were,” he added sadly, “but the hearts of our fathers beat in our breasts.”
The old man melted under this touching address. Seeing that further greetings would oppress a heart now overflowing, the younger traveler cordially embraced his host, merely adding: “Receive the blessing of the Lord through his pilgrim Pietro Felice.”
“Now, my brothers,” finally said the old patriarch, “as I am well assured of your fidelity, and I feel in my heart that essential unity of being through the manifestations of its divine lovingness which makes all men of kin with each other and with the great Lord of all love, permit me to gratify myself by directing your steps towards another shelter far more worthy than mine. Should you escape the casualties that I fear you must encounter, direct your steps to the borders of Moravia and Bohemia, and at the secure castle of the lord Zawis you will find congenial associations and cordial welcome. In order to assure you an unquestioned reception present this token. It was the cognizance under which the lord Zawis’ honored father fought at Remové when our brave but too confiding King founded Königsberg, and originated a new power in Europe.” In silence the old man presented to Solomon a small silk banner apparently taken from a knight’s lance. The colors were white and red in parallel bars, the white above, and in the center was emblazoned in embroidery a black eagle. “I fear our cognizance has been
