she saw the clear cut noble features of the king looking spectrally white in the moonlight, like the face of a glorified saint or angel; but she was not long in doubt, for Hermann was at her side, raising her up with gentle courteous tenderness; while the king with ready thought opened 'the flask, and pouring some wine into the horn that hung [by his side, held it to the girl's lips. It gave as it were new life to her, for only the faintest pulse was quivering in her veins. Temisvar quaffed eagerly at the draught that seemed to stand between him and death. By the moon and snow light the poor famished father and daughter ate and drank. Procuring a light was a tedious process in those days, but by dint of perseverance one was at last obtained, and then the pine log was lighted, and a goodly blaze brightened the hut. Hedwig felt as in a dream. Hermann was by her side drinking in every word she said, and well-nigh delirious with joy. King Wenceslas looked on tasting the rare bliss of seeing the fruit of his works. Temisvar was the least happy of the party, a puzzled, hesitating, half shame-faced look was in his face, one very strange to his hard, rough features. Once or twice he began to speak, and then stopped, colouring like a girl in confusion. Hedwig at last noticed her father's strange and unaccountable manner, and met his eyes fastened on her with a meaning glance. At first she could not understand what was in his mind, but then the conversation of the evening before came back to her, and she ventured to say, ઃઃ My father, art thou not now convinced that our God heareth and answereth prayer ?" "I am," he replied, "your GOD is stronger than mine, and I give Him the precedence. Will that content Him, think you ?" "No, for He saith, 'Thou shalt have none other gods but Me,'" answered the king; "thou believest Him to be a prayer-hearing and answering GOD; ask Him, good Temisvar, to enlighten thee, and show thee His truth; and if I might counsel thee, my friend, consult one of my priests, who will gladly discourse with thee upon our holy faith." "I will do as thou biddest me, sire," returned Temisvar, "but tonight's good work has more weight with me than all the priests or priestcraft in the world." "And yet," said the king, "it is from GOD's priests that I have learnt to love and to forgive. But now, my page, if thou canst tear thyself for a time from this fair damsel, we must wend our way homewards." The severity of the winter still continued, but Temisvar and Hedwig were no longer sufferers. King Wenceslas took care that the peasants round should all have help from the palace, but Temisvar and his daughter were provided with employment that procured ample remuneration. Temisvar followed with difficulty the teaching of the priests, but the practical sermons set before him in the lives of the king, Hermann, and his daughter were lessons that even his ignorant mind could not fail to read. He showed the reality of his faith by discarding his idols, charms, and incantations, forbearing to swear by the gods he had been accustomed to invoke, and listening by the hour to sacred Gospel tales told him in simple language. He at last, himself, asked for admission to Holy Baptism, and none could fail to observe the wonderful change that came into his face from the time of becoming a member of CHRIST's mystical Body-a change, we are told, very observable in our own day amongst baptized converts from heathenism. Hermann and Hedwig enjoyed a time of almost unalloyed happiness during the sojourn of King Wenceslas at the palace. Secure of each other's love, they were content to bask in the present sunshine, without looking forward to cloudy days to come. But at last the day for the king's return to the capital arrived, and the lovers bade each other farewell. "Thou wilt think of thy little Hedwig sometimes, my Hermann," said the beautiful girl, half playfully, "and not let the king, good though he is, engross all thy thoughts; spare just a few for me.' "When shall I not think of thee, my Hedwig? thy dear face is ever before me, and mingles even with my devotions. Fain would I ask thy father to receive me at once as the son of his old age, but thou knowest I cannot quit my king. No right have I to ask thee to promise thyself to one so pledged, and yet I think thou wouldst deem them but vain words were I to say, thou art free, free to bestow thyself where thou choosest." 'They would be vain words, and unkind ones too, dear Hermann, and there is happiness in the knowledge of our love even were we to meet no more on earth. We have each our duties, thine is to thy sovereign, mine to my father; let us do them and leave the rest with GOD." Hermann acquiesced by a kiss, in which all the unutterable love of his heart seemed to gather and express itself, and so they parted. CHAPTER VI. "The king, the king is ever at his prayers." TENNYSON. "That the offspring of Drahomira should become saints, is one of the most triumphant efforts of Christianity over the heart."-Dr. Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia. LONG years came and went, Temisvar died, and Hedwig found a home amongst some pious women who devoted themselves to works of charity in Prague. She occasionally met with Hermann, whose love was strong as before, but more than ever were his services required by his master, who, unfailing in his religious observances, practising unbounded charity and severe self-denial, was perhaps striving "to wind" himself "Too high For sinful man beneath the sky." At any rate his subjects thought so, and bitterly complained that the king was lost in the saint. It was a source of great anxiety and sorrow to Hermann. Loving and venerating his sovereign, almost to idolatry, lavishing on him the hero-worship, which was a strong element in his character, the lowering, were it never so little, of the idealised king from the pedestal on which he had placed him, was like tearing out his heartstrings. And yet he could not think the king was right in neglecting the inalienable duties of his station. To remind him of engagements, to lay business matters in a clear light before him, and prevent him from entire absorption in religious exercises or works of charity, was Hermann's part, and he found it a difficult and almost engrossing one. But there were times still when the hero spirit shone out in the king, as when he fought a duel, in which he was victorious, in order to save the lives of his subjects. It was some sixteen years from the time of Saint Ludmilla's murder that Wenceslas was invited by his heathen brother Boleslas to attend a feast in honour of the birth of a son. Ever ready to show brotherly kindness and forgiveness of injuries, he accepted the invitation, and shared in the feast, retiring however, to keep the vigil of S. Michael and All Angels, whose festival fell upon the next day. Hermann was with him, watchful as ever over his master, but all his bravery and care could not save the life he treasured so devotedly. A band of armed men burst into the king's room, falling on him while engaged in prayer, and murdered him before he could rise even from his knees. And thus ended the mortal life of the hero, saint and king, the doer of many a golden deed. True that he had embraced too warmly one side of the Christian life, forgetting that it must be active as well as contemplative, yet who can tell what blessings his prayers may have brought down on Bohemia ? His murder was supposed to have been commanded by Boleslas instigated thereto by Drahomira, whom the much-loved and much-forgiving king had allowed to return to Bohemia. But in years to come, Boleslas re-embraced Christianity, repenting most bitterly of his brother's murder, building and founding churches and religious houses. His eldest son was devoted to a monastic life, one daughter became a nun, another married to a Polish duke, helped in the conversion of that country, and his successor was named Boleslas the Pious-so truly is "the blood of the martyrs the seed of the Church." Hermann was dangerously wounded in the defence of his beloved sovereign, and lay for some time between life and death, a prisoner in the hands of Boleslas. But on recovering, he succeeded in making his escape to Prague. There he found Hedwig, and there they were married in one of the churches which it was feared might again be closed if not destroyed. A persecution was set on foot, but Hermann and Hedwig retired unmolested to the foot of the Ore Mountains, where Hermann exercised his grandfather's calling. And there they found in their mutual love and free exercise of their faith, happiness, and peace. True their first youth had passed, but their love had grown with their growth and strengthened with their years, no tarnish dimmed its lustre, for it reflected the light of heaven. And what of the dear good Sigmund? Disabled at last for active service, he found a home with Hermann and Hedwig. Ministered to by his children and grandchildren, who vied with each other in loving endearment, he with an ever-growing faith and everbrightening love tasted to the full, the faithfulness of the promise, even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry tr you." 222 S. CYPRIAN. SEPTEMBER 26TH. "The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee."-Te Deum. Now that the golden grains of earth are gathered, Where the fruit ripens and the flowers unfold; Nor have those wheat ears their full crown of gold. "How long, O LORD ?" beneath the Altar crying, Souls of Thy Martyrs plead and will not cease; Then, when the heart is full, and faint, and weary, Then, so we think, the faith of men was stronger, He, as we read, fresh from baptismal waters, He faced the foes of heresy and schism, He wrote for JESUS, and his strength was spent Death had no sting for him; a glad thanksgiving M. J. KENNEDY. |