If no state reason interfered, the conqueror made what profit he could of his prisoners. Froissart, in speaking of Poictiers, adds, that the English became very rich, in consequence of that battle, as well by ransoms as by plunder, and M. St. Palaye, in his "Mem. sur la Chevalrie," mentions that the ransom of prisoners was the principal means by which the knights of olden time supported the magnificence for which they were so remarkable. In the next century, the articles of war drawn up by Henry V. previous to his invasion of France, contain the condition, "that be it at the battle or other deeds of arms, where the prisoners are taken, he that may first have his Faye shall have him for a prisoner, and need not abide by him;" by Faye, probably the promise given by the vanquished to his captor to remain his prisoner, is understood; as the expression donner sa foi, occurs in various French historians. The value of a ransom is sometimes estimated at one year's income of a man's estate, and this opinion is supported by the custom of allowing a year's liberty to captives to procure the sum agreed upon. By the feudal law, every tenant or vassal was bound to assist his lord in captivity, by a contribution proportionate to the land he held. As, however, the amount received for prisoners is very various, personal importance had no doubt great weight in the determination of a captive's value. Bertrand du Guescelin who had no property, valued his own ransom at 100,000 livres; and Froissart, at the same period mentions the ransom of a King of Majorca, of the house of Arragon, as being exactly that sum.

(To be continued.)

THE FATHERLAND. 1

(FROM THE GERMAN OF ARNDT.)

(For the Mirror.)

What is the German's Fatherland? On Prussia's coast, on Suabia's strand? Where blooms the vine on Rhenish shores? Where through the Belt the Baltic pours? Oh no, oh no! His Fatherland's not bounded so. What is the German's Fatherland? Bavaria's or Westphalia's strand? Where o'er his sand the Oder glides? Where Danube rolls his foaming tides? Oh no, oh no! His Fatherland's not bounded so. What is the German's Fatherland? Tell me at length that mighty land. The Swilzer's hills, or Tyrolese? Well do that land and people please, Oh no, oh no! His Fatherland's not bounded so. What is the German's Fatherland? Tell me at length the mighty land. In noble Austria's realm it lies, With honours rich and victories? Oh no, oh no! His Fatherland's not bounded so. What is the German's Fatherland? Tell me at length that mighty land, Is it what Gallic fraud of yore, From Kasier2 and the empire tore? Oh no, oh no! His Fatherland's not bounded so. What is the German's Fatherland? Tell me at length that mighty land, 'Tis there where German accents raise, To God in heaven their songs of praise. That shall it be That German is the home for thee. This is the German's Fatherland, Where vows are sworn by press of hand, Where truth in every forehead shines, Where charity the heart inclines. This shall it be, This German is the home for thee. This is the German's Fatherland, Which Gallic vices dares withstand, As enemies the wicked names, Admits the good to friendship's claims. This shall it be, This German is the home for thee. God! this for Fatherland we own, Look down on us from heaven's high throne, And give us ancient German spirit, Its truth and valour to inherit. This shall it be, The whole united Germany.

H

Of the author of this song some account was given in a preceding number of the Mirror. It was written on the same occasion as the Patriot's Call, when Napoleon invaded Germany, and was intended to tranquillize all petty feelings of jealousy between the separate German states. The translator believes that Messrs. Treuttel and Würtz published this song in an English dress some few years since; he has, however, never seen a copy of that work.

THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

PLUNDER OF A SPANISH DILIGENCE

(From the "Quarterly" Review, of "A Year in Spain." Unpublished.)

The author takes his seat about two in the morning in the cabriolet or front part of a diligence from Tarragona, and gives many amusing particulars concerning his fellow travellers, who, one after another, all surrender themselves to slumber. Thus powerfully invited by the examples of those near him, the lieutenant catches the drowsy infection, and having nestled snugly into his corner, soon loses entirely the realities of existence "in that mysterious state which Providence has provided as a cure for every ill." In short, he is indulged with a dream, which transports him into the midst of his own family circle beyond the Atlantic; but from this comfortable and sentimental nap he is soon aroused by the sudden stopping of the diligence, and a loud clamour all about him.

There were voices without, speaking in accents of violence, and whose idiom was not of my country. I roused myself, rubbed my eyes, and directed them out of the windows. By the light of a lantern that blazed from the top of the diligence, I could discover that this part of the road was skirted by olive-trees, and that the mules, having come in contact with some obstacle to their progress, had been thrown into confusion, and stood huddled together, as if afraid to move, gazing upon each other, with pricked ears and frightened aspect. A single glance to the right-hand gave a clue to the mystery. Just beside the fore-wheel of the diligence stood a man, dressed in that wild garb of Valencia which I had seen for the first time in Amposta: his red cap, which flaunted far down his back, was in front drawn closely over his forehead; and his striped manta, instead of being rolled round him, hung unembarrassed from one shoulder. Whilst his left leg was thrown forward in preparation, a musket was levelled in his hands, along the barrel of which his eye glared fiercely upon the visage of the conductor. On the other side the scene was somewhat different. Pepe (the postilion) being awake when the interruption took place, was at once sensible of its nature. He had abandoned the reins, and jumped from his seat to the road-side, intending to escape among the trees. Unhappy youth, that he should not have accomplished his purpose! He was met by the muzzle of a musket when he had scarce touched the ground, and a third ruffian appearing at the same moment from the treacherous concealment of the very trees towards which he was flying, he was effectually taken, and brought round into the road, where he was made to stretch himself upon his face, as had already been done with the conductor.

Страница 3 из 12

Назад 1 2 3 4…12 Далее

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 478, February 26, 1831

AI-разбор доступен после входа

О книге

Читать онлайн

(To be continued.)

THE FATHERLAND. 1

(FROM THE GERMAN OF ARNDT.)

(For the Mirror.)

H

THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

PLUNDER OF A SPANISH DILIGENCE

(From the "Quarterly" Review, of "A Year in Spain." Unpublished.)

Вам также может понравиться

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 279, October 20, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 262, July 7, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 264, July 14, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 276, October 6, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 385, August 15, 1829

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 399, Supplementary Number

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 273, September 15, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 20, No. 582, December 22, 1832

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 268, August 11, 1827

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 331, September 13, 1828

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 333, September 27, 1828

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13. Index to Volume 13