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Show El rey caballero se ve sin reino por la libertad, por el derecho, por no haber consentido los atropellos del fuerte. ' Y con la noble trlsteza del héroe repelido pero Jamés derrotado, que sabe que la razén va con él, se mantiene en un rincon de Flandres, al frente de un pufiado de bravos, para que vea el inundo como lucha un hombre pacifico convertido en guerrero por las ex1genc1a§ del honor, come perece, si es preciso, el primer ciudadano de una monarqula democratlca en defensa de su dignidad. Ill! =1: #8 3% SE Un pcriodista lo vié a la caida de la tarde, asomado a una ventana del Hotel dc Ville dc Fumes, contemplando la puesta del sol, sofiando tal vez. Parecia triste. Contemplaba melancolicamente el astro rnoribnndo. Iba a llegar la noche y con ella la sombra, Ias horas de Incertldumbre, las horas dc desesperacion. Pero la noche no es eterna y después de ella viene otra vez el dia, con un nuevo sol. 14w (x TRA NSLA TION (abridged) THE NOBLE KING the rifle of a soldier, he fought among the ranks of This is what we in Spain call Albert of Belgium. his own infantry as their comrade. Our period offers to public attention two different The Belgian people have lost their homes, he has types of monarchs. almost lost his kingdom. Some there are who rehearse their actions and words Do we not recall those inimitable models of chivalry, as if they were actors, adopting theatrical poses, the uncrowned kings of the lldiddle Ages, wander» trying to do a thousand different things at once, ing and unfortunate, but renowned in poetry and seeking at every moment to receive the incense of the drama? Our period of ordinary material prose admiration of the people and to astonish the popular holds still more romantic heroes in its records. mind. They would burn down half the world if that Albert the Landless is worth more than all the could add to their Nero-like glory and make them Landless Monarchs of history. They lost their more renowned. The force of their madness may crowns through deeds of their own or of their families, succeed in inspiring terror, but nei'er in exciting desire of conquest and further power. The Noble affection or genuine admiration. Albert na'er thought of dazzling any one ,' he is not King sees his kingdom lost for liberty, for justice, for familiar with theatrical poses ; his wish was to live brave resistance to the dictates of overbearing force. in peace and industrial prosperity, surrounded by his And with the noble sadness of the hero who may be defeated but is never conquered, who knows that he hardworking people, and at all times he has led a has right on his side, he stays in a corner of Flanders, good and upright If e. gentle and liberal at the same at the head of a handful of courageous souls, enabling time, like his own physical traits. He has become a hero without wishing or seeking' to become one ,' the the whole world to see how a man of peace fights when he has been forced to become a warrior through greatest and most attractive hero of the entire twenthe necessities of honour, how, if it be needful, the tieth century. He is " the noble King." first citizen of a democratic monarchy will know how is a a: (z t to die in defence of his own nobility. This sovereign, so suddenly called to lead his army, ar at at; at 2r in spite of his inexperience, was able to conduct the A journalist caught sight of him one afternoon as the war as many old campaigners could not have done. twilight fell, leaning from a window in the City Hall llis heroic tenacity at the head of a small but bra'ae in Furnes, watching the setting sun, dreaming pernation was able from the may first moment to drive chance. hack the terrible German onslaught and to break its He appeared sad, and he watched the sinking God of might. Day with an aspect of deep depression. "hat a glorious epic is this episode of Belgium and The night was coming, and with it darkness, the hours her noble king / illany of his subjects perished. He of uncertainty, the hours when despair is nigh. still lives because Death wished to spare him. Like a But the night is not eternal, and when it is gone, simple gunner, he served the guns of Antwerp under a there comes another day, bringing with it a new hail of [cad from the machine guns of the foe. Taking sun. 160 |