The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-06-10

dH" SoiuierS-a long ana Spien'liu cavaicadc.
On either side stood a line of people, closely
packed toeether-al bowing and shouting
their loyal welcomes
As the queen was approaching the outer
tower, she checked her horse, to speak to one
of her ladies, when suddenly there broke or
rather 81 through the line Of soldiers little
girl. who flung herself at her maiesty's fee.
and Sraspcd her robe. crying
"A boon. great queen, boon"
A rude soldier strobe forward and lifted his
brcaisword over the head of the child-whcn
quick as flash, boy scarcely larger than
the girl, lcaped out of the crowd, and snatch
cd the sword from the soldier. hand saving
bodily
Thou art cowariiv knave ~
The man turned upon him in rage, cauch,
back the sword, and ight have killed him
with it. had not the queen cried
"Hold villain! By my faith, think the
lad is right. Wouldst butcher babes like
these? Then thou art one of King Ilerod'.
men, and none OF ours. Stand bac, ."
Then turning her eyes on the little girl
who stood trembling at her side. she look ed
at her 4 moment in silent surprise. And we'll
she might. for The child was as beautiful as an
angel. She could scarcely have been more
than ten years of age-shc was very fair and
dciIcatc, with tender, appealing face, and a
voice sweet but mourntul. Ike the sound Of
a wind-harp. She had large dark eyes with
long. Leavy asEc>. tut her eyebrows were a
shade Ii .hter, and her hair. which was soft
and way, was o!a rirh. golden hue. Now
tears were ila>ling in her ewes her red lips
were IniverinG. her cheek was brightly flush
cd. her hair gently lifted from her forehead
by the evening wind: and in her simple
white frock. she looked there. under the
torcl-l- -ht. so ike radiant little seraph. that
the stcrr queen spoke softly to her, almost as
.h'"eh in fear. saving;
WHO ar; thou and Whit wouIst thou
with me :"
NV name is RoSamoni We're" answered
the child; and Tconre 20 put This petition into
vour Own hands, and 10 bcsccch vour n,aics-
~ to grant the PRAYER OF 4 poor motherlcss
little girl, who VIZ! pray toGod for vou every
night and morning. IS long rs sh" lives"
The queen Sm:,cl gracicl;>'y and took the
paper. lnt sad
This is no time nor place 70 read petitions.
child Come 10 he castle to-morrow at the
honr o: twc,;c aji "" viii Give tic> an Ii
once. But tel me. who is thv brave vounc
champion: +, N: soul. he hath a ri.h,
gallant s;irit'
Il !" not SNOW. your m qi"sty; never saw
him before" >oi,i i.psamo;.,i.
IT, 10Y ot won they SPOKE lad conc
back among tie spectators. tn; on hcarir Q
''irsc words, he stepped moi'>',v forward -
H. waS handsome l'l. VIII deep. ,!af,,;
AeaniinG cy.>. aud A so,' o. Grand los, about
h:> ,'r,hea'l. whi made him seem. or A..
his ',!a peasant dress. no;,i.r than any
>Nun. Inrd or G.: KEN Al, 'iat cavaic:u,e.
Tn" queen smiled on him. and said:
well. Young rash head. what art thou
rallrd:"
"Wiliam Shakespeare. NAY it I:c"se Your
maic<'v"
"Mtrrv. 4 good namr, and an honest and
thou art a brave lal-1,rn;l,.>< we shall hear
OF thee when thea art a man But now away
with Y" both, for it is late for such chicks tc
be ahroal"
Then she looScncd The rains Of lcr horse
ani rode forward with Leicester. and all The
p'o"c>>Ion moved on ara;n. They passed
through the tower, over the hri,!-r. ard en-
tered the castle. with another peal of music
and discharge of artillery. and Snrh terrific
irruptioa oi rockets that some of til, country
women shrickcd with fright, thinking tia,
tl,c castle and all the great folks in it wcr,
beng blown into atoms some even tancvin-
that they saw the queen. on her white horse
riding straight up into the arr
Rosamond We're went away TO Warwick
with some friends. and William Shakespeare
went home TO Strattorl with his father an,
mother. They drove in a rongh little wagon
for in those DAYS only kings and mobiles hat
carriages. William sat on bag of wool be
hind his parents. His head was full of til.
>pcndors nc had seen. and his heart bca
high and fast with pride because of tn,
queens praise. lie was greatly excited. bu
he was tired also. and when they rcachc,
home, he was found fast asleep on the wool
bag.
The next dav when little Rosamond pre-
scntcd herself at the castle, she was at one,
admitted and conducted to an antc-room
where she had a few minutes to wait. Sh,
met there an elegant Young courtier. one Sil
Walter Raleigh, who kindly instructed ne,
how to conduct herself before the queen
Above all things he told her she must rcmcm
Der never to turn her back on her majesty
but when she was dismissed. 70 70 ont back
wards. And Rosamond promised to 10 as Ii,
baGc her. Just at twelve. sac was summon
ed by the Lord Chamberlain to the crca
hall, where the queen was hol'in. court
She was seated on a throne, under a canon,
ofStatc. She wore her crown. and dress OF
rich velvet soft hiur Il he tie ky cnrnro1