Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/33

Rh drew back a little from the city, to secure a height, that nature had rendered very strong.

William harangued his army, who heard him with loud applause; and, at the close of his speech, Aldrude also came forward, and addressed them as follows:

"Encouraged and fortified by the favour and mercy of heaven, I have resolved, contrary to the general usage of women, to speak to you here, because I hope to say something that may be useful, though unadorned with the figures of eloquence, and the reasonings of philosophy. It often happens, that a simple discourse acts upon the mind, when one more laboured merely pleases the ear. It is neither a love of power, or worldly advantage, which has led me here. Since the death of my husband, I reign with an aching heart, over all his domains, without any contest. It is enough for me to keep what I possess. What animates me, is the miserable situation of Ancona; the tears of its ladies, who fear to fall into the power of the besiegers. Need I enter into the detail? It is to succour men, worn by famine, fatigued by frequent combats, exposed constantly to new toils, to new dangers, that I come, with my only son, who, though a child, inherits his father's greatness of soul, and shews the same courage and the same zeal for the protection and defence of his friends. And you, warriors of Lombardy and Romagna, who are no less distinguished for your fidelity than your valour, the same cause brings you here. You obey the orders, and imitate the example of William Adelardi, who, listening only to his natural generosity, and love of freedom, has hazarded his own fortune, and that of his friends and vassals, for the deliverance of Ancona, I know not how to praise him as I ought, because language is not equal to the expression of