,,christ ,,legends ,,by ,,selma ,,lagerl,f ,translated from the ,swedish ,,by ,,velma ,,swanston ,,howard ,,decorations ,,by ,,bertha ,,stuart ,illustration ,,new ,,york ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company #aijh ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,copyright1 #aijh1 ,,by ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ------- ,published ,october1 #aijh ,,the ,,quinn ,,boden ,,co4 ,,press ,,rahway1 ,n4 ,j4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,contents ,,the ,,holy ,,night #a ,,the ,,emperor',s ,,vision #ac ,,the ,,wise ,,men',s ,,well #be ,,bethlehem',s ,,children #da ,,the ,,flight ,,into ,,egypt #gc ,,in ,,nazareth #he ,,in ,,the ,,temple #ie ,,saint ,,veronica',s ,,kerchief #aai ,,robin ,,redbreast #aia ,,our ,,lord ,,and ,,saint ,,peter #bjc ,,the ,,sacred ,,flame #bba ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,the ,holy ,night ,,the ,,holy ,,night ,when ,i was five years old ,i had such a great sorrow6 ,i hardly know if ,i have had a greater since4 ,it was then my grandmother died4 ,up to that time1 she used to sit every day on the corner sofa in her room1 and tell stories4 ,i remember that grandmother told story after story from morning till night1 and that we children sat beside her1 quite still1 and listened4 ,it was a glorious life6 ,no other children had such happy times as we did4 ,it isn't much that ,i recollect about my grandmother4 ,i remember that she had very beautiful snow-white hair1 and stooped when she walked1 and that she always sat and knitted a stocking4 ,and ,i even remember that when she had finished a story1 she used to lay her hand on my head and say3 8,all this is as true1 as true as that ,i see you and you see me40 ,i also remember that she could sing songs1 but this she did not do every day4 ,one of the songs was about a knight and a sea-troll1 and had this refrain3 8,it blows cold1 cold weather at sea40 ,then ,i remember a little prayer she taught me1 and a verse of a hymn4 ,of all the stories she told me1 ,i have but a dim and imperfect recollection4 ,only one of them do ,i remember so well that ,i should be able to repeat it4 ,it is a little story about ,jesus' birth4 ,well1 this is nearly all that ,i can recall about my grandmother1 except the thing which ,i remember best2 and that is1 the great loneliness when she was gone4 ,i remember the morning when the corner sofa stood empty and when it was impossible to understand how the days would ever come to an end4 ,that ,i remember4 ,that ,i shall never forget6 ,and ,i recollect that we children were brought forward to kiss the hand of the dead and that we were afraid to do it4 ,but then some one said to us that it would be the last time we could thank grandmother for all the pleasure she had given us4 ,and ,i remember how the stories and songs were driven from the homestead1 shut up in a long black casket1 and how they never came back again4 ,i remember that something was gone from our lives4 ,it seemed as if the door to a whole beautiful1 enchanted world--where before we had been free to go in and out--had been closed4 ,and now there was no one who knew how to open that door4 ,and ,i remember that1 little by little1 we children learned to play with dolls and toys1 and to live like other children4 ,and then it seemed as though we no longer missed our grandmother1 or remembered her4 ,but even to-day--after forty years--as ,i sit here and gather together the legends about ,christ1 which ,i heard out there in the ,orient1 there awakes within me the little legend of ,jesus' birth that my grandmother used to tell1 and ,i feel impelled to tell it once again1 and to let it also be included in my collection4 ,it was a ,christmas ,day and all the folks had driven to church except grandmother and ,i4 ,i believe we were all alone in the house4 ,we had not been permitted to go along1 because one of us was too old and the other was too young4 ,and we were sad1 both of us1 because we had not been taken to early mass to hear the singing and to see the ,christmas candles4 ,but as we sat there in our loneliness1 grandmother began to tell a story4 8,there was a man10 said she1 8who went out in the dark night to borrow live coals to kindle a fire4 ,he went from hut to hut and knocked4 #8,dear friends1 help me6' said he4 #8,my wife has just given birth to a child1 and ,i must make a fire to warm her and the little one4' 8,but it was way in the night1 and all the people were asleep4 ,no one replied4 8,the man walked and walked4 ,at last he saw the gleam of a fire a long way off4 ,then he went in that direction1 and saw that the fire was burning in the open4 ,a lot of sheep were sleeping around the fire1 and an old shepherd sat and watched over the flock4 8,when the man who wanted to borrow fire came up to the sheep1 he saw that three big dogs lay asleep at the shepherd's feet4 ,all three awoke when the man approached and opened their great jaws1 as though they wanted to bark2 but not a sound was heard4 ,the man noticed that the hair on their backs stood up and that their sharp1 white teeth glistened in the firelight4 ,they dashed toward him4 ,he felt that one of them bit at his leg and one at his hand and that one clung to his throat4 ,but their jaws and teeth wouldn't obey them1 and the man didn't suffer the least harm4 8,now the man wished to go farther1 to get what he needed4 ,but the sheep lay back to back and so close to one another that he couldn't pass them4 ,then the man stepped upon their backs and walked over them and up to the fire4 ,and not one of the animals awoke or moved40 ,thus far1 grandmother had been allowed to narrate without interruption4 ,but at this point ,i couldn't help breaking in4 8,why didn't they do it1 grandma80 ,i asked4 8,that you shall hear in a moment10 said grandmother--and went on with her story4 8,when the man had almost reached the fire1 the shepherd looked up4 ,he was a surly old man1 who was unfriendly and harsh toward human beings4 ,and when he saw the strange man coming1 he seized the long spiked staff1 which he always held in his hand when he tended his flock1 and threw it at him4 ,the staff came right toward the man1 but1 before it reached him1 it turned off to one side and whizzed past him1 far out in the meadow40 ,when grandmother had got this far1 ,i interrupted her again4 8,grandma1 why wouldn't the stick hurt the man80 ,grandmother did not bother about answering me1 but continued her story4 8,now the man came up to the shepherd and said to him3 #8,good man1 help me1 and lend me a little fire6 ,my wife has just given birth to a child1 and ,i must make a fire to warm her and the little one4' 8,the shepherd would rather have said no1 but when he pondered that the dogs couldn't hurt the man1 and the sheep had not run from him1 and that the staff had not wished to strike him1 he was a little afraid1 and dared not deny the man that which he asked4 8#8,take as much as you need6' he said to the man4 8,but then the fire was nearly burnt out4 ,there were no logs or branches left1 only a big heap of live coals2 and the stranger had neither spade nor shovel1 wherein he could carry the red-hot coals4 8,when the shepherd saw this1 he said again3 #8,take as much as you need6' ,and he was glad that the man wouldn't be able to take away any coals4 8,but the man stooped and picked coals from the ashes with his bare hands1 and laid them in his mantle4 ,and he didn't burn his hands when he touched them1 nor did the coals scorch his mantle2 but he carried them away as if they had been nuts or apples40 ,but here the story-teller was interrupted for the third time4 8,grandma1 why wouldn't the coals burn the man80 8,that you shall hear10 said grandmother1 and went on3 8,and when the shepherd1 who was such a cruel and hard-hearted man1 saw all this1 he began to wonder to himself3 #8,what kind of a night is this1 when the dogs do not bite1 the sheep are not scared1 the staff does not kill1 or the fire scorch8' ,he called the stranger back1 and said to him3 #8,what kind of a night is this8 ,and how does it happen that all things show you compassion8' 8,then said the man3 #8,i cannot tell you if you yourself do not see it4' ,and he wished to go his way1 that he might soon make a fire and warm his wife and child4 8,but the shepherd did not wish to lose sight of the man before he had found out what all this might portend4 ,he got up and followed the man till they came to the place where he lived4 8,then the shepherd saw that the man didn't have so much as a hut to dwell in1 but that his wife and babe were lying in a mountain grotto1 where there was nothing except the cold and naked stone walls4 8,but the shepherd thought that perhaps the poor innocent child might freeze to death there in the grotto2 and1 although he was a hard man1 he was touched1 and thought he would like to help it4 ,and he loosened his knapsack from his shoulder1 took from it a soft white sheepskin1 gave it to the strange man1 and said that he should let the child sleep on it4 8,but just as soon as he showed that he1 too1 could be merciful1 his eyes were opened1 and he saw what he had not been able to see before and heard what he could not have heard before4 8,he saw that all around him stood a ring of little silver-winged angels1 and each held a stringed instrument1 and all sang in loud tones that to-night the ,saviour was born who should redeem the world from its sins4 8,then he understood how all things were so happy this night that they didn't want to do anything wrong4 8,and it was not only around the shepherd that there were angels1 but he saw them everywhere4 ,they sat inside the grotto1 they sat outside on the mountain1 and they flew under the heavens4 ,they came marching in great companies1 and1 as they passed1 they paused and cast a glance at the child4 8,there were such jubilation and such gladness and songs and play6 ,and all this he saw in the dark night1 whereas before he could not have made out anything4 ,he was so happy because his eyes had been opened that he fell upon his knees and thanked ,god40 ,here grandmother sighed and said3 8,what that shepherd saw we might also see1 for the angels fly down from heaven every ,christmas ,eve1 if we could only see them40 ,then grandmother laid her hand on my head1 and said3 8,you must remember this1 for it is as true1 as true as that ,i see you and you see me4 ,it is not revealed by the light of lamps or candles1 and it does not depend upon sun and moon2 but that which is needful is1 that we have such eyes as can see ,god's glory40 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,the ,emperor's ,vision ,,the ,,emperor',s ,,vision ,it happened at the time when ,augustus was ,emperor in ,rome and ,herod was ,king in ,jerusalem4 ,it was then that a very great and holy night sank down over the earth4 ,it was the darkest night that any one had ever seen4 ,one could have believed that the whole earth had fallen into a cellar-vault4 ,it was impossible to distinguish water from land1 and one could not find one's way on the most familiar road4 ,and it couldn't be otherwise1 for not a ray of light came from heaven4 ,all the stars stayed at home in their own houses1 and the fair moon held her face averted4 ,the silence and the stillness were as profound as the darkness4 ,the rivers stood still in their courses1 the wind did not stir1 and even the aspen leaves had ceased to quiver4 ,had any one walked along the seashore1 he would have found that the waves no longer dashed upon the sands2 and had one wandered in the desert1 the sand would not have crunched under one's feet4 ,everything was as motionless as if turned to stone1 so as not to disturb the holy night4 ,the grass was afraid to grow1 the dew could not fall1 and the flowers dared not exhale their perfume4 ,on this night the wild beasts did not seek their prey1 the serpents did not sting1 and the dogs did not bark4 ,and what was even more glorious1 inanimate things would have been unwilling to disturb the night's sanctity1 by lending themselves to an evil deed4 ,no false key could have picked a lock1 and no knife could possibly have drawn a drop of blood4 ,in ,rome1 during this very night1 a small company of people came from the ,emperor's palace at the ,palatine and took the path across the ,forum which led to the ,capitol4 ,during the day just ended the ,senators had asked the ,emperor if he had any objections to their erecting a temple to him on ,rome's sacred hill4 ,but ,augustus had not immediately given his consent4 ,he did not know if it would be agreeable to the gods that he should own a temple next to theirs1 and he had replied that first he wished to ascertain their will in the matter by offering a nocturnal sacrifice to his genius4 ,it was he who1 accompanied by a few trusted friends1 was on his way to perform this sacrifice4 ,augustus let them carry him in his litter1 for he was old1 and it was an effort for him to climb the long stairs leading to the ,capitol4 ,he himself held the cage with the doves for the sacrifice4 ,no priests or soldiers or senators accompanied him1 only his nearest friends4 ,torch-bearers walked in front of him in order to light the way in the night darkness and behind him followed the slaves1 who carried the tripod1 the knives1 the charcoal1 the sacred fire1 and all the other things needed for the sacrifice4 ,on the way the ,emperor chatted gaily with his faithful followers1 and therefore none of them noticed the infinite silence and stillness of the night4 ,only when they had reached the highest point of the ,capitol ,hill and the vacant spot upon which they contemplated erecting the temple1 did it dawn upon them that something unusual was taking place4 ,it could not be a night like all others1 for up on the very edge of the cliff they saw the most remarkable being6 ,at first they thought it was an old1 distorted olive-trunk2 later they imagined that an ancient stone figure from the temple of ,jupiter had wandered out on the cliff4 ,finally it was apparent to them that it could be only the old sibyl4 ,anything so aged1 so weather-beaten1 and so giant-like in stature they had never seen4 ,this old woman was awe-inspiring6 ,if the ,emperor had not been present1 they would all have fled to their homes4 8,it is she10 they whispered to each other1 8who has lived as many years as there are sand-grains on her native shores4 ,why has she come out from her cave just to-night8 ,what does she foretell for the ,emperor and the ,empire--she1 who writes her prophecies on the leaves of the trees and knows that the wind will carry the words of the oracle to the person for whom they are intended80 ,they were so terrified that they would have dropped on their knees with their foreheads pressed against the earth1 had the sibyl stirred4 ,but she sat as still as though she were lifeless4 ,crouching upon the outermost edge of the cliff1 and shading her eyes with her hand1 she peered out into the night4 ,she sat there as if she had gone up on the hill that she might see more clearly something that was happening far away4 ,she could see things on a night like this6 ,at that moment the ,emperor and all his retinue marked how profound the darkness was4 ,none of them could see a hand's breadth in front of him4 ,and what stillness6 ,what silence6 ,not even the ,tiber's hollow murmur could they hear4 ,the air seemed to suffocate them1 cold sweat broke out on their foreheads1 and their hands were numb and powerless4 ,they feared that some dreadful disaster was impending4 ,but no one cared to show that he was afraid1 and everyone told the ,emperor that this was a good omen4 ,all ,nature held its breath to greet a new god4 ,they counseled ,augustus to hurry with the sacrifice1 and said that the old sibyl had evidently come out of her cave to greet his genius4 ,but the truth was that the old sibyl was so absorbed in a vision that she did not even know that ,augustus had come up to the ,capitol4 ,she was transported in spirit to a far-distant land1 where she imagined that she was wandering over a great plain4 ,in the darkness she stubbed her foot continually against something1 which she believed to be grass-tufts4 ,she stooped down and felt with her hand4 ,no1 it was not grass1 but sheep4 ,she was walking between great sleeping flocks of sheep4 ,then she noticed the shepherds' fire4 ,it burned in the middle of the field1 and she groped her way to it4 ,the shepherds lay asleep by the fire1 and beside them were the long1 spiked staves with which they defended their flocks from wild beasts4 ,but the little animals with the glittering eyes and the bushy tails that stole up to the fire1 were they not jackals8 ,and yet the shepherds did not fling their staves at them1 the dogs continued to sleep1 the sheep did not flee1 and the wild animals lay down to rest beside the human beings4 ,this the sibyl saw1 but she knew nothing of what was being enacted on the hill back of her4 ,she did not know that there they were raising an altar1 lighting charcoal and strewing incense1 and that the ,emperor took one of the doves from the cage to sacrifice it4 ,but his hands were so benumbed that he could not hold the bird4 ,with one stroke of the wing1 it freed itself and disappeared in the night darkness4 ,when this happened1 the courtiers glanced suspiciously at the old sibyl4 ,they believed that it was she who caused the misfortune4 ,could they know that all the while the sibyl thought herself standing beside the shepherds' fire1 and that she listened to a faint sound which came trembling through the dead-still night8 ,she heard it long before she marked that it did not come from the earth1 but from the sky4 ,at last she raised her head2 then she saw light1 shimmering forms glide forward in the darkness4 ,they were little flocks of angels1 who1 singing joyously1 and apparently searching1 flew back and forth above the wide plain4 ,while the sibyl was listening to the angel-song1 the ,emperor was making preparations for a new sacrifice4 ,he washed his hands1 cleansed the altar1 and took up the other dove4 ,and1 although he exerted his full strength to hold it fast1 the dove's slippery body slid from his hand1 and the bird swung itself up into the impenetrable night4 ,the ,emperor was appalled6 ,he fell upon his knees and prayed to his genius4 ,he implored him for strength to avert the disasters which this night seemed to foreshadow4 ,nor did the sibyl hear any of this either4 ,she was listening with her whole soul to the angel-song1 which grew louder and louder4 ,at last it became so powerful that it wakened the shepherds4 ,they raised themselves on their elbows and saw shining hosts of silver-white angels move in the darkness in long1 swaying lines1 like migratory birds4 ,some held lutes and cymbals in their hands2 others held zithers and harps1 and their song rang out as merry as child-laughter1 and as care-free as the lark's trill4 ,when the shepherds heard this1 they rose up to go to the mountain city1 where they lived1 to tell of the miracle4 ,they groped their way forward on a narrow1 winding path1 and the sibyl followed them4 ,suddenly it grew light up there on the mountain3 a big1 clear star kindled right over it1 and the city on the mountain summit glittered like silver in the starlight4 ,all the fluttering angel throngs hastened thither1 shouting for joy1 and the shepherds hurried so that they almost ran4 ,when they reached the city1 they found that the angels had assembled over a low stable near the city gate4 ,it was a wretched structure1 with a roof of straw and the naked cliff for a back wall4 ,over it hung the ,star1 and hither flocked more and more angels4 ,some seated themselves on the straw roof or alighted upon the steep mountain-wall back of the house2 others1 again1 held themselves in the air on outspread wings1 and hovered over it4 ,high1 high up1 the air was illuminated by the shining wings4 ,the instant the ,star kindled over the mountain city1 all ,nature awoke1 and the men who stood upon ,capitol ,hill could not help seeing it4 ,they felt fresh1 but caressing winds which traveled through space2 delicious perfumes streamed up about them2 trees swayed2 the ,tiber began to murmur2 the stars twinkled1 and suddenly the moon stood out in the sky and lit up the world4 ,and out of the clouds the two doves came circling down and lighted upon the ,emperor's shoulders4 ,when this miracle happened1 ,augustus rose1 proud and happy1 but his friends and his slaves fell on their knees4 8,hail1 ,csar60 they cried4 8,thy genius hath answered thee4 ,thou art the god who shall be worshiped on ,capitol ,hill60 ,and this cry of homage1 which the men in their transport gave as a tribute to the ,emperor1 was so loud that the old sibyl heard it4 ,it waked her from her visions4 ,she rose from her place on the edge of the cliff1 and came down among the people4 ,it was as if a dark cloud had arisen from the abyss and rushed down the mountain height4 ,she was terrifying in her extreme age6 ,coarse hair hung in matted tangles around her head1 her joints were enlarged1 and the dark skin1 hard as the bark of a tree1 covered her body with furrow upon furrow4 ,potent and awe-inspiring1 she advanced toward the ,emperor4 ,with one hand she clutched his wrist1 with the other she pointed toward the distant ,east4 8,look60 she commanded1 and the ,emperor raised his eyes and saw4 ,the vaulted heavens opened before his eyes1 and his glance traveled to the distant ,orient4 ,he saw a lowly stable behind a steep rock wall1 and in the open doorway a few shepherds kneeling4 ,within the stable he saw a young mother on her knees before a little child1 who lay upon a bundle of straw on the floor4 ,and the sibyl's big1 knotty fingers pointed toward the poor babe4 8,hail1 ,csar60 cried the sibyl1 in a burst of scornful laughter4 8,there is the god who shall be worshiped on ,capitol ,hill60 ,then ,augustus shrank back from her1 as from a maniac4 ,but upon the sibyl fell the mighty spirit of prophecy4 ,her dim eyes began to burn1 her hands were stretched toward heaven1 her voice was so changed that it seemed not to be her own1 but rang out with such resonance and power that it could have been heard over the whole world4 ,and she uttered words which she appeared to be reading among the stars4 8,upon ,capitol ,hill shall the ,redeemer of the world be worshiped1--,christ--but not frail mortals40 ,when she had said this1 she strode past the terror-stricken men1 walked slowly down the mountain1 and disappeared4 ,but1 on the following day1 ,augustus strictly forbade the people to raise any temple to him on ,capitol ,hill4 ,in place of it he built a sanctuary to the new-born ,god-,child1 and called it ,heaven's ,altar--,ara ,cli4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,the ,wise ,men's ,well ,,the ,,wise ,,men',s ,,well ,in old ,judea the ,drought crept1 gaunt and hollow-eyed1 between shrunken thistles and yellowed grass4 ,it was summertime4 ,the sun beat down upon the backs of unshaded hills1 and the slightest breath of wind tore up thick clouds of lime dust from the grayish-white ground4 ,the herds stood huddled together in the valleys1 by the dried-up streams4 ,the ,drought walked about and viewed the water supplies4 ,he wandered over to ,solomon's ,pools1 and sighed as he saw that they still held a small quantity of water from their mountain sources4 ,then he journeyed down to the famous ,david's ,well1 near ,bethlehem1 and found water even there4 ,finally1 he tramped with shuffling gait toward the great highway which leads from ,bethlehem to ,jerusalem4 ,when he had arrived about half-way1 he saw the ,wise ,men's ,well1 where it stands close by the roadside4 ,he saw at a glance that it was almost dry4 ,he seated himself on the curb1 which consists of a single stone hollowed out1 and looked into the well4 ,the shining water-mirror1 which usually was seen very near the opening1 had sunk deep down1 and the dirt and slime at the bottom of the well made it muddy and impure4 ,when the ,well beheld the ,drought's bronzed visage reflected in her clouded mirror1 she shook with anguish4 8,i wonder when you will be exhausted10 said the ,drought4 8,surely1 you do not expect to find any fresh water source1 down there in the deep1 to come and give you new life2 and as for rain--,god be praised6 there can be no question of that for the next two or three months40 8,you may rest content10 sighed the ,well1 8for nothing can help me now4 ,it would take no less than a well-spring from ,paradise to save me60 8,then ,i will not forsake you until every drop has been drained10 said the ,drought4 ,he saw that the old ,well was nearing its end1 and now he wanted to have the pleasure of seeing it die out drop by drop4 ,he seated himself comfortably on the edge of the curb1 and rejoiced as he heard how the ,well sighed down there in the deep4 ,he also took a keen delight in watching the thirsty wayfarers come up to the well-curb1 let down the bucket1 and draw it up again1 with only a few drops of muddy water4 ,thus the whole day passed2 and when darkness descended1 the ,drought looked again into the ,well4 ,a little water still shimmered down there4 8,i'll stay here all night10 cried he1 8so do not hurry yourself6 ,when it grows so light that ,i can look into you once more1 ,i am certain that all will be over with you40 ,the ,drought curled himself up on the edge of the well-curb1 while the hot night1 which was even more cruel1 and more full of torment than the day had been1 descended over ,judea4 ,dogs and jackals howled incessantly1 and thirsty cows and asses answered them from their stuffy stalls4 ,when the breeze stirred a little now and then1 it brought with it no relief1 but was as hot and suffocating as a great sleeping monster's panting breath4 ,the stars shone with the most resplendent brilliancy1 and a little silvery new moon cast a pretty blue-green light over the gray hills4 ,and in this light the ,drought saw a great caravan come marching toward the hill where the ,wise ,men's ,well was situated4 ,the ,drought sat and gazed at the long procession1 and rejoiced again at the thought of all the thirst which was coming to the well1 and would not find one drop of water with which to slake itself4 ,there were so many animals and drivers they could easily have emptied the ,well1 even if it had been quite full4 ,suddenly he began to think there was something unusual1 something ghost-like1 about this caravan which came marching forward in the night4 ,first1 all the camels came within sight on a hill1 which loomed up1 high and distinct1 against the horizon2 it was as though they had stepped straight down from heaven4 ,they also appeared to be larger than ordinary camels1 and bore--all too lightly--the enormous burdens which weighted them4 ,still he could not understand anything but that they were absolutely real1 for to him they were just as plain as plain could be4 ,he could even see that the three foremost animals were dromedaries1 with gray1 shiny skins2 and that they were richly bridled and saddled1 with fringed coverings1 and were ridden by handsome1 noble-looking knights4 ,the whole procession stopped at the well4 ,with three sharp jerks1 the dromedaries lay down on the ground1 and their riders dismounted4 ,the pack-camels remained standing1 and as they assembled they seemed to form a long line of necks and humps and peculiarly piled-up packs4 ,immediately1 the riders came up to the ,drought and greeted him by laying their hands upon their foreheads and breasts4 ,he saw that they wore dazzling white robes and huge turbans1 on the front of each of which there was a clear1 glittering star1 which shone as if it had been taken direct from the skies4 8,we come from a far-off land10 said one of the strangers1 8and we bid thee tell us if this is in truth the ,wise ,men's ,well80 8,it is called so to-day10 said the ,drought1 8but by to-morrow there will be no well here4 ,it shall die to-night40 8,i can understand this1 as ,i see thee here10 said the man4 8,but is not this one of the sacred wells1 which never run dry8 or whence hath it derived its name80 8,i know it is sacred10 said the ,drought1 8but what good will that do8 ,the three wise men are in ,paradise40 ,the three travelers exchanged glances4 8,dost thou really know the history of this ancient well80 asked they4 8,i know the history of all wells and fountains and brooks and rivers10 said the ,drought1 with pride4 8,then grant us a pleasure1 and tell us the story60 begged the strangers2 and they seated themselves around the old enemy to everything growing1 and listened4 ,the ,drought shook himself and crawled up on the well-curb1 like a story-teller upon his improvised throne1 and began his tale4 8,in ,gebas1 in ,media1 a city which lies near the border of the desert--and1 therefore1 it has often been a free and well-beloved city to me1--there lived1 many1 many years ago1 three men who were famed for their wisdom4 8,they were also very poor1 which was a most uncommon state of affairs2 for1 in ,gebas1 knowledge was held in high esteem1 and was well recompensed4 ,with these men1 however1 it could hardly have been otherwise1 for one of them was very old1 one was afflicted with leprosy1 and the third was a black1 thick-lipped negro4 ,people regarded the first as much too old to teach them anything2 the second they avoided for fear of contagion2 and the third they would not listen to1 because they thought they knew that no wisdom had ever come from ,ethiopia4 8,meanwhile1 the three wise ones became united through their common misery4 ,they begged during the day at the same temple gate1 and at night they slept on the same roof4 ,in this way they at least had an opportunity to while away the hours1 by meditating upon all the wonderful things which they observed in ,nature and in the human race4 8,one night1 as they slept side by side on a roof1 which was overgrown with stupefying red poppies1 the eldest among them awoke2 and hardly had he cast a glance around him1 before he wakened the other two4 8#8,praised be our poverty1 which compels us to sleep in the open6' he said to them4 #8,awake6 and raise your eyes to heaven6' 8,well10 said the ,drought1 in a somewhat milder tone1 8this was a night which no one who witnessed it can ever forget6 ,the skies were so bright that the heavens1 which usually resemble an arched vault1 looked deep and transparent and full of waves1 like a sea4 ,the light surged backwards and forwards and the stars swam in their varying depths3 some in among the light-waves2 others upon the surface4 8,but farthest away and highest up1 the three men saw a faint shadow appear4 ,this shadow traveled through space like a ball1 and came nearer and nearer1 and1 as the ball approached1 it began to brighten4 ,but it brightened as roses do--may ,god let them all wither6--when they burst from their buds4 ,it grew bigger and bigger1 the dark cover about it turned back by degrees1 and light broke forth on its sides into four distinct leaves4 ,finally1 when it had descended to the nearest of the stars1 it came to a standstill4 ,then the dark lobes curled themselves back and unfolded leaf upon leaf of beautiful1 shimmering1 rose-colored light1 until it was perfect1 and shone like a star among stars4 8,when the poor men beheld this1 their wisdom told them that at this moment a mighty king was born on earth3 one1 whose majesty and power should rise higher than that of ,cyrus or of ,alexander2 and they said to one another3 #8,let us go to the father and mother of the new-born babe and tell them what we have seen6 ,mayhap they will reward us with a purse of coin or a bracelet of gold4' 8,they grasped their long traveling staves and went forth4 ,they wandered through the city and out from the city gate2 but there they felt doubtful for a moment as they saw before them the great stretch of dry1 smooth desert1 which human beings dread4 ,then they saw the new star cast a narrow stream of light across the desert sand1 and they wandered confidently forward with the star as their guide4 8,all night long they tramped over the wide sand-plain1 and throughout the entire journey they talked about the young1 new-born king1 whom they should find reposing in a cradle of gold1 playing with precious stones4 ,they whiled away the hours by talking over how they should approach his father1 the king1 and his mother1 the queen1 and tell them that the heavens augured for their son power and beauty and joy1 greater than ,solomon's4 ,they prided themselves upon the fact that ,god had called them to see the ,star4 ,they said to themselves that the parents of the new-born babe would not reward them with less than twenty purses of gold2 perhaps they would give them so much gold that they no longer need suffer the pangs of poverty4 8,i lay in wait on the desert like a lion10 said the ,drought1 8and intended to throw myself upon these wanderers with all the agonies of thirst1 but they eluded me4 ,all night the ,star had led them1 and on the morrow1 when the heavens brightened and all the other stars grew pale1 it remained steady and illumined the desert1 and then guided them to an oasis where they found a spring and a ripe1 fruit-bearing tree4 ,there they rested all that day4 ,and toward night1 as they saw the ,star's rays border the sands1 they went on4 8,from the human way of looking at things10 continued the ,drought1 8it was a delightful journey4 ,the ,star led them in such a way that they did not have to suffer either hunger or thirst4 ,it led them past the sharp thistles1 it avoided the thick1 loose1 flying sand2 they escaped the burning sunshine and the hot desert storms4 ,the three wise men said repeatedly to one another3 #8,god is protecting us and blessing our journey4 ,we are ,his messengers4' 8,then1 by degrees1 they fell into my power10 said the ,drought4 8,these star-wanderers' hearts became transformed into as dry a desert as the one which they traveled through4 ,they were filled with impotent pride and destructive greed4 8#8,we are ,god's messengers6' repeated the three wise ones4 #8,the father of the new-born king will not reward us too well1 even if he gives us a caravan laden with gold4' 8,by and by1 the ,star led them over the far-famed ,river ,jordan1 and up among the hills of ,judea4 ,one night it stood still over the little city of ,bethlehem1 which lay upon a hill-top1 and shone among the olive trees4 8,but the three wise ones looked around for castles and fortified towers and walls1 and all the other things that belong to a royal city2 but of such they saw nothing4 ,and what was still worse1 the ,star's light did not even lead them into the city1 but remained over a grotto near the wayside4 ,there1 the soft light stole in through the opening and revealed to the three wanderers a little ,child1 who was being lulled to sleep in its mother's arms4 8,although the three men saw how the ,star's light encircled the ,child's head1 like a crown1 they remained standing outside the grotto4 ,they did not enter to prophesy honors and kingdoms for this little ,one4 ,they turned away without betraying their presence4 ,they fled from the ,child1 and wandered down the hill again4 8#8,have we come in search of beggars as poor as ourselves8' said they4 #8,has ,god brought us hither that we might mock ,him1 and predict honors for a shepherd's son8 ,this ,child will never attain any higher distinction than to tend sheep here in the valleys4'0 ,the ,drought chuckled to himself and nodded to his hearers1 as much as to say3 8,am ,i not right8 ,there are things which are drier than the desert sands1 but there is nothing more barren than the human heart40 8,the three wise ones had not wandered very far before they thought they had gone astray and had not followed the ,star rightly10 continued the ,drought4 8,they turned their gaze upward to find again the ,star1 and the right road2 but then the ,star which they had followed all the way from the ,orient had vanished from the heavens40 ,the three strangers made a quick movement1 and their faces expressed deep suffering4 8,that which now happened10 continued the ,drought1 8is in accord with the usual manner of mankind in judging of what is1 perhaps1 a blessing4 8,to be sure1 when the three wise men no longer saw the ,star1 they understood at once that they had sinned against ,god4 8,and it happened with them10 continued the ,drought furiously1 8just as it happens with the ground in the autumn1 when the heavy rains begin to fall4 ,they shook with terror1 as one shakes when it thunders and lightens2 their whole being softened1 and humility1 like green grass1 sprang up in their souls4 8,for three nights and days they wandered about the country1 in quest of the ,child whom they would worship2 but the ,star did not appear to them4 ,they grew more and more bewildered1 and suffered the most overwhelming anguish and despair4 ,on the third day they came to this well to drink4 ,then ,god had pardoned their sin4 ,and1 as they bent over the water1 they saw in its depths the reflection of the ,star which had brought them from the ,orient4 ,instantly they saw it also in the heavens and it led them again to the grotto in ,bethlehem1 where they fell upon their knees before the ,child and said3 #8,we bring thee golden vessels filled with incense and costly spices4 ,thou shalt be the greatest king that ever lived upon earth1 from its creation even unto its destruction4' 8,then the ,child laid his hand upon their lowered heads1 and when they rose1 lo6 the ,child had given them gifts greater than a king could have granted2 for the old beggar had grown young1 the leper was made whole1 and the negro was transformed into a beautiful white man4 ,and it is said of them that they were glorious6 and that they departed and became kings--each in his own kingdom40 ,the ,drought paused in his story1 and the three strangers praised it4 8,thou hast spoken well10 said they4 8,but it surprises me10 said one of them1 8that the three wise men do nothing for the well which showed them the ,star4 ,shall they entirely forget such a great blessing80 8,should not this well remain perpetually10 said the second stranger1 8to remind mankind that happiness1 which is lost on the heights of pride and vainglory1 will let itself be found again in the depths of humility80 8,are the departed worse than the living80 asked the third4 8,does gratitude die with those who live in ,paradise80 ,but as he heard this1 the ,drought sprang up with a wild cry4 ,he had recognized the strangers6 ,he understood who the strangers were1 and fled from them like a madman1 that he might not witness how ,the ,three ,wise ,men called their servants and led their camels1 laden with water-sacks1 to the ,well and filled the poor dying ,well with water1 which they had brought with them from ,paradise4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,bethlehem's ,children ,,bethlehem',s ,,children ,just outside the ,bethlehem gate stood a ,roman soldier1 on guard4 ,he was arrayed in full armor1 with helmet4 ,at his side he wore a short sword1 and held in his hand a long spear4 ,he stood there all day almost motionless1 so that one could readily have believed him to be a man made of iron4 ,the city people went in and out of the gate and beggars lolled in the shade under the archway1 fruit venders and wine dealers set their baskets and jugs down on the ground beside the soldier1 but he scarcely took the trouble to turn his head to look at them4 ,it seemed as though he wanted to say3 ,this is nothing to see4 ,what do ,i care about you who labor and barter and come driving with oil casks and wine sacks6 ,let me see an army prepare to meet the enemy6 ,let me see the excitement and the hot struggle1 when horsemen charge down upon a troop of foot-soldiers6 ,let me see the brave men who rush forward to scale the walls of a beleaguered city6 ,nothing is pleasing to my sight but war4 ,i long to see the ,roman ,eagles glisten in the air6 ,i long for the trumpets' blast1 for shining weapons1 for the splash of red blood6 ,just beyond the city gate lay a fine meadow1 overgrown with lilies4 ,day by day the soldier stood with his eyes turned toward this meadow1 but never for a moment did he think of admiring the extraordinary beauty of the flowers4 ,sometimes he noticed that the passers-by stopped to admire the lilies1 and it amazed him to think that people would delay their travels to look at anything so trivial4 ,these people do not know what is beautiful1 thought he4 ,and as he thought thus1 he saw no more the green fields and olive groves round about ,bethlehem2 but dreamed himself away in a burning-hot desert in sunny ,libya4 ,he saw a legion of soldiers march forward in a long1 straight line over the yellow1 trackless sand4 ,there was no protection against the sun's piercing rays1 no cooling stream1 no apparent boundaries to the desert1 and no goal in sight1 no end to their wanderings4 ,he saw soldiers1 exhausted by hunger and thirst1 march forward with faltering step2 he saw one after another drop to the ground1 overcome by the scorching heat4 ,nevertheless1 they marched onward without a murmur1 without a thought of deserting their leader and turning back4 ,now1 there is something beautiful6 thought the soldier1 something that is worth the glance of a valiant man6 ,since the soldier stood on guard at the same post day after day1 he had the best opportunity to watch the pretty children who played about him4 ,but it was with the children as with the flowers3 he didn't understand that it could be worth his while to notice them4 ,what is this to rejoice over8 thought he1 when he saw people smile as they watched the children's games4 ,it is strange that any one can find pleasure in a mere nothing4 ,one day when the soldier was standing at his accustomed post1 he saw a little boy about three years old come out on the meadow to play4 ,he was a poor lad1 who was dressed in a scanty sheepskin1 and who played quite by himself4 ,the soldier stood and regarded the newcomer almost without being aware of it himself4 ,the first thing that attracted him was that the little one ran so lightly over the field that he seemed scarcely to touch the tips of the grass-blades4 ,later1 as he followed the child's play1 he was even more astonished4 8,by my sword60 he exclaimed1 8this child does not play like the others4 ,what can it be that occupies him80 ,as the child played only a few paces away1 he could see well enough what the little one was doing4 ,he saw how he reached out his hand to capture a bee that sat upon the edge of a flower and was so heavily laden with pollen that it could hardly lift its wings for flight4 ,he saw1 to his great surprise1 that the bee let itself be taken without trying to escape1 and without using its sting4 ,when the little one held the bee secure between his fingers1 he ran over to a crack in the city wall1 where a swarm of bees had their home1 and set the bee down4 ,as soon as he had helped one bee in this way1 he hastened back to help another4 ,all day long the soldier saw him catch bees and carry them to their home4 8,that boy is certainly more foolish than any ,i've seen hitherto10 thought the soldier4 8,what put it into his head to try and help these bees1 who can take such good care of themselves without him1 and who can sting him at that8 ,what kind of a man will he become if he lives1 ,i wonder80 ,the little one came back day after day and played in the meadow1 and the soldier couldn't help marveling at him and his games4 8,it is very strange10 thought he4 8,here ,i have stood on guard for fully three years1 and thus far ,i have seen nothing that could interest me1 except this infant40 ,but the soldier was in nowise pleased with the child2 quite the reverse6 ,for this child reminded him of a dreadful prediction made by an old ,hebrew seer1 who had prophesied that a time of peace should come to this world some day2 during a period of a thousand years no blood would be shed1 no wars waged1 but human beings would love one another like brethren4 ,when the soldier thought that anything so dreadful might really come to pass1 a shudder passed through his body1 and he gripped his spear hard1 as if he sought support4 ,and now1 the more the soldier saw of the little one and his play1 the more he thought of the ,thousand-year ,reign of ,peace4 ,he did not fear that it had come already1 but he did not like to be reminded of anything so hateful6 ,one day1 when the little one was playing among the flowers on the pretty meadow1 a very heavy shower came bursting through the clouds4 ,when he noticed how big and heavy the drops were that beat down upon the sensitive lilies1 he seemed anxious for his pretty friends4 ,he hurried away to the biggest and loveliest among them1 and bent towards the ground the stiff stalk which held up the lily1 so that the raindrops caught the chalices on their under side4 ,as soon as he had treated one flower like this1 he ran to another and bent its stem in the same way1 so that the flower-cups were turned toward the ground4 ,and then to a third and a fourth1 until all the flowers in the meadow were protected against the rainfall4 ,the soldier smiled to himself when he saw the boy's work4 8,i'm afraid the lilies won't thank him for this10 said he4 8,naturally1 every stalk is broken4 ,it will never do to bend such stiff growths in that way60 ,but when the shower was over1 the soldier saw the little lad hurry over to the lilies and raise them up4 ,to his utter astonishment1 the boy straightened the stiff stalks without the least difficulty4 ,it was apparent that not one of them was either broken or bruised4 ,he ran from flower to flower1 and soon all the rescued lilies shone in their full splendor in the meadow4 ,when the soldier saw this1 he was seized with a singular rage4 8,what a queer child60 thought he4 8,it is incredible that he can undertake anything so idiotic4 ,what kind of a man will he make1 who cannot even bear to see a lily destroyed8 ,how would it turn out if such a one had to go to war8 ,what would he do if they ordered him to burn a house filled with women and children1 or to sink a ship with all souls on board80 ,again he thought of the old prophecy1 and he began to fear that the time had actually come for its fulfilment4 8,since a child like this is here10 thought he1 8perhaps this awful time is very close at hand4 ,already1 peace prevails over the whole earth2 and surely the day of war will nevermore dawn4 ,from this time forth1 all peoples will be of the same mind as this child3 they will be afraid to injure one another1 yea1 they will not have the heart even to crush a bee or a flower6 ,no great deeds will be done1 no glorious battles won1 and no brilliant triumvirate will march up to the ,capitol4 ,nothing more will happen that a brave man could long for40 ,and the soldier--who all the while hoped he would soon live through new wars and longed1 through daring feats1 to raise himself to power and riches--felt so exasperated with the little three-year-old that he raised his spear threateningly the next time the child ran past4 ,another day it was neither the bees nor the lilies the little one sought to protect1 but he undertook something which struck the soldier as being much more needless and thankless4 ,it was a fearfully hot day1 and the sunrays fell upon the soldier's helmet and armor and heated them until he felt as if he wore a suit of fire4 ,to the passers-by it looked as if he must suffer tortures from the heat4 ,his bloodshot eyes were ready to burst from their sockets1 and his lips were dry and shriveled4 ,but as he was inured to the burning heat of ,african deserts1 he thought this a mere trifle1 and it didn't occur to him to move from his accustomed place4 ,on the contrary1 he took pleasure in showing the passers-by that he was so strong and hardy and did not need to seek shelter from the sun4 ,while he stood thus1 and let himself be nearly broiled alive1 the little boy who was wont to play in the meadow came suddenly up to him4 ,he knew very well that the soldier was not one of his friends and so he was always careful not to come within reach of his spear2 but now he ran up to him1 and regarded him long and carefully2 then he hurried as fast as he could towards the road4 ,when he came back1 he held both hands like a bowl1 and carried in this way a few drops of water4 8,mayhap this infant has taken it upon himself to run and fetch water for me10 thought the soldier4 8,he is certainly wanting in common sense4 ,should not a ,roman soldier be able to stand a little heat6 ,what need for that youngster to run around and help those who require no help6 ,i don't want his compassion4 ,i wish he and all like him were out of the world60 ,the little one came walking very slowly4 ,he held his fingers close together1 so that nothing should be spilled or wasted4 ,all the while1 as he was nearing the soldier1 he kept his eyes anxiously fixed upon the little water which he brought with him1 and did not see that the man stood there frowning1 with a forbidding look in his eye4 ,then the child came up to the soldier and offered him the water4 ,on the way his heavy blond curls had tumbled down over his forehead and eyes4 ,he shook his head several times to get the hair out of his eyes1 so that he could look up4 ,when he succeeded at last1 and became conscious of the hard expression on the soldier's face1 he was not frightened1 but stood still and begged him1 with a bewitching smile1 to taste of the water which he had brought with him4 ,but the soldier felt no desire to accept a kindness from the child1 whom he regarded as his enemy4 ,he did not look down into his pretty face1 but stood rigid and immovable1 and showed no sign that he understood what the child wished to do for him4 ,nor could the child understand that the man wished to repel him4 ,he smiled all the while just as confidently1 raised himself on the tips of his toes1 and stretched his hands as high as he could that the big soldier might more easily get at the water4 ,the soldier felt so insulted because a mere child wished to help him that he gripped his spear to drive the little one away4 ,but just at that moment the extreme heat and sunshine beat down upon the soldier with such intensity that he saw red flames dance before his eyes and felt his brains melt within his head4 ,he feared the sun would kill him1 if he could not find instant relief4 ,beside himself with terror at the danger hovering over him1 the soldier threw his spear on the ground1 seized the child with both hands1 lifted him up1 and absorbed as much as he could of the water which the little one held in his hands4 ,only a few drops touched his tongue1 but more was not needed4 ,as soon as he had tasted of the water1 a delicious coolness surged through his body1 and he felt no more that the helmet and armor burnt and oppressed him4 ,the sunrays had lost their deadly power4 ,his dry lips became soft and moist again1 and red flames no longer danced before his eyes4 ,before he had time to realize all this1 he had already put down the child1 who ran back to the meadow to play4 ,astonished1 the soldier began to say to himself3 8,what kind of water was this that the child gave me8 ,it was a glorious drink6 ,i must really show him my gratitude40 ,but inasmuch as he hated the little one1 he soon dismissed this idea4 8,it is only a child10 thought he1 8and does not know why he acts in this way or that way4 ,he plays only the play that pleases him best4 ,does he perhaps receive any gratitude from the bees or the lilies8 ,on that youngster's account ,i need give myself no trouble4 ,he doesn't even know that he has succored me40 ,the soldier felt1 if possible1 even more exasperated with the child a moment later1 when he saw the commander of the ,roman soldiers1 who were encamped in ,bethlehem1 come out through the gate4 8,just see what a risk ,i have run through that little one's rash behavior60 thought he4 8,if by chance ,voltigius had come a moment earlier1 he would have seen me standing with a child in my arms40 ,meanwhile1 the ,commander walked straight up to the soldier and asked him if they might speak together there without danger of being overheard4 ,he had a secret to impart to him4 8,if we move ten paces from the gate10 replied the soldier1 8no one can hear us40 8,you know10 said the ,commander1 8that ,king ,herod1 time and again1 has tried to get possession of a child that is growing up here in ,bethlehem4 ,his soothsayers and priests have told him that this child shall ascend his throne4 ,moreover1 they have predicted that the new ,king will inaugurate a thousand-year reign of peace and holiness4 ,you understand1 of course1 that ,herod would willingly make him--,harmless60 8,i understand60 said the soldier eagerly4 8,but that ought to be the easiest thing in the world40 8,it would certainly be very easy10 said the ,commander1 8if the ,king only knew which one of all the children here in ,bethlehem is ,the ,one40 ,the soldier knit his brows4 8,it is a pity his soothsayers can not enlighten him about this10 said he4 8,but now ,herod has hit upon a ruse1 whereby he believes he can make the young ,peace-,prince harmless10 continued the ,commander4 8,he promises a handsome gift to each and all who will help him40 8,whatsoever ,voltigius commands shall be carried out1 even without money or gifts10 said the soldier4 8,i thank you10 replied the ,commander4 8,listen1 now1 to the ,king's plan6 ,he intends to celebrate the birthday of his youngest son by arranging a festival1 to which all male children in ,bethlehem1 who are between the ages of two and three years1 shall be bidden1 together with their mothers4 ,and during this festival----0 ,he checked himself suddenly1 and laughed when he saw the look of disgust on the soldier's face4 8,my friend10 he continued1 8you need not fear that ,herod thinks of using us as child-nurses4 ,now bend your ear to my mouth1 and ,i'll confide to you his design40 ,the ,commander whispered long with the soldier1 and when he had disclosed all1 he said3 8,i need hardly tell you that absolute silence is imperative1 lest the whole undertaking miscarry40 8,you know1 ,voltigius1 that you can rely on me10 said the soldier4 ,when the ,commander had gone and the soldier once more stood alone at his post1 he looked around for the child4 ,the little one played all the while among the flowers1 and the soldier caught himself thinking that the boy swayed above them as light and attractive as a butterfly4 ,suddenly he began to laugh4 8,true10 said he1 8,i shall not have to vex myself very long over this child4 ,he shall be bidden to the feast of ,herod this evening40 ,he remained at his post all that day1 until the even was come1 and it was time to close the city gate for the night4 ,when this was done1 he wandered through narrow and dark streets1 to a splendid palace which ,herod owned in ,bethlehem4 ,in the center of this immense palace was a large stone-paved court encircled by buildings1 around which ran three open galleries1 one above the other4 ,the ,king had ordered that the festival for the ,bethlehem children should be held on the uppermost of these galleries4 ,this gallery1 by the ,king's express command1 was transformed so that it looked like a covered walk in a beautiful flower-garden4 ,the ceiling was hidden by creeping vines hung with thick clusters of luscious grapes1 and alongside the walls1 and against the pillars stood small pomegranate trees1 laden with ripe fruit4 ,the floors were strewn with rose-leaves1 lying thick and soft like a carpet4 ,and all along the balustrades1 the cornices1 the tables1 and the low divans1 ran garlands of lustrous white lilies4 ,here and there in this flower garden stood great marble basins where glittering gold and silver fish played in the transparent water4 ,multi-colored birds from distant lands sat in the trees1 and in a cage sat an old raven that chattered incessantly4 ,when the festival began children and mothers filed into the gallery4 ,immediately after they had entered the palace1 the children were arrayed in white dresses with purple borders and were given wreaths of roses for their dark1 curly heads4 ,the women came in1 regal1 in their crimson and blue robes1 and their white veils1 which hung in long1 loose folds from high-peaked head-dresses1 adorned with gold coins and chains4 ,some carried their children mounted upon their shoulders2 others led their sons by the hand2 some1 again1 whose children were afraid or shy1 had taken them up in their arms4 ,the women seated themselves on the floor of the gallery4 ,as soon as they had taken their places1 slaves came in and placed before them low tables1 which they spread with the choicest of foods and wines--as befitting a ,king's feast--and all these happy mothers began to eat and drink1 maintaining all the while that proud1 graceful dignity1 which is the greatest ornament of the ,bethlehem women4 ,along the farthest wall of the gallery1 and almost hidden by flower-garlands and fruit trees1 was stationed a double line of soldiers in full armor4 ,they stood1 perfectly immovable1 as if they had no concern with that which went on around them4 ,the women could not refrain from casting a questioning glance1 now and then1 at this troop of iron-clad men4 8,for what are they needed here80 they whispered4 8,does ,herod think we women do not know how to conduct ourselves8 ,does he believe it is necessary for so many soldiers to guard us80 ,but others whispered that this was as it should be in a ,king's home4 ,herod himself never gave a banquet without having his house filled with soldiers4 ,it was to honor them that the heavily armored warriors stood there on guard4 ,during the first few moments of the feast1 the children felt timid and uncertain1 and sat quietly beside their mothers4 ,but soon they began to move about and take possession of all the good things which ,herod offered them4 ,it was an enchanted land that the ,king had created for his little guests4 ,when they wandered through the gallery1 they found bee-hives whose honey they could pillage without the interference of a single crotchety bee4 ,they found trees which1 bending1 lowered their fruit-laden branches down to them4 ,in a corner they found magicians who1 on the instant1 conjured their pockets full of toys2 and in another corner they discovered a wild-beast tamer who showed them a pair of tigers1 so tame that they could ride them4 ,but in this paradise with all its joys there was nothing which so attracted the attention of these little ones as the long line of soldiers who stood immovable at the extreme end of the gallery4 ,their eyes were captivated by their shining helmets1 their stern1 haughty faces1 and their short swords1 which reposed in richly jeweled sheaths4 ,all the while1 as they played and romped with one another1 they thought continually about the soldiers4 ,they still held themselves at a distance1 but they longed to get near the men to see if they were alive and really could move themselves4 ,the play and festivities increased every moment1 but the soldiers stood all the while immovable4 ,it seemed incredible to the little ones that people could stand so near the clusters of grapes and all the other dainties1 without reaching out a hand to take them4 ,finally1 there was one boy who couldn't restrain his curiosity any longer4 ,slowly1 but prepared for hasty retreat1 he approached one of the armored men2 and when he remained just as rigid and motionless1 the child came nearer and nearer4 ,at last he was so close to him that he could touch his shoe latchets and his shins4 ,then--as though this had been an unheard-of crime--all at once these iron-men set themselves in motion4 ,with indescribable fury they threw themselves upon the children1 and seized them6 ,some swung them over their heads1 like missiles1 and flung them between lamps and garlands over the balustrade and down to the court1 where they were killed the instant they struck the stone pavement4 ,others drew their swords and pierced the children's hearts2 others1 again1 crushed their heads against the walls before they threw them down into the dark courtyard4 ,the first moment after the onslaught1 there was an ominous stillness4 ,while the tiny bodies still swayed in the air1 the women were petrified with amazement6 ,but simultaneously all these unhappy mothers awoke to understand what had happened1 and with one great cry they rushed toward the soldiers4 ,there were still a few children left up in the gallery who had not been captured during the first attack4 ,the soldiers pursued them and their mothers threw themselves in front of them and clutched with bare hands the naked swords1 to avert the death-blow4 ,several women1 whose children were already dead1 threw themselves upon the soldiers1 clutched them by the throat1 and sought to avenge the death of their little ones by strangling their murderers4 ,during this wild confusion1 while fearful shrieks rang through the palace1 and the most inhuman death cruelties were being enacted1 the soldier who was wont to stand on guard at the city gate stood motionless at the head of the stairs which led down from the gallery4 ,he took no part in the strife and the murder3 only against the women who had succeeded in snatching their children and tried to fly down the stairs with them did he lift his sword4 ,and just the sight of him1 where he stood1 grim and inflexible1 was so terrifying that the fleeing ones chose rather to cast themselves over the balustrade or turn back into the heat of the struggle1 than risk the danger of crowding past him4 8,voltigius certainly did the right thing when he gave me this post10 thought the soldier4 8,a young and thoughtless warrior would have left his place and rushed into the confusion4 ,if ,i had let myself be tempted away from here1 ten children at least would have escaped40 ,while he was thinking of this1 a young woman1 who had snatched up her child1 came rushing towards him in hurried flight4 ,none of the warriors whom she had to pass could stop her1 because they were in the midst of the struggle with other women1 and in this way she had reached the end of the gallery4 8,ah1 there's one who is about to escape60 thought the soldier4 8,neither she nor the child is wounded40 ,the woman came toward the soldier with such speed that she appeared to be flying1 and he didn't have time to distinguish the features of either the woman or her child4 ,he only pointed his sword at them1 and the woman1 with the child in her arms1 dashed against it4 ,he expected that the next second both she and the child would fall to the ground pierced through and through4 ,but just then the soldier heard an angry buzzing over his head1 and the next instant he felt a sharp pain in one eye4 ,it was so intense that he was stunned1 bewildered1 and the sword dropped from his hand4 ,he raised his hand to his eye and caught hold of a bee1 and understood that that which caused this awful suffering was only the sting of the tiny creature4 ,quick as a flash1 he stooped down and picked up his sword1 in the hope that as yet it was not too late to intercept the runaways4 ,but the little bee had done its work very well4 ,during the short time that the soldier was blinded1 the young mother had succeeded in rushing past him and down the stairs2 and although he hurried after her with all haste1 he could not find her4 ,she had vanished2 and in all that great palace there was no one who could discover any trace of her4 ,the following morning1 the soldier1 together with several of his comrades1 stood on guard1 just within the city gate4 ,the hour was early1 and the city gates had only just been opened4 ,but it appeared as though no one had expected that they would be opened that morning2 for no throngs of field laborers streamed out of the city1 as they usually did of a morning4 ,all the ,bethlehem inhabitants were so filled with terror over the night's bloodshed that no one dared to leave his home4 8,by my sword60 said the soldier1 as he stood and stared down the narrow street which led toward the gate1 8,i believe ,voltigius has made a stupid blunder4 ,it would have been better had he kept the gates closed and ordered a thorough search of every house in the city1 until he had found the boy who managed to escape from the feast4 ,voltigius expects that his parents will try to get him away from here as soon as they learn that the gates are open4 ,i fear this is not a wise calculation4 ,how easily they could conceal a child60 ,he wondered if they would try to hide the child in a fruit basket or in some huge oil cask1 or amongst the grain-bales of a caravan4 ,while he stood there on the watch for any attempt to deceive him in this way1 he saw a man and a woman who came hurriedly down the street and were nearing the gate4 ,they walked rapidly and cast anxious looks behind them1 as though they were fleeing from some danger4 ,the man held an ax in his hand with a firm grip1 as if determined to fight should any one bar his way4 ,but the soldier did not look at the man as much as he did at the woman4 ,he thought that she was just as tall as the young mother who got away from him the night before4 ,he observed also that she had thrown her skirt over her head4 8,perhaps she wears it like this10 thought he1 8to conceal the fact that she holds a child on her arm40 ,the nearer they approached1 the plainer he saw the child which the woman bore on her arm outlined under the raised robe4 8,i'm positive it is the one who got away last night4 ,i didn't see her face1 but ,i recognize the tall figure4 ,and here she comes now1 with the child on her arm1 and without even trying to keep it concealed4 ,i had not dared to hope for such a lucky chance10 said the soldier to himself4 ,the man and woman continued their rapid pace all the way to the city gate4 ,evidently1 they had not anticipated being intercepted here4 ,they trembled with fright when the soldier leveled his spear at them1 and barred their passage4 8,why do you refuse to let us go out in the fields to our work80 asked the man4 8,you may go presently10 said the soldier1 8but first ,i must see what your wife has hidden behind her robe40 8,what is there to see80 said the man4 8,it is only bread and wine1 which we must live upon to-day40 8,you speak the truth1 perchance10 said the soldier1 8but if it is as you say1 why does she turn away8 ,why does she not willingly let me see what she carries80 8,i do not wish that you shall see it10 said the man1 8and ,i command you to let us pass60 ,with this he raised his ax1 but the woman laid her hand on his arm4 8,enter thou not into strife60 she pleaded4 8,i will try some other way4 ,i shall let him see what ,i bear1 and ,i know that he can not harm it40 ,with a proud and confident smile she turned toward the soldier1 and threw back a fold of her robe4 ,instantly the soldier staggered back and closed his eyes1 as if dazed by a strong light4 ,that which the woman held concealed under her robe reflected such a dazzling white light that at first he did not know what he saw4 8,i thought you held a child on your arm10 he said4 8,you see what ,i hold10 the woman answered4 ,then the soldier finally saw that that which dazzled and shone was only a cluster of white lilies1 the same kind that grew in the meadow2 but their luster was much richer and more radiant4 ,he could hardly bear to look at them4 ,he stuck his hand in among the flowers4 ,he couldn't help thinking that it must be a child the woman carried1 but he felt only the cool flower-petals4 ,he was bitterly deceived1 and in his wrath he would gladly have taken both the man and the woman prisoners1 but he knew that he could give no reason for such a proceeding4 ,when the woman saw his confusion1 she said3 8,will you not let us go now80 ,the soldier quietly lowered the spear and stepped aside4 ,the woman drew her robe over the flowers once more1 and at the same time she looked with a sweet smile upon that which she bore on her arm4 8,i knew that you could not harm it1 did you but see it10 she said to the soldier4 ,with this1 they hastened away2 and the soldier stood and stared after them as long as they were within sight4 ,while he followed them with his eyes1 he almost felt sure that the woman did not carry on her arm a cluster of lilies1 but an actual1 living child4 ,while he still stood and stared after the wanderers1 he heard loud shouts from the street4 ,it was ,voltigius1 with several of his men1 who came running4 8,stop them60 they cried4 8,close the gates on them6 ,don't let them escape60 ,and when they came up to the soldier1 they said that they had tracked the runaway boy4 ,they had sought him in his home1 but then he had escaped again4 ,they had seen his parents hasten away with him4 ,the father was a strong1 gray-bearded man who carried an ax2 the mother was a tall woman who held a child concealed under a raised robe4 ,the same moment that ,voltigius related this1 there came a ,bedouin riding in through the gate on a good horse4 ,without a word1 the soldier rushed up to the rider1 jerked him down off the horse and threw him to the ground1 and1 with one bound1 jumped into the saddle and dashed away toward the road4 99 99 99 99 99 ,two days later1 the soldier rode forward through the dreary mountain-desert1 which is the whole southern part of ,judea4 ,all the while he was pursuing the three fugitives from ,bethlehem1 and he was beside himself because the fruitless hunt never came to an end4 8,it looks1 forsooth1 as though these creatures had the power to sink into the earth10 he grumbled4 8,how many times during these days have ,i not been so close to them that ,i've been on the point of throwing my spear at the child1 and yet they have escaped me6 ,i begin to think that ,i shall never catch up with them40 ,he felt despondent1 like one who believes he is struggling against some superior power4 ,he asked himself if it might not be possible that the gods protected these people against him4 8,this trouble is in vain4 ,let me turn back before ,i perish from hunger and thirst in this barren land60 he said to himself1 again and again4 ,then he was seized with fear of that which awaited him on his home-coming1 should he turn back without having accomplished his mission4 ,twice he had permitted the child to escape1 and neither ,voltigius nor ,herod would pardon him for anything of the kind4 8,as long as ,herod knows that one of the ,bethlehem children still lives1 he will always be haunted by the same anxiety and dread10 said the soldier4 8,most likely he will try to ease his worries by nailing me to a cross40 ,it was a hot noonday hour1 and he suffered tortures from the ride through this mountain district on a road which wound around steep cliffs where no breeze stirred4 ,both horse and rider were ready to drop4 ,several hours before he had lost every trace of the fugitives1 and he felt more disheartened than ever4 8,i must give it up10 thought he4 8,i verily believe it is time wasted to pursue them further4 ,they must perish anyway in this awful wilderness40 ,as he thought this1 he discovered1 in a mountain-wall near the roadside1 the vaulted entrance to a grotto4 ,immediately he rode up to the opening4 8,i will rest a while in this cool mountain cave10 thought he4 8,then1 mayhap1 ,i can continue the pursuit with renewed strength40 ,as he was about to enter1 he was struck with amazement6 ,on each side of the opening grew a beautiful lily4 ,the two stalks stood there tall and erect and full of blossoms4 ,they sent forth an intoxicating odor of honey1 and many bees buzzed around them4 ,it was such an uncommon sight in this wilderness that the soldier did something extraordinary4 ,he broke off a large white flower and took it with him into the cave4 ,the cave was neither deep nor dark1 and as soon as he entered he saw that there were already three travelers within3 a man1 a woman1 and a child1 who lay stretched out upon the ground1 lost in deep slumber4 ,the soldier had never before felt his heart beat as it did at this vision4 ,they were the three runaways whom he had hunted so long4 ,he recognized them instantly4 ,and here they lay sleeping1 unable to defend themselves and wholly in his power4 ,he drew his sword quickly and bent over the sleeping child4 ,cautiously he lowered the sword toward the infant's heart1 and measured carefully1 in order to kill with a single thrust4 ,he paused an instant to look at the child's countenance4 ,now1 when he was certain of victory1 he felt a grim pleasure in beholding his victim4 ,but when he saw the child his joy increased1 for he recognized the little boy whom he had seen play with bees and lilies in the meadow beyond the city gate4 8,why1 of course ,i should have understood this all the time60 thought he4 8,this is why ,i have always hated the child4 ,this is the pretended ,prince of ,peace40 ,he lowered his sword again while he thought3 8,when ,i lay this child's head at ,herod's feet1 he will make me ,commander of his ,life ,guard40 ,as he brought the point of the sword nearer and nearer the heart of the sleeping child1 he reveled in the thought3 8,this time1 at least1 no one shall come between us and snatch him from my power40 ,but the soldier still held in his hand the lily which he had broken off at the grotto entrance2 and while he was thinking of his good fortune1 a bee that had been hidden in its chalice flew towards him and buzzed around his head4 ,he staggered back4 ,suddenly he remembered the bees which the boy had carried to their home1 and he remembered that it was a bee that had helped the child escape from ,herod's feast4 ,this thought struck him with surprise4 ,he held the sword suspended1 and stood still and listened for the bee4 ,now he did not hear the tiny creature's buzzing4 ,as he stood there1 perfectly still1 he became conscious of the strong1 delicious perfume which came from the lily that he held in his hand4 ,then he began to think of the lilies that the little one had saved2 he remembered that it was a cluster of lilies that had hidden the child from his view and made possible the escape through the city gate4 ,he became more and more thoughtful1 and he drew back the sword4 8,the bees and the lilies have requited his good deeds10 he whispered to himself4 ,then he was struck by the thought that the little one had once shown even him a kindness1 and a deep crimson flush mounted to his brow4 8,can a ,roman soldier forget to requite an accepted service80 he whispered4 ,he fought a short battle with himself4 ,he thought of ,herod1 and of his own desire to destroy the young ,peace-,prince4 8,it does not become me to murder this child who has saved my life10 he said1 at last4 ,and he bent down and laid his sword beside the child1 that the fugitives on awakening should understand the danger they had escaped4 ,then he saw that the child was awake4 ,he lay and regarded the soldier with the beautiful eyes which shone like stars4 ,and the warrior bent a knee before the child4 8,lord1 thou art the ,mighty ,one60 said he4 8,thou art the strong ,conqueror6 ,thou art ,he whom the gods love6 ,thou art ,he who shall tread upon adders and scorpions60 ,he kissed his feet and stole softly out from the grotto1 while the little one smiled and smiled after him with great1 astonished child-eyes4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,the ,flight ,into ,egypt ,,the ,,flight ,,into ,,egypt ,far away in one of the ,eastern deserts many1 many years ago grew a palm tree1 which was both exceedingly old and exceedingly tall4 ,all who passed through the desert had to stop and gaze at it1 for it was much larger than other palms2 and they used to say of it1 that some day it would certainly be taller than the obelisks and pyramids4 ,where the huge palm tree stood in its solitude and looked out over the desert1 it saw something one day which made its mighty leaf-crown sway back and forth on its slender trunk with astonishment4 ,over by the desert borders walked two human beings4 ,they were still at the distance at which camels appear to be as tiny as moths2 but they were certainly two human beings--two who were strangers in the desert2 for the palm knew the desert-folk4 ,they were a man and a woman who had neither guide nor pack-camels2 neither tent nor water-sack4 8,verily10 said the palm to itself1 8these two have come hither only to meet certain death40 ,the palm cast a quick1 apprehensive glance around4 8,it surprises me10 it said1 8that the lions are not already out to hunt this prey1 but ,i do not see a single one astir2 nor do ,i see any of the desert robbers1 but they'll probably soon come40 8,a seven-fold death awaits these travelers10 thought the palm4 8,the lions will devour them1 thirst will parch them1 the sand-storm will bury them1 robbers will trap them1 sunstroke will blight them1 and fear will destroy them40 ,and the palm tried to think of something else4 ,the fate of these people made it sad at heart4 ,but on the whole desert plain1 which lay spread out beneath the palm1 there was nothing which it had not known and looked upon these thousand years4 ,nothing in particular could arrest its attention4 ,again it had to think of the two wanderers4 8,by the drought and the storm60 said the palm1 calling upon ,life's most dangerous enemies4 8,what is that that the woman carries on her arm8 ,i believe these fools also bring a little child with them60 ,the palm1 who was far-sighted--as the old usually are1--actually saw aright4 ,the woman bore on her arm a child1 that leaned against her shoulder and slept4 8,the child hasn't even sufficient clothing on10 said the palm4 8,i see that the mother has tucked up her skirt and thrown it over the child4 ,she must have snatched him from his bed in great haste and rushed off with him4 ,i understand now3 these people are runaways4 8,but they are fools1 nevertheless10 continued the palm4 8,unless an angel protects them1 they would have done better to have let their enemies do their worst1 than to venture into this wilderness4 8,i can imagine how the whole thing came about4 ,the man stood at his work2 the child slept in his crib2 the woman had gone out to fetch water4 ,when she was a few steps from the door1 she saw enemies coming4 ,she rushed back to the house1 snatched up her child1 and fled4 8,since then1 they have been fleeing for several days4 ,it is very certain that they have not rested a moment4 ,yes1 everything has happened in this way1 but still ,i say that unless an angel protects them---- 8,they are so frightened that1 as yet1 they feel neither fatigue nor suffering4 ,but ,i see their thirst by the strange gleam in their eyes4 ,surely ,i ought to know a thirsty person's face60 ,and when the palm began to think of thirst1 a shudder passed through its tall trunk1 and the long leaves' numberless lobes rolled up1 as though they had been held over a fire4 8,were ,i a human being10 it said1 8,i should never venture into the desert4 ,he is pretty brave who dares come here without having roots that reach down to the never-dying water veins4 ,here it can be dangerous even for palms2 yea1 even for a palm such as ,i4 8,if ,i could counsel them1 ,i should beg them to turn back4 ,their enemies could never be as cruel toward them as the desert4 ,perhaps they think it is easy to live in the desert6 ,but ,i know that1 now and then1 even ,i have found it hard to keep alive4 ,i recollect one time in my youth when a hurricane threw a whole mountain of sand over me4 ,i came near choking4 ,if ,i could have died that would have been my last moment40 ,the palm continued to think aloud1 as the aged and solitary habitually do4 8,i hear a wondrously beautiful melody rush through my leaves10 it said4 8,all the lobes on my leaves are quivering4 ,i know not what it is that takes possession of me at the sight of these poor strangers4 ,but this unfortunate woman is so beautiful6 ,she carries me back1 in memory1 to the most wonderful thing that ,i ever experienced40 ,and while the leaves continued to move in a soft melody1 the palm was reminded how once1 very long ago1 two illustrious personages had visited the oasis4 ,they were the ,queen of ,sheba and ,solomon the ,wise4 ,the beautiful ,queen was to return to her own country2 the ,king had accompanied her on the journey1 and now they were going to part4 8,in remembrance of this hour10 said the ,queen then1 8,i now plant a date seed in the earth1 and ,i wish that from it shall spring a palm which shall grow and live until a ,king shall arise in ,judea1 greater than ,solomon40 ,and when she had said this1 she planted the seed in the earth and watered it with her tears4 8,how does it happen that ,i am thinking of this just to-day80 said the palm4 8,can this woman be so beautiful that she reminds me of the most glorious of queens1 of her by whose word ,i have lived and flourished until this day8 8,i hear my leaves rustle louder and louder10 said the palm1 8and it sounds as melancholy as a dirge4 ,it is as though they prophesied that some one would soon leave this life4 ,it is well to know that it does not apply to me1 since ,i can not die40 ,the palm assumed that the death-rustle in its leaves must apply to the two lone wanderers4 ,it is certain that they too believed that their last hour was nearing4 ,one saw it from their expression as they walked past the skeleton of a camel which lay in their path4 ,one saw it from the glances they cast back at a pair of passing vultures4 ,it couldn't be otherwise2 they must perish6 ,they had caught sight of the palm and oasis and hastened thither to find water4 ,but when they arrived at last1 they collapsed from despair1 for the well was dry4 ,the woman1 worn out1 laid the child down and seated herself beside the well-curb1 and wept4 ,the man flung himself down beside her and beat upon the dry earth with his fists4 ,the palm heard how they talked with each other about their inevitable death4 ,it also gleaned from their conversation that ,king ,herod had ordered the slaughter of all male children from two to three years old1 because he feared that the long-looked-for ,king of the ,jews had been born4 8,it rustles louder and louder in my leaves10 said the palm4 8,these poor fugitives will soon see their last moment40 ,it perceived also that they dreaded the desert4 ,the man said it would have been better if they had stayed at home and fought with the soldiers1 than to fly hither4 ,he said that they would have met an easier death4 8,god will help us10 said the woman4 8,we are alone among beasts of prey and serpents10 said the man4 8,we have no food and no water4 ,how should ,god be able to help us80 ,in despair he rent his garments and pressed his face against the dry earth4 ,he was hopeless--like a man with a death-wound in his heart4 ,the woman sat erect1 with her hands clasped over her knees4 ,but the looks she cast towards the desert spoke of a hopelessness beyond bounds4 ,the palm heard the melancholy rustle in its leaves growing louder and louder4 ,the woman must have heard it also1 for she turned her gaze upward toward the palm-crown4 ,and instantly she involuntarily raised her arms4 8,oh1 dates1 dates60 she cried4 ,there was such intense agony in her voice that the old palm wished itself no taller than a broom and that the dates were as easy to reach as the buds on a brier bush4 ,it probably knew that its crown was full of date clusters1 but how should a human being reach such a height8 ,the man had already seen how beyond all reach the date clusters hung4 ,he did not even raise his head4 ,he begged his wife not to long for the impossible4 ,but the child1 who had toddled about by himself and played with sticks and straws1 had heard the mother's outcry4 ,of course the little one could not imagine that his mother should not get everything she wished for4 ,the instant she said dates1 he began to stare at the tree4 ,he pondered and pondered how he should bring down the dates4 ,his forehead was almost drawn into wrinkles under the golden curls4 ,at last a smile stole over his face4 ,he had found the way4 ,he went up to the palm and stroked it with his little hand1 and said1 in a sweet1 childish voice3 8,palm1 bend thee6 ,palm1 bend thee60 ,but what was that1 what was that8 ,the palm leaves rustled as if a hurricane had passed through them1 and up and down the long trunk traveled shudder upon shudder4 ,and the tree felt that the little one was its superior4 ,it could not resist him4 ,and it bowed its long trunk before the child1 as people bow before princes4 ,in a great bow it bent itself towards the ground1 and finally it came down so far that the big crown with the trembling leaves swept the desert sand4 ,the child appeared to be neither frightened nor surprised2 with a joyous cry he loosened cluster after cluster from the old palm's crown4 ,when he had plucked enough dates1 and the tree still lay on the ground1 the child came back again and caressed it and said1 in the gentlest voice3 8,palm1 raise thee6 ,palm1 raise thee60 ,slowly and reverently the big tree raised itself on its slender trunk1 while the leaves played like harps4 8,now ,i know for whom they are playing the death melody10 said the palm to itself when it stood erect once more4 8,it is not for any of these people40 ,the man and the woman sank upon their knees and thanked ,god4 8,thou hast seen our agony and removed it4 ,thou art the ,powerful ,one who bendest the palm-trunk like a reed4 ,what enemy should we fear when ,thy strength protects us80 ,the next time a caravan passed through the desert1 the travelers saw that the great palm's leaf-crown had withered4 8,how can this be80 said a traveler4 8,this palm was not to die before it had seen a ,king greater than ,solomon40 8,mayhap it hath seen him10 answered another of the desert travelers4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,in ,nazareth ,,in ,,nazareth ,once1 when ,jesus was only five years old1 he sat on the doorstep outside his father's workshop1 in ,nazareth1 and made clay cuckoos from a lump of clay which the potter across the way had given him4 ,he was happier than usual4 ,all the children in the quarter had told ,jesus that the potter was a disobliging man1 who wouldn't let himself be coaxed1 either by soft glances or honeyed words1 and he had never dared ask aught of him4 ,but1 you see1 he hardly knew how it had come about4 ,he had only stood on his doorstep and1 with yearning eyes1 looked upon the neighbor working at his molds1 and then that neighbor had come over from his stall and given him so much clay that it would have been enough to finish a whole wine jug4 ,on the stoop of the next house sat ,judas1 his face covered with bruises and his clothes full of rents1 which he had acquired during his continual fights with street urchins4 ,for the moment he was quiet1 he neither quarreled nor fought1 but worked with a bit of clay1 just as ,jesus did4 ,but this clay he had not been able to procure for himself4 ,he hardly dared venture within sight of the potter1 who complained that he was in the habit of throwing stones at his fragile wares1 and would have driven him away with a good beating4 ,it was ,jesus who had divided his portion with him4 ,when the two children had finished their clay cuckoos1 they stood the birds up in a ring in front of them4 ,these looked just as clay cuckoos have always looked4 ,they had big1 round lumps to stand on in place of feet1 short tails1 no necks1 and almost imperceptible wings4 ,but1 at all events1 one saw at once a difference in the work of the little playmates4 ,judas' birds were so crooked that they tumbled over continually2 and no matter how hard he worked with his clumsy little fingers1 he couldn't get their bodies neat and well formed4 ,now and then he glanced slyly at ,jesus1 to see how he managed to make his birds as smooth and even as the oak-leaves in the forests on ,mount ,tabor4 ,as bird after bird was finished1 ,jesus became happier and happier4 ,each looked more beautiful to him than the last1 and he regarded them all with pride and affection4 ,they were to be his playmates1 his little brothers2 they should sleep in his bed1 keep him company1 and sing to him when his mother left him4 ,never before had he thought himself so rich2 never again could he feel alone or forsaken4 ,the big brawny water-carrier came walking along1 and right after him came the huckster1 who sat joggingly on his donkey between the large empty willow baskets4 ,the water-carrier laid his hand on ,jesus' curly head and asked him about his birds2 and ,jesus told him that they had names and that they could sing4 ,all the little birds were come to him from foreign lands1 and told him things which only he and they knew4 ,and ,jesus spoke in such a way that both the water-carrier and the huckster forgot about their tasks for a full hour1 to listen to him4 ,but when they wished to go farther1 ,jesus pointed to ,judas4 8,see what pretty birds ,judas makes60 he said4 ,then the huckster good-naturedly stopped his donkey and asked ,judas if his birds also had names and could sing4 ,but ,judas knew nothing of this4 ,he was stubbornly silent and did not raise his eyes from his work1 and the huckster angrily kicked one of his birds and rode on4 ,in this manner the afternoon passed1 and the sun sank so far down that its beams could come in through the low city gate1 which stood at the end of the street and was decorated with a ,roman ,eagle4 ,this sunshine1 which came at the close of the day1 was perfectly rose-red--as if it had become mixed with blood--and it colored everything which came in its path1 as it filtered through the narrow street4 ,it painted the potter's vessels as well as the log which creaked under the woodman's saw1 and the white veil that covered ,mary's face4 ,but the loveliest of all was the sun's reflection as it shone on the little water-puddles which had gathered in the big1 uneven cracks in the stones that covered the street4 ,suddenly ,jesus stuck his hand in the puddle nearest him4 ,he had conceived the idea that he would paint his gray birds with the sparkling sunbeams which had given such pretty color to the water1 the house-walls1 and everything around him4 ,the sunshine took pleasure in letting itself be captured by him1 like paint in a paint pot2 and when ,jesus spread it over the little clay birds1 it lay still and bedecked them from head to feet with a diamond-like luster4 ,judas1 who every now and then looked at ,jesus to see if he made more and prettier birds than his1 gave a shriek of delight when he saw how ,jesus painted his clay cuckoos with the sunshine1 which he caught from the water pools4 ,judas also dipped his hand in the shining water and tried to catch the sunshine4 ,but the sunshine wouldn't be caught by him4 ,it slipped through his fingers2 and no matter how fast he tried to move his hands to get hold of it1 it got away1 and he couldn't procure a pinch of color for his poor birds4 8,wait1 ,judas60 said ,jesus4 8,i'll come and paint your birds40 8,no1 you shan't touch them60 cried ,judas4 8,they're good enough as they are40 ,he rose1 his eyebrows contracted into an ugly frown1 his lips compressed4 ,and he put his broad foot on the birds and transformed them1 one after another1 into little flat pieces of clay4 ,when all his birds were destroyed1 he walked over to ,jesus1 who sat and caressed his birds--that glittered like jewels4 ,judas regarded them for a moment in silence1 then he raised his foot and crushed one of them4 ,when ,judas took his foot away and saw the entire little bird changed into a cake of clay1 he felt so relieved that he began to laugh1 and raised his foot to crush another4 8,judas10 said ,jesus1 8what are you doing8 ,don't you see that they are alive and can sing80 ,but ,judas laughed and crushed still another bird4 ,jesus looked around for help4 ,judas was heavily built and ,jesus had not the strength to hold him back4 ,he glanced around for his mother4 ,she was not far away1 but before she could have gone there1 ,judas would have had ample time to destroy the birds4 ,the tears sprang to ,jesus' eyes4 ,judas had already crushed four of his birds4 ,there were only three left4 ,he was annoyed with his birds1 who stood so calmly and let themselves be trampled upon without paying the slightest attention to the danger4 ,jesus clapped his hands to awaken them2 then he shouted3 8,fly1 fly60 ,then the three birds began to move their tiny wings1 and1 fluttering anxiously1 they succeeded in swinging themselves up to the eaves of the house1 where they were safe4 ,but when ,judas saw that the birds took to their wings and flew at ,jesus' command1 he began to weep4 ,he tore his hair1 as he had seen his elders do when they were in great trouble1 and he threw himself at ,jesus' feet4 ,judas lay there and rolled in the dust before ,jesus like a dog1 and kissed his feet and begged that he would raise his foot and crush him1 as he had done with the clay cuckoos4 ,for ,judas loved ,jesus and admired and worshiped him1 and at the same time hated him4 ,mary1 who sat all the while and watched the children's play1 came up and lifted ,judas in her arms and seated him on her lap1 and caressed him4 8,you poor child60 she said to him1 8you do not know that you have attempted something which no mortal can accomplish4 ,don't engage in anything of this kind again1 if you do not wish to become the unhappiest of mortals6 ,what would happen to any one of us who undertook to compete with one who paints with sunbeams and blows the breath of life into dead clay80 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,in the ,temple ,,in ,,the ,,temple ,once there was a poor family--a man1 his wife1 and their little son--who walked about in the big ,temple at ,jerusalem4 ,the son was such a pretty child6 ,he had hair which fell in long1 even curls1 and eyes that shone like stars4 ,the son had not been in the ,temple since he was big enough to comprehend what he saw2 and now his parents showed him all its glories4 ,there were long rows of pillars and gilded altars2 there were holy men who sat and instructed their pupils2 there was the high priest with his breastplate of precious stones4 ,there were the curtains from ,babylon1 interwoven with gold roses2 there were the great copper gates1 which were so heavy that it was hard work for thirty men to swing them back and forth on their hinges4 ,but the little boy1 who was only twelve years old1 did not care very much about seeing all this4 ,his mother told him that that which she showed him was the most marvelous in all the world4 ,she told him that it would probably be a long time before he should see anything like it again4 ,in the poor town of ,nazareth1 where they lived1 there was nothing to be seen but gray streets4 ,her exhortations did not help matters much4 ,the little boy looked as though he would willingly have run away from the magnificent ,temple1 if instead he could have got out and played on the narrow street in ,nazareth4 ,but it was singular that the more indifferent the boy appeared1 the more pleased and happy were the parents4 ,they nodded to each other over his head1 and were thoroughly satisfied4 ,at last1 the little one looked so tired and bored that the mother felt sorry for him4 8,now we have walked too far with you10 said she4 8,come1 you shall rest a while40 ,she sat down beside a pillar and told him to lie down on the ground and rest his head on her knee4 ,he did so1 and fell asleep instantly4 ,he had barely closed his eyes when the wife said to the husband3 8,i have never feared anything so much as the moment when he should come here to ,jerusalem's ,temple4 ,i believed that when he saw this house of ,god1 he would wish to stay here forever40 8,i1 too1 have been afraid of this journey10 said the man4 8,at the time of his birth1 many signs and wonders appeared which betokened that he would become a great ruler4 ,but what could royal honors bring him except worries and dangers8 ,i have always said that it would be best1 both for him and for us1 if he never became anything but a carpenter in ,nazareth40 8,since his fifth year10 said the mother reflectively1 8no miracles have happened around him4 ,and he does not recall any of the wonders which occurred during his early childhood4 ,now he is exactly like a child among other children4 ,god's will be done above all else6 ,but ,i have almost begun to hope that our ,lord in ,his mercy will choose another for the great destinies1 and let me keep my son with me40 8,for my part10 said the man1 8,i am certain that if he learns nothing of the signs and wonders which occurred during his first years1 then all will go well40 8,i never speak with him about any of these marvels10 said the wife4 8,but ,i fear all the while that1 without my having aught to do with it1 something will happen which will make him understand who he is4 ,i feared most of all to bring him to this ,temple40 8,you may be glad that the danger is over now10 said the man4 8,we shall soon have him back home in ,nazareth40 8,i have feared the wise men in the ,temple10 said the woman4 8,i have dreaded the soothsayers who sit here on their rugs4 ,i believed that when he should come to their notice1 they would stand up and bow before the child1 and greet him as ,judea's ,king4 ,it is singular that they do not notice his beauty4 ,such a child has never before come under their eyes40 ,she sat in silence a moment and regarded the child4 8,i can hardly understand it10 said she4 8,i believed that when he should see these judges1 who sit in the house of the ,holy ,one and settle the people's disputes1 and these teachers who talk with their pupils1 and these priests who serve the ,lord1 he would wake up and say3 #8,it is here1 among these judges1 these teachers1 these priests1 that ,i am born to live4'0 8,what happiness would there be for him to sit shut in between these pillar-aisles80 interposed the man4 8,it is better for him to roam on the hills and mountains round about ,nazareth40 ,the mother sighed a little4 8,he is so happy at home with us60 said she4 8,how contented he seems when he can follow the shepherds on their lonely wanderings1 or when he can go out in the fields and see the husbandmen labor4 ,i can not believe that we are treating him wrongly1 when we seek to keep him for ourselves40 8,we only spare him the greatest suffering10 said the man4 ,they continued talking together in this strain until the child awoke from his slumber4 8,well10 said the mother1 8have you had a good rest8 ,stand up now1 for it is drawing on toward evening1 and we must return to the camp40 ,they were in the most remote part of the building and so began the walk towards the entrance4 ,they had to go through an old arch which had been there ever since the time when the first ,temple was erected on this spot2 and near the arch1 propped against a wall1 stood an old copper trumpet1 enormous in length and weight1 almost like a pillar to raise to the mouth and play upon4 ,it stood there dented and battered1 full of dust and spiders' webs1 inside and outside1 and covered with an almost invisible tracing of ancient letters4 ,probably a thousand years had gone by since any one had tried to coax a tone out of it4 ,but when the little boy saw the huge trumpet1 he stopped--astonished6 8,what is that80 he asked4 8,that is the great trumpet called the ,voice of the ,prince of this ,world10 replied the mother4 8,with this1 ,moses called together the ,children of ,israel1 when they were scattered over the wilderness4 ,since his time no one has been able to coax a single tone from it4 ,but he who can do this1 shall gather all the peoples of earth under his dominion40 ,she smiled at this1 which she believed to be an old myth2 but the little boy remained standing beside the big trumpet until she called him4 ,this trumpet was the first thing he had seen in the ,temple that he liked4 ,they had not gone far before they came to a big1 wide ,temple-court4 ,here1 in the mountain-foundation itself1 was a chasm1 deep and wide--just as it had been from time immemorial4 ,this chasm ,king ,solomon had not wished to fill in when he built the ,temple4 ,no bridge had been laid over it2 no inclosure had he built around the steep abyss4 ,but instead1 he had stretched across it a sword of steel1 several feet long1 sharpened1 and with the blade up4 ,and after ages and ages and many changes1 the sword still lay across the chasm4 ,now it had almost rusted away4 ,it was no longer securely fastened at the ends1 but trembled and rocked as soon as any one walked with heavy steps in the ,temple ,court4 ,when the mother took the boy in a roundabout way past the chasm1 he asked3 8,what bridge is this80 8,it was placed there by ,king ,solomon10 answered the mother1 8and we call it ,paradise ,bridge4 ,if you can cross the chasm on this trembling bridge1 whose surface is thinner than a sunbeam1 then you can be sure of getting to ,paradise40 ,she smiled and moved away2 but the boy stood still and looked at the narrow1 trembling steel blade until she called him4 ,when he obeyed her1 she sighed because she had not shown him these two remarkable things sooner1 so that he might have had sufficient time to view them4 ,now they walked on without being detained1 till they came to the great entrance portico with its columns1 five-deep4 ,here1 in a corner1 were two black marble pillars erected on the same foundation1 and so close to each other that hardly a straw could be squeezed in between them4 ,they were tall and majestic1 with richly ornamented capitals around which ran a row of peculiarly formed beasts' heads4 ,and there was not an inch on these beautiful pillars that did not bear marks and scratches4 ,they were worn and damaged like nothing else in the ,temple4 ,even the floor around them was worn smooth1 and was somewhat hollowed out from the wear of many feet4 ,once more the boy stopped his mother and asked3 8,what pillars are these80 8,they are pillars which our father ,abraham brought with him to ,palestine from far-away ,chaldea1 and which he called ,righteousness' ,gate4 ,he who can squeeze between them is righteous before ,god and has never committed a sin40 ,the boy stood still and regarded these pillars with great1 open eyes4 8,you1 surely1 do not think of trying to squeeze yourself in between them80 laughed the mother4 8,you see how the floor around them is worn away by the many who have attempted to force their way through the narrow space2 but1 believe me1 no one has succeeded4 ,make haste6 ,i hear the clanging of the copper gates2 the thirty ,temple servants have put their shoulders to them40 ,but all night the little boy lay awake in the tent1 and he saw before him nothing but ,righteousness' ,gate and ,paradise ,bridge and the ,voice of the ,prince of this ,world4 ,never before had he heard of such wonderful things1 and he couldn't get them out of his head4 ,and on the morning of the next day it was the same thing3 he couldn't think of anything else4 ,that morning they were to leave for home4 ,the parents had much to do before they took the tent down and loaded it upon a big camel1 and before everything else was in order4 ,they were not going to travel alone1 but in company with many relatives and neighbors4 ,and since there were so many1 the packing naturally went on very slowly4 ,the little boy did not assist in the work1 but in the midst of the hurry and confusion he sat still and thought about the three wonderful things4 ,suddenly he concluded that he would have time enough to go back to the ,temple and take another look at them4 ,there was still much to be packed away4 ,he could probably manage to get back from the ,temple before the departure4 ,he hastened away without telling any one where he was going to4 ,he didn't think it was necessary4 ,he would soon return1 of course4 ,it wasn't long before he reached the ,temple and entered the portico where the two pillars stood4 ,as soon as he saw them1 his eyes danced with joy4 ,he sat down on the floor beside them1 and gazed up at them4 ,as he thought that he who could squeeze between these two pillars was accounted righteous before ,god and had never committed sin1 he fancied he had never seen anything so wonderful4 ,he thought how glorious it would be to be able to squeeze in between the two pillars1 but they stood so close together that it was impossible even to try it4 ,in this way1 he sat motionless before the pillars for well-nigh an hour2 but this he did not know4 ,he thought he had looked at them only a few moments4 ,but it happened that1 in the portico where the little boy sat1 the judges of the high court were assembled to help folks settle their differences4 ,the whole portico was filled with people1 who complained about boundary lines that had been moved1 about sheep which had been carried away from the flocks and branded with false marks1 about debtors who wouldn't pay4 ,among them came a rich man dressed in a trailing purple robe1 who brought before the court a poor widow who was supposed to owe him a few silver shekels4 ,the poor widow cried and said that the rich man dealt unjustly with her2 she had already paid her debt to him once1 and now he tried to force her to pay it again1 but this she could not afford to do2 she was so poor that should the judges condemn her to pay1 she must give her daughters to the rich man as slaves4 ,then he who sat in the place of honor on the judges' bench1 turned to the rich man and said3 8,do you dare to swear on oath that this poor woman has not already paid you80 ,then the rich man answered3 8,lord1 ,i am a rich man4 ,would ,i take the trouble to demand my money from this poor widow1 if ,i did not have the right to it8 ,i swear to you that as certain as that no one shall ever walk through ,righteousness' ,gate does this woman owe me the sum which ,i demand40 ,when the judges heard this oath they believed him1 and doomed the poor widow to leave him her daughters as slaves4 ,but the little boy sat close by and heard all this4 ,he thought to himself3 ,what a good thing it would be if some one could squeeze through ,righteousness' ,gate6 ,that rich man certainly did not speak the truth4 ,it is a great pity about the poor old woman1 who will be compelled to send her daughters away to become slaves6 ,he jumped upon the platform where the two pillars towered into the heights1 and looked through the crack4 8,ah1 that it were not altogether impossible60 thought he4 ,he was deeply distressed because of the poor woman4 ,now he didn't think at all about the saying that he who could squeeze through ,righteousness' ,gate was holy1 and without sin4 ,he wanted to get through only for the sake of the poor woman4 ,he put his shoulder in the groove between the two pillars1 as if to make a way4 ,that instant all the people who stood under the portico1 looked over toward ,righteousness' ,gate4 ,for it rumbled in the vaults1 and it sang in the old pillars1 and they glided apart--one to the right1 and one to the left--and made a space wide enough for the boy's slender body to pass between them6 ,then there arose the greatest wonder and excitement6 ,at first no one knew what to say4 ,the people stood and stared at the little boy who had worked so great a miracle4 ,the oldest among the judges was the first one who came to his senses4 ,he called out that they should lay hold on the rich merchant1 and bring him before the judgment seat4 ,and he sentenced him to leave all his goods to the poor widow1 because he had sworn falsely in ,god's ,temple4 ,when this was settled1 the judge asked after the boy who had passed through ,righteousness' ,gate2 but when the people looked around for him1 he had disappeared4 ,for the very moment the pillars glided apart1 he was awakened1 as from a dream1 and remembered the home-journey and his parents4 8,now ,i must hasten away from here1 so that my parents will not have to wait for me10 thought he4 ,he knew not that he had sat a whole hour before ,righteousness' ,gate1 but believed he had lingered there only a few minutes2 therefore1 he thought that he would even have time to take a look at ,paradise ,bridge before he left the ,temple4 ,and he slipped through the throng of people and came to ,paradise ,bridge1 which was situated in another part of the big temple4 ,but when he saw the sharp steel sword which was drawn across the chasm1 he thought how the person who could walk across that bridge was sure of reaching ,paradise4 ,he believed that this was the most marvelous thing he had ever beheld2 and he seated himself on the edge of the chasm to look at the steel sword4 ,there he sat down and thought how delightful it would be to reach ,paradise1 and how much he would like to walk across the bridge2 but at the same time he saw that it would be simply impossible even to attempt it4 ,thus he sat and mused for two hours1 but he did not know how the time had flown4 ,he sat there and thought only of ,paradise4 ,but it seems that in the court where the deep chasm was1 a large altar had been erected1 and all around it walked white-robed priests1 who tended the altar fire and received sacrifices4 ,in the court there were many with offerings1 and a big crowd who only watched the service4 ,then there came a poor old man who brought a lamb which was very small and thin1 and which had been bitten by a dog and had a large wound4 ,the man went up to the priests with the lamb and begged that he might offer it1 but they refused to accept it4 ,they told him that such a miserable gift he could not offer to our ,lord4 ,the old man implored them to accept the lamb out of compassion1 for his son lay at the point of death1 and he possessed nothing else that he could offer to ,god for his restoration4 8,you must let me offer it10 said he1 8else my prayers will not come before ,god's face1 and my son will die60 8,you must not believe but that ,i have the greatest sympathy with you10 said the priest1 8but in the law it is forbidden to sacrifice a damaged animal4 ,it is just as impossible to grant your prayers1 as it is to cross ,paradise ,bridge40 ,the little boy did not sit very far away1 so he heard all this4 ,instantly he thought what a pity it was that no one could cross the bridge4 ,perhaps the poor man might keep his son if the lamb were sacrificed4 ,the old man left the ,temple ,court disconsolate1 but the boy got up1 walked over to the trembling bridge1 and put his foot on it4 ,he didn't think at all about wanting to cross it to be certain of ,paradise4 ,his thoughts were with the poor man1 whom he desired to help4 ,but he drew back his foot1 for he thought3 8,this is impossible4 ,it is much too old and rusty1 and would not hold even me60 ,but once again his thoughts went out to the old man whose son lay at death's door4 ,again he put his foot down upon the blade4 ,then he noticed that it ceased to tremble1 and that beneath his foot it felt broad and secure4 ,and when he took the next step upon it1 he felt that the air around him supported him1 so that he could not fall4 ,it bore him as though he were a bird1 and had wings4 ,but from the suspended sword a sweet tone trembled when the boy walked upon it1 and one of those who stood in the court turned around when he heard the tone4 ,he gave a cry1 and then the others turned and saw the little boy tripping across the sword4 ,there was great consternation among all who stood there4 ,the first who came to their senses were the priests4 ,they immediately sent a messenger after the poor man1 and when he came back they said to him3 8,god has performed a miracle to show us that ,he will accept your offering4 ,give us your lamb and we will sacrifice it40 ,when this was done they asked for the little boy who had walked across the chasm2 but when they looked around for him they could not find him4 ,for just after the boy had crossed the chasm1 he happened to think of the journey home1 and of his parents4 ,he did not know that the morning and the whole forenoon were gone1 but thought3 8,i must make haste and get back1 so that they will not have to wait4 ,but first ,i want to run over and take a look at the ,voice of the ,prince of this ,world40 ,and he stole away through the crowd and ran over to the damp pillar-aisle where the copper trumpet stood leaning against the wall4 ,when he saw it1 and thought about the prediction that he who could coax a tone from it should one day gather all the peoples of earth under his dominion1 he fancied that never had he seen anything so wonderful6 and he sat down beside it and regarded it4 ,he thought how great it would be to win all the peoples of earth1 and how much he wished that he could blow in the old trumpet4 ,but he understood that it was impossible1 so he didn't even dare try4 ,he sat like this for several hours1 but he did not know how the time passed4 ,he thought only how marvelous it would be to gather all the peoples of earth under his dominion4 ,but it happened that in this cool passageway sat a holy man who instructed his pupils1 that sat at his feet4 ,and now this holy man turned toward one of his pupils and told him that he was an impostor4 ,he said the spirit had revealed to him that this youth was a stranger1 and not an ,israelite4 ,and he demanded why he had sneaked in among his pupils under a false name4 ,then the strange youth rose and said that he had wandered through deserts and sailed over great seas that he might hear wisdom and the doctrine of the only true ,god expounded4 8,my soul was faint with longing10 he said to the holy man4 8,but ,i knew that you would not teach me if ,i did not say that ,i was an ,israelite4 ,therefore1 ,i lied to you1 that my longing should be satisfied4 ,and ,i pray that you will let me remain here with you40 ,but the holy man stood up and raised his arms toward heaven4 8,it is just as impossible to let you remain here with me1 as it is that some one shall arise and blow in the huge copper trumpet1 which we call the ,voice of the ,prince of this ,world6 ,you are not even permitted to enter this part of the ,temple4 ,leave this place at once1 or my pupils will throw themselves upon you and tear you in pieces1 for your presence desecrates the ,temple40 ,but the youth stood still1 and said3 8,i do not wish to go elsewhere1 where my soul can find no nourishment4 ,i would rather die here at your feet40 ,hardly was this said when the holy man's pupils jumped to their feet1 to drive him away1 and when he made resistance1 they threw him down and wished to kill him4 ,but the boy sat very near1 so he heard and saw all this1 and he thought3 8,this is a great injustice4 ,oh6 if ,i could only blow in the big copper trumpet1 he would be helped40 ,he rose and laid his hand on the trumpet4 ,at this moment he no longer wished that he could raise it to his lips because he who could do so should be a great ruler1 but because he hoped that he might help one whose life was in danger4 ,and he grasped the copper trumpet with his tiny hands1 to try and lift it4 ,then he felt that the huge trumpet raised itself to his lips4 ,and when he only breathed1 a strong1 resonant tone came forth from the trumpet1 and reverberated all through the great ,temple4 ,then they all turned their eyes and saw that it was a little boy who stood with the trumpet to his lips and coaxed from it tones which made foundations and pillars tremble4 ,instantly1 all the hands which had been lifted to strike the strange youth fell1 and the holy teacher said to him3 8,come and sit thee here at my feet1 as thou didst sit before6 ,god hath performed a miracle to show me that it is ,his wish that thou shouldst be consecrated to ,his service40 99 99 99 99 99 ,as it drew on toward the close of day1 a man and a woman came hurrying toward ,jerusalem4 ,they looked frightened and anxious1 and called out to each and every one whom they met3 8,we have lost our son6 ,we thought he had followed our relatives1 but none of them have seen him4 ,has any one of you passed a child alone80 ,those who came from ,jerusalem answered them3 8,indeed1 we have not seen your son1 but in the ,temple we saw a most beautiful child6 ,he was like an angel from heaven1 and he has passed through ,righteousness' ,gate40 ,they would gladly have related1 very minutely1 all about this1 but the parents had no time to listen4 ,when they had walked on a little farther1 they met other persons and questioned them4 ,but those who came from ,jerusalem wished to talk only about a most beautiful child who looked as though he had come down from heaven1 and who had crossed ,paradise ,bridge4 ,they would gladly have stopped and talked about this until late at night1 but the man and woman had no time to listen to them1 and hurried into the city4 ,they walked up one street and down another without finding the child4 ,at last they reached the ,temple4 ,as they came up to it1 the woman said3 8,since we are here1 let us go in and see what the child is like1 which they say has come down from heaven60 ,they went in and asked where they should find the child4 8,go straight on to where the holy teachers sit with their students4 ,there you will find the child4 ,the old men have seated him in their midst4 ,they question him and he questions them1 and they are all amazed at him4 ,but all the people stand below in the ,temple court1 to catch a glimpse of the one who has raised the ,voice of the ,prince of this ,world to his lips40 ,the man and the woman made their way through the throng of people1 and saw that the child who sat among the wise teachers was their son4 ,but as soon as the woman recognized the child she began to weep4 ,and the boy who sat among the wise men heard that some one wept1 and he knew that it was his mother4 ,then he rose and came over to her1 and the father and mother took him between them and went from the ,temple with him4 ,but as the mother continued to weep1 the child asked3 8,why weepest thou8 ,i came to thee as soon as ,i heard thy voice40 8,should ,i not weep80 said the mother4 8,i believed that thou wert lost to me40 ,they went out from the city and darkness came on1 and all the while the mother wept4 8,why weepest thou80 asked the child4 8,i did not know that the day was spent4 ,i thought it was still morning1 and ,i came to thee as soon as ,i heard thy voice40 8,should ,i not weep80 said the mother4 8,i have sought for thee all day long4 ,i believed that thou wert lost to me40 ,they walked the whole night1 and the mother wept all the while4 ,when day began to dawn1 the child said3 8,why dost thou weep8 ,i have not sought mine own glory1 but ,god has let me perform miracles because ,he wanted to help the three poor creatures4 ,as soon as ,i heard thy voice1 ,i came to thee40 8,my son10 replied the mother4 8,i weep because thou art none the less lost to me4 ,thou wilt never more belong to me4 ,henceforth thy life ambition shall be righteousness2 thy longing1 ,paradise2 and thy love shall embrace all the poor human beings who people this earth40 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,saint ,veronica's ,kerchief ,,saint ,,veronica',s ,,kerchief ,i ,during one of the latter years of ,emperor ,tiberius' reign1 a poor vine-dresser and his wife came and settled in a solitary hut among the ,sabine mountains4 ,they were strangers1 and lived in absolute solitude without ever receiving a visit from a human being4 ,but one morning when the laborer opened his door1 he found1 to his astonishment1 that an old woman sat huddled up on the threshold4 ,she was wrapped in a plain gray mantle1 and looked very poor4 ,nevertheless1 she impressed him as being so respect-compelling1 as she rose and came to meet him1 that it made him think of what the legends had to say about goddesses who1 in the form of old women1 had visited mortals4 8,my friend10 said the old woman to the vine-dresser1 8you must not wonder that ,i have slept this night on your threshold4 ,my parents lived in this hut1 and here ,i was born nearly ninety years ago4 ,i expected to find it empty and deserted4 ,i did not know that people still occupied it40 8,i do not wonder that you thought a hut which lies so high up among these desolate hills should stand empty and deserted10 said the vine-dresser4 8,but my wife and ,i come from a foreign land1 and as poor strangers we have not been able to find a better dwelling-place4 ,but to you1 who must be tired and hungry after the long journey1 which you at your extreme age have undertaken1 it is perhaps more welcome that the hut is occupied by people than by ,sabine mountain wolves4 ,you will at least find a bed within to rest on1 and a bowl of goats' milk1 and a bread-cake1 if you will accept them40 ,the old woman smiled a little1 but this smile was so fleeting that it could not dispel the expression of deep sorrow which rested upon her countenance4 8,i spent my entire youth up here among these mountains10 she said4 8,i have not yet forgotten the trick of driving a wolf from his lair40 ,and she actually looked so strong and vigorous that the laborer didn't doubt that she still possessed strength enough1 despite her great age1 to fight with the wild beasts of the forest4 ,he repeated his invitation1 and the old woman stepped into the cottage4 ,she sat down to the frugal meal1 and partook of it without hesitancy4 ,although she seemed to be well satisfied with the fare of coarse bread soaked in goats' milk1 both the man and his wife thought3 8,where can this old wanderer come from8 ,she has certainly eaten pheasants served on silver plates oftener than she has drunk goats' milk from earthen bowls40 ,now and then she raised her eyes from the food and looked around1--as if to try and realize that she was back in the hut4 ,the poor old home with its bare clay walls and its earth floor was certainly not much changed4 ,she pointed out to her hosts that on the walls there were still visible some traces of dogs and deer which her father had sketched there to amuse his little children4 ,and on a shelf1 high up1 she thought she saw fragments of an earthen dish which she herself had used to measure milk in4 ,the man and his wife thought to themselves3 8,it must be true that she was born in this hut1 but she has surely had much more to attend to in this life than milking goats and making butter and cheese40 ,they observed also that her thoughts were often far away1 and that she sighed heavily and anxiously every time she came back to herself4 ,finally she rose from the table4 ,she thanked them graciously for the hospitality she had enjoyed1 and walked toward the door4 ,but then it seemed to the vine-dresser that she was pitifully poor and lonely1 and he exclaimed3 8,if ,i am not mistaken1 it was not your intention1 when you dragged yourself up here last night1 to leave this hut so soon4 ,if you are actually as poor as you seem1 it must have been your intention to remain here for the rest of your life4 ,but now you wish to leave because my wife and ,i have taken possession of the hut40 ,the old woman did not deny that he had guessed rightly4 8,but this hut1 which for many years has been deserted1 belongs to you as much as to me10 she said4 8,i have no right to drive you from it40 8,it is still your parents' hut10 said the laborer1 8and you surely have a better right to it than we have4 ,besides1 we are young and you are old2 therefore1 you shall remain and we will go40 ,when the old woman heard this1 she was greatly astonished4 ,she turned around on the threshold and stared at the man1 as though she had not understood what he meant by his words4 ,but now the young wife joined in the conversation4 8,if ,i might suggest10 said she to her husband1 8,i should beg you to ask this old woman if she won't look upon us as her own children1 and permit us to stay with her and take care of her4 ,what service would we render her if we gave her this miserable hut and then left her8 ,it would be terrible for her to live here in this wilderness alone6 ,and what would she live on8 ,it would be just like letting her starve to death40 ,the old woman went up to the man and his wife and regarded them carefully4 8,why do you speak thus80 she asked4 8,why are you so merciful to me8 ,you are strangers40 ,then the young wife answered3 8,it is because we ourselves once met with great mercy40 ,,ii ,this is how the old woman came to live in the vine-dresser's hut4 ,and she conceived a great friendship for the young people4 ,but for all that she never told them whence she had come1 or who she was1 and they understood that she would not have taken it in good part had they questioned her4 ,but one evening1 when the day's work was done1 and all three sat on the big1 flat rock which lay before the entrance1 and partook of their evening meal1 they saw an old man coming up the path4 ,he was a tall and powerfully built man1 with shoulders as broad as a gladiator's4 ,his face wore a cheerless and stern expression4 ,the brows jutted far out over the deep-set eyes1 and the lines around the mouth expressed bitterness and contempt4 ,he walked with erect bearing and quick movements4 ,the man wore a simple dress1 and the instant the vine-dresser saw him1 he said3 8,he is an old soldier1 one who has been discharged from service and is now on his way home40 ,when the stranger came directly before them he paused1 as if in doubt4 ,the laborer1 who knew that the road terminated a short distance beyond the hut1 laid down his spoon and called out to him3 8,have you gone astray1 stranger1 since you come hither8 ,usually1 no one takes the trouble to climb up here1 unless he has an errand to one of us who live here40 ,when he questioned in this manner1 the stranger came nearer4 8,it is as you say10 said he4 8,i have taken the wrong road1 and now ,i know not whither ,i shall direct my steps4 ,if you will let me rest here a while1 and then tell me which path ,i shall follow to get to some farm1 ,i shall be grateful to you40 ,as he spake he sat down upon one of the stones which lay before the hut4 ,the young woman asked him if he wouldn't share their supper1 but this he declined with a smile4 ,on the other hand it was very evident that he was inclined to talk with them1 while they ate4 ,he asked the young folks about their manner of living1 and their work1 and they answered him frankly and cheerfully4 ,suddenly the laborer turned toward the stranger and began to question him4 8,you see in what a lonely and isolated way we live10 said he4 8,it must be a year at least since ,i have talked with any one except shepherds and vineyard laborers4 ,can not you1 who must come from some camp1 tell us something about ,rome and the ,emperor80 ,hardly had the man said this than the young wife noticed that the old woman gave him a warning glance1 and made with her hand the sign which means--,have a care what you say4 ,the stranger1 meanwhile1 answered very affably3 8,i understand that you take me for a soldier1 which is not untrue1 although ,i have long since left the service4 ,during ,tiberius' reign there has not been much work for us soldiers4 ,yet he was once a great commander4 ,those were the days of his good fortune4 ,now he thinks of nothing except to guard himself against conspiracies4 ,in ,rome1 every one is talking about how1 last week1 he let ,senator ,titius be seized and executed on the merest suspicion40 8,the poor ,emperor no longer knows what he does60 exclaimed the young woman2 and shook her head in pity and surprise4 8,you are perfectly right10 said the stranger1 as an expression of the deepest melancholy crossed his countenance4 8,tiberius knows that every one hates him1 and this is driving him insane40 8,what say you80 the woman retorted4 8,why should we hate him8 ,we only deplore the fact that he is no longer the great ,emperor he was in the beginning of his reign40 8,you are mistaken10 said the stranger4 8,every one hates and detests ,tiberius4 ,why should they do otherwise8 ,he is nothing but a cruel and merciless tyrant4 ,in ,rome they think that from now on he will become even more unreasonable than he has been40 8,has anything happened1 then1 which will turn him into a worse beast than he is already80 queried the vine-dresser4 ,when he said this1 the wife noticed that the old woman gave him a new warning signal1 but so stealthily that he could not see it4 ,the stranger answered him in a kindly manner1 but at the same time a singular smile played about his lips4 8,you have heard1 perhaps1 that until now ,tiberius has had a friend in his household on whom he could rely1 and who has always told him the truth4 ,all the rest who live in his palace are fortune-hunters and hypocrites1 who praise the ,emperor's wicked and cunning acts just as much as his good and admirable ones4 ,but there was1 as we have said1 one alone who never feared to let him know how his conduct was actually regarded4 ,this person1 who was more courageous than senators and generals1 was the ,emperor's old nurse1 ,faustina40 8,i have heard of her10 said the laborer4 8,i've been told that the ,emperor has always shown her great friendship40 8,yes1 ,tiberius knew how to prize her affection and loyalty4 ,he treated this poor peasant woman1 who came from a miserable hut in the ,sabine mountains1 as his second mother4 ,as long as he stayed in ,rome1 he let her live in a mansion on the ,palatine1 that he might always have her near him4 ,none of ,rome's noble matrons has fared better than she4 ,she was borne through the streets in a litter1 and her dress was that of an empress4 ,when the ,emperor moved to ,capri1 she had to accompany him1 and he bought a country estate for her there1 and filled it with slaves and costly furnishings40 8,she has certainly fared well10 said the husband4 ,now it was he who kept up the conversation with the stranger4 ,the wife sat silent and observed with surprise the change which had come over the old woman4 ,since the stranger arrived1 she had not spoken a word4 ,she had lost her mild and friendly expression4 ,she had pushed her food aside1 and sat erect and rigid against the door-post1 and stared straight ahead1 with a severe and stony countenance4 8,it was the ,emperor's intention that she should have a happy life10 said the stranger4 8,but1 despite all his kindly acts1 she too has deserted him40 ,the old woman gave a start at these words1 but the young one laid her hand quietingly on her arm4 ,then she began to speak in her soft1 sympathetic voice4 8,i can not believe that ,faustina has been as happy at court as you say10 she said1 as she turned toward the stranger4 8,i am sure that she has loved ,tiberius as if he had been her own son4 ,i can understand how proud she has been of his noble youth1 and ,i can even understand how it must have grieved her to see him abandon himself in his old age to suspicion and cruelty4 ,she has certainly warned and admonished him every day4 ,it has been terrible for her always to plead in vain4 ,at last she could no longer bear to see him sink lower and lower40 ,the stranger1 astonished1 leaned forward a bit when he heard this2 but the young woman did not glance up at him4 ,she kept her eyes lowered1 and spoke very calmly and gently4 8,perhaps you are right in what you say of the old woman10 he replied4 8,faustina has really not been happy at court4 ,it seems strange1 nevertheless1 that she has left the ,emperor in his old age1 when she had endured him the span of a lifetime40 8,what say you80 asked the husband4 8,has old ,faustina left the ,emperor80 8,she has stolen away from ,capri without any one's knowledge10 said the stranger4 8,she left just as poor as she came4 ,she has not taken one of her treasures with her40 8,and doesn't the ,emperor really know where she has gone80 asked the wife4 8,no6 ,no one knows for certain what road the old woman has taken4 ,still1 one takes it for granted that she has sought refuge among her native mountains40 8,and the ,emperor does not know1 either1 why she has gone away80 asked the young woman4 8,no1 the ,emperor knows nothing of this4 ,he can not believe she left him because he once told her that she served him for money and gifts only1 like all the rest4 ,she knows1 however1 that he has never doubted her unselfishness4 ,he has hoped all along that she would return to him voluntarily1 for no one knows better than she that he is absolutely without friends40 8,i do not know her10 said the young woman1 8but ,i think ,i can tell you why she has left the ,emperor4 ,the old woman was brought up among these mountains in simplicity and piety1 and she has always longed to come back here again4 ,surely she never would have abandoned the ,emperor if he had not insulted her4 ,but ,i understand that1 after this1 she feels she has the right to think of herself1 since her days are numbered4 ,if ,i were a poor woman of the mountains1 ,i certainly would have acted as she did4 ,i would have thought that ,i had done enough when ,i had served my master during a whole lifetime4 ,i would at last have abandoned luxury and royal favors to give my soul a taste of honor and integrity before it left me for the long journey40 ,the stranger glanced with a deep and tender sadness at the young woman4 8,you do not consider that the ,emperor's propensities will become worse than ever4 ,now there is no one who can calm him when suspicion and misanthropy take possession of him4 ,think of this10 he continued1 as his melancholy gaze penetrated deeply into the eyes of the young woman1 8in all the world there is no one now whom he does not hate2 no one whom he does not despise--no one60 ,as he uttered these words of bitter despair1 the old woman made a sudden movement and turned toward him1 but the young woman looked him straight in the eyes and answered3 8,tiberius knows that ,faustina will come back to him whenever he wishes it4 ,but first she must know that her old eyes need never more behold vice and infamy at his court40 ,they had all risen during this speech2 but the vine-dresser and his wife placed themselves in front of the old woman1 as if to shield her4 ,the stranger did not utter another syllable1 but regarded the old woman with a questioning glance4 ,is this your last word also8 he seemed to want to say4 ,the old woman's lips quivered1 but words would not pass them4 8,if the ,emperor has loved his old servant1 then he can also let her live her last days in peace10 said the young woman4 ,the stranger hesitated still1 but suddenly his dark countenance brightened4 8,my friends10 said he1 8whatever one may say of ,tiberius1 there is one thing which he has learned better than others2 and that is--renunciation4 ,i have only one thing more to say to you3 ,if this old woman1 of whom we have spoken1 should come to this hut1 receive her well6 ,the ,emperor's favor rests upon any one who succors her40 ,he wrapped his mantle about him and departed the same way that he had come4 ,,iii ,after this1 the vine-dresser and his wife never again spoke to the old woman about the ,emperor4 ,between themselves they marveled that she1 at her great age1 had had the strength to renounce all the wealth and power to which she had become accustomed4 8,i wonder if she will not soon go back to ,tiberius80 they asked themselves4 8,it is certain that she still loves him4 ,it is in the hope that it will awaken him to reason and enable him to repent of his low conduct1 that she has left him40 8,a man as old as the ,emperor will never begin a new life10 said the laborer4 8,how are you going to rid him of his great contempt for mankind8 ,who could go to him and teach him to love his fellow man8 ,until this happens1 he can not be cured of suspicion and cruelty40 8,you know that there is one who could actually do it10 said the wife4 8,i often think of how it would turn out1 if the two should meet4 ,but ,god's ways are not our ways40 ,the old woman did not seem to miss her former life at all4 ,after a time the young wife gave birth to a child4 ,the old woman had the care of it2 she seemed so content in consequence that one could have thought she had forgotten all her sorrows4 ,once every half-year she used to wrap her long1 gray mantle around her1 and wander down to ,rome4 ,there she did not seek a soul1 but went straight to the ,forum4 ,here she stopped outside a little temple1 which was erected on one side of the superbly decorated square4 ,all there was of this temple was an uncommonly large altar1 which stood in a marble-paved court under the open sky4 ,on the top of the altar1 ,fortuna1 the goddess of happiness1 was enthroned1 and at its foot was a statue of ,tiberius4 ,encircling the court were buildings for the priests1 storerooms for fuel1 and stalls for the beasts of sacrifice4 ,old ,faustina's journeys never extended beyond this temple1 where those who would pray for the welfare of ,tiberius were wont to come4 ,when she cast a glance in there and saw that both the goddess' and the ,emperor's statue were wreathed in flowers2 that the sacrificial fire burned2 that throngs of reverent worshipers were assembled before the altar1 and heard the priests' low chants sounding thereabouts1 she turned around and went back to the mountains4 ,in this way she learned1 without having to question a human being1 that ,tiberius was still among the living1 and that all was well with him4 ,the third time she undertook this journey1 she met with a surprise4 ,when she reached the little temple1 she found it empty and deserted4 ,no fire burned before the statue1 and not a worshiper was seen4 ,a couple of dried garlands still hung on one side of the altar1 but this was all that testified to its former glory4 ,the priests were gone1 and the ,emperor's statue1 which stood there unguarded1 was damaged and mud-bespattered4 ,the old woman turned to the first passer-by4 8,what does this mean80 she asked4 8,is ,tiberius dead8 ,have we another ,emperor80 8,no10 replied the ,roman1 8,tiberius is still ,emperor1 but we have ceased to pray for him4 ,our prayers can no longer benefit him40 8,my friend10 said the old woman1 8,i live far away among the mountains1 where one learns nothing of what happens out in the world4 ,won't you tell me what dreadful misfortune has overtaken the ,emperor80 8,the most dreadful of all misfortunes6 ,he has been stricken with a disease which has never before been known in ,italy1 but which seems to be common in the ,orient4 ,since this evil has befallen the ,emperor1 his features are changed1 his voice has become like an animal's grunt1 and his toes and fingers are rotting away4 ,and for this illness there appears to be no remedy4 ,they believe that he will die within a few weeks4 ,but if he does not die1 he will be dethroned1 for such an ill and wretched man can no longer conduct the affairs of ,state4 ,you understand1 of course1 that his fate is a foregone conclusion4 ,it is useless to invoke the gods for his success1 and it is not worth while10 he added1 with a faint smile4 8,no one has anything more either to fear or hope from him4 ,why1 then1 should we trouble ourselves on his account80 ,he nodded and walked away2 but the old woman stood there as if stunned4 ,for the first time in her life she collapsed1 and looked like one whom age has subdued4 ,she stood with bent back and trembling head1 and with hands that groped feebly in the air4 ,she longed to get away from the place1 but she moved her feet slowly4 ,she looked around to find something which she could use as a staff4 ,but after a few moments1 by a tremendous effort of the will1 she succeeded in conquering the faintness4 ,,iv ,a week later1 old ,faustina wandered up the steep inclines on the ,island of ,capri4 ,it was a warm day and the dread consciousness of old age and feebleness came over her as she labored up the winding roads and the hewn-out steps in the mountain1 which led to ,tiberius' villa4 ,this feeling increased when she observed how changed everything had become during the time she had been away4 ,in truth1 on and alongside these steps there had always before been throngs of people4 ,here it used fairly to swarm with senators1 borne by giant ,libyans2 with messengers from the provinces attended by long processions of slaves2 with office-seekers2 with noblemen invited to participate in the ,emperor's feasts4 ,but to-day the steps and passages were entirely deserted4 ,gray-greenish lizards were the only living things which the old woman saw in her path4 ,she was amazed to see that already everything appeared to be going to ruin4 ,at most1 the ,emperor's illness could not have progressed more than two months1 and yet the grass had already taken root in the cracks between the marble stones4 ,rare growths1 planted in beautiful vases1 were already withered and here and there mischievous spoilers1 whom no one had taken the trouble to stop1 had broken down the balustrade4 ,but to her the most singular thing of all was the entire absence of people4 ,even if strangers were forbidden to appear on the island1 attendants at least should still be found there3 the endless crowds of soldiers and slaves2 of dancers and musicians2 of cooks and stewards2 of palace-sentinels and gardeners1 who belonged to the ,emperor's household4 ,when ,faustina reached the upper terrace1 she caught sight of two slaves1 who sat on the steps in front of the villa4 ,as she approached1 they rose and bowed to her4 8,be greeted1 ,faustina60 said one of them4 8,it is a god who sends thee to lighten our sorrows40 8,what does this mean1 ,milo80 asked ,faustina4 8,why is it so deserted here8 ,yet they have told me that ,tiberius still lives at ,capri40 8,the ,emperor has driven away all his slaves because he suspects that one of us has given him poisoned wine to drink1 and that this has brought on the illness4 ,he would have driven even ,tito and myself away1 if we had not refused to obey him2 yet1 as you know1 we have all our lives served the ,emperor and his mother40 8,i do not ask after slaves only10 said ,faustina4 8,where are the senators and field marshals8 ,where are the ,emperor's intimate friends1 and all the fawning fortune-hunters80 8,tiberius does not wish to show himself before strangers10 said the slave4 8,senator ,lucius and ,marco1 ,commander of the ,life ,guard1 come here every day and receive orders4 ,no one else may approach him40 ,faustina had gone up the steps to enter the villa4 ,the slave went before her1 and on the way she asked3 8,what say the physicians of ,tiberius' illness80 8,none of them understands how to treat this illness4 ,they do not even know if it kills quickly or slowly4 ,but this ,i can tell you1 ,faustina1 ,tiberius must die if he continues to refuse all food for fear it may be poisoned4 ,and ,i know that a sick man can not stay awake night and day1 as the ,emperor does1 for fear he may be murdered in his sleep4 ,if he will trust you as in former days1 you might succeed in making him eat and sleep4 ,thereby you can prolong his life for many days40 ,the slave conducted ,faustina through several passages and courts to a terrace which ,tiberius used to frequent to enjoy the view of the beautiful bays and proud ,vesuvius4 ,when ,faustina stepped out upon the terrace1 she saw a hideous creature with a swollen face and animal-like features4 ,his hands and feet were swathed in white bandages1 but through the bandages protruded half-rotted fingers and toes4 ,and this being's clothes were soiled and dusty4 ,it was evident he could not walk erect1 but had been obliged to crawl out upon the terrace4 ,he lay with closed eyes near the balustrade at the farthest end1 and did not move when the slave and ,faustina came4 ,faustina whispered to the slave1 who walked before her3 8,but1 ,milo1 how can such a creature be found here on the ,emperor's private terrace8 ,make haste1 and take him away60 ,but she had scarcely said this when she saw the slave bow to the ground before the miserable creature who lay there4 8,csar ,tiberius10 said he1 8at last ,i have glad tidings to bring thee40 ,at the same time the slave turned toward ,faustina1 but he shrank back1 aghast6 and could not speak another word4 ,he did not behold the proud matron who had looked so strong that one might have expected that she would live to the age of a sibyl4 ,in this moment1 she had drooped into impotent age1 and the slave saw before him a bent old woman with misty eyes and fumbling hands4 ,faustina had certainly heard that the ,emperor was terribly changed1 yet never for a moment had she ceased to think of him as the strong man he was when she last saw him4 ,she had also heard some one say that this illness progressed slowly1 and that it took years to transform a human being4 ,but here it had advanced with such virulence that it had made the ,emperor unrecognizable in just two months4 ,she tottered up to the ,emperor4 ,she could not speak1 but stood silent beside him1 and wept4 8,are you come now1 ,faustina80 he said1 without opening his eyes4 8,i lay and fancied that you stood here and wept over me4 ,i dare not look up for fear ,i will find that it was only an illusion40 ,then the old woman sat down beside him4 ,she raised his head and placed it on her knee4 ,but ,tiberius lay still1 without looking at her4 ,a sense of sweet repose enfolded him1 and the next moment he sank into a peaceful slumber4 ,v ,a few weeks later1 one of the ,emperor's slaves came to the lonely hut in the ,sabine mountains4 ,it drew on toward evening1 and the vine-dresser and his wife stood in the doorway and saw the sun set in the distant west4 ,the slave turned out of the path1 and came up and greeted them4 ,thereupon he took a heavy purse1 which he carried in his girdle1 and laid it in the husband's hand4 8,this1 ,faustina1 the old woman to whom you have shown compassion1 sends you10 said the slave4 8,she begs that with this money you will purchase a vineyard of your own1 and build you a house that does not lie as high in the air as the eagles' nests40 8,old ,faustina still lives1 then80 said the husband4 8,we have searched for her in cleft and morass4 ,when she did not come back to us1 ,i thought that she had met her death in these wretched mountains40 8,don't you remember10 the wife interposed1 8that ,i would not believe that she was dead8 ,did ,i not say to you that she had gone back to the ,emperor80 ,this the husband admitted4 8,and ,i am glad10 he added1 8that you were right1 not only because ,faustina has become rich enough to help us out of our poverty1 but also on the poor ,emperor's account40 ,the slave wanted to say farewell at once1 in order to reach densely settled quarters before dark1 but this the couple would not permit4 8,you must stop with us until morning10 said they4 8,we can not let you go before you have told us all that has happened to ,faustina4 ,why has she returned to the ,emperor8 ,what was their meeting like8 ,are they glad to be together again80 ,the slave yielded to these solicitations4 ,he followed them into the hut1 and during the evening meal he told them all about the ,emperor's illness and ,faustina's return4 ,when the slave had finished his narrative1 he saw that both the man and the woman sat motionless--dumb with amazement4 ,their gaze was fixed on the ground1 as though not to betray the emotion which affected them4 ,finally the man looked up and said to his wife3 8,don't you believe ,god has decreed this80 8,yes10 said the wife1 8surely it was for this that our ,lord sent us across the sea to this lonely hut4 ,surely this was ,his purpose when ,he sent the old woman to our door40 ,as soon as the wife had spoken these words1 the vine-dresser turned again to the slave4 8,friend60 he said to him1 8you shall carry a message from me to ,faustina4 ,tell her this word for word6 ,thus your friend the vineyard laborer from the ,sabine mountains greets you4 ,you have seen the young woman1 my wife4 ,did she not appear fair to you1 and blooming with health8 ,and yet this young woman once suffered from the same disease which now has stricken ,tiberius40 ,the slave made a gesture of surprise1 but the vine-dresser continued with greater emphasis on his words4 8,if ,faustina refuses to believe my word1 tell her that my wife and ,i came from ,palestine1 in ,asia1 a land where this disease is common4 ,there the law is such that the lepers are driven from the cities and towns1 and must live in tombs and mountain grottoes4 ,tell ,faustina that my wife was born of diseased parents in a mountain grotto4 ,as long as she was a child she was healthy1 but when she grew up into young maidenhood she was stricken with the disease40 ,the slave bowed1 smiled pleasantly1 and said3 8,how can you expect that ,faustina will believe this8 ,she has seen your wife in her beauty and health4 ,and she must know that there is no remedy for this illness40 ,the man replied3 8,it were best for her that she believed me4 ,but ,i am not without witnesses4 ,she can send inquiries over to ,nazareth1 in ,galilee4 ,there every one will confirm my statement40 8,is it perchance through a miracle of some god that your wife has been cured80 asked the slave4 8,yes1 it is as you say10 answered the laborer4 8,one day a rumor reached the sick who lived in the wilderness3 #8,behold1 a great ,prophet has arisen in ,nazareth of ,galilee4 ,he is filled with the power of ,god's spirit1 and he can cure your illness just by laying his hand upon your forehead6' ,but the sick1 who lay in their misery1 would not believe that this rumor was the truth4 #8,no one can heal us1' they said4 #8,since the days of the great prophets no one has been able to save one of us from this misfortune4' 8,but there was one amongst them who believed1 and that was a young maiden4 ,she left the others to seek her way to the city of ,nazareth1 where the ,prophet lived4 ,one day1 when she wandered over wide plains1 she met a man tall of stature1 with a pale face and hair which lay in even1 black curls4 ,his dark eyes shone like stars and drew her toward him4 ,but before they met1 she called out to him3 #8,come not near me1 for ,i am unclean1 but tell me where ,i can find the ,prophet from ,nazareth6' ,but the man continued to walk towards her1 and when he stood directly in front of her1 he said3 #8,why seekest thou the ,prophet of ,nazareth8'--#8,i seek him that he may lay his hand on my forehead and heal me of my illness4' ,then the man went up and laid his hand upon her brow4 ,but she said to him3 #8,what doth it avail me that you lay your hand upon my forehead8 ,you surely are no prophet8' ,then he smiled on her and said3 #8,go now into the city which lies yonder at the foot of the mountain1 and show thyself before the priests6' 8,the sick maiden thought to herself3 #8,he mocks me because ,i believe ,i can be healed4 ,from him ,i can not learn what ,i would know4' ,and she went farther4 ,soon thereafter she saw a man1 who was going out to hunt1 riding across the wide field4 ,when he came so near that he could hear her1 she called to him3 #8,come not close to me1 ,i am unclean6 ,but tell me where ,i can find the ,prophet of ,nazareth6' #8,what do you want of the ,prophet8' asked the man1 riding slowly toward her4 #8,i wish only that he might lay his hand on my forehead and heal me of my illness4' ,the man rode still nearer4 #8,of what illness do you wish to be healed8' said he4 #8,surely you need no physician6' #8,can't you see that ,i am a leper8' said she4 #8,i was born of diseased parents in a mountain grotto4' ,but the man continued to approach1 for she was beautiful and fair1 like a new-blown rose4 #8,you are the most beautiful maiden in ,judea6' he exclaimed4 #8,ah1 taunt me not--you1 too6' said she4 #8,i know that my features are destroyed1 and that my voice is like a wild beast's growl4' 8,he looked deep into her eyes and said to her3 #8,your voice is as resonant as the spring brook's when it ripples over pebbles1 and your face is as smooth as a coverlet of soft satin4' 8,that moment he rode so close to her that she could see her face in the shining mountings which decorated his saddle4 #8,you shall look at yourself here1' said he4 ,she did so1 and saw a face smooth and soft as a newly-formed butterfly wing4 #8,what is this that ,i see8' she said4 #8,this is not my face6' #8,yes1 it is your face1' said the rider4 #8,but my voice1 is it not rough8 ,does it not sound as when wagons are drawn over a stony road8' #8,no6 ,it sounds like a zither player's sweetest songs1' said the rider4 8,she turned and pointed toward the road4 #8,do you know who that man is just disappearing behind the two oaks8' she asked4 8#8,it is he whom you lately asked after2 it is the ,prophet from ,nazareth1' said the man4 ,then she clasped her hands in astonishment1 and tears filled her eyes4 #8,oh1 thou ,holy ,one6 ,oh1 thou ,messenger of ,god's power6' she cried4 ,thou hast healed me6' 8,then the rider lifted her into the saddle and bore her to the city at the foot of the mountain and went with her to the priests and elders1 and told them how he had found her4 ,they questioned her carefully2 but when they heard that the maiden was born in the wilderness of diseased parents1 they would not believe that she was healed4 #8,go back thither whence you came6' said they4 #8,if you have been ill1 you must remain so as long as you live4 ,you must not come here to the city1 to infect the rest of us with your disease4' 8,she said to them3 #8,i know that ,i am well1 for the ,prophet from ,nazareth hath laid his hand upon my forehead4' 8,when they heard this they exclaimed3 #8,who is he1 that he should be able to make clean the unclean8 ,all this is but a delusion of the evil spirits4 ,go back to your own1 that you may not bring destruction upon all of us6' 8,they would not declare her healed1 and they forbade her to remain in the city4 ,they decreed that each and every one who gave her shelter should also be adjudged unclean4 8,when the priests had pronounced this judgment1 the young maiden turned to the man who had found her in the field3 #8,whither shall ,i go now8 ,must ,i go back again to the lepers in the wilderness8' 8,but the man lifted her once more upon his horse1 and said to her3 #8,no1 under no conditions shall you go out to the lepers in their mountain caves1 but we two shall travel across the sea to another land1 where there are no laws for clean and unclean4' ,and they----0 ,but when the vineyard laborer had got thus far in his narrative1 the slave arose and interrupted him4 8,you need not tell any more10 said he4 8,stand up rather and follow me on the way1 you who know the mountains1 so that ,i can begin my home journey to-night1 and not wait until morning4 ,the ,emperor and ,faustina can not hear your tidings a moment too soon40 ,when the vine-dresser had accompanied the slave1 and come home again to the hut1 he found his wife still awake4 8,i can not sleep10 said she4 8,i am thinking that these two will meet3 he who loves all mankind1 and he who hates them4 ,such a meeting would be enough to sweep the earth out of existence60 ,,vi ,old ,faustina was in distant ,palestine1 on her way to ,jerusalem4 ,she had not desired that the mission to seek the ,prophet and bring him to the ,emperor should be intrusted to any one but herself4 ,she said to herself3 8,that which we demand of this stranger1 is something which we can not coax from him either by force or bribes4 ,but perhaps he will grant it us if some one falls at his feet and tells him in what dire need the ,emperor is4 ,who can make an honest plea for ,tiberius1 but the one who suffers from his misfortune as much as he does80 ,the hope of possibly saving ,tiberius had renewed the old woman's youth4 ,she withstood without difficulty the long sea trip to ,joppa1 and on the journey to ,jerusalem she made no use of a litter1 but rode a horse4 ,she appeared to stand the difficult ride as easily as the ,roman nobles1 the soldiers1 and the slaves who made up her retinue4 ,the journey from ,joppa to ,jerusalem filled the old woman's heart with joy and bright hopes4 ,it was springtime1 and ,sharon's plain1 over which they had ridden during the first day's travel1 had been a brilliant carpet of flowers4 ,even during the second day's journey1 when they came to the hills of ,judea1 they were not abandoned by the flowers4 ,all the multiformed hills between which the road wound were planted with fruit trees1 which stood in full bloom4 ,and when the travelers wearied of looking at the white and red blossoms of the apricots and persimmons1 they could rest their eyes by observing the young vine-leaves1 which pushed their way through the dark brown branches1 and their growth was so rapid that one could almost follow it with the eye4 ,it was not only flowers and spring green that made the journey pleasant1 but the pleasure was enhanced by watching the throngs of people who were on their way to ,jerusalem this morning4 ,from all the roads and by-paths1 from lonely heights1 and from the most remote corners of the plain came travelers4 ,when they had reached the road to ,jerusalem1 those who traveled alone formed themselves into companies and marched forward with glad shouts4 ,round an elderly man1 who rode on a jogging camel1 walked his sons and daughters1 his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law1 and all his grandchildren4 ,it was such a large family that it made up an entire little village4 ,an old grandmother who was too feeble to walk her sons had taken in their arms1 and with pride she let herself be borne among the crowds1 who respectfully stepped aside4 ,in truth1 it was a morning to inspire joy even in the most disconsolate4 ,to be sure the sky was not clear1 but was o'ercast with a thin grayish-white mist1 but none of the wayfarers thought of grumbling because the sun's piercing brilliancy was dampened4 ,under this veiled sky the perfume of the budding leaves and blossoms did not penetrate the air as usual1 but lingered over roads and fields4 ,and this beautiful day1 with its faint mist and hushed winds1 which reminded one of ,night's rest and calm1 seemed to communicate to the hastening crowds somewhat of itself1 so that they went forward happy--yet with solemnity--singing in subdued voices ancient hymns1 or playing upon peculiar old-fashioned instruments1 from which came tones like the buzzing of gnats1 or grasshoppers' piping4 ,when old ,faustina rode forward among all the people1 she became infected with their joy and excitement4 ,she prodded her horse to quicker speed1 as she said to a young ,roman who rode beside her3 8,i dreamt last night that ,i saw ,tiberius1 and he implored me not to postpone the journey1 but to ride to ,jerusalem to-day4 ,it appears as if the gods had wished to send me a warning not to neglect to go there this beautiful morning40 ,just as she said this1 she came to the top of a long mountain ridge1 and there she was obliged to halt4 ,before her lay a large1 deep valley-basin1 surrounded by pretty hills1 and from the dark1 shadowy depths of the vale rose the massive mountain which held on its head the city of ,jerusalem4 ,but the narrow mountain city1 with its walls and towers1 which lay like a jeweled coronet upon the cliff's smooth height1 was this day magnified a thousand-fold4 ,all the hills which encircled the valley were bedecked with gay tents1 and with a swarm of human beings4 ,it was evident to ,faustina that all the inhabitants were on their way to ,jerusalem to celebrate some great holiday4 ,those from a distance had already come1 and had managed to put their tents in order4 ,on the other hand1 those who lived near the city were still on their way4 ,along all the shining rock-heights one saw them come streaming in like an unbroken sea of white robes1 of songs1 of holiday cheer4 ,for some time the old woman surveyed these seething throngs of people and the long rows of tent-poles4 ,thereupon she said to the young ,roman who rode beside her3 8,verily1 ,sulpicius1 the whole nation must have come to ,jerusalem40 8,it really appears like it10 replied the ,roman1 who had been chosen by ,tiberius to accompany ,faustina because he had1 during a number of years1 lived in ,judea4 8,they celebrate now the great ,spring ,festival1 and at this time all the people1 both old and young1 come to ,jerusalem40 ,faustina reflected a moment4 8,i am glad that we came to this city on the day that the people celebrate their festival10 said she4 8,it can not signify anything else than that the gods protect our journey4 ,do you think it likely that he whom we seek1 the ,prophet of ,nazareth1 has also come to ,jerusalem to participate in the festivities80 8,you are surely right1 ,faustina10 said the ,roman4 8,he must be here in ,jerusalem4 ,this is indeed a decree of the gods4 ,strong and vigorous though you be1 you may consider yourself fortunate if you escape making the long and troublesome journey up to ,galilee40 ,at once he rode over to a couple of wayfarers and asked them if they thought the ,prophet of ,nazareth was in ,jerusalem4 8,we have seen him here every day at this season10 answered one4 8,surely he must be here even this year1 for he is a holy and righteous man40 ,a woman stretched forth her hand and pointed towards a hill1 which lay east of the city4 8,do you see the foot of that mountain1 which is covered with olive trees80 she said4 8,it is there that the ,galileans usually raise their tents1 and there you will get the most reliable information about him whom you seek40 ,they journeyed farther1 and traveled on a winding path all the way down to the bottom of the valley1 and then they began to ride up toward ,zion's hill1 to reach the city on its heights4 ,the woman who had spoken went along the same way4 ,the steep ascending road was encompassed here by low walls1 and upon these countless beggars and cripples sat or lolled4 8,look10 said the woman who had spoken1 pointing to one of the beggars who sat on the wall1 8there is a ,galilean6 ,i recollect that ,i have seen him among the ,prophet's disciples4 ,he can tell you where you will find him you seek40 ,faustina and ,sulpicius rode up to the man who had been pointed out to her4 ,he was a poor old man with a heavy iron-gray beard4 ,his face was bronzed by heat and sunshine4 ,he asked no alms2 on the contrary1 he was so engrossed in anxious thought that he did not even glance at the passers-by4 ,nor did he hear that ,sulpicius addressed him1 and the latter had to repeat his question several times4 8,my friend1 ,i've been told that you are a ,galilean4 ,i beg you1 therefore1 to tell me where ,i shall find the ,prophet from ,nazareth60 ,the ,galilean gave a sudden start and looked around him1 confused4 ,but when he finally comprehended what was wanted of him1 he was seized with rage mixed with terror4 8,what are you talking about80 he burst out4 8,why do you ask me about that man8 ,i know nothing of him4 ,i'm not a ,galilean40 ,the ,hebrew woman now joined in the conversation4 8,still ,i have seen you in his company10 she protested4 8,do not fear1 but tell this noble ,roman lady1 who is the ,emperor's friend1 where she is most likely to find him40 ,but the terrified disciple grew more and more irascible4 8,have all the people gone mad to-day80 said he4 8,are they possessed by an evil spirit1 since they come again and again and ask me about that man8 ,why will no one believe me when ,i say that ,i do not know the ,prophet8 ,i do not come from his country4 ,i have never seen him40 ,his irritability attracted attention1 and a couple of beggars who sat on the wall beside him also began to dispute his word4 8,certainly you were among his disciples10 said one4 8,we all know that you came with him from ,galilee40 ,then the man raised his arms toward heaven and cried3 8,i could not endure it in ,jerusalem to-day on that man's account1 and now they will not even leave me in peace out here among the beggars6 ,why don't you believe me when ,i say to you that ,i have never seen him80 ,faustina turned away with a shrug4 8,let us go farther60 said she4 8,the man is mad4 ,from him we will learn nothing40 ,they went farther up the mountain4 ,faustina was not more than two steps from the city gate1 when the ,hebrew woman who had wished to help her find the ,prophet called to her to be careful4 ,she pulled in her reins and saw that a man lay in the road1 just in front of the horse's feet1 where the crush was greatest4 ,it was a miracle that he had not already been trampled to death by animals or people4 ,the man lay upon his back and stared upward with lusterless eyes4 ,he did not move1 although the camels placed their heavy feet close beside him4 ,he was poorly clad1 and besides he was covered with dust and dirt4 ,in fact1 he had thrown so much gravel over himself that it looked as if he tried to hide himself1 to be more easily over-ridden and trampled down4 8,what does this mean8 ,why does this man lie here on the road80 asked ,faustina4 ,instantly the man began shouting to the passers-by3 8,in mercy1 brothers and sisters1 drive your horses and camels over me6 ,do not turn aside for me6 ,trample me to dust6 ,i have betrayed innocent blood4 ,trample me to dust60 ,sulpicius caught ,faustina's horse by the bridle and turned it to one side4 8,it is a sinner who wants to do penance10 said he4 8,do not let this delay your journey4 ,these people are peculiar and one must let them follow their own bent40 ,the man in the road continued to shout3 8,set your heels on my heart6 ,let the camels crush my breast and the asses dig their hoofs into my eyes60 ,but ,faustina seemed loath to ride past the miserable man without trying to make him rise4 ,she remained all the while beside him4 ,the ,hebrew woman who had wished to serve her once before1 pushed her way forward again4 8,this man also belonged to the ,prophet's disciples10 said she4 8,do you wish me to ask him about his ,master80 ,faustina nodded affirmatively1 and the woman bent down over the man4 8,what have you ,galileans done this day with your ,master80 she asked4 8,i meet you scattered on highways and byways1 but him ,i see nowhere40 ,but when she questioned in this manner1 the man who lay in the dust rose to his knees4 8,what evil spirit hath possessed you to ask me about him80 he said1 in a voice that was filled with despair4 8,you see1 surely1 that ,i have lain down in the road to be trampled to death4 ,is not that enough for you8 ,shall you come also and ask me what ,i have done with him80 ,when she repeated the question1 the man staggered to his feet and put both hands to his ears4 8,woe unto you1 that you can not let me die in peace60 he cried4 ,he forced his way through the crowds that thronged in front of the gate1 and rushed away shrieking with terror1 while his torn robe fluttered around him like dark wings4 8,it appears to me as though we had come to a nation of madmen10 said ,faustina1 when she saw the man flee4 ,she had become depressed by seeing these disciples of the ,prophet4 ,could the man who numbered such fools among his followers do anything for the ,emperor8 ,even the ,hebrew woman looked distressed1 and she said very earnestly to ,faustina3 8,mistress1 delay not in your search for him whom you would find6 ,i fear some evil has befallen him1 since his disciples are beside themselves and can not bear to hear him spoken of40 ,faustina and her retinue finally rode through the gate archway and came in on the narrow and dark streets1 which were alive with people4 ,it seemed well-nigh impossible to get through the city4 ,the riders time and again had to stand still4 ,slaves and soldiers tried in vain to clear the way4 ,the people continued to rush on in a compact1 irresistible stream4 8,verily10 said the old woman1 8the streets of ,rome are peaceful pleasure gardens compared with these60 ,sulpicius soon saw that almost insurmountable difficulties awaited them4 8,on these overcrowded streets it is easier to walk than to ride10 said he4 8,if you are not too fatigued1 ,i should advise you to walk to the ,governor's palace4 ,it is a good distance away1 but if we ride we certainly will not get there until after midnight40 ,faustina accepted the suggestion at once4 ,she dismounted1 and left her horse with one of the slaves4 ,thereupon the ,roman travelers began to walk through the city4 ,this was much better4 ,they pushed their way quickly toward the heart of the city1 and ,sulpicius showed ,faustina a rather wide street1 which they were nearing4 8,look1 ,faustina10 he said1 8if we take this street1 we will soon be there4 ,it leads directly down to our quarters40 ,but just as they were about to turn into the street1 the worst obstacle met them4 ,it happened that the very moment when ,faustina reached the street which extended from the ,governor's palace to ,righteousness' ,gate and ,golgotha1 they brought through it a prisoner1 who was to be taken out and crucified4 ,before him ran a crowd of wild youths who wanted to witness the execution4 ,they raced up the street1 waved their arms in rapture towards the hill1 and emitted unintelligible howls--in their delight at being allowed to view something which they did not see every day4 ,behind them came companies of men in silken robes1 who appeared to belong to the city's lite and foremost4 ,then came women1 many of whom had tear-stained faces4 ,a gathering of poor and maimed staggered forward1 uttering shrieks that pierced the ears4 8,o ,god60 they cried1 8save him6 ,send ,thine angel and save him6 ,send a deliverer in his direst need60 ,finally there came a few ,roman soldiers on great horses4 ,they kept guard so that none of the people could dash up to the prisoner and try to rescue him4 ,directly behind them followed the executioners1 whose task it was to lead forward the man that was to be crucified4 ,they had laid a heavy wooden cross over his shoulder1 but he was too weak for this burden4 ,it weighed him down so that his body was almost bent to the ground4 ,he held his head down so far that no one could see his face4 ,faustina stood at the opening of the little bystreet and saw the doomed man's heavy tread4 ,she noticed1 with surprise1 that he wore a purple mantle1 and that a crown of thorns was pressed down upon his head4 8,who is this man80 she asked4 ,one of the bystanders answered her3 8,it is one who wished to make himself ,emperor40 8,and must he suffer death for a thing which is scarcely worth striving after80 said the old woman sadly4 ,the doomed man staggered under the cross4 ,he dragged himself forward more and more slowly4 ,the executioners had tied a rope around his waist1 and they began to pull on it to hasten the speed4 ,but as they pulled the rope the man fell1 and lay there with the cross over him4 ,there was a terrible uproar4 ,the ,roman soldiers had all they could do to hold the crowds back4 ,they drew their swords on a couple of women who tried to rush forward to help the fallen man4 ,the executioners attempted to force him up with cuffs and lashes1 but he could not move because of the cross4 ,finally two of them took hold of the cross to remove it4 ,then he raised his head1 and old ,faustina could see his face4 ,the cheeks were streaked by lashes from a whip1 and from his brow1 which was wounded by the thorn-crown1 trickled some drops of blood4 ,his hair hung in knotted tangles1 clotted with sweat and blood4 ,his jaw was firm set1 but his lips trembled1 as if they struggled to suppress a cry4 ,his eyes1 tear-filled and almost blinded from torture and fatigue1 stared straight ahead4 ,but back of this half-dead person's face1 the old woman saw--as in a vision--a pale and beautiful ,one with glorious1 majestic eyes and gentle features1 and she was seized with sudden grief--touched by the unknown man's misfortune and degradation4 8,oh1 what have they done with you1 you poor soul60 she burst out1 and moved a step nearer him1 while her eyes filled with tears4 ,she forgot her own sorrow and anxiety for this tortured man's distress4 ,she thought her heart would burst from pity4 ,she1 like the other women1 wanted to rush forward and tear him away from the executioners6 ,the fallen man saw how she came toward him1 and he crept closer to her4 ,it was as though he had expected to find protection with her against all those who persecuted and tortured him4 ,he embraced her knees4 ,he pressed himself against her1 like a child who clings close to his mother for safety4 ,the old woman bent over him1 and as the tears streamed down her cheeks1 she felt the most blissful joy because he had come and sought protection with her4 ,she placed one arm around his neck1 and as a mother first of all wipes away the tears from her child's eyes1 she laid her kerchief of sheer fine linen over his face1 to wipe away the tears and the blood4 ,but now the executioners were ready with the cross4 ,they came now and snatched away the prisoner4 ,impatient over the delay1 they dragged him off in wild haste4 ,the condemned man uttered a groan when he was led away from the refuge he had found1 but he made no resistance4 ,faustina embraced him to hold him back1 and when her feeble old hands were powerless and she saw him borne away1 she felt as if some one had torn from her her own child1 and she cried3 8,no1 no6 ,do not take him from me6 ,he must not die6 ,he shall not die60 ,she felt the most intense grief and indignation because he was being led away4 ,she wanted to rush after him4 ,she wanted to fight with the executioners and tear him from them4 ,but with the first step she took1 she was seized with weakness and dizziness4 ,sulpicius made haste to place his arm around her1 to prevent her from falling4 ,on one side of the street he saw a little shop1 and carried her in4 ,there was neither bench nor chair inside1 but the shopkeeper was a kindly man4 ,he helped her over to a rug1 and arranged a bed for her on the stone floor4 ,she was not unconscious1 but such a great dizziness had seized her that she could not sit up1 but was forced to lie down4 8,she has made a long journey to-day1 and the noise and crush in the city have been too much for her10 said ,sulpicius to the merchant4 8,she is very old1 and no one is so strong as not to be conquered by age40 8,this is a trying day1 even for one who is not old10 said the merchant4 8,the air is almost too heavy to breathe4 ,it would not surprise me if a severe storm were in store for us40 ,sulpicius bent over the old woman4 ,she had fallen asleep1 and she slept with calm1 regular respirations after all the excitement and fatigue4 ,he walked over to the shop door1 stood there1 and looked at the crowds while he awaited her waking4 ,,vii ,the ,roman governor at ,jerusalem had a young wife1 and she had had a dream during the night preceding the day when ,faustina entered the city4 ,she dreamed that she stood on the roof of her house and looked down upon the beautiful court1 which1 according to the ,oriental custom1 was paved with marble1 and planted with rare growths4 ,but in the court she saw assembled all the sick and blind and halt there were in the world4 ,she saw before her the pest-ridden1 with bodies swollen with boils2 lepers with disfigured faces2 the paralytics1 who could not move1 but lay helpless upon the ground1 and all the wretched creatures who writhed in torment and pain4 ,they all crowded up towards the entrance1 to get into the house2 and a number of those who walked foremost pounded on the palace door4 ,at last she saw that a slave opened the door and came out on the threshold1 and she heard him ask what they wanted4 ,then they answered him1 saying3 8,we seek the great ,prophet whom ,god hath sent to the world4 ,where is the ,prophet of ,nazareth1 he who is master of all suffering8 ,where is he who can deliver us from all our torment80 ,then the slave answered them in an arrogant and indifferent tone--as palace servants do when they turn away the poor stranger3 8,it will profit you nothing to seek the great ,prophet4 ,pilate has killed him40 ,then there arose among all the sick a grief and a moaning and a gnashing of teeth which she could not bear to hear4 ,her heart was wrung with compassion1 and tears streamed from her eyes4 ,but when she had begun to weep1 she awakened4 ,again she fell asleep2 and again she dreamed that she stood on the roof of her house and looked down upon the big court1 which was as broad as a square4 ,and behold6 the court was filled with all the insane and soul-sick and those possessed of evil spirits4 ,and she saw those who were naked and those who were covered with their long hair1 and those who had braided themselves crowns of straw and mantles of grass and believed they were kings1 and those who crawled on the ground and thought themselves beasts1 and those who came dragging heavy stones1 which they believed to be gold1 and those who thought that the evil spirits spoke through their mouths4 ,she saw all these crowd up toward the palace gate4 ,and the ones who stood nearest to it knocked and pounded to get in4 ,at last the door opened1 and a slave stepped out on the threshold and asked3 8,what do you want80 ,then all began to cry aloud1 saying3 8,where is the great ,prophet of ,nazareth1 he who was sent of ,god1 and who shall restore to us our souls and our wits80 ,she heard the slave answer them in the most indifferent tone3 8,it is useless for you to seek the great ,prophet1 ,pilate has killed him40 ,when this was said1 they uttered a shriek as wild as a beast's howl1 and in their despair they began to lacerate themselves until the blood ran down on the stones4 ,and when she that dreamed saw their distress1 she wrung her hands and moaned4 ,and her own moans awakened her4 ,but again she fell asleep1 and again1 in her dream1 she was on the roof of her house4 ,round about her sat her slaves1 who played for her upon cymbals and zithers1 and the almond trees shook their white blossoms over her1 and clambering rose-vines exhaled their perfume4 ,as she sat there1 a voice spoke to her3 8,go over to the balustrade which incloses the roof1 and see who they are that stand and wait in your court60 ,but in the dream she declined1 and said3 8,i do not care to see any more of those who throng my court to-night40 ,just then she heard a clanking of chains and a pounding of heavy hammers1 and the pounding of wood against wood4 ,her slaves ceased their singing and playing and hurried over to the railing and looked down4 ,nor could she herself remain seated1 but walked thither and looked down on the court4 ,then she saw that the court was filled with all the poor prisoners in the world4 ,she saw those who must lie in dark prison dungeons1 fettered with heavy chains2 she saw those who labored in the dark mines come dragging their heavy planks1 and those who were rowers on war galleys come with their heavy iron-bound oars4 ,and those who were condemned to be crucified came dragging their crosses1 and those who were to be beheaded came with their broadaxes4 ,she saw those who were sent into slavery to foreign lands and whose eyes burned with homesickness4 ,she saw those who must serve as beasts of burden1 and whose backs were bleeding from lashes4 ,all these unfortunates cried as with one voice3 8,open1 open60 ,then the slave who guarded the entrance stepped to the door and asked3 8,what is it that you wish80 ,and these answered like the others3 8,we seek the great ,prophet of ,nazareth1 who has come to the world to give the prisoners their freedom and the slaves their lost happiness40 ,the slave answered them in a tired and indifferent tone3 8,you can not find him here4 ,pilate has killed him40 ,when this was said1 she who dreamed thought that among all the unhappy there arose such an outburst of scorn and blasphemy that heaven and earth trembled4 ,she was ice-cold with fright1 and her body shook so that she awaked4 ,when she was thoroughly awake1 she sat up in bed and thought to herself3 8,i would not dream more4 ,now ,i want to remain awake all night1 that ,i may escape seeing more of this horror40 ,and even whilst she was thinking thus1 drowsiness crept in upon her anew1 and she laid her head on the pillow and fell asleep4 ,again she dreamed that she sat on the roof of her house1 and now her little son ran back and forth up there1 and played with a ball4 ,then she heard a voice that said to her3 8,go over to the balustrade1 which incloses the roof1 and see who they are that stand and wait in your court60 ,but she who dreamed said to herself3 8,i have seen enough misery this night4 ,i can not endure any more4 ,i would remain where ,i am40 ,at that moment her son threw his ball so that it dropped outside the balustrade1 and the child ran forward and clambered up on the railing4 ,then she was frightened4 ,she rushed over and seized hold of the child4 ,but with that she happened to cast her eyes downward1 and once more she saw that the court was full of people4 ,in the court were all the peoples of earth who had been wounded in battle4 ,they came with severed bodies1 with cut-off limbs1 and with big open wounds from which the blood oozed1 so that the whole court was drenched with it4 ,and beside these1 came all the people in the world who had lost their loved ones on the battlefield4 ,they were the fatherless who mourned their protectors1 and the young maidens who cried for their lovers1 and the aged who sighed for their sons4 ,the foremost among them pushed against the door1 and the watchman came out as before1 and opened it4 ,he asked all these1 who had been wounded in battles and skirmishes3 8,what seek ye in this house80 ,and they answered3 8,we seek the great ,prophet of ,nazareth1 who shall prohibit wars and rumors of wars and bring peace to the earth4 ,we seek him who shall convert spears into scythes and swords into pruning hooks40 ,then answered the slave somewhat impatiently3 8,let no more come to pester me6 ,i have already said it often enough4 ,the great ,prophet is not here4 ,pilate has killed him40 ,thereupon he closed the gate4 ,but she who dreamed thought of all the lamentation which would come now4 8,i do not wish to hear it10 said she1 and rushed away from the balustrade4 ,that instant she awoke4 ,then she discovered that in her terror she had jumped out of her bed and down on the cold stone floor4 ,again she thought she did not want to sleep more that night1 and again sleep overpowered her1 and she closed her eyes and began to dream4 ,she sat once more on the roof of her house1 and beside her stood her husband4 ,she told him of her dreams1 and he ridiculed her4 ,again she heard a voice1 which said to her3 8,go see the people who wait in your court60 ,but she thought3 8,i would not see them4 ,i have seen enough misery to-night40 ,just then she heard three loud raps on the gate1 and her husband walked over to the balustrade to see who it was that asked admittance to his house4 ,but no sooner had he leaned over the railing1 than he beckoned to his wife to come over to him4 8,know you not this man80 said he1 and pointed down4 ,when she looked down on the court1 she found that it was filled with horses and riders1 slaves were busy unloading asses and camels4 ,it looked as though a distinguished traveler might have landed4 ,at the entrance gate stood the traveler4 ,he was a large elderly man with broad shoulders and a heavy and gloomy appearance4 ,the dreamer recognized the stranger instantly1 and whispered to her husband3 8,it is ,csar ,tiberius1 who is here in ,jerusalem4 ,it can not be any one else40 8,i also seem to recognize him10 said her husband2 at the same time he placed his finger on his mouth1 as a signal that they should be quiet and listen to what was said down in the court4 ,they saw that the doorkeeper came out and asked the stranger3 8,whom seek you80 ,and the traveler answered3 8,i seek the great ,prophet of ,nazareth1 who is endowed with ,god's power to perform miracles4 ,it is ,emperor ,tiberius who calls him1 that he may liberate him from a terrible disease1 which no other physician can cure40 ,when he had spoken1 the slave bowed very humbly and said3 8,my lord1 be not wroth6 but your wish can not be fulfilled40 ,then the ,emperor turned toward his slaves1 who waited below in the court1 and gave them a command4 ,then the slaves hastened forward--some with handfuls of ornaments1 others carried goblets studded with pearls1 other again dragged sacks filled with gold coin4 ,the ,emperor turned to the slave who guarded the gate1 and said3 8,all this shall be his1 if he helps ,tiberius4 ,with this he can give riches to all the world's poor40 ,but the doorkeeper bowed still lower and said3 8,master1 be not wroth with thy servant1 but thy request can not be fulfilled40 ,then the ,emperor beckoned again to his slaves1 and a pair of them hurried forward with a richly embroidered robe1 upon which glittered a breastpiece of jewels4 ,and the ,emperor said to the slave3 8,see6 ,this which ,i offer him is the power over ,judea4 ,he shall rule his people like the highest judge1 if he will only come and heal ,tiberius60 ,the slave bowed still nearer the earth1 and said3 8,master1 it is not within my power to help you40 ,then the ,emperor beckoned once again1 and his slaves rushed up with a golden coronet and a purple mantle4 8,see10 he said1 8this is the ,emperor's will3 ,he promises to appoint the ,prophet his successor1 and give him dominion over the world4 ,he shall have power to rule the world according to his ,god's will1 if he will only stretch forth his hand and heal ,tiberius60 ,then the slave fell at the ,emperor's feet and said in an imploring tone3 8,master1 it does not lie in my power to attend to thy command4 ,he whom thou seekest is no longer here4 ,pilate hath killed him40 ,,viii ,when the young woman awoke1 it was already full1 clear day1 and her female slaves stood and waited that they might help her dress4 ,she was very silent while she dressed1 but finally she asked the slave who arranged her hair1 if her husband was up4 ,she learned that he had been called out to pass judgment on a criminal4 8,i should have liked to talk with him10 said the young woman4 8,mistress10 said the slave1 8it will be difficult to do so during the trial4 ,we will let you know as soon as it is over40 ,she sat silent now until her toilet was completed4 ,then she asked3 8,has any among you heard of the ,prophet of ,nazareth80 8,the ,prophet of ,nazareth is a ,jewish miracle performer10 answered one of the slaves instantly4 8,it is strange1 ,mistress1 that you should ask after him to-day10 said another slave4 8,it is just he whom the ,jews have brought here to the palace1 to let him be tried by the ,governor40 ,she bade them go at once and ascertain for what cause he was arraigned1 and one of the slaves withdrew4 ,when she returned she said3 8,they accuse him of wanting to make himself ,king over this land1 and they entreat the ,governor to let him be crucified40 ,when the ,governor's wife heard this1 she grew terrified and said3 8,i must speak with my husband1 otherwise a terrible calamity will happen here this day40 ,when the slaves said once again that this was impossible1 she began to weep and shudder4 ,and one among them was touched1 so she said3 8,if you will send a written message to the ,governor1 ,i will try and take it to him40 ,immediately she took a stylus and wrote a few words on a wax tablet1 and this was given to ,pilate4 ,but him she did not meet alone the whole day2 for when he had dismissed the ,jews1 and the condemned man was taken to the place of execution1 the hour for repast was come1 and to this ,pilate had invited a few of the ,romans who visited ,jerusalem at this season4 ,they were the commander of the troops and a young instructor in oratory1 and several others besides4 ,this repast was not very gay1 for the ,governor's wife sat all the while silent and dejected1 and took no part in the conversation4 ,when the guests asked if she was ill or distraught1 the ,governor laughingly related about the message she had sent him in the morning4 ,he chaffed her because she had believed that a ,roman governor would let himself be guided in his judgments by a woman's dreams4 ,she answered gently and sadly3 8,in truth1 it was no dream1 but a warning sent by the gods4 ,you should at least have let the man live through this one day40 ,they saw that she was seriously distressed4 ,she would not be comforted1 no matter how much the guests exerted themselves1 by keeping up the conversation to make her forget these empty fancies4 ,but after a while one of them raised his head and exclaimed3 8,what is this8 ,have we sat so long at table that the day is already gone80 ,all looked up now1 and they observed that a dim twilight settled down over nature4 ,above all1 it was remarkable to see how the whole variegated play of color which it spread over all creatures and objects1 faded away slowly1 so that all looked a uniform gray4 ,like everything else1 even their own faces lost their color4 8,we actually look like the dead10 said the young orator with a shudder4 8,our cheeks are gray and our lips black40 ,as this darkness grew more intense1 the woman's fear increased4 8,oh1 my friend60 she burst out at last4 8,can't you perceive even now that the ,immortals would warn you8 ,they are incensed because you condemned a holy and innocent man4 ,i am thinking that although he may already be on the cross1 he is surely not dead yet4 ,let him be taken down from the cross6 ,i would with mine own hands nurse his wounds4 ,only grant that he be called back to life60 ,but ,pilate answered laughingly3 8,you are surely right in that this is a sign from the gods4 ,but they do not let the sun lose its luster because a ,jewish heretic has been condemned to the cross4 ,on the contrary1 we may expect that important matters shall appear1 which concern the whole kingdom4 ,who can tell how long old ,tiberius----0 ,he did not finish the sentence1 for the darkness had become so profound he could not see even the wine goblet standing in front of him4 ,he broke off1 therefore1 to order the slaves to fetch some lamps instantly4 ,when it had become so light that he could see the faces of his guests1 it was impossible for him not to notice the depression which had come over them4 8,mark you60 he said half-angrily to his wife4 8,now it is apparent to me that you have succeeded with your dreams in driving away the joys of the table4 ,but if it must needs be that you can not think of anything else to-day1 then let us hear what you have dreamed4 ,tell it us and we will try to interpret its meaning60 ,for this the young wife was ready at once4 ,and while she related vision after vision1 the guests grew more and more serious4 ,they ceased emptying their goblets1 and they sat with brows knit4 ,the only one who continued to laugh and to call the whole thing madness1 was the ,governor himself4 ,when the narrative was ended1 the young rhetorician said3 8,truly1 this is something more than a dream1 for ,i have seen this day not the ,emperor1 but his old friend ,faustina1 march into the city4 ,only it surprises me that she has not already appeared in the ,governor's palace40 8,there is actually a rumor abroad to the effect that the ,emperor has been stricken with a terrible illness10 observed the leader of the troops4 8,it also seems very possible to me that your wife's dream may be a god-sent warning40 8,there's nothing incredible in this1 that ,tiberius has sent messengers after the ,prophet to summon him to his sick-bed10 agreed the young rhetorician4 ,the ,commander turned with profound seriousness toward ,pilate4 8,if the ,emperor has actually taken it into his head to let this miracle-worker be summoned1 it were better for you and for all of us that he found him alive40 ,pilate answered irritably3 8,is it the darkness that has turned you into children8 ,one would think that you had all been transformed into dream-interpreters and prophets40 ,but the courtier continued his argument3 8,it may not be impossible1 perhaps1 to save the man's life1 if you sent a swift messenger40 8,you want to make a laughing-stock of me10 answered the ,governor4 8,tell me1 what would become of law and order in this land1 if they learned that the ,governor pardoned a criminal because his wife has dreamed a bad dream80 8,it is the truth1 however1 and not a dream1 that ,i have seen ,faustina in ,jerusalem10 said the young orator4 8,i shall take the responsibility of defending my actions before the ,emperor10 said ,pilate4 8,he will understand that this visionary1 who let himself be misused by my soldiers without resistance1 would not have had the power to help him40 ,as he was speaking1 the house was shaken by a noise like a powerful rolling thunder1 and an earthquake shook the ground4 ,the ,governor's palace stood intact1 but during some minutes just after the earthquake1 a terrific crash of crumbling houses and falling pillars was heard4 ,as soon as a human voice could make itself heard1 the ,governor called a slave4 8,run out to the place of execution and command in my name that the ,prophet of ,nazareth shall be taken down from the cross60 ,the slave hurried away4 ,the guests filed from the dining-hall out on the peristyle1 to be under the open sky in case the earthquake should be repeated4 ,no one dared to utter a word1 while they awaited the slave's return4 ,he came back very shortly4 ,he stopped before the ,governor4 8,you found him alive80 said he4 8,master1 he was dead1 and on the very second that he gave up the ghost1 the earthquake occurred40 ,the words were hardly spoken when two loud knocks sounded against the outer gate4 ,when these knocks were heard1 they all staggered back and leaped up1 as though it had been a new earthquake4 ,immediately afterwards a slave came up4 8,it is the noble ,faustina and the ,emperor's kinsman ,sulpicius4 ,they are come to beg you help them find the ,prophet from ,nazareth40 ,a low murmur passed through the peristyle1 and soft footfalls were heard4 ,when the ,governor looked around1 he noticed that his friends had withdrawn from him1 as from one upon whom misfortune has fallen4 ,,ix ,old ,faustina had returned to ,capri and had sought out the ,emperor4 ,she told him her story1 and while she spoke she hardly dared look at him4 ,during her absence the illness had made frightful ravages1 and she thought to herself3 8,if there had been any pity among the ,celestials1 they would have let me die before being forced to tell this poor1 tortured man that all hope is gone40 ,to her astonishment1 ,tiberius listened to her with the utmost indifference4 ,when she related how the great miracle performer had been crucified the same day that she had arrived in ,jerusalem1 and how near she had been to saving him1 she began to weep under the weight of her failure4 ,but ,tiberius only remarked3 8,you actually grieve over this8 ,ah1 ,faustina6 ,a whole lifetime in ,rome has not weaned you then of faith in sorcerers and miracle workers1 which you imbibed during your childhood in the ,sabine mountains60 ,then the old woman perceived that ,tiberius had never expected any help from the ,prophet of ,nazareth4 8,why did you let me make the journey to that distant land1 if you believed all the while that it was useless80 8,you are the only friend ,i have10 said the ,emperor4 8,why should ,i deny your prayer1 so long as ,i still have the power to grant it40 ,but the old woman did not like it that the ,emperor had taken her for a fool4 8,ah6 this is your usual cunning10 she burst out4 8,this is just what ,i can tolerate least in you40 8,you should not have come back to me10 said ,tiberius4 8,you should have remained in the mountains40 ,it looked for a moment as if these two1 who had clashed so often1 would again fall into a war of words1 but the old woman's anger subsided immediately4 ,the times were past when she could quarrel in earnest with the ,emperor4 ,she lowered her voice again2 but she could not altogether relinquish every effort to obtain justice4 8,but this man was really a prophet10 she said4 8,i have seen him4 ,when his eyes met mine1 ,i thought he was a god4 ,i was mad to allow him to go to his death40 8,i am glad you let him die10 said ,tiberius4 8,he was a traitor and a dangerous agitator40 ,faustina was about to burst into another passion--then checked herself4 8,i have spoken with many of his friends in ,jerusalem about him10 said she4 8,he had not committed the crimes for which he was arraigned40 8,even if he had not committed just these crimes1 he was surely no better than any one else10 said the ,emperor wearily4 8,where will you find the person who during his lifetime has not a thousand times deserved death80 ,but these remarks of the ,emperor decided ,faustina to undertake something which she had until now hesitated about4 8,i will show you a proof of his power10 said she4 8,i said to you just now that ,i laid my kerchief over his face4 ,it is the same kerchief which ,i hold in my hand4 ,will you look at it a moment80 ,she spread the kerchief out before the ,emperor1 and he saw delineated thereon the shadowy likeness of a human face4 ,the old woman's voice shook with emotion as she continued3 8,this man saw that ,i loved him4 ,i know not by what power he was enabled to leave me his portrait4 ,but mine eyes fill up with tears when ,i see it40 ,the ,emperor leaned forward and regarded the picture1 which appeared to be made up of blood and tears and the dark shadows of grief4 ,gradually the whole face stood out before him1 exactly as it had been imprinted upon the kerchief4 ,he saw the blood-drops on the forehead1 the piercing thorn-crown1 the hair1 which was matted with blood1 and the mouth whose lips seemed to quiver with agony4 ,he bent down closer and closer to the picture4 ,the face stood out clearer and clearer4 ,from out the shadow-like outlines1 all at once1 he saw the eyes sparkle as with hidden life4 ,and while they spoke to him of the most terrible suffering1 they also revealed a purity and sublimity which he had never seen before4 ,he lay upon his couch and drank in the picture with his eyes4 8,is this a mortal80 he said softly and slowly4 8,is this a mortal80 ,again he lay still and regarded the picture4 ,the tears began to stream down his cheeks4 8,i mourn over thy death1 thou ,unknown60 he whispered4 8,faustina60 he cried out at last4 8,why did you let this man die8 ,he would have healed me40 ,and again he was lost in the picture4 8,o ,man60 he said1 after a moment1 8if ,i can not gain my health from thee1 ,i can still avenge thy murder4 ,my hand shall rest heavily upon those who have robbed me of thee60 ,again he lay still a long time2 then he let himself glide down to the floor--and he knelt before the picture3 8,thou art ,man60 said he4 8,thou art that which ,i never dreamed ,i should see40 ,and he pointed to his disfigured face and destroyed hands4 8,i and all others are wild beasts and monsters1 but thou art ,man40 ,he bowed his head so low before the picture that it touched the floor4 8,have pity on me1 thou ,unknown60 he sobbed1 and his tears watered the stones4 8,if thou hadst lived1 thy glance alone would have healed me10 he said4 ,the poor old woman was terror-stricken over what she had done4 ,it would have been wiser not to show the ,emperor the picture1 thought she4 ,from the start she had been afraid that if he should see it his grief would be too overwhelming4 ,and in her despair over the ,emperor's grief1 she snatched the picture away1 as if to remove it from his sight4 ,then the ,emperor looked up4 ,and1 lo6 his features were transformed1 and he was as he had been before the illness4 ,it was as if the illness had had its root and sustenance in the contempt and hatred of mankind which had lived in his heart2 and it had been forced to flee the very moment he had felt love and compassion4 ,the following day ,tiberius despatched three messengers4 ,the first messenger traveled to ,rome with the command that the ,senate should institute investigations as to how the governor of ,palestine administered his official duties and punish him1 should it appear that he oppressed the people and condemned the innocent to death4 ,the second messenger went to the vineyard-laborer and his wife1 to thank them and reward them for the counsel they had given the ,emperor1 and also to tell them how everything had turned out4 ,when they had heard all1 they wept silently1 and the man said3 8,i know that all my life ,i shall ponder what would have happened if these two had met40 ,but the woman answered3 8,it could not happen in any other way4 ,it was too great a thought that these two should meet4 ,god knew that the world could not support it40 ,the third messenger traveled to ,palestine and brought back with him to ,capri some of ,jesus' disciples1 and these began to teach there the doctrine that had been preached by the ,crucified ,one4 ,when the disciples landed at ,capri1 old ,faustina lay upon her death-bed4 ,still they had time before her death to make of her a follower of the great ,prophet1 and to baptize her4 ,and in the baptism she was called ,veronica1 because to her it had been granted to give to mankind the true likeness of their ,saviour4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,robin ,redbreast ,,robin ,,redbreast ,it happened at the time when our ,lord created the world1 when ,he not only made heaven and earth1 but all the animals and the plants as well1 at the same time giving them their names4 ,there have been many histories concerning that time1 and if we knew them all1 we should have light upon everything in this world which we can not now comprehend4 ,at that time it happened one day when our ,lord sat in ,his ,paradise and painted the little birds1 that the colors in our ,lord's paint pot gave out1 and the goldfinch would have been without color if our ,lord had not wiped all ,his paint brushes on its feathers4 ,it was then that the donkey got his long ears1 because he could not remember the name that had been given him4 ,no sooner had he taken a few steps over the meadows of ,paradise than he forgot1 and three times he came back to ask his name4 ,at last our ,lord grew somewhat impatient1 took him by his two ears1 and said3 8,thy name is ass1 ass1 ass60 ,and while ,he thus spake our ,lord pulled both of his ears that the ass might hear better1 and remember what was said to him4 ,it was on the same day1 also1 that the bee was punished4 ,now1 when the bee was created1 she began immediately to gather honey1 and the animals and human beings who caught the delicious odor of the honey came and wanted to taste of it4 ,but the bee wanted to keep it all for herself and with her poisonous sting pursued every living creature that approached her hive4 ,our ,lord saw this and at once called the bee to ,him and punished her4 8,i gave thee the gift of gathering honey1 which is the sweetest thing in all creation10 said our ,lord1 8but ,i did not give thee the right to be cruel to thy neighbor4 ,remember well that every time thou stingest any creature who desires to taste of thy honey1 thou shalt surely die60 ,ah1 yes6 ,it was at that time1 too1 that the cricket became blind and the ant missed her wings1 so many strange things happened on that day6 ,our ,lord sat there1 big and gentle1 and planned and created all day long1 and towards evening ,he conceived the idea of making a little gray bird4 8,remember your name is ,robin ,redbreast10 said our ,lord to the bird1 as soon as it was finished4 ,then ,he held it in the palm of ,his open hand and let it fly4 ,after the bird had been testing his wings a while1 and had seen something of the beautiful world in which he was destined to live1 he became curious to see what he himself was like4 ,he noticed that he was entirely gray1 and that his breast was just as gray as all the rest of him4 ,robin ,redbreast twisted and turned in all directions as he viewed himself in the mirror of a clear lake1 but he couldn't find a single red feather4 ,then he flew back to our ,lord4 ,our ,lord sat there on ,his throne1 big and gentle4 ,out of ,his hands came butterflies that fluttered about ,his head2 doves cooed on ,his shoulders2 and out of the earth beneath ,him grew the rose1 the lily1 and the daisy4 ,the little bird's heart beat heavily with fright1 but with easy curves he flew nearer and nearer our ,lord1 till at last he rested on our ,lord's hand4 ,then our ,lord asked what the little bird wanted4 8,i only wish to ask you about one thing10 said the little bird4 8,what is it you wish to know80 said our ,lord4 8,why should ,i be called ,red ,breast1 when ,i am all gray1 from the bill to the very end of my tail8 ,why am ,i called ,red ,breast when ,i do not possess one single red feather80 ,the bird looked beseechingly on our ,lord with his tiny black eyes--then turned his head4 ,about him he saw pheasants all red under a sprinkle of gold dust1 parrots with marvelous red neck-bands1 cocks with red combs1 to say nothing about the butterflies1 the goldfinches1 and the roses6 ,and naturally he thought how little he needed--just one tiny drop of color on his breast and he1 too1 would be a beautiful bird1 and his name would fit him4 8,why should ,i be called ,red ,breast when ,i am so entirely gray80 asked the bird once again1 and waited for our ,lord to say3 8,ah1 my friend1 ,i see that ,i have forgotten to paint your breast feathers red1 but wait a moment and it shall be done40 ,but our ,lord only smiled a little and said3 8,i have called you ,robin ,redbreast1 and ,robin ,redbreast shall your name be1 but you must look to it that you yourself earn your red breast feathers40 ,then our ,lord lifted ,his hand and let the bird fly once more--out into the world4 ,the bird flew down into ,paradise1 meditating deeply4 ,what could a little bird like him do to earn for himself red feathers8 ,the only thing he could think of was to make his nest in a brier bush4 ,he built it in among the thorns in the close thicket4 ,it looked as if he waited for a rose leaf to cling to his throat and give him color4 99 99 99 99 99 ,countless years had come and gone since that day1 which was the happiest in all the world6 ,human beings had already advanced so far that they had learned to cultivate the earth and sail the seas4 ,they had procured clothes and ornaments for themselves1 and had long since learned to build big temples and great cities--such as ,thebes1 ,rome1 and ,jerusalem4 99 99 99 99 99 ,then there dawned a new day1 one that will long be remembered in the world's history4 ,on the morning of this day ,robin ,redbreast sat upon a little naked hillock outside of ,jerusalem's walls1 and sang to his young ones1 who rested in a tiny nest in a brier bush4 ,robin ,redbreast told the little ones all about that wonderful day of creation1 and how the ,lord had given names to everything1 just as each ,redbreast had told it ever since the first ,redbreast had heard ,god's word1 and gone out of ,god's hand4 8,and mark you10 he ended sorrowfully1 8so many years have gone1 so many roses have bloomed1 so many little birds have come out of their eggs since ,creation ,day1 but ,robin ,redbreast is still a little gray bird4 ,he has not yet succeeded in gaining his red feathers40 ,the little young ones opened wide their tiny bills1 and asked if their forbears had never tried to do any great thing to earn the priceless red color4 8,we have all done what we could10 said the little bird1 8but we have all gone amiss4 ,even the first ,robin ,redbreast met one day another bird exactly like himself1 and he began immediately to love it with such a mighty love that he could feel his breast burn4 #8,ah6' he thought then1 #8now ,i understand6 ,it was our ,lord's meaning that ,i should love with so much ardor that my breast should grow red in color from the very warmth of the love that lives in my heart4' ,but he missed it1 as all those who came after him have missed it1 and as even you shall miss it40 ,the little young ones twittered1 utterly bewildered1 and already began to mourn because the red color would not come to beautify their little1 downy gray breasts4 8,we had also hoped that song would help us10 said the grown-up bird1 speaking in long-drawn-out tones--8the first ,robin ,redbreast sang until his heart swelled within him1 he was so carried away1 and he dared to hope anew4 #8,ah6' he thought1 #8it is the glow of the song which lives in my soul that will color my breast feathers red4' ,but he missed it1 as all the others have missed it and as even you shall miss it40 ,again was heard a sad 8peep0 from the young ones' half-naked throats4 8,we had also counted on our courage and our valor10 said the bird4 8,the first ,robin ,redbreast fought bravely with other birds1 until his breast flamed with the pride of conquest4 #8,ah6' he thought1 #8my breast feathers shall become red from the love of battle which burns in my heart4' ,he1 too1 missed it1 as all those who came after him have missed it1 and as even you shall miss it40 ,the little young ones peeped courageously that they still wished to try and win the much-sought-for prize1 but the bird answered them sorrowfully that it would be impossible4 ,what could they do when so many splendid ancestors had missed the mark8 ,what could they do more than love1 sing1 and fight8 ,what could--the little bird stopped short1 for out of one of the gates of ,jerusalem came a crowd of people marching1 and the whole procession rushed toward the hillock1 where the bird had its nest4 ,there were riders on proud horses1 soldiers with long spears1 executioners with nails and hammers4 ,there were judges and priests in the procession1 weeping women1 and above all a mob of mad1 loose people running about--a filthy1 howling mob of loiterers4 ,the little gray bird sat trembling on the edge of his nest4 ,he feared each instant that the little brier bush would be trampled down and his young ones killed6 8,be careful60 he cried to the little defenseless young ones1 8creep together and remain quiet4 ,here comes a horse that will ride right over us6 ,here comes a warrior with iron-shod sandals6 ,here comes the whole wild1 storming mob60 ,immediately the bird ceased his cry of warning and grew calm and quiet4 ,he almost forgot the danger hovering over him4 ,finally he hopped down into the nest and spread his wings over the young ones4 8,oh6 this is too terrible10 said he4 8,i don't wish you to witness this awful sight6 ,there are three miscreants who are going to be crucified60 ,and he spread his wings so that the little ones could see nothing4 ,they caught only the sound of hammers1 the cries of anguish1 and the wild shrieks of the mob4 ,robin ,redbreast followed the whole spectacle with his eyes1 which grew big with terror4 ,he could not take his glance from the three unfortunates4 8,how terrible human beings are60 said the bird after a little while4 8,it isn't enough that they nail these poor creatures to a cross1 but they must needs place a crown of piercing thorns upon the head of one of them4 ,i see that the thorns have wounded his brow so that the blood flows10 he continued4 8,and this man is so beautiful1 and looks about him with such mild glances that every one ought to love him4 ,i feel as if an arrow were shooting through my heart1 when ,i see him suffer60 ,the little bird began to feel a stronger and stronger pity for the thorn-crowned sufferer4 8,oh6 if ,i were only my brother the eagle10 thought he1 8,i would draw the nails from his hands1 and with my strong claws ,i would drive away all those who torture him60 ,he saw how the blood trickled down from the brow of the ,crucified ,one1 and he could no longer remain quiet in his nest4 8,even if ,i am little and weak1 ,i can still do something for this poor tortured one10 thought the bird4 ,then he left his nest and flew out into the air1 striking wide circles around the ,crucified ,one4 ,he flew around him several times without daring to approach1 for he was a shy little bird1 who had never dared to go near a human being4 ,but little by little he gained courage1 flew close to him1 and drew with his little bill a thorn that had become imbedded in the brow of the ,crucified ,one4 ,and as he did this there fell on his breast a drop of blood from the face of the ,crucified ,one2--it spread quickly and floated out and colored all the little fine breast feathers4 ,then the ,crucified ,one opened his lips and whispered to the bird3 8,because of thy compassion1 thou hast won all that thy kind have been striving after1 ever since the world was created40 ,as soon as the bird had returned to his nest his young ones cried to him3 8,thy breast is red6 ,thy breast feathers are redder than the roses60 8,it is only a drop of blood from the poor man's forehead10 said the bird2 8it will vanish as soon as ,i bathe in a pool or a clear well40 ,but no matter how much the little bird bathed1 the red color did not vanish--and when his little young ones grew up1 the blood-red color shone also on their breast feathers1 just as it shines on every ,robin ,redbreast's throat and breast until this very day4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,our ,lord and ,saint ,peter ,,our ,,lord ,,and ,,saint ,,peter ,it happened at the time when our ,lord and ,saint ,peter were newly arrived in ,paradise1 after having wandered on earth and suffered hardships during many sorrowful years4 ,one can imagine that the change was a joy to ,saint ,peter6 ,one can picture to oneself that it was quite another matter to sit upon ,paradise ,mountain and look out over the world1 instead of wandering from door to door1 like a beggar4 ,it was another matter to walk about in the beautiful gardens of ,paradise1 instead of roaming around on earth1 not knowing if one would be given house-room on a stormy night1 or if one would be forced to tramp the highway in the chill and darkness4 ,one can imagine what a joy it must have been to get to the right place at last after such a journey4 ,saint ,peter1 to be sure1 had not always been certain that all would end well4 ,he couldn't very well help feeling doubtful and troubled at times1 for it had been almost impossible for poor ,saint ,peter to understand why there was any earthly need for them to have such a hard time of it1 if our ,lord was lord of all the world4 ,now1 no yearning could come to torment him any more4 ,that he was glad of this one can well believe4 ,now1 he could actually laugh at all the misery which he and our ,lord had been forced to endure1 and at the little that they had been obliged to content themselves with4 ,once1 when things had turned out so badly for them that ,saint ,peter thought he couldn't stand it any longer1 our ,lord had taken him to a high mountain1 and had begun the ascent without telling him what they were there for4 ,they had wandered past the cities at the foot of the mountain1 and the castles higher up4 ,they had gone past the farms and cabins1 and had left behind them the last wood-chopper's cave4 ,they had come at last to the part where the mountain stood naked1 without verdure and trees1 and where a hermit had built him a hut1 wherein he might shelter needy travelers4 ,afterward1 they had walked over the snowfields1 where the mountain-rats sleep1 and come to the piled-up ice masses1 which stood on edge and a-tilt1 and where scarcely a chamois could pass4 ,up there our ,lord had found a little red-breasted bird1 that lay frozen to death on the ice1 and ,he had picked up the bullfinch and tucked it in ,his bosom4 ,and ,saint ,peter remembered he had wondered if this was to be their dinner4 ,they had wandered a long while on the slippery ice-blocks1 and it had seemed to ,saint ,peter that he had never been so near perdition2 for a deadly cold wind and a deadly dark mist enveloped them1 and as far as he could discover1 there wasn't a living thing to be found4 ,and1 still1 they were only half-way up the mountain4 ,then he begged our ,lord to let him turn back4 8,not yet10 said our ,lord1 8for ,i want to show you something which will give you courage to meet all sorrows40 ,for this they had gone on through mist and cold until they had reached an interminably high wall1 which prevented them from going farther4 8,this wall extends all around the mountain10 said our ,lord1 8and you can't step over it at any point4 ,nor can any living creature see anything of that which lies behind it1 for it is here that ,paradise begins2 and all the way up to the mountain's summit live the blessed dead40 ,but ,saint ,peter couldn't help looking doubtful4 8,in there is neither darkness nor cold10 said our ,lord1 8but there it is always summer1 with the bright light of suns and stars40 ,but ,saint ,peter was not able to persuade himself to believe this4 ,then our ,lord took the little bird which ,he had just found on the ice1 and1 bending backwards1 threw it over the wall1 so that it fell down into ,paradise4 ,and immediately thereafter ,saint ,peter heard a loud1 joyous trill1 and recognized a bullfinch's song1 and was greatly astonished4 ,he turned toward our ,lord and said3 8,let us return to the earth and suffer all that must be suffered1 for now ,i see that you speak the truth1 and that there is a place where ,life overcomes death40 ,and they descended from the mountain and began their wanderings again4 ,and it was years before ,saint ,peter saw any more than this one glimpse of ,paradise2 but he had always longed for the land beyond the wall4 ,and now at last he was there1 and did not have to strive and yearn any more4 ,now he could drink bliss in full measure all day long from never-dying streams4 ,but ,saint ,peter had not been in ,paradise a fortnight before it happened that an angel came to our ,lord where ,he sat upon ,his throne1 bowed seven times before ,him1 and told ,him that a great sorrow must have come upon ,saint ,peter4 ,he would neither eat nor drink1 and his eyelids were red1 as though he had not slept for several nights4 ,as soon as our ,lord heard this1 ,he rose and went to seek ,saint ,peter4 ,he found him far away1 on one of the outskirts of ,paradise1 where he lay upon the ground1 as if he were too exhausted to stand1 and he had rent his garments and strewn his hair with ashes4 ,when our ,lord saw him so distressed1 ,he sat down on the ground beside him1 and talked to him1 just as ,he would have done had they still been wandering around in this world of trouble4 8,what is it that makes you so sad1 ,saint ,peter80 said our ,lord4 ,but grief had overpowered ,saint ,peter1 so that he could not answer4 8,what is it that makes you so sad80 asked our ,lord once again4 ,when our ,lord repeated the question1 ,saint ,peter took the gold crown from his head and threw it at our ,lord's feet1 as much as to say he wanted no further share in ,his honor and glory4 ,but our ,lord understood1 of course1 that ,saint ,peter was so disconsolate that he knew not what he did4 ,he showed no anger at him4 8,you must tell me what troubles you10 said ,he1 just as gently as before1 and with an even greater love in ,his voice4 ,but now ,saint ,peter jumped up2 and then our ,lord knew that he was not only disconsolate1 but downright angry4 ,he came toward our ,lord with clenched fists and snapping eyes4 8,now ,i want a dismissal from your service60 said ,saint ,peter4 8,i can not remain another day in ,paradise40 ,our ,lord tried to calm him1 just as ,he had been obliged to do many times before1 when ,saint ,peter had flared up4 8,oh1 certainly you can go10 said ,he1 8but you must first tell me what it is that displeases you40 8,i can tell you that ,i awaited a better reward than this when we two endured all sorts of misery down on earth10 said ,saint ,peter4 ,our ,lord saw that ,saint ,peter's soul was filled with bitterness1 and ,he felt no anger at him4 8,i tell you that you are free to go whither you will10 said ,he1 8if you will only let me know what is troubling you40 ,then1 at last1 ,saint ,peter told our ,lord why he was so unhappy4 8,i had an old mother10 said he1 8and she died a few days ago40 8,now ,i know what distresses you10 said our ,lord4 8,you suffer because your mother has not come into ,paradise40 8,that is true10 said ,saint ,peter1 and at the same time his grief became so overwhelming that he began to sob and moan4 8,i think ,i deserved at least that she should be permitted to come here10 said he4 ,but when our ,lord learned what it was that ,saint ,peter was grieving over1 ,he1 in turn1 became distressed4 ,saint ,peter's mother had not been such that she could enter the ,heavenly ,kingdom4 ,she had never thought of anything except to hoard money1 and to the poor who had knocked at her door she had never given so much as a copper or a crust of bread4 ,but our ,lord understood that it was impossible for ,saint ,peter to grasp the fact that his mother had been so greedy that she was not entitled to bliss4 8,saint ,peter10 said ,he1 8how can you be so sure that your mother would feel at home here with us80 8,you say such things only that you may not have to listen to my prayers10 said ,saint ,peter4 8,who wouldn't be happy in ,paradise80 8,one who does not feel joy over the happiness of others can not rest content here10 said our ,lord4 8,then there are others than my mother who do not belong here10 said ,saint ,peter1 and our ,lord observed that he was thinking of ,him4 ,and ,he felt deeply grieved because ,saint ,peter had been stricken with such a heavy sorrow that he no longer knew what he said4 ,he stood a moment and expected that ,saint ,peter would repent1 and understand that his mother was not fit for ,paradise4 ,but the ,saint would not give in4 ,then our ,lord called an angel and commanded that he should fly down into hell and bring ,saint ,peter's mother to ,paradise4 8,let me see how he carries her10 said ,saint ,peter4 ,our ,lord took ,saint ,peter by the hand and led him out to a steep precipice which leaned slantingly to one side4 ,and ,he showed him that he only had to lean over the precipice very1 very little to be able to look down into hell4 ,when ,saint ,peter glanced down1 he could not at first see anything more than if he had looked into a deep well4 ,it was as though an endless chasm opened under him4 ,the first thing which he could faintly distinguish was the angel1 who had already started on his way to the nether regions4 ,saint ,peter saw how the angel dived down into the great darkness1 without the least fear1 and spread his wings just a little1 so as not to descend too rapidly4 ,but when ,saint ,peter's eyes had become a little more used to the darkness he began to see more and more4 ,in the first place1 he saw that ,paradise lay on a ring-mountain1 which encircled a wide chasm1 and it was at the bottom of this chasm that the souls of the sinful had their abode4 ,he saw how the angel sank and sank a long while without reaching the depths4 ,he became absolutely terrified because it was such a long distance down there4 8,may he only come up again with my mother60 said he4 ,our ,lord only looked at ,saint ,peter with great sorrowful eyes4 8,there is no weight too heavy for my angel to carry10 said ,he4 ,it was so far down to the nether regions that no ray of sunlight could penetrate thither3 there darkness reigned4 ,but it was as if the angel in his flight must have brought with him a little clearness and light1 so that it was possible for ,saint ,peter to see how it looked down there4 ,it was an endless1 black rock-desert4 ,sharp1 pointed rocks covered the entire foundation4 ,there was not a green blade1 not a tree1 not a sign of life4 ,but all over1 on the sharp rocks1 were condemned souls4 ,they hung over the edges1 whither they had clambered that they might swing themselves up from the ravine2 and when they saw that they could get nowhere1 they remained up there1 petrified with anguish4 ,saint ,peter saw some of them sit or lie with arms extended in ceaseless longing1 and with eyes fixedly turned upwards4 ,others had covered their faces with their hands1 as if they would shut out the hopeless horror around them4 ,they were all rigid2 there was not one among them who had the power to move4 ,some lay in the water-pools1 perfectly still1 without trying to rise from them4 ,but the most dreadful thing of all was--there was such a great throng of the lost4 ,it was as though the bottom of the ravine were made up of nothing but bodies and heads4 ,and ,saint ,peter was struck with a new fear4 8,you shall see that he will not find her10 said he to our ,lord4 ,once more our ,lord looked at him with the same grieved expression4 ,he knew of course that ,saint ,peter did not need to be uneasy about the angel4 ,but to ,saint ,peter it looked all the while as if the angel could not find his mother in that great company of lost souls4 ,he spread his wings and flew back and forth over the nether regions1 while he sought her4 ,suddenly one of the poor lost creatures caught a glimpse of the angel1 and he sprang up and stretched his arms towards him and cried3 8,take me with you6 ,take me with you60 ,then1 all at once1 the whole throng was alive4 ,all the millions upon millions who languished in hell1 roused themselves that instant1 and raised their arms and cried to the angel that he should take them with him to the blessed ,paradise4 ,their shrieks were heard all the way up to our ,lord and ,saint ,peter1 whose hearts throbbed with anguish as they heard4 ,the angel swayed high above the condemned2 but as he traveled back and forth1 to find the one whom he sought1 they all rushed after him1 so that it looked as though they had been swept on by a whirlwind4 ,at last the angel caught sight of the one he was to take with him4 ,he folded his wings over his back and shot down like a streak of lightning1 and the astonished ,saint ,peter gave a cry of joy when he saw the angel place an arm around his mother and lift her up4 8,blessed be thou that bringest my mother to me60 said he4 ,our ,lord laid ,his hand gently on ,saint ,peter's shoulder1 as if ,he would warn him not to abandon himself to joy too soon4 ,but ,saint ,peter was ready to weep for joy1 because his mother was saved4 ,he could not understand that anything further would have the power to part them4 ,and his joy increased when he saw that1 quick as the angel had been when he had lifted her up1 still several of the lost souls had succeeded in attaching themselves to her who was to be saved1 in order that they1 too1 might be borne to ,paradise with her4 ,there must have been a dozen who clung to the old woman1 and ,saint ,peter thought it was a great honor for his mother to help so many poor unfortunate beings out of perdition4 ,nor did the angel do aught to hinder them4 ,he seemed not at all troubled with his burden1 but rose and rose1 and moved his wings with no more effort than if he were carrying a little dead birdling to heaven4 ,but then ,saint ,peter saw that his mother began to free herself from the lost souls that had clung to her4 ,she gripped their hands and loosened their hold1 so that one after another tumbled down into hell4 ,saint ,peter could hear how they begged and implored her2 but the old woman did not desire that any one but herself should be saved4 ,she freed herself from more and more of them1 and let them fall down into misery4 ,and as they fell1 all space was filled with their lamentations and curses4 ,then ,saint ,peter begged and implored his mother to show some compassion1 but she would not listen1 and kept right on as before4 ,and ,saint ,peter saw how the angel flew slower and slower1 the lighter his burden became4 ,such fear took hold of ,saint ,peter that his legs shook1 and he was forced to drop on his knees4 ,finally1 there was only one condemned soul who still clung to ,st4 ,peter's mother4 ,this was a young woman who hung on her neck and begged and cried in her ear that she would let her go along with her to the blessed ,paradise4 ,the angel with his burden had already come so far that ,saint ,peter stretched out his arms to receive his mother4 ,he thought that the angel had to make only two or three wing-strokes more to reach the mountain4 ,then1 all of a sudden1 the angel held his wings perfectly still1 and his countenance became dark as night4 ,for now the old woman had stretched her hands back of her and gripped the arms of the young woman who hung about her neck1 and she clutched and tore until she succeeded in separating the clasped hands1 so that she was free from this last one also4 ,when the condemned one fell the angel sank several fathoms lower1 and it appeared as though he had not the strength to lift his wings again4 ,he looked down upon the old woman with a deep1 sorrowful glance2 his hold around her waist loosened1 and he let her fall1 as if she were too heavy a burden for him1 now that she was alone4 ,thereupon he swung himself with a single stroke up into ,paradise4 ,but ,saint ,peter lay for a long while in the same place1 and sobbed1 and our ,lord stood silent beside him4 8,saint ,peter10 said our ,lord at last1 8,i never thought that you would weep like this after you had reached ,paradise40 ,then ,god's old servant raised his head and answered3 8,what kind of a ,paradise is this1 where ,i can hear the moans of my dearest ones1 and see the sufferings of my fellow men60 ,the face of our ,lord became o'ercast by the deepest sorrow4 8,what did ,i desire more than to prepare a ,paradise for all1 of nothing but light and happiness80 ,he said4 8,do you not understand that it was because of this ,i went down among men and taught them to love their neighbors as themselves8 ,for as long as they do this not1 there will be no refuge in heaven or on earth where pain and sorrow cannot reach them40 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,illustration3 ,the ,sacred ,flame ,,the ,,sacred ,,flame ,i ,a great many years ago1 when the city of ,florence had only just been made a republic1 a man lived there named ,raniero di ,raniero4 ,he was the son of an armorer1 and had learned his father's trade1 but he did not care much to pursue it4 ,this ,raniero was the strongest of men4 ,it was said of him that he bore a heavy iron armor as lightly as others wear a silk shirt4 ,he was still a young man1 but already he had given many proofs of his strength4 ,once he was in a house where grain was stored in the loft4 ,too much grain had been heaped there2 and while ,raniero was in the house one of the loft beams broke down1 and the whole roof was about to fall in4 ,he raised his arms and held the roof up until the people managed to fetch beams and poles to prop it4 ,it was also said of ,raniero that he was the bravest man that had ever lived in ,florence1 and that he could never get enough of fighting4 ,as soon as he heard any noise in the street1 he rushed out from the workshop1 in hopes that a fight had arisen in which he might participate4 ,if he could only distinguish himself1 he fought just as readily with humble peasants as with armored horsemen4 ,he rushed into a fight like a lunatic1 without counting his opponents4 ,florence was not very powerful in his time4 ,the people were mostly wool spinners and cloth weavers1 and these asked nothing better than to be allowed to perform their tasks in peace4 ,sturdy men were plentiful1 but they were not quarrelsome1 and they were proud of the fact that in their city better order prevailed than elsewhere4 ,raniero often grumbled because he was not born in a country where there was a king who gathered around him valiant men1 and declared that in such an event he would have attained great honor and renown4 ,raniero was loud-mouthed and boastful2 cruel to animals1 harsh toward his wife1 and not good for any one to live with4 ,he would have been handsome if he had not had several deep scars across his face which disfigured him4 ,he was quick to jump at conclusions1 and quick to act1 though his way was often violent4 ,raniero was married to ,francesca1 who was the daughter of ,jacopo degli ,uberti1 a wise and influential man4 ,jacopo had not been very anxious to give his daughter to such a bully as ,raniero1 but had opposed the marriage until the very last4 ,francesca forced him to relent1 by declaring that she would never marry any one else4 ,when ,jacopo finally gave his consent1 he said to ,raniero3 8,i have observed that men like you can more easily win a woman's love than keep it2 therefore ,i shall exact this promise from you3 ,if my daughter finds life with you so hard that she wishes to come back to me1 you will not prevent her40 ,francesca said it was needless to exact such a promise1 since she was so fond of ,raniero that nothing could separate her from him4 ,but ,raniero gave his promise promptly4 8,of one thing you can be assured1 ,jacopo10 said he--8,i will not try to hold any woman who wishes to flee from me40 ,then ,francesca went to live with ,raniero1 and all was well between them for a time4 ,when they had been married a few weeks1 ,raniero took it into his head that he would practice marksmanship4 ,for several days he aimed at a painting which hung upon a wall4 ,he soon became skilled1 and hit the mark every time4 ,at last he thought he would like to try and shoot at a more difficult mark4 ,he looked around for something suitable1 but discovered nothing except a quail that sat in a cage above the courtyard gate4 ,the bird belonged to ,francesca1 and she was very fond of it2 but1 despite this1 ,raniero sent a page to open the cage1 and shot the quail as it swung itself into the air4 ,this seemed to him a very good shot1 and he boasted of it to any one who would listen to him4 ,when ,francesca learned that ,raniero had shot her bird1 she grew pale and looked hard at him4 ,she marveled that he had wished to do a thing which must bring grief to her2 but she forgave him promptly and loved him as before4 ,then all went well again for a time4 ,raniero's father-in-law1 ,jacopo1 was a flax weaver4 ,he had a large establishment1 where much work was done4 ,raniero thought he had discovered that hemp was mixed with the flax in ,jacopo's workshop1 and he did not keep silent about it1 but talked of it here and there in the city4 ,at last ,jacopo also heard this chatter1 and tried at once to put a stop to it4 ,he let several other flax weavers examine his yarn and cloth1 and they found all of it to be of the very finest flax4 ,only in one pack1 which was designed to be sold outside of ,florence1 was there any mixture4 ,then ,jacopo said that the deception had been practised without his knowledge or consent1 by some one among his journeymen4 ,he apprehended at once that he would find it difficult to convince people of this4 ,he had always been famed for honesty1 and he felt very keenly that his honor had been smirched4 ,raniero1 on the other hand1 plumed himself upon having succeeded in exposing a fraud1 and he bragged about it even in ,francesca's hearing4 ,she felt deeply grieved2 at the same time she was as astonished as when he shot the bird4 ,as she thought of this1 she seemed suddenly to see her love before her2 and it was like a great piece of shimmery gold cloth4 ,she could see how big it was1 and how it shimmered4 ,but from one corner a piece had been cut away1 so that it was not as big and as beautiful as it had been in the beginning4 ,still1 it was as yet damaged so very little that she thought3 8,it will probably last as long as ,i live4 ,it is so great that it can never come to an end40 ,again1 there was a period during which she and ,raniero were just as happy as they had been at first4 ,francesca had a brother named ,taddeo4 ,he had been in ,venice on a business trip1 and1 while there1 had purchased garments of silk and velvet4 ,when he came home he paraded around in them4 ,now1 in ,florence it was not the custom to go about expensively clad1 so there were many who made fun of him4 ,one night ,taddeo and ,raniero were out in the wine shops4 ,taddeo was dressed in a green cloak with sable linings1 and a violet jacket4 ,raniero tempted him to drink so much wine that he fell asleep1 and then he took his cloak off him and hung it upon a scarecrow that was set up in a cabbage patch4 ,when ,francesca heard of this she was vexed again with ,raniero4 ,that moment she saw before her the big piece of gold cloth--which was her love--and she seemed to see how it diminished1 as ,raniero cut away piece after piece4 ,after this1 things were patched up between them for a time1 but ,francesca was no longer so happy as in former days1 because she always feared that ,raniero would commit some misdemeanor that would hurt her love4 ,this was not long in coming1 either1 for ,raniero could never be tranquil4 ,he wished that people should always speak of him and praise his courage and daring4 ,at that time the cathedral in ,florence was much smaller than the present one1 and there hung at the top of one of its towers a big1 heavy shield1 which had been placed there by one of ,francesca's ancestors4 ,it was the heaviest shield any man in ,florence had been able to lift1 and all the ,uberti family were proud because it was one of their own who had climbed up in the tower and hung it there4 ,but ,raniero climbed up to the shield one day1 hung it on his back1 and came down with it4 ,when ,francesca heard of this for the first time she spoke to ,raniero of what troubled her1 and begged him not to humiliate her family in this way4 ,raniero1 who had expected that she would commend him for his feat1 became very angry4 ,he retorted that he had long observed that she did not rejoice in his success1 but thought only of her own kin4 8,it's something else ,i am thinking of10 said ,francesca1 8and that is my love4 ,i know not what will become of it if you keep on in this way40 ,after this they frequently exchanged harsh words1 for ,raniero happened nearly always to do the very thing that was most distasteful to ,francesca4 ,there was a workman in ,raniero's shop who was little and lame4 ,this man had loved ,francesca before she was married1 and continued to love her even after her marriage4 ,raniero1 who knew this1 undertook to joke with him before all who sat at a table4 ,it went so far that finally the man could no longer bear to be held up to ridicule in ,francesca's hearing1 so he rushed upon ,raniero and wanted to fight with him4 ,but ,raniero only smiled derisively and kicked him aside4 ,then the poor fellow thought he did not care to live any longer1 and went off and hanged himself4 ,when this happened1 ,francesca and ,raniero had been married about a year4 ,francesca thought continually that she saw her love before her as a shimmery piece of cloth1 but on all sides large pieces were cut away1 so that it was scarcely half as big as it had been in the beginning4 ,she became very much alarmed when she saw this1 and thought3 8,if ,i stay with ,raniero another year1 he will destroy my love4 ,i shall become just as poor as ,i have hitherto been rich40 ,then she concluded to leave ,raniero's house and go to live with her father1 that the day might not come when she should hate ,raniero as much as she now loved him4 ,jacopo degli ,uberti was sitting at the loom with all his workmen busy around him when he saw her coming4 ,he said that now the thing had come to pass which he had long expected1 and bade her be welcome4 ,instantly he ordered all the people to leave off their work and arm themselves and close the house4 ,then ,jacopo went over to ,raniero4 ,he met him in the workshop4 8,my daughter has this day returned to me and begged that she may live again under my roof10 he said to his son-in-law4 8,and now ,i expect that you will not compel her to return to you1 after the promise you have given me40 ,raniero did not seem to take this very seriously1 but answered calmly3 8,even if ,i had not given you my word1 ,i would not demand the return of a woman who does not wish to be mine40 ,he knew how much ,francesca loved him1 and said to himself3 8,she will be back with me before evening40 ,yet she did not appear either that day or the next4 ,the third day ,raniero went out and pursued a couple of robbers who had long disturbed the ,florentine merchants4 ,he succeeded in catching them1 and took them captives to ,florence4 ,he remained quiet a couple of days1 until he was positive that this feat was known throughout the city4 ,but it did not turn out as he had expected--that it would bring ,francesca back to him4 ,raniero had the greatest desire to appeal to the courts1 to force her return to him1 but he felt himself unable to do this because of his promise4 ,it seemed impossible for him to live in the same city with a wife who had abandoned him1 so he moved away from ,florence4 ,he first became a soldier1 and very soon he made himself commander of a volunteer company4 ,he was always in a fight1 and served many masters4 ,he won much renown as a warrior1 as he had always said he would4 ,he was made a knight by the ,emperor1 and was accounted a great man4 ,before he left ,florence1 he had made a vow at a sacred image of the ,madonna in the ,cathedral to present to the ,blessed ,virgin the best and rarest that he won in every battle4 ,before this image one always saw costly gifts1 which were presented by ,raniero4 ,raniero was aware that all his deeds were known in his native city4 ,he marveled much that ,francesca degli ,uberti did not come back to him1 when she knew all about his success4 ,at that time sermons were preached to start the ,crusades for the recovery of the ,holy ,sepulchre from the ,saracens1 and ,raniero took the cross and departed for the ,orient4 ,he not only hoped to win castles and lands to rule over1 but also to succeed in performing such brilliant feats that his wife would again be fond of him1 and return to him4 ,,ii ,the night succeeding the day on which ,jerusalem had been captured1 there was great rejoicing in the ,crusaders' camp1 outside the city4 ,in almost every tent they celebrated with drinking bouts1 and noise and roystering were heard in every direction4 ,raniero di ,raniero sat and drank with some comrades2 and in his tent it was even more hilarious than elsewhere4 ,the servants barely had time to fill the goblets before they were empty again4 ,raniero had the best of reasons for celebrating1 because during the day he had won greater glory than ever before4 ,in the morning1 when the city was besieged1 he had been the first to scale the walls after ,godfrey of ,boulogne2 and in the evening he had been honored for his bravery in the presence of the whole corps4 ,when the plunder and murder were ended1 and the ,crusaders in penitents' cloaks and with lighted candles marched into the ,church of the ,holy ,sepulchre1 it had been announced to ,raniero by ,godfrey that he should be the first who might light his candle from the sacred candles which burn before ,christ's tomb4 ,it appeared to ,raniero that ,godfrey wished in this manner to show that he considered him the bravest man in the whole corps2 and he was very happy over the way in which he had been rewarded for his achievements4 ,as the night wore on1 ,raniero and his guests were in the best of spirits2 a fool and a couple of musicians who had wandered all over the camp and amused the people with their pranks1 came into ,raniero's tent1 and the fool asked permission to narrate a comic story4 ,raniero knew that this particular fool was in great demand for his drollery1 and he promised to listen to his narrative4 8,it happened once10 said the fool1 8that our ,lord and ,saint ,peter sat a whole day upon the highest tower in ,paradise ,stronghold1 and looked down upon the earth4 ,they had so much to look at1 that they scarcely found time to exchange a word4 ,our ,lord kept perfectly still the whole time1 but ,saint ,peter sometimes clapped his hands for joy1 and again turned his head away in disgust4 ,sometimes he applauded and smiled1 and anon he wept and commiserated4 ,finally1 as it drew toward the close of day1 and twilight sank down over ,paradise1 our ,lord turned to ,saint ,peter and said that now he must surely be satisfied and content4 #8,what is it that ,i should be content with8' ,saint ,peter asked1 in an impetuous tone4 #8,why1' said our ,lord slowly1 #8,i thought that you would be pleased with what you have seen to-day4' ,but ,saint ,peter did not care to be conciliated4 #8,it is true1' said he1 #8that for many years ,i have bemoaned the fact that ,jerusalem should be in the power of unbelievers1 but after all that has happened to-day1 ,i think it might just as well have remained as it was4'0 ,raniero understood now that the fool spoke of what had taken place during the day4 ,both he and the other knights began to listen with greater interest than in the beginning4 8,when ,saint ,peter had said this10 continued the fool1 as he cast a furtive glance at the knights1 8he leaned over the pinnacle of the tower and pointed toward the earth4 ,he showed our ,lord a city which lay upon a great solitary rock that shot up from a mountain valley4 #8,do you see those mounds of corpses8' he said4 #8,and do you see the naked and wretched prisoners who moan in the night chill8 ,and do you see all the smoking ruins of the conflagration8' ,it appeared as if our ,lord did not wish to answer him1 but ,saint ,peter went on with his lamentations4 ,he said that he had certainly been vexed with that city many times1 but he had not wished it so ill as that it should come to look like this4 ,then1 at last1 our ,lord answered1 and tried an objection3 #8,still1 you can not deny that the ,christian knights have risked their lives with the utmost fearlessness1' said ,he40 ,then the fool was interrupted by bravos1 but he made haste to continue4 8,oh1 don't interrupt me60 he said4 8,now ,i don't remember where ,i left off--ah6 to be sure1 ,i was just going to say that ,saint ,peter wiped away a tear or two which sprang to his eyes and prevented him from seeing4 #8,i never would have thought they could be such beasts1' said he4 #8,they have murdered and plundered the whole day4 ,why you went to all the trouble of letting yourself be crucified in order to gain such devotees1 ,i can't in the least comprehend4'0 ,the knights took up the fun good-naturedly4 ,they began to laugh loud and merrily4 8,what1 fool6 ,is ,saint ,peter so wroth with us80 shrieked one of them4 8,be silent now1 and let us hear if our ,lord spoke in our defense60 interposed another4 8,no1 our ,lord was silent4 ,he knew of old that when ,saint ,peter had once got a-going1 it wasn't worth while to argue with him4 ,he went on in his way1 and said that our ,lord needn't trouble to tell him that finally they remembered to which city they had come1 and went to church barefooted and in penitents' garb4 ,that spirit had1 of course1 not lasted long enough to be worth mentioning4 ,and thereupon he leaned once more over the tower and pointed downward toward ,jerusalem4 ,he pointed out the ,christians' camp outside the city4 #8,do you see how your knights celebrate their victories8' he asked4 ,and our ,lord saw that there was revelry everywhere in the camp4 ,knights and soldiers sat and looked upon ,syrian dancers4 ,filled goblets went the rounds while they threw dice for the spoils of war and----0 8,they listened to fools who told vile stories10 interpolated ,raniero4 8,was not this also a great sin80 ,the fool laughed and shook his head at ,raniero1 as much as to say1 8,wait6 ,i will pay you back40 8,no1 don't interrupt me60 he begged once again4 8,a poor fool forgets so easily what he would say4 ,ah6 it was this3 ,saint ,peter asked our ,lord if ,he thought these people were much of a credit to ,him4 ,to this1 of course1 our ,lord had to reply that ,he didn't think they were4 8#8,they were robbers and murderers before they left home1 and robbers and murderers they are even to-day4 ,this undertaking you could just as well have left undone4 ,no good will come of it1' said ,saint ,peter40 8,come1 come1 fool60 said ,raniero in a threatening tone4 ,but the fool seemed to consider it an honor to test how far he could go without some one jumping up and throwing him out1 and he continued fearlessly4 8,our ,lord only bowed ,his head1 like one who acknowledges that he is being justly rebuked4 ,but almost at the same instant ,he leaned forward eagerly and peered down with closer scrutiny than before4 ,saint ,peter also glanced down4 #8,what are you looking for8' he wondered40 ,the fool delivered this speech with much animated facial play4 ,all the knights saw our ,lord and ,saint ,peter before their eyes1 and they wondered what it was our ,lord had caught sight of4 8,our ,lord answered that it was nothing in particular10 said the fool4 8,saint ,peter gazed in the direction of our ,lord's glance1 but he could discover nothing except that our ,lord sat and looked down into a big tent1 outside of which a couple of ,saracen heads were set up on long lances1 and where a lot of fine rugs1 golden vessels1 and costly weapons1 captured in the ,holy ,city1 were piled up4 ,in that tent they carried on as they did everywhere else in the camp4 ,a company of knights sat and emptied their goblets4 ,the only difference might be that here there were more drinking and roystering than elsewhere4 ,saint ,peter could not comprehend why our ,lord was so pleased when ,he looked down there1 that ,his eyes fairly sparkled with delight4 ,so many hard and cruel faces he had rarely before seen gathered around a drinking table4 ,and he who was host at the board and sat at the head of the table was the most dreadful of all4 ,he was a man of thirty-five1 frightfully big and coarse1 with a blowsy countenance covered with scars and scratches1 calloused hands1 and a loud1 bellowing voice40 ,here the fool paused a moment1 as if he feared to go on1 but both ,raniero and the others liked to hear him talk of themselves1 and only laughed at his audacity4 8,you're a daring fellow10 said ,raniero1 8so let us see what you are driving at60 8,finally1 our ,lord said a few words10 continued the fool1 8which made ,saint ,peter understand what ,he rejoiced over4 ,he asked ,saint ,peter if ,he saw wrongly1 or if it could actually be true that one of the knights had a burning candle beside him40 ,raniero gave a start at these words4 ,now1 at last1 he was angry with the fool1 and reached out his hand for a heavy wine pitcher to throw at his face1 but he controlled himself that he might hear whether the fellow wished to speak to his credit or discredit4 8,saint ,peter saw now10 narrated the fool1 8that1 although the tent was lighted mostly by torches1 one of the knights really had a burning wax candle beside him4 ,it was a long1 thick candle1 one of the sort made to burn twenty-four hours4 ,the knight1 who had no candlestick to set it in1 had gathered together some stones and piled them around it1 to make it stand40 ,the company burst into shrieks of laughter at this4 ,all pointed at a candle which stood on the table beside ,raniero1 and was exactly like the one the fool had described4 ,the blood mounted to ,raniero's head2 for this was the candle which he had a few hours before been permitted to light at the ,holy ,sepulchre4 ,he had been unable to make up his mind to let it die out4 8,when ,saint ,peter saw that candle10 said the fool1 8it dawned upon him what it was that our ,lord was so happy over1 but at the same time he could not help feeling just a little sorry for ,him4 #8,oh1' he said1 #8it was the same knight that leaped upon the wall this morning immediately after the gentleman of ,boulogne1 and who this evening was permitted to light his candle at the ,holy ,sepulchre ahead of all the others4 #8,true6' said our ,lord4 #8,and1 as you see1 his candle is still burning4'0 ,the fool talked very fast now1 casting an occasional sly glance at ,raniero4 8,saint ,peter could not help pitying our ,lord4 #8,can't you understand why he keeps that candle burning8' said he4 #8,you must believe that he thinks of your sufferings and death whenever he looks at it4 ,but he thinks only of the glory which he won when he was acknowledged to be the bravest man in the troop after ,godfrey4'0 ,at this all ,raniero's guests laughed4 ,raniero was very angry1 but he1 too1 forced himself to laugh4 ,he knew they would have found it still more amusing if he hadn't been able to take a little fun4 8,but our ,lord contradicted ,saint ,peter10 said the fool4 8#8,don't you see how careful he is with the light8' asked ,he4 #8,he puts his hand before the flame as soon as any one raises the tent-flap1 for fear the draught will blow it out4 ,and he is constantly occupied in chasing away the moths which fly around it and threaten to extinguish it4'0 ,the laughter grew merrier and merrier1 for what the fool said was the truth4 ,raniero found it more and more difficult to control himself4 ,he felt he could not endure that any one should jest about the sacred candle4 8,still1 ,saint ,peter was dubious10 continued the fool4 8,he asked our ,lord if ,he knew that knight4 #8,he's not one who goes often to ,mass or wears out the prie-dieu1' said he4 ,but our ,lord could not be swerved from ,his opinion4 8#8,saint ,peter1 ,saint ,peter1' ,he said earnestly4 #8,remember that henceforth this knight shall become more pious than ,godfrey4 ,whence do piety and gentleness spring1 if not from my sepulchre8 ,you shall see ,raniero di ,raniero help widows and distressed prisoners4 ,you shall see him care for the sick and despairing as he now cares for the sacred candle flame4'0 ,at this they laughed inordinately4 ,it struck them all as very ludicrous1 for they knew ,raniero's disposition and mode of living4 ,but he himself found both the jokes and laughter intolerable4 ,he sprang to his feet and wanted to reprove the fool4 ,as he did this1 he bumped so hard against the table--which was only a door set up on loose boxes--that it wabbled1 and the candle fell down4 ,it was evident now how careful ,raniero was to keep the candle burning4 ,he controlled his anger and gave himself time to pick it up and brighten the flame1 before he rushed upon the fool4 ,but when he had trimmed the light the fool had already darted out of the tent1 and ,raniero knew it would be useless to pursue him in the darkness4 8,i shall probably run across him another time10 he thought1 and sat down4 ,meanwhile the guests had laughed mockingly1 and one of them turned to ,raniero and wanted to continue the jesting4 ,he said3 8,there is one thing1 however1 which is certain1 ,raniero1 and that is--this time you can't send to the ,madonna in ,florence the most precious thing you have won in the battle40 ,raniero asked why he thought that he should not follow his old habit this time4 8,for no other reason10 said the knight1 8than that the most precious thing you have won is that sacred candle flame1 which you were permitted to light at the church of the ,holy ,sepulchre in presence of the whole corps4 ,surely you can't send that to ,florence60 ,again the other knights laughed1 but ,raniero was now in the mood to undertake the wildest projects1 just to put an end to their laughter4 ,he came to a conclusion quickly1 called to an old squire1 and said to him3 8,make ready1 ,giovanni1 for a long journey4 ,to-morrow you shall travel to ,florence with this sacred candle flame40 ,but the squire said a blunt no to this command4 8,this is something which ,i don't care to undertake10 he said4 8,how should it be possible to travel to ,florence with a candle flame8 ,it would be extinguished before ,i had left the camp40 ,raniero asked one after another of his men4 ,he received the same reply from all4 ,they scarcely seemed to take his command seriously4 ,it was a foregone conclusion that the foreign knights who were his guests should laugh even louder and more merrily1 as it became apparent that none of ,raniero's men wished to carry out his order4 ,raniero grew more and more excited4 ,finally he lost his patience and shouted3 8,this candle flame shall nevertheless be borne to ,florence2 and since no one else will ride there with it1 ,i will do so myself60 8,consider before you promise anything of the kind60 said a knight4 8,you ride away from a principality40 8,i swear to you that ,i will carry this sacred flame to ,florence60 exclaimed ,raniero4 8,i shall do what no one else has cared to undertake40 ,the old squire defended himself4 8,master1 it's another matter for you4 ,you can take with you a large retinue but me you would send alone40 ,but ,raniero was clean out of himself1 and did not consider his words4 8,i1 too1 shall travel alone10 said he4 ,but with this declaration ,raniero had carried his point4 ,every one in the tent had ceased laughing4 ,terrified1 they sat and stared at him4 8,why don't you laugh any more80 asked ,raniero4 8,this undertaking surely can't be anything but a child's game for a brave man40 ,,iii ,the next morning at dawn ,raniero mounted his horse4 ,he was in full armor1 but over it he had thrown a coarse pilgrim cloak1 so that the iron dress should not become overheated by exposure to the sun's rays4 ,he was armed with a sword and battle-club1 and rode a good horse4 ,he held in his hand a burning candle1 and to the saddle he had tied a couple of bundles of long wax candles1 so the flame should not die out for lack of nourishment4 ,raniero rode slowly through the long1 encumbered tent street1 and thus far all went well4 ,it was still so early that the mists which had arisen from the deep dales surrounding ,jerusalem were not dispersed1 and ,raniero rode forward as in a white night4 ,the whole troop slept1 and ,raniero passed the guards easily4 ,none of them called out his name1 for the mist prevented their seeing him1 and the roads were covered with a dust-like soil a foot high1 which made the horse's tramp inaudible4 ,raniero was soon outside the camp and started on the road which led to ,joppa4 ,here it was smoother1 but he rode very slowly now1 because of the candle1 which burned feebly in the thick mist4 ,big insects kept dashing against the flame4 ,raniero had all he could do guarding it1 but he was in the best of spirits and thought all the while that the mission which he had undertaken was so easy that a child could manage it4 ,meanwhile1 the horse grew weary of the slow pace1 and began to trot4 ,the flame began to flicker in the wind4 ,it didn't help that ,raniero tried to shield it with his hand and with the cloak4 ,he saw that it was about to be extinguished4 ,but he had no desire to abandon the project so soon4 ,he stopped the horse1 sat still a moment1 and pondered4 ,then he dismounted and tried sitting backwards1 so that his body shielded the flame from the wind4 ,in this way he succeeded in keeping it burning2 but he realized now that the journey would be more difficult than he had thought at the beginning4 ,when he had passed the mountains which surround ,jerusalem1 the fog lifted4 ,he rode forward now in the greatest solitude4 ,there were no people1 houses1 green trees1 nor plants--only bare rocks4 ,here ,raniero was attacked by robbers4 ,they were idle folk1 who followed the camp without permission1 and lived by theft and plunder4 ,they had lain in hiding behind a hill1 and ,raniero--who rode backwards--had not seen them until they had surrounded him and brandished their swords at him4 ,there were about twelve men4 ,they looked wretched1 and rode poor horses4 ,raniero saw at once that it would not be difficult for him to break through this company and ride on4 ,and after his proud boast of the night before1 he was unwilling to abandon his undertaking easily4 ,he saw no other means of escape than to compromise with the robbers4 ,he told them that1 since he was armed and rode a good horse1 it might be difficult to overpower him if he defended himself4 ,and as he was bound by a vow1 he did not wish to offer resistance1 but they could take whatever they wanted1 without a struggle1 if only they promised not to put out his light4 ,the robbers had expected a hard struggle1 and were very happy over ,raniero's proposal1 and began immediately to plunder him4 ,they took from him armor and steed1 weapons and money4 ,the only thing they let him keep was the coarse cloak and the two bundles of wax candles4 ,they sacredly kept their promise1 also1 not to put out the candle flame4 ,one of them mounted ,raniero's horse4 ,when he noticed what a fine animal he was1 he felt a little sorry for the rider4 ,he called out to him3 8,come1 come1 we must not be too cruel toward a ,christian4 ,you shall have my old horse to ride40 ,it was a miserable old screw of a horse4 ,it moved as stiffly1 and with as much difficulty1 as if it were made of wood4 ,when the robbers had gone at last1 and ,raniero had mounted the wretched horse1 he said to himself3 8,i must have become bewitched by this candle flame4 ,for its sake ,i must now travel along the roads like a crazy beggar40 ,he knew it would be wise for him to turn back1 because the undertaking was really impracticable4 ,but such an intense yearning to accomplish it had come over him that he could not resist the desire to go on4 ,therefore1 he went farther4 ,he saw all around him the same bare1 yellowish hills4 ,after a while he came across a goatherd1 who tended four goats4 ,when ,raniero saw the animals grazing on the barren ground1 he wondered if they ate earth4 ,this goatherd had owned a larger flock1 which had been stolen from him by the ,crusaders4 ,when he noticed a solitary ,christian come riding toward him1 he tried to do him all the harm he could4 ,he rushed up to him and struck at his light with his staff4 ,raniero was so taken up by the flame that he could not defend himself even against a goatherd4 ,he only drew the candle close to him to protect it4 ,the goatherd struck at it several times more1 then he paused1 astonished1 and ceased striking4 ,he noticed that ,raniero's cloak had caught fire1 but ,raniero did nothing to smother the blaze1 so long as the sacred flame was in danger4 ,the goatherd looked as though he felt ashamed4 ,for a long time he followed ,raniero1 and in one place1 where the road was very narrow1 with a deep chasm on each side of it1 he came up and led the horse for him4 ,raniero smiled and thought the goatherd surely regarded him as a holy man who had undertaken a voluntary penance4 ,toward evening ,raniero began to meet people4 ,rumors of the fall of ,jerusalem had already spread to the coast1 and a throng of people had immediately prepared to go up there4 ,there were pilgrims who for years had awaited an opportunity to get into ,jerusalem1 also some newly-arrived troops2 but they were mostly merchants who were hastening with provisions4 ,when these throngs met ,raniero1 who came riding backwards with a burning candle in his hand1 they cried3 8,a madman1 a madman60 ,the majority were ,italians2 and ,raniero heard how they shouted in his own tongue1 8,pazzo1 pazzo60 which means 8a madman1 a madman40 ,raniero1 who had been able to keep himself well in check all day1 became intensely irritated by these ever-recurring shouts4 ,instantly he dismounted and began to chastise the offenders with his hard fists4 ,when they saw how heavy the blows were1 they took to their heels1 and ,raniero soon stood alone on the road4 ,now ,raniero was himself again4 8,in truth they were right to call me a madman10 he said1 as he looked around for the light4 ,he did not know what he had done with it4 ,at last he saw that it had rolled down into a hollow4 ,the flame was extinguished1 but he saw fire gleam from a dry grass-tuft close beside it1 and understood that luck was with him1 for the flame had ignited the grass before it had gone out4 8,this might have been an inglorious end of a deal of trouble10 he thought1 as he lit the candle and stepped into the saddle4 ,he was rather mortified4 ,it did not seem to him very probable that his journey would be a success4 ,in the evening ,raniero reached ,ramle1 and rode up to a place where caravans usually had night harbor4 ,it was a large covered yard4 ,all around it were little stalls where travelers could put up their horses4 ,there were no rooms1 but folk could sleep beside the animals4 ,the place was overcrowded with people1 yet the host found room for ,raniero and his horse4 ,he also gave fodder to the horse and food to the rider4 ,when ,raniero perceived that he was well treated1 he thought3 8,i almost believe the robbers did me a service when they took from me my armor and my horse4 ,i shall certainly get out of the country more easily with my light burden1 if they mistake me for a lunatic40 ,when he had led the horse into the stall1 he sat down on a sheaf of straw and held the candle in his hands4 ,it was his intention not to fall asleep1 but to remain awake all night4 ,but he had hardly seated himself when he fell asleep4 ,he was fearfully exhausted1 and in his sleep he stretched out full length and did not wake till morning4 ,when he awoke he saw neither flame nor candle4 ,he searched in the straw for the candle1 but did not find it anywhere4 8,some one has taken it from me and extinguished it10 he said4 ,he tried to persuade himself that he was glad that all was over1 and that he need not pursue an impossible undertaking4 ,but as he pondered1 he felt a sense of emptiness and loss4 ,he thought that never before had he so longed to succeed in anything on which he had set his mind4 ,he led the horse out and groomed and saddled it4 ,when he was ready to set out1 the host who owned the caravansary came up to him with a burning candle4 ,he said in ,frankish3 8,when you fell asleep last night1 ,i had to take your light from you1 but here you have it again40 ,raniero betrayed nothing1 but said very calmly3 8,it was wise of you to extinguish it40 8,i have not extinguished it10 said the man4 8,i noticed that it was burning when you arrived1 and ,i thought it was of importance to you that it should continue to burn4 ,if you see how much it has decreased1 you will understand that it has been burning all night40 ,raniero beamed with happiness4 ,he commended the host heartily1 and rode away in the best of spirits4 ,,iv ,when ,raniero broke away from the camp at ,jerusalem1 he intended to travel from ,joppa to ,italy by sea1 but changed his mind after he had been robbed of his money1 and concluded to make the journey by land4 ,it was a long journey4 ,from ,joppa he went northward along the ,syrian coast4 ,then he rode westward along the peninsula of ,asia ,minor1 then northward again1 all the way to ,constantinople4 ,from there he still had a monotonously long distance to travel to reach ,florence4 ,during the whole journey ,raniero had lived upon the contributions of the pious4 ,they that shared their bread with him mostly were pilgrims who at this time traveled en masse to ,jerusalem4 ,regardless of the fact that he nearly always rode alone1 his days were neither long nor monotonous4 ,he must always guard the candle flame1 and on its account he never could feel at ease4 ,it needed only a puff of breeze--a rain-drop--and there would have been an end to it4 ,as ,raniero rode over lonely roads1 and thought only about keeping the flame alive1 it occurred to him that once before he had been concerned with something similar4 ,once before he had seen a person watch over something which was just as sensitive as a candle flame4 ,this recollection was so vague to him at first that he wondered if it was something he had dreamed4 ,but as he rode on alone through the country1 it kept recurring to him that he had participated in something similar once before4 8,it is as if all my life long ,i had heard tell of nothing else10 said he4 ,one evening he rode into a city4 ,it was after sundown1 and the housewives stood in their doorways and watched for their husbands4 ,then he noticed one who was tall and slender1 and had earnest eyes4 ,she reminded him of ,francesca degli ,uberti4 ,instantly it became clear to him what he had been pondering over4 ,it came to him that for ,francesca her love must have been as a sacred flame which she had always wished to keep burning1 and which she had constantly feared that ,raniero would quench4 ,he was astonished at this thought1 but grew more and more certain that the matter stood thus4 ,for the first time he began to understand why ,francesca had left him1 and that it was not with feats of arms he should win her back4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the journey which ,raniero made was of long duration4 ,this was in part due to the fact that he could not venture out when the weather was bad4 ,then he sat in some caravansary1 and guarded the candle flame4 ,these were very trying days4 ,one day1 when he rode over ,mount ,lebanon1 he saw that a storm was brewing4 ,he was riding high up among awful precipices1 and a frightful distance from any human abode4 ,finally he saw on the summit of a rock the tomb of a ,saracen saint4 ,it was a little square stone structure with a vaulted roof4 ,he thought it best to seek shelter there4 ,he had barely entered when a snowstorm came up1 which raged for two days and nights4 ,at the same time it grew so cold that he came near freezing to death4 ,raniero knew that there were heaps of branches and twigs out on the mountain1 and it would not have been difficult for him to gather fuel for a fire4 ,but he considered the candle flame which he carried very sacred1 and did not wish to light anything from it1 except the candles before the ,blessed ,virgin's ,altar4 ,the storm increased1 and at last he heard thunder and saw gleams of lightning4 ,then came a flash which struck the mountain1 just in front of the tomb1 and set fire to a tree4 ,and in this way he was enabled to light his fire without having to borrow of the sacred flame4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as ,raniero was riding on through a desolate portion of the ,cilician mountain district1 his candles were all used up4 ,the candles which he had brought with him from ,jerusalem had long since been consumed2 but still he had been able to manage because he had found ,christian communities all along the way1 of whom he had begged fresh candles4 ,but now his resources were exhausted1 and he thought that this would be the end of his journey4 ,when the candle was so nearly burned out that the flame scorched his hand1 he jumped from his horse and gathered branches and dry leaves and lit these with the last of the flame4 ,but up on the mountain there was very little that would ignite1 and the fire would soon burn out4 ,while he sat and grieved because the sacred flame must die1 he heard singing down the road1 and a procession of pilgrims came marching up the steep path1 bearing candles in their hands4 ,they were on their way to a grotto where a holy man had lived1 and ,raniero followed them4 ,among them was a woman who was very old and had difficulty in walking1 and ,raniero carried her up the mountain4 ,when she thanked him afterwards1 he made a sign to her that she should give him her candle4 ,she did so1 and several others also presented him with the candles which they carried4 ,he extinguished the candles1 hurried down the steep path1 and lit one of them with the last spark from the fire lighted by the sacred flame4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one day at the noon hour it was very warm1 and ,raniero had lain down to sleep in a thicket4 ,he slept soundly1 and the candle stood beside him between a couple of stones4 ,when he had been asleep a while1 it began to rain1 and this continued for some time1 without his waking4 ,when at last he was startled out of his sleep1 the ground around him was wet1 and he hardly dared glance toward the light1 for fear it might be quenched4 ,but the light burned calmly and steadily in the rain1 and ,raniero saw that this was because two little birds flew and fluttered just above the flame4 ,they caressed it with their bills1 and held their wings outspread1 and in this way they protected the sacred flame from the rain4 ,he took off his hood immediately1 and hung it over the candle4 ,thereupon he reached out his hand for the two little birds1 for he had been seized with a desire to pet them4 ,neither of them flew away because of him1 and he could catch them4 ,he was very much astonished that the birds were not afraid of him4 8,it is because they know ,i have no thought except to protect that which is the most sensitive of all1 that they do not fear me10 thought he4 99 99 99 99 99 ,raniero rode in the vicinity of ,nica1 in ,bithynia4 ,here he met some western gentlemen who were conducting a party of recruits to the ,holy ,land4 ,in this company was ,robert ,taillefer1 who was a wandering knight and a troubadour4 ,raniero1 in his torn cloak1 came riding along with the candle in his hand1 and the warriors began as usual to shout1 8,a madman1 a madman60 ,but ,robert silenced them1 and addressed the rider4 8,have you journeyed far in this manner80 he asked4 8,i have ridden like this all the way from ,jerusalem10 answered ,raniero4 8,has your light been extinguished many times during the journey80 8,still burns the flame that lighted the candle with which ,i rode away from ,jerusalem10 responded ,raniero4 ,then ,robert ,taillefer said to him3 8,i am also one of those who carry a light1 and ,i would that it burned always4 ,but perchance you1 who have brought your light burning all the way from ,jerusalem1 can tell me what ,i shall do that it may not become extinguished80 ,then ,raniero answered3 8,master1 it is a difficult task1 although it appears to be of slight importance4 ,this little flame demands of you that you shall entirely cease to think of anything else4 ,it will not allow you to have any sweet-heart--in case you should desire anything of the sort--neither would you dare on account of this flame to sit down at a revel4 ,you can not have aught else in your thoughts than just this flame1 and must possess no other happiness4 ,but my chief reason for advising you against making the journey which ,i have weathered is that you can not for an instant feel secure4 ,it matters not through how many perils you may have guarded the flame1 you can not for an instant think yourself secure1 but must ever expect that the very next moment it may fail you40 ,but ,robert ,taillefer raised his head proudly and answered3 8,what you have done for your sacred flame ,i may do for mine40 99 99 99 99 99 ,raniero arrived in ,italy4 ,one day he rode through lonely roads up among the mountains4 ,a woman came running after him and begged him to give her a light from his candle4 8,the fire in my hut is out10 said she4 8,my children are hungry4 ,give me a light that ,i may heat my oven and bake bread for them60 ,she reached for the burning candle1 but ,raniero held it back because he did not wish that anything should be lighted by that flame but the candles before the image of the ,blessed ,virgin4 ,then the woman said to him3 8,pilgrim1 give me a light1 for the life of my children is the flame which ,i am in duty bound to keep burning60 ,and because of these words he permitted her to light the wick of her lamp from his flame4 ,several hours later he rode into a town4 ,it lay far up on the mountain1 where it was very cold4 ,a peasant stood in the road and saw the poor wretch who came riding in his torn cloak4 ,instantly he stripped off the short mantle which he wore1 and flung it to him4 ,but the mantle fell directly over the candle and extinguished the flame4 ,then ,raniero remembered the woman who had borrowed a light of him4 ,he turned back to her and had his candle lighted anew with sacred fire4 ,when he was ready to ride farther1 he said to her3 8,you say that the sacred flame which you must guard is the life of your children4 ,can you tell me what name this candle's flame bears1 which ,i have carried over long roads80 8,where was your candle lighted80 asked the woman4 8,it was lighted at ,christ's sepulchre10 said ,raniero4 8,then it can only be called ,gentleness and ,love of ,humanity10 said she4 ,raniero laughed at the answer4 ,he thought himself a singular apostle of virtues such as these4 99 99 99 99 99 ,raniero rode forward between beautiful blue hills4 ,he saw he was near ,florence4 ,he was thinking that he must soon part with his light4 ,he thought of his tent in ,jerusalem1 which he had left filled with trophies1 and the brave soldiers who were still in ,palestine1 and who would be glad to have him take up the business of war once more1 and bear them on to new conquests and honors4 ,then he perceived that he experienced no pleasure in thinking of this1 but that his thoughts were drawn in another direction4 ,then he realized for the first time that he was no longer the same man that had gone from ,jerusalem4 ,the ride with the sacred flame had compelled him to rejoice with all who were peaceable and wise and compassionate1 and to abhor the savage and warlike4 ,he was happy every time he thought of people who labored peacefully in their homes1 and it occurred to him that he would willingly move into his old workshop in ,florence and do beautiful and artistic work4 8,verily this flame has recreated me10 he thought4 8,i believe it has made a new man of me40 ,v ,it was ,eastertide when ,raniero rode into ,florence4 ,he had scarcely come in through the city gate--riding backwards1 with his hood drawn down over his face and the burning candle in his hand--when a beggar arose and shouted the customary 8,pazzo1 pazzo60 ,at this cry a street gamin darted out of a doorway1 and a loafer1 who had had nothing else to do for a long time than to lie and gaze at the clouds1 jumped to his feet4 ,both began shouting the same thing3 8,pazzo1 pazzo60 ,now that there were three who shrieked1 they made a good deal of noise and so woke up all the street urchins4 ,they came rushing out from nooks and corners4 ,as soon as they saw ,raniero1 in his torn coat1 on the wretched horse1 they shouted3 8,pazzo1 pazzo60 ,but this was only what ,raniero was accustomed to4 ,he rode quietly up the street1 seeming3 not to notice the shouters4 ,then they were not content with merely shouting1 but one of them jumped up and tried to blow out the light4 ,raniero raised the candle on high1 trying at the same time to prod his horse1 to escape the boys4 ,they kept even pace with him1 and did everything they could to put out the light4 ,the more he exerted himself to protect the flame the more excited they became4 ,they leaped upon one another's backs1 puffed their cheeks out1 and blew4 ,they flung their caps at the candle4 ,it was only because they were so numerous and crowded on one another that they did not succeed in quenching the flame4 ,this was the largest procession on the street4 ,people stood at the windows and laughed4 ,no one felt any sympathy with a madman1 who wanted to defend his candle flame4 ,it was church hour1 and many worshipers were on their way to ,mass4 ,they1 too1 stopped and laughed at the sport4 ,but now ,raniero stood upright in the saddle1 so that he could shield the candle4 ,he looked wild4 ,the hood had fallen back and they saw his face1 which was wasted and pale1 like a martyr's4 ,the candle he held uplifted as high as he could4 ,the entire street was one great swarm of people4 ,even the older ones began to take part in the play4 ,the women waved their head-shawls and the men swung their caps4 ,every one worked to extinguish the light4 ,raniero rode under the vine-covered balcony of a house4 ,upon this stood a woman4 ,she leaned over the lattice-work1 snatched the candle1 and ran in with it4 ,the woman was ,francesca degli ,uberti4 ,the whole populace burst into shrieks of laughter and shouts1 but ,raniero swayed in his saddle and fell to the street4 ,as soon as he lay there stricken and unconscious1 the street was emptied of people4 ,no one wished to take charge of the fallen man4 ,his horse was the only creature that stopped beside him4 ,as soon as the crowds had got away from the street1 ,francesca degli ,uberti came out from her house1 with the burning candle in her hand4 ,she was still pretty2 her features were gentle1 and her eyes were deep and earnest4 ,she went up to ,raniero and bent over him4 ,he lay senseless1 but the instant the candle light fell upon his face1 he moved and roused himself4 ,it was apparent that the candle flame had complete power over him4 ,when ,francesca saw that he had regained his senses1 she said3 8,here is your candle4 ,i snatched it from you1 as ,i saw how anxious you were to keep it burning4 ,i knew of no other way to help you40 ,raniero had had a bad fall1 and was hurt4 ,but now nothing could hold him back4 ,he began to raise himself slowly4 ,he wanted to walk1 but wavered1 and was about to fall4 ,then he tried to mount his horse4 ,francesca helped him4 8,where do you wish to go80 she asked when he sat in the saddle again4 8,i want to go to the cathedral10 he answered4 8,then ,i shall accompany you10 she said1 8for ,i'm going to ,mass40 ,and she led the horse for him4 ,francesca had recognized ,raniero the very moment she saw him1 but he did not see who she was1 for he did not take time to notice her4 ,he kept his gaze fixed upon the candle flame alone4 ,they were absolutely silent all the way4 ,raniero thought only of the flame1 and of guarding it well these last moments4 ,francesca could not speak1 for she felt she did not wish to be certain of that which she feared4 ,she could not believe but that ,raniero had come home insane4 ,although she was almost certain of this1 she would rather not speak with him1 in order to avoid any positive assurance4 ,after a while ,raniero heard some one weep near him4 ,he looked around and saw that it was ,francesca degli ,uberti1 who walked beside him2 and she wept4 ,but ,raniero saw her only for an instant1 and said nothing to her4 ,he wanted to think only of the sacred flame4 ,raniero let her conduct him to the sacristy4 ,there he dismounted4 ,he thanked ,francesca for her help1 but looked all the while not upon her1 but on the light4 ,he walked alone up to the priests in the sacristy4 ,francesca went into the church4 ,it was ,easter ,eve1 and all the candles stood unlighted upon the altars1 as a symbol of mourning4 ,francesca thought that every flame of hope which had ever burned within her was now extinguished4 ,in the church there was profound solemnity4 ,there were many priests at the altar4 ,the canons sat in a body in the chancel1 with the bishop among them4 ,by and by ,francesca noticed there was commotion among the priests4 ,nearly all who were not needed to serve at ,mass arose and went out into the sacristy4 ,finally the bishop went1 too4 ,when ,mass was over1 a priest stepped up to the chancel railing and began to speak to the people4 ,he related that ,raniero di ,raniero had arrived in ,florence with sacred fire from ,jerusalem4 ,he narrated what the rider had endured and suffered on the way4 ,and he praised him exceeding much4 ,the people sat spellbound and listened to this4 ,francesca had never before experienced such a blissful moment4 8,o ,god60 she sighed1 8this is greater happiness than ,i can bear40 ,her tears fell as she listened4 ,the priest talked long and well4 ,finally he said in a strong1 thrilling voice3 8,it may perchance appear like a trivial thing now1 that a candle flame has been brought to ,florence4 ,but ,i say to you3 ,pray ,god that ,he will send ,florence many bearers of ,eternal ,light2 then she will become a great power1 and be extolled as a city among cities60 ,when the priest had finished speaking1 the entrance doors of the church were thrown open1 and a procession of canons and monks and priests marched up the center aisle toward the altar4 ,the bishop came last1 and by his side walked ,raniero1 in the same cloak that he had worn during the entire journey4 ,but when ,raniero had crossed the threshold of the cathedral1 an old man arose and walked toward him4 ,it was ,oddo1 the father of the journeyman who had once worked for ,raniero1 and had hanged himself because of him4 ,when this man had come up to the bishop and ,raniero1 he bowed to them4 ,thereupon he said in such a loud voice that all in the church heard him3 8,it is a great thing for ,florence that ,raniero has come with sacred fire from ,jerusalem4 ,such a thing has never before been heard of or conceived4 ,for that reason perhaps there may be many who will say that it is not possible4 ,therefore1 ,i beg that all the people may know what proofs and witnesses ,raniero has brought with him1 to assure us that this is actually fire which was lighted in ,jerusalem40 ,when ,raniero heard this he said3 8,god help me6 how can ,i produce witnesses8 ,i have made the journey alone4 ,deserts and mountain wastes must come and testify for me40 8,raniero is an honest knight10 said the bishop1 8and we believe him on his word40 8,raniero must know himself that doubts will arise as to this10 said ,oddo4 8,surely1 he can not have ridden entirely alone4 ,his little pages could certainly testify for him40 ,then ,francesca degli ,uberti rushed up to ,raniero4 8,why need we witnesses80 said she4 8,all the women in ,florence would swear on oath that ,raniero speaks the truth60 ,then ,raniero smiled1 and his countenance brightened for a moment4 ,thereupon he turned his thoughts and his gaze once more upon the candle flame4 ,there was great commotion in the church4 ,some said that ,raniero should not be allowed to light the candles on the altar until his claim was substantiated4 ,with this many of his old enemies sided4 ,then ,jacopo degli ,uberti rose and spoke in ,raniero's behalf4 8,i believe every one here knows that no very great friendship has existed between my son-in-law and me10 he said2 8but now both my sons and ,i will answer for him4 ,we believe he has performed this task1 and we know that one who has been disposed to carry out such an undertaking is a wise1 discreet1 and noble-minded man1 whom we are glad to receive among us40 ,but ,oddo and many others were not disposed to let him taste of the bliss he was yearning for4 ,they got together in a close group and it was easy to see that they did not care to withdraw their demand4 ,raniero apprehended that if this should develop into a fight1 they would immediately try to get at the candle4 ,as he kept his eyes steadily fixed upon his opponents1 he raised the candle as high as he could4 ,he looked exhausted in the extreme1 and distraught4 ,one could see that1 although he wished to hold out to the very last1 he expected defeat4 ,what mattered it to him now if he were permitted to light the candles8 ,oddo's word had been a death-blow4 ,when doubt was once awakened1 it would spread and increase4 ,he fancied that ,oddo had already extinguished the sacred flame forever4 ,a little bird came fluttering through the great open doors into the church4 ,it flew straight into ,raniero's light4 ,he hadn't time to snatch it aside1 and the bird dashed against it and put out the flame4 ,raniero's arm dropped1 and tears sprang to his eyes4 ,the first moment he felt this as a sort of relief4 ,it was better thus than if human beings had killed it4 ,the little bird continued its flight into the church1 fluttering confusedly hither and thither1 as birds do when they come into a room4 ,simultaneously a loud cry resounded throughout the church3 8,the bird is on fire6 ,the sacred candle flame has set its wings on fire60 ,the little bird chirped anxiously4 ,for a few moments it fluttered about1 like a flickering flame1 under the high chancel arches4 ,then it sank suddenly and dropped dead upon the ,madonna's ,altar4 ,but the moment the bird fell upon the ,altar1 ,raniero was standing there4 ,he had forced his way through the church1 no one had been able to stop him4 ,from the sparks which destroyed the bird's wings he lit the candles before the ,madonna's ,altar4 ,then the bishop raised his staff and proclaimed3 8,god willed it6 ,god hath testified for him60 ,and all the people in the church1 both his friends and opponents1 abandoned their doubts and conjectures4 ,they cried as with one voice1 transported by ,god's miracle3 8,god willed it6 ,god hath testified for him60 ,of ,raniero there is now only a legend1 which says he enjoyed great good fortune for the remainder of his days1 and was wise1 and prudent1 and compassionate4 ,but the people of ,florence always called him ,pazzo degli ,ranieri1 in remembrance of the fact that they had believed him insane4 ,and this became his honorary title4 ,he founded a dynasty1 which was named ,pazzi1 and is called so even to this day4 ,it might also be worth mentioning that it became a custom in ,florence1 each year at ,easter ,eve1 to celebrate a festival in memory of ,raniero's home-coming with the sacred flame1 and that1 on this occasion1 they always let an artificial bird fly with fire through the church4 ,this festival would most likely have been celebrated even in our day had not some changes taken place recently4 ,but if it be true1 as many hold1 that the bearers of sacred fire who have lived in ,florence and have made the city one of the most glorious on earth1 have taken ,raniero as their model1 and have thereby been encouraged to sacrifice1 to suffer and endure1 this may here be left untold4 ,for what has been done by this light1 which in dark times has gone out from ,jerusalem1 can neither be measured nor counted4 ,,the ,,end ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,the ,,home ,,book ,,of ,,verse ,,for ,,young ,,folks ,compiled by ,burton ,e4 ,stevenson1 ,editor of 8,the ,home ,book of ,verse40 ,with cover1 and illustrations in color and black and white by ,,willy ,,pogany4 ,over #ejj pages1 large #abmo4 #b4jj net4 ,not a rambling1 hap-hazard collection but a vade-mecum for youth from the ages of six or seven to sixteen or seventeen4 ,it opens with ,nursery ,rhymes and lullabies1 progresses through child rhymes and jingles to more mature nonsense verse2 then come fairy verses and ,christmas poems2 then nature verse and favorite rhymed stories2 then through the trumpet and drum period 7where an attempt is made to teach true patriotism7 to the final appeal of 8,life ,lessons0 and 8,a ,garland of ,gold0 7the great poems for all ages74 ,this arrangement secures sequence of sentiment and a sort of cumulative appeal4 ,nearly all the children's classics are included1 and along with them a body of verse not so well known but almost equally deserving4 ,there are many real 8finds10 most of which have never before appeared in any anthology4 ,mr4 ,stevenson has banished doleful and pessimistic verse1 and has dwelt on hope1 courage1 cheerfulness and helpfulness4 ,the book should serve1 too1 as an introduction to the greater poems1 informing taste for them and appreciation of them1 against the time when the boy or girl1 grown into youth and maiden1 is ready to swim out into the full current of ,english poetry4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,,publishers ,,new ,,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,life-,,stories ,,for ,,the ,,young ,dean ,hodges' ,,saints ,,and ,,heroes3 ,to the ,end of the ,middle ,ages4 ,illustrated4 #a4ce net4 ,biographies of ,cyprian1 ,athanasius1 ,ambrose1 ,chrysostom1 ,jerome1 ,augustine1 ,benedict1 ,gregory the ,great1 ,columba1 ,charlemagne1 ,hildebrand1 ,anselm1 ,bernard1 ,becket1 ,langton1 ,dominic1 ,francis1 ,wycliffe1 ,hus1 ,savonarola4 ,each of these men was a great person in his time1 and represented its best qualities4 ,their dramatic and adventurous experiences make the story of their lives interesting as well as inspiring and suggestive4 ,church history and doctrine are touched upon only as they develop in the biographies4 8,here is much important history told in a readable and attractive manner1 and from the standpoint which makes history most vivid and most likely to remain fixed in memory1 namely1 the standpoint of the individual actor40--,springfield ,republican4 ,dean ,hodges' ,,saints ,,and ,,heroes3 ,since the ,middle ,ages ,illustrated4 #a4ce net4 ,the new volume includes biographies of ,luther1 ,more1 ,loyola1 ,cranmer1 ,calvin1 ,knox1 ,coligny1 ,william the ,silent1 ,laud1 ,cromwell1 ,fox1 ,wesley1 ,bunyan and ,brewster4 ,john ,buchan's ,,sir ,,walter ,,raleigh ,with double-page pictures in color2 cover linings4 ,square #abmo4 ,price1 #b4jj net4 ,a life of ,raleigh told in eleven chapters4 ,each chapter covers some important scene in his life and is told by some friend or follower as if seen with his own eyes4 ,some of the characters are invented1 but all that they tell really happened4 ,the narrative has spirit1 color1 and atmosphere1 and is unusually well written4 ,america figures largely in the story1 and ,american boys will enjoy this book4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,,publishers ,,viii'#ab ,,new ,,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,by ,,carroll ,,watson ,,rankin ------------------------------------ ,,stories ,,for ,,girls ,,the ,,cinder ,,pond ,illustrated by ,ada ,c4 ,williamson4 #a4be net4 ,years ago1 a manufacturer built a great dock1 jutting out from and then turning parallel to the shore of a northern ,michigan town4 ,the factory was abandoned1 and following the habits of small towns1 the space between the dock and the shore became 8,the ,cinder ,pond40 ,jean started life in the colony of squatters that came to live in the shanties on the dock1 but fortune1 heroism1 and a mystery combine to change her fortunes and those of her friends near the ,cinder ,pond4 ,,the ,,castaways ,,of ,,pete',s ,,patch ,illustrated by ,ada ,c4 ,williamson4 #a4be net4 ,a tale of five girls and two youthful grown-ups who enjoyed unpremeditated camping4 ,,dandelion ,,cottage ,illustrated by ,mmes4 ,shinn and ,finley4 #a4ej4 ,four young girls secure the use of a tumbledown cottage4 ,they set up housekeeping under numerous disadvantages1 and have many amusements and queer experiences4 8,a capital story4 ,it is refreshing to come upon an author who can tell us about real little girls1 with sensible ordinary parents1 girls who are neither phenomenal nor silly40--,outlook4 ,,the ,,adopting ,,of ,,rosa ,,marie ,a sequel to 8,dandelion ,cottage40 ,illustrated by ,mrs4 ,shinn4 #a4ej4 ,the little girls who played at keeping house in the earlier book1 enlarge their activities to the extent of playing mother to a little ,indian girl4 8,those who have read #8,dandelion ,cottage' will need no urging to follow further4444 ,a lovable group of four real children1 happily not perfect1 but full of girlish plans and pranks4444 ,a delightful sense of humor40--,boston ,transcript4 ,,the ,,girls ,,of ,,gardenville ,illustrated by ,mary ,wellman4 #abmo4 #a4ej4 ,interesting1 amusing1 and natural stories of a girls' club4 8,will captivate as many adults as if it were written for them4444 ,the secret of ,mrs4 ,rankin's charm is her naturalness 444 real girls 444 not young ladies with #8pigtails1' but girls of sixteen who are not twenty-five 444 as original as amusing40--,boston ,transcript4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,,publishers ,,new ,,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,books ,,for ,,girls ,by ,,beulah ,,marie ,,dix ,,betty-,,bide-,,at-,,home ,illustrated by ,faith ,avery4 #abmo4 #a4be net4 ,a story of family life4 ,betty is just ready for college1 her brother is studying medicine1 her sister is almost able to make her own way in the world1 when a sudden catastrophe compels ,betty to choose between her own ambitions and her mother's happiness4 ,betty stays at home and learns many things1 among them the fact that duty and success can be combined4 ,the account of her literary ventures will help girls who want to write4 ,betty is a spirited1 energetic1 lovable girl4 ,the style and atmosphere of the story are both better than is usually the case in girls' stories4 ,,friends ,,in ,,the ,,end ,illustrated by ,faith ,avery4 #abmo4 #a4be net4 ,an out-of-door story for girls which tells how ,dorothea ,marden went1 under protest1 from the city to spend the summer at a farm in the ,new ,hampshire mountains2 how she met ,jo ,gifford from ,south ,tuxboro1 who had red hair1 and knew she shouldn't like her1 but did2 how ,dorothea and ,jo1 at the farm1 fell out with the young folks close by at ,camp ,comfort2 how they carried on the war1 with varying success1 and how they were sorry that they did so1 and how they were glad in the end to make peace4 8,will attract boys and girls equally and be good for both40--,outlook4 8,more than the usual plot and literary completeness40--,christian ,register4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,,publishers ,,viii'#ab ,,new ,,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,by ,,alice ,,calhoun ,,haines ,for ,young ,folks from #i to #af ,years old4 ------------------------------------ ,,partners ,,for ,,fair ,with illustrations by ,faith ,avery4 #a4be net4 ,a story full of action1 not untinged by pathos1 of a boy and his faithful dog and their wanderings after the poorhouse burns down4 ,they have interesting experiences with a traveling circus2 the boy is thrown from a moving train1 and has a lively time with the ,mexican ,insurrectos1 from whom he is rescued by our troops4 ,,the ,,luck ,,of ,,the ,,dudley ,,grahams ,illustrated by ,francis ,day4 #cjj pp41 #abmo4 #a4ej4 ,a family story of city life4 ,lightened by humor and an airship4 8,among the very best of books for young folks4 ,appeals especially to girls40--,wisconsin ,list for ,township ,libraries4 8,promises to be perennially popular4 ,a family of happy1 healthy1 inventive1 bright children make the best of restricted conditions and prove themselves masters of circumstances40--,christian ,register4 8,sparkles with cleverness and humor40--,brooklyn ,eagle4 ,,cock-,a-,,doodle ,,hill ,a sequel to the above4 ,illustrated by ,francis ,day4 #bif pp41 #abmo4 #a4ej4 8,cockle-a-doodle ,hill0 is where the ,dudley ,graham family went to live when they left ,new ,york1 and here ,ernie started her chicken-farm1 with one solitary fowl1 8,hennerietta40 ,the pictures of country scenes and the adventures and experiences of this household of young people are very life-like4 8,no better book for young people than #8,the ,luck of the ,dudley ,grahams' was offered last year4 #8,cock-a-,doodle ,hill' is another of similar qualities40--,philadelphia ,press4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,,publishers 7,,viii'#ab7 ,,new ,,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,companion ,,stories ,,of ,,country ,,life ,,for ,,boys ,by ,,charles ,p4 ,,burton ------------------------------------ ,,the ,,boys ,,of ,,bob',s ,,hill ,illustrated by ,george ,a4 ,williams4 #abmo4 #a4be4 ,a lively story of a party of boys in a small ,new ,england town4 8,a first-rate juvenile 444 a real story for the live human boy--any boy will read it eagerly to the end 444 quite thrilling adventures40 --,chicago ,record-,herald4 8,tom ,sawyer would have been a worthy member of the ,bob's ,hill crowd and shared their good times and thrilling adventures with uncommon relish4444 ,a jolly group of youngsters as nearly true to the real thing in boy nature as one can ever expect to find between covers40--,christian ,register4 ,,the ,,bob',s ,,cave ,,boys ,illustrated by ,victor ,perard4 #a4ej4 8,it would be hard to find anything better in the literature of ,new ,england boy life4 ,healthy1 red-blooded1 human boys1 full of fun1 into trouble and out again1 but frank1 honest1 and clean40 --,the ,congregationalist4 ,,the ,,bob',s ,,hill ,,braves ,illustrated by ,h4 ,s4 ,de,lay4 #abmo4 #a4ej4 ,the 8,bob's ,hill0 band spend a vacation in ,illinois1 where they play at being ,indians1 hear thrilling tales of real ,indians1 and learn much frontier history4 ,a history of especial interest to 8,boy ,scouts40 8,merry youngsters4 ,capital4 ,thrilling tales of the red men and explorers4 ,these healthy red-blooded1 ,new ,england boys40 --,philadelphia ,press4 ,,the ,,boy ,,scouts ,,of ,,bob',s ,,hill ,illustrated by ,gordon ,grant4 #abmo4 #a4be net4 ,the 8,bob's ,hill0 band organizes a ,boy ,scouts band and have many adventures4 ,mr4 ,burton brings in tales told around a camp-fire of ,la ,salle1 ,joliet1 the ,louisiana ,purchase1 and the ,northwestern ,reservation4 ,,camp ,,bob',s ,,hill ,illustrated by ,gordon ,grant4 #a4be net4 ,a tale of ,boy ,scouts on their summer vacation4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,,publishers ,,new ,,york ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ,,short ,,plays ,,about ,,famous ,,authors 7,goldsmith1 ,dickens1 ,heine1 ,fannie ,burney1 ,shakespeare7 ,by ,maude ,morrison ,frank4 #a4jj net4 ,the ,mistake at the ,manor shows the fifteen-year-old ,goldsmith in the midst of the humorous incident in his life which later formed the basis of 8,she ,stoops to ,conquer40 ,a ,christmas ,eve ,with ,charles ,dickens reveals the author as a poor factory boy in a lodging-house1 dreaming of an old-time family ,christmas4 ,when ,heine was ,twenty-one dramatizes the early disobedience of the author in writing poetry against his uncle's orders4 ,miss ,burney at ,court deals with an interesting incident in the life of the author of 8,evelina0 when she was at the ,court of ,george ,,iii4 ,the ,fairies' ,plea1 which is an adaptation of ,thomas ,hood's poem1 shows ,shakespeare intervening to save the fairies from the scythe of ,time4 ,designed in general for young people near enough to the college age to feel an interest in the personal and human aspects of literature1 but the last two could easily be handled by younger actors4 ,they can successfully be given by groups or societies of young people without the aid of a professional coach4 ,,little ,,plays ,,from ,,american ,,history ,,for ,,young ,,folks ,by ,alice ,johnstone ,walker4 #a4jj net4 ,hiding the ,regicides1 a number of brief and stirring episodes1 concerning the pursuit of ,colonels ,whalley and ,goff by the officers of ,charles ,,ii at ,new ,haven in old colony days4 ,mrs4 ,murray's ,dinner ,party1 in three acts1 is a lively comedy about a ,patriot hostess and ,british ,officers in ,revolutionary ,days4 ,scenes from ,lincoln's ,time2 the martyred ,president does not himself appear4 ,they cover ,lincoln's helping a little girl with her trunk1 women preparing lint for the wounded1 a visit to the ,white ,house of an important delegation from ,new ,york1 and of the mother of a soldier boy sentenced to death--and the coming of the army of liberation to the darkies4 ,tho big events are touched upon1 the mounting of all these little plays is simplicity itself1 and they have stood the test of frequent school performance4 ,,henry ,,holt ,,and ,,company ,publishers ,new ,york