sure

the members of each class being supposed to be the moral antipodes of one other. As a theory, it is beautifully simple; but is it correspondent to the condition, does it satisfy the varied phenomena, of humanity? We think every man's consciousness, to say nothing of his observation, must falsify it. For, says Lord Bacon - good authority, we are -The minds of all men are at some times in a more perfect, and at other times in a more depraved, state.' But to the theory once more. Does it harmonize with what our eyes see, and our ears hear, of our fellow men? Is it not, on the contrary, guilty of the palpable oversight of real virtues, and does it not look with too severe and scathing a glance upon many human actions, of a noble and praiseworthy nature? Ah! we fear that sickly sensibility is its chronological antecedent, while we know that a surly misanthropy is its natural consequent for misanthropy feeds on any supposition favorable to its cheerless and heart-oppressive views of man. If it could be proved that nine-tenths of the human family are morally worthless, and completely destitute even of the feeblest scintillations of true virtue, how the demonstration would gratify the few delirious Timons of our world!

'Hoc Ithacus velit et magno mercentur atridal.'

We hope there are but few, very few, of such unhappy spirits among us. Let us do nothing to strengthen, but every thing to break, the spell that now throws its dark illusion over their moral landscape, cheating them of all that is most animating and delightful in the chequered scenes of human life.

H.

THE SIEGE OF ANTIOCH.

A TALE (IN TWO PARTS) OF THE FIRST CRUSADE.*

PART I. CHAPTER I.

THE CITY-THE SUPPLY-THE RESCUE.

THE city of Antioch, toward the end of the first crusade, occupied a mountain whose base sloped down to within a bow-shot of the river Orontes; its summit terminated in three cones, the northernmost of which, surrounded by abrupt precipices, was crowned by the lofty citadel. On one side of the city, a morass stretched from the river to the chain of mountains on which Antioch stood, across which was thrown a long, narrow bridge. On the other side, where the river approached nearest to the walls, a causeway ran from the city to the banks, where it joined a stone bridge of nine arches, strongly fortified in the centre and at the end, where it met the road leading to the gates, with iron doors. Beside these outward defences, the city was encompassed with massive walls and towers, which seemed, when united with the natural advantages of the place, to offer an impenetrable barrier to any foe, however well appointed with the warlike preparations of that day. Robert, Duke of Normandy, had forced a passage across the iron bridge,' as it was called, and three hundred thousand well armed Crusaders were now encamped around the walls, and pushing on the siege with all the skill which the rude warfare of the times possessed: but weeks had passed, and yet no impression had been made upon the mighty defences of the city, and the lavish profusion of the first few days which followed the arrival of the soldiers of the cross had already began to produce want in that immense host, and few of the leaders were hardy enough to conduct their followers in search of supplies, when every pass was guarded by a powerful and vigilant enemy; for the besiegers were themselves besieged by fierce bands without, and constantly harassed by sallies of the citizens. In addition to the famine, which daily became more and more dreadful, pestilence began to rage through the crusading camp, engendered by the proximity of the stagnant marshes which surrounded it, and scenes of horror and crime became at length familiar in that wretched and rapidly diminishing

army.

In this miserable state of affairs, no leader was more active than Bohemond, Prince of Tarentum, in endeavors to diminish its horrors. He had joined the crusade with all the enthusiasm of a young and ambitious warrior, and at the preaching of Peter the Hermit, is reported to have broken his armor in pieces with his battle-axe, and caused it to be made into crosses and distributed to his followers. He was now in the meridian of life-perhaps somewhat beyond it-though toil, privation and exposure might have anticipated, by some years, the ravages of time. His stature was athletic and commanding - his forehead broad and high, and his whole countenance would have worn the impress of courage, candor, and generosity, had not his small, dark and

VOL. VIII.

*The leading incidents of this tale are strictly historical.

23

deep-set eyes betrayed an expression of shrewdness and art, which are often characteristics of the Italian countenance.

The camp was thus situated, when, as the morning sun was just throwing his light across the valley of the Orontes, a heated horseman, pausing before the tent of Godfrey, demanded audience, and was admitted.

What intelligence bringest thou?' asked the chief.

That which will afford joy to thee, and to thy brothers in arms,' replied the messenger: a fleet from Genoa and Pisa have just anchored at St. Simeon, laden with provisions, and bringing reinforcements of troops.'

'Now God be praised!' piously ejaculated the leader; 'never was supply more deeply needed, nor more earnestly prayed for. We will see to it. Meanwhile, there is gold for thy welcome news.' So saying, he placed a purse of considerable weight in the hands of the messenger, who departed.

In an instant the camp was in confusion. One of the famished sentries at Godfrey's tent had overheard the joyful intelligence, and lost no time in communicating it to his fellow sufferers; and ere Godfrey could organize an escort to send to St. Simeon for the safe conveyance of the provisions, a mixed multitude of men, women, and even children, was rushing, in rapid and disordered streams, toward the port, which was only a few miles distant.

The infidels, who, from their elevated citadel, could see all that was passing in the Christian camp, no sooner perceived this company issue forth, shouting with joy in the anticipation of release from famine, than divining the cause, and being themselves nearly as destitute as the besiegers, they prepared an immense band to attack the multitude on their return, and to intercept the prize.

--

The port had been reached the provisions landed the crowd again sought their camp. On came that tumultuous and joyful assembly, with shout, and merriment, and song. Bohemond and the Count of Toulouse, with their armed followers, had joined them, and were marching, some beside the long train of heavily loaded carriages; some in advance, to give notice of any foe that might be lurking nearsome occupied in vain attempts to marshal the noisy crowd into something like order. In this way they had proceeded about half way to the camp, when suddenly wild shrieks and groans were heard from the stragglers in the rear. Bohemond and his lancers spurred instantly to the spot, but it was some time ere the clouds of dust which arose on all sides, and the rush of the unarmed multitude toward the camp, enabled them to perceive the foe, or to rescue their friends. Thrusting aside the fugitives with the handles of their spears, or trampling them beneath their chargers' hoofs, they were now almost within reach of the enemy, when another wild cry from the drivers of the loaded wains and the crowd who surrounded the baggage, showed that they were encompassed by enemies. Again they turned to protect the supplies, or, if too few for that purpose, to cut, if possible, their way to the camp. In this latter attempt they succeeded. Headed by Bohemond, whose spear had been broken in the first charge, but whose sabre swept like a whirlwind among the Moslem ranks, they opened for themselves a passage over the corses of their foes, leaving behind them

the supplies, and the greater number of the defenceless crowd, together with several knights who had followed Bohemond's banner, cut down by the sabres of the infidel. Spurring their foaming steeds, they dashed into the camp, calling aloud upon the different leaders, as they passed their pavilions, to arm for the rescue. On reaching the centre of the encampment, where were erected the tents of Godfrey, they found that chief already in the saddle, marshalling his followers.

'Ye have sped rapidly, Prince of Tarentum,' said Godfrey, glancing at the panting charger of Bohemond, but the ill news has preceded you. Your advance company heard the tumult in their rear, and bore the tidings hither. And now, gallants, to the rescue!'

Bohemond and Raimond of Toulouse, waiting only to obtain fresh steeds, hurried back to the scene of action, and were joined as they passed by Robert of Flanders, Hugh of Vermandois, the Duke of Normandy, and other leaders.

The Turks, in momentary apprehension that a large body of the Christians would appear to dispute with them the rich booty which had just fallen into their hands, were making the best of their way through the passes of the mountains toward the city. Some of them, however, flushed with their easy conquest over Bohemond, and thirsting for the blood of the besiegers, were still hanging upon the rear of the miserable fugitives, who had not yet reached the camp, and staining their lances with the blood of the old and the feeble, the females and the children, who were left hindmost in that dreadful race.

Godfrey and the rest of the leaders had avoided the course taken by the fugitives, that they might, if possible, seize the pass which led to the city, and cut off the enemy ere they could reach the gates. Bohemond had, on the contrary, led his followers to cover the retreat of the unarmed multitude, ere he joined his companions, and had reached the rearmost of the panic-stricken crowd, ere the pursuers were aware of his approach. Just as he was clearing the last scattered groups, he beheld a maiden running wildly toward him, closely pursued by a Turkish horseman, whose lance would soon have been buried in the body of the fair fugitive. Bohemond spurred forward, and the next moment the infidel was rolling on the ground; his thick turban had proved but a vain defence against the practised arm of the warrior his head was cloven to the teeth. The maiden kneeled to thank Bohemond for his timely succor, but he paused not to hear her, and, urging on his followers, slackened not his rein, until the assassins of the defenceless were slain or dispersed.

CHAPTER II.

THE CONTEST-THE MAIDEN.

THE time thus consumed by Bohemond was of infinite importance to the event of the battle which ensued. The Moslem, perceiving that their return was cut off from the city, after making several ineffectual efforts, by extending their line to turn the flank of the Christians, at length found it necessary to come to a general engagement. They were more numerous, but not perhaps so well disciplined and appointed as the Crusaders in other respects, the two armaments were nearly equal. Closing

their vizors and couching their lances, the Christian knights rushed upon their foe with their invariable battle cry, God wills it! God wills it' The infidels received the charge unbroken, and foot to foot, and hand to hand, that doubtful battle raged, famine, no less than glory, urging on the opposing bands, who deemed the quick death of combat light in comparison with the tortures of slow-wasting hunger. It was at this critical juncture that the forces of Bohemond were seen pouring down from a neighboring eminence, and charging the infidels in flank. Being detained by the necessity of conducting the fugitives to the camp, he had arrived at the scene of action just when the conflict was so situated, that a slight additional force on either side were sufficient to insure the victory. The Saracens, pressed hard by augmented numbers, gave ground, slowly at first; but soon accelerating their speed, they fled tumultuously to the bridge. There, crowding foot and horse upon that narrow way, thousands were thrust over into the deep Orontes, and those who reached the shore found a speedy death from the infuriated mob, whom but a brief space before they had been so mercilessly pursuing. Night alone put a stop to the carnage.

Joy was once more diffused through the camp of the Crusaders. A short-lived plenty again smiled upon the wasted thousands, and nothing was heard but song, and dance, and revelry.

Bohemond, wearied by the exertions of the day, was reposing upon a rich carpet within his tent, and his attendants were removing the remains of the first plenteous banquet which for weeks had graced his board, when a soft voice was heard at the outer entrance requesting admission. A maiden of stately form and exceeding beauty approached, and as she stood a moment before the chief, her bosom heaving, and her eye and cheek glowing with emotion, she seemed like the angel of victory appearing to welcome the warrior from the well-fought field. Throwing herself on her knees before Bohemond, who had risen at her approach, she seized his hand and kissed it, and in a voice rendered almost inarticulate by deep feeling, she said:

I have dared, Prince of Tarentum, to seek thy tent, that I might thank thee for the life thou hast this day saved. May God reward thee! Agatha has little beside her prayers to return for the gift thou hast conferred.'

Rise, fair one,' replied Bohemond, thou owest me no thanks, for in sooth yon cowardly infidel would have met the same fate, whoever had been beneath his lance. Thee I never saw before I was so fortunate as to rescue thee, and truly our meeting then was somewhat of the briefest.'

It is not strange,' replied the maiden, 'that thou, Lord of Tarentum, shouldst forget the humble Agatha; howbeit when I saw thee, this morning, like a thunderbolt crush my pursuer, I dared to think that thou didst recognise me, or at least that thou didst behold in my poor features those of thy native Apulia, and methought the memory of our lovely Italy nerved thine hand with unwonted strength.'

'Art thou then of Apulia ?' asked Bohemond, with some curiosity. I am,' replied the maiden; Giuseppe, my father, was a follower of thine, and fell fighting at thy side before the walls of Amalfi.'

For his sake, maiden,' replied the chief, moved by the intelligence he had just heard, I doubly rejoice at thy rescue; and trust me, thou