Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-12-26
Sannarcand.

-Bueephalia, Samarcand, Roxana,
Alexandria, the last a great seaport
built in little more than year. A city
of 10000 houses, with temples. aque-
duets and fountains, built in one year.
What a marvel this man was. The
world stared in wonder at his ac-
complishments which were like en-
chantment
Afterward we see him at Babylon,
laying out the plans for the organiza-
ton of his extensive dominion-still
wonderful man, his mind very spring
of powers, boiling as a geyser, copious
as the Nile. We see him at his splen-
did banquet, his face flushed, his figure
bloated with dissipation. We see his
fIowns and menaees. and listen to his
impious vanity. We see him strike
down his lifelong friend, the man who
had saved his life at the Granicus, his
best beloved companion. Blood bathes
his cruel sword and pours upon the
floor at his feet. All, does he seem so
great now? Is he your type of hero?
He can defeat the armies of the great
king, he can found powerful cities and
construct conquering fleets. but he
cannot conquer himself. He is a most
illustrious prodigy, but he is not a
great man.
From this famous conqueror | turn
to another prince who lived a thou
sand years after Alexander. He was
the son of William the Longsword,
second duke of Normandy, young,
yellow haired, blue-eyed Norseman,
His grandfather Rollo, the famous sea
king, had conquered the country from
the French, and his descendants
reigned there with the power and
authority of real kings. Prince Rich
ard-that was this young dukes name
was a boy of 10 when his father was
murdered by his deadly rival, Arnulf,
earl of Flanders. The duke had been
invited to a friendly conference, and,
going without suspicion and unarmed,
he fell a victim to the sarl's treachery
and hate.
When the little prince was taken to
see his dead father as he lay in his
coffin, all his hot, Morse Viking blood
rose to his checks. his eyes blazed, and,
lifting his childish hands which grasp
ed the hilt of his fathers sword, he
made vow that he would one day
revenge his death.
He was only a boy, and he was very
grieved and very angry, and ne prob
ably meant to be very stern and cruel.
We shall see how the boy duke kept
his oath.
Many years passed. and Richard
proved himselif a wise and valiant
prince, and had secured the love of his
subjects and the respect of his neigh
bors. One day as he sat in his castle
hall giving audience, there was great
commotion at the gate, and presently
an old gray headed man. clad in rags
and emaciated to skeleton, entered
and threw himself on his knees before
Duke Richard.
Mercy, mercy, most noble duke"
pleaded the suppliant
who are you, and what do you
want?" asked Richard, the good and
the merciful as well as the fearless.
Mercy, before you know my name,
o lord duke. l am Arnulf of Flan
ders''
The hot blood rushed all over the
face of Duke Richard, and he shook
for a moment like leaf in the storm.
But the next instant he laid his hand
on the old mans shoulder.
Fear not, l am a Christian, and
vengeance is the Lords. Tell me your
wrongs, and why you have come to the
son of him whom in treachery you
slew"
Then the earl told how the French
king had defeated him in battle and
taken all his lands and castles, and
how they We're hunting for his life.
In his hour of need he had fled to his
nearest neighbor, who had even then
won a reputation as just and noble
ruler.
And fortunate it was that he did so,
for Richard was powerful prince,