Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-08

some TO the CnamDerlalll assistance, some
to inform King Basilius of what had hap
pened Sigismund and the Jester were left
alone.
Clarin Observed" The saucy courtier
has his deserts, and / am glad of it but,
my liege, the thing will make noise, and
your father will take it ILL.,"
"Thou art licensed to speak freely, being
the court fool" answered the prince. But
have | father? thought the Baron Clo-
tald-"
Here he stopped and locked around be-
wildered, for his thoughts were confused
"The Baron Clotald, replied Clarn, "is
here himself, and will give you full informa-
ton on the subject"
Sigismund looked up quickly. To his
astonishment he saw his preceptor advancing
towards him, not as usual with mein of
command and severity, but with the respect
full air of a subject. He saluted the prince
submissively, and solicited his grace and IA
vor. Sigismund replied courteously, and
asked an explanation of the strange things
that had occurred. Cotald informed him
why his father had kept him so long in Sc
clusion, and that his parental affection had
at length induced him to bring him forth
from captivity and invest him with his rights
adding that he hoped Sigismund would
show himself worthy such love and conf
dence.
Scarcely had the baron finished his state
ment, when the prince burst into ungovern-
able rage.
"Traitor ?, he exclaimed, "what evil had
] done thee that thou shouldst leauge with
nv ,ott rnl fnfh To
of all human rights-my tyrant, and for so
many years! Thou shalt die for this p
He sprang on the old man, and would
have torn him to pieces on the spot had not
Duke Ivan, who at that moment entered
with the king and courtiers, interfered and
separated them. The prince, bailled in his
revenge, was like raging wild beast, but
became more composed as he met the stern,
fixed gaze of his father. Basilius approach
ed and addressed him with grave dignity.
&C have come to meet you" said he, and
fain would | embrace you as my son; but
my heart sinks within me, and shudder at
your looks. The first traits shown by you
have been wild passion and ferocity."
"What otherwise could you expect % in
terrupted Sigismund 6" You have tutored
me not like prince-nay, not like man
but like wild beast 1t was fear, not
love, that caused you to bring me from my
prison. The people demand their lawful
prince. Love have never received from
you. How can you expect love from me
Have you dealt crlesy with me out of fool
ish superstition-you reap the harvest
of that you sowed !! Look to it-that all
your visions be not fuflled--that | trample
not literally upon you p
Monster p exclaimed Basilius; and
speakst thou thus to me9 Thou reckonest
on power of which thou art not certain.
Thou seest armed soldiers ready to fight at
thy bidding, and deem'st myself unassala-
BILE. But how if all is a dream? How if
tomorrow find thee again in prison, the sub
ject of another's will %
So saying, the king turned and departed,
accompanied by all the mobiles. Sigismund
was again left alone with the jester. The
prince looked not a little confused But the
fool soon persuaded him to 90 into the BAN
quoting room, where they feasted so long
that Sigismund fell at his length on the
ground, wholly overcome with intoXication.
Sigsmund awoke from troubled dreams
of tyranny, and wrangling, and bloodshed.
1t was quite dark. He called aloud" What,
no! servants-guards-bri lights % In a
room adjoining there was the faint glimmer
of lamp, and presently Clotald appeared
at the side of his bed The prince star
ted up and looked bewidered. He saw
nothing of the sumptuous luxury of his late
apartment, but only the sullen walls of his
cell. He looked long and doubtfully on the
baron; then his head sank upon his breast,
and he sighed deeply.
"You have slept long" observed Clotald
"irom one evening to another. The wine
must have been too strong You have talk
ed strangely, too, in your sleep. OF what
have you been dreaming %
Dreaming 2" repeated the youth thought
fully and was silent fos several minutes
Yes-dreaming, he resumed; but
Heavens no, it is impossible And yet
yes, | have been dreaming p
'Of what %
Sigismund related all without reserve.
And you would have murderedm me, your
preceptor :"
g held you for my tormentor. and hated
you," answered the youth
"That was unworthy said the baron
GA king should never hate, but Judge right
cously; and when he can, forgive Gener-
osty, next to justice, is the first virtue of a
monarch. AS you were in your dream, SC
would you be neutrality-suspicious., cruel
the sport of your passions The dream
has shown you that you are not worthy tc
reign, since you cannot govern your own
wild impulses nor control your anger. Lay
to your heart the lesson, and bear inpatience
your gloomy lot"
When he had thus spoken, Clotald retired
" He is right" said Sigismund to himself
81 was unjust, ungenerous and cruel III my
dream. | would do better were to dream
again or were it reality" His medltations
having taken this course, were not long be-
fore he fell asleep again, for twas yet night
This time the slumbers of the prince were
not of long duration. Just as the day dawn
ed, he was awakened by loud uproar. He
sprang from the bed and fastened out into
the balcony. A large number of soldiers
and mixed multitude were without the cas-
tie. They shouted as they saw the young
man" Long live Sigismund, our king :
We will have no stranger to reign over us =
The leaders called to the prince to come
forth and place himself at the head of the
M 4