The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-12

III Lorraine, was hesicged by Charles
the Bold, duke of Burgundy, IL warrior
of the most heroic daring, but whose
harsh and irritable temper often drove
him to commit acts of wanton cruelty.
The governor of Nancy at that time,
whose name history has net preserved,
was a man of dauntlcss courage and
great military experience, and, more
over, an excellent and devoted father.
His only child, whose mother had died
in giving her birth, was the Joy and
pride of his heart and shone conspicu-
ously among all the maidens of her
time for her goodness and knowledge.
Telesila at the date of the siege was
in her eighteenth year, and had already
received many offers of marriage from
mobiles attracted by the charms of her
beauty and amiability, but she refused
all suitors, preferring to watch over the
declining days OF her gray haired ia
ther, and by her love and devotion cheer
and prolong his existence.
The inhabitants, led by their govern
or, in whose skill and Judgment they
had the utmost confidence, made brave
defense against the countless troops of
the fiery duke.
All the men and youths capable of
bearing arms had taken weapons, as
was fitting i'll the time of danger, and
posted themselves on the ramparts to
beat off every attack.
The aged men encouraged the faint
hearted and insisted on the women aid
ing, as far rs their strength permitted,
by carrying stones to the walls to be
hurled down OH the besiegcrs; they also
lighted fires under enormous caldrons
filled with pitch, oil and even water.
and when the enemy venturcd on an
assault the seething mass was poured
on their devoted heads.
Nothing that the most resolute bray
cry and experienced skill could accom-
plish was left undone to defend the
town, and Charles. after vainly endeav-
oring for IL considerable time to take
the place by assault, ut length resolved
to make overtures of peace. hoping thus
to gain the end which it seemed useless
to expect from force of arms
He whose custom it was to deliver
every conquered city to he plundered
and burned: he who, after Il successful
vengeance on the inhabitants and de
tenders. now proposed to the governor
and inhabitants of Nancy that they
should surrender and open to him the
gates of the city, plcdging himself To
protect their dwellings, and property
from all plundcring and to take care
that no one should suffer the least harm
either III life or possessions The pro
posals caused many to waver, but the
noble governor. who had grown gray in
the service of his prince, stepped for
ward and declared that he would lath-
er be buried under the ruins of the ram
parts than deliver up the city to the en-
envy, SO long as there We're means to
defend it. He encouraged soldiers and
citizens to bravery and perseverance
and implored them to keep the city for
their sovereign, the Duke of Lorraine,
and lie succeeded so we'll by his cnthu-
slastic eloqucncc that I'LL s%orc to sacri-
ficc their lives rather than surrender
While the brave governor thus reani-
mated the courage of the men. his
daughter, OH her side, raised the wom-
ell S iainting spirits and checrcd them
by her presence and inspirting words,
and by her own conduct gave the exam
pie 10 maids and matrons To share in
the hardships and dangers of the de-
Tense. She reminded them how. a
short time before. when the Duke of
Burgundy bcsiegcd the town of Beau
vais the women had taken up arms and
fought beside the men on the ralnparts
and how they had succeeded in driving
back the bcsicgers.
These brave women were far fewer
than we are. continued Tclcsila,
while the enemy was the same in num-
Der and strength. Why should we be
afraid, when we have before us such All
example of devoted patriotism:'
This speech made the greatest impress
sion oil the minds of her listeners.
Fresh courage was insullcd into men
and women, and no one spoke of sur
render.
Meanwhile, Charles had recourse to
every stratagcm that ingenuity could
devise To endeavor to render himself
master of tho town. During the night
watches he kept tho besieged in state
OF alarm by continual feints Of attack,
ana then, rs morning advanced, when
they were quite wearied and worn ont
he would rush with tenfold violence to
the assault.
be caused large stones to be hurled
by the machines at the walls wherever
they were weakest, i'll the hope of max
ing breach, which at last, by the
greatest efforts, he succeeded in doing.
and after two hours desperate fighting
he forced entrance into the CITY
breathing vengeance against its defend
ers, whose obstinate resistance com