The Truce of God / A Tale of the Eleventh Century

wild

is tooth in e

gdom, sick wi

RY

or was his gigantic mind occupied with Germany alone, and the movements there which menaced his life and the liberty and purity of the Church. Dalmatia, Poland, and England claimed his constant attention. With the most

f Cosheim displayed their lances to confirm his resolution. In every country and in every age there must exist a large and powerful party prone to pleasure and license, which is easily arrayed against virtue, when the indulgence of their criminal passions is threatened. This party is ever formidable, especially when supported by a powerful king, nobly descended, and legally invested with the crown. A natural sympathy, too, had been awakened for th

king would facilitate their deliberations. The Count Mangold de Veringen was despatched to the Pope, inviting him to sanction the diet by his presence, to aid them by his wisdom and intrepidity, and to take the helm of the

o attend the meeting in person. It was partly to avoid the appearance of partiality, but principally in the hope of reconciling the angry factions, that the Pope requested the presence of his unscrupulo

, than deliberations were virtually begun. The chiefs directed all their efforts to induce the legates to sanction the election of a king, and confirm their choice. Guimond and his companions, faithful to their instructions, replied: "It were far better to await the arrival of His Holiness"; but they added, imprudently, "that they did not wish to oppose their advice to the wisdom of the princes, who knew much better than they what was most conducive to the interests of the State." Assuming an implied permission to act from these words of courtesy, the nobles pr

nd begged them, with tears in his eyes, not to give the signal for civil war. All the princes and a majority of the bishops conceived that the denial of the Apostolic benediction would destroy the hopes of the Church party. They beheld in themselves the champions of the Church, and identified their own welfare with that of the Holy See; they believed that Gregory was only restrained by

d before the missionary stood at his side. They gazed at each other in silence for some moments. The duke's lips were compressed, and his

hisper, still scanning the priest

!" was t

n preve

od

terposition," said the duke, bending his head

urs

and with rapid, nervous gestures pa

a seat beside him. "Hear me!" he repeated, bending forward until his lips almo

n the limit of my aspirations. Once to be king-oh! ever since I first clutched a lance I panted for it! In love, in sickness, in peace, in w

uld, without a pang-gladly, cheerfully-this very instant! Yes-I swear to you-here in presence of my Creator, that I no longer covet the crown

ign it?" said the

his head and fixed hi

y restrain you," pursued the priest; "they b

h sternly sh

er may still be with us-it is treacherous to deprive him of the opportunity of inter

"and of what avail is it to pause on the brink when all t

n the virtue and wisdom of His Holiness. Rest assured that he will find

s inev

rs of peace-and open the floodgates for a thousand evil passions to deluge Germany with crime and blood! Can you foresee what

y party. Men will leave us, and say we tremble, and before long we are at the tender mercies of the tyrant, for my resignation, while striking terror into our ranks, will infuse new courage into his.

age, his consummate skill, his desperate resolution. You know that he is at the head of an army more numerous and better disciplined than your own. And you must also clearly

orse. And I believe that, could His Holiness see what is evident to us, he woul

ng both. Trust in God for the future! Do not pursue what to the mole-blind vision of humanity seems expedient, when certain bloodshed is the result! Hum

he duke, "but not until I have embrace

n more enlightened than

ut I will not have men to point at me covertly, and say, 'He faltered!' I will not endanger the noble barons who have devoted themselves to my advancement. If I have sinned in alluring them thus far, I will not deepen my guilt by betraying them. Tho

g the passage, and immediately afterw

hness' answer," he said,

in person." Saying this, he strode proudly from t

yer, until a long loud shout announced Rodolph's acceptance. Then the trumpets' merry notes, mingled with the joyful clang of arms, went up to heaven toget

to escape from the embraces of his friends, he retired early to his chambers, accompanied only by Gilbert de Hers. Rodolph had always evinced a strong partiality for Gilbert, which the youth repaid by the liveliest love and admiration. No sooner were they alone, than the duke th

my son," sa

echanical

happy?" ask

rd; are yo

elmed with joy at

llen you, sire?" i

ct, seizing his wrist, "the

embling tones and excited

hat I shall be unsuccessful in the struggle for undisputed power: it is sufficient for me that I die a king. I tremble because I have discovered the impotence of earthly things to gratify the cravings of an immortal soul-because, in finding that I have a capacity of enjoyment not to be appeased by the highest dignities on earth, I begin to comprehend my immortality. I see what a shadow I have pursued-how madly

t, struck dumb with surpri

"and we must part. Is there anythi

rnament to-morrow," t

n spite of my discourse," s

ening cheeks a

added, detaining Gilbert as the latter was about to retire, "remember what you have seen this night. When men shall question my motives, and extol or condemn me, you may say that Rodolph of

yence appeared, and, after a brief adoration, entered the confessional. There, in the silent hour of midnight, the king knelt before the priest, in obedience to the voice of that God who bequeathed us a C

ds and streets, and the credulous saw a happy omen in the genial spring day that broke through the icy fetters of winter to greet the coronation. A splendid procession moved to the

had perceived the theft, throttled the culprit and drew the chain from its hiding-place. The man was ordered to prison, and Gilbert had forgotten the occurrence, when the assembly was disturbed by loud cries and imprecations from without. Gilbert quick as thought passed through the doorway and stood in the street. The bourgeois of Mayence were zealous partisans of Henry, and had already scowled upon the honors paid to his rival. The maltreatment of their townsman had kindled the spark of discontent to flame. They had attacked the soldiers of Rodolph, who, as was customary, attended the joust unarmed, and had rescued the t

iately despatched a page to watch his movements. When informed

gone for their arms, and it will speedily be terminated. But the son of Albert

nted and passed out: the foremost

ad in armor, striding before him, intercepted the blow, and dashed the assailant to the earth. A shower of blows saluted the youth's deliverer, but he bore them unflinching, and, vigorously plying his two-handed sword, cleared a space around the exhausted Gilbert. The two other knights arriving at this moment, the contest became more equal. But the mob were now displaying deadlier weapons, and Rodolph reluctantly resolved to command his chivalry to disperse the rabble,

s and entreated him to forget the past; but there were too m

life, and with the grace of

o reply, and

r late encounter, and diminish the mortal hatred with which he was regarded. He was also well disposed to welcome any accident that might give him a pretext for conciliating the house of Stramen. Henry p

owing an ancient custom, began

acknowledge Rodolph as king. The Pope well knew what a delicate undertaking it was to depose a sovereign whom he had consecrated, and how fraught with danger such a precedent must be. His interest evidently called him to receive Rodolph at once into his arms, and had he done this, the result of the

board towns. The citizens of Augsburg, after tasting his bounty, braved the menaces of his antagonist. Hordes of brigands from Bohemia were attracted to his camp by brilliant largesses and the prospect of an easy booty. The German cities, and particularly those along the Rhine, had always, pursuant t

ronation he had obtained the dismissal of a simoniacal deacon. Everywhere he compelled the nominees of Henry to fly, and filled their places with zealous champions of the canonical discipline. At Constance and Zurich he drove the irregularly appointed bishops from their

mon resolution to die in defence of a sublime principle; the first were incited by the hope of plunder, the lust of empire, ambition, avarice, or a lawless appetite for war-the last were animated by a love of liberty, and fought for future security from oppression;

Suabians. Here they learned that Henry, at the head of twelve thousand effective troops, was advancing upon Suabia through Ratisbon. Rodolph soon heard of the atrocities of his rival, who abandoned the country to fire, sword, and rapine. Old men

ition of his nobles. While the Suabian party were deliberating upon the best course to pursue, Henry, by a forced march, fell unexpectedly upon their rear. Taken by surprise and over

ld imperialists. Her only relief was in the Sacraments, administered by the saintly Herman, and in prayer. The wives of the yeomen, not knowing when to expect the enemy, sought shelter in the castle with their parents and children. There were gathered the innocent, the aged, the young, the beautiful, and the Lady Margaret experie

and glancing wildly around, began to traverse the apartment with rapid strides. Her excited manner attracted much attention, and many anxious conjectures were made

right on their sh

heir blood-r

e hamlet to pil

t the kneelin

graycoated palmer, who for some days had

rmur ran round the group, an

med, in a l

y come-the gr

d life ring

clouding at

heir reeking b

s all! and w

s chime will

tended her arm to the south, and shaking he

o the Lady Margaret's ear that made her start and turn pale as marble. Awhile she sat motionless and apparently sinking. But it was not long before her weakness disappeared, and he

rs by an inferior force. Let us pray to God

, imitating her example, knelt beside her. When that solemn and fervent p

rl stone, or thrust spear, le

ngth of youth, and as many beardless youths, sprang up a

straining their eyes against the horizon, where the smoke of some cottages indicated the presence of the foe, when the palmer advanced and asked permission to assist them. This was readily granted, and the recruits were soon supplied with defensive armo

against the stately castle which seemed to bid them defiance. The Lady Margaret was now among the soldiers, animating them to resistance. Guided by

ked the maiden, as with a fi

costume and swarthy face of the Bohemian marauder. The Lady Margaret's cheek was now deeply f

" she said to the palmer

cealed. Her color fell at the sight of this new force-yet only for a moment: the next instant her cheek resumed its glow. This

r gates!" exclaimed a knight,

the Lady Margaret

king and master,

has forfeited the crown, and our gates shall

use to s

es

for we will f

, and invite

maiden gave way, and, all trembling, she descen

watch their operations from the battlements. Some with their battle-axes dashed into the moat and swam across to cut the chain which raised the bridge; but hardly had they reached the shore before th

ion was exhausted, and three of the assailants, armed with axes

" exclaimed the palmer. "One sortie

drawn and the gall

at the bridge was soon cleared. This gallant feat was greeted with cries of rage from their opponents on the other bank, many of whom, forgetting their heavy armor in their indignation, leaped into the water

id the rejoicings and threats of the besiegers. It was now toward twilight, and the strong gate would ba

mpanions; "and you had better go to the castle and take some

ain until the men returned; when, resigning the barbican to the warder, he went to receive the than

s were yet unbroken. It was now pitch-dark. A thunderstorm had suddenly gathered, and the report of the d

d castle. It was not the sudden bolt that awed him; but the lightning streamed upon a host of armed men, stretching away as far as the eye could reach. They were not half a mil

t trembled on his lips a

had announced the enem

to save you

life!" sa

me to the p

it. The banks of the moat opposite the gate had been made shelving, so as to afford a means of retreat to the besieged, without g

three horses-one for yourself, one for your lady, t

praying in the oratory. It was a sight to make the heart bleed-that defenceless group, with tearful eyes and hands raised trembling to heaven, now starting as the

fly with m

re we n

red, we are surrounded by th

e, along the portico he passed, as swiftly as though he carried but a child. The wind came damp and cold against his cheek, the rain poured pitilessly upon his head, the arrowy lightning seemed to play around his feet, but manfully he hurried on with his precious charge. The gate was reached; he paused but an instant to hail the groom and take breath, then slid i

tle within the wood,

the road to Co

plied in the

, and strike it at

itting it, and, aided by the lightning, pursued the

forth torrents of tears. In vain the palmer tried to modera

olled away, they obtained light enough to co

y repress an inclination to throttle his imprudent friend; for as the Lady Margaret turned

ghter grew the flame-higher and higher rose the lurid column. Still the Lady Margaret continued to gaze on the fiery pillar. At last the light suddenly expanded

o the fortress of Tübingen, where the brave Count Montfort, though refusing to join Rodolph, had designed to hold out to the last a

t and then to avenge her. Nor was the palmer forgotten. Despite his ridiculous costume, now soiled and tor

uld know her delivere

his head-piece and

e, my lady?" he as

as one striving

Ailred of Zurich,

as she exclaimed, "Oh I

hing, lady," re

life no

ply, "reserve your thanks for h