Morris tribune., 1881-08-18
HYMN OF THE FATHERLAND.

HYMN Of THE FATHERLAND.
1t is related of the famous king of Swe-
den, Gustavus Adolphus. that, after long
and severe fighting he conquered strongly
fortified town, in which were citizens who
had been born within the limits of Sweden
rule, but departed to seek new homes and
take upon themselves new allegiance. These
people he condemned to death. They were
marched out from the town at nightfall to
be held in camp until the following morn
ing, when they were to be shot for treason.
Several of his officers interceded with the
king for the lives of these poor people.
But Gustavus felt that he had already
granted enough. FIRST, in the heat
of his passion, he had consigned
the whole tribe to death; but since
then he had greatly modified the
sentence, condemning to be shot only
those of the former subjects of Sweden,
who had been taken with arms in their
hands; and from this no power of argument
or persuasion could hove him. All the
talk of his old chaplain about these people
having only joined their fellows in pro-
tecting the homes of their wives and chill
dren moved him net an atom. "They are
traitors!" he said, "and as traitors they
shall die" At later hour-it was past
midnight-Gustavus Adolphus threw on
his cloak, drew his slouched hat over his
eyes and, staff in hand, wandered forth in
to the darkness. Without thinking whittier
he went. he walked slowly on, answering
the sentinels as they hailed him, until at
length his steps were arrested by strain of
music.
Who is that?" he asked of a sentin ell
whom he CHANGED to meet a moment later.
1T Is one of the tents of the prisoners,
sire. The wife and children of one of their
chief men have had permission to spend
the night with the husband and father"
The king nodded his thanks for the in
formation and moved on. Slowly he ap-
preached the tent whence the music had
issued and as he drew near he heard the
sound of weeping and wailing, for the song
had ceased. AS he stopped by the rear of
the tent he heard deep. manly voice.
Hush! hush! weep not. God will pro-
Tidei" the voice said.
The king looked in through seam in
the cloth and saw gray-haired man, with
an imposing presence, grand face, head,
and clear, flashing eye, surrounded by
. his wife and children, who chung to him
with passionate tenderness.
"Hush!" he said. Let US not make
these precious moments darker than they
need be. 1t is but the fortune of war, my
loves. Come, my Hermolne-sing to me
once more our dear old song of the father
land. For though Gustavus will take my
life, yet love the land that gave me birth.
God bless dear Sweden, now and ever
more. Now, Hermoine, sing! Come-let
thy voice give my poor heart cheer, if it
may be.
Presently beautiful girl of fifteen or
sixteen summers threw back the silken
hood from her golden curls and began to
sing. Her song was tho Swedes' oldest
and most deeply cherished piece of heart
music-the words full of love and
devotion, love of home and of country
and the melody was peculiarly sweet ana
touching. And never had the king heard
it sung so grandly. The words fell upon
his ears with new meaning and the music
touched the spirit with strangely awaken
ing power. AS the melody swelIed to
grander and grander tones and the voice of
the singer deepened and strengthened, the
listener felt his heart hushed with awe.
And finally, when the last rich cadence died
away, in mellow melting echoes, he press
ed his hands over his eyes and burst into
tears.
After time Gustavus lifted his head and
looking once more through the aperture in
the wall of the tent he saw the family upon
their knees and heard the voice of an old
man raised IN prayer. He listened for a
few seconds, then turned and strobe away
toward his quarters, where he found two of
his attendants waiting for him. To one of
them he said
Colonel, I wish you to go the prisoners
quarters and in a large tent nearest the
river-it is at the extreme northwestern
corner or the camp-you will find the fami-
~ of prisoner named Hoven; and of the
family is a-girl named Hermoine. Bring
her to me. Assure her that no harm shall
befall her"
When the messenger had gone the king
turned to his table and having found the
necessary materials he at once began to
to write. He wrote rapidly and heavily,
like one moved by ponderous ideas; and he
had Just finished his work when the colonel
appeared with the gentle songstress.
Fear not, my child, - theIking said as the
maiden stood trembling before him; Il
have sent for you because wished to repay
you fora great good you unconsciously did
me this night. Do you call to mind that
you sung the dear old song of the Vasas-
the hymn of the Fatherland?"
Yes, your maj sty; sang it for my faith
er, who Is to die on the morrow. Though
no longer in Sweden, he dearly loves the
memory of the land that gave him birth. -
Well, CHANGED to hear you sing, and you
shall ere long know how your song affected
me. Here, take this paper, and 60 With ii
to the officer commanding the camp of the
prisoners. Colonel Gorsbo will 60 with
you. And, my child, the next time you
sing that song, think of Gustavus Adolphus
Vasa, and bear witness that his heart was
not all hard nor cold"
The girl looked up in the monarch's face
as he held forth the paper, and when she
saw the genial, kindly look that beamed
upon her, she babe the impulse of the mo-
ment, and caught his hand and kissed it.
And when she went away she bore with
her the royal order for the free pardon and
instant release. The old general to whom
the order was directed for PRONUNCIATION and
execution was one of those who had earn
estly pleaded in behalf of the condemned,
and we can readily imagine the Joy with
which he received it. He fairly caught the
beautiful messenger in his arms and kissed
her upon the forehead and blessed her;
and he went with her to the tent where her
father was held and allowed her to publish
the joyful tidings.
With the dawn of day the prisoners, to
the number of over two hundred, were
mustered into line, many of them believ-
ing their hour had come, to receive the in
teligence of pardon and freedom.
What transpired beyond that can be i'm
agined fully as well as we eau tell it. We
will only add that Gustavus Adolphus by
that act of mercy secured friendship which
was to be of incalculable value to him in
coming time.
And one other thing. In less than a year
from that time Colonel Ulrich Forsby, of
the kings staff, gained for wife the beau
tiful singer whose sweet notes had melted
the heart of Gustavus Adolphus and given
life; liberty and joy to suffering men.
A Hard Worked Prince.
Letter from London.
Well to the Iiondon saaeo,, xra MOI, 49,,