Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-05-02


kingdom and his life on the banks of the
Guadalete, in that disastrous battle which
gave up Spain conquest to the Moors
The following is the story
There was, once upon time, Ger.
tain duke of Lorraine, who was acknow-
lodged throughout his domains to be one
of the wisest princes that ever lived. In
fact, there was no one measure adopted
by him that did not astonish his privy
counsellers and gentlemen in attendance;
and he said such witty things, and made
such sensible speeches, that the jaws OF
his high chamberlain were wellnigh dis
located from laughing with delight at
one, and gaping with wonder at the other.
This very witty and exceedingly wise
potentate lived for half a century in sin
gle blessedness; at length his courtiers
began to think it great pity so wise
and wealthy prince should not have a
child after his own likeness, to inherit
his talents and domains so they urged
him most respectfully to marry, for the
good of his estate, and the welfare of his
subjects.
He turned their advice over in his
mind some four or FIVE years, and then
sent forth enlissaries to summon to his
court all the beautiful maidens in the
land, who were ambitious of sharing a
ducal crown. The court was soon crowd
ed with beauties of all styles and COM
plexions, from among whom he chose
one in the earliest budding of her charms,
and acknowledged by all the gentlemen
to be unparalleled for grace and lowell.
ness. The courtiers extolled the duke
to the skies for making such choice,
and considered it another proof of his
great wisdom. "The duke" said they,
sis waxing little too old ; the damsel,
on the other hand, is little too young
if one is lacking in years, the other has
superabundance thus want on one
side, is balanced by an excess on the
other, and the result is we'll assorted
marriage"
Tho dnla,- as is often the case aHith
wise men who marry rather late, and
take damsels rather youthful to their
bosoms, became dotingly fond of his wife,
and very properly indulged her in all
things. He was, consequently, cried up
by his subjects in general, and by the
ladies in particular, as a pattern for hus-
bands and, in the end, from the won
derful docility with which he submitted
to be reined and checked, acquired the
amiable and enviable appellation of
Duke Philbert the wife-ridden.
There was only one thing that disturb
ed the conjugal felicity of this paragon
of husbands-though considerable time
elapsed after his marriage, there was
still no prospect of an heir. The good
duke left no means untried to propitiate
Heaven. He made VOWS and pilgrim
ages, he tasted and he prayed, but all to
no purpose. The courtiers were all as
tonished at the circumstance. They
could not account for it. While the |
meanest peasant in the country had
sturdy brats by dozens, without putting
up prayer, the duke wore himself to
skin aud bone with penances and fastings,
yet seemed farther off from his object
than ever.
AT length the worthy prince fell dan
gerously i'll, and felt his end approach
ing. He looked sorrowfully and dubi-
ously upon his young and tender spouse,
who hung over him with tears and sob
bings. "Alas !" said he, clears are
soon dried from youthful eyes, and sor-
row lies lightly on a youthful heart. In
little while thou wilt forget in the arms
of another husband him who loved thee
so tenderly."
"Never ! never !" cried the duchess.
''Never will [ cleave to another Alas,
that my lord should think me capable OF
such Inconsistency ~
The worthy and wife-ridden duke was
sOothed by her assurances; for he could
not brook the thought of giving her up,
even after he should be dead. Still he
wished to have some pl ige of her endu.
ring constancy.
'Far be it from me, my dearest wife,"
SAID he' +" to control thee through life.
a year and day of strict fidelity will
appease my troubled spirit. Promise
to remain faithful to my memory for
year and day, and [ will die in peace"
The duchess made solemn VOW TO
that effect, but the uxorious feelings of
the duke were not yet satisfied. "Safe
bind, safe find, thought he so he made
a will, bequeathing to her all his do ,
mains, on condition Of her renlaininptrue
to him for year and day after his de. :
cease; but, should it appear that, with. t
in that time, she had in anywise lapsed
from her fidelity, the inheritance should 8
go to his nephew, the lord of a neighbOr- &
ing territory. 8
Having made his will, the good duke 7
died and was buried. Scarcely was he i
in his tomb, when his nephew came to I
take possession, thinking, as his uncle t