The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-23

a great popula rity-the world realized that a great poet had appeared But while all Italy-in fact all Europe-was ringing with his praises and booksellers were enriching themselves by getting out editions of the work Tasso was languishing in prison, deprived of everything but the barest necessities of life He had dared to love daughter of the house of Este, and her brother the Duke Alphonso of Ferrara, had shut him up as an insane person. Also the poet had let his tongue run on rather too glibly concerning the Duke. The fame brought him by "Jerusalem De- livered" however, at length procured Tasso his release from Imprisonment But he was broken in health and spirits and after Il years of a rather unhappy and wandering life he died at Rome. whither he had been summoned to be crowned with the Laurel Wreath-died before the ceremony could take place. THE fiery eloquence of Peter the
 Hermit had aroused all Europe ! and under the leadership of that immortal warrior, Godfrey of Boul.lion, the Christian hosts of the First Cru sade had landed on the shores of Syria. City after city had fallen before their invincible arms, and now King Ahdine of Jerusalem, seeing the near approach of the crusading army, was preparing his city for defense, resolved to make a last desperate stand within those ancient walls the possession of which was the object of the expedition led by Godfrey. In Jerusalem still lived many Christians, and although cruelty treated and much oppressed by the infidel king, they had their own churches and were all allowed to worship according to their consciences. As Palestine became bright with the flashing armor and the shining swords of the Christian knights-as the splen- did tide of battle and death rolled nearer and nearer to the gates of the holy city-Aladine became more and more disturbed. There was in Jerusalem sorcerer-or a pretended one-in whom Alkaline had great confidence. The King consulted him-this 1smeno- and Ismeno declared that if a statue of the Blessesfvirgin were stolen from Christian Temple and placed in one of a's,.v- M~Shometan mosques a new pal ladium would be added to the city. Se- cretly at night this was done. But during the next night the statue disap- peared from the mosque. Alkaline in a rage ordered a general massacre of all the Christians in Jerusalem
 But before the decree could be exc cuted came before the King a maiden young and beautiful. sophrona was her name, and she had resolved to sacri- fee herself for her people, q hear, O King" said the maiden, that, falling to find out who removed the statue from the mosque. you have decreed the slaughter of all Christians in Jerus- alem saying that rather would you have all the guiltless perish than the guilty one should escape. Behold, I come to acknowledge my crime and bear the burden of your vengeance. Let my people go. ], and I alone am to blame. It was I who stole the statue from the mosque" And had you any confederates in the theft?" asked the King. No one." replied Sophronis, mine alone was the deed, and in the glory of 1t and martyrdom which fol- lows I will have no partners"
 Now there was in Jerusalem a Christian youth named Olindo, who had long loved Sophronia from afar They had met, they had looked, and Olindo had sghed but though both bore in their hearts great love for each other, that love had so far
 
 the crowd saw and heard the woman he loved thus offer herself to save her people he broke through the gards and cried out before the King that he, and not Sophronia, had stolen the statue from the mosque. Sophronia protested; Olndo in- sisted, and the King at length cut the matter by saying that as they both pro- fessed themselves guilty they should both die They were chained to a stake, fagots piled around them, the pile was lighted. Turning their eyes to each other, Sophronia and Olindo looked down into each others soul prepared for death
 But suddenly there was scattering of the crowd and riding upon a charger came young woman tall, stalwart, man. like yet of surpassing loveliness She was clad in complete armor and her look was lofty and commanding. It was Corinda, the most famous warrior in all the east From Persia she just had arrived, hearing of the peril of Jerusalem, to offer her unconquered sword to. King Aladine From her earliest youth Clorinda had ex- ercised herself in athletic sports and made the art of her one sole busi- ness. In the melee or in single combat no warrior could stand against her. She thirsted for military glory as most young women do for love-and she had acquired that glory. "Ho!' she cried. What means this, King Aladine?" Quickly they told her the story 'Bah!" cried she. sdo you not see that both man and maid are guiltless of the crime with which they charge themselves? They would be martyrs. King. to save their people And of course they love each other, and so have striven for the martyrdom, each one to save the other Let them go free -Scatter the burning fagots."
 When Clorinda spoke people. as a rule, Afd as she said or took the consequences Aladine was so overjoyed to see this great champion come to help him at his need that he, of course, could not deny her anything So the brands were scattered the captives liberated. going away to- sether hand in hand and in mutual love. t0 be soon after married, while Aladine. somewhat assuaged his disappointment by banishing from Jerusalem every Christian within the walls.
 AnA now. the army of the Crusaders came ii sight ofs Jerusalem Along the