Ballads and Tales (Volume 4); Fourth Reader Grade (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896. Excerpt: ... After bidding the brave mountaineers return thanks to God for their great success, Tell said: "Comrades, retain your simple ways. Rely upon God and yourselves. Let no tyrant conquer you. Fear, equally with the tyrant from abroad, the tyrant who may rise from your own ranks. Labor virtuously and courageously, and you will become the admiration of future generations." This victory was followed by others, till, a few years later, after the signal victory at the pass of Morgarten, in 1315, the independence of the three cantons was recognized. Later, other cantons joined the confederacy, other victories were gained over the Austrians, and finally the independence of Switzerland was accomplished. A LEGEND OF BREGENZ. Girt round with rugged mountains The fair Lake Constance lies; In her blue heart reflected, Shine back the starry skies; Bregenz (pron. bra'ghents), picturesquely situated on the east shore of Lake Constance, is a town of the Tyrol (pron. tir'ol), a province of Austria, adjoining Switzerland on the east. It is on the site of the old Roman Brigantium. It was for several centuries one of the chief fortified places of southern Europe. In 1646 the Swedes stormed and captured the fortress. And watching each white cloudlet Float silently and slow, You think a piece of heaven Lies on our earth below. Midnight is there; and silence, Enthroned in Heaven, looks down Upon her own calm mirror, Upon a sleeping town: For Bregenz, that quaint city Upon the Tyrol shore, Has stood above Lake Constance A thousand years and more. Her battlements and towers, Upon their rocky steep, Have cast their trembling shadow For ages on the deep; Mountain, and lake, and valley A sacred legend know Of how the town was saved one night Three hundred years ago. Far from her home an...