He looks with earnest countenance Afield, and asks if Fortune’s hand Will help him storm with footmen brave Widdin, and bridge blue Danube’s wave For passage of his hero band. But ah! One pace in front of him A crash, a sparkling, splintering shock! Startled they see, where that bomb came, Their Prince amid a sea of flame Erect, alone, firm as the rock. One soldier wildly signs the cross, Another sinks upon his knees-- ‘Our Prince is hurt, O cruel fate! The only helmsman of the State.’ Lamentingly so clamour these. But he, his war-cap waving high Clear and alert, from manly breast Cries out--‘The music suits me so; This is my tune, this air I know! Hurrah! Now have I of life’s best.’ And Danube heard the martial voice, Her deep heart thrilled, she knew its tone; Her waves, as they went limpid by, Responded in serene reply To Hohenzollern’s noble son.” --_Translated by Sir Edwin Arnold._ The Emperor Alexander of Russia had arrived on a visit to the princely pair at Bucharest, on the 25th of June, accompanied by the Grand Dukes, the Chancellor, the Ministers of War, Ignatieff, and other high personages, all coming from Plojest. “It was certainly one of the most interesting days for Roumania,” the Princess writes in a letter, “and I enjoyed it very much in the feeling that I am helping to act a piece of history. The reception of the Emperor was enthusiastic, and we were literally buried under the quantities of roses thrown. From one balcony roses and golden tinsel were scattered together. I have never seen anything more beautiful, and shall not forget the picture.” The Prince writes--“I am proud of Elizabeth, who does the honours charmingly. The Emperor, the Grand Dukes, and all the Russians are charmed with her, and say that she reminds them of the Grand Duchess Hélène.” This visit of the Emperor, immediately after the declaration of the independence of Roumania, was an event of great importance. By his appearance in Bucharest his Majesty had sanctioned the political position of the country at that time. After the repulse of the first Russian attacks on Plevna, the Roumanian divisions, under the command of the Prince, crossed the Danube and joined the Russian army. As soon as it was settled that Roumania was to take an active part in the war, Princess Elizabeth made all the arrangements required to mitigate the horrors of it.