The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1890-06-04
THE PRINCESS WOOING
Marriage Of Solomon's Daughter
A Rabbinical Legend.

Marriage of Solomon's Daughter
A Rabbinical Legend.
Who could be happier than Solomon
His land was at peace; his treasury full;
his power acknowledged by the nations;
his feet covered the seas; his court at
tractcd the best and wisest. Learning
and science, art and tho industries -four
ished. Jerusalem, the capital, shone
with unexampled splendor; its temple
and edifices 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. lie knew all languages,
spoke three thousand proverbs, and
sang a multitude Of songs. He knew
tho speech of birds and beasts, and the
mystery of trees and flowers. II his
knowledge had not passed these limits
all would have been well, but it tran
scended things Of earth and penetrated
tho secrets of tho spheres above. 1t was
his familiarity with tho stars that gave
him poignant unrest. What, then, did
tho stars tell him? What dreadful ca
tastrophe was threatened his house?
Those goldcn-eycd forget-mc-nots shin
ing in the armament Of blue so peace
fully and trustfully, could they presage
woe9
Solomon was blessed not only with
/ power and wisdom, but also with a
daughter of surprising loneliness.
When the evening shadows fell upon
zion's hills he loved to sing to her his
| choicest song. In the morning hours his
/ converse with her was his sole recrea-
/ ton. His soul was knitted to hers
/ She was his inspiration and solace, as
was her mother in the days of his youth,
/ when 70 wed the maiden of his heart he
left throne and people, and wandered, a
! foot-sore pilgrim, until he met Mama
and plightcd his trOth. The years had
/ passed rapidly since then-as rapidly as
the shadow of bird in flight; but Sol
onion lived again his old-time romance
as be saw Naama's eyes in his daughters
countenance. And the Princess repaid
| the fathers love by a daughters devo-
/ ton.
]
| ing tho stars the thought occurred to
/ him to discover who was destined to be
tho Princess husband. Long and intent
/ " he gazed at the consultations. ST.
! lent and profound were his meditations
in the watches of the night; and then,
! Just as the first dim light SPAWNED the
far East, and the morning stars were
singing their cradle-song for the new
day, the monarch's heart felt an unac-
customcd pang. He read the secret of
his daughters fate. There it stood
blazoncd On the fiery constellation-she
was to wed the poorest man in Israeli
she, a Princess, and his daughterl
With agonizcd soul Solomon left his
watch-tower. For once the rising day
possessed no charm for him. Bird
note, flower-fragrance the music Of rip
| ping waters, the magnihcence of his
surroundings, his books and songs and
favorite pastimcs. pallcd upon him. His
lovely daughter in vain strove to sOothe
his disturbed spirit. Each fresh en-
dearment 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 tho King, and she withdrew,
weeping, from his presence.
ut shall not be- Solomon exclaimed.
Ny daughter wod a beggarl A pau
pcr's child to sit upon the throne Of
David Nay, l shall defeat tho Al
mighty. ] shall"
And there fell deep silence on his
spirit. a picture from tho past arose
before his vision. 1t was a king hurled
from his throne on account of his pride
and doomed 70 wander unknown, and K
suffer severe priyations, until he had
learned to control himself and trust the
Almighty. lie saw the ring which hC
gave AshIaodai, and heard the fierce
yell of triumphs as the demon aScended
the throne, while he - Solomon the
Groat-sank down, down into an un
fashionable abyss. Thou another pict
ure arose in memorable weary fugitive
spurned on all sides, famine-strickeT
and sick at heart, until the lesson o.
peace was learned.
Forgive me, forgive me, Almighty
he cried. ''Must learn again the cos
of mortal prideP Forgive me for doubt
ing Thy purposes and measuring m!
puny powers with the Infinite! Let TIL
viii be done. I shall watch Thy wisdom
and abide by the result. My heart has
lost it's anguish and its fear"
Upon the rocky sea-coast Solomon had
a lofty tower constructed. Walls higl
and inaccessible surrounded it on al
sides. People wondered at the build
ing, but Solomon continued the worh
until it was completed. Thither On'
night he had the Princess brought, and
placed her in charge of seventy ageC
custodians.
This shall be your home" said he t.
the eldest and tTustiest. lit is pro
visioned for years to come. There is M
door to the fortress, so no one can ente
without the sentineIs knowledge. B.
vigilant. Your head shall be the pric'
OF your remiss1cssF
The days, tho weeks. the months heS
, By. One night a poor traveller wa
wandering along. tired and hungry, ht
clothing tattered, his heart utterly cas-
down. At last he could walk no farther
. such was his exhaustion. and seeking
spot to rest. he saw the skeleton Of q
OK in neighboring fold. Thankful 70
tho shelter from the wind, he crePt in
side, and. with a silent prayer to God
fell asleep. The elements ragged with
out, but he cared not for tho storm. II
forgot his cares and suferings 1
blessed. restful sleep.
While the traveller thus slept, all IN
conscious Of what was preparing for him
q huge bird with mighty pinions alighte
from the distant hills, and lifting u
the skeleton with tho youth at res
bore them aloft to the very top OF Sole
mons tower. The burden then provin
too heavy, it was set down on tho roo
before the door OF tho beautiful Prlr
cess Then tho bird few away with
shriIl scream that awakened tho youn
traveller. He arose in terror, gaze
about him, and began to walk up an