The National tribune., 1899-07-27

and being sensible Of his approaching dis
solution, assembled at his bedside, after
having received aDSoutiOn, the padre Oh
medo, and the few friends and followers
whom heaven had spared him in this pagan
land, being the young cavalier Of CuenZa,
the melancholy ZaVda, or Leila. as Amador
yet loved TO call her, and Blltasar. The
spear OF Alharef had not harmed him; lle
was dying, the victim Of a long remorse.
q have now called you, my children" he
said, bending an eye Of affection upon the
pair, and speaking very feebly, 'to give
you such counsel as may be drawn from
the history Of my life. Its secrets are re-
vealed to you, its pages all lie open; and as
you read, your spirits viii find their own
instruction.; for they will discover, that the
indulgence Of passion, especially the pas
sion of anger, doth lodge a barb, in the
bosom, never to be plUcked out, save by the
hand OF death. What / have to say, is
rather OF command than advice; and thou
wilt listen TO me, Amador, my son, for God
hath given thee, in the person of this gentle
Zayda, an argument of obedience, which
will touch thy heart more eloquently than
words.-Break thy sword, hack off thy
spurs, cast thine armor INTO the sea, and
think no more of war, unless to defend the
fireside, and the affairs Of thy country, from
the fury of invaders"
The novice started with alarm.
Think not that / rave" said the knight.
81 speak to thee with the wisdom that
comes from the grave. Think no more OF
war; for war it is that rouses our passions;
and passions have made me what | have
been, and what / am. / can not think
now for at this moment methinks | stand
in the presence of Him who abhorreth con-
tentionl that He will pardon the shedding
Of any blood, except that which the nenes-
Sity of Self-preServation, and the defense of
our country, enforce us TO lavish. | re-
pent me OF that which have poured, though
even from the hearts of pagans; for pagans
are still the sons of God, though walking in
darkness, for which we should pity them,
not slay. Thou hast drawn thy sword for
glory; but the lives that are taken for
fame, shall weigh upon the souls of men as
murders;-for such they are. Thou
drawest for religion:-give thy purse to the
priest, and bid him convert with the cross,
for the wrath of God will rest forever upon
him who maketh proselytes with the sword.
Wo is me, that the delusionS of glory and
Christian zeal have stained me so deeply,
Live for happiness, and thou shalt wrong
none, neither man nor God, and, thus,
happiness shall be awarded thee; live for
honor, and thou shalt know, that heaven
acknowledges none but that which is
Justice; live for peace, which is virtue; and
for religion, which is goodness. Get thee
| TO thy castle, to the lands which thou shalt
inherit; plant thy vines and olives. relieve
the unhappy, succor the distressed: and if
thy young brother should pant for the barb
and lance, teach him the history Of thy
kinsman. Be virtuous, be peaceful, be
charitable, and be happy. When thou
nearest of glory, bethink thee of the poor
deluded creatures we have slain in this
land; when thou art told of pious crusades,
remember the days of the Alpuiarras.-
Would that my days were to pass again"
With n few more such preceptS OF virtue,
for grief and the hand of death had made
his heart wise, Don Gabriel continued 10
address the novice. He spoke many words
of kindness, also, 10 the old and faithful
Baltasar, and was about to give his bene-
diction 10 the child of Zayda, when film
/ came suddenly over his eyes:
Give me thy hand, he muttered. family
and almost inarticulately; Il see thee not,
but mine eyes are opened to Zayda. Where
art thou, Amador, my son? Heaven is
blissful-Alharef -Iayda- all Miserere
mel, Domine!" Thus he murmured for a
moment, his voice dwindling to whisper;
| then his lips moved. but without yielding
| any sound, until, at last, it was apparent
that he had expired, and yet so gently, that
not even spasm of muscle, OF change of
countenance, indicated the passage of his
spirit.
Three days af'r the death Of Calavar
Don Amador de Leste left Mexico to return
| to Spain. bearing messages from CorteZ to
the great Charles of Austria, and to seek
happiness in his castle Of Alcornoque in the
society of his Moorish bride.
| irha onI