An admired picture by Virgil, in his melodious epic, furnishes similar testimony. The Trojan fleet, beaten by tempest on the raging waves, is about to succumb, when the God of the Sea, suddenly appearing in tranquil power, stills the hostile elements, as a man venerable for piety and deserts by a gentle word assuages a furious populace just breaking into sedition and outrage.[99] The sea and the populace were equally appeased. Alike in the god and the man was the same peaceful presence. Elsewhere is this same influence. Guizot, illustrates this same influence, when, describing the development of mediæval civilization, he exhibits an angry multitude subdued by an unarmed man, employing the _word_ instead of the _sword_.[100] And surely no reader of that noble historical romance, the _Promessi Sposi_, can forget that finest scene, where Frà Cristoforo, in an age of violence, after slaying his comrade in a broil, presents himself unarmed and penitent before the family and retainers of his victim, and by dignified gentleness awakens the admiration of men raging against him. Both hemispheres are at this moment occupied with the popular romance, _Le Juif Errant_, by Eugène Sue, where is an interesting picture of Christian courage superior to the trained violence of the soldier. Another example, made familiar by recent translations of _Frithiof's Saga_, the Swedish epic,[101] is more emphatic. The scene is a battle. Frithiof is in deadly combat with Atlé, when the falchion of the latter breaks. Throwing away his own weapon, Frithiof says,-- "_Swordless foeman's life Ne'er dyed this gallant blade._" [99] "Ille regit dictis animos et pectora mulcet." _Æneid_, I. 146-154. [100] Guizot, Histoire de la Civilisation en France, Tom. II. p. 36. [101] Longfellow, Poets and Poetry of Europe, p. 161: Tegnér. The two champions now close in mutual clutch; they hug like bears, says the poet. "'Tis o'er; for Frithiof's matchless strength Has felled his ponderous size, And 'neath that knee, a giant length, Supine the Viking lies. 'But fails my sword, thou Berserk swart,' The voice rang far and wide, 'Its point should pierce thy inmost heart, Its hilt should drink the tide.' 'Be free to lift the weaponed hand,' Undaunted Atlé spoke; Hence, fearless, quest thy distant brand: Thus I abide the stroke.'" Frithiof regains his sword, intent to close the dread debate, while his adversary awaits the stroke; but his heart responds to the generous courage of his foe; he cannot injure one who has shown such confidence in him. "_This quelled his ire, this checked his arm, Outstretched the hand of peace._"