Exclude the sun's meridian ray, And bursts, like showery diamonds flashing, And such transcendant strains awakes, The charm that holds him now, whose bands On her for wealth and power were her's: In subterranean sepulchres The memory of whose place doth bear And wrong she recked not of, nor owned Thus, wreathed with ever-varying flowers, Her breath is short and quick; and, dim "The statues, and the lamps that burn: "The monarch-dwarf. Dost thou not see "An image there which should not be?"- Even as she bade he looked again : From his high throne the dwarf was gone. Lo! there, as in the Thespian fane, Uranian Love! His bow was bent: The arrow to its head was drawn ; His frowning brow was fixed intent On Rhododaphne. Scarce did rest Upon that form Anthemion's view, When, sounding shrill, the arrow flew, And lodged in Rhododaphne's breast. It was not Love's own shaft, the giver Of life and joy and tender flame; But, borrowed from Apollo's quiver, The death-directed arrow came. Long, slow, distinct in each stern word, A sweet deep-thrilling voice was heard; -"With impious spells hast thou profaned "My altars; and all-ruling Jove, "Though late, yet certain, has unchained "The vengeance of Uranian Love!"-* The marble palace burst asunder, Riven by subterranean thunder. Sudden clouds around them rolled, Lucid vapour, fold on fold. Then Rhododaphne closer prest Anthemion to her bleeding breast, As, in his arms upheld, her head All languid on his neck reclined; And in the curls, that overspread His cheek, her temple-ringlets twined: Her dim eyes drew, with fading sight, From his their last reflected light, And on his lips, as nature failed, Her lips their last sweet sighs exhaled. "Farewell!" she said-" another bride "The partner of thy days must be; "But do not hate my memory: "And build a tomb, by Ladon's tide, "To her, who, false in all beside, "Was but too true in loving thee!" The quivering earth beneath them stirred. In dizzy trance upon her bosom He fell, as falls a wounded bird Upon a broken rose's blossom. What sounds are in Anthemion's ear? * The late but certain vengeance of the gods, occurs in many forms as a sentence among the classical writers; and is the subject of an interesting dialogue, among the moral works of Plutarch, which concludes with the fable of Thespesius, a very remarkable prototype of the Inferno of Dante. The cedar and the poplar gray, He knelt beside her on the ground: To make him calm and blest. Two maids had loved him; one, the light But Pheidon's door unfolds; and who Comes forth in beauty? Oh! 'tis she, Herself, his own Calliroë! Her love, and flew To meet him, and her dear arms threw And promise never more to roam, Were theirs. Old Pheidon from his home But when the maid Anthemion led -"Twas for Anthemion's love she erred!"__ And sad sweet verse they traced, to show They decked the tomb with mournful flowers, A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM, FOUNDATION OF THE ORDER. But to continue with our subject. Where, in looking over the history of the times in which he lived, may we find a man whose actions are more worthy of our remembrance, than were those of Gerard, the pious founder of the Order of St. John? Although seven centuries have passed away since his decease, and though the marble which covered his remains has for ages been crumbled into dust, still his benevolent character is known, and his Christian deeds more lasting than his monument, are now the subject of remark, and calling forth praises to his memory. Leaving his native town in Italy, where, with his title, he enjoyed a high rank, and with his fortune, every comfort, we find him a willing exile for life in a heathen land, and for a long time a solitary star among a nation of infidels. Gerard looked not to an earthly notoriety, or to worldly honors to repay him for his trials, privations, and sufferings. He was influenced by higher motives, and governed by far different feelings. Never could this worthy Monk have supposed, that when leaving his lonely dwelling in JeAlthough it has been stated by Raffaele Vala-rusalem on his errands of charity, he was layterreno, and many other writers, that the Order of ing the corner-stone of an Order which princes the Hospitallers existed long prior to the Christian and nobles should seek to enter, and emperors, era, yet, after an attentive perusal of the reasons kings, and royal dukes, honor for ages with their which they have adduced to prove their assertion, friendship and support. Yet, so it was. we do not think it correct. Terte ferrata, a Maltese, Intimately connected as is the foundation of the whose family was ennobled by the Grand-Master Hospitallers, with the history of the first crusade, Lascaris, remarks, that we might as well believe we shall leave Gerard for a time, while we say a the ancient Egyptian fables to be true, or the Chi- word of the councillors whom Pope Urban had sumnese, when they assert that their chronology is moned at Clermont, to devise means for the concoeval with the creation, as that this institution quest of Jerusalem, and of the momentous events was known before the spring of 1099. This Order which grew out of their deliberations. Foremost can boast of no greater antiquity, than that which in this assembly of bishops, princes, and laymen, seven centuries will give it. And this age is suffi- sat Peter, the hermit, a poor priest, on whom the eiently honorable; for though the earliest Monks eyes of all christendom were turned. Of this were pious and charitable men, still they were igno- man's early life, little is known, save that he was rant, and have left records behind them which born at Amiens of obscure parents, and entered the are very imperfect. Often do we find ourselves French army at the early age of sixteen. Leavobliged to trust to tradition for portions of their ing a service in which he had remained for many history, which would not now be the case had there years, without even rising to a corporal's rank, we been any literary men among them. Fortunate it next find him dressed in the habit of a Monk, and that in after ages, persons were found in their becoming a soldier of Christ. Peter, in changing rarks, who, born of noble parents, and graduates his profession of arms for that of the church, doubtof the first colleges in Europe, were in every res-less showed his sense. Gifted neither with a mili peet worthy of describing their deeds. Periods tary tact, or with a courageous spirit, he would, there were, when the convent was as much known had he remained in the ranks, have certainly died as a school of letters, as it was of arms, and when many Knights were as much distinguished for their that we have so largely drawn, while penning our historical * It is from the ponderous tomes of these learned writers, learned writings, as they were for their daring ex-letters. ploits in Paynim war. We will name but four of' † Marulli. VOL. IX-53 unknown. But no sooner did he return as a priest | passed over in silence; or, if listened to at all, have from his pilgrimage to Palestine, than, by his served only to call forth an unmeaning expression preaching, and austere manner of living, he drew of pity, and thus have ended. Urban, having dearound him crowds of followers, and rapidly rose termined to drive the infidels out of the holy land, to distinction. Gilbert, a writer of note, thus speaks and make it a Catholic province, sent Peter, on an of Peter whom he met with on his journey to embassy to all the European powers, to make known Rome. "He set out (says this writer) from whence his wishes, and ask their assistance to enable him I know not, nor with what design; but I saw him to compass his object. The manner in which his at that time, passing through the towns and vil-envoy performed this mission, and the success lages, preaching every where, and the people sur- which attended his efforts, are truly remarkable. rounding him in crowds, loading him with presents, Leaving Rome, on foot, with his scrip and staff; and celebrating his sanctity with such high eulo- receiving alms only to assist his fellow mortals who giums, that I never remember to have seen such were poorer than himself, and passing whole days honors rendered to any other person. He showed in preaching a war of extermination against the himself very generous, however, in the distribution followers of Mahommet in Palestine, in abstinence, of the things given to him. He brought back the and prayer, he soon "won for himself the reverence women that had abandoned their husbands, not of a saint, and the fame of a prophet." On his without adding gifts of his own, and reëstablished approach, thousands fell on their knees, and on his peace between those who lived unhappily, with making known the wish of the Roman pontiff, to wonderful authority. In every thing he said or wrest Jerusalem out of the hands of its Moslem did, it seemed as if there was something of divine, rulers, his hearers would rise in a body, and with so much so that people went to pluck some of the loud shouts of "God wills it, God wills it," offer hairs from his mule, which they kept afterwards as themselves for the service. This shout, as we relics-which I mention here, not that they really shall shortly see, was their war ery in battle, and were so, but merely served to satisfy the public often caused a horrible carnage. Such was the love of anything extraordinary. While out of appearance, character, and conduct of the person, doors, he wore ordinarily a woollen tunic, with a whom Pope Urban charged to execute his mission, brown mantle, which fell down to his heels. He and such were the means which he used, to bring had his arms and his feet bare, eat little or no it to a favorable conclusion. bread, and lived upon fish and wine." While speaking of this form of diplomacy, and Bound as we are to credit this description, given of diplomatic etiquette in 1098, we cannot but be as it is by an eye witness and a writer of no doubt-struck with the change which it has undergone in ful authority, we cannot but suppose that Peter was the course of seven hundred and forty years. aiming at a notoriety, and which, by his singular When a powerful monarch now wishes a public conduct, he did not fail to obtain. The personal duty performed, he appoints a trusty subject to do appearance of this "accomplished fanatic," as he it,-some person who is famed for his talents or has been styled by Gibbon, is thus described by wealth, influence or rank. He sends him abroad Knolles. "He was (says this historian) a little, in a ship-of-war, which carries a crew of four or low, hard-favored fellow, and therefore in show five hundred men, and mounts on one or two decks more to be contemned than feared; yet, under such her fifty or sixty guns. He gives him great privisimple and homely features, lay, unregarded, a most leges, and full powers. He begs foreign rulers to subtle, sharp, and piercing wit, fraught with dis- assist him and places him above the law, that he cretion and sound judgment, still applying to some may not be annoyed, or subject to an arrest while use what he had in his long and painful travel most engaged on his mission. He allows him to carry curiously observed." his suite; his liveried servants, his services of plate, Pope Urban, calling the hermit a distinguished his carriages, horses, and furniture. He instructs servant of Jesus Christ, and desirous of evincing his officers to salute him on his departure, and furhis friendship, sent a messenger to welcome him nish him with a guard of honor, as an escort on on his way, and offer him an apartment in the papal his journey. And when the envoy arives at the palace while he should remain in his capital. How court to which he is accredited, he has a palace to long Peter was the guest of the pope, is now un-reside in, and a princely revenue to maintain his known; but whether it might have been for months, dignity and support his rank. Such is the posi or days, it was certainly a most momentous period tion given, and the honors paid to any minister of in Christian history, giving rise as it did to the first England, France, or Russia, who now walks as crusade. Fortunate it was for this rigid ascetic, the representative of royalty, in the highest grade that he found in the Roman pontiff, a person of a of diplomatic life. But this rank, and these honors, religious character, and of kind and amiable feel- are not his only reward; for, should he succeed in ings. Had it been otherwise, his vivid descriptions his mission, and distinguish himself in diplomacy, of what he had seen, and suffered in common with he returns home to be raised to the peerage, to enjoy his poor brethren in Jerusalem, might have been a pension; and, becoming a member of a cabinet, to be a councillor of his king. Was a Christian | barous ideas of a dark age, with the powerful ambassador to travel on foot, at the present day, figures of enthusiastic eloquence he proceeded :' without a covering for his head, feet, arms, or legs; "Jerusalem is in the centre of this fertile land; without a change of clothing, or any thing for his and its territories, rich above all others, offer, so to support, save what he might beg by the way-side; speak, the delights of Paradise. That land too, the without a single companion, and without deigning Redeemer of the human race rendered illustrious to notice the lawful authorities of a place; but, by his advent, honored by his residence, consecramaking his mission known to the mass of the peo- ted by his passion, repurchased by his death, sigple, by fasting, preaching, and prayer, he would nalized by his sepulture. That royal city of Jerunot only fail in his object, but doubtless, before he salem-situated in the midst of the world-held had finished his wanderings, become the inmate of captive by infidels, who deny the God that honored a mad-house. Yet such was the course pursued her, now calls on you, and prays for her deliverby Peter the hermit, and such was his success, that ance. From you-from you, above all people, in less than a year he had called the whole Catholic she looks for comfort, and she hopes for aid, since world to arms. Among the many changes of the God has granted to you beyond other nations, glory, last seven hundred years, this, in the form of diplo- and might in arms. Take then the road before macy, is not the least which is deserving of notice. you in expiation of your sins, and go assured that But to return again to our subject. The call after the honor of this world shall have passed made by Pope Urban, through Peter, on all his away, imperishable glory shall await you even in Christian subjects to meet him at Clermont, and the kingdom of heaven! Remember, however, that arrange their plans for the first crusade, met with a we neither order, nor advise this journey to the old, cordial response. Indeed, so generally and wil-nor to the weak, nor to those who are unfit to bear lingly was this summons obeyed, that thousands arms. Let not this way be taken by women, withon their arrival could find no shelter in the town, out their husbands, or their brothers, or their legitiand were compelled to pass their nights in the mate guardians, for such are rather a burden than felds, where their councils were held. These an aid. Let the rich assist the poor, and bring fanatics, whether exposed to the burning rays of a with them at their own charge, those who can bear noonday sun, or to the chilly blasts which followed arms in the field. Still let not priests, or clerks, a drenching rain, would never, for a moment, com- to whatever place they may belong, set out on their plain. Thinking that they were on consecrated journey without the permission of their bishop; earth, they said that their sufferings were for the nor the laymen undertake it without the blessing of glory of God, and should their bodies perish, their his pastor; for, to such as do so, their journey shall souls would be saved. Daily did the Roman pon- be fruitless. Let whoever is inclined to devote tiff appear before this crowd, and address his hear- himself to the cause of God, make it a solemn eners in language which is famed to this day for its gagement, and bear the cross of the Lord either on spirit, pathos, and eloquence. "Think," said he his breast, or on his brow, till he set out; and let on one of these occasions, "of the sepulchre of him who is ready to begin his march, place the holy Christ, our Saviour, possessed by the foul heathen-emblem on his shoulders in memory of that prethink of all the sacred places dishonored by their sacrilegious impurities! O brave Knights, offspring of invincible fathers, degenerate not from your ancient blood! remember the virtues of your ancestors, and if you feel held back by the soft ties of wives, of children, and of parents, call to mind the words of our Lord himself: Whosoever loves father or mother, more than me, is not worthy of When the council at Clermont was dissolved, me. Whosoever shall abandon for my name's the Roman pontiff journeyed to Rome, to issue his sake, his house, or his brethren, or his sisters, or his father, or his mother, or his wife, or his children, or his lands, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit eternal life." " cept of our Saviour' He who does not take up his cross and follow me, is not worthy of me.'' From these extracts, it will be seen, that whatever credit may be due to Peter the hermit, for having first suggested a crusade to Palestine, still to Urban alone, the honor belongs of making it a reality. bulls in favor of the holy war, while the councillors scattered themselves all over Europe to raise money, troops, and warlike stores, to enable them to engage in the conflict. So successful were But even with this urgent appeal it would appear these men in their efforts, that there was no nation as if the pope had not touched the feelings of all (says William of Malmsbury) "so remote, no peohis hearers. Many persons, doubtless, were pre-ple so retired, as did not respond to the papal sent, who were to be influenced by other motives wishes. The Welshman left his hunting-the than those of altogether a religious nature, to en- Scot his fellowship with vermint-the Dane his gage in this crusade, and to this class, Urban ad- drinking party-the Norwegian his raw fish,-and dressed himself as follows: "He represented their country as poor and arid, and Palestine as a land If the Scots found it the same in the Holy Land, as flowing with milk and honey; and blending the bar-travellers do at present, they were not long without their * James. |