Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-03-09
THE DUKES PARDON.

THE DUKES PARDON.
In the year 1476 the city of Nancy,
in Lorraine, was besieged by Charles
the Bold, duke of Burgundy, 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 not preserved,
was q man of dauntless 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 conspic-
uously 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 al
ready received many offers of marriage
from mobiles attracted by the charms
of h,r beauty and amiability, but she
refused all suitors, preferring to watch
over the declining days of her gray
haired father and by her love and
devotion cheer and prolong his exist
ence.
The inhabitants, led by their gov
ernor, in whose skill and judgment
they had the utmost confidence, made
brave defense against the countless
troops of the fiery duke.
ALI the men and youths capable Of
bearing arms had taken weapons, as
was fitting in the time of danger, and
posted themselves on the rampatts to
beat off every attack
ll-l-.s Srilaa--sas.~s a.
hearted and insistet ] - -. ~ y y Q u ~
aiding. as far as their strengt6 5
mitted, by carrying stones to the wals
to be hurled down on the beseigers
they also lighted fires under enormoul
caldrons filled with pitch, oil and even
water, and when the enemy ventured
on an assault the seething mass was
poured on their devoted heads.
Nothing that the most resolute
bravery and experienced skill could
accomplish was left undone to defend
the town, and Charles, after vainly
endeayoring for considerable time
to take the place by assault, at 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 be plundered
and burned he who, after a success
full seige, invariably wreaked his bit
terest vengeance ON the inhabitants
and defenders, now proposed to the
Governor and inhabitants of Nancy,
that they should surrender and open
to him the gates of the city, pledging
himself to protect their dwellings and
property from all plundering, and to
take care that no one should suffer the
least harm either in life or possessions
The proposals caused many to waver
but the noble Governor, who had
grown gray in the service of his
Prince, stepped forward and declared
that he would rather be buried under
the ruins of the ramparts than deliver
up the city to the enemy so long as
there was means to defend it, He
encouraged soldiers and citizens to
bravery and perseverance, and i'm
plored them to keep the city for their
sovereign, the Duke of Lorraine, and
he succeeded so well by his enthusias-
tic eloquence that all swore to sacrifice
their lives rather than surrender.
While the brave Governor thus re-
animated the courage of the men, his
daughter, on her side, raised the wo-
mems fainting spirits and cheered
them by her presence and inspiriting
words, and by her own conduct gave
the example to maids and matrons to
share in the hardships and dangers of
the defense. She reminded them how,
a short time before, when the Duke Of
Burgundy besieged the town of Beau
vais, the women had taken up arms
and fought beside the men on the
ramparts. and how they had succeeded
IN driving back the besiegers
''These brave women we're far fewer
than we are" continued Telesila.
''while the enemy was the same in
number and strength Why should
we be afraid, when we have before us
such an example of devoted patriot
ISM"
This speech made the greatest i'm
preston on the minds of her listeners.
Fresh courage was instilled into men
and women, and noTone spoke of sur
render. o.
Meanwhile Charles had recourse to
every strategy that ingenuity could
devise to endeavor to render himself
master of the town. During the night
watches be kept the besieged in state