Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-03
RorANcE ANn REALITY.

When holy zeal to drive the infidels from
Palestine had seized all Europe, and piOus
knights, bearing the standard of the cross, re-
paired in crowds TO the East, Gleichen, German
count, left his native land and with his friends
and cOuntIymen went TO Asia. Without describ-
ing his great and heroic achievements there ii is
enough to say, that the most valorous knights of
Christendom admired his courage and sang in his
praise. But it fell to Gleichens unhappy lot to
be made prisoner, and TO he sold 10 a Saracen
Of distinction, who trusted his garden TO Glei
chen's superintendent.
The unfortunate count, who, short time be-
fore was inspired with a religious fanaticism, and
testified his hcrOism by noble deeds, was now en-
ployed in watering lilies, violes and bluebells
The hero long endured captivity, bus all his sighs
and vows would have been ineffectual, and no
doubt he, ike many of his brother warriors,
would have died in bondage, had not fair sara
cen, his masters lovely daughter, begun 10 re-
gard him with looks OF fender affection. Often,
concealed beneath the veil Of night did she listen
to his melancholy songs, aud though incapable
of being inspired with their force and meaning,
she could driul, delight from his pathetic voice.
Often did she see him weep when praying, and
her beauteous eyes would likewise hu sufused
with tears. AIod,sty, the peculiar virtue of the
female heart, long prevented her from cvincing
her affection, or intinlating in any manner how
deeply she gympathized in his sorrows.
At length the spark kiudled into a fame, mo
dcsty gradually yielded its power to courage, and
by degrees her terveut love was declared 20 the
generous and undetermined count Her limo
cence, her blooming beauty, and the idea that by
her means he might be enabled TO Obtain his Il
bery-0ll combined to produce a powerful i'm
preston on his mind aud 10 induce him to FORGET.
for a moment, his iftt who had for a Ion. time
heard nothing Of him. The count however, in q
conversation with the beautiful virgin, told her
he was married, and that his wife was probably
al that moment signing away her soul on account
of his absence That is no argument replied
the young lady; ''tha customs of the Turks al
lows one man several wives" Subdued by her
beauty, her purity and her pathos, the count
pledged his love To the fair saTacen, provided she
would agree 10 leave her father and native land,
and fly with him TO Europe.
This provision was unnecessary, as she had
already forgotten her father her friends and her
country, in her all-obsorbing love for him After
the requisite arrangements were made, she OBJ
tanned a key, opened private door, and fed with
the count The silence Of night, which covered
them with her sable and protecting mantle ia
yoTed their fight. Having got on board a vessel,
they soon arrived happily at Venice. The count
there met one Of his men, who had been sent on
an expedition Of inquiry after him. The man
told him that his wife aud children werc quite
well Whereupon the count dispatched the ser
want 70 Germany to carry the glad tidings OF his
release, and hastened personally with the Saraeen
10 Rome. Having ingeniously related his TO
mantle history, the means of his escape, and what
he wanted, the Pops granted him solemn dis
pensation to keep his two wives. They left
Rome, and after much anxiety they got safely 10
Germany.
On the counts arrival his yassals ioviully
greeted him as their master, honl they had
given up as slain OF lost, and regarded with much
curiosity his lady companion, whose c0mtenaneo
was concealed beneath q veil. On entering the
castle, the countess rushed into his arms Nv
dearest wife, said he, for my deliverauce, and
for the pleasure Of seeing me, you have to thank
this lady, who, for my sake, has left her home
and latheTlaud." The count covered his stream
ing eyes with his hands The beautiful Saracen
dropped her veil, and throwing herself at the feet
of the countess, exclaimed, '' am thy yassal."
Thou art my sister replied the countess rais-
ing and embracing her; my husband shall be
thy husband. We will equally share his heart.
as we equally deserve it,"
The counts habitati0n was ever afterwards the !
abode Of peace and happiness, and he, with his |
faithful wives, were, after death, buried in thc !
same grave, in tue Benedictine church, at Eg- |
furth, in Ehuringa. 4 beautiful marble monJt- |
ment was afterwards erected over their tomb, Ia |
which the count is represented as placed betSpen
his two wives. The Saracen, who had no chill !
dren, IS adorned with a crown; and the feet of
the countess are encirced with her children The !
tomb and monument are still shown to the inquis- |
tive Traveller.