endless pilgrimages, rumored miracles, and such like. For shortly
afterwards, the neighboring Potentate, Boleslaus Duke of Poland,
heart-struck at the event, drew sword on these Heathens, and
having (if I remember) gained some victory, bargained to have the
Body of Adalbert delivered to him at its weight in gold. Body, all
cut in pieces, and nailed to poles, had long ignominiously
withered in the wind; perhaps it was now only buried overnight for
the nonce? Being dug up, or being cut down, and put into the
balance, it weighed--less than was expected. It was as light as
gossamer, said pious rumor, Had such an excellent odor too;--and
came for a mere nothing of gold! This was Adalbert's first miracle
after death; in life he had done many hundreds of them, and has
done millions since,--chiefly upon paralytic nervous-systems, and
the element of pious rumor;--which any Devil's-Advocate then
extant may explain if he can! Kaiser Otto, Wonder of the World,
who had known St. Adalbert in life, and much honored him, "made a
pilgrimage to his tomb at Gnesen in the year 1000;"--and knelt
there, we may believe, with thoughts wondrous enough, great and
sad enough.

There is no hope of converting Preussen, then? It will never leave
off its dire worship of Satan, then? Say not, Never; that is a
weak word. St. Adalbert has stamped his life upon it, in the form
of a crucifix, in lasting protest against that.



Chapter III.

MARKGRAVES OF BRANDENBURG.