Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-02-25
H. @ .a @ RAKENNA oHIo WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 1916

- - - ~~i~'0a. - - - - ~
marriage on the part of Prince Ritho
gar. They were commanded to sin-
form the queen that she already knew
him as the stranger knight.
anda received the embassy gra-
ciously and promised her reply as soon
as she had consulted with the repre-
Of the people. She. summon.
ed a council Of, the oldest noblss and
priests; laid Rithogar's proposal besl
fore them and requested their advice. !
A consultation ensued, aaa then.pns 6E
the council rose1t give:theirId dexissog5.
hoa art onrsoye andas
said he;;swe may not control thy will
If thy heart speaks for Rithogar; but
think thee-thls marriage. will unite
Poland with Saxony. We, thy faithful
servants, esteem it dangerous, mas.
much as the Saxony power would
soon overshadow our land-perhaps to
the peril of our name as nation
Then answered Wanda:
'The will of my people is mine.'-
And she gave her reply to her embas.
sadors, that she could never become
the bride of prince Rithogar, but would
remain the independent sovereign Of
Poland. ....
Deep anguish was in the heart OF
Rithogar when this answer was brought
to him and life itself seemed burden.
The malevoent Lech comforted him
with hopes of winning by force what he
could not obtain by treaty, and coun>
selled him TO send messengers with
threats TO the cruel princess, bidding her
choose between his hand and open war.
The queen again referred to her
council and returned for answer, that
Poland was prepared for war and
how to defend her freedom. Prince
Rithogar on receipt Of this defiance i'm.
mediateIy raised an army to invade the
territory of his obdurate neighbor-
Lech taking command therein to fight
against his country The Saxon prince
encountered vigorous resistance from
the Poles and was many times beaten;
but after long and obstinate struggle
succeeded in maintaining a hostile posi-.
ton and rendering himself formidable.
One day while Rithogar's army was
drawn up in array of battle and a deci'
sive engagement was inevitably at hand,
one of the elders enters Wanda's tent.
He announced himself sent with mes.
sage from her council.
'Most noble Wanda he began, I'VE
honor and love thee as our queen and
would in peace desire no other sove.
reign. Thou hast ruled like man and
led US to battle like hero, but the Sax
on foe sees in thee but woman and
this fills HIM with boldness. Our coun-
try trembles on the brink of ruin. We
therefore entreat thee choose one from
thy people, the bravest and noblest, and
espouse him before the coming battle.
We will VOW allegience to thy consort
thou shalt remain our sovereign
and the naughty foe shall once more
flee before u.s.
There was in the Polish army a
youth, Kiosky, distinguished among the
others for bravery, warlike accomplish.
ment and nobleness of character. Him
Wanda sent for and solemnly presents
ed him to the people as their king and
her successor. While the new prince
was greeted with universal acclama
tions, thanking the queen for her choice,
she retired into her tent and command.
ed her attendants 10 leave her. All night
the royal bride wept in silence or knelt
in earnest prayer. At the faint dawn Of
morning she rose calm and resolved.
The whole camp was buried in sleep.
Not a sound was heard save the light
whispering OF the breeze as the queen,
closely yelled, came forth, she passed
out Of the camp and stood alone on the
bank of the Vistula.
Once more,' she said, solemnly lift.
ing her arms upwards, 'once more, ye
heavenly powers, implore forgiveness.
| have been traitor to Poland. loved
her mortal enemy; have striven re-
Iuctantly against him. Forgive me, on,
ye gods; receive mine immortal spirit
and grant that. free from the sin ofthls
earthly frame, it may ever hover over
to bless my native landp
So spake the queen, and plunging
down, was instantly buried in the wa.
ters. Her woman who had followed
her at distance, found only her veil
upon the bank. .....
In the battle Of that day, the Poles
were victorious. 1t is said that Rtho-
gar when he heard of Wanda's death
fell upon his own sword. The Saxons
dispersed. Kiosky succeeded Wanda
in the government.
For ages the tradition has been cur>
rent, that when any change or event OF
nolitical inonnriance is nandinn over