Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1838-10-18
THE vow.
A NORTHERN TALE.

"ns, there happened Omce % great war will
the Danes. AdalberO, Duke Of Sax0mv, who
had c"Onselled il, now. in the hour ofear.
nest conflict, stood at the head Of his peO-
pie. There few the arrows and the iave-
Inns: there glanced many valiant blades on
both sides; and there shoMe many bright
gold shields through the dark fight. Bu,
The SaxODs at every attack were repnls,tI,
and were already driven back SD that the
stOFming only Of steep height could delv-
er the army of The country, dispense the en-
envy, and change rninous and destructive
flight into decisive victory.
AdalbeTo conducted the attack. But III
vain ne forced his fiery charger bcf,re the
squadron in vain he shouted through the
held the sacred Words II reetium and
Faiherland !" In vain atreaased his warn,
blood, and the blood Of tite fpe, over his
resplcndant arn,or. The pondcrous mass
gave way, and the enemy, secure ON the
height, rejoiced in tl,eir decided victory
Again rushed Adalbero on with few gallan,
warriors again tho faint hearted fell he
hind aud again the enemy rejoiced.
cit is yet time" said AdalberO, and a.
gain he shouted, Forward and il we
conquer, vow to the gods to set fire To the
four corners Of my castle, and il shall blaze
forth ON a bright funeral pile. in honor Of
our victory and Of our deliverance."
Again was tho attack renewed, but again
the SaxOns fled, and the enemy sent for,I.
shouts ofjoy. H5'
Then cried Adalbero aloud before the
whole army, IL we retarn viet6rious from
this charge, We gods. devote myself 10 you
as solemn sacrifice :"
Shndtering, the warriors hastenod after
him, but fortune was still against them; the
b"ldess fell--ihe bravest lletl. Then A.
dalbcr", in deep affection, rallied tl.e scat
tered band. and nll that remained Of the
great mobiles collected around him and
spoke thus: gus ~ al's& va
Thou art oar ruin for thou hast coun-
selled this war; !. '
Adalbero replied" Ny castle and my
self I have devoted to the gods COR victory,
and what can do gore r. 4s.s .al.'a
The sad multitude called only the more
to linn, 4" Thou art our ruin for thou hast
connsellsd this war" %
Then Adalboro tore open his bosom,
and implored tho Mighty God Of Thunder
to picrco il with thunder bolt, or lO give
the victory 10 his army. But there came
no bolt iron, heaven, and the squadron
stood limid, and followed not the call.
In boundloss despair. Adalbero nj last
said" fhorc 'cmai's only that which 10
most dear to me. Vito and child oiior
10 thco, 'hou God of armies, for victory
My beautiful, blooning wife-my only
hears-loved child-.hcy belong Co ihe
Great Ruler in Asgard; with my own hand
will | sacrifice them t. theo, but implore
thee, give me tho viciory"
Scarcely were these words uttered, when
fearful thundcrings rolled over the field Of
bas.!c, and clouds gathered round tho COM
batants; and the Saxons. with fearful cries,
shouted, rs with one voice. The Gods
are with Us :" With invinciblo courage
forward rushed tho hosts; the heigh, was
carried by sern,. and Adalbero, with sudden
shud'Iers saw the enea'y flying through the
folds.
umpl; aud in all parts Of delivered Sax
Ony came wives and children forth, and
with outstretched arms, greeted their hus-
bands and fal,crs. Bus AdalberO knew
what awaited him; and every smile Of an
aflectionato wife pierced, rs with poison
ed dart, his anguished heart. ~ last they
came before his magnificent castle. He
was not able 20 look up, as the beautiful
Similde met him ut the gate, with her damgh-
ter in her hand, while the little one always
lcaped and cried, f" Father, father below
ed father ="
AdalberO looked around on his people,
in order to strengthen himself; even there
he met quivering eyelids and bitter tears |:
for among his warriors many had heard his
horrible WV. Hc dismissed them to their
families, feeling what happy men he, the
most unhappy, was sending To their homes !;
then rode into tho castle, and sending the
dOmcsiics away, under various prelences,
sprung from his horse. closed sho cato will,
a laundering sound, securing them careful
ly, and pressing bis beloved vito and child
To his heart, shedding over them torrent
Of tears. 9"a
i" What is the matter. husband % said tho
astonished Sin,ilde. VS.
"Why do you weep. father :" stammered
the itsle one.
We will FIRST prepare an offering to the
Gods, replied AdalbesO. "and then shall
relate every thing To y0u." Come to ms
sOOn 70 shs hearth.
" will kindle the fame, and fetch in the
mean time the implements for sacrifice, %
said sweet Si,nilde, and the little one cried
cut clapPing their hands.
!" also viii help; I also will be there"
and skipped away with her mother.
These words. |" also will l.alp; I alsO
will be there" tho hero repeated as dissolv.
cd In grief, he stood by ,h0 Asming pile,
with his drawn sword In bis trembling hand.
He lamsn,ed Hl"ud over che joyful iMMo.
cent child. and lha gracofal 0bedienl wife,
who brought Tho bowl and pitcher, psri".