登陆注册
5426900000068

第68章

ON THE STERZINGER MOOS.

While these events were going on below Brixen, Andreas Hofer had marched with the men of the Passeyr valley across the Janfen. The inhabitants everywhere had received him with loud exultation; they had risen everywhere, ready to follow him, to fight under him for the deliverance of the fatherland, and to stake their fortunes and their lives for the emperor and the beloved Tyrol. Hofer's column accordingly gained strength at every step as it advanced. He had set out with a few hundred men on the 9th of April; and now, on the morning of the 11th of April, already several thousand men had rallied around him, and with them he had reached the heights of Sterzing. Andreas Hofer halted his men here, where he had a splendid view of the whole plain, and ordered his Tyrolese to encamp and repose after their long and exhausting march. He himself did not care for repose, for his heart was heavy and full of anxiety; and his glance, usually so serene, was clouded and sombre.

While the others were resting and partaking gayly of the wine and food which the women and girls of the neighboring villages had brought to them with joyous readiness, Andreas Hofer ascended a peak from which he had a full view of the mountain-chains all around and the extensive plain at his feet. His friend and adjutant, Anthony Sieberer, had followed him noiselessly; and on perceiving him, Andreas Hofer smiled and nodded pleasantly to him.

"See, brother," he said, pointing with a sigh down to the valley, "how calm and peaceful every thing looks! There lies Sterzing, so cozy and sweet, in the sunshine; the fruit-trees are blossoming in its gardens; the daisies, primroses, and hawthorns have opened their little eyes, and are looking up to heaven in silent joy. And now Iam to disturb this glorious peace and tranquillity, tear it like a worthless piece of paper, and hurl it like Uriah's letter, into the faces of the people. Ah, Sieberer, war is a cruel thing; and when Itake every thing into consideration, I cannot help thinking that men commit a heavy sin by taking the field in order to slay, shoot, and stab, as though they were wild beasts bent on devouring one another, and not men whom God created after His own likeness; and I ask myself, in the humility of my heart, whether or not I have a right to instigate my dear friends and countrymen to follow me and attack men who are our brethren after all.""If you really ask yourself such questions, and have lost your courage, then we are all lost," said Sieberer, gloomily. "It is Andreas Hofer in whom the men of the Passeyr valley believe, and whom they are following into the bloody struggle. If Hofer hesitates, all will soon despond; and it would be better for us to retrace our steps at once, and allow Bonaparte and the French to trample us again in the dust, instead of lifting our heads like freemen, and fighting for our rights.""We have gone too far, we can no longer retrace our steps," said Andreas Hofer, shaking his head gently, and lifting his eyes to heaven. After a pause he added in a loud, strong voice: "And even though it were otherwise, even through we still retrace our steps, Ishould not consent to it. I shall never repent of having raised my voice in behalf of the Tyrol and the emperor; nor have I lost my courage, as you seem to think, brother Sieberer. I know full well that we owe it to our good emperor and the fatherland to defend it to the last breath, and I do not tremble for myself. I have dedicated my life to the dear fatherland; I have taken leave of my wife and my children, and belong now only to the Tyrol and the emperor. If my blood were sufficient to deliver our country, Ishould joyously and with a grateful prayer throw myself down from this peak and shatter my bones; and dying, I should thank God for vouchsafing such an honor to me, and allowing me to purchase the liberty of the country with my blood. But I am but a poor and humble servant and soldier of the Lord, and my blood will not be sufficient; but many will have to spill theirs and die, that the rest maybe free and belong again to our dear emperor. And this is the reason why, on contemplating the brave men and courageous lads who have followed my call, I feel pity, and ask myself again and again, Had I a right to call them away from their homes, their wives and children, and lead them, perhaps, into the jaws of death? Will not the Lord curse me for preaching insurrection and war instead of submissiveness and humility?""Well, you are a pious man, Andy," said Sieberer, with a reproachful glance," and yet you have forgotten what our Redeemer said to the Pharisees.""What do you mean, Anthony? Tell me, if it will comfort me.""He said, `Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.' Now, I think that our Tyrol is the emperor's, and that the Bavarians and French have nothing to do with it, but have merely stolen it from the emperor. Therefore, we act only in accordance with the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, if we stake our lives and fortunes to restore to the emperor that which is the emperor's. And I think, too, that the churches and convents are the houses of the Lord and belong to Him alone. Now, the Bavarians have stolen the houses of the Lord in the Tyrol, and have ignominiously driven out His servants. Hence we act again in accordance with the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ, if we stake our lives and fortunes to restore to God that which is God's; and if, in doing so, we should all lose our lives, we should die in the holy service of God and the emperor!""You are right, brother Sieberer," exclaimed Hofer, joyfully, "and Ithank you for comforting and strengthening my heart. Yes, we are in the service of God, our emperor, and the beloved Tyrol.""And God and the emperor have imposed on Andreas Hofer the duty of acting at the same time as prophet of the Lord and as captain of the emperor. Go, then, Andreas, and do your duty!" said Sieberer, solemnly.

同类推荐
  • 漱玉词

    漱玉词

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 内炼金丹心法

    内炼金丹心法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大洞经吉祥神咒法

    大洞经吉祥神咒法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 女科秘要

    女科秘要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • A Woman of Thirty

    A Woman of Thirty

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 斗罗之逍遥山庄

    斗罗之逍遥山庄

    李煜,一个刚刚开始创业的小青年,可能是因为太帅了,所以我们李同志在逛街的时候遭雷劈了,穿越到斗罗大陆第一部里面,成了唐昊和阿银的结拜大哥,因为拥有至高无上的锻造能力,看李煜是如何在斗罗大陆闯出一片天地,建立斗罗大陆最强大的势力,让家族变成最顶级的家族,武魂殿,别惹我,惹我照样灭你热门推荐,新书《归来之国士无双》《斗罗之重振蓝霸》
  • 生命不辜负

    生命不辜负

    韩娱,综艺会有,但不会做固定嘉宾,演戏也会有。新人新书,资料太难查,多少会有些出入,望见谅。
  • 黄金敢死队

    黄金敢死队

    五月二十号上午十点,草草处理完几件公务的镜湖市市长吴光远,忧心忡忡地挥退了秘书,独自一人在办公室里来回踱步,办公室很安静,他的皮鞋踏在打蜡红漆地板上发出笃笃轻响,很单调,也很枯燥。走到办公桌前,他略略迟疑一下,然后拿起电话,要通了市警察局,约局长钱德山中午到自己家来小酌一番。做为日本人统治下的镜湖市市长和警察局长,吴光远与钱德山都是毫无疑问的实权人物,他俩在各自的职位上共同为日本人效力,将满八个年头了他们一直配合默契。
  • 海峡两岸网络原创文学大赛入围作品选(7)短篇小说

    海峡两岸网络原创文学大赛入围作品选(7)短篇小说

    本系列图书精选“海峡两岸网络原创文学大赛”入围作品,分类集结成书。本书为第7册,收录第一届大赛4篇小说作品,侧重乡土文学题材,包括获奖小说讲述爷爷生命历程的“芦苇荡”,以及淘金客阿成的淘金故事“野人谷”、以三代人小家发展见证大家辉煌的“缓慢的絮语”、架構非常的溫馨小品故事“深山”,情节化乡村环境下勾勒出的生活悲剧“紫妞”等作品。
  • 逆天小公主我的魔尊夫君

    逆天小公主我的魔尊夫君

    她本是21世纪的王牌杀手,遭遇背叛穿越成了一个貌美如花的废柴公主。本以为有个皇帝老爹便可无忧无虑,不曾想一场变故成了魔尊的丫鬟,从此刻苦修炼,攻略美男,走向人生巅峰!一天,莫魔尊跪在搓衣板上。一个粉嫩嫩的小娃娃笑道:“娘亲,这个男的虽然长得好看,但也太怂了,我不想要这个爹爹……”莫女附和道:“我也这么觉得。”莫魔尊瞬间慌了……
  • 人质

    人质

    下午三点,队长一头扎进来,促忙促急道:准备出发,有任务!他一杯热茶刚冲好,才抿了一口,就喷了出来,喷出来的还有嚼在唇齿之间的茶叶沫子。队长出去之后,很快,院子里的几辆警车发动了,警灯呼啸,闪烁着红蓝相间的光环。几乎同时,他已经脱下制服,换上迷彩,戴上钢盔,腰间配上国产NZ85B型手枪。瞬间,一把95式5.8毫米步枪也呼啦一声勒紧了肩窝。他是本大队的最佳射手之一,创造过步枪十发九十八环?手枪十发九十六环的纪录。是不是从那次省厅首长来观战演习他迭创佳绩开始的?在狙击手编队中他名列第一,简称一号。
  • 恶魔宝宝:无良爹地纯情妈

    恶魔宝宝:无良爹地纯情妈

    五年前的表白被拒;五年后却莫名其妙成了男人的“妹妹”?可是,为什么态度还要这么暧昧、对她伤害还要这么深呢?从此多了个宝宝,但……宝宝会认这个无良的爹地吗?
  • 陆媛生活手册

    陆媛生活手册

    从千金小姐沦落为贫民,为了活下去,曾经养尊处优的陆媛而今只能卖身去做侍候人的丫鬟。做丫鬟不容易,做一个漂亮丫鬟更不容易。天生丽质,精通音律,再加上一手好茶技,陆媛即便再不想,也成功得到了章府里几个主人的注意。于是,风波遂起。
  • 仵作医妃

    仵作医妃

    母子共赴黄泉,上天垂怜,让她的人生重来了一次。她只想打理好自己的事,不去管别人的事,不操心老天爷的事。原以为能过上清静日子,谁料我不犯人,人却犯我。上辈子的手下败将,这辈子还想咸鱼翻身?都给本姑娘趴下!——他带着她来到密室,指向佛翕中的某物,“每一次它出现这种异状,我都会失去一位至亲。它已经十年没有动静了,可自从昨晚我们……”华珠瞪大了眸子:“你的意思是……我会死?”“我的意思是……我应该爱上你了。”*一桩离奇的五脏悬案,一段惊心动魄的深情月圆之夜,看似毫无关联的抛尸地,神秘的五行神兽,神奇的诅咒,佛龛的秘密,是上天在预警,还是一场精心布局?(一对一双强文,男女主身心干净,绝宠无虐,欢迎跳坑O(∩_∩)O~~)
  • 金血坛

    金血坛

    在天空的起始点与终点,只有光华豪殿深处的那两座祭坛。两座祭坛都高万丈。上面一尊跪着的人形雕像。那人双手托起一个刻着特殊纹路的长长锁链。起与始,落与终,承接与释放。他描摹着锁链与自由不断更替的过程。自由翱翔,这也是出了象牙塔后,在江湖中依然能保持的净土。抚摸伤痕的同时,在生命最后一刻有所回忆。