The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-16
The Wooing of the Princess
A RABBINICAL LEGEND.

his power acknowledged by the nations !;
his feet covered the seas; his court at
3racted the best and wisest. Learning
and science, art and the industries,
Aourished. Jerusalem, the capital, shone
with unexampled splendor; its Temple
and edifces were the glory of the age,
and thousands of strangers drew near
from all corners OF the earth.
Yet Solomon was i'll at ease, despite his
grandeur. His wisdom, the source of his
strength, was also the secret of his
weakness. He knew all languages, spoke
three thousand proverbs, and sang a
multitude of songs. He knew the speech
of birds and beasts, and the mystery of
trees and flowers. If his knowledge had
not passed these limits, all would have
been well, but it transcribed things of
Garth and penetrated the secrets of the
spheres above. 1t was his familiarity
with the stars that gave him poignant
unrest. What, then, did the stars tell
him2 What dreadful catastrophe was
threatened his housea Those golden
eyed forget-me-nots shining in the firma-
ment of blue so peacefully and trustfullly,
could they presage woeg -,
Solomon was blessed not only with
power and wisdom, but also with a
daughter of surprising loveliness. When
the evening shadows fell upon lions
hills he loved to sing to her his choicest
song. In the morning hours his con-
verse with her was his sole recreation.
His soul was knitted to hers. She was
his inspiration and solace, as was her
mother in the days of his youth, when to
wed the maiden of mis- heart he left
throne and people, and wandered, a
foot-sore pilgaim, until he met Mama
and pGghted his troth. The years had
passed rapidly since theu-as rapidly as
the shadow of bird in flight; but
Solomon lived again his old-time romance
as he saw Naama's eyes in his daughters
countenance. And the Princess repaid
the fathers love by q daug ghter's de-
votion. , =
One evening as Solomon was observing
the stars the thought occurred to him to
discover who was destined to be the
Princess's husband. Long and intently
he gazed at the consultations. Silent
and profound were his meditations in the
watches of the night; and then, just as
the first dim light spanned the far east,
and the morning stars were singing their
cradle-song for the new day, the
monarch's heart felt an unaccustomed
pang. He read the secret ofhis daughters
fate. There it stood blazoned on the
fiery constellation-.she was to wed the
poorest man in Israel she, Princess,
and his daughter!
With agonized soul Solomon left his
watchtower. For once the rising day
possessed no charm for him. Bird-note,
fower-fragrance, the music of rippling
waters, the magni6cence of his surround,
inss, his books and songs and favorite
pastimes, palled upon him. His lovely
daughter in vain strove to soothe his dis
turbcd spirit. Each fresh endearmeut
only increased his irritation. Her voice,
once SO gentle, seemed to him as harsh as
the scream of the condor. The maiden's
heart was troubled indeed as she noticed
the change in the King, and she withdrew,
weeping, from his presence.
SIT shall not bel" Solomon exclaimed.
"My daughter wed beggar! Apauper's
child to sit upon the throne of David
Nay, shall defeat the Almighty.
shall"
Ard there fell deep silence on his
y-uitt. A picture from the past arose be,
tore his vision. 1t was King hurled
from his throne on account of his pride,
and doomed to wander unknown, and to
suffer severe privations, until he had
learned to control himself and trust the
Almighty. He saw the ring which he
gave Ashmodai, and heard the fierce yell
of triumph as the demon assembled the
throne, while he-Solomon the Great
sank down, down into an unfathomable
abyss. Then another picture arose in
memory-the weary fugitive spurned on
all sides, famine stricken and sick al
heart, until the lesson of peace was
learned.
"Forgive me, forgive me, Almightyp'
he cried. "Must I learn again the cost
of mortal pride2 Forgive me for doubt
ing Thy purposes and measuring my puny
powers with the Infinite! Let Thy will
be done. shall watch Thy wisdom and
abide by the result. My heart has lost
its anguish and its fear"
Upon the rocky sea-coast Solomon had
lofty tower constructed. Walls high
and inaccessible surrounded it on all
sides. People wondered at the building,
but Solomon continued the work until it
was completed. Thither one night he
had the Princess brought, and placed her
in charge of seventy aged custodians.
'sThis shall be your home," said he to
the eldest and trustiest. It is provisioned
for years to come. There is no door TO
the fortress, so no one can enter without
the sentinel's knowledge. Be vigilant.
Your head shall be the price of your re-
missnessw
The days, the weeks, the months flew
by. One night poor traveller was wan
dering along, tired and hungry, his cloth
ing tattered, his heart utterly cast down.
At last he could walk no farther, such
was his exhaustion, and seeking spot to
rest, he saw the skeleton of an OK in a
neighboring field. Thankful for the
shelter.from the wind, he crept inside,
and with a silent prayer to God, fell
asleep. The elements ragged without, but
he cared not for the storm. He forgot
his cares and suferings in blessed, lest
full sleep.
While the traveller thus slept, all, un-