Chapter 25

CHAPTER XXV.
OGIER, THE DANE, CONTINUED. CHARLEMAGNE had not forgotten the offence of Geoffroy, the King of
Denmark, in withholding homage, and now prepared to enforce
submission. But at this crisis he was waited upon by an embassy from
Geoffroy, acknowledging his fault, and craving assistance against an
army of invaders who had attacked his states with a force which he was
unable to repel. The soul of Charlemagne was too great to be
implacable, and he took this opportunity to test that of Ogier, who
had felt acutely the unkindness of his father, in leaving him, without
regard or notice, fifteen years in captivity. Charles asked Ogier
whether, in spite of his father's neglect, he was disposed to lead
an army to his assistance. He replied, "A son can never be excused
from helping his father by any cause short of death." Charlemagne
placed an army of a thousand knights under the command of Ogier, and
great numbers more volunteered to march under so distinguished a
leader. He flew to the succor of his father, repelled the invaders,
and drove them in confusion to their vessels. Ogier then hastened to
the capital, but as he drew near the city he heard all the bells
sounding a knell. He soon learned the cause; it was the obsequies of
Geoffroy, the King. Ogier felt keenly the grief of not having been
permitted to embrace his father once more, and to learn his latest
commands; but he found that his father had declared him heir to his
throne. He hastened to the church where the body lay; he knelt and
bathed the lifeless form with his tears. At that moment a celestial
light beamed all around, and a voice as of an angel said, "Ogier,
leave thy crown to Guyon, thy brother, and bear no other title than
that of 'The Dane.' Thy destiny is glorious; and other kingdoms are
reserved for thee." Ogier obeyed the divine behest. He saluted his
stepmother respectfully, and, embracing his brother, told him that
he was content with his lot in being reckoned among the paladins of
Charlemagne, and resigned all claims to the crown of Denmark.
Ogier returned covered with glory to the court of Charlemagne, and
the Emperor, touched with this proof of his attachment, loaded him
with caresses, and treated him almost as an equal.
We pass in silence the adventures of Ogier for several ensuing
years, in which the fairy-gifts of his infancy showed their force in
making him successful in all enterprises, both of love and war. He
married the charming Belicene, and became the father of young Baldwin,
a youth who seemed to inherit in full measure the strength and courage
of his father and the beauty of his mother. When the lad was old
enough to be separated from his mother, Ogier took him to court and
presented him to Charlemagne, who embraced