Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-10-21
MIS- CE l. l. A N Y.
From Re,nold'. Miscellany.
A LEGEND OF CARDIGAN CASTLE.

.
Among those princely chieltains, who at
one time held sway and rule over Cardigan, f,
and was lord Of It's principality. was Mere
dilh Goea, (or the Ted,) 'urnamed on ae-
count OF dark ,ragieal deed which he COM
mit,ed. but which he afterwards eIpiatcd,
by lie Of Ion ly dread and horror, COM
mon to men even OF fierce and determined
natures. but who also possess q susccpti-
bility Of feeling 1, is no: easy to reconcile
with the violent lives they may have led
in the foray or the battle field, and in the
camp. or behind the frowning ramparts Of
the castle they defend with such dOSgcd To-
nacity.
Wso in council, bold in war. OF frank,
hot, imperlOus temperament, with noble
and commanding figure, the stature and
phyagus Of which was expanded by the bar
DIV lie which It was the custom Of this pco.
pie TO inure their children tot may be
said that few among the princes OF South
Wales stood higher in the es,ims,ion Of his
countrymen, or could command larger and
more cordial suiTragcs, than Prince Mere.
dr,h until the catastrophe occurred which
forever cloudcd his future happiness, and
made life a burden TO him, far too heavy TO
be borne.
lie had welded a, the age OF abou, three
or four.and.,hiriy-an age ,ha, when the
affections are awakened they never die and
when the passions are Arouscd, whether
Cor good or evil they never weaken or ,um.
her more. lie had welded the daughter Of
rival caici,ain. who dwclI on the north.
crn border land Of Hereford, and in whose
veins the Saxon blood Of foGi ran. Along
her white skin you could trace the tender
purple veins. The fair complexion was
,insci with the ,endcr,', hues OF the rose
:hc eye. OF limpii blue-thc " hue OF hsa.
yen'sown tin,s ALL white snd azure, as
sho moved. thing u light AMI glory
dazzling beaiiludc, under the .hoverins rip.
plins ringlc,s OF her downpouring Saxon
hair, just bound round the ma,ehless brow
with simple iille,, whitc.Sarmented, with
bcaming eyes and moist ruddy lips, that on
parting, showed two rows Of finest teeth
nothing could be norc enchanting than
this fair Princess Ada, "a pledge" IN the
Old SaIon.) whom the triumPhan, Prince
Meredith woocd and won As his wife, aud
whom he proudly placed at the head Of his
ample household within the strong walls OF
Cardigan.
Most dearly did the doughty soldier love
her. II wa, the realization Of the old story
OF Hercules spinning at the feet Of 0mphale.
Instead Of being forth afali as was his won {
instead Of troubling himself in the foray'
Of the restless ago in which he lycd-he
was forever at her side in her bover--be-
side her in her walks-her slayi.h attend.
ant, as !, were; and the uKorious husband
was becoming cnerva,ed in the fpt year OF
hi. welded bliss. until the absolute necessi.
iy and eSi.encies OF the time demanded his
personal attention to them.
Before :hc frs, year Of marriage W" over
-erc yet tho radiant moon. Of his new.
born all devouring love had wan,d, or grown
dim IN the slishtes, degrse-there occurred
one of those ,empestuou' outbreaks between
the native princes and their restless Aggres'
.ors, the Normans, which demanded that
every leader should buckle on his armor,
and bring his men into the feld-that every
chief should call forth las clan-thst every
prince should be up and stirring-when
love and luxury and the joys Of home must
be given up and among the frss to feel the
force OF the appeal, aud to respond TO ii,
was Prince Meredith, who though he sigh
cd as he cast of tho softly garlanded tram
mels Of love. bestirred himself with good
will, aud embracing his wife, with blc.'
sing, tender kiss, and a hope coon to be-
hold her again, set forth with his forces to
cross the border.land, aud TO chase for the
time at least, the fly ng and defeated Nor
mans to the very gates, and within the
walls, of Hereford. There they made a
stand, held a parlsy, came to truce; and
a depu,a,iou formed to meet the commits
soner. Of the English King, Prince Mere
dith was one, the fatalest choice that could
have belalen him.