St. John Nepomuck.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 17, 26 October 1907, Page 52

St. John Nepomuck.

On the stately bridge of Prague, Over arches black and vague, Biands a statue high, surveying all the lands. And beneath it foams the river; Rushing Moldau’s fierce waves quiver, While John Nepom lick's bronze image steadfast stands. The emperor furious came. Angry-eyed and breathing flame, To his wife’s confesso?, and he rashly swore: “Tell mo what my wife hath said, Or go dwell among the dead.” But John Nepomuck him answered o'er and o’er: ‘•Not to thee will I reveal Secrets sealed with holy seal Of confession, which the empress pure hath made; Nor will break the sacred oath Of my priesthood's sacred troth; This Ain of sins shall not upon my soul be laid.” Din nken Wcnceslaus, touched in brain. Cursing, raging all in vain. Swiftly hade the river cool this priestly pride. Thon they dragged him to its brink. That there once more he should think Before this savage emperor he defied. On the lofty parapet High the priest of God they set, With the mighty river roaring, rushing by; But most calmly came his breath, As he steadfast looked on death; Unblancbed was his brown cheek and bright his eye. *'l will serve thee day and night, But this thing it is not right; I will rather from this bridge’s centre leap. For my honour T must fight—--1 will die within thy sight. For the Mohlau River runneth swift and deep.” Where the current wildly swirled. Beneath blackest arch was hurled John Nepomuck. who sank within his watery grave. As the spring-tide wildly ran. It o’erwhelmed the drowning man, From that lofty bridge thrust downward in the wave. But he knew ns. dying pangs, For over him there, hangs Blessings sweet of the dear soul he died to save. Though his body they did kill, By the cruel emperor’s will. Yet his memory blosson.s fair within the grave. Fox' where this true man fell— Struck with awe, by-standers tell— Swiftly rose a crown of five stars, floating soft. Bright it hovered o’er the spot, Which shall never be forgot; Then, high soaring, fastened in the sky aloft. The emperor soothed his rage: Spirit war he dared not wage, With this sign and token by the augels placed; And he built upon the wall This bronze statue large and tall, And the five-starred crown was on tho statue placed. And this homely, rugged face. So devoid of saintly grace, Is to all Bohemian hearts sublime with duty; And bis honoured statue stands, Overlooking all the lands, As the martyr brave who died for truth and duty. —Emilv E. Ford.