Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3): Tales by Musæus, Tieck, RichterCarlyle, Thomas
General
Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3): Tales by Musæus, Tieck, Richter
Carlyle, Thomas
German fiction -- Translations into English
richest; the wisest be our Duke!" The people, wearied out with the
oppressions of their petty tyrants, had on this occasion but one voice,
and loudly applauded the proposal. A meeting of Estates was convoked;
and the choice unanimously fell upon the wise Krokus. An embassy of
honour was appointed, inviting him to take possession of the princely
dignity. Though he had never longed for lofty titles, he hesitated not
about complying with the people's wish. Invested with the purple, he
proceeded, with great pomp, to Vizegrad, the residence of the Dukes;
where the people met him with triumphant shouting, and did reverence to
him as their Regent. Whereby he perceived, that now the third Reed-stalk
of the bountiful Elf was likewise sending forth its gift upon him.
His love of justice, and his wise legislation, soon spread his fame over
all the surrounding countries. The Sarmatic Princes, incessantly at feud
with one another, brought their contention from afar before his
judgment-seat. He weighed it with the undeceitful weights of natural
Justice, in the scales of Law; and when he opened his mouth, it was as
if the venerable Solon, or the wise Solomon from between the Twelve
Lions of his throne, had been pronouncing sentence. Some seditious
instigators having leagued against the peace of their country, and
kindled war among the Poles, he advanced at the head of his army into
Poland; put an end to the civil strife; and a large portion of the
people, grateful for the peace which he had given them, chose him for
their Duke also. He there built the city Cracow, which is called by his
name, and has the privilege of crowning the Polish Kings, even to the
present time. Krokus ruled with great glory to the end of his days.
Observing that he was now near their limit, and must soon set out, he
caused a coffin to be made from the fragments of the oak which his
spouse the Elf had inhabited; and then departed in peace, bewept by the
Princesses his three daughters, who deposited the Ducal remains in the
coffin, and consigned him to the Earth as he had commanded; and the
whole land mourned for him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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