Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-09-04

DIhteSJ ITluCeS ANU OukeS Oh Clr1SCen-
dom had entered the contest, and as
knight after knight paid his obeisancc
to the queen, many brave bosom
swelled, and many a noble warrior
vowed to perform prodigies which should
win look of regard from those match
less orbs. But though the Princess
joined in the storms of applausel which
greeted each valiant deed, and bestowed
upon each victor his need with words of
gracious cheer that sent the blood ting
ling through the veins Of the kneeling
knight. there was no tenderness in the
tranquil eye, no carmine upon the pale
cheek; twas if an angel had smiled upon
man, and still was angel, and he but
man.
Florimond, upon his lofty throne of
purest gold, with proud Princes bending
their knees before him, was like sun
amid planets; yet as day pressed upon
day, and Ethne made no sign, the cloud
upon his lefty brow deepened, and upon
the eve Of the fifth day he sought Ethne,
and swore by his troth he would permit
no further tri1ing. "Upon the morrow
thou must make thy decision. Is 1t pos
sible that of the three hundred knights
who entered the lists not one has found
favor in thy sighta"
Then Ethne turned to him, and said:
"Dear father and sovereign lord, be
not wrG, 3, with thy daughter and hum
BILE SUI 81, 1 live but to obey thee, and
whatS ojecta cost command that will
TgS &c her soft arms about his
n.ckeSen she !, to great weeping, and
was a mostteh i man, yet also was he
mighty monarch whose word would
lot Sc broken, and should he permit the
Princes of the east and the north and the
wet and the south to depart, scorning a
doting father a.d spoiled capriciors
riaid2
So he sened the clinging arms, and
bent his brow, and stamped his heel.
''Thou hast heard; show that thou
hast needed, and was striding from the
chamber when Ethne prostrated herself
at his feet.
.Most gscious King" she supplicated,
mot the meanest of thy serfs implores
hearing in vain, wilt thou deny thy
daughter:"
"Thou hast me there; but think moi,
Ethne, to cajole l do not think in
fash oning thee so fair, God hath left out
that chiefest joy in woman, heart.
Tell me not thou canst not care for
lover. BY St. John, full many gallant
youth have seen these days, most comely
to look upon. Were maiden, could
not say him nay ween. And yet thou
hast met looks of languishing love with
glace so cold it did freeze the marrow in
the longer's bones. 'Tis true what they
say, thou art Ethne, the Icy-hearted.
No, thou hast no heart. Yes, thou hast,
too, for have marked thee weep over
squalling child's mishap, yet thou art
rock when thou knowest how much |
would JOY didst thou love some gallant
knight to whom l could say: Welcome,
my SON.
Father" said Ethne, 81 have healt,
and not more than other maids am in
sensible to manly worth and valor and
beauty! but l cannot say to my heIrt:
Thou must when it cries out it cannot;
and not until it would tell me would
marry A noble sight those brave knights
have afforded us, and we'll did delight
therein. And yet, if in three hundred l
saw not ten to whom l could give Sec
ond glance, am to blame2 Can | force
my heart to beat when it fain would be
stilli But four of the three hundred
have remained unapproached victors. 1t
is from these | will make my choice.
Perchance some one will speak the word
! have never yet heard. Yet my father,
King Florimond, need not fear to trust
his daughters word"
Full well pleased were King Florimond.
and Robert the Bold. Hugh the Great,
Iancred the Wise, and young Bernard
of fascarene, gallant knights all. True,
noble name and his trusty sword; bat
said she not something of a speech2
Then it would be Tancred, who should
rule his kingdom. and keep up his fame
Thousands focked to the Field of
Love the next day, for it was announced
that the Queen of Love would choose a
husband from the four victorious
Princes.
The wrestlers failed to attract a single
plaudit, the tilting passed by uunoticed
All ewes were riveted upon the Queen of
Love. She sat upon her golden throne,
garbed in purest white, for so gloriously
lovely was this gem it needed not rich
setting. In her right hand she held
great crimson-hearted rose.
After the minor awards were made,
mid breathless silence entered the four
knights. First, Robert the Bold, on his
coal black steed, whose proud step
showed he knew a conquerer pressed his
back. Robert dismounted, and throw
ing the reins to his squire strobe forward
with slow and stately step, and bent be-
fore the Queen and received his guerdon.
Then stepping back, he made a low
obeisance and spake:
"Pec less daughter Of a noble sire, ]
know not how to frame my speech. /
am follower of Mars, not frequenter
Of courts. If my speech jar thy delicate
ear, crave pardon. Never did Robert
the Bold ask favor, or kneel suppliant,
my banners have foaied from the Sara
Gems mos. guarded towers, my good
yf1hf hand has sent MANY doughty WRF-