Tyrol (Austria) -- History -- Uprising of 1809 -- Fiction
But the chief glory of Innsbruck is its churches; especially its
_Hofkirch_, or Cathedral, the wonders of which are hardly to be
sufficiently explored in a single day. Here is the famous tomb of the
Emperor Maximilian the First, who died in 1519: and who is represented
at the top of the tomb, kneeling, with his face towards the altar.
Round the sides of this tomb, which is about six feet high and thirteen
feet in length, are a wonderful series of what have been poetically
called "pictures in marble"--exquisite carvings, that is, in Carrara
marble, of various events in the Emperor's life. Guarding this tomb,
as it were, in stern and solemn array, are eight-and-twenty colossal
bronze statues of famous princes, warriors, and chieftains; including
our own king Arthur. "When the gloom of evening," says Inglis, "begins
to fall among these dark-visaged and gigantic kings and knights, the
effect is almost terrific."
Round and about this wondrous tomb, with looks of simple surprise
and admiration, strayed many of Hofer's rustic companions on the
famous 11th of April, as well as Hofer himself. When his heart
heaved within him as he gazed on the effigies of those mighty men
of renown, he little thought that, in times to come, times not far
distant, travellers from distant lands would flock to that old
church, to see--not the eight-and-twenty champions, nor the kneeling
emperor,--but, the presentment of a humble, heroic Tyrolese peasant,
with face upturned to Heaven, one hand grasping the national banner,
the other holding the barrel of the rifle slung from his shoulder. "We
know what we are," said poor Ophelia, "but we know not what we shall
be."
Even in the gladness of that day, there was a heaviness at his heart.
His companions were shouting, singing, and waving their feathered hats
round the Imperial eagle as they carried it through the streets--_he_
was standing, lonely, in the church; kneeling; praying.
It was not a long prayer, but a hearty one; a prayer such as God loves.
"O God! I thank Thee for this day's success, but I know not whither it
will lead. Oh, guide us, guide us, for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord, in
Christ Jesus!"
It _was_ a success. Eight thousand French and Bavarians had laid down
their arms, and surrendered at discretion, with their eagles, colours,
and munitions of war; while only twenty-six Tyrolese had been killed,
and forty-two wounded. Hofer personally knew some of the twenty-six,
however, and felt a manly sorrow for them: _only_ twenty-six dead men
may leave behind them a good many sad hearts.
The enemy's cavalry took to flight, but were stopped and made prisoners
by Speckbacher, in the meadows near Halle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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