The National tribune., 1881-10-01
LADY GODIVA.

Have you ever heard OF Coventry, an old town
not very far from London, where some of the
streets are so narrow that no wagons can pass
through them, and where the second stories of
the quaint old mansions jut over so far into the
streets that they almost touch each other?
1t was lovely morning in September. We
had come from busy London, that immense city
where one million people every year ride in the
many railroads that are made under the houses
saying nothing of the millions who throng the
streets above ground.
All the people know Americans at sight, and
they looked at us as carefully as we at them.
First we went to tall church that Sir Christopher
Wren, the great architect, said was masterpiece.
Its tower and spire alone are three hundred and
three feet high: that is about three times as high
as the State House in Boston. The church was
built nearly four hundred years before Columbus
discovered America, and was given by great
earl to the monks-it is Protestant now-for 1.-THE
repose Of his soul" 1 suppose that means that
he might get safely to Heaven.
But the thing which most interested us about
Coventry was that here once lived sweet and
beautiful lady about whom the people never tire
Of telling you.
She was the wife of an earl who governed
Coventry. He was immensely rich, but he taxed
his subjects so that petitions came in every day
to have them lowered. Finally, as all their be-
seeching did no good, the poor people came to
his wife, Lady Godiva, to beg her to intercede
for them. Her heart was touched and she went
to her husband but he was angry, and babe her
never to speak of it again.
Several months went by. He had been away
to some wars in the northern part of England,
and coming home, was delighted to meet his
wife and darling little boy that he clasped them
both to his heart, asking her if she needed any
thing to complete her happiness. She had money,
an elegant home and lived like queen, but she
could not be happy. She said, while our people
groan under oppression, the most luxurious en-
tertainment can afford me no real enjoyment"
Leofric, her husband, again became violently
angry, but said, since he had promised to do what
she wished, he would keep his word but she
must ride on horseback, at monday, from one
end of the city to the other with no clothing
upon her. He supposed Of course that she would
never consent to this. For a moment her noble
womanly heart sank within her, and then she
said, " / will 60"
Seeing that her mind was made up he ordered
all the people to darken the fronts of their houses
and retire to the back parts of them, while the
devoted lady took her lonely ride. When the
appointed day came, the whole city was still as
death. Lady Godiva's beautiful white horse was
brought to the palace. With face as blanched
as her charger, drawing her long hair like scarf
about her body, she mounted, and rode in solemn
silence through all the principal streets. No
sound was heard save that of the horses hoofs,
as the grateful people waited for their burdens
to be lifted.
And when the ride was over, and the people
opened their doors and unbarred their windows,
a great cry of rejoicing went up from thousands,
for Coventry was free. Lady Godiva after found
ing several churches, died about the year 1859.
Every three or four years in Coventry quaint
procession still takes place in honor of this noble
act of devotion to her people The city guard
and high constable lead the column. Then fol-
lows beautiful woman clothed in white linen
dress, fitted close to her body, with long hair