The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-11-04

And the little Highland Princess,
As II by magic spell,
Seemed to feel her eyes drawn upward
10 the dreary prisOn-cell;
And the sad, pale face she saw there
Caused the ready tears to start,
While woman's gentlest pity
Filled the tender, childish heart.
Then firm resolve rose in her
Lit the troubled little face
Not moment to be wasted;
BreathlesS, hurrying from the place
On an erTand fraught with mercy,
Straight she to her father sped;
Humbly kneeling down before him,
Lowry bowed the dainty head,
While the sweet lips, red and quivering,
Fal cred out her anxious plea,
Told her pity for the captive,
Begged Sir Guy to set him free.
But he answered, sternly gazing
On the dOwncast face so fair:
can our daughter doubt the Justice
OF the house of Atheldare?
" But we pardon this, and tell you
OF our wise and just decree:
If this captive swear to serve us,
We will spare and set him free"
Then up rose the little maiden
DauntleSsly, without Il fear.
" Would you have a traitor serve usY'
Rang her voice out, sweet and clear.
And Sir Guy paused for moment,
All his anger from him fled,
As he watched her, flushed and eager,
While her cause she bravely plead.
Gravely smiled he as she ended,
Drew her gently on his knee:
You have conquered, little pleader-
You have gained the victory.
" But your Prince must earn his freedom:
Not with bow or spear in hand
We are weary of the bloodshed
Spread so long throughout the land.
Let him ask our court q riddle;
Six days grace to him we give,
And the court three days to guess it;
If it fail, he then may live
Once more in the pleasant courtyard
Danced the little maid in glce;
Surely he could find riddle
That would save and set him free.
But five long days and five nights passed,
And the Prince no riddle gave;
To his brain, all dazed with sorrow,
Came no thought his life to save.
And the little blue-eyed Princess
Pondered sadly what to do,
Till al last she sought the counsel
OF her old nurse tried and true.
" Co. her nurse said as she finished,
Z" Go, and search the green fields over,
Never stopping for an instant
Till you find a four-leaf clover.
"Take and put it in a nosegay,
In the center, full in sight,
Throw it to the little captive;
All promise will come right.
Out into the merry sunshine,
While her feet scarce touched the ground
Went the Princess, never stopping
Till the treasure she had found.
Threw it, with the pretty nosegay,
In the window, barred and grated.
Then, and only then, she paused
Paused, and hoped, and feared, and waited
Through the window, barred and grated,
In the drcary prisOn-cell,
Like a ray of happy sunshine
At his feet the noSegay fell.
As he raised and held it gently,
While the burning tears brlmmed over,
Through the mist he caught glimpse
OF the little four-leaf clover.
Thoughts went daShing through his brain,
And before the evening dew
Kissed the flowers of the land,
All the court this riddle knew:
" Fourteen letters am | made of.
Over countries fair and bright,
Under many different heavens,
Raise we flags both red and white.
Living with my many brothers,
Ever in the long. sweet grass
AS we play, the happy zephyrs
Fan us gently as they pass.
Glanced you e'er to find me out,
Luck I'd surely bring to you.
Often of me have you heard,
Very often seen me, too;
Ere you turn away from me.
Read me well-my name you'll see.'
Three days passed, unguessed the riddle,
And the sun rose joyfully,
Turned the prison bars all golden,
Told the captive ne was free
Life had never looked so radiant,
Elrth had never seemed so fair;
Sang the birds and played the fountain,
Sweetest fragrance filled the air.
But the day wore slowly on,
Sank the sun from out the sky
Ere the waited summons came,
And he stood before Sir Guy.
In the stately council there
Knelt he down, with peerless grace;
Not tinge of doubt or fear
In the proud patrician face.
To him, then began Sir Guy:
" You have earned your freedom well,
And, we pray you, speak the answer
That our court has tailed to tell.
Then up rose the little captive.
While his eyes with fun danced over;
"If you read its letters downward,
You will find four-leaf clover
And Sir Guy laughed long and loud
As he read the riddle through,
That the court had failed to guess
With the answer in full view.
SO the little Prince was saved,
And ere many days were DER,
Happily he sailed away
Toward his longed-for home once more.
But he carried back memory
OF Il courtyard fresh and fair,
Where there walked little Princess
Radiant with her golden hair.
SO my story almost finished,
And the end | need not tell
For of course tits in the ringing
OF joyful wedding-bell
st. Nicholas.