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Article THE RING OF CHARLEMAGNE. ← Page 7 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ring Of Charlemagne.
again bring the state to the brink of ruin and shame ? Particularly was this likely at the present , as Charles , forgetting all his former wives and loves , had called to the imperial bed a Frank female , named Fastiade , daughter of Count Rudolph , who bore the character of being cruel in disposition . Might not the new Empress discover the powers appertaining to the ring , and seek to obtain its possession at auy cost ? and in that eventwhat disasters miht not be dreaded!—what calamities
, g were sure to follow ! Another source of his uneasiness was , lest the courtiers should obtain information of the origin of the extraordinary degree of favour thus suddenl y heaped upon one of the councillors of the crown , of which , in the court of Charles , as well as in others of more modern date , each individual thought himself as deserving as the sage Alcuin . What enmity would he have to sustain in case of such an event!—what plots were certain to be hatched against him ! And
thus another motive suggested itself . At present , his vast empire was rich and tranquil , and the renown of Charles at its height . Why then preserve the ring at all?—with what object ? The soul of Alcuin was inaccessible to the vulgar ambition ivhich ordinarily agitates the dwellers in palaces . He had sought the possession of the talisman only to save the glory of his master , perilled by the arts of Saphira . Now the work of his devotedness accomplishedthe talisman worthless .
, For a moment Alcuin resolved to cast the ring into a furnace , and see it utterly perish in the flames . But the story of Meleagar came upon his memory ; and , in his dread lest the fate of his royal master should be in some way connected ivith the existence of the ring , he altered his intention , and proceeded directly to the borders of a pond in the royal domain .
His resolution was taken instantaneously . The water was deep , and covered with aquatic plants . " No swimmer , " thought he ; " not even our august prince , himself a model to all who love that manly exercise , would venture to plunge into so dangerous a gulf in search of it , were it even the ring of Gyges , or the purse of Fortunatus . " While he half uttered these words , the devoted servant drew the ring from his finger , and flung it as far as he could into the midst of the waters .
A light circle spread over the surface above the spot where the ring had fallen , and Alcuin , relieved from his dangerous treasure , returned calmly to the palace . He had scarcely passed the first vestibule , when a well-known voice called him by name . He raised his head , and beheld the Emperor at one of the casements . "What brings your highness there ? " he asked , in surprise , for the
evening was damp , and the wind bitterly cold , and charged with dangerous exhalations . " . Because , " replied the Emperor , " the waters of that marsh , on which shines the setting sun , seem like a sheet of dazzling fire—a spectacle which , I am astonished I ( never remarked before , but which , henceforward , I shall gaze on from this spot , at my ease , while falls the close of day . Ascendmy learned friendand if it be not an
im-, , say posing and glorious spectacle !" Alcuin stood beside the Emperor at the window , and acknowledged that it was as he had stated . " How long have you been here , my honoured master ?" " Scarcely a moment . The waters of the lake were illumined slid-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ring Of Charlemagne.
again bring the state to the brink of ruin and shame ? Particularly was this likely at the present , as Charles , forgetting all his former wives and loves , had called to the imperial bed a Frank female , named Fastiade , daughter of Count Rudolph , who bore the character of being cruel in disposition . Might not the new Empress discover the powers appertaining to the ring , and seek to obtain its possession at auy cost ? and in that eventwhat disasters miht not be dreaded!—what calamities
, g were sure to follow ! Another source of his uneasiness was , lest the courtiers should obtain information of the origin of the extraordinary degree of favour thus suddenl y heaped upon one of the councillors of the crown , of which , in the court of Charles , as well as in others of more modern date , each individual thought himself as deserving as the sage Alcuin . What enmity would he have to sustain in case of such an event!—what plots were certain to be hatched against him ! And
thus another motive suggested itself . At present , his vast empire was rich and tranquil , and the renown of Charles at its height . Why then preserve the ring at all?—with what object ? The soul of Alcuin was inaccessible to the vulgar ambition ivhich ordinarily agitates the dwellers in palaces . He had sought the possession of the talisman only to save the glory of his master , perilled by the arts of Saphira . Now the work of his devotedness accomplishedthe talisman worthless .
, For a moment Alcuin resolved to cast the ring into a furnace , and see it utterly perish in the flames . But the story of Meleagar came upon his memory ; and , in his dread lest the fate of his royal master should be in some way connected ivith the existence of the ring , he altered his intention , and proceeded directly to the borders of a pond in the royal domain .
His resolution was taken instantaneously . The water was deep , and covered with aquatic plants . " No swimmer , " thought he ; " not even our august prince , himself a model to all who love that manly exercise , would venture to plunge into so dangerous a gulf in search of it , were it even the ring of Gyges , or the purse of Fortunatus . " While he half uttered these words , the devoted servant drew the ring from his finger , and flung it as far as he could into the midst of the waters .
A light circle spread over the surface above the spot where the ring had fallen , and Alcuin , relieved from his dangerous treasure , returned calmly to the palace . He had scarcely passed the first vestibule , when a well-known voice called him by name . He raised his head , and beheld the Emperor at one of the casements . "What brings your highness there ? " he asked , in surprise , for the
evening was damp , and the wind bitterly cold , and charged with dangerous exhalations . " . Because , " replied the Emperor , " the waters of that marsh , on which shines the setting sun , seem like a sheet of dazzling fire—a spectacle which , I am astonished I ( never remarked before , but which , henceforward , I shall gaze on from this spot , at my ease , while falls the close of day . Ascendmy learned friendand if it be not an
im-, , say posing and glorious spectacle !" Alcuin stood beside the Emperor at the window , and acknowledged that it was as he had stated . " How long have you been here , my honoured master ?" " Scarcely a moment . The waters of the lake were illumined slid-