The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-07-19

= o'5noD' INC Saracen chief, who lived nea
t Damasous. He heard nothing, save that b
d was renowned warrior, and was supposed t
Q nave in bis palace many Christian knights O
slaves. They spoke, too, of bis in,mens
, wealth, and the wondrous beauty of hi
daughter Solyms
That was all Our Lady's knight could hea
OF the man who had slain his father. Fl
thought with horror of the Christian captive
in the gorgeous palace.
Let me die" he said, " on the battle. eli
with knights and warriors around me. tb.
olash OF arms, the sound of the trumpet, ant
tne cneers OF the soldiers in my ears but to
inger out long life in that helpless captivity
-ah' God save me from fate like thatv
His ardent spirit, his brave heart and fierv
valor, rebelled at the thought ANY road to
heaven, any martyrdom save this Sad stories
were told OF the Christian captives, who were
forced to labor loaded with chains and often.
times kept in a darksome prison. So large
were the sums demanded for their ransom,
that in many cases it was impossible to raise
them, and the dropping captives died long,
lingering, living death.
Such stories were told round the camp-ires,
and filed the heart of the young crusader with
an untold dread. Was it forebodine of what
would fall upon that bright, glad young life,
OF the long and weary discipline that would
ht this immortal soul for heaven
King Richard, of the Lion Heart, often sent
for Our Lady's night into his camp. The how
had voice Of most marvellous sweetness
never was heard one more beau tiful AMONG
the children OF men. 1t was SO rich, so clear.
so meiodions, that it was only fitted to sing the
praises OF God and of Our Lady. In the grove
at the Helde he had often amused himself for
hours together, in singing sweet simple stories
OF Mary, his Queen and Patroness-little L.
gends that one would think the angels had
whispered to him, they were SO quaint and
lovely. When the warrior king WINS tired
md wished for rest, he would send for th.
'oung knight, and liked nothing bettsr +bon
The sweet legends he sang of Our Lady
And one evening he sang SO sweetly and an
nearly that the king and his officers were
harmed. Then King Richard drew chain
II gold from his neck, to which was suspended
! little CROSS.
II have not shed tears" said the I,;or
deart u" since 1 saw my father the king lv;no
iead but thou hast forced them from me s;r
3ertrand' by the sweetness of thy voice and
ne words OF thy story. Until die / sba,1
owe the great Queen of Heaven better for wbot
hou hast sung of her. Take this chain. and
ever the time comes when thou requirest aid.
end to me, and by the memory of this NIGHT
will give thee help and succor.u
The young knight took the chain and tba,Loa
ne kindly monarch for his gift. Never again I
Id he sing before the Lion Heart or stand i, {
De midst Of that goodly array of stately war.
ors. ,
oh tue morrow came one of those sbarp on I
agements between the Christians and the
aracens. Our Our Lady's knight fouobt
oidiy the stainless lily upon the blue sheId t
as ever seen where danger was most promi. &
ent The stoed upon which he rode v.o
lied beneath him; he mounted another. and t
'thing daunted, cried to the soldiers aro,.,. I
IN to fight in the name of Our LADY md O. y
Gorge. Then came sharp, quick blow from a
saracen dagger, and Our Lady's Knight fsu t
'on heap of the slain. b
He was not dead, although his vorna t
'ihtul ana even dangerous. For many hours d
lay tnere senseless and numb with pain. 1t
IS sad and sorrowful to see that young face,
&C tne light OF his mothers home, all white
TN agony and stained with blood Was this a
oN" Va 'noI Rauant life, so full of hiob o
pc and brave resolved The blue shield and d
stainless lily lay broken by his side. a
And then, o sad and sorrowfnl hour, a sar-
en- horseman, mounted on a magnificent p
BED, and attended by troop of followers q
de lightly by where SO lately that deadIr
hit had ragged. The glitter of the gold chain
ound the crusaders neck attracted him n. 81
med in his horse, and told one of his retinne 81
dismount and carry off the spoil from Tho g
tristan. 'Ao "
with cruel, ruthless hands, they tore tho t.
ain from his neck, and then a deem moan lie
rst from Bertrand's lips. m
All" cried the chief, "he is not dad IN
d then, as the light from the evening sLv he
upon the Saxon face and fair hair. he said 81
low comely he is, the Christian knigbt =, as
rely ne is of noble and of high rank in his Ill
land; there will be goodly ransom for 80
~ Ao1 sp
obedience to his lords commands, one of nc
horsemen flung the motionless BODY of the IN
ing crusader across his saddle, and he vao ia