Stoics and Saints - College of Stoic Philosophers

256 ST. LOUIS.
Louis, if he would help him against his Egyptian
foes. It
was the dream of Louis life, his one absorbing passion,
to see that kingdom
restored. But no. He had made a
ten years truce with the Emirs and they had faithfully
released their Christian captives. He would not break his
word, even under that
fully
tremendous temptation, and he sorrow
saw the restoration of Jerusalem vanish out of his
sight.
On the other hand he was no easy, soft-hearted ruler,
disposed to make everyone happy by letting vassals, sub
jects, and servants riot at will. He had no idea that he
could make anyone happy except by making him just and
good, and he was remarkably firm in securing that everyone
did his duty, while his stroke was swift and stern against
high-handed wrong. A certain Count de la Marche refused
homage where it was due. Louis called his vassals together
and asked them, What ought to be done to a vassal who
wishes to hold his lands independent of any liege lord,
and who refuses the faithful homage which has been paid
time out of mind by him and his forefathers ?
They
answered that the lord of the soil
ought
to resume the
fief as his own property. By my royal name, said the
King, this Count de la Marche pretends to hold lands
after this fashion lands which have been the fief of France
ever since the time of the brave king Clovis ! The
vassals
having been first consulted (this was Louis wisdom), pro
mised hearty support. He gathered a powerful army well
supplied with munitions of war and fell upon the foe, with
whom Henry III. of England was in some way associated.
He shewed brilliant military conduct ;
won two great battles
and drove Henry a fugitive into Bordeaux. He resumed
the fief, and only on his abject submission accepted the
Count as his vassal. Thus his kingdom grew. It is a
beautiful trait of his generosity that lie allowed Henry to