KING ROBERT OF SICILY. ROBERT of Sicily, brother of Pope | When he awoke, it was already night, The church was empty, and there was Urbane 'Tis well that such seditious words The tumult of the knocking and the are sung Only by priests and in the Latin tongue; shout, And thinking thieves were in the house of prayer, is there?" For unto priests and people be it Came with his lantern, asking, "Who known, There is no power can push me from Half choked with rage, King Robert my throne!" And leaning back, he yawned and fell asleep, Lulled by the chant monotonous and deep. fiercely said, "This is some drunken vagabond, or worse!" Turned the great key and flung the portal wide; A man rushed by him at a single stride, But all transfigured with angelic light! It was an Angel; and his presence there With a divine effulgence filled the air, An exaltation, piercing the disguise, Haggard, half naked, without hat or Though none the hidden Angel rec cloak, Who neither turned, nor looked at him, nor spoke, But leaped into the blackness of the night, And vanished like a spectre from his sight. ognize. A moment speechless, motionless, amazed, The throneless monarch on the Angel gazed, Who met his look of anger and surprise Robert of Sicily, brother of Pope Ur- With the divine compassion of his Strode on and thundered at the pal- From an impostor, who usurps my ace gate; Rushed through the courtyard, thrust ing in his rage throne!" And suddenly, at these audacious words, To right and left each seneschal and Up sprang the angry guests, and drew Until at last he reached the banquet- Thou shalt obey my servants when Blazing with light, and breathing And wait upon the henchmen in the are shorn, And as they opened wide the folding- | Close shaven above the ears, as monks door, His heart failed, for he heard, with By courtiers mocked, by pages laughed Next morning, waking with the day's Sternly, though tenderly, that he might There were the cap and bells beside Burst from him in resistless overflow, It was no dream; the world he loved From Valmond, Emperor of Alle By the mere passing of that caval- The Emperor, laughing, said, "It is cade, strange sport With plumes, and cloaks, and hous- To keep a madman for thy Fool at ings, and the stir Of jewelled bridle and of golden spur. And lo! among the menials, in mock state, Upon a piebald steed, with shambling gait, His cloak of fox-tails flapping in the wind, The solemn ape demurely perched behind, King Robert rode, making huge merriment In all the country towns through which they went. The Pope received them with great pomp and blare Of bannered trumpets, on Saint Peter's square, Giving his benediction and embrace, Fervent, and full of apostolic grace. While with congratulations and with prayers He entertained the Angel unawares, Robert, the Jester, bursting through the crowd, Into their presence rushed, and cried aloud, “I am the King! Look, and behold in me Robert, your brother, King of Sicily! This man, who wears my semblance to your eyes, Is an impostor in a king's disguise. Do you not know me? does no voice within Answer my cry, and say we are akin?" The Pope in silence, but with troubled mein, Gazed at the Angel's countenance serene; court!" And the poor, baffled Jester in dis grace Was hustled back among the populace. In solemn state the Holy Week went by, And Easter Sunday gleamed upon the sky; The presence of the Angel, with its light, Before the sun rose, made the city bright, And with new fervor filled the hearts of men, Who felt that Christ indeed had risen again. Even the Jester, on his bed of straw, With haggard eyes the unwonted splendor saw, He felt within a power unfelt before, And, kneeling humbly on his chamber floor, He heard the rushing garments of the Lord Sweep through the silent air, ascending heavenward. And now the visit ending, and once more Valmond returning to the Danube's shore, Homeward the Angel journeyed, and again The land was made resplendent with his train, Flashing along the towns of Italy Unto Salerno, and from thence by sea. And when once more within Palermo's wall, And, seated on the throne in his great hall, He heard the Angelus from convent towers, |