemnly chanting, from the beautiful liturgy of the Church, as he knelt down on the hard aisle, and the branching ceiling seemed to catch and repeat the notes. Through the stained window, where was pictured in unfading colors many a scene suggesting the goodness and mercy of God, and the blessed tidings of salvation, came the fading light of day, softened and beautiful. It was not merely the superior genius of the age that made th

matron who, numbering more than double her years, had felt more than treble her sorrows. The youth was deeply moved, as he gazed, and thought he might have robbed that mother of her son, that wife of her husband, that sister of a brother. Those gentle, melancholy beings had never harmed him, an

the altar, but those fervent men and women did not hurry from the church a

ose at length, and, passing so close to Gilbert that he could distinctly see their faces, left hi

ld man said, taking

Gilbert; "my father will have no pe

er he should lament you alive, t

ed the youth; "they fear the Churc

it is better not to expose them to t

tle had not occurred to Gilbert; he hesitated a second or two, and then, as if all hi

am weary enough. If you promise me protection to-night, I

pillow. But I will promise you a safe couch, though it is a hard one; the softest beds are no

se," interp

n a black cassock, answered the call. The priest conversed awhile with him, in an undertone, and then, ascert

e darkening prospect, until the appearance of two persons riding rapidly along the main road to the castle, aroused his attention. He followed them eagerly with his eyes until they were completely lost in the twilight. On

bert longed for his appearance. He grew impatient of being alone, when a companion was so near at hand; the place was strange, and there were no well-known

ouse, which was but one story high, was divided into two rooms by a stone partition. In the back room slept the pastor of the church, Father Omehr. The front room contained a table and a ben

e is good and the bread is quite fresh. T

d regarded the youth with a smile, as he indulged the keen appetite sharpened by the severe exercise of the day. The meal was eaten in silence, save an occasional entreaty from Gilbert to his entertainer to partake

s high broad forehead ploughed by many a heavy line, still in his eye and lips and nose were visible the relics of a splendid creation. There was an expression of great energy about his mouth; his whole face indicated intelligence and benevolence; and it was the actual possession of this energy, i

thors, in the spirit of Catholic humility, had concealed their names. He was much beloved by all who knew him and were permitted to love him. His charities were numerous and unostentatious. Though scarcely twenty-one, his bearing, was bold and manly; there was no disguise about his large black eyes; they spoke out all

main seated no longer while his companion stood. The priest carefully removed the remn

ell me what in the world h

mine, my dear Fathe

sent yo

ter mounted than they, and so was the boar, for he distanced them. When the chase was at an end I found myself entirely alone, and could hear

d attentively, and a

t yesterday. Did you me

nion upon him, and related with much embarr

he left me so suddenly. That Henry de Stramen should t

speaker's face to ascerta

le bell, where should

ther, mos

Omehr could not repress a smile. But it quickly van

ye ever to revel in carnage, like the lion of the desert-and shall the examp

hands, and Gilbert, abashed by the sol

the ground, "if your God submitted to insult and stripes and death to sa

d our kinsmen and dependants; shall we not protect ourselves, even though our resistance makes their blood run freely? They have accused my father of a crime of which he is innocent, a

sight of this very door, the injuries of which you complain? Could you see what I see-the orphan's piteous face, th

mselves," said Gilbert, musi

ans by which their s

yourself to them!"

rs of misery has your quarrel cost me! Could I only live to see it healed; to see you once more living like Christian men, employed in atoning for your own sins, not in arrogantly chastising each other's faults; to see the sword of discord broken, and peace and love and safety proc

t his companion had read what was passing in

ther, I regret

our old limbs fail you, and your sight waxes dim, your angry dee

advice, but despaired of ever profiting by it. After an interval of meditati

ns. Your bed is not very soft, but it is in your power to sanctify it, and then it will be be

blessing, who, wishing him a good night, withd