92
Charlemagne was at this time over sixty years of age. His white hair and beard added to his majestic17 appearance. His fourth wife had recently died, and he now, upon suggestions from Rome, considered a union with the Empress Irene of Greece. The real nefariousness18 of this woman was not revealed until later; and at this time the Emperor knew no reason why he should not marry her. But it is to be remembered that in every action Charlemagne conducted himself not as a private person, but as the ruler of a great empire. The only question which arose in his mind was whether such a union would accrue19 to the advantage of the Christian world and his own people. He decided20 that it would, and entered upon the preliminaries of a settlement. Then came news of the dethronement of Irene and her banishment21 to Lesbos—an event which was subsequently justified22 and which proved to be very fortunate for him.
93
An agreement was made with the Saxons in the year 803 at Selz on the Saale, which secured peace for the future. In consideration of the restoration of their old rights and customs they promised to refrain from any resistance to the spread and maintenance of Christianity in Saxony, and to accept the incorporation23 of their country as part of the Frankish Empire.
94
In 808 the aged24 hero again took the field. He led an expedition against Gottfried, King of Denmark, who in years past had been so busy inciting25 Saxon revolt. But the Emperor’s purpose was not to obtain satisfaction for old offences, but to stamp out new hostilities26. The Obotrites, allies of the Franks, had been suddenly attacked by Gottfried; Danish vessels28 had harried29 the German coast; and the Danes had made several landings and pillaged30 and murdered. Driven back by Carl, the Emperor’s oldest son, Gottfried reached a spot several miles beyond the Schley, where a wall had been constructed across the country, still known as the “Danewerk.” During this expedition the Emperor was thrown from his horse, which caused his lance to fly from his hand, and his sword to drop from his belt. Many regarded this as an unfortunate omen31; but Gottfried and Charlemagne did not meet on the field. Gottfried was slain32 by some of his own people, and Hemming33, his brother and successor, hastened to send a peace embassy to Charlemagne. A treaty was negotiated by which Denmark renounced34 all claim upon the territory for which it had striven, south of the Eider, which was recognized as the northern boundary of the Frankish Empire.
When Charlemagne returned to Aix-la-Chapelle he was taken ill for the first time in his life. He regarded his ailment35, however, as nothing worse than a slight feverish36 attack, and resumed his official duties in a few days. For the first time his people began to realize that he was mortal, and to ask themselves what might happen to the Empire if he were taken away.
95
Of Charlemagne’s three sons, the two eldest37, Carl and Pepin, had proved themselves heroes in the field. Of these two, Carl, who most closely resembled his father in face and figure, was his favorite. To his great disappointment, however, he was forced to admit to himself that Ludwig, the youngest, should the emergency occur, would be unfitted to be his successor, and unqualified to assure the perpetuity of the Empire. And what was this great Empire? It was bounded on the north by the Eider and the Baltic, on the south by the Tiber and the Mediterranean38, on the east by the Elbe and the Raab, and on the west by the Ebro and the Atlantic, recalling the extent and power of the old Roman Empire under C?sar and Augustus.
Charlemagne long and anxiously considered the situation before he decided to call an assembly of the dignitaries of State and Church and submit his plans for the division of the sovereignty. These plans provided for the assignment of the young Carl to the principal part of the Frankish Empire, the predominating German nations; Pepin to the Italian, and Ludwig to those possessions which at a subsequent period became the principal part of France.
96
The circle of those nearest the heart of the great Emperor gradually grew smaller. His mother, Bertha, had already been dead twenty years. This rare woman, who in her will provided ample chests of linen39 to poor weavers40 and spinners, enjoyed his love and filial care to the very last. The Academy still numbered many excellent scholars in its membership; but there was no one to fill the place of that wise teacher and close friend, Alcuin, who died about this time. In 810 the Emperor’s eldest daughter, Rotrud, died. Hardly had he recovered from this blow when news came of the death of Pepin, after a brief illness.
Alas41! of what avail are human plans? Too often they are like the dust scattered42 by the wind. The Emperor bore his grief manfully, and labored43 with his customary devotion in his affairs of State and at the academy. In these last days he began with extraordinary enthusiasm to write a German grammar. Unfortunately it was not finished, and the only fragments left of it are the names which he gave to the months and the winds.
The next year (811) was not finished before fresh tidings of sorrow came. Carl, the Emperor’s favorite son, was snatched away by death in the very prime of his life, as his brother Pepin had been shortly before. Still the Emperor wasted no time in mourning. He attended to his duties as usual; but after this last blow his face never wore a smile again.
The only remaining son was the one who had shown himself the least capable. What solicitude44 for the future of his race and Empire must have overwhelmed the Emperor!
OTTO THIRD in the crypt of Charlemagne
97
In the year 813 Charlemagne summoned the notables of the Empire to an assembly at Aix-la-Chapelle. He announced to them that he had arranged a definite settlement of the boundary question with Greece, Denmark, and the Moors45, which gave great satisfaction to them. Thereupon he proclaimed his son Ludwig King of the Franks, and added that he also wished, with their consent, to invest him with the dignity of Roman Emperor. They gave their consent, but there were grief in the hearts and tears in the eyes of many of them.
Upon the day fixed46 for the coronation Charlemagne appeared in the Cathedral imperially arrayed, and met the notables assembled there. He led his son Ludwig to the altar, where a throne had been placed. After they had offered prayer they arose, and Charlemagne made a solemn address to his son in which he bade him always to be mindful of the duties of a sovereign, closing with these words:
98
“Compel malicious47 and dangerous disturbers by force to live in an orderly manner and pursue the right way. Be the consoler and defender48 of the cloisters49 and the poor. select only wise, just, and firm counsellors. Never remove one except for proper reasons, and so conduct yourself that you may have no cause to blush before God or man.”
When Ludwig had promised to follow these counsels the Emperor ordered him to take the crown from the altar and place it upon his head. This was done. The Emperor was a loyal adherent50 of the Church, but he did not care to have the ceremony performed by priestly hands, as he feared that it might open the way to future assumptions of a dangerous kind. Supported by his son, the venerable Emperor thereupon left for the palace.
Ludwig went temporarily to Aquitaine, which had been assigned to him. The separation between father and son was a painful one, for neither felt that they should see each other again.
The people were greatly troubled, particularly by a remarkable event which shortly occurred and so worked upon the popular fancy that they expected some dire51 calamity52 would follow. The colonnade53 connecting the palace and the minster was struck by lightning, the dome54 was injured, and the last words upon the altar, “Carolus princeps,” were effaced55. But Charlemagne gave no attention to it. It was of little consequence to him.
99
The year 814 opened. It was plain to all that the Emperor was growing weaker. On the twenty-seventh of January the last rites27 were administered by Bishop56 Heldebald in both forms, and early the next day Charlemagne passed away in the seventy-second year of his age and the forty-seventh of his reign2, with the words “Into Thy hands I commit my spirit.”
The real nature of this calamity is shown by the discussion which took place as to the suitable manner of the Emperor’s interment. He who had so long watched over the welfare of the Empire, he who had so often sat upon his steed as the battle hero, upon his throne as lawgiver, judge, and counsellor, and as teacher among the scholars of the academy, should he now lie in a coffin57? They could not conceive of it. It was repugnant to the sentiment of all those whose hearts were overcome by their great loss. After earnest discussion they decided upon a form of interment which should reflect the greatness of that loss. Seated upon a marble throne with gold adornments, in imperial garb58 glistening59 with golden bees, the crown upon his head, sword and pilgrim’s scrip at his side, a Testament60 upon his knees, and a fragment of the Holy Cross at his breast, thus was the dead Emperor lowered to the crypt of the minster, which was filled with the costliest61 spices.
100
One hundred and eighty-six years later, in the year 1000, the German Emperor Otto the Third, who was a victim of melancholy62, opened the crypt, hoping that the sight of the great dead would restore peace and rest to his soul. The glare of torches revealed the majestic figure of the Emperor, still sitting upright on his throne. Otto, however, did not find the rest for which he had hoped. Had he realized the spirit of the Emperor, had he studied him in his great works, perhaps it would have brought him relief and the fresh incentive63 to activity might have resulted in more faithful performance of his duties as sovereign.
A century and a half later the crypt was again opened by Barbarossa, who ordered that the precious remains64 of Charlemagne should be placed in a marble casket and buried in the Cathedral.
While reflecting with reverence65 upon this picture of the Emperor in the crypt, we should also consider the picture of the living Emperor, as revealed in this story of his earthly pilgrimage. If we do this in the right way, refusing to be influenced by those harpies who pursue all great and noble men in history that they may besmirch66 their memories, we shall be inspired by the example of his great deeds to make our own pilgrimage a blessing67 both to ourselves and others.
The End
The End
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1
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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7
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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8
acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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9
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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10
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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11
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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12
variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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13
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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14
needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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15
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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16
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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17
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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18
nefariousness
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19
accrue
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| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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20
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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21
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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22
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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incorporation
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| n.设立，合并，法人组织 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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inciting
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| 刺激的，煽动的 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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27
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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29
harried
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| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
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pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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32
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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33
hemming
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| 卷边 | |
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34
renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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35
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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37
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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38
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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39
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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40
weavers
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| 织工，编织者( weaver的名词复数 ) | |
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41
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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42
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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43
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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44
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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45
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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46
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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47
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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48
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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49
cloisters
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| n.（学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的）走廊( cloister的名词复数 )；回廊；修道院的生活；隐居v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
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50
adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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51
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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52
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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53
colonnade
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| n.柱廊 | |
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54
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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55
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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56
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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57
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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58
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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59
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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61
costliest
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| adj.昂贵的( costly的最高级 )；代价高的；引起困难的；造成损失的 | |
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62
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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63
incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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64
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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65
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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66
besmirch
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| v.污，糟蹋 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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