3. This was her ruling thought each hour and moment; to the use of the poor she dedicated all that she retrenched from the superfluities 1 usually required by her sex and rank. Yet, notwithstanding the resources that the charity of her husband placed at her disposal, she gave away so quickly all that she possessed, that it often happened that she would despoil 2 herself of her clothes in order to have the means of assisting the unfortunate. 4. But it was not alone by presents or with money that the young princess testified her love for the poor of Christ; it was still more by personal devotion, by those tender and patient cares which are usually, in the sight bōth of God and the sufferers, the most holy and most precious älms. She applied herself to these duties with simplicity and unfailing gayety of manner. When the sick sought her aid, after relieving their wants, she would inquire where they lived, in order that she might visit them, and no distance, no roughness of road, could keep her from them. 5. She knew that nothing strengthened feelings of charity more than to penetrate into all that is positive and material in human misery. She sought out the huts most distant from her căstle, which were often repulsive through filth and bad air; yet she entered these häunts of poverty in a manner at once full of devotion and familiarity. She carried herself what she thought would be necessary for their miserable inhabitants. She consoled them, far less by her generous gifts than by her sweet and affectionate words. 6. Elizabeth loved to carry secretly to the poor not only money, but provisions and other matters which she destined 3 for them. She went, thus laden, by the winding and rugged päths that led from the castle to the city, and to cabins of the neighboring valleys. One day, when accompanied by one of her favorite maidens, as she descended from the castle, and carrying under her mantle bread, meat, eggs, and other food to distribute to the poor, she suddenly encountered her husband, who was retûrning from hunting. 7. Astonished to see her thus toiling on, under the weight of her burden, he said to her, "Let us see what you carry," and 1 Sū'per flū'i ty, something beyond what is necessary. 2 De spoil', to strip, as of clothing. 3 Děs'tined, designed; intended. at the same time drew open the mantle which she held closely clasped to her bosom; but beneath it were only red and white roses, the most beautiful he had ever seen; and this astonished him, as it was no longer the season of flowers. Seeing that Elizabeth was troubled, he sought to console her by his caresses, but he ceased suddenly, on seeing over her head a luminous appearance in the form of a crucifix. 8. He then desired her to continue her route without being disturbed by him, and he returned to Wartburg, meditating with recollection on what God did for her, and carrying with him one of these wonderful roses, which he possessed all his life. At the spot where this meeting took place, he erected a pillar, surmounted by a cross, to consecrate for ever the remembrance of that which he had seen hovering over the head of his wife. MONTALEMBERT.' III. 36. THE QUEEN'S KISS. PART FIRST. N all the blessed calendar, IN The sweetest saint I hold to be 2. A heart of love, a soul of fire, 3. They brighten the historic page, 1 Count Charles Forbes Rene de Montalembert, a French statesman, born in London May 29, 1810; died in Paris March 13, 1870. He was distinguished for his effōrts in behalf of free Catholic education, and is the author of several valuable works, the best known of which are "The Monks of the West" and the Life of St. Elizabeth of Hungary." 2 Lǎnd'gra vine, the wife of a landgrave or German nobleman. 66 Of water from her goblet turned, 5. The story of the lěprous child She laid upon her own soft bed; 3. How, chiding, came her angered lord, That smiled and vanished from his sight! 7. The story of the beggar, crouched Upon her court-yard's pavement cold, O'er whom she flung in Christ's dear name Her ermined mantle, wrought with gold. 8. And how it was the Lord Himself Who, in that abject human form, A store of meat and eggs and bread, To cheer the poor who claimed her care; 11. How, hiding all beneath her robes, Against the tempest toiling down, She met the landgrave face to face, And, trembling, stood before his frown. 12. And how, "What dost thou here, my wife? What bearest thou ?" he sternly said, And oped her mantle's folds, to find Within but roses, white and red! 18. How then he thought to kiss her cheek, But dared not, and could only lay One rose, a rose of Paradise, Against his heart, and go his way. IV. 37. THE QUEEN'S KISS. W PART SECOND. ITHIN the French king's banquet-hall, Sat Blanche, the queen from fair Căstïle, 2. She who, through blessèd motherhood, A more than royal glory wonFrom Louis, kingliest of saints, And saintliest of kings, her son. 8. It chanced that, as the lovely queen 4. A fair, slight youth, with deep blue eyes, 5. "Know'st thou, my dear lord cardinal, Yon fair-haired page that stands apart?" Asked Blanche, the queen; "his sad face brings A strange, deep yearning to my heart." |