The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-02-07
From the Little Pilgrim.
The English Merchant and the
Saracea Lady.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

SaAoOSsA AANNy
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.
In the reign Of Henry the First OF Eng.
land, called Beauclerc. or Fine Scholar,
for he was actually so learned that he could
write his own name-a great attainment
for king in those days-there lived in
London rich young merchant named
Gilbert Beckett.
In that simple old time the wonders of
science and art, among which we walk and
live just as il they had always been-like
the trees, the flowers, the sky and the stars
were never thought Of or dreamed of.
except by the great poets, who may be,
with their prophet eyes, looked away into
the far future, and saw them looming up
above the coming ages like mountain
peaks in distance of landscape. Then
The great oceans could heave und swell.
and roar, and rage, and toss their mad
iro,hing waves up at the sky, as il to defy
the great God-and then obedient TO His
will, grow quiet and smooth again, year
after year, without one single ship ven.
turing over their vast expanse-to be made
afraid of their violence. or fattered by
their calm-and all the commerce Of the
world was scarcely equal to that Of the
smallest and poorest kingdoms Of our
times. Then. going to sea was consider
ed more perilous than going to battle ;
voyagers never failed to make their wills
and set their worldly affairs in order, be-
fore they weighed anchor and set sail for
foreign parts. To be sure, it has lately
seemed very much as though we were fas,
going back to those old doubtful. danger
Gus times-those dark ages ofnavigation,
and that after all our wonderful imp, ove
ments and discoveries, we can count very
little upon safe and prosperous voyages.
But 10 return to Gilbert a Beckett. He
was thought brave and adventurous man
when he left his comfortable English home,
and sailed for the Holy Land, to trade with
the rich Syrians for sa,ins, velve, and gems
which he meant to bring to England and
sell at great profit. He probably oalcu-
lated by this speculation 10 double his for
tune, and perhaps be able to buy title
and so become one Of the hobles of the
land, and live in brave castle, where he
would receive the king and court, and
entertain them in princely style. But alas :
titles and royal guests were no, for him,
and all the castle he was ever to lay claim
TO was such 'castle in the air." as any
one Of us may build. He was taken pris-
oner by the Turks, robbed of his ship, sold
as slave, fettered and set at work in the
palace gardens OF Mahmoud, terrible
ierce.eyed, black bearded, big turbaned
Saracen chief.
| Il Lor II e. hot al noS
Gilbert. He was obhged to toll from morn
ing till night, digging and spading, plant.
ing and wedding, and all the while with
the disadvantage Of not knowing much
about the gardening business. and OF hav'
ing heavy chain dragging and .clankina
at his ankles. You may depend that he
Ielt- il he could get safe back to England
he would never more aspire to castles and
titles, nor trouble himself il the king and
court never should ea, good dinner oil
shake their heels at ball again.
But often out of our creates, misfortune
comes our best good and happiness-ant
hope and Joy often follow times Of fea
and sorrow, as beautiful rainbows arr
made out of storms that have just dark
ened the sky and beaten down the flowers
One evening. just as the niue zzin was call
ing all pious Musselmen to prayers. Gil
bert Beckett stood leaning against pain
tree, resting little from his daily toll ant
thinking longingly of his country ant
home. Just then. young Saracen lad
OF marvellous beauty, called Zarina
J ohanced that way on her evening walk
and was very much struck by the appear
ancc of the stranger. In truth, as Gilbel
stood there leaning so gracefully agains
! the palm, with his pale face cast down
and his soft auburn hair half yelling hi
/. sad eyes--to say nothing of his long gold
3 Ell eye-lashes, and his curling, silke
/. moustache, he was very handsome an
: interesting young man, and in spite OF ths
!, gardeners dress and that slavish chair
8 looked as proud and nobleFas prince.
g Zarina thought so, and though yer
E. modest and timid, drew near to speak a fe
} kind words to him. He looked up at tn
e sound OF her light step, and. for the fir
5 time in many months, he smiled, gladdeI
e ed by the sight of her beautiful innocel
: face.
The ballad does not tell just how thes
two became acquainted, but it is certai
: that they soon grew 10 be excellent friend
y and managed TO meet often, and have lon
8 walks and talks in the shaded bowers
If Mahmoud's gardens. They first talke
, Of the birds and flowers, then OF the stal
e and the moonlight, then Of love. and the
: of God. Gilbert told Zarina of the Chri
$ tian's blessed faith, and related all Il
q beautiful and marvellous stories Of OF
n Lord Jesus, and Zarina wondered an
/, wept and believed.
d Gilbert had learned the Saraoen LAM
n uage and spoke il very well. but Zarir
:. did not understand the English at ALL
d The 6rst word Of that she ever spoke VI
5. yes" which Gilbert taught her TO ST
when he asked her if she would be h
l. wife, whenever he could gain his freedom
l. But month after month, a whole year we
X by. and Gilbert was still q captive.
.s One day, when Zarina met her lov
d in shady garden walk, she said in
- low, gentle voice, and with her tend
it eyes cast down, 81 am Christian no
IS dear Gilbert; | pray 10 thy God mer