It is the voice of Plantagenet ! ! The song, the tune are his ! He lives ! He may yet be ransomed. A rough hand is laid upon the shoulder of the minstrel, and a surly voice bids him, Begone 1 He departs without question or reply. He courts no danger ; for on his safety depends the life of his friend. The listless stroll of the harper is exchanged for the quick firm pace of one who hastes to the accomplishment of a worthy purpose. He avoids the populous cities, and tarries not in the smiling villages. He reaches the sea-coast—he finds a vessel— he lands in England—he obtains audience of the queen regent. She who subscribes herself " Eleanora, by the wrath of God Queen of England," makes all Europe ring with the infamy of those princes who have combined to keep her son in chains. The power of the pope is im-plored, the mercy of the holy mother is invoked. The Emperor Henry VI. requires the royal prisoner at the hands of Leopold. Bichard is brought before the diet at Worms, to answer for his crimes. He is accused of making an alliance with Tancred, of turning the arms of the crusade against the christian King of Cyprus, of affronting the Duke of Austria before Acre, of obstructing the progress of the croises by his quarrels with the King of France, of assassinating the Marquis Con-rad Prince of Tyre, and of concluding a truce with Saladin and leaving Jerusalem in the hands of the Saracen emperor. The noble Plantagenet arises in the majesty of his inno-cence and, "as the lion shakes the dew-drops from his mane," dispels the false accusations of his enemies. The eloquence of truth carries irresistible conviction to the hearts of the congregated princes. They exclaim loudly against the conduct of the emperor, the pope threatens him with excommunication, and the reluctant Henry is com-pelled from very shame to consent to the prisoner's release. But a heavy fine is required, and the monarch is remanded to his captivity till the sum shall be paid. Every vassal in England and Normandy is taxed for the ransom of his lord. The churches and monasteries melt down their plate, 268 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.