The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-02-13

their, spurs. Go back to the duke; young
| sir, and offer him this covenent; that if
thou be vanquished, he shall leave the
town forthwith; but if my nephew fall, I
will raise the siege and let him live in
Iapeace.s & B - =.
T Willingly all the peers raised their
voices in assent, for they were weared OF
this long war, and loved not to shed the.
blood Of their countrymen. Thus it was
agreed, and the combat was to take place
next day on little island in the stream
that rolled between the dukes castle and
the camp of the king. - y ''',''S.
That night King Charles had a troubled
dream. He dreamed that hawk and a
falcon fought tiercely together, but before
he might know which overcame the other,
he awoke and could sleep no more
Anxious, he vowed pilgrimage to Jerusa-
lem if Roland should have tile victory.
Meanwhile the fair Aida spent the night
on her knees in the chapel Of the castle
If, Oliver were slain on the morrow she.
would become a nun. And yet she
could not pray that Roland might fall by
his hands. She wept, praying on her
brothers armor, dreading both victory and
| defeat. -------- .--------~-~ ,e,g~aq.aff.i
Now the hour of the combat had come.
The bank Of thesriver was. thronged with
spectators. The besieged covered the
walls, and high above all sat Lady Aida
with eager eyes. Opposite stood the.
mailed host OF the king From either,
bank the young. knights were rowed
across, and left together on the island.
Oliver vas equipped in rich arms that
had been given him when he was made
knight. Roland had the famed Duran.
dial, that could not be bent or broken, land
the shield, with its red and white quar-
terings, that the Saracen was to know so
we'll. sCourteously, they F7saluted each
other, and the fight began forthwith. &..H
Brightly shone their swords in the
morning sun, Fiercely closed the young
champions for life or death. Loud echoed
the blows frem the castle walls. The
rivets flew from their armor, and splin-
ters of steel fell into the river on either
hand.I All who -beheld marveled Ito see
such strokes, at each Of which, itaseemed
that one of the fighters must fall. Blood
and sweat poured down their bodies they
painted for BREATH they exhausted their
| strength, but neither would yield an inch
+ 1t was "a good blade that Girard' S
nephew had, but no steel could withstand
| the matchless DurandaLr Atlast divers
sword broke in his hand. He was forced
| to, his knees ;yalready he almost felt the
| enemy's sword in his heart; he closed
his eyes and, thought Of heaven, and his
sisters despairing cry rang in his ears. +,
But Roland flung away his weapon. 5'.-'
"Rise," he said, II am the nephew of
the King q, FRANCE Il slaysnot unarmed
Oliver rose to his feet, and they. faced
each other with naked hands: They tore
up two saplipgs, and with them struck
mighty blows till these were broken.
Then they: locked their. bodies together,
and wrestled like lions, till both at the
same moment came to the ground: @,,f,
81; When =. they stood up breathless, the
king saw them Tunlace their. helmets and
embrace. ss g.. -... -. '.'' "
j Ha! is my nephew. tired of the ight?"
he cried, and Ganilon whispered into his
cal. that Roland was betraying him for
love of that lady upon the castle walls. na
said the wise Duke; Naymes, II
will 60, through the fire or fight a Saracen
giant, il Roland be fa!se;;''':: and 50 spoke
all the peers whose own hearts were loyal.
f., In friendly converse the youth reposed
through touta the monday heat. III. 4, niHn
Right glad am /, said Oliver, ITO have
to do with SO good asman.''.@=a srs.. ;a!+ ,.
p t:'sAnd sad am L. said Roland, ITO
grieye so fair a lady" ,,:>,
They aided one another to. lace On q their
helmets, and with fresh strength renewed
the battle. The hot sun went down to-
ward the west, but ill ), they fought. ron
and thesytwo hosts watched them, now
with hope now with fear. Again and again
they paused to take breath; then crossed
their swords once more. Would the day5
not seeet the end Of this7struggle?. r., 81 +
S Now it was Roland. who lowered his
blade. ! ga &ss% . ES@ >. a 33t:,
- sHold y he said. s"I am fevered} and
weak. and if it please thee, would ,fain,
lie down and rest a;time."fgq s2s~gss /
with all my heart" replied Oliver.
"Itwere no honor to vanquish knight
through sickness. Rest and fear not; I
| myself willaWatch over thee.
Roland undid his helmet, and stretched
himself on 2;the earth. Then Oliver
brought a great stone, ond put it beneath
his head to, give him ease, and famed his
face, and fetched waterin His own helmet.
- ""Ah The yields--he is overcome Y cried
the king, and Aida had great pity Of the
fallen knight, sEaE
But the kings nephew stood up and
laughed. On oOAi I,IIIM 8i0a%: &
NAY, I did but feign to tryIthy faith.
could fight on for days and inig gifts, if
need We're. But, courteous sir, since we
use me thus, llwould right willingly call
thee brother. And if / live, i will marry
no lady but thy fair sister:''-~- ~
ss0sAnd if. I live, she shall marry no man
but thee," said Oliver. .9l&@ .@jst
The sun went down as again they closed
in desperate encounter All that day
had they fought With all their might, and
| 'Aeither could boast of victory: Again
the, good blades clashed,, and the blows
resounded over the. water. The shades
gathered round and hid them from sight.
! The ancient watchers could .,see but
the; sparks struck from helm and hau-s.
berk.9 And at last the adarknesst came
p betweenj them, and the sounds of strife