The daily gazette., 1877-04-14
THE VOW.
BY DE LA MOTTE FOUQUE.

Ill tne ancient heathen times OF the
Saxons there happened once great war
with the Danes, Adalbero, Duke of
SaXony, who had counseled it, now in
the hour of earnest conflict, stood at the
head of his people. There flew the arrows
and the javelins; there glanced many
valiant blades on both sides; and there
shone many bright gold shields through
the dark fight. But the Saxons, at every
| attack. we've repulsed, and were already
l so far driven back, that only the storming
OF steep hight could deliver the army
and the country, disperse the enemy and
| change ruinous and destructive fight in
to decisive victory.
Adalbero conducted the attack. But
in vain he forced his fiercy charge before
the squadron; in vain he shouted through
the field, the sacred words, "Freedom
aud Fatherland!" in vain streamed his
warm blood, and the blood of the foe,
over his resplendent armor. The pom
derous mass gave way and the enemy
secure on the hight, rejoiced in their de-
cided victory, Again rushed Adalbero
on with afew gallant warriors, again the
faint-hearted fell behind; and again the
enemy rejoiced.
alt is yet time," said Adalbero; and
again he shouted, sForward! and if we
conquer. vow to the gods, to set fire to
the four corners of my castle, and it shall
blaze forth one bright funeral-pile in
honor of our victory and of our deliver
ances.
| Again was the attack renewed, bnt
again the SaXons fed, and the enemy
sent forth shouts of joy.
Then cried Adalbero aloud before the
whole, off we return victorious from this
charge, ye gods, devote myself to you
J as a solemn sacrificep'
"Shuddering, the warriors fastened
after him, but fortune was still against
them; the boldest fell--the bravest fed.
Then Adalbero, in deep affliction rallied
the scattered band. and all that remained
of the great mobiles collected round him
and-spoko thus
"Thou art our ruin; for thou hast
counseled this war"
Adalbero replied: "My castle and
myself have devoted to the gods for
victory, and what can l more?'
The sad multitude called only the
more 10 him: "Thou art our ruin; for
thou hast counseled this war;"
Then Adalbero tore open his bosom,
and implored the Mighty God of Thun
der to pierce it with thunderbolt, or
to give the victory to his army. But
there came no bolt from Heaven; and
the squadron stood timid, and follow
ed not the call.
In boundless despair, Adalbero at
last said, "There remains only that
h snt sas OF Afaw N.,. A,E1 u
child | offer to thee, God of armies,
for victory. My beautiful, blooming
wife-my only heart-loved child-they
belong to thee, Great Ruler in Asgard,
with my own hand will L sacrifice
them to thee; but l implore thee, give
me the victory!"
Scarcely were these words uttered
when fearful thunderings rolled over
the field of battle, and clouds gather
ed round the combatants; and the Sax
ons, with fearful cries, shouted, as
with one voice, "The gods with us!"
With invincible courage forward
rushed the host, the hight was carried
by storm; and Adalbero, with sudden
shulder. saw the enemy flying through
the field.
The conqueror returned home in
triumph; and in all parts OF delivered
Saxony, came wives and children
forth and with outstretched arms, ADJ
albero knew what awaited him; and
every smile of an affectionate wife
pierced, as with poisoned dart, his
anguished heart. At last they came
before his magnificent castle.
He was not able to look up, as the
beautiful Similde met him at The gate
with her daughter by the hand. while
the little one always leaped and cried,
"Father, father! beloved father!"
Adalbero looked round on the peo-
pie, in order to strengthen himself;
even there he met quivering
eyelids and bitter tears; for among his
warriors, many had heard his horrible
VOW. He dismissed them to their fam
lilies feeling what happy men, he, the
most unhappy was sending to their
homes; then rode into the castle, and
sending tire domestic away, under var
ious pretenses, sprung from his horse,
sound secured them carefully and
pressed his. beloved wife and child to
his heart, shedding over them tor.
rent of tears.
"What is :the matter, husband?"
said the astonished Similde.
"Why do you weep, fater?" STAN.
mered the little one.
1--WE will first prepare an Offering
for the gods" replied Adalberod "and
then shall relate everything to you.
Come to me soon, to the hearth.
.Iwill kindle the flame, and fetch,
In the meantime, the implements for
sacrifice" said the sweet Similde, and
the little one cried out clapping her
hands.
Il also will help; 1 also will be
there:" and skipped away with her
mother.
There words, 81 also help; also will
be there" the hero repeated, as, dis
solved in grief, he stood by the tiam-
ing pile with his drawn sword in the
trembling hand. He lamented aloud
over the joyful innocent child, and
the graceful, obedient wife, who
brought the bowl and pitcher, perfu-
ming-pan and taper, used in sacrifices.
Then it passed through his mind that
his VOW could not be valid, for such