The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-11
"oh. Richard | oil, my kingl I
Tho world Abandons theo,
And no ono now Is seeking
Thy dolivcrancO but mo,
I'll save thy precious person,
Twill break thy cruel chain,
Ipledgo myself In song
Thy freedom TO regain

pledge myeolt In song .H.Hs
Thy freedom to regain"
Blondel spent tho night in laying
plans for the delivernnce OF Richard
DC resolved to gain admittance into the
castle for his followers through his
friendship for the lovely girl, who had
already made IN impression on his
heart. .l.. I...lG.
Within o day or two the newly elect
cd emperor was to be crowned ut Frank
fort. On the evening OF the coronation,
he directed the landlord Of the little
inn, near Trilfels, to give to the garrison
OF the castle o banquet, that with prop.
or ceremony they might drink to the
health OF the new monarch. Mean
while one by one, his own trusty
knights stole, through the twilight, to
the woods behind the castle.
AT n late hour Of the evening tho
little sidegate OF the fortress opened,
us the young maiden cautiously stole
out to meet Blondel. Ea7 =
Then for the first time, he unfolled
to her the real object OF his meeting
with her, entreating her to fly back to
England with the king (whom he was
about to liberate) and himself,
assuring her that every token OF love
and gratitude should be shown her ii
she would yield to his wish.
With cry Of astonishment and pain,
she exclaimed, "oh, traitor oh, woel
my poor unclel T. AS she turned to fly
within the castle walls, tllt followers Of
Blondel-who, in the darkness, had
approached unperceived-aocked about
her, aud made their way to the castel-
lan's room, where the tower keys were
kept. The few defenders Of the fortress
who we're not at the village feast were
soon overpowered. The old keeper
was powerless TO do aught; but he
criedout, as the liberated Richard stood
before him: "Against this deed, con.
trary to the law Of nations, I protest,
and swear that you shall not leave Ger.
many in safety !" The poor maiden
thew herself upon her knees, and nc.
cused herself as the cause OF this terri
BILE disaster.
Meanwhile, the report Of the attack
upon the castle had reached tho inn,
and the warriors came back in hot haste
10 find themselves barred outside the
walls, with threat that II they did not
lisperse the castellan should lose his
heitd and the castle be destroyed.
Blondel and the king urged tue maid.
en- TO return with them to England, but
sle could not forgive the man who had
used her heart fer an act of treason.
Blondel left her, bnt not till she had
accepted a ring and chain Of gold in
token OF his remembrance OF her love
md service towards him. We do not
propose to follow the fortunes Of Cmur
de.Lion after his escape from Trielels
but 10 tell our readers what tradition
SAYS Of the minstrel Blondel aud the
unhappy maiden. Many, many years
aftertlle events which we have described
and on another summer day, o gray
haired cavalier rode over the same
mountain pass, where the king had been
sought and found. my
"Here, murmured hc, there have !
felt III days gone By the highest bliss
and the deepest woe Of my lifei Slow.
" he rode till he had reached the little
inn.
Ashe looked into the face OF the land.
lord he discovered the features Of the
young shepherd boy. With an almost
tender interest the two Zone Of whom
was Blondel) talked Of the past.
In tears the now old minstrel learnt
the sad fate OF the castellan and his
niece. He was killed by some hidden
hand after tie flight Of Richard was dis.
covered. The broken.hearted maiden
entered convent near Baden, where
henceiorth her life and history were lost
TO the world. =
None can visit this ancient ruin Of
Trioiels without o melancholy interest
as they recall the dreary prison.life OF
tie great King Richard, the touching
romance Of the minstrel knight BlOndel,
and the lovely, loving maiden over
whose story centuries have now rolled.