Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century. by Conrad von Bolanden
_CHAPTER LVI_.
_CONCLUSION_.
Barbarossa retreated with the remains of his once powerful army towardsGermany; but before he had reached Lucca, two thousand more werestricken down by the pestilence. Attacked and annoyed on all sides bythe Lombard league, he finally fought his way to the loyal city ofPavia, where he rejoined the Empress Beatrice and was able to take somerepose.
But the terrible chastisement at Rome had only quelled his pride forthe moment, and it now broke out again, as he turned to crush theLombard league. The confederation had attained an extension which hehad not anticipated; Lodi and Cremona had joined it, and all swore toroot the German rule out of Italy.
But although Frederic was preparing to open an energetic campaignagainst the Lombards, the reasons which had induced our hero to remainin the camp existed no longer, and he felt himself irresistibly drawntowards Castellamare. He was only at two days' journey from thedwelling of his betrothed; but the roads were infested with the lighttroops of the Lombard league. Still the young knight determined to riskeverything, and he informed the Emperor of his intentions, with littlecare whether they met with his sovereign's approval or not.
To his surprise, however, Barbarossa listened gravely, but without anymarks of disapprobation.
"I should be wrong," he said, "to make any further opposition to a lovewhich has survived so many trials. Bonello acted badly, but I havesince learned he is not implicated in this new confederation, althoughhis refusal may have been really perilous to his own safety, and thisdeserves some consideration. I approve of your choice, Erwin, and wishyou every happiness; but the roads are unsafe, and I cannot now giveyou the proper escort."
"The insurgents will respect my pilgrim's cape," replied the young man.
It was true, the pious spirit of this age forgot every party feeling inpresence of the crusader's staff, and even Frederic's hatred wasobliged to do this justice to his adversaries.
Rechberg left the Emperor to search for his faithful Gero. As he passedthrough the palace he met a nobleman who was entering at the gates. Itwas Heribert of Rapallo.
"Have you aught to lay before His Majesty, sir knight?" asked Rechberg.
"Yes, if you will assist me," replied Heribert, who was attracted bythe frank demeanor of our hero; "but I can find no one to present me tohim. I have already spoken fruitlessly to several persons, but it isabsolutely necessary that I communicate to the Emperor a message fromthe lady of Castellamare. I must speak with him."
"The lady of Castellamare!" said Erwin, whose heart was beatingviolently.
"As you are the only person who has shown me any courtesy, you shallknow the whole affair. Hermengarde, for so the lady is named, has beenbetrothed for six years past to the Emperor's cousin, the famous CountErwin of Rechberg. But the Count went to Palestine, where, it is said,he fell a victim to the Saracens; and Bonello, the lady's father, nowwishes her to choose another husband."
"And Hermengarde?" said Erwin, trembling.
"She will obey, provided the Count be really dead, but she still doubtsthe fact."
The young man grew pale.
"Count Rechberg!" he spoke wildly as if he scarcely knew the import ofhis words. "But I have heard of him; I think that I remember."
"Where then is he? does he live?" inquired Rapallo, with a voice ofmixed joy and sadness.
"He does live."
"God be thanked!"
"Do you know him who seeks Hermengarde's love?" asked Rechberg.
"It is I."
"And yet you would rejoice at the Count's safe return?"
"With all my heart! Hermengarde would have married me only throughobedience to her father's wishes."
"You are a noble heart," said Rechberg, taking the other's hand. "Yes,Erwin of Rechberg still lives, and he stands before you now."
Heribert uttered an involuntary ejaculation of surprise and startedback; then he bowed respectfully.
"The Emperor's cousin is your friend for life," said Erwin; "it cannever be otherwise, after such noble self-devotion. Come with me to myown apartments, for I have many questions to ask you."
On the next day they started with their retinue for Castellamare. Thejourney was made without interruption, for although they encounteredmany of the Lombard bands, Heribert's pass-words removed everyopposition. Erwin soon perceived that his companion belonged to theLeague; but this circumstance in no way injured him in hisconsideration. Although thoroughly loyal to his sovereign, Rechbergcould not approve of his system of government, and was obliged to admitthat the insurrection was by no means without cause. On the second daythey reached Castellamare, where joy knew no bounds, and the oldBonello even wept with emotion.
A few months later, the marriage of the long betrothed couple tookplace in the presence of all the nobility of the province.
Frederic succeeded in retreating into Germany; but he was no longer aconqueror at the head of his army; he was a fugitive.
The catastrophe at Rome had annihilated all his plans, and the peoplewere convinced that God had interfered between him and the Church. Hispartisans were discouraged and lost all influence; and he was at lastcompelled to sue for a reconciliation with Alexander.
The meeting of the two sovereigns took place at Venice, where theyembraced, and swore a friendship which was never afterwards broken.
No longer guided by the pernicious counsels of his Chancellor, Fredericattended to his duties, and abjured all his errors. He governed hisempire with energy and justice; and what he could not accomplish withthe Church against him, was an easy task as soon as he submitted to hersway; within a few years he became the most powerful sovereign of theworld.
At last, at an advanced age, he left Germany for the Holy Land. But hecould not reach the goal which he sought, and on the very frontier ofPalestine, on the 10th of June, 1190, he found his death in thefreezing waters of the Cyanus.
The crusaders recovered his body, which they buried under the banner ofthe cross, at Antioch.
Recalled to the presence of his God, in the fulfilment of a holyenterprise, Barbarossa, we may hope, expiated the errors of his pastlife, and was vouchsafed the forgiveness of his sins.
THE END.