The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-08-09
A LEGEND OF PROVENCE.
From Chambers Edinburg Journal ]

FROM ChamDerS Ed1nburg Journal
Il am yet king!" exclaimed Francis
the First, wanting into his saddle after the
disastrous battle of Pavia had consigned
him to years captivity, whose last month
had more gall than honey, through his mar
rage with the Dowager Queen of Portugal,
sister to his imperial and imperious captor
Charles the Fifth From the Iser to the
Rhone whispers had crept forth that he re-
turned to France crest-fallen man, who,
after chatting his proud spirit in bandage,
had no means of breaking his chains, but
by accepting bride for whom he had small
regard.
However this may have been, he rode
through Provence, where his subjects re-
ceived him with every demonstration of ioy,
although as he approached their gray old
towns, he thought their giant gates looked
down upon him in derision He was wont
to rally, and set spurs to his steed, and leave
his retinue far behind but on one occasion
the townsmen, who had timely apprisaI of
his route, met him outside their walls, and
he could do no less than rein up, and bow
from his stirrups, which he courteousIy did,
to the admiration of all who beheld him !;
for he who could wrestle with Henry the
Eighth and throw him in lusty falls, was no
more deficient III grace than in strength.
They besought him to honor their tilt yard
with his presence, where, in festivity of
mimic fight, they might celebrate his en-
reimbursement from the prison in Madrid
by our faith, good liegemen!'. quoth
his majesty, 1--WE have had such hard knocks
on the battlefield, that we are none in love
of the shadows of Tourney" And he waved
his hands by way of adieu, when his horse
started at an old CASTELAR, whose hair was
silver white, and beside whom stood his
daughter, incomparably fair.
Never had Francis seen beauty so rare,
and so modest withal. She bore a massy
salver, on which lay bunch of rusty KEYS,
and with downcast looks she said:
''My Lord will please to accept the keys
of this brave old town." and she held them
towards him with such gracefulness, that
in amaze he stopped from his saddle, stroked
her dark tresses with his mailed hand, and
inquired who she was.
''My name, my Lord, is Ellen, and this
is my father, Peter Ingeverre," said she
''And your age, sweet damsel ?" he asked
''Sixteen last Candlemas," rejoined the
little maid, who looked perfect woman, so
innocent and so heroic, as she ventured to
raise her head, that the King forgot his dis
asters of war in suddenly inspired love; and
while he INDUCED in pleasure he could i'll
conceal, between their hands their keys fell
to the ground. This gave him pretext to
alight and surrenderiug the bride to
courtier, he graciously received her father,
aud between him and her walked into the
town.
BY this time the sun was on the wane.
and Peter who was governor, besought his
Majesty to sojourn for the night, and he
would soon have fifty prime cooks to pre-
pare the royal feast.
To this Francis, who nothing more de-
sired than an invitation, consented and he
accompanied Ellen home to her fathers
house, and where, some time after, a band
of trained violars arrived to commemorate
with songs the happy visit
Ellen entertained the King with artless
talk so interspersed with sense. that her
conquest over her suitor became complete
And when placed by her side at dinner, he
forgot venison and pastry, and beakers of
wine for though so many other ladies
shared the honor Of his presence to none
were his attentions SO reinedly pointed as
to the daughter of his venerable host Per-
haps some envied her the distinction, Of
which she appeared unconscious-and some
of the envyers were surprised to see her re-
tire from the hall, observing, as she passed,
that this was feint to draw the king more
deeply in her tolls.
Ellen merely said she had arrangements
to make for the morrow.
Sand why not for tonight, cousin ??
asked the king, who, when the wine bowls
had passed more than once, had followed
her from the table, and discovered her read
ing in little oratory alone. ':And why
not o-night, fair Elen?" reiterated he, sua,
sively drawing the book from her hand
She did not reply, while he tossed over the
illuminated leaves, where pictured saints
seemed to frown upon him chidingly. The
silence evidently disconnected him, but be
evaded his chagrin in smiles.
1--WE come, charming cousin, to breathe
unaIterable fidelity in thy ear" said he.
''That's charmed portal, my Lord =!
said she interrupting him, and drawing
back.
''We swear by thy mild blue eyes thai
none whom Francis ever loved shall be SO
beloved as Ellen" said he.
'.My Lord, said she, i've heard of holy
books bursting their clasps when periured
mouths come nigh. Beware of robbipg nv
poor eyes of modesty, their own cIaspine
seal Towards me, warn YOU, practice
neither falsehood nor Inconsistency.
SPY ourknighthood, we shall be true t.
thee, girl, till our heart hath no throb 70,
any living creature"
.'Will you love me till my head be gray p
''Enchantress we shall love thee, wer
thou a withered crone from which hideous
ness itself might recoi," cried he SO affec
tionately that she paused.
Sand for what ana so vastly inestima
ble?' said she, hesitatingly. st cannot
my tresses, "a few clips of the shears, an
farewell my pride in ringlets to the winds
1t may not be my brow, for care shall 500
furrow it, and blanch my cheek, which nov
seems bloomingly. Care, too, shall NOR