The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-11-14

ADAEBERO'S VOW.

ADAEBERO's VOW.
BALLAD.
adopted from the German legend Of De /
q Note Fouque.
The battle shout rolled down the vale,
The field was strewn with steeds and mail.
And headlong on the Danish foe
Charged the brave Duke Adalbero.
In vain his glittering sword he waves,
In vain the bait Ties rage he braves
His Saxon band in terror flee
Before the conquering enemy.
Again and yet again he tries
"Freedom and Fatherland" ne cries.
His warm blood stains his sparkling mail,
But still his Saxons turn and quail.
All desperate then he cried aloud:
''Ye gods who ride the thunder-cloud!
But give me yictory-grant my prayer
This sacrifice to You [ swear:l
"My castle walls shall blaze this night,
To heaven in flames of blood-red light"
Then Ger his brow his casque he drew,
And charged the Danish foe anew.
In vain-these stalwart Norsemen stand
Stubborn and firm; his Saxon band
As well might charge the rampant wall
That guards Valhalla's hero-halI.
Again he cried, in wild despair;
"Look down, ye gods, and hear my prayer!
Myself I'll givel This night will
Upon your sacred affairs dier'
His shuddering troops he led once more;
Still all unturned the tide of war.
His Saxon band, despite his vow,
Are swept like chaff before the foe.
:..Stay", cries the duke, as he regains
His scattered host, lone hope remainsT
Then with stern face and moistened eve,
He turned towards the clear blue sky.
40 thou who rulest in Asgards hall!
Great god of armies hear my call!
Grant this, my last, my only prayer
Ny wife, my child are thine-l swear"
Then lighting flashed across the sky,
Black thunder-clouds rolled far and nigh,
And darkness hid the battle plain,
As on the foe he charged again.
''The gods are with u.s." now they cry,
As far and near the Norsernen fly;
But shuddered stern Adalbero,
For he bethought him of his VOW.
His conquering band in triumph then
Their chieftain homeward led again,
And calm and peaceful on his eyes
His castle walls at length arise.
All sadly rode he to the gate,
Where wife and child his coming wait:
But like the sting of poisoned dart
Their welcome pierced the chieftain's heart.
His wife's glad smile, his child's caress,
AS fondly to his breast they press,
With outstretched arms, his joys to share,
But added to his deep despair.
"Why grieves my husband?" asked his wife,
Returning from victorious strife?"
"Why weeps my father" cried the maid;
AS his wild face his grief betrayed.
In silence he dismissed his band,
And. taking wife and child by hand,
Into his castle slowly strobe,
And firm before the altar stood
'.Similde, wife!n-the words came slow,
As down his face great tear-drops flow;
Such tears as men alone can shed
When fate is sealed and hope is fed.
"Similde! long-loved, faithful wife!
This day 1 vowed, in heat of strife,
Unto the gods my child and thee!
Alas. my dear-bought victory"
His wife nor spake nor wept, but round
The maidens eyes d kerchief bound;
Then bared her bosom to his sword
And kneeled before her weeping lord.
One moment on her face he gazed
In mute despair, then wildly raised
His glittering sword One moment more,
And life and love had all been DER.
But swift as thought lightning flash
Swept through the hall with shudderin
crash
In liquid fire the uplifted brand
Fell harmless from his desperate hand.
Then rose Similde, all unharmed;
The thunder into silence calmed,
And through the chamber, stealing low,
A voice was heard-"Paid is thy VOW"
ROBERT G.. FRANKS.