The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-14

| however, which had caused his bapisbmept
which he ascrlbed to some turbulent mobiles, and
promised RtthogaF TO secure him Wanda's hand.
provided he would assist him to regain the Polish
crown.
/" For you can never" he said. ''acquire that
sovereignty; the Poles are proud and viii never
submit themselves TO a monarch who is not a ma .
i've of their country
Rlthogar was not averse TO this proprostion.
but he resolved first TO see tho princess with his
own eyes. He visited Cracow-l call the CITY
| DY the modern name--in the character of a for
e'gn knight. The queen received him with ia
vor, and said many llatterng things of the prince
nllhogaT, whose fenuwn had spread even through
| Poland
With JOY leithogar heard his own praises from
the lips OF the beautiful princess, whom he loved
at the first glance. Her feminine Grace and soft
ness, combined with royal dignity, and the rich
gifts OF her mind charmed him on farther acauaip-
lance lie remained some days in the court. and
mingled in the knightly sports of the mobiles,
proving himself well skilled in ali military ac
compIShments, and laying every prize he won at
! Wanda's feet. Returning full of sweet homes to
his own country, he immediately sent deputa-
ton ot SIX OF his chosen and bravest KNIGHTS 10
! Nanda's court, to solicit her hand in marriaUe
on the part of prince Rithogar. They were com
manded to inform the queen that she already
knew him as the stranger knight
WANDA received the embassy gracionsy, and
promised her reply as as she had consulted
with the repTesentSt ves of her people She
summoned a council of the oldest mobiles and
priests, laid Rthogar's proposals before them. and
requested their advice A consultation ensued,
aud then one of the councl rose to rive their de-
cslon.
. Thou art orr sovereign, on, Wanda said
he, eve may not control thy will if thv heart
speaks Tor Rlhogar but bethink thee-this
marriage will unite Poland with Saxony. We,
thy faithful servants. esteem it dangerous. mas
much as the Saxon power will soon overshadow
our Iand-Perhaps to the peril of our name as a
nation"
Then answered Wanda: The will of my
people is mine"
And she gave her reply to the ambassadors.
that she could never become tine bride of Ritho.
gar. but would remain the independent sovereign
of Poland.
Deep anguish was in the heart of Riihogar,
when this answer was brought To MIN and life
itself seemed burden. The maevolent Lech
comiorted him with hopes of winning by force
what he could not obtain by treaty. and counsel
led him To send messengers with threats to the
cruel princess, bidding her choose between his
hand and open war.
The princess again referred to her council and
returned for an answer that Poland was prepared
for war, and knew how TO defend her freedom.
FRINGE Rlihogar, on receipt OF this defiance i'm
medately raised army to invade the territory
OF his obdnraie neighbor-Lech taking command
therein to fight against his country. The Saxon
prince encountered a vigorous resistance from the
Poles. and was many times beaten; but after
long and obstinate struggle, succeeded in main
tanning a hostile position, and rendering himself
very formidable.
One day while Rothogar's army was drawn
up IN array OF battle, and decisive enparenent
seemed inevitably at hand, one of the elders en-
tered Wanda's tent lie announced himself as
sent with message from her council
Most noble princess" he BEGAN, ''w we honor
and love thee as our queen. and would ia peace
desire no other sovereign. Ih0n hast ruled like a
man, and led us to battle like hero, but the
Saxon foe sees in thee but woman and this fills
him with holiness. DOR country trembles on the
brink Of ruin. We therefore entreat thee to choose
one from thy people the braveSt and nobest, and
esponse him before the coming battle We will
vow allegiance to thy consorl-th0u shalt remain
our sovereign, and the naughty foe shall once
more fee before u.s."
Wanda listened, bowed her head and promised
TO fulfil the request of her lords.
There was in the Polish army yonih Koisky,
distinguished among the others for bravery. war
like accomplishments, and nobleness of character.
Him Wanda sent for and soletnny presented to
the people as their king and her successor. While
tne ne" prince was greeted with universal ac-
clamaions, thanking the queen for her choice, she
retired into her tent, and commanded her atten-
danls to leave her. All night the royal bride
wept in silence or k0elt in earnest prayer At
the faint dawn Of morning. she arose calm and re-
solved The whole camp was buried in sleep
Not sound was heard save the light whispering
Of the breeze, as the queen, closely yelled, came
forth. She passed through the camp, and stood
alone on the bank Of the Vlstula.
Once more, she said, solemnly lifting her
arms upward, " once more, ye heavenly powers.
I implore forgiveness. / have been traitor to
Poland | loved her mortal enemy have
strycn against him. Forgive me. oh We gods
receive mine immortal spirit, and grant that, freed
from the sin Of Of this earthly frame, it may ever
hover around my native land -
SO spoke the queen, and plunging down, was
instantly buried in the waters. Her woman who
had followed her at a distance, found only her veil
on the bank.
In the battle Of that day, the Poles were victo-
rlous II is said that Rltbogar, when he heard
Of Wanda's death, fell upon his own sword. The
Saxons dispersed. Kolsky succeeded Wanda in
the government.
For ages the tradition has been current that
when any change OF event Of political importance
is impending over Poland, the spirit Of Wanda.