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Page 50
"Do you hold your reason more enlightened than that of His Holiness?"
"He cannot see what I see. Urge me no more! It is too late to recede. I
know well what dangers I incur by accepting the crown--and what disgrace
I should earn in refusing it. Did I consult my inclinations, I should
renounce the glittering ornament: but I will not have men to point at me
covertly, and say, 'He faltered!' I will not endanger the noble barons
who have devoted themselves to my advancement. If I have sinned in
alluring them thus far, I will not deepen my guilt by betraying them.
Though I knew that the crown which I am about to assume were like the
gift of Medea, I would still set it on my temples: better pay the
penalty of ambition by advancing than by timidly retreating, when
boldness may remedy, and retreat is certain death!"
The tread of armed men was heard along the passage, and immediately
afterward the Count Mangold entered the room.
"The diet awaits your highness' answer," he said, bowing deeply to the
duke.
"I will follow you," said Rodolph, "and deliver it in person." Saying
this, he strode proudly from the room, preceded by the count and his
attendants.
As the door closed behind them, Father Omehr fell upon his knees. He
knelt there with the tears streaming down his pale cheeks and his hands
clasped in prayer, until a long loud shout announced Rodolph's
acceptance. Then the trumpets' merry notes, mingled with the joyful
clang of arms, went up to heaven together with the missionary's sighs.
Father Omehr appeared scarcely to hear the martial revelry, but as the
tumult increased, he rose and glided from the room.
Amid the congratulations of the bishops, nobles, and people, Rodolph
proceeded in great pomp to Mayence, where he was to be crowned and
consecrated the following day. It was after nightfall when Rodolph
reached the palace prepared for his reception; and seizing the first
moment to escape from the embraces of his friends, he retired early to
his chambers, accompanied only by Gilbert de Hers. Rodolph had always
evinced a strong partiality for Gilbert, which the youth repaid by the
liveliest love and admiration. No sooner were they alone, than the duke
threw himself dejectedly into a chair, and was soon plunged into a fit
of gloomy abstraction. Gilbert stood motionless beside him, inwardly
wondering at the silence and despondency of the man, who, a moment
before, had been gayly exchanging felicitations with all who approached
him.
"Sit down, my son," said the duke.
Gilbert mechanically obeyed.
"Do I seem happy?" asked Rodolph.
"No, my lord; are you unwell?"
"Do I seem overwhelmed with joy at my good fortune?"
"Has anything befallen you, sire?" inquired the youth.
"Yes!" cried the monarch-elect, seizing his wrist, "the gratification of
my ambition!"
Gilbert started at the trembling tones and excited gesture of his
companion.
"Gilbert," continued the duke, regaining his composure, "you see me in
possession of all that I ever craved on earth. I am now legally invested
with the imperial crown. It was not the peaceable enjoyment of the
throne I asked, but permission to occupy it. I am gratified. With all my
hopes realized--I never was more miserable than at this moment. I am not
sad because I feel that my career is drawing to a close--that I shall
be unsuccessful in the struggle for undisputed power: it is sufficient
for me that I die a king. I tremble because I have discovered the
impotence of earthly things to gratify the cravings of an immortal
soul--because, in finding that I have a capacity of enjoyment not to be
appeased by the highest dignities on earth, I begin to comprehend my
immortality. I see what a shadow I have pursued--how madly I have
neglected eternal happiness for temporal preferment. You, my son, are
full of earthly hope, dreaming of the Lady Margaret, of minstrels'
praises, and knightly fame. Do not think me harsh, if I pray God that
you may speedily know their emptiness. You can never rise as high in
this mundane atmosphere as I am now; but your soul is as immortal as
mine, and would sicken over less renown, as I do over this."
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