Heppenheim
The
Monk at Lorch Abbey
Not far from the ancient little town of
Heppenheim, the
ruins of the once rich and powerful Benedictine Abbey, Lorch, stand on
an
island in the Rhine. This abbey had been founded by Pepin, father of
Charlemagne,
King of the Franks, and it stood during many centuries, until the
devastations
of the Thirty Years' War destroyed the church and cloister.
Once when Charles the Great was journeying through
the
Rhine countries he came to a cloister situated on an island in the
Rhine.
The old ruler was received by the Abbot and the brethern with great
respect.
Being weary the emperor retired early to his chamber, but the cares of
his
kingdom drove sleep from his eyes; finding no rest he arose and went to
the
little church attached to the cloister to relieve his heart in prayer.
Thinking
himself quite alone he knelt down at the altar and remained there for
some
time in fervent devotion.
When he was about to return, he saw to his
surprise that
he had not been alone. A tall gray-haired monk was kneeling behind him
apparently
absorbed in deep prayer, and a young man was standing near. The
emperor,
hidden behind a large pillar, felt himself attracted by this strange
pair.
The venerable appearance of the old monk struck
his
attention, and he observed him closely. He waited patiently till the
monk
had finished his devotions, and as the old man was led away by his
youthful
guide, Charlemagne saw that he was blind.
In the morning the emperor related what had
happened
to the Abbot and enquired after the name of the monk; but the only
information
he could receive concerning him was, that he was called Bernhardus and
had
come from a distant cloister; his lineage and the name of the monastery
where
he had formerly dwelt, he obstinately refused to divulge. Impelled by
curiosity
and sympathy the emperor desired to be conducted to the monk's cell.
When he was face to face with the old man the
emperor's
features underwent a great change. He could no longer be mistaken; this
tall
man in whose countenance pain and sorrow had left their traces, had
once
worn a prince's crown, had married the daughter of the King of
Lombardy,
and when Charlemagne had dethroned Desiderius, his father-in-law, this
man
had rebelled against him, had been imprisoned and afterwards generously
forgiven;
but having again plotted against the emperor, the latter had sent him
to
a cloister for the rest of his life, there to repent his wicked deeds.
Yes!
it was Thassilo, Duke of Bavaria.
Thus the feudal lord and his vassal stood before
each
other again, conqueror and conquered, both grown gray with life's
cares;
the latter, robbed of his eyesight, not knowing who thus addressed him.
"My brother," said Charles greatly touched,
grasping
the monk's hand, "he who now is speaking to you was once your great
enemy.
Both our heads have grown gray, and the resentment of the feudal lord
against
his proud vassal has disappeared for ever. Those times of hatred are
long
since past. Charlemagne stands before you offering you pardon and
wishing
to be reconciled to you. Let all rancour which you once fostered
against
me flee from your heart."
Overcome by emotion the monk fell down at the
emperor's
feet.
"My King and my Sovereign!" cried he in a broken
voice.
"I have sinned heavily against you, but will strive to expiate this
wrong
by penance and atonement until death. When I heard of your arrival in
the
cloister I went by night to the altar, praying to Heaven for
forgiveness
for my past life, and I now implore your pardon, which is my last
earthly
wish."
The monk overcome with emotion fell fainting to
the ground.
Charlemagne, deeply moved, ordered ,every attention to be paid to his
old
enemy. The next morning the emperor, wishing to see Thassilo, went
himself
to the monk's cell, but the Abbot informed him that the old man had
quietly
expired during the night.
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