UNDINE. OTHER. TALES. By. DE la. MOTTE. FOUQUE. Translated from the.
German by. F. E. Bunnett. NEW. YORK. UNITED. STATES. BOOK. COMPANY.
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TON W K E : B Y WA S H IR V Wh e re t h e Cat skil l s o verl o o k th e eauti ful H u d ne st led a t th ei r base l ie s th e v i l lage o f K a a t s so n kill where lazy di s solut e good for noth ing but h appy Rip Van W i nkle l ive s a sh i ftl es s l i fe daily berate d by hi s te rm a gant wi fe Ri p s re fuge a nd j oy ar e the w o o d s a nd th e m o untai n s an d b eari n g h i s l o n g gun h e re tre at s f ro m h i s w i fe t o h i s r e fuge Rip i s ove r fo n d o f sch n a pps Cl imb in g the o unt ai n si de h e c o m e s up o n a se que ste re d n o ok wh e re a quee r l ittl e c o m p any o f S h o r t b ro a d a n d fo rei gn lo o ki n g fo lk wit h ste e p le c r o wne d hat s and vo lu i no u s b re e ch e s a re r o l li n g te n p i n s a nd d rink in g sch n a pps Rip j o i n s i n th e sp o rt a nd a s s i s ts i n e m ptyi n g a s al l k e g H e fall s a sl ee p e s le ep s fo r twe nty ye ar s H e a wake s t o a n e wo rld Wh e reve r th e n gli sh l an guage i s re a d t i s s t o ry i s kn o w n a nd l ove d
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A F RE TE N YS O OR “ Th e o ld c h r o ni cl e s tel l o f a ti m e wh e n al l th e ” lan d w a s fil le d with v i o le n ce wh e n th er e wa s n o pe ace i n B ritain wh e n eve ry m an s h a nd was a ga i ns t h i s b ro th e r whe n r obbe r kni ght s fo ught w ith e ac h o th e r an d di d de e ds o f rapi n e and di s o no r ; a n d h o w th e re c am e fr o m s o m e e n ch ante d re alm a great ch am pi o n o f ri ght o f truth o f h o no r a nd o f p eac e o n g h e b attle d fie r cely with th e f o rce s o f ev il u nti l th ey we r e s ub due d an d i n al l t h e b road lan d th e r e wa s p ea c e sa fety a nd law Th e great p o et Te nnys o n tel l s a ne w i n v e rs e o f at chl e s s m el o dy th e l e gen ds an d t raditi o n s o f h o w Arthur th e Ki n g th e ch il d o f e nch antmen t s up p o rted b y m a g i c a l p o we r free d th e lan d fro m i t s opp re s s o rs B o r ne up o n th e c re s t o f am e t ipp e d s ur ge s h e wa s cast a nake d b ab e up o n th e s t o rm beat Co rn i sh co a st i nto th e a r m s o f erl in th e wi zar d and t r ai ne d by h i m t o b e co m e at la st th e champ i o n o f ri gh t an d Kin g o f a ll B ritain At th e la st afte r a l o n g l ife o f c o nfl i ct a nd vi ct o ry h e i s do n e t o de ath by th e tr e ach e ry o f h i s ne ph e w o dre d ra wn with th e Kni gh ts o f th e R o un d Tabl e i nto a snare bese t by number s al l h i s k night s s la i n ab o ut h i m sm i tte n dee p by a strok e o f t he t raito r s s wo rd th e dyi n g ki n g c o m man d s h i s l as t r e ma i nin g kni gh t S i r B e div e re to d o fo r h i m o n e la st s a d o ffi c e — t o h u rl i nto th e m er e wh enc e l o n g ye a rs b e fo re i t cam e t o h im hi s m agi c b r an d xc alibu r Th e b eauty o f th e s wo rd te mpt s the kni ght t o di s ob ey th e kin g s i nj un cti o n Th e k ing rev i l e s h i m w i th wo rd s o f b itte r s co rn B e di v e re s h utti n g hi s e y e s l e s t th e d azzli n g ge m s a gai n t e mp t hi m fr o m hi s duty hu rl s ca lib u r fa r a c ro s s th e wate r s ; a mysti c ar m ri ses fr o m b e n eath a nd gra sp s it b y th e h ilt a n d i t i s d rawn under ro m far a c ro s s th e s ea s c om e s t h e wailin g o f m an y v o i ce s a l am e nt fo r th e dyin g ch ante d by m o urn i n g m ai den s wh o c ro wd th e deck o f a mysti c barque that sweep s to the st rand to bear th e king ack to th e agic realms whence e ca e ,
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B I O G RA P H I C A L D I C T I O N A R Y O F A UT H O R S
B I O G R A P H I CAL D I CT I O N A R Y
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A F RE Al f re d Tennyson by uni OR ) : ve rs al a s sen t d ee m e d o ne o f th e fi rs t o f m o d e rn p o e t s wa s bo rn i n i nc ol n sh i re n glan d 1 809 a n d d ie d a t Al dswo r th H o us e h i s h o m e i n S urrey “ ctob e r 6 1 892 e was d i sti n ctively a swee t ” sin ge r — th e p o e t O f true s e nti m ent and e m oti o n cl othe d i n th e m o s t m e l o di ou s an d grac e ful di c ti o n feli cito us i n wo rd an d th ou ght i n sti n ct with e auty h arm o ny i m a gin ati o n an d te n de r h um a n i ty B e auty O f s e nt im e n t an d m e l od y O f exp re s s io n a re p e rh ap s h i s d om i nant q uali ti es The s e wo n fo r h im e a rly di sti ncti o n i n th e li te ra ry w o rl d ; an d h i s e ri t re c eiv e d O ffi ci al r ec o gni ti o n i n th e form o f a s tate p en s io n wh e n h e wa s th i rty si ye ar s O l d iv e ye ar s l ate r i n 1 8 5 0 h e wa s ade t o Wo r ds o rt ; an d i n p o et laure ate s uc c e e di n Y SO
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rai se d to th e p ee rage as B aro n Te nny son o f D E ynco ur t uri n g the greater p art o f h is l o n g c are e r o f e i gh ty thre e years h e sto o d foremost among l i ving poets i n both the po pu l ar re gar d an d th e e sti mati o n o f c ri tic s The c om p l e t e li st o f hi s w ritin gs i s t o o l o n g t o be given h ere ; am o n g th e m o st n ot abl e O f h i s wo r k s ar e : ” ” “ Th e Pri n ce s s In e m o ri am ( 1 8 50) ” “ I dyl l s o f th e i n g ( 1 8 59 Po em s whi c h c om p ri se so m e O f i s m o st be auti ful lyric s “ ” au d an d the r Poe m s H e wro te a n umbe r o f p o e m s i n th e fo r whi ch O f d ram as ol d l o er rank t an i s o t e r p ro du cti o ns 1
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a t i m e u nd i sturb ed wh e n h e was t ak i n g th e ch oi c e fi sh wh ic h h e c augh t at h i s b eauti ful h om e to a large to wn s ituate d not far fro m th e c o nfi ne s o f th e fo re st Th e p ri nc ipal re as o n why it was so e asy fo r h i m to p ass th rou gh th is fo re st was b ecause th e t one O f h i s th o u ghts was alm ost enti rely o f a reli gi ous ch ar a cte r and b e si des th i s wh e neve r h e s et fo o t up o n th e evi l rep ute d S h ades h e was wo nt to s in g so m e h oly so n g with a cl ear vo ic e and a s i nce r e h eart Wh il e s itti n g ov er h i s n et s th i s ev en in g u nsusp ici ou s o f any ev i l a s udde n fe ar cam e up o n h i m at th e soun d o f a rustl i n g i n th e g lo o m o f th e fo rest as o f a h o rs e and ri der th e no is e ap p ro ach in g neare r and neare r t o A l l th at h e h ad dream e d i n th e l ittl e p rom o nto ry m any a sto rm y ni gh t o f the mysteri e s o f th e fo re st n ow fl ash e d at o nc e th ro u gh h i s m i n d ; forem os t o f al l th e i mage of a gi ganti c sn o w wh it e m an wh o k ept u m c e a s i n g l y no ddi ng h i s h ead i n a po r t ento us m anne r I nde e d wh e n h e raise d h i s eye s t o ward th e w oo d it se em ed t o h im as i f h e actuall y s aw t h e n o ddi n g m an app ro ach i n g th ro ugh the de ns e fo l iage H e s o o n h o w eve r reas sure d h im s el f refl ecti n g th at noth i ng s eri ou s h ad ev er b e fall e n h im ev e n i n th e fo re st itsel f an d th at upon th i s ope n to ngue o f l an d th e evi l sp i rit wo ul d b e sti ll les s darin g i n th e exerc i se o f h i s po wer At th e s am e ti m e h e repeate d al o ud a text fro m th e B ib l e with al l h is he ar t and thi s s o i ns pi red h i m w it h c o ura ge th at h e alm o s t s m ile d at th e il lusi o n h e h ad al lowe d to p o ss ess h im Th e wh ite n od di n g m an was sudde nly t rans form e d i nto a roo k l o n g fam ili ar to h i m wh i ch ran foam i n g fro m th e fo rest an d d i sch arge d i tsel f i nto th e lak e Th e n oise h o wev er wh i ch h e h ad h eard was c aus ed by a kni gh t b eauti ful ly app arel le d wh o e m e rgi ng fro m th e deep sh ado ws o f th e w o o d c am e ri di ng to ward th e c ottage A sc arl et m antl e was th ro w n ove r h i s p urp l e go ld e m b roi de re d do u l et ; a re d a n d ,
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wave d fro m h i s g o l de n c o l o r e d h e ad gea and a b eauti ful and rich ly o rnam e n te d sw ord fl ashe d fro m h i s sh o ul de r b elt Th e wh ite stee d th at b o re th e kni ght was m o re sl enderly fo rm e d th an war h o rs es ge nerall y are and h e stepp e d so li ghtl y ove r th e turf th at th i s gre e n an d flo wery carp et s eem e d s carc ely to r ece ive th e sli ghte s t i nj ury fro m h is tread Th e o ld fi she rm an d i d n ot h o weve r fe el p e rfe ctly secu re i n h i s m i nd alth o ugh h e tri e d t o c o nvi nc e h im sel f that n o evi l was to b e feare d fro m s o grac eful an ap p ariti o n ; an d th e refo re h e p olit ely to ok o flf h i s h at as th e kni ght app roache d a nd r e m ai ne d qu ietl y with h i s nets P re se ntly the stran ge r d rew up an d i nq ui re d wheth e r h e an d h is h o rs e c ould h av e sh elte r an d c are fo r th e ” “ ni gh t As re gard s your h orse go o d si r repl i ed th e “ fi sh e rman I c an as si gn h i m n o b ette r stab l e th an th i s shady p asture and no b etter p rove nd e r th a n th e gras s gro wi ng o n it Yo urs el f h o weve r I wi ll gl adly we l c o m e t o my sm all c ottage an d give yo u supp e r an d ” l od gi n g as go o d as w e h av e Th e kni gh t was we ll an d Sa tis fie d w ith th i s ; h e al i ghte d fro m h i s h o rse with th e ass istanc e o f th e fi sh e rm an h e reli eve d i t fro m saddl e an d b ri dle a n d turne d it l o o se up o n t he fl o w e ry gree n Th e n ad dre s si n g h is h o st h e said : ve n h ad I fou n d yo u le s s h osp itabl e and ki n d ly di sp o s e d my wo rthy ol d fi sh erm an yo u wo ul d nev erthe l es s s ca r c ely h ave go t ri d o f m e t o day fo r a s I see a b ro a d lak e l ie s b efo re us and t o ri d e b ack i nt o that m yste rio u s wo o d with th e sh ade s o f eve ni n g c o m i n ” o n h eave n keep m e fr o m i t ! “ We wi l l n ot talk t o o m uch of th at sai d th e fi sh erm an and h e l ed h i s guest i n t o th e c ottage Th e re b esid e th e h earth fr o m w h i ch a s canty fi re sh ed a di m l i gh t th ro ugh th e c le anl y ke pt ro o m sat th e fi sh e r m a n s a e d wife i n a c a p a oi o u s ch ai r At th e V
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entranc e o f th e n ob l e guest sh e r o s e to give h i m a ki ndly wel c om e but re sume d h e r s eat o f h o no r with out o ff e rin g it t o th e strange r Up o n th i s th e fi sh erman “ sai d wit h a s mi l e : Yo u m ust not t ak e it am i s s of h e r yo u ng s i r th at sh e h as not give n up t o yo u th e m o st co mfo rtabl e se at i n th e h ous e ; i t i s a c ustom amo n g p o o r p eo p l e that it sh oul d b e lo n g e clu si v ely to th e a ge d “ Why h usb and sai d th e wi fe with a qui et sm il e wh at can yo u b e thi nkin g of ? ur gues t b elo n gs n o do ubt to Ch ri stian m e n and h o w c o ul d it co m e i nto th e h ead o f th e go o d yo un g b l oo d to d rive O l d p eopl e fro m ” ? th ei r chai rs Tak e a s eat my youn g m aste r sh e c o n “ ove r t he re th ere t i n u e d t urni n g t o ward t h e k ni ght ; i s a ri gh t p retty l ittl e c h ai r o nly you mu st not m ov e ab o ut o n it to o ro u gh ly fo r o ne o f its l e gs i s no l o nge r ” o f th e fi r m e st Th e kni gh t fe t ch e d t h e ch ai r c arefully s at d o wn up o n i t go o d h u m o r e d ly and i t seem e d t o h im as i f h e were rel ate d to th i s l ittl e ho us eh o l d and h ad j ust returne d fro m ab ro ad The th re e wo rthy p eopl e n o w b e gan to t a l k t o get h e r i n th e m o st frie ndl y and fam i l iar manne r With re gard to th e fo rest ab o ut wh i ch th e kn i gh t m ad e s o m e i n q u i r i e s th e o l d m an w as not i nc li ne d to b e c o m muni cat iv e ; h e fel t it was n ot a subj ect suite d to app ro ach i n g ni gh t b ut th e a ge d c oup le sp o ke fre ely o f th e i r h om e an d fo rm er l i fe an d l i ste ne d al so gladly h e n th e k ni ght rec o unte d t o th em h i s trave l s and to l d th e m th at h e h ad a c astl e nea r th e s ou rc e of th e anub e and th at hi s n am e was S i r H u l d b r a n d o f R i n g st e t t e n ur in g th e c o nve rsatio n the stran ge r h ad al ready o c c a s i o n a l l y h eard a splash a gai nst th e l ittle l o w wi ndo w as i f so m e o ne we re sp ri nkl i n g wate r a gai nst it very t i m e th e n oi s e o c c urre d th e ol d m an kni t h i s b r o w with di spl eas ure ; b ut wh e n at l ast a who l e sh o wer was dash e d a gai nst t h e p ane s and bubb le d i nto th e ro o m ,
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th rou g th e de c aye d c asem e nt h e ro s e an gril y and “ calle d th reate ni ngly fro m th e wi ndo w : Undi ne ! wil l yo u fo r o nc e le av e o flf th e s e ch i l di sh trick s ? and to day b esi de s th e re i s a stran ge r k ni gh t w ith u s i n th e c ot ” tage Al l was s il e nt wi th o ut o nly a sup p res sed l aug h was audibl e and th e fi sh erm an sai d a s h e r e turned : “ Yo u m ust pardo n it i n h e r m y h o n ore d guest an d p e rh ap s many a nau ghty t ric k b e si des ; b ut sh e m eans no h arm by it I t i s o ur foste r chi l d U nd i ne and sh e will n o t wean h er se l f fro m th i s ch i l di sh ne ss alth o u gh sh e has already ente re d h e r ei gh tee nth year B ut as I sai d at h eart sh e i s th o ro u ghly go od “ Yo u m ay w el l talk rep l i ed th e o l d w o m an sh ak “ i n g e r h ead ; wh e n y ou c o m e h o m e fro m fi sh i n g o r from a j o urney h e r fro li c s m ay th en e v ery del i gh tful b ut to h ave h er abo ut o ne th e wh o l e day l o n g a nd neve r to h ea r a s e ns ib l e wo rd and i n stead o f fi ndi n g he r a h el p i n th e h o usek eep i n g a s sh e gro ws o lder a l ways t o b e obli ge d to b e tak i n g c are th a t h e r fo ll i e s d o not c o mp letely rui n u s that i s qu it e an oth e r th i n g and th e pati e nc e o f a sai nt wo u ld b e wo r n o ut at last “ Well well sai d h er h u sband with a s m i l e yo u h av e yo ur troub le s with U ndi n e an d I h ave m i ne with th e l ake I t o fte n b reak s away my dam s and tears m y n et s t o p ie ce s b ut fo r al l th at I h ave an a ffecti o n fo r it a n d s o h ave you fo r the p retty ch il d i n sp ite o f al l ” yo ur c ro sse s an d v ex ati o ns I sn t it so ? “ ne can t b e v ery an gry with h e r c ertai nly s ai d t e o l d wo m an an d S h e s m iled app rov in gly Just th e n th e doo r fl ew o p e n an d a b e auti ful fai r gi rl gl i ded lau gh i n g i nto th e ro om and sai d : Yo u h ave o nly b ee n j estin g fath e r fo r wh ere i s yo u r ” guest ? At th e sa e m o me nt h o weve r sh e p e rc e ive d th e k nigh t and st o o d fixe d w ith asto ni sh m ent b efo r e th e H u l d b r a n d was st ru c k with h e r hands o e yo uth ,
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3
A
F MO
U S TA LE S
OF
W O N DE R
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ch armi n g app ea ranc e and dwelt th e m o re e arnestly o n h er l ovely features as h e i ma gi ne d it was o nly h e r sur p ri se th at gav e h i m thi s b rief e nj oym e nt and th at sh e wo ul d p re sently turn fro m h i s gaz e with i nc reas e d b ash ful nes s I t was h o w eve r q uit e ot h erwi se ; fo r afte r h avi n g l o oke d at h i m fo r som e ti m e sh e dre w n ear h i m c o n fi d i n g l y kne lt do wn b e fo re h i a n d s ai d as sh e p laye d w ith a go l d me dal wh ich h e wo re o n h i s b reast susp e nded fro m a rich chai n : Wh y yo u h and so m e ki nd guest h o w h ave yo u c om e to o ur p o o r co t tage at l ast ? H av e yo u b ee n ob li ge d th e n t o wander thro ugh the worl d fo r years b e fo re yo u c oul d fi n d you r way t o us ? o yo u c om e out o f th at wi l d fo rest ” my b eaut iful k ni gh t ? Th e o l d wo man s re p ro o f a l l owe d h i m n o tim e fo r reply Sh e admo ni sh e d th e g i r l t o stand up and b eh av e h ers el f a nd to go to h e r wo rk Undi ne h o wev e r with o ut m akin g any an s we r d rew a littl e fo ot sto ol c l o s e to H u l d b r a n d s ch air s at do wn up o n it with h e r sp i nni n g an d sai d pleasantly : I wil l work h e re Th e o l d m an di d as parents are wo nt t o d o w ith sp oi le d ch il dren H e aff ected t o ob s e r ve n oth i n g o f U ndi ne s naugh ti nes s and was b e gi n ni n g to talk o f s o meth i n g el se B ut th i s th e gi rl wo ul d not “ l et h i m do ; sh e said : I h ave aske d ou r C h arm in g guest ” wh enc e h e c o m e s an d h e h as not yet answe re d m e “ I c o me fro m th e fo rest you b eautiful l ittl e v isi o n returne d H u l d b r a n d ; and sh e went o n to say : “ Th e n yo u m ust tel l m e h o w yo u c a m e th ere fo r it i s u sual ly s o fe are d an d wh at m arvelo us adventures yo u m et with i n it fo r i t i s i mp o ss ibl e t o e scap e with out ” s o m eth i n g o f th e s o rt H u l d b r a n d fe l t a sl i g ht sh udder at th is rem em b rance and lo oke d i nvol u ntarily t o ward th e w i ndow fo r it s eem e d t o h im as i f o ne o f th e stran ge fi gures h e h ad e ncountered i n th e fore st were gri nni n g i n th ere ; b u t h e saw noth i n ut th e d eep d ark ni ht h ich h ad ,
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UNDIN E
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now sh roude d eve rythi ng w ithout Upon th i s h e com posed h im sel f a nd wa s on th e point o f begi nning h i s l ittl e hi story when the ol d man i nte rrupte d h im by “ saying : ot so s i r knight ! th i s i s no fit hour for suc h things Undine howeve r spran angrily from he r l ittl e stool and standi n g strai gh t b e fore th e fi sh e r ma n with h e r fai r a rm s fi xe d i n h e r S i des she e cl ai m ed : H e shal l n ot t el l h i s sto ry fat h e r ? H e shal l no t ? B ut it i s y wil l e sh a l l ! H e sh al l i n sp ite ” o f yo u ! A n d th us s ayi ng sh e stampe d h e r p retty l ittle foo t veh em ently o n th e fl o o r b ut sh e did it a l l with s uch a c om ically grac e ful ai r th at H u l d b r a n d n o w fel t h is gaz e alm o s t m o re riv ete d up o n h er i n h e r an ge r th an b efo re i n h e r ge n tle ne s s Th e re st rai ne d wrath o f the ol d m an o n th e c o n b urst fo rth v i o l ently H e s everely reprove d t r ar y U ndi ne s d i so ed i e nc e and un ec o m i n g b eh av i o r to th e stran ge r a nd h i s go o d o l d w i fe j o i ne d with h i m he art i ly U ndi ne qu i ckly reto rte d : I f you want t o c h i de m e and wo n t d o wh at I wi sh th e n sl eep alo ne i n y o u r ” o l d sm oky h ut ! an d swi ft as an arro w sh e fl e w fro th e roo m and e d i nto th e dark ni ght .
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ND I NE H A D C O ME T O T HE F I SH E R M A N
WAY U
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an d th e fi sh erm an s p ran g fro m th ei r s eat s an d were o n th e po int o f fol lo wi ng th e an gry girl B efo re th ey reach ed th e cott age do o r h o wever U nd i ne h ad l o n g vani sh e d i n th e sh ad o wy darkne ss with o ut an d n o t eve n th e so un d o f h e r li gh t fo otstep s b etraye d th e di recti o n o f h e r fl i gh t H u l d b r a n d l o oke d i nq ui rin gly at h i s h o st ; it al m ost s e em e d t o h i m as i f th e wh ol e s we et apparitio n wh i ch h ad s ud denly m e rge d agai n i nto th e ni ght were n o th i n g el s e th an o ne o f th at b an d o f th e wo n derful form s wh i ch h ad b ut a sho rt ti me si nc e c arri e d o n th e i r p rank s with h i m i n th e fo rest B ut th e ol d m an m ur “ m ure d b etwee n h i s t eeth : Th i s i s no t th e fi rst tim e th at sh e h as t reated us i n th i s way o w w e h av e ach i n g h earts and sl eepl es s eye s th e wh ol e ni gh t th ro u gh ; fo r wh o k nows th at sh e m ay no t s o m e day c o m e t o h arm i f sh e i s th u s o ut alon e i n th e dark ” unti l dayli ght ” “ Th e n l et u s fo r Go d s sake fol l o w h e r c ri ed H ul d b rand anxi ously ” “ ? Wh at woul d b e th e go o d o f it rep l ie d th e ol d “ m an I t wo ul d b e a si n were I to all ow yo u al l alo ne t o fol l ow th e fo oli sh gi rl i n th e s ol itary ni ght and m y ol d l i mb s w oul d no t ove rtake th e w i ld runaway ev en ” i f we k new i n wh at di re cti o n sh e h ad go ne “ W e h ad b etter at any rate c all afte r er an d b e .
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sh oul d h ear i n wh at m an ner Un di ne h ad fi rst c o e t o th e c o tt a ge H e the refo re b e gan a s fol lows “ I t i s no w abo ut fiftee n years ago th at I was o ne day c ro s si ng th e wi l d fo rest w ith m y goo ds o n m y way to th e c ity y wi fe h ad stayed at h om e as h e r wo nt i s and at th i s p articular t im e fo r a v e ry go o d reas o n fo r Go d h ad give n u s i n o u r tol erab ly a d v a n c e d a ge a wo nde rfully eaut iful ch i l d I t was a l ittl e gi rl ; an d a q uest io n al ready aro s e b etwee n u s wh eth e r fo r th e s ak e o f th e ne w co m e r we wo ul d n ot l eav e ou r l ovely h om e that we m i gh t b etter b r ng u p th i s dear gi ft o f h eave n i n so m e m o re hab itab l e plac e Po or p eopl e indee d cannot do i n such c ase s a s you m ay th i nk th ey ou ght s i r k ni gh t but with Go d s bl essi n g every o n e m u st d o wh at h e c an We ll t h e m atte r was to lerably i n m y he ad as I we nt al o n g Th i s s l ip o f land was s o d ea r to m e an d I sh udde re d wh en ami d th e ‘ no i se and b rawl s o f th e c ity I th ou gh t to myself I n such s ce nes as th e se o r i n o ne no t m uc h m ore q uiet th ou wi lt al so s o on m ak e thy ab od e ! B ut at th e sam e tim e I di d n ot m urmu r agai n st th e go o d G od ; o n th e c o nt rary I th anke d h i m i n s ec ret fo r th e ne w b o rn b ab e ; I sh oul d b e tell in g a li e to o were I to s ay th at o n m y j ourney th rou gh th e wo od go i n g o r returni n g anyth i ng b efel l m e o ut o f th e c o m m o n way an d at that ti me I h ad neve r se e n any o f its fearful wo nders Th e o rd was eve r with m e i n th o se myst eri ous S hades A s he S pok e h e to ok h i s l ittl e cap fro m h i s b al d h ead and re maine d fo r a tim e o c cup i ed wi th p rayerful th ou ghts ; h e th e n c ove re d h im sel f agai n and c o n ,
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t inu e d : “
On
th i s sid e th e fo rest al as ! a so rro w awaite d m e y wi fe c am e t o m eet m e with tearful eye s and c lad i n ‘ ‘ m ourni ng h ! Go o d G od ! I groaned wh e re i s ou r ‘ ho a e d e ar ch il d ? Sp eak ! With h i m o n you
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called dear hus and sh e repl ied ; an d w e no w entere d th e cottage to geth e r weep i n g s il ently I lo oked aroun d fo r th e littl e co rp se a nd i t was the n o nly that I learne d h ow it h a d all h app en ed “ y w ife h ad b ee n s itti n g with th e ch il d o n th e ed ge o f th e l ake and as sh e was p l ayi n g with i t fre e o f all fear an d ful l o f h app i nes s th e l ittl e o ne suddenly b e nt fo rward a s i f attr a ct ed b y s o eth i n g v ery b eauti ful i n th e wate r y wi fe s aw h e r laugh th e dear an gel an d stretch o ut h e r l ittl e h ands b u t i n a m om ent S h e h ad sp run g o ut o f h e r m oth er s arm s an d h ad sunk b e neath th e wate ry m irro r I sou gh t lo n fo r o u r l itt l e l os t o ne ; ut i t was al l i n vai n ; th ere was no trac e o f h e r t o b e fo und “ Th e sam e eve ni n g we ch il d le s s p are nts were sit tin g s i l ently to g e th er i n th e c o ttage ; neith e r o f us h ad any desi re to talk eve n h ad ou r tears allo we d u s We s at gaz in g i nto th e fire o n th e h e a r th P rese ntly w e h eard so meth i n g rustli n g o utsi de th e do o r ; i t fl e w o pe n and a e auti ful l ittl e gi rl th re e o r fou r years o l d ri ch ly d res se d stoo d o n th e th res h o l d s m il i n g at u s We we re quite d um wit h asto ni sh m e nt and I k new not at fi rst wh eth e r it we re a v i si o n o r a real ity B ut I s aw th e w ate r dripp in g fro m h e r go l de n h ai r and ri ch gar ent s a n d I p e rce ived th at th e p ret ty c h i l d h ad b ee n ‘ lyin g i n th e wate r an d ne e de d h el p Wi fe sai d I ‘ no o ne h as b e e n ab l e t o s av e o ur d ea r ch i ld ; yet l et us at any rate d o fo r oth e rs wh at wo ul d h ave m ade us s o b le ssed We u nd re s se d th e little o n e put h e r to b ed and gav e h e r s o m eth i n g warm ; at all th i s sh e spok e n ot a word and o nly fixe d h er eyes t at re ected th e lue o f th e lak e and o f th e S k y s m il i ngl y up o n us ext m o rni n w e q ui ckly p e rce ive d that sh e h ad take n no h arm fro m h e r wetti ng an d no w i nqui r ed ab o ut h e r p arent s an d h o w sh e h ad c o m e h e re B ut S h e gave a c o nfus ed an d stran ge ac co unt Sh e ust h av e ee n ,
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F
A M O U S TA LE S
OF
W O N D ER
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b o rn far fro m h e re not o nly b ec au se fo r th es e fi ftee n years I h ave n ot b e en ab le t o fi nd o ut anyt h in g o f h er parentage b ut b e cau s e sh e th en sp ok e an d at ti m e s still sp e aks o f s uc h s i ngular th i n gs th at s uch as w e ar e c annot tel l b ut th at sh e m ay h av e d ropp e d upo n u s from th e m o o n S h e t alks o f go lde n castl es o f c rystal do mes an d h e av en k no w s what b es ide s Th e story th at sh e t ol d with m o st d isti nc tnes s wa s th at sh e was o ut i n a b o at with h er m oth e r o n th e great lak e and fel l i nt o th e wate r an d th at sh e o nly rec o v e red h e r se n se s h ere unde r th e t re e s wh e re sh e felt h e rs el f quite h appy o n th e m e rry sh ore We h ad sti l l a great m is giving and p e rp l exity we i gh e d o n o u r h eart We h ad i n dee d s oo n dec ide d to ke ep th e ch il d we h a d found and t o b ri n g h er up i n th e p l ac e o f o u r lo st darl i n g ; b ut wh o c o uld tel l u s wh ethe r sh e h ad b ee n b aptize d o r not ? Sh e h ers e lf co uld giv e u s n o i n fo rm ati o n o n th e m atte r Sh e gen e ral ly answe re d o ur questi o ns b y sayin g th at sh e wel l k ne w sh e was c reate d fo r Go d s p rai se an d glo ry an d th at sh e was ready to l et u s d o with h er wh ateve r wo ul d t end t o H i s h o no r and gl o ry “ y w i fe and I th o ugh t th at i f S h e were not b ap t i z e d th ere was n o ti m e fo r d elay an d th at i f sh e we re a goo d th i n g c o ul d no t b e rep eate d to o o fte n An d i n p ursuanc e o f th i s i dea w e refl ecte d up o n a go o d nam e fo r th e ch il d fo r w e no w we re o ft e n at a l o ss to kn ow wh at to c all h e r We a gre e d at l ast th at o roth ea wo ul d b e th e m o s t s uitab le fo r h e r fo r I o nc e h ear d th at i t m eant a gift o f Go d and sh e h ad s urely b ee n s ent to u s by Go d as a gi ft an d c o mfo r t i n our m i s ery Sh e o n th e oth e r h and woul d not h e ar o f th i s an d t ol d us t h at sh e th ou gh t sh e had b ee n c all e d Un di ne b y h e r parents an d th at Und ine sh e w i sh ed stil l t o e c all e d o w thi s app eared t o m e a h eath e ni sh nam e not to b e fou nd i n any cal endar an d I t ook c o unsel t erefo re o f a p ri est i n th e city H e al so woul d not ,
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20
UNDINE
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h ear o f th e nam e o f Undi n e b ut at m y earnest re que st h e c am e w ith m e th rou gh th e mysterio u s fo re st i n or der t o p e rfo rm th e rite o f b apt ism h ere i n my c ot ta ge Th e l ittle o n e sto o d b efo re u s so p rettily ar rayed and l o oked s o ch arm i n g th a t th e p ri es t s h eart was at o nc e m ove d with i n h i m an d sh e fl attere d h i m so p rett ily an d brav e d hi m s o m erri ly th at at l ast h e c o ul d n o l o nger rem emb e r th e O bj ecti o n s h e h ad h ad ready agai nst th e nam e o f U ndi ne S h e was the re ‘ fo re b aptize d U ndi ne an d duri n g the sac red c e re m o ny S h e b eh ave d with great p rop ri ety an d s we etness w ild and re stl e ss as sh e i nvari ab ly was at oth er ti me s o r my wi fe was q uite ri ght wh e n sh e sai d that it h as bee n h ard t o put up with h e r I f I we re to t ell yo u Th e kni g h t i nte rrupte d th e fi sh e rm a n to dr a w h i s a t tenti o n to a no i s e as o f a rush i n g fl o o d o f waters wh i ch h ad cau gh t h i s e ar du ri n g th e ol d m an s t alk and wh i ch no w b urst a gai nst th e cotta ge wi n do w with r e doub le d fu ry B oth sp ran g t o th e do o r Th ere th ey s aw b y th e li ght o f th e n o w ri se n m o o n th e b ro o k wh i ch i ssue d fro m th e wo o d wi dely overfl o wi ng i ts ank s an d wh irl i n g away sto ne s an d b ranch es o f tre es i n its s weep in g co u rse Th e sto rm as i f awake ned by th e tum ult b u rst fo rth fro m th e m i ghty clo u ds wh ich p as sed rapi dly ac ro s s t h e m o o n ; th e lak e roare d un der th e furi ous lash in g o f t h e w i n d ; th e tree s o f th e l ittl e p e ni nsul a groaned fro m ro o t t o t op m o st b o u gh an d “ b e nt as i f re el i n g ov e r th e surgi n g waters Undi ne ! ” fo r H eave n s s ake U ndi ne ! c ri e d th e two m e n i n al arm o ans we r w a s r e t u r n e d an d re gardle ss o f eve ry oth er c o n s ide ratio n th ey ran o ut O f th e c ottage o ne i n th i s di rectio n and th e o th e r i n that s earc h n a nd c a n ,
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4
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C H AP T R I I I H
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l on ge r H u ld b r a n d s o u gh t Undi ne b e neath th e shades o f n i ght and fai l e d to fi nd h e r th e m o re anx ou s an d c o nfus e d di d h e b eco m e Th e i dea that U ndi ne h ad b ee n o nly a m ere app aritio n o f the fo re st a gai n gai ned asc e ndency over h i m ; i ndee d am i d th e h o wli n g o f th e wav es an d th e temp est th e c racki n g o f th e tree s and th e c o mpl e t e t ransfo rmati o n o f a sc e ne lately s o cal m ly b e auti ful h e could alm o st h ave c o nsi de re d th e wh o l e p e ni nsul a with it s cottage and its i nh ab itants as a m o cki n g i llus ive v i sio n ; b ut fro m a far h e still ever h e ard th ro ugh th e tum ult th e fi s h e r m a n s anxi ou s c al l fo r Undi ne an d t h e l o ud p ray n g and si n gi n g of h i s age d wi fe At l en gth h e c am e cl o s e t o th e b ri nk o f th e s wo lle n stream an d saw i n th e m o o nl i gh t h ow i t h ad tak en it s wil d c o urse di r e ctly i n fro nt o f th e h aunte d fo rest s o as to ch an ge th e p e ni n ” sul a i nt o an i s lan d h Go d ! h e th ou gh t to h i m sel f “ i f Undin e h as v entu re d a step i nto th at fearful fo rest p e rh ap s i n h e r ch arm i n g wil lful ne s s j u st b ec aus e I was not all o wed to tel l h e r ab out it ; and no w th e st ream m ay b e ro ll i n g b etwe e n us and S h e m ay b e weepin o n th e oth er si de al o ne amo n g ph anto m s and s p e c t e r s l A c ry o f h o r ro r e scape d h i m an d h e clamb e re d d o wn som e ro cks and overth ro wn p i ne stem s i n o rde r to reach th e ru sh i n g st ream and b y wad i n g o r swi mm i n g t o se ek th e fu gitive o n th e o th e r s i de H e re m em e re d al l the awful and wo nderful th i n g s h ic h e h a d H
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e nco unte red eve n y day u nde r th e now ru stlin a n d roari n g b ranch e s o f th e forest Ab ov e al l it seeme d to h i m as i f a tal l m an i n wh ite who m h e k ne w b ut to o wel l was ri nn in g and no dd in g o n th e oppo site sho re ; b ut it was j ust th es e m o nst rou s fo rm s wh i ch fo rc ibly i m p elle d h i m t o c ro ss th e fl o o d as th e th ough t sei zed h i m th at Undi n e m i ght b e am o n g the m i n th e a go nie s o f deat h and al o n e H e h ad al ready grasp e d th e stro n g b ranch o f a p ine and was standi n g supp o rte d by it i n th e wh irl in g c ur rent a gai nst wh i ch h e c oul d with d i flfic u l t y m ai ntai n h im s el f ; th ou gh with a c ou ra ge o us sp i rit h e advanc e d deep e r i nt o I t Just th e n a ge ntle v o i c e exclaim e d “ near h im : Ve nture no t venture not th e o l d m an th e ” stream i s ful l o f tr cks ! H e k ne w th e s weet to ne s ; h e sto o d as i f e ntrance d b eneath th e sh ado w s th at d u s k i l y sh roude d th e m o o n an d h i s h e ad s wam with th e swel l i n g o f th e wave s wh i ch h e n o w s aw rap i dly ris i n g to hi s wai st St ill h e woul d not de s i st I f th o u a rt not really th ere i f th o u art o nly fl o a t in g ab o ut m e l ik e a m ist th e n m ay I to o c eas e to live ” and b ec om e a s h ado w l ike the e dear d ear U ndi n e ! Thus ex claim i n g al o ud h e agai n step p e d de ep er i nto “ th e stream o o k rou nd th ee o h ! l o o k rou nd th ee ” b eauti ful b ut i nfatuate d yo uth ! c rie d a vo i c e a gai n cl o s e e s id e h i m a n d l o oki n g as ide h e s aw by th e m om entarily u nvei l e d m o o n a l ittl e i sland fo rm e d by th e fl o o d o n wh ich h e p e rc eive d u nde r th e i nte r we ave d b ranch e s o f th e ove rh an gi n g tree s U nd i n e s m i li n g an d h appy ne stl i n g i n th e fl o we ry gras s h ! h o w m uc h m o re gl adly th an b efo re d i d th e youn g m an no w u s e th e ai d o f h i s p i ne b ranch ! W ith a fe w step s h e h a d c ro s s ed th e fl oo d wh i c h as rush i n g b etw ee n h im an d th e m ai d en and h e was standi ng b e si d e h e r o n a littl e sp ot o f turf s afely guarde d an d s c re ene d by the go o d o ld t ree s Undi n e ,
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23
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h al f rai s e d h e rs el f and no w u nde r th e gree n l eafy t ent sh e th re w h er arm s aro un d h i s neck and drew h im d own b e si de h er o n h er s o ft s eat “ Yo u s hall tel l m e yo ur story h e re b eauti ful fri end “ s a i d she i n a l ow wh i sp e r ; th e c ros s ol d p eop le can not h ear u s h e re ; an d o u r ro o f of l eave s i s j ust as ” goo d a sh elte r as th e i r p o o r c ottage “ ” I t i s heave n i tse l f ! s ai d H u l d b r a n d embrac i n g th e b eautiful girl and ki s si n g h er fervently Th e ol d fi sh erm an m e anwh i le h ad com e t o th e e d ge o f th e stream a nd sho ute d ac ro ss to th e two yo u ng “ peo p l e : Wh y s i r k ni ght I h ave rece ive d yo u as o ne h o nest h earte d m an i s wo nt t o rec e iv e an oth e r and no w h e re yo u are c aressi n g my foste r ch il d i n s ecret and letti n g m e ru n h ith er and th ith er th rou gh th e ni gh t ” i n anxi o us s earch o f h e r “ I ha v e o nly j ust fou n d h er mysel f ol d fathe r r e tu rne d th e k ni ght “ s ai d th e fi sh erm an ; b ut no w S o m uch th e b ette r b ri n g h e r ac ro s s to m e w ith out del ay up o n firm ” ground Un di ne h o weve r wo ul d n ot h ear o f th i s ; sh e de c l a r e d she wo uld rath e r go with th e e auti ful stran ge r i nto th e w i ld fo rest itsel f th an return to th e c ottage wh ere n o o ne di d as sh e wish ed and fro m wh i ch th e b eaut i ful k ni ght woul d h i mse lf dep art s oo ner o r later Th en th ro wi n g h e r arm s ro und H u l d b r a n d she s an g with i nde sc rib ab l e grac e -
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A stream ra n out o f the m is ty val e I ts fortun es t o obtai n I n th e o cean s depth s it fo und a h o m e A nd n e e r returne d agai n ,
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Th e o ld fi sh erm an wept b itte rly at h e r so ng b ut th i s ,
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an d readi ly acc e de d t o h e r des i re B re akfast was b ro u ght o ut unde r th e t ree s wh ich s cre ene d th e c o t ta ge fro m th e l ake and th ey s at do wn t o it with c o n te nted h e arts — Undin e o n th e gras s at th e k ni ght s feet th e p l ac e ch o se n by h ers el f H u ld b r a n d th e n p ro ce e d e d W I t h i s sto ry .
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T H AT W H I C H T H TE RE D I TH
T i s no w ab o ut e i gh t days a go s i nc e I ro de i nto th e fre e i mp e rial c ity wh ich l i e s o n th e oth e r si de o f th e fo rest S o o n afte r m y arrival th ere was a sp l endi d t ou rnam e nt an d r unni n g at th e rin g a nd I sp are d ne ith e r my h o rs e no r my lanc e nc e wh e n I was p aus in g at t h e li sts t o re st afte r m y m erry to il and wa s h andi n g b ac k m y h elm et to o ne o f my s qui re s m y attenti o n was att racte d b y a fe m al e fi gu re o f great b eauty wh o was standi n g ri ch ly atti re d o n o ne of th e gall e ri es all ott ed t o sp ect ato rs “ I aske d m y ne i ghb o r an d learne d fro m h i m th at th e nam e o f th e fai r l ady was B e r t a l d a an d th at sh e was th e fo ste r dau ghte r o f o n e o f th e p o we rful duke s l ivi n g i n th e c ou ntry I remark e d that sh e al s o was l o oki n g at m e and as i t i s wo nt to b e with u s yo un g kni ghts I had al ready ridde n b ravely and n o w p ursued m y c ourse with re novate d c o nfi denc e and c o ura ge I n th e danc e th at eve ni n g I was B e r t a l d a s partn er an d I r e ” m ai ne d s o th rou gh o ut th e fe st ival A sh arp p ai n i n h i s l e ft hand wh ich h u n g d ow n by h i s si de h e re i nte rrupte d H u ld b r a n d s n arrative and dre w h i s atte nt io n to th e ach in g p art U ndi n e h ad fastene d h er p e arly te eth u p o n on e of h i s fi ngers a p an d an gry p e a r i n g a t th e sam e ti m e v ery glo om y Su dde nl y h oweve r sh e lo o ke d up i n h i s eye s with an e p re ss io n o f te nde r m elanch o ly and h ispe re d i n a 66
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s o ft vo ic e : I t i s yo ur o wn faul t Th e n sh e h i d h e r fac e and th e k ni ght strangely c o nfus ed a nd th o ught fu l c o nti nue d h i s narrative Th is B e r t a l d a was a hau ghty wayward gi rl v en o n th e sec o nd day S h e p le as e d m e no l o n ger as S h e h ad do ne o n th e fi rst and o n th e th i rd day sti l l le s s Sti ll I c o nti nue d abo ut h er b e caus e sh e was m o re pl easant to m e th an t o any oth er k ni ght an d thus i t w as th at I b e gge d h e r i n j est t o give m e o ne o f he r ‘ glove s I wi ll give it yo u whe n yo u h ave q uite al o ne ‘ exp lo re d th e i ll fam e d fo re st s ai d s h e and c a n b r i ng m e ti di ng s o f its wo nders I t was n ot th at h e r glove was o f such im p o rt anc e t o m e b ut th e wo rd h ad b een sai d an d an h o norab l e k ni gh t wo ul d not all o w h i m sel f to b e urged a sec o nd tim e to s uch a p ro of o f ” v alo r “ I th i nk sh e l ove d you sai d U ndi ne i nterrupti n g him “ I t s eeme d so rep l ie d H u l d b r a n d ” Well excl ai me d th e gi rl lau gh i n g sh e m ust b e stup i d i ndeed t o drive away any o n e dear to h e r An d m o reove r i nto an ill o m e ne d wo o d Th e fo rest and its ” m ysterie s m i gh t h av e waite d l o n g en ou gh fo r m e ” “ Yeste rday m o rnin g c o nti nued th e kni gh t sm i li n g “ ki ndly at U ndi ne I s et o ut o n m y e nte rp ri s e Th e stem s o f th e tree s c au ght th e re d ti nts o f th e mo rni n g l i gh t wh ic h lay b ri ghtly o n th e gree n t urf th e l eav e s see m e d wh i spe ri n g m e rrily with each oth er and i n my h eart I c oul d h ave lau gh e d at th e pe op l e wh o c o ul d h av e exp ecte d anyth i n g to te r ri fy th em in th i s p leasant ‘ sp ot I sh al l s oo n h av e t rott ed th rough th e fo rest th e re and b ack agai n I s ai d to mys el f with a feel i n g o f easy gayety ; an d b efo re I h ad eve n th ou ght o f it I was dee p withi n th e gre e n sh ade s and co ul d n o l o n ge r p erc eive th e pl ai n wh ic h l ay b eh i nd m e Th e n fo r th e fi rst tim e it struck m e th at I m i ght easi ly lo se my way .
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28
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i n th e m i ghty fo rest and th at th i s p erh ap s was th e o nly dan ge r wh ich th e wande rer h ad to fear I the re fo re p au sed a nd l oo ke d ro un d i n th e di rectio n o f the s un wh i ch i n th e m eanwh il e h ad ri se n so m ewh at h i gh e r ab ove th e h o rizo n Wh il e I was th u s lo o ki n g up I s aw s o m eth i n g b lack i n th e b ran ch e s o f a l o fty o ak I th ou ght i t was a be ar an d I graspe d m y s wo rd ; b ut w ith a h um an v o i ce th at s o unded h arsh an d u gly i t ‘ called t o m e fro m ab ove I f I d o not ni b b l e away th e b ranc he s u p h e re S i r al ap ro p wh at sh al l we have ?” t o ro ast y o u w ith at m i d ni ght A nd s o sayi n g i t gri nne d and m ad e th e b ranch e s ru stl e so th at m y h o rs e grew furi o us and rush e d fo rward wi th m e b efo re I h ad ti m e to s e e wh at so rt o f a d ev il it really was ” Yo u m ust not c all it s o sai d th e o l d fi sh e rm an a s h e c ro ss ed h i ms el f ; h i s w ife di d th e s am e s i l e ntl y U n di ne l ooked at th e kni ght wit h sparkl i n g eye s and “ s ai d : Th e b est o f th e sto ry i s th at th ey c e rtai nly hav e ” not ro aste d h i m yet ; go o n now yo u b eauti ful yo uth ! “ Th e kni ght co nti nue d h i s narr a ti o n : y h o rse was s o wil d th at h e al mo st rus h e d wi th m e agai nst th e ste m s an d b ranch e s o f tree s ; h e was dri p p i n g with s weat and yet woul d not su ffe r h i m sel f to b e h el d in A t la st h e went strai ght i n th e di recti o n o f a ro c ky p rec i pi c e ; th e n i t sud de nly se e m e d to m e as i f a tal l wh ite m an th re w h i mse lf acros s th e p ath o f my wil d stee d ; th e h o rs e tre mb led with fear and stopp e d ; I rec overed my h ol d of h im and fo r th e fi rst tim e p erc e ive d th at my del iv erer was no wh ite m an b ut a b ro o k o f si lvery ri ght nes s rush i n g do wn fro m a h il l by m y s i de and ” c ro s s i ng and i mp e di n g m y h o rse s c ours e ” “ Th ank s dear B ro ok exclai m e d Undi ne c lap p i ng h e r littl e h ands Th e o l d m an h o weve r sh o ok h is h ead an d l o oke d do wn i n d eep th ou ght “ I h ad s carce ly s ettl ed mysel f i n the s addle con “ and s e ize d t h e re i ns fi rm ly wh e n a t i n u e d H u ld b r a n d ,
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29
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w o n d erful littl e m an s to o d u gly b eyo n d c oncep tio n
W O N D ER
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at y s ide di i nuti e an d H i s c o mp l ex io n was o f a yell owi s h b ro wn and h i s no s e not much s m aller th an th e rest o f h i s e nti re p ers o n At th e s am e ti m e h e k ep t gri nn in g with stup i d c o u rtesy exh ib iti ng h i s h u ge mo uth and m aki n g a tho usand s crap es and b o w s to m e A S th is farc e was no w b e comi n g i nc o nv eni ent to e I thank e d h i m b riefly an d turned ab o ut my sti ll tre mb li n g stee d thi nki n g e ith e r to s ee k anoth er adve nture o r i n c ase I m et with no ne t o fi nd m y way b ack fo r duri ng m y wi l d ch ase th e s u n h ad al ready p as s ed th e m e ri dian ; b ut th e l ittl e fell o w sp ran g ro un d w ith the sp ee d o f l i ght ni n g an d sto o d agai n b e fo re my ‘ ‘ h o rs e Ro o m ! I c ri e d angrily ; th e a n i m a l i s wi l d ‘ an d m ay eas i ly ru n ov er yo u A y a y ! s n arl e d the ‘ mp with a gri n st ill m o re h o rrib ly stup id Give m e dri nk mo n ey for I h av e sto pp e d yo u r fi rst s om e h ors e ; with o ut m e yo u and yo u r ho rs e wo ul d b e no w ‘ oth lyi n g i n th e sto ny rav i ne ; u gh ! o n t m ake any ‘ m o re face s s ai d I and take yo ur m o ney eve n i f yo u are tel l i n g l ies ; fo r s ee i t w as th e go o d b ro o k th e re th at s ave d m e and not yo u yo u m i se rab l e wi ght ! A n d at th e sam e t i m e I dropp e d a p i ec e o f gol d i nto h i s gro tesq ue cap wh i c h h e h ad take n o ff i n h i s b e g gin g I th e n trotte d o n ; b ut h e s c ream e d after m e and sud de nly with i nco nc eivab l e qu ick ne ss was at m y s i de I u rge d m y h o rse i nto a gallop ; th e i mp ran to o m ak i n g at th e sam e t im e stran ge c o nto rt i o ns with h i s o dy h al f ri diculou s h al f h o rribl e and h o l di n g u p th e gol d ‘ p i ec e e c ri ed at every l eap al s e m o ney ! fals e c o i n ! fals e c o i n ! fal s e m o ney ! and th i s h e uttered with such a h ol l o w s oun d th at o ne w oul d h ave s upp os e d th at afte r every s cream h e wo uld hav e fall e n dead t o th e gro und “ H i s h o rri d red to n gue m o reove r hun g far out o f h i s ‘ outh I stop p e d p e rpl ex ed an d aske d Wh at do you ,
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m ean y th i s s c re am i ng ? Tak e anoth e r p iec e o f o l d take two ; ut l eav e m e H e th e n b e gan agai n h i s ‘ h ideo us url es qu e o f p olite ne s s and s n arle d o ut : ot go ld n o t gol d my you ng gentlem an I h ave to o m uch o f th at tras h mysel f a s I ill S h o w yo u at o nc e ! “ Suddenly i t s ee m e d t o e as i f I c o ul d se e th ro u gh th e so l i d s o i l as th o u gh i t we re gree n glas s an d th e s m o oth earth we re as ro u nd as a b al l ; and with i n a m ultitude o f gob li ns we re m ak i n g sp o rt w ith s i lve r and go l d h ead o ve r h eels th ey w e re rol li n g ab o ut p elt i n g eac h oth e r i n j e st with th e p re c io us m etals and p rovoki ngly b lo wi n g th e gol d dust i n each o th er s eye s y h i deo us c o mp ani o n s to o d p artly with i n and p artly w ith o ut ; h e o rde red th e oth ers to re ach h i m up h e ap s o f gol d and s ho wi n g it to m e with a l au gh h e th e n un it b ack agai n with a ri n gi n g no is e i nto th e i m m e asurabl e abys s “ H e th e n sh o we d th e pie c e o f gol d I h ad give n h i m to th e gobl i ns b el o w and th ey l au gh e d the m s e lv e s hal f dead ove r i t an d h i s se d at m e At last th ey a ll p o i nte d at m e w ith th e i r m etal stai ne d fi n ge rs an d m o re an d m ore il dly and m o re an d m o re de ns ely and m o re an d m o re m adly th e s warm o f sp i ri ts cam e c l amb eri ng up t o m e I was s eized with t e rro r as my o rs e h a d ee n b e fo re ; I p ut spurs to h i m and I kno w n ot o w far I gall ope d fo r th e s ec o nd ti m e wi ldly i nto th e forest “ At l en gth wh e n I agai n h alte d th e c oo l ne s s O f ev e n in g was aro u nd m e Th rou gh th e b ranch es o f th e t ree s I s aw a h it e fo ot p at h gl e am i n g wh i c h I fanci e d m u st l ead fro m th e fo res t to ward th e c ity I was anxi ou s t o wo rk m y w a y i n th at d i recti o n ; b ut a fac e p erfectly wh ite an d i ndi sti nct w ith features eve r changi n kep t p ee ri n g at m e b etwee n th e l eaves ; I tri e d to avo i d it b ut wh e reve r I we nt i t appe ared al s o nra ge d at t i s I det e r i ne d a t l ast t o ri d e at t ,
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wh e n i t gushe d fo rth vo l um es o f fo am up o n m e an d my h o rs e obl i gi n g us h al f bl in de d to ake a rap i d r e treat Thu s i t drov e us step by step ev er away fro m th e fo ot p ath l e av i n g t he way op e n to u s o nly i n o ne d i re ctio n Wh e n we advance d i n th i s d irecti o n it kep t i nde ed c lo s e b eh i nd u s ut d i d not do u s the sli ghte st h arm “ o ok i n g aro und at i t o c c asio nall y I p erc eive d th at th e white fac e th at h ad b es p ri nkle d u s w ith foam b e lo nge d to a fo rm e qual ly wh ite and o f gi ganti c sta tu re any a t im e I tho u gh t th at it was a m ovi n g stream b ut I co ul d neve r c o nvi nc e mys elf on th e s ub j e c t Wearie d o ut th e h o rs e and h i s ri de r yi el ded t o th e i m p el li n g p owe r o f th e wh it e m an wh o kep t no d ‘ di ng h i s h ead as i i h e wo ul d say Q u ite ri gh t quite ri ght ! A nd thu s at l ast we c am e o ut h e re to th e e nd o f th e forest wh ere I saw th e turf and th e l ake and you r l ittl e c ottage and wh ere th e tal l wh ite m an d i s a p
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I t s well that h e s go ne sai d the O l d fi sh erm an ; an d n ow h e b e gan to talk o f th e b est way by wh ic h h i s guest c oul d return t o h i s frie nd s i n th e c ity Up o n th is Undi ne b e gan to l au gh slyly to h ersel f ; H u l d b r a n d “ obs erve d it and s ai d : I th o ugh t you we re glad to s ee m e h ere ; why the n d o yo u no w rej o ice wh en my de ” p arture i s tal ked o f ? “ B ecaus e yo u can not go away re pl i ed U nd i ne Ju st try it o nce to c ro ss th at o ve r fl o we d fo rest stre am with a b oat w ith yo ur h o rs e o r al o uc as yo u m ay fancy r rath e r do n t try it fo r yo u wo ul d b e dash ed to p iec e s b y th e sto nes and t r u nk s o f t ree s wh ich are carri e d d o w n by it with th e spe ed o f li gh t nin g And as to th e l ak e I k now it we ll ; fath er d are not ve nture out far e no u gh w ith h i s b o at H u l d b r a n d ro s e s mil i ng i n o rde r to se e wh eth e r th in g s were a s U nd ine h ad said ; th e ol d m a n a e c o ,
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32
m
E
C H A PT R V H
OW
TH
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K
N I G H T L I V ED O N P R O MO N T O RY
TH
E L I TT LE
FT E R
h avi n g b ee n m uch d rive n to and fro i n the wo rld you h ave p erh ap s m y dear reader reac h e d at l e ngth so m e s po t wh ere al l was well with th ee ; wh e re th e l ove fo r h o m e and its c alm p e ac e i nnate to al l has again S p run g up w ith i n th ee ; wh ere th ou h as t th ou ght that th i s h o m e wa s ri ch with al l th e o wers o f ch i ldh oo d and o f th e p urest de ep est l ove th at re st s up o n th e grav es o f th o s e th at are go n e an d th o u h ast felt it m ust b e go o d to d well h e re and to uil d h ab itati o ns ve n i f th o u h ast e rre d i n th is and h ast h ad afterward itterly t o ato ne fo r th e erro r that i s n oth i n g t o th e p urp os e no w an d th o u wo ul dst not i n d e e d v o l u n t a r i ly sadde n th ys el f with th e n u p l eas ant r eco ll ectio ns B ut recal l th at i nexp res sib ly sweet fo reb o di n g that a ngel ic s ens e o f peac e and th ou wi lt kno w s om e wh at o f th e k ni ght H u l d b r a n d s feel i n gs d uri n g h i s ab o d e o n th e l ittle p ro m onto ry H e o ften p e rc eiv e d with hearty s ati sfacti o n th at th e forest stream rol l ed alo n g eve ry day m o re wil dly m aki n g i ts b ed eve r b roader an d b roade r and p ro lo n g i n g h is s oj ou rn o n th e i sl an d to an i ndefi n it e p erio d Part o f th e day h e rambl e d ab out with an o l d c ro s s bo w w i ch h e h ad fo und i n a c orne r o f th e c otta ge an d h ad rep ai re d ; and watch i n g fo r th e water fowl h e ki ll ed al l th at h e c oul d fo r th e c otta ge kitch e n Wh e n h e b rou ght h is b o oty h o m e Un di ne rarely ne glecte d t o ,
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34
UN DI N E
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upb rai d i m with h avi ng s o c ruel ly deprived th e h appy b ird s o f l i fe ; i ndee d she o ften wep t b itterly at th e si gh t h e p lac ed be fore h e r B ut i f h e c am e h om e a n oth er ti m e with out h avi n g sh o t anyth i n g she sco lde d h i m no l e ss se rio u sly s i nce no w from h is c arele s sne s s and want o f sk ill th ey h ad t o e sati sfie d with l ivi n g o n fi s h H e al ways del i ghted h eartily i n h e r grac e ful l ittl e s c ol di n gs al l th e m o re as sh e ge ne rally st rove to co mp e nsate fo r h e r i ll h um o r b y th e s weet e st c ares se s Th e o l d p e op le to ok pleasure i n th e i nti macy of th e y oun g p ai r ; th ey re garde d th e m as b etroth ed o r eve n as al ready u nite d i n m arria ge an d l iv in g o n th i s iso late d s p ot as a s uc c o r and sup p o rt t o th em i n the i r o l d a ge I t was th i s s am e se ns e o f se cl usi o n th at su gge ste d th e i d ea al s o t o H u ld b r a n d s m i nd th at h e was al ready Und i ne s accepted o n e H e fe lt as i f there we re n o worl d b eyo nd the s e s urro undin g wate rs o r as i f h e c o ul d n ev e r recro s s th em t o m i n gl e ith oth e r m en ; a nd wh e n at ti me s h i s graz i n g h o rse woul d nei gh a s i f i nq ui ri ngly to rem i nd h i m o f kni gh tly deed s o r wh e n th e c o at o f arm s o n h i s emb ro i de re d s addle and h o rs e ge ar sh o n e sternly up o n h im o r wh e n h i s b eautiful s wo rd wo ul d sudde nly fal l fro m th e nai l o n wh ic h it was h an gi n g i n th e c ottage gl i di n g fro th e sc abb ard as i t fel l h e wo ul d qui et th e d oubts o f h i s m i nd by say “ i ng : Undi ne i s no fi sh e r m a n s dau gh te r ; sh e b el o ngs ” i n al l p rob abi l ity to s o m e il l ustri ous fam ily ab ro ad Th e re was o nl y o ne th i n g to wh i ch h e h ad a st ron g avers i o n and th i s w as wh e n th e ol d dam e rep rove d Undi ne i n h i s p re se n ce Th e wayward girl i t i s true lau gh e d at i t fo r th e m o st p a rt with out attempti n g t o c on ceal er m irth ; b ut it s ee me d to h i m as i f h i s h o no r we re c o nc e rned and yet h e c oul d not b lam e th e o l d ife , fo r Undi ne al ways de se rve d at l east fi sh e r m a n s t e n t ime s as any rep ro o fs as sh e rec e ived ; s o i n h is .
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35
A
F MO
U S TA LE S
OF
W O N D ER
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h eart h e felt th e alanc e i n favo r o f th e o l d wo an an d h i s wh ol e l i fe fl o we d o nward i n c al m e nj oym e nt Th er e c a e h o weve r an i nterrupti o n at l ast Th e fi sh e rma n and th e kn i ght h ad b e en acc usto me d at th ei r m i dday m e al an d al so i n th e eve ni n g wh e n th e w in d ro are d with out as i t was always w o nt to do to ward ni ght t o e nj oy to geth e r a ask o f w i ne B ut no w th e sto re wh i ch th e fi sh e rm an h ad fro m ti m e t o t im e b ro ugh t with h i m fro m th e t o wn was exh auste d and th e t wo m e n we re q uite o ut o f hum o r i n c o nse que nc e U nd i ne lau gh e d at th e m exce ss iv ely al l day b ut th ey were neith e r o f the m m erry e no u gh t o mm I n h er j e st s as us ual To ward eve ni n g s h e we nt out o f th e c ot t age to avo i d as sh e said t wo s uch lo n g and ti re so m e fac es A S twi li ght advance d th ere were agai n tok ens o f a sto rm an d th e wate rs rus h ed an d ro ared ul l o f al arm th e k ni gh t an d th e fi sh e rm an sp ran g to th e do o r to b ri n g h o m e th e gi rl rem emb e ri n g th e anx iety o f that n i gh t wh e n H u ld b r a n d h ad fi rst c o m e to th e c ottage Undi ne h o wev er m et the m c l ap p i n g h e r ” l ittl e h and s w ith d el i ght Wh at wi l l yo u give m e ” “ ? to p rovi de yo u with w i ne o r rath e r yo u S h e s ai d “ ” ne ed no t give m e anyth i n g sh e c o nti nued fo r I am satis fie d i f yo u w i ll l o o k m e rri e r a nd b e i n b ette r sp iri ts than yo u have b e en th rou gh out th i s w hol e weari som e day nly c o e w ith m e ; th e fo re st stream has drive n ash o r e a cas k an d I w il l e c o ndem ne d t o s leep th rou gh a wh o l e we ek i f i t i s n o t a wi ne c ask Th e m en fo ll o wed h e r an d i n a s helte re d creek o n th e sh o re th ey actually found a c ask wh i c h i nspi red th e m with th e h op e that it c o ntai ne d th e ge nero us d ri nk fo r wh i ch th ey we re th i rst in g Th ey at o nce ro lled i t as q uickly as po s sibl e toward th e c ottage fo r th e weste rn sky wa s ov erc ast with h eavy sto rm cl oud s and th ey c oul d ob s erve i n the twi l i g ht th e a e s o f th e l ak e rai si n g th ei r h ite f o a ,
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36
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UNDINE
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i n g h eads as i f l o ok i n g out fo r th e rai n wh ic h was p rese ntly t o p o u r do wn up o n th em U ndi ne h el p e d th e m e n as m uch as sh e was abl e and wh e n th e storm o f rai n suddenly b urst ove r th em sh e s ai d w ith a m erry th reat to th e h e avy c lo ud s Co m e c o m e t ake c are that yo u d o n t wet u s ; w e are s ti ll s om e way ” fro m sh elte r Th e o l d m an rep rove d h e r fo r th i s as s i mp le p resum ptio n b ut sh e l au ghe d s o ftly to h e rs elf a nd n o m i sch ief b e fe l l any o ne i n c o n s equ e nc e o f h er l evity ay m o re ; c o ntrary t o al l ex pe ctat io ns th ey r eac h e d th e c o m fo rtab l e h earth with t he i r b o oty p e r fe c t l y dry an d it was no t t i ll th ey h ad op e ne d th e c ask and h ad p rove d th at i t c o ntai ned s o m e wo nder ful ly e xcel le nt wi ne th at th e rai n b u rst fo rth fro m th e d ark c l ou d and th e st o rm ra ge d am o n g th e top s o f th e t ree s and ove r th e agitate d b il lo ws o f t h e l ak e S eve ral b ottle s we re s oo n fi l l e d fro m th e great c ask whi ch p rom i se d a s upp ly fo r m any days and they wer e s itti n g dri nki n g an d j e sti n g aro u n d th e gl o wi n g fi re feel i n g c o m fo rtab ly sec ure d fro m the ra gi n g sto rm with o ut S udde nly th e o l d fi sh e rm a n b ec am e ve ry “ grave and said : Ah great Go d ! H e re we ar e r e jo i c i n g ove r th i s ric h tre asu re and h e to wh o m it o nc e b el on ge d an d o f wh o m th e oo d s h av e robb e d it h as p rob abl y l o st h i s p rec i o us l i fe i n the i r wate rs “ ” Th at h e h as not de clared Un di ne a s sh e sm i l in gly fil le d th e k ni gh t s c u p to th e b ri m “ B ut H u l d b r a n d rep li ed : B y m y h o n o r o l d fath e r i f I k new wh e re t o fi nd an d to re sc ue h i m n o kni ghtl y e rrand an d no d an ge r woul d I S h i rk S o m uch h o w ever I c an p ro m i se you th at i f eve r a gai n I reac h m o re i nh ab it ed l a n d s I will fi n d o ut th e o wn e r o f th i s wi ne ” o r h i s h e i rs and requite i t two fol d ; nay th ree fo l d Th i s del i ghte d th e o l d m an ; h e n o dd ed app rovi n gly t o th e k ni ght and drai ne d h i s c up with a b ette r c o n science a nd gr eate r p l eas ure ,
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37
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A
F MO
U S TA LE S
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W O N D ER
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D
Undi ne h o weve r s ai d t o H u l d b r a n d : o as yo u w il l with your go l d and yo u r rei mb ursem ent ; b ut yo u sp ok e foo l i sh ly ab o ut th e v e ntu ri n g o ut i n s e arch ; I sh oul d c ry my eye s o ut i f yo u we re l o st i n th e atte m pt and i s n t i t t ru e that yo u wo ul d yo urs elf rath e r stay w ith ” m e and th e go o d w i ne ? ” “ e s i ndee d answe red H u l d b r a n d sm il i ng ” “ “ Th e n s ai d U n dine yo u sp ok e u nwi s ely or c h arity b e gi ns at h o m e and wh at do othe r p eop l e c o n ” c e rn us ? Th e o l d wo m an turne d away s i gh i n g an d sh aki n g h e r h ead ; th e fi she rman fo rgo t h i s wo nte d a ff ect io n fo r th e p retty girl an d s c ol de d h e r “ ” I t s ounds ex actly s ai d h e as h e fi ni sh ed h is t e “ p ro o f as i f Turk s an d h eathe ns h ad b ro u ght you up ; ” m ay G o d fo rgiv e b oth m e and y o u yo u sp oi l ed c h il d “ “ Wel l repl i e d Undi ne fo r all that it i s wh at I fe el l et wh o will h av e rou gh t m e up a nd al l yo ur wo rds ” c an t hel p th at “ ” S ile nce ! ex cl aim e d th e fi sh e rman an d Un di ne wh o i n sp ite o f h er p e r tnes s was exc ee d in gly fearful sh ran k fro m h i m and m ov in g tremb lin gly toward H u l d b r a n d “ asked h im i n a s o ft to ne Are yo u al s o an gry dear ” fri e nd ? Th e k ni ght p res sed h e r te n de r h and an d strok ed h er h ai r H e c oul d say n oth i ng fo r vexati o n at th e o ld man s seve rity t o ward Undi n e cl o s ed h i s l i ps ; and th us th e two c o upl e s sat o p p o s it e t o e ac h oth e r w ith angry feeli n gs a nd e mb arras se d s i l ence ,
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C H A PT
OF
ER
VI
N U PT I A L C E R EM O N Y
A
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LO W
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k no ck in g at th e d o o r was h e ard i n th e i dst o f th i s sti ll ness startli n g all th e i nm ate s o f th e cottage ; fo r th ere are tim e s whe n a l ittl e c i rcum st a n ce h appen i n g q uite u nexpe ctedly c an u nduly alarm u s B ut there was h ere th e additi o nal c ause o f al arm th at th e e nch anted fo re st lay so near an d t n a t th e l ittl e p rom o ntory se em ed j ust no w i nacc essibl e t o um an e in gs Th ey l o oke d at e a ch oth er do ub ti n gly as th e kn ockin g was rep eate d acc o mp ani ed y a d e ep ro an and th e k ni ght sp ran g to re ac h h i s s wo r d B ut “ th e o ld ma n whispe re d s oftly I f it e wh at I fear no ” eapo n wil l h elp u s U ndi ne m e anwhile app roach ed th e doo r a n d call ed o ut an gri ly an d b o l dly Sp i rits o f th e earth i f yo u wi sh to carry o n your mi sch i e f K ii h l e b o r n s hal l teac h you ” som eth in g b ett e r T he terro r o f th e re st was i nc reased by th es e m y s t e ri o n s wo rds ; th ey loo ke d fe arfully at t h e girl and H ul d b ran d was j us t re gai nin g c o urage e nough t o as k wh at “ sh e eant w h e n a vo i ce sai d with out : I am not a S pi rit o f th e earth b ut a sp i rit i nde ed stil l w it h i n its e arth l y b o dy Yo u with i n th e c ottage if yo u fear Go d and w ill elp m e o p e n to m e At th es e words Undi ne h ad al ready op e n e d th e d o o r and h ad h el d a la mp out i n th e st o rmy ni ght by wh ich th ey p e rc e ive d an a ge d p riest st andi n g th e re wh o stepp e d b ack i n t erro r at t e u ne p ecte d si ght o f th e eaut ful ai de n H e m i ght ,
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39
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A
F MO
U S TA LE S
W O N DE R
OF
w ell th i nk th at witch c raft and magic
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we re at ork h e n such a lovely fo rm appeare d at s uc h an h umbl e c ottage “ do o r : h e t h ere fo re b e gan t o p ray ; All goo d sp i rits ” p rai s e th e o rd ! “ I am no sp e cte r sai d Undi ne sm il i ngly ; do I the n lo o k so u gly B es i des y o u m ay see th e h ol y wo rds do no t fri ghte n m e I to o kn o w o f Go d and u nde rstand h o w to p raise H i m ; eve r y o ne to b e sure i n h is o wn way fo r s o H e h as c reate d us Com e i n ve ner a b l e ” fathe r ; yo u c om e am on g goo d pe opl e Th e h oly ma n ente re d b o wi ng and lo oki n g ro und h im with a p ro fou nd yet te nder d em eano r B ut th e wate r was d ropp i n g fro m eve ry fo l d o f h i s dark gar m e nt and from h i s l o n g wh it e beard and fro m h i s gray lo c k s Th e fi s h erm an and t he kn i ght t oo k h im t o a n o th e r apartme nt an d fu rni sh e d hi m with o th er clo t he s wh i l e th ey gave th e wo m e n h i s o n w e t atti re to dry Th e age d stran ge r th anke d the m h umbly an d c ou rte but h e wo uld o n n o acc ount acc ept the kni gh t s o u sly s pl end id m antle wh i ch was o ffer e d t o h im ; but h e ch ose i nstead an o l d g ray ove rcoat b elo ngi n g t o th e fi sh e r m an Th ey th e n returned to th e ap artm ent an d th e goo d ol d dam e imm ed iately v acate d h e r easy c h ai r fo r th e reveren d fathe r an d woul d n o t rest t ill h e h ad ” take n p os ses s io n o f it o r sai d sh e you are ol d a n d exh auste d an d yo u are m o re ove r a m an o f Go d U ndi ne p ushe d u nde r th e st range r s feet h e r little sto ol o n w h ich sh e had b ee n wo nt to s it by th e s ide of H uld b ran d and s h e S h o we d he rsel f i n eve ry way m o st gentl e an d ki nd i n h e r care o f th e goo d ol d m an H u l d b r a n d wh i spe re d s om e rai l le ry at it i n h er e ar b ut sh e rep l ie d “ v ery seri ously ; H e i s a servant o f H i m wh o create d u s ” all ; h oly th i ngs are no t to b e j e ste d with Th e kn i gh t and th e fish erm an th en re fre sh e d th ei r reve rend u est wi th fo o d an d w ine and wh en h e had som e wh at r e c o v e re d h imself h e b egan to rel ate h o w e h ad th e day
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U S TA LE S
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e n t ly
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thank my heavenl y at h e r th at aft e r p re se rvi n g m e fro m th e waters H e has l e d m e to such go o d an d p ious p eopl e as you are ; an d I feel th i s al l th e m o re as I do not k no w wh eth er I sh al l eve r b e h o l d any oth e r b e ings i n th is w orl d excep t th ose I ” now addres s “ ” Wh at d o you m ean ? asked th e fi sh e rm an o yo u k no w th e n h o w lo n g thi s c om m o t i o n o f th e ” “ ? e lem ents i s to last repl i ed th e h oly m an A nd I a o l d i n years asil y en o u gh may th e stream o f m y l ife ru n itsel f o ut b efo re th e ove rfl owi n g of th e fo re st stream may s ub s ide An d inde ed i t were n ot im p o ss ib l e th at m o re and m o re o f th e fo am i n g wat ers m ay fo rc e th ei r way b etwee n yo u an d yonde r fo rest unt il yo u are so far su nde re d from th e rest o f th e wo rld th at your l ittl e fi s h i n g boat w il l no lo n ge r b e su ffic i e nt t o c arry yo u ac ro ss and th e i nh ab itants o f th e c on ti ne nt i n th e m i dst o f th ei r d ivers i o ns wi l l hav e e nti rely for gott en you i n ” your ol d age Th e fi sh e r m a n s wi fe sta rt ed at th i s c ro sse d h e rs e lf ” “ and excl aim ed Go d fo rb i d ! B ut h er h usb an d lo ok e d “ at h e r with a s m ile an d sai d : Wh at c reature s we are after al l ! eve n were it so t h i ngs w oul d no t b e very d i fferent — a t l east not fo r you d ear w i fe— th an th ey no w are o r h av e yo u fo r m any years b ee n fu rthe r th an th e e dge o f th e fo rest ? and h ave you s e e n a n y oth e r h uman b ei n gs t h an Undi n e and m ysel f ? Th e kni gh t an d th is h oly m an h ave o nl y c om e to u s lately Th ey wi ll re mai n with us i f we d o b ecom e a fo rgott e n i sland ; ” s o you wo ul d even b e a gai ne r by it afte r al l ” “ “ I d o n t kno w s ai d th e o l d woman ; it i s som eh o w a gl o om y th ou ght wh e n o n e I mag nes th at o ne is i rre c o v e r a b l y separat ed from oth er p eopl e alth ou gh were ” it oth e rwi se o n e m i gh t n eith er k no w no r se e th em “ Th en yo u w ill rem ai n with us ! th e n yo u will rem ai n ” wi th us ! wh isp ere d U ndine i n a l ow h alf s in gi n t o ne ,
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42
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UN DI N E
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as sh e nestl ed c lo se r to H u l d b r a n d s si de B ut h e was ab so rbe d i n the d eep an d st range vi sio ns o f h i s ow n mi nd Th e re gi on o n th e o th e r s i de o f th e fo re st rive r seem ed t o d iss olve i nto di stanc e du ri ng th e p riest s las t wo rds ; and th e b lo o m in g i sl an d up o n wh ich h e l ive d gre w m o re gree n an d smi l e d m o re fresh ly i n h i s m i nd s v is i o n H i s b el ove d o n e glo wed as th e fai rest ro se o f th i s littl e spot o f ear t h and eve n o f th e w ho l e wo rl d and t he p ri es t was actual ly th e re Adde d t o th is at th at m o m ent an an gry glanc e fro m th e ol d dam e was di re c te d at th e b e aut i ful gi rl b ecause even i n th e p rese nc e o f th e reveren d fath er sh e leaned s o cl o sely on th e k ni gh t and it s eem e d as i f a t o rre nt o f r e p r o v in g wo rds were o n th e p oi nt o f fo ll o w in g P rese ntl y “ turni ng t o th e p ri est H u l d b r a n d b roke fo r th : Vene r ab l e fath e r you see b efo re yo u h e re a p ai r p led ge d t o each othe r an d i f th is m aid e n and th e se go o d ol d p eo p le h av e no obj ecti o n yo u shall u n ite u s th i s ve ry ” eve nin g Th e age d c o up le were extrem el y surpri sed Th ey h ad i t is t ru e h ith e rto o fte n tho u gh t o f s om e th in g o f th e so rt b ut th ey h ad neve r y et exp resse d i t and wh e n th e k n i ght no w sp oke th us it cam e upo n th em as som eth i n g wh olly ne w an d u np r e ce den ted Un di ne h ad b ec o m e su d denly grave and l o oke d do wn tho u ghtfully wh il e th e p ri e st i nqu i re d resp ect in g th e ci rcum stance s o f th e c ase an d aske d i f t h e ol d p eop le gave th e i r c o ns ent A fte r m uch d isc us sio n t o gethe r th e m atter was settl ed ; th e ol d dam e w ent t o arran g e th e bri dal c ambe r fo r th e yo un g people an d to lo ok o ut fo r two c o n sec rate d t ape rs wh ich sh e h ad h ad i n h e r p o ssess io n fo r som e tim e and wh i ch sh e th ou ght esse n t i al t o th e n uptial c eremo ny Th e k ni ght i n th e m ean wh ile ex am i ned h i s go l d ch ain from wh ich h e w i sh ed to disen ga ge t wo ri n gs th at h e m i ght ake a n ex c a nge o i th em w ith h is b ri de .
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43
m
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TA LE S
F A M OU S
OF
W O N DE R
.
Sh e h oweve r ob servin g wh at h e was doing sta rte d “ up from h e r reve ri e an d exclaim ed : ot so ! my par e nts h av e n ot se nt m e i nto th e worl d qu ite de stitut e ; o n th e co ntrary th ey m ust hav e anti c ipate d with ce r ” tai nt y that such an ev eni n g as th i s woul d com e Thu s sayi n g sh e quickly l eft th e ro o m and reappeared i n a m om ent with two c o stly rin gs o ne o f wh ic h sh e ga ve t o h er b ri de gr o o m and kept th e oth e r fo r hersel f T h e ol d fi sh e rm an was extrem ely asto ni sh ed at th i s and sti ll m o re s o h i s wi fe wh o j ust t h en e nt e red fo r neithe r h ad ev er s een these j ewel s i n the ch il d s p ossessio n “ “ y p arents sai d Undi ne s e wed th es e l ittle thi n gs i nt o th e b eauti ful frock wh ich I h ad o n wh e n I c am e t o yo u Th ey fo rb i d m e m o re ove r to m e nt i o n th em t o any o ne b e fore my we ddin g even in g s o I s e cretly t o o k them an d kept th em c o nc eal e d u nti l n o w T h e p ri est i nterrupte d all furth e r q uesti o ni n gs by l i ghti n g th e co nse c rate d tape rs wh i ch h e pl ace d up o n a tabl e an d s um mo ne d th e b ri dal p ai r t o stand oppo site to h i m H e th en gav e th em t o each o th e r with a few sh o r t s ol em n words ; th e el de r c oup l e gave th ei r b les s i ng to th e yo un ge r and th e b ri de t rem l i ng a n d th ou ght ful lean e d up o n th e kni ght Th e n th e pri es t “ suddenl y s ai d : Yo u are strange p eopl e after all W h y did you t el l m e yo u were th e only p eop le h e re o n t h e island ? a n d du ri ng th e wh ol e c erem ony a t al l stately m an i n a wh ite m ant le h as b ee n l ook in g at m e th rou gh the wi ndo w Oppo site H e must st ill be standing be fore the ” door to s ee i f you wi l l i nv ite h im to come into th e house “ ” God f o rb i d sai d th e o l d dam e wit h a sta r t ; th e fi sh e rman sh o o k hi s h ead in s ilence and H u ld b r a n d sp rang t o th e wi n d ow I t s eem ed ev e n t o h im as i f h e c o ul d stil l see a wh it e streak but it s o o n co mpl etely di sap peare d i n th e darkne ss H e co nv i nc ed th e p ri est th at h e must h ave b een abs ol utely m i stake n an d th ey all sat dow n t o get h e r rou nd th e h earth ,
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4A
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E
CHA PT R VI I
FURTH E R HA P P ENED ON T H E E V EN I N G OF TH E W EDD I N G
WHAT
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OT H
be fore and during th e ce remony Undi ne had shown h e r sel f gentl e an d qu iet ; but it n o w seemed a s i f al l the wayward humor s which riote d w ithi n he r burst forth all the mo re bol dly an d unre strainedly She tease d her bri degroom and her foste r p are nts an d eve n th e h oly m an wh o m sh e h ad so l ately rev erenc ed w ith al l so r t s o f ch il di s h trick s ; and wh e n th e o l d wom an was abo ut t o rep rove h e r sh e was qu i ckly s il enced b y a fe w grave wo rd s from th e k ni ght speak i n g o f U ndi ne n o w as h is wi fe N e ve r t h e l es s th e kni gh t h i msel f was equally li ttl e pl ease d with U ndi ne s ch il dish b eh av i o r ; b ut n o si g n s and no t e I t i s t rue wh eneve r p r o a c h fu l wo rds we re o f a n y avail th e n oti ce d h e r h usb an d s d issati sfacti o n— and r i de th is o cc u rre d o ccas io nally— sh e b ecam e m o re quiet s at do wn y h i s s i de c aress e d h im wh i spe re d s ometh i n g sm il i ngly i nto h i s ear an d sm ooth e d th e wri nkl es that we re gath e ri n g o n h i s b ro w B ut im m ed iately afte rward som e wi l d freak woul d a ai n lead h er t o retu rn t o h e r ri diculo us p ro c e e d i n g s an d m atte rs wo ul d b e wo rs e th an b efo re At len gth t h e p rie st sai d i n a seri o us an d ki nd to ne : y fair yo un g m aide n n o o n e i n dee d can l ook at yo u with o ut del i ght ; b ut rem emb e r so t o att une yo u r s oul b e t imes th at it m ay even h arm o nize w ith th at o f your ” e dde d h us an d ,
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45
M
F
“
A M O U S TA LE S
OF
NV O N D E R
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”
S oul ! sai d Und in e lau gh in g ; t h at so unds p ret ty e n ough and m ay b e a v ery edi fyi n g and u seful cautio n fo r m ost p eopl e B ut wh e n o ne h as n t a so ul at all I be g you wh at i s th ere to at tun e th en ? a n d that i s my c as e Th e p riest was si le nt and deep ly wo und e d an d with h oly di sp l easure h e t ur n ed h i s fac e fro m th e girl Sh e h o weve r went up to h i m c aress in gly and said “ o ! l isten t o m e fi rst b efo re yo u l o o k an gry fo r you r l ook o f an ge r give s m e p ai n and you m ust not giv e p ai n to any c reature wh o h as do ne you no wro n g— o nly have patience with m e an d I w il l tel l yo u p rop er ly what ” I m ean ? I t was ev i dent th at sh e was p repari ng h e rsel f t o ex pl ai n som ethi n g i n detai l b ut sud de nly sh e h es itat ed as i f se ize d w ith a n i nward sh udde ri n g an d b urst o ut i nto a fl o o d o f tears Th e n n on e o f them knew wh at to m ak e o f t h i s eb ul litio n an d fille d wit h v arious a pp r e h e n s i o n s th ey gaze d at h er i n s il ence At l en gth wip i n g a way h er t ears and lo oki n g earnestly at th e rever “ e n d m an sh e s ai d : Th er e m ust b e s om eth i n g b eauti ful but at th e sam e t im e extremely awful ab out a s o ul Tel l m e h o ly s i r were it n ot b ett er th at w e n eve r ” ? sh are d su c h a gift S h e was s il ent agai n as i f waitin g for an answ e r and h e r t ears h ad cease d to fl ow Al l i n t h e co ttage h a d ri se n from th ei r seats and h ad stepp e d b ack from h er with h o rro r Sh e h o wever s eeme d t o h av e eye s fo r no o ne b ut th e h oly m an ; h e r features wo re an exp ress io n o f fearful c u rio sity wh i c h appeare d “ terrib le to th os e wh o sa w h e r Th e soul m ust b e a ” h eavy burde n sh e c o n ti nued as no o n e an swere d her ve ry h eavy ! fo r eve n i ts app roach i n g i a ge o ve r s h a d o ws m e with anxi e ty and sadne ss An d ah ! I was s o ” li gh t h earted and s o m e r r y til l n o w ! A nd sh e b u rst i nto a fresh fl oo d o f t ears an d c overed h e r fac e with th e drap e ry sh e wo re The n th e p ri est went up to h e r with a sol em n ai r an d sp ok e t o h er a n d co nj ured h e r ,
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UNDIN E m
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M
by th e n a e o f th e o st H oly to cast asi de th e ve il t at e nvel op e d h e r i f any sp i rit o f e vi l p ossesse d h e r B ut sh e sank o n h er knees b efo re h im repeatin g al l the sac re d wo rd s he utte red p rai s in g Go d and p ro t est ing th at sh e wi sh e d we ll with th e wh ol e wo rl d “ Th e n at last th e p rie st sai d to th e k ni gh t : S i r b ri de gro om I i ll leave yo u al o ne with h e r wh o m I h ave u nit ed to yo u i n m arri age S o far as I c a n di scove r the re i s noth i n g o f evi l i n h e r but m uch i ndee d th a t i s m yste ri o us I co m m e nd t o yo u — p rudence love and ” fi del ity S o sayi n g h e w ent out an d th e fi she rm an an d h i s wi fe fo l lo we d h i m c ros sin g th em selve s U ndi ne h ad sunk o n h er k n ee s ; sh e u nve ile d h er fac e “ and sai d l o oki n g t im i dly round o n H u l d b r a n d : Alas ! yo u wil l s urely no w n ot keep m e as yo u r o wn ; and yet ” I h ave d one n o evil po o r ch i ld that I am ! A s sh e s ai d th is sh e l oo ked so ex quisitely grace ful and touc h i ng t h at h e r ridegroom fo rgot al l th e h o rro r h e h ad felt and al l th e m ystery that cl un g t o h er and h aste n i n g t o h e r h e raise d h e r i n h i s arm s Sh e sm i led th ro ugh h e r t ears ; i t wa s a sm il e l ike th e m o rni n g li gh t ” “ p layin g o n a l ittl e stre am Yo u can not leave e sh e wh i spe re d with c o nfi d ent security st rok i n g th e kni ght s ch ee k with h e r te n der h an d H u l d b r a n d trie d to di sm i ss th e fearful th ou ght s th at stil l l urke d i n th e b ack gro u n d o f h i s m i nd pe rsuadi n g hi m that h e was m arrie d t o a fai ry o r t o s o m e m alic i o us an d m i s c h i e v o us b ei ng o f th e spi rit wo rl d o nly th e s i ngl e qu esti o n “ h al f u n aware s escape d h i s l ip s : y l ittle U ndi ne tel l m e th i s o n e thi n g wh at W a s it yo u sai d o f sp i rits o f th e e a r th and o f K ii h l e b o r n wh e n th e p rie st k n o cke d at ” ? th e do o r “ I t was n o t h in g b ut fairly t a l e s l— chi ld ren s fairy “ ” tal es ! s ai d Un di ne with a l l h er wo nted gayety ; I frightene d yo u at fi rst with t h em and th e n yo u fri ght
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47
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A
F MO
U S TA LE S
OF
W O N D ER
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’
ene d me that s th e e nd o f o ur sto ry and o f o ur nupt ial ” ev eni n g “ ” ay ! th at it i sn t sai d th e k ni gh t i ntox ic a t ed with love a n d extin gui sh i n g th e tap e rs h e bo re h is b eautifu l b eloved to th e b ri dal ch amb e r by th e l i gh t o f th e m oo n h ich sho n e b ri ghtly th ro ugh th e w i n do ws ,
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A
F MO
h oweve r
U S TA LE S
OF
W O N D ER
.
th ey s aw th e yo un g h usband c om e fo rth s o c h eerfully th e carewo rn exp res s i o n o f thei r faces van ,
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i sh e d
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b
Th e o l d fi she rman ev en e gan t o j e st wi th th e k nigh t so pl e asantly th at th e age d wi fe sm il ed go od h u m o r e d l y as s h e l ist en e d t o t h em U nd in e at l en gth m ade h e r app earanc e A l l ro se to m eet h er an d all sto o d still wi th surp ri s e fo r th e youn g wi fe s eem ed s o s t ran ge t o th e m an d y et th e sam e T e p ri est was th e fi rst t o advance t o wa rd h er with paternal a ffe ct i o n b e am in g i n hi s fa c e an d as h e rais ed h is h an d t o b l ess h er th e b e aut iful wom a n sank reve r en tly o n h er k nees b efo re h im With a fe w h umbl e an d gracious wo rds sh e be gged h i m t o f o rgive h er fo r any fo ol is h t h i n gs sh e i gh t h ave said th e ev eni n g b efo re an d en t reated h i m i n an a gi tate d t o ne t o p ray fo r th e wel far e o f h e r so ul Sh e the n rose, k isse d h e r fo ste r parents an d th ankin g t hem fo r all th e go o d nes s t ey h ad sh o wn h er sh e ex “ c laime d : h ! I no w fee l i n m y i nnermost h eart h o w m uch h o w i nfi nitely m uch yo u have do ne fo r m e de ar ” k i n d p eopl e ! S h e co ul d not at fi rst de sist fro m h e r c aresse s but s c arc e l y h ad s h e p erce ive d th at th e ol d woman was b usy i n p rep ari n g r e akfast th an sh e wen t to th e h ea rt h c o oke d a n d a rran ge d th e m eal an d wo ul d not su ff er th e good ol d m othe r to tak e th e l east tro ub le Sh e c onti nued th us th ro ugh out th e wh ol e day quiet k i nd and attentiv e—a t o nce a l ittl e m atro n an d a t e n d e r b ash ful gi rl Th e th ree who h ad k nown h e r lo n gest expecte d eve ry mom e nt t o se e s om e wh im sical vagary o f h er cap ri c io us sp i ri t burst fo rth B ut th ey wai t ed i n v ai n fo r it Undi n e remai ned as m i ld an d gentl e as a n angel Th e h oly fath er c oul d not t ake h i s eyes from “ h e r a nd h e sai d rep eatedl y t o th e b ri de gr o om : Th e good nes s o f h eave n si r h as i ntrusted a treasure t o you ye sterday th rough m e u nworthy as I am ; ch eri sh it a s -
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50
UNDINE
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yo u o u gh t and it will p rom ote you r t em poral and eter ” nal welfare Toward eve ni n g Undine w as h an gi ng o n th e knight s arm with h umbl e tendern es s and d rew h i m gently out o f th e do o r w he re th e d e cl i ni n g su n wa s sh i ni n g pl eas a n t l y o n th e fre sh grass and upo n th e tal l sle n de r stem s of th e trees The eyes o f th e youn g w ife we re m oist as with th e de w o f sadness an d love and a t e nder an d fear ful sec ret se em e d h ov eri ng o n h e r l ip s wh ich h o wev er was o nl y dis c lo se d by scarc ely a udibl e si gh s Sh e le d h er h usb an d o n ward and o nward i n s il en c e ; wh e n h e sp oke sh e o nly an swe re d h im w ith lo ok s i n wh i ch it i s true th e re lay no di re ct re p ly t o h i s i nqu irie s but a wh ol e h eave n o f l ove and t im i d d evot io n Th u s they re ach e d th e ed ge o f th e s wol le n fo rest stream and the k ni gh t w a s asto n ish e d t o s ee i t ri ppl i n g al o ng i n g e ntl e waves w ithout a trac e o f its fo rm e r w il dnes s and s well ” “ B y th e m o rni n g it wi ll b e quite d ry sai d t h e b e aut i “ ful i fe i n a re gretful to ne an d you c an the n t ravel away wh e reve r you w il l wi t h out anyth in g t o h i nde r yo u “ rep li ed th e N o t with o ut you my li ttle Un di ne “ k n i ght l au gh in g ; rem emb e r eve n i f I wishe d to dese rt you th e ch urch and th e sp i ritual p o we rs a nd th e em p e r o r an d th e em pire w oul d i nt erp o s e an d b ri n g the ” fugitive ack agai n Al l dep en ds up o n yo u al l depend s up o n yo u wh i s “ p ere d h i s wi fe h al f weep i n g an d hal f s m ili n g I th i nk h o wever n ev er th el e ss th at yo u wi ll ke ep m e with you I l ov e yo u so h eart il y ow c arry m e ac ro ss to that l ittl e islan d th at l ie s b e fo re u s Th e m atter s h all b e d e c i de d th e re I c oul d e asily i nd ee d gl i d e th rou gh th e rippl i n g wav es ut it i s s o restful i n you r arm s and i f you we re t o cast m e o ff I sh all h ave s weetly rested i n ” H u l d b r a n d ful l them o nce m o re fo r t h e l as t t im e as h e was of st ran ge fear an d em otio n k n ew not what ,
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51
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to rep y e to o k h e r i n h i s arm s and c a r rie d h e r ac ros s rememberi n g n o w fo r th e fi rst t im e th at th i s was th e sa m e l ittl e islan d fro m wh i c h h e h ad b o rne he r b ack t o t h e o l d fi sh erm an o n th at fi rst n i ght n th e fur th e r s id e h e p ut h e r d o wn o n th e s o ft gras s and was o n th e p o i nt o f p lac i ng h im sel f l ov in gl y near h is beaut i fu l “ b urden wh e n sh e s ai d : o th ere opp o sit e t o m e ! I wil l rea d m y sentenc e i n you r eye s b e fo re your l ip s sp eak ; no w l i ste n atte ntively t o w h at I will rel at e to you And sh e be gan “ Yo u m ust k no w m y l ove d o ne that t e re are ei n gs i n th e el eme nt s w h ich al m ost app ear l ik e m o r t al s and wh ic h rarely allo w th em selve s t o b ec om e visib le t o you r rac e Won derful s alaman d e r s gl it ter a n d sp ort i n th e flames ; lean and m al i cio us gn ome s dw ell d eep with i n th e earth ; sp i rits bel o n gin g t o th e ai r wande r th ro ugh th e fore sts and a vast fam ily o f w at er spi rits l ive i n the lakes and stream s and ro ok s I n res ou n din g dom es o f c rystal th rou gh wh ich th e sky l ooks i n w ith it s su n an d st ars th e se l atte r s p i ri ts fi nd th ei r eauti ful ab o de ; l ofty t rees o f coral wit h b lue an d c rim so n fruits gl eam i n th ei r gard e ns ; th ey wand er ove r th e p ure s an d of th e sea and amon g lovely vari e gate d sh el ls and am id all th e ex q ui sit e treasu res o f th e ol d wo rl d wh i ch the p res ent i s n o l o n ge r w o rth y to enj o y ; all th ese th e o o d s ha v e c ov ere d with th eir s ec ret ve il s o f s ilver and th e nobl e m o nume nts sp arkl e b el o w stately and so lem n and b e d e wed by th e l ovi n g wate rs wh i ch allu re from the m m any a beauti ful m oss fl o we r and entwi ni n g c l uster o f s ea gras s Th os e h o weve r w h o dwell th ere are ve r y fai r a n d l ovely to b e h o ld and fo r t h e mo st p art are m o re b e auti ful th an h um an ei n gs any a fi sh er m an has be e n so fo rtunat e as to su rp ri se som e te nder me r mai d as sh e ros e ab o ve th e wat er s and san g H e woul d tel l afar o f h er beauty an d suc h wo nderful bei n s av e .
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52
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b ee n iv en th e nam e o f U ndi ne s You h o wev e r a r e no actually b eh o l di n g an Und i ne T e k ni ght trie d to p ersuade h im sel f th at h i s beautiful wi fe was under t h e sp el l o f o n e o f h er stran ge h um o rs and th at sh e w a s tak i ng pl e asur e i n t eas i n g h im w it h o ne o f h er ext ravaga nt i nvent io ns B ut rep e atedly as h e sai d th i s to h im se lf h e co ul d not b el i ev e it fo r a m o m ent ; a stran ge sh udde r p as se d th ro u gh h im ; unab l e t o ut te r a w o rd h e stared at th e eauti ful nar r ato r w ith an i mm ovab l e gaze U n di n e sh o ok h er h e ad so rro w fully d r e w a deep si gh an d th en p ro ce e ded as fo llo ws u r co ndit io n wo ul d b e far sup e ri o r t o th at of oth e r h uman b e i ngs — fo r h um an b e ings we cal l o urs elve s b e i n g s imi lar to th em i n fo rm an d culture b ut th e re i s o ne evi l p ec uliar t o u s We and our l ike i n th e o th e r e l eme nts vani sh i nt o dus t a n d p ass away b o dy a nd s p i ri t s o th at not a esti ge o f us remai ns e h i nd ; an d wh en yo u m o rt al s h e reafte r awak e to a p u rer l i fe we rem ai n with th e sand an d th e spark s and th e w i n d an d th e wave s H e nce we h av e al so no s o ul s ; th e e lement m ove s u s and i s o fte n ob ed ient t o u s wh il e we l ive tho u gh it s catt ers us to dust wh e n w e di e ; and w e are m e rry ith out h avi n g au gh t to gri eve u s—m e rry as t h e n i ghti ngal e s and th e l ittle g o l d fi sh e s and o th er p retty c il dren o f nature B ut al l th i n gs asp i re t o b e h i gh e r Th u s m y fath e r wh o i s a po we rful t a n th ey a re wat e r p ri nce i n t h e ed ite rranean S ea des i re d th at h i s o nly dau ghte r sh o ul d b e c o m e po ssess e d o f a soul eve n th ough she m ust e n dure many o f th e su ffe ri n gs o f th ose t h us e ndo we d S uch as we h ow eve r ca n o nly obtai n a s oul by th e c lo se st u n i o n o f a ffecti o n with o n e o f yo ur h um an rac e I am n o w p ossesse d o f a s oul and my s o ul t anks yo u my i nexp res sibly b el ove d o n e an d i t wil l ever th ank you i f yo u d o n ot m ake m y whol e l i fe m ise rabl e o r wh at i s t o b ecom e o f e i f yo u avo i d an d rej ect e ? S ti ll I o uld not r e t a n yo u y
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53
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dece it A nd i f yo u m ean to rej ect m e do s o n o w and return alo ne t o t h e sh o re I wil l d ive i nto th i s b rook wh ich i s my uncl e ; an d h e re i n th e fo rest far rem ove d fro m oth e r friends h e pas ses h i s s tr ange an d s ol itary li fe H e i s h o weve r p ow e rful a nd i s e st e em e d an d b el ove d by m any gre a t stream s ; and as h e b rou ght m e h ithe r t o th e fi sh e rman a l i gh t h ear t ed lau gh i n g ch i ld h e w i l l t ake m e b ack again to m y pa rents a l ovi n g suf fe r i n g an d so ul en dowe d wom an Sh e was abo ut to say st il l m o re but H u l d b r a n d em b rac e d h e r w ith th e m o st h eart fel t e m oti on and l ove and b or e h e r back a gai n t o th e sh o re I t was not t il l h e reach e d it that h e s wo re am i d te a r s and k i sse s neve r t o fo rsak e h i s s weet w ife c al l in g h im sel f m o re h appy th a n t h e G re ek Pygm al io n wh o se b eautiful statue r e c e i ve d l i fe from Ve nus and b e c am e h is love d o ne In en deari n g c onfi dence U ndi ne walke d back t o t h e c ot tage l e ani n g o n h is a rm ; feel i ng no w fo r th e fi rst tim e with al l h e r h eart h o w l ittl e sh e ou ght to re gret the forsake n c rystal p alac es o f h e r mysteri ou s fath er .
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E T H E KN I G H T T O O K H I S Y O U N G WITH H I M H EN H ld b d awo ke fro m h i s sl eep C H A PT R I X
HO W
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o n th e fo ll o wi n g m o rni n g an d m is se d h i s b eauti ful w i fe fro m h i s s i de h e b e gan to i n dul ge agai n i n th e s tran ge th ou gh t s that h i s m arria ge and th e ch arm i n g Un di ne h e rsel f we re but fl eeti n g and d e c e p t ive i llu sio ns B ut at th e sa e m om ent sh e entere d th e room sat do wn b es id e h im an d sai d : I h ave be e n out rath e r early t o see i f m y uncl e keep s h i s wo rd H e h as al ready l e d al l th e w ate rs b ac k agai n i nto h i s o wn c al channel an d h e no w o ws th ro u gh th e forest sol it ari ly an d d ream i ly as b efo re H i s fr e n ds i n th e wate r an d th e ai r have also retu rn e d t o repo s e ; al l w i ll agai n go o n qui etly an d re gularl y an d yo u c a n t ravel ” h ome ward wh e n yo u wil l dry sh o d I t se em e d to H u l d b r a n d as th ou gh h e were i n a wak i n g dream so l ittl e co ul d h e rec o nc il e h im sel f to th e stran ge rela eve rthe l ess h e m ade no rem ark t i o n s h i p o f h i s w ife o n th e m atter and th e exq ui site grac e o f h i s b ri de so o n lulle d t o rest eve ry u neasy m is givi n g Wh e n h e was afte r ward stand i ng b e fore th e doo r with h e r an d look i n g ove r th e g ree n p eni ns ul a with its b o un dary o f cl ear wat e rs he felt so h appy i n th i s c radl e o f h i s love that “ h e excla im ed : Why shall w e t ravel s o so o n as to day ? We sh a l l scarc ely fi nd m o re p l easant days i n th e wo rl d yo nder th an th o s e we h ave spent i n th i s qui et l ittl e sh elte r et u s yet see th e s un go d o wn h ere twi ce o r th ri c e m ore u
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A M O U S TA LE S
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As y l o rd wills repli ed U ndi ne h um ly I t is o nly th at th e o l d p eop le wil l at al l eve n ts p art from m e with p ai n an d whe n th ey no w fo r th e fi rst ti m e p er c e ive t h e t ru e so ul w it in m e an d ho w I can no w h eart i ly l ove and h o no r th ei r feeb l e eyes wil l b e dimm e d with p l enti ful tears At p res ent th ey co nsi d e r my quiet ness an d ge ntlene s s o f n o b ette r p rom i s e th an be fo re li k e th e c alm nes s o f th e lak e wh e n th e air i s still ; an d as m atters n o w a re th ey will so o n l ear n t o ch eri sh a fl ow e r o r a t ree as th ey h ave ch e ri sh e d m e o not th ere fo re l et e reveal t o t h em th i s n ewly b estowe d an d lovi ng h eart j ust at th e m om ent wh en th ey mu s t l os e i t fo r th i s w o rl d ; an d h o w c oul d I co nceal it i f we ” rem ai n l o n ge r t o geth e r ? H u l d b r a n d co nced e d th e p o int ; h e we nt to th e age d p eo pl e an d talke d w ith th em ov er th e j ourney wh i ch h e p rop ose d t o undertake i mm e d iately T h e h o ly fath e r o ffere d to acc o mpany th e youn g m arri e d p ai r a nd afte r a hasty farewel l h e an d th e kn i ght ass iste d th e b eauti ful b ri de t o m ou nt h e r h o rs e and walke d with rap i d s tep by h e r s i de over th e dry ch ann el o f th e fo rest st ream i nto th e wo o d b eyo n d Und ine wept s i le ntly b ut b itt erly an d th e ol d p eopl e gav e lo ud exp ressi o n to th e i r grie f I t seeme d a s i f th ey had a p rese ntim ent o f al l they we re no w lo si n g i n th e i r fost e r ch il d Th e th re e travel e rs ha d re ach e d i n sile nc e th e densest sh ades o f th e fo rest I t m ust h av e e e n a fai r si gh t u n de r th at gre en canop y o f l eaves t o see Un di n e s l ovel y fo r as sh e sat o n h er nobl e and r ic hl y o rna m e n t e d steed w ith th e v ene rab l e p ri est in th e wh ite g a nb o f h i s o rde r o n o ne s i de o f h e r an d o n th e oth er th e bl o omi n g youn g k ni gh t i n h is gay and s ple ndi d att i re with h i s swo rd at h i s gi rdl e H u l d b r a n d h ad no eye s but fo r h i s b eauti ful wi fe ; Un din e wh o h ad dri e d h e r tears had n o eye s but fo r h im an d th ey s o o n fel l i nto a m ute voi cel ess co nvers e o f glanc e and esture ,
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s ide o f t e p ri est clos e b es ide Undi ne st retch i ng h i m s el f up to wh i sp e r so m eth i n g i n h e r ear B ut sh e turne d from h i m wi th alarm an d exclaim ed I have n o th i ng m ore to do wi th yo u “ H o ho l augh e d th e st ran ger wh at i s th i s i m m e n se ly gran d m arriage yo u h ave m ade th at you do n t k n o w your o w n relatio ns any lo n ge r ? H ave you fo r gotte n you r u n cle K ii h l e b o r n wh o s o faith fully b o re ” you o n h i s b ack th rou gh th is re gio n ? “ ” I b eg you neve rth el ess repl ie d Und ine not to a p p ear i n my p resenc e again I am n o w afrai d o f yo u ; an d suppos e m y h usband sh oul d learn to avoi d m e whe n h e s ees m e i n such stran ge c ompany and with such r e f
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lat io ns ! “
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l ittl e niec e sai d K u h l e b o r n yo u must not fo rget that I am with yo u h ere as a gui de ; th e spi ri ts o f earth th at h aunt th i s p lac e m i ght oth e rwi se play som e o f th ei r stupi d p ranks wi th you et m e th ere fo re go qui etly o n with yo u ; th e o l d p rie st th ere rem em b e re d m e b ett er th an you app ear to h ave do ne fo r h e as sure d m e j ust no w th at I s eem e d fam il iar to h im an d that I m ust ha ve b ee n w ith h i m i n th e b o at o ut o f whi ch h e fel l i nto th e wate r I was so truly e nough ; fo r I was th e wate r sp out th at c arrie d h im o ut o f it and wash e d h im safely ash o re fo r yo ur weddi n g Un di ne and the k ni ght turne d to ward ath er H ei l m an n ; but h e seem e d walki n g o n as i n a s o rt of dream an d no lo n ge r t o b e c o nsc io us o f al l that was p ass in g Un di ne the n sai d t o K uh l e b o r n : I se e yo nder th e e nd o f th e fo rest We no lo n ge r n e e d yo ur help and noth i n g causes us alarm b ut yo ursel f I b eg yo u th ere fo re i n al l love and go o d will vani sh and l e t u s p ro ” c e e d i n p eace K u h l e b o r n seeme d to b e com e an gry at th i s ; h is c oun t e n a n c e assum e d a fri ght ful exp ressi o n an d h e grin ne d fi ercely at Undi ne wh o sc ream e d alou d an d c alle d up o n ,
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h e r h usb an d fo r as sistance A s q uick as l i ghtn ing th e k ni ght sp ran g t o th e oth e r s i de o f th e h o rse an d aim e d h is sh arp s wo rd at K ii h l e b o r n s h ead B ut th e swo rd cut th rou gh a wate rfall w h ic h was rushi ng do wn near th em fro m a lo fty c rag ; an d wit h a splash wh ic h al most sounde d like a b u rst o f lau ghte r it p oure d ove r th em an d wet the m th ro ugh t o th e sk i n Th e p ri est as i f s ud de nly awaki n g ex cl ai m ed : I h ave l o ng b ee n expecti n g that fo r th e stream ran down fro m t h e h e i gh t s o cl os e t o u s At fi rst it real ly s eem ed t o m e l ike a man a nd a s if it c oul d sp e ak As th e wat e rfal l c am e rush i n g d own it di st i nctly uttere d thes e word s i n H u l d b r a n d s ear .
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Rash kni ght B rave kni ght Rage feel I n ot Ch i de wil l I not B ut ever guar d th y l ittle w ife as w ell Rash kn i ght b rav e kni gh t ! P rot ec t ,
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A few fo otstep s m o re , and th ey we re up o n o pe n ground
Th e i m p erial c ity lay b ri ght b efo re th e m an d th e eve n i n g su n wh ic h gil de d it s to we rs k i n dly drie d th e gar m e nt s o f th e d re nc h ed wanderers ,
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C H A PT R X H H
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su dde n disap p earanc e o f th e yo un k ni ght H u l d b r a n d v o n R i n g s t e t t e n fr o m the i m p eri al city h ad c aus e d gre at se n sati o n and s o l icitu de am o n g th o s e wh o h ad adm i re d h i m b oth fo r h i s sk i ll i n th e tournam ent an d th e danc e a nd no le ss s o fo r h i s ge ntle an d a gre e ab l e m an ne rs H i s servant s wo uld n ot qui t th e p lac e w ith o ut th ei r m aster alth o u gh n ot o ne o f th e m woul d h av e h ad th e c ourage to go i n qu est o f h i m i nto th e s hado wy re ces se s o f th e fores t Th ey th ere fo re rem ai ned i n th e i r q uart ers i nact ivel y h op in g as m e n are w o nt t o do a nd k eep i n g al ive th e re m em b r anc e o f th e i r lo st lo rd by th e i r l am e ntati o ns Wh e n s o o n a fte r th e v io l e nt sto rm s a nd o o ds we re ob serve d th e l es s do ub t as e nte rtai ne d as t o th e c ertai n d e st r u c t io n o f th e h ands o m e stran ger ; a nd B e r t a l d a op e nly m o u rne d fo r h i m and b l am e d h ers el f fo r h av i n g al lured th e u nfo rtunate kni gh t i nto th e fo re st H e r fo st er p are nts th e duke and duch es s h ad c o m e t o fetch h er away b ut B e r t a l d a e ntreate d th e m to re m ai n with h e r u nti l c e rtai n i nte lli ge nce h ad b e e n obt ai ne d o f H u ld b rand s fate S h e e nd eavo re d t o prevail up o n s ev eral yo un g k ni ghts wh o we re eagerly c ourti n g h e r t o fol l o w th e nob le adve ntu re r t o th e fo rest B ut sh e woul d no t pl edge h e r h and a s a re ward o f th e e nterp ri s e b ec au se sh e al ways ch eri she d th e h op e o f b elo n in g to th e returnin k ni ght a nd no glo e n o r ri a nd n o r ,
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60
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UNDINE
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eve n k s s oul d te p t any o n e to exp o s e h i s l i fe fo r th e s ak e o f b ri n gi n g b ac k suc h a dan ge ro u s rival Wh en H u ld b r a n d no s ud de nly an d u nexp ecte dly ap peare d h i s s e rvants and th e i nhab itant s o f th e c ity an d al mo st eve ry o ne rej o i ce d B e r t a l d a al o n e refus e d to do s o ; fo r a gree ab le as it was to th e o t h e rs th at h e sh oul d b ri n g with h i m s uc h a b e auti ful b ride a nd ath e r H e i l man n a s a witnes s o f th e m arriage B er tal da c o ul d fe el n oth i n g b ut gri e f a nd v exati o n I n th e fi rst plac e sh e h ad real ly l ov ed th e you n g k ni gh t with al l h e r h eart and i n t h e n ext h e r s o rr ow at h i s ab se nce h ad p ro c laim e d t h i s fa r m o re b efo re th e eye s th a n was no efitti n g S h e sti l l h o weve r o f al l c onducte d h e rse l f as a wi s e m ai de n re co nc i le d h er s el f to c i rcum stance s an d l ive d o n th e m o s t fri endl y term s ith U ndi ne wh o was l o o ke d up o n thro u gh o ut th e c ity as a p ri nc e s s wh o m H u l d b r a n d h ad re scue d i n t h e fo re st fro m s o m e evi l e nc hantm e nt Whe n sh e o r h er u sb and were que sti o ne d o n th e m atte r th ey were wis e e no u gh to e s il ent o r sk i ll fully t o ev ad e th e i n ath e r H eil m an s l ip s we re s eale d to i dl e q u ir ie s go s s ip o f any ki nd a nd m o reove r i m m e d iately after H u l d b r a n d s arrival h e h ad returne d t o h i s m o naste ry s o th at p eo p l e were ob l i ge d to b e sat i s fie d w ith th e i r o wn stran ge c o nj e ctu re s an d even B e r t a l d a h er sel f k new n o m o re o f th e t ruth th an othe rs ay y day U ndi ne felt h e r aff e cti o n i nc rease fo r th e “ fai r m ai de n We ust h a e kn own e ach o th e r b e ” “ fo re sh e o ften us e d to s ay to e r o r els e th e re mu st e s o m e myst eri o u s c o nnec tio n b etwee n u s fo r o n e d oe s no t love a noth er as cl early as I h ave l ove d you from th e fi rst m o m ent o f ou r m eeti ng with out s om e ” — c ause s o m e d ee p and sec ret c aus e A nd B e r t a ld a a l s o c o ul d no t de ny th e fact th at s h e felt d rawn t o Undi n e with a te nde r fe el i n o f c o nfi d enc e h o weve r m uc h sh e m i gh t c o nsi de r t at s h e h ad cau s e fo r t e ittere st la ,
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61
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W O N DE R
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at t h i s succ e s sful r ival B i ased by th i s utual a ffecti o n th ey b o th p ersu ade d — th e o ne h e r fo ster p a rents th e o th e r h e r h u sb and— to po stpo ne th e day o f dep arture fro m tim e to ti m e ; i ndeed it was eve n p r o p o se d th at B e r t a l d a sh o ul d ac co mp any U ndi ne fo r a ti m e to castl e R i n g s t e t t e n n ea r th e s ourc e o f th e anub e T h ey were talk i n g ove r th i s p lan o ne b e auti ful eve n in g as th ey were wal ki ng b y starli ght i n th e l ar ge sq uare o f th e I mp e ri al c i ty un de r th e tal l t ree s th at i n cl o s e it Th e yo un g m arried pai r h ad i nvite d B e r t a l d a to j o i n th em i n th e i r eve n i n g walk and al l three we re stro lli ng up and down u n de r th e dark b lue sky o ften i nterrupti n g th e i r fam ili ar tal k t o adm i re th e m a g n i fi c ent fountai n i n th e m i ddl e o f th e s quare as its water s rush e d a n d b ubb l e d fo rth w ith wo nderful b e auty I t h ad a s o oth i n g h app y i nfl ue nc e up o n th em ; betwee n th e sh ado ws o f th e t ree s th e re stol e gli mm erin gs o f l i gh t fro m th e adj ac ent h ouse s ; a l o w m urmur o f ch i l dre n at play and o f oth ers e nj oyi n g the i r wal k fl oated aro und th em ; th ey we re s o al o ne a nd yet i n th e m i d st o f th e b ri ght and l ivi ng wo rl d ; whateve r had ap p eared d i ffi cul t by day n ow b ec am e s m o oth as o f itse lf ; and th e th re e frie nds c oul d n o l o nge r u nderstand wh y th e s li ghte st h es itati o n h a d ex i st ed with re gard t o B e r P re sently j ust as th ey t a ld a s v is i t to R i n g s t e t t e n we re o n th e p o i nt o f fi xi n g th e day fo r the i r c om m o n de pa r tu re a tal l m an ap p ro ac he d th em fro m th e m i d d le o f th e sq uare b o wed respectful ly to th e c o mp any and sai d so m eth i n g i n th e ear o f th e young w ife is p l ease d as sh e was at th e i nte rrupti o n and its c ause sh e stepp e d a l ittl e as i d e wi th the st ran ge r and b oth b e gan t o wh i sp e r t o geth e r as it seem ed i n a fo rei gn to n gue H u l d b r a n d fanc ie d h e k new th e strange m an an d h e stare d so fi xedly at h i m th at h e ne ith er h eard n o r ans we red B e r t a l d a s asto ni sh ed i nqui ries .
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62
UNDINE
.
All at o nc e U ndi ne cl app i n g h e r h and s j oyfull y an d l aughi n g quitte d th e stran ge r s s i de wh o s haki n g h i s h ead reti re d h as tily an d di s c o nte nt edly an d vani sh e d i n th e fountai n H u ld b r a n d no w fel t c ertai n o n th e “ p o i nt b ut B e r t a ld a asked : An d wh at d i d th e m aste r o f ” t h e fou ntai n want wi th yo u cl ear Un di ne ? Th e yo un g w i fe l au gh e d with i n h e rs el f and rep li ed Th e day after to m o rro w my dear c h il d o n th e an ni ” ve r sa r y o f yo u r nam e day yo u s h al l k no w it A nd noth i n g m o re wo ul d sh e di sc lo s e S h e i nvite d B e r tal da an d s ent an i nvitati o n t o h e r fo ste r p are nts to d i ne w ith th e m o n th e ap p o i nte d day an d s o o n afte r th ey p arte d “ ” K ii h l e b o r n ? Was it K u h l e b o r n ? s ai d H u l d b r a n d w ith a s ec ret s hu dde r t o hi s b e auti ful b ri de wh e n th ey h ad take n l eav e o f B e r t a l d a a nd were n o w go i n g h o m e th rough th e d arke n in g streets ” “ Ye s i t was h e rep li e d Un di ne an d h e was go i n g t o s ay al l s o rts o f n o ns e ns ical th i n gs to m e B ut i n th e mi dst q uit e c o ntrary to h i s i nte nti o n h e del i ghte d m e with a m o st welc o m e p i ec e o f new s I f yo u w is to h ea r it at o nc e my dear lo rd and hu s and yo u h ave b ut to c o m m a nd a nd I w ill tel l i t yo u w ith o ut r e s erve B ut i f yo u w oul d c o nfe r a real p l easu re o n yo u r Und i ne yo u wi ll wai t till th e day afte r to m or ro w and yo u will th e n h ave you r s hare t o o i n th e surp ris e Th e k ni ght gladl y c o m p l ie d with h is wi fe s de s ire wh i ch h ad b e e n u rge d s o sweetl y and as s h e fell “ asl eep sh e m urm ure d s m il i ngly to h ersel f : ear dear B e r t a l d a ! H o w s h e wil l rej o i ce and b e asto ni sh e d at ” what h e r maste r o f th e fo unt ai n t ol d m e ! ,
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C H A PT R X I TH
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E A N N I V E R S A RY O F B E R T A L D A S D AY ’
NA
ME
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H c o mp any we re s itti n g at di n ne r ; B e r t a l d a l o ok i n g like s om e go d des s o f sp ri ng w ith he r fl o w e rs and j e we l s th e p re sent s o f h e r fo ste r p arent s and frie nds was p l ac e d b etwee n U ndi ne a nd H ul d b rand Whe n th e ric h rep ast was e nde d an d th e last co u rs e h ad app eare d th e do o rs were left op e n acc o rd i ng t o a go o d o ld Germ a n c usto m that th e c o mm o n p eop l e m i gh t l o ok o n an d tak e p art i n th e festivity o f th e nob le s S e rvant s we re c arryi n g ro und c ake and w i ne am o n g th e sp e ctato rs H u l d b r a n d an d B e r t a l d a we re waiti n g with s e cret i m p ati enc e fo r th e p ro m i s ed expl a nati o n a n d sat with th e i r eye s fi xe d stead ily o n Undi ne B ut th e b eautiful wi fe stil l c o nt i nue d s i le nt and o nly kept s m i l i ng to h e rs el f with a se c ret and h earty s ati sfact i o n Al l wh o k new o f th e p ro m i s e sh e had giv e n c oul d s e e th at sh e was eve ry m o m e nt o n th e p oi nt o f b etrayin g h e r happ y s ec ret an d th at i t was with a s o rt o f l o n gi n g r e nunc i atio n th at sh e withh el d i t j us t as ch il dre n s o m eti m e s delay th e e nj oym e nt o f the i r ch oi ce s t m o rsel s B e r t al d a and H u l d b r a n d sh ared thi s deli ghtful fe e li n g and exp ect e d with fearful h op e th e t id in gs wh i ch we re to fall fro m th e lip s o f U nd in e Seve ra l o f th e c om p any p res se d Undi ne t o si n g The re quest see m e d o pp o rtune an d o rde ri n g h e r lute to e b ro ugh t sh e san th e fol l o win wo rds : ,
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64
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M uch
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OF
W O N D ER
.
e ndle s s m uch h as b e en thy gai n ! Th o u b l o o m st th e fa rest i n th e l an d ! Yet ah ! th e p ri cel e s s j oy o f all T h o u s t l e ft up o n a n u nk no wn strand ,
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and t h e eye s o f B e r t a l d a s fo ste r parent s we re fil le d w ith t ears “ Ye s s o i t was o n th e m o rni n g th a t I fo u nd yo u my ” p o o r sweet o rph an s ai d th e duk e deep ly agitated : th e b eauti ful si n ge r i s c e rtai nl y ri gh t ; we h av e n ot ‘ b ee n a l e to giv e yo u t h at p ric el ess j oy o f all “ B ut w e m ust al s o hear h o w it fare d with th e p o or ” p are nts sai d U nd i ne as sh e resum ed h e r lute and san g -
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b eech i s gro w i n g gree n again su nsh i ne gil ds i ts wo nte d sp ot m oth e r c eas e th y s earch i n g v ai n ! l ittl e l ove d o n e c o m eth not ! ,
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wel l h e k n ow s th at i n h i s h om e H e nau gh t c an fi nd but wi ld de spair H e h ears th e m oth e r s griev ed l am e nt A nd n o b ri ght i nfant greets h i m th e re ,
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fo r Go d s sak e Un di ne wh e re are my p a “ ” ? re nts c rie d th e we ep i n g B e r t a l d a ; yo u s urely know ; yo u h av e dis c overe d th em yo u wo nderful b e i n g fo r oth e rwi se yo u wo ul d no t hav e th us t o rn my h eart Are ” ? ? th ey p erhaps al ready h e re Ca n i t b e H e r eye p as se d q uickly ove r th e b ri l liant c o mp any and l i ngere d o n a lady o f hi gh rank wh o was s itt i n g next h er foster fath e r Undi ne h o wev er turne d t o ward th e do o r w hi l e h er eye s o ve r fl o we d w ith th e s weete st em oti o n ” “ ? Wh e re a re th e p o o r waiti n g p arent s s h e i nqui red and th e o l d fi sh e rm an a n d h i s wi fe adv anc ed h esitati ng Th ei r glance rested l y fro m th e c ro wd o f sp e ctato rs i nqu i ri n gly n o w o n U ndi ne no w o n th e b e auti ful gi rl ” “ who was s ai d t o b e th ei r dau gh te r I t i s sh e s aid the d eli ghte d b e ne factres s i n a falteri n g t o ne and th e two o l d p eopl e h un g ro un d th e ne ck o f thei r rec ov ere d ch i l d we ep i ng and p rai s i ng Go d B ut am aze d an d i ndi gnant B e r t a l d a to re h ers el f fro m th e i r em b race S uch a re c o gn itio n was t o o m uch fo r thi s p ro ud m i nd at a m o m ent wh e n sh e h ad surely i magi ne d th at h e r fo rme r spl en do r woul d eve n b e i n c re ase d and wh e n h op e was delu di n g h e r w ith a v i si o n o f alm o st royal h o no rs I t s eem e d to h e r as i f h e r rival h ad devi s e d all th i s o n p urp o s e s i gnal ly to h umbl e h e r b efo re H u ld b r a n d a n d th e wh o le wo rl d Sh e revi le d Un di ne sh e rev i le d th e ol d p e op l e an d b i tte r i n ve c ” “ ” “ dec e ive r and b ribe d i m p o st o rs fe ll t i ve s s u c h as fro m h e r l ip s Th e n t he o ld fi s h e r m a n s w ife s ai d i n “ a l o w v o i ce t o h e rsel f : Ah m e ! sh e i s b ec o m e a wi cke d girl ; and yet I fee l i n y h eart that sh e i s my ” c h il d ,
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W O N DE R
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T e ol d fish e rm an h o e e r h ad fo l de d h i s ands a nd was p rayi n g s i le ntly that th i s m i ght not b e h i s dau gh te r U ndi ne p al e a s death turne d w ith agita t o n fro m th e p are nts to B e r t a l d a an d fro m B e r t a ld a t o th e p are nts ; s udde nly c ast d ow n fro m th at h e aven o f hap pi nes s o f wh i ch sh e h ad d re am e d an d ov er wh el m e d with a fear an d a te rro r s u ch a s sh e h ad “ neve r k now n eve n i n i m a gi n atio n H av e yo u a s oul ? ” H av e yo u re al ly a s o ul B e r t a l d a ? sh e c ri e d a gai n and agai n to he r an gry frie nd as i f fo rc ib ly to rous e h e r to c o ns c i o us n es s fro m s o m e s udde n del i ri um o r m ad de nin g n i gh tm are B ut wh e n B e r t a l d a onl y b e cam e m o re an d m ore en rage d wh e n th e rep ul se d p are nts be ga n t o weep al o ud an d th e c o m p any i n e age r d is pute we re tak i n g d i ff e rent s i des sh e b e gge d i n such a d i gnifi e d an d serio us m an n er t o b e al lo we d t o speak i n th i s h e r hu sb an d s h all that al l a ro und we re i n a m o m e nt s i l e nced S h e th e n adv anc ed to th e u pp e r e n d o f th e tab l e wh ere B e r t a l d a h ad s e ate d h e rs elf and w ith a m o dest an d ye t p roud ai r wh i le eve ry ey e was fi x ed up o n h e r sh e sp oke as fol lows : “ y fri e nds yo u l o o k s o an gry a nd di sturb ed a n d yo u h av e i nte rrupte d m y h ap py feas t b y your d is Ah ! I k new noth i n g o f yo ur fo ol i s h hab its pu t in g s a nd yo ur h e artl es s m o d e o f th i nki n g an d I sh al l neve r al l y l i fe l o n g bec o m e ac cu sto m e d to th e m I t i s no t m y fault th at th i s aff ai r h a s resul te d i n ev il ; b el iev e m e th e faul t i s with yo urs elve s al o ne little as i t m ay app ear t o yo u to b e s o I h ave th e refo r e b ut l ittl e t o s ay to you b ut o ne th i n I m ust s ay I h av e sp oke n n o th i n g ut t ruth I ne ith e r can no r wi ll give you p ro o fs b e yo n d my o w n as serti o n b ut I w il l swe ar t o th e truth o f t i s I rec e iv ed th i s i nfo rm ati o n fro m th e very p e r s o n wh o all u re d B e r t a ld a i nt o th e wate r away from h e r p arents an d wh o afterward s p lac e d er o n t he i n t e duke s p ath e ado g re e n ,
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68
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UN DI N E h
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S h e i s a n e nc antres s ! c ri e d B e r t a l d a ; a witc wh o h as i nte rc o urs e ith evi l s p i rits S h e a c k n o wl ” e d ge s i t h ers elf ” “ I d o n ot s ai d U ndi ne with a h o l e h e a en o f i n “ no c e nc e an d co nfi de nce b eam i n g i n h e r eye s I am n o ” w itc h ; o nly l o ok at m e ! ” “ S h e i s fal s e an d b oastful ! i nte rrupte d B e r t a l d a an d sh e cannot p ro ve th at I am th e c h il d o f th e se l o w pe op le y nob l e p are nts I b e g yo u to take m e fro m th i s c o m pany and o ut o f th i s c ity wh e re th ey are o nly b ent o n i ns ulti n g m e B ut th e age d an d h o no rabl e d uk e rem ai ne d unm ov ed “ and h i s wi fe s ai d : We m ust th o rou ghl y ex am i ne h o w G o d fo rb i d th at we sh oul d m ov e a step we ar e t o act ” fro m th i s h all u nti l we h ave d o n e s o Th e n th e o l d w ife o f th e fi sh e rm an dre w n ea r an d aki n a l o w rev e re nc e t o th e duch e s s s h e s aid : “ N obl e Go d feari n l ady yo u h ave o p e ne d my h ear t I mu st t el l yo u i f th i s evi l d isp o s ed yo un g l ady i s m y daugh te r she h as a m ark l ike a v i ol et etwe e n he r sh o ul ders and anoth e r l ike it o n th e i nste p o f h e r left fo ot I f s h e woul d o nl y go out o f th e h all with m e “ I sh al l not unc ove r m ys el f e fo re th e p e as ant wo ” m an ! excl ai m e d B e r t a ld a p ro udl y turni n g h e r b ack on her “ B ut e fo r e m e yo u w ill rej o i ne d th e duch es s ve ry “ gr a vely oll o w m e i nt o th at roo m girl an d th e ” go o d o ld wo m an sh al l c o m e with u s Th e th re e d is ap pe are d and th e re st o f th e c o m p any re m ai n ed wh ere th ey ere i n s il e nt e xp ect at i o n A fter a sh o rt ti m e “ they returned ; B e r t a ld a was p al e as d e ath Ri gh t i s “ ” ri ght s ai d th e duch e s s ; I m ust th e refo re d ec l are th at o u r h o stes s h as sp ok e n p e rfec t t ruth B e r t a l d a i s th e fi sh e r m a n s dau ht er and that i s as muc h as i t i s nec e s sary to i nfo r yo u h ere
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69
A
F MO
U S TA LE S
OF
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Th e p r i ncel y p ai r le ft with th ei r a d opte d daughte r ; an d at a si gn fro m th e duke the fi sherman an d h is wi fe fo llo we d them Th e oth e r guests reti red i n sile nc e o r with s ec ret murm urs an d U ndi n e sank weep i ng into H u l d b r a n d s arm s ,
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C H A PT H
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TH
ER
XII
E Y D E PA RT ED F R O M P E RI A L C I TY
TH
E
IM
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H lo rd o f R i n g st e t t e n wo ul d h ave c e rtai nly p re fe rre d th e ev ents o f th i s day to h av e b ee n d i ff ere nt ; but ev e n as th ey we re h e c o uld s carc el y re gret th e m wh o lly as th ey h a d exh ib ite d h i s ch arm i n g wi fe u nde r suc h a go o d an d s weet a n d k i ndl y as pe ct If ” I h ave giv en h e r a s oul h e c o ul d not h elp s ayi n g t o “ h i m s el f I h av e i ndee d giv e n h e r a b etter o n e th an my o w n and h i s o nly t h ou gh t n o w was to sp eak s o oth i n gly t o t h e we ep i n g Un di ne and o n th e fol l o w i n g m o r ni n g to q uit with he r a p l ac e wh i ch afte r th i s i nc i de nt m u st h av e b ec o m e d i stast eful t o h e r I t i s t rue th at sh e was not e stim ate d di ffe rently to w h at sh e h a d b ee n A s s o m eth i n g m ysteri o us h ad l o n g b ee n expe cte d o f h e r th e stran ge dis c ove ry o f B e r t a ld a s o ri gi n h ad c au se d no great s urp ri s e an d every o n e wh o h ad he ard th e sto ry and h ad s ee n B e r t a l d a s v i ol e nt b eh avio r was d i s guste d w it h h e r al o ne f th i s h o weve r th e kni gh t an d h i s l ady knew noth i n g as yet ; and b e s i de s th e c o ndem natio n o r ap p roval o f th e p ub l i c was e qually p ai nful t o Und i n e and th us th ere was n o b ette r c o urs e to p ursu e th a n t o leav e th e wal l s o f th e o l d city b eh i nd th e m w it h all th e sp ee d p o s sib l e W ith th e e arli est b eam s o f m o rnin g a p retty c ar r i a g e drov e u p to th e entranc e gate fo r Undi n e ; th e h o rse s wh i ch H u l d b r a n d and h i s s qu ire s were to ri de ,
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71
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stoo d ne ar p aw i ng th e gro u nd wit i mp at ie nt eage r n e ss Th e k ni ht was le ad i n g h i s b eaut i ful wi fe fro m “ th e do o r wh e n a fi sh e r gi rl c ro ss e d th e i r way We do ” no t nee d you r fis h s ai d H u l d b r a n d t o h er we are ” n o w s tartin g o n o ur j o urney Up o n th i s th e fi s h e r gi rl b e gan t o weep b itte rly an d th e yo un g c oup l e p e r They c e i v e d fo r th e fi rs t t i m e th at it w as B e r t a l d a i m m ediately ret urne d with h e r to th e ir ap artm e nt an d l earn ed fro m h e r th at th e duke an d duch es s were s o di sp eas e d at h e r v i o l ent and u nfeeli n g c o n duc t o n th e p re ce di n g day th at th ey h ad e nti rely with drawn th ei r p rotecti o n fro m h e r thou gh n o t with o ut giv in e r a ric h p o rt io n Th e fi sh erm an to o h ad b ee n h ands o m ely rewarded and h ad th e eve ni n g b e fo re set out with h is wife t o r etur n t o th ei r secl ude d h om e “ I wo ul d h av e go ne with th em sh e co nti nued but th e o l d fi sh e rm an wh o i s s ai d to e my fath er “ An d h e is i ndeed B e r t a l d a i nte rrupte d Undi ne o ok here th e st ran ge r wh o m yo u to o k fo r th e m aste r o f th e fo u ntai n t ol d m e th e wh o l e story i n de tai l H e wi sh e d t o d is suade m e fro m tak in g yo u w ith m e t o c astl e R i n g st e t t e n an d t h i s l e d h i m to di sclo s e th e s ec ret “ We ll th e n sai d B e r t a ld a i f it m ust b e s o my ‘ fath e r s ai d I wil l not tak e y ou w ith m e u nt i l y o u are ch an ged Venture to c o m e t o us alo ne th rou gh th e h au nte d fo re st ; th at sh al l b e th e p roo f wh ethe r yo u h av e any re gar d fo r us B ut d o n ot c om e to m e as a lady ; c om e o nly as a fi sh e r girl ! S o I wil l d o j ust as h e a s to l d m e fo r I am fo rs ake n y th e wh o l e wo rl d an d I wil l live and di e i n s ol itude as a p o o r fi sh e r girl ith my p o o r p are nts I hav e a te r rib l e d read th ou g of th e fo rest o rrib l e sp e cters are s aid t o dwel l i n it an d I am s o fearful B ut h o c an I h elp it ? I o nly ,
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were b eyo nd th e c o nfi ne s o f th e im p eri al c ity and al l its s ad rem e mbranc e s and no w th e l adi e s b e gan to e n j oy th e b e auti ful c o untry th ro ugh wh i ch the ir road l ay After a j ou rney o f s o m e days th ey arrive d o ne ex eve ni n g at c astl e R i n g s t e t t e n Th e yo u ng q u i si t e kn i gh t h ad m uch to h ear fro m h i s ove rsee rs an d v as s als so that Undi ne an d B e r t a ld a were l eft al o ne Th ey b oth rep ai red t o th e ram p arts o f th e fo rtre s s an d were de li ghte d wi th th e b eaut i fu l l andsc ap e wh i ch sp read far an d w i d e th rou gh fe rt il e S wab ia Pres e ntly a tall m an ap p ro ach e d th em greet i n g th em re sp ectfully and B e r t a l d a fanc ie d sh e s aw a re sem b lanc e to th e m aste r o f th e fo untai n i n th e i m p erial c ity Sti ll m o re u nm i stakab l e grew th e l ike nes s whe n Un di ne an grily and al m o st th reate ni ngly wave d h i m and h e ret reate d w ith h asty step s an d sh aki ng o ff h ead as h e h ad do ne b e fo re and di s app e are d i nto a “ nei ghb ori n g c op s e U n di ne h o wev e r sai d on t be afrai d d ear B e r t a l d a ; th i s t i m e th e h ateful m aste r o f th e ” fountai n sh all d o yo u n o harm A nd th e n sh e tol d h e r th e wh o l e sto ry i n detai l and wh o sh e was h e rsel f and h o w B e r t a l d a had b ee n take n away fro m th e fi s h e rman an d h i s wi fe a nd Un d i ne h ad go ne t o th em Th e gi rl w as at fi rst terrifi e d with th i s re lati o n ; sh e i m a g i n e d h e r fri en d m ust b e se ized with s udde n m adne ss b ut sh e b ecam e m ore c o nv i nc ed th at al l w as true fo r Undi n e s sto ry was s o c o nnec te d and fitted s o wel l with fo rm e r o cc urre nc e s and stil l m o re sh e h ad th at i nward fe eli n g with wh ich t ruth n ev e r fai ls to m ake its el f kno wn to u s I t seem e d stran ge t o he r th at sh e was n o w he rsel f l ivi n g as it we re i n th e m i dst of o ne o f tho s e fai ry t ale s t o wh i ch sh e h ad fo rm erly o nly ,
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S he gaze d up o n U nd in e w ith revere nc e b ut sh e c o uld not re sist a s e ns e o f dre ad th at s ee m e d t o c o m e ,
74
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b etwee n h er an d h er frie nd and at th e ir eve ni n rep ast sh e c oul d not b u t wo nde r h o w th e kni gh t c oul d b eh ave so l ov in gly an d k i ndly t o ward a b ei n g wh o appeare d to he r s i nc e th e d i sc overy sh e h ad j ust m ade m o re o f a p h anto m th an a h u an b e in ,
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75
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C H A PT H
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XIII
E Y L I V ED AT ST E TT EN
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H writ er o f th i s sto ry b oth ec aus e i t m ove s h i s o w n h ea rt and b e cau s e h e wi sh e s it t o m ove th at o f oth ers b e gs yo u dear re ade r to p ardo n h im i f h e no w b riefly p as se s over a c o ns iderab l e sp a c e of ti m e o nl y cu rs o rily m e nt i o ni n g th e ev ent s th at m arked i t H e kno ws well th at h e m i ght p o rt ray sk illfully step by step o w H u l d b r a n d s h e art b e gan t o t urn fro m U nd in e t o B e r t a l d a ; h o w B e r t a l d a m o re and m o r e re sp o nde d with arde nt a ff e cti o n t o th e yo u n k ni gh t and h o w th ey b oth l oo k e d upo n th e p o o r wi fe as a m yste ri ou s b ei n g rath er t o b e fea red than p i tied ; h o w Un di n e wep t an d h o w h e r t ears stun g th e k ni ght s h eart w ith re m o rs e with o ut awak e ni n g h i s fo rm er l ov e s o th at tho u gh h e at tim e s was k i nd and e nde a ri n g to h e r a co l d sh ud de r w oul d so o n d raw h im fro m h e r and h e wo ul d turn to h i s fel l o w m o rtal B e r t al da All th i s th e writ e r k n ow s m i gh t b e ful ly de taile d and p erh ap s ou ght to h ave ee n 5 0 b ut such a task wo uld h av e b ee n to o p ai nful fo r s i m l ar th i ngs h av e b ee n kno wn t o h i m by s ad exp eri e nc e an d h e s hri nks fro m th e i r sh ado w ev en i n rem em ranc e Yo u k now p rob ab ly a l ike feel i n g d ear reade r fo r suc h i s th e lot o f m o rtal m an H appy ar e yo u i f yo u h ave re ce iv ed rath e r th an i nfl i cte d th e p ai n for i n such th i n gs i t i s m o re b l es se d to re cei ve th an to give I f i t b e s o suc h re c o ll ecti o n s wil l o nly b ri n a feel i n o f ,
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s o rro t o yo u r i nd an d p e rh ap s a te ar wil l t rickl e do w n you r ch e ek ove r th e fad e d o we rs th at o nc e c ause d yo u s uc h d eli gh t B ut l et th at b e e nou gh We w il l not p ie rc e o u r h earts wit h a th ou sand s ep arate th i n gs b ut o nly b rie y st ate as I h ave j ust s ai d h o w m atters wer e Po o r Un di n e was v e ry s ad an d t e oth e r t wo were n ot to b e c alle d h ap py B e r t a l d a e sp ec i al ly th o u ght th at s e c o ul d trac e th e e ff ect o f j eal o usy o n th e p art o f th e i nj ure d wi fe wh e nev e r h er wi sh e s we re i n any way S h e h ad th erefo re h ab ituate d h e rs el f t h warted by h e r t o an i m pe ri ou s d e meano r to wh i ch U n di n e yi el ded i n s o rro wful s ub m i ssi o n and th e no w bl inde d H ul d ran d usually e nco u rage d th i s arro gant b eh av i o r i n th e stro n gest m anne r B ut th e c i rcumstanc e th at m o st o f al l d isturbe d th e i nm ate s o f th e c astl e was a va ri ety o f wo nde rful app ariti o ns wh i c h m et H u l d b r a n d an d B e r t a l d a i n th e vaulte d galle ri es o f th e c astl e an d wh ich h ad n eve r b ee n h ea rd o f e fo re as h aunti n g th e local ity Th e tal l wh ite m an i n wh o m H u l d b r a n d re co gniz e d o nly t o o p lai nly U ncl e K uh l e b o r n an d B e r t a l d a t e spe ct ral m aste r o f th e fo u ntai n o fte n p as s e d e fo re the m wit h a th re ateni n g asp ect and e s tha t sh e had p e c i a l ly b efo re B e r t a l d a ; so m u ch so al ready s eve ral ti m e s e e n made i ll w ith te rro r a nd h ad freq ue ntl y th o u ght o f quittin g t e c astle B ut sti ll sh e s taye d th e re partl y b e caus e H u l d b r a n d wa s s o dear to h er an d s e rel ie d o n h e r i nno cenc e n o wo rds o f lo v e h av i n g eve r p ass e d etwe e n th em and p artly al so ecaus e sh e k ne w n o t wh ith e r t o di rect h e r ste p s Th e o l d fi sh erman o n rece iv i n g th e m e s sa ge fr o m th e l o rd o f R i n g st e t t e n th at B e r t a l d a was h i s gu est had w ritte n a few l i ne s i n an al mo st i ll egib l e and b ut as go o d as h i s advance d age a n d lo n g di sus e wo ul d adm i t o f “ ” “ I h ave n ow b ec o m e h e wrote a po o r ol d i dowe r fo r m y dea r and faith ful i fe i s dead oweve r l o n e ly ,
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I n ow s it i n my cotta e B e r t a ld a i s b ette r wi th you th an with m e nly l et h e r do noth ing t o h ar my el ove d Undi ne ! S h e wil l h a ve my curs e i f i t b e so Th e l ast words o f thi s l ette r B e r t a ld a fl ung to th e win ds b ut s he c arefully retai ned th e p art resp ecti ng h e r ab senc e fro m he r fath er — j ust as we are al l wo nt to do i n s i m ilar c i rcum stanc e s ne day wh e n H u ld b r a n d had j ust ri dde n o ut U n d i ne summ o n e d to gethe r th e do m estics o f th e fam ily and o rdere d th em to b ri n g a l arge sto ne an d carefull y to co ver with i t th e m agn ific ent fo untai n wh i ch stoo d i n th e mi ddl e o f th e ca stle yard Th e servants obj ecte d th at i t woul d ob l i ge them t o b ri n g wate r fro m th e v all ey el o w Undi n e s m il e d s adly I am so rry my “ p e op l e s h e rep l i ed to i ncrease yo u r wo rk I wo uld rath e r mysel f fetch up th e p itch e r s b ut th i s fountain m ust b e cl o se d B el i ev e m e that i t c annot b e oth e rw i se and that it i s o nly by s o do i ng that w e can avoi d a ” grea t e r evil Th e wh ol e h o useh ol d we re gl ad to e ab le to p l eas e th e i r gentl e mi stress ; they m ade no furth e r i nq ui ry b ut s eized th e e no rmo us ston e Th ey were j ust raisi n g it i n thei r h ands and were al ready p o is i n g i t ov er th e foun tain wh e n B e r t a ld a cam e run n in g up and c al le d o ut t o them t o stop as it w as fro m th i s fo untai n that th e w ate r was b rou ght wh i ch was s o go od fo r h e r c omp lexi o n an d sh e woul d n ever co ns ent to i ts b e i ng c l o sed U n d ine h o weve r al th ough ge ntl e as usual was m o re than usually fi rm S h e t ol d B e r t a l d a th at it was h e r d ue as m istre ss o f th e h ous e t o ar r an ge h e r h ouseh ol d as sh e thou gh t b est an d th at i n th i s sh e was a cc o u nta l e to ” no o ne but h er l ord and h usband S ee oh p ray s e e “ exclaim e d B e r t a l d a i n an angry yet u neasy t on e h ow th e p oo r b eauti ful wate r i s cu rli n and writh in at b e i n g sh ut out fro th e ri gh t sunshi ne an d fro m th e
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UNDIN E h
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che e rful s i g t o f t e h um an fac e fo r w o se m i rro r it ” was c reate d ! Th e wate r i n th e fo untai n was i ndee d w o nderful ly agitate d an d h i s s i n g ; it s ee m e d as i f som ethi n g with i n were stru ggli n g to fre e i tsel f b ut Un dine o nly th e m o re earnestly urge d th e ful fil lm e nt o f h e r o rde rs Th e earn e s t n e s s was s carc ely n e e de d Th e s ervants o f th e castl e we re as happy i n ob eyi n g th e i r ge ntl e m i stress as i n o pposi n g B e r t a l d a s haughty d efi ance ; and i n sp ite o f all th e rude scol din g and th reateni n g o f t he latte r th e sto ne was s oo n fi rmly lyi ng ove r th e op e nin g o f th e fountai n Und in e l ean ed th ou ghtful ly ov e r it and wrote with h er b e a uti ful fi nge rs o n its surfac e Sh e m us t h o weve r h av e h ad so m ethi n g v ery sharp an d c utti n g in h e r h an d fo r wh en sh e turne d away and th e se rvants drew near to e xam i n e th e sto ne th ey p erc e ive d vario us stran ge ch aracte rs up o n it wh ich no n e o f th e m h ad s ee n th ere b efo re B e r t a l d a rec eive d th e k ni ght o n h i s return h o e i n the ev en i n g with tears an d co mp lai nts o f U ndi n e s c o n duct H e cast a s eri o us loo k at h is p o o r wi fe and sh e l o ok ed d o w n as i f di stress e d Ye t sh e sai d with great “ co mp o s ure : y l o rd an d h usband d oe s not rep rov e ev e n a b o ndslav e with o ut a h eari ng h o w m uch l e ss ” the n h i s we dde d wi fe ? “ ” Sp eak sai d th e kni ght with a gl o omy c o u n t e n ” “ ? anc e what i nduce d you to act so s tran gely “ I sho ul d l ik e to tel l yo u wh e n we are quite alo n e s i gh e d Un di n e “ Yo u c an tel l m e j ust as wel l i n B e r t a ld a s p re se nce was th e rej oi nder “ Yes i f yo u co m m an d m e sai d Un dine ; b ut co m ” m and i t not h p ray p ray co m m and i t not ! S h e l o oke d so h umb le s o swe et an d ob e die nt that th e kni gh t s h eart fe l t a passi n g le am fro m b et t er ti m e s H e k i ndly pl ac e d h er ar with i n i s o wn and ,
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79
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l ed h e r to h is apartme nt w e n sh e e an to sp eak as fo ll o w s Yo u al ready k n o w m y b elo ved l o rd som eth i ng o f m y ev il u ncle K ii h l e b o r n and you h ave fre que ntly b een displ e ase d at m eeti n g h i m i n th e gal leri e s of th i s c astl e H e as several ti m e s fri ghtene d B e r t a l d a i nto i ll ne ss Th is i s b ecause h e i s devo i d o f s o ul a m ere ele e ntal mi rro r of th e o utward wo rld with o ut the p ower o f r e fl eet n g the wo rl d with i n H e s ee s to o so me tim e s th at you are d i sa t i s fi e d wi th m e ; that I i n my chil dish n ess a m eep i ng at th i s an d th at B e r t a l d a p erhap s i s at th e very sam e m o ment lau gh i n g H e n c e h e i magi ne s ari i ous di sc repanci e s i n o u r h om e l i fe and i n m any ways m ixes u nb i dde n with o u r ci rcl e Wh at i s th e go o d o f rep rov in g h i ? What i s th e us e o f s endi n g h i m an grily away ? H e doe s not b el i ev e a word I say H is poor nature as n o i dea th at th e j oys and s orro w s o f l ov e h ave s o sweet a r e s emb lance an d are so cl o sel y l i nke d th at no p o wer c a n s eparate the m Am i d tears a sm il e sh i nes fo rth a nd a sm il e allu re s tears from th ei r s ec ret ch amb ers Sh e l oo ke d up at H u l d b r a n d sm il i n g and weep i n g ; a nd h e agai n expe r i e nc ed wi thi n h i s h eart al l th e ch arm o f h i s o ld l ove S h e felt th is and p ressi ng h im m o re te nderl y to h e r sh e c ontinue d am id te ars o f j oy : “ A s th e di stur e r o f o u r p eace was not t o b e d is m i s sed with w o rd s I h av e b e e n obl i ge d t o sh ut th e doo r up o n him A n d th e o nly d oo r by wh ich h e o b tai ns ac ce s s to u s i s th at fo untai n H e i s c ut o ff b y th e adj ac ent val leys fro m th e oth e r wate r sp irits i n th e n e i ghbo rh oo d and h i s k i ngdo m o nly c om m e nce s fur th er o ff o n th e anub e i nto wh i ch s o m e o f h i s go o d frie nd s d i rect th ei r cours e o r th i s re aso n I h ad th e sto ne p lac ed ove r th e op eni n g o f the fountai n and I in sc r ib ed ch aracte rs upo n i t whi ch c rippl e al l my u ncl e s p o wer s o that e can no w ne ithe r i ntru de upo n yo u ,
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wo ul d b e i nfi nitely wo rse o no my b eloved h usb and do no t le t it com e to th at i f your p oo r Undi ne i s dear to y o u f H e p ro m i sed s o l emnly t o d o as sh e de si red an d th ey b o t returned fro m th e apar t m ent ful l o f happ ines s an d a ff ectio n At that m o m en t B e r t a ld a app eared wi th som e wo rkm en to who m sh e had al ready given o rde rs an d “ sai d i n a sull en to ne whi ch sh e h ad assum ed o f l ate I sup p o se th e secret co nfere nc e i s at an e nd and n o w th e ston e may b e rem ove d Go o ut wo rkm e n an d atten d ” to it B ut th e kni ght angry at h e r i mpe rti ne nc e d esi re d i n s ho rt and very dec i s iv e wo rds th at th e sto ne sh oul d b e l eft ; h e rep rove d B e r t a l d a to o fo r h e r v io le nc e to ward h i s wi fe Wh ereup on t h e workm e n with dre w smi l i ng wi th s ec ret sati sfacti on ; wh il e B e r t a l d a pal e with rage hu rrie d away to he r ro o m Th e h o ur fo r t h e eve ni n g rep ast arriv ed and B e r t a l d a was waited fo r i n vai n Th ey se nt after h er but th e dome s ti c fo un d h e r ap artme nts e mpty and o nly b ro ught b ack with h i m a se al e d l etter addres sed to th e kni gh t “ H e ope ne d it with alarm and read : I feel with sh am e that I am o nly a p o o r fi sh e r gi rl I w ill exp i ate my faul t i n h avi n g fo rgotte n th i s for a m o m e nt by go i n g to th e m i se rabl e co ttage o f my p arents arewell to you and your b eauti ful wife Undi ne was h eartily di stres s ed Sh e earnestly e n treate d H u l d b r a n d to h aste n after th ei r fri e nd an d b ri n g h e r back a gai n Al as ! sh e had n o nee d t o urge hi m H is a ffectio n fo r B e r t a l d a b urst fo rth a gai n wi th ve h e me nce H e hu rri e d round th e cast le i nq ui ri ng i f any o ne h ad s ee n wh ich way t h e fugit ive had go ne He c oul d l earn noth in g o f h e r and h e was al ready o n hi s h o rse i n th e castl e yard res o lve d at a v enture to take Ju st t h e road by whi ch h e h ad b rought B e r t al d a h ither th en a p age app eared wh o assured h i m th a t h e h ad m et .
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82
UNDINE
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L
th e lady o n th e p ath to th e B lac k Vall ey ike an arro w th e k ni gh t sp ran g th ro u gh th e gateway i n the di recti o n i ndicate d wi thout h eari ng Und i ne s v o ic e o f agony a s sh e call ed to h i m fro m th e windo w “ To th e B lack Vall ey ! h no t th e re ! H u l d b r a n d d o n t go th ere ! o r fo r h eaven s sake t ake m e with ” yo u ! B ut wh e n sh e p erceived th at all he r cal lin g was i n v ai n sh e o rde re d h e r wh ite p al frey to b e imm e d i a t e ly saddle d and ro de afte r th e kni ght witho ut a l l owin g any servant to acco mp any h er .
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C H A PT R X I V H
OW
B E RTA L D A
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NED
R TU R TH K I GHT
E
N
H
OM E
WIT H
E
H B lack Valley l ie s d eep w i th i n th e m o untai ns Wh at it i s no w call e d we do n ot know At that ti m e th e p eop le o f th e c ou nt ry gave i t th i s app ell ati o n o n acco unt o f th e deep ob s curity i n wh ic h th e lo w lan d lay o wi n g to th e s h adows o f th e lo fty tree s and e sp e c i a lly fi rs t hat grew th e re ve n the b rook wh i ch b ub b l e d b etwee n th e rocks wo re th e sam e dark hue an d dashe d alo n g w ith no ne o f t h at gladne ss with wh ich stream s are wo nt to fl o w th at h av e th e bl ue sky i mm e o w i n th e gro wi ng t wili ght o f d i a t e l y ab ov e th em ev e ni n g i t l o oke d wi l d and glo o my b etw ee n th e hei gh ts Th e k ni ght trotte d anx iously alon g th e e dge o f th e b roo k fearful at o ne m o m ent that by d elay h e m i gh t al lo w th e fugitiv e to advance t o o far and at th e next that by t o o gre at rapi dity h e m i ght o ve rlo ok he r i n c ase she w e re c o nceali n g h erself fro m h i m e anwh i l e h e h ad al ready p e netrate d t ole rably far i nto th e vall ey and m i gh t soo n hop e to overtak e th e m aide n i f h e were o n th e ri gh t track The fea r th at th i s m i ght no t b e the cas e made h is h eart b eat with anx ie ty Wh e re wo ul d th e te nder B e r t a l d a tarry th ro u gh t h e sto rm y ni gh t wh i ch was s o fearful i n th e valley sh ould h e fai l to fi n d h er ? A t l ength h e s aw so meth in g whi te gl eam ing thro u gh t he b ranch e s o n th e sl o p e o f th e m ountai n H e th ough t h e rec o gnized B e r t a l d a s d res s and h e tu rne d hi s c o urse i n th at d irecti o n B ut hi s h o rse re fused to go .
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84
A
F MO
U S TA LE S
W O N D ER
OF
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”
take your k i ss ! An d h e furio u sl y h url ed h i s s wo rd at the fi gure B ut it vani sh ed l ike vap o r and a gush o f wate r wh i ch wette d hi m th ro ugh l e ft th e k ni gh t no doubt as to th e fo e with wh o m he h ad b ee n e n gaged “ H e wi sh es to fri ghte n m e b ack fro m B e r t a l d a sai d h e aloud to h im sel f ; h e th i nk s t o terri fy m e with h i s f o oli sh t rick s and to mak e m e giv e up th e p oo r dis tres s e d gi rl to h im so that h e can w r eak hi s ven geanc e o n h e r B ut h e sh all no t d o th at weak spi rit o f th e el em e nts as h e i s o p o werl e ss p hantom can under stan d what a h um an h ea rt c an do wh e n its b e st e ne rgie s ” are aroused H e fe lt th e truth o f h i s wo rds and th at th e v e ry exp re s si o n o f th em h ad i nspi red h i s h eart with fre sh c ou rage I t se eme d too as i f fo rtun e were o n h i s si de fo r h e had not reach e d h i s fastene d h o rs e wh en h e di sti nctly h eard B e r t a l d a s pl ai ntive vo i ce n ot far di stant an d c oul d cat ch h er weep i n g ac ce nts t h rough t he ever i nc reasi n g tum ul t o f th e thu nde r an d tem p est H e h u r ri ed s wi ftly i n th e d ire cti o n o f th e s o u nd and found th e t r e mbl i n g gi rl j u st attem pti n g to cl imb th e steed i n o rde r t o e sc ap e i n any way fro m th e drea dful gl oo m o f th e val ley H e stepp e d h oweve r lov i n gl y i n h er p ath an d b ol d an d p rou d as he r re solve h ad b e for e b e e n sh e no w felt o nl y too ke enly th e d el i gh t th at th e frien d wh o m sh e s o p assi o nately love d shoul d rescue h e r fro m thi s fri ghtful so l itude an d th at th e j oyo u s l i fe i n th e castl e sh o ul d b e agai n op e n to h er Sh e fol lowed al m o st un res isti n g b ut so exh auste d with fati g ue th at th e kni ght was gl ad to have b ro u ght h e r to h i s h o rs e wh i ch h e n o w h astily u n fastened i n o rder to l i ft th e fai r fu gi t ive up o n it ; and th en caut i ousl y h ol di n g th e rei ns h e h op ed to p roce e d t h rou gh th e u ncertai n shade s o f th e vall ey B ut th e h o rse h ad b ec ome q uite u nmanageabl e fro m th e wil d apparitio n o f K uh l e b o r n ve n th e kni ght woul d h ave had d i ffi culty i n mo unti n th e reari n and .
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86
E g
g
UNDI N E
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b
s norti ng ani mal ut to p lac e th e t rembl i ng B e r t a l d a o n its back was p erfectly i mp o s sibl e Th ey determ i ned th erefo re to return h o m e o n foot rawi ng the h o rse a fter h im by th e b ridle th e kni ght supp o rte d th e totter i n g gi rl with hi s o th e r h and B e r t a ld a ex erte d al l h e r s tre ngth to p ass q uickly th rough th e fearful val ley b ut weari ne s s we i gh ed h e r do wn l ik e l ead an d every l imb tre mb led p artl y fro m th e t erro r sh e h ad endured whe n K uh l e b o r n h ad p ursued he r and p artly fro m h er co n t i n u e d alarm at th e h o wli n g o f the sto rm an d th e p eal i n g o f th e thu nde r th rou gh th e wo o ded mountai n At last sh e sl i d fro m th e sup p o rtin g arm o f h er p ro tecto r and s i nki n g do wn o n th e m o s s sh e ex claim ed “ et m e l i e h e re my nobl e lo rd ; I suff e r th e p unish m e nt due to m y fo lly and I mu st no w p eri sh here t hrough weari ness an d d read ” “ o s weet fri en d I wil l nev e r l e av e yo u ! c rie d H u ld b r a n d vai nly e ndeav o ri n g t o restrai n h i s furio us stee d ; fo r wo rs e t han b efo re i t no w b e gan t o fo am and rear with exc it em e nt u nti l at l ast th e kni ght was glad to ke ep th e anim al at a su ffi ci e nt d i stanc e fro m th e ex h a u st e d m aide n l est h er fears sh oul d b e i nc rease d B ut s c arc ely h ad h e with drawn a few p ace s with th e wil d st ee d th an she e gan to c al l afte r h i m i n t h e m o st p iti ful m anner b el i ev in g th at h e was real ly goi n g t o leave h e r i n th i s h o rrib l e w il de rne s s H e was u tte rly at a l o s s wh at c o urse t o tak e Gladly woul d h e h ave give n th e exc ite d b east it s l ib e rty and h av e al l o we d it to rush away i nto th e n i gh t an d sp end it s fury h ad h e n ot feared th at i n th i s na rrow d efile it m i ght co m e th under i n g with i ts i ro n sho d ho o fs over th e v ery sp o t wh ere B e r t a l d a l ay I n th e m idst o f th i s extre m e p e rpl exity and d i stress h e h eard ith deli ght th e s oun d o f a v eh icle drivi ng s l o wl y d o wn t h e sto ny ro ad b eh i nd th em H e c all ed o ut fo r h elp ; and a m an s vo ice repl i ed iddi n hi m ,
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F
A M O U S TA LE S
h ave p ati e nc e
OF
W O N D ER
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g
b ut p rom is in as si stance ; and s o o n aft e r two gray h o rse s app eared th rough th e b ushes an d b e s i de th em th e d rive r i n th e wh ite s moc k o f a carte r ; a great wh ite l i ne n cl oth was next v is ib le c ov eri n g th e go o d s appare ntly c o nt a i ne d i n th e wago n At a l o ud sh out fro m th ei r m aste r th e o be die nt ho rse s hal ted Th e drive r th en cam e to ward th e kni ght and h el p ed h i m i n restrai nin g h i s foam i n g animal ” “ “ I see well sai d h e wh at ails th e b east When I fi rst t rave le d th i s way my h o rse s we re no b etter The fact i s t h ere i s an evi l wate r— sp irit haunti ng the p lace and h e take s deli ght i n th i s so rt o f m i sch ief B ut I h ave l earne d a ch arm ; i f y ou wi l l l et m e wh i sp e r i t i n you r h o rse s e a r h e w ill stan d at o n ce j ust as q uie t as m y ” gray b easts are doi ng th e re “ ” Try you r luck th e n o nly h elp us q uickly ! ex cl ai m e d th e i mp ati ent k ni ght Th e wago ner the n drew dow n th e h ea d o f th e re arin g ch arge r c l os e to h i s o wn and wh i sp ere d s o m e th i n g i n h i s ear I n a mo m ent th e animal s too d st i ll and qu iet and h i s qu i ck pant in g and reeki n g c o ndi tio n was all that rem ai ne d o f h i s p revio us un manageab le ness H u l d b r a n d h ad no tim e to i n q uire h o w al l th i s h ad b ee n e ff ecte d H e a gr ee d with th e carte r that h e sho ul d tak e B e r t a l d a o n h is wago n where as t he m an as su re d h im the re we re a quant ity o f so ft c ott o n b al es up o n wh i ch s h e c oul d b e co nveye d to castl e R i n g st e t t e n an d th e kni gh t was to accomp any th em o n h o rseback B ut th e h o rs e ap pe are d t oo much exh auste d by it s p as t fu ry t o b e ab l e to carry its m a s te r so th e c a rter p e rsuade d H u l d b r a n d to get i nto s o far th e wagon wit h B e r t a l d a Th e ho rse c o ul d b e fastene d “ ” “ o n b eh i nd We are go i ng do w n hi ll sai d h e and ” that wi ll m ak e i t l i ght fo r my gray easts Th e k ni gh t accep te d th e o ff er an d ente re d th e wa o n w ith B e r t a l d a ; th e h o rs e fo ll o wed pati ently b eh i nd and th e a go n e r steady and a tte ntive walke d by th e s i d e ,
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88
.
TA LE S
F A M OU S
fl oo d
OF
W O N D ER
.
i s ev er ri si n g h i gh e r and what do es it m atter t o ” ? m e to kno w wh o yo u are “ I t do es matte r to you tho u gh sai d th e wago ne r fo r I am K uh l e b o r n S o savin g h e th rus t h i s dis to rte d fac e i nto th e wago n with a gri n b ut th e wago n was a wago n no l o nge r th e ho rses we re not h o rs es— al l was transfo rm ed t o foam and van ish e d i n th e h is s i n g wave s and eve n th e wago n e r h im s el f ri s i n g as a gi ganti c il l o w d rew d o wn th e vai nly struggl in g h o rs e b ene ath th e water s and th en swell in g hi gh e r and hi ghe r swep t ove r th e h ead s of th e o atin g p ai r l ik e s o m e l i q ui d to wer th reaten i n g to u ry th em i rrec ove rab ly Just th en th e s oft v oi c e o f Un d i ne so un ded th ro ugh th e up roa r th e moo n em erge d from th e cloud s an d b y i ts l i gh t Undi ne was s ee n o n th e h ei gh ts above th e val l ey S he rebuke d sh e th re a ten e d th e fl o ods b el ow ; th e m enac i n g to wer l ik e w av e vanish ed m utteri n g an d m urm uri ng th e water s fl owe d ge ntly away i n th e m oo n l i ght an d l ike a white dov e Undi n e e w do w n fro m th e h ei ght s ei ze d th e kni ght an d B e r t a l d a and b o re th em with h e r t o a fres h gree n turfy sp ot o n th e h il l wh e re with ch o ic e re fresh i n g re sto rative s sh e disp el led th e i r te rro rs and we ari ne ss ; th e n sh e assiste d B e r t a l d a t o m ount th e white pal frey o n wh i ch sh e h ad h ers el f ri dden h ere and thu s all th ree returned back t o castl e ,
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R i n g st e t t e n
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E
C H A PT R X V
E
TH
J O U R N E Y T O VI ENN A
FT E R
th i s last adve nture th ey l ived quietly and happ i ly at th e castl e Th e k ni ght m o re and mo re p e rce ive d th e h e avenly go o dnes s o f h i s wife whi ch had b een s o nob ly exh ib ited by h er p ursui t an d by he r rescu e o f th em i n th e B l ack Vall ey wh ere K ii h l e b o r n s po we r agai n c o m m e nc ed ; Undi ne h e rsel f felt th at p e ace a nd security wh i ch is neve r l acki n g to a m i nd s o lo n g as i t i s di sti nctly c o ns ci ous o f b ei n g o n th e ri gh t p ath an d b esi des i n th e newly awake ne d l ov e and es te em o f h er h usband m any a gleam o f hop e an d j oy sh o ne upo n h e r B e r t a l d a o n th e o th e r h and sh o we d h e rsel f grate ful h umb l e and tim i d with o ut re gardin g h e r co nduct as anyth i ng m erito ri o us Whe nev er H u l d b r a n d o r U n d in e were ab out to give her any exp lanatio n re gardin g th e c overi n g o f th e fo u ntai n o r th e adv entur e i n th e B l ac k Val ley sh e woul d e arn estly entreat the m t o spare h e r th e recital as sh e fe lt too m uch sh am e at th e re c o l lecti o n o f th e fo untai n and to o m uch fe ar at th e rem emb ranc e o f t h e B lack Valley S h e l earne d th e re fo re noth i n g furthe r o f eith er And fo r wh at e n d was suc h k no wl ed ge n ecess ary ? P eace and j oy h ad vi sibl y take n up the i r ab ode i n castl e R i n g s t e t t e n Th ey felt secu re o n th i s p o i nt an d i m agi ned that l i fe co ul d n o w p roduc e nothi ng ut p l easant fl owers and fruits I n thi s h appy c o nditio n o f th in gs wi nter h ad com e and pas se d away an d sp rin g wit h its fresh gree n sh o ots and its bl ue sky was gl adde ni n g th e j oyo u s i nm at e s o f the castle Sp ri n g was in h armo ny with th em and ,
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91
A
F MO
U S TA LE S
OF
W O N DE R
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th ey wit h sp ri n g What won de r th en th at i ts sto rks a nd s wal lo ws i n spi red the m al so with a d e si re t o travel ? n e d ay wh e n th ey we re t aki n g a p leasant walk t o o ne o f th e s ource s o f th e anub e H u l d b r a n d sp ok e o f th e magni fic ence o f th e nobl e rive r and h o w i t wi de ne d as i t fl o we d th ro ugh c ou ntri e s fe rtil iz e d b y its w a te rs h o w t h e cha rmi ng c ity of Vi e nn a sh o n e fo rth o n its b anks an d h o w w ith eve ry step o f its course i t i nc rease d i n p owe r and l ovel iness “ I t m us t b e glo ri o us to go d o wn th e r ive r as far as ” Vi enna ! ex clai me d B e r t a l d a b ut i mm ed iat ely rel ap si n g i nto he r p re se nt m o desty and h um ility sh e p aus e d an d blush e d de eply Th i s to uch e d Undi n e deeply an d with th e l ivel i est d e “ s i re t o give p l easure to h e r frie nd sh e s ai d : What ” h i nders u s from starti n g o n th e l i ttle v oyage ? B e r t a l d a exh ib ited th e g reate s t del ight and b oth sh e and Undi ne b e gan at o nc e t o p i cture th e tou r o f th e anub e i n th e b ri gh test co l o rs H u l d b r a n d al so gladly agreed to th e p ro sp ect ; o nly h e o nc e wh isp e re d a u x i o u sl y i n Undine s ear : “ B u t K ii h l e b o r n b eco m es p os ses se d o f h i s p owe r ” a gai n out th ere ! “ et h i m com e sh e repl i ed with a sm il e ; I shal l b e th ere and h e v enture s up o n n on e o f h i s m isch ie f b e ” fo re m e Th e last impe dim e nt was thu s remove d ; th ey p repare d fo r th e j ou rney an d so o n after set o ut up o n it w ith fre sh spi ri ts an d the b ri ghtest h op es B ut won de r not o h m an i f eve nts always turn o ut di f fe r e n t to what we h ave i nte n ded That m ali c ious p o we r l urk i ng fo r our destruct io n gl adly l ul ls its ch ose n vi c t i m t o sleep with s we et s o n gs an d gol den delus io ns ; w h il e o n t h e oth e r h an d th e rescui n g m es sen ger from H eave n o ften k n ock s sh arply an d alarm i ngly at ou r doo n uri n g th e fi rst fe w days o f th e i r voyage d o wn th e .
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92
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A
F MO
U S TA LE S
W O N D ER
OF
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eve ry o ne i n th e v essel i magi ne d h e saw i n w h atever di re ctio n h e tu rned a m o st h or ri bl e h um an h ead ; it rose out o f th e wave s not like th at o f a pe rso n swim m i n g b ut p e rfectly p erp e nd icular as i f i nv is ib ly s up p orte d up ri ght o n th e watery s urfac e an d fl o atin g al o n g i n th e sam e c ours e w ith th e b ark ach wanted to p o i nt out to th e o th e r t he c au se o f h i s alarm b ut e ach fo und th e s am e exp re ssio n o f h o rro r dep icted o n th e fac e o f h i s nei ghb o r o nl y t h a t h i s h an ds an d eye s we re di re cte d to a diff e re nt p o int wh e re th e m o nste r h al f laugh i n g an d hal f th reateni n g ro s e b efore h im Wh en h oweve r th ey all wi sh e d t o m ak e e ach oth e r u nde r “ stan d wh at e ach saw and al l we re c ryi n g o ut : o ok ” the r e ! o th e re ! th e h o rrib l e h eads all at o ne an d th e sam e t im e ap peare d t o th ei r v i e w and th e w hol e river around th e v esse l s wa rme d w ith th e m ost h i deo u s apparitio ns Th e unive rsal c ry rai se d at t he si gh t awoke Undi ne A s sh e o p ene d h er eyes t h e wi ld c row d o f di s t o r t e d v isage s di sapp eare d B ut H u l d b r a n d was i n d i g nant at such uns i ghtl y j ugglery H e wo ul d have b urst forth i n u nco nt r ol le d i m p re c a ti o ns h ad not Un di ne sai d t o h im with a h umbl e manne r an d a s o ftly i plo r n g “ ton e : o r Go d s sake m y h usb and we are o n th e ” wate r do no t b e an gry with m e no w Th e kni ght was sil e nt and s at do wn ab so rb ed i n rev “ erie Un di ne wh ispe re d i n h i s ear : Wo ul d it not b e bette r my l ove i f we gave up th i s fo oli sh j o urney an d retu rne d to castl e R i n g st e tt e n i n peac e ? “ B ut H u l d b r a n d m urm ure d m o o dily : S o I m ust b e a p ri so ne r i n m y o wn c astle and o nly b e abl e t o b re ath e s o l o n g as th e fountai n i s c lo s ed ! I woul d your m ad ki ndre d Un dine lovi ngly p resse d h e r fai r h and upo n h i s l ip s H e p ause d p o nd e rin g i n s il e nc e ov er uch that U ndi ne h ad b e for e sai d t o h im B e r t a ld a h ad meanwh il e given h e rsel f up to a variety o f stran e th ou ts S h e kn e a reat d ea o f U n d i ne s ,
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UNDIN E
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r i n an d yet n ot t e wh ole and th e fearful uh le bo rn e sp eci al ly h ad rem ai ned t o h e r a terrib le b ut wh o lly u nreve al ed mystery Sh e h ad i nde e d neve r ev e n h e a r d h i s nam e us in g o n the se st range th i ngs sh e u nc lasp e d s carcely co ns ciou s o f th e act a gol d neck l ace wh i ch H u l d b r a n d h ad lately p u rch ased fo r h e r o f a t rave li n g t rade r ; h a l f d r e a m i n g ly sh e drew i t alo ng th e su rface o f th e wate r e nj oyi n g th e l i ght glim m e r it c a s t upo n th e eve ni ng ti nte d stream S ud denly a h uge an d was st retch e d o ut o f th e anub e i t se ized th e necklac e an d vani she d w ith it b eneat h th e waters B e r t a l d a s cream e d al oud an d a sco rnful lau gh re so und e d from th e d epth s o f th e stream Th e kni gh t c oul d no w re st rai n h i s an ge r n o l o n ge r Starti ng up h e i n ve i g h e d agai n st th e rive r ; h e c urs e d al l wh o v e nture d t o i nt erfe re w it h h i s fam ily an d h i s l i fe an d ch alle nge d th em b e th ey spi ri t s o r s i re ns to sh o w t h em sel ve s b efo re h i s avengin g swo rd B e r t a l d a wep t m e anwh il e fo r h e r l o st o rnam e nt wh ich was s o p rec io us to h e r an d h e r t ears adde d fuel to t h e am e o f th e kni gh t s an ge r wh il e U ndi ne h el d he r h an d ov er th e s i de o f th e ves sel dip p i n g it i nto th e wate r softly m u rm urin g to h e rsel f an d o nly n ow a nd th en i n t e r r u pt i n g h e r strange m yste ri o us wh i sp e r as sh e e n “ t reate d h er h usb an d : y d ea rly l ove d o ne do no t sc ol d m e h ere ; rep rov e o th e rs i f yo u wil l b ut n ot m e ” h e re Yo u k now wh y ! A nd i nde ed h e re strain e d th e wo rds o f an ge r th at we re t remb li n g o n h i s ton gue Pre se ntly i n h e r wet h and w h ich sh e h ad b ee n h o ldi n g un de r th e wav e s sh e b rou gh t up a b eauti fu l c o ral nec k l ac e o f s o m uc h b rill iancy th at th e eye s o f all were daz z l e d by it “ Take t h i s sai d sh e h ol di n g it o ut k indl y t o B e r “ t al da ; I h a e or dered th i s to b e b rou gh t fo r yo u as a co mp e nsat io n an d do n t e r e e d any o re my po o r ” c ild o
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B ut t e k ni gh t sp ran g b e tween them H e t o re th e b e auti ful o rnam ent from Undi ne s h an d h urled it agai n “ i nto th e rive r exclaim in g i n p ass io nat e rage : H ave you t he n still a co nnecti o n with them ? I n t h e nam e o f al l the witch es rem ai n am o n g th em with yo ur p resents ” and l eave u s m o rtal s i n p eac e yo u so rce ress ! Po o r U ndi ne gaze d at h im with fi x ed b ut tearful eye s h e r h an d stil l s t retch ed o ut as wh en sh e h ad o ff ered he r b e aut ifu l p rese nt s o l ov i ngly to B e r t a l d a Sh e th en be gan t o weep m o re an d m o re vi ol e ntly l ik e a clear i n n oce nt ch ild b itterly a ffl i ct e d At last weari e d out sh e sai d : Alas s weet fri e nd alas ! Th ey sh all d o you n o h arm ; o nly re mai n t rue s o that I m ay b e ab l e to kee p th em fro m yo u I mu st alas ! go away ; I m ust go h e nce at th i s e arly s t age o f l i fe h wo e woe ! what ” h ave you do ne ! h w oe woe ! S he vanish e d ove r t h e s id e o f th e ve ssel Wheth er sh e pl un ge d i nto th e st ream o r o we d away with it th ey knew no t ; h er d isappearanc e w a s l ik e b oth and n eith er So o n h o wever sh e was c ompl etely l o st s i gh t o f i n th e anub e ; o nly a few li t tle waves kept whi spe r i ng as i f sobb i n g roun d th e b oat and th ey al m o st “ s eem e d t o be sayi n g : h wo e woe ! oh rem ai n true ! ” oh wo e ! H u l d b r a n d lay o n th e dec k o f t h e ve ssel b ath ed i n h o t tears an d a deep swo o n soo n c ast its vei l of fo rget fulness ove r th e un h appy man .
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din e s m em o ry an d almo st wholly fo rgetful o f the i r fo r me r att achm ent t o each othe r A nd th erefo re th e goo d Un di n e o fte n vi site d H u l d b r a n d i n hi s dream s ; c aress i n g h i m t e nde rly an d k indly a nd the n go i ng away weep i n g s i lently s o that wh e n h e awo ke h e o fte n scarcely kne w wh y h i s c heek s were so wet : wheth e r th ey h ad be e n b ath e d with h e r t ears o r m erely with h i s own Th e s e dream v is i o ns b ecam e h o weve r l e s s fre que nt as t im e p as se d o n and th e gri e f of th e k ni ght was le ss acute ; st il l h e wo ul d p rob ab ly h ave ch e rishe d no oth e r wi sh th an thu s to th i nk calmly o f Undi ne and to tal k o f h e r h ad not th e o l d fi sh e rman app eare d o ne day n u exp ectedly at th e castl e an d ste rnl y i ns iste d o n B er t a ld a s r etu rn i ng with h i m as h i s ch il d Th e news o f Undi ne s disapp earance h ad re ach ed h im an d h e h ad determ i ne d o n n o lo n ge r al lo wi ng B e r t a ld a to resi de at th e castl e with th e wi do wed kni ght ” “ “ o r sai d h e wh eth er m y dau ghte r l ov e m e o r no I do n ot care to k no w b ut he r h o no r i s at stake and wh e re th at i s co ncerne d noth i ng el se i s to b e thou gh t ” of Th i s i dea o f th e ol d fi sh e r m a n s an d th e sol itud e wh i ch th re atene d to ove rwh el m t h e k nigh t i n all th e h all s and gallerie s o f th e desol ate castle afte r B e r t a l d a s departure b ro ught o ut th e fe el in gs t h at h ad sl umbe red till now and whi ch h ad b ee n wh o ll y fo rgotte n i n h i s so rro w fo r U n dine ; nam ely H u ld b r a n d s a ff ect io n fo r th e b eauti ful B e r t a l d a Th e fi sh erm an h ad m any o b j e c t io n s t o rais e agai n st th e p rop os ed m arriage Un di ne h ad b ee n ve ry dear to t h e ol d fi sh erm an and h e felt th at no o ne really k new fo r c e rtai n wh e th e r th e d ear l ost o n e we re actuall y dead An d i f h er b o dy were t ruly lyin g co l d and st i ff at th e b ottom o f th e anub e o r h a d oated away with th e c urre nt i nt o th e o cean eve n th e n B e r t a l d a was i n som e m easure to b lam e fo r h e r death and i t was u n fit t i n g fo r h e r to step i nto th e p lac e o f th e ,
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98 .
UNDINE
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p o o r supplante d o ne Yet th e fi sh erm an had a stro ng regard fo r th e k ni ght al so ; and th e e nt reati e s o f h is dau gh te r wh o h ad b eco m e m uch m o re gentl e and sub m i ss ive and h e r tears fo r Und ine turned th e s cale an d h e m ust at le n gth h ave give n h i s co nse nt fo r h e rem ai ne d at t h e castl e wi tho ut obj ecti o n and a m e ssen ge r was di spatch e d t o ath er H eilm an n w h o h ad u nite d Un din e an d H u l d b r a n d i n h appy days go ne by to b ri ng h im to th e castl e fo r th e s ec o n d nupti als o f th e kni gh t Th e h oly m an ho weve r h ad scarcely read th e lett e r from th e k ni ght o f R i n g st e t t e n th an h e set o ut o n h i s j o u rney to th e castl e with far greate r expe diti o n th an eve n th e m es se nge r h ad used i n go i ng to h im Whe n eve r h i s b reath fail e d i n h is rap i d p ro gres s o r h i s age d l imb s ach e d with we ari nes s h e wo ul d say to h im self : “ Perh ap s th e ev il m ay yet b e p revente d ; fail not m y ” totte ri n g fram e t il l yo u h ave reach e d th e goal ! And with renewe d pow e r h e wo ul d the n p res s fo rward and go o n an d o n w th out rest o r rep os e unti l l a te o ne even in g h e e nte re d th e s ady c o urt yard o f castle Ring st e tten Th e bet ro th e d p air we re sitti n g s i de by si de u nde r th e t rees and th e o l d fi sh e rm an was near them a b so rbe d i n th o ught Th e m om ent th ey reco gn ized ath er H e i lm ann th ey sp ran g up and p re sse d ro und h im wit h warm wel co m e B ut h e w ith out m aki n g much reply be gged H u l d b r a n d t o go with h i m i nto th e c ast l e ; a nd wh e n th e l atte r l ook ed asto n i sh e d and h es itate d t o o bey th e grav e sum m o ns th e reve re nd fathe r s ai d t o h im : “ Why sh oul d I m ake any del ay i n wish i ng t o sp eak t o you i n p rivat e H err vo n R i n g s t e t t e n ? Wh at I h ave to say co nce rns B e r t a l d a an d th e fi sh e rman as m uch as you rsel f and wh at a man has to h ear h e m ay p re fe r to h ear as so o n as po s si le Are yo u th en s o p e r ni ght H u l d b r a n d th at you r fi rst wi fe fe c t l y c ertai n .
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i s really dead ? I t s carce ly seem s s o to m e I il l no t i nd ee d say anyt h i n g o f th e mysteri o us co ndit io n i n wh i ch sh e may b e ex isti n g and I k no w to o noth i ng o f it with certaint y B ut sh e was a p ious and faithful w ife that i s beyo nd al l doub t ; an d fo r a fo rtni ght p ast sh e h as sto o d at my b eds i de at n i ght i n my dre am s wri n gi ng h e r t en de r h ands i n an gu i sh an d si gh i n g o ut ‘ h p reve nt h i m goo d fath e r ! I am stil l l iv in g ! h save h i s l i fe ! save h i s so ul ! I di d not un derstan d what th i s ni ghtly vis io n s i gni fied ; wh e n p rese ntly your mes se n ge r c ame an d I h urrie d h ith e r no t t o u nite b ut t o separat e what o ugh t not t o b e j o i ned to geth e r eave h e r H u ld b r a n d ! eav e h i m B e r t a l d a ! H e yet b el o n gs to anoth er ; a nd d o yo u not see grief fo r h i s lo st wife st il l writte n o n h i s pal e ch eek ? o b ride groo m lo oks thus an d a v o i ce tel ls m e th at i f yo u do not l e av e h im ” yo u wil l neve r e h appy Th e th re e l i st en ers felt i n th ei r i nnerm ost h eart th at ath e r H e il man n spoke th e truth b ut th ey wo ul d not b el i ev e it ve n th e o l d fish erma n was now s o i n fa t u ate d th at h e th o u gh t it c o ul d no t b e oth erwis e th an th ey h a d settl e d i t i n th ei r d is cu s si on s duri n g th e last few days Th ey th e re fo re al l o pp ose d th e warni ngs o f th e p ri est with a wil d an d gl oo my rash ness u nt il at l ength t h e h oly fath e r q uitte d th e c astl e with a sad h eart r e fusi n g t o acc ep t eve n fo r a s in gl e n i gh t th e s hel te r o f fe r e d o r t o enj oy th e refresh m e nts rou gh t h im H ul d b ran d h oweve r p e rsuad ed h im sel f t h at th e p rie st was full o f whim s and fanc i es an d with dawn o f day h e sent fo r a fath e r from th e nearest m o naste ry wh o witho ut h es itatio n p rom is e d to p erform th e c erem o ny i n a fe w days .
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h ad be gun th ei r u nh appy anub e ex cursio n Th e k ni ght co ul d not h elp t h ink i n g upo n all th i s very ful ly an d deeply but i t di d not s eem as i f Un d ine p e rc ei ve d h im eanwh ile K u h l e b o r n h ad ap p roach e d h e r and was o n th e p o in t o f rep rov i n g h e r fo r h er weep i n g B ut sh e dre w h ersel f up an d loo ke d at h im w it h suc h a noble a nd c o mm andi n g air that h e al mo st sh rank back “ with fear Alth ough I l iv e h e re b e neath th e wate rs said sh e I h ave yet b rou ght down my so ul w ith m e ; and th erefo re I m ay wel l weep alth o ugh you cannot di v i ne wh at suc h tears are Th ey too are b l esse d fo r everyth in g i s bl es se d t o h i m i n who m a true soul ” dwe lls H e sh o ok h i s h ead i nc re dul ously an d sai d after som e refl ect io n : An d yet n ie c e yo u are s ubj ect to th e laws o f our elem e nt an d i f h e m arri es agai n and is u nfaith ful t o yo u yo u are i n duty b o un d t o take away h is l i fe ” “ H e i s a w i do we r t o th i s very h o ur repl ie d U nd ine an d h i s sad heart still h ol d s m e dear “ H e i s h o weve r at th e s am e ti m e b etroth ed l augh e d “ K u h l e b o r n with s c o rn ; and l et o nly a few days p ass an d th e priest wi ll h ave give n th e nuptial b l essi n g an d t h en you w ill h ave to go up o n earth to ac com pl i sh th e ” death o f h i m wh o h as take n ano th e r t o wife “ That I c annot do laughe d Und i ne i n return ; I h ave s e al e d u p th e fo untai n s ecurely agains t myself and ” my rac e B ut suppo se h e sh oul d l eave h i s castle s ai d Kuh l e “ b o rn o r sh o ul d h av e th e fou ntai n op e ned a gai n ! fo r h e ” th ink s l ittl e e nou gh o f th es e th i ngs ” “ I t i s j ust fo r that reason sai d U ndi ne st il l sm il in g “ am i d h er t ears i t i s j ust fo r th at reaso n that h e i s no w h overi ng i n spi rit ove r th e edite rranean S ea and i s dreami n g o f th is c o nversatio n o f o urs as a warnin g I ” h ave i nte nt i o nally arran ge d it so .
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1 02
UNDINE
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furi o us with rage l o oke d up at th e kni ght th reate ned stamp e d with h i s feet and the n swift as an arrow sh ot u nder th e waves I t se eme d a s i f h e we re s welli n g i n h is fury to th e s i ze o f a whale A gai n th e s wans b e gan to s in g t o flap th ei r wi ngs and to y I t se eme d t o the k ni gh t as i f h e we re so ari n g away ove r m o u ntai n s an d stream s and t hat h e at length reach e d t h e cast le R i n g st e t t e n and awoke o n h i s c ouch H e d id i n real ity awake up o n h i s co uch an d h i s squi r e c om i n g i n at that m o m e nt i nfo rm e d h im th at ath e r H e ilmann was stil l l inge rin g i n th e nei ghb o r h oo d ; th at h e h ad m et h im th e n i ght b e fo re i n th e fo rest i n a b u t wh ich h e had fo rm e d fo r h im sel f o f th e b ranch es o f t rees an d c o ve re d with m os s a n d brush woo d To t h e q ue stio n wh at h e was do i ng t he re s i nc e h e w oul d n ot give th e nupt ial b l essi n g h e h ad a n Th e re are o th e r bl e ss i ngs b esi de s th o s e at th e s we r e d : n upti al al tar and t ho u gh I h ave n ot go ne t o th e wed di ng it m ay b e th at I sh al l b e at anoth e r so lem n c ere m ony W e m ust be ready fo r al l th i n gs B es i de s mar and eve r y o ne r y i n g an d m ou rni n g are not s o u nl ike ” not wi lf ully b l i n de d m ust s e e that well Th e kni ght p l ace d variou s strange c o nstru c ti o ns upo n th ese wo rds and up o n h i s d ream b ut it i s ve ry di ffi cult to b reak o ff a th i n g wh ic h a man h as onc e re garded a s c ertai n an d so ev eryth i n g rem ai ne d as it h ad b ee n ar K u h le b o r n ,
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I we re t o tel l yo u h o w th e marriage feast pas se d at c astl e R i n g s t e tt e n i t wo ul d se em to you as i f yo u saw a h eap o f b ri ght a nd pl e asant th i n gs b ut a gloom y ve i l o f m o urni n g sp read over th em al l the dark hu e o f wh ich woul d m ake th e spl endo r of th e wh ol e l o ok l ess l ike h app i nes s th an a m o ckery o f th e e m p t i ness o f al l earth ly j oys I t was not that any sp e ct ral app aritio n s d isturb e d th e festive c o mp any fo r we k no w that th e castl e h ad be e n sec ure d from th e m isch ief o f th e th reateni n g wat e r sp i rits B ut th e k ni gh t an d th e fi sh e rm an an d al l th e gue sts felt as i f th e c h ie f p e rs o n age we re stil l l ack i ng at th e feast and th at th i s ch ie f p erso nage co ul d b e none othe r th an th e loved an d gentle U ndi ne Wh e n eve r a do o r op ene d th e eyes o f al l were i nv o luntarily turned i n th at di rectio n an d i f it was not h i n g b ut th e utle r with ne w d ish es o r th e cupb eare r with a fl ask o f sti l l ri ch e r wi ne they wo ul d l o o k do w n a gai n s adly an d th e fl ash e s o f w it an d m errim e nt wh ic h h ad passe d to and fro woul d b e ext in gu ishe d by s a d rememb rance s Th e b ri de was th e m o st th ou gh tl es s o f all an d t h ere fo re th e m o st h appy ; b ut eve n t o h er it s om etime s s eem e d stran ge th at sh e sh o ul d b e s ittin g at th e h ead o f th e t abl e weari n g a gree n w reath and gol d emb ro ide re d atti re wh il e Undi ne was lyi n g at th e b o t tom o f th e anub e a c ol d an d sti ff c o rp se o r o a ti ng away with th e cu rre nt i nto th e m i ghty o cean o r eve r ,
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S h e will not b e s o m ad exclai me d B erth a i n a p leased an d surp rise d t o ne sh e wil l not b e s o m ad as to h ave th e sto ne rem ov e d fro m t h e fou ntai n th is ve ry ” eve nin g ! A t th e sam e m om ent th ey h eard t he me n c ross i ng th e c ourtyard and co ul d see from the w i ndo w ho w th e o ffi c i o u s wait i n g wo m an was l ead in g them strai ght up to th e fountain and that th ey were carryi n g “ l eve rs an d oth er i nst rum e nts o n th e ir sh ou lders It ” “ i s c ertai nl y my wi ll sai d B e r t a l d a s m il i ng if o nly it ” d o es not take t oo l o n g An d h appy i n th e sense th at a l oo k from h e r no w was ab l e t o e ff ect wh at had fo r m erly b ee n so p ai nfully re fus ed h e r sh e watch e d th e p ro gres s o f th e wo rk i n th e m oo nlit c astl e co u rt Th e m e n raise d th e e no rm o us s to ne w ith an e ff ort ; no w an d th e n i ndee d o n e o f th e ir numb e r wo ul d si gh as h e rem emb e re d th at th ey wer e d e stroyi n g th e wo rk o f th e i r form e r b elov ed m ist re s s B ut th e lab o r was far l i ghte r th an th ey h ad i magi ned I t s eem e d as i f a p o we r with i n th e sp ri ng i ts el f was ai di n g th em i n rais i n g th e sto ne I t i s j ust sai d th e wo rkm e n to each oth er i n as as i f th e water with i n had b e c om e a t o n i sh m e n t sprin gi ng fountai n A nd th e sto ne ro se h i gh er an d h i ghe r an d alm o st with out th e ass i stanc e o f th e work men it rol le d slowl y dow n up o n t h e p ave m ent with a h ol l o w so u nd B ut from th e openi n g o f th e fo untai n t he re ro se so l em nly a wh ite colum n o f wate r ; at fi rst th ey i magi ned it had really b ec om e a sp ri ngin g fo un tai n til l th ey p erc eive d th at th e ris i n g fo rm was a p al e femal e fi gure v ei le d i n wh ite S h e was w eep i n g b it t e r l y rai sin g h e r h an ds w ai li n gly above h e r h ead an d w ri n gi n g t hem as sh e walke d w ith a sl o w and se rio u s step to th e castl e b u il d in g Th e s ervants fl ed fro m th e sp ri n g ; th e b ri de pal e an d sti ff with h o rro r stoo d at th e wi ndo w with h er atten dant s Wh en th e fi gure h ad no w co m e cl ose b e neath h e r ro om it lo oked m o ani ngly up ,
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t o e r an d B e r t a l d a th o ugh t sh e co ul d rec o gnize b e neath th e v e i l th e pal e featu re s o f Undi ne B u t th e s o rrowi n g fo rm passe d o n sad re luctant an d falte ri ng as i f p ass i n g to exe cutio n B e r t a l d a sc ream e d o ut th at th e k n i gh t was to be called b ut no ne o f h er m ai ds v enture d fro m th e s pot ; and eve n th e b ri de h ers elf be cam e m ute as i f tremb li ng at h e r o wn v o ic e W hi l e th ey were sti ll standi n g fearfully at the wi ndow m ot ionl es s as st atues th e stran ge wan de re r ha d reach e d th e castl e h ad p as se d up th e wel l kno wn stairs and th rou gh th e we ll kno w n h al ls eve r i n sil ent tears Alas ! h o w diff erently h ad sh e o nc e wandere d th rou gh th em ! Th e kn i gh t partly undres se d h ad alre ady di sm is se d h i s atte n dant s an d i n a m o o d o f deep dej ect i o n h e was standi n g b e fo re a l arge m i rro r ; a tap e r w as b urn in g di mly b es ide h im Th e re was a gentl e tap at h i s doo r Undi ne use d to tap th us wh en she wante d p layfully t o ” tease hi m I t i s al l fancy sai d he to h im sel f ; I m ust ” seek m y nuptial b ed ” “ S o yo u m ust b ut it must b e a col d o ne ! h e h eard a tearfu l v o ic e say fro m with out and th e n h e saw i n th e m irro r h is do o r ope nin g sl owly— slo wly— an d th e wh ite fi gu re e nte re d care fully c lo s in g i t b eh i n d h er “ ” “ They h av e o pe ne d th e sp rin g s ai d sh e s o ftly an d ” n o w I am ere an d yo u must di e H e felt i n h i s paralyze d h eart th at it c oul d not b e oth e rwi se b ut covering h i s eye s with h i s hands h e sai d : “ o n ot m ak e m e m ad with terro r i n my h our o f death I f yo u wear a h i deo us face b eh i n d th at ve i l do no t raise ” it b ut tak e my l i fe and let m e se e yo u not “ ” “ Alas ! repli ed th e fi gure w il l you th e n not loo k up o n m e o nc e m o re ? I am as fai r as wh e n you wooed e o n th e p ro m o nto ry ,
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i f it we re s o ! si gh e d H u l d b r a n d a nd i f I m i ght di e i n yo ur fo nd emb race ! “ ” o st gladly my l ove d o ne sai d s h e ; and th ro wi ng h e r e i l back h er l ov ely face sm il ed fo rth d ivi nely eau t i ful Tremb l in g with love and w ith th e app ro ac h o f d eath sh e kis se d h im with a h oly k iss ; b ut n o t rel ax i n g h e r h old sh e p re ss e d h i m fe rv e ntly t o h e r an d as i f sh e wo ul d weep away h e r s oul Tears ru sh e d i nto th e kn i gh t s eyes and s eem e d t o s u rge th rou gh h is h eavi n g b reast til l at l en gt h h i s b reath i n g c eas e d an d h e fell softly b ack from th e b eauti ful arm s o f U ndi n e upo n th e p ill ows o f h i s c o uch — a co rp se “ I h av e wep t h im t o death sai d sh e to s om e ser vant s wh o m et h e r i n th e ante ch ambe r ; and pas s in g th rough th e a ff ri ght e d roup s h e e nt sl o wly o ut t o ward th e fountai n ,
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sh iel d an d h elmet lay alre ady o n th e c o ffi n t o e lo e re d with it i nto th e grave fo r S i r H u l d b r a n d o f R i n g stetten h a d di e d th e l ast o f h i s rac e ; th e m o urners b e gan th ei r so rrowful m arch s i ngi ng re quiem s u nder th e b ri gh t calm c anopy o f h eave n ; athe r H e i lmann walke d i n advanc e b eari n g a h i gh c ruc ifix an d th e i nc o nso l able B e r t a ld a foll owe d supp o rte d by h er age d fath er Su ddenly i n th e m id st o f th e b lack robe d a t t e n d a n t s i n th e wi dow s train a s no w wh ite fi gu re w as s ee n cl os ely v e ile d an d wri n gi n g h er h ands w ith fer ve nt s o rro w Th o se ne ar wh om sh e move d felt a s ec ret dread a n d ret reate d e ith e r backward o r to th e s i d e i nc re asi n g b y the i r m ovem e nt s th e al arm of th e oth e rs n ear to wh om th e wh ite stran ge r was n o w advanc ing an d th us a c o n fus i o n i n th e fu n eral t rai n was well ni gh be gi n ni n g S om e o f th e m i lit ary esc o rt we re s o dari n g as to addr ess th e fi gu re and t o attem pt t o rem ove it fro m th e p ro ce ssi o n ; b ut sh e se e e m e d to v anish fro u nder th ei r h an ds and yet was im m ed i ately s ee n a d v a n c i n g agai n am i d th e di smal c orte ge w it h sl o w an d sol em n step At len gth i n c o nseq u enc e o f th e co nti nue d sh ri nk i ng o f th e atten dants to th e ri gh t and to th e left sh e cam e cl os e eh i nd B e r t a l d a Th e fi g u re n ow ove d so slo wly t at th e wi d o w di d not p e rc e ive it and it walked m eekly and h umbl y b eh i nd h e r undisturb ed Th i s l aste d t il l th ey cam e to th e church yard wh e re th e p ro ce ss i o n fo rm ed a c i rcl e round th e o p en grave Th e n B e r t a l d a saw h e r u nb i dde n com p an i o n an d st art i ng up h al f i n an ge r an d h al f i n te rro r sh e c o mm an ded h e r to l eav e th e k ni gh t s last rest ing pl ace T h e v eil e d fi gure h o wev er ge ntly sh o ok h e r h ead i n re fusal an d rai se d h er h ands as i f i n h umb le suppl ic ati o n to B er tal da deeply agitatin g h e r by t h e acti o n and r ec al l i ng t o h e r w ith tear s h ow Undi ne h ad so ki ndly wi sh e d to giv e h e r th at co ral neckl ac e o n th e anu b e at e r e ilman n m ot io ned wit h i s h an d and c o mande d si ,
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l ence a s th ey we re to p ray i n m ute devotio n ove r th e b ody wh i ch they we re no w c ove ri n g with th e earth B e r t a l d a k nelt si l e n tly an d all k nelt eve n th e g rave di gge rs am o n g the r est whe n they h ad fi ni sh e d th ei r t ask B ut w he n th ey ro s e agai n th e wh ite stran ge r had vani she d ; on th e spo t wh e re sh e h ad k nelt th er e gush e d o ut o f th e turf a l ittl e silver sp ri n g wh ich ri p pl e d an d m urm ure d away til l it h ad al mo st e nti rely e nc i rcle d th e k ni gh t s grave ; th en it ran fu r th e r and empt ie d it self i nto a l ake wh ich lay by th e si de of th e b u r ial p lace v en to th i s day th e i nh ab itants o f th e village sh o w th e sp ri n g an d ch e rish th e b el ief th at it i s th e p o o r rej ecte d Un di ne wh o i n th i s m an ne r sti ll em race s e r h us and i n h e r lo i n ar s ,
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h as m ade a v oya ge up th e H udso n m ust rem em b e r the K a a t s ki l l m ountai ns Th ey are a di sme mb ere d b ra n ch o f th e great App al ach i an fam i ly and are s ee n away to th e we st o f the river s wel li n g up to a nob l e h ei ght and l o rdi n g it over th e su rro u ndi n g c ou ntry very ch ange o f s ea so n eve ry ch an ge o i weath e r i ndee d every h o u r o f th e day p ro duc es som e change i n th e magical h ues an d sh ape s o f th ese m ou ntains ; an d th ey are re gar d ed b y al l th e go o d wive s far an d n ear as p e rfec t b arom eters Wh e n th e weath e r i s fai r and settle d th ey a r e cl oth e d i n blue and p urp l e and p ri nt th eir b o l d o utl ine s o n th e cl ear eve ni ng sky ; b ut so metim es wh e n the rest o f th e l an dscap e i s cl oudle s s th ey wi ll gath e r a h o o d o f gray vapo rs ab o ut th e i r sum m its wh i c h i n th e last rays o f th e setti n g sun wi l l glo w an d li ght up l ike a c ro wn o f gl o ry At th e fo ot o f th e s e fai ry m ountain s t h e v oya ge r m ay h av e de s c ri e d th e l i gh t sm oke c urli n g up fro m a village wh o se sh i ngle ro o fs gl eam am o n g th e trees j ust wh ere th e bl ue t i nts o f th e upland m elt away i nto th e fresh gree n o f th e n eare r land scap e I t i s a l ittl e vi ll age o f great ant iquity h avin g b ee n fou nded b y s o m e o f the utch c ol oni sts i n th e early ti m e s o f th e p rovi nce j ust ab o ut th e e gi nni n g o f th e gove rnm e nt o f th e go o d Pete r Stu y e s ant ( m ay h e rest i n and the re Were so m e o f th e h o use s o f t h e o ri gi nal settlers stan d .
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i n g with i n a few years b uil t o f sm all yell o w b ri ck s brought fro m H ollan d h avi n g l atti c ed wi ndo ws and gab le fronts s urm o unte d w ith weath erc o cks I n th at sam e v i ll age and i n o ne o f th e s e very ho us es ( wh i ch t o tel l th e p recis e truth was s adly ti m e wo rn and weath e r b eate n ) th e re l ive d m any years si nc e wh i l e th e c o untry was ye t a p rovi nce o f Gre at B ritain a s impl e go o d nature d fel l o w o f th e n am e o f Rip Van Wi nkl e H e was a desce ndant o f th e Van Wi nkle s who fi gure d s o gallantly i n th e chivalrou s days o f Peter Stuyves ant an d accom pani ed h i m to th e s ie ge o f o rt Ch ristin a H e i nh e rited h o wever b ut l ittl e o f th e m arti al ch aracte r o f h i s anc esto rs I h ave ob served th at h e was a s imp l e go o d nature d m an ; h e was m o reove r a kin d ne i gh b o r an d a n ob e di ent h enp e cke d h usb and I ndeed to th e latt er c i rc um stanc e m ight b e o wi n g that m eekne ss o f sp i rit wh i ch gai ned h i m s uch unive rs al popularity ; fo r th o s e m en are ap t to b e ob sequio us an d c o nc li ati n g ab ro ad who are u nde r th e di sci p li ne o f sh rews at h o m e Th ei r temp ers d o ubtle ss are re n de re d pl i ant and m al l eab le i n th e fi e ry fu rnac e o f do m e s t i c trib ulatio n an d a c u rtai n le cture i s wo rth al l th e s e rm o ns i n th e wo rl d fo r teach i n g th e vi rtues o f p a A term agant wi fe m ay t i e n c e and l o n g s u ffe ri n g th erefo re i n so m e resp ects b e c o n s i dere d a to le rab l e b l es sin g an d if so Rip Va n Wi nkl e was th ric e bl esse d Ce rtai n it i s th at h e was a gre at favo ri te am o n g al l th e goo d w ive s o f th e v i l lage wh o as u sual wi th th e amiabl e sex to ok h i s p a rt i n al l fam ily s quabbl e s an d neve r fai l ed wh en eve r th ey tal ked th o se m atters over i n th eir eve ni n g go ss ip in gs t o l ay al l th e b l am e o n am e Van Wi nkl e Th e ch il dre n o f th e v illage t oo wo ul d sh out with j oy wh enever h e app roach ed He as si sted at th ei r sp o rts m ade th e ir p layth i ngs t aught th em to fly k ites an d sh o ot m arb les an d t ol d th em l on g sto ri es o f gh o st s witch e s and I ndians Wh e never h e ,
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p atc h o f I ndian c orn and p otato e s yet it was th e wo rst c o nditi one d farm i n th e nei ghb orh o o d H is ch il dre n to o were as ra gge d and wild as i f th ey b el o n ge d t o n ob o dy H i s so n Ri p an urch i n b e gotte n i n h i s o wn li ke ness p rom i se d to i nh er it th e h ab its with th e o l d c l oth es o f h i s fathe r H e was ge ne rally se e n t ro op i n g lik e a c o lt at h i s m oth er s h e el s e quippe d i n a pai r of h i s fath e r s cast — wh ich h e o ff gal li gaski ns h ad much ado to h ol d up with o ne hand as a fi ne lady do es h er t rai n i n b ad w eathe r Rip Van Wi nkl e h o weve r was o n e o f th os e h appy m o rtal s o f foo li sh well —oi le d d isp o si tio n s wh o take th e wo rld easy eat wh it e b rea d o r b ro w n wh ich ever can b e got with le ast th ou gh t o r t ro ub l e and woul d rath e r starve o n a p enny th an wo rk fo r a p ou nd I f le ft to h i m se l f h e wo ul d h ave h istle d l ife away i n p e rfect co ntentm ent ; but h i s w ife kept co nti nually d i nnin g i n h i s e ars ab out h is i dl en es s h i s c arele s sne ss and th e rui n h e was b ri n gi ng o n h i s fam ily o rni n g no o n an d ni ght he r t o n gue was i nces santly go in g and every thi n g h e s ai d o r di d was sure to p ro duc e a to rre nt o f h o useh ol d el o que nc e Rip h ad b ut o ne way o f reply i ng to al l l ectures o f th e ki nd an d th at by fre quent use h ad gro w n i nto a h ab it H e sh ru gged h i s s ho ul d e rs sh o o k h i s h ead c ast up h i s eye s b ut said no thi n g Th i s h o weve r always p rovoke d a fresh vo ll ey fro m h is wi fe s o t h at h e was fai n t o draw o ff h i s fo rc e s and take to th e o utsi d e o f th e h o u s e — th e o nly si de whi ch i n t ruth b elo n gs t o a h enp ec ke d h u sb and Rip s so l e do m esti c a dh e rent was h i s do g Wol f wh o was as m uch h enp ecke d as h i s m aster ; fo r am e Van Wi nkl e re garde d th e as c o mp an io ns i n i dl e ness and eve n lo o ke d upo n Wol f wi th an evil eye as th e c aus e of h i s m aste r s goi n g s o o fte n astray True it i s i n al l p o i nts o f sp i rit b efitti ng an h o no rab le do g h e was as c ourageo us an a ni m al as eve r sco ured th e wo o ds—b ut ,
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what c ou rage c an with stan d th e eve r do in g an d a l l b e setti n g te rro rs o f a wo m an s to n gue ? Th e m o me nt Wol f entere d th e h ouse h i s c re st fell h is tail droo p e d to th e gro u nd o r c url e d b etwe e n h i s le gs h e s neaked ab o ut with a gall o ws ai r casti n g m any a si del on g gl anc e at am e Van Wi nkl e an d at th e l east fl o uri sh of a b roo m stic k o r ladl e h e wo ul d y to th e do o r with yelp i n g p rec ip itatio n T i m e s grew wo rs e an d wo rs e with Rip Van Wi nkl e as years o f m atri m o ny ro lle d o n ; a t art tem p er neve r m el l o ws with age and a sh arp t on gu e i s th e o nly ed ge d to o l th at gro ws k ee ne r with c o n stant use o r a lo n g wh il e h e u se d to co nsol e h im sel f wh e n driv en fr o m home by fre que nti n g a ki nd o f p e rp etual cl ub of th e sages ph ilo soph ers an d oth e r i dl e p e rs o nage s o f th e v i llage w h i c h h el d its se ss io ns o n a b e nc h b e fo re a sm al l i nn d esi gnate d y a rub ic u nd p o rtrait o f h i s aj e sty G eo rge th e Th i rd H e re th ey us e d to s it i n th e shade th rough a lo n g l azy su m m e r s day talki ng l istl es sly ov e r v i llage gos s ip o r tel li n g e ndle ss sl eepy sto rie s ab o ut n oth i n g B ut i t w oul d h av e b ee n worth any s tate s man s m o ney t o h av e h eard th e p ro fo un d di s e ussi o ns wh i ch s om eti m e s to ok pl a c e wh e n b y chanc e an ol d n e wspap e r fe ll i nto th ei r h ands fro m so m e p assin g t rave ll e r H o w s o l e m nly th ey wo ul d l iste n t o the c o nte nt s as d rawle d out by e rrick Van B um mel th e s ch o o l m aster a dapp e r le arne d l ittl e m an wh o was no t t o b e daunte d b y th e m ost gi gantic wo rd i n th e d i c t i o n a r y ; and h o w sagely th ey wo ul d del ib e rate up o n p ubli c eve nt s s o m e m o nth s afte r th ey h ad take n p lac e Th e op i ni o ns o f th i s j unto we re c o mp letely c o n trol le d b y ich o las Ve dder a pat riarch o f th e v illage and l andlo rd o f th e i nn at th e do o r o f wh ic h h e to ok h i s s eat from m o rni ng till n i gh t j ust movi n g su f fi c i e n t ly to avo id the sun an d ke ep i n th e shade o f a large tree ; so th at th e nei ghb o rs c o ul d tel l th e hou r by -
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h i s m ovem e nts as ac cu ratel y as b y a su n d ial It is true h e was rarely h eard t o sp eak b ut s m oke d hi s pi p e i nce ss antly H i s adh e rents h o wever ( fo r every great man h as h i s adh e rent s ) p erfectly u ndersto o d h im and kne w h o w to gath er h i s o p i nio n s Wh en anyth i n g that was read o r relate d di spl e as e d h im h e was ob s erve d t o s m ok e h i s p ip e v eh em e ntl y an d t o sen d fo rth s ho r t fre quent and an gry pu ffs ; but wh e n pl ease d h e wo ul d i nh ale the sm ok e sl o wly and t ranq uilly an d e m it it i n l i gh t and p laci d c lo uds and s o m eti m e s taki n g th e p ip e fro m h i s m o uth a nd l ettin g th e fra grant vapo r curl ab out h i s no s e wo ul d gr a vely no d h i s h ead i n toke n o f p erfect ap p rob atio n ro m eve n th i s stro n gh ol d th e u nlucky Rip was at l en gth ro u te d b y h is t e rm agant wi fe wh o woul d sud d e n l y b reak i n up o n th e tranq uil ity o f th e as semb la ge and cal l th e m e mb ers al l to nou gh t ; no r was th at a u gust p e rso nage i ch ola s V edde r h im self sac re d fro m th e da ri n g to n gu e o f th i s terribl e v i rago wh o ch arge d h i m o utri ght with e nc o uragi n g h er h usb an d i n h ab it s o f i dl ene s s Po o r Rip was at last re duc e d al mo st to d espair ; and h is o nly alte rnative t o e sc ap e fro m the lab or of th e farm an d th e cl am o r o f h i s wi fe was to take gun i n h and and st ro ll away i nto th e woo d s H ere h e woul d s o m etim es s eat h im sel f at th e fo ot o f a tree an d sh are th e c o nte nts o f h i s wal l et with W ol f wi th wh o m h e “ sympath i ze d as a fell o w s u ffere r i n p ers e cuti on Po o r “ Wolf h e woul d say thy m i stre s s le ad s th ee a do g s l i fe o f i t ; b ut n eve r m i n d my lad wh il st I l iv e th o u ” sh alt n eve r want a fri e n d to stand b y th e e ! Wo l f wo ul d wag h i s tail l o ok wi stfully i n h i s m aster s face an d i f do gs c an feel p ity I ve rily b el i eve h e rec ipro cate d th e s entim ent with all h i s h e art I n a l o n g rambl e o f th e k i nd o n a fi ne autum nal day Rip h ad u nco nsci o usly sc ramb le d t o o ne o f t e i h -
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and b end in g u n de r th e wei gh t o f som eth i n g h e c ar ri e d o n h is b ac k H e was surp ri se d to se e any h um an b ei n g i n th i s lo nely and unfre que nte d p lac e b ut suppo s i n g it t o b e s o m e o ne o f th e nei ghb o rh o o d i n nee d o f h i s assi stance h e h ast e ne d do wn to yi el d it n n earer ap p ro ach h e was sti l l m ore su rp ri sed at th e s in gularity o f th e strange r s ap p earance H e was a sh ort s qu are b uilt o l d fel lo w with thi ck b ushy h ai r and a grizzle d b eard H i s d res s was o f th e ant i que utch fash io n — a cloth j erki n strap pe d rou nd th e wai st — seve ral p ai rs o f b reech e s th e o ute r o ne o f amp l e vo l ume dec o rat e d with ro ws o f b utto ns down th e si de s and bu nch es at th e k ne es H e b o re o n h i s sh oul ders a st out ke g that s eem ed ful l o f li quor and made si gns fo r Rip t o app ro ach an d as s i st h i m with th e l o ad Th ou gh rath er sh y an d distrustful o f th i s new ac quai nt anc e Rip c o mpl i e d with h i s usual alacrity ; an d m utu al ly rel i ev i n g e ac h oth e r th ey c lamb ere d up a narro w gully app are ntly th e dry b ed o f a m ou ntai n to rre nt A s th ey as c en de d Ri p ev ery n o w an d th e n h eard l o n g ro l li n g p eal s l i ke di stant th unde r th at s eem ed t o i s sue o ut o f a d eep rav in e o r rath er cle ft b et wee n l ofty ro cks t oward whi ch th e ir ru gged p ath c o nducte d H e pause d fo r an i nstant b ut sup p o si n g it t o b e th e mutte r i n g o f o ne o f th o s e t ransi ent th u nder sh owers wh ich o fte n take p l ac e i n th e m o untai n h ei ghts h e p ro Pas s in g th r ou gh th e ravi ne th ey cam e t o a c eeded h ol lo w l ike a sm al l amp h ith eatre surroun de d by p er p e n d i c u l a r p rec ip i c es over th e b ri nk s of wh ich i mpe nd i n g tre es sh ot th ei r b ranch e s so th at yo u o nly c au ght gl imp s es o f th e azu re sky an d th e b ri ght even in g clo ud uri ng th e wh ol e tim e Rip and h i s c om pani o n h ad l a b o red o n i n s il enc e ; fo r th ou gh th e fo rm er m arvel l e d greatly what coul d b e th e obj ect o f carryi n g a ke g o f l i quo r up th i s wi ld mo untai n yet th ere as s o m eth in .
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st range an d i nc omp reh e nsibl e ab o ut th e u nk no wn that i nspi re d awe and ch eck ed fam i liarity n e nteri ng th e amph ith eatre new obj ects o f wo nde r p re se nted th em se lves n a l ev el s p ot i n th e c e ntre was a c omp any o f o d d l o oki n g p e rso nage s playi ng at ni nep i ns Th ey were dre s se d i n q u a i nt o utlandish fash ion ; s o m e wo re sh o rt do ub l ets oth ers j erk i ns with l o ng knive s i n t h e i r b elts an d m o st o f th em h ad eno r m o us b ree ch es o f s i mi lar styl e with th at o f th e guide s Th ei r v is age s too we re p eculi ar ; o ne h ad a l arge h ead b rg a d fac e an d s m all p i ggi sh eyes ; th e fac e o f anothe r s eem e d to c o nsi st e nti rely o f no se and w as s urm ount e d by a W hit e su gar — l o af h at set o ff with a l ittl e re d c ock s tai l They al l h ad b eard s o f vari o us s h ap e s and c olo rs Th ere was o ne who s e eme d t o b e th e c om m ande r H e was a stout o l d ge ntlem an w ith a weather beate n co untenanc e ; h e wo re a lace d d oubl et b ro ad b elt and han ger h i gh crowne d h at an d fe athe r r ed sto cki n gs and i gh h eel e d sh o e s with ro ses i n th em Th e wh ol e gro up rem i nde d Rip o f th e fi gures i n an o l d lem ish p ai nti ng i n th e p arl o r o f D o m i n i c Va n S h a i c k th e v i l lage p ars o n an d wh i c h h ad b ee n b rough t ove r from H o llan d at th e ti m e o f th e s ettl e m ent What s e em e d p a rti cularly o dd to Ri p was th at th ough thes e fo lks were ev i dently amusi ng th e m selves yet th ey m ai ntai ne d th e grave st fac es th e m o st mys t e r i o u s s i le n ce and were wi th al th e m o st m el anch oly p arty o f p l easure h e h ad eve r witne ssed oth i ng i n t e r r u p t e d th e sti ll ne ss o f th e s c en e b ut th e n o i se o f th e b all s wh ich wh e never th ey we re rol l e d e ch o ed alo ng th e m ou nt ai n s l ik e rumb l in g p eal s o f thu nde r As Ri p an d h is c o mpani o n appro ach e d th e m th ey s uddenly de s iste d fro m th e i r p l ay an d stare d at h i m with such fixe d statue like gaze an d suc h strange u n c outh l ack lustre c ounte nanc es th at hi s h eart tu rn ed ,
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with i n h im an d h is k nee s sm ote to geth e r H i s c om p ani o n no w e mp tie d th e c o ntents o f th e ke g i nt o large fl a g o n s and made si gns to h i m to wai t up o n t h e c o m p any H e ob eye d with fe ar and tremb li n g ; th ey quaff e d th e li quo r i n p ro fo und s il e nc e and the n t e turne d to th ei r gam e B y de gre es R ip s awe an d app reh e nsi on s ub s i de d H e eve n venture d wh e n n o eye was fixe d up o n h i m to taste th e b evera ge wh ic h he fou nd h ad m uc h o f th e fl avo r o f exc e lle nt H ol lands H e was natur ally a thi rsty so ul and was so o n t e mp te d t o repeat th e d rau ght ne taste p rovoked anoth e r ; and h e reiterate d h is vi sits t o th e fl a g o n so o fte n th at at l e ngth h i s s ens e s w ere over p o we red h i s eye s swam i n h i s h ead h i s h e ad gradual ly dec line d an d h e fel l i nto a de ep sle ep n wakin g h e fou nd h i m sel f o n th e gree n k nol l wh e nc e h e h a d fi rst see n th e o ld m an o f th e gle n H e rubb e d h i s eye s — i t was a b ri gh t sun ny m o rni n g Th e b irds we re h opp i n g an d twitteri n g a m o n g th e b u sh es and th e eagl e was wh e eli n g al o ft an d b reast ing th e “ “ ” pure m o untai n b re eze S urely th ou ght Rip I h ave not slep t h e re all ni ght H e re cal l ed th e oc curre nc es b efo re he fel l asl eep Th e stran ge m an with th e ke g o f l i qu o r— th e m ou ntai n ravi ne— th e wi l d retreat am o n g th e rock s— th e wo e b e go ne p arty at ni nep i n s — th e ” fl a gon h ! th at fl a g o n ! th at wick ed fl a g o n ! t h o u ght “ — Rip wh at ex cu se sh al l I m ake to am e Va n ” ? Wi nkl e H e lo ok e d ro und fo r h i s gun but i n p lac e o f th e clean well oi le d fo w l in g p i e ce h e fou nd an o ld fi r e l o ck l yi ng b y h i m th e b arrel e nc rusted wi th rust th e l o ck fall i ng o ff and th e st o ck wo rm e ate n H e no w su s p e c t e d th at th e grav e royste re rs o f th e m o untai n h ad put up a t rick u po n h im and h avi n g do sed h i m with l i qu or h ad robb e d h i m o f hi s gun Wo l f to o h ad disap pe are d ut e i ght hav e strayed aw ay afte r a .
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o f h i s reakfast H e grieve d t o give up h is do g an d gu n ; h e d readed to me et h i s wi fe ; b ut it w oul d no t do t o starv e am o n g th e m ountai ns H e sh ook h i s h ead sh ouldere d th e rusty fi r e l o c k an d wit h a h eart ful l of t roub l e and anx i ety turne d h i s s tep s h om eward As h e app ro a che d th e v i llage h e m et a numbe r o f p eopl e b ut no ne wh o m h e k n e w whi ch so m ewhat s ur p ri sed h im fo r h e h ad th ou ght h im sel f acquainte d wi th eve ry o n e i n th e country rou nd Th ei r dre ss to o was o f a d i ff ere nt fash i o n fro m th at t o wh i ch h e was ac cus tom e d They al l stare d at h i m with e q ual m arks o f surp ri s e and wh e neve r th ey c ast th e i r eye s up o n h im i nvariab ly s tro ke d th e ir ch i ns Th e c o nstant rec ur re nc e o f th is gesture i nduce d Rip i nvo luntari ly to do the sam e wh en to h i s asto ni sh me nt h e fo und h i s b eard h ad grown a fo o t l o n g ! H e had no w e ntere d th e ski rt s o f th e v il lage A tro op o f stran ge ch il dre n ran at h i s h e els h o otin g after h im an d p o i ntin g at h i s gray b e ard Th e do gs to o n ot o n e o f wh i ch h e rec o gnize d fo r an o l d ac quai nt anc e b arke d at h i m as h e p as se d Th e v ery vi llage was alte re d ; it was l arger and m o r e p op ulous Th e re we re ro ws o f h ouse s whi ch h e h ad n ev er see n b efore an d th o s e wh i c h h ad b een h i s fam il i ar h aunts h ad d is app eared St range nam e s we re ove r th e doo rs — stran ge fac es at th e wi ndo ws — ev eryth i n g was stran ge . H i s m i n d no w m i s gav e h i m ; h e b egu n to doub t wh et h e r b oth h e and th e wo rl d arou nd hi m were no t b ewitch ed S u rely th i s was h i s nativ e v i llage wh ich h e h ad l eft b ut th e day b efo re Th ere s too d th e K a a t sk ill m oun t ai ns — th ere ran th e s i l ver H udso n at a d i stanc e — th e re was ev ery h il l and dale p reci sely as it h a d always “ — — be e n R ip w a s so rely p e rp lexe d Th at fl a g o n last ” “ ” ni g ht th ou gh t h e h as ad dle d m y po o r h ead s adly ! I t was with s o m e di ffi c ulty th at h e fo un d th e way to h i s o wn h o use wh i ch h e ap proa ch ed with s il ent a we .
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expe cti n g every m o e nt t o h ear t h e sh ril l v o ice of am e Van Wi nkl e H e fou nd th e h o us e go ne to d e cay—t h e roo f h ad fallen i n th e wi n do ws were sh atte re d an d th e do o rs o ff the h i n ge s A hal f starv e d do g that l ooke d l ik e Wo lf was skulki n g abo ut it Rip c al le d h i m b y nam e b ut t h e c ur s narle d sh o we d h i s teeth an d p as s ed o n Th i s was a n u nk i n d c ut i ndeed y ” ” “ ve ry do g si gh e d p o o r Rip h as fo rgotte n m e ! H e e nte re d th e h ouse wh ich t o tel l th e t ruth am e Van Wi nkl e h ad al ways kep t i n n eat o rde r I t was emp ty fo rl orn an d app are ntly ab ando n ed Th i s des o l a t e n e s s ov e rc am e all h i s co nnub ial fears — h e c alle d l oudly fo r h i s wi fe and ch il dren— th e l o nel y ch a m b e rs ran g fo r a m o m ent w ith h i s vo ic e and th e n all a gai n was sil e nt H e no w h urrie d fo rth and h aste ned to h i s o l d reso rt th e v illage i n n— b ut i t too was go ne A l arge rickety wo o de n b u i l di n g sto o d i n its p l ac e with great gap i n g wi ndow s s om e o f th em b roken an d m e nde d w ith o ld h ats and p et t i c o ats and ove r th e doo r was p a i nt ed “ ” Th e Un i o n H o tel by Jo nath an o olittle I nstead o f th e great t re e that u se d to sh elte r t h e qui et li t tle utch i nn o f yo re th ere no w was re ared a tall nak ed p o le with s o m eth i n g o n the to p th at l o oke d li ke a re d ni gh t cap an d fro m it was utteri n g a fla g o n whi ch was a s i n gul ar ass e mb lage o f stars and stripe s— al l th i s was stran ge an d i nc o mpreh e nsib le H e r eco gni ze d o n th e s i gn h o weve r th e ruby fac e o f Kin g Ge o rge u nde r wh i ch h e ha d s m oke d s o m any a p eace fu l p ipe b ut eve n th i s was si n gul arly m etam orph o sed Th e re d co at was chan ge d fo r o n e o f b l ue and b u ff a swor d was h el d i n th e hand i n stead o f a sc eptre th e h ead was dec o rate d with a c ocke d h at and u nde rne ath was p ai nte d i n large ” “ TO ch aracters G E E R A W A S Th e re was as usual a c ro wd o f fo lk ab o ut th e doo r b ut no ne th at Ri p rec o ll ecte d Th e ve ry characte r o f
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th e p eop l e s eem e d ch an ged Th e re was a usy b ustl in g di sp utatio us ton e ab out it i nstead o f th e a c c ustom e d ph le gm an d d ro wsy tranqu il ity H e looked i n v ai n fo r th e sage i ch ol as Vedder with h i s ro ad fac e do ub l e ch i n a n d fai r lo n g p ip e utte ri n g cl o ud s o f t ob ac c o sm oke i nst ead o f i dle sp eech es ; o r Van B umm e l th e sch oolm aste r doli n g fo rth th e c ontents o f an anc i e nt newsp aper I n pl ac e o f th e se a l e an b i lio us lo oki n g fel lo w wr t h h i s p o ckets fu l l o f h and b ill s was haran guin g v eh em e ntly ab out ri ghts o f ci ti ze ns— ele cti o ns — m e mb e rs o f Co n gres s — l ibe rty—B u nk er s h il l— h ero e s o f seve nty si x— and oth e r words wh ich we re a p erfe ct B abylo nish j argo n to th e b ewi l de red Van Wi nkl e Th e app earanc e o f Rip with h i s lo ng grizzl ed e ard h i s rusty fowl in g p i e c e h i s u nco uth d re s s and an arm y o f wo m e n a n d ch i l dre n at h i s h e el s s o o n attracte d th e atte nti o n o f th e tave rn p o litic i ans Th ey c row de d rou n d h im eyi ng h i m fro m h ead to foot wit h gre at c uri o sity Th e o rato r b ustl e d up to h i m and drawi n g h i m p art ly ” “ as i de i nqui red o n wh i ch si d e h e v ote d ? Rip st a re d i n vacant stup i di ty Anoth e r sh o rt b ut usy l ittl e fel l o w p ulle d h im by th e arm and ri si n g o n t i pto e i n q ui re d i n h i s ear wh eth e r h e was e de ral o r em o ” c rat Rip was e qual ly a t a l o ss t o c o mp reh e nd th e q uesti o n ; wh en a k n o win g sel f imp o rt ant o l d gentl e man i n a sh arp c o ck e d h at m ade h i s way th ro u gh th e c ro wd p utti n g th e m to th e ri gh t and l e ft with h i s elb o w s as h e p ass e d and p lanti n g h i m s el f b e fo re Van Wi nkl e with o ne arm ak imb o th e oth er re sti n g o n h is cane h i s k een eye s and sh arp h at p enet rat ing as it ere i nto h i s very s oul de ande d i n an auste re to ne “ Wh at b rou ght h im t o th e ele cti o n wi th a gu n o n h is sh oul der and a m ob at h i s h eel s ; an d wh eth er h e m e ant ” ? to b re ed a riot i n th e v ill a ge ” “ Al as ! ge ntl e me n c ri e d Rip so m ewh at di s a yed .
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1 26
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fri en ds b ut c rie d o ut i n de sp ai r o es nob o dy her e ” ? k now Rip Va n Wi nkl e “ ” h R ip Van Wi nkl e ! exclai me d two o r th re e h t o b e sure ! that s Ri p Van Wi nkl e yo nde r le an ” i n g a gai nst th e tre e Rip l o oke d an d b eh el d a p rec i s e c o u nt erp a r t o f h i m s el f as h e we nt u p th e m o u ntai n ; app are ntl y a s l azy an d ce rt ai nly as ra gged Th e po o r fell ow was n o w co mp l etely c o nfo un ded H e doub te d hi s o wn i de nti ty and wh eth er h e was h i m sel f o r ano th e r man I n th e m i dst o f h i s b ewi lde rm e nt th e m an i n th e c o ck ed h at demande d wh o h e was an d wh at was h i s n a m e ? “ ” “ Go d knows ! exc l aim e d h e at h i s wit s e nd ; I m not m ys el f— I m so m eb o dy els e— th at s m e yo nde r— no — th at s s om eb o dy els e got i nto m y sho e s— I was m y s el f l as t ni ght b ut I fel l a sl eep o n t h e m o untai n an d th ey ve ch ange d m y gun an d ev eryth i n g s ch an g e d and I m c h an ge d and I c an t tel l wh at s my nam e o r ” wh o I am ! The b yst an ders b e gan n o w to l oo k at each oth e r n o d wi nk si gnifi cantly and t ap th e i r fi n ger s agains t the i r fo reh eads Th ere was a wh i sp e r als o ab o ut s e c u ri n g th e gun an d keep in g th e o l d fell o w fro m do in g m i s ch ief ; at th e ve ry s u gge stio n o f wh ich th e s elf i m p o rtant m an wi th th e co ck e d h at r etire d w ith so m e p re At th i s c ritic al m o m e nt a fresh c o m el y c ip i t a t i o n wo man p res se d th rou gh th e th ro n g t o get a p e ep at th e gray b earde d m an S h e ha d a c hubby ch i l d i n h e r arm s wh i ch fri ght e n ed at h i s lo oks b egan t o c ry “ ” “ H ush Rip c ri e d sh e h ush yo u l i t tl e foo l ; t h e o l d ” m an wo n t h urt you Th e nam e o f th e ch il d the ai r o f t h e m other th e to ne o f h er v o ice all awake ne d a trai n o f re col l ect i o ns i n h i s m i nd ” “ ? Wh at i s you r nam e my go od wo m an aske d h e ” “ J udith G a r d e n i e r ” “ ? An d yo ur fath er s nam e ,
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1 28
RI P
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b
Ah po o r man Rip Van Wi nkl e was h i s nam e ut i t s twe nty years s i nce h e w ent away from h om e with h is gu n and n ev er has b ee n h eard of si n ce — h i s do g c am e h o m e with out h im ; but wh ether h e sh o t h im s elf o r was carri e d away by th e I n di ans nob o dy c an tel l I was the n b ut a l ittle girl Ri p h ad b ut o ne m o re qu esti o n to ask : b u t h e p u t i t w it h a falteri n g vo i c e : ” “ ? Wh e re s yo ur m oth e r h sh e t o o h ad di e d b ut a sh o rt t i m e si nc e ; sh e b roke a b l oo d ve sse l i n a fit o f pass i o n at a ew ng l an d p e dle r The re was a drop o f c o m fo rt at l e ast i n th i s i n Th e h o ne st m an c o ul d c o ntai n h i m se l f n o t e l li g e n c e l o nge r H e c au ght h i s dau gh ter and h e r ch il d i n h is ” arm s I am yo u r fath er ! crie d h e Yo un g Rip Van Wi nkl e o nc e — ol d Rip Van Wi nkl e n o w— o e s no ody ” kno w p o o r Rip Van Wi nkl e ! Al l sto o d am aze d until an o l d wo m an t ot teri n g o ut fro m am o n g th e cro wd p ut h e r han d to h e r b ro w and p ee ri n g u n de r it i n h is fac e fo r a m om e nt exc l ai m e d Sure en ou gh ! it i s Rip Van W inkl e — i t is h i m sel f We lc o m e h om e agai n ol d nei ghb o r Why wh ere h av e ” ? yo u b ee n th es e tw enty l o n g years Rip s sto ry was so o n to l d fo r th e wh ol e t we nty years h ad b ee n t o h i m b ut as o ne ni ght Th e nei ghb o rs stare d wh e n th ey h eard it ; s o m e were see n to wi nk at each o th e r an d p ut th e i r to n gues i n th ei r ch eeks ; and th e s elf im p o rtant m an i n th e c o ck ed h at wh o wh e n th e al arm wa s over h ad return ed t o th e fiel d sc re we d do w n th e c o rners o f h i s m o uth an d sh o ok h i s h e ad— upo n whi ch th ere was a gene ral sh ak in g o f th e h ead th rou gh o ut th e ass emb lage I t was det erm i ne d h o weve r t o take th e op i nio n of o l d Peter V a n d e r d o n k wh o was s ee n sl owly advanc in g up th e road H e was a desc e ndant o f th e h is to rian o f ,
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1 29
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th at nam e Wh o wrot e o ne o f th e ea rli e st ac co unts o f th e p rov i nc e P eter was th e m o st anc ie nt i nh ab itant o f th e v i ll age and we l l ve rs ed i n al l th e wo nderful eve nts an d tradit io ns o f th e ne i ghb o rh o o d H e r e c o l l e c t e d Rip at o n ce and c o rrob o rate d h i s story i n th e m o st satisfacto ry m anne r H e as su red th e c om pany that it was a fact h an de d do w n fro m h i s anc esto r th e h i sto ri an that th e K a a t sk i l l m ountai ns h ad always b ee n h aunte d b y stran ge b ei n gs Th at i t was a ffirme d that th e gre at H e ndri ck H uds o n th e fi rst di sc ove rer o f the rive r an d c o untry k ept a ki n d o f vi gil th ere eve ry twe nty years with h i s c re w o f th e H alfm o o n ; b e i n g p e rmitte d i n th i s way t o revi s it th e sc e ne s o f h i s enter p ris e a nd keep a guard ian eye up o n th e rive r and th e great c ity call e d y h i s n a r n e f Th at hi s fath e r h ad o nce s ee n th em i n th ei r ol d utch d res s es pl ayin g at ni nep i ns i n a h ol l o w o f th e m o untai n; and th at h e h i m s el f had h eard o n e sum me r afte rnoo n th e s ou nd o f th e i r b alls l i ke di stant p eal s o f thu nde r To make a l o n g sto ry s ho rt th e co mp any b rok e up and returned to th e m o re i mp o rt a nt c o nce rns o f th e el e cti o n R ip s d aught er t o ok h i m h om e t o l ive w ith h e r ; sh e h ad a s nu g wel l furn ish e d h ou se and a sto ut ch ee ry farm e r fo r a h u sb and wh o m Rip reco ll ected fo r o ne o f th e urch i ns th at u se d to c lim up o n h i s b ack As t o R ip s so n an d h e i r wh o was th e ditto o f h i ms el f see n leani n g agai nst t h e t re e h e was em pl oye d to wo rk o n th e farm ; b ut ev i nc e d an h e re dit ary di spo s iti o n t o atten d to anyth i ng el s e b ut h i s usi ne ss Ri p n o w res um e d h i s o l d walk s and hab its ; h e so o n fou nd m any o f h i s fo rm e r c ro ni es th ou gh al l rathe r th e wo rse fo r th e wear an d t ear o f t im e ; and p referre d m aki n g fri ends am o n g th e ri sin g ge nerati o n i th h o m h e so o n grew i nto great favo r avi n noth i n g to do at ho m e a n d e in a r riv e d ,
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sto rm o f a s umm e r afternoo n ab out th e K a a t sk i l l b ut th ey say H e nd ri ck H udso n and h i s c rew are at th ei r gam e o f ni nep i n s ; an d i t i s a c o m m o n wish of all h e n p eck e d h usban ds i n th e ne i ghborh o o d , wh e n l ife h an gs h eavy o n th ei r h ands th at th ey m i ght h ave a quieti ng draught out of Rip Va n W i nkl e s fl a g o n ,
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TH E C O M I N G O F A RT H UR
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An d eve r an d ano n th e wo l f wo ul d steal Th e ch ildre n and d ev ou r b ut now and th e n H er o w n b ro o d l o st o r dead l ent he r fi erc e teat T o h um an s uckli ngs ; and th e ch i l d ren h o us ed I n h e r fo ul de n the re at th e i r m eat wo ul d gro wl A n d m o c k th ei r fo ste r m othe r o n fo u r feet Till s t r a i g h t e n d th ey gre w up to wo lf like m en Wo rs e th an th e wo lve s A nd Ki n g L e o d o g r a n G r o a n d fo r th e R o m an l e gio ns h ere agai n An d C aesar s e agle : the n h i s b r o t h e r k i n g R i e n c e a s s a i l d h i m : l ast a h eath e n h o rde Reddeni n g th e s u n with s m ok e an d ea rt h with b l oo d An d o n th e sp ik e th at sp l it th e m oth e r s h e art S p itti n g th e c h i l d b rak e o n h i m t il l am azed H e k ne w no t wh ith e r h e sh o ul d turn fo r aid ,
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B ut — fo r h e h eard o f Arth u r newly
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Th o no t w it h out an up roar m ade b y t h os e “ Wh o c ri e d H e i s no t U t h e r s s o n — th e k i ng S e nt to h i m s ayi n g Aris e and h el p us th o u ! ” o r h e re b etwee n th e m an and b east we di e ’
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A nd A rth ur yet h ad do n e no dee d o f arm s B ut h eard th e c al l and c a m e : and Gui nev ere Sto o d by th e c astl e wall s t o w a tc h h im p ass ; B ut s i nc e h e n eith e r wo re o n h elm o r sh i el d Th e gol de n symb o l o f h is ki n glih o o d B ut ro de a si m pl e k ni gh t am o n g h i s kn i gh ts A nd m any o f th es e i n rich e r arm s th an he S h e s aw h i m not o r m a r k d not i f sh e s a w ne am o n g m any th o h i s fac e was b are B u t Arth u r l o ok in g do wnwar d as h e p as se d elt th e l i ght o f h e r eye s i nto h i s l i fe S mite o n th e s udde n yet ro de o n an d p i t c h d H is te nt s b e s i de t h e fo rest And h e drav e Th e h eath e n and h e sl e w th e b e ast and fe l l d
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34
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CO M
I NG
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Th e fo rest and let i n th e sun a n d m ade B ro ad p ath ways fo r th e h unte r and th e k ni ght ; An d s o r e t u r n d ,
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wh i l e h e l i n g e r d th e r e A doub t that eve r s m o u l d e r d i n th e h e arts f th o s e great o rds and B aro n s o f h i s r eal m F l a sh d fo rth and i nto war : fo r m o st o f th e s e “ ad e h e a d a gai nst h i m c ryi n g Wh o i s h e Th at h e sho ul d rule u s ? wh o h ath p r o ve n h i m Ki n g U t h e r s so n ? fo r 1 0 ! we l o o k at h i m A n d fi nd no r fac e no r b eari n g li mb s no r vo i c e A re l ik e to th o s e o f Uth e r wh o m w e kne w Th i s i s th e s o n o f Go rl o is n ot th e ki n g ; Th i s i s th e so n o f A nto n n o t th e k i n g .
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And Arth u r p as si n g th e nce t o b attle felt T ravail and th ro e s and a go ni e s o f th e l i fe esi ri ng t o e jo i n d w ith Gu in ev ere “ And th i nki n g as h e ro de H e r fath er s ai d Th at th e re b et wee n th e m an an d b east th ey die S hall I no t l i ft h e r fro m t h i s l an d o f b easts Up t o m y th ro ne and s i de b y s i de w ith m e ? Wh at happ i ness to rei gn a l o ne ly ki n g Vext— O ye stars th at shu dder ove r m e earth th at s o unde st h o llo w u nde r m e Vext with waste dream s ? fo r s av in g I b e jo i n d To h e r th at i s th e fai re st un de r h eave n I s ee m as noth i n g i n th e m i gh ty wo rld An d c anno t w i ll m y wi ll no r wo rk my wo rk Wh ol l y no r m ak e m yse lf i n m i ne o wn real m Victo r and l o rd B ut were I jo i n d with h e r Th e n mi gh t w e l iv e t o geth e r as o ne l i fe A nd rei gni n g with o ne wi ll i n eve ryth i n g H av e p owe r o u th i s dark l and to li ghte n it A n d p o e r o n th i s dead wo rl d t o m ake it l ive ,
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35
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A nd Arth ur fro m th e fi el d o f b attl e s ent U l fi u s and B r a s t i a s and B edive re H i s new made k n i ghts to Ki n g L e o d o g r a n “ S ayi n g I f I i n augh t h a ve s erve d th ee w ell ” Give m e thy d au ghter Gu ineve re to wi fe ,
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Wh o m wh e n h e h eard L e o d o g r a n i n h eart eb ati n g H o w sh oul d I th at am a ki n g H oweve r m uch h e holp m e at m y n ee d Giv e m y o ne d au ghte r sav i n g to a k in g A nd a ki ng s s o n —l i fte d h i s v o ic e and c a ll d A h o ary m an h i s ch amb erl ai n to wh o m H e t ru sted all th i n g s and o f h i m re qui re d ? H i s c ou nsel : Kno we st th o u au gh t o f Arthu r s b i rth ,
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Th en sp ak e th e h oary ch amb erlai n and said S i r ki n g th e re b e b ut two ol d m e n th at kn ow A n d e ach i s twi c e as ol d as I ; an d o ne Is e rli n th e w is e m an that e ve r served Ki n g Uthe r th ro h i s m agi c art ; and o n e Is erl i n s m aster ( so th ey c all h im ) B leys Wh o t au ght hi m m agic ; b ut th e s ch ol ar ran B efo re th e m aster an d s o far th at B l eys ai d ma gi c b y and sat h i m dow n and w r ot e Al l th i n gs and wh atso eve r erl i n d id I n o n e gre at ann al b o o k wh e re afte r years Wi ll l earn th e s ec ret o f o ur Arth ur s b i rth ,
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T o wh o m th e i n g L e o d o g r a n repl i ed 0 fri e nd h ad I b ee n h olp e n h a l f as wel l B y th i s Ki n g A r th u r as by th e e t o d a y The n b east a nd m an h ad had th e i r sh are o f B ut s umm o n h e re b efo re u s yet o nc e o re ” U lfiu s a nd B r a st i a s an d B edivere ,
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WONDER
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S eei n g th e m i ghty s warm ab o ut t h eir walls eft h er and e d and Uth e r e n t e r d i n A n d there as no ne to c al l to b ut h i m sel f S o c o m p a ss d b y th e p owe r o f the ki n g n fo rc e d sh e w as to we d h im i n h e r t ears An d with a sh am eful s wi ft nes s : afte rw a rd ot m any m o o ns K in g Uth e r di e d h im s elf oani n g and wail i n g fo r an h ei r to rule Afte r h i m l est th e real m sh o uld go to wrack A nd th at s am e ni gh t th e ni gh t o f th e n ew year B y reaso n o f th e b itt erne s s and gri ef T hat v ext h i s m o th e r all b efo re h i s t im e Was Arthu r b o rn an d a ll as s o o n as b o rn D e l i ve r d at a s ec ret p o ste rn gat e To e rl i n to b e h o l de n far ap art U nti l h i s h o u r sh o uld c o m e ; b ecaus e th e lo rds f that fi erc e day were as th e l o rds o f th i s W il d b easts an d s u rely wo ul d h av e to rn th e ch i l d P i ece m e al am o n g th em h ad th ey k no w n ; fo r e ach B ut s ou ght t o rul e fo r h i s o wn s el f and h and A n d m any h ate d Uth e r fo r th e s ake f Go rl o i s Wh e refo re erli n t o o k th e ch i ld An d gave h i m to S i r A nto n an o l d kn i ght A n d anc i e nt fri en d o f Uth er ; and h i s wi fe urs e d th e yo u n g p ri nc e an d r e a r d h im with he r o wn ; An d n o m a n k new An d eve r s i nce th e lo rd s H ave fou ghte n l ike wil d b easts am o n g t hem s elve s S o th at th e re al m h as go ne to wrack : b ut n ow Th i s year wh e n e rli n ( fo r hi s h ou r h ad co m e ) B rou gh t A rth ur fo rth an d s et h i m i n th e h al l ‘ P ro clai m i n g H ere i s U t h e r s h ei r yo ur ki n g ‘ A hun dred vo ic e s c ri e d Away with h i m ! o k i n g o f o urs ! a s o n o f Go rlo i s h e r el s e th e ch il d o f A nto n an d no ki n g r el s e ase orn Yet erl i n th ro h i s c raft
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The n wh il e th e ki n g d eb ate d with h i m sel f I f A rthu r we re th e ch il d o f s h am e fulnes s r b o rn th e so n o f Gorlo i s a fte r de ath r U t h e r s s o n an d b o rn b e fo r e h is t i m e r wh eth e r th ere were truth i n anyth i n g Sai d by th es e th ree th ere c am e to C a m e li a r d With G awai n an d youn g o d re d he r two so n s o t s wi fe the Q ue e n o f rkney B e l l i c e n t ; Wh o m as h e c o uld not as h e wo uld th e k i n g ade feast fo r s ayi n g as th ey sat at m e at ,
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A do ubtful t hro n e is i c e o n sum m er s eas Y e c o m e fro m A rt h ur s c o urt ; th i nk ye th i s ki n S o few h i s k ni ghts h o wev e r b rav e th ey b e ” H ath o dy e no w to b eat h i s fo e m e n do wn ? ’
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sh e c rie d an d I w ill tel l the e : few ew ut al l b rav e al l o f o ne m i nd w ith h im o r I was ne ar h i m wh en th e s ava ge yel ls f U t h e r s p eera ge di ed and A rth ur s at C ro wned o n th e dai s an d h i s w arri o rs c ri ed ‘ B e th o u th e k i n g and we wi l l wo rk th y will Wh o l ove th e e Th e n th e ki n g i n l o w deep to nes An d s im p l e w o rds o f gre at auth o ri ty B ou n d th em y s o strait vo ws to h i s o wn s el f Th at whe n th ey ros e kn i ght ed fro m k ne el i n g s o m e We re p al e as at th e p ass i n g o f a gh o st S om e fl u sh d an d o th e rs dazed as o ne wh o wakes H al f — bl inde d a t th e c o m i n g o f a li gh t
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B ut whe n h e sp ake and c h e e r d h i s T a b l e Round W ith large d ivi n e and c o m fo rtab l e wo rd s B eyo nd my to ngue t o t ell th ee — I b eh el d ,
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eye t o eye th ro al l th ei r rder as A m o m e ntary l ike nes s o f the k in g An d e re i t l eft thei r face s th ro th e c r o s s A nd th o s e aro un d it and th e C r u c i fi e d own fro m th e case m e nt ove r A rth ur s mo te lam e c ol o r ve rt an d azure i n th ree rays ne fa ll i ng upo n e ac h o f th re e fai r qu ee ns Wh o sto o d i n s i le n c e near h i s th ro ne th e fri end s f Arthu r gazi n g o n h im t a ll w ith b ri gh t Swe et face s wh o wil l h elp h i m at h i s nee d ’
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A n d there I s aw m age e rli n wh o se vast w it An d h und re d wi nters are b ut as th e h ands f l oyal vas s als t o il i n g fo r th ei r l ie ge ,
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A nd near stoo d th e ady o f th e ak e Wh o k n o ws a subtl e r m agi c th an h i s o w n Cloth e d i n wh it e sam ite mystic w o nde rful Sh e gav e th e ki n g h i s h uge c ross h i lte d s wo rd Wh ereby to driv e th e h eath en out : a m i st f i nc ens e c u r l d ab o ut he r and he r fac e Well ni gh was h i dde n i n th e m inste r gl oo m ; B ut th e re was h e ard am o n g th e h oly h ym ns A vo i c e as o f th e w ate rs fo r sh e dwell s own i n a de ep c al m wh ats oever sto rm s ay shake th e wo rl d and wh e n th e surfac e ro l ls H ath p o we r t o walk th e wate rs l ike our o rd ,
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k i ng ! sh e c ried and I w il l t ell th e e true H e fo un d m e first wh e n ye t a l ittl e m ai d B eate n I h ad b e e n fo r a l ittl e fault Wh e reo f I was not gu i lty ; an d o ut I ran An d fl un g m ysel f do wn o n a b ank o f h eath An d h ated th i s fai r wo rld and al l th ere i n And wept and w i s h d that I were d ead ; an d h e I k no w n ot wh eth er o f h im sel f h e cam e r b rou ght b y e rl i n wh o th ey say c an wal k U ns ee n at p leasu re— h e was at my s ide And sp a ke s weet wo rd s and c o m fo r te d m y h eart A nd dri e d m y tears b e i n g a ch i ld with m e A nd many a tim e h e cam e a n d eve rm ore A s I gre w greate r grew w ith m e ; and s a d At ti m e s he s e e m d an d sad with h i m was I St ern to o at ti m e s an d th e n I love d h i m not B ut s we et a gain an d th en I loved h i m well And no w o f l a te I se e h im l es s and le s s B u t th o s e fi rst days had go l de n h ours fo r m e o r the n I s u rely th ou gh t h e wo ul d b e ki n g ,
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let m e te ll th e e no w an oth e r tal e o r B l eys ou r e rl i n s m aste r as th ey s ay ie d but o f l ate an d s e nt h i s c ry t o m e To h ear h im sp eak b efo re he le ft th is li fe Sh runk l ike a fairy ch an ge l i n g lay th e m a ge A nd whe n I e nt ere d tol d m e th at h i m sel f And e rli n eve r se rv ed ab o ut th e ki n g Uth e r b efo re h e d ie d and o n the ni ght Wh e n Uthe r i n T i n t a g i l p a st away oani ng and wai l i n g fo r an h e i r th e two eft th e st ill ki n g and p as s i n g fo rth to b reath e ; Th e n fro m th e castle gateway by th e c hasm
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th rou gh th e d i sm al ni ght—a ni ght I n wh i c h th e b o u nds o f h e ave n and earth were l os t B eh e l d s o h i gh up o n th e dre ary deep s I t s e e m d i n h e ave n a sh i p th e s h ap e th ereo f A drago n wi n g d an d al l fro m st e m t o ste rn B ri ght with a shi ni n g p eo p le o n th e deck s A n d go ne as s o o n as se e n An d th e n th e t w o rop t to th e c ove and watch e d th e great s e a fal l Wave aft e r wave each m i gh t i er th an th e last Ti ll last a ni nth o ne gath er in g hal f th e deep A nd ful l o f v o i c es sl o wly ro s e an d p lun ge d Roari ng an d all th e wav e was i n a fl am e : And do w n th e wave an d i n th e fl am e was b o rne A n ak e d b ab e and ro de to e r li n s feet ‘ Wh o s t o o p t an d cau ght th e b ab e an d c rie d T h c ki n g ! H e re i s an h e i r fo r Uth e r ! A nd th e fri n ge f th at gre at b reake r s weep i n g up th e strand L a s h d at th e wi zard as h e spake th e wo rd An d al l at o nce al l rou nd h i m ro s e i n fi re S o th at th e ch il d an d h e were cloth ed i n fi re An d p res e ntly the r e afte r fo l l o w d cal m ‘ ree sky an d stars : A n d th i s s am e ch il d h e s ai d ‘ I s h e wh o rei gns ; no r c o ul d I p art i n p e ac e T il l th i s w ere to l d A nd s ayi n g th i s th e s ee r W e nt th ro th e strait an d d readful p ass o f de a th ot ev e r to b e q u e s t i o n d any m ore S av e o n th e furth e r s i de ; b ut wh e n I m et erl i n an d a sk d h i m i f th es e th i n gs we re truth Th e sh i n i n g drago n an d th e naked ch i ld es ce nd in g i n th e gl o r y o f the seas H e l a u g h d as i s h i s wo nt and a n s w e r d m e I n ri ddlin g t rip l ets o f o l d t im e and sai d ,
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Rai n rai n an d su n ! a rai nb o w i n th e sky ! A youn g m an wil l b e wi se r b y and by ; ,
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A n ol d man s wit m ay wande r ere h e di e Rai n rai n an d sun ! a rai nbo w o n th e l ea ! And t ruth i s th i s t o m e a nd that t o th ee ; An d t ruth o r cl o th e d o r nake d le t i t b e Rai n s un and rai n ! and the free b lo s so m b lo ws S un rai n and sun ! and wh e re i s h e wh o knows ? ro m th e great deep t o th e gre at deep h e go es .
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So e rl i n ri ddl i n g a n g e r d m e ; b ut th o u e ar not t o give th i s ki n g th i ne o nly ch ild Gui neve re : s o great b ards o f h i m wil l s i n g H ereafte r ; an d dark sayi n gs fro m o l d R an gi n g and ri n gi n g th ro th e m i nds o f m en A n d e c h o d by o l d fo lk b e s id e th ei r fi re s o r c o m fo rt after th ei r wage wo rk i s d o ne S p eak o f th e k i n g ; an d erli n i n o ur ti m e H ath sp o ke n als o not i n j e st and s wo rn Th o m e n m ay wo u nd h i m that h e w il l not di e B ut pass aga i n to c o m e ; an d the n or n o w Utte rly s m ite th e h eath en u nde rfo ot Ti ll th e se and al l m e n h ai l h i m fo r th ei r ki n g
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S h e sp ak e and K i n g L e o d o g r a n rej oi ced ” “ B ut mus in g Sh al l I ans we r ye a o r n ay ? oubted an d dro ws e d nod ded a nd s le pt and saw re am i n g a sl o p e o f l and that ever grew i el d afte r fi el d up t o a h ei ght a p eak H aze h i dde n an d th e re o n a ph a n to m k in g o w l o o m i n g an d no w l o st ; and o n th e slop e Th e swo rd ro se t h e h i nd fel l th e h e rd was d rive n i re gl imp se d ; an d al l th e l and fro m ro o f and rick I n dri ft s o f s moke b e fore a roll i n g wi nd S t r e a m d t o th e peak and m i ngle d with th e h az e A nd m ad e i t th icker ; wh il e th e phanto m ki n g S e nt o ut at ti m e s a v o ic e ; a nd h ere o r th e re S to o d o n e wh o p o i nte d to ward th e v o i c e th e rest ,
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S e ei n g that ye b e gro wn to o weak and ol d To drive th e h eathe n fro m yo u r Ro m an wall ” o t rib ute wil l we p ay : s o tho s e gre a t l o rds rew b ack i n wrath and A rth u r st rove with Ro m e ,
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And Arth u r an d h i s k ni gh th o o d fo r a sp ac e We re all o ne w ill and th ro th at stre n gth th e ki n g re w i n th e p etty p ri nce do m s unde r h i m o u gh t a nd i n twelv e great b attl e s overc am e T h e h eath e n h o rde s , and m ad e a real m and r e i g n d ’
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46
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h i m l i ke a feath e r o ut o f th e h al l th o ugh th e h o t te a r s were stil l fal l in g and the re wa s a c o nti nued ge ntl e m urmu r Th e l ord s and k ni ghts l o ok e d at each oth e r i n am aze m e nt Pres ently th e m i ghty B i or n wit h a wi ld and fi e rc e “ l augh sai d o no t al l o w yours elve s to b e m i sl ed by th e fanc i es o f a b oy H e i s m y o nl y s o n and h e has go ne o n i n th i s way s i nc e h e was five years old ; h e i s no w twelve I am well acc usto m e d to it th erefore th o u gh at fi rst i t m ad e m e al so rath e r u ne asy I t o nly h app e n s o nc e every yea r and al ways ab o ut th i s t im e B ut p ardo n m e fo r h av i n g exp ended s o m any wo rds o n my p o o r S i n t r a m an d start s om e subj ect m o re w orthy ” o f ou r disc o urs e Th e re was a g ai n a s il e nc e Th en h ere an d th ere a s i ngle v oi c e b e gan f a lte ri n gl y an d s o ftly to rene w th e b roke n th read o f c o nvers atio n b ut with out succes s T wo o f th e yo u nge st and m erri est kni ghts b e gan a ro undelay ; b ut th e sto rm h o wl e d and wh i stl e d and ra ge d s o stran ge ly th at th i s als o was s o o n i nterrupted The n th ey al l s at s i l e nt and alm o st m oti o nl ess i n th e l ofty h all ; th e l amp fl i ckere d di m ly fro m th e v aul te d roo f ; th e whol e kni ghtly ass e mb ly were l ike p al e l ifel es s i m age s d res s e d up i n gi ganti c arm o r The n t h e ch ap l ai n o f th e castl e o f D r o n t h e i m aro s e h e was th e o nly ec cles i asti c i n th e wh ol e k ni ghtl y c ir cl e — an d s ai d : “ ear S i r B i or n o nc e agai n o ur attenti o n h as b ee n d i recte d t o yo u and y o u r so n i n a wo nde rful m anne r dec ree d m o st s u rely by Go d You s ee that w e c annot d ivert ou r m i nds fro m th e c i rcum stanc es and yo u w oul d d o b ette r to tel l us exactly wh at you k now o f you r b oy s wo nde rful c o nditi o n P o s sibl y th e sol em n ac c ount wh i ch I anti c ip at e mi ght b e s al utary fo r t i s ” s o me w hat wil d as s emb ly ,
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48
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SI N T R A M
K ni ght
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B i or n
lo oke d with di sp l easure at the p rie st “ and rep l ie d S i r ch ap l ai n yo u have m o re sh are i n th e h i sto ry th an e ithe r yo u o r I c ould d e si re L e t u s n o t i mp o s e s o sa d a tal e o n tho se m e rry o rwe gi an w a r ” riors Th e ch apl ain h o weve r app roach e d n earer th e kni g h t and with an ai r o f great fi rm ne s s b ut i n a ge ntl e to n e “ said ear si r h ith erto it rest e d with yo u an d with you alo ne t o rel at e o r no t to rel at e th e s to ry ; now si nc e yo u h ave s o stran gely al luded t o m y sh are i n your s o n s m i s fo rtu ne I m us t p o si tiv ely d em and o f yo u th at yo u wil l i nfo rm us wo rd fo r wo rd h o w it h a s all hap p e ne d y h o no r req ui re s it an d th i s yo u wil l s e e as ” p lai nl y as I do mys el f Ste rnly b ut as sent i ngly B i or n b o wed h i s h au ghty h ead an d b e gan th e fol low i n g narrati o n : “ I t i s s eve n years ago s i nc e I was k e ep i n g th e Ch ri stm as festival with al l my as semb le d retai ners There are m any anc i e nt ve ne rab l e c usto m s whi ch have b ee n transm itte d to u s as a h eritage fro m ou r great a n c e s t o r s ; as fo r i n stan ce that o f p l ac i n g o n th e b o ard a b eauti ful go lde n b o ar and m aki n g al l s o rts o f ch ival ri c an d m erry p ro m is es up o n it Th e ch ap l ai n h ere wh o at th at t im e use d freque ntly t o vi si t m e w a s nev e r a great fri en d t o t h es e re m nants o f th e ol d h e ath e n age s S uc h m e n as h e we re n o t h el d i n h i gh i mp o rtanc e i n ” th o s e o lde n t i m e s “ y exc el le nt p re dec es so rs i nter rupte d th e ch ap “ lai n adh e re d to Go d m o re th an t o t h e wo rl d and by Go d they we re h el d i n e stee m I n th i s m an ne r th ey c o nverte d you r a nce sto rs and i f I c an b e o f s im ila r s ervi c e t o yo u eve n your ri d icul e wi ll n ot a ff ect m y ” h eart With a l o ok st ill dark e r and an ai r o f an gry d read “ th e k ni ght c o nti n ue d : Ye s yes ; p ro mi se s re sti n g o n so me i nvi sib l e P o we r and th reat s too ! A n d s o we s uf ,
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49
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fe r t o b e take n fro m u s th e goo d wh ic h i s vi sib l e and c e rtai n ! At th at t i m e ah th en i ndeed I sti ll h ad such ! S tran ge ! S om etim e s i t c om e s b e fo re m e as i f i t we re c e nt uri e s a go and a s i f I we re s om e o l d m an wh o had outl ive d eve ryth i n g s o fearfully i s everyth i n g chan ged B ut now I beth i nk m e th e greater p a rt o f th i s n obl e R oun d Tabl e h av e v i s ite d m e i n m y days o f happ i ne s s and h ave kno wn Ve re n a my lovely wi fe H e p re sse d hi s hands be fo re h i s face a n d i t seeme d a s though h e wept The storm had cea sed ; so ft moonbeams shone th rough the wi ndow s an d played as i f with ki ndly and ca re ssi ng touch a round B i or n s wil d figure Sudde nl y h e ros e s o th at h i s arm o r c latte re d fear ful ly an d h e c ri e d o ut with a thu nderi n g vo ice : Sh al l I tu rn m o nk p e rhap s ; a s sh e h as b ec o m e a nun ? o c rafty chap lai n ; yo ur web s are to o th i n to catch ie s o f ” my s o rt I k no w no th i n g o f w eb s sai d th e revere n d m an H o n estly an d op e nly I have p lac e d h eave n a n d hel l b e fo re yo u duri n g s ix years and you c o ns e nted to th e step wh ic h th e p iou s Ve ren a to ok B ut h o w all th i s i s c o n ne cte d w ith yo u r s o n s su fferi n gs I do not ” k no w an d I wait yo u r narrati o n ” “ Yo u m ay wait l o n g e no u gh ! s ai d B i or n with an “ an gry lau gh So o ne r s h al l ” “ S we ar not ! sai d th e chap lai n i n a to ne o f c o mm and and w it h e y e s that fl ash e d fearful ly ” “ H u rra ! excl ai m e d B i or n i n wi ld a fl r i g h t H urra ! ” eath and h i s c o mp ani o n s are l o o se ! And h e dash e d o ut o f th e c h amb e r i n a fury do wn th e step s ; and o ut s i de th e ro u gh an d t errib l e notes o f h is h o rn gave a sum m o n s to h i s retai ners wh o so o n afte rward we re h e ard gal l o p i n g away over th e fro ze n c ou rt yard Th e k n i gh ts di sp erse d sile ntly and alm ost fearful ly an d th e c h apl ai n rem ai ne d al o ne at th e h u ge sto n e ta l e p rayi n g ,
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th in g s i m i lar I m ay h ave sun g o r p raye d to — day my anxiety e ar reve re nd si r al l seem s d ark to my m i nd s o m eti mes wh e n I c o ns i de r h o w o ne fearful imp rec a ti o n o f th e fath e r can s o c l eav e to that p o o r ch il d ; but ” th ank Go d ! m y faith an d my ho p e are fixed ab ove “ ” “ ear Rol f sai d th e h o ly m an I c an o nly p art ly unde rstand al l that yo u say o f th e p o o r S i n t r a m fo r I am i gno rant wh e n a nd h o w thi s a ffl i cti o n befe ll h im I f you r l ip s are b ou n d by no o ath no r s ol em n wo rd tel l ” m e all th at i s c o nnecte d w ith i t “ ” “ Gl adly rep l i e d Rol f I h ave l on g de s i red t o do s o B ut yo u h ave b ee n alm o st e nti rely s ep arated fro m us Just no w I dar e n ot l eave my s le ep in g yo ung m aster any l o n ger al o n e and t o m o rro w as early as p o ssib le I m ust t ake h i m to h i s fath e r Wi ll yo u p er h ap s dear s i r c o m e with m e to o u r p oo r S i n t r a m Th e c hapl ai n at o nc e to o k up th e s m al l l am p wh i ch Rol f h ad b ro u gh t with h im an d th ey we nt to geth er th rough th e l on g vaulted p as sage I n th e s m all rem ote chamb e r they fo u nd th e p o o r b oy fast asleep Th e l i ght o f th e lam p fel l stran gely o n hi s p al l i d featu re s Th e c hap lai n s to o d fo r so me tim e gazi n g at h i m tho u gh tfully and at l as t he s aid “ I t i s true fro m h i s b irth h e h as h ad s h arp and st ro n gly m arke d featu re s b ut no w th ey l o ok alm o st fearfully s o fo r s uch a c h il d An d yet o ne m ust h ave a k indly fee l in g to ward h im as h e li e s sl eep i n g th ere ” s o s o undly wh eth e r o n e wi ll o r not ” rep li ed Rol f ; and i t was Q uite so revere n d s i r evi de nt h o w h i s wh o l e h e art rej o i c e d wh e n any wo rd was uttere d i n favo r o f h i s d ear youn g l o rd H e th en p lace d th e l i ght s o that it c o uld not di sturb th e b oy an d c o nducti ng th e h oly fath er to a c om fortab le s eat h e t o ok h i s p l ac e opp o s ite t o h im and b e gan t o sp eak as fol l o ws At that Ch ri stm as fe ast o f wh ich my l o rd was talki n
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to yo u the re was a great de al o f di s cours e b etwee n h i m an d h i s retain e rs with re gard to th e Germ an m erch ants and h o w th e i nc reas in g p r id e an d p owe r o f the t radi n g to wns was t o b e kept do w n Th e n B i or n stretch ed o ut hi s h an d up o n that m p iou s go ld e n b o ar a nd swo re t o put t o death with o ut m e rcy eve r y Ge rm an trad e r wh om fat e i n what way s o eve r m i gh t cast al ive i nto h i s p o w e r Th e ge ntle Ve re na tu rne d p ale and wo ul d h av e i nte rp o sed b ut i t was to o late fo r th e bl o o dy oath was p ro no unced A nd im m ediately as i f th e p ri nc e o f evi l were re so lve d at o nc e to grasp with st ro n g bo nds th e vass al wh o h ad th u s outl awe d h i m s el f fro m th e go o d a warde r e nte re d th e h all and anno unce d th at two c iti z ens fro m s o m e Ge rma n trad in g t o wn a n ol d m an and h i s so n h ad b ee n cast ash o re h e re and sto o d wi th o ut c ravi n g th e h o sp itality o f th e lo rd o f t h e c astl e The s e ti di n gs p o we rfully a ffe cte d t he k ni ght sti l l h e felt h im s el f b o un d b y h i s ove r h asty v ow and by th at ac cu rse d heath eni sh b o ar o f gold We h is s qu i re s re c e ive d o rders to ass emb le i n th e castle yard with o u r sh arp ly p o i nt e d l anc e s and to ai m th em at th e p o o r defens el e ss stran ge rs at a giv e n si gn o r th e fi rst t im e an d I h op e fo r th e l ast ti m e i n m y l i fe , I s aid n ay to th e o rders o f m y l o rd An d I uttere d it al o ud an d with h earty determ i nati o n Th e go o d Go d wh o m ust ce r t a i n l y k no w b es t wh o m H e wil l acc ept an d wh o m H e will not arm e d m e with res ol uti o n and st re n gth And yo u see Kni ght B i or n m ay h ave p erc ei ve d wh e nc e th e o pp o sit o n o f hi s o l d s ervant aro s e an d th at it was t o b e re sp ecte d H al f i n an ge r an d h al f i n ri di cule h e ‘ s ai d Go up t o my wi fe s ap artm e nts yo nde r H e r ai dens are runni n g anx i o usly to an d fro ; sh e m ay b e unwel l Go up Rol f th e Go o d I t el l th e e ; th us wo me n sh all b e w ith wo m e n ‘ o u may rid icule i f you l ike I thought ; and I ent s il e ntly i n th e d i recti o n p o inted o ut to m e n ,
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53
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the stai rs I m et two st ran ge an d fearful b ei ngs hom I h ad neve r see n b e fo re ; I d o not kno w e ith e r h o th ey h ad go t i nto t h e castl e ne w as a gr eat tall m an wh o lo oke d terri b ly p al e and ve ry th i n ; th e oth e r was a l ittl e m an with m o s t h i de ou s featu re s and appe arance I ndeed wh e n I c o l le cte d mys el f and lo o ke d c areful ly at i m h e s eem ed t o m e t ruly A s l i ght m o ani n g and c o nvul sive m ovem e nt o f th e b oy i nterrupted th e nar rati o n H aste ni n g to h i m Ro l f and th e chap lai n s aw an exp ressio n o f f e a rful ago ny o n h is c o unte nan ce a nd th at h i s eye s we re stru ggli n g t o o p e n an d c o ul d n ot Th e h o ly fath e r m ade th e s i gn o f th e c ros s ov e r h i m ; and by de gre e s th e stran ge s tat e rel axed th e c h i l d slep t cal m ly an d t hey b oth returne d s o ftly bac k t o th e i r s eats “ “ Yo u se e sai d Ro l f it i s n ot wel l t o des crib e m o re accu rately th o se two fea r ful b ein gs I t i s s u ffi c i e nt t o tel l yo u th a t th ey p ro c ee de d do wn t o th e c ou rt yard and I to th e ch amb e rs o f my m i s tres s Th e gentl e Verena was i ndee d h al f fai nt i n g with t errib le anxiety an d I h astene d t o as si s t h e r with th e l ittl e k nowl e d ge i n th e h eal i n g v i rtu es o f he rb s and m i ne ral s wh i c h th e goo d Go d has b e sto we d up o n m e B ut scarc ely h ad sh e r e th an w ith th at c al m h o ly p o we r wh ic h yo u vi v e d k no w b elo n gs t o h er sh e o rdere d m e t o c on duc t h e r do wn t o th e c ou rt yard s ayi n g th at sh e m u st e ith e r p ut a stop to th e h o r ro rs o f th i s n i ght o r he rs el f p eri sh We h ad to p as s b y th e l ittl e b e d o f th e sl e e p i n g S i n tram ; al as ! h ot t ea rs fel l fro m my eye s wh e n I saw h i m lyi n g th e re s o c al mly and quietly and sm ili n g i n ” h i s p eac e ful slumb e rs Th e ol d troo pe r p ut h is h and to h i s eyes and wept b itterl y Th en i n a m o re c ol lecte d m anne r h e c o n ,
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We ap pro ach e d th e wi ndo ws o f th e l ast fl i gh t o f step s ; h e re we co ul d d i st inctly p erce iv e t h e v o ic e o f the 1
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th e n it s eem e d to m e as i f I saw t wo terrib l e fi gures gl i di n g p as t m e s o ftly an d m i st l ike b ut Vere na c al led ‘ out to m e : Ro l f di d yo u s ee th e tall p al e m an an d th e l ittle h i de ou s o ne h urryi n g u p th e stai rcase ? I fl e w a fter the m ; and al as ! I fo un d th e p o o r bo y i n j ust that state i n wh i c h yo u saw h i m a few h ours a go S i nc e the n th e attac k al ways return s ab out th i s ti m e and th e yo un g master is alto geth e r fearfully chan ged Th e lady o f th e c astl e saw i n th e wh o l e o ccu rre nce th e vi s ibl e puni sh m e nt an d as serti o n o f th e p ow ers o f H eaven an d as th e Kni ght B i or n i nstead o f rep enti n g ever b ecam e m o re an d m o re E i e rn o f th e i e ry ye s sh e res o lve d to reti re to a c lo i ste r whe re s ol itary and al o ne sh e c o ul d p ray fo r th e ete rnal hap p i ne s s a nd te mp o ral del ive ranc e ” o f h e rs el f and h e r p o o r c h i ld ! Ro lf p ause d an d th e ch ap l ain aft er s om e refl ectio n sai d I ca n n o w u nde rstand wh y s ix years a go B i or n c o nfe s s e d h i s s i n ful nes s t o m e with out m o re c o m m e nt and c o nse nte d th at h i s wi fe sh oul d t ake th e veil S om e re m nant o f s ham e m ust th e n hav e sti rred with i n h i m and p e rh ap s i t s ti rs with i n h im yet At all events s o te nde r a fl o wer as Ve re na was n ot fit to remai n l o n ge r i n such a temp estuo us atm o sph e re B ut wh o i s th ere ” ? no w t o watch ove r an d p rot ect th e p o o r S i n t r a m “ “ Th e p raye rs o f h i s m othe r repli e d Rol f Reve r wh e n th e early l i ght o f m o rni n g sp read s o ve r e nd sir th e sky as it n o w do e s and th e m orni n g b reeze s wh i s p e r th rou gh th e gl eam i n g wi ndo w— i t al ways s eem s t o m e as i f I we re l o ok in g at th e b eam i n g eye s o f my m i stre ss a nd a s i f I heard th e s weet to ne s o f h e r v o i c e ” Th e h o ly Ve re na n ext to Go d i s ou r h elp “ An d o ur devo ut s upp l i cati o n s t o th e o rd als o added th e c hapl ai n ; an d h e and R ol f knelt i n th e early m o rni n g i n s il ent and ferve nt p rayer by th e b e d o f th e p ale b oy wh o b e gan to sm i le i n h i s dr eam s -
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sun was sh i ni n g b ri ghtly i nto th e ro om wh e n He S i n t r a m awake ne d by its rays starte d up “ l o oke d an grily at th e ch ap lai n an d sai d S o th e re i s a p riest i n th e c astl e ? A nd yet th at w icke d d ream dare s to to rme nt m e i n h i s v e ry p re se nc e ? H e m ust b e a ” p retty p ri e st ! “ y c hi ld repl ie d th e ch ap l ai n w ith great ge ntle ne ss I hav e p raye d very h earti ly fo r th ee an d wil l ” neve r c eas e to d o s o b ut Go d al o n e i s al mi gh ty “ o u s p eak ve ry fam i l i arl y to the s o n o f th e Kni gh t ” “ y ch il d ! and the e ! I f th o se B i or n ! c ri ed S i n t r a m h o rribl e d ream s h a d n ot a gai n b ee n h au nt in g m e yo u wo uld m ak e m e l au gh h ea rt ily ” “ Yo un g o rd S i n t r a m l s ai d th e ch ap l ai n th at yo u do not k no w m e a gai n i n no way su rp ri ses m e ; fo r i n truth I do not k no w yo u agai n A nd hi s eye s were m o i st with t ears as h e s p ok e Rol f th e Go o d h o weve r l ooke d so rrowful ly i n th e “ b oy s face sayin g Ah dear yo un g l o rd yo u are s o m uc h bette r th an yo u as sum e t o b e ; why d o yo u d o s o ? An d d o yo u not real ly rec ol lect any lo n ger— fo r you r m em o ry is ge ne ral l y s o go o d — th e go o d ki nd ch ap l ai n wh o us e d to c o m e s o o fte n t o o u r c astl e and give yo u ” ? b ri ght p icture s o f sai nts an d b eauti ful s o ngs ” “ I rem emb e r th at wel l rep lie d S i n t r a m th ou ght ” “ fully y sai nt ed m oth e r was alive th e n ” ur graci o us l ady i s sti l l l ivi n g Go d b e p rai se d ! s ai d Ro l f s m il i n g ” “ — ot fo r u s not fo r u s s ic k c re atures ! exc lai me d ,
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An d why wi ll yo u not c al l h e r s ai nted ? Sh e surely k nows noth i n g o f m y dream s ! “ Ye s sh e do es kno w o f th e m you n g master " sai d “ th e ch apl ai n S h e kn ow s o f th em and supp li c ates Go d fo r yo u B ut take h ee d o f th at w il d h au gh ty tem p e r o f yo urs I t m i gh t alas ! it m i ght s o m e day b e th at s he m i gh t k no w noth i n g o f yo ur d ream s An d th at wo ul d be i f you we re cast out bo dy a nd s o ul ; th e n th e h o ly an gels als o woul d k no w n oth i n g m o re o f you S i n t r a m s ank b ac k o n h is b ed as i f thunderstruck an d Rol f said s o ftly wit h a s i gh : o u must not sp e ak ” to m y si ck c h il d with s uc h s eve rity reve rend s ir Th e b oy rai sed h i m s el f a gai n and turni n g with t earful “ eyes to th e ch ap l ai n s ai d et h im go o n go o d te nder hearte d R ol f ; h e k no ws ve r y w e l l wh at h e i s ab out Wo ul d yo u rep rov e h i m i f I we re s l ip p i n g do w n i nto a s now cl eft an d h e d rew m e ro u gh ly out by th e h ai r o f ” ? m y h ead Th e ho ly fath e r l o oke d at h i m wi th e m o ti o n and wa s o n th e p o i nt o f giv i n g utte ranc e to s o m e p i o us tho u ghts wh e n S i n t r a m sp ran g fro m th e b ed and asked fo r h i s fath e r n b e i n g to l d th at h e h ad le ft h e woul d n ot re m ai n an h o ur l o n ge r i n th e c astle and s et as i de th e fe ars o f th e c h apl ai n an d th e o l d tro o pe r wh o d oub te d whethe r s o rap i d a j o urney m i ght not p rove i nj u rio us to h i s s c arc ely re c ov ere d h ealth by sayi n g to th em “ Revere nd s i r an d you d ear o l d Rol f o nly b el i ev e m e th at i f I h ad no d ream s I s ho ul d b e th e qui etest b oy o n th e fac e o f th e earth an d ev en as it i s I am not far b eh i nd th e b est B e s i des a year h e nc e an d my d re am s wil l b e at an en d n a s o m ewhat i m p erious s i gn fro m th e youth Ro lf s oo n b ro u ght out th e h o rse Th e bo y sp ran g b ol dl y i nt o th e s addl e an d b i ddi n g th e chapl ai n a c ou rt eous adieu dash e d away with th e sp ee d o f an arro w al on th e fro z en alleys o f th e s no w cove re d ounta ns .
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a s nowy p rec i pi ce gl id i n g rath e r th an fal l i n g S i n t r a m s h o rs e re ach ed a narro w go rge and th o u gh s o m ewh at e xhausted th e ani mal co nti nue d to sno rt and foam as b e fo re ; th e b oy was sti ll unab le to m aster i t yet it c ha n ge d its b re ath le s s c o urse i nto a wi ld i r re gul ar t rot and th e fol l o wi n g c o nvers ati o n b e gan b e t we e n S i n t r a m an d th e st ran ge r “ Tho u p ale m an draw thy garm ents cl o se r ; th e b o ne s ” wo ul d no t rattle th e n a nd I c o ul d curb my ho rs e “ I t s n o us e my b oy i t s no u s e ; i t b el o n gs to th e nature o f th e b o ne s “ o n t c l asp m e s o ti ght with th y lo n g arm s T h v arm s are s o “ I t can t b e h elp e d m y b oy ; i t can t b e h el pe d B e c o nte nt y lo n g c o ld arm s are n ot yet p res s i n g 0 1 thy h ea rt o n ot b reath e o n m e s o with th y i cy b reath It ” t ake s al l my stre n gth away I m u st b reath e m y b oy ; I m ust b reath e B ut d o not c o m p lai n I am not b re ath i n g th ee away Th e stran ge di al o gue e n d ed ; fo r c o ntrary to h is ex S i n t r a m c am e o ut up o n an op en s no wy p e c t at i o n s p lai n o n wh ic h th e su n was sh i ni n g b ri ghtly and at n o great di stanc e b e fo re h i m h e saw h i s fath er s c astl e Wh ile h e was c o nsi de ri n g wh eth e r to i nvite th e m ys t e r i o u s p il gri m t o e nte r al l doubt was re m ove d by th e l atte r th ro wi n g h i m s el f s uddenly fro m the h o rs e wh ich h alte d i n its wil d c areer Th e n h e turned t o th e b oy a d sai d rai s i n g hi s fo refi n ger n “ I k no w ol d B i or n o f th e i ery yes ve ry well ; p er hap s o nly too wel l Remember me to h im H e nee d not ” know my name H e wi ll recogni ze me by de scription S o sayin g th e p al e st ran ger turne d i nto a th ick grove o f fi rs an d di sap p eared r attl in g amo n g th e i ntertwi ne d ,
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S l o wly and th o ught fully S i n t r a m ro d e o n t oward h i s fathe r s castle fo r h i s m uc h exh austed h ors e h ad no w b ecom e q uit e qui et H e sc arc ely k ne w wh at h e o u ght to tell o f h i s w o nde rful j o urney an d wh at not ; m o re over h i s h eart was o p p res s e d wi th anx i ety for th e go o d Ro l f wh o m h e h ad l e ft beh i nd Pre s ently h e foun d h i m s e lf at th e c astl e gate b e fore h e h ad fully th o u gh t ove r th e m atter T h e drawb rid ge was l o we re d th e p o rtal s w ere th ro w n o pe n ; a s qui re c o nd ucte d th e yo uth i nto th e l arge h all wh e re Kn igh t B i or n was si tti n g all al o ne at a h u ge tab l e wi th m any fl a g o n s and dri nki ng gl as ses b e fo re h i m and s uit s o f armo r ran ge d arou nd h i m I t was a s o rt o f daily h ab i t wi th h i m by way o f c o m pany t o h ave th e arm o r o f h i s ance sto rs with c lo s ed v is o rs p lac e d aro und h i s t ab l e Th e fath e r and s o n b e gan to co nve rs e as fol l o ws ” “ ? Wh e re i s Ro lf I do n t kno w fathe r H e l eft m e i n th e m o u ntai n s I w il l h ave Rol f sh ot fo r not taki n g b ette r care o f m y o nly ch i ld Well th e n fath e r y ou c an h ave yo ur o nly ch il d sh ot t oo fo r I c oul d not l iv e with o ut Rol f ; and i f a n arro w o r a da rt i s ai m e d at h im I wil l th ro w mys elf i n th e way o f it an d sh i el d h is tru e an d go o d h eart with ” m y fickl e b reast I n dee d ! Th e n Ro l f sh all no t b e sh ot b ut I sh all se nd h i m from th e c astl e “ Wel l th en fathe r yo u wi l l s ee m e run away to o ; and I wi ll serve h i m as h is faith ful s q ui re i n fo re st and ” m ountai n an d fi r grov e “ I ndee d ! Th e n Rol f m u st rem ai n h ere Th at i s ju s t wh at I th i nk fath er ” ? i d yo u ride qu ite alo ne N o fathe r b ut with a s tran ge p i l gri m ; h e s aid h e ” k new yo u wel l o r p e rh ap s t o o wel l And th ereup o n S i n t r a m p ro c ee de d to rel ate and de ’
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s c rib e eve ryth i n g re sp ecti n g t h e p al e m an I al s o ” “ k no w h i m very wel l sai d Kni ght B i or n H e i s h al f c raze d an d h al f wi se as we hav e s om etim es see n stran gel y bl e nde d to geth er i n p eopl e B ut m y b oy go t o rest no w afte r yo ur wil d j ourney Yo u h av e my wo rd o f h o n o r th at Ro l f shall b e re c e ived wel l an d k i ndl y an d sh all b e ev e n s ou gh t fo r i n th e m o u ntai ns ” i f h e re m a in s l o n g ab s ent “ I rely up o n yo u fath e r rep l ied S i n t r a m i n a to ne h al f humb l e h al f s c or nful as h e fo ll o wed th e o rders o f the gloomy lord o f the castl e .
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o c cas i o nally ; b ut I was n ot all o we d to tel l yo u any th i n g ab o ut h i m a nd to day i s th e fi rst ti m e h e h as ” eve r c o m e to th e c astl e ” “ h i t s th e c razy p il gri m ! rep l i e d S i n t r a m and h e rem ai ned fo r s om e ti m e i n deep th o u gh t as i f c o n s i d e ri n g th e m atter At l ast h e ro us e d h im se lf fro m h i s abst ractio n and s ai d o u go o d o ld fri end I like far b ette r t o re mai n q uit e al o ne wi th you th i s ev e ni n g an d to h ear your s o n gs and sto ri es ; and al l th e p i lgrim s i n th e wo rld sh o ul d not e n t i c e m e fro m th i s qui et ro om Th ere i s o nly o ne th i n g wh i ch m ake s m e h es itate I h ave a k i nd o f awe o f th at p al e t al l m an an d n o k ni gh t s so n m ay su ffe r s uch a fe el in g to m aster h i m o n t b e an gry R o l f b ut I m us t p os itivel y l o ok i nt o th e st ran ge fac e o f th at An d as h e sai d thi s h e o p e ne d th e d o o r o f h i s ap art m ent an d with fi rm an d r in gi n g step s p ro c eede d t o th e h all Th e p il gri m and th e Kn i gh t B i or n were s itt in g op p o s ite to each o th er at th e l arge tab l e o n wh i ch m any t ap e rs were s ti l l b u rni n g ; an d it was stran ge to se e th os e two tal l p al e fi gure s m ov e and eat an d dri nk amo n g th e l i fele s s arm o r th at s urro un ded th em Wh e n th e p il gri m l o oke d up at th e b oy s e ntran ce “ ni ght B i or n sai d Yo u k no w h im al ready ; h e i s my ” o nly ch il d an d you r fel l o w t ravele r th i s m o rn i ng Th e pi l gri m fi xe d h i s eye up o n S i n t r a m fo r s o m e “ tim e an d the n rep l i ed sh aki n g hi s h ead That I di d n t ” k n o til l no w ! Th e n th e bo y b urst fo r th i mp atie ntly o w I m u st co n fes s th at yo u are m o st u nfai r ! Yo u s ay yo u b e l ieve yo u k no w m y fath e r only t o o well ; and m e it s eem s yo u kn ow o nl y to o little o ok m e i n th e face Wh o was it allo we d yo u t o ri de o n h is h o rs e with h i m and wh o s e go o d stee d di d yo u m ake al mo st w i ld i n r e ” ? turn Sp eak i i yo u can ! -
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Kni ght B i or n s m ile d and sh o ok h is h ead but s e em e d wel l s ati s fie d as was h i s wo nt w ith h i s s o n s wi l d b e h avi o r ; the p i l grim o n th e c o ntrary sh udde red a s i f alarme d by th e th reate nin g p re s enc e o f s o m e fearful and i rres is tibl e p o wer At l ast i n a n al m o st fearful tone h e “ b rou ght out th e wo rd s : e s ye s m y dear yo un g kn ight yo u are p e rfe ctly ri gh t ; yo u are p erfectly right ” i n eve ryth i n g wh i ch i t m ay p leas e yo u to advanc e Th e l o rd o f th e c astl e laugh e d alo ud at th i s , and ex “ c laim e d Wh y th o u p il gri m th o u m ysteri o us man what i s b ec o m e o f all thy stran ge sayi n gs an d fi ne warni n gs ? H as t h e b oy m ade th e e all at o nc e dumb and ” p o werles s ? B e ware th o u p ro p h e t m e ss en ge r b eware ! B ut th e p il gri m c ast a fe arful l o ok o n th e Kni ght B ior n wh ic h alm o st th re ate ne d t o exti n gui sh th e l i gh t o f h is fi e ry eye s and sai d i n a s o l em n an d th u nderi n g vo i ce B etwee n m e an d th e e o l d m an it i s anoth e r th i n We h ave n oth i n g to rep ro ac h e ach oth e r wi th A nd h eark e n : I wi l l s in g a s o n g to the e o n th e lute H e stretch e d o ut h i s h and to th e wall a nd t oo k do wn a fo rgotte n and h al f strun g l ute wh i ch h un g th e re ; th e n p lac in g it i n o rde r with wo nde rful p ow e r an d ski ll h e touch e d a fe w ch o rd s and b e gan th e fo l l owi n g s on g t o th e deep and m el anch oly to ne s of th e i nstrum e nt ,
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Th e fl o we r as m i ne it was m i ne o wn ! B ut I t r ifl e d w ith my s ac re d ri gh t I b ecam e a sl ave an d no t a k ni ght Th rou gh s i n th rou gh s i n al o ne Th e fl o we r was th i ne it w as th i ne o wn ! Why di dst th o u not h o l d fast thy ri ght ? Th ou sl av e o f s i n— no l o n ge r k ni gh t ! ow th ou a rt fearfully al o n e ! ,
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B eware ! c rie d h e with a sh ril l v o ic e a s h e c o n c l u d e d at the sam e t i m e p u ll in g th e st ri n gs s o v i o l e ntly th at ,
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th ey al l b rok e with a p l ai ntiv e wail and a cl o ud o f dus t ros e stran ge ly fro m th e ol d lute e nvel o p i n g th e s i nge r as i n a m i st S i n t r a m h ad b e en watch i n g h i m kee nly du rin g th e s on g and it app eare d t o h i m at l ast i nco nc e ivabl e th at th i s man an d h i s fell o w t ravele r c o ul d b e o n e an d th e sam e I n deed th e d oub t ro se alm os t t o c ertai nty wh e n th e strange r agai n l o ok ed at h i m with a s o rt o f ti m id fear and m ak i n g m any exc use s an d l o w rever e me e s h un g the lute i n it s ol d p lace and th e n ran fea ful ly o ut o f th e h all ; a ffo rdi n g i n ev ery l o ok and acti o n a stran ge c o ntras t to th e h aughty so l em n ai r h e had as sum e d to ward th e K n i gh t B i or n Th e b oy s eye no w fell upo n th e kni ght a n d h e saw th at h e h ad falle n b ack o n h i s seat s e nse l e ss a s i f struc k by a b lo w S i n t r a m s c ri e s cal le d th e go o d Rol f an d o the r atte ndants to th e h a l l and a fte r m uch care an d u ni te d e ffo rt th ey succ eede d i n revivi n g t h l ord o f th e castl e th o u gh h is l o ok s stil l remai ne d w il d an d excited and h e all o we d h im sel f t o b e p ut t o re st qui etly an d sub m i ss ively ,
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who h ad k no wn th e ady Vere n a b efo re sh e reti re d fro m th e wo rld asse rted that the re was a fai nt refl ectio n o f the m othe r s grace fl oating ov e r th e dis simi lar fea tures o f h er so n an d that th i s attracte d them to t h e youth ne day— i t was th e b e ginni n g o f sp rin g— B i or n an d is s o n h ad b ee n hunti ng o n th e sea co ast o n th e te r r i t o r y o f anoth er C h i eftain ; and thi s l es s for the lov e o f spo rt than to b i d de fianc e to a h ate d n ei ghbo r and so pe rhap s to exc ite a feu d At th i s p e rio d wh en h i s year l y fearful attack h ad p asse d o ff S i n t r a m was as usual eve n mo re wil d and eage r fo r c omb at than was h i s wo nt I t i rritate d h i m m uch o n thi s day that h i s a d v e r sa r y di d not c o m e o ut o f h i s castl e to m ak e arme d re si stance to the i r hunti n g ; and i n th e wi l dest wo rd s th e yo uth c urse d h i s tam e p ati e nc e an d weak lov e o f p e ac e Just th en a youn g rec kl ess h o rs eman o f h is suite gal l o p e d j oyfully up sho utin g Cal m yo ursel f my d ear yo ung lo rd ! I will wager th at al l w il l b e as yo u an d we desi re I was fo llo wing a wounded dee r o n th e seash o re wh en I saw a s ai l a p Th ere p r o a c h i n g and a ve s sel fi lled with armed m e n i s no do ub t yo ur e nemy means to fall up o n you o n th e c oast Joyful ly an d sec retly S i n t r a m calle d al l h is h unti ng comp ani o ns to geth e r reso lve d th is t im e to take th e co nte st i nto h i s o w n h ands and the n V i ctori ously to r e j o in h i s fath e r and to surp ri s e h i m with h i s p ri so ne rs a nd capture d weap o ns Well ac quai nte d with al l th e h oll ows gle ns an d cl i ff s of th e coast t h e h unters q ui ckly c onc eale d th em selv es i n th e ne i ghb o rh o o d o f th e l andin g pl ace and th e strange v esse l s o o n app ro ache d with its swe ll in g sail s ancho red qu ietly i n th e b ay and th e m e n b egan to dis embark i n im agi ned s e curity ,
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68
SI N T R A M
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F o remost
o f all app eared a k ni ght of sple nd i d and nob le beari n g ar raye d i n b l ue stee l armo r h i ghl y i n l aid with gol d H is uncove re d h ead— fo r h e carri ed hi s co stly gol de n h el m et h an gi ng o n h i s l e ft arm looke d royally around an d hi s c o u ntenanc e was fai r to l oo k up o n with h i s dark b ro wn hai r an d h i s well t rimm ed m ustach e be neath wh ich m i gh t b e caught a gl imp s e o f a sm i lin g mo uth and two ro ws o f p early teeth I t seeme d to th e y o u n g S i n t r a m as i f h e had s e en th i s k ni ght som ewh ere b efo re an d h e stoo d fo r a time motio nl e s s S uddenly h oweve r h e raise d hi s arm to giv e th e co nc erte d s i gnal fo r attack I n vai n th e go od Rol f who h ad with di ffi c ulty suc ce ede d i n reach i n g th e wi l d youth wh i sp e re d i n h i s ear that th ese w ere not th e e nem ie s th ey we re exp ecti ng b ut u nkno wn and certai nly nobl e s trangers “ e t th e m b e wh o they may murm ure d th e an gry “ th ey h ave excited m e t o fo ol is h S i n t r a m i n rep ly waitin g and th ey m ust pay fo r i t o n t opp os e m e i f ” yo u val ue your l i fe an d m i ne An d i mm ediately h e gav e th e s i gnal and thi ck as h ail a sh owe r o f j avel i ns wh izze d o n every s i de and th e no rth ern warriors rushe d fo rw ard with th ei r flashin g weap o ns They fo und th ei r adv e rsari es as b rave as th ey c oul d h av e desi red and p erh ap s stil l m o re s o S oo n m o re o f th e attackin g than o f th e attacke d h ad falle n and th e strange r seem ed to u nde rstan d surp ri si n gly th e n o rth er n m o de o f fi ght ing Th e k ni ght i n th e go rge ous arm or h ad not b een abl e i n hi s h aste to p ut o n hi s h elmet but it s ee me d al s o as i f h e di d not co n si der i t wo rth th e troub l e H i s gl eam in g swo rd p rotecte d h i m s urely en o u gh H e p arri ed th e yi ng darts with a m ove me nt q ui ck as l i ghtnin g ,
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v
and dash ed the m away w ith such iol en ce th at they fel l to th e ground sh ive re d to fragm ents S i n t r a m h ad at fi rst not b ee n able t o appr o ach hi m ; fo r all h i s fo ll owers eage r to take s o nob l e a p rey had th ro n ge d around th e b ril liant kni ght ; but no w wh e reve r th e stranger t urned th e way was su fficientl y cl eare d and S i n t r a m sprun g t o ward h im with h i s s wo rd up raise d sho ut in g a b attl e cry ” “ G a b ri elle ! excl aimed th e k ni ght i nterc epti ng with ease th e v io l ent thrust an d striki n g th e youth to th e ground ; th e n kne el i ng do wn o n h i s fal le n fo e h e drew fo rth a glitterin g dagger and h el d it b efo re h im ike m as siv e walls h i s fol lo we rs i n a m o m ent sto o d aro und h im ; S i n t r a m s eeme d l o st with out hop e o f d e l ive rance H e dete rm ine d to di e as b ecam e a b ol d warrio r an d u nm ove d h e gaze d at th e fatal weapo n with a steady u nfl i nchi n g eye As h e l ay now thus l o oki n g upward i t seem e d to h i m as i f sudde nly th ere ap p e are d o n th e h ori zo n a wo n d e r fu l ly b eauti ful fe male fo rm i n azure garments gleam i n g with gold u r anc esto rs were ri ght i n thei r tal es o f th e ” Valkyri es ! m u rmu re d h e S t r ike unkno wn c o n ” quero r ! B u t th e k ni gh t di d not st rike a n d no Valkyri e had app eare d ; i t was th e b eauti ful wi fe o f th e stran ge r who h ad j ust co m e up to th e upp er deck o f the ve s sel an d h ad th us fall e n i nto S i n t r a m s vi ew “ Polko crie d sh e i n a sweet vo ice ; th o u k ni gh t without rep ro ach ; I kno w th at th ou wilt sp are th e ” vanquish e d ! Th e k ni gh t sp run g up with nobl e grac e extende d “ hi s han d to th e c o n q uered youth and said : Thank the nobl e lady o f o ntfauco n fo r yo ur li fe and lib .
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H B aro n of o ntfauc o n lo o k e d with asto nish m e nt at h i s s trange adve rsary ; but as h e gaze d at h i m m o re an d m o re h i s rememb rance ro se withi n h im call i ng to h i s m i nd th e no rth ern r ac e fro m whic h h i s ance stors were d esce n de d and with wh o m h e had al ways m a i ntai ne d frien dly i ntercourse A gol den b ear s cl aw fast en in g S i n t r a m s cl oak c o nfi rm e d h i s s usp i ci o ns “ H av e yo u not h e asked a v al iant co u sin c all ed th e S ea ing A ri n B i or n who wears o n i s h elm et a gol de n v ul ture wi ng ? an d i s n ot your fath er th e ni ght B i or n ? fo r I th i nk th e b ear s c l a o n yo ur b reast m u st b e th e h e ral dic b adge o f yo u r race S i n t r a m assente d to al l th i s i n deep an d h umbl e sh ame Th e Kni ght o f o nt fauco n raised h im fro m th e “ ground and sai d i n a grav e ge ntl e to ne : We ar e th en related to each o th e r b ut I h ad never though t th at any on e o f ou r h o norabl e h ous e c oul d have attacke d a pe ace ful m an witho ut p rovo c atio n and m o reov er with ” o ut warni ng “ S l a y m e repl i ed S i n t r a m i f I am stil l wo rthy to d i e b y such nob l e h ands ; I have no de sire t o see th e l i gh t o f day any l o nge r ” “ B e cau se you have b e en co nq ue re d ? aske d o nt fauco n S i n t r a m sh ook h i s h ead r b ecaus e y o u h ave c o m mitte d an unkni ghtly ” act ? ,
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72
SI N TRAM
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b
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Th e youth s l ush o f sh am e exp re ss ed ass e nt “ Yo u m ust not wi sh to d i e o n th at acc ount con “ ti nned o ntfauco n but fa r rath e r to make am e nds fo r you r faul t an d to re nde r yoursel f il lus triou s by many gl orio us deed s S ee yo u are b l e sse d wi th the val o r and strength o f l imb and m o re ov e r with th e eagle glance o f a ge ne ral I woul d dub yo u a kni gh t at o nc e had yo u fo u ght as wel l i n a go o d caus e as yo u h ave i n a b ad o n e e t m e soo n h ave o cc asi o n to d o ” s o You may y et b ecom e a h ero full o f h o no r A m e rry soun d o f p ip es an d silve r cymb al s i nte r r u p t e d th e c o nve rs atio n Gab ri ell e b eauti ful as th e m o rni n di se mbarked foll o we d by h e r maidens and b ein g i nfo rm e d by Po lko i n a few wo rds resp e ctin g hi s l ate adve rsary sh e regarded th e wh ol e contest as a me re t rial o f arm s sayi n g “ Y o u mus t n o t l et i t vex you nobl e si r that my h usb and h as wo n th e p riz e for yo u m ust k no w that i n t h e wh ol e wo rl d th e re i s o nly o ne h ero ove r wh o m th e l ord o f o nt fauco n c ann ot b o ast o f v ictory And “ wh o k n o ws sh e co nti nu ed hal f j est i ngly wh ether eve n that wo ul d h ave b ee n so b ut th at h e p res um ed to wi n b ac k th e m agi c ri n g fro m m e who h ad b ee n al lo tte d t o h i m as a b ri de by th e wil l o f Go d and b y th e ” ch o ic e o f my own h eart Po lk o b ent sm il i ngly ove r th e s no w wh it e hand of h i s lady and the n b e gge d th e youth to c o nduct h i m t o h i s fath e r s castl e Ro l f u ndertook with great pl easure to s upe ri nte n d th e d i semb arkatio n o f th e ho rse s and o th er val uabl es fo r i t s eem ed to h i m th at an angel in woman s fo rm had appe are d to so ft e n hi s b elove d yo ung m aste r a nd p erhap s eve n to free h i m fro m that early curse S i n t r a m h ad s e nt m e sse n gers i n al l di rections to s e ek i s fath e r and to anno unc e t o h i m th e arrival o f th e nobl e gu e sts Th ey th e refo re fou nd th e n i g ht B i or n .
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l ready i n h i s cast l e and eve ryth i n g a rranged fo r a festive re c eptio n Gab riell e e ntered th e lo fty glo o my bui l din g with a fee li ng o f awe and lo oke d with stil l great er fear at th e ro l li n g fie ry eye s o f its m aste r ; n ow eve n the pale dark hai red S i n t r a m app e are d to h e r t er rible an d s e s i gh e d withi n h e rsel f : h ! wh at a n awful abo de my k ni ght h ast thou b ro ugh t me t o vi sit ! h ! th at we were at ho m e o nce m o re i n my sunny Gasco ny o r i n thy kni ghtly or ” mandy ! B ut t he grand and n ob l e re cepti o n th e de ep r e ve r e n tial re sp ect pai d t o h e r grac e an d to Kni gh t F o l k o s re no wn tended t o reas sure h e r, an d s oo n h e r b utter y deli gh t i n al l th at was n ew was p leasantly a wakene d by th e u nwonte d asp ect o f eve r yt h in g i n th i s stran ge wo rld B e side s any wo m anly fear coul d b ut tro ub l e h e r fo r a m o ment whe n h er l o rd wa s n e a r Sh e knew t o o well th e p owerful p ro tectio n aff o rde d by th e n ob l e B aro n o f o ntfauc o n to all th at we re dear to hi m o r c o m me n de d to h is charge P rese ntly Ro l f p as se d t h rou gh th e l arge h all i n wh ich they we re s eated co nductin g th e atte ndants o f the strangers and th ei r baggage u p to th ei r ap a r tm ents A s th ey we nt by Gab riell e cau ght s i ght of h e r favo r ite l ute and o rdere d a p age t o b ri n g it to h er th at sh e mi ght se e i f h e r p rec io us i nstrume nt had i n any way s u ff ere d fro m th e sea v oyage As sh e b ent ove r it tun i n g it wi th earnest atte ntio n and h er tap e r fi n gers ran up and do wn the stri ngs a s m i le l ike th e l i ght o f sp ring p asse d ove r th e d ark c ou nt enance s o f B i or n and S i n tram and b oth exclai m e d with an i nvol untary si gh “ h ! i f sh e wo ul d p l ay and s in g to it t hat woul d ” e del ightful ! Th e l ady felt fl atte red and lo oke d sm il ingly at th em no dded a graci o us as sent and sa n g as s h e touch ed he r l ute a
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74
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b ut a s impl e lay of th e sp ri ng full o f th e i mage s wh ic h that sweet se as on wit h it s th o usand ch ange s and revivals ev e r c all s forth i n m y c ountry “ H ave yo u such a h o m e s o wonde rfully b eauti ful ” ? an d s o ri ch i n s o n g excl ai m e d S i n t r a m with e n “ Th e n I am n o lo nger surp rised at yo ur u n t h u s i a sm e arth ly b eauty n o r at th e p o we r wh i ch yo u e xerci se ove r my h ard wi l d h ea r t ; fo r a P aradis e o f s o n g mus t s urel y se nd su ch an gel ic me ssen ger s t o c al m th e chao s ” that p ervades th e worl d A nd as h e sp ok e h e sank o n b oth k ne e s b e for e th e b eautiful lady i n deep hum ility F o l k o s m il ed ap p rovi ngl y b ut Gab ri el le app eare d emb arrass ed and as i f sh e scarc ely k new h at to do with th e h al f wil d h al f tam e d young o rsem an After a m o m e nt s refl e cti o n h o wev e r sh e he l d o ut t o h i m h e r fai r h an d and s aid as sh e ge ntly rai s e d h i “ A ny o n e wh o fi nds s o mu ch pl easure i n s on g m ust c ertai nly k no w h o w to awake n i t h i m sel f T ak e my ” l ute an d l et u s h ear s om e s we etl y i nsp i re d l ay B ut S i n t r a m gently refuse d th e d elicate i n st rum ent an d sai d “ H eave n fo rb i d m y m anly h and sh oul d to uch th e s e tende r stri ngs ! We re I e ve n to b egi n s o m e s oft m el o dious strain yet at l ast as th e m us i c s wel l s th e wil d sp i rit that dwell s wi th i n m e woul d b urst fo rth a nd th e re woul d b e an end o f th i s m agi c l ute o al l o w m e t o fetch my o wn po werful h arp with its s tri ngs o f b ear s si news and i ts b ras s m o unti n s or in t ruth I feel m ysel f i nsp i re d both to pl ay and to si ng ! Gab ri ell e wh i sp ere d a h al f sm ili n g h al f fe arful as sent an d S i n t r a m sp eedily p ro cure d h i s wo nderful h arp an d b e gan to strik e i ts de ep to ne d stri ngs with a stron g t o uch a n d to si n g with a vo i ce no l ess p owerful, th e followi ng so n : ,
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70
SI N T R AM
K ni gh t
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wh ithe r away i n th e ragin g gal e ? ” To a southern sh o re I h oi st my sail H ei gh h o ! fo r th e land with th e b eautiful fl o wers ! ,
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I h av e traverse d e nou gh o f th e fro ze n sno w ” Th rou gh clove re d m eado ws I no w will go H e i gh h o ! fo r th e l and wi th th e b e auti ful fl owers ! ,
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Th e stars gui de h i m by ni gh t and th e su n b y day Ti ll he anch o rs i n gl o ri ous ap o l i s b ay H e i gh h o ! fo r th e l an d with th e e autiful fl o wers !
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Th ere wanders an ex qu isit e gi rl o n th e strand H e r h ai r i s entwi ne d with a golde n b and H ei gh h o ! fo r th e l and with th e b eautiful fl o wers ! ,
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Goo d day go o d — day to thee fai rest o ne ” y b ri de th ou sh al t b e ere setti n g sun H ei gh h o l fo r th e l and wi th th e b eautiful -
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fl o wers !
N ay Si r K ni ght thy woo ing I must rej ect A M argrave h as m ade m e h i s b ri de el ect ,
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H ei gh —h o l fo r th e lan d with th e b eaut iful fl o wers !
L et h i m co m e
th e n and try h is s wo rd w ith m e And th e comb at shal l s how wh o p os se s seth th ee ! H ei gh ho l for th e l an d with th e b ea utiful fl o wers ! ,
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m i d th e b eauti ful m aide ns aro und ” Anothe r i n wh o m fai re r grac es ab ound ! H ei gh h o ! fo r th e l and with th e b eauti ful owers ! ,
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N ay
nay ! upo n th ee h ave I c ente re d my lov e A n d no p o we r ex ists whi ch i ts fo rce can rem ove eigh h o ! fo r th e land with th e b eauti ful fl owers !
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The n cam e th e youn g argrave rev en geful and s o re And th e o rth man s goo d swo rd l ai d h i m lo w i n h i s go re H ei gh h o ! fo r t h e l and with th e b eauti ful owe rs !
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A nd th e n th e glad he ro exulti n gly cri e d “ ow n o w al l are mi ne lands c astl e and b ri de ! H ei gh h o ! fo r th e l and with th e b e auti ful owe rs !
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S i n t r a m c eased , b ut hi s e ye s sp arkle d wi l dly , and th e
stri ngs o f hi s h arp eve r kept reverb e rating i n a ki nd o f marvelo us c ade nc e B i or n h ad d rawn h i ms el f h aughtily e rect i n h i s chai r and stroke d h i s huge mustach e and rattl ed h i s s wo rd as i f with p l easure Gab riell e t re mbl e d at th e wil d so n g and at th e se strange b ei ngs but th e fear onl y laste d ti l l sh e cast a gl ance at S i r Po lko o f o ntfaucon wh o was si tti n g s mil i ng i n al l h i s kni ghtl y stre ngth letti n g th e rud e up ro ar rage aro u n d h i m l ike th e h urly burly o f som e autum na stor .
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fi tti n g fo r m e t o ask What are you do in g i n ou r c astle ” ? garden yo u u gly l ittl e m an ” Well well s ai d th e other l augh i n g I am th i nk i ng that I am quite b i g enough as I am ne cannot always b e a giant And b esi des what do you fi nd am i ss i n my go in g o n a snail h unt h ere ? S nails do no t s urely b el o n g to th e game wh ich you with your ex p e r i e n c e d val or h ave re served as spo rt fo r you rselves al o ne I o n th e o th er han d kno w h ow to p rep are from the m a del ici ous a ro mati c d ri nk and I have already caugh t s u ffi c i ent fo r to day ; m arvelo us fat l ittl e c rea tures with wise fac es like m en an d lo ng twi sted h o rns ” ? o n th e i r h ead s Wi ll you loo k yo un g master And s o sayi ng h e u nb utto n ed and u nh ooked h i s fur m antl e but S i n t r a m s eized with horro r and disgust ex cl aim ed “ Pshaw ! S uc h anim als are rep ul siv e to m e ! L e t the m alone an d tel l m e i nstea d wh o and what you really ” are yoursel f ” “ ? A re you so b e nt upo n names replie d th e l ittle man et i t c o nte nt yo u that I am a master of th e m o st s ecret lore and am well ac quai nted with th e o l dest a nd m o s t i ntricate histo ri es Ah ! young m aster i f yo u wou ld o nly hear them o nc e ! B ut you are afrai d ” of me ! ” Afrai d o f you ? sai d S i n t r a m with a wil d l augh ” ‘ any a b etter man th an yo u h as b e en so m ur “ mured th e l ttle m aste r only th ey woul d confess t o it j ust as l ittle “ To p rov e the c o ntrary to you said S i n t r a m I wil l remai n with yo u t il l th e m o o n i s h i gh i n the h eaven s B ut then you must t el l m e your sto ri es Th e l ittl e man gave a no d o f satis factio n an d wh il e they b oth p ace d up and down a reti re d elm wal k h e b e gan a s foll o ws “ any hundre d years ago the re was a h andsom e .
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80
SI N TRAM
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youn g knigh t cal led Pa ris o f Troy an d h e l ive d i n th e bu rni ng lands o f th e S outh wh ere th ere are th e sweet est so ngs th e mo st aro mati c smelli n g fl owe rs and th e m ost charmi n g wom e n Yo u k now a son g about that ‘ ? land youn g sir do yo u not H ei gh h o ! fo r th e land ” with th e b eautiful fl owers ! I sn t i t s o ? S i n t r a m bowe d h i s h ead i n assent and h i s b reast h eave d a d eep s i gh “ Well c o n ti nue d th e l ittl e ma ste r Pari s had a hab it such as i s freque nt i n th os e c ou ntrie s and o f wh ich ve ry p retty rhym es are o fte n s un g H e woul d pas s wh ol e m o nth s i n th e garb o f a p easant an d go p ip in g abo ut th e woo ds and fi el ds p asturi n g h i s fl o ck s ne day th re e b eautiful so rc ere ss es appeared t o h i m di sput i ng abo ut a golde n appl e a nd they des i re d to know fro m hi m wh i ch o f them was th e faire st fo r to he r th e golde n frui t was to b e l ong Th e fi rst k ne w h ow to obtai n th ro ne s and s cepte rs an d c ro wns th e seco nd c ould m ak e p eop l e wi se and th e th i rd co ul d p repare l ov e p ot io ns and l ove ch arm s wh ich c o ul d secure th e fav o r o f the most b eautiful wo m en ach o ff e re d h e r c h oice st gi fts to th e sheph e rd k ni ght that h e m i ght awa rd th e appl e to h er B ut as fai r wo m e n p l ease d h i m b etter than anyth i n g els e i n t he wo rl d h e dec i ded th at th e th i rd was th e m o st l ovely and h er nam e was Ve nu s Th e two oth ers departe d i n great disp leasu re b ut Venus bi d h i m p ut o n agai n h i s k ni gh tly arm o r and hi s h at with its wav i n g feathers an d th e n sh e co n ducte d h i m t o a spl e ndi d fo rtres s i n a c ity call e d Sp arta where th e nob le duk e e nel au s rul ed with h i s yo ung uches s H el e n Sh e was th e m o st b eauti ful woman upo n earth an d th e e n chantres s was re ady to b e sto w h e r o n Pari s i n grat itude fo r th e go l den apple Pari s w as wel l sati sfi ed at th i s and wish e d fo r nothi ng b et te r ; o nl y h e aske d h i m sel f h o w h e ou ght t o b e gi n ” “ P ari s m ust have b ee n a fi n e k ni ght ! said S i n t r a m ,
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81
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OF '
W ON D E R
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i nterrupti ng the story S uch th i n gs are easily s ettl e d Challenge th e h usband t o fi ght and th e v ictor p o s ses se s ” th e l ady “ B ut uke ene laus was th e kni ght s h os t sai d th e n arrato r “ We ll l ittl e maste r exclaimed S i n t r a m h e mi ght h ave aske d th e so rceres s fo r anoth e r b eaut i ful w om an an d th en h ave saddled h i s h o rse o r wei gh ed anch o r ” an d departed ! “ ” Yes ye s it i s ve ry easy to say s o ! repl i ed th e l i ttle “ o ld m an B ut i f yo u had o nly seen h o w b ew itch ing th i s uche s s H el e n was Sh e was not to b e change d ” fo r any And wi th gl ow in g words h e b e ga n to de p ic t th e b eauty o f th e wo nderful wo man b ut feature fo r feature was so l ike th e im ag e o f Gab ri ell e that S i n t r a m t ottere d and was obli ge d t o s upp o rt h im sel f again st a t ree Th e l ttl e m aster sto o d op po sit e t o h im l augh i n g an d asked : Well n ow shoul d yo u h ave c ouns e le d fli ght to ” ? th at p o o r Kni ght Pari s ” “ ? Tell m e quickly what h app en ed stam m ere d out .
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Th e so rc eres s acte d h ono rably toward th e k ni gh t “ c o ntinue d th e ol d m an S h e t old h i m be fo rehand th at h e woul d carry away th e c h arm i ng duch ess to h i s castl e at Troy th at i t w oul d b e th e rui n o f h ims el f a nd h i s c ity and h i s wh ol e rac e but that fo r t e n years h e woul d b e abl e to defen d h im sel f i n Troy and to deli gh t ” i n H ele n s sweet love ” “ An d h e accepte d the te rm s o r h e was a fo ol ! ex claim e d th e yo uth ” “ Yes surely wh ispe red th e l it t l e m aster he a c A n d I wo ul d h ave do ne s o mys el f ! Wel l c e p t e d th em my youn g h e ro th i ngs l ooked then much as they are l ooki n g no w Th ro ugh th e th i ckly inte rt wi ned b ranch e s of th e tree s th e m o o n j ust p ass in g from b en eath th e ,
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82
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F MO
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O L
I p ray o rd my Go d ! Cal l h i m to th e e o n h i gh To m ans io ns i n the sky Thou gh th ro ugh anguish b e th e ro ad ! ,
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Th ese wo rd s we re at thi s m o me nt chanted by th e ol d Rol f as h e l inge re d i n s ol itary p rayer by th e c a s tle l ake ful l o f fo re od i ng c are Th ey reach ed S i n t r a m s ear and h e sto o d a s i f sp el l b o und and m ad e th e s ign o f th e c ro s s Th e l ittle master at o nce h op p ed away o n o ne l e g with a strange awkward rap idity throu gh th e gate w hi ch h e clo se d with a yel l a fter h im Te rrifi ed at th e wil d noi se Gab ri ell e started ; S i n t r a m app ro ach ed h e r s oftly and sai d o ff e ri n g h e r h i s arm : “ Pe rm it m e to accomp any yo u t o th e castl e hall Th e ni gh t s om eti me s i n o ur no rth ern h ill s is so m ewh at il d ” and fearful ,
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C H A PT
ER
VI I I
E
H Y fo und th e two k ni ghts with i n ove r th ei r wi ne Polko was re lati n g stori e s i n h i s usual l ively and ch ee rful manne r and B i or n was listen in g m o o dily ; bu t it seem e d as i f th e dark c l ouds were al m os t agai nst h i s will givi n g way t o a pleasin g se n se o f c o m fo rt Gab ri ell e greete d he r l ord with a sm il e and signi ng to h im to c onti nue to ok h e r s eat ne ar th e ni ght B i or n with an ai r o f ch eerful atte nt i o n ; S i nt r a m stoo d sad and d reamlik e b y th e h earth and sti rre d up th e emb ers wh ic h cast a stran ge glo w upo n hi s pale face An d ab ove a l l th e Germ an t radi ng to wn s c o ntinue d “ o ntfauco n that o f H amb urg i s th e ri ch e st a n d th e greatest I n o rmandy we are al ways gl ad to s e e th ei r me rch ants l and o n ou r c oasts an d are always ready to h elp th e good exc ell e nt p eop le by wo rd and deed I wa s rece ive d wit h great hono r o nc e wh e n I visite d H amb urg o reov e r I found it s i nh ab itant s j u st e n gage d i n a feu d with a nei ghb ori n g c ount and I at o nc e u sed m y sw o rd i n th e ir b eh al f with vigo r and suc .
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You r swo rd ! Your kni ghtly swo rd ! b roke fo rth “ B i or n th e ol d fi re fl ash i ng fro m hi s eye s agai nst a ” k ni ght ! A nd for c o sterm o n gers ! “ “ Si r said Pol ko q ui etly ho w th e b aron s of ont fauco n h ave use d th ei r swo rd s h as ev e r re sted wi th them selve s with out th e i nt e rference o f any th ird p e r so n a n d I i ntend to mai ntai n thi s go o d cust o m as I ave re c eive d it I f you are opp o s ed to it s ay so freely ,
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At th e s am e tim e I fo rb i d any rude wo rd agai nst th e me n o f H amb urg wh o m I hav e al ready decl are d to b e ” my fri e nd s B i or n cast down h i s h aughty eye s and th e fi re fade d “ fro m th em Then i n a l o w vo ice h e said : Sp eak o n nob le baro n yo u are ri ght an d I am wro n g Po lko h el d o ut h i s h and t o h i m i n fri e n dsh ip ac ro ss th e t abl e and th u s c o nti nu e d h i s narrati o n “ Th e d earest o f al l m y dear fri en ds a t H amb urg are two p e op l e o f m arv elou s exp e rie nc e— a fath e r and h i s s o n Wh at h av e th ey n ot see n and do ne i n th e r e m o t e s t e nd s o f th e ea r th and estab l i sh ed fo r t h e we ! fare o f thei r native to wn ? Th ank s b e t o Go d my l ife i s not to b e calle d a b arre n o n e b ut c omp are d t o th e wi se Go tthard enz an d t o h i s p o werful s o n R u d l i e b I s eem t o myse lf l ike a s qui re wh o h as b ee n t o a c oupl e o f to urna m e nts and h as p e rhap s i n th e ch ase r each ed th e utte rm o st b o un dary o f h i s o w n fo rest s Th ey h ave c o nve rte d overcom e gladdened dark m e n i n l and s wh os e nam e I d o no t k no w a nd th e rich e s th ey h ave b rou ght b ack with th e m t hey have dedic ated t o th e c o m m o n go o d as th ou gh th e re w e r e noth in g e l s e t o d o with it n th ei r return h o m e fro m th ei r b ol d v oya ge s th ey h astene d to a h o spi tal estab li sh e d b y th e m and th e re th ey act as o vers ee rs a n d as watc h ful h u mb le n urses Th e n th ey s e l ec t bu il di n g gro und fo r h a n d so me t owe rs and fo rtre sse s wh i ch th ey e rect fo r th e p rotecti o n o f th ei r c ou ntry ; the n agai n th ey i nsp ec t h ou s es i n wh ich th e wan deri n g p i l g r i m fi nds a h o s p i t a b l e resti n g p lac e ; and l astly i n th ei r o wn h o m e they e nt ertai n th ei r gue st s rich and nobl e as k in gs an d si mpl e an d u nco n strai n ed as s h eph erds ; an d m any a tal e o f th ei r a dventure s give s a rel i s h to th e c ho i ce v iand s and th e c o stly wi ne ; am on g o th e rs th ey hav e t ol d m e o n e at wh ic h my h ai r stoo d o n e nd an d pe r h ap s I c a n h e re gath e r c lo ser i nfo rmati o n fro m yo u ,
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86
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B i or n stared fix edly b e fo re h im as i f turne d t o sto ne B ut S i n t r a m stepp e d fro m the hearth t o th e table , and .
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sai d athe r l et u s s eek o ut th i s ne st o f wicked nes s and lay i t eve n with th e gro u nd I kno w not wh y b ut my m i nd i s imp re s se d with i t as a c e rt a i nty th at th i s fearful o c c urre nce i s alo ne t o b l am e for my terribl e ” d ream s B urni n g with rage a gai nst h i s s o n B i or n ro se up an d woul d p erhap s agai n hav e u tt ere d s o m e dre adful i m p recati o n b ut i t was no t t o b e ; fo r j ust at th at m om e nt th e p eal in g note s o f a t rum p et i nter rupte d h i s an gry wo rd s th e fol di ng doo rs were s ole m nly th ro wn o pe n an d a he ral d e nte re d th e ap artm ent H e b o we d reve re ntly a nd th e n sai d : I am sent by Jarl ri c th e Aged Two ni gh ts ago h e retu rne d fro m h is exp editi o n i n th e Grecian S ea H e had i nte nded to take v en geance o n th e i sland wh i c h i s c all e d Ch i o s b e c au se ab o ut fi fty year s a g o h i s fath e r h ad be e n slai n th e re by th e m erc e nari e s o f the emp eror B ut your k in sm an th e s ea k in g Ari n B i or n was lyi n g at a nch o r i n th e b ay and advi se d p a c ifi c a t i o n J arl ri c w o uld not h ear o f th i s and th e s e a k i ng A ri n B i or n at le n gth s ai d th at h e wo ul d neve r suff e r th e island o f Ch i o s to b e l ai d waste b ecaus e i t was th ere th at th e so n gs o f an anc ient Greek b ard nam ed H om e r were gl o ri o usly s un g a nd m o reov e r very ch o ic e wi ne s we re d runk ro m p arley th ey p roc ee d e d t o c o mb at and so t here m i ghti ly d i d t h e s e a ki n g A rin B i or n p revail that Jar! ric l o st two o f h i s vessel s an d o nly e scape d wi t h diffic ulty i n o ne wh ich was al ready m uch i nj ure d or th i s act ri c th e A ge d h op e s o ne day to ake th e h ous e o f th e sea ki n g ato ne s i nc e A ri n B ior n i s h i m sel f not o n th e sp ot Wil l yo u th e refo re B i or n o f th e i ery yes m ake c omp e n s atio n to Jarl i n as m uch o e n mo n ey an d l and as h e d em ands ? r wil l you p re p are t o m e et h i m fo r b a t t l e o n N ifl u n g s ea th seve n ” days henc e ? ,
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88
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B i or n
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b o we d
h i s h ead c om p o sedly and rep e ated i n “ a c o urteo us to ne S eve n days h e nc e at N i fl u n g s ” H eath H e th e n p re s e nte d th e h e rald with a gol d e m bos se d gob l et ful l o f ri ch wi ne s ayi ng rink th at an d then h i de t h e cup that t h o u h ast e mptie d i n thy m antl e and take it with th ee “ G reet th y J arl al so from th e B aro n o f o ntfauc o n “ adde d F o l k o and tel l h i m th at I to o w i l l b e p rese nt at N ifl u n g s H e ath as th e h e re di ta ry friend o f th e s ea ki ng an d as ki ns ma n a nd gu e s t o f B i or n o f th e iery ” yes Th e h e ral d evi de ntly starte d at th e nam e o f ont fauc o n ; h e b e nt ve ry l o w lo oke d with revere nt atten tio n at th e b aro n a nd qu itte d th e hall Gab rie lle s m i l e d at h er k ni gh t with an untro ubl e d and l ov i n g ai r fo r wel l sh e knew h i s re no wn as a warrio r ; “ sh e o nly asked : Wh ere sh all I rem ai n P olk o whe n yo u go fo rth t o battle ” “ I th o ught rep lie d B ior n you wo ul d b e p le ase d t o stay i n my c astle b eauti ful l ady I l eav e my s o n b eh i nd ” for yo u as w ard and s qu ire G a b rie ll e hes itate d fo r a m o m ent and S i n t r a m h av i n g returne d to h i s p lac e b y th e h earth m utte re d to “ h ims elf l o oki n g glo o m i ly at th e b ri ght fl am e : Ye s ye s it wil l p o s sib ly b e so I t seem s t o m e th at uke e nelau s may h av e j u st l e ft th e fo rt res s o f Sp art a o n s o m e s uch warl ik e exp ed iti o n wh e n th e ardent Kni gh t Paris m et th e b eauti ful H el e n at eve nti de i n th e gar ” de n B ut Gab ri ell e sh udderin g s h e knew not wh y sai d “ s uddenly : With out you Polko ? An d shal l I the n b e dep rive d o f th e ple asure o f s eei n g yo u fi ght ? a n d m i ss ” ? th e h ono r of t en di n g yo u sh oul d yo u b e wou nded Polko b o we d an d gr ace fully th anke d h i s l ady and r e pli ed “ G o with yo ur kni gh t s inc e th o u s o de si re st it and ,
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89
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F MO
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b e h is l ovely i nsp iri n g s tar I t i s i ndee d a goo d o ld no rth e rn c usto m th at wo m en sh o ul d b e present at th e co ntest s o f k ni ghts a nd no o rth man wi ll di sturb th e sp ot b ri ghte ne d with th e l i ght o f th ei r eyes Unl es s “ — i nqui re d h e casti n g a glanc e at B i or n ric Jarl p er ” hap s i s not wo rthy o f h is ance sto rs “ H e i s a m an o f h o no r ass erted B i or n ” T h e n array yours el f my fai rest l ove s ai d Polko “ hal f s i n gin g an d h alf sp eak ing and c o m e fo rth with ” us to th e b attle fi e l d as j ud ge o f o ur p ro we ss ! “ ” o rth ! o rth with us to t h e b a ttl e fi e ld ! ech o ed S i n t r a m e nth us i astic ally and al l di sp ers ed ch e erfully and ho p efully S i n t r a m rep ai ri n g t o th e fo rest an d th e rest to repo se .
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bowe d l ow at th i s a gre eab le ti di ngs and o rdere d h i s Skalds to s trike up a s o n g wh ich ran as follows : ,
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M en o f E ric ! F i e c e and b rave ! r
Array you rsel ve s e re m o rnin g l i gh t ; With sp ear an d sh i eld o r b attl e fi e ld e ck you rselve s fo r th e co m i ng fi ght ! B eauty s sm ile Awai ts awh i l e To give th e ve rd ic t o f yo ur fam e e r s ea an d l and ro m d istant st ran d Re soun ds th e glori ou s F o lk o s name There am i dst th e fo e W e h i s b anner kn o w P ress in g o nward fo r th e fi ght ! e n o f ri c ! Po lko co m e s ! B attle with you r ut mo st m i ght !
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Th e wo nderful strai ns fl o ate d ov e r th e h eath an reach ed Gab ri ell e s tent Sh e was well accustom e d t o h ear h e r kni ght s fam e c el e b rated o n al l s i de s ; b ut wh e n h i s p rai se s burst forth so gl o ri o usly unde r th e sky o f ni gh t fro m th e lip s o f an en emy sh e co ul d s carc ely r e frai n fro m falli ng o n h e r knee s b efo re the gre at baro n B ut F o lk o with c o urt eo us grac e rai sed h e r up an d p res si n g a fervent k i ss o n h er so ft h and sai d : To yo u my lovely lady bel o n g my deeds and not to m e ! As th e ni ght p ass ed away and th e m o rni n g gl owe d i n th e east N i fl u n g s H eath was ful l of m ovem ent an d so und o f sparkl i n g arm s ni ght s put o n th ei r cl ash i n g arm o r nobl e st ee d s n e i gh ed th e m o rni n g d rau ght went round i n sh i ni ng gob l ets of gol d and s i lve r a n d ,
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war songs and harp note s re sou nde d eve rywh e re A m erry m arch played on h o rn s ro s e fro m B i or n s c am p o ntfauco n with hi s h o rsem e n and retai ne rs clad i n b lue stee l a rmo r c o nducte d h i s lady t o a h ei gh t o n wh ich sh e wo uld b e s e cure from th e flyi n g spears and c o ul d h av e a fre e s urvey o f th e b attl e fi e l d Th e l i ghts o f m orni n g p layed as it were i n h o ma ge ove r h e r b eauty an d as s h e p asse d c lo se by th e c am p o f ri c Jarl h i s m e n l o we re d th ei r arm s and th e o ffi cers b ent l o w th e i r plum e d helmets Two o f M o n t fa u c o n s p age s rem ai ne d o n th e h ei ght i n atte ndance o n Gab rielle not u nwi l lin gly re strai ni n g th e i r l ove o f fi gh ti n g fo r an o ffi ce s o agre eabl e The n th e tw o h o sts passe d i n fro nt o f h e r s al uti ng h e r and si n gi n g t o h e r as they went ; an d p lac in g th e m selve s i n b attl e array th e fi gh t b e gan Th e spears o f th e o rthm en h urle d by p o werful h ands reb oun de d with a cl ash fro m th e b ro ad shie lds opp ose d t o the m o r m et wh izzin g i n th e i r i ght ; and n o w and th e n b oth i n B i or n s and ri c s h o sts a war ri o r was struck an d fell sile nt to th e gro und Th en th e ni gh t Po lko o f o ntfauc o n advance d w i t h hi s o rm an h o rsem en A s h e dashe d by h e low e red h i s swo rd t o s alute Gab ri ell e ; an d th e n rais in g a ge ne ral exult i n g b attle cry h e ch arge d th e le ft wi ng o f th e e nemy ri c s fo ot sol d ie rs resti ng fi rmly on th ei r k nees rece ive d th em with fi xe d h alb erd s ; many a n obl e h o rs e fel l fatally w ounde d b ri ngi n g h i s ride r with h i m to th e ground ; m any anothe r i n h i s death fal l c ru sh e d h i s e nemy b e neath h i m o lk o rush e d th rough he and h is war steed unw o unded an d a t ro o p o f ch o se n kni ght s foll o we d h i m iso rde r was al ready ragi n g i n th e h os tile c am p ; th e s ol di e rs o f B i ot u o f th e i e ry ye s were al ready rai s i n g sh outs o f v icto ry wh e n a troop o f h o rse h eade d b y ric Jarl advanc ed agai nst th e great b aro n and wh il e M o n t fa u c o n s N o rman s .
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93 .
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h astily asse mb l ed we re e ngage d i n di spe rs i n g th es e new rank s th e e ne my s i nfant ry were gradually gath e r i ng i n t o a den se m ass roll i n g o n and o n All thi s s eem e d o cc as io ne d by th e wo n de rful ly sh rill c ry o f a warrio r wh o app eared i n the ir m i dst An d sc arc ely h ad th i s s t r an ge array b ee n fo rm e d th an th e t ro op s sc at t e r e d agai n i n all d i rectio ns with l o ud war c ri e s an d with a fo rc e as i rre si stibl e as that wi th wh i ch H ec l a sends forth th e b u rni n g stream fro m i ts u nfatho mab le abyss B i o r n s s o ldie rs wh o th ough t to s urro u nd th e e nemy wave re d and fell and gave w ay be fo re such i n c o nc eivabl e fury I n va n the K ni ght B i o r n e n d e a v o red to opp o se t h e stream— h e was h imsel f al mo st car r i e w away i n th e ge ne ral i ght ute and m oti o nles s S i n t r a m gaz e d at th e tumult ri en d and foe p as sed h i m by e ach al ike avo i di n g h im and n o ne wil l i n g t o h av e anyth in g t o do with h i m s o fearful an d so unearth ly was h i s asp ec t o f s il e nt rage H e to o st ruc k neith er ri gh t no r le ft ; h i s b attl e a x re ste d i n hi s h and B ut h i s eye s fl ashe d with fi re and s ee me d p ie rci n g th e e n emy s ranks as th ou gh h e woul d fi nd out h i m wh o h ad st i rre d up th e warl ik e fury H e suc A l ittle m an i n stran ge l ook in g arm or with c eed ed l arge golden h o rn s o n h i s h elmet and a p roj ect i ng v iso r attach e d t o it was l eanin g o n a two ed ge d h al b erd shap ed l ik e a sickl e and l o oked h ith er and th ithe r as i f with a sm il e o f deri si o n at th e v ic torio us p ursu it of ri c s t ro op s and th e fl i ght o f th eir adversar ies ” “ “ That i s h e ! excl aim e d S i n t r a m ; th at i s h e wh o wi l l ” drive u s l ik e fugitive s b efo re G ab ri el l e s eye s ! A nd with th e swi ft ne s s o f an arro w h e d arted to ward h i m wit h a wil d sh out Th e co mbat b e gan with fury but it laste d o nly a sh ort t i m e efyi n g th e b o ld dexte rity o f h i s a d ve r sary S i n t r a m taki n g advantage o f hi s superio r si ze struck s o fearful a b l o w up o n th e ho rned h elme t th at ,
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O ND U CT ED
by th e great b aro n i n th e p re s e nc e o f th e wh o l e army with gl o wi n g ch eek an d h um b le d ownc ast l oo k S i n t r a m as ce nde d th e h i ll wh ere Gab r ell e stood i n al l h er radi ant b e auty B oth w ar ri o rs b ent o n th ei r knee s b efore h e r and Po lko s ai d “ so le m nly : ady th i s yo un g c o mb atant of no b le rac e m erits th e reward o f th is day s vi cto ry I p ray yo u l et ” h i m receive it fro m your fai r h and Gab riel l e b owe d c ou rt eo usly dise n ga ged h e r v elvet s carf o f bl ue and gol d an d faste ned i t to a gl eam i n g s wo rd wh i ch a p age b ro u ght h e r o n a c u sh io n o f cloth o f s i lve r Th e n with a s m i le sh e h el d o ut th e n ob le gi ft to S i n t r a m wh o was j u st be ndin g fo rward t o r e c e i ve i t wh e n Gab ri e ll e suddenly p aused and turni n g “ to P olko sai d : b aro n sh o ul d n o t o ne o n o b le wh o m I b es to w swo rd and s c arf b e fi rst adm itted to t he ” ? o rde r o f kni ghth o o d i ght as a feat he r F o lk o sprun g up b o we d lo w b efo re h i s lady and with s ol em n d i gn ity g a ve th e yo uth t h e ac col ade o f kni ghth oo d Th e n G a b ri ell e i nveste d h i m with th e swo rd s ayi n g : o r th e h o no r o f Go d and v i r tuo n s la dies my youn g h e ro I saw yo u fi ght I s aw yo u conqu er and my h earty p raye r foll o we d y o u i ght and c o nque r o fte n agai n as yo u have do ne t o day th at th e eams o f your fam e m ay sh i ne eve n to m y far di s tant count ry And at a s i gn fro Po lko sh e o ff e red h e r te nde r lip s fo r th e ne w k ni gh t t o ki s s Th ri l li n g with ar do r b ut a s i f s ancti fie d fo r servi ce S i n t r a m a ro se i n si le nc e h o t tears stream i n do wn h i s ,
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so fte ne d c ounte nance as th e accla m atio ns and trump e t s o f th e as semb l ed arm ie s re ete d th e e nnob le d youth with deafe ni n g app laus e Th e ol d R o l f sto o d h oweve r cal mly asi de and as h e l o oke d i n th e m il d b ea i ng eye s o f h i s youn g ch a r ge h e sai d i n a vo i c e o f gl ad th ank sgiv in g ,
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A ll stri fe h ath no w an e nd Ric h gifts d oth H eave n se nd ! Th e evi l foe i s slai n ! ,
E ric
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J ar! h ad eanwh il e b ee n c onvers ng to gethe r e age rly b ut no t u n c our t eo usly Th e v icto r no w le d h is van qui she d fo e up th e h i l l an d p re sente d h i m to th e b aro n an d Gabri ell e sayi ng : I nste ad o f two e ne m i es we a re no w t wo s wo rn all i es ; and I p ray you m y dea r gue sts and ki nsfolk that you al s o wil l r e c e i ve hi m with graci o us favor as o ne wh o h encefo rth belo ngs t o u s “ Wh o has do ne s o always adde d ri c sm ilin g I h ave i ndee d atte mpte d reve n ge ; b ut d e feate d b y? l and an d wate r o n e get s s ati sfie d at l ast An d I th ank Go d th at I h ave not yi elde d in glo ri ou sly eith e r i n th e G re c i a n seas i n b attl e with th e s e a k i n g o r o n N ifl u n g s H eath w ith yo u o lk o o f o ntfauc o n gave a ready a ssent t o th i s b y c o rdially shaki n g h is h and and th e rec o nc i l iati o n was so lem nly an d h eart ily m ad e ri c J a r ! the n add re sse d Gab ri ell e with suc h a nobl e a n d court eo u s grac e that sh e gaz ed o n th e ho ary gi ganti c h e ro with a sm i le o f w o nde r an d o ffered h im h e r b eau ti ful ha n d to k i ss S i nt r a m m e anwh il e was e ngaged i n e arnest c o nversa tio n wit h th e go o d Ro lf and at len gt h t h e wo rd s c au ght “ th e ears o f oth e rs : B ut b e fo re al l ury that wo nde r fully b rave kni ght wh o m m y b attl e a x s m o te S eek out th e gree nest m ou n d fo r h i s re sti n g p lac e and th e m o st .
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m agni ficent o ak to overshado w i t ; al so first op en hi s vi so r and l o o k c are fully at h is face th at th ou gh m o r tally wo unde d w e m ay not bury h im al iv e ; a n d m o r e ove r that you m ay b e ab le t o i nfo rm m e o f the a p p e a r a n c e of o ne to wh o m I o e th i s m o st glo ri ou s o f all ” p ri ze s o f v icto ry Ro lf bo we d ki ndly an d we nt away “ ur yo un g k ni ght i s i nqui ri n g th e re —sai d F o l ko “ — turnin g to ric Jarl ab o ut a sl ai n warri o r o f wh o m I wo ul d g ladly h ear m o re Wh o m y dear si r was that wo nde rful capt ai n wh o l e d o n you r i n fantry i n s uc h a maste rly m an ner an d who s carc ely yiel ded b efo re S i n ? ” t ram s p o werful b attl e a x Yo u ask m e m o re than I really c an myse l f an swer “ rep lie d ri c Jarl I t i s ab o ut th re e ni ght s ago that th e st range r j oi ne d m e I was sitti n g o ne eve ni n g with my fello w warrio rs ro un d th e h ea r th ; we we re fo rgi n g o u r a rm o r and s in gi n g o ve r o u r wo rk S uddenly ab ov e t h e s oun d o f th e ham m e r an d th e s o n g w e h eard a noi se s o p o we rfu l that we at o nc e b ec am e s i lent an d sat m ot io nl ess as i f turne d i nto s to ne B efo re lon g th e so und was rep e ate d an d we pe rce iv e d th at th e no is e m ust com e fro m a n i m m e ns e h o rn wh ic h so m e o ne was bl owi n g o uts id e th e castl e d em andi ng adm itt anc e I the n we nt m ys el f d o wn t o th e c astl e gate an d as I p as se d th rou gh th e c ourt yard al l my do gs we re so terrifi ed by th e strange n o i se th at inst e ad o f b ark i n g th ey we re whi ni n g and c ro uchi n g i n th ei r k ennel s I sc ol de d th e m an d c alle d t o th em b ut eve n th e bo l de st ‘ would no t fo llo w m e I wil l sh ow yo u th en tho u ght ‘ I the way t o set t o wo rk ; and I grasp ed my swo rd fi rmly p lace d m y to rch cl o se b esi de m e o n th e gro un d a nd l et th e p ortal s o p en with o ut furth er del ay or I k ne w wel l th at it wo ul d b e n o e asy m atte r fo r any o ne t o e nter with out m y wil l “ A l o ud lau gh gree t e d m e fro m w ith out and I h eard ,
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o nly to i ntrust h i m with t h e co mmand o f my i nfant ry a nd I wa s c e r tai n o f vi cto ry I th ou ght t o myse lf a go o d armo re r o f we ap o ns i s a go o d h andl e r o f we a p o ns ; st il l I d esi red so m e t est o f h i s p o we rs y l o rd s th e skil l h e th en exh ibit ed i n tri al s o f stre ngt h i s n ot t o e co nc e ive d and al th ou gh th e youn g S i n t r a m i s fame d far and wi de as a b rave and mi ghty warri o r s til l I c an s carc ely i m agine that h e c o uld kill such a ” o n e as m y Greek ally H e woul d h av e co nti nue d spe ak i n b ut th e go o d R o l f c am e h astily b ac k with s o m e s quire s and al l lo ok ed s o deadly p al e that e very eye w as i nvol untarily tu rned to th em with anxi ou s ex pectat io n as t o th e ti d i n gs h e h ad b ro u ght Ro lf sto o d sti ll t re m b li n g and s il e n t “ Co ura ge m y ol d fri e nd s ai d S i n t r a m Wh ateve r you m ay h ave t o tel l ev eryth i ng fro m your faithful l ip s i s truth and l i gh t ” “ S ir k ni ght b e gan th e ol d m an do not b e an gry ut th e stran ge warri o r wh o m yo u sl ew to day we c o uld n ot p o ssib ly bu ry H ad we o nly not op e ne d th a t viso r that h i deo u s p roj ecti n g vi s o r ! o r s o h orrib l e a counte nanc e gri nne d fro m b e ne ath i t s o fearfully d i sto rt ed by death th at we scarc ely kept our sen s es ar G o d forb i d th at we sh o ul d h ave t o uch ed h i m rath e r s e nd m e to k il l b ea rs and w olves i n th e de se rt and l et m e l ook o n wh il e ea gl e s vulture s and h awk s ” revel o n th ei r c arc ass es Al l p res ent sh ud dere d and rem ai ned fo r s o m e t im e s il ent At l ength S i n t r a m re gaine d c o u rage an d said “ ear ol d man wh e nc e c om e th e se wil d wo r d s — such as th ese unti l no w h ave b een eve r so alie n an d ab h o r rent t o yo u ? An d yo u S ir ric di d yo u r Grec i an ally ” appear to you so terribl e al s o whe n al ive ? ” “ Th at I k n o w not repl ie d ric Jarl c astin g a gl anc e o f i n qui ry round th e c i rcl e o f h i s co rades and ,
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retai ne rs Th ey c o nfi rm e d hi s wo rds nly at l as t it appe are d th at neith er ch ieftai n no r k ni gh t no r so ld iery co ul d acc urate ly s ay wh at t h e stran ge r was li ke “ The n w e will fi nd it o ut fo r o u rs elve s an d at th e ” sam e ti m e b ury th e c o rp se said S i n t r a m c o u rte ously s i gni n g t o th e wh ol e ass emble d pa rt y t o fo ll o w h i m Al l di d s o exc ept o nt fauc o n wh o m th e fe arful e n t r e atie s o f Gab rie ll e kept at h e r s i de H e l ost noth ing th ereby o r th ough N ifl u n g s H eath was se arch ed i n al l di rectio n s twe nty tim es ove r th e b o dy o f th e st ra n ge warri o r was n o l on ge r t o be fou nd .
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calm ne s s wh ich h ad c om e ove r S i n t r a m o n th i s day s eem ed t o b e m o re th an a pas si n g gleam ve n th ou gh at t i m es a rem emb ranc e o f th e ni gh t P ar i s and H ele na wo ul d i nfl am e h i s h eart with wil d e r and b o lde r asp i ratio n s i t nee de d o nly o ne glanc e at sc arf and swo rd a n d th e stream o f h i s i n ner l i fe woul d gli de o n a gai n with cl ear an d mi rro r — l ike calm n es s “ Wh at can a man wi sh fo r b eyo nd wh at h as alre a dy ” b ee n b esto we d up o n m e ? h e woul d ofte n sa y t o h im s el f i n qui et del i ght atters th us we nt o n fo r a l o n g tim e Th e b eaut iful no rth ern autum n h ad al ready b e gu n to re dde n th e l e ave s o f th e oaks an d el m s arou n d th e c astle whe n o n e day h e was si tt i n g with P olko and G ab ri el l e alm o st i n th e ve ry s am e S p ot i n the ga rden at wh ic h h e h a d b e fo re e nc o untere d th at my ste ri ou s b ei n g wh om h e with ou t k nowi n g wh y h ad c alled th e l ittl e m aster B ut o n th i s day h o w di fferent was th e aspe ct o f ev eryt h i n g Th e sun was sinki n g c alm ly an d b ri gh tly t o ward th e s ea ; th e eve ni n g m ist th e t ok en o f an autum n al fo g was ris i n g ove r th e m eado ws an d fi elds aroun d th e castle h i ll Pre sently G ab ri el l e p laci ng h e r l ute i n S i n t r a m s h an ds s ai d “ e ar frie nd s o gentl e a nd m il d as yo u now al ways are I m ay surely i ntrust yo u with m y de licate i n st r u m e nt S i ng to it yo u r son g o f th at l an d o f fl owers I fee l as i f o n my lute it wo ul d s o un d far sweet e r than H
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The re h e su ffe re d h i s swo rd to c l ash against t ree and bush s o th at al l aro un d h im the re was a sou nd o f c rash i n g an d fal li n g an d th e n i gh t b i rds ew a o ut h im s c reami ng an d wh istli n g i n wil d ala r m an d stag and do e sp ran g a w ay i nto th e de epe st c overts o f th e w il de rness S udde nly th e ol d R ol f sto o d b efo re h im ; h e w a s o n h is way b ack from a vi sit to th e ch apl ai n o f D r o n t h e i m to wh o m h e h ad been relating with tears o f j oy h o w S i n t r a m h ad b ee n s o ftene d b y Gab riell e s an geli c p re s e nc e a y al mo st cu re d and h o w h e v enture d t o h o pe th at th e evi l dream h ad yi elded An d no w th e wh izzi n g s w o rd o f th e fu rio us yo uth h ad well ni gh u nwi ttin gly w oun de d th e go o d o l d m an H e stoo d st il l with fol ded h ands a nd s i ghe d fo rth fro m th e ve ry depth s o f h i s “ h ea rt : h ! S i n t r a m my fo ster ch il d th e darli ng o f m y h eart wh at h ast c om e over t h e e t o exc ite th ee t o ” ? th i s te rribl e rage Th e yo uth stoo d fo r a t i me as i f sp ell bound gazi ng at h is a ge d fri e n d sadly an d p e nsive ly with eye s t hat l ooke d l ike exp i ri n g wat ch fi r e s sh i n in g th ro ugh a th ick m ist At l ength h e s i gh e d and s aid sca r c ely audibly : Go o d Ro lf goo d Rol f go away from m e ! I am no t at h o m e i n th y garde n o f h eave n an d i f som etim es a ki ndly b reeze b l o w ope n its gol de n gate s fo r m e s o th at I may l o ok i n th e fl o wery m ead ow land wh e re th e goo d angels dwell th e re c om e s at o nc e a n icy c ol d n orth wi n d b etween m e an d them and th e so und in p o rt al s c l o se an d I remai n o utsi de alo ne i n e ndle s s wi nte r “ ear you n g k ni ght o h ! li ste n to m e oh ! l iste n to th e go o d an gel w ith i n yoursel f ! o yo u not b ear i n y our h and th e s am e s wo rd with wh ich th e p ure lady gi rde d yo u ? o es not h e r scarf move over your furi o us b reast ? o you n ot rem ember ? Yo u use d to say ,
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that no m an c o uld des i re m ore th an h ad bee n b esto we d ” o n yo u ! “ Yes Rol f I h av e sai d that rep li e d S i n t r a m fall in o n th e autum n mo ss with a fl oo d o f te ars The tears too ran down th e o l d man s fac e to h i s wh ite b eard A fte r a tim e th e youth rose agai n ; h e c ease d t o weep but h i s lo oks were fearful co ld an d wrath ful ; an d h e “ sai d Se e Ro l f I have passe d b l esse d and p eaceful days and I th ough t all the p owe rs o f ev il w ith i n m e we re fo reve r sti fle d an d dead I t m i ght p e rchance hav e bee n so j ust as it woul d eve r b e day i f th e sun we re always i n th e h eavens B ut ask this p o o r dark ea r th wh y sh e l o oks so glo omy ! nc oura ge h e r to sm il e as sh e was wo nt to do ! l d m an sh e can no lo n ge r sm i le and no w that th e ge ntl e com pass i onate m o o n has p asse d beh in d th e cl ouds with h e r ho ly fun eral ve il sh e c anno t eve n any l o n ge r we ep ; an d i n the h our o f darkness ev ery t errib le feel i n g and every mad impul se wak ens up an d I tell th ee di sturb m e n ot di sturb m e n o t ! H urra ! b eh ind th e re b eh i nd th ere i s th e p ale m o o n ! H is vo ic e had alm ost falle n i nto a murm ur at thes e l ast words Storm like h e to re h im sel f away fro m th e trembli n g o l d m an and rush e d away th ro u gh th e fores t Rolf k nel t d o wn an d wept an d p raye d s i lently ,
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th e s eash o re ris es m o st steeply an d ab un de r th ree h alf with ere d o aks said r u p t ly to h av e b ee n th e s c ene o f h uman sac rifice s i n heathe n age s S i n t r a m sto o d leanin g s ol itary and exhausted o n h i s drawn s wo rd alo ne i n th e m oo nl i t n i ght He l ooke d out upo n th e distant h eavi ng o f th e wave s an d th e p al e b eam s o f th e m o o n quiv eri n g etwee n th e b ranch e s o f th e t re es fell up o n h i s moti o nl es s fi gure m akin g hi m appear l ike so m e fearful phantom P rese ntly s om e o n e partly rai sed h im sel f fro m th e tal l yellow gras s o n h i s le ft and gro ani ng fai n tly lai d down agai n Th e fo llo wi n g strange c o nv ersation h owever b egan b etwee n th e t wo c om pani o ns : “ Th o u th e re wh o m o ve s t thysel f s o myste riously i n th e grass dost th o u b el o n g t o th e l ivi n g o r to th e ” ? de ad “ A s o ne ch o o se s t o tak e it To h eaven an d to j oy I ” am dead ; to h el l and to anguish I l ive “ eth i nk s I h av e h eard th ee befo re ” Ye s Th o u art p erh aps a t ro ubled sp irit an d thy l ife bloo d was h e re p e rhap s p o ure d o ut i n sac rifi c e to ” i dol s ! “ I am a troubled sp irit b ut no o ne has she d m y b lo od and no o ne can sh ed it B ut th ey h ave h url e d m e dow n— u gh ! i nto what a fearful abyss “ A n d th ou di dst there b reak thy neck ? I l ive a n d I shal l l iv e l o nger than th ou -
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s uch angry vi olenc e to ward th e sea th at S i n t r a m c oul d no t refrai n fro m sh udderi ng at th e d warf B ut h e ch id h im sel f at o nc e fo r the feel i n g and c o n vul s ively grasp i n g h s swo rd h ilt with b oth h i s h ands h e said s co rn ful ly Th o u and Gab riel le ! Wh at ac q uaintance hast th o u ” the n with Gabriel l e ? ” “ ot m uch was t h e answe r returne d At the sam e t im e th e little m aste r evi de ntly trembl e d with fear an d “ an e r and at l ength h e sai d : I canno t e ndure th e nam e o f thy H elen do no t rep eat it to m e te n t im es i n a b reath B ut supp o se th e tem pe st w ere to ri se ? I f t h e waves we re t o s we l l an d rol l form i n g a foami n g c i rcle round the co ast o f o rway ? Th e n th e voyage to o nt fauc o n co uld not b e th ou gh t o f and thy H el e n wil l r e ” mai n he re a t l east th rou gh th e wh o l e l ong dark wi nte r ! ” “ “ I f ! i f ! repl ie d S i n t r a m c o ntem ptuo usly I s th e sea th e n th y slave ? A re th e sto rm s thy fello ws ? “ Th ey are rebel s t o m e ! Ac curs e d rebe ls ‘ m ur “ mu red th e littl e m aste r i n h is re d b eard Tho u m ust h elp m e S i r S i n t r a m i f I am t o c o ntro l the m ; b ut thou ” h ast a gai n n o h eart fo r that “ ” B oaster ! Provoki n g b oaster ! exclaim e d th e youth ” ? wh at d o st th o u de sire o f m e “ ot m uch s i r kni ght ; n ot m uch fo r o ne wh o has p ower and ardo r o f s o ul Th ou h ast o nly t o l o ok steadily and kee nly out ove r t h e sea fo r o n e hal f h o ur an d no t t o c e ase wish in g w ith all th y m i gh t th at it sh o ul d foam an d rage and s we ll and n ever re st t ill th e i cy hand o f wi nte r i s o n you r m ou ntai ns Th at seaso n i n i tsel f i s su ffi cie nt to delay th e voyage o f uk e e ne l au s to ont fauco n A nd give m e al so a l o ck o f thy b lac k h ai r I t i s yi ng as wildly ab out th ee as rave ns ” and vultu res win gs Th e youth d re w h is sh arp dagge r m adly c ut o ff a l ock of h i s hai r th r e w it to t he strange r and ac c ordin g t o .
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h i s d e si re gaze d with earnest i sh i n g ove r th e e p an se o f sea An d so ftly quite so ftly the wate rs b e gan t o b e t ro ubled j ust as o ne wh isp e rs wh e n anxi ou s d ream s co m e o n a nd wh e n o ne lo n gs to rest an d cannot S i n t ram was o u th e po i nt o f giv i n g up ; but i n th e m oo n li gh t h e pe rc e ive d a vessel s a il in g with wh ite s well in g sail s toward th e south Th e fear o f see i ng Gab ri el l e soo n th us sail i ng away cam e ove r h im ; and ever w ish i ng with i nc reasi ng p o we r h e fi xe d h is eyes upo n th e wate ry abys s S i n t r a m alas S i n t r a m art tho u i nde e d th e sam e b e i n g wh o b ut lately wast gazi n g o n the m o i ste ne d eyes o f thy an gel ic lady ? An d th e waves s well e d m o re m i ghtily an d th e sto rm swept wh i stl i n g and h o wl i n g over th e o c ean ; th e b re ak e rs wh ite with fo am we re already v is ibl e i n th e m o o n li ght Th e n th e l ittl e maste r th rew th e l oc k o f S i n t r a m s h ai r up to ward th e cl ouds and as i t fl uttered an d o ate d away i n th e b reeze th e tempe st ro se s o an g r i l y th at se a an d sky we re bl en d ed i n o ne de nse m ist an d fa r o ff m i ght b e h eard th e cri es o f di stress from m any a s i nk i n g ve ssel B ut the c razy p i l grim with th e de ad me n s b o ne s passe d c l o se by th e s ho re i n th e m id st o f th e wate rs gi g a ntic i n stature and ro ckin g te rribl y ; th e b o at i n wh ich h e stoo d was n ot v is ible s o m i ght ily ra ge d th e waves round ab o ut it “ Th o u m ust sav e h i m l ittl e m aster th ou m ust sav e ” h im m o st su rely c rie d S i n t r a m i n a to n e o f angry e ntreaty th rou gh th e t umult o f th e wi nd s an d wave s ; but th e l itt le maste r rep l ie d with a laugh : “‘ B e at rest as re gard s h i m h e wil l b e abl e t o save h im self The wave s c ann o t h arm h i o st th o u see ? T ey are o nly e ggin g h im and th at i s why the y toss .
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s o bol dly aro und h im And h e gives th e m ri ch al s v e ry rich ; I c an assure yo u th at I ndee d i t s e e m e d as i f th e p il gri m were stre wi n g d ead m e n s b o ne s i n to th e wate rs an d th e n p as se d s cathles s o n h is way S i n t r a m fel t a h orri d shudde r pas s th ro ugh h im and h e rushe d w il dly t oward th e castl e H i s com pani o n h ad vanish e d .
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amo n g o th ers S i r Wie gand th e S le nder ; and to h i m th e fair m ai den sh o we d hersel f m o st i ncl i ne d to giv e a favo rab le h eari ng H e r parent s wel l knew that We i g a n d s rank and po we r we re alm o st e qual to th ei r o w n ; hi s early re no wn i n arm s m o re ove r was free from al l rep roach s o that Vere na and h e we re alm o st re garde d as a ffi a n c e d “ I t h app ene d o ne day that th ey were b o th walki n g to geth e r i n th e garde n and a sh eph erd was j ust d r i v i n g h i s sh eep up the m o untai n o utsi de T h e mai de n s aw am o ng th e flock a l ittle sno w wh it e lamb skipp i ng s o grace ful ly an d m e rrily abo u t that sh e l o n ged to h av e it Wei gand at o nc e vaulte d ove r th e raili n g h aste ne d a fte r th e sh ep h erd and o ff ere d h i m two gold b racelets fo r th e little anim al B u t the sh eph erd wo ul d not p art w ith it ; h e scarcel y l i stene d to the kni ght but qu ietly c o nt inue d h i s way up th e m ountai n wi th Wei gand c l o sely fol lowi n g h im At le ngth Wei gand lo st h i s pati e nc e H e t hreate ned an d th e sh epherd sturdily a n d p rou dly l ike al l o f h is race i n o ur no rth e rn lands t h reatene d i n return S ud d enly W e i g a n d s s wo rd clashe d up o n h i s h ead H e h ad i nte nde d th e we a p o n to have falle n at ; b ut wh o c an co nt ro l a fi ery stee d o r a d rawn s wo rd ? Th e ble ed in g sh eph e rd with h i s skul l c l ove n fell do wn the p recip i c e ; h i s fl ock b leated fear fully ove r th e m ou n tai ns Th e l ittl e lamb al o ne ran i n its te rro r to ward th e garde n p ush e d itself th rough th e raili n gs and as i f impl ori n g h elp lay down at Ve rena s feet re d with it s mast e r s b lo o d Sh e took it i n h e r arm s an d fro m that h ou r neve r allowed We i gan d t h e Sl en de r to app ear agai n b e fo re h er fac e “ Sh e no w al ways c herish e d t h e little l amb and h ad n o pl easure i n anyt h i n g els e i n th e wo rl d and sh e gre w pal e and turned h e r gaze heave nward l ike th e l il ies Sh e wo ul d eve n at th at tim e h ave taken th e ve il but j ust th en I cam e to h elp h e r fathe r i n a blo o dy feu d and ,
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SI N TRAM
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rescue d h im fro m h i s e nemi es Th is th e o ld man r e p r e sente d to h e r and so ftly sm il i n g sh e gave m e h e r b eaut i ful hand “ Po o r W e i g a n d s grie f woul d not all o w h im to r e m ai n any l on ge r i n h i s o w n c ou ntry I t d rov e h im fo r th a s a p il grim t o As i a wh enc e o ur fo r e fath e rs c am e and h e i s said to h av e do n e wo nde rful deeds th ere b oth o f val o r an d h um il ity I ndeed my h eart u sed t o fee l st rangely weak at that tim e wh eneve r I h eard h i m tal ke d o f “ A fte r s om e years h e retur ne d and wi sh e d t o b uil d a c h urch and a mo naste ry o n t h at m ou ntai n t oward th e west yo n der fro m wh e nc e th e wal l s o f my castl e are d istinctly vi s ibl e I t i s sai d th at h e wi sh ed t o b e co use c rate d a s a p ri es t th e re h i m sel f b ut matte rs fel l out o th e rwi se o r som e p i rat e v essel s h ad sail e d from th e s outher n s eas and h ea r i n g o f th e b uil di n g o f t h is m onastery th e captai n im agine d th at h e sh o ul d fi nd m uc h go l d b elo ng i ng to th e l o rd o f th e c astl e and to th e m aste r b uil de rs o r el se that i f h e su rp ri se d and carrie d th em o ff a m i ghty ranso m was t o b e exto rte d fro m th em He c oul d h ave k n o wn b ut l ittl e o f no r th er n c ou rage and no rthe rn weapo ns but th at k no wl e dge was spee dily o b .
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H av i ng lande d i n th at bay un de r th e b lack rocks h e reache d the s ite o f th e b u il di n g b y c i rcuito us p ath s surrou nded it an d fanc i e d that the ch ie f m atte r was n o w do ne B ut h urra ! We i gan d an d h i s b u ilders rush e d up o n th em with swo rd s ham me rs an d axe s T he h eathens e d away t o th e ir sh ip s Wei gand fo llo w i n the m t o tak e rev en ge n h is way h e p assed by o ur c astl e an d j ust as h e cau ght si gh t o f Ve rena o n th e te rrac e and fo r the fi rst t im e after many ye ars sh e co u rt eo usly ack no wl edge d th e s al ut atio n of the glo w i n g v i cto r a da ger h url ed ,
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b ack by o n e o f th e fugitiv e p irates s truck h is uncove re d head an d h e fe ll b l ee din g and i nsen sib le to th e grou nd “ We c om pl ete d the rout o f th e h eath e n s The n I o rdere d th e woun de d kn i ght t o b e b rou ght i nto th e c astl e and m y p al e Ve re na s fac e gl owe d like l ilie s i n th e m orni n g li ght and Wei gan d op e ned h i s eyes with a sm i l e at fi ndin g h i msel f near h er H e refuse d to b e take n into any oth e r room b ut th e sm all o ne cl o se by whe re now th e arm o r i s p lac e d ; it fel t to h im h e said like th e l ittl e cell whi ch h e no w h op e d s o o n to i nh ab it i n h i s quiet clo iste r Al l was do ne acco rdi n g t o h i s wi sh my s weet Verena nu r se d h im and h e seem e d at fi rst to b e o n th e strai gh t road t o re cove ry ; b ut h i s h ead remai ne d weak an d co nfuse d o n th e sl i gh te st e m o t io n h is walk was rath e r a fal l i n g th an a wal king and h i s face wa s pal e as death We c oul d not let h im go H e us e d to com e o ut o f th e l i ttl e do o r th ere wh e n we were s itti n g to gethe r o f an eve ni n g totte r i n g alo n g i nt o th e h al l an d my h eart was o fte n sad an d w rath ful whe n Ve re na 5 sweet eye s b eam ed s o so ft ly t oward h im an d a bl ush l ik e th e gl ow o f ev eni ng woul d su ffuse h e r l ily ch eeks B ut I b o re it I coul d have b o rn e i t to th e e nd o f o ur l ive s Alas the n Ve rena went i nto a clo i s ” ter l H e fel l s o h eav ily upo n h i s fo l de d h ands that th e sto n e t abl e se em e d to groan b eneath it an d h e rem ain e d a l o ng wh ile m ot io nl ess as o ne dead When h e agai n rais ed h im se lf h i s fi e ry eye glance d fearful ly and an grily round th e hall and at length h e sai d to Polko “ Yo ur bel oved H amb u rge rs Go tthard e nz and h i s so n R u d l e i b they are t o b lam e fo r th i s ! Wh o b i d ” th em b e cast ash o re h e re so c lo s e to my castl e ! F o lk o cast a p ierc i ng l ook o n h im and was o n th e p o i nt o f m aki ng a fearful i nq uiry ; but anoth e r lo ok at th e trembl i n g Gab rielle bade hi m b e si le nt at lea st fo r ,
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C H A PT R X I V I N T R A M h ad not yet returne d wh en th e i nmates
o f th e c astl e ret ire d t o re st i n deep b ewil de rm ent o o ne was eve n th i nki n g o f h im fo r every h eart was battl i n g with stra nge foreb o din gs and uncertai n cares ve n th e h e ro i c b reast o f Kni gh t F o lk o o f o ntfauc o n h eave d with debat in g thoughts l d Rol f still re mai ne d witho ut weep i ng i n th e fo r e st expos ing h i s gray h ead h ee dle ss of th e sto rm and w aitin g fo r h i s youn g m aster B u t h e h ad go ne a very di ff ere nt way I t was not til l m o rni n g dawne d that h e e nte re d th e castl e fro m th e op po site di recti o n Gabri elle had slumb e red sweet ly throu gh th e ni ght I t was as if an gel s with gol den wi n gs h ad fanned away th e wil d storie s o f th e p revi ou s eve ni n g and h ad wafted b e fo re h e r i nstead b ri gh t v i si o ns o f th e fl o wers and m i rro r l ike l akes a nd gree n hi ll s o f h er h om e Sh e sm il e d an d b reat h e d c alml y wh ile with o ut the m agi c sto rm raged ho wli ng ove r th e wo o ds and battle d wi th th e agitate d sea B u t i n truth whe n sh e awoke o n th e fol lo wi n g m orn i n g and stil l h eard th e wi ndo ws rattl in g and saw th e cl ouds as i f dis solve d i n m ist an d st ream stil l c o nc eal i n g th e face of h eave n sh e c o ul d h av e wept with d ism ay an d sadn es s esp ec ial ly as F o l k o h ad al ready quitte d th e i r ap artments an d th i s — so h er m ai dens i n fo rm ed h e r— clad i n ful l arm o r At th e sam e tim e sh e h eard th e tram p o f arm e d m en res o un din g i n th e hall s and upo n i nqui ry sh e learn ed th at th e lo rd o f o ntfauco n had s um mo ne d all h is retaine r s t o b e i n readi nes s t o p ro tect the i r lady .
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Wrapp e d i n h er e rm i n e m antle sh e alm o st l ooked i n h e r fear l ike som e te nde r fl ower j ust b loom i n g ab ove th e sno w an d totte ri ng b efo re th e wi nte r s sto rm s P rese ntly S i r Polk o ente re d i n all th e sp lendo r o f h i s gl eam i n g arm o r p eace fully car ryi n g h is go lde n h elm et with its wavi n g plum e unde r h i s arm an d greeti n g G a b riel le with an ai r o f ch eerful se ren ity At a s i gn from h i m h e r mai den s ret i re d and th e m e n —at arm s with o ut were h eard qu ietl y d isp e rs in g “ ” ady sai d h e as h e le d h e r t o a co uch a nd t o ok h is seat b esi de h e r wh i le sh e al ready s eem e d reassured “ by h i s p resenc e ; ady will yo u fo rgive yo ur kn i gh t th at h e l eft yo u t o e n dure so me m om e nts o f anxi ety but h o no r an d st ric t j ustice calle d h im ve ryt h i n g i s no w set tled an d th at q uietly an d peaceful ly ; fo rget you r fears and whateve r m ay hav e tro ubl e d you recko n ” no w am o n g th e th i n gs th at are no m o re ” “ B ut yo u and B i or n ! aske d Gab riell e ” n m y k ni ghtly word of h o no r sai d Po l ko it i s ” all wel l Th e n h e be gan to tal k o f i ndi ffe rent an d ch eerful matters with all h i s wo nted grac e and wit ; b ut G ab ri elle bending t o ward h im sai d w ith deep e m otio n : “ h Polko oh my kni gh t th e fl o we r o f m y l i fe m y p rotecto r and m y deare st treasure o n e arth l et m e k no w eve ryth i n g i f th o u mayest I f h o weve r any ive n p rom i se bi nds t h e e th at i s anoth e r th i n g Th o u k no wes t th at I am o f th e race o f P o r t a m o u r an d th at I woul d ask noth i n g o f my k ni ght wh ich c oul d c ast th e sl i ghtest b reath o f susp i c io n upo n h is sp otl es s sh iel d Po lk o l o oke d th ought ful fo r a m om ent th e n sm il i n g k i ndly at h e r h e s ai d : I t i s not th at Gab ri el le B ut wilt tho u b e abl e to bear what I have to annou nce to th ee ? Wi lt th o u n o t s i nk do wn u nde r i t as a sl en der ” ? fi r be nds beneath th e b urde n o f th e sno w S h e rai se d h ersel f som ewh at p roudly an d repl ied ,
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I h av e al ready rem i nde d t h ee o f m y fath e r s na e L e t m e o nly add th at I am th e we dde d wi fe o f th e l o rd ” of o ntfauc o n “ B e it s o th en answe re d Polko b o win g s olem nly A nd i f th at m ust so me day c om e to l i ght wh i ch h as n ough t t o do wit h such deeds o f darkne ss i t at le ast c om es fo rth l ess fearful ly by a s udde n ash Kno w th e n Gab riel le th at th e wi cke d k n i gh t who would have slai n my fri e nds Gotth ar d and R u d li e b is n o n e o th e r ” t han ou r h o st and k i nsman B i or n o f th e iery yes Gab ri ell e sh udde re d an d cove re d h e r fac e for a m o m ent with h e r fai r h ands Th e n l ook in g ro und wit h an “ ai r o f am azem ent she sai d : I h ave h eard fal sely a l tho ugh ev e n yeste rday such a fo rebo d in g struck m e r d i d you not say j u st n o w th at al l was settle d b e t wee n yo u and B i or n an d th at qu i etly and p e ac eful ly ? B etwee n the b rave b aro n an d su ch a m an afte r such a ” c rim e ? “ You h eard ari ght re pli e d F o lk o gazi n g with h ea rt y del i gh t at h i s del icate yet h i gh m i nde d lady “ Th i s m o rn i n g at e arl ie st dawn I went to h im and ch al len ge d h i m t o m o r tal c o mb at i n th e nei ghb o ri n g val l ey i f h e were th e m an h o s e castl e h ad wel l ni gh b ee n th e altar o f s acrifi c e to Go t th ard and R u d l i e b He sto o d th ere already c om pl e t ely arme d and m e re y sai d : ‘ I am h e ! an d fo llo we d m e to th e fo re st B ut wh e n we we re al o ne at th e pl ace o f c o mbat h e hurl e d h i s sh i el d from h i m d o wn a giddy p rec ip ice the n cast h i s swo rd o f b at tl e a fte r it an d th en with t wo gi gantic ‘ e ff orts h e to re o ff h i s c oat o f m ail and sai d : ow th rust at m e S i r Jud ge fo r I am a h eavy s i nne r an d I dare not fi gh t with th ee H o w da re d I the n attack h im ? Th e n a st range rec o nc il iatio n was m ad e b etwee n us H e i s p art ly to b e c o ns ide re d m y v assal and yet I s ol em nl y ab solve d h i m from all p aym ent i n m y ow n na e an d i n th at o f my frie nds e was c o ntrite an d
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noble l ady h ad j ust b uckl e d h er kni gh t s ar m o r w i th h er o wn del icat e h ands — o u th e fi eld o f battl e alo ne m i gh t p ages o r s qui res at h e r com mand have au gh t to do w i th M o n t fa u c o n s armo r— and sh e was o n th e po i nt o f th ro wi n g h i s azu re gol d e m b r o i d e red m antl e ove r h im whe n th e do o r was ge ntly ope ne d an d S i n t r a m e nte re d t h e ro om bo wi ng h umbly At fi rst Gab rielle gav e h im a ki n dly salut ati o n as was he r wo nt ; b ut su ddenly gro wi ng pal e sh e tu rne d a way and sai d o r H eave n s sake S i n t r a m h o w yo u l o o k ! A nd h ow can o ne s in gl e ni gh t hav e alte re d you ” so te rribly ? S i n t r a m stoo d sti ll as i f th un d erst r u ck no t k n o wi n g h im self ri ghtly what had real ly b efall e n h im Th e n Polko t oo k him by th e h an d an d le d h im t o a “ b ri ghtly p ol ish e d shi el d an d s ai d very gravely ook ” at yo ursel f i n i t m y y oun g kni g ht ! It S i n t r a m drew back h o rrifie d at th e fi rst glance seeme d to h i m as i f h e s aw th e l ittle master be fore h im with that o ne s in gle up ri gh t feathe r i n h is wo nde rfu l c ap ; but at l e ngth h e p e rce ive d th at the m i r ro r wa s sh owi n g h im h i msel f alo n e a nd no o ne els e and th at it was o nly th e cut o f h i s o w n wi l d dagger i n i s h ai r wh ich h ad give n h i m th is strange an d as h e co uld not deny specter li ke aspe ct ” “ ? Wh o has do ne that to you i nqui re d F o lk o stil l seve rely an d gravely And what te rro r h as m ade you r ” ? w il d an d dish evelle d hai r th u s st an d o n end I t seem e d to h i S i n t r a m k new not wh at to reply ’
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as th ou gh h e we re standi n b efo r e a j ud me nt seat and that h e were ab out to b e de grade d fro m h i s k ni ght l y rank S uddenly P ol ko d rew h im away from t h e sh iel d ; an d “ l eadin g h i m to the rattl in g wi n do w asked : Wh ence ” com es th i s t em pest ? A gain S i n t r a m wa s s ilent H i s lim s b e ga n to trem b l e unde r h im and Gab riell e wh isp e re d pale and terri “ h Po lko my kni gh t wh at has h appe ne d ? h fie d : ” ? — tell me are we i n deed c om e i nto an e n ch ante d castle “ ” ur nat ive no rth rep l ie d F o l k o s o lem nly is rich i n many a sec ret art We m ay not fo r al l th at cal l its peopl e e nch ante rs ; b ut th e yo un g m an t h e re h as c au se to wat ch h im sel f narro wly ; h e wh o m th e evi l o ne h a s touch ed by s o m uc h as a hai r H e staggere d groani n g out S i n t r a m h ear d n o m o re o f th e ro om utsi de h e was m et by ol d Rol f still co m pl etely b e numbe d by th e hai l and temp e st o f th e n i gh t nly t e j o i c i n g to s e e h i s yo un g maste r a gai n h e le ft h is d i s o r de re d app earanc e u nno tic e d ; but as h e accom pani ed h i m “ to h is sl e ep i n g ap art m e nt h e sai d : Witch e s and spi rit s o f th e temp est m ust h ave c ar ri e d o n th ei r p rank s o n th e seasho re I kno w th at s uch m i ghty ch an ge s i n natu re ” neve r take plac e with out so m e dev ili sh a rts ‘ S i n t r a m fel l i nto a s wo o n an d it was o nly w ith d ifli culty th at Rol f c oul d s o far re c ove r h i m as to e nabl e h im to app ear i n the great hall at th e m idday h our B ut b efo re h e w ent down h e o rdere d a sh ield to b e b rou ght l ook e d at h im sel f i n it and with d i sm ay and grie f cut o ff with h i s dagge r th e rest o f h i s lo n g black h ai r m ak i n g h imsel f alm o st l o o k l ike a m o nk ; and th us h e j o i ned the othe rs wh o were al ready s itti ng at tab le Al looke d at h im with surp ris e ; ol d B i or n h o wever “ sai d i n a to n e o f b e wi lderm ent : Wil l yo u als o go ” from e t o a c lo i ste r l ike you r fai r m oth er ? -
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A co mandi n g l oo k from th e lo rd o f o ntfau con re strai ne d any furth e r outbreak ; and as i f app easin gly “ B i or n adde d with a fo rce d sm il e : I o nly t h ou gh t pe r hap s som eth i n g had h ap pe ned to hi m as to Ab salo m and h e had bee n ob l i ge d t o part with h is h ai r i n resen i n g h ims el f fro m t h e m esh es i n wh ich h e was e ntan ” gl e d “ Yo u sh oul d not j est wi t h h oly th i n gs repeate d th e baro n with s eve rity ; and all we re si lent ; and i m m e d i ately afte r th e rep ast w a s e nde d Po lko and Gab ri el le reti re d t o th e i r apa r tm e nts wi th a grav e and c ourteous s a lutati o n ,
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wh ich woul d i c e th em i n fo r s everal m o nth s Som e times h e woul d relate pl easant t al e s som etim e s h e wo ul d play l ively m el o die s beggi ng Gab rielle t o danc e with h e r mai dens to h is m usic ; th e n agai n p rese ntin g h i s l ute t o o n e o f th e wom en h e woul d h im sel f m i ngl e i n the danc e eve r tak i n g o c casi o n th ereby t o expre ss som e new act o f devotio n to h is l ady ; th e n agai n i n th e spac ious h all s of t h e castl e h e wo ul d p rep are m arti al exerc i ses fo r h i s retai ners an d Gabrielle woul d h ave s om e grace ful r eward t o adj udge t o th e v icto r ; o ften t o o h e wo ul d h im sel f j o i n th e c i rcl e o f c ombatants but so th at h e o nly met th ei r attacks o n th e de fen sive an d th us dep rive d n o o ne o f th e p rize T h e o rw e gian s wh o sto o d roun d as sp ectato rs use d to c om pare h i m wit h the dem i go d B al dur a h e ro o f th e i r ol d tradi tio n s wh o was wo nt t o let th e darts o f h is com rade s b e directe d agai nst h i m fo r amusem e nt c o nsc i o us o f h i s i nv ulne rabl e natur e an d o f h i s stren gth nce at th e cl o se o f o ne o f th ese m artial exerc ises th e ol d Rol f advance d to ward F o lk o an d humbly b eck o ni n g h im as i de sai d i n a so ft vo i c e They call you th e gl o ri o us and m i ghty B aldu r an d they are right B ut eve n t h e gl orio us and m i ghty B a ldur di e d at last ” Take h ee d to yo ursel f Polko l o oke d at h i m with astoni sh m ent ” “ “ I t i s not co ntinu e d t h e o ld m an th at I know o f any t reach ery o r th at I c oul d e v e n rem otely fo rebo de any Go d keep a o rwegi an from s uch a fear B u t as you stan d b e fo re m e i n all th e sple ndo r o f you r gl o ry th e fl e e t i n g n e s s o f all earthly th ings fo rc es it sel f p owe rfully up o n m e an d I c annot h el p sayi n g t o y o u ‘ Take h ee d o h take h eed nob le baro n ! Th e b ri gh t e s t glo ry c om e s t o an en d ! Th ey are goo d an d p i ou s th ou gh ts rep l i ed o lk o k indly an d I w il l t re asure th em i n a p ure h eart my faith ful fath er .
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The goo d Ro l f wa s o fte n with F o l k o and G a b rielle a nd thu s fo rm ed a l i nk b etwee n th e t wo wi del y di ffe re nt ho useho lds i n th e castl e o r h o w c o uld h e ev e r h ave fors ake n h i s o w n S i n t r a m ! nly i n th e wil d h unti ng exp e ditio ns th rough t h e ra gin g st o rm and rai n h e was no l o nger abl e to fo l lo w h i m Th e b ri ght wi nte r h ad at last s et i n wit h all it s m aj e sty Th e return to o rmandy was n o w i n c o ns e quenc e imp eded an d th e m a gic al sto r m wa s l ulle d B ril l iantly sh o n e t h e h ill s and p lai n s i n th e i r h o ary atti re an d F o l k o with skates o n h is fe et wo ul d ofte n c ar ry h i s lady s wi ftl y as th e wi n d i n a l i gh t sledge ove r th e c i t a l l ike fro ze n lakes an d stream s n th e othe r h and th e b ear h unts o f th e lo rd o f th e c astl e and h is s o n as sum e d a sti ll m o re des pe rate an d to th e m eve n m o re agreeab le asp e ct Abo ut th i s ti me — wh e n Ch ri stmas was d rawi n g n ear and S i n t r a m was end e av o rin g t o d row n h i s fe ar o f h i s w o nte d d ream s by th e wi l dest h u nti n g exp e diti o n s ab o u t th i s ti m e F o lk o and G a b ri ell e we re s tan di n g to geth er o n o n e o f th e t errac e s o f th e castl e I t was a mi l d ev e ni n g ; th e s no w c l ad c o untry was glo wi n g with th e red l i ght o f th e sett i n g s u n ; fro m b el o w i n th e a r m o r e r s h all m i gh t b e h eard m e n s v o ic e s s in gi n g ove r the i r b e auti ful wo rk s o n gs o f anc i e nt h e ro ic tim e s At l en gth h owever th e s i n gin g c eased th e b eat o f th e ham me r di e d away and w itho ut b e i n g abl e eith e r t o s ee th e sp eake rs o r t o di sti n gui sh th em by th e i r vo ice s th e foll owi n g c o nve rs ati o n aro s e : Wh o i s th e b ol dest am o n g al l th o s e wh o trace the i r ” o ri gi n to o u r no bl e l and ? “ Po lko o f o ntfauc o n ‘ Ri gh t b ut tel l m e i s th e re th e n noth i n g fro m th e pe rfo rm ance o f whi ch eve n th i s great b aro n w ould no t ” ? d ra b ack “ Ye s i ndeed ; the re i s o ne th in g And we we wh o ,
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h ave al ways dwel t i n N o rway p urs ue it gladly and ” r eadily “ ” And it i s ? “ A b ea r h unt i n wi nte r down i cy p rec ip i ce s and ov er trackl es s p lai ns o f s no w “ T h o u r t ri ght my c om rade H e wh o do es no t u n d e r st a n d h o w to faste n o ur s no w s h o e s to h is feet no r h o w t o tu rn o n th e m i n a m o m ent t o th e ri ght an d le ft m a y b e i ndee d a mi ghty kni gh t i n oth e r re spe cts b ut o n ou r m o u ntai ns and fro m o u r ch as e h e i s b etter away ” tarryi ng with h i s p retty wi fe i n h e r ap art me nts A l augh o f sati sfact i o n fol lo we d th i s rem ark a nd th e s p eake rs th e n resu me d the i r p o nde ro u s wo rk Po lk o rem ai ne d fo r so m e ti m e abs orb ed i n th o u gh t A gl o w b ey o nd th at o f th e even in g sky re d de ne d h i s ch eek Gab ri ell e to o was s ile nt c o nsi de rin g sh e knew not what At last sh e rec ove re d h ers elf and emb raci n g “ h e r h usban d sh e sai d : To m orro w yo u wil l go wi l l yo u no t o n th e b ear h unt and b rin g yo u r l ady ho m e ” th e sp o i l s o f th e chas e ? Th e kni gh t b o we d h i s as sent with an ai r o f gl ad ness and th e rest o f th e eve ni n g was sp e nt i n d anc e and m us ic ,
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2 26
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s o m e o cea n suddenly fro ze n o r p etrifi ed by th e wi nd sto rm th e nobl e o ntfauc o n d rew h i s b re ath ever m o re fre ely and j oyo usly H e sang war s o n gs and l ove s o n gs i n th e c l e a r kee n ai r s o n gs o f h i s ranki sh h o m e an d th e ec h o reverb e rate d fro m ro ck t o ro ck as i f with su r p ri se a t th e so und At th e sam e ti me h e cl imb e d the h ei ght s and gl i de d d o wn t h e m a gai n i n m erry sp o rt stro n gly and s ecu rely u s i n g th e s up p o rti ng sta ff and turni n g ri gh t and l e ft as th e fancy s e ize d h im ; s o th a t S i n t r a m s fo rm e r anx iety was chan ge d i nto adm i rin g asto n ish m e nt and the h u nts m en wh o sti l l kep t th e b aro n i n vi e w bu rst fo rth i n l ou d ap plaus e p ro clai m i n g far an d wi de th e ne w ach i eve m e nts o f th ei r gue st Th e goo d fo rtune wh i ch alm os t always acco mpani e d th e nobl e Po lk o i n h i s de ed s o f arm s s eem ed d is in cl i ne d to leav e h i m eve n n o w A fte r a sh o rt s ea rch h e an d S i n t r a m fo un d d ist i nct trace s o f th e anim al and with gl ad and b eati n g h ea rt s fo ll o we d th em s o s wi ftly that eve n a w in g e d fo e c o ul d sc arc ely h ave es cap ed th ei r pu rsuit B ut th e b eas t o f wh o m th ey we re i n s earch h ad no ide a o f i gh t H e lay s ulki ly i n a c avern n ear th e t op o f an al m o st p e rp e ndic ular rock i nfuriate d by th e no i s e o f th e ch as e an d o nly await i n g i n h is l azy rage fo r s o m e adv ersary to venture n ear e no u gh fo r h i m t o tear h i m to p i ec es Polko an d S i n t r a m were n o w c lo s e b y th e ro ck th e rest we re widel y sc atte red o ve r t h e mazy an d d reary waste Th e trac k l e d th em up ward an d th e t wo c o mp ani o ns c l imb e d th e roc k o n di ffe rent s i des s o th at th ei r p rey c o uld not es cap e th em Po lk o st o o d fi rst o n th e s o litary h ei gh t and l oo ke d a ro und h im A v ast b o undl e s s t rack o f s no w stretch ed out u nt ro d de n b efore h i m m el tin g i n th e d i stanc e i n th e gl o omy cl ouds o f ev eni n g H e al m o st fanc ied that h e h ad l o s t t h e track o f th e fearful b east S u dde nly a lo w gro wl i s sue d fro m the ro cky c le ft
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2 28
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nea r h i m an d b l ack a n d clum sy th e bear ro s e from t h e s no w s to o d o n its h i n d le gs an d th e n advanced to ward t h e baro n wit h gl arin g eyes S i n t r a m m eanwhi l e was stru ggli n g i n vai n t o ascen d th e roc k i mp e de d b y th e m ass es o f s no w th at we re c o nt inually s l ip p i n g do wn Gla d o f a c o mb at s o l o n g u nt rie d as al m o st t o b e whol ly ne w to h i m S i r Polko o f M o nt fauco n l evel ed hi s sp ear and awaite d th e attac k o f th e m o n ster H e s uf fe r e d it t o ap p ro ac h qu ite near s o th at i t c oul d al m o s t to uc h h i m with its fi e rc e c l aws ; th e n h e m ade a th ru st and burie d h i s lan c e deep i n th e b ear s b re ast B u t st il l th e t errible b east p res s ed eve r o nward h o wl in g an d ro ari n g th ou gh th e c ro ss i ro n o f th e s p ear k ept h i m o n h i s h i nd le gs an d th e k ni ght was ob li ge d t o p l ant h i s feet fi rmly i n th e gr ou nd to re sist t h e furiou s as sault wh il e cl o s e b efo re h i m w a s th e h o rrib l e b lo ody fac e o f th e ani mal an d cl os e i n h i s ear its h o ars e gro wl wrun g fo rth p artl y i n th e a go ny o f death an d p artly fro m des i re fo r b lo o d At l ast th e b ear s fu ri ou s p o we r g r e w weaker and th e dark b l oo d st ream ed rich ly o ve r th e s no w H e tot t e r e d ; o ne m o re p o werful th ru st threw h i m b ackward and hurle d h i m d own ove r th e ro cky p re c ip i ce s At th e sam e m o m ent S i n t r a m sto o d b y th e s i de o f th e B aro n of o ntfauc o n Polko d re w a deep b reath an d s aid I h av e not yet th e p ri ze o f vi cto ry i n m y h ands ; a n d hav e it I m ust s o surely as I h ave succ eede d i n wi nni n g it nly see th e sh o e o n my ri gh t foot s eem s to m e i nj ure d o yo u th i nk S i n t ra m that i t wi ll h ol d fo r m e to gl i de d own ” ? over th e p rec ip ic e “ Rathe r l et m e go sai d S i n t r a m I wi l l fetc h yo u th e b ear s h ead and cl a ws ” “ A true k ni ght re pl ie d F o l k o s o m ewh at i n d i g ,
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doe s no t d o a kni ghtly dee d by h alve s I o nly ” ask yo u wh ethe r my s no w sh o e s wi ll h old S i n t r a m b e nt do wn t o l o o k an d was o n th e p o i nt o f ” “ sayi n g n o wh e n s u dde nly a vo ic e c l o se b e si de th e m said : Why ye s o f c o u rse ! th e re i s n o que stio n ab out ” it ! F o lk o th o u ght th at S i n t r a m h ad sp oken an d gl ide d d ow n with th e s w i ftn e s s o f an arro w wh il e h i s co mp ani o n lo o ke d aro un d w ith am az em ent Th e h ate d fo rm o f th e littl e m aste r m et h i s eye H e was j ust o n th e p o i nt o f an gri ly ac co sti n g h im wh e n h e h eard th e s o un d o f th e b aro n s fearful fall an d sto o d sp e ech le s s with h o rro r Al l was al s o s i le n t and sti l l i n th e abys s b elo w “ ” o w wh at art th o u waiti n g fo r ? sai d th e littl e “ maste r a fte r a p au se H e h as b ro k en h i s n eck ; go h om e to th e c astl e an d t ake th e b e auti ful H el en t o thy ” s el f S i n t r a m sh ud dere d H i s h i deo us c om panio n th e n b e gan t o exto l Gab ri ell e s ch arm s with such gl o wi n g e nch antin g wo rd s th at th e yo uth fel t h i s h e art swel l with a l o n gin g th at h e h ad n eve r k no w n b e fo re He t h ou gh t o f hi s fal le n c om rade a s noth in g el se tha n a p artiti o n rem ov e d b et we e n h im and h eave n and h e turne d t o th e c a s tl e Pres e ntly a c al l re so un de d fro m th e abys s y c o m rad e h elp ! y c o m rade h elp ! I am st il l l ivi n g ” b ut I am s o rely wo u nde d S i n t r a m was o n th e p o i nt o f goi n g do wn to h i m and c al le d out t o th e b aro n that h e was c o m i n g ; but th e “ l ittl e m aster s ai d : Th e re i s n o h elp fo r t h e sh attere d uke enel aus an d th e fai r H ele n k n ows it already S he i s o nly wait in g fo r Kni ght Paris t o c o m e to c om ” fort h e r A n d with detestab l e cunnin g h e i nterwove th e l e gen d i nto real ity i nt ro duci n g h i s h i gh ly wrou gh t p rai se s o f th e b eauti ful l ady ; and al as ! th e dazzl ed yout yi el de d t o h im and fl ed .
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H a vi n g re ach ed th e terribl e place h e b ent down o v er th e p rec ip i c e lo oki n g anx io usly Th e m o o n j ust ri s i ng i n al l h e r s p l endo r h elp e d h im with h e r l i ght The re wa s the k ni ght o f o ntfauc o n p al e and bl eed in l eani n g h al f kneel i n a gai nst th e ro c k ; h i s ri gh t arm h un g c rush e d an d p o we rl ess by h i s s i de ; it wa s ev i de nt t hat h e h ad not b e en abl e to d raw h i s goo d s wo r d fro m th e s cabbard A nd yet he was ke ep i n g th e b ea r and h er whel p s at b ay w ith h i s p rou d eye and th reate ni n g asp ect s o t hat th ey o nly c rep t ro und h im g rowli ng an grily ; ready i ndee d at any m o me nt fo r a fi erce attack an d y e t a gai n ret re at i n g i n aff ri ght befo re th e m aj e stic fi gure o f th e de fe nsele ss v icto r “ ” h ! wh a t a h e ro m i ght h av e p eri sh e d h ere ! s i gh ed An d i n an S i n t r a m ; and alas ! th ro u gh wh os e fault in stant h e h ad h url ed h i s sp ear with s o true an aim th at th e b ear fel l welteri n g i n its b l oo d an d th e young o ne s ran h o wli n g away Th e b aro n l oo k e d up with surp ris e H i s c o untenance s ho n e with th e li gh t o f th e m o o n th at b eam e d up o n i t ; i t l ooke d grav e and s eve re and yet kindly like some ” “ angel i c vi s i o n Co m e do wn ! h e s i gned and S i n t r a m gli ded care ful ly an d hastily do wn th e p recip i ce H e was ab o ut to atte nd t o th e wo unded m an b ut F o l k o s aid “ i rst tak e o ff th e h ead an d c laws o f th e b ear wh ich I ki lle d I h av e p ro m i se d my b eauti ful Gab ri elle the sp o i ls o f th e ch ase T he n c o m e t o m e and b i nd up my ” wo unds ; m y ri ght arm i s b roke n S i n t r a m d id as th e b aro n b ade h im Whe n th e t oke ns o f v i ct o ry h ad b ee n tak en a nd th e fractu re d arm b o und up F o l ko des i re d th e yo uth to assi st hi m b ack to th e castl e ” “ h i f I o nly dare d t o l o ok yo u i n th e fac e ! s ai d “ o r i f I o nly k ne w h o w t o a p S i n t r a m i n a lo w v o ic e ” p ro ac h yo u ! “ Th o u wert i ndee d o n a very evil c ourse re pl i ed ,
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gravely b ut h o w sh ould w e m e n st a nd at al l be fo re Go d i f rep enta nc e d i d not h el p u s ! Tho u must always b e h e wh o s ave d m y l i fe an d let th at ” t h o ught b ri n g the e co m fo rt Th e yo uth sup p o rte d th e b aro n ge ntly and vi go ro usly o n h i s way an d oth a dvance d s i l e ntly i n t h e oon li gh t ,
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2 33
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o f wai l i n g m et th em fro m th e c astl e as th ey app ro ache d ; th e chap el was s ol e m nly l i ghte d up ; w ithi n i t knel t Gab ri ell e s o rro wi n g fo r th e d eath o f th e kni gh t o f o ntfauc o n B ut h o w q uickl y was al l c han ged wh e n th e nob le b aro n p al e an d b lo o dy i t i s tru e but e sc ap ed fro m al l m o rt al p eril st oo d s m il i n gly at t h e e ntrance o f th e h ol y “ bu il d in g and sai d i n a so ft g e nft l e v o ic e : Cal m th ysel f Gab ri ell e and d o n o t b e fri ghte ned at see i n g m e fo r ” by th e h o no r o f m y rac e th y k ni gh t l ive s h ! with wh at j oy d id Gab ri elle s eyes sp arkl e a s sh e l o oke d at h e r k ni gh t and th e n rai sed th em a gai n t o h eave n stil l st ream in g with t ears b ut from th e b les se d so u rc e o f grate ful j oy ! With th e h el p o f t wo p a ge s Pol k o s unk o n h i s knee s b esi de h er and b oth sanct ifi ed th e i r h ap p i ne s s i n si lent p rayer Whe n th ey l e ft th e c h ap el th e wo unde d k ni ght c are ful ly supp o rte d b y h i s b eaut i ful lady S i n t r a m was st and i n g i n th e dark n ess with out gl oo m y as the ni ght and shy as th e nocturnal b i rd s Ye t h e step ped trem b l i n g l y fo r ward i n the l i ght o f th e to rch e s l ai d th e b ear s h ead and cl aws at Gab ri el l e s feet and s ai d Th e se are th e sp o il s o f to day s ch ase b rou gh t by th e ” nob l e b aro n o f o ntfauc o n fo r h i s l ady Th e or w e g i a n s b urst fo rt h i n sh o uts and accl amat i on s at th e stran ge r k ni gh t wh o at h i s very fi rst h unti n g ex p edi t i o n h ad sl a i n th e m o st s p le ndi d an d fearful o f all th e b easts o f p rey o n th ei r m o unt ai ns Th e n F o l k o looke d “ s mi l i n gly ro u nd t h e c i rc le and sai d : o w h o weve r ,
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castl e o n th e o o n Ro cks until th i n gs are i n so m e way ” al tere d with m e Th e re was so meth i n g i n h i s wo rd s wh i ch no o ne c o ul d venture t o op p o s e n ot eve n Po lko Th e w il d “ B i or n b owe d h i s h ead h umb ly and sai d : o ac co rd i n g to th y p leasure m y p o o r s o n fo r I fear th at th o u art ri ght Th en S i n t r a m wal ked so l em nly an d s ile ntl y th rou gh th e castl e gate th e go o d Ro lf fol l owin g h i m Gab ri e lle l e d h e r exh auste d l o rd up to h i s o wn apartm e nts -
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C HA PT R X I X T was a sad j ou r n ey th at of th e youth and h is aged fo ste r fath e r to th e o o n Ro ck s th rou gh th e wil d tangle d pa ths o f th e val l eys thi c k wi th s no w an d ice Rol f no w and th e n san g v ers es o f h ym ns i n wh i ch th e repe ntant s i n ne r i s p ro mi se d com fo rt an d pe ac e an d S i n t r a m thanke d h i m fo r th em with l ook s o f grateful s adnes s th e rwi s e ne ith er o f th em sp o k e a s i n gl e wo rd At last — i t was al re ady neari n g daw n— S i n t r a m b roke “ th e lo n g s i l e nc e by s ayin g Who are th os e t wo s itti ng th e re b y th e fro ze n stream ? Th e re i s a tall m an and a l ittl e o ne Th e i r o wn wi l d h earts h av e d oubtles s d rive n th e m al s o i nto th e wil de rnes s Ro lf d o you k no w ” th e m ? I fee l a d read o f th em “ S i r ans we re d th e ol d m an yo ur disturb e d m i nd l ead s yo u astray Th e re i s a tal l fi r tree and a littl e weath e r b eate n stum p o f an ol d oak h alf cove re d with s no w whi ch gives it a stran ge app earanc e Th ere are ” n o m e n s itti n g th ere “ Ro l f l o ok th e re th e n ! l o ok aga n carefully Th ey ” — are m ovi n g th ey are wh isp eri n g to geth er ! “ S i r th e m o rni n g wi n d m oves th e b r anch e s and rustl es am o n g th e nee dl e p i ne l eave s and am o n g th e ” yell o w o ak l eav es and b l o ws up th e c ri sp s no w Ro l f n o w th ey are b oth c o m i n g to ward u s ; th ey are ” n o w stan di ng q uite c l o se b efo re u s “ S i r it i s we wh o i n walk in g are app ro ach i n g th em an d th e setti n g m o o n c asts s uch quai nt lik e s h adows ” across th e vall ey “ Goo d ev e ni n g s ai d a h o llo w v o ice a n d S i n t r a m ,
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rec o gn ized th e c razy p il gri m b y wh o s e s i de sto o d t e m alic io us l ittle m aste r l o ok in g m o re h o rrib l e th an eve r “ Yo u we re ri gh t s i r kn i ght wh i sp e red Ro l f d raw i n g b eh i nd S i n t r a m an d m aki n g th e si gn o f th e c ro s s o n h is b reast an d foreh ead Th e b ewi lde re d yo uth h o w ev e r ad vanc e d to ward th e “ two fi gures and s ai d : Yo u h ave al ways sh own a m ar What d o yo u v e l o u s p l easu re i n b e in g my c o m pani o ns exp e ct fro m it ? And d o yo u de s ire no w t o go with m e t o th e sto ne fo rtre s s ? I wi ll te nd th ee th ere p oo r p al e pi l gri m ; and th ee h o rrib l e l ittl e m aster m o st malic i ous o f d warfs I wil l m ak e th ee sh o rte r by a h e ad as a r e ward fo r thy d e e d s ye ste rday ” “ Th at wo ul d b e a th i n g l au gh e d th e li t t l e m aste r And th o u wo ulds t i m a gi n e p erh a p s th at th o u h adst d o n e a g r eat s ervi c e t o th e wh ol e w o r ld ! Yet i ndee d wh o k no ws ! S o m eth in g m i gh t b e gai ne d by it nly ” p o o r fell o w tho u c anst not do it Th e p il grim m eanwh i l e was b owi n g h i s p al e h ead to “ an d fro th ou ghtfully a n d sayin g I real ly b eli eve thou wo ul dst gla dly h ave m e a nd I to o sh ould gl adl y c om e b ut I may not yet H ave p ati enc e awh i le ; c o m e I s urely wil l b ut at a d i stant ti m e ; and fi rst we m u st to geth er vi sit th y fath e r an d th e n th o u w ilt al s o l earn ” p o o r friend to c al l m e b y m y name ” “ Take h ee d o f th warti ng m e again ! said th e littl e m aste r th reate ni n gl y t o th e pil grim ; b ut h e p o i nti n g w ith h i s lo ng with e red h an d t o ward th e su n j ust ris i n g ” “ said Stay e ith e r th at s u n o r m e i f th o u c a n s t l Th e fi rst rays j u st th e n fel l up o n th e s no w and t h e l ittl e maste r ran m utterin g do wn a p rec ip ic e ; th e p il grim h o wev e r walke d o n c al mly an d so l em nly i n th e b ri gh t beam s to ward a ne i ghb o ri n g m o u ntai n c astl e ot l o n g afte r the chap el b el l was h eard t olli n g fo r th e dead ,
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i ndeed an anch o rite or at l east som eth i n g b ut lit t l e m o re s o ci al d id th e p oo r S i n t r a m no w s o o n b e c om e ! o r t o ward t h e app ro ach i n g h o ly Ch ristm as festival h i s fearful dream s attacked h im a nd s ei z ed h i m thi s t im e s o t errib ly th at all the s qui re s and se rvan t s fl ed sc ream i n g fro m th e castl e and wo ul d not ve nture b ac k a gain o o n e re mai ned with h im b ut Ro l f an d th e o l d c astel lan S i n t r a m i ndee d gre w qui et agai n b u t h e went ab out l o oki n g s o pal e and sti l l th at h e m i ght h ave b ee n t ake n fo r a m ovi n g c o rp se o c o ns olatio n fro m th e go o d Rol f no devo ut an d p l easi n g s o n g any l o n ger avai le d t o h elp ; and th e c as tell an with h i s wi ld s carre d fac e h i s h ead alm o st bal d fro m s o m e m o nstro u s s wo rd c ut an d h i s stubb o rn s il e nc e was al m o st l ike a yet darker sh ado w o f th e u nh appy k n i ght Rol f th ou gh t o f sum m o ni n g th e h oly ch apl ai n o f D r o n t h e i m b ut h o w c oul d h e have l e ft h i s m aste r al l alo n e with th e gl o omy castel l an — a m an wh o had at all ti m es exc ite d i n h i m a s ec ret feelin g o f dread B i or n had l o n g h ad th e wi l d s tran ge warri o r i n h i s s e rvic e and h e h o no red h i m o n ac co unt o f h i s steady fi de lity and h i s i m m ens e v al o r with o ut th e kni gh t o r any o n e el s e k n owi n g wh enc e th e c astel lan cam e an d wh o h e really was I nde ed few p eop l e k ne w b y what nam e to c al l h im b ut th e kno wled ge s eem e d nee dles s as h e nev e r e nt ere d i nto c o nv ersati o n w ith anyo ne H e was j ust th e c astell an o f th e sto ne c a stl e o n th e oo n Ro cks an d n oth i n g furth e r Ro lf c o m mi tte d h i s d eep h eartfelt cares t o th e m erc i ,
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ful Go d b eli ev i n g th at H e wo ul d h el p h im and th e erc i ful Go d di d h el p h i m o r i t was j u st o n Ch ri stmas ev e that th e b ell at th e drawb ri d ge s ounde d and whe n Ro lf l oo ke d ove r th e battl em e nt s h e s aw th e ch ap lai n o f D r o n t h e i m s tand in g wi th o ut i n stran ge c o mp any i nde e d fo r b y h i s s id e ap p e are d th e c razy pi l gri m and th e dead m e n s b o ne s o n h i s da rk mantl e s ho ne quite awfully i n th e gl im m erin g s tar l i ght ; b ut t he p re senc e o f th e c hap l ai n fi ll e d th e ol d Ro l f with to o m uch j oy t o all o w m uch ro om “ ” fo r do ub t ; b es ides th o u ght h e wh o eve r c o m e s w ith ” h i m m ust b e we lco m e ! an d s o h e adm itte d th e m b oth with r esp ect ful h aste and c o n ducte d th e m up to th e h al l w he re S i n t r a m was s itti n g pal e an d m o ti o nl ess u nder the li ght o f a s in gl e fl i ck eri n g l amp Ro l f was ob l i ged to s upp o rt an d h elp th e c razy p il grim up th e stai rs for h e was q u ite b en umb e d w ith c o l d “ I b rin g yo u a greeti n g fro m yo u r m oth er s ai d th e chap l ai n as h e e ntere d and a s we et s m il e at o nc e p as s ed ove r th e youn g kni gh t s c o u nte nanc e an d it s deadly p all o r gave p lac e to a s o ft gl o w o f red ” “ h h eav e n ! h e m u rmure d d oes my m oth er th en s til l l iv e and do e s sh e wi sh also t o k now anyth i n g of ” ? me “ S h e i s e n do wed with a great and m i ghty p o we r o f p re sen t i ment rep l i ed th e chap lai n and wh atev er yo u e ith e r d o o r l eav e un do n e i s m i rrore d i n h e r m i n d— h al f wakin g and h al f dream i n g— i n m any wo nde rful v i si o ns S he no w k no ws o f yo ur deep s o rrow and s h e s end s m e th e fath er co nfe ss o r o f h er c o nvent h ith er to c o m fort yo u b ut al so at th e sam e t im e to warn yo u fo r as s h e asse rt s an d as I am i ncl i ne d t o b e li ev e m any an d s evere ” t rial s l ie b efo re yo u S i nt r a m b owe d h o l di n g h i s arm s stil l c ro sse d ove r “ h i s b reast an d s ai d wit h a gentl e s mi l e uch h as be en vo uch safe d to m e ; m o re th an I h a d ve nture d to h op e
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2 41
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i n my o l dest m o m e nts ; t e n th ous and ti m e s m o re y my m o th er s greeti n g and yo ur c o ns ol atio n reve re nd si r ; a n d al l t h i s afte r a fall m o re great and te rrib le th an h av e eve r h ad b efo re Th e m ercy o f th e o rd i s great an d h oweve r severe th e b u rde n H e m ay s e nd fo r t rial an d exp i ati on I h op e wi th H i s h elp to b e abl e t o b ear ” t Ju st th e n th e d o o r op e ne d an d th e c astellan e nte re d with a to rc h th e red gla re o f wh i ch c rim so ne d h i s c o untenanc e H e l o oke d te rrifi e d at th e c razy p i l grim wh o had j ust s u nk fainti n g o n a se at supp o rte d and te nde d by Ro l f ; th e n h e starte d as i f with am azem e nt at th e ch ap l ain an d at l e n gth m u rmu re d S tran ge m eet i n g ! I b e li eve th e h ou r fo r c o nfes s i o n and reco nc i li a ti o n i s arri ved “ I b el i eve s o to o repl i e d th e h oly fath e r wh o h ad “ h eard th e wh i sp ere d wo rds I t s ee ms indee d t o b e a d a y ri ch i n grac e and p eac e Th i s p o o r fell o w h e re wh o m I foun d h al f froz en b y th e way was m o re a n x i o us to c o nfe ss t o m e at o nc e than t o fol lo w m e to a h o sp itab l e h earth ; do as h e h as do ne m y dark fie ry warri o r and delay n ot you r goo d i ntenti o n fo r o n e i n ” s tant S o sayi n g h e l eft th e roo m with th e castellan “ and tu rni n g b ack at the d oo r excl ai m ed Kni ght and s qu i re tak e goo d care m eanwhi l e o f my s i ck charge S i n t r a m an d Ro lf d i d as th e ch apl ai n des i re d an d wh e n at l en gth th ei r c o rdials s o rev ived th e p il gri m that h e op e ne d h i s eye s a gai n th e yo un g k ni ght sai d with “ a fri endly s m il e S ee st th o u n o w t h o u s t c o m e t o v i si t m e afte r all Why di dst th o u re fu se m e Wh e n i nvite d t he e s o e arnestly a fe w n i ght s ago ? may h av e spok en p erh aps so m e wh at w il dly and h astily Po ss ibly th o u ” wast th us fri gh tene d away A sudde n e x p e s s i o n o f fear p as s ed ove r th e pi l grim s c ounte nanc e but h e im m ed iatel y l o oked u p a gai n at “ h d ear de ar S i nt r a m wi th gentl e h um il ity and sai d ’
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Whe n th e l a st e nd draweth ni gh A n d h eart and l i mb s are fai li n g fast The n l oo k o n h i gh Th e n turn ab ove thy p raye rful eye ; At H e ave n s gat e f m ercy wait That Go d may h elp th e e at th e l ast ,
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Am e n ! sai d S i n t r a m an d Rol f fol di n g th ei r h ands an d as the last notes of th e l ut e d ie d away th e ch ap lai n sl owly an d so ft ly e ntere d th e h al l with th e castel lan ” “ I b ri ng yo u a p reci o u s Ch ristm as gift s ai d th e h ol y “ fathe r After a l o n g and b itter i nterval p eac e o f co n sc ie n ce and rec o ncil iat io n are retu rni n g to a nobl e di s I t c o ncern s th ee dear p il grim ; and S i n t u r b e d m i nd t ram do th o u wi th j oyful t rust i n Go d tak e a re fre sh ” i n g examp le from it o re th an t we nty years ago b e gan th e cast ellan “ at a s i gn from th e chap lai n ; m o re than twenty years a go was d rivi n g m y she ep up th e m ountai ns as a b ol d sh eph e rd ; a youn g k ni ght foll owed m e wh o m th ey calle d We i gan d th e Sl ende r ; h e wante d to b uy my favo rite l amb fo r h is lovely b ride and h e o ffere d m e pl enty o f gl itte ri n g gol d for it I sturdily re fuse d I m p e t o u s youth was b o il i n g with i n us both — a h im stro ke o f h i s s wo rd h urle d m e s e nseles s down th e p rec i ” p i ce ” “ ot k ill e d ? cri ed th e p il grim in a s carcely audibl e vo ice “ I am no gh o st rep l i ed th e castellan grim ly ; and th e n at a se ri o us si g n fro m th e holy fath er h e c o n t i u e d i n a m o re h umb le to ne “ I rec ov ere d sl owly an d i n sol itude by th e us e o f tho se reme die s wh i c h were e as ily found by m e a sh ep h erd i n o ur ri ch valleys Wh en cam e forth again no o ne reco gni ze d m e with my scarre d fac e and my ,
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b al d h ead I h eard a rep o rt th ro ugh th e c o untry th at o n acc ount o f that dee d Wei gan d th e S le nde r h ad bee n rej ected by h i s b eauti ful b etroth ed Ve re na that h e had p i ne d away a nd th at sh e had wis hed to reti re i nto a c o nve nt but th at h er fath e r h ad p ersuade d h e r to marry th e great Kni ght B i or n Th e n a te rrib le des i re fo r ve ngeanc e cam e i nto m y h eart a n d I di so wne d my nam e and ki n dre d and h om e and as a stran ge wi l d m an e nte re d th e serv ic e o f th e m i ght y B i or n th us suff er i n g Wei gan d th e Sle nde r ev er to b e re garde d as a mur de rer and feasti ng o n hi s an gu ish S o h ave I feaste d o n it th ere fo re th rough al l th es e l o n g ye ars ; fri ght ful ly feast ing o n th e i dea o f h i s s el f—b an i sh m e nt o f h is chee rle ss retu rn h om e and o f h i s m ad ne ss B ut t o ” day — an d a gush o f h ot tears fel l fro m h i s eye s to day G o d has broke n the hardnes s o f m y h eart an d dear S i r Kni gh t Wei gand lo o k up o n y oursel f no lo nger as a m urdere r an d say that yo u will pardo n m e an d p ray fo r h im wh o h as so t erribly wron ge d you and Sob s chok ed h is wo rds H e fel l do wn at th e fe et o f th e p il grim wh o emb race d h im wi th tears o f j oy an d fo rgave h i m .
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elevate d feel ings o f th i s h ou r passed fro m thei r h oly an d overp o we ri n g enth usiasm to th e calm th ou ghtful asp e ct o f daily l i fe and We i gand havi n g no w re covere d l ai d asi de h is m antl e w ith th e “ dead m e n s b o ne s sayin g : I ch o s e as a pe nance to carry th ese fearful remai ns ab out with m e i n th e i dea that so me o f th em m i ght b el o n g to h im wh om had m urde re d H e nc e sou ght fo r th em deep i n th e b e ds o f th e m ou ntai n to rre nts a n d h i gh up am o ng th e ne st s o f the eagles an d v ultures A nd i n m y search it seem ed t o m e som etime s— coul d it h ave b ee n o nly an i llus io n ? — it seem e d to m e as if met a b e i n g almost like mysel f b ut fa r far m o re p owe rful an d yet still m o re p ale and ” st ill m o re h aggard An impl o ri n g gl an ce fro m S i n t r a m ch ecke d th e fl o w o f h i s word s S m i l i n g gently We i gan d b ent over h im and sai d o u n ow kn o w th e deep th e unutterably deep so r ro w wh ich h as b een gnawin g at my h eart y sh ynes s o f you an d m y hearty l ove fo r you will no lo n ge r b e a riddle to you r warm and k in dly feel i n gs o r youn g m an h oweve r m uch yo u m ay re semble your fearful fath e r yo u hav e you r m oth er s gentl e h eart and its r e fl e c t i o n b ri g htens you r p ale seve re features like th e rosy m o rni n g that c asts it s so ft gle am s o f li gh t ove r ice cove re d m ou ntai ns an d s no wy vall eys And alas ! h o w l on g h ave y ou lived alo ne with i n you rsel f th ou gh am i d c ro wd s o f h um an b e i ngs ! An d h o w l o n g no w s i nc e yo u h ave s ee n you r m othe r m y po or dearly ” ? l ove d S i n t r a m ,
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rapture ro se m i gh ti ly fr o m h is s eat and sai d Wil l it p leas e yo u to co m e fo rth with m e S i r Chapl ai n ? B e fo re th e sun ap pears i n the sky we can b e at th e co n ” v e nt gates ; an d even sh al l b e clo sely neari ng h eave n I t was i n vai n th at b oth th e c hapl ai n and Rolf r e p r e se nte d to h im h is weari ness ; he sm i le d and sai d th at th ere co ul d b e no tal k o f that n o w an d h e girded h im self and tune d th e lute wh i ch h e re queste d to tak e wi th h i m as a comp ani o n by th e way H is dec ide d m anne r overc am e al l opp o sit io n alm o st with out wo rd s : an d th e ch ap lai n had al ready p repare d hi m self for th e j o urney wh e n with m uc h em o ti o n th e pil grim l o oke d at S i n t r a m wh o h ad falle n h al f asl eep o n a couch o p “ p res se d with a strange weari ness and sai d Wait a wh ile k no w h e de si re s a s oft l ullaby from m e b efo re we go Th e yo uth s grate ful sm il e seem e d to say “ ” es a n d th e p i l gri m t o uc hi n g th e stri ngs with a l i gh t fi nge r san g ,
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Sleep cal m ly ge ntle b oy ! T o sooth e thy t ran q ui l sl um e r s Thy m oth er s ends t o th ee Th e so ng s b e gu il in g numb ers I n s ile nc e an d afa r o r the e sh e fo ndly p ray e th And y e a r n e t h to b e w ith th ee Alth ou gh th e t im e del ayeth ,
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A nd wh e n thou dost awak e Give he e d i n all th o u saye st I n every act and dee d Th at th ou h e r wo rds o b e y e s t h ! h ear thy m oth e r s vo ice ach yea each nay that s spoken A nd th o ugh temp tatio n lurk Thy path i s still u nb roken ,
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I f th o u do st ri gh tly h eark en Up o n th i ne o nward go i n g Thy youth ful b ro w wi ll fe e l ull m any a zephyr b l o wi n g A nd o n thy peaceful c o urs e Th o u lt kno w h er ferve nt bl ess i n g A nd feel tho ugh far d ivi de d Th e m oth e r s fo n d caress in g ,
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O h b l esse d li gh t o f l i fe ! M ysteri ou s co nsol atio n ! Wh o se h eav enl y p o we r disp els ach dre ad imagi natio n S l eep cal m ly gentle b oy ! T o soo th e thy t ranqui l slum ers Th y m oth e r se nds to the e Th e s o ng s b e guil i n g numb e rs
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S i n t r a m slept , wi th a sm il e
h is c ou nte nance and b reath i n g so ftly Rolf an d th e castel lan remain e d s it t in g by h i s b edsi de wh i le th e t wo t rave le rs p u rsue d th ei r ay i n a m i l d starli ght ni gh t on
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h ad nearly dawne d wh e n Ro lf wh o h ad b ee n sleep i n g a l ittl e w o k e at th e s ou nd o f s om e l o w s i n gi n g and o n lo oki n g ro un d he p erc eive d with as t o n i s h m e n t th at i t c ame fro m th e l ip s o f the castel l a n “ Th e latte r sai d as i f i n expl anatio n S i r We i gand i s no w s i ngi n g th i s at th e c o nvent gate an d they are openi ng to h i m kin dly up o n wh i ch th e ol d R olf agai n fell asl eep unc e rtai n wh et h er h e had h eard i t waki n g o r in a dream Afte r a wh il e h o weve r th e b ri ght s u nl i gh t awakened h im agai n an d wh e n h e ro se up h e saw th e face o f th e c astella n wo nderful ly i llum i nate d b y th e ro sy m or n i n g b eam s an d th e wh ol e co u ntenanc e o f th e o nce fear ful m an sh o ne w ith a kin dly nay alm o st ch ild l ike m il d ness At th e s am e tim e th e st ran ge m an seem e d l iste n i n g i n th e q uiet ai r as i f h e we re h eari ng som e m ost del i ghtful d i sc o urse o r gl o rious m usi c and wh en Rol f was o n th e p o int o f sp e ak i n g h e si gne d to h im entreat i n g l y to b e qui et and re mai ne d ab sorb e d i n th e sam e l i st enin g att it ud e At length h e sank b a c k sl o wl y and co ntentedly i n h i s “ seat wh i spe rin g : Th ank Go d sh e h as grante d hi s l ast re que st ; h e will b e lai d i n th e c o nvent b u rial ground and n o w h e has al so fo rgive n m e i n th e depth o f h i s h e art can tel l y o u h i s end i s truly p eac e ful Rol f di d not venture t o ask a questi on no r t o awake n h i s maste r ; h e fel t as i f o ne already departed were sp eak i n g to h im The castellan remaine d fo r s om e tim e stil l and a AY
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stle o f the ni ght B i or n of th e iery ye s Ch ri stm as ve had not b e en k ept so purely and h app ily b ut neve rthe les s G o d s will h ad b ee n clearly ani feste d eve n th ere Polko at th e re quest o f th e lo r d o f th e castl e h ad al lo we d h im se lf to b e supp o rted by Gab riell e i nto th e h all an d th e th re e were s ittin g at th e ro und sto ne tab l e ove r a sumptuo us rep ast wh il e at lo n g table s o n eac h s ide sat th e retai ne rs o f b o t h k n i g h t s i n ful l a r o r a c co rdi n g to orwe gia n c ustom Th e lofty ap artm ent was al ost dazzl e d with th e l ight o f tape rs an d lamps Th e deep n i ght had al ready be gu n its solem n rei gn and Gab rielle s o ftl y rem i nd e d h er wo un de d k ni ht to “ ith dra B i or n h eard th e rem in de r an d said Yo u are quite ri ght fai r l ady ; o u r k ni gh t nee ds re st ; o nly ” let u s fi rst not negl ec t a n o l d and ve ne ra l e c ustom A n d at a s i gn from h im fo ur o f h i s warrio rs b rou t i n wit h sol em n po mp a great b oar wh i ch l ooke d as i f i t we re m ade o f sol id gol d and p lace d it i n the c ente r o f th e sto ne tab l e B i or n s retai ne rs ro se reve rential ly pl acin g thei r h el m ets u nde r th ei r arms an d th e lo rd o f th e c astle h ims el f d i d th e sam e ” “ ? Wh at i s m eant by th is i n qui re d F o l k o very “ gravely What th ine ancesto rs and m i ne h ave do ne ” on eve ry yul e feast rep lie d B i or n ; we are go i n to m ake o ws o n F r i g a s boar and the n let th e o l et ” o ro un d “ Wh at o ur ance st o rs cal le d yul e feast sai d F o l ko we do no t keep We are goo d C ristians a n d we ” cel e rate t e ol y C r st as tide ca
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We ay do th e o ne a nd not leave th e o th e r u ndo ne “ answe re d B i or n y ance sto rs are too dear to m e fo r m e t o fo rget th e i r kni ghtly custo ms H e wh o r e gards i t oth e rwi se m ay act acco rdi n g t o h i s own wi s dom but th at sh al l n ot h i nde r m e swea r by th i s ” gol de n bo ar and h e stretche d o ut h i s h an d to lay it sol em nly upo n it B ut o lk o o f H ol d ! i n th e o nt fauc o n c alle d o ut name o f o ur h oly Savi o u r ! Whe re am and wh il e can stil l bre a t h e an d wil l no o ne shal l c ele rate u ndi s ” t u r b e d th e rites o f w ild h eath e ns i ery ye s l o oke d at h i m fi ercely Th e B i or n o f th e retai ne rs o f b oth k ni ghts sep arate d am i d th e soun d o f rattl i n g arm o r an d arran ge d th em se lve s i n t wo b ands ea ch b eh i nd th e i r l eade r o n e ithe r si d e o f th e h all And al ready he re an d th ere h elmets an d casq ue s we re b uckle d o n “ Co nside r wh at th ou art do i n g sai d B i or n de s i re d eternal an d t rue u n io n ; a y was o n th e p o i nt o f vo wi n g grateful fe alty t o th e h o use o f o ntfauc o n b ut i f thou i n t e r fe r e st wi th m e i n th e custom s wh i ch hav e des cende d t o m e fro m m y fath e rs se e to thy h ead and to al l th at i s dear to th ee y a n ge r n o l o n ge r k nows ” any b ounds Pol k o si gne d to th e pale Gab ri el le t o with draw b e “ h i nd h i s retai ne rs and sai d to h e r Co urage an d j oy nobl e l ady ! any weaker Ch ri stian s fo r Go d s sake and that o f th e h o ly c h urch h av e b rave d greater p e rils th an th o s e th at no w s e em t o th reate n u s B el i eve m e i t i s not s o e asy a m atte r t o ens nare the B aro n o f o nt fauc on Gab ri ell e d re w b ac k at F o l k o s o rde r s o m e wh at qu iete d by th e b o l d sm ile o f he r l o rd ; ut th i s very sm il e i n am ed B i or n s an ge r stil l m o re H e a gai n st retch e d o ut h i s h and t o ward th e b oar an d was o n t e p o nt o f utte ri n g a t errible v o w wh e n th e b aro n ,
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s natche d a n iro n gau ntlet of B i or n s fro m th e table and wit h h i s u nw oun de d le ft arm s truck s uch a p o wer ful bl o w with it at th e gol de n i m age that dashe d i n twai n i t fell crash in g to th e ground Th e l o rd o f th e c astle an d h i s fol lo wers sto o d aro u nd as if petrifi e d Arm ed h ands q ui ckly s ei ze d the i r weap o ns sh iel d s we re l ifte d fro m the wall s and an angry fi ercely threat e h i ng murm ur p assed th rou gh th e h all At a si gn fro m Polko o n e o f h is faith ful fol l owers reach e d h im a b attle an d s wi ngi n g it h i gh wi th h i s m i ghty l eft arm h e ax sto o d l ike an ave n gin g an gel i n th e m idst of th e hall and uttere d thes e wo rds th ro ugh th e tum ult with th e c om p o su re o f a j udge : “ What wilt tho u i nfatuate d o r e gian ? What d ost tho u de si re th o u si nfu l l o rd ; ye are i ndee d b ec om e h eathe ns and h op e t o sho w yo u by my readine ss fo r c ombat that i n m y o ne u ninj ured a r m h as my Go d pl ac ed strength fo r v i cto ry I f ye can yet h ear l i sten to m y wo rds ! Up o n th i s s am e accurse d b oar s image no w by Go d s h elp sh attere d to pi eces h ast th o u B i or n lai d th i n e hand wh e n th o u d i dst swear to de stro y ev ery m a n fro m th e s eap o rt s wh o m i ght ch ance to fal l i nto thy p o we r A nd Gotth a rd L e nz cam e an d R u d l i e b c am e drive n by th e t emp e st to you r sho r e Wh at di dst thou th en d o th o u s avage B i or n ? Wh at d i d ye do i n com pl ianc e w ith h i m ye w h o were wit h h im at th e yule feast ? Try you r utm o st o n m e Th e o r d wi ll b e with m e as H e was with th o s e go o d me n or ” ward ! to arm s ! an d h e t u rn ed toward h i s w arri o rs “ L e t Gotth ard an d R u d li e b b e o ur b attle c r y ! B ior n let h i s drawn swo rd drop h i s warrio rs were h ush ed and no t an eye i n th e o rwe gian h ost was raise d fro m t he ground At l en gth o ne afte r an o t he r th ey b e gan s o ftly to slip away At last B i or n alo ne sto o d oppos ite th e baro n and h is fo ll owe rs H e seem ed o weve r scarce ly to p e rce iv e h i s des e rte d c o nd ition ’
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w h at h e was do in g i n th e il l re now ne d stone fo rtres s o n th e M o o n Ro cks M ysteri ou s rum o rs cam e fro m t h e -
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fugit iv e retai n ers o f ho w th e ev il sp i rit h ad no w gai ne d com plete dom i n io n ove r S i n t r a m that no o ne c o uld a ny l onger stay w ith h im and tha t th e strange gl oomy castellan had p ai d fo r h i s adhe re nce to h i m with h i s l i fe Po lko co ul d scarce ly resi st th e fearful su sp ic io n th at th e s o litary yout h h ad b eco m e a hardene d m a ,
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A n d trul y m any evil s p irits di d utte r ro und th e b an i sh e d m an b ut it was with out a summ o ns from h i m sel f I t o fte n seeme d to h i m i n h i s d ream s as i f th e wi cke d e nch antress Ve nus we re h ov erin g ove r th e battl em ents o f th e fo rt re s s i n a gol d en ch ari ot d rawn by wi n ged “ cats an d call in g sco rn ful ly t o h im o ol i sh S i n t r a m ! fool sh S i n t r a m ! h adst th ou but ob eye d th e l ittl e m as ter ! th o u wo ul dst n ow b e lyi n g i n H ele n s arm s and th e o o n Rock s woul d b e t h e rocks o f l ove and th e sto ne fo rtress woul d b e th e castl e o f ro se s Th o u woul dst have l o st thy p al e fac e and thy dark h air — fo r tho u art o nly b ewitch e d de ar yo uth — an d th i ne eye s wo ul d h ave sh o ne m o re m i l dly th y ch eek m o re bl o om in g th an ev e r th e wo r l d adm i red i n th e Kn i ght ” Paris h ! h o w H ele n woul d h ave love d th ee ! Th e n sh e woul d s h o w h i m i n a m i rro r h o w h e l oo ked as h e k nelt b efo re Gab ri ell e as a hand som e kn igh t an d h ow sh e softly blush i n g h ad fal le n i nto h i s arm s Whe n h e awoke from such visi o ns h e woul d seize eage rl y th e s wo rd an d scarf o nc e given h im by h is l ady j ust as som e sh ip wrecke d an grasp s th e p l anks o f safety and h e w o ul d weep h ot tears ove r th em and “ wh ispe r sec retly t o h im sel f S o th ere was i ndee d o ne si ngl e h our i n m y iserabl e l i fe wh e n was wo rthy ” and h appy nc e h e starte d up at m i dni ght fro m a s im ila r dream b ut th is ti e ith th ril li ng t e rro r fo r i t had seem ed to ,
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as i f t e ea uti ful al lu ri n g feature s o f th e enc hant l res s Ve nus h ad b eco m e di sto rte d at th e e nd o f e r sp eech by th e sco rn with wh ich sh e glance d dow n up o n h im and that no w sh e l ooke d alm o st l ike the te rrib l e l ittle m a ste r Th e yo uth c oul d neve r calm h i s di sturb e d m i nd b et te r th an by th rowi ng the s wo rd an d sc ar f o f Gab ri ell e ac ross h is sh o ul de rs and h urryin g fo rth u nder th e so l B ene ath th e e m n starry expans e o f th e wi ntry s ky l ea e ss oaks an d th e s no w — lade n fi rs wh ic h gre w up o n th e h i gh ram parts h e wo ul d wan der up an d do w n a h so rb e d i n th oug h t nc e it seem ed as i f a m el anch ol y groan s o un de d from th e m o at b el ow as i f som e o ne were at t ime s a t temp ti n g to si n g b ut c oul d not fr o m i nward ri e f ” “ Upo n S i n t r a m s ex claim i n g Wh o s th ere ? all was still B ut wh e n h e was si le nt and b e gan t o wal k agai n th e f earful m o anin gs b roke fo rth a new as from s om e dyin g perso n S i n t r a m ove rcam e th e h orro r wh i ch seem e d al l p o w a nd c l am b ere d s il ently do wn t o e r fu l to re st rai n h im the d ry m oat wh ich w a s c ut i n th e ro ck H e was a l ready s o deep w ith i n i t th at h e c oul d no l o nge r se e th e stars sh i ni n g ; b eneath h i m h e p erce ive d a sh rouded fi gu re m ovi n g ; an d with i nv oluntary rap idity h e s ud d e n ly sl i d dow n t h e steep descent an d stoo d by th e s i de o f th e g roani n g form T e lam entati ons at o nc e c ease d and a l augh l ik e th at of a m aniac c am e fro m the wi de “ fol ds o f th e fem al e garm e nts : H o ho ! m y c o m rade ! Ho ho ! y c om rade ! Th at was a l ittl e t oo qu ick fo r th ee ! W el l w el l s o i t i s and see no w th o u standest afte r al l no h i gh e r th an I m y go o d val ian youth ” Tak e it pati ently t ake i t patiently “ What dost tho u want wit h m e ? Wh y d o st tho u ” lau gh ? Why dost th o u groan ? i nq ui re d S i n t r a m i m patient y
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m i gh t ask th ee th e s am e rep l ie d th e dark fi gu re an d t ho u wo ul dst b e far le ss ab le to answer m e than ‘ am to answe r thee Why do st th ou lau gh ? Why dost th o u weep — p o o r fell ow ? B ut wil l sho w th ee o ne rem arkab l e th i ng in thy sto ne fo rtre ss o f wh i ch ” th ou as yet k no west n oth in g Give h eed ! A n d th e mantle d fi gure s cratched and scrap ed at th e st o nes a n d a l ittl e i ro n do o r op e ne d reveal in g a dark passage wh ich l e d i nto p ro foun d darkness “ ” ? Wi lt thou c om e wi th m e wh ispered th e stran ge “ be i ng I t l eads to thy fath e r s castle by the sh o rte st way I n hal f an h o ur w e shall b e o ut o f it and i t o pe n s i nto th e sleep i n g ap artm e nt o f thy b eautiful lady uk e e nel aus sh al l l i e i n a magi c sl eep ; leave that to m e An d th e n th o u can st take th e del icate an d sl e nde r fo r m i n thi ne arm s and b ear h er h ere t o th e o o n Rocks and th o u wi l t wi n b ack all th at s ee me d lo st by thy ” fo rme r wavering S i n t r a m vi s ibly trembled fearfully overwh elm e d wi th p as si o n and yet feel i n g th e sti n gs of c o n sc ie nc e B ut at last p re s s in g scarf an d swo r d to h i s h eart h e ex “ c laim e d : h th at fai rest mo st gl orio us h o ur o f m y l i fe ! et al l oth e r j oys b e l o st t h at b ri gh t h our I ” wil l eve r h o ld fast ! “ A fai r b ri ght h our sai d a s c orn ful vo ice b e neath “ th e ve i l l ike s om e evi l e ch o Kno west th o u th e n who m thou di dst co n quer ? A goo d ol d frien d wh o o nly sh o we d h im sel f so fu rious that h e m i gh t at last i nc rease th y glo ry i n h is ove rth row ! Wil t th o u co n v i nc e thysel f ? Wilt th o u l o ok ? An d th e dark garme nts o f th e l ittl e fi gure fle w op en an d th e re sto o d be fo re h im th e dwarf lik e w arrio r i n th e strange arm o r th e gold e n ho rns o n h i s h elm et th e carve d spear i n h i s h and th e very som e who m S i n tram th ough t h e h ad s lai n o n N i fl u n g s H eath and “ lau gh i n g h e ex claim ed Thou seest m y youth i n th e ,
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l on g no rth ern wi nte r was at last ove r : th e wo o ds ru s tle d gladly with th ei r fresh gree n leav e s ki ndly patche s o f verdure p eeped fo rth from the ro c ks the val leys gre w gree n th e b rooks gu she d away o nl y o n th e h i ghe st m ountai n summ its th e s now stil l l i nge re d a nd F o l k o s bark danc ed ready fo r sail o n th e su nny waves o f th e sea Th e aro n n o w wh ol ly rec ove red and st ro ng and fresh a s th o u gh h i s kni ghtly stren gth ha d n eve r b ee n im pai re d by i ll nes s was s t andi ng o ne m o rn in o n th e sho re with h i s b eaut i ful wife and glad at the i r a p p r o a c h i n g return ho me th e nobl e p ai r gazed with d e l i gh t a t th ei r p e o pl e wh o we re usily e n a e d i n p ack i n g and ladi n g the v essel P re sent ly o ne o f th e b and o f wo rk ers s ai d i n th e “ i dst o f a c o n fuse d s ound o f v o ice s B ut wh at appears to e th e m o st fearful and marve lo us th i n g i n th e se no rth e rn l and s i s that sto ne fo rt res s o n th e o on Rocks ; I ave n o t i nde ed be e n th ere but i f I ch anc e o n o ur h unti n g exped ition s t o se e th e battl eme nts ri s i ng above th e top s o f t he fi r tree s the re c o me s at o nc e a ti ghtn ess acro ss my b reast as th ou gh som eth in g u n ea rth ly dwe lt th e re A nd a fe w week s ago wh e n th e s no w was l yi n g th ickly ove r th e vall eys I cam e u n e x T e p e c t e d ly q uit e cl o se up o n th e stran ge fo rtress youn g k ni ght S i n t r a m was walki n g al o ne up o n th e ram p arts i n th e growi n g twil i ght lo oki n g l ike so m e d e pa r te d sp irit a n d h e d re w from th e lute h e c ar ri ed such so ft s o ft plai ntive to ne s and s i gh e d s o h ea r t i ly and s o rro wfully ,
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Th e sp eak er s vo ic e was d rowne d by th e no ise o f th e c ro wd and m o reov er h e was app ro ach i ng t he v essel with h i s well — strapp ed bale s so th at Po lko and G a b ri el le coul d not h ear th e c o nc lusio n o f h i s sp eech B ut th e fai r l ady lo oke d at h e r k ni gh t with t earful eyes an d s i gh e d I s i t not b eh i n d tho se m o untai n p eaks th at th e so l itary oo n Ro cks l ie ? That p o o r ” S i n t r a m m ake s m y heart ach e ! “ I unde rstand th e e my p ure and blessed w ife an d t e th e p i ous sympathy that sti rs thy t ende r b reast p l ie d Po lko and imm ediately o rderi n g h i s fl e e t e st stee d to b e b ro ught h e co m m itte d hi s n o b l e l ady to the c are o f o ne o f h i s ret a i ne rs an d vaulti n g i nto h i s sad dl e gal lop e d away th rou gh the vall ey to ward th e st o ne fo rtre s s fol l o we d b y the grateful smil e s o f Gab riell e S i n t r a m was s ittin g o n a re sti n g p lac e i n fro nt o f th e d rawb ri dge to uch in g th e s tri n gs o f h i s lute letti n g now an d th en a tear fal l up o n th e gol de n i nstrum ent j ust as M o n t fa u c o n s s qui re had describ ed h im S om e th i n g l ike a clo udy sh ado w p asse d ov er h im an d h e l ooke d up th i nki n g it was a fl i ght o f c ranes th rou g h th e ai r B ut th e he ave n was s potles s and b lue an d wh il e th e youn g k ni ght was stil l co ns ide rin g wh at it m i gh t b e a lo n g and beauti ful spear fel l from th e b at t l e m e n t s an d lay at h i s feet “ Tak e i t up an d us e i t well ! Th y fo e i s near ! Th e ” rui n o f thy d earest h app i ne s s i s near ! wh isp e re d a vo ice au dibly i n h is e ar ; and it s ee m e d t o h i m a s if h e saw th e sh ado w o f th e l ittl e m aster gl i di n g c lo s e b e si de h i m i nto a cl eft i n th e ro cky m oat B ut at th e s am e m o m e nt al s o a tal l gi gantic h a g gard fi gu re p as sed th ro u gh th e valley re s emb l i n g i n so me me as ure th e dece ase d p il gri m o nl y far far t all e r and rai s i n g h is lo n g wi th ered arm wi th a th reate ni n g ai r h e di sappe are d i n an anc i ent t omb At th e s am e i n stant nigh t Pol ko o f o ntfauc o n ,
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T e words o we d fro m th e l ip s o f th e aro n w it p ro p heti c forc e ; h e h im se l f was o nly h al f c o ns c iou s o f wh at h e was sayi n g ; th e n w ith a ki ndly greeti n g h e turne d h i s nob l e stee d an d gal lope d a gai n do w n th e vall ey to ward th e sh o re ” “ o ol fool th ric e a fo ol ! wh i sp ere d th e an gry v o i c e o f th e l ittl e m aster i n S i n t r a m s e ar b ut th e o l d Ro l f was si ngi n g h i s m o rnin g hym n c le arly an d disti nctly w th i n th e castle and th e l ast ve rs e was th i s :
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That m an i s b l est Wh o s h el d i n j est B y s c o fl e r s o f H eav e n s l o ve ; Go d p ri nt s h i s si gn n pa ge d ivi ne A nd e nro ll s h i s nam e ab ove ,
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A h o ly j oy pe netrated i nt o S i n t r a m s h eart an d h e l o o k ed aro un d h i m sti ll m o re gl adly th an i n th e h o u r wh e n G ab ri ell e h ad give n hi m s wo rd an d scarf and Pol ko h ad dubb e d h im kni gh t ,
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IT a favor abl e sp ri n b reez e th e b a t o n and h i s fai r w i fe set sai l ac ro s s th e b road s ea and th e c oasts o f N o rm andy we re a l re ady ri s i n o n th e wa t e r y h o ri zo n wh il e B ior n o f th e i e ry ye s st i l s at gl o o my and s il e nt w ith i n h i s c astl e e h ad no t b i d the m far ewel l Th e feel i n g o f h i s s o u l to ward o nt fauc o n as rath e r an gry fe ar than l ovi n g revere nc e esp ec ial ly s i nc e th e a ff ai r w ith th e b oar s i mage and th e tho u ght p reye d b itte rly o n h i s p ro u d h e art that the gr eat baro n the fl o we r and gl o ry o f th e wh ol e race h ad c o m e i n j oy to v i s it h im an d was no w de p artin g with di ssati s fact io n and ste rn rep ro ach ful d i sp leas ure C o n stantly p re se nt to h i m fi lli n g h i s b reast w ith p an gs was t e i de a o f h o w al l h ad c o m e to p as s an d h ow al l m i gh t h a e b e e n oth e rwi s e ; and h e was al ways fancy i n h e c o ul d h e ar th e so n gs i n wh ic h future gene rati o ns o ul d s in g o f th i s v oya ge o f th e great Po lk o an d o f th e o rth l e ssne s s o f th e sava ge B i or n At le n gth ful l o f fi e rc e an ge r h e b ro ke a sunde r th e o nds o f h i s troub le d sp irit b urst fo rth fro m th e c astl e wi th all h i s ret ai ne rs and b e gan o ne o f th e m o st fe arful an d u n ri ghte o us feuds e h ad eve r fou ght Sin tram h ea rd th e s ound s o f h i s fathe r s war h o rn and c om m itti n th e ston e fo rtre s s to t e care o f th e o l d Ro l f h e sp ran fo rth ful ly arme d fo r th e c o m at B ut th e ame s o f th e c otta ge s an d farm s i n th e m ou n tai ns ro s e u p e fo re h im an d ith fearful ch aracte r s o f fi re c learl y p o rtraye d to h im th e k i nd o f war wh ic h h i s fath e r was wa gi n g St ill h e p ro c ee d e d o n ward t o ward th e arm e d o sts ut o nly fo r th e sak e o f o ffe ri n g h s
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me d iati o n asse rt in g th at h e wo ul d not lay h and o n h is nob l e s wo rd i n suc h a h o rribl e stri fe eve n thou gh th e fu ry o f th e en emy m i ght lay l o w th e sto n e fo rtre ss and h i s fathe r s castl e b es i de s B i or n h urle d the sp e ar wh i ch h e h el d i n h i s han d i n m ad fury agai nst h i s s o n Th e m u rdero us weap o n wh izz ed p ast h i m whi l e S i n tram remai ne d w ith h i s vi s o r rai sed n ot m o vi n g a l imb “ i n h i s d efens e and sai d : ath e r do what yo u w i ll ” B u t I w ill not j o i n i n yo ur go dle s s war B i or n o f th e ie ry yes smile d sc o rnfully I t seem s I am al ways to h av e a spy ove r m e h ere ; m y so n suc ” c e e d s th e dai nty renc h kni ght ! everth eles s h e re p e n t e d ac c epte d S i n t r a m s m ed iat io n m ade am e nds fo r th e i nj uri e s do n e and w ith d rew gl o om i ly b ac k t o h i s anc e st ral castle wh i le S i n t r a m retu rne d to th e o on Ro cks S i mi l ar o cc urre nce s we re fro m th at t im e n ot u n fr e quent I t we nt s o far that S i n t r a m was re garded as th e p rotecto r o f al l th os e wh o we re th e v i ct im s o f h i s fath e r s b u rst s o f fury ; b ut neve rth el e ss th e yo un g k ni gh t w a s s o m eti m es carrie d away y h i s own w i l dne s s t o j oi n h i s fi e rc e fath er i n hi s furio us deeds The n B i or n “ wo ul d lau gh with h o rribl e deli ght an d woul d s ay S e e th e re m y so n h o w o u r to rch es b laze up fro m th e farm s and h o w th e blo o d gu sh es fo rt h from th e wo u nds our swo rd s h ave m ade ! I p lai nly s ee h oweve r m uch t h o u m ayest as sum e th e c o ntrary th at th ou art a nd eve r wi lt ” b e my true and b el oved h e i r ! Afte r s uch wil d e rro rs S i n t r a m c o ul d fi nd n o oth e r c o nso lati o n th an th at o f haste n in g to th e c hapl ai n at D r o n t h e i m an d c o nfe ss i n g to h i m h i s m i sery and h i s si n Th e ch apl ai n th e n a fter due p enanc e and c o ntri ti o n wo ul d ab solve h i m fro m h i s s i n and woul d rai s e up th e broke n h earte d yo uth ; still h e wo ul d o fte n say : “ h h o w n e ar h ow ve ry near we rt th ou to h ave overc o m e th e l ast tri al and to h ave lo o ke d V i ctori ou sly ,
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ag a i n and urge d hi m o nl y m o re h a stily an d eagerly to ward th e lo nge d fo r yet d reade d end eve rth el es s h e w oul d sc arcel y h av e reach ed it h ad not th e faith ful h oun d S k o vm a e r k kept with h i m Th e ani mal foun d o ut th e sno w c ov ere d track fo r h is b el ove d m aste r a l luri n g h im toward i t by j oyo u s b arki n gs and warni n g h im b y h o wl s agai nst the p rec i pi ce s and the treach er ous i ce u nde r th e s no w Th us at len gt h to ward m i dni gh t th ey reach e d th e o l d c astle Th e wi ndow s o f th e h all s h o n e b ri ghtly toward them as th ou gh a great feast were b e i n g k ep t th ere : and a s o und o f s i n gi n g m et th e i r ears S i n t r a m h astily gave h i s stee d to som e retai ners i n th e c ourt yard an d ran up th e step s l eav i ng Skov m a e r k b eh i nd with th e wel l k no wn h o rse Withi n th e castl e t he k ni ght was m et by a faith ful s qui re wh o “ sai d Th ank Go d m y dear m aste r th at yo u are co m e S urely o nc e m o re noth in g go o d i s g o i ng o n ab ove B ut tak e h e ed t o you rs el f and do not suff e r you rs el f t o b e del ude d Yo u r fath e r h as a guest with h im and i t se em s to m e a h ate ful o ne S i n t r a m sh udde re d as h e t h re w op e n the do o rs With h i s b ack t o ward h i m th ere sat a l ittl e m an i n a m ine r s dres s Th e suits o f arm o r h ad agai n fo r s om e t im e b een ranged ro und th e sto ne tab l e s o th at o nl y two pl ac e s we re le ft e mpty ; th e s eat opp o site th e do o r was o cc up i ed by B i or n o f th e i ery yes an d th e gl ar i n g l i ght o f th e to rch e s fell up o n h i s fac e w ith such a c ri m so n gl o w th at h e l o oke d p erfectly i n h arm ony with th at fearful s urnam e ” “ ? ath e r who m h ave you with you excl aim e d S i n tram and h i s su sp ici o ns ros e to ce r tai nty as th e m i ner turne d round an d th e l ittl e m aste r s h i de o us v isage gri n ned fro m unde r th e dark h oo d “ ” Yes j ust s e e my s o n ! said th e w il d B i or n ; th ou hast n ot be e n with m e fo r a lo n g t im e and th i s eve n i n g th i s j o lly c om rade h as p ai d m e a vi sit and t y ,
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p l ac e h as be e n taken B ut put asi de o ne o f th es e s uit s o f arm o r an d draw a seat fo r thysel f i n it s p lac e and dri nk with u s and b e m erry with u s “ ” Ye s do 5 0 S i r K ni gh t S i n t r a m ! sai d th e l ittl e “ m aste r with a lau gh Wh at c an c o m e o f i t furth e r th an th at th e s ubve rt e d arm o r wi ll rattl e a l ittle o r a t th e m o st th at th e wa nde ri ng sp i rit to wh o m th e s uit belo nge d m ay l o ok ove r th y sh oul der B ut h e wo n t d ri nk up o u r wi ne ; sp i rits l eav e th at al o ne S o no w ” fal l t o ! B i or n j o i ne d i n th e h o rribl e l au gh o f th e stran ger with veh em e nce an d wh i le S i n t r a m was m u ste ri n g u p a l l h i s stre n gth th at h e m i ght no t l o s e h i s s e ns es by thes e wi l d wo rds an d was fix i n g h i s gaz e c alml y and ste adil y o n th e l ittle m aster s face t he ol d m an ex “ c l aim e d : Why do st tho u lo o k a t h im s o ? oe s it s eem t o the e p e rhap s as t h o ugh th o u wert l o oki n g at thyself i n a m irro r ? ow th at yo u are to geth e r I do n o t se e it s o m uch b ut b efo re it seem ed to m e as th o u gh yo u ” we re s o l ike as to b e m istake n fo r e ach oth e r ! “ ” Go d fo rb i d ! s ai d S i n t r a m s tep p i n g nearer t o th e “ fearful ap p aritio n an d exclaimi n g I c o m m an d th ee h ate ful stran ge r t o dep art fro m th i s c astle i n ri gh t o f m y po we r as a co nsecrated kni ght and a s a sp i rit B i or n s eem e d as i f h e we re o n th e p o i nt o f op p o s i n g th i s with al l h i s fury Th e l ittl e m aster m u rm ure d to h i m s el f Th o u art b y n o m eans m aster i n th i s h ouse goo d kni ght : tho u h ast neve r ki ndle d a fi re o n th i s ” h earth Th e n S i n t r a m d re w th e swo rd wh ic h Gab riel le h ad give n h im and h ol di n g th e h il t b e fo re th e eye s o f th e ev i l gu est h e s ai d cal ml y ut i n a p o we rful vo i c e ” “ ie or y ! And th e h orrib l e st ran ge r e d with such li ght nin g sp ee d th at n o o ne kne w wh ethe r h e sp ran g th ro u gh th e wi ndow o r th e do o r B ut as h e p as sed h e th rew do wn s o me o f th e arm o r th e tap e rs we nt out and i n th e blu e .
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ye ll o w l i gh t wh i c h m arvelo usly il lum i nat e d th e h al l it s eem ed as t ho u gh th e fo rmer wo r ds o f th e littl e m aster were ful fil l ed and th at the sp i rits o f th os e t o wh o m th e s te el suits o f arm o r h ad o nc e b e lo n ge d were leani n g fi l le d with awe ove r th e t ab l e B oth fath e r an d s o n felt a s ens e o f terro r bu t eac h adop te d a d i ff erent way o f safety Th e on e heard th e h i deou s gue st returni n g and fel t w ith i n h im sel f that h is will wa s s o fi rm th at th e l ittl e m aste r s s tep already s oun de d o n th e st o ne staircas e an d h i s s warthy han d sh o o k th e faste ni n gs o f th e do o r S i n t r a m o n th e oth e r h and kep t s ayi n g to h i m sel f We are l o st i f h e returns ! We are lo st t o all eternity i f h e returns A n d fal li n g o n h i s k nee s h e p rayed fro m th e de pth s o f h i s t roub le d h eart to ath er S o n and H o ly Gh o st Th e n th e vi l ne a gai n left th e d o o r ; an d agai n B i o r n c al le d h im b ack ; and agai n S i n t r a m s p rayers drov e h i m away ; an d th us th e fearful stri fe o f wi l l went o n th ro u gh th e l on g n i gh t and h o wl i n g whi rl wi n d s rage d around th e c astl e til l all t h e h ouseh ol d th ou ght th e e n d o f th e wo rl d h ad c om e Wh e n dawn o f day at l en gth gl e ame d th rou gh th e w in do ws o f th e h al l t h e fury o f th e sto rm was h ush e d B i or n sa nk b ack o n h i s s eat i n p owerles s slumbe r p eac e and h op e c am e t o th e i nm ate s o f th e c astle and S i n tram pale an d exh austed went o ut b efo re th e castl e gate t o b reath e th e dewy air o f th e m il d wi nte r s m o rn ng ,
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w e wil l s et o ut at o nc e to geth e r fo r D r o n t h e i m Th ou m u st return th e nc e th is ve r y ni ght Th is b el o n gs al so t o th e h i dde n dec ree wh ich is di mly reveale d to Ver e na H e re m o reove r th e re i s s o m uc h th at i s wi l d and d istracti n g an d c al m p rep arati o n i s to day v ery ” nec e s sary fo r thee With j oyful h u m il ity S i n t r a m b o we d h i s as se nt and “ c al l e d fo r h i s h o rs e an d fo r a su it o f a rm o r nly “ h e a dded let no ne o f th e arm o r b e b rou ght wh ic h wa s ” ? l ast ni gh t o verth rown i n th e h all H i s o rders were i m m e diately ob eye d Th e a rm s wh ich we re fetch e d we re ado rne d w ith fi ne e n grave d wo rk ; th e h elm et alo ne was s imp l e b ei n g fo rm e d alm o st m o re lik e th at o f a s qui re than o f a k ni gh t and th e lanc e b el on gi n g t o th e s uit was o f a gi ganti c s ize Th e ch ap lai n gaze d at them all with d eep A t l ength wh en th o u ght an d m el anch oly em oti o n S i n t r a m with th e h el p o f h i s s qui re s was alm o st re ady th e h ol y fath e r sp ok e : “ Wo nderful p rovi de nc e o f Go d ! S ee de ar s i r thi s a rm o r and th i s sp ear fo rm e rly b e lo n ge d to S i r Wei gan d th e Sl e nde r an d m any a m i ghty d ee d h e acc o mp li sh e d with th e m Wh e n h e wa s t en de d by you r m o the r i n th e c astle an d wh e n yo u r fath e r als o was sti ll ki n dly to ward h im h e b e gge d as a fav o r th at h is arm o r and h is l anc e m i gh t b e all o we d t o h an g i n B i or n s arm o ry— h e h im sel f a s you well k no w i nten ded to b uild a cl o i ste r t o reti re the re as a m o nk — and h e p u t h i s fo rm e r s qui re s h el met with th e arm o r i nstead o f anothe r b e c aus e th at was th e o ne h e was wearin g wh e n fo r th e fi rst ti m e h e h ad l o oked up o n th e an gel ic fac e o f th e fai r Vere na H o w stran gely has it no w c o m e to p as s that j ust th e se arm s s o lo n g unused s ho ul d h av e b een b rou ght t o yo u fo r th e dec i sive h our ! To m e s o far a s my sh o rt s i ghte d h um an eye c an re ac h it s eem s a .
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truly s ol em n toke n b ut o n e ful l o f h i gh and glo ri o us ” p ro m i se S i n t r a m m e anwh il e sto o d fully arm e d l o ok i n g s o lem n and stately and from h i s s tatu re an d a gil ity h e m i gh t have b ee n s t i ll alm o s t tak e n fo r a youth b ut fo r th e c arewo rn c o unte nanc e b e ne ath h i s h el m et “ Wh o h as place d b ou gh s o n th e h ead o f m y ” ? charger i nqu ired S i n t r a m i n a n a ngry to ne I am n o co nquero r and no wed din g gue st ; and m o re ove r wh at b ou gh s are th e re b ut the s e r ed a nd yel lo w c rack lin g o ak leaves sad and de ad as th e s eas o n i ts el f ! ” “ S i r I kno w n ot mysel f rep l i e d an es qui re b ut it s e em ed to m e a s i f i t must b e s o “ ” et it b e sai d th e ch ap lai n I feel as i f th i s s i g n i fi c a n t to ke n al so c am e fro m th e ri gh t s ourc e Th e kni ght th en vaulte d i nto h i s saddl e th e h o ly fath e r wal ke d by h i s s id e and b oth p ro c ee de d sl o wl y and s il e ntly t o D r o n t h e i m Th e faith ful h ou n d foll o we d h i s m aste r Wh e n th e l o fty castl e o f D r o n t h e i m cam e i n vi e w a s o ft sm i le sp rea d it sel f ove r S i n t r a m s c o unte nanc e l ike “ s u nsh i ne over a w intry val ley G o d i s do i n g great ” “ th in gs i n m e sai d h e ; I o n ce fl ed from h e re a fear ful ly wi l d b oy ; I no w return as a rep e ntant m an I t rus t ” it m ay yet b e well with m y p o o r t roubl e d l i fe Th e ch ap lai n b o we d h i s h e ad i n ki ndly asse nt and s o o n afterwa rd th e trav el ers p as se d th rou gh th e e ch o i n g vaulte d gateway i nto th e castl e yard At a si gn fro m th e h o ly fath e r so m e s qui res h a st e n e d r e sp e c t fu ll v to th e m and t ook th e h ors e u nde r th ei r ch ar ge ; th e n th e ch apl ai n and S i n t r a m we nt th rou gh any win di n g stairs an d p as sa ges to th e rem ote l ittl e ch amb e r wh i ch th e p ri e st h ad ch o se n fo r h i m sel f ; far fro m th e tumult o f m e n and n ea r t o th e cl ou d s an d st ars Th e re th ey b oth pas se d a q uiet day i n ferve nt p raye r and i n earnest readi n g i n th e h ol y s cri pture s ,
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Wh e n ev e ni n g e ga n to draw i n th e ch apl ai n ro s e “ an d s ai d : Co ura ge my k ni gh t ; no w saddl e thy h o rs e an d m o unt an d ri de b ack t o th y fath er s c astl e Th o u hast a lab o ri ou s p ath b efore th ee an d I m ay no t a c c o m p any th e e B ut I can and I wil l c all o n th e o rd for th ee th rou gh out th is l o n g an d fearful ni ght h! th o u m o s t p rec i o u s i nstrum e nt o f th e m o st H i gh e n ot ” l ost a fter all ! S hud de ri n g wi th fe arful fo reb o d in gs ut n e ve r t h e l es s with a s e ns e o f stren gth an d gl adnes s S i n t r a m obeye d th e h ol y m an Th e s un had j ust s et as th e k ni ght app roache d a l o n g v all ey stran gely sh ut i n b y ro cks th rou gh wh i c h th e way l e d to h i s fath e r s c astle ,
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weary hun g its h ead do wn caus in g a b el l s uspe nded fro m h i s n eck t o giv e fo rth a s tran ge s ound A fte r som e m inute s si le nc e S i n t r a m rep lie d : ob le steed s i n deed avo i d th o se o f l es s nob l e rac e becaus e th ey are as ham e d o f th em and the b rave st do gs feel a s ec ret h o rro r at unwo nte d ap p aritio ns I h ave no sh y ” b easts w ith m e “ Goo d si r k ni gh t th e n ride with m e i nto th e valley I am goi n g i nto th e val l ey b ut I need no c om ” p ani o n “ Th e n pe rh ap s I ne ed o n e o you no t se e that I am u narm ed ? An d at thi s se aso n at th i s h our th e re are ” h orrib ly u nearthl y c reatures h ere Just th e n as th ou gh t o c o nfi rm th e awful wo rd s o f th e stran ge r a th i n g s wun g its elf do wn fro m the n ear e st tree c overe d w ith h o ar fro st ; it was i mp o s sib l e to dis ti n gui s h wh eth e r it was a s nak e o r a sal am an der ; it c url e d and tw is te d its el f an d se em e d ab o ut t o sl id e d own up o n th e k ni gh t o r h i s co mp ani o n S int r a m th rust at it with h i s sp ear and p i erc e d i t B ut with th e m o st fri gh tful c o nto rti o ns it remai ne d fixe d o n th e sp ear h ead an d i n v ai n th e k ni gh t e n deavo re d to rub i t o fl? agai ns t th e ro cks o r b ranch es Th e n h e re ste d h i s sp ear up o n h i s ri ght sh o uld e r with th e p o i nt b eh i nd s o that h e m i ght no l o n ge r h ave th e u gly c reatu re ful l i n vie w and turni n g with go o d c oura ge to th e stran ge r h e sai d “ I t s eem s i ndee d as i f I c oul d h elp you and I am not exactly fo rb i dde n th e c om p any o f an u nkno wn s tran ger ; s o l et us p ro c ee d fo rward i nto th e val l ey ” “ H elp ! was th e sad an swer returne d ot h el p ; I can pe rhap s h elp th ee B ut Go d h ave m ercy o n th ee i f th e ti m e sh o ul d c om e th at I c oul d n o l o n ge r h el p the e Th e n t h ou wouldst b e l ost and I sh o ul d b e ve ry terrib l e to th e e et us go i nto th e v al ley and I have ” thy k ni gh tly word fo r it Co m e ! ,
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2 76
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Th ey ro de fo rward S i n t r a m s h o rs e sti ll s y t h e faithful h o un d still wh i nin g but b o th ob eyi n g th e ir m aste r s w ill ; th e k ni ght cal m an d steadfast Th e s no w had falle n fro m th e s m ooth rock s and i n the l i ght o f th e ris i n g m o o n m any d isto rted sh ap e s we re to e see n o n th e sto ny wal l s — so m e lo ok i n g l ik e s nake s s o m e l ik e h um an face s ; b ut th ey we re o nly c aus ed by strange v ei ns i n th e rock s an d by th e h al f b are ro ots o f th e tree s which h ad p lante d th e mselves with cap ri c i ou s fi rm nes s nc e m o re a s i f i n farewel l th e c astl e o f D r o n t h e i m app eared h i gh ab ove th rou gh a cl eft i n th e ro ck s T h e kni ght sur eye d h i s co m p ani o n a nd i t alm o st se em e d to h i m as i f We i gand th e S le nde r we re ri di n g “ ” “ b e si de h i m o r h eave n s s ake c ri e d h e a rt tho u no t t h e sh ade o f that dep arte d k ni gh t wh o su ffere d and ” d ie d fo r Ve rena ? “ I h ave n ot s u ffered I h av e not die d ; it i s yo u p o o r ” m o rt al s wh o su ff e r and di e ! m urm ure d the stran ge r “ I am no t We i gand — I am th at oth e r wh o l o oke d s o l ik e h i m and who m th o u h ast al so m et b efo re n o w i n ” th e wo o d S i n t r a m strove to fre e hi m s el f fro m th e h o rro r wh ic h c am e ove r h i m at th e s e wo rds H e l o oke d at h i s h o rs e ; it app eare d t o h i m utte rly alte re d Th e dry m any c ol o re d o ak l eav es o n its h ead ro s e l ike th e fl am e s aroun d a sac ri fi ce i n th e fl e eti n g m o o nl i ght H e l o oke d down at h i s faith ful S k o vm a e r k ; fear h ad al s o stran gel y t rans fo rme d h im ead m e n s b o ne s we re lyi n g o n th e ground i n th e m i ddl e o f th e ro ad and h ide o us l i zard s we re gli din g ab out and i n spi te o f th e w i nt ry s easo n p o is o nou s fun gi we re gro wi n g al l aro u nd ” “ I s th i s real ly m y o wn h o rse o n wh ic h I am rid i n g ? “ sai d th e k ni gh t so ftly to h im sel f An d i s th at trem ” ? l i ng b east ru nn i ng by m y side reall y m y o w n do g J ust th e n so m e o ne call e d b eh i nd h i m i n a yel l in .
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vo i c e S top ! stop ! Take m e to o with y o u ! n l ook i n g ro un d S i n t r a m s aw a h o rrib le l ittle fi gure with h o rns an d a fac e p artly l ike th at o f a b o ar a nd p artly l ik e a b ear walk in g alo n g o n its h o rse l ike h i nd l e gs and a wo nderful h i deo us w eap o n i n its hand fo rm ed l ike a h o ok o r a s i ckl e I t was th e b e i n g wh o h ad b ee n wo nt to terri fy h i m i n h i s d ream s and al as ! it was al so th e fatal l ittle m aste r h im self wh o with a wil d lau gh s tretch e d o ut a l o n g c l aw t o ward th e k ni ght “ I mu st h av e S i n t r a m h al f b ewi l dered m u rm u red fall e n asleep ! And n o w m y d ream s are c o m i ng ove r ” me ! “ Th o u art aw ak e repl i e d th e ri de r o f th e littl e “ h o rs e ; th o u k nowest m e al s o i n thy d ream s — fo r b e ” hold I am eath ! A n d h i s garm ents fel l fro m h i m an d a m ol de ri n g th e h alf dec aye d h ead fl e s h l e s s sk el eto n ap p eare d c ro wne d w ith a di adem o f s erp e nts ; th at wh ich h e h ad k ep t h i dde n u nde r h i s m antl e w as an h o u r gl ass al m o st run o ut eath h el d o ut th i s t o ward th e k ni ght i n hi s b o ny h an d Th e b el l s uspe n de d t o th e h o rs e s neck so u nde d s ol e m nly I t was a passi n g b ell ” “ o rd i nto Th y h ands I co mm en d my spi rit ! p raye d S i n t r a m ; an d ful l o f earnest devotio n h e fol l owed eath wh o si gne d h i m t o ri de o n “ H e h as th e e not yet H e h as t h ee not yet ! s c ream e d th e h o rrib l e fi e n d b eh i nd them Giv e thy s el f rath er u p t o m e I n o n e m o m e nt— fo r m y p o wer i s as s wi ft as thy th o u ghts — i n o ne m om e nt th o u sh alt b e in orm an dy H ele n yet b l o o m s as fai rly as wh e n sh e ” dep arte d h enc e an d sh e sh al l b e th i ne th i s ve ry ni ght A nd agai n h e b e gan h i s wi cked p rai se s o f Gab riell e s b eauty and S i n t r a m s heart b e at with gl o win g ardo r i n h i s weak b re ast eath s ai d n othi n g m o re b ut h e rai s ed th e h our gl as s h i gh e r and h i gh e r i n h i s ri ght h an d ; an d as th e s an d ,
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The kni ght k new well that h i s fath er was m eant an d h e h astene d o n h i s nob l e steed The h o rs e n o w ob eyed h i m readily an d gl adly and th e faith ful h o u nd ran agai n i n co nfi de nc e by h i s s i de ; eath h ad di sapp e ared o nly i n fro nt th e re fl o at e d s o m eth i n g l ike a ro sy m o rni n g cl oud whi ch rem ai ne d vi s ibl e eve n after th e s u n h ad ri se n and was sh i nin g b ri gh tly and warm ly i n th e c lear wi nter sky ,
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C H A PT R xxvm
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i s dead ! h e h as die d fro m th e terro r o f that ” fearful ni ght ! s ai d s o m e o f B i or n s retai ne rs abo ut th is ti m e ; fo r s i nc e th e m o rni n g o f th e p rev iou s day th e o l d m an h ad n eve r rec ove red h i s se n ses and they h ad p repare d fo r h i m i n th e great h all a c ouc h o f ol f and b ear sk i ns i n th e m i dst o f th e arm o r th at h ad be en p artly th ro wn do wn n e o f th e s qui re s sai d “ wi th a lo w s i gh h Go d ! h ave e rcy o n th i s p oo r ” wil d s oul ! Just th e n th e watch m an o n th e t o wer bl ew h i s h o rn a n d a tro op e r e ntere d the c h amb e r w ith an ai r o f sur p ri se The re i s a kni gh t ap p roach i n g s ai d h e a wo nder ful kni ght I c oul d h ave taken h im fo r m y o rd S in tram b ut a b ri ght b ri ght m o rni n g c l oud i s always fl oati n g c l o s e b e fo re h i m an d s o i ll um i nate s h im with its gl ory that o n e c o uld i m agi ne that red fl owe rs were bein g sh o we re d do wn up o n h im H i s h o rs e t o o h as a wreath o f c ri m s o n b ou gh s ab out h i s h ead such as h as ” neve r bee n th e wo nt o f o u r dead m aster s s o n “ ” “ Ju st s uch a o ne repl ie d anoth e r di d I weav e fo r h im yest erday I t di d not pl eas e h im at fi rst b ut afte r ” ward h e su ff e re d i t t o rem ai n “ And why d i dst tho u d o it ? I t s ee m e d as i f s o m e o n e we re fo rever s i n gin g i n y ’
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Vi ct o ry ! Vi cto ry ! T h e n ob l est vi cto ry ! Th e k ni g t ri de s forth to v i cto ry !
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And th e n I s aw a b ranch o f ou r o lde st o ak t ree stret ch e d o ut t oward m e and i n sp ite o f th e s no w it had retai ne d al l it s go ld an d c rim s o n l eave s S o I di d acco rdi n g to that wh ic h I h ad h e ard s un g and I p l ucke d so m e o f th e l eave s and wov e a wreath o f vi cto ry fo r th e n obl e war h o rs e At th e s am e ti m e to o S kov m a e r k— yo u kno w th e go o d b east h ad always a m arvel o us fea r o f th e Kni ght B i or n , and h ad fo r th at reaso n go ne to th e stable with th e h o rs e— S k o vm a e r k sp ran g up o n m e c are s si n gly an d p leas ed as th o ugh h e wo ul d th ank m e fo r my wo rk and s uc h n obl e anim al s wel l ” u nderstan d go o d p ro gno stic s Th e so unds o f S i n t r a m s sp urs were h e ard app ro ach i n g o n th e sto ne step s fol l o we d by th e j oyo us b ark o f -
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At th e sam e m oment th e s upp o sed c orp s e o f th e o l d B i or n s at up and l oo ki ng ro u nd with ro ll i n g stari n g eye s h e asked h i s terri fi e d retai ners i n a h o ll o w v o i ce : “ ? Wh o c o m e s th ere y e p eop l e ? Wh o c o m e s there I k no w i t i s my so n B ut wh o c o m e s with him ? Th e ans we r bears th e s wo rd o f d ec i si o n with i t o r s ee my go o d p eop l e Gotth ard a nd R u d li e b h ave p rayed ferve ntly fo r m e ; b ut i f th e l it t le m aste r c om es I am l o st i n sp ite o f th em ! ” “ Th o u art no t lo st dear fath er ! s ou nded S i n t r a m s ki ndly v oi c e th rou gh th e ge ntly o p ene d do o r and th e b ri ght m o rni n g cl ou d fl o ate d i n with h i m B i or n fol de d h i s h ands an d l o oki n g grateful ly t o h eave n h e s ai d with a s m i le : Ye s yes th ank God it i s th e ri ght c om p anio n ! I t i s b ri gh t ki ndly eath ! Th en h e si gned t o h i s s o n to approac h s ayin g Co me h ere m y del ivere r ! Co m e th o u bl es se d o f th e ” o rd th at I m ay tel l th e e al l th at h as p as s ed with m e As S i n t r a m no w s at cl o s e by h is fath er s c ouch al l wh o were i n t h e ro o m p e rce ive d a rem arkab le and striki n g ch an ge Th e ol d B i or n wh o s e wh o l e c ou n ,
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e rs al so o f th e ch ap lai n at D r o n t h e i m I fel t wh e n w re stli n g with te mp tat io n and t erro r h ow th e he ave nly b reath o f h oly m e n was fl o ati n g ro und m e and h elp .
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I readil y b eli ev e th ee my nobl e s o n an d al l th at th o u sayest rep li e d th e ol d m an and at th e s am e m o m e nt the c hap l ai n e nte re d ; and B i or n w ith a s m il e o f p eac e and j oy h el d o ut h is h an d to ward h im I t was a b eauti ful c i rcl e o f unity an d b le s se d ness ” Se e s ai d th e o l d B i or n h o w eve n th e go o d Skov m a e r k s p ri n gs ki ndly u p to m e no w and tri es t o cares s m e ! I t i s not lo n g si nc e h e alway s h owl e d with fear ” wh e n h e s aw m e “ ” y dear l o rd rep l i e d th e ch ap l a i n th ere i s a sp iri t dwel li n g i n go o d b easts th o u gh i nde e d i n a d reamy and ” u nc o nsc i ous state B y d egree s it gre w stil l e r and stille r i n the h all Th e last h ou r o f th e o l d k ni ght was app ro ach i n g but h e c o nti nue d cal m an d h appy Th e ch ap lai n and S i n t r a m p raye d by th e s i d e o f h is c o uc h Th e retai ne rs k nelt “ devo utly aro und At len gth th e dyi ng m an sai d Is ? ” S int r a m n o d th at th e m ati n b el l i n Vere n a s c l o i ster de d a n as sent but h i s h o t tears fel l o n h is fath e r s p al l i d face Th e n a gl ea ml ighted up th e old man s eye s th e m o rni n g cl ou d sto o d cl o s e ove r h i m and th e gleam an d th e m o rni n g c l o u d an d th e l ife dep arted fro m th e co rp se ,
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days afterward S i n t r a m was stand i ng i n th e p arl o r o f th e c o nve nt waiti n g with beati n g h eart fo r h i s m oth e r to ap pea r Th e last t i m e h e had see n h er h e h ad b ee n awake ne d — a slumb eri n g ch il d t o rec e ive h e r warm farewe ll ki s s an d th e n h ad fall e n asl eep aga in h al f c o nj ecturi n g i n h i s dream s what hi s m oth e r h ad wa nte d with h i m an d seeki n g h e r i n vai n th e fo llowi n g m o rni n g i n th e castl e and garde n Th e ch aplai n was now at h is si de ful l of j oy at the ch astene d rapture o f t he gentle k ni gh t o n wh o s e ch ee ks a fai nt refl ecti o n o f th at s ol e m n m o rn i n g c l o ud yet l i n ge re d Th e i nne r do o rs o pe ne d I n h er wh ite v ei l tal l and stately th e ady Veren a e nte re d with a h eavenly s m il e and si gne d to h e r s o n to ap p ro ac h the grati n g Th ere coul d b e no th ought h ere o f any p ass io nate o utb urst o f grie f o r o f deli gh t Th e h oly p e ac e wh ich dwelt i n th es e h al l s wo ul d h av e fo und i ts way to a h e art eve n les s tri ed and p uri fie d than th at wh i ch b e at i n S i n t r a m s b reast S il e ntly weepi ng th e s o n k nel t do wn b e fo re th e m oth e r k i ss e d h e r o wi n g garm ents th ro u gh th e grat in and fel t as th o u gh h e we re i n p a radis e wh e re eve ry desi re and ev e ry di stu rbi n g care i s hushe d “ ear m othe r sai d h e l et m e b eco m e a h oly man as th o u art a h o ly wo man The n I wil l go t o th e m o n a s t e r y yo nde r and p erh ap s I m ay o ne day b e d eem e d wo rth y o f b ei n g th y c o n fe sso r i f i l l nes s o r th e weak nes s o f age sh oul d c o nfine th e go o d ch apl ai n to th e c astle ” o f D r o nt h e i m “ T at woul d e a sweet and quietly h ap py ex i ste nc e, ,
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A
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m y go o d ch il d rep lie d th e ady Ve rena B ut th at i s not thy v o cati o n A b rav e m i ghty k ni ght th ou m u st remain and th e l o n g l ife — fo r th e m o st p art always grante d to u s th e ch i l dre n o f th e o rth — th o u m ust sp e nd i n s ucc o ri n g th e we ak i n rest rain in g th e l awl es s and i n yet anothe r b ri ght an d h o no rab l e e mpl oym e nt ” wh i c h I up to th i s ti me rath e r h o no r th an kno w “ ” Go d s wi ll b e d o ne ! s ai d th e k ni ght ris i n g full o f d ev ot i o n an d fi rm ne s s “ Th at i s my go o d s o n repl i ed th e ady Ve re na Ah h ow m any fai r c alm j oys sp rang up fo r us ! S ee o ur l o n g yearni n gs fo r reu ni o n h ave b ee n s ati sfi ed and th ou sh alt neve r m o re b e s o wh olly s un de re d fro m m e ! ve ry week o n th i s day th o u m ust retu rn to m e a n d t el l m e what gl o ri o us d e e ds th o u h ast achi eve d an d take b ack with th ee m y c o u ns el and m y b l ess i n g Th e n I sh all o n c e m o re b e l i ke a go o d h ap py ” “ ch il d ! exc lai m e d S i n t r a m j oyfully ; o nly th at th e go o d Go d h as e ndowe d m e b es i des with m anly p owe r i n m i nd an d b o dy h wh at a b les se d th in g i s a s o n to wh o m i t i s grante d t o gladde n h i s b el ove d m oth e r with th e frui ts and spo il s o f h i s l i fe ! Th us h e quitte d th e cl o i st er s qu i et sh ade glad and ri ch i n b les si n g an d e nte re d up o n h i s nob l e co urs e o t s ati sfi ed with go i n g ab o ut wh e reve r th ere was ri gh t to up h ol d an d wro n g t o ave rt h i s n o w h o sp tab l e castl e s to o d op e n a s a p lac e o f p ro tectio n and refres h m ent to eve ry stran ge r ; and th e o ld Rol f n o w alm o st gro wn yo un g agai n at th e s i ghts o f h i s k ni ght s ex cel l ence was i nstalle d as s e ne s ch al Th e b ri gh t an d b e n e fi c e n t wi nte r o f S i n t r a m s li fe p assed o n an d o nly at t im es woul d h e s i gh i n s e c ret with i n h i m sel f and “ say Ah o ntfauco n ! ah Gab riell e ! i f o nly I c o ul d ” hop e that you h av e i nd ee d whol ly fo r ive n m e ! ,
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WO N D ER
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S i n t r a m h ad neve r b e fo re see n h i s n ob l e gu ests , an d
ye t th ey s ee m e d t o h i m l ike lo ng and i nti mate ac quai nt ane cs Th e o l d m an th en rem i nded h i m o f h i s dyin g fathe r s wo rds abo ut th e s no wy m o untai n s i l lum i nate d with th e eve ni n g s un and the n h e reme mb e re d — h e h im sel f kne w not h o w— that h e h ad o nc e he ard Po lk o say th at i n th e s o uthe rn l ands o ne o f th e h ighe st peaks o f th at s o rt was c al l e d th e m o untai n o f S t Go tthard And at th e s am e tim e h e k n e w al so that th e stro n g vi go ro u s m an o n th e o th er s i de o f Gotth ard m ust b e R u d li e b B ut th e yo uth b etwee n the k n i ghts — ah ! S i n tram i n hi s h um ility s carc ely v e ntu re d t o h op e wh o h e m i gh t be h o weve r m uch h is p ro ud tho u gh d eli cate fea ture s rec al le d be fo re h i s m i nd two h i gh ly h o no red i mages ! Th e n th e a ge d G otth ard e nz th e ki n g o f ol d m en advance d to ward S i n t r a m with a s ol em n ai r and sai d “ Th i s i s th e nobl e b oy E n g e l t r a m o f o ntfauc o n th e o nly s o n o f th e great b aro n o f o ntfauc o n ; and h i s fathe r an d m othe r s e nd h i m t o th ee S i r S i n t r a m well kn owi n g thy gl o ri ou s and p io us k ni ghtly c aree r th at th o u mayest b ri ng h i m up i n al l th e h o no r and p o we r o f th i s n orth ern lan d and m ayest m ake h i m a Chr i s ” tian k ni ght l ike th ysel f E n g el t r a m o f o nt S i nt r a m sp ran g fro m h i s h o rs e fauc o n h el d the sti rrup grac e ful ly fo r h i m co urt e ously ch eckin g the retai ners wh o p ress ed fo rward with th ese “ wo rds : I am th e n ob l est b o rn s q uire o f thi s nobl e k ni ght and th e s ervic e nearest h i s p erso n b el o ngs to me S i n t r a m k nelt do wn o n th e turf i n s i lent prayer ; th en rais i n g th e youth ful i m a ge o f Po lko and Gab rie lle i n h i s “ arms to ward th e m o rni n g sun h e ex clai me d With Go d s h elp m y E n g e l t r a m th o u wi lt b e l ike th at sun ” an d thy c o urs e wil l b e l ike h i s ! Th e n Rolf c ri e d o ut weep i n g with j oy o rd no .
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2 88
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SI N TRA M
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l ette st T o u Thy se rvant d ep art i n p eace ! Gotth ard and R u d l i e b enz we re p re s se d to S i n t r a m s h eart ; and th e chapl ai n o f D r o n t h e i m wh o arrive d j ust th e n fro m Ve re na s C l o i ster to b rin g a j oyful m o rn i n g gre eti n g fro m h e r to h e r b rave s o n sp re ad hi s h ands i n b ene di c ti o n ove r th e m al l
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I t i s po ssib l e that so m e day th e write r may b e pe r m i t t e d to re c ount th e gl o rio us dee d s ac h i eve d by ngel tram o f o ntfauco n und e r S i n t r a m s gui danc e and s ubs e que ntly alo ne — deed s b oth i n th e se rv ic e o f God and fo r th e h o no r o f wo me n
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th e que sti o n ari s es wh eth e r a p oet h as take n th e c reati o ns o f h is m i nd fro m p revi ou s w o rks o r i n wh at way t h ey h av e su ggeste d th em s elve s t o h i m Suc h a que sti o n s eem s to me i n no way devo i d o f i nterest ; an d I th i nk whe n th e autho r i s abl e h i m sel f t o el uci date th e m atte r h e i s i nduc ed— and to a c ertai n extent p le d ge d— t o i mp art th e fact t o the reade r H e nc e the fo ll owi n g statem e nt S o me years a go th ere lay am o n g m y bi rth day p res e nts a b eauti ful e n grav in g fro m a p ai nti n g by Alb rech t D ii r e r ; it rep re se nte d a k ni ght i n ful l arm o r o f el derly ap p earanc e ri d i n g o n a nob l e ste ed ac c omp ani e d by hi s do g th rou gh a fe arful v al ley wh ere th e cl eft s i n th e rock s and t h e ro o ts o f t rees s eem e d d isto rt ed i nto th e m ost h o rrib l e fo rm s an d p oi so no us fun gi grew al l aro un d oxi ous reptil es we re c rawl i n g ab o ut am on g th em B y h i s s i de o n a le an h o rs e rod e eath and b eh i n d a dem o n fo rm st retch e d fo rth h i s cl awed arm to ward h im ; h o rs e and do g l o ok e d stran ge as th ou gh i nfe cte d by t h e h o rro rs ro un d th em ; th e kn i ght h o weve r ro de cal mly o n h i s way b eari ng o n h i s lanc e s p o i nt an al ready imp aled sal amande r ar i n th e di stanc e m i gh t b e se e n th e nob l e frie ndly b attle m e nts o f a c astl e c aus in g th e s eclus i o n o f th e v all ey t o b e m o re h eavi ly o p p res s iv e y frie nd d ward H itzi g th e d o no r o f th e e n gravi n g had adde d a n ote re que sti n g m e t o i nte rp ret th es e eni gm ati c al fi gu res fo r h i m i n a rom ance Th e task was not the n al l o wed m e no r fo r l o n g afte r ; b ut ,
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2 90
THE P A SSI N G O F A RT H UR
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Th i s h eard th e b o l d S i r B ed ive re an d spak e 0 m e m y ki n g let p as s wh atev e r wi ll lve s and th e h arm le s s glam o u r o f th e fi el d ; B ut i n th e i r stead thy nam e and glo ry c l i n g To all h i gh p lac e s l ik e a go l d e n cl o ud o reve r : b ut as yet th o u s h al t not p ass i ght was Gawai n i n li fe and li gh t i n deat I s Gawai n fo r th e gh o st i s as th e m an ; A nd c are no t th ou fo r d ream s from h i m but ri se o dre d i n the we st I h e ar th e step s o f And with h i m m any o f th y p e opl e and kni ght s nc e th i ne wh om th o u h a s t l oved b ut gro sse r gro w Than h eath e n sp ittin g at th ei r v o ws and th e e Ri ght well i n h ea r t th ey k no w th e e fo r th e ki n g ” Ari s e go fo rt h an d c o n qu er as o f o ld
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Th en s p ak e Ki n g A rth u r t o S i r B ed ivere ar othe r i s th i s b attle i n th e wes t Wh e reto we m ove th an wh e n we strove i n yo uth An d th rust th e h e ath e n fro m th e Ro man wall And sh ook h i m th ro th e no rth I ll doo m i s m i ne T o war a gai nst m y p eo pl e an d my kni ghts Th e ki n g wh o fi ghts hi s p eo pl e fi gh ts hi m s el f A nd th ey my k ni gh ts wh o l ove d me on ce th e stroke Th at stri ke s th em dead i s as my de a th to m e Yet l et u s h ence and fi n d o r feel a way Th ro th i s bl i nd h aze wh i ch eve r si nc e I s aw ne lyi n g i n th e dust at A l m e sb u r y H ath fo l de d i n th e p ass es o f the wo rl d
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The n ro se th e k i n g an d m ove d h is h o st b y A nd ev e r p ush ed S i r o dre d l eague b y l eague B ack t o th e s un set b oun d o f L y o n e s s e A lan d o f o l d up h eave n from th e abys s B y fi re to s i nk i nt o th e abys s agai n ; Whe re fra ents o f fo rgotte n p e o p le s dwelt
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And th e lo n g m ou ntai n s e nded i n a c oast f eve r sh i fti n g s and and far away Th e ph ant o m c i rcl e o f a m oan i n g se a Th ere th e p urs ue r c o ul d p u rsu e n o m o re A nd h e that ed n o fu r th e r y th e ki n g ; A nd th ere th at day wh e n th e great l i gh t o f h eav e n B uru d at h i s l owest i n th e roll i n g ye ar n th e waste sand by th e waste s e a th ey c l o sed o r eve r yet h ad A r th u r fou ght a fi gh t ike th i s last dim we i rd battle of th e we st A d e a t h wh i t e m i st sl ept ove r sand and s e a Wh ere o f th e ch i l l to hi m wh o b reath e d it d re w o wn wi th h i s bl oo d til l al l h i s h eart was co ld With fo rml e s s fear ; and ev n o n A rth ur fell C onfusi o n s i nc e h e s aw not wh o m h e fou ght o r fri e nd and fo e we re sh ad o ws i n th e m i st A nd fri e nd sl e w frie nd n ot k n owin g w ho m h e s lew ; An d som e had vi s i o ns o ut o f gol den yo uth An d som e b eh el d th e fac e s o f o ld gh o sts o o k i n up o n th e battl e ; and i n th e m i st Was m any a nobl e dee d m any a bas e A nd c hanc e an d c raft and st ren gt h i n s i n gl e fi ghts A nd eve r and an o n with h o st to h o st Sh o cks an d th e spl i nte ri n g s p e ar th e h ard m ai l h ewn Sh i eld b reaki n gs and th e cl ash o f b rands th e c rash f battle axe s o n sh atte re d h el m s and sh ri ek s Afte r th e Ch rist o f th o s e wh o falli n g d o wn o oke d up fo r h eaven an d o nly s aw the m i st ; A nd sh o uts o f h eath e n and th e t raito r kni ght s ath s i nsul t filth and m o nstrou s b l asp h em i es S weat w rith in g an gui sh l ab o ri n g of the lun gs I n th at c l o s e m i st and c ry i n g fo r th e l i ght o an s o f th e dyi n g an d vo i ce s o f th e de ad
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b y s om e o ne d eathb e d afte r wai l f suff e ri n g s i le nc e fo ll ow s o r th ro de ath ,
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2 95
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death lik e s w o o n thu s ove r al l th at s h o re S ave fo r s o m e wh i sp e r o f th e s e e th in g s eas A dead h ush fe l l ; b ut wh e n th e do l oro us day Grew d r e arie r t o ward tw i li ght f a l l i n g c am e A bi tte r wi nd cl e ar from th e n o rth a nd b l e w Th e m ist asi de an d with that wi nd th e ti de Ro s e an d t h e p a l e k i n g gl anc e d a c ro ss th e fi el d f battl e : but no m an w as m ovi n g there ; o r a ny c ry o f Chri st an h e ard the reo n o r yet of h eath e n ; o nly th e wan wav e B rake i n am on g dead fac e s to and fr o S wayi n g th e he lpl es s h ands an d up and do wn Tumb l i n g th e h o ll ow h el mets o f th e fal le n A n d s h i ve r d b ran ds th at o n ce h ad fo ught with Ro m e A nd ro l l i n g far al on g th e gl o o my s h o r es Th e v oi c e o f days o f o l d and days t o b e -
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The n sp ak e Ki n g A r th u r t o S i r B e dive re An d wh ite r th a n th e m i st th at a l l day l on g H ad h el d th e fi el d o f b attl e was th e ki n g :
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H eare st th o u th is gre at v o ic e th at sh ake s th e worl d A nd waste s t h e n arro w r e al m wh ere o n we m ov e A n d b eats up o n th e face s o f t h e de ad y d ead as th o th ey h ad not di ed fo r m e ? O B ediv ere fo r o n m y h e art h ath fa l l n Co n fus io n ti ll I kn o w no t wh at I am o r wh e nc e I am no r wh eth e r I b e ki n g B eh ol d I s ee m b u t ki n g am o n g th e dead ,
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Th e n sp ak e th e b ol d S i r B edive re : y kin i n g eve ry wh ere ! an d s o th e de ad h av e ki ngs The re als o wi ll I w o rsh ip th e e as k in g Yet stil l thy li fe i s wh ol e and sti ll I l ive Wh o l ov e th ee ; but wh o hate s th e e h e th at b rou ht Th e h e ath e n b ack am o n g us yo n der s tand s o dre d u n h a r m d th e traito r o f th i ne house
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2 96
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our s oul s with talk o f k ni ghtly deeds Walk i n g ab o ut th e garde ns an d th e h all s f Cam elot as i n the days th at we re I p e ri sh by th i s p eo pl e wh i ch I made Th o erl i n sware th at I sh oul d c o m e agai n T o rul e o n c e m ore : b ut l et wh at w i l l b e b e I am to o deep ly sm itte n th ro th e h elm Th at with o ut h el p I c an not l as t till m o rn Th o u th e refo re tak e my b rand xcal ib u r Wh ich was my p ri de : fo r th o u rem e mb e rest h o w I n tho se o l d days o ne sum m e r n o o n an arm Ro s e up fro m out th e b o s o m o f th e l ake Cl o the d i n wh ite s am ite mysti c wo nderful H o ldi n g th e s wo rd — an d h o w I r o w d acro s s A n d to o k it an d h av e wo rn it l ike a ki n g ; A nd wh ere s oe ve r I am s un g o r to ld I n aft erti m e th i s al s o sh al l b e k now n B ut no w delay n ot : take xcal ibur An d i n g h i m far i nto th e m i ddl e m e re Wat c h wh at th ou s eest an d l i ghtly b ri n g m e wo rd ,
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T o h i m repli e d th e b ol d S i r B e d ivere I t i s no t m eet Si r K in g t o l eave th ee th us Ai dl e ss al o ne and s m itte n t h ro th e h e l m A littl e th i n g m a y h arm a wou nded m an Y et I thy h e st w il l al l p erfo rm at ful l Watch wh at I s ee an d l i ghtly b ri n g th e e wo rd ,
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S o sayi n g fro m th e r u i n d sh ri ne h e stept An d i n the m o o n ath wart th e p lac e of to mb s Whe re l ay th e m i ghty b o nes o f anc i ent m en l d k ni ght s an d ov e r th e m t h e s e a wi n d san g Sh ri ll ch il l wi th ake s o f fo am H e stepp i n g dow n B y z i g za g p ath s and j uts o f p o i nt ed ro ck Cam e o n th e sh i ni n g l evel s o f th e lake ,
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PA SS I N G
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Th e re dre w h e forth th e b ran d xc al ib ur A n d o e r h i m drawi n g i t th e wi nt e r m oo n B ri ghte n i n g th e sk irts o f a l o n g cl o ud ra n fo rth A nd sparkl e d ke e n with fro s t a gai nst th e h i lt : o r al l th e h aft t wi nkl e d w ith di am o n d sp arks yri ad s o f to p az l i ghts and j ac inth wo rk f subtl e st j ewel ry H e gaz e d s o l o n g Th at b oth h i s eye s were daz zl e d as h e stoo d Th is way an d that div i di n g th e s wi ft m i n d I n ac t to th ro w : but at th e l a st it s e e m d B ett e r to le ave x c alib u r c o n c e a l d Th e re i n th e m any —k n otte d wa t e r fl a g s That wh i st le d st iff an d d r y ab o ut th e m ar ge S o s tro de h e b ack s lo w to th e wo unded ki n g ,
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Th e n sp ak e Ki n g A rth u r to S i r B edive re H ast tho u p erfo rm e d my m i s s i o n wh ic h I gave ? ” ? What i s it t ho u h ast se en ? o r what h ast h eard :
A nd ans we r m ad e th e b o l d S i r B edive re I h eard th e rip p l e w ash i n g i n th e reeds ” An d th e wi l d wate r l app i n g o n th e c ra g ,
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To wh o m rep lie d i n g A rth u r fai nt and pale Th o u h ast b e t r a y d thy n atu re and thy nam e ot re nderi n g t ru e ans we r a s b e se e m d Thy fealty no r l ike a nobl e kn i ght o r sure r s i gn h ad fo l l o w d e ith er h and r vo ic e o r e l s e a m oti o n o f th e m e re Th i s i s a sh am e ful th i n g fo r m en t o l ie Yet no w I c h arge t h e e qu ickly go agai n A s th o u art l i ef an d dear an d do th e th i n g I b ade th e e watch an d li ghtly b ri n g m e o rd ,
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Th e n we nt S i r B e divere th e s ec o nd t i e Ac ro s s th e ri d e an d p aced e s de t e ere
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Co unti n th e de wy p ebb le s fi x d i n th o u ght ; B ut wh e n h e saw th e wo n der o f th e h i lt H o w c uriou sly and stran gely ch ase d h e s m ote i s p alm s t o geth e r and h e cri e d al o u d ,
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A nd i f i nd ee d I c as t th e b ran d away S u rel y a p rec io us th i n g o ne wo r thy note S houl d thus b e lo st fo reve r fro m th e ea rth Wh ic h m i gh t h ave pl e as ed t h e eye s o f m any m e n Wh at go o d woul d fo ll o w thi s i f t h i s were do ne ? Wh at h arm u ndo ne ? eep h arm to di s ob ey See i n g ob edie nc e i s th e b o nd o f rul e We re i t we l l t o ob ey t h e n i f a k i n g d em an d A n act unp ro fit ab l e agai n st h i m sel f ? Th e ki n g i s s i ck and k no ws not what h e doe s S h oul d b e t o aftertim e b u t e mpty reath A nd rum o rs o f a doubt ? B ut were th is kept Sto re d i n s om e t re asu re h o us e of m i ghty ki ngs S o m e o n e m i ght sh ow i t at a j ou st o f arm s ‘ Sayi n g Ki n g Arth ur s s wo rd xcalib u r Wrou gh t by th e lo nel y m aide n o f th e ake i ne years sh e w ro u gh t it s itt in g i n th e deep s Upo n th e h id de n b ase s o f th e h i ll s S o m i gh t so m e o l d m an s pe ak i n th e afterti m e To al l th e p eo pl e w i nn i n g rev ere nce B ut n o w much h o no r an d m uc h fam e were l o s t ,
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A n d a ns wer m ade Ki n g A rt hu r b reath i n g h ard y end dr a ws n i gh ; ti s ti m e th at I were go ne a ke b ro ad th y sh o ul de rs to re c eiv e m y wei ght An d b ear m e t o th e m argi n ; yet I fear y wou n d h ath t ake n c ol d and I shall d ie ,
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B ut as h e walk ed Ki n g A r th u r p ant e d h ard ike o ne th at fe el s a n i ghtm are o n h is b e d Wh en all th e h ou s e 1 8 m ute S o s i g h d th e k in g utte ri n g an d m urm u ri n g at h is e ar Q u ick q uick ! ” I fear it is to o l ate and I sh al l d i e B ut th e oth er s wi ftly stro de fro m ri dge to ri d ge Cl oth ed with h i s b re ath and l o oki n g a s h e wal k d arge r th an h uman o n th e froze n h il ls
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H e h eard th e deep b eh i nd h i m and a c ry B efo re H i s o w n th ou ghts drov e h i m l ike a goad ry c l a s h d h i s h arne s s i n th e icy c ave s An d b arre n ch as m s an d all to le ft a nd ri gh t Th e b are b l ac k c l i ff c l a n g d rou nd h i m as h e b as e d H i s feet o n j ut s o f sl ipp ery c rag th at ran g S harp s m itte n w ith th e di nt o f arme d h eel s A nd o n a s ud den lo ! th e l evel l ake And the l o n g gl o ri e s o f th e w i nte r m o o n ,
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Th e n saw th ey h o w th e re h ove a d usky b arge ark as a fu ne ral s carf fro m stem t o ste rn B en eath th em ; an d de sc e ndin g th ey w ere w are Th at al l th e de ck s were de ns e with stately fo rm s B l ac k stoled b lack h oo de d l ike a dream— b y th es e Th ree q ue e n s with c ro wn s o f go l d : an d fro m t he m ro s e A c ry that s h i ve r d t o th e ti n gl i n g stars A nd as it were o ne v o ic e an a go ny f l am e n tat io n l ik e a wi nd th a t sh ril l s A ll n i gh t i n a wast e l and wh ere n o o ne c o m e s r h ath c o m e s i nc e th e m ak in g o f th e wo rl d ,
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Th e n m u r m u r d Arth u r Plac e m e i n th e b arge ; S o to th e b arge t h ey c ame Th e re th o s e th re e q ue ens P ut forth th ei r h ands and t o ok th e k i n g and wep t B u t sh e th at ro s e th e t alles t o f th e m al l A n d f a i rest lai d hi s h e ad up o n h er l a p An d l o o s e d th e s h a t t e r d c as qu e and ch afed h i s h and s A nd c alle d hi m b y h is nam e c om pl ai ni n g l o u d An d dropp in g b itte r t ears a g a i nst h i s b ro w St r i p e d wi th dark b l o o d : fo r al l h i s face was wh ite An d co lo rl e s s an d l ike th e wi t h e r d m o o n S mo te by th e fresh b e am o f the sp ri n gi n g e ast ; A nd al l h i s gre ave s and c ui s se s d a s h d with d ro p s f o ns et ; an d th e l i gh t an d l ustro us c urls Th at m ade hi s fo reh ead l ik e a ri s i n g s u n ,
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Th en l oudly c rie d t h e b o l d S i r B ed ive re Ah ! my o rd A rth ur wh i ther s hal l I go ? Wh e re sh al l I h i de my foreh e ad an d m y eye s ? o r n o w I see th e tru e o l d ti m e s are d e ad Whe n every m o rnin g b ro u ght a nobl e ch anc e A nd eve ry ch anc e b ro u ght out a n obl e kni ght S uch t i m es h av e b ee n n o t s inc e th e l i ght th at l e d Th e ho ly lders with th e gi ft o f my rrh B ut no w th e wh ol e R oun d T ab le i s di s s o lve d Wh i ch was an i mage o f th e m i gh ty wo rld ; And I th e l ast go fo rt h c omp ani o nle ss An d t h e days darke n rou nd m e and th e ye ars A m o n g new m e n st ran ge face s oth e r m i nd s
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A n d sl o wl y an swe re d A rth u r from th e b arge Th e ol d o rde r c han geth yi el di n g p lac e to ne w An d Go d fulfil ls h i m s el f i n m any ways est o n e go o d c usto m sh o ul d c o r r up t th e wo rl d C o m fo r t t hysel f : wh at c o m fort i s i n m e ? I h av e l iv e d my l ife a n d th a t wh i ch I h ave d o ne ay H e wi th i n hi m s el f m ake p u re b ut th ou I f th o u sh o uld st n eve r s ee my fac e a ga i n P ray fo r m y so ul o re th i n gs are wrou ght by p rayer Th an th i s w o rl d d ream s o f Where fo re l et thy vo ic e R i se l ik e a fou nt ai n for m e ni gh t and day o r what are m e n b ette r th a n sh e ep o r oats ,
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Th e reat o nce m o re h e m ove d ab o ut an d cl o mb e n to th e h i gh est h e c o ul d c l i mb and saw Strai ni n g h i s eye s b e n eath an arch o f h an d r th o ught h e s aw th e sp e ck th at b are th e ki n g o wn th at l o n g wate r o p e ni n g o n th e deep S o m ewh ere fa r o ff p ass o n and o n and go ro m l es s t o l es s a n d vani sh i nt o li gh t And th e n ew su n ro s e b rin gi n g th e n e w y ear
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U N I V E R S I T Y O F CA L I F O R N I A L I B R A R Y L o s A n g el es T h is b o o k i s D U E
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