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Article FAREWELL TO THE RHINE. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Farewell To The Rhine.
to the golden chamber , rich with the gifts of saints and princes—in the centre stood the shrine of St . Englebert , of massive silver enriched with elaborate chased work , representing the most remarkable passages 11 A ?~ m P annels round it were twelve figures of the Apostles in gold . Alter viewing crosiers and mitres blazing with jewels , a beautiful bouquet of flowers , presented by the Emperor Barbarossa , was shown us , the leaves of the finest emeralds
green , lilies of the valleys in pearls , and other flowers in precious stones-a pix , or vessel to contain the host must have been of immence value—it was absolutel y covered with diamonds . Satisfied with the golden chamber , we at last proceeded to the small gothic shrine , within which stands the tomb of the Three Kings of Cologne , or as they are more generall y known , the wise men ot the eastwho came to worshithe infant Saviour it had been hted
, p : lig for our approach , and presented a mass of wealth and splendour—it is of silver gilt , about four feet long , perhaps more , and stands nearly six feet from the ground . As a specimen of art , in the rude time in which it was conceived , it is b y no means poor . The scul ptures in alto and bas-rehef , are beautiful , but evidently belong to a later date than the
tomb itseit wmch glittering m diamonds , rubies , and pearls , reflected back the light of the tapers by which it was surrounded . After requesting every person to kneel , our guide , who was evidently superstitiously impressed with the sanctity of the relics , by pressing a large ruby , opened part of the shrine , and exposed on a cushion , covered with pearls , the three fleshless heads , before which kings had knelt in prayer , and to decorate whose resting place , princes had despoiled themselves—each skull honoured
was with a crown of diamonds and pearls , made in the eastern form—while , on the golden grating which divided them from the spectators , each name was written in rubies—that of Melchior first . The curiosity of rny companions began to be annoying , and I left them to wander round the altars , not wishing the impressions I had received to be disturbed by vulgar incredulity or vulgar doubt . The scene around , as far as the taper through the dim liht permitted to view it
g me , was picturesque , and conjured up a train of thought and feeling , at which in the broad sunshine I had smiled . The approach of the party soon recalled me to sober reason , and with many a lingering look of vain regret , I quitted the
cathedral-Regardless of the night ' s dark gloom , ^ Em-apt with awe I gazed upon The hol y Magi ' s sacred tomb , That crowns thy dark aisles , proud Cologne . Saints in scul ptured stone were there , Whose guardian irits in the air
sp , Hung o ' er the ancient pile ; At this , perhaps , the world may deem My words a visionary ' s dream , Philosophers may smile . But if communion ere be given , With beings less of earth than heaven , Tis in
' some lone hour , when The records of dark ages past , Their shadows round the rapt soul cast , Our thoughts are spirits then .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Farewell To The Rhine.
to the golden chamber , rich with the gifts of saints and princes—in the centre stood the shrine of St . Englebert , of massive silver enriched with elaborate chased work , representing the most remarkable passages 11 A ?~ m P annels round it were twelve figures of the Apostles in gold . Alter viewing crosiers and mitres blazing with jewels , a beautiful bouquet of flowers , presented by the Emperor Barbarossa , was shown us , the leaves of the finest emeralds
green , lilies of the valleys in pearls , and other flowers in precious stones-a pix , or vessel to contain the host must have been of immence value—it was absolutel y covered with diamonds . Satisfied with the golden chamber , we at last proceeded to the small gothic shrine , within which stands the tomb of the Three Kings of Cologne , or as they are more generall y known , the wise men ot the eastwho came to worshithe infant Saviour it had been hted
, p : lig for our approach , and presented a mass of wealth and splendour—it is of silver gilt , about four feet long , perhaps more , and stands nearly six feet from the ground . As a specimen of art , in the rude time in which it was conceived , it is b y no means poor . The scul ptures in alto and bas-rehef , are beautiful , but evidently belong to a later date than the
tomb itseit wmch glittering m diamonds , rubies , and pearls , reflected back the light of the tapers by which it was surrounded . After requesting every person to kneel , our guide , who was evidently superstitiously impressed with the sanctity of the relics , by pressing a large ruby , opened part of the shrine , and exposed on a cushion , covered with pearls , the three fleshless heads , before which kings had knelt in prayer , and to decorate whose resting place , princes had despoiled themselves—each skull honoured
was with a crown of diamonds and pearls , made in the eastern form—while , on the golden grating which divided them from the spectators , each name was written in rubies—that of Melchior first . The curiosity of rny companions began to be annoying , and I left them to wander round the altars , not wishing the impressions I had received to be disturbed by vulgar incredulity or vulgar doubt . The scene around , as far as the taper through the dim liht permitted to view it
g me , was picturesque , and conjured up a train of thought and feeling , at which in the broad sunshine I had smiled . The approach of the party soon recalled me to sober reason , and with many a lingering look of vain regret , I quitted the
cathedral-Regardless of the night ' s dark gloom , ^ Em-apt with awe I gazed upon The hol y Magi ' s sacred tomb , That crowns thy dark aisles , proud Cologne . Saints in scul ptured stone were there , Whose guardian irits in the air
sp , Hung o ' er the ancient pile ; At this , perhaps , the world may deem My words a visionary ' s dream , Philosophers may smile . But if communion ere be given , With beings less of earth than heaven , Tis in
' some lone hour , when The records of dark ages past , Their shadows round the rapt soul cast , Our thoughts are spirits then .