Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/70

 “In a word, the fall of kingdoms has arisen from the substitution of principles ignorantly manufactured by the fancies of men, for the eternal, omnipresent, ceaseless activities that live in us as in all other objects, and makes us one with the great unity around. It is the discovery and adaptation of these activities that bestows intelligent effort on mankind, and strengthens them in their individual and national development. What constituted the diamond mind and conferred its luster? It was formed independent of the genius of man; and his grandest imagination cannot add to its perfection; his utmost malignity cannot tarnish its splendor. He may crush the diamond indeed ff it does not exhibit the dull, discolored light that he proposes, but his utmost ingenuity cannot insert the least spark of the divine brilliancy whose native gleam ‘springs from its own purity and perfection.’”

Rudolph, apparently satisfied, exclaimed:

“Friend Pietro, I hear thou art something of a jongleur; be good enough to present to us some demonstration of thine art.” Don Abraham furnished a guitar. Pietro reflected a moment.

“Take thy theme from Lord Abraham’s own land and kindred,” exclaimed Rudolph. “His valiant heart to-day interposed with ready arm and skillful lance for our rescue.”

Pietro, thus encouraged, seated himself a little apart, and accompanying himself, sang in a full voice the Spanish Arab melody of