Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-15
GODS WORK.
ByH-HuR AT THE SHRINE or TEE
THREE WISE MEN.
Architectural splsbdor, Ct an Oriental
Cathsdral-A Structure that Is Cloudy
with Myths and Traditions.
lror ,hs plspatch--copyrightcd, ISIS

How well remember that day-that
golden day-at Cologne The print OF
the Roman yoke is on it yet, for the
Church OF st. Marie holds the site of
the Roman Capitol, and has rcsounded
with the armed tread Of the Legions of
Trajan.
OF the treasures OF the Cathedral no.
thing compares with the shrine OF the
Magi. the tomb behind the grand altar,
where Gothic windows cast varied lights
on the tessellsted pavement and along
the Ionic pillars. The casket is six feet
long, modelled as Roman Basilica, en-
riched with artistic, sacred figures,
carved Jewels, and chased and enamelled
ornamentation. In the French Revolu-
ton it was injured, and in the year 1920
n thief secreted himself in the Cathedral
when it WAS closed at evening, and spent
the night plundering theshrine, escaping
in the morning.
1t lost about one hundred precious
stones, but as we say of rich men, it
could afford to lose. In the mass Of
Jewels, gems, cameos few hundreds are
not missed. The carved stones belong
to classic antique art, and the lapidary's
work is delicate and maryellously fine.
At the head end Of the shrine is nova
bic panel which the keeper slips aside,
and behold three bare skulls, each cir
cled with diamond crown.
The names are in squire letters set with
rubies which flash like flame
~ TN "
names as familiar TO us as household
words. 1t was like finding the graves of
old friends in foreign cemetery. We
had pondered over their scant history so
long. had seen the many grand pictures
OF them, had them in heart and fancy
for years, and now suddenly 10 see their
names in letters OF burning jewels
What wonder that we started and smiled,
saying, Surely tboss prophets might
grant one little miracle to the worship
pers who have loved them long and
we'll We fingered about the shrine as
became believing pilgrims we marked
the scene OF the baptism OF Jesus in
the river Jordan, the panel representing
the Redeemer seated on His throne,
with His right hand raised and holding
the Book of Life in His left the Virgin
and Child, carved by some devout work.
err, who prayed as lie wrought and was
blessed in bis labors. 1t is the finest
specimen OF medieval art, and is fifty
placed in the first of ssnctuaries. Not
strange that the making of such a
structure is cloudy with myths and ira
ditions. There are the pictured windows
of worldwide fame. oh, it is pity to
die without seeing them. They were
clear glass once angels brushed them
with their wings, and 10, they took on a
many olored radiance like sunset dyes.
Ethereal hands finished them in single
night, and vainly does mortal artist try
to copy tints which were never spread on
earthly palette.
And no one knows who designed the
famous cathedral. The legend-haunted
Rhine abounds in explanation OF the
matchless work. 1t was given, so they
tell. in a dream OF the morning, a trance
like state to young architect who sold
his soul to the devil in return for super
human knowledge, Again, they say it
was begun by forgotten architect, who
for some crime was shot dead, and the
work condemned to stand still for centu-
ries.
l like best to think it was conceived
in the valley of vision under some divine
inspiration, Better to me the tale that
an emperor. generous and munificent,
long ago summoned his builders to.
gether and promised them eternal fame
il they would build fame which should
surpass all other fanes. There should
be 30 limit in design, no bound TO ex-
pense. no question as to time. Said the
monarch to the artisans on Bonded knees
before him: "Let it's splendor be like
the first temple on Mt. Moriah. What
| ask is perfection.
Then there was studyand strife among
the architects, and who OF mortal birth
was worthy of such fame as the Emperor
promised?
At the appointed day plans and models
were brought, drawings and traceries
laid at the foot OF the throne. But as
one after another was unrolled the
proud Emperor said "They will not
do; this cathedral is TO keep my name
in remembrance while the world remains
to let its spires point upward" The de-
sicners left the presence chamber their
ewes full OF rsge and tears of disappoint-
ment. "Wbo but the devil can satisfy
q king who asks impossibilities ?" said
they. One workman fingered behind
when the train OF aspirants had depart
Ell. He held no roll of parchment or
box OF models: he was an old man, bent
and weak, wearing a green coat and
gray cap.
"Grant me this favor. o King" he
demanded, in a shrill, piping voice,
one day more to work at my drawings.
am so near to nay ideal, SO near. l
have sought it through prayers and fast
inrs and last night i almost touched
the plan, the design of temple which
shall eclipse the splendor of others as
the sun outshines the small stars. Ny
are nearly ended, but the
picture L see with the eye of my soul
will not as yet shape itself to my hand.
1t is very near" He unrolled q slight
parchment from mis- bosom. "Dost thou
see aught, o Emperor, a shape OF beauty
on this scroll ?"
81 see nothing" said the monarch,
coldly sits blank page has no lines for
my sight.
The little old man groaned in anguish
and trembled. His hand shook as he re-
folded the paper.
cit is as L feared the pencil OF light
was but a snare and deceit. Only
grant one day more, o most merciful,
and if | fail LET me 60 back to my cell,
for | have taken holy orders, and [ will
spend the few days left of three score and
ten in repentance that let ambition Turk
under my cowl.
The pious Emperor graciously spoke
Zone day more, holy man, l give you;
and in your prayers forget not the name
of your sovereign, who is low as the
meanest in the sight OF our common
Master"
Then the old man kissed the royal
hand held out to him and backed ike
courier out of the chamber.
The monk was devout and humble.
"What am /, that / should win great
name?" he asked of himself "yet the