Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-25
LOVE IN THE PALACE,
BY JOHN S. c. ABBOTT.

-Four hundred years ago king, by the
name OF Louis, sat upon the united throne of
Hungary and Poland. He had two daughters
Maria and Hedwige, between whom, al his
death, he decided 10 divide his realms. This
magnificent dowry for the Young princesses
lured suitors to his palace, from all the ambi-
tious courts OF England Sgismond, SON of
the king OF bohemia, won the hand OF Maria,
and the crown of Hungary which she held in
it.
Austria then consisted Of conglomeration
Of prUvinces which had not yet attained the
dignity OF kingdom. Leopold, one OF its am.
bilious dukes. whose rule was extended over
portion of Switzerland and the T,roI was
quite ovctjoyed when he secured the nledpe
OF the hand ct Hedwige, with the crown OF
Poland, tor William, his eldest son.
Hedwige was maiden OF wonderful beauty
and rare accomplishments for that age, vii.
liam was also young prince Of such remarka-
Bile personal attractions, and'ot such intellect.
ual culture and endOwmeGts, that he was gem
orally known by the epithet OF William Tie
delightful. He had been trained intellectually
aud physically, in the polished court OF his
uucIe Alfred, who resided in Vienna and who
extended bis sway over the Austrian provinces
OF the u lbe. William and Iludwige were
helrothes cfore they had seen each other
The ouIS Polish princess was invi ed to vi
emma to pass lew months in the ducal palace
OF that vo.uptuous capital. William also came
from his paternaI mansion III Switzerland, and
met her there. With trem both it was love at
first sight. Seldom have Two hearts more in
stinctively and intimately blended.
There was q series OF brilliant entertain
mvnts III wnGui, tic Juung iuNeis me-, pdrticf-
pang in these joys which youthful hearts
alone can know, aud with 10 jeaIOuoes TO dis
turb their peace, and no fears to cloud the iu-
ture, the course of true love did indeed seem
to run smooth. Amidst the spIendors of the
court there was witnessed tie sare spectacle
OF fond hearts lhrobhing lovingly. From these
festivities Hedwige was suddenly called home
by the sickness OF her tather. She had hardly
reached the ancestral castle ere her father died
and size was Immediately recognized and
crowned as queen OF Poland, receiving the
most enthusiastic greetings oil her SUBJECTS.
Immediately she began to make preparations
Tor her marriage with William.
Adjoining Poland, there an immense
duChy, Litluania, embracing sixty thousand
square miles, and renowned for barbaric wealth
and power. Jaghelicn, the duke, was burIy
Northman, not more than half civilized, and
almos. erocious the wolves which howl
ed through the black forests. lie was witha!,
an unmitigated pagan Jaghellon was very
anxious to unite Poland and Lithuania under
his sway, for he would thus become one OF the
most powerful soyereigns OF internal Europe.
He therefore proposed to the Polish mobiles,
who in their diet created kings or dethroned
them, that he should marry Hedwige, and
thus annex Lithuania to Poland, by which
measure Poland would be elevated to first,
rank power. 1t was brilliant offer, which
these proud mobiles could not reject, To give
still greater efficiency 10 his suit he promised
the christian bishops OF Poland that i'll the
event OF the marriage, he woAld renounce pa
ganism and embrace christianity.
The bishops and the barOns met in secret
concave, and Immediately decided that He'd
wige mus marry Jaghellon. When the deci
sion was announced to the maiden queen she
was horror stricken, and declared that no
earthly power should induce her TO marry any
dne but William. The statesmen among the
barons argued their cause upon the plea of
patriotism showing Hedwige how vastly thus
her territory and her queenly power would be
extended. Still she remained memorable.
The bishops plead the cause OF religion. They
urged that Jaghellon would renounce pagan
ism, and embrace christianity, carry all his
subjects with him, and thus hundreds OF thou
sands OF souls would be saved from everlasting
destruction. Hedwige impatenlly closed her
ears against the annoying arguments, and re-
NAMED nfexible in her resolve that she would
marry no one but William. But bishops and
barons when ambition is aroused, are not
elsily diverted from their course. They de-
cared that it was ridiculous 10 think that the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the church, and the inter
ests of a majestic kingdom, should yield to the
caprice OF love sick girl.
While this severe conflict was agitating the
court and the heart OF the maiden queen, Will
liam, unconscious OF the disappointment which
threatened him, was on his journey to Cra-
COW, accompanied by very brilliant retnue,
and bearing to his expecant bride the
richest gifts of art which Europe then could
fabrcate. With dreams OF bliss cheering his
mind, he was fastening along his route, when
one day he beleld before him cloud OF dust,
and soon heard the CHATTER of hoois, and sud
denly found himself surrounded by the glitter
ing spears and waving plumes OF squadron
of horsemen. Resistance was in vain He
was a captive. The fierce warriors manifest
ed unwonted cemency in refralnlng from
promptly cutting down their foe. Probably
somewhat Influenced by reverence for their
acknowledged queen, they simply escorted,
but with the most determined speed and vigor,
William and his reiinue out OF the Kingdom,
informing him that his return would be deem
ed a hostile measure which he would venture
upon at his peril.
Hedwige, when informed of this, was in de
spar. Several months of anguish passed
away, during which, queen as she was, she
was permitted to receive no reliable intelll
gence from her lover. But there are no tears
which time will not dry. She was necessarily
surrounded by the opportunities of her friends
and was alarmed by the menaces of those wht
could tear the crown from her brow and leaC
her to lhe dungeon or the block. AT last
exhausted with protracted resistance, aut
with her will enfeebled by almost broker
heart, size surrendered herself into the arm
of the pagan Jaghellon, whom she so thor
ouehly detested. The successful sutton wa
Immediately baptized with the Christian nam