"while the trees grew and the waters ran to the great deep," the memory of William Penn shall rise like the mountain top in the deluge, the signal of the triumph of humanity, and truth, and justice, and the recollection of the "golden days of Pennsylvania," shall nerve and direct the patriot statesman in his efforts for the amelioration of his race. J. THE VASSAL. A TALE OF FEUDAL TIMES. "Never thinke you, Fortune can beare the sway, Reliques of Poetry. In all communities where custom has divided society into ranks, giving to each its honors and its employments, there are occasionally found men, among the lower orders, who, despising these artificial distinctions, rise by their own energy and talents to stations of dignity and trust. Conscious of a native superiority, they look with scorn upon individuals of the higher ranks, priding themselves upon wealth gained without labor, and honors conferred without merit. Never was this feeling more generally called into exercise, than in the days of chivalry. No youthful mind of generous mould, could fail to kindle at those tales of wild adventure, which the errant knight related upon his return from his wanderings. Heroic daring, joined with hightoned magnanimity, and these chastened and refined by pure and elevated sentiments of love, were some of the principles which it was the object of this institution to inculcate. Thus the nobler feelings of our nature were called into lively action, and virtue met with her deserved reward, even in those rude and barbarous times. war. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, England was divided into large estates, held by feudal lords. Each of these, acting in the capacity of a monarch in his own territory, kept near his person a large company of vassals, armed, and trained for Thus each baron held himself in readiness, not only to follow his sovereign with an honorable train, upon some grand and distant enterprise, but to sustain himself in those fierce conflicts, which often broke out between neighboring clans. One of the most powerful of these barons, in the beginning of the thirteenth century, was the Earl of Rothsay. He inhabited a castle in the north of England, standing amid rich fields, portioned out among a large body of liege vassals. The Earl himself, strong in the number and affection of his retainers, occupied no mean place in the esteem of his sovereign, and was looked upon with a jealous eye by many an inferior baron. In a neat and quiet cottage, on the northern limit of the estate of Rothsay, lived Leofric, a vassal of the highest trust, who had received many marks of honor from the Earl, his master, for his zeal and loyalty. He had a son named Alfric, a youth of high hope and promise, who had often attracted the Earl's notice, on his visits to the cottage. The ease and elegance of his movements, his finely proportioned form, uniting at once both beauty and strength, the expression of ardor that always marked his countenance, all conspired to awaken pride in the Earl's bosom, at the prospect of such a supporter of the honor of his house. At the age of twelve, he was taken from the cottage, to be in more immediate attendance upon his master at the castle. Those strong traits of character which Rothsay had not failed to read in the face and demeanor of the child, now began to develop themselves more strikingly with the expanding form of youth. Often would he linger around some group of mail-clad warriors, and listen with breathless interest to their tales of dangerous adventure, while across his countenance would flit each changing emotion, corresponding with the varying incidents of the story. He looked forward with eagerness to the time, when he might put off the habit of a mere domestic, and assume the dress and character of the cavalier. It was not that there was any thing consonant with the feelings of Alfric, in the cruelties and severities of war, that he thus panted for martial pursuits. In those days of feudal disorder, this was the only path by which the vassal could rise to distinction. He sought this only as the field where he might display his superior powers, and gain the meed of honorable action. A few years passed away, and his wishes were gratified. Rothsay beheld the same gallant soldier which he had anticipated. Whenever the Earl sallied forth to chastise the insolence of some neighboring baron, Alfric was always found in his train. His proud and noble bearing, united with generous courage, gained him the envy as well as the admiration of the more veteran warriors. But it is time that we turn to another division of our story. Soon after Alfric was taken from the cottage into the service of the Earl, he discovered that there was living at the castle a beautiful being, of nearly his own age. This was Ina, the only daughter of Rothsay. He was never permitted to see her within the walls of the castle; for so strong were the feelings of rank, that the vassal was allowed no familiar intercourse with the family of the lord. But she frequently crossed his path, in an evening ramble, and he fain indulged the thought, that it was not always accidental. He often caught her eye from the window of her chamber, when in the performance of little duties on the do main. Four or five years glided away, and their intimacy had never gone beyond a look, a blush, and a half-formed resolution on the part of each, to open their feelings to the other. In all her demeanor, Ina never assumed an air of superiority. She seemed to forget the advantages of her birth, and to look upon Alfric as one every way equal, yea, superior to herself. The honor of her family, and the fame of her beauty, drew to the house of Rothsay many a high-born suitor. But the youthful Alfric held a place in her affections, which lordly pride and sounding titles could not supersede. In the vicinity of the castle, was a plat of ground beautifully laid out, and replete with all the ornaments of an English garden. Broad and beautiful walks, bordered with shrubbery, and flowers of every variety, swept through it in graceful curves, so fitted as to open new beauties upon the sight at every step, and regale the senses with a succession of pleasures. At the close of a beautiful day in summer, Alfric had stolen away into this garden, to spend a leisure hour in meditation. He was now fully sensible that Ina was indulging a secret attachment for himself, and at such an hour, his mind would naturally turn upon this most interesting subject. He had dared to indulge the hope that Ina might one day be his. But he hoped with trembling. He knew that his master loved him; but he knew too the pride of rank, and the importance which was attached to birth. In this musing mood, the light sound of a footstep struck his ear. He raised his eyes, and Ina stood before him. A deep blush crimsoned her cheek, and her eyes fell upon the ground in maiden modesty. The embarrassment of Alfric was no less than hers. He, however, summoned resolution to speak: "We have for a long time been no strangers to each other's feelings, although we have never dared to give those feelings utterance. But I fear," continued he, "that we are dreaming of bliss that can never be realized,-indulging hopes that must soon be blasted." Ina did not comprehend his meaning, and asked an explanation. "Have you never thought," said Alfric, "have you never thought of the immense, the almost impassable distance that separates us? You the daughter of an earl, and I the son of a slave, unworthy even of a look from the child of my master." But," said she, half interrupting him, "I can allay your fears. I have often heard my father speak proudly of you. I know that he loves you almost to admiration. He tells our guests of your noble deeds, and thinks it an honor that you are one of our house.” "Ah," said Alfric, "he may be proud of me as his servant; he may love me as his vassal; but I fear that he would never acknowledge me as his son!" This was an objection which had never before met the mind of Ina in its full force. So simple and artless was her nature, that she had always thought of this noble object of her affections as one who might without difficulty be hers. But now she turned away in sadness and doubt. Although Alfric and Ina had indulged this secret attachment to each other for years, no suspicion of the fact had ever yet crossed the mind of Rothsay. At length the report began to be whispered among the domestics, and not long after, was carried to the ears of the Earl. "Summon the wretch to my presence," exclaimed the enraged baron. The order was quickly obeyed, and Alfric appeared before him. "Hast thou ever dared to address my daughter as a lover?" Alfric confessed that words of love had passed between them. "Audacious slave! Because I have bestowed upon thee a look of approbation, hast thou presumed to overstep thy rank, and aspire to the honors of my house? Algar!" said he, addressing one of his servants, 66 see that he be confined to his apartment, till my cruelty can invent some punishment worthy of his insolence!" He knew Alfric saw the storm of wrath that was gathering. that any attempt to remonstrate or explain, would only increase the fury of the Earl's passion. He retired, grieved and mortified. The day upon which this incident occurred, had been set apart for other and important purposes. The Earl of Rothsay had long watched with deep concern the growing influence and power of the house of Halfagar, a baron whose castle was situated a few leagues to the south. Mutual jealousies had for some time rankled in their bosoms, and little was wanting to lead to acts of open hostility. That little was supplied by an injury inflicted on one of the Earl's followers, by a company of vassals belonging to the house of Halfagar. Rothsay immediately declared his determination to avenge the insult, and this was the day set apart for that purpose. Alfric had looked forward to this event with high expectations. He hoped, by his conduct on this important occasion, to gain increased favor in the eyes of his lord, and thus gradually pave the way for the attainment of his wishes. The house of Halfagar was strong-his retainers were numerous and well trained. The enterprise of Rothsay, was therefore fraught with no little danger. Alfric was aware of the Earl's anxiety, and of his intention of leading out the entire train of his followers. For this reason he hoped, that as soon as the first gust of passion had subsided, Rothsay would summon him to attend the expedition and delay the punishment until his return. He watched from his window with eager eye, the preparation for departure. Along the avenues, which conducted to the different parts of the estate, galloped in, one by one, the sturdy warriors, clad in their coats of burnished steel, and took their places with their companions, in the yard of the castle. Many were the inquiries respecting the youthful hero, whose presence on such occasions, was the life of the party. At length the Earl appeared at the gate, mounted his steed, and was received by his vassals, with the customary marks of honor. He glanced for a moment |