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Title: Ekkehard. Vol. II (of II).
A Tale of the Tenth Century
Author: Joseph Victor Scheffel
Translator: Sofie Delffs
Release Date: April 13, 2011 [EBook #35847]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EKKEHARD. VOL. II (OF II). ***
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COLLECTION
OF
GERMAN AUTHORS.
VOL. 22.
* * * * *
EKKEHARD BY JOSEPH VICTOR SCHEFFEL.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
EKKEHARD.
A TALE OF THE TENTH CENTURY
BY
JOSEPH VICTOR SCHEFFEL.
_Authorized Edition_.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
BY
SOFIE DELFFS.
IN TWO VOLUMES.--VOL. II.
LEIPZIG 1872
BERNHARD TAUCHNITZ.
LONDON: SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE & RIVINGTON.
CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET.
PARIS: C. REINWALD, 15, RUE DES SAINTS PÉRES.
CONTENTS
OF VOLUME II.
CHAPTER XV. Hadumoth
XVI. Cappan gets married
XVII. Gunzo verso Ekkehard
XVIII. Master Spazzo the Chamberlain's Mission
XIX. Burkhard the Cloister-Pupil
XX. The old German Legends
XXI. Rejection and Flight
XXII. On the Wildkirchlein
XXIII. On the Ebenalp
XXIV. The Song of Waltari
XXV. The last Echo, and End
EKKEHARD.
CHAPTER XV.
Hadumoth.
The night, which had appeared long and dreary to those who had been
entrusted with the watch on the battle-field, was passing away. The
horror of Death lay over the whole valley. "The Lord be merciful unto
their souls," sounded the low-voiced call of the watchman. "And deliver
them from the sufferings of purgatory, Amen!" was the response of his
companions, who were cowering round a campfire, on the border of the
pine-wood. The deep black shadows of night lay over the bodies of the
slain, as if the Heavens compassionately wished to hide what human
hands had done there. At dawn of day, even the clouds disappeared, as
if they also were driven away by the horror of the sight beneath them;
others came, and likewise fled, ever changing their shapes and forms;
losing one to assume another,--everything is restless, except in Death,
where eternal rest is found. Friend and enemy, side by side as they had
fallen, still lay there; quiet and calm.
One slight figure like that of a child, the watchman saw gliding over
the battle-field. It bent down; walked on, and bent down again, and
ever continued its search; but he dared not call to it. He stood like
one that is spell-bound. "Probably it is the angel who is marking their
foreheads with a letter, so that they can be recognized, when the
spirit will return to their bodies, on the day of resurrection,"
thought he, remembering the words of the prophet. Silently he crossed
himself, and when he looked again, the figure had vanished.
The morning dawned, and there came a number of men from the arrier-ban,
to relieve the monks. The Duchess had sent them; although Simon Bardo
was not quite satisfied with this arrangement. "A victory is but half a
victory, if it is not followed up, by pursuit of the enemy. We ought to
go after them, until the last of them are annihilated," he said. But
the monks insisted on their return on account of the Easter holidays,
and the others said: "Before we could catch those, on their swift
horses, we should have far to go. They have come to us, and we have
beaten them, and if they should come again, we have more blows in store
for them;--the work of yesterday deserves rest."
Then it was determined upon, that the dead should be buried before the
break of Easter Sunday.
So the men fetched their spades and hoes, and dug two wide graves. On
one side of the field there was an abandoned gravel-pit, which they
widened into a spacious resting-place. This last was destined for the
dead Huns. Arms and harnesses were taken off and collected; forming a
considerable heap in all. Then the corpses were thrown down; one after
the other, as they were brought. It was a mass of torn members,
repulsive to the eye; men and horses in wild confusion; a throng, as
when the rebellious host of angels fell down into hell.
The pit was filled. One of the grave-diggers came and brought a
solitary head with cleft forehead and fierce expression. "Most likely
that belongs also to the heathens, and may look for its trunk below,"
quoth he, throwing it down into the pit.
When the whole field had been searched, without their discovering any
more Hunnic bodies, they covered up the huge grave. It was a burial
without solemnity;--sundry curses, instead of blessings were called
down, and ravens and other birds of prey, hoarsely screeching,
fluttered about in great numbers. Those who inhabited the rocks on the
Hohenkrähen, and the dark pine-wood beneath, had all come, Moengal's
hawk among them; and they were evidently protesting by their cries,
against thus losing their rightful prey. With a hollow sound the clods
of earth and pebbles fell into the wide grave. Then the deacon of
Singen came, with the vase of consecrated water, with which he
sprinkled the mound, in order to banish the demons, and keep down the
dead who rested in the stranger earth. A weatherbeaten piece of rock,
which had some time since fallen down from the Hohentwiel, was finally
rolled on to the Hunnic grave, and then they went away shivering, to
get ready the second tomb, which was to receive their own dead. All
those who had belonged to the ecclesiastical state, were to be buried
in the cloister-church at Reichenau.
At the same hour in which the battle had begun the day before, a solemn
procession descended from the Hohentwiel. These were the men who had
won the battle. They advanced in the same order as on the day before,
but their gait was slow, and their standard was muffled in black crape.
On the watchtower of the castle, the black flag had likewise been
hoisted. The Duchess herself, rode also with the train, dressed in dark
sober-coloured garments, which gave an unusually serious and severe
expression to her face. The dead monks were carried on biers, to the
brink of the great tomb, so that they should participate in the last
homage rendered to their fellow-champions. When the last notes of the
litany had died away, Abbot Wazmann approached the open grave,
pronouncing the farewell greeting and offering up the thanks of the
survivors to the ninety six who lay there so pale and still, side by
side.
"Blessed be their memory, and may their remains rest in peace, until
the day of resurrection! May their names descend unto posterity, and
may the glory of the holy champions, bring down a blessing on their
children!" Thus he spoke in the words of the Preacher, throwing down
when he had ended the first handful of earth; the Duchess, as well as
the others following his example one by one. After this, there ensued a
solemn silence, as all those who had fought together on the day before,
were to separate again after the funeral; and many a hard-featured face
waxed soft; and many a kiss and hearty shake of the hand were exchanged
at parting.
Those of the Reichenau, were the first who set out for their monastery.
The biers with the dead were carried along; the brothers walking by
their sides, bearing lighted tapers, and chanting psalms. The corpse of
the old man from the Heidenhöhlen, long weary of life, they had also
taken along with them. With bent-down head, the war-horse of the
unknown warrior, covered with a black cloth, walked by its side. It was
a gloomy and sad spectacle withal, to see the long funeral train slowly
enter the pinewood, and then disappear amid the gloom.
The next to take leave of the Duchess, were the remaining arrier-ban
men. The gaunt Friedinger, with his arm in a sling, rode down the
valley at the head of a troop. Only the Knight of Randegg, with a few
select soldiers, was to be garrisoned on the Hohentwiel.
With unfeigned emotion, Dame Hadwig, followed the departing ones with
her eyes and then slowly rode over the battle-field. The day before she
had stood on the tower, anxiously watching the turn the battle was
taking.
Master Spazzo, was now called upon to explain a good many things, and
although he evidently did not shrink from exaggerating a little here
and there, the Duchess seemed well satisfied. She did not speak to
Ekkehard.
When she too had returned home, the plain became silent and forsaken
again, as if nothing at all had happened there. Only the trampled
grass, the wet, reddish earth, and the two huge tombs, bore witness to
the harvest which Death had held there, but the day before. It was not
long, before the blood was dried up, and the grass had grown afresh.
The mounds under which the dead rested, were covered with moss and
creepers. Wind, and birds had carried seeds there; and bushes and trees
had sprung up in rich luxuriance,--for plants thrive well, where the
dead are buried. But the tale of the battle with the Huns, is still
living in the memory of the present generation. The piece of rock which
had been rolled upon the grave, is called the "Heidenbock"
(Heathenbuck), by the inhabitants of the Hegau, and in the night of
Good-Friday, there is nobody who would like to pass the valley. In that
night, earth and air belong to the dead, who are then supposed to arise
from their graves. Then the small, swift-footed horses dart about
again; the dark columns of the christian champions on foot, eagerly
press forward; the armour glittering from under the decayed habits of
the monks. The clatter of arms and wild war-cries, rise, louder than
the tempest; and fiercely rages the battle of the spirits in the air,
when suddenly from yonder island in the lake, a knight in shining gilt
armour, on a black steed comes hurrying along, and drives them all back
into their cool resting-places. Vainly the Hunnic chieftain tries to
resist him, angrily lifting his crooked sword; but at that moment, the
heavy battle-axe descends on his head,--and he must go down like the
rest ... and everything is silent as before; only the young leaves of
the tender birch-tree, are trembling in the wind ...
Easter Sunday passed drearily and sadly. In the evening Dame Hadwig sat
in the hall, with Ekkehard, Master Spazzo the chamberlain, and the
Knight of Randegg. It can be easily imagined what their talk was about.
The great events of the past days found an echo in all their thoughts
and speeches; like to the echo of the Lurlei-rock in the Rhine:
scarcely has the first tone died away in one place, when a hollow,
rolling sound, takes it up again in the next, and so it goes on,
reverberating from all sides, as if it were never going to end.
The Abbot of Reichenau, had sent a messenger to report that they had
found the monastery but slightly damaged; unharmed by fire. Further,
that they had destroyed all traces of the Huns, by carrying the holy
relics about, and by the sprinkling of consecrated water, everywhere;
and finally that the dead had been buried.
"And what became of the brother who stayed behind?" asked the Duchess.
"On him, the Lord our God has shown, that in His mercy He does not
forget, poor, childish minds, in the midst of danger and peril. On our
return, he stood on the threshold, as if nothing whatever had happened
to him. 'Well, how didst thou like the Huns?' one of us called out to
him, upon which he said with his customary smile: 'Well then, they have
pleased me very much indeed. Never have I seen such jolly fellows
before; and as for eating and drinking,--they are wonderfully
considerate! The father cellarer has never taken the slightest notice
of my being thirsty; but _they_ gave me wine, as much as I wanted,--and
if they dealt me sundry blows, and boxes on the ear, they made it up
again with the wine; and that is more than any of you would ever have
done. Only discipline was wanting,--and besides they have not yet
learned how to behave in church' ... further he could say still many a
thing in praise of the stranger guests, but this, Heribald added, he
would only reveal under the seal of confession." ...
Dame Hadwig was as yet not inclined for amusement. She graciously
dismissed the messenger, giving him the finely wrought coat-of-mail of
the slain Hunnic chieftain, in order that it might be hung up in the
cloister-church, as a lasting token of the past battle. The duty of
distributing the booty, was hers, according to the general desire.
Master Spazzo, whose tongue had not been lazy all this time in
recounting his warlike deeds,--and the number of the Huns he had slain
increased with every recital, like a falling avalanche,--now said with
emphasis: "I have still got a war-trophy to present, which I have
destined for my gracious mistress herself."
He then went down to the under apartments, in one of which, Cappan his
prisoner, lay on a bundle of straw. His wound had been dressed, and had
proved not to be dangerous. "Get up, thou son of the Devil!" cried
Master Spazzo, adding a rude kick to this invitation. The Hun rose; his
face wearing a somewhat dubious expression, as if he did not believe
that his life was to last much longer. Thus he limped through the room,
leaning on a stick. "Forwards!" said Master Spazzo, indicating the
direction in which he was to go. So they went up stairs and entered the
hall. Here an imperious, "stop," from Master Spazzo, made the
unfortunate wretch stand still, casting his eyes around with evident
surprise.
With kindly interest Dame Hadwig looked at the strange specimen of
humanity before her. Praxedis also had come near, and turning to Master
Spazzo said: "One cannot say much for the beauty of your war-trophy,
but it is curious enough."
The Duchess folded her hands: "And this is the nation before whom the
German empire has trembled!" exclaimed she.
"The terror was caused by the multitude, and their always keeping
together," said the Knight of Randegg. "They won't come back again so
easily, that's sure!"
"Are you so very certain of this?" asked she pointedly.
The Hun did not understand much of the conversation. His wounded foot
hurt him, but he did not dare to sit down. Praxedis addressed him in
Greek, but he shyly shook his head. Then she tried to get up an
understanding, by dint of signs and nods,--but this too was in vain.
"Allow me," said she to the Duchess, "I still know of a way, to make
him give us a sign of life, which I have heard of at Constantinople."
Gliding out of the hall, she presently returned, carrying a cup, which
she presented with mock deference to the dumb prisoner. It was a strong
liquor, distilled from cherries and stone-fruit; such as the late
castle-chaplain had loved to concoct now and then. At the sight of
this, the Hun's face became radiant; his blunt nose, sniffed up the
rising aroma, and emptying the cup, which he evidently regarded as a
sign of peace, he threw himself down with crossed arms before Praxedis,
and kissed her shoe.
She made him a sign that the homage was due to the Duchess, upon which
he wanted to repeat his thanks to her; but Dame Hadwig stepped back,
and beckoned to Master Spazzo, to take his prisoner away again.
"You have queer fancies," said she to him, when he had returned,
"however, it was gallant of you, to think of me, even in battle."
Meanwhile, Ekkehard had been silently sitting at the window, looking
out over the country. Master Spazzo's ways annoyed him, and even
Praxedis's jokes, had hurt his feelings. "In order to humiliate us,"
thought he, "the Lord has sent over the children of the desert, to be a
warning to us, and to teach us, even on the ruins of that which is
perishable, to think of that which is eternal;--the earth which covers
the bodies of the slain is still fresh, and those left behind are
already jesting, as if all had been but an empty dream." ...
Praxedis had approached him, and now playfully said: "Why did not you
likewise bring home some keepsake from the battle, Professor? A
wonderful, Hunnic amazon is said to have skirmished about there, and if
you had caught her, we should now have a nice pair of them."
"Ekkehard had to think of higher things than Hunnic women," said the
Duchess bitterly, "and he knows how to be silent, as one who has taken
a vow for that purpose. Why should we need to know, how _he_ fared in
battle!"
This cutting speech, deeply wounded the serious-minded man. A jest at
the wrong moment, falls like vinegar on honey-dew. Silently he walked
out to fetch Sir Burkhard's sword, and drawing it out of the scabbard,
he laid it on the table before the Duchess. Fresh, red spots were still
glistening on the noble blade, and the edge showed many a new notch,
here and there. "Whether the schoolmaster was idle all the time, this
sword may bear witness! I have not made my tongue the herald of my
deeds!"
The Duchess was startled. She still bore him a grudge in her heart, and
she was sorely tempted, to give it vent, in an angry outburst. But the
sword of Sir Burkhard called up manifold thoughts. So, restraining her
passion, she held out her hand to Ekkehard. "I did not wish to offend
you," said she.
The mildness of her voice was like a reproach to him, and he hesitated
to take the proffered hand. He almost wanted to ask her pardon for his
roughness, but the words clove to his tongue,--and at that moment, the
door opened, and he was spared the rest.
Hadumoth, the little geese-driver came in. Shyly she stopped at the
door, not venturing to speak. Her face, which was pale from want of
sleep, bore the traces of recent tears.
"What is the matter with thee, my poor child?" called out Dame Hadwig,
"come hither!"
Then the little maiden came forwards, and kissed the Duchess's hand.
She tried to speak, but violent sobs prevented her.
"Don't be afraid," said the Duchess soothingly; upon which she found
words and said: "I cannot take care of the geese any more; I must go
away, and thou must give me a goldpiece, as big as thou hast got. I
cannot help it, but I must go!"
"And why must thou go, my child?" asked the Duchess. "Has anyone
wronged thee?"
"He has not come home again!"
"There are many who have not come home again; but thou must not go away
on that account. Those who have fallen, are now with our dear Lord in
heaven. They are in a large, beautiful garden, and are much happier
than we are."
But Hadumoth, shaking her young little head, said: "Audifax is not with
God; he is with the Huns. I have searched for him down in the valley,
and he was not amongst the dead men. Besides, the charcoal-burners' boy
from Hohenstoffeln, who also went out with the archers, saw himself,
how he was taken prisoner. I must go, to fetch him. I can find no peace
if I don't!"
"But how wilt thou find him?"
"That, I don't know. I shall go where the others went. They say that
the world is very wide, but in the end I shall find him. I feel sure of
it. The goldpiece which thou art to give me, I will give to the Huns,
and say: let me have Audifax for this, and when I have got him, we
shall both come home again."
Dame Hadwig delighted in all that was extraordinary. "From that child,
we might all learn something!" she said, lifting up the shy little
Hadumoth to imprint a kiss on her forehead. "God is with thee, without
thy knowing it. Therefore, thy thoughts are great and bold. Who amongst
you has a gold coin?"
The Knight of Randegg fetched one out of the depth of his pocket. It
was a large golden Thaler, on one side of which could be seen the
Emperor Charles with a stern face, and wide open eyes, and on the other
a crowned female head. "It's my last one," said he laughingly, handing
it to Praxedis. The Duchess then gave it to the child. "Go out then,
with the Lord; it is a decree of providence."
All were deeply touched, and Ekkehard put his hands on the little
maiden's head, as if to bless her. "I thank you!" said she, turning to
go; then once more looking round she added: "but if they will not let
me have Audifax, for one goldpiece only?"
"Then I will give thee another," said the Duchess.
Upon this, the child confidently walked away.
And Hadumoth really went out into the unknown world. The goldpiece,
sewn up in her bodice, her pocket filled with bread, and the staff
which Audifax had once cut for her, from the dark green holly-bush, in
her hand. That she did not know the way, and that her finding food and
a shelter for the night, were doubtful things, she had not time to
trouble herself about. The Huns have gone away, towards the setting
sun, and have taken him with them, was her sole thought. The flowing
Rhine, and the setting sun were her only waymarks, and Audifax her
goal.
By and by, the scenery became strange to her; the Bodensee looking
smaller and narrower in the distance, and foreign hills rising before
her, to hide the proud and familiar shape of the hill, which was her
home. More than once, did she look back, until she had caught the last
glimpse of the Hohentwiel, with its walls and towers steeped in dark
blue shadows. Then she entered an unknown valley, grown with dark
pine-woods, under the shade of which, low, straw-thatched cottages lay
hidden. Nodding a last Goodbye to her Hegau mountains, Hadumoth walked
on undauntedly.
When the sun had gone down to his rest behind the pine-woods, she
stopped a while. "Now they are ringing the bell for evening-prayer at
home," said she. "I will pray also." So she knelt down in the woody
solitude and prayed; first for Audifax, then for the Duchess, and
finally for herself. Everything was silent around her. She only heard
her own fast-beating heart.
"What will become of my poor geese?" thought she next, rising from her
knees, "'tis now the hour to drive them home." Then Audifax with whom
she had so often returned home of an evening, rose again before her
mind and she hurried on.
In the different farm-yards which she passed in the valley, not a soul
was stirring about; only before one little straw-thatched cottage, an
old woman was sitting. "Thou must take me in for the night,
grandmother," said Hadumoth coaxingly; but except a sign that she could
remain, she received no answer whatever, for the old woman was deaf.
When the people had fled up into the mountains on account of the Huns,
she alone had remained behind.
Before the day had well dawned, Hadumoth had already set out again on
her journey. Her road now took her through extensive woods, in which
the fir-trees seemed never to come to an end. Here, the first soft
touches of spring were already visible. The first flowers were peeping
out from the moss; and the first beetles hovered above them, softly
humming; and the delicious smell of the pine-trees scented the air
everywhere, as if it were an incense, which the trees sent up to the
sun, to show their gratitude for all which his rays had called up into
life, around them.
The little maiden, however, was not satisfied. "Here it is far too
beautiful, for the Huns to be," said she to herself. So, at the first
opportunity which offered itself, she turned her back on the mountains,
and soon came to an opening in the wood, which afforded a considerable
view. Far down, in the distance, the Rhine was winding along, like a
serpent. Jammed in between its dividing arms was an island, bearing
many a stately tower and wall, as if belonging to a monastery; but
Hadumoth's sharp eyes discerned that the walls were blackened and
spotted, and the roofs all destroyed. A dark-blue cloud of smoke, hung
heavily over it.
"How do they call the land here?" asked she of a man, who was just then
emerging from the wood.
"Blackforest," was the answer.
"And over there?"
"Rheingau."
"The Huns must have been there?"
"The day before yesterday."
"And where are they now?"
The man, leaning on his staff gave a sharp look at the child, and
pointing down the Rhine, said, "and why dost thou ask?"
"Because I wish to go to them."--Upon this he lifted his staff and
walked on, murmuring, "holy Fintan, pray for us!"
Hadumoth also, steadily walked on again. She had noticed from the
height, that the Rhine was flowing onwards in large circuits; so she
cut across the mountains, thus to get the start on the Huns. Two days
she thus wandered on, sleeping one night in the open air, on the mossy
ground, and scarcely meeting a human being all the time. She had to
cross however many a wild ravine, and swift-flowing mountain torrent,
as well as mighty old pine-trees, which the storm had uprooted. On the
same place where they had once stretched their tops towards the sky,
they now lay to rot and decay; emitting a weird, greyish light at
night; but in spite of all terrors and difficulties, she never once
lost her courage.
At last the mountains became less steep, flattening down into an
elevated plain, over which the rough winds could sweep at their
leisure; and in the crevices of which the snow was still lying;--yet
she walked on.
The last piece of bread had been eaten, when from another hill, she
again caught sight of the Rhine. So she now turned, to walk towards it,
until she came to a narrow chasm, in the depth of which, a foaming
mountain-torrent dashed along. A dense mass of brambles and other
thorny bushes, grew on the sides of the steep descent, but Hadumoth
bravely made for herself a passage through them; though this cost her
no small amount of pain and weariness. The sun was high in the heavens,
and the thorns ever and anon, caught hold of her dress; but whenever
her feet grew weary and unwilling to proceed, she said, "Audifax!" and
lifted them up again.
At last she had come to the bottom, and was standing at the foot of
dark rocky walls, through which the waters had made a passage; falling
down in a bright, sparkling cascade. The old-looking stones, on which a
reddish moss was growing, glistened and shone like burnished gold
through the glittering waves, which rose up against them; alternately
covering them up, until they arrested their mad course, a few steps
lower down, in a dark-green, transparent little pond, like to a
life-wearied man, going to rest, and looking back in quiet
contemplation, on the frolics and extravagances of his past life.
Luxurious, broad-leaved plants grew around it, on which the spray lay
like sparkling dew-drops, whilst blue-winged dragon-flies, hovered
above them, as if they were the spirits of dead flowers.
Dreamily the melodious rustling of the waters crept into the heart of
the hungry child. With that brook she must go on, to the Rhine.
Everything was wild and entangled, as if never a human being had broken
in upon that solitude ... and now a dry, green little nook looked
invitingly over at Hadumoth; and she followed the invitation, and laid
herself down. The air was so cool and fresh, and the brook rustled and
murmured on, until it had lulled her to sleep. With her head resting on
her outstretched right arm, she lay there; a smile playing on her tired
countenance. She was dreaming. Of whom?--The blue dragonflies betrayed
nothing ...
A slight sprinkling of water awoke her from her dreams, and when she
slowly opened her eyes, a man with a long beard, dressed in a coarse
linen suit, and with legs bared to the knees, stood before her. Some
fishing-tackle, a net and a wooden tub, in which blue-spotted trout
were swimming, lay in the grass, beside him. He had thus stood for a
considerable time, watching the little sleeper, and doubting whether
she were a human child, he sprinkled some water on her, to wake her.
"Where am I? asked Hadumoth, fearlessly.
"At the waterfall of Wieladingen," replied the fisherman, "and this
water, which contains plenty of fine salmon, is called the Murg, and
goes into the Rhine. But whence dost thou come, little maiden? Hast
thou dropt from the sky?"
"I come from far away, and where I live, the hills are quite different
from here. With us, they grow quite straight out of the plain; each one
standing alone,--and the salmon swim about in the lake, and are much
bigger. Hegau, our land is called."
The fisherman shook his head. "That must be a good way off. And where
art thou going to?"
"To the Huns," replied Hadumoth; and then she told him why she had gone
out into the world, and for whom she was searching.
Upon this the fisherman shook his head again, with redoubled energy.
"By the life of my mother!" exclaimed he, "that is an adventurous
expedition!" but Hadumoth, folding her hands pleadingly said:
"Fisherman, thou must show me the way to find them."
Then the long-bearded man was touched. "If it must be, so come
along," grumbled he. "They are not very far off." Gathering up his
fishing-tackle, he followed the course of the brook, accompanied by the
little maiden. Whenever the trees and bushes became too much entangled,
or when bits of rocks blocked up the way, he took her up in his arms,
and carried her through the foaming waters. After leaving the ravine to
their right, they soon came to the spur of the hill, at the foot of
which the Rhine flows.
"Look there, child," said he pointing across the river to a low level
mountain tract. "Over there, you get into the Frick-valley at the foot
of the Bötzberg. There, they have pitched their camp, after burning the
castle of Laufenburg yesterday ... but farther than this, the murderous
incendiaries shall not proceed," added he fiercely.
After walking on for a while, Hadumoth's guide stopped before a
projecting rock. "Wait a bit," said he. He then took up some logs of
dry fir-wood, that lay about, and heaped them up into a pile, putting
some smaller branches of resinous pinewood, between. He did not light
it though. The same thing he did again in sundry other places. Hadumoth
looked on, but could not guess, why he was doing this. At last they
descended to the banks of the Rhine.
"Art thou really in earnest about the Huns?" asked he once more.
"Yes," said Hadumoth. Upon this he loosened a small canoe, which had
been hidden in the bushes, and rowed her across. On the other side they
came right into a wood, which the man entered, always looking carefully
about, everywhere. Here also, were piles of wood mixed with resin and
covered with green branches. Nodding contentedly he returned to
Hadumoth. "Further than this I cannot accompany thee; for yonder is the
Frick-valley and the Hunnic camp. Take care that they give thee that
boy at once; better to-day, than to-morrow. It might otherwise be too
late. And so, may God protect thee! Thou art a brave child."
"I thank thee," said Hadumoth, pressing his horny hand. "But why dost
thou not come with me?"
"I shall come later," replied the fisherman with a significant look,
stepping back into his canoe.
At the entrance of the valley was the Hunnic camp; consisting of some
tents, and a few larger huts made of branches and straw. The horses
were lodged in blockhouses of pine-logs. At the back was a mountain,
whilst in front they had made a trench; fortified by a kind of
palisade, made with paling and pieces of rock, in the genuine Hunnic
fashion. Their sentinels rode up and down, within a considerable
circumference. The reason of their having settled down there for a
while, was partly their needing some rest after their late exploits,
and partly an intended attack on the convent of St. Fridolin, situated
in that neighbourhood. Some of their men, were building ships and rafts
on the banks of the Rhine.
In his tent, lay Hornebog, who was now sole leader since Ellak's death;
but in spite of all the cushions and carpets heaped up there, he could
find no rest. Erica, the flower-of-the-Heath, was sitting by his side,
playing with a golden bauble, which she wore round her neck on a silk
ribbon.
"I don't know why," said Hornebog to her, "but things have become very
uncomfortable. Those bald-headed monks have dealt us rather too heavy
blows. We must not be quite so rash in future. Here also, I do not feel
quite at my ease, for it is too still, and a calm generally precedes a
storm. With thee too, everything is changed, since Ellak was killed.
Thou shouldst love me now, as thou didst him, when he was the first
leader; but thou art like a burnt-out fire."
Erica pulled away the jewel with a jerk, so that it rebounded on her
bosom with a metallic ring, and softly hummed some Hunnic melody. Then
there entered one of the Hunnic sentinels, accompanied by Hadumoth and
Snewelin of Ellwangen as interpreter. The child had entered the camp,
bravely passing the posts and not heeding their calls, until they
stopped her. Snewelin then explained Hadumoth's wish, with regard to
the prisoner boy. He was in as soft and compassionate a mood, as if he
were still in his home, and about to celebrate Ash-Wednesday, for he
had summed up on that very day, all the misdeeds which he had committed
in the course of his Hunnic life; and the pillaged convents began to
weigh heavily on his conscience.
"Tell them also, that I can pay them a ransom," said Hadumoth, undoing
the seam of her bodice to get at the gold piece. She handed it to the
chieftain, who laughed immoderately, joined by Erica.
"What a crazy land!" exclaimed Hornebog, when his laughter had
subsided. "The men cut off their hair, and the children do, what would
honour a warrior. If instead of this little maiden, the armed men from
the lake had followed us, it would have put us into an awkward
position."
A sudden suspicion now crossing his mind, he cast a searching look at
the child. "If she were a spy!" ... exclaimed he. But Erica now rose,
and patted Hadumoth's head. "Thou shalt stay with me," said she, "for I
want something to play with, since my black horse is dead, and my Ellak
is dead." ...
"Take the brat away!" Hornebog now called out angrily. "Have we come
here, to play with children?" Then Erica saw that a storm was brewing
in the chieftain's bosom, and taking the little maiden by the hand, led
her out.
There, where the camp receded towards the mountain, between some
sheltering pieces of rock, a temporary cooking-place had been erected,
which was the undisputed realm of the woman of the wood. Audifax was
kneeling before the biggest of the kettles, blowing into the fire, in
which the soup, that was destined for the evening meal, was boiling.
But now he jumped up and gave a loud shriek, for he had beheld his
little friend. Instantly the old hag stretched out her head, from
behind the other kettle, and this was more than a warning. Without
moving, he stirred the soup with a peeled branch, as was his prescribed
task. Thus he stood, the image of dumb grief. He had become pale and
haggard; and his eyes dimmed by the tears, which had touched nobody.
"Mind, that thou dost not hurt the children, old baboon!" cried Erica.
Then Hadumoth went over to where the boy was, who now dropped his
primitive spoon, and silently held out his hand to her; but out of his
dark blue eyes there came a look, which told its own story of woe and
suffering, and the longing wish, to regain his liberty. Hadumoth
likewise, stood quietly before him. She had often imagined a joyous and
touching meeting, but all these pictures had faded away now. The
greatest joy sends its gratitude up to heaven, in a voiceless prayer.
"Give me a dish of soup Audifax," said she, "I am very hungry."
The woman of the wood suffered him to pour out some soup for her, into
a wooden plate, which the hungry child eagerly took. When she had
stilled the craving for food, her spirits rose again, and she
fearlessly gazed on the wild faces of the Hunnic riders, who came to
fetch their soup. Afterwards she sat down close beside Audifax. He was
still silent and reserved, and only when it became dark and his tyrant
went away, his tongue got loosened. "Oh, I have so much to tell thee
Hadumoth!" whispered he. "I know where the treasure of the Huns is! The
woman of the wood has got it in her keeping. Two big boxes stand under
her couch, in yonder hut. I have looked into them myself, and they were
quite full of jewels and diadems and golden trinkets. A silver hen,
with a brood of chickens, and eggs is also amongst them, which they
stole in Lombardy,--and many more beautiful things. I have paid dearly
for seeing them though ..."
He lifted up his leathern hat. One half of his right ear had been cut
off.
"... The woman of the wood, came home before I could close the lid
again. 'Take that, for thy reward,' said she, lifting her scissors up
to my ear. It has hurt me a good deal Hadumoth, but I shall pay her
back some day!"
"I will help thee," said his companion.
For a long time, the two whispered on together; for no sleep came to
the eyes of the happy ones. The noise in the camp was hushed now, and
the shadows of night brooded over the valley. Then Hadumoth said: "I
must ever and again, think of that night when the stars fell down."
Audifax, heaving a sigh, murmured: "Ah, I shall still get my treasure.
I know I shall." And again they sat quietly together for a while; until
Audifax gave a violent start. Hadumoth could feel the trembling of his
hand. On the other side of the Rhine, on the summit of the black
looking mountains, a sudden light shone out. It was like a torch swung
around, and then thrown away.
"There, it's gone again!" Audifax said softly.
"Ah, but look there!" affrightedly exclaimed Hadumoth, pointing behind
her.
From the height of the Bötzberg, another flame darted up; likewise
describing a fiery circuit in the air. It was the same signal. And
yonder, over in the Blackforest, on the same place where the burning
torch had first been visible, there now arose a mighty flame, lighting
up the dark, starless night. The guard in the valley, uttered a
piercing whistle, and the inhabitants of the camp began to stir
everywhere. The woman of the wood came back also, and threateningly
called out; "what art thou dreaming about boy? Quick, put the nags to
the cart, and saddle my sumpter-horse!"
Audifax silently obeyed her orders.
The cart stood ready, and the sumpter-horse was tied to a stake.
Carefully, the old woman approached it with two panniers, which she
hung over its back, and then taking out the two boxes, from her hut,
she put one in each, covering them up afterwards, with some hay. When
she had done this, she peered out anxiously into the darkness.
Everything was quiet again. The wine of the Frick-valley had ensured a
sound sleep to the Hunnic warriors.
"'Tis nothing," muttered the woman of the wood, "we can take the horses
back again;" but the next moment she started up, almost blinded. The
mountains rising behind the camp, had suddenly become alive with
hundreds of torches and fire-brands; and from all sides there resounded
the loud and terrific cry of battle. From the Rhine, dark masses of
armed men, were swiftly approaching;--on all the mountain summits,
tremendous bonfires were burning.--Up now, ye sleepers!... it was too
late, for already the fire-brands came flying into the Hunnic camp.
Pitifully sounded the frightened neighing of the horses, whose large
shed was already burning. Dark figures stormed the camp on all sides.
This time, King Death was coming with blazing torchlight, and he who
brought him, was the old Knight Irminger, the owner of the Frickgau.
He, the strong father of six strong sons; who like Mattathias with his
Maccabeans, could no longer bear to behold the misery of his people.
And with them there came the men of Hornussen and Herznach; those from
the Aarthal and Brugg, as well as from Baden's hot wells; and far away
from the Gieselafluth. Safely hidden in the dark pine-wood, they had
waited until the torch was lifted up on the Eggberg, assuring them of
the neighbourly help of the people in the Black-Forest; and then they
rushed to the attack. With bleeding head, Snewelin galloped past. A
well-aimed fire-brand, had stuck to his garments, setting them all
ablaze, so that he looked like a fiery phantom. "The world is coming to
an end," cried he. "The millenium is at hand! May God have mercy on my
poor soul!"
"Lost, everything lost," muttered the woman of the wood, lifting her
hand up to her forehead. Then she untied the sumpter-horse, to harness
it likewise before her cart. Meanwhile Audifax was standing in the
dark, biting his lips that he might not scream out with delight, at
this unexpected turn of affairs. A trembling reflection of the flames,
played on his excited countenance. Everything was boiling within him.
For some time he stood there, gazing fixedly at the tumult, and the
fighting of the dark figures before him. "Now I know, what I must do,"
whispered he into Hadumoth's ear. He had taken up a big stone, and
springing up at the woman of the wood with the agility of a wild
cat, he struck her down. After this he quickly pulled away the
sumpter-horse, upon the saddle of which he placed the trembling
Hadumoth with the sudden strength of a man. "Take hold of the pommel!"
cried he. Then jumping up himself, he seized the reins, and the horse
no sooner felt the unwont burden, than it galloped off into the night,
frightened by the glare and noise around. Audifax never staggered,
though his heart was beating wildly. The blinding smoke made him shut
his eyes, and thus they sped onwards; over the corpses of the dead, and
through the crowds of fighting men. After a while the noise became
fainter in the distance, and the horse began to slacken its pace. It
was taking the children towards the Rhine,--they were saved!
Thus they rode on through the long, dark night, scarcely once daring to
look about them. Audifax silently held the reins, feeling as if he were
in a dream. First he put his hand on Hadumoth's head, and then struck
against one of the boxes, which, emitting a metallic ring, convinced
him that he was not dreaming, after all. The horse was good-tempered,
and carried its burden willingly enough, across fields, over heaths and
through dark woods, always in the direction of the Rhine. When they had
thus ridden on for a considerable time, a cool breeze, the messenger of
the coming dawn, made them shiver. Hadumoth opened her eyes, "Where are
we?" asked she.
"I don't know," replied Audifax. And now a roaring and rushing, like
distant thunder, struck their ear; but it could not be from a coming
storm, as the sky brightened, whilst the little stars waxed dimmer and
slowly vanished. The noise became louder and nearer. They passed a
stately castle, looking down proudly into the waters below. Then their
path took them round a little hill, and then they suddenly beheld the
broad flood of the Rhine; dashing along with a thundering noise, over
dark, weatherbeaten rocks. Clouds of pearly white spray, glistened in
the air, whilst soft mists hung around everywhere. The horse stopped,
as if it wanted to take in the grand spectacle at its leisure. Then
Audifax jumped to the ground, and taking down the tired, little
Hadumoth, as well as the two baskets, he allowed the brave animal to
graze.
So the two children stood before the falls of the Rhine; Hadumoth
tightly grasping her companion's right hand with her left; gazing long
and silently at the spectacle before them. Presently, the sun cast his
first rays on the dashing waters, which caught them and built them up
into a glittering, many-coloured rainbow.
Then Audifax went up to the baskets, to take out one of the boxes;
which on being opened, disclosed its glistening contents of pure gold
and silver. The long coveted treasure, was found at last; had become
his own; not by spells and nightly conjurations, but by the use of his
hands and by seizing the favourable opportunity. Thus he gazed on the
shining baubles without any surprise, for had he not known it for many
months, that such a treasure was destined for him?...
Of every kind of article it contained, he picked out one; a casket, a
ring, a coin and a bracelet, and with them approached the brink of the
waters.
"Hadumoth," said he, "here I think that God must be; for His rainbow is
hovering over the waters. I will make Him a thank-offering."
Stepping on a projecting rock, he flung in with a strong hand, first
the casket, then the ring, coin and bracelet,--and then kneeling down,
Hadumoth kneeling by his side, they prayed for a long time, and thanked
God....
CHAPTER XVI.
Cappan gets married.
When a thunder-storm has blown over, the water-brooks are still turbid
and muddy; and so, a great stirring event, is generally followed by a
time of small and annoying work, until everything has returned to its
old routine.
This experience, Dame Hadwig was forced to make also. There was a great
deal to arrange and put in order, after the driving away of the Huns;
but this she did willingly enough, as her lively spirit and the
pleasure she took in active interference, quite made up to her, for the
trouble this gave her.
The widows and orphans of the slain arrier-ban-men, as well as all
those whose houses had been burnt, and whose harvests had been
destroyed, came to sue for assistance. Help was given to every one, as
far as this was possible. Messengers were sent off to the Emperor, to
report that which had happened, as well as to make proposals, for
taking the necessary precautions against any possible future invasion.
Wherever the fortress was found deficient, improvements were made; the
booty was distributed, and finally the erection of a chapel on the
grave of the christian warriors, was decided upon. With Reichenau and
St. Gall, there was also a good deal of business to transact, for
ecclesiastics seldom forget to present their bills, for any services
that they have rendered. They well knew how to bemoan and bewail the
damages done to their monasteries, as well as the great loss of goods
and chattels, which they had experienced; and every day some delicate
hint was dropped to the Duchess, that a donation of land, would be
most desirable for the afflicted servants of God. Far away in the
Rhine-valley, where the Breisach-mountain with its dark, scorched
rocks, narrows the bed of the river, the Duchess owned some property,
called Saspach. On a vulcanic soil the vine thrives particularly
well,--so this would have suited the pious brothers of the Reichenau
admirably; if it were only to find out the difference, between the
Rhine-wines and those that grew near the lake; besides its being some
slight compensation for their military services, and for the reciting
of the necessary masses for the souls of the dead.
One day, on which Dame Hadwig had not appeared quite disinclined to
make the donation, was followed by the arrival of the subprior in the
early morning, bringing a parchment with him, on which, the whole
formula of the donation was written down. It sounded really very well
when read aloud, how everything was to be given to St. Pirminius; house
and yard, with all that was in it; cultivated and uncultivated land;
woods and vineyards; meadows and brooks, with the right of building
mills and of fishing; as well as the vassals, both male and female, who
were living there ... even the customary curse was not wanting, and ran
as follows: "If anyone should dare to doubt the donation, or, worse
still, to try and rob the monastery of it, the _Anathema Marantha_,
shall be pronounced on him. The anger of God Almighty, and all the holy
angels shall fall on him. May he be stricken with leprosy, like Naaman
the Syrian, and with sudden death like Ananias and Sapphira, besides
paying a fine of a pound of gold to the exchequer in expiation of his
crime."
"The Lord Abbot, wanted to save our gracious sovereign the trouble of
writing the donation herself," said the Subprior. "There has been left
an empty space, for adding the name and boundaries of the property; as
well as for the signatures of both parties, and the necessary
witnesses."
"Have you learned to be so quick in all your doings?" replied Dame
Hadwig. "I will look at that parchment of yours, some day or other."
"But it would be a very dear and desirable thing for the Abbot, if I
could bring him back the deed, signed and sealed by your Highness,
to-day. It is only on account of the order and precision in the
monastery's archives, the Abbot said."
Dame Hadwig, casting a haughty look at the man, then said: "Tell your
Abbot, that I am just now summing up the account, of how much the
quartering of the brothers on the Hohentwiel, has cost me in kitchen
and cellar. Tell him likewise that we have our own scriveners, if we
should feel so inclined, to give away landed property on the Rhine, and
that" ... she wanted to add a few more bitter words, but the Subprior
here fell in coaxingly, telling her a number of cases where Christian
kings and princes had done the same. How the King of France for
instance, had generously indemnified St. Martin of Tours, for the
losses which he had suffered through the Norman invasion; and how
beneficial the donation had been for the giver's soul; for as fire was
extinguished by water, thus the soul was purified by alms-giving....
But the Duchess, turning her back on him, left him standing there in
the hall, with his many yet untold examples, on the tip of his tongue.
"Too much zeal, is an evil thing," muttered the monk, "'the greater
hurry, the less speed,' as the proverb has it." Dame Hadwig having
reached the entrance, turned round once more, and with an indescribable
movement of the hand, now said: "If you wish to go, you had better go
at once!"
So he made his retreat.
To annoy the Abbot, the Duchess, on the very same day, sent a golden
chain to the venerable Simon Bardo, in acknowledgement of his
prosperous leadership.
The fate of Cappan, the Hunnic prisoner, was a matter of special
interest to the Duchess. At first he had spent some anxious days. He
did not then understand why his life had been spared, and he walked
shyly about, like one who has no just claim to himself; and when he
slumbered on his couch of straw, evil dreams came to him. Then he saw
large flowery plains, on which numberless gallows were growing like
thistles, and on every one of them, hung one of his countrymen, and he
himself was suspended from the highest of all; and he could not find
fault with this, as it was the usual fate allotted to war-prisoners in
those days. No gallows however, were erected for him. For some time he
still cast sundry suspicious glances at the linden-tree in the
courtyard, which had a nice leafless branch; and he fancied sometimes
that this branch was beckoning to him, and saying: "Heigho! how well
thou wouldst adorn me!"
By degrees, however, he found out, that the lime was merely, a fine
shady tree, and so he became less timid. His wounded foot was now
healed and he wandered about in yard and kitchen, looking on with mute
astonishment at the doings of a German household. It is true, he still
thought that a man's home, ought to be the back of his horse; and that
a skin-covered cart sufficed for women and children; but when it
rained, or the evenings were cool, the hearth-fire and the sheltering
walls did not appear altogether despicable to him. Besides this, he
began to find out, that wine was better than mare's milk, and a woollen
jacket softer than a wolf's skin. So his wish to fly, dwindled away,
and homesickness could not attack him, as a home was an unknown luxury
to him.
In those days, a maiden worked in house and garden, whose name was
Friderun; and her figure resembled a many-storeyed building with a
pointed roof; her head having the shape of a pear. The first freshness
of youth, had for some time passed away from her, and when she opened
her broad mouth for speech or laughter, a single long tooth became
visible, indicative of her mature state. Evil tongues, were wont to
whisper, that she had once been Master Spazzo's sweetheart; but that
was long ago, as her affections had been bestowed these many years on a
herdsman, who had met his death in the ranks of the arrier-ban, by some
Hunnic arrow,--and so her heart was lonely now. Very tall people are
generally goodnatured, and do not suffer under the evil consequences of
too much thinking. So she cast her eyes on the Hun, who was slinking
about all alone in the courtyard, and her compassionate heart fastened
on him, like a glistening dew-drop on a toad-stool. She tried to
instruct him in all the arts which she practised herself; and often
when she had weeded the garden and dug the ground, she would give the
hoe to Cappan, who willingly did what he had seen his instructress do
before him. In the same way he followed her example when he saw her
gathering beans or herbs, and after a few days, whenever water was to
be fetched, the slender Friderun had only to point at the wooden pail,
to make Cappan take it up on his head, and walk down with it to the
splashing fountain.
Only in the kitchen they had no reason to be oversatisfied, with the
docile pupil's achievements; for one day when a piece of game was
entrusted to him, to beat tender with a wooden drumstick, old memories
arose in his mind; and so he devoured part of it quite raw, along with
the onions and leek, which had been prepared for seasoning the meat.
"I really believe, that my prisoner pleases thee," Master Spazzo called
out one day to her, when the Hun was busily splitting wood in the
courtyard. A deep blush covered the cheeks of the tall one, who cast
down her eyes. "If he could only speak German, and were not a damned
heathen" ... continued Master Spazzo, but the slender maiden was too
bashful to speak.
"I know how well thou deservest to be made happy Friderun," Master
Spazzo began again. Then Friderun's tongue was loosened. "With regard
to the speaking of German,"--said she, still looking down,--"I really
should not mind that so much; and as for his being a heathen, I do not
see why he need remain one. But ..."
"But what?"
"He cannot sit down like a decent human being, when he eats. If he is
to enjoy his meals, he must always be stretched out on the ground."
"That, a spouse like thee, would soon cure him of. How is it, hast thou
already some sort of understanding on this subject with him?"
Friderun again held her tongue, and suddenly ran away like a frightened
deer; her wooden shoes clattering over the stone flags. Master Spazzo
then walked up to the wood-splitting Cappan, and clapping him first on
the back to make him look up, he pointed with his forefinger at the
flying Friderun, nodded his head interrogatively, and looked at him
sharply. Cappan first pressed his right arm to his breast, bowed his
head, and then jumped high up in the air, so that he spun round like
the terrestrial globe on its axis, and finally stretched his mouth into
a broad, joyous grin.
Master Spazzo could now see well enough, how matters stood, with both
of them. Friderun however, had not witnessed the Hun's demonstrations
of joy. Heavy doubts were still weighing on her soul; therefore she had
gone out of the castle-gate. There, she plucked a wild flower, and was
now eagerly pulling off the white leaflets, one after the other,
murmuring, "he loves me, loves me not, he loves me." When all had
become a prey to the winds, her murmur ceased, and looking with beaming
eyes, at the stalk with its last remaining white leaf, she smilingly
nodded her head at it.
Meanwhile, Spazzo the chamberlain, expounded the case to the Duchess,
whose active mind at once took up the idea of settling Cappan's fate.
The Hun had given proofs of understanding many a useful art in the
garden. He well knew for instance, how to stop the cunning subterranean
digging of the moles. With bent willow-boughs, at the end of which a
nooze was fastened, he had contrived an untimely end, for many a one of
the black little animals. In one and the same moment, they were jerked
up to sunlight, gallows and death. He also manufactured excellent traps
for mice, in short he showed himself an able huntsman, in all that
regarded the lowest kind of sport.
"We will give him some acres of land, at the foot of the
Stoffler-mountain," said Dame Hadwig, "in return for which, he can wage
war against all obnoxious and injurious animals, as far as our land
goes; and if the tall Friderun really likes him, she can have him; for
I very much doubt whether any other of the maidens of this land, has
cast loving eyes on him."
So, she told Ekkehard to prepare the prisoner, for baptism, in order
that he might be received as a member into the Christian community; and
when he shook his head, rather doubtfully, Dame Hadwig added: "The good
will must here make up, for that which is wanting, in the
understanding. The instruction you can make short, for he, no doubt,
will understand as much as the Saxons did, whom the great Emperor
Charles, had driven into the Weser."
Ekkehard did as he was told, and his instruction fell on good soil.
Cappan had picked up many a German word, in the course of his warlike
expedition, and had in common with all his countrymen, a great talent
for guessing what was required of him, even when the words had not been
quite understood. Signs and tokens, also helped a good deal; for when
Ekkehard sat before him, with the open bible with golden initials on
his knee, and pointed heavenwards, the Hun knew of what he was
speaking. The likeness of the devil he also understood, and indicated
by gestures, that he was to be abhorred, and before the sign of the
cross, he fell on his knees, as he had seen done by others. In this way
the instruction was carried on.
When Cappan had also made progress in expressing himself, it came out,
that his past life had really been a very bad one. He nodded in the
affirmative, when asked whether he had taken pleasure in the
destruction of churches and monasteries, and from the number of his
outstretched fingers, it became evident, that he had assisted more than
once, at such sacrilege. With evident signs of sincere repentance, he
confessed to having once eaten part of a slain priest's heart, in order
to cure himself of fever. In expiation, he now diligently learned to
express his guilt in words, and whenever a word was missing, Friderun
helped him. So, in a short time, Ekkehard could declare himself
satisfied; though his mind certainly had not yet taken in all that St.
Augustine requires, in his book on the teaching of infidels. The same
day was then fixed upon, for both baptism and wedding. According to the
Duchess's desire, he was to have three godfathers; one from Reichenau,
one from St. Gall, and a third from the arrier-ban, in remembrance of
the battle in which he had been taken prisoner. Those of the Reichenau,
sent Rudimann the cellarer, whilst the arrier-ban was represented by
Master Spazzo; and because the god-fathers could not make up their
minds, whether the converted should be called Pirminius in honour of
the Reichenau, or Gallus, they brought the case before the Duchess, to
abide by her decision. She said: "Call him Paul, for he also has gone
out breathing fury and vengeance against the disciples of the Lord,
until the scales were taken from his eyes."
It was on a Saturday, when the godfathers led Cappan, who had fasted
during the whole day, to the castle-chapel, and they alternately spent
the night with him, in prayer. The Hun was resigned and devout, and on
the whole in a becoming frame of mind. He believed that the spirit of
his mother, dressed in lambs' skins, had appeared to him, saying: "Poor
son, thy bow is broken, and thou no more canst flee; and those who have
disarmed thee, thy masters now shall be."
Early, on Sunday morning, when the pearly dewdrops were still hanging
on the grass, and the first lark was soaring up to the bright blue sky,
a small troop, bearing a cross and flag, marched down the hill,--this
time no funeral train!
Ekkehard walked in front, dressed in a purple priest's garment, and
behind him came the Hun, between his two god-fathers. Thus they walked
through the luxurious meadow-lands, down to the shores of the little
river Aach. Arrived there, they stuck the cross into the white sand,
and then formed a semi-circle round him who for the last time, was to
be called Cappan. In the quiet of that Sabbath morning, the clear notes
of the litany rose up to God, imploring Him, to look down mercifully on
the man who was now bending his head before Him, longing for
deliverance from the yoke of heathendom and sin.
Then they told him to undress down to the belt. He was kneeling on the
sand, whilst Ekkehard pronounced the exorcism over him, in the name of
Him whom angels and archangels adore; before whom the heavens and earth
tremble and abysses open. He then breathed three times on his forehead,
and putting some consecrated salt into his mouth, as a symbol of new
wisdom and new thoughts, he anointed his forehead and breast with holy
oil. The Hun was perfectly awed, scarcely daring to breathe; so much
the solemnity of the action impressed him, and when Ekkehard asked him,
in the words of the prescribed formula: "Dost thou renounce the Devil
and all his works and doings?" he replied with a clear voice: "I
renounce him!" and then repeated the words of the creed, as well as he
could. Upon this, Ekkehard immersed him in the river; the baptism was
pronounced, and the new Paul rose from the waters.... One melancholy
look he cast at the fresh mound on the newly dug grave, at the border
of the wood,--then his god-fathers drew him out, and wrapped his
trembling form, in a dazzling white linen garment. Proudly he stood
amongst his new brothers. Ekkehard then preached a short sermon, on the
text, "He is blessed who taketh good care of his garments, so that he
shall not be found naked," and exhorted him to wear this spotless
linen, in sign of his regeneration from sin to godliness, wrought in
him by baptism; and finally he laid both hands on his head. With
loud-sounding jubilant hymns, they led back the new christian to the
castle.
In the arched window embrasure, in one of the basement chambers, the
tall Friderun had been sitting meanwhile; Praxedis gliding about her
like an unstable will-o'-the-wisp. She had sued the Duchess's
permission, to array the awkward bride, on this her day of honour. Her
hair was already entwined with red ribbons, and the apron with its
wonderful amount of folds, falling down to the high-heeled shoes,
was put on. Over this was fastened the dark belt with its gilt
border,--only he who wins the bride may unclasp it,--and now Praxedis
took up the glittering crown, bedecked with innumerable coloured glass
beads, and tinsel gold.
"Holy mother of God," exclaimed she, "must this also be put on? If thou
walkest along in that head-gear, they will believe in the distance,
that some tower had sprung into life, and was going to be wedded."
"It must be," said Friderun.
"And why must it be?" said the Greek. "I have seen many a smart bride
at home, wearing the myrtle wreath, or the silver-green olive branch in
her locks, and it was well so. To be sure, neither myrtle nor olive
grows in these dark, gloomy fir-woods of yours, but ivy would be pretty
also, Friderun?"
But she turned round angrily on her chair. "Rather not marry at all,
than go to church with leaves and grass in my hair," replied she. "That
may do well enough for foreigners, but when a Hegau maiden, goes to her
wedding, the _Schappel-crown_ must adorn her head. Thus it has always
been, ever since the Rhine flowed through the Bodensee, and the
mountains have stood here. We Suabians are a princely race, as my
father said many a time."
"Your will shall be done," said Praxedis, fastening the spangled crown
on her head.
The tall bride arose, but a frown had gathered on her forehead, like a
fleeting cloud, that throws its shadow on a sunny plain.
"Wilt thou cry now already, so that the tears may be spared thee in
wedlock?" asked the Greek.
Friderun made a serious face, and the ungracious mouth assumed a very
sorrowful expression, so that Praxedis had some difficulty in
restraining a laugh.
"I feel so depressed," said the bride of the Hun.
"And what is depressing thee, future rival of the pine-trees on the
Stoffler-mountain?"
"I am afraid that the young men will play me some trick, because I
marry a foreigner. When the convent-farmer of the Schlangenhof, brought
home the old widow from Bregenz wood, they went to his house on the
wedding-night, and with bull's horns, brass kettles and sea-shells made
such a terrible noise, as if a hail-storm was to be frightened away;
and when the miller of Rielasingen came out of the house, on the first
morning after his marriage, they had put a dry and withered May-pole
before his door, and instead of flowers and ribbons, a wisp of straw
and a ragged apron, hang from it."
"Be sensible," said Praxedis, soothingly.
But Friderun would not take comfort, and dolefully went on, "and what,
if they should treat me, like the gamekeeper's widow, when she married
the apprentice boy? Her roof was cut intwain during the night, so that
one half fell down to the right and one to the left; and the starry sky
shone into their marriage-bed; and the rooks flew about their heads,
without their knowing why and wherefore."
Praxedis laughed. "I hope that thou hast got a good conscience,
Friderun?" said she significantly; but Friderun was now very nearly
crying.
"And who knows," said she evasively, "what my Cappan ..."
"Paul," Praxedis corrected her.
"... may have done in his younger days. Last night I dreamt that he
held me close in his arms, when suddenly a Hunnic woman, with yellow
face and black hair, came and tore him away. 'He is mine,' cried she,
and when I did not let him go, she became a serpent, and tightly coiled
herself around him."
"Leave alone serpents and Hunnic women now," interrupted Praxedis, "and
get thyself ready, for they are already coming up the hill. Don't
forget the sprig of rosemary, and the white handkerchief."
Cappan's white garment shone out brightly in the courtyard, and so
Friderun gave the slip to all foreboding thoughts, and walked out. The
bride's-maids welcomed her outside; he who had just been baptized,
laughed at her with his whole face; the chapel-bell rang out merrily,
and so they went to be married.
The religious ceremony was over, and the new couple walked out of the
castle-yard with beaming faces. Friderun's kith and kin had come;
strong healthy-looking people; who, as regarded bodily height, did not
fall short of Friderun. They were farmers and yeomen on the
neighbouring lands, and had come to help in lighting the first fire on
the new hearth, at the foot of the Hohenstoffeln, and to celebrate the
wedding in all due form. On a cart decorated with garlands, which
headed the train, the bride's outfit was to be seen. There, the huge
bedstead of pine-wood was not missing, on which roses and magic signs
were painted; meant to drive away night-mares, goblins and other
nightly sprites. Besides this, there were still sundry boxes and
trunks, containing the necessary household articles.
The bride's-maids carried the distaff, with the bundle of flax, and the
prettily adorned bridal broom, made of white birch twigs; simple
emblems of industry and order for the future household.
Loud shouts of joy and merriment were not wanting either, and Cappan
felt, as if the baptismal floods had swept away all recollection of his
having ever governed, and lived on the back of a swift-footed horse.
Decently and soberly, he walked along with his new relations, as if he
had been a bailiff, or magistrate of Hegau, since his youth. Before the
noise of the merry-makers going down the hill, had died away, two
nice-looking lads, the sons of the steward at the imperial castle of
Bodmann, and cousins of Friderun, appeared before the Duchess and her
guests. They came to invite them to the wedding; each with a cowslip
stuck behind his ear, and a nosegay in his button-hole.
Somewhat embarrassed, they remained standing at the entrance, until the
Duchess made them a sign to approach, upon which they walked on a few
steps, stopped again, and scraping a deep bow, they spoke the old
customary words of the invitation to the wedding-feast of their cousin,
begging her, to follow them over dale and vale, roads and moats,
bridges and water to the house of the wedding. There she would find
some vegetables, such as the good God had given. A tun would be tapped,
and violins ringing, a dancing and singing, jumping and springing. "We
beseech you, to accept two bad messengers for one good one. Blessed be
Jesus Christ!" so they concluded their speech, and without waiting for
the answer, they scraped another bow, and quickly hurried away.
"Shall we give the honour of our presence, to the youngest of our
christian subjects," gaily asked Dame Hadwig. The guests well knew,
that questions which were so graciously put, must not be answered in
the negative. So they all rode over in the afternoon. Rudimann, the
deputy of St. Pirmin's monastery, accompanied them; but he was silent
and watchful. His account with Ekkehard had not yet been settled.
The Stoffler-mountain, with its three basalt pinnacles, feathered with
stately pine-trees looks proudly down over the land. The castle, whose
ruins now crown its summit, was not built then; only on the highest of
the three points stood a deserted tower. Somewhat lower down, on a
projecting part of the hill, there was a modest little house, hidden
amongst the trees, which was to be the domicile of the newly married
pair. As a tribute, and sign that the owner of the house was the
Duchess's vassal, it was decreed that he should furnish every year
fifty moles' skins, and on the day of St. Gallus a live wren.
On a green meadow in the woods, the wedding-party had erected their
camp. In large kettles and pans, a tremendous cooking and frying was
going on; and he who could not get some dish or plate, feasted
off a wooden board; and where a fork was wanting, a double pointed
hazel-wand, was installed in its place.
Cappan had made an effort to sit decently and upright by the side of
his spouse; but in the depth of his mind, he was revolving the thought,
whether after some time, he could not resume his old custom, of lying
down during meal-times.
During the long intervals between the different dishes,--for though the
repast had begun at midday, it was to last until sunset,--the Hun
rested his limbs, which had been tortured by the continual sitting.
Welcomed by the sounds of the rustic musical band, the Duchess with her
train, now approached, on horseback. Stopping her palfrey, she looked
down into the crowd of merry-makers, amongst which the new Paul was
shewing off his wild antics. The music, not being sufficient for him,
he shouted and whistled his own time, wheeling his tall spouse about,
in a labyrinthine dance. It looked like a walking tower, dancing with a
wild cat; the slow one, dancing with the swift; now together, then
apart; now breast to breast, then back to back. Sometimes he would
suddenly thrust his partner away, and beating his wooden shoes together
in the air, he made seven capers, one always higher than the other; and
finally dropping on his knees before Dame Hadwig, he bowed his head as
if he would kiss the dust, which her horse's hoofs had touched. This
was the expression of his gratitude.
His Hegau cousins, looking on at this wonderful dancing, conceived the
laudable desire of emulation, and perhaps later, they had themselves
instructed in the art; for one still hears a legendary account of the
"_seven capers_," or the Hunnic "_hop_" in those parts, which as a
variation from the customary monotonous Suabian round-dances, had since
those days, become the crowning feat of all festivals.
"Where is Ekkehard?" asked the Duchess, who after getting down from
her palfrey, had walked through the ranks of her subjects. Praxedis
pointed over to some shady spot, where a gigantic pine-tree lifted its
dark-green top towards the sky. On its knotty, rugged roots, the monk
was sitting. The loud merriment of the crowd of people oppressed his
heart, though he could not tell why. So he had gone aside, and was
dreamily gazing at the faint distant outlines of the Alps, rising over
the woody hills.
It was one of those soft, balmy evenings, such as Sir Burkhart of
Hohenvels enjoyed in later times from his huge tower on the lake; "when
the air is tempered and mixed up with sun-fire." The distance was
shrouded in a soft glowing haze. He, who has ever looked down from
those quiet mountain-tops, when on a bright, radiant day, the sun is
slowly sinking down, arrayed in all the splendour of his royal robes;
when heaven and earth are palpitating with warmth and light, whilst
dark purple shadows, fill up the valleys, and a margin-glory, like
liquid gold illumines the snowy alpine peaks,--he will not easily
forget that aspect; and perchance when sitting later, within his dusky
walls, the memory of it will rise in his heart, as soft and
bewitchingly sweet, as a song uttered in the melting tones of the
South.
Ekkehard was sitting there, with a serious expression on his
countenance; his head supported by his right hand.
"He is no longer as he used to be," said Dame Hadwig to the Greek maid.
"He is no longer, as he used to be," thoughtlessly repeated Praxedis,
for she was intently gazing on the women of the Hegau, in their
holiday-garments; and whilst scrutinizing those high, stiff bodices;
and tun-like, starched skirts, she wondered whether the genius of good
taste, had left that land for ever in despair,--or whether his foot had
never entered it.
Dame Hadwig now approached Ekkehard. He started up from his mossy seat,
as if he saw a ghost.
"All alone, and away from the merry-makers?" asked she. "What are you
doing here?"
"I am thinking, where real happiness may be found," replied Ekkehard.
"Happiness?" repeated the Duchess. "'Fortune is a fickle dame, who
seldom stays long anywhere,' says the proverb. Has she never paid you a
visit?"
"Probably not," said the monk, riveting his eyes on the ground. With
renewed vigour, the music and noise of the dancers struck the ear.
"Those who lightly tread the green meadowlands, and know how to
express with their feet, what oppresses their hearts, are happy,"
continued he. "Perhaps one requires very little to be happy; but above
all,"--pointing over to the distant, glittering Alpine peaks,--"there
must be no distant heights which our feet may never hope to reach."
"I do not understand you," coldly said the Duchess, but her heart
thought otherwise than her tongue. "And how fares your Virgil," said
she, changing the conversation. "During those days of anxiety and
warfare, I am afraid that dust and cobwebs will have settled on it."
"He will always find a refuge in my heart, even if the parchment should
decay," replied he. "Only a few moments ago, his verses in praise of
agriculture, passed through my mind. Yonder the little house, nestling
in the shade-giving trees; down below, the dark fertile fields; and a
newly wedded pair, going to earn their bread with hoe and plough from
kind mother Earth. With a feeling almost of envy, Virgil's picture rose
before me:"
"Simple and artless, his life is with many a blessing surrounded,
Rich with many a joy, and peaceful rest after labour,
Grottoes and shady retreats, affording a shelter for slumber."
"You well know, how to adapt his verses to life," said Dame Hadwig,
"but I fear, that your envy has made you forget Cappan's duties of
destroying the moles, and the obnoxious field-mice. And then the joys
of winter! when the snow rises like a wall up to the straw-thatched
roof, so that daylight is sorely perplexed through what chink or
crevice, it may creep into the house." ...
"Even such a dilemma, I could bear with composure, and Virgil too,
knows how this may be done."
"Many a one, in the winter, will sit by the glare of the fire,
Late in the evening then; the light-giving torches preparing,--
During the time that his wife his favourite ditties is singing,
Throwing the shuttle along, with a dexterous hand through the
texture."
"His wife?" maliciously asked the Duchess. "But if he has got no
wife?"--
From the other side there now arose a loud shout of delighted laughter.
They had put their Hunnic cousin on a board, and were carrying him high
above their heads; as they used to carry the newly chosen king on his
shield, in the olden days of election. Even in this elevated position,
he made some gleeful capers.
"And _may_ not have a wife?" said Ekkehard absently. His forehead was
burning. He covered it with his right hand. Wherever he looked, the
sight pained him. Yonder, the loud joy of the wedding-guests; here the
Duchess, and in the distance, the glittering mountains. An
inexpressible pain was gnawing at his heart; but his lips remained
closed. "Be strong and silent," he said to himself.
He was in reality no longer as he used to be. The undisturbed peace of
his lonely cell had forsaken him. The late battle, as well as all the
excitement, brought on by the Hunnic invasion, had widened his
thoughts; and the signs of favour which the Duchess had shown him, had
called up a fierce conflict in his heart. By day and by night, he was
haunted by the recollection, how she had stood before him, hanging the
relic round his neck, and giving him the sword, that had been her
husband's; and in evil moments, self-reproaches,--misty and unexpressed
as yet,--that he had received these gifts so silently, passed through
his troubled soul. Dame Hadwig had no idea of all that was stirring in
his heart. She had accustomed herself to think more indifferently of
him, since she had been humiliated by his apparently not understanding
her; but as often as she saw him again, with his noble forehead clouded
by grief, and with that mute appealing look in his eyes,--then the old
game began afresh.
"If you take such delight in agricultural pursuits," said she lightly,
"I can easily help you to that. The Abbot of Reichenau has provoked me.
To think of asking for the pearl of my estates, as if it were a mere
crumb of bread, which one shakes down from the table-cloth, without so
much as looking at it!"
Here something rustled in the bushes behind them, but they did not
notice it. A dark brown colour might have been seen between the
foliage. Was it a fox, or a monk's garment?--
"I will appoint you steward of it," continued Dame Hadwig. "Then you
will have all that, the lack of which has made you melancholy to-day;
and far more still. My Saspach is situated on the merry old Rhine, and
the Kaiserstuhl boasts the honour, that it was the first to bear the
vine in our lands. The people are honest and good thereabouts, though
they speak rather a rough language."
Ekkehard's eyes were still resting on the ground.
"I can also give you a description of your life there; though I have
not Virgil's talent for painting. Fancy that autumn has come. You have
led a healthy life; getting up with the sun, and going to bed with the
chickens,--and so vintage-time has arrived. From all sides men and
maids are descending, with baskets full of ripe, luscious grapes. You
stand at the door looking on ..."
Again the rustling was heard.
"... and wondering how the wine will be, and whose health, you are
going to drink in it. The Voges-mountains seem to wink over at you, as
bright and blue, as the Alps do from here; and as you are gazing at
them, you see a cloud of dust rising on the highroad from Breisach.
Soon after, horses and carriages become visible, and--well, Master
Ekkehard, who is coming?"
Ekkehard who had scarcely followed her recital, shyly said, "who?"
"Who else, but your mistress, who will not give up her sovereign right
of examining her subjects doings!"
"And then?"
"Then? then I shall gather information about how Master Ekkehard has
been fulfilling his duties; and they will all say: 'he is good and
earnest, and if he would not think and brood quite so much, and not
read so often in his parchments, we should like him still better.'" ...
"And then?" asked he once more. His voice sounded strange.
"Then I shall say in the words of Scripture: 'well done, thou good and
faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will
make thee ruler over many things.'"
Ekkehard stood there like one, but half conscious. He lifted one arm,
and let it fall again. A tear trembled in his eye. He was very unhappy.
... At the same time, a man softly crept out, from the bushes. As soon
as he felt the grass again under his feet, he let his habit, which had
been gathered up, drop down. Looking stealthily back once more at the
two, standing there, he shook his head, like one who has made a
discovery. He had certainly not gone into the bushes, to gather
violets.
The wedding-feast, by slow stages had got to that point, where a
general chaos threatens. The mead was having its effect, on the
different minds. One, hung his upper garment on a tree, feeling an
almost irresistible inclination to smash everything; whilst another
strove to embrace everybody. A third, who remembered having culled many
a kiss from Friderun's cheek, ten years ago, sat gloomily at the table,
where he had emptied many a goblet, and looking down at the ants, that
crept about on the floor, said to himself: "Heigho! None of them is
worth a straw."--The two youths, who had looked so very shy in the
morning, when they came to invite the Duchess, were now playing an
Allemannic trick, on their Hunnic kinsman. They had dragged a large
linen sheet out of one of the wedding trunks. On this they placed the
unfortunate Cappan, and then taking hold of the four corners, they
jerked him up into the air. The victim of this trick, taking this
treatment as a mark of friendship and respect, customary in those
parts, submitted with perfect good grace, swinging himself gaily up and
down.
Suddenly the tall Friderun gave a loud shriek, upon which all heads
were turned round to see what might have caused it. The two cousins
almost let fall the sheet, when a shout of delight broke forth, so loud
and uproarious, that even the old fir-grown basalt rocks, were probably
surprised by it; used though they were, to the noise of tempests and
storms.
Audifax and Hadumoth were there, on their way back from the Huns, and
had been discovered first by the tall bride. Audifax led the horse
that carried the treasure-boxes, by the reins, and with beaming faces,
the two children walked side by side. That day they had once more
beheld the top of the Hohentwiel, and had greeted it with a shout of
delight. "Don't tell them everything," whispered Audifax, putting long
willow-branches over the panniers.
Friderun was the first who ran to meet them, and snatching Hadumoth up
from the ground, she carried her off in triumph.
"Welcome ye lost-ones! Drink bag-piper, drink my boy!" so they cried on
all sides, for they all knew of his captivity, and held out the huge
stone-jugs in sign of welcome.
The children had agreed together on the road, in what way they should
accost the Duchess, when they came home.
"We must thank her very prettily," Hadumoth had said. "And I must give
her back the gold Thaler. I got Audifax for nothing, I shall tell her."
"No we will add to it still two of the biggest gold coins," Audifax had
replied. "This we will present, begging her to remain our gracious
mistress as before. That shall be our thanks, as well as the fine, for
my having slain the woman of the wood."
So they had got the gold all ready prepared.
They now caught sight of the Duchess, standing with Ekkehard under the
pine-tree. The wild burst of joy had interrupted their agricultural
conversation. Praxedis came bounding along, to impart the wondrous
news, and following on her heels, the two youthful runaways, walked
hand in hand. They both knelt down before Dame Hadwig; Hadumoth holding
up her Thaler, and Audifax his two big gold coins. He tried to speak,
but his voice failed him.... Then Dame Hadwig, with lofty grace,
addressed the surrounders.
"The silliness of my two young subjects, affords me an opportunity, to
give them a proof of my favour. Be witnesses thereof."
Breaking off a hazel-wand from a neighbouring bush, she approached the
children, and after first shaking the golden coins out of their hands,
so that they flew into the grass, she touched their heads with the
branch, saying: "Arise, and in future scissors shall never cut off your
hair any more. As vassals belonging to the castle of Hohentwiel, ye
have knelt down, as freedmen, stand up again; and may ye be as fond of
each other in your free state, as before!"
This was the form of granting freedom, according to the Salic law. The
Emperor Lotharius, had already shaken the golden Denar, out of his old
servant Doda's hand; thus freeing her from the yoke of slavery; and as
Audifax was of Franconian birth, Dame Hadwig had not acted according to
the Allemannic laws.
The two children arose. They had well understood what had happened. A
strange dizzy feeling had seized the little goat-herd's brain. The
dream of his youth,--liberty, golden treasure,--all had become true! a
lasting reality, for all days to come!
When the mist before his eyes, had cleared away again, he beheld
Ekkehard's serious countenance, and throwing himself at his feet with
Hadumoth, he cried: "Father Ekkehard, we thank you also, for having
been good to us!"
"What a pity that it is already so late," said Praxedis, "or you might
have joined another pair in wedlock; or at least have sanctified a
solemn betrothal; for these two, belong as much to each other, as
yonder pair."
Ekkehard let his blue eyes, rest for a while on the two children.
Laying his hands on their heads and making the sign of the cross over
them, he softly said to himself, "where is happiness?"----
Late at night, Rudimann the cellarer rode back to his monastery. The
ford being dry he could cross it on horseback. From the Abbot's cell, a
gleam of light still fell on the lake. So Rudimann knocked at his door,
and but half opening it said: "My ears have taken in more to-day, than
they liked to hear. 'Tis all over with the Saspach estate on the Rhine.
She is going to make that milksop of St. Gall steward of it." ...
"_Varium et mutabile semper femina!_ Woman is ever fickle and
changeable!" murmured the Abbot, without looking round. "Good night!"
CHAPTER XVII.
Gunzo verso Ekkehard.
During the time in which all that has been told until now, was
happening on the shores of the Bodensee, far away in the Belgian lands,
in the monastery of the holy Amandus _sur l'Elnon_, a monk had been
sitting in his cell. Day after day, whenever the convent rules
permitted it, he sat there transfixed as by a spell. The rough and
cheerless winter time had come; all the rivers were frozen up, and snow
covered the plain as far as eye could see,--he scarcely noticed it.
Spring followed and drove away winter,--he heeded it not. The brothers
talked of war, and evil tidings, which had reached them from the
neighbouring Rhine-lands,--but he had no time to listen to these tales.
In his cell, every article of furniture, nay even the floor was covered
with parchments, for almost all the monastery's books had emigrated to
his chamber. There, he sat reading and thinking, and reading again, as
if he wanted to find out the first cause of all being. On his right,
lay the psalms and holy Scriptures; on his left the remains of
heathenish wisdom. Everything he peered over assiduously; now and then,
a malicious smile interrupting the seriousness of his studies, upon
which he would hastily scribble down some lines, on a narrow strip of
parchment. Were these, grains of gold and precious stones, which he dug
out of the mines of ancient wisdom? No.
"What on earth, can be the matter with brother Gunzo?" said his
fellow-monks amongst themselves. "In former times his tongue rattled on
like a millwheel, and the books were seldom disturbed in their rest, by
him; for, did he not often say with boasting mien: 'They can only tell
me, what I know already?'--and now? Why, now his pen hurries on,
sputtering and scratching, so that you may bear the noise it makes,
even in the cross-passage. Does he hope to become notary or prime
minister of the Emperor? Is he trying to find the philosopher's stone,
or is he perhaps writing down, his journey in Italy?"
But brother Gunzo, continued his labours undisturbed, whatever they
were. Untiringly he emptied his jug of water and read his classics. The
first thunder-storms came, telling of summer's heat; but he let thunder
and lightning do as they pleased, without minding them. His slumbers at
night were sometimes broken by his rushing up to his inkstand, as if he
had caught some good ideas in his dreams; but often they had vanished
before he had succeeded in writing them down. Still his perseverance in
trying to attain his aim, never wavered, and consoling himself with the
prophetic words of Homer: "Yet though it tarry long, the day is
certainly coming," he crept back to his couch.
Gunzo was in the prime of life; of moderate height and portly
dimensions. When he stood before his well-polished metal mirror in the
early morning, and gazed somewhat longer than was necessary, on his own
image, he would often stroke his reddish beard with a threatening
gesture, as if he were going out there and then, to fight in single
combat.
In his veins, flowed Franconian as well as Gallic blood, and this
latter gave him something of the liveliness and sprightliness, which is
wanting in all those of pure Teutonic race. For this reason, he had
bitten and torn a good many more goose quills, whilst writing, than any
monk in a German monastery would have done, besides holding many a
soliloquy, in the same space of time. In spite of this he mastered the
natural restlessness of his body, and forced his feet to keep quiet,
under the heavily laden writing desk.
On a soft, balmy summer evening, when his pen had again flitted over
the patient parchment, like a will-o'-the-wisp, emitting a soft
creaking sound, it suddenly began to slacken its pace,--then made a
pause; a few strokes more, and then he executed a tremendous flourish
on the remaining space below, so that the ink made an involuntary
shower of spots, like black constellations. He had written the word
_finis_, and with a deep sigh of relief he rose from his chair, like a
man from whose mind, some great weight has been taken. Casting a long
look on that which lay before him, black on white, he solemnly
exclaimed, "praised be the holy Amandus! we are avenged!"
At this great and elevating moment, he had finished a libel, dedicated
to the venerable brotherhood on the Reichenau, and aimed at,--Ekkehard
the custodian at St. Gall. When the fair-haired interpreter of Virgil
took leave of his monastery, and went to the Hohentwiel, he never,
though he searched the remotest corners of his memory, had an inkling
of the fact, that there was a man living, whose greatest wish and
desire was to take vengeance on him; for he was inoffensive and
kindhearted, never willingly hurting a fly. And yet so it was, for
between Heaven and Earth, and especially in the minds of learned men,
many things will happen, which the reason of the reasonable, never
dreams of.
History has its caprices, both in preserving and destroying. The German
songs and epics, which the great Emperor Charles had so carefully
collected, were to perish in the dust and rubbish of the following
ages; whilst the work of Brother Gunzo, which never benefited any one
of the few who read it, has come down to posterity. Let the monstrous
deed, which so excited the Gallic scholar's ire, therefore be told in
his own words.
"For a long space of time,--thus he wrote to his friends on the
Reichenau,--the revered and beloved King Otto, had carried on
negotiations with the different Italian princes, to let me come over to
his lands. But as I was neither of such low birth, or so dependent upon
any, that I could have been forced to this step, he himself sent a
petition to me, of which the consequence was, my pledging myself to
obey his call. Thus it happened, that when he left Italy, I soon
followed him, and when I did so, I did it with the hope, that my
coming,--whilst harming no one, might benefit many; for what sacrifices
does the love of one's fellow-creatures, and the desire to please, not
entice us into? Thus I travelled onwards, not like a Briton, armed with
the sharp weapons of censure, but in the service of love and science.
"Over high mountain-passes and steep ravines and valleys, I arrived at
last at the monastery of St. Gall, in a state of such bodily
exhaustion, that my hands, stiffened by the icy mountain air, refused
me their service, so that I had to be taken down from my mule by
stranger hands. The hope of the traveller, was to find a peaceful
resting-place, within the monastic walls; which hope was strengthened,
on beholding the frequent bending of heads, the sober-coloured
garments, soft-treading steps, and sparing use of speech, prevalent
there. So I was wholly unprepared for what was to follow; although by a
strange chance, I happened to think of Juvenal's saying with regard to
the false philosophers.
'Sparing and soft is their speech,--but malice is lurking
behind it!'
and who would have believed that the said heathen was gifted with a
prophetic vision of future cowl-bearing wickedness?
"Yet I was still harmlessly enjoying my life, waiting to see, whether
amongst the scanty murmurs of the brothers, some sparks of
philosophical wisdom would shine forth. All remained dark however, for
they were preparing the arms of cunning.
"Amongst their numbers, there was also a young convent-pupil and his
uncle, who--well, who was no better than he should be! They called
him a worthy teacher of the school; although to me he appeared rather
to look at the world with the eyes of a turtle-dove. Of this
languishing-looking wiseacre I shall have to say more, presently.
Listen, and judge of his deed!
"Walking up and down, he instigated the convent-pupil to become a
partaker of his base design.
'Night had come, and with it the time for grief-stilling slumber:
After the sumptuous meal, Bacchus exacted his rights'----
when an evil star prompted my making a mistake in the use of a _casus_,
in the Latin table speeches we held together; using an _accusativus_,
where I ought to have put an _ablativus_.
"Now it became evident, in what kind of arts, that far-famed teacher
had instructed his pupil, all day long. 'Such an offence against the
laws of grammar, deserved the rod,' mockingly said that little imp, to
_me_ the well-tried scholar; and he further produced a rhymed libel,
which his fine teacher must have prompted him to, and which caused a
rough cisalpine burst of laughter in the refectory, at the expense of
the stranger guest.
"But who does not know what the verses of a set of overbearing monks,
must be like? What do such as they know of the inner structure of a
poem, where all must be artistically built up, to produce a fine and
pleasing effect? What of the high dignity of poetry?--They pucker up
their lips, and spout forth a poem, like to that Lucilius, who has been
branded by Horace; and who, whilst standing on one foot only, dictated
two hundred verses and more, before an hour had elapsed.
"Judge now, ye venerable brothers, what insults have been heaped
on me; and what must be the character of the man, who can upbraid his
fellow-creature for mistaking an _ablativus_!"
The man, who intending only a harmless jest, had committed this fearful
crime, was Ekkehard. But a few weeks before the sudden turn in his fate
brought him to the Hohentwiel, the terrible deed had been done. With
the coming morn on the next day, he had forgotten the conversation that
had taken place at supper with the overbearing Italian, but in the
bosom of him, who had been convicted of the wrong _ablativus_, was
matured a rancour as fierce and gnawing as that, which, caused by the
war-deeds of Achilles, drove the Telamonian Aïas, to destroy himself,
and which followed him even into the Hades.
He rode towards the north out of the valley along through which the
Sitter rushes; he saw the Bodensee and the Rhine, and thought of the
_ablativus_! He entered the grey and ancient gates of Cologne, and
crossed the frontiers of Belgium,--but the false _ablativus_ sat behind
him on the saddle like an incubus. The cloister-walls of the holy
Amandus could not exclude it; and in the early psalms at morning, and
during the litany and vespers, the _accusativus_, rose before his mind,
exacting its expiatory sacrifice.
Of all the unpleasant days of one's life, those imprint themselves
deepest in our minds, in which by our own fault, a humiliation has
befallen us. Instead of being angry with one's self, one easily bears
an ill will towards all those, who were the involuntary witnesses of
our defeat. The human heart is so very unwilling to confess its own
failings; and many a one who unmoved can think of past battles and
dangers, feels his blood rush into his cheeks, at the recollection of
some foolish word, which escaped him just then, when he would have
liked so much to have made a brilliant remark.
Therefore Gunzo was bent on taking his revenge on Ekkehard, and he had
an able and sharp pen, and had spent many a month over his work, so
that it became a master-piece of its kind. It was a black soup, made up
of hundreds of learned quotations, richly seasoned with pepper and
worm-wood, and all those spicy, bitter things, which before all others,
give such a delicious flavour to the controversies of ecclesiastical
men.
Besides this, a delightful undercurrent of rudeness pervaded the whole;
so that the reader feels as though a man were being thrashed with
regular flails, in a neighbouring barn. This makes a very pleasant
contrast to our present times, in which the poison is presented in the
shape of gilt pills; and when the combatants first exchange a polite
bow, before they break each others heads.
The treatise was divided into two parts; the first serving to prove,
that only an ignorant and uncultivated mind could be shocked by so
slight an error, as the mistaking of a _casus_; whilst the second was
written in order to convince the world that the author himself, was the
wisest, most learned, and at the same time most pious of all his
contemporaries.
For this end he had read the classics and the holy Scriptures, in the
sweat of his brow, so that he could make a list of all the places in
which the caprice, or negligence of the author, had also misplaced an
_ablativus_. So he managed to name two in Virgil, one in Homer, Terence
and Priscianus. Further an example out of Persius, where the ablative
stands in the place of the genitive, besides a number of instances out
of the books of Moses, and the Psalms.
And if a number of such instances, can be found even in the holy
Scriptures, who is so wicked, that he would dare to blame or change,
such a mode of expression? Wrongly, therefore believes the little monk
of St. Gall, that I was not well versed in the grammar; although my
tongue may sometimes be impeded, by the habits of my own language,
which, though derived from the Latin, is yet very different from it.
Now, blunders are made, through carelessness, and human imperfection in
general; for, says Priscianus very truly: "I do not believe, that of
all human inventions, a single one, can be perfect in all respects, and
on all sides. In like manner, Horace has often taken it on himself, to
excuse negligences of style and language, in eminent men: '_sometimes
even the good Homer is slumbering_,' and Aristotle says in his book on
the _hermeneia_: 'All that, which our tongue utters, is merely an
outward expression of that which is stamped on our mind. The idea of a
thing, therefore is always pre-existent before the expression, and
therefore the thing itself is of far greater importance, than the mere
word. But whenever the meaning is abstruse, thou shalt patiently, and
with thy reasoning powers, try to find out the real import.'"
Then there followed innumerable classical examples of awkward and
negligent expressions of thought, which ended with the words of the
Apostle, who calls himself, "unskilled, with regard to speech, but not
unskilled in knowledge."
"If one therefore examines the behaviour of my antagonist of St. Gall,
one feels tempted to believe, that he had once invaded the garden of
some wise man; from one of whose hot-beds he had stolen a radish, which
had discomposed his stomach and increased his gall. Let everybody
therefore keep a sharp look-out on his garden. Evil communications,
corrupt good manners.
"Yet it is possible also, that he could not have done otherwise; for
having perchance rummaged the whole day long, in the remotest folds of
his cowl, to find something wherewith to regale the stranger guest, and
not finding anything else, but cunning and malice, he let his guest
taste a bit of that. Bad men have evil possessions.
"With his behaviour, his outward appearance,--which we did not fail
carefully to investigate,--was in strict harmony. His countenance bore
a pale lustre, like bad metal, used for the adulteration of the
genuine; his hair was crimped; his hood finer and daintier than
necessary, and his shoes of light make,--so that all the signs of
vanity were found on him, which were a vexation in the eyes of St.
Hieronymus, when he wrote: 'To my great regret, there are some of the
clergy in my parish, who are very anxious for their garments to be well
scented and their nails well polished; who anoint their curled hair
with precious ointments, and who wear dainty, embroidered shoes. Such
garments, however, are scarcely fitted for a dandy and bridegroom, let
alone for one of the Lord's elected.'
"Further I have reflected, whether the sound of his own name, was not
in harmony with his actions likewise. And what now? Ekkhard, or Akhar,
was his name,--as if already at his baptism, by dint of a prophetic
providence, he had been stigmatized with the name of a malefactor; for
who does not know of that Akhar who appropriated to himself a purple
mantle, as well as two hundred bags of silver, and a golden wedge, out
of the booty at Jericho, so that Joshuah, had him led out into a remote
valley, where he was stoned to death, by all Israel; and all he
possessed was given up to the flames?--Of such a man his namesake of
St. Gall, has shown himself to be a worthy successor; for he who
disregards the laws of politeness and good breeding, acts as badly as a
thief. He purloins the gold of true wisdom.
"If it were permitted to believe in the transmigration of souls, such
as Pythagoras has taught, it would be beyond all doubt, that the soul
of the Hebrew Akhar, had entered the frame of this Ekkehard, and in
this case one ought to pity it, as it were better to dwell in the body
of a fox even, than in that of a crafty and cunning monk. All this
which I have said until now, has been said without any personal hatred.
My hatred is directed only against the man's inherent wickedness.
Consequently I only detest an attribute of his and not the substance
itself, which we are bound to honour, as God's likeness, according to
Scripture.
"Please to observe now," continued Gunzo in the second part of his
book, "how insanely my enemy has acted against the benefits of science
and knowledge. More than a hundred written volumes, had I brought with
me, over the Alps; weapons of peace, such as Marcianus' flowery
instructions in the seven liberal arts; Plato's unfathomable depth in
his _Timæus_; the obscure wisdom of Aristotle, hardly lighted up in our
present days, in his book on the _hermeneia_, and Cicero's eloquence in
the _Topica_.
"How serious and faithful might our conversation not have been, if they
had questioned me, about these treasures! How could I imagine that such
as I, whom God has so richly gifted, would be ridiculed on account of
mistaking a _casus_! I who know Donat and Priscianus almost by heart!
"It is probable that that empty coxcomb believes, that he carries the
whole of the _Grammatica_, in his hood,--but beloved brethren, believe
me--he has scarcely had a glimpse of her back in the distance, and if
he were to try, to catch sight of her radiant countenance, he would
stumble, and fall to the ground, over his own awkward feet. The
_Grammatica_ is a noble woman, who wears for a woodcutter an aspect
very different from that she has for an Aristotle.
"But how shall I speak to you of grammar's sister, of dialectics, whom
that Greek sage has called, the nurse of intellect? Oh noble art! that
entangles the fool in her nets, whilst showing the wise man how to
evade them, and discloses to our wondering eyes, the hidden threads,
by which being and not-being are linked together! But of that, yon
cowl-bearing monk knows nothing! Nothing of that subtle fineness, which
with nineteen kinds of syllogisms, knows how to explain all that, which
has ever been thought before, as well as all that which can be thought
hereafter. God is wise, and deprives him of such knowledge; knowing
beforehand that he would only use it for deceitful and wicked ends ..."
In this way the learned Italian proved his superiority in all the
liberal arts. To rhetoric and all its treasures, a whole chapter was
dedicated, in which certain persons, to whom the Goddess Minerva had
once appeared in their dreams; and fools who believed that brevity of
expression is a proof of wisdom, were pointedly alluded to. Then
arithmetic, geometry and astronomy were discussed; interspersed with
deep investigations, on the questions, whether the stars were gifted
with intellectual souls, and a claim on immortality; and further
whether at the time when Joshuah had said: "Sun stand thou still upon
Gibeon; and thou moon in the valley of Ajalon," he had also imposed
immobility on the other five planets; or whether these had been allowed
to continue their circular motion.
A profound sounding of this problem, offered an opportunity of speaking
first of the harmony of the spheres, and then of music in general, as
the last of the liberal arts; and thus the vengeance-fraught little
ship, carried along by the billowy floods of learning, could at last
reach the goal, it had so long been aiming at.
"Wherefore now do you think, that I have expounded all this?" asked he
finally.
"Not to expound the elements of the liberal arts, but to expose the
folly of an ignorant man, who preferred pecking away at grammatical
blunders, to deriving true wisdom, from his guest; for though his
inward nature may for ever be shut out from the realms of art, he might
at least have caught an outward reflection of my light. But he was
swelling with insolent pride, so that he preferred to pass for a sage
amongst his fellow-monks; like to that frog which sitting in the mire,
thought to rival the bull in greatness. Ah, never has the pitiful
creature, stood on the heights of science, hearing God's own voice
speak to him. Born in the wilderness and grown up amidst silly,
prattling people, his soul has remained on the level of the beasts of
the field. Unwilling to dwell in the active life of this world, and
incapable of a life of inward contemplation, he has been marked by the
enemy of mankind, as his own. Willingly I would exhort you to try what
could be done for him, with the aid of healing medicine, but I sadly
fear that his disease is too deeply rooted.
"'For on a hardened skin, even sneeze-wort will prove, unavailing,'
says Persius.
"And now, after having read all this, please to judge ye venerable
brothers, whether I am the man to have merited such treatment and
ridicule, from the hands of a fool. I deliver both him and myself into
your hands, for before the judgment of the just, the fool falls back
into his own nothingness. _Finis!_"
"... Praised be the holy Amandus!" said Gunzo once more, when the last
word of his work had been written down. The old serpent would certainly
have swelled with joy, if it could have watched him, in the full glory
of his likeness to deity, when he added the last dot. 'And God looked
on all that he had made, and behold, it was good.' And Gunzo?--He did
the same.
Then he walked up to his metal looking-glass, and gazing for a long
time at his own reflection, as if it were of the greatest importance
for him, to study the countenance of the man who had annihilated the
Ekkehard of St. Gall, he finally made a deep bow to himself.
The bell in the refectory had for some time been announcing the
supper-hour. Psalm and grace were finished, and the brotherhood was
already seated before the steaming millet-porridge, when Gunzo at last
came in with a radiant countenance. The dean, silently pointed to a
remote corner away from his customary seat; for he, who missed the
regular hour too often, was, as a punishment, separated from the
others, and his wine was given to the poor. But without the least
murmur, Gunzo sat down, and drank his Belgian pump-water,--for his book
was lying finished in his cell, and that made up to him for everything.
When the meal was over, he invited some of his friends to come up to
his cell, in as mysterious a way, as if they were about to dig for some
hidden treasure, and when they were all assembled, he read his work out
to them. The monastery of St. Gallus, with its libraries, schools and
learned teachers, was far too famous in all Christendom for the
disciples of St. Amandus not to listen to the whizzing of Gunzo's
arrows, with a secret joy. Cleverness and a blameless life, are often
far more offensive to the world, than sin and wickedness. Therefore
they nodded their hoary heads approvingly, as Gunzo read out the choice
bits.
"It would have been well before this, to have taught these Helvetian
bears a lesson!" said one. "Insolence joined to roughness does not
deserve any gentler treatment."
Gunzo continued. "_Bene, optime, aristotelicissime!_" murmured the
assembled monks, when he had ended.
"May the dish please you, Brother Akhar!" exclaimed another. "Belgian
spice, to flavour the Helvetian cheese!"
The brother head-cook, embracing Gunzo, actually wept with joy. Nothing
so learned, profound and beautiful, had ever gone out into the world
before, from the cloister of St. Amandus. Only one of the brothers was
standing immovable near the wall.
"Well?" said Gunzo interrogatively.
"And where is charity?" softly asked the brother, and after these few
words he relapsed again into silence The reproach struck home.
"Thou art right, Hucbald," said he. "This want shall be supplied.
Charity requires us to pray for our enemies. Therefore I will add a
prayer for the poor fool, at the end. That will have a good appearance,
and impress all tender minds favourably. Ay?"
But the brother did not reply. It had become very late, and they all
left the cell now on tip-toe. Gunzo tried to retain him who had spoken
of charity, as he cared a good deal for his opinion; but Hucbald turned
away and followed the others.
"Matthew twenty-three, verse twenty-five," he murmured when his foot
had crossed the threshold. Nobody heard it.
Slumber that night, however, obstinately refused to close the eyes of
Gunzo the learned. So he read the production of his industry over and
over again. He soon knew in what place every word stood, and yet he
could not withdraw his eyes from the well-known lines. At last he
seized his pen, saying: "A more pious ending,--so be it!" He reflected
a while, pacing up and down his cell with slow measured steps. "It
shall be done in hexametres, for who has ever before, retaliated an
insult received, in so worthy a manner?"
So he sat down and wrote. He wished to write a prayer for his
enemy,--but then nobody can act contrary to his nature. Once more he
glanced over the written pages. They were really too good! Then he
penned the supplement. When the cock was announcing the dawn of day,
this also was finished. Two dozen and a half of rattling monks' verses.
That his thoughts, from the prayer for his antagonist, by degrees,
diverged on himself and his glorious work, was but a natural transition
for a man gifted with so much self-esteem.
With complacent unction, he wrote down the five last stanzas.
"Go then into the world, my book; and wherever, thou findest,
Shameful, slanderous tongues, which my glorious life are defiling,
Crush them without remorse, and humble them with thy just censure,
Until thy author one day, will enter the kingdom of Heaven,
Such as is promised to him, who has not buried his talents."
The parchment was rough, and resistant, so that he had to press the
goose-quill, in order to make it receive the letters.
On the next day, Gunzo packed up his epistle in a tin box, and this
again in a linen bag. A bondsman of the monastery, who had slain his
brother, had taken a vow of a pilgrimage to the grave of the twelve
Saints, with his right arm chained to his right hip; and to pray there
until some heavenly sign of grace, was shown to him. His way led
up the Rhine. So, Gunzo put the tin case round his neck, and a few
weeks later, it was delivered safe and sound into the hands of the
gate-keeper at Reichenau. Gunzo well knew his friends there. Therefore
he had dedicated the libel to them.
Moengal the old parish-priest had also some business to transact in the
monastery, on that day. In the stranger's room sat the Belgian pilgrim.
They had given him some fish-soup, which he managed to eat with much
difficulty; his chains clinking whenever he lifted his arm.
"Thou hadst better go home again, and marry the widow of the man thou
hast slain," said Moengal. "That would be a far better expiation, than
to make a fool's journey into the wide world, with your rattling
chains."
The pilgrim shook his head silently, as if he thought that such chains
might prove heavier still, than any which the blacksmith could forge.
Moengal asked to be announced to the Abbot. "He is very busy with some
book he is reading," was the answer. Nevertheless he was ushered into
his presence.
"Sit down, parish-priest," graciously said the Abbot. "I know that you
are rather fond of salty and peppery things. Here's something for you."
He read out to him Gunzo's libel which had just arrived. The old man
listened attentively, but his eyebrows contracted and his nostrils
expanded during the lecture.
When he had come to the description of Ekkehard's curly hair and fine
shoes, the Abbot was nearly convulsed with laughter, but Moengal sat
there, rigid and serious, and on his forehead a frown had gathered,
like clouds before a thunderstorm.
"Well I reckon, that his pride will be well whipped out of him!" said
the Abbot. "Sublime! really sublime! And an abundance of knowledge.
That will strike home, and cannot be answered."
"But it can though," grimly said the parish-priest.
"And in what way?" eagerly asked the Abbot.
Moengal made a gesture of evil import. "A good stick from a holly-bush,
or a brave hazel-wand, is all that's wanted, and then to go down the
Rhine, until there is but an arm's length left between the Suabian wood
and the Italian writer's back. And then." ... He concluded his speech
figuratively.
"You are somewhat rude, parish-priest, and have no appreciation of
learning," said the Abbot. "To be sure--such a treatise as that can
only be written by a refined intellect. Respect, I say!"
"Fine learning that, indeed!" exclaimed Moengal, who had worked himself
into a downright rage. "'Puffed-up lips, and a bad and wicked heart, are
like an earthen pot, covered with tinsel,' says Solomon. Learned? Why,
the wood in my parish is as learned as that, for it also repeats, what
you call out to it, and that is at least a melodious echo. We know
these Belgian peacocks, which are to be found though, also in other
parts. Their feathers are stolen, and their singing, in spite of tail
and rainbow-colours behind, is hoarse, and will always be hoarse; no
matter what airs the creatures may give themselves. Before my great
recovery, I also believed that it was singing, instead of croaking,
when a fellow puffed up his cheeks with grammar and dialectics, but
now: 'Farewell, _Marcianus Capella_,' say we now at Radolfszell!"
"I believe that it is time for you to think of going home, as the
clouds are fast gathering over Constance," said the Abbot.
Then the parish-priest found out, that he had not chosen a suitable
individual, for expounding his views on healthy opinions and science
to. So he took leave.
"For the matter of that, thou mightst have remained as well in thy
monastery at Benchor on the emerald isle, thou Irish wooden-head,"
thought Abbot Wazmann, whilst taking leave with evident coolness.
"Rudimann!" he called out through the passage, when Moengal was gone.
Rudimann, instantly made his appearance.
"I suppose you remember the last vintage-time," began the Abbot, "as
well as a blow given to you by a certain milk-sop, to whom a fanciful
Duchess, is now about to give certain lands?"
"I remember the blow," replied Rudimann with a bashful smile, like a
maiden who is questioned about her lover.
"That blow has been returned by someone, with a strong and unrelenting
hand. You may be satisfied. Read this," handing Gunzo's parchment to
him.
"By your leave," said Rudimann, stepping up to the window. He had
tasted many a noble wine in his life, during the time that he had
occupied his present post of cellarer, but even on the day, when the
bishop of Cremona had sent him some jugs of sparkling brown Asti, his
countenance had not shone so radiantly, as it did now.
"What a precious gift from above, is extensive knowledge, and a fine
style," exclaimed he. "The brother Ekkehard is done for. He cannot dare
to show his face again."
"Tis not quite so far yet," said the Abbot. "But then, that which is
not, may yet be in the future. The learned brother Gunzo is helping us.
His epistle must not be allowed to rot unread. So you can have some
copies taken; better six than three. That fine young gentleman must be
driven away from the Hohentwiel. I am not overfond of yellow-beaked
birds, who pretend to sing better than their elders. Some cold water,
poured on his tonsure, will benefit him. We will send a note to our
brother in St. Gall, urging him to command his return. How is it with
the list of his sins?"
Rudimann slowly raised his left hand, and began to count on his
fingers. "Shall I recount them? First he has disturbed the peace of our
monastery, during the vintage, by, ..."
"Stop," said the Abbot, "that is past and done away with. All that,
which happened before the battle with the Huns, is buried and
forgotten. That is a law which the Burgundians made, and which we will
adhere to, also."
"Then without the help of my fingers," said the cellarer. "The
custodian of St. Gallus has become subject to haughtiness and
insolence, since the day on which he left his monastery. Without moving
his lips to frame a greeting, he passes by, brothers, whose age and
intellect, ought to claim his reverence. Then, he presumed to preach
the sermon, on the holy day when we beat the Huns; although such an
important and solemn office, ought to have been performed by one of the
Abbots. Further, he presumed to baptize a heathenish prisoner; although
such a baptism should have been superintended by the regular priest of
the parish and not by one, who ought to attend at the gate of the
monastery of St. Gallus.
"What may still arise out of the constant intercourse of the forward
youth with his noble mistress, He Who searcheth all hearts, alone can
tell! Already at the wedding-feast of that baptized heathen, it was
observed that he did not shun meetings with that beauteous dame, in
solitary places; and that he heaved frequent sighs, like a shot buck.
Likewise it has been remarked with heartfelt sorrow, that a Greek
maiden, as fickle and unstable as a will-o'-the-wisp, is flickering
about him; so that, that which is left undone by the mistress, may be
finished by her hand-maiden, of whose orthodoxy even, one is not fully
assured. Now, a frivolous woman is bitterer than death, according to
Scripture. She is a bait of the evil one, and her heart is a net, and
only he who pleases God, can escape her wiles."
It was a most becoming and just thing, for Rudimann, the protector of
the uppermaid Kerhildis, to be so well versed, in the words of the
Preacher.
"Enough," said the Abbot. "Chapter twenty-nine, treating of the calling
back of absent brothers. It will do, and I have a sort of presentiment,
that the fickle lady will soon flutter about on her rock, like an old
swallow, whose nestling has been taken away. Goodbye sweetheart!... and
Saspach will yet become ours!"
"Amen!" murmured Rudimann.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Master Spazzo the Chamberlain's Mission.
Early on a cool pleasant summer day, Ekkehard walked out of the castle
gate, into the breezy morning air. He had passed a sleepless night,
during which he had paced up and down in his chamber. The Duchess had
called up a host of wild thoughts in his heart, and in his head there
was a buzzing and humming, as if a covey of wild ducks were flying
about there. He shunned Dame Hadwig's presence, and yet longed every
moment that he was away, to be near her. The old happy ingenuousness
had taken wing. His ways had become absent and variable; in short, the
time which has never been spared yet to mortal man, and which Godfrey
of Strassburg describes: "as an everpresent pain, in a continual state
of bliss," had come for him.
Before the night had quite set in, a thunderstorm was raging outside.
He had opened his little window, and enjoyed the fierce sheets of
lightning, flashing through the gathering darkness, and every now and
then, lighting up the shores of the lake; and he had laughed when night
had triumphed again, and the thunders were reverberating between the
hills.
Now it was a fine sunny morning. Glistening dew-drops hung on the
grass, and here and there, an unmelted hailstone, was lying in the
shade. Quiet and peace were now reigning over hill and vale, but the
ears of the blasted cornfields, hung down their broken heads, for the
hail-storm had blighted the fair promising harvest. From the rocky
hillsides, mud-coloured little brooklets, were running down into the
valley.
As yet, nothing was stirring in the fields, for it was only just
daybreak. In the distance, on the hilly ground which extends in
undulating lines at the back of the Hohentwiel, a man was striding
along. It was the Hunnic convert. He carried willow branches and all
sorts of slings, and was just setting out on his work to wage war on
the field-mice. As he walked along, he whistled merrily on a lime-tree
leaf, and looked the image of a happy bridegroom; for in the arms of
the tall Friderun, he had found new happiness.
"How are you?" mildly said Ekkehard when he passed by with an humble
salutation. The Hun pointed up to the blue sky: "as if I were in
heaven!" said he, gaily spinning round on one of his wooden shoes.
Ekkehard turned his steps back again; but for a long while the
whistling of the mouse-catcher, could still be heard interrupting the
silence around. At the foot of the hill there lay a piece of
weatherbeaten rock, over which an elder-tree spread its boughs, richly
laden with luxuriant white blossoms. Ekkehard sat down on it, and after
dreamily gazing into the distance for some time, he drew out from under
his habit, a neatly bound little book, and began to read. It was
neither a breviary nor the Psalter. It was called, "The song of
Solomon," and it was not good for him to read it. To be sure, they had
once taught him, that the lily-scented song, expressed the longing for
the church, the true bride of the soul, and in his younger days he had
studied it, undisturbed by the gazelle eyes, and the dovelike cheeks
and slender as the palm-tree waist of the Sulamite woman, but now!--now
he read it with other eyes. A soft dreaminess came over him.
"Who is it, that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear
as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" He looked up to the
towers of the Hohentwiel, which were glittering in the first rays of
the morning sun, and there found the answer.
And again he read: "I sleep but my heart waketh: it is the voice
of my beloved, that knocketh saying: open to me my sister, my love, my
dove, for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of
night."--A stirring breeze shook down some of the white blossoms on the
little book. Ekkehard did not shake them off. He had bent down his
head, and was sitting there immovable.
Meanwhile, Cappan had cheerfully begun his daily labours. There was a
field down in the plain, on the border of the lands belonging to the
Hohentwiel, on which the field-mice had erected their headquarters. The
hamsters were carrying off plenty of provisions for the winter, and the
moles were digging their passages in the gravelly soil. To that spot,
Cappan had received orders to betake himself. Like a statesman in a
rebellious province, he was to restore order, and cleanse the land
of all obnoxious subjects. The floods of the late thunderstorm, had
laid open the hidden refuges. He dug them up gently, and slew many a
field-mouse before it was aware of it. Then, he carefully prepared his
various slings and traps, putting also here and there some poisonous
baits, which he had concocted out of the thorn-apple and belladonna;
and all the while that he was thus intent on these his murderous
designs, he continued to whistle merrily; little knowing what terrible
clouds were gathering over his head.
The land on which he was exercising his art, bordered on some grounds,
that belonged to the monastery of Reichenau. There, where a forest of
stately old oaks stretched their tops into the air, some straw-thatched
roofs might be seen. These were the roofs of the Schlangenhof, which,
together with many acres of wood and fields, belonged to the monastery.
A pious widow had left it to St. Pirmin, in order to secure eternal
bliss for her soul. They had let it to a farmer, who was rather a rough
man with a thick knotty skull, full of hard, stubborn thoughts. He had
many men and maid-servants, as well as horses and cattle, and was
altogether a thriving man, for he took good care that the copper-brown
snakes, which infested both court and stable, were left unmolested.
Their dish of milk in the stable-corner, was never allowed to remain
empty, and in consequence they had got quite tame, and never harmed
anybody. "These snakes are the blessing of the whole farm," the old man
would often repeat.
For the last two days, however, the convent-farmer had not enjoyed one
single quiet hour; for the frequent thunderstorms made him very anxious
about his crops. When three of them had passed by, without doing any
damage, he had a horse put to a cart, on which was placed a sack of
last year's rye, and with that he drove over to the deacon of Singen.
He, on seeing the cart approaching, grinned so as to show his big
grinders, for he knew his customer well enough. His living was scanty,
but out of the folly of mankind, he yet made enough to butter his bread
with.
The convent-farmer had taken the sack of corn down from the cart, and
said: "Master Otfried, you have taken good care of me, and have prayed
away the thunderstorms from my fields. Don't forget me, if the thunder
should come on again."
And the deacon replied: "I think you must have seen me standing under
the church-door, with my face turned towards the Schlangenhof,
sprinkling the holy water three times towards the tempest, in the shape
of the holy cross; besides saying the verse of the three holy nails.
That, drove away clouds and hailstones fast enough, I can tell you!
Your rye, convent-farmer, would make excellent bread, if a trifle of
barley were added to it."
Then, the convent-farmer returned home, and was just thinking of
filling a smaller sack with barley, as an additional, well-deserved
present, for his advocate with Heaven, when again some black and
threatening clouds became visible. When they were looming dark and
terrible, over the oak-wood, a whitish-grey smaller cloud hurried up
after them. It had five points like to the fingers of a hand, and
swelled and shot forth sheets of lightning, and soon a hail-storm, far
worse than any previous ones, came down. The convent-farmer had at
first stood confidently under his porch, thinking that the deacon of
Singen would again drive it away, but when the hailstones began pelting
his cornfields, causing the ears to fall like soldiers in a battle, he
struck his clenched fist on the oaken table, calling out: "may that
cursed liar at Singen be damned."
In the height of despair, at the deacon's prayers having failed, he now
tried an old traditional remedy of the Hegau. Tearing down some
branches from the nearest oak-tree, he plucked off the leaves, and
putting these into his venerable old wedding-coat, he hung that up, on
the mighty oak-tree which overspread his house. But the merciless
hailstones continued to beat down the corn, in spite of wedding-coat
and oak-leaves. Like a statue, the convent-farmer stood there, with his
eyes riveted on the bundle in the air, hoping that the wind which would
drive the thunderstorm away, would come out of it,--but it came not!
Then, biting his lips and with contracted eye-brows, he walked back
into the house. Almost heart-broken with grief, he threw himself into a
chair before the table, and for some time he sat there without uttering
a word. When at last he spoke, it was to pronounce an awful curse.
This, with the convent-farmer was already a change for the better.
The head-servant, timidly ventured to approach him now. He was of
gigantic stature, but before his master, he stood as timid as a child.
"If I only knew the witch!" exclaimed the farmer. "The weather-witch!
the cursed old hag! She should not have shaken out her skirts over the
Schlangenhof in vain.... May her tongue be withered in her mouth!"
"Need it have been a witch?" said the head-servant. "Since the woman of
the wood has been driven away from the Hohenkrähen, no other has dared
to show her face here."
"Hold thy tongue, until thou art asked!" fiercely growled the
convent-farmer.
The man remained standing there, well knowing that his turn would come.
After some time the old man gruffly said: "What dost thou know?"
"I know, what I know," replied the other, with a sly expression.
Again there ensued a pause. The convent-farmer looked out of the
window. The harvest was destroyed. He turned round.
"Speak," cried he.
"Did you notice that strange grey cloud, sailing past the dark ones?"
said the man. "What else can it have been, but the cloud-ship? Somebody
has sold our corn to the owners of that ship." ...
The convent-farmer crossed himself, as if he wanted to prevent his
saying more.
"I have heard it said by my grandmother," continued the head-servant.
"She has often heard people speak about it in Alsace, when the
thunderstorms came from over the Odilienberg. The ship comes from a
land that is called Magonia, and is always white, and sails on black
clouds. Fasolt and Mermuth sit in it, and throw down the hailstones on
the fields, if the great weather-wizard has given them the power to do
so. Then, they lift up our corn into their ship, and sail back to
Magonia, where they are well paid for it. To be on good terms with the
cloud-sailors, is more profitable than the reading of masses. We shall
have nothing but the husks this year."
The convent-farmer became thoughtful. Then he suddenly seized the
head-servant by the collar, and shaking him violently, cried: "who?"
But the man in reply put one of his fingers up to his lips. It had
become late.
At the same early hour when Cappan had met Ekkehard, the
convent-farmer, accompanied by the head-servant, was walking through
the fields, to look at the damage. Neither of them said a word. The
loss in crops was considerable, but they did not fail to observe that
the land on the other side had suffered far less. It was as if the
oak-wood had been the boundary line, for the hail-storm.
On the neighbouring lands, Cappan was performing his duties. He had
finished setting his traps, and thought he would allow himself some
rest. So, he drew from his pocket a piece of bread and some bacon,
which was as soft and white as the newly fallen snow, and looked so
tempting that he could not help thinking of his spouse with deep
gratitude, for having provided him with such food. Further, he thought
about many another thing which had occurred since their wedding, and he
cast a longing look up to the larks, as if he wanted them to fly over
to the Hohenstoffeln, to carry some tender messages there, and again he
felt so lightsome and happy, that he cut a mighty caper into the air.
His slender spouse not being present just then, he thought of giving
himself a treat, by lying down full length on the ground, whilst he ate
his food; for at home, he had until then always been obliged to sit
down, little as he liked it.
Just at that moment he remembered that Friderun, to call down a
blessing on his work, had taught him to pronounce some words, which
were to exorcise the vermin; exhorting him very earnestly not to forget
saying them. His breakfast would never have tasted well if he had not
obeyed this injunction.
On the border of the field, there was a stone, on which a half moon was
engraven, the sign of Dame Hadwig's ownership. He stepped up to it, and
pulling off his wooden shoe from his right foot, he stood barefoot and
stretched out his arms towards the wood. The convent-farmer and his
head-servant, who were walking between the trees, stopped at this
sight, but Cappan did not observe them and pronounced the words which
Friderun had taught him.
"_Aius sanctus, cardia cardiani!_ Mouse and she-mouse, hamster and
mole, I bid ye all to go away from the fields and meads below; and may
fever, plague and death follow you where'er ye go! _Afrias, aestrias,
palamiasit!_"
Hidden behind some bulky oak-trees, the convent-farmer and his
companion, had watched the exorcism. They now approached stealthily.
"_Afrias, aestrias, palamiasit!_" said Cappan for the second time, when
a blow from behind, hit him right on the neck, so that he fell down.
Strange, unintelligible words entered his ears, and before he had
recovered from his surprise, four fists were lustily belabouring his
back, like flails on a barn-floor.
"Out with it, thou corn-murderer!" shrieked the convent-farmer. "What
has the Schlangenhof ever done thee, thou weather-maker, mice-catcher,
rake-hell?!"
Cappan gave no answer. The poor fellow was perfectly bewildered, but
this only angered the old man the more.
"Look into his eyes, whether they are bleared, and if things are
reflected wrongly in them," called he out to the head-servant. The
latter obeyed, but he was honest.
"'Tis not in the eyes," said he.
"Then lift up his arm!"
He tore off the upper garment from the prostrate man, and examined his
arms very carefully; for he who held communion with evil spirits, bore
some mark on his body. But they found nothing whatever on the poor
wretch, except some scars of old wounds. This fact had almost restored
him to favour in their eyes, for folks were then quick and changeable
in their passions, as an historian of those days informs us. Just
at that moment however, the servant-man's eyes fell on the ground,
where a large stag-beetle was crawling along. His wings shone with
violet-blackish hue, and the reddish horns were proudly raised, like a
stag's antlers. He had witnessed the ill-treatment which Cappan had
received, and was going to continue his way, not having liked it.
The head-servant started back, affrightedly.
"The _donnerguggi_," exclaimed he.
"The thunder-beetle!" cried the convent-farmer likewise, and now Cappan
was lost. That he, together with the beetle, had made the storm, was
now beyond all doubt, for the stag-beetle, was then believed to attract
thunder and lightning.
"Confess and repent, thou heathenish dog!" said the farmer, searching
for his knife, but here an idea struck him and he continued, "he shall
meet with his punishment on the grave of his brothers. To revenge them,
he has brought down the hail-storm."
The servant had meanwhile smashed the stag-beetle between two large
pebbles, which he afterwards buried in the ground. Together, they
now laid hands on Cappan, dragging him over the field, to the Hunnic
mound, and there bound fast his hands and feet. This being done, the
man ran over to the Schlangenhof, to call his fellow-servants. Wild and
blood-thirsty they came. Some of them had danced at Cappan's wedding,
but this did not in the least prevent their going out now to stone him.
Cappan began to collect his scattered senses. What he was accused of,
he could not guess, but he understood well enough, that his life was in
great danger. Therefore he now uttered a shriek which rent the air,
wild and complaining, like the death-cry of a wounded horse, and
awakened Ekkehard from his reverie, under the elder-tree. He recognized
the voice of his god-child and looked down. A second time, Cappan's cry
rose up to him, and then Ekkehard forgot Solomon's song, and hurried
down the valley. He came in the nick of time. They had placed Cappan,
with his back towards the piece of rock covering the mound, and were
forming a semi-circle around him. The convent-farmer explained how he
had caught him in the very act of weather-making, and then they
unanimously agreed, that he should be stoned to death.
Into this grim assembly, rushed Ekkehard. The ecclesiastical men of
those days were less deluded than they were a few hundred years later,
when thousands lost their lives by fire, on account of similar
accusations; and the state signed the death-warrant; and the church
gave its blessing thereto. Ekkehard, though convinced of the existence
of witchcraft, had himself once copied the treatise of the pious Bishop
Agobard, written to disprove the nonsensical popular superstition of
weather-making. Indignant wrath gave eloquence to his speech.
"What are ye about, ye deluded men, that ye intend to judge, when ye
ought to pray that ye may not be judged yourselves! If the man has
sinned, then wait till the new moon, when the parish-priest at
Radolfszell will be holding court against all malefactors. There, let
seven sworn men, accuse him of the forbidden art, according to the laws
of the emperor and of the church."
But the men of the Schlangenhof would not heed his words. A threatening
murmur ran through their ranks.
Then, Ekkehard thought of striking another chord in their rough minds.
"And do ye really believe, ye sons of the land of saints, of the
Suabian ground, which the Lord has been pleased to look upon with
gracious eyes, that such a poor, miserable Hun could have the power, to
command the clouds? Do ye think that the clouds would obey him? That a
brave Hegau flash of lightning would not rather have split his head, to
punish him, for having dared to meddle with it?"
This last reason had almost convinced the native pride of the men, but
the convent-farmer cried out: "The thunder-beetle! the thunder-beetle,
we have seen it with our eyes, crawling around his feet!"
Then the cry of "stone him to death!" was again raised. A first stone
was hurled at the unfortunate Hun, making his blood flow. Upon this,
Ekkehard, bravely threw himself on his god-son, shielding him with his
own body.
This had its effect.
The men of the Schlangenhof looked at each other dumfounded, until one
of them turned round to go away, and the others following his example,
the convent-farmer was soon left standing there all alone.
"You are taking the part of the land-destroyer!" he cried angrily, but
on Ekkehard not giving an answer, he likewise dropped the stone from
his hand, and went away grumbling.
Poor Cappan found himself in a most pitiable condition; for on a back
which has been under the treatment of Allemannian peasants' fists, "no
grass will grow again so easily," as the expression is in those parts.
The stone had caused a wound on the head which was bleeding profusely.
Ekkehard, first washed his head with some rain-water, made the sign of
the cross over it, to stop the bleeding, and then dressed the wound as
well as he could. He thought of the parable of the Good Samaritan. The
wounded man looked gratefully up at him. Slowly Ekkehard led him up to
the castle, and he had to persuade him, before he would take his arm.
The foot that had been wounded in the late battle, also began hurting
him again, so that he limped on, with suppressed groans.
On the Hohentwiel, their arrival was the cause of great and general
excitement, for everybody liked the Hun. The Duchess descended into the
courtyard, bestowing a friendly nod on Ekkehard, on account of his
kindliness and compassion. The trespass of the monastery's vassal
against her subject, raised her just resentment.
"That shall not be forgotten," said she. "Be comforted my poor
mouse-catcher, for they shall pay thee damages for thy wounded pate,
that will equal a dowry. And for the broken peace of the realm, we
shall decree the highest possible fine. A few pounds of silver, shall
not be sufficient. These convent-people, grow to be as insolent as
their masters!"
But the most indignant of all was Master Spazzo the chamberlain.
"Did I for this reason withhold my sword from his head, when he lay
wounded before me, that those clodhoppers of the Schlangenhof, should
pave it with their field-stones? And what, if he was our enemy before?
Now he is baptized and I am his god-father, and bound to take care of
the welfare of his soul as well as of his body. Be content, godchild!"
cried he, rattling his sword on the stone flags, "for as soon as thy
scratch has been mended, I shall accompany thee on thy first walk, and
then we will settle accounts with the convent-farmer. Hail and thunder,
that we will! So, as to make the chips fly off his head! With those
farmers, things cannot go on any longer in that way. These fellows
carry shields and arms like noblemen, and instead of hunting like
peasants, they keep dogs, broken in to fly at boars and bears; and blow
on their bugles, as if they were the lords of the creation. Whenever a
man carries his head higher than the rest, one may be sure that he is a
farmer!"
"Where was the trespass committed?" asked the Duchess.
"They dragged him from the boundary stone with the raised half-moon, to
the Hunnic mound," said Ekkehard.
"Consequently the deed has been done, even on our own ground and
territory," indignantly exclaimed the Duchess. "That is too much!
Master Spazzo you must to horse!"
"We must to horse!" echoed the chamberlain fiercely.
"And demand even to-day that the Abbot of Reichenau, shall pay us both
damages and fine, for the peace which has been broken; as well as give
us all possible satisfaction. Our sovereign rights shall not be
trampled upon, by monastic insolence!"
"Shall not be trampled upon, by monastic insolence!" repeated Master
Spazzo, still fiercer than before.
Seldom had he entered on a mission which was more to his taste. "We
will mount, Sir Abbot!" cried he, going up to his room to make the
necessary preparations.
His green velvet waistcoat and gold-bordered chamberlain's mantle, he
quietly left in his wardrobe, choosing instead, an old and shabby grey
suit. After having donned this, he put on the large greaves, which he
had worn on the day of the battle. Fastening on them the biggest spurs
he possessed, he tramped up and down a few times, to try their effect.
Finally he stuck three waving feathers in his steel-cap, and hung his
sword over his shoulders. Thus arrayed, he came down into the
courtyard.
"Do look at me, most lovely maiden Praxedis," said he to the Greek,
"and tell me what sort of expression, my face wears now?" He had pushed
the steel cap towards his left ear, and haughtily turned his head over
his right shoulder.
"A most insolent one, indeed, Sir Chamberlain!" was the reply.
"Then 'tis all right," said Master Spazzo, mounting his steed. A moment
later he cantered out by the castle-gate, so that he made the sparks
fly about; having the pleasant conviction, that this time, insolence
was his bounden duty.
On the way, he practised the part he was going to act. The storm had
thrown down a fir-tree, to the roots of which the torn-up earth was
still clinging. Its mighty branches blocked up the way.
"Out of the way, ecclesiastical blockhead!" called out Master Spazzo to
the fir-tree, and when it did not move, he drew his sword.
"Forwards Falada," spurring his steed, so that it jumped over the tree,
in one flying leap. Whilst the animal was performing this feat, Master
Spazzo gave a good cut at the branches, so as to make the twigs fly
about.
In less than an hour and a half, he had reached the cloister-gate. The
small strip of land, which at low tide, linked the shore with the
island, was now above water, thus affording a passage. A serving
brother opened the door for him. It was about dinner-time. The imbecile
Heribald, quickly came out of the convent-garden, to satisfy his
curiosity with regard to the strange horseman. He pressed up close to
the horse, when Master Spazzo dismounted. The watch-dog, furiously
barking, dragged at his chain, to get at the steed, so that the animal
reared back, and Master Spazzo almost came to grief. When he had safely
alighted, he seized his scabbard, and dealt Heribald a blow over the
back.
"It is not meant for you," cried he, stroking his beard, "it is for the
watch-dog. Pass it on!"
Heribald stood there, perfectly aghast, and rubbed his shoulder.
"Holy Pirmin!" wailed he.
"To-day there is no holy Pirmin whatever," said Master Spazzo in a most
decisive tone.
Then Heribald laughed, as if he knew his customer now.
"Heigho, gracious lord, the Huns have also been here, and there was
nobody but Heribald to receive them; but they did not speak to him so
wickedly as that."
"The Huns, are no ducal chamberlains, fool!" Master Spazzo replied
haughtily.
In Heribald's weak mind, the idea began to dawn, that the Huns might
not be the worst guests, on German ground. He held his tongue, however,
and returned to the garden, where he plucked some sage leaves and
rubbed his back with them.
Master Spazzo strode over the cloister-yard to the gate, which, through
the cross-passage, led into the interior. He had assumed his heaviest
tread. The bell that announced dinner was just ringing. One of the
brothers now came quickly across the yard. Him, Master Spazzo now
seized by his garment.
"Call down the Abbot!" said he. The monk looked at him in mute
astonishment; then, casting a side look at the chamberlain's worn
hunting-suit, he replied: "It is the hour for our mid-day meal. If you
are invited, which however seems rather doubtful to me,"--with another
ironical look, at Master Spazzo's outward man, ... but he was spared
the end of his sentence, for the chamberlain dealt the hungry brother
such a genuine cuff, that he was sent reeling into the yard again, like
a well thrown shuttle-cock. The mid-day sun shone on the smooth tonsure
of the prostrate man.
The Abbot had already been informed of the violent assault, which the
convent-farmer had made on one of the Duchess's subjects. He now heard
the noise in the courtyard and on stepping up to the window, he was
just in time to see the pious brother Ivo, sent flying out into the
yard. "Happy is he, who knows the secret causes of things," says
Virgil, and Abbot Wazmann was in that happy condition. He had seen
Master Spazzo's feathers nodding over at him with a threatening aspect,
from out the sombre cross-passage.
"Call down the Abbot!" was again shouted up from the courtyard, so that
the panes of the little cell-windows vibrated.
Meanwhile, the soup was getting cold in the refectory, so that the
assembled brotherhood at last fell to, without waiting any longer for
the Abbot.
Abbot Wazmann had sent for Rudimann the cellarer. "All this annoyance,
we surely owe to that green-beak of St. Gall! Oh, Gunzo, Gunzo! No one
ought to wish ill to his neighbour, but still I cannot help revolving
in my mind, whether our strong-handed yeomen, had not done better to
hurl their stones at that hypocrite Ekkehard, rather than at the Hunnic
wizard!"
A monk now shyly entered the Abbot's room.
"You are desired to come down," said he in low accents. "There is
somebody down stairs, who shouts and commands, like a mighty man."
Then the Abbot said to Rudimann the cellarer: "It must be very bad
weather, with the Duchess. I know the chamberlain, and that he is a
perfect weather-cock. Whenever his mistress wears a smile round her
haughty lips, then he laughs with his whole face, and when clouds have
gathered on her forehead, then a downright thunderstorm will explode
with him" ...
"... and the lightning precedes the thunder," added Rudimann. Heavy
steps were now heard approaching.
"There's no time to be lost," said the Abbot. "Set out as quickly as
you can, Cellarer, and express our deep regret to the Duchess. Take
some silver coins out of the convent-box, as smart-money for the
wounded man, and say that we will have prayers offered for his
recovery. Get along! you are his god-father and a clever man."
"It will be rather a difficult task," said Rudimann. "She is sure to be
downright exasperated."
"Take her some present," said the Abbot. "Children and women are easily
bribed."
"What sort of a present?" Rudimann was about to ask, when the door was
thrown open, and Master Spazzo came in. His face wore the right
expression.
"By the life of my Duchess!!" exclaimed he. "Has the Abbot of this
rats' nest, poured lead into his ears, or has the gout got hold of his
feet, that he does not come down to receive his visitors?"
"We are taken by surprise," said the Abbot. "Let me welcome you now."
He lifted his right forefinger to give him the blessing.
"I need no such welcome!" returned Master Spazzo. "The Devil is the
patron-saint of this day. We have been insulted, grossly insulted! We
exact a fine; two hundred pounds of silver at the least. Out with it!
Murder and rebellion! The sovereign rights shall not be trampled upon,
by monastic insolence! We are an ambassador!"
He rattled his spurs on the floor.
"Excuse me," said the Abbot, "we could not recognize the ambassador's
garb in your grey jacket."
"By the camel's-hair coat, of St. John the Baptist!" flared up Master
Spazzo, "and if I were to come to you in my shirt, the garment would be
good enough, to appear as a herald, before your black cowls!"
He put on his helmet again, from which the feathers seemed to nod
triumphantly. "Pay me at once, so that I can go on again. The air is
bad here, very bad indeed." ...
"Allow me," said the Abbot, "but we never permit a guest to depart in
anger from our island. You are sharp and urgent, because you have not
yet dined. Don't disdain a meal, such as the monastery can offer, and
let us talk of business afterwards."
That a fellow in return for his rudeness, is kindly pressed to stay to
dinner, made some impression on the chamberlain's mind. He took off his
helmet again. "The sovereign rights shall not be trampled upon by
monastic insolence," muttered he once more; but the Abbot pointed over
to the open cloister-kitchen. The fair-haired kitchen-boy was turning
the spit before the fire and smacking his lips, for a lovely smell of
the roast meat had entered his nostrils just then. Some covered dishes,
calling up pleasant anticipations were standing in the background;
whilst a monk, bearing a huge wine-jug, was just coming up from the
cellar. The aspect was too tempting, to resist any longer. So Master
Spazzo laid aside his frown, and accepted the invitation.
When he had arrived at the third dish, his insulting speeches became
more scarce, and when the red wine of Meersburg, was sparkling in the
beaker, they ceased entirely. The red wine of Meersburg was good.
Meanwhile Rudimann rode out of the convent-gate. The fisherman of
Ermatingen, had caught a gigantic salmon, which lay, fresh and
glittering, in the vaults below. This fish had been selected by
Rudimann, as a suitable present for appeasing the Duchess. Before he
set out, however, he had still something to do in the copying room of
the monastery. A lay-brother was to accompany him, with the huge fish,
packed up in straw, lying before him on the saddle. Master Spazzo had
ridden over in the haughtiest fashion, whereas Rudimann now assumed his
most humble expression. He spoke shyly, and in low accents, when he
asked for the Duchess. "She is in the garden," was the reply. "And my
pious confrater Ekkehard?" asked the cellarer.
"He has accompanied the wounded Cappan, to his cottage on the
Hohenstoffeln, where he is nursing him, so that he is not expected home
before night."
"This I am truly sorry to hear," said Rudimann, with an evil expression
of spite hovering about his lips. He then had the salmon unpacked,
and put on the granite table in the middle of the courtyard. The tall
lime-tree threw its cool shade over the glistening scales of the royal
fish, and it was as if its large eye had still retained the power of
sight, and were longingly looking away from the green branches, to the
blue waves of its native element.
The fish measured above six feet in length, and Praxedis screamed
outright, when its straw covers were taken off. "He does not come home
before night-fall," muttered Rudimann, breaking off a strong branch
from the tree, a piece of which he put between the jaws of the fish,
so that it remained with wide open mouth. With some of the leaves,
he carefully lined the inside, and then diving down into his
breast-pocket, he drew out thence the parchment leaves of Gunzo's
libel. Rolling them first neatly up, he then stuck them between the
jaws of the salmon.
With unfeigned astonishment, Praxedis had been watching the strange
proceeding.
The Duchess was now seen approaching them. Humbly, Rudimann walked
forwards to meet her, and imploring her indulgence for the convent's
bondsman, he told her how sorry the Abbot was; spoke with appreciation
of the wounded man; expressed his doubts about the possibility of
weather-making; and in fact spoke on the whole with tolerable success.
"And may an unworthy present show you at least the good will of your
ever faithful Reichenau," concluded he, stepping aside, so that the
salmon could shine out in full glory. The Duchess smiled, half
reconciled already; and now her eye caught the parchment roll. "And
that?" said she enquiringly.
"The latest production of literature!" said Rudimann. With a deep bow
he then took leave, and remounting his mule, hastily set out again on
his way home.
The red wine of Meersburg was good, and Master Spazzo was not
accustomed to treat drinking as a thing that could be done quickly. He
persevered before the wine-jug, like a general besieging a city; and
sitting immovably on his bench, drank like a man, silently, but much,
leaving all loud demonstrations to younger persons.
"The red wine is the most sensible institution of the monastery. Have
you got more of it in the cellar?" he said to the Abbot when the first
jug was emptied. His wanting to drink more, was meant as a politeness,
and a sign of reconciliation. So the second jug was brought up.
"Without injuring our sovereign rights!" said he grimly, when he
knocked his beaker against that of the Abbot. "Certainly, certainly,"
replied the latter with a queer side-look.
The fifth hour of the evening had thus come, and the sounds of the bell
were floating through the monastery.
"Excuse me," said the Abbot, "we must now go to vespers, will you come
with us?"
"I prefer waiting for you here," replied Master Spazzo, casting a look
into the long neck of the wine-jug. It contained ample provision, for
at least another hour. So he let the monks sing their vespers, and
drank on, all alone.
Again an hour had elapsed, when he tried to remember for what reason he
had ridden over to the monastery, but the fact was that he could not
recollect it any more, very clearly. The Abbot came back now.
"How did you entertain yourself?" asked he.
"Very well," said Master Spazzo. The jug was empty.
"I do not know ..." began the Abbot.
"Certainly!" said Master Spazzo, nodding his head. Then the third jug
was brought.
Meanwhile Rudimann had returned home from his expedition. The sun was
far inclining to the west; the sky was all a-glow and faint purple
gleams of light were falling through the narrow windows, on the
carousing party.
When Master Spazzo again drank bumpers with the Abbot, the red wine
glistened like fiery gold in the cup, and he saw an aureole of light,
flickering round the Abbot's head. He tried to collect his scattered
senses. "By the life of Hadwig," said he solemnly, "who are you?"
The Abbot did not understand him.
"What did you say?" asked he. Then Master Spazzo recognised the voice.
"Ah so," cried he, striking the oak table with his fist. "The sovereign
rights shall not be trampled upon, by monastic insolence!"
"Certainly not," rejoined the Abbot.
Then the chamberlain felt a spasmodic pain in the forehead, which he
knew very well, and which he used to call "_the waker_." The waker came
only when he was sitting behind the wine-jug, and whenever it announced
itself, it was a sure signal, that in half an hour later, the tongue
would be paralysed, and the speech refuse to come. If "the waker" came
for the second time, then the feet also were threatened with temporary
paralysis. So he arose.
"These cowl-bearing monks shall not have the satisfaction of
witnessing, how their wine shuts up the mouth of a ducal chamberlain,"
thought he. He stood quite erect on his feet.
"Stop," said the Abbot, "we must not forget the parting draught!"
Then the fourth jug was brought. It is true that Master Spazzo had
arisen, but then between rising and going, a good many things may yet
happen. He drank again, but when he wanted to put down his beaker, he
placed it in the empty air, so that it fell down and broke to pieces.
At this, Master Spazzo got furious; whilst many a thought was crossing
in, and confusing his muddled brains.
"Where have you got him?" cried he to the Abbot.
"Whom?"
"The convent-farmer! Out with him, the coarse peasant, who tried to
murder my god-child!" He threateningly advanced a few paces towards the
Abbot, making only one false step.
"He is at the Schlangenhof," smilingly said the Abbot, "and I willingly
deliver him up to you; only you must be pleased to fetch him from
there, yourself."
"Murder and rebellion! We will fetch him!" roared Master Spazzo,
rattling his sword, as he strode towards the door. "We will drag him
out of his bed even, the rascal! And when we have got him, by the
knapsack of St. Gallus, if he ... then ... I can tell you ..."
This speech was never ended, as his tongue stood still now, like the
sun at Joshuah's bidding, during the battle with the Amorites.
He stretched out his hand for the Abbot's cup, and drank that out. But
his speech did not return. A sweet placid smile now settled on the
chamberlain's lips. He stepped up to the Abbot to embrace him.
"Friend and brother! much beloved old wine-jug! what, if I were to dig
out one of thine eyes?" he tried to say with stammering tongue, but he
could only utter some unintelligible sounds. He pressed the Abbot
vehemently to his bosom, treading on his feet at the same time, with
his heavy boots.
Abbot Wazmann had already been deliberating within himself, whether he
should not offer a bed for the night to his exhausted guest, but the
embrace and the pain in his toes, changed his hospitable designs, and
he took care, that the chamberlain set out on his return.
His horse stood ready saddled in the cloister-yard, where the
weak-minded Heribald was sneaking about. He had fetched himself a large
piece of tinder from the kitchen, which he intended to light and then
to stick in the nostrils of the chamberlain's horse; thus to revenge
himself for the blow which he had received. Master Spazzo, having
scraped together the last remains of his dignity, now made his
appearance. A servant with a burning torch, lighted him on his way. The
Abbot had taken leave of him, at the upper-gate.
Master Spazzo then bestrode his faithful steed Falada, but he was no
sooner mounted, than he glided down again on the other side. Heribald
who was near, hurried up to catch him in his arms, and as he did so,
his bristly beard, grazed the chamberlain's forehead.
"Art thou here also, my wise King Solomon," stammered Master Spazzo.
"Be my friend!" kissing him. Then Heribald threw away his cinder and
placed his foot on it.
"Heigho, gracious Lord!" cried he. "May you come home safe and sound!
You have come to us in a different manner from the Huns, and therefore
your departure is different also. And yet, they too, understood how to
drink wine."
Master Spazzo who had recovered his seat, pressed the steel-cap down on
his head, and tightly grasped the reins. Something was still weighing
on his mind, and made him struggle with his heavy tongue. At last he
recovered some of his lost strength. He lifted himself in the stirrups,
and his voice obeyed now.
"And the sovereign rights shall not be trampled upon, by monastic
insolence!" cried he, so that his voice rang loudly through the dark
and silent cloister-yard.
At the same time, Rudimann informed the Abbot of the success which his
mission had had with the Duchess.
Master Spazzo rode away. To the servant who had accompanied him with
the torch, he threw a gold ring, which induced the torch-bearer, to go
on with him, over the narrow causeway through the lake.
He had safely reached the main land, and the cool night air was fanning
his heated face. He burst out laughing. The reins he still held tightly
in his right hand. The moon was shining brightly, whilst dark clouds
were gathering round the peaks of the Helvetian mountains. Master
Spazzo now entered the dark fir-wood. Loudly and clearly, at measured
intervals, the cuckoo's voice was heard through the silence around.
Master Spazzo laughed again. Was it some pleasant recollection? or,
longing hope for the future, which made him smile so sweetly?
He stopped his horse.
"When will the wedding be?" called he out in the direction where the
cuckoo was sitting on its tree. He counted the calls, but the cuckoo
this time was indefatigable. Master Spazzo had already come to number
twelve, when his patience began to wane.
"Hold thy tongue, confounded bird!" cried he. But the cuckoo called out
for the thirteenth time.
"Five-and-fourty years we have got already," angrily exclaimed Master
Spazzo, "and thirteen more, would make it fifty-eight. That would be a
nice time, indeed!"
The cuckoo sang out for the fourteenth time.
Here, another woke up, and also raised its voice; a third one followed,
and now there began a chorus of emulating cuckoo-voices around the
tipsy chamberlain, so that all counting became impossible.
Now his patience left him entirely.
"Miserable liars and breakers of marriages, that's what you are," cried
he furiously. "Would that the devil would take you altogether!"
He spurred his horse on to a quicker pace. The wood became thicker, and
heavy clouds were sailing towards the moon. It was intensely dark; the
pine-trees had assumed a strange weird look, and everything was silent
around. Willingly would Master Spazzo now have listened to the voice of
the cuckoo, but the nightly disturber of peace had flown away, and the
solitary rider began to shiver.
An unshapely cloud now stealthily approached the moon, and had soon
covered her up entirely. Then, Master Spazzo recollected that his
nurse had told him in his early infancy, how the bad wolf Hati and
Monagarm the moon-dog, persecuted the radiant astre. Looking up, he
clearly recognised, both wolf and moon-dog in the sky. They had just
taken hold with their teeth, of the gentle comforter of belated
travellers;--Master Spazzo was convulsed with pity. He drew his sword.
"_Vince luna!_ conquer, oh moon!" cried he, at the top of his voice,
and rattling his sword against his greaves. "_Vince luna, vince luna!_"
His cries were loud, and his jingling metal sounded fierce enough, but
the cloud-monsters did not loosen their hold on the moon; only the
chamberlain's horse became frightened, and galloped at full speed
through the dark wood with him.
When Master Spazzo awoke on the next morning, he found himself lying at
the foot of the Hunnic mound. On the meadow, he saw his mantle, whilst
his black steed Falada, was indulging in a morning walk, at some
distance. The saddle was hanging down on one side, and the reins were
torn. Falada, however, was eating the young grass and flowers with
evident enjoyment. Slowly the exhausted man lifted his head, and looked
about yawning. The convent-tower of Reichenau was mirrored in the
distant lake, as peacefully as if nothing whatever had happened. He
tore up a bunch of grass, and held the dewy blades to his forehead.
"_Vince luna!_" said he with a bitter sweet smile. He had got a racking
headache.
CHAPTER XIX.
Burkhard the Cloister-Pupil.
Rudimann the cellarer, was no bad logician. A roll of parchment-leaves
in the jaws of a salmon, must beget curiosity. Whilst Master Spazzo had
been drinking the cloister-wine, his mistress and Praxedis sat in their
private room, spelling out Gunzo's libel. Ekkehard's pupils had learned
enough Latin to understand the chief part, and what remained
grammatically obscure, they guessed at, and what they could not guess,
they interpreted as well as they could. Praxedis was indignant.
"Is the race of scholars then everywhere like that at Byzantium?"
exclaimed she. "First, a gnat is metamorphosed into an elephant, and
then a great war is made against the self-created monster! The present
from the Reichenau is as sour as vinegar," puckering up her lovely
mouth, just as when she had tasted Wiborad's crab-apples.
Dame Hadwig was beset by strange feelings. A certain something told
her, that the spirit which pervaded Gunzo's libel was not a good one,
and yet she felt some satisfaction at Ekkehard's humiliation.
"I think that he has deserved this reprimand," said she.
Then Praxedis stood up: "Our good teacher needs many a reprimand, but
then that should be our business. If we manage to cure him of his shy
awkwardness, then we shall have done him a good service; but if someone
who carries a beam in his own eye, reproaches his neighbour with the
moat in his,--that is too bad! The wicked monks have merely sent this
to slander him. May I throw it out of the window, gracious mistress?"
"We have neither requested you to complete Ekkehard's education, nor to
throw a present we have received, out of the window," sharply said the
Duchess. So Praxedis held her peace.
The Duchess could not tear away her thoughts so easily from the elegant
libel. Her ideas with respect to the fair-haired monk, had undergone a
great change since the day on which he carried her over the cloister
courtyard. Not to be understood in a moment of excited feeling, is like
being disdained. The sting remains for ever in the heart. Whenever her
eyes now chanced to light on him, it did not make her heart beat any
the quicker. Sometimes it was pity which made her gaze kindly on him
again; but not that sweet pity out of which love springs, like the lily
out of the cool soil. It contained a bitter grain of contempt.
Through Gunzo's libel, even Ekkehard's learning, which the women until
then had been wont to treat with great respect, was laid prostrate in
the dust,--so what was there now left to admire? The silent working and
dreaming of his soul, was not understood by the Duchess, and a delicate
timidity is but too often considered folly, by others. His going out
into the fields in the fresh morning, to read Solomon's song, came too
late. He should have done that last autumn....
Evening had come.
"Has Ekkehard returned home yet?" asked the Duchess.
"No," said Praxedis. "Neither has Master Spazzo returned."
"Then take yonder candlestick," said Dame Hadwig, "and carry up the
parchment-leaves to Ekkehard's tower. He must not remain ignorant of
the works of his fellow-brothers."
The Greek maid obeyed, but unwillingly. In the closet up in the tower,
the air was close and hot. In picturesque disorder, books and other
things were strewn about. On the oak table, the gospel of St. Matthew
lay opened at the following verses:
"But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced
before them and pleased Herod.
"Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would
ask.
"And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, 'Give me here
John Baptist's head on a charger.'"
The priestly stole, the Duchess's Christmas-gift to Ekkehard, lay
beside it. Its golden fringes were hanging over the little bottle with
the water from the Jordan, which the blind Thieto had given him.
Praxedis pushed back the other things, placing Gunzo's libel on the
table. When she had arranged everything, she felt sorry. Just about to
go, she turned back once more, opened the window, and gathering a
branch of the luxuriant ivy which was winding its garlands round the
tower, she threw it over the parchment-leaves.
Ekkehard came home very late. He had been nursing the wounded Cappan,
but had found it far harder work, to comfort his tall spouse. After the
first wailing was over and her tears had been dried, her speech until
sunset had been nothing but one great curse against the convent-farmer;
and when she raised her strong arms and spoke of scratching his eyes
out, of pouring henbane into his ears, and breaking his teeth, whilst
her long brown tresses threateningly fluttered in the air, it needed a
great effort to quiet her.
Yet he had succeeded at last.
In the silence of night, Ekkehard read the leaves which the Greek maid
had put on his table. His hand played with a wild rose, which he had
culled in the fir-wood when riding home, whilst his eyes took in the
spiteful attacks of the Italian scholar.
"How is it," thought he, inhaling the soft fragrance of the flower,
"that so much that is written with ink, cannot deny its origin? All ink
is made of the gall-nut, and all gall-nuts spring from the poisonous
sting of the wasp." ...
With a serene countenance he finally laid aside the yellow
parchment-leaves. "A good work! an industrious good work!--well, the
peewit is also an important personage amongst the feathered tribe, but
the nightingale does not heed its singing." ... He slept very well
after he had read it.
On coming back from the castle-chapel the next morning, he met Praxedis
in the courtyard.
"How are you, venerable baptizer of Hunnic idolaters," said she
lightly. "I am really very anxious about you. I dreamt that a big brown
sea-crab had swum up the Rhine, and from the Rhine into the Bodensee,
and from thence, he came up to our castle; and he had got a pair of
sharp pincers, and with them he pinched you very badly. The sea-crab's
name was Gunzo. Say, have you many more such good friends?"
Ekkehard smiled.
"Most likely, I do not please many a one, who does not please me
either," said he. "He, who comes into contact with sooty kettles,
easily gets blackened himself."
"You, however, seem to be wholly indifferent about it," said Praxedis.
"You ought to be thinking already about the reply. Boil the crab, till
it gets dark red. Then he will not bite you again."
"The answer to this," replied Ekkehard, "has been given already by
another: 'whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger
of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger
of hell fire.'"
"You are extremely mild and pious," said Praxedis, "but take care how
you get on in the world with that. Whoever does not defend his skin,
will be flayed, and even a miserable enemy should not be considered
quite harmless. Seven wasps together will kill a horse, you know."
The Greek maid was right. Silent contempt of an unworthy antagonist, is
easily interpreted into weakness. But Ekkehard acted according to his
nature.
Praxedis approaching him still closer, so that he started back, now
added: "Shall I give you another piece of advice, most reverend
Master?" He silently nodded in the affirmative.
"Then let me tell you, that you have again become far too serious of
late. To look at you, one would think that you were going to play at
nine pins with the moon and stars. We are now in the middle of summer,
and your habit must be exceedingly warm. Get yourself some linen
garment, and perhaps it would not harm you either to cool your head a
little in yonder spring,--but above all be merry and cheerful. The
Duchess might otherwise become indifferent towards you."
Ekkehard wanted to take her hand. Sometimes he felt as if Praxedis were
his good angel; but at that moment, Master Spazzo on horseback, entered
the courtyard at a slow and lingering pace. His head was bent towards
the pommel, and a leaden smile rested on his tired features. He was
half asleep.
"Your face has undergone a great change since yesterday," called out
Praxedis to him. "Why do the sparks not fly out any more from under
Falada's hoofs?"
With a vacant stare, he looked down at her. Everything was dancing
before his eyes.
"Have you brought home a considerable smart-money, Sir chamberlain?"
asked Praxedis.
"Smart-money? for whom?" stolidly said Master Spazzo.
"For poor Cappan! Why, I verily believe that you have eaten a handful
of poppy-seed, not to know any more, for what purpose you rode out."
...
"Poppy-seed?" said Master Spazzo in the same drowsy tone. "Poppy-seed?
No. But wine of Meersburg, red wine of Meersburg, unmeasured quantities
of red Meersburg, yes!"
Heavily he dismounted, and then retired into the privacy of his
apartments. The report about the result of his mission, was not given.
Praxedis cast an astonished look at the departing chamberlain, as she
did not wholly understand the reason of Master Spazzo's peculiar frame
of mind.
"Have you never heard, that to a grown-up man, neither springs, woods,
nor singing of birds are half so refreshing as old wine?" said
Ekkehard, smilingly. "But even as the Jewish prophet boy said to King
Darius, when his generals and officers were quarrelling around his
throne, about which of them was the strongest: 'The wine is the
strongest of all! for it conquers the men who drink it, and leads their
minds astray.'"
Praxedis had approached the wall, and was looking downward.
"Do look, you radiant star of science," she now said to Ekkehard, "who
may that dainty ecclesiastical little man be, who is coming up here?"
Ekkehard bent over the wall and looked down the steep rocky hill-side.
Between the hazel-bushes, bordering the footpath that led up to the
castle, walked a boy with wavy brown locks, wearing a monk's habit,
coming down to his ankles; sandals on his naked feet, a leathern
knapsack on his back, and carrying a staff with an iron point, in his
hand. Ekkehard did not recognise him as yet.
After a few minutes he reached the castle-gate. There he turned round,
and shading his eyes with his hand, he gazed over the wide beautiful
landscape, stretching out before him. Then he entered the courtyard
and approached Ekkehard with measured steps. It was Burkhard the
cloister-pupil; the son of Ekkehard's sister, who had come over from
Constance, to pay a holiday visit to his youthful uncle.
He made a solemn face, and pronounced his greeting as if he had learned
it by heart.
Ekkehard embraced the well-behaved boy, who in all the fifteen years of
his life had never done a downright foolish thing. Burkhard was the
bearer of sundry kind messages from St. Gall, as well as of an epistle
of Master Ratpert, who, being busy just then with some translation,
asked Ekkehard's advice, in what style and measure he was wont to
translate certain difficult passages in Virgil. "Hail, prosperity and
progress in knowledge," was the letter's parting salutation.
Ekkehard at once began to question his nephew about all the brothers,
but Praxedis soon interrupted him.
"Please to let the pious youngster rest himself first. A parched
tongue, is not adapted for speech. Come with me, my little man, thou
shalt be a more welcome visitor, than the wicked Rudimann from the
Reichenau!"
"Father Rudimann?" exclaimed the boy. "Him I know also."
"How did you get to know him?" asked Ekkehard.
"He paid us a visit but a few days since, and brought a big letter to
the Abbot, as well as a treatise, which they say contains a great deal
about yourself, beloved uncle, and is not much in your praise."
"Hear, hear!" said Praxedis.
"And when he had taken leave, he only went as far as the church, where
he prayed till night-fall. Now he must have known every nook and corner
in the monastery, for when the sleeping-bell sounded, he slunk on
tiptoe to the great dormitory, there to listen to what the brothers
might say about you and the contents of the treatise. The night-lamp
burnt but dimly, so that he could crouch down unseen in a dark corner.
But at midnight, Father Notker Peppercorn, came to make the round and
to inspect whether everyone had fastened his girdle tidily round his
garment, and whether no knife or other dangerous weapon was perchance
in the bedroom. _He_ drew out the stranger from his hiding-place;
and the brothers woke up, and the big lanthorn was lighted, and then
they all rushed on him, armed with sticks and scourges from the
scourging-room, and there was a tremendous noise and uproar, although
the Abbot and Dean tried to quiet them. Notker Peppercorn was also
highly indignant: 'The devil goes about in disguise, trying whom he may
devour,' cried he, 'but we have caught the devil, and will scourge
him!'
"But Father Rudimann in spite of all, was yet inclined to be saucy: 'I
declare ye excellent youths,' said he, 'if I knew where the carpenter
had left some outlet, I should creep away on my hands and feet; but
now, when chance has delivered me into your hands, mind that you do not
heap insults on the head of your guest!' Then they all got quite
furious, and dragged him out into the scourging-room, where he had to
go down on his knees to escape scot-free; and when finally the Abbot
said: 'We will let the fox go home to his den,' he expressed his thanks
in very polite terms.
"On my way, yesterday, I met a cart laden with two big wine-tuns, which
the driver told me were a present from the cellarer of the Reichenau,
for the friendly reception he had met with, at St. Gall."
"Of all this, Master Rudimann did not breathe a word, when he called on
us yesterday," said Praxedis. "For that recital, thou verily deservest
a piece of cake, my darling boy. Thou canst tell a story as well as any
older person."
"Oh," said the cloister-pupil half offended, "that's nothing! But I am
going to write a poem about it, entitled, 'the wolf's invasion of the
sheep-fold, and subsequent punishment.' I have already got it half
ready in my head. That will be fine!"
"Dost thou also make poems, my young nephew?" gaily said Ekkehard.
"That would be a nice cloister-pupil indeed, who with fourteen years
could make no poem!" was the boy's reply. "My hymn in praise of the
Archangel Michael, with double-rhymed hexametres, I was permitted to
read out to the Abbot, who was pleased to call my verses, 'a glittering
string of pearls.' And then my Sapphic ode, in honour of the pious
Wiborad is likewise very pretty. Shall I recite it to you!"
"For God's sake!" cried Praxedis. "Dost thou think that one merely
drops down into our courtyard to begin at once reciting odes? Thou
hadst better eat thy cake first."
She ran off to the kitchen, leaving Ekkehard's learned nephew under the
linden-tree, to talk with his uncle. He profited by the opportunity to
speak a good deal about the _trivium_ and _quadrivium_, and as the
Hohentwiel just then threw a delicately drawn shadow on the plain
below, the cloister-pupil indulged in a prolix discussion about the
cause of all shadows, which he pronounced with great assurance to
spring from a compact body standing in the way of light; proving
afterwards the vanity of all other definitions.
Like the waters from a fountain, did the scientific flood stream forth
from the youthful lips. In astronomy also he was quite at home, and his
uncle had to listen patiently to the praise of Zoroaster, and King
Ptolemæus of Egypt. Further he had to undergo a strict examination
himself, about the shape and application of the astrolabe, and finally
the curly-headed nephew began to demonstrate how absurd was the opinion
of those, who believed that on the other side of the globe lived the
honourable race of the antipodes!
All these fine things he had learned only five days ago,--but at last
his uncle did what the brave Emperor Otto did, when the famous Bishop
of Rheims, and Otrich the cathedral-schoolmaster of Magdeburg and
hundreds of learned abbots and scholars, held their great contest
about the basis and classification of theoretical philosophy, before
him,--namely he yawned. At that critical moment, Praxedis reappeared
with a delicious cherry-tart and a basket filled with various fruits,
and these good things speedily gave a more natural turn to the thoughts
of the fifteen-years-old philosopher. Like a well-educated boy, he
first said grace before eating, as was customary in the monastery, and
then he turned his attentions to the annihilation of the cherry-tart,
leaving the question of the antipodes to some future time.
Praxedis now turned to Ekkehard. "The Duchess bids me tell you," she
said with mock earnestness, "that she feels inclined to return to the
study of Virgil. She is anxious to learn the final fate of Queen
Dido,--and so we are to begin again this very evening. Remember that
you are to wear a more cheerful expression than the present one," added
she in a lower key, "as it is a delicate attention, in order to show
you that in spite of a certain treatise, her confidence in your
learning has not been destroyed."
This was a fact; but Ekkehard received the news with a start of terror.
To be again together with the two women as he used to be,--the mere
thought was painful. He had not yet learnt to forget a certain Good
Friday morning.
He now slapped his nephew on the shoulder, so as to make him start, and
said: "Thou hast not come here to spend thy holidays merely with
fishing and bird-catching, Burkhard. This afternoon we will read Virgil
with the gracious Duchess, and thou shalt be present also."
He thought to place the boy like a shield between the Duchess and his
thoughts.
"Very well," replied Burkhard, with cherry-dyed lips. "I prefer Virgil
a great deal to hunting and riding, and I shall request the Lady
Duchess to teach me some Greek. After that visit when they took you
away with them, the cloister-pupils often said, that she knew more
Greek than all the venerable fathers of the monastery, put together.
They say that she learnt it by sorcery. And although I am the first in
Greek ..."
"Then you will certainly be Abbot in five years, and in twenty, holy
father at Rome," said Praxedis mockingly. "Meanwhile you would do well
to wash your blue lips in yonder spring."
At the fourth hour of the evening, Ekkehard was waiting in the pillared
hall below, ready to resume his reading of the Æneid. More than six
months had gone by, during which Virgil had been laid aside. Ekkehard
felt oppressed. He opened one of the windows through which the pleasant
cool air of evening came streaming in.
The cloister-pupil was turning over the leaves of the Latin manuscript.
"When the Duchess speaks to thee, mind to be very polite," said
Ekkehard. But he replied with a complacent air: "with such a grand
lady, I shall only speak in verse. She shall see that a pupil from the
inner school stands before her."
Here, the Duchess entered, followed by Praxedis. She greeted Ekkehard
with a slight bend of the head. Without appearing to notice the boy,
she sat down in her richly carved arm-chair. Burkhard had made her a
graceful bow, from the lower end of the table, where he stood.
Ekkehard opened the book, when the Duchess said indifferently: "Why is
that boy here?"
"He is but a humble auditor," said Ekkehard, "who, inspired by the wish
to learn the Greek language, ventures to approach such a noble teacher.
He would be very happy, if from your lips he could learn ..."
But before Ekkehard had ended his speech, Burkhard had approached the
Duchess. With eyes cast down, and a mixture of shyness and confidence,
he said with a clear intonation of the rhythm:
"Esse velim Graecus, cum vix sim, dom'na[1], Latinus."
It was a faultless hexametre.
Dame Hadwig listened with astonishment; for a curly-headed boy, who
could make an hexametre, was an unheard-of thing in the Allemannic
lands then. And moreover he had improvised it in her honour. Therefore
she was really pleased with the youthful verse-maker.
"Let me look at thee a little nearer," said she drawing him towards
her. She was charmed with him, for he had a lovely boyish face, with a
red and white complexion, so soft and transparent, that the blue veins
could be seen through it.
In luxuriant masses, the brown curls fell down over his temples, whilst
a bold, aquiline nose rose over the learned youthful lips, as if it
were mocking their utterance. Then, Dame Hadwig put her arms round the
boy, and kissing him on both lips and cheeks, fondled him like a child
almost, and finally pushing a cushioned footstool close to her side,
bade him sit down on it.
"To begin with, thou shalt gather something else than Greek wisdom from
my lips," said she jestingly, giving him another kiss. "But now be a
good boy, and quickly say some more well-set verses."
She pushed back his curls from his blushing face; but the
cloister-pupil's metrical powers were not discomposed even by the kiss
of a Duchess. Ekkehard had stepped up to the window, where he looked
out towards the Alps, whilst Burkhard without hesitation, recited the
following lines:
"Non possum prorsus dignos componere versus,
Nam nimis expavi duce me libante suavi."
He had again produced two faultless hexametres.
The Duchess laughed out gaily. "Well, I verily believe that thou didst
greet the light of this world with a Latin verse, at thy birth? That
flows from thy lips as if Virgil had arisen from his grave. But why art
thou frightened when I kiss thee?"
"Because you are so grand, and proud and beautiful," said the boy.
"Never mind," replied the Duchess. "He, who with the fresh kiss yet
burning on his lips, can improvise such perfect verses, cannot be very
much terrified."
Making him stand up before her, she asked him: "And why art thou so
very eager to learn Greek?"
"Because they say, that if a man knows Greek, he can become so clever
as to hear the grass grow," was the ready answer. "Ever since my
fellow-pupil Notker with the large lip, has vaunted himself, that he
were going to learn all Aristotle by heart, and then translate it into
German, I have been uneasy in my mind."
Dame Hadwig again laughed merrily. "Let us begin then? Dost thou know
the antiphon, 'Ye seas and rivers praise the Lord?'"
"Yes," said Burkhard.
"Then repeat after me, '[Greek: Thalassi kai potami, eulogite ton
kurion.]'"
The boy repeated it.
"Now sing it!" He did so.
Ekkehard looked over reproachfully at them. The Duchess interpreted the
look aright.
"So, now thou hast learnt six words already," she said to Burkhard,
"and as soon as thou wilt ask for it in hexametres, thou shalt be
taught some more. For the present, sit down there at my feet, and
listen attentively. We will read Virgil now."
Then, Ekkehard began the fourth canto of the Æneïd; and read of the
sorrows of Dido, who is ever beset by thoughts of the noble Trojan
guest, whose words and looks are all deeply engraven on her inmost
heart. And she speaks out her grief thus to her sister:
"If it were not decreed, in the depth of my soul, that I never,
Wedlock again would contract, with any man that is living,
If I, the torches of Hymen, and bridal room not detested,
Might be so weak perhaps, to give way to this present temptation.
Anna, to thee confess, that since my beloved Sichæus,
Fell with the wound in his heart, at the feet of the blood-dripping
Lares,
He alone, has succeeded in touching my heart, and disturbing.
All the peace of my soul, that is changed into strife and
contention."
But Dame Hadwig had not much sympathy with the sorrows of the
Carthaginian widowed queen. She leaned back in her arm-chair and looked
up at the ceiling. She found no longer any similarity between herself
and the desolate woman in the book.
"Stop a moment," cried she. "How very clear it is, that this is written
by a man. He wants to humiliate women! It is all false! Who on earth
would fall so madly in love with an utter stranger?"
"That, Virgil has to answer for," said Ekkehard. "History no doubt
bequeathed the facts to him."
"Then, the present generation of women is somewhat stronger-minded,"
said the Duchess, making a sign to him to continue. She was almost
offended with Virgil's description. Perhaps because she was reminded of
certain Didonian feelings which she had experienced herself, one day.
Things had not always been, as they now were.
And he read on, how Anna advises her sister not to struggle any longer
against her growing passion; and how,--though peace and rest might be
implored for, by sacrifices on the altars of the mighty Gods,--the
relentless, devouring flame was yet burning on inwardly, and the wound
did not heal.
And again the poor deluded queen, desires to hear of the battles round
Ilium, and:
"When she was left then alone, and the rays of the queen of the
heavens,
Fell on her desolate couch, and the stars were silently shining,
Seeming to mock at her grief, which, excluding the pain-stilling
slumber,
Kept her awake at night, when she thought of him, her beloved.
Many a time, to delude her heart, and stifle its longings
She would fondle the boy, the image of him, of Æneas."
A low giggle here interrupted the reading. The cloister-pupil, sitting
at the Duchess's feet, so as almost to touch her wavy robes, had
listened attentively until now, when he struggled in vain to stifle a
rising laugh, which at last broke out, though he had covered up his
face with his hands to keep it back.
"What is the matter now, young verse-maker?" asked the Duchess.
"I could not help thinking," said the boy with some embarrassment,
"that if my gracious mistress were the queen Dido, I should have been
acting the part of Ascanius, when you deigned to kiss and caress me."
The Duchess looked down sharply at the boy. "Art thou inclined to be
naughty? Well 'tis no wonder," added she, pointing at his curls, "for
the precocious youth has already got grey hairs on his head."
... "That is from the night when they slew Romeias," the cloister-pupil
wanted to say, but could not, as the Duchess sharply continued: "That
comes from thy forwardness, which makes thee say foolish things, when
thou hadst better be silent. Get up little man!"
Burkhard rose from the stool, and stood blushingly before her.
"So," said she, "now go to Praxedis and tell her that as a punishment,
all thy grey hairs are to be cut off, and beg her to do it for you.
That will be a good cure for untimely laughter."
The boy's eyes filled with big tears, but he dared not disobey. So he
went up to Praxedis, who had some sympathy for him, since she had heard
that he had been Romeias' companion, during his last hours.
"I shall not hurt thee, my little saint," she whispered drawing him
towards her. He knelt down before her, bending his young head over her
lap, whilst she took a big pair of scissors out of her straw-braided
work-basket, and executed the punishment.
At first, the cloister-pupil's sobs, sounded dolefully,--for he who
allowed a strange hand to touch his locks, was considered to be deeply
dishonoured,--but Praxedis's soft little hand caressingly patted his
cheeks, after having ruffled his curls, so that, in spite of all
punishment, he felt almost happy and his mouth smilingly caught up the
last falling tear.
Ekkehard looked down silently for a while. Frivolous, though graceful
jesting, makes a sad heart but sadder. He was hurt that the Duchess had
thus interrupted his reading. Looking up into her eyes, he found no
comfort there. "She trifles with thee, as well as she trifles with the
boy," thought he, closing the book and rising from his seat.
"You are right," said he to Dame Hadwig, "'tis all wrong. Dido ought to
laugh, and Æneas to go and kill himself with his sword. Then, it would
be quite natural."
She gazed at him with an unsteady look. "What is the matter with you?"
asked she.
"I cannot read any more," replied he.
The Duchess had risen also.
"If you do not care to read any longer," she said with an apparently
indifferent expression, "there are still other ways and means to pass
one's time. What say you, if I were to ask you to tell us some graceful
tale,--you might choose whatever you liked. There are still many grand
and beautiful things, besides your Virgil. Or, you might invent
something yourself. I see that you are oppressed by some care. You
neither like to read, nor to go out into the country. Everything hurts
your eyes, as you say. I think that your mind lacks some great task
which we will now give you."
"What could I invent?" replied Ekkehard. "Is it not enough happiness to
be the echo of a master, like Virgil?" He looked with a veiled eye at
the Duchess. "I should only be able to chant elegies very sad ones
too."
"Nothing else?" said Dame Hadwig reproachfully. "Have our ancestors not
gone out to war, and let their bugles sound the alarum through the
world, and have they not fought battles as grand as those of Æneas? Do
you believe that the great Emperor Charles would have had all the old
national songs collected and sung, if they had been nothing but chaff?
Must you then, take everything out of your Latin books?"
"I know nothing," repeated Ekkehard.
"But you _must_ know something," persisted the Duchess. "If we, who
live here in this castle, were to sit together of an evening and talk
of old tales and legends, I shouldn't wonder, if we should produce
something more than the whole of the Æneïd contains? 'Tis true that the
pious son of the Emperor Charles, did not care any more for the old
heroic songs, and preferred listening to whining psalms; until he died,
diseased in body and mind; but we still cling to those old tales. Do
tell us such a story, Master Ekkehard, and we will gladly spare you
your Virgil with his love-sick queen."
But Ekkehard's thoughts were quite differently occupied. He shook his
head like one who is dreaming.
"I see that you want some stimulant," said the Duchess. "Above all, a
good example will inspire you. Praxedis, prepare thyself, and likewise
tell our chamberlain, that we are going to entertain ourselves
to-morrow, with the telling of old legends. Let everybody be well
prepared."
She took up Virgil and threw it under the table, as a sign that a new
aera was to begin forthwith.
Her idea was certainly good, and well conceived. Only the
cloister-pupil who had rested his head on Praxedis's lap, whilst the
Duchess spoke, had not quite taken in her meaning.
"When may I learn some more Greek, gracious mistress?" asked he.
[Greek: "Thalassi kai potami." ...]
"When the grey hairs are grown again," said she gaily, giving him
another kiss.
Ekkehard left the hall with hasty steps.
CHAPTER XX.
The old German Legends.
On the top of the Hohentwiel and within the castle-walls, a very
pretty, though small garden had been laid out on a steep projecting
rock, encircled by a wall. It was a lovely place; well-fitted for
observation. The hill was so steep there, that by leaning over the
parapet, one could throw a stone down into the valley below, and he,
who delighted in an extensive view, could there enjoy it to his heart's
content; his eye taking in, mountain and plain, lake and distant Alps;
no obstacle barring the view.
In a corner of this little garden, an old maple-tree spread out its
branches undisturbed. Its winged seeds were already ripe and brown,
fluttering down on the black garden earth below. A ladder had been
placed against its greyish green trunk, at the foot of which, Praxedis
was standing, holding the corner of a long and heavy piece of
tent-cloth; whilst Burkhard, the cloister-pupil, was sitting high up in
the branches, trying to fasten the other ends with the help of a hammer
and some nails.
"Attention," called out Praxedis. "I verily believe that thou art
watching yonder stork, flying over to Radolfszell. Take care, thou
paragon of all Latin scholars, and do not drive the nail into the air!"
Praxedis had lifted the cloth with her left hand, and when the
cloister-pupil now let go the other end, it fell down heavily, tearing
out the badly fixed nails, and entirely burying the Greek maid under
its massy folds.
"There now,--thou awkward boy!" scolded Praxedis, as soon as she had
disentangled herself from the coarse wrapper. "I suppose I must look
out whether there are not anymore grey hairs to be cut off!"
Scarcely had she pronounced the last word, when the cloister-pupil
became visible on the ladder, and jumping down from the middle, he now
stood on the cloth, before Praxedis.
"Sit down," said he, "I do not mind in the least, being punished again.
I have dreamt this very night, that you cut off all my curls, and that
I had returned to school with an entirely bald head,--and yet I was not
sorry for it."
Praxedis lightly clapped his head. "Don't grow too impudent during the
holidays, my little man; or thy back will prove a nice floor for the
rod to dance upon, when thou gettest back to thy cloister-school."
But the cloister-pupil was not thinking of the cool auditories of his
monastery. He remained standing motionless before Praxedis.
"Well?" said she, "what is the matter?" "what dost thou want?"
"A kiss," replied the pupil of the liberal arts.
"Heigho! nothing else?" laughed Praxedis. "What reasons has thy wisdom
for such a demand?"
"The Lady Duchess has kissed me also," said Burkhard, "and you have
often asked me to tell you all about that day, when I fled with my
brave, old friend Romeias before the Huns, and how he fought like a
hero, as he was. All this I shall not tell you, unless you will give me
a kiss."
"Listen," said the Greek maid with a mock serious face, "I have
something very wonderful to tell you."
"What?" asked the boy eagerly.
"That thou art the naughtiest little rogue, that has ever set his foot
on the threshold of a cloister-school," continued she, and suddenly
throwing her white arms around him, she gave him a hearty kiss on the
nose.
"Well done, I declare!" called out a deep bass voice from the
garden-door, at the very moment when she playfully pushed the boy away
from her. It was Master Spazzo.
"Ah, is it you?" said Praxedis, perfectly unabashed. "You are just in
time, Sir Chamberlain, to assist us in fixing this canvass. I shall
never get it done, with that silly boy!"
"So it appears," said Master Spazzo, with a cutting look at the
cloister-pupil, who, standing rather in awe of the chamberlain's
fierce-looking moustache, slipped away between some rose-bushes.
Astronomy and the metrics, Aristotle in the original language, and red
girlish lips, formed a strange medley in the youthful mind.
"Are there no fitter objects for kisses in this castle, gentle maiden?"
asked Master Spazzo.
"If one should ever feel so inclined," was Praxedis' answer, "the
fitter objects ride away and stray about in night and darkness; and
when they return at daytime, they look as if they had been chasing the
will-o'-the-wisps all night."
Herewith, Master Spazzo was answered. He had made a vow not to betray a
single word of his nightly adventures; cuckoo, and _vince luna_
included.
"In what way can I help you?" said he humbly.
"In making a bower," said Praxedis. "In the cool hours of the evening,
the Duchess will hold court here, and then stories are to be told; old
stories, Sir chamberlain, the more wonderful, the better! Our Mistress
has grown tired of Latin, and wishes for something else. Something
original, that has not yet been written down,--you are also expected to
contribute your mite!"
"The Lord protect my soul!" exclaimed Master Spazzo. "If under the
reign of a woman everything was not wondrously strange, I really
should begin to wonder at this. Are there no wandering minstrels and
lute-players left, who, for a helmet full of wine, and a leg of deer,
will sing themselves hoarse with such tales? We are rising in
estimation! 'Vagabonds, jugglers, bards and the like strolling idlers,
are to be flogged, and if they complain, they are to receive a man's
shadow on a wall, as an indemnification.'[2] I thank you for that
honour!"
"You will do what you are commanded, like a faithful vassal, who,
moreover has still to render a report about a certain business,
transacted over the monastic wine-jug," said Praxedis. "It will be
merrier at any rate, than to spell out Latin! Have you no desire to
out-rival the learned Master Ekkehard?"
This hint made some impression on the chamberlain's mind. "Give me the
corners of the cloth," said he, "so that I may fix them." He then
mounted the ladder, and fastened the ends to the branches. Opposite,
were some tall poles, entwined with the blue blossomed bean-plant. To
these, Praxedis tied the other two corners, and very soon the greyish
white canvass formed a nice roof, contrasting pleasantly with the green
foliage.
"It would be a very cozy place for drinking the vesper wine," said
Master Spazzo half sadly at the idea of that which was to come.
Praxedis, meanwhile arranged the table and seats. The Duchess's
stuffed arm-chair, with the finely carved back, touched the stem of the
maple-tree, whilst some low stools were placed round for the others.
Fetching down her lute, Praxedis put it on the table beside a huge
nosegay which she had ordered Burkhard to make. Finally, she tied a
strong thread of red silk, first to the trunk, then, round the
bean-plantation and from there, to the wall, so as to leave free only a
narrow entrance.
"There," said she gaily, "now our fairy-hall is hedged in, like King
Laurins' rose-garden. The walls were not very difficult to make."
The Duchess, taking much pleasure in her idea, adorned herself with
particular care on that day. It was still somewhat early to be called
evening, when she went down to the bower. She was really a dazzling
apparition, as she proudly sailed along, in her flowing robes. The
sleeves and seams were richly embroidered with gold, and a steel-gray
tunic, held by jewelled clasps, fell down to the ground like a mantle.
On her head she wore a soft transparent tissue, a sort of veil;
fastened to a golden head-band. Pulling out a rose from Burkhard's
nosegay, she stuck it in, between the head-band and the veil.
The cloister-pupil, who was fast forgetting his classics and liberal
arts, had begged leave to carry the Duchess's train, and it was in her
honour that he had donned a pair of very queer-looking, pointed shoes,
adorned on both sides with ears. He certainly felt a good deal elated
at the happiness of being allowed to act as page to such a mistress.
Praxedis and Master Spazzo came in after her. The Duchess, casting her
eyes hastily about, now said: "Has Master Ekkehard, for whose especial
benefit we have appointed this evening,--become invisible?"
"My uncle must be ill," said Burkhard. "He paced up and down in his
room with hasty steps yesterday evening, and when I wanted to show him
the different constellations, such as the bear, and Orion and the
faintly glittering Pleïads, he gave me no answer whatever. At last, he
threw himself on his couch with all his clothes on, and talked a good
deal in his sleep.
"What did he say?" asked the Duchess.
"He said, 'oh my dove that art in the clefts of the rock, and in the
secret places of the stones; let me see thy countenance, let me hear
thy voice. For sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is lovely.' And
another time he said: 'Why do you kiss the boy before my eyes? what do
I hope still, and why do I tarry yet in the Lybian lands?'"
"That is a nice state of things, I declare," whispered Master Spazzo
into the Greek maid's ear. "Does that rest on _your_ conscience?"
The Duchess, however, said to Burkhard: "I suppose that thou hast been
dreaming thyself. Run up to thy uncle and make him come down as we are
waiting for him."
She sat down gracefully on her throne-like seat. The cloister-pupil
soon came back with Ekkehard, who was looking very pale, whilst his
eyes had something wild and sad about them. He silently bowed his head,
and then sat down at the opposite end of the table. Burkhard wanted to
place his stool again at the Duchess's feet, as he had done the day
before, when they had read Virgil;--but Ekkehard rose and pulled him
over by the hand. "Come hither!" said he. The Duchess let him do as he
wished.
Casting first a look around her, she began thus: "We pretended
yesterday, that in our German legends and tales, there was as much, and
as good matter for entertainment, as in the Roman epic of Æneas; and I
doubt not that each person amongst us, knows something of heroic
battles, and besieged fortresses; of the separation of faithful lovers,
and the dissensions of mighty kings. The human heart is differently
disposed, so that that, which does not interest the one, may please the
other. Therefore we have made the arrangement, that each of our
faithful subjects, as the lot will decide, shall relate some graceful
tale; and it will be our task then, to allot a prize for the best
story. If one of you men should be the conqueror, he shall have the
ancient drinking-horn, which, from the time of King Dagobert, has been
hanging in the great hall; and if my faithful Praxedis should be the
victorious one, some pretty trinket is to be her reward. The pulling of
straws shall decide who is to begin."
Praxedis had prepared four bits of straw of different lengths, which
she handed to the Duchess.
"Shall I add another for the young verse-maker?" asked she.
But Burkhard said in a doleful voice: "I beseech you to spare me; for,
if my teacher at St. Gall were to hear, that I had again diverted
myself with idle tales, I should certainly be punished as I was when we
acted the story of the old Hildebrand and his son Hadubrand, in
Romeias' room. The gate-keeper, always delighted in it, and it was he
who made our wooden horses and shields, with his own hands. I was the
son Hadubrand, and my fellow-pupil Notker acted old Hildebrand; his
underlip being as big as that of an old man. Ho, didn't we fly at each
other, so that a cloud of dust flew out of Romeias's windows! Notker
had already unfastened his arm-ring, holding it out to me, as the old
song describes it, and I was just saying: 'Hoho thou old blade! Thou
art really too cunning by half. Dost thou think to beguile we with thy
words, and then, to throw thy spear at me? Has thy head become hoary,
with treachery and lies? Seafaring men in the west, on the Wendel lake
told me: he was killed in the wars, was Hildebrand the son of
Heribrand!' when Master Ratolt, our teacher of rhetoric, came upstairs
on tip-toe, and belaboured us so fiercely with his large rod, that
sword and shield fell from our hands.
"Romeias, was called a stupid old blockhead, for decoying us from
useful studies, and my friend Notker and myself were locked up for
three days, fed on bread and water, and had to make a hundred and fifty
Latin hexametres in honour of St. Othmar, as a punishment."
The Duchess smiled. "God forbid, that we should tempt thee again to
such a sin," said she.
She put the four straws into her right hand, and smilingly held them
out, for them to draw. Ekkehard's eyes were fixed immovably on the rose
under her head-band, as he stepped up to her. She had to speak to him
twice, before he pulled out a straw.
"Death and damnation!" Master Spazzo almost ejaculated, for he had got
hold of the shortest straw. But he well knew that no excuse would be
available, and dolefully looked down into the valley, as if he expected
help to come from thence. Praxedis had tuned her lute and was playing a
prelude, that blended sweetly with the rustling of the branches in the
old maple-tree.
"Our chamberlain has to fear no punishment, if he will relate us some
pretty story," said the Duchess. "Please to begin."
Then, Master Spazzo bent his head forwards, put his sword with its
broad hilt before him, so that he could lean on it, gave a preliminary
stroke to his beard, and thus began:
"Although I never took much delight in old stories, preferring to hear
the clashing of two good swords, or the tapping of a tun of good wine,
I yet once chanced to come across a fine legend. In my younger days I
had to make a journey to Italy, and my road then took me through the
Tyrol and over the Brenner mountain; and it was a rough and stony path,
leading me over many a rock, and through many a wild glen, so that my
horse lost one of its shoes. When the evening set in, I had reached a
little village, called Gothensass, or Gloggensachsen, which from the
times of Sir Dietrich of Bern, has lain there, hidden amongst the
larch-woods. At the outskirts of this village, and built against the
mountain, there was a house, much resembling a stronghold, before
which, there lay heaps of iron dross, whilst inside there was a big
fire, and someone who was lustily pounding the anvil.
"So, I called to the blacksmith to come forth and shoe my horse, and
when nobody came, I gave a knock at the door with the butt-end of my
lance, so that it flew open as wide as it could, whilst I gave vent to
some tremendous curse, of death and murder and all possible evils.
Suddenly, a man stood before me, with shaggy hair and a leathern apron,
and scarcely had I set eyes on him, when my lance was already beaten
down, so that it broke to pieces as if it had been mere glass, whilst
an iron bar, was swung threateningly over my head. On the man's naked
arms, there were to be seen sinews, which looked as if he could strike
an anvil ten fathom deep into the ground. Then, I bethought myself,
that under such circumstances a polite speech might not come amiss, and
therefore I said: I merely wanted to beseech you, to shoe my horse.
Then the blacksmith drove the iron bar into the ground and said: 'That
sounds somewhat different and will help you. Rudeness, however, will
attain nothing at Weland's forge. That's what you may tell the people
where you come from.'
"After this speech he shod my horse, and I saw that he was a skilful
and honourable blacksmith, and so we became very good friends, and I
let my horse be put into his stables, and remained his guest for the
night. And we caroused together till late and the wine was called
Terlaner, and he poured it out of a leathern bottle.
"Whilst we were thus drinking, I questioned my sooty host about the
name of his forge, and how it had got that name; upon which he struck
up a loud laugh, and then told me the story of 'Smith Weland.' And if
it was not exactly what you might call very refined, it was for all
that a very pretty tale."
Master Spazzo stopped a while, throwing a look at the table, like one
who looks about for a draught of wine, to moisten his dry lips with.
But wine there was none, and the look was not understood. So he
continued.
"Whence smith Weland had come, said the man of Gothensass to me, had
never been quite ascertained. It was said, that in the northern seas,
in the land of Schonen, the giant Vade was his father, and that his
grandmother was a mermaid, who, when he was born, came up from the
depth of the sea, and sat a whole night on a rock and harped: 'young
Weland, must become a blacksmith.' So, in the course of time, Vade
brought the boy to Mimer, the famous armourer, who lived in a dark
fir-wood, twenty miles behind Toledo, and who instructed him in all the
branches of his art.
"As soon, however, as he had made his first sword, Mimer advised him to
go away, and to acquire the last finishing touch in his craft, amongst
the dwarfs. So, Weland went to the dwarfs and became much renowned.
"One day, however, the giants invaded dwarf-land, so that Weland had to
fly, and he could take nothing away with him, except his broad sword
Mimung. This, he buckled across his back; and chance then brought him
to the Tirol. Between the Eisach, Etsch and Inn, there reigned in
those days King Elberich, who kindly received Weland and gave him the
forge in the wood on the Brenner-mountain, and all the iron and ore
which was hidden in the mountain's veins, was put at his disposal. And
Weland's heart became light and happy, in the Tyrolese Alps. The
mountain-torrents rushed past him, setting his wheels a going; the
winds fanned his fire into brighter flames, and the stars said to each
other: 'we must do our best, or the sparks which Weland produces will
outshine us.' Thus Weland's work prospered. Shield and swords, knives
and drinking-cups, as well as all the ornaments which adorn a king's
palace, were made by his dexterous hands, and there was no smith, as
far as the sun shone on Alpine snow, who could compare with him. King
Elberich, however, had many bitter enemies, who one day formed an
alliance, with the one-eyed Aemilius for their leader, and invaded the
land. And Elberich's heart was filled with dismay, and he said: 'He,
who will bring me Aemilius's head, shall marry my only daughter.' Then,
Weland extinguished the fire in his forge, buckled on his broad sword
Mimung, and went out to fight King Elberich's enemies. And his good
sword cut off Aemilius's head, so that the whole body of enemies turned
round and fled homewards, as fast as ever they could. Weland, however,
presented the head to the King. But he said angrily: 'what I have said
about my daughter, the winds have scattered; a smith can never become
my son-in-law, for he would blacken my hands, when I extended them for
a friendly greeting. But thou shalt have three golden coins as a
reward. With these, a man can tilt and joust, dance and make merry, and
buy himself a wench in the market.' Weland, however, threw the three
golden coins at his feet, so that they rolled under the throne, and
said: 'May God bless you; you will never see me more!' and with this he
turned round, to leave the land. But the king, not wanting to lose the
smith, had him thrown to the ground, and his tendons cut, so that he
became lame, and had to give up all thoughts of flight.
"Then, Weland, dragged himself in sadness home to his forge, and
relighted his fire; but he whistled and sang no more, when he wielded
the heavy hammer and his mind was embittered. One day, the king's son,
a red-cheeked boy, who had run out alone into the wood, came in and
said: 'Weland, I want to look at thy work.' Then the smith artfully
replied: 'Place thyself close to the anvil; there thou wilt see
everything best,'--and he took the red-hot iron bar out of the flames,
and stabbed the king's son, right into the heart with it. The bones he
afterwards bleached, and covered with ore and silver, so that they
became pillars for candlesticks, and the skull he encircled with gold,
making it into a drinking cup. All this, Weland sent to Elberich, and
when the messengers came to inquire for the boy, he said: 'I have not
seen him; he must have run out into the woods.'
"Some time afterwards, the King's daughter was walking in her garden.
She was so beautiful that the lilies bowed their heads before her. On
her forefinger she wore a ring of gold, shaped like a serpent, in the
head of which there glistened a carbuncle, which Elberich had set there
himself; and he held this ring far dearer than a kingdom, and had given
it to his daughter only, because he loved her above everything. As she
was culling a rose, the ring fell from the maiden's finger, and rolling
over the stones it got broken, and the carbuncle fell out of its golden
setting, so that the maid lamented bitterly, wringing her hands, and
would not go home for fear of her father's anger.
"Then, one of her waiting-women said to her: 'You must go secretly to
smith Weland, and he will mend it for you.' So the king's daughter
entered Weland's forge, and told him her grief. He took the ring out of
her hand, and set about repairing it, so that the carbuncle soon shone
out again from the serpent's head. But all this while, Weland's
forehead had been wearing a dark frown, and when the maiden kindly
smiled at him, and turned to go, he said: 'Oho, you shall not go away
yet!' And he locked the strong door, and seizing the king's daughter
with strong arms, he carried her into his chamber, where moss and
fern-leaves lay heaped up. And when she went away she wept aloud, and
tore her soft, silken hair ..."
Here, Master Spazzo was interrupted by a slight noise. Praxedis, with a
deep blush overspreading her features, had cast an inquiring look at
the Duchess, to see whether she should not jump up, to close Master
Spazzo's mouth, but as nothing of the kind was to be read in her calm,
set features, she impatiently drummed with her fingers on the back of
her lute.
"... and a deed of violence had been done," Master Spazzo continued,
quite unabashed. "Then, Weland began singing and shouting, in such a
manner as had never been heard in the forge before, ever since his
tendons had been cut. Leaving his shields and swords unfinished, he now
worked day and night, and forged for himself a pair of large metal
wings, and he had hardly finished them, when King Elberich came down
the Brenner mountain, with a strong body of armed men. Then, Weland
quickly fastened the wings to his shoulders, and hung his sword Mimung,
over his back, and thus equipped he mounted the roof of his house, so
that the men exclaimed: 'Behold, smith Weland has become a bird!' With
a powerful voice he then called out: 'May God bless you, King Elberich!
You will not forget the smith so easily, I trow! Your son I have slain,
and your daughter is with child, by me. Farewell, and give her my
greetings!' After this, he spread out his huge wings, making a noise
like a hurricane, and flew through the air. The King seized his bow,
and all the knights hastily followed his example. Like an army of
flying dragons, the arrows whizzed round his head; but not one of them
hit him, and he flew home to his father's castle in Schonen, and never
was seen again. And Elberich never gave Weland's message to his
daughter, who in that same year gave birth to a son, who was called
Wittich, and became a strong hero like his father.
"That is the story of smith Weland!"
Master Spazzo leaned back, heaving a deep sigh of relief. "They will
not trouble me a second time for a story, I warrant," thought he. The
impression which the story had made on the hearers was very different.
The Duchess, expressed herself well satisfied with it. She had some
sympathy with the smith's revenge, whilst Praxedis angrily said that it
was truly a sooty smith's story, and that the chamberlain ought to be
ashamed to show himself before women! Ekkehard said: "I don't know, but
it seems to me as if I had once heard something like it, but then, the
king's name was Nidung, and the forge was at the foot of the Caucasus."
Then the chamberlain called out angrily: "If you prefer the Caucasus to
Gloggensachsen, very well, then you may lay the scene there, but I well
recollect how my Tyrolese friend showed me the very spot itself. Over
the chamber door, there was a broken rose of metal, and an iron eagle's
wing, and below it the words, 'here the smith flew away,' were
engraved. Now and then, people come there to pray, as they believe
Weland to have been a great saint."
"Let us see who will be the first to try and outrival Master Spazzo,"
said the Duchess, once more mixing the straws. They drew accordingly,
and the shortest, this time, remained with Praxedis. She neither
appeared embarrassed, nor did she appeal to the indulgence of her
listeners. Passing her white little hand over her dark tresses she
began thus:
"It is true, that my nurses never sang me any lullabies of valiant
knights, and thank God, I have never been in a lonely forge in a wood;
but even in Constantinople you may hear such tales recited. At the time
when I was instructed at the Emperor's court, in all the arts well
becoming a serving maiden, there was also an old woman who kept the
keys, by name Glycerium, who often said to us: 'Listen ye maidens all,
if you should ever serve a princess whose heart is consumed by a secret
passion, and who cannot see him whom she loves, then, you must be sly
and thoughtful like the waiting-woman Herlindis, when King Rother wooed
the daughter of the Emperor Constantine.' And when we were sitting
together of an evening in the women's apartment, then, they whispered
and chattered, until old Glycerium, related the story of _King Rother_.
"In the olden times there was an Emperor, also called Constantine,
living in his castle on the Bosporus, who had a wondrously beautiful
daughter; and people said of her that she was radiant like the
evening-star and outshone all other maids like a golden thread amongst
silken ones. One fine day there arrived a great ship, out of which
landed twelve counts and twelve knights, and they all rode into
Constantine's courtyard; one of them, whose name was Lupolt, riding at
their head. And all the people of the city marvelled at them, for their
garments and mantles were heavy with gold and precious stones, and the
horses' saddles rang with little golden bells. These were the
messengers of King Rother of Vikingland, and Lupolt jumped down from
his saddle, and spoke thus to the Emperor:
"'We are sent out by our king, called Rother, who is the handsomest
man, ever born of woman. He is served by the best of heroes, and his
court is the constant scene of balls and tournaments and all that heart
can desire. But as yet he is unmarried, and his heart feels lonely.
"'You should give him your daughter!'
"Now, Constantine was a hot-tempered man, and throwing the imperial
globe fiercely to the ground, he cried: 'Nobody has as yet wooed my
daughter, who has not lost his head in the endeavour. How do you dare
to insult me in that way? You are all my prisoners.'
"And he had them thrown into a dungeon, into which neither sun nor moon
could shine; and they had nothing but bread and water to live on; and
there they shed many bitter tears of sorrow.
"When the tidings reached King Rother, his heart was filled with
sadness, and he sat on a rock all alone, and would speak to nobody.
Then, he formed the resolution of crossing the seas, like a true
knight, to succour his faithful messengers; and as he had been warned
against the Greeks, and had been told that if a man wanted to attain
anything there, he must needs paint and gild truth, he made his knights
take an oath, that they would all pretend, that his name was not Rother
but Dietrich, and that he had been banished by King Rother, and had
come to crave the Greek Emperor's assistance. Thus, they set out in a
ship, and Rother took his harp on board with him, for before his twelve
ambassadors had weighed anchor, he came to the shore with his harp and
played three airs, which they were to remember, saying: 'If ever you
should be in distress, and hear these airs, you will know that Rother
is near and will help you.'
"It was on Easter-day and the Emperor Constantine had gone on horseback
to Hippodrom, when Rother made his entrance. And all the citizens of
Constantinople ran out of their houses, for such a sight they had never
seen before. Rother had brought his giants along with him. The first
was called Asprian, and carried an iron bar which measured six yards in
length; the second was called Widolt and was so fierce that they had
loaded him with chains, and the third was called Eveningred.
"Besides these, a large member of valiant knights followed him, and
twelve carriages loaded with jewels came in the rear, and the whole was
such a splendid spectacle, that the Empress said: 'Alas, how stupid we
have been, in refusing our daughter to King Rother! What a man he must
be, to send such an army of heroes over the seas!'
"King Rother himself, wore a gold breast-plate, and a purple coat, and
two rows of beautiful rings on his wrists. And he bent his knee before
the Greek Emperor and said: 'I, the Prince Dietrich have been outlawed
by a king whose name is Rother, so that all I have ever done in his
service, now tells against me. I have come to offer my services to
you.'
"Then, Constantine invited all the heroes to his court at Hippodrom,
and treating them with all honour, he made them sit down at his own
table. Now, in the hall there was a tame lion, which used to take away
the serving-men's food. It also came to Asprian's plate, to lick it up,
upon which the giant seized it by the mane, and threw it against the
wall, that it was killed on the spot. Then the chamberlains said to
each other: 'He who has no desire to be thrown against the wall, had
best leave that man's plate alone.'
"King Rother then began to distribute a great many handsome presents
amongst the Greeks. Everyone who visited him in his temporary abode
received either a mantle or some piece of arms. Amongst others there
also came an outlawed count, to whom he gave a thousand silver crowns,
and took him into his service, so that his train was increased by many
hundred knights.
"Thus, the so-called Dietrich's praise was in the mouth of everybody,
and amongst the women there began a whispering and talking, so that
there was not a chamber whose walls did not ring with Sir Dietrich's
name.
"Then, the goldenhaired daughter of the Emperor said to Herlindis, her
waiting-woman: 'Alas, what shall I do, that I also may obtain a look at
the man whom they all renown so?' And Herlindis replied: 'The best
thing would be if you begged your father, to give a great banquet, and
to invite the stranger guests; then you could easily see him.'
"The Emperor's daughter followed this advice, and Constantine did not
say her nay, and he invited all his dukes and counts as well as the
foreign heroes. All who were invited came; and around him, whom they
called Dietrich, there was a great crowd, and just when the princess
with her hundred court-ladies came in, with the golden crown on her
head, and her gold-embroidered purple mantle, there was a great noise,
which was occasioned by a chamberlain's having ordered Asprian the
giant, to move on his bench, to make room for other people. For all
reply, Asprian gave the chamberlain a box on the ear which split his
head, and there ensued a general jostling, so that Dietrich had to
restore order himself.
"For this reason, the Emperor's daughter could not obtain the desired
glimpse of the hero; though she wanted it ever so much.
"When she had returned home, she said to Herlindis: 'Woe is me! I shall
neither have rest now by night nor by day, until my eyes have beheld
that valiant man. He, who would bring me the hero to my chamber, might
win a handsome reward.' And Herlindis replied laughingly: 'That message
I will faithfully undertake. I will go to the house where he lives.'
"Then, the sly maiden put on her most becoming garments, and went out
to Sir Dietrich, who received her with due courtesy. And she sat down
beside him, and whispered into his ear: 'My mistress, the Emperor's
daughter, sends you many gracious greetings. She has taken a great
fancy to you, and wishes you to pay her a visit.'
"But Dietrich replied: 'woman, thou art not doing right. I have entered
many a bower, in days gone by; why dost thou mock the homeless
wanderer? At the Emperor's court there are noble dukes and princes
enough, and thy mistress never dreamt of what thou art now saying!'
"And when Herlindis insisted on the truth of her words, Sir Dietrich
said: 'There are so many spies about here, that he, who wishes to keep
his reputation unstained, must be very careful. Constantinus would
banish me, if he found out that I had been to see his daughter. Please
to tell her this; though I should much like to serve her.'
"Herlindis, was rising to go, when the King ordered his goldsmiths to
make a pair of golden shoes, and another pair of silver, and he gave
her one of each pair, as well as a mantle and twelve bracelets; for he
was a gallant man and knew that a princess's waiting-woman, entrusted
with such delicate matters, ought to be much honoured." ...
Praxedis here stopped a moment, for Master Spazzo who had begun drawing
a number of big-nosed faces on the sand, with the scabbard of his
sword, now hummed audibly, but as he did not say anything she
continued.
"And Herlindis returned home full of glee, and spoke thus to her
mistress: 'the valiant knight holds his honour dear. He values the
Emperor's good will too much to comply with your wishes. But look here,
what he gave me! The shoes, the bracelets and the mantle! How glad I am
that I went there; for surely I shall never behold a handsomer knight
in this wide world. God pardon me, but I stared at him as if he were an
angel!'
"'Alas!' said the princess, 'am I never to be made happy? Then, at
least thou must give me the shoes which the noble hero gave to thee. I
will give thee their weight in gold.'
"Thus, the bargain was concluded. First she put on the golden shoe, but
when she took up the silver one, she perceived that it was made for the
same foot. 'Woe is me!' cried the beautiful maiden. 'Thou hast made a
mistake, and I shall never get it on. Thou must go once more to Sir
Dietrich, and beg him to give thee the other shoe, and also that he
should come himself.'
"'That will delight all scandal-loving tongues,' laughed Herlindis,
'but what does it matter? I will go!'--and she drew up her skirts
almost to her knees, and walked over the wet courtyard to Sir Dietrich,
and the noble hero saw her coming, and he well knew what she wanted.
Still, he feigned not to see her.
"But Herlindis accosted him thus: 'You see that I had to come again. A
mistake has been made; so my mistress bids me ask you, to give me the
other shoe, and to accompany me yourself.'
"'Verily I should much like to go,' said he, 'but the Emperor's
chamberlains would betray me.'
"'Never fear that,' said Herlindis, 'for they are all out, practising
the throwing of the spear. Take two servant-men with you, and follow me
softly, and nobody will miss you during the tournament.'
"After this, the faithful maiden wanted to go, but the hero detained
her, saying: 'I will first inquire after the shoes.' Then Asprian, who
was outside called out: 'What matters an old shoe? We have made many
thousands of them, and the servants are now wearing them. I will look
for the right one.' So he brought it, and Dietrich again gave a mantle
and twelve bracelets to the waiting-woman.
"So she went on before, and imparted the desired news to her mistress.
"Sir Dietrich meanwhile, caused a great uproar to be made in the
courtyard at Hippodrom. Widolt came out first with his iron bar, and
raved like a madman. Asprian cut a summersault in the air, and
Eveningred threw an immense stone of several hundred weight a long
distance, and then sprang after it, so that none of the spies thought
of watching Sir Dietrich, as he steadily walked across the yard.
"At the window stood the princess, looking out and her heart beat fast,
when she saw him approach. Her chamber-door was then opened to him and
she addressed him thus: 'Welcome, my noble lord! Great pleasure does it
give me, to see you. Now you can put the beautiful shoes on my feet
yourself.'
"'Gladly I will do so,' said the hero, sitting down at her feet; and
his manners were graceful and elegant. So she put her foot on his knee,
and the foot was dainty and the shoes fitted well. So Sir Dietrich put
them on for her.
"'Please to tell me, noble and gracious lady,' the artful man now
began, 'thou hast probably been wooed by many a man; now confess, which
of them has pleased thee most?'
"Then the Emperor's daughter replied with a serious mien. 'Sir, by the
purity of my soul, and by my holy baptism! If all the heroes of the
world were brought together, not one of them would be found worthy to
be called thy equal. Thou art a virtuous and noble man,--yet if I could
choose freely, I would take a hero, of whom I cannot help thinking day
and night. The messengers whom he has sent to woo me, have been thrown
into a deep, dreary dungeon. His name is Rother; he lives across the
seas, and if he will not become my own, I shall remain a maid all the
days of my life!'
"'Heigho!' said Dietrich, 'if thou wilt wed with Rother, I will bring
him hither quickly. We have lived pleasantly together as friends, and
he has ever been kind and good to me, although he drove me away from
his lands.'
"Then the princess replied: 'How canst thou love a man, who has
banished thee?--Ah, now I see it all! Thou art a messenger, sent by
King Rother. And now speak out forthwith, and hide nothing from me, for
what thou wilt now tell me, I will keep secret until the day of
judgment.'
"When she had thus spoken, the hero looked steadily at her and said!
'Then I will put my trust in God and leave my fate in thy hands. Know
then, that thy feet are resting on King Rother's knees!'
"Great was the terror of the gentle maiden. Hastily drawing away her
feet, she cried: 'Woe is me! how could I be so ill-bred and
thoughtless, as to place my foot on thy lap! If God had really sent
thee hither, I should be deeply thankful. But how can I trust thee? If
thou couldst prove to me the truth of what thou hast told me, I would
gladly quit my father's realms with thee, even to-day. There is not a
man living whom I would take but thee, if thou wert really King
Rother,--but for the present this must remain undone.'
"'How could I prove it better, than through my imprisoned friends?'
said the King. 'If they could see me, thou wouldst soon be convinced
that I have spoken truth.'
"'Then I will beg my father to let them out,' said the princess. 'But
who will prevent their escape?'
"'I will look to that,' replied he.
"Then, the Emperor's daughter kissed the hero, and he left her chamber
in all honour, and returned to his house, his heart full of deep joy.
"At the first dawn of the next day, the princess took a staff and put
on a black mourning dress, with the pilgrim's badge on her shoulders,
as if she wanted to leave the land, and her face was very pale and sad.
Thus, she knocked at the Emperor's door and artfully said: 'My dear
father! Though still alive, I am yet suffering great torments. I feel
very miserable, and who will comfort me? In my dreams, the imprisoned
messengers of King Rother have appeared to me, and they look pale and
worn, and leave me no peace. So I must go to escape from them, if you
will not at least let me comfort the miserable men, with good food,
wine and a bath. Let them come out of their prison, if it were only for
three days.'
"Then the Emperor made answer. 'This will I grant thee, if thou wilt
find me security, that they return to their prison on the third day.'
"At the usual hour for supper, the so-called Sir Dietrich with his
knights also came to the Emperor's hall, and when the repast was over,
and everyone was washing his hands, the princess walked round the
tables, as if she wanted to choose someone among the number of rich
dukes and noble lords, who would stand bail. When she came to Dietrich
she said: 'Now it is time that thou shouldst help me. Stand bail for
thy messengers with thy life.'
"Then he replied: 'I will be surety, most beautiful maiden.' And he
pledged his head to the Emperor, who sent out some men to open the
prison-gate. The wretched messengers were by this time reduced to a
state of great weakness. When the doors were opened, the clear daylight
shone in, and dazzled the unfortunate men, who had grown unused to it.
Then they took the twelve counts, and made them go out. Each one was
followed by a knight. They could scarcely walk. Lupolt their leader,
again walked at their head. He wore a torn apron round his loins; his
beard was long and shaggy, and his body was covered with sores. Sir
Dietrich was overwhelmed with sadness, and he turned his head away,
that they might not recognize him; and he could scarcely repress the
rising tears, which the pitiful sight called forth. He then had them
all brought to his house, where everything was got ready for their
reception, and the counts said to each other, 'who was he, who stood
aside? He is surely befriending us.' And they, with their hearts full
of old grief, laughed with a new joy; but they did not recognize him.
"On the following day, the Emperor's daughter invited the sorely-tried
men to court, presented them with good, new garments, ordered a warm
bath to be prepared for them, and had a table spread for a sumptuous
repast. As soon as the noblemen were seated around it, forgetting their
woe for a moment, Sir Dietrich took his harp, and hiding himself behind
a curtain, touched the strings and played one of the melodies which he
had before played on the seashore.
"Lupolt, who had raised the cup to his lips, let it fall, so that the
wine was all spilt over the table; and another who was cutting bread,
dropped his knife, and all listened wondering. Louder and clearer their
king's song was heard, and then Lupolt jumped across the table, and all
the counts and knights followed him, as if something of their old
strength had suddenly returned, and they tore down the curtain, and
kissed the harper, and knelt before him, and the joy was indescribable.
"Then, the princess knew that he was really and truly King Rother of
Vikingland, and she uttered a loud cry of delight, which attracted her
Father Constantine thitherwards; and whether he liked it or not, he
could do nothing but join the lover's hands. The messengers never went
back to their dungeon; Rother was no longer called Dietrich, and he
kissed his bride and took her home over the seas, and became a very
happy man, holding his wife in great honour. And whenever they sat
lovingly together, they would say: 'Thanks be to God, to knightly
valour, and prudent waiting-woman's cunning.'
"That is the story of King Rother!"
Praxedis had spoken a long while.
"We are well satisfied," said the Duchess, "and whether smith Weland
will carry off the prize, after King Rother's history has been told,
seems to me rather doubtful."
Master Spazzo was not annoyed at this.
"The waiting-women at Constantinople, seem to have eaten wisdom with
spoons," said he. "But although _I_ may be conquered, the last tale has
not yet been told." He glanced over at Ekkehard who was sitting lost in
thought. He had not heard much of King Rother. All the time that
Praxedis had been speaking, his eyes had been fixed on the Duchess's
headband with the rose in it.
"To say the truth," continued Master Spazzo, "I hardly believe the
story. Some years ago, when I was sitting in the bishop's courtyard at
Constance, drinking a jug of wine, a Greek pedlar, trafficking with
relics, came that way. His name was Daniel, and he had many holy bones
and church-ornaments, and the like articles, amongst which there was
also an ancient sword, with jewel-set hilt, which he tried to foist on
me, saying, that it was the sword of King Rother, and if the gold
crowns had not then been as scanty with me, as the hairs on the
pedlar's pate, I should have bought it. The man told me that Sir
Rother had fought for the Emperor's daughter with that very same sword,
with King Ymelot of Babylon, but of golden shoes, waiting-women or
harp-playing, he knew nothing whatever."
"I dare say that many things might still be found in this world, which
you know nothing about," lightly said Praxedis.
The evening had set in. The moon had risen, shedding her pale light
over hills and plain. Strong fragrant perfumes filled the air, and the
fireflies were getting ready for flight, in the bushes and crevices of
the rocks round about.
A servant came down with some lights, which, being surrounded by linen,
saturated with oil, burned brightly and steadily. The air was mild and
pleasant.
Burkhard the cloister-pupil, was still sitting contentedly on his
stool; his hands folded as in devotion.
"What does our young guest think?" asked the Duchess.
"I would gladly give my best Latin book, if I could have seen the giant
Asprian, dashing the lion against the wall," replied he.
"Thou shouldst become a knight, and go out to conquer giants and
dragons thyself," jestingly said the Duchess.
This, however, did not convince him. "But we have to fight the Devil
himself," said he, "that is better still."
Dame Hadwig was not yet inclined to go indoors. Breaking a twig from
the maple-tree into two unequal pieces, she stepped up to Ekkehard. He
started up confusedly.
"Well," said the Duchess, "you must draw. Either you or I!"
"Either you or I," vacantly repeated Ekkehard. He drew out the shorter
piece. It slipped out of his hand, whilst he silently resumed his seat.
"Ekkehard!" sharply exclaimed the Duchess.
He looked up.
"You are to relate something!"
"I am to relate something," murmured he, passing his right hand over
his forehead. It was burning and inside it, was a storm.
"Ah yes--relate something. Who is going to play the lute for me?"
He stood up and gazed out into the moonlit night, whilst the others
looked at him in mute wonder, and then he began in a strange, hollow
voice:
"'Tis a short story. There once was a light, which shone brightly, and
it shone down from a hill, and it was more radiant and glorious than
the rainbow. And it wore a rose under the headband ..."
"A rose under the headband?" muttered Master Spazzo, shaking his head.
"... And there was once a dusky moth," continued Ekkehard, still in the
same tone, "which flew up to the hill, and which knew that it must
perish if it flew into the light.--And it did fly in all the same, and
the light burned the dark moth, so that it became mere ashes,--and
never flew any more. Amen!"
Dame Hadwig sprang up, indignantly.
"Is that the whole of your story?" asked she.
"'Tis the whole of it," replied he with unchanged voice.
"It is time, for us to go in," proudly said the Duchess. "The cool
night-air produces fever."
She walked past Ekkehard with a disdainful look. Burkhard again carried
her train, whilst Ekkehard stood there immovably.
The chamberlain patted, him on the shoulder. "The dark moth was a poor
fool, Master Chaplain!" said he compassionately.
A sudden gust of wind, here put out the lights. "It was a monk," said
Ekkehard indifferently, "sleep well!"
CHAPTER XXI.
Rejection and Flight.
Ekkehard had remained sitting in the bower for a long time after the
others had gone away, and when at last he also rose, he rushed out into
the darkness. He did not know whither his feet were carrying him. In
the morning he found himself on the top of the Hohenkrähen, which was
silent and deserted since the woman of the wood had left it. The
remains of the burnt hut, formed now but a confused mass. On the place
where the sitting-room had once been, was still the Roman stone with
the Mithras. Grass and ferns were growing on it, and a slow-worm was
stealthily creeping up on the old weatherbeaten idol.
Ekkehard burst into a wild laugh. "The chapel of St. Hadwig!" he cried,
striking his breast, with his clenched hand. "Thus, it must be!" He
upset the old Roman stone, and then mounted the rock on the top of the
hill. There, he threw himself down, pressing his forehead against the
cool ground, which had once been touched by Dame Hadwig's foot. Thus,
he remained for a long time. When the scorching rays of the mid-day sun
were falling vertically down, he still lay there, and--slept.
Towards the evening he came back to the Hohentwiel, looking hot and
excited, and having an unsteady gait. Blades of grass clung to the
woolen texture of his habit.
The inhabitants of the castle, shyly stepped out of his way, as if
ill-luck had set her seal on his forehead. In other times they used to
come towards him, to entreat his blessing.
The Duchess had noticed his absence, without making any inquiries about
him. He went up to his tower, and seized a parchment, as if he would
read. It happened to be Gunzo's libel. "Willingly I would ask you, to
try the effect of healing medicine, but I fear that his illness is too
deeply rooted," was what he read. He laughed. The arched ceiling threw
back an echo, which made him jump up, as if he wanted to find out who
had laughed at him. Then, he stepped up to the window, and looked down
into the depth below. It was deep, far deeper than he had imagined, and
overcome by a sudden giddiness, he started back.
His eye now fell on the small phial which the old Thieto had given him.
With a painful recollection he thought of the blind old man! "Serving
women is an evil thing for him, who wishes to remain in the paths of
virtue," he had said when Ekkehard took leave.
He tore the seal off and poured the water from the Jordan over his head
and eyes. It was too late. Whole floods of holy water will not
extinguish the inward fire, unless one dives down, never to rise again
to the surface. Yet a momentary feeling of quiet came over him.
"I will pray to be delivered from temptation," said he. He threw
himself on his knees, but after a while he fancied that he heard the
pigeons swarming round his head, as they did on the day when he first
entered his chamber. Only they had mocking faces now, and had a
contemptuous look about their beaks.
He got up, and slowly descended the winding staircase to the
castle-chapel. The altar, which had often witnessed his former earnest
devotions, was a safer place for him, he thought. The chapel was as it
had always been, dark and silent. Six ponderous pillars with square
capitals adorned with leaf-work, supported the vault. A faint streak of
daylight fell in through the narrow window. The depth of the niche in
which the altar was placed, was but faintly illuminated; the golden
background of the mosaic picture of the Redeemer alone shone with a
soft glitter. Greek artists had transplanted the forms of their church
ornaments to the German rock. In white flowing garments, with a golden
red aureole round his head, the Saviour's lean figure stood there, with
the fingers of the right hand extended in the act of blessing.
Ekkehard knelt before the altar-steps; his forehead resting on the cold
stone flags. Thus he remained, wrapt in prayer. "Oh thou, that hast
taken the sins and sufferings of the whole world on thyself, send out
one ray of thy grace on me, unworthy object." He looked up with a fixed
stare as if he expected the earnest figure to step down, and hold out
his hand to him.
"I am here at thy feet, like Peter, surrounded by tempest, and the
waves will not bear me up! Save me, oh Lord! save me as thou didst him,
when thou walkedst over the raging billows, extending thy hand to him
and saying 'oh, thou of little faith, wherefore dost thou doubt?'"
But no such sign was given him.
Ekkehard's brain was giving way.
A rustling, like that of a woman's garments, now became audible, but
Ekkehard did not hear it.
Dame Hadwig had come down, impelled by a strange impulse. Since her
feelings for the monk had undergone a change, the image of her late
husband recurred oftener to her inward mind. This was but natural. As
the one receded into the background, the other must come forward again.
The latter reading of Virgil had also its share in this, as there had
been said so much about the memory of Sichæus.
The following day was the anniversary of Sir Burkhard's death. With his
lance and shield by his side, the old duke lay buried in the chapel
below. His tomb was covered by a rough stone-slab. A sarcophagus of
grey sandstone stood near it, resting on small clumsy pillars, with
ionic headpieces, which again rested on quaint ugly stone-animals. This
stone coffin, Dame Hadwig had had made for herself. Every year, on the
anniversary of the Duke's death, she had it carried up, filled with
corn and fruits, which were distributed amongst the poor,--the means
for living coming from the resting-place of the dead. It was an old
pious custom.
To-day she intended to pray on her husband's grave. The reigning
twilight concealed Ekkehard's kneeling figure. She did not see him.
Suddenly she started up from her kneeling pasture. A laugh, soft yet
piercing struck her ear. She knew the voice well. Ekkehard had risen
and recited the following words of the psalms:
"Hide me under the shadow of thy wings. From the wicked that oppress
me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. Arise, o Lord,
disappoint them, cast them down." ...
He said it in an ominous tone. It was no more the voice of prayer.
Dame Hadwig bent down once more, beside the sarcophagus, on which she
would gladly have placed another, to hide her from Ekkehard's view. She
had no longer any wish to be alone with him. Her heart beat calmly now.
He went to the door, about to go, when suddenly he looked back once
more. The everlasting lamp was softly rocking to and fro, over Dame
Hadwig's head. Ekkehard's eye pierced the twilight this time, and with
one bound,--quicker than that which in later days St. Bernard had made,
when the madonna had beckoned to him, in the cathedral at Speier--he
stood before the Duchess. He cast a long and penetrating look at her.
Rising from the ground, and seizing the edge of the stone sarcophagus
with her right hand, she confronted him, whilst the everlasting lamp
over her head, was still gently swinging to and fro, on its silken
cord.
"Thrice blessed are the dead, for one prays for them," said Ekkehard,
interrupting the silence.
Dame Hadwig made no reply.
"Will you pray for me also, when I am dead?" continued he. "Oh no, you
must not pray for me! ... but you must let a goblet be made out of my
skull, and when you take another monk away from the monastery of St.
Gallus, you must offer him the welcome draught in it,--and give him my
greeting!--You can put your own lips to it also; it will not crack. But
you must then wear the head-band with the rose in it." ...
"Ekkehard!" said the Duchess, "you are trespassing!"
He put his right hand up to his forehead.
"Ah yes!" said he in a soft, mournful voice, "ah yes!... the Rhine is
trespassing also. They have stopped its course with gigantic rocks, but
it has gnawed them all through, and is now rushing and roaring onwards;
carrying everything before it, in its glorious newly won liberty!...
And God must be trespassing also methinks; for he has allowed the Rhine
to be, and the Hohentwiel and the Duchess of Suabia, and the tonsure on
my head."
The Duchess began to shiver. Such an outbreak of long repressed
feeling, she had not expected. But, it was too late,--her heart
remained untouched.
"You are ill," she said.
"Ill?" asked he, "it is merely a requital. More than a year ago, at
Whitsuntide, when there was as yet no Hohentwiel for me, I carried the
coffin of St. Gallus in solemn procession out of the cloister, and a
woman threw herself on the ground before me. 'Get up,' cried I, but she
remained prostrate in the dust. 'Walk over me with thy relic, oh
priest, so that I may recover,' cried she, and my foot stepped over
her. That woman suffered from the heartache. Now 'tis reversed." ...
Tears interrupted his voice. He could not go on. Then, he threw himself
at Dame Hadwig's feet, clasping the hem of her garment. His whole frame
was convulsed with trembling.
Dame Hadwig was touched; touched against her will; as if from the hem
of her garment, a feeling of unutterable woe thrilled her, up to her
very heart.
"Get up," said she, "and try to think of other things. You still owe us
a story. You will soon have conquered this weakness."
Then Ekkehard laughed through his tears.
"A story!" cried he, "yes, a story! But it must not be told. Come, let
us act the story! From the height of yonder tower one can see so far
into the distance, and so deep into the valley below,--so sweet and
deep, and tempting. What right has the ducal castle to hold us back?
Nobody who wishes to get down into the depth below, need count more
than three, ... and we should flutter and glide softly into the arms of
Death, awaiting us down there. Then, I should be no longer a monk, and
I might wind my arms around you,--and he who sleeps here in the ground
below," striking Sir Burkhard's tombstone with his clenched hand;
"shall not prevent me! If he, the old man should come, I would not let
you go, and we will float up to the tower again, and sit where we sat
before, and we will read the Æneïd to the end, and you must wear the
rose under your head-band, as if nothing whatever had happened. The
gate we will keep well locked against the Duke, and we will laugh at
all evil backbiting tongues, and folks will say, when sitting at their
fire-places of a winter's evening: 'that is a pretty tale of the
faithful Ekkehard, who slew the Emperor Ermenrich for hanging the
Harlungen brothers, and who afterwards sat for many hundred years
before Dame Venus's mountain, with his white staff in his hands, and he
meant to sit there until the day of judgment, to warn off all pilgrims
coming to the mountain. But at last he grew tired of this, and ran away
and became a monk at St. Gall, and he fell down an abyss and was
killed, and he is sitting now beside a proud, pale woman, reading
Virgil to her. And at midnight may be heard the words: 'If thou
commandest, oh Queen, to renew the unspeakable sorrow.' 'And then she
must kiss him, whether she will or not, for death makes up for the
pleasures denied us in life.'"
He had uttered all this with a wild, wandering look in his face; and
now his voice failed with low weeping. Dame Hadwig had stood immovably
all this time. It was as if a gleam of pity were lighting up her cold
eye, as she now bent down her head towards him.
"Ekkehard," said she, "you must not speak of death. This is madness. We
both live, you and I!"
He did not stir. Then she lightly laid her hand on his burning
forehead. This touch sent a wild thrill through his brains. He sprang
up.
"You are right!" cried he. "We both live, you and I!"
A dizzy darkness clouded his eyes as he stepped forwards, and winding
his arms round her proud form, he fiercely pressed her to his bosom,
his kiss burning on her lip. Her resisting words died away, unheard.
Raising her high up towards the altar, as if she were an offering he
was about to make, he cried out to the dark and solemn looking picture,
"why dost thou hold out thy gold glittering fingers so quietly, instead
of blessing us?"
The Duchess had started like a wounded deer. One moment, and all
the passion of her hurt pride lent her strength, to push the frenzied
man back, and to free herself at least partly from his embrace. He
had still got one arm round her waist, when the church-door was
suddenly opened, and a flaring streak of daylight broke through the
darkness,--they were no longer alone.
Rudimann, the cellarer from the Reichenau, stepped over the threshold,
whilst other figures became visible in the background of the courtyard.
The Duchess had waxed pale with shame and anger. A tress of her long
dark hair had become loosened and was streaming down her back.
"I beg your pardon," said the man from the Reichenau, with grinning
politeness. "My eyes have beheld nothing."
Then, Dame Hadwig, ridding herself entirely from Ekkehard's hold, cried
out: "Yes, I say!--yes you _have_ seen a madman, who has forgotten
himself and God, ... I should be sorry for your eyes if they had beheld
nothing, for I would have had them torn out!"
It was with an indescribably cold hauteur, that she pronounced these
words.
Then Rudimann began to understand the strange scene.
"I had forgotten," said he in a cutting tone, "that the man who stands
there, is one of those, to whom wise men have applied the words of St.
Hieronymus, when he says, that their manners were more befitting
dandies and bridegrooms, than the elect of the Lord."
Ekkehard stood there, leaning against a pillar, with arms stretched out
in the air, like Odysseus when he wanted to embrace the shadow of his
mother. Rudimann's words roused him from his dreams.
"Who dares to come between her and me?" cried he threateningly. But
Rudimann, patting him on the shoulder with an insolent familiarity,
said: "Calm yourself, my good friend; we have only come to deliver a
note into your hands. St. Gallus can no longer allow the wisest of all
his disciples, to remain out in this shilly-shallying world. You are
called home!--And don't forget the stick with which you are wont to
illtreat your confraters, who like to snatch a kiss at vintage-time,
you chaste censor," he added in a low whisper.
Ekkehard stepped back. Wild longings, the pain of separation, burning
passionate love, and cutting, taunting words,--all these overwhelmed
him at once. He made a few steps towards the Duchess; but the chapel
was already filling. The Abbot of Reichenau had come himself to witness
Ekkehard's departure.
"It will be a difficult task, to get him away," he had said to the
cellarer. It was easy enough now. Monks and lay-brothers came in after
him.
"Sacrilege," Rudimann called out to them. "He has laid his wanton hand
on his mistress, even before the altar!"
Then Ekkehard could not restrain himself any longer. To have the most
sacred secret of his heart profaned by insolent coarseness,--a pearl
thrown before swine, ... he tore down the everlasting lamp, and swung
the heavy vessel over his head. The light went out, and the moment
after, a hollow groan was heard, and the cellarer lay with bleeding
head on the stone-flags. The lamp lay beside him. Then there followed a
fierce struggle, fighting, confusion ... all was coming to an end with
Ekkehard. They had got the better of him, and tearing off the cord
which served him as a belt, they tied his hands together.
There he stood, the handsome youthful figure; now the very picture of
woe, resembling the broken-winged eagle. His eyes sent one mournful,
troubled and appealing look at the Duchess,--who turned her head away.
"Do that which you think right," said she to the Abbot, sweeping
proudly through the ranks of the lookers on.
A cloud of smoke met her outside, whilst the voices of loud, noisy
merriment were heard from the castle-gate, outside of which a great
bonfire, made up of resinous pine-branches, was burning. The servants
of the castle danced around it, throwing flowers into the flames, and
at that moment, Audifax putting his arm round the companion of his
adventures, had jumped with her through the flames, uttering a loud cry
of delight.
"Where does all this smoke come from?" asked Dame Hadwig of Praxedis,
who was coming towards her.
"Solstice! Midsummer-day!" said the Greek maid.
* * *
It was a dreary, uncomfortable evening. The Duchess had locked herself
up in her bed-room, refusing admittance to everyone.
Ekkehard meanwhile, had been dragged into a dungeon, by the order of
the Abbot. In the same tower, in the airy upper storey of which was his
chamber, there was a damp, dark vault, the floor of which had fragments
of old tombstones lying about; they had been brought there, when the
castle-chapel had been renovated. A bundle of straw had been thrown in
for him, and a monk was sitting outside to guard the entrance.
Burkhard, the cloister-pupil, ran up and down, wailing and wringing his
hands. He could not understand the fate which had befallen his uncle.
The servants were all putting their heads together, eagerly whispering,
and gossiping, as if the hundred-tongued Rumour had been sitting on the
roof, spreading her falsehoods about. "He tried to murder the Duchess,"
said one. "He has practised the Devil's own arts, with that big book of
his," said another. "To-day is St. John's day, when the Devil has no
power, and so he could not help him."
At the well in the courtyard, Rudimann the cellarer was standing,
letting the clear water flow over his head. Ekkehard had given him a
sharp cut, out of which the dark blood was slowly trickling down into
the water.
Whilst he was thus occupied, Praxedis came down, looking pale and
depressed. She was the only being who had sincere, heartfelt pity, for
the prisoner. On seeing the cellarer, she ran into the garden, tore up
a blue cornflower with the roots, and then bringing it to him, said:
"Take that into your right hand until it gets warm, and then the
bleeding will cease. Or, shall I fetch you some linen to dress the
wound?"
The cellarer shook his head.
"It will stop, in its own time," said he. '"Tis not the first time that
I have been bled. Keep your cornflowers for yourself."
But Praxedis was anxious to conciliate Ekkehard's enemy. So she fetched
some linen, upon which he allowed his wound to be dressed, without
however, offering any thanks for it.
"Are you not going to let Ekkehard out to-day?" asked she.
"To-day?" Rudimann repeated sneeringly. "Do you feel inclined to weave
a garland for the standard-bearer of Antichrist? the leading horse of
Satan's car, whom you have petted and spoiled up here, as if he were
the darling son Benjamin himself? Today indeed! When a month is passed
you may put the question again, over there," pointing towards the
Helvetian mountains.
Praxedis was frightened. "What then do you intend to do with him?"
"That which is right," replied Rudimann with an evil laugh.
"Wantonness, deeds of violence, disobedience, haughtiness, sacrilege,
blasphemy,--there are scarcely names enough for all his nefarious acts;
but thank God, there are yet means for their expiation!" He made a
motion with his hand like that of flogging.--"Ah yes, plenty of means
of expiation, gentle mistress! We are going to write the catalogue of
his sins on his back."
"Have pity," said Praxedis, "for he is a sick man."
"For that very reason we are going to cure him. When he has been tied
to the pillar for an hour or so, and half a dozen rods have been
flogged to pieces on his bleeding back, then all his spleen and his
devilries will vanish!"
"For God's sake!" exclaimed the terrified girl.
"Calm yourself, for that is not all. A stray lamb must be delivered up
to the fold it belongs to. There, he will find good shepherds who will
look after the rest. Sheep-shearing sweet mistress, sheep-shearing!
Then they will cut off the hair of his head, which will make it a deal
cooler; and if you feel inclined to undertake a pilgrimage to St. Gall,
in a year hence, you will see on Sundays and holidays, somebody
standing barefooted before the church-door, and his head will be as
bare as a cornfield after harvest-time, and the penitential garb will
become him very nicely. What do you think? The Heathenish goings on
with Virgil are at an end now."
"He is innocent!" said Praxedis.
"Oh," said the cellarer sneeringly, "we shall never harm innocence! He
need only prove himself so by God's ordeal. If he takes the ring out of
the kettle of boiling water with unburnt arm, our Abbot himself will
give him the blessing; and I will say that it was all a delusion of the
Devil's own making, when my eyes beheld the lady Duchess, clasped in
the arms of his holiness, brother Ekkehard."
Praxedis wept. "Dear, venerable Master Rudimann!" said she imploringly.
Throwing an ugly leer at the Greek maiden, he said with pinched lips:
"So it will be. I might however perhaps be induced to interfere on his
behalf, if ..."
"If?" asked Praxedis eagerly.
"If you would be pleased to leave your chamber-door open to-night, so
that I could communicate the result of my endeavours to you."
Playfully drawing the ample folds of his habit together, so that the
outlines of his tightly laced waist became visible, he assumed a
complacent and expectant attitude. Praxedis stepped back, and stamped
her foot on the blue cornflower.
"You are a bad, wicked man!" she cried turning her back on him.
Rudimann, who knew how to interprete physiognomy, clearly saw from the
twitching of Praxedis's eyelids, and the angry frown on her forehead,
that her chamber-door would be locked, now and ever, against all the
cellarers in Christendom.
She went away. "Have you still any commands?" asked she, once more
looking back.
"Yes, thou Greek wasp! A jug of vinegar if you please. I want to lay my
rods in it; the writing is easier then, and will not fade away so soon.
I have as yet never had the good fortune to flog an interpreter of
Virgil. Such a scholar verily deserves particular attention."
Burkhard, the cloister-pupil, was still sitting under the linden-tree,
sobbing. Praxedis, in passing gave him a kiss, chiefly to spite the
cellarer. She went up to the Duchess, intending to implore her
compassion for Ekkehard on her knees; but the door remained locked
against her. Dame Hadwig was deeply hurt. If the monks of the Reichenau
had not come in upon them, she might have pardoned Ekkehard's frenzy;
all the more as she herself had sowed the seeds of all this,--but now
it had become a public scandal, which demanded punishment. The fear of
gossiping tongues, does influence many an action.
The Abbot had sent her the letter from St. Gall. "St. Benedict's
rules," so the letter said, "exacted not only the outward forms of a
monastic life, but the self-denial of heart and soul, which forms the
spirit of it!" Ekkehard was to return. From Gunzo's libel, some parts
were quoted against him.
It was all perfectly indifferent to the Duchess. What his fate would
be, if delivered into the hands of his antagonists, she knew quite
well. Yet she was determined to do nothing for him. Praxedis knocked at
her door a second time, but again it was not opened.
"Oh thou poor moth," said she sadly.
Ekkehard meanwhile, lay in his dungeon like one who had dreamt some
wild dream. Four bare walls surrounded him; some faint gleams of light
falling in from above. Now and then, he shivered as with cold. By
degrees a melancholy smile of resignation settled on his lips, but this
did not always remain there; bursts of anger, which made him clench his
fists, interrupted it.
It is the same with the human mind as with the sea. Though the tempest
may have blown over, the surge is yet stronger and more impetuous than
before, and now and then, some mighty straggling wave dashes wildly up,
frightening the seagulls away from the rocks.
But Ekkehard's heart was not yet broken. It was still too young for
that. He began to reflect on his position. The view into the future was
not very cheering. He well knew the rules of his order, and that the
men from Reichenau were his enemies.
With big strides he paced up and down the narrow space. "Great God,
whom we may invoke in the hour of affliction, how will this all end?"
He shut his eyes, and threw himself on the bundle of straw. Confused
visions passed before his soul. Thus he saw with his inward eye, how
they dragged him out in the early morning. The Abbot would be sitting
on his high stone chair, with the hooked staff in his hand, in sign of
his sitting in judgment, and then they would read out a long bill of
complaints against him, ... all this in the same courtyard in which he
had once sprung out of the sedan chair, with such a jubilant heart, and
in which he had preached his sermon against the Huns, on that solemn
Good-Friday,--and now they were all against him!
"What shall I do?" thought he. "With my hand on my heart, and my eyes
raised towards Heaven, I shall say: 'Ekkehard is not guilty!' Then the
judges will say, 'prove it!'" The big kettle is fetched; the fire
lighted beneath, so that the water hisses and bubbles. Then, the Abbot
draws off the golden ring from his finger. They push up the right
sleeve of his habit, whilst solemn penitential psalms are chaunted
around them. "I conjure thee, spirit of the water, that the Devil quit
thee, and that thou serve the Lord, to make known the truth, like to
the fiery furnace of the King of Babylon, when he had the three men
thrown into it!"--Thus the Abbot would address the boiling water; and
"dip in thy arm, and fetch the ring," says he to the accused....
"Just God, how will thy ordeal speak?" Wild doubts were besetting
Ekkehard's soul. He believed in himself and his good cause, but his
faith was less strong in the dreadful means, by which priestcraft and
church-laws sought to arrive at God's decision.
In the library of his monastery there was a little book, bearing the
title: "Against the inveterate error of the belief, that through fire,
water or single combat, the truth of God's judgment could be revealed."
This book he had once read, and he remembered it well. It was to prove,
that with these ordeals, which were an inheritance from the ancient
Heathen time, it was as the excellent Godfrey of Strassburg has
expressed it in later days, namely "that the best Christian, is as
combustible as an old rag."
"And what, if no miracle is performed?"
His thoughts were inclined to dark and despondent doubts.--"With burnt
arm, to be proclaimed guilty and to be flogged,--whilst _she_ perhaps
would stand on the balcony looking on, as if it were being done to an
entire stranger.--Oh Lord of Heaven and Earth send down Thy lightning!"
Yet hope does not entirely forsake even the most miserable. Then, he
fancied again how through all this shame and misery, a piercing "stop!"
was heard, and how she flew down with dishevelled locks, and in her
rustling ducal mantle drove his tormentors away, as the Saviour drove
out the usurers from the temple. And then, when all were gone, she
presents him both her hand and lips to receive the kiss of
reconciliation.--Long and ardently his phantasy dwelt on that beautiful
possibility, which filled his heart with a soft consolation, and he
spoke with the words of the Preacher: "As gold is purified from dross
in the fire, so the heart of man is purified by sorrow."
He now heard a slight noise in the antichamber of his dungeon. A stone
jug was put down. "You are to drink like a man," said a voice to the
lay-brother on guard, "for on St. John's night, all sorts of unearthly
visitors people the air and pass over our castle. So you must take care
to strengthen your courage. There's another jug set ready, when this is
finished."
It was Praxedis who had brought the wine. Ekkehard did not understand
what she wanted. "Then she also is false," thought he. "God protect
me!"
He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep. Some hours later he awoke. The
wine had evidently been to the lay-brother's taste, for he was lustily
singing a song in praise of the four goldsmiths, who had refused the
making of heathenish idols at Rome; for which they had suffered
martyrdom. With his heavy sandal-clad foot, he kept beating time on the
stone-flags. Ekkehard heard that another jug of wine was brought in.
The singing became always louder and more uproarious. Then he held a
soliloquy; in which he spoke much about Italy and good fare, and _Santa
Agnese fuori i muri_, until he suddenly ceased talking, whilst his
snoring could be heard very plainly through the stone walls.
Everything was silent around. It was about midnight. Ekkehard lay in a
half-slumbering state, when he heard the bolts of the door softly
withdrawn. He remained lying where he was. A muffled figure came in,
and a soft little hand was laid on the slumberer's forehead. He jumped
up.
"Hush!" whispered Praxedis, for it was she.
When everybody had gone to rest, Praxedis had kept awake. "The bad
cellarer shall not have the satisfaction of punishing our poor
melancholy teacher," she had said to herself; and woman's cunning
always finds some way and means to accomplish its schemes. Wrapping
herself up in a grey cloak, she had stolen down on tip-toe. No special
artifices were necessary, for the lay-brother was sleeping the sleep of
the just. If it had been otherwise, the Greek would have frightened him
by some ghost-trickery. That would have been her plan.
"You must fly!" said she to Ekkehard. "They mean to do their worst to
you."
"I know it," replied he sadly.
"Come then."
He shook his head. "I prefer to submit and to suffer," said he.
"Don't be a fool," whispered Praxedis. "First you built your castle on
the glittering rain-bow, and now that it has all tumbled down, you will
allow them to illtreat you, into the bargain? As if _they_ had a right
to drag you away and to flog you! And you will let them have the
pleasure of witnessing your humiliation?... it would be a nice
spectacle for them, to be sure! 'One does not see an honest man hung
every day,' said a man to me once in Constantinople, when I asked him
why he was running."
"Where should I go to?" asked Ekkehard.
"Neither to the Reichenau, nor to your monastery," said Praxedis.
"There is still many a hiding-place left in this world." She was
getting impatient, and seizing Ekkehard by the hand, she dragged him
on. "Forwards!" whispered she. He allowed himself to be led.
They slunk past the sleeping watchman; and now they stood in the
courtyard, where the fountain was splashing merrily. Ekkehard bent over
the spout, and took a long draught of the cool water.
"All is over now," said he. "And now away!"
It was a stormy night. "As the bridge is drawn up, you cannot go out by
the doorway;" said Praxedis, "but you can get down between the rocks,
on the eastern side. Our shepherd-boy has tried that path before."
They entered the little garden. A gust of wind was rocking the branches
of the maple-tree, to and fro. Ekkehard felt as if he were in a dream.
He mounted the battlement. Steep and rugged the grey rocks sloped into
the valley, that now looked like a dark yawning abyss. Black clouds
were chasing each other, along the dusky sky; weird uncouth shapes,
resembling two bears pursuing a winged dragon. After a while, the
fantastic forms united into one shapeless mass, which the wind drifted
onwards towards the Bodensee, that glittered faintly in the distance.
The whole landscape could only be seen in indistinct outlines.
"Blessings on your way," said Praxedis.
Ekkehard sat perfectly motionless on the battlement, still holding the
Greek maiden's hand clasped in his. His lips could not express the
feelings of gratitude which pervaded his whole being. Suddenly he felt
her cheek pressed against his, and a trembling kiss imprinted on his
forehead, followed by a pearly tear. Softly, Praxedis then drew away
her hand.
"Don't forget," said she, "that you still owe us a story. May God lead
your steps back again to this place, some day, so that we may hear it
from your own lips."
Ekkehard now let himself down. Waving one last farewell with his hand,
he soon disappeared from her sight. The stillness of night was
interrupted by a loud clatter and booming amongst the cliffs. A piece
of rock had become loosened, and fell noisily down into the valley.
Another followed somewhat slower, and on this Ekkehard was sitting;
guiding it as a rider does his horse. So he went down the sloping
precipice, through the black night,--farewell!
She crossed herself, and went back, smiling through her tears. The
lay-brother was still fast asleep. Whilst crossing the courtyard,
Praxedis spied a basket filled with ashes, which she seized, and softly
stealing back into Ekkehard's dungeon, she poured out its contents in
the middle of the room, as if this were all that were left of the
prisoner's earthly remains.
"Why dost thou snore so heavily, most reverend brother?" said she
hurrying away.
CHAPTER XXII.
On the Wildkirchlein.
And now, much beloved reader, we must bid thee to gird thy loins, take
thy staff in hand, and follow us up into the mountains. From the
lowlands of the Bodensee, our tale now takes us over to the Helvetian
Alps. There, the Säntis stretches out grandly into the blue air,--when
he does not prefer to don his cloud-cap,--smilingly looking down into
the depths below, where the towns of men, shrivel up to the size of
ant-hills. All around him, there is a company of fine, stalwart
fellows, made of the same metal, and there, they put their bold heads
together, and jestingly blow misty veils into each other's faces. Over
their glaciers and ravines, a mighty roaring and rustling is heard at
times; and that, which they whispered to each other, respecting the
ways and doings of mankind, had already a somewhat contemptuous tinge,
a thousand years ago,--and since then, it has not become much better I
fear.
About ten days after the monks of the Reichenau had found nothing but a
heap of ashes instead of their prisoner, in the castle-dungeon, and had
debated a good deal, whether the Devil had burnt him up at midnight, or
whether he had escaped,--a man was walking up the hills, along the
white foaming Sitter, over luxuriant meadow-lands, interspersed with
rocks.
He wore a mantle made of wolves' skins over his monkish garb; a
leathern pouch at his side, and he carried a spear in his right hand.
Often, he pushed the iron point into the ground, and leaned on the butt
end, using the weapon thus, as a mountain-stick.
Round about, there was perfect silence and solitude. Long stretches of
mist were hovering over the wild valley, where the Sitter comes out of
the Seealpsee; whilst at the side, a towering wall of rocks, fringed by
scanty green plants, rose up towards heaven.
The mountain glens, which in the present days, are inhabited by a merry
and numerous race of herdsmen, were then but scantily peopled. Only the
cell of the Abbot of St. Gall stood there in the valley; surrounded by
a few small, humble cottages.
After the bloody battle of Zulpich, a handful of liberty-loving
Allemannic men, who could not learn to bend their necks to the
Franconian yoke had settled down in that wilderness. Their descendants
were still living there, in scattered, shingle-covered houses, and in
summer they drove their herds up into the Alps. They were a race of
strong and healthy mountaineers, who, untouched by the goings on in the
world at large, enjoyed a simple free life, which they bequeathed to
the following generations.
The path which was followed by our traveller, became steeper and
rougher. He now stood before a steep overhanging wall of rocks. A heavy
drop of water had fallen on his head from above; upon which he cast up
a searching look, to see whether the grim canopy of stones, would yet
delay falling down, till he had passed by. Rocky walls, however,
luckily can remain longer in an oblique position, than any structure
made by human hands; so nothing fell down, but a second drop.
Leaning with his left hand on the stone wall, the man continued his
way, which, however, became narrower with every step he took. The dark
precipice at his side came nearer and nearer; a giddy depth yawning up
at him, ... and now all trace of a pathway ceased altogether. Two
mighty pine-trunks were laid over the abyss, serving as a bridge.
"It must be done," said the man, boldly stepping over it. Heaving a
deep sigh of relief, when his feet touched ground again on the other
side, he turned round to inspect the dangerous passage, somewhat more
at his leisure.
It was a narrow promontory, above and below which there was a steep,
yellowish grey wall of rocks. In the depth below, scarcely visible, was
the mountain-brook Sitter, like a silver band in the green valley,
whilst the seagreen mirror of the Seealpsee, seemed to hide itself
shyly between the dark fir-trees. Opposite, in their armour of ice and
snow, there rose the host of mountain-giants; and the pen feels a
shudder of delight pass through it, when called upon to write down
their names. The long stretched bewildering Kamor; the tremendous walls
of the Boghartenfirst; the Sigelsalp and Maarwiese, on whose
battlements grows a luxurious vegetation, like moss on the roofs of old
houses. Then, the mysterious keeper of the secret of the lake, the "old
man," with his deeply furrowed stone-forehead, and hoary head,--the
chancellor and bosom-friend of the mighty Säntis.
"Ye mountains and vales, praise the Lords!" exclaimed the wanderer,
overwhelmed by the grandeur of the spectacle before him. Many hundreds
of mountain-swallows fluttered out of the crevices between the rocks.
Their appearance was like a good omen for the lonely traveller.
He made some steps onwards. There, the wall of rocks had many a
fissure, and he saw a twofold cavern. A simple cross, made of rudely
carved wood, stood beside it. Stems of fir-trees, heaped up on one
side, and interlaced with branches of the same, in the manner of a
blockhouse, bore witness to its being a human habitation. Not a sound
interrupted the stillness around.
The stranger knelt down before the cross, and prayed there a long
while.
It was Ekkehard,--and the place where he knelt, was the
"Wildkirchlein."
He had reached the valley in safety on his stone horse, after Praxedis
had freed him. The next morning found him weary and exhausted at the
door of old Moengal, at Radolfszell.
"Oh, that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men;
that I might leave my people and go from them!" said he in the words of
the prophet, after he had told the parish-priest all that had happened
to him.
Then, the old man pointed over towards the Säntis. "Thou art right,"
said Moengal. "The holy Gallus did the same. 'Into the wilderness will
I go, and there shall I wait for Him, who will restore my soul's
health.' Perhaps he would never have become a saint, if he had thought
and acted differently. Try to conquer thy grief. When the eagle feels
sick, and his eyes grow dim, then he rises heavenwards, as far as his
wings will carry him. The nearness of the sun gives a new youth. Do
thou the same. I know a bonny nook for thee to recover thy health in."
He then described the road to Ekkehard.
"Thou wilt find a man up there," continued he, "who has not seen much of
the world for the last twenty years. His name is Gottshalk. Give him my
greeting, and let us hope that God has forgiven him his trespasses."
The parish-priest did not say for what sin his old friend was doing
penance up there. He had once been sent to Italy, when times were bad,
to buy corn. When he came to Verona, he was well received by the
quarrelsome bishop Ratherius, and he held his devotions in the
venerable cathedral, where the remains of St. Anastasia lay unlocked in
a golden shrine; and the church was deserted, and the Devil tempted
Gottshalk to take a keepsake to Germany. So, he took as much of the
saint's body as he could carry away under his habit; an arm, a foot and
some spine-bones, and secretly departed with his spoil. But from that
hour he had lost his inward peace. By day and night, the saint appeared
to him in her torn and mutilated condition; walking with crutches and
demanding back her arm and her foot. Over mountains and Alpine glens
she followed him, and threateningly approached him even on the
threshold of his own cloister. Then he threw away the stolen limbs, and
fled half maddened to the heights of the Säntis; there, to expiate his
heavy sin in the hermit's cell which he erected for himself.
For two days old Moengal secreted his young friend in his cell, and
then he rowed him across the lake during the night-time. "Don't go back
to thy convent," said he when they were about to part company, "lest
their tittle-tattle should be the ruin of thee. Jeers and derision are
worse than punishment. 'Tis true that thou deservest some lecturing;
but that must be done for thee, by the fresh mountain-breezes, which
are better entitled to set thee right again, than thy fellow-monks."
A spear and a wolf's skin were his parting gifts to Ekkehard.
Shyly and stealthily he continued his journey at night-time, and it was
with bitterness of heart that like a stranger he passed his monastery,
which still bore visible traces of the ravages of the Huns. Some
windows were lighted up, and seemed to beckon to him; but he only
hurried onwards the quicker. The Abbot's cell in the mountains, he also
passed by, without entering. He did not wish to be recognized by anyone
belonging to the monastery.
... His prayers were ended now. Wistfully he gazed at the entrance of
the cavern, waiting for Gottshalk the hermit's coming out to welcome
the visitor. But nobody appeared; the cavern was empty.
_Sancta Anastasia ignosce raptori!_ Holy Anastasia, pardon thy
ravisher! was written with juice from Alpine herbs on the
bright-coloured rock. A stone trough caught up the water which came
trickling through the crevices. It was so full that the water ran over.
Ekkehard entered the cell. Some earthen dishes stood beside an old
stone-flag, which probably had served as a hearth. In a corner there
lay a coarse fishing-net, as well as a hammer and spade; a rusty
hatchet and a quantity of cut pine-logs.
On some wooden boards was a sort of couch, consisting of straw and dry
leaves, which looked rotten and decayed. Two rats, frightened by
Ekkehard's entrance, ran to hide in a crevice.
"Gottshalk," cried Ekkehard, using his hand like a speaking-trumpet.
Then he uttered a sort of shout; such as is customary amongst the
mountaineers in those parts; but nobody answered. In a jug, the milk it
had once contained, had become a crusty substance. Mournfully Ekkehard
stepped out again on the narrow strip of ground, which separated the
cavern from the precipice.
Gazing over to the left, he could see a small bit of the blue Bodensee,
coming out behind the mountains. All the magnificence of the Alpine
world, however, could not banish a feeling of unutterable woe from his
heart. Alone and God-forsaken he stood there on the solitary height. He
strained his faculty of hearing to the utmost, in the hope of catching
the sound of a human voice, but the low and monotonous moaning of the
wind in the pine-wood below, was all that he heard.
His eyes became moist.
It was getting late. What now?... The cravings of hunger, drew off his
attention for the moment. He still had provisions for three days with
him. So he sat down before the cavern and took his evening meal;
moistening his bread with the tears he could not restrain.
His mountain threw long, purple shadows on the opposite rocks, whose
peaks only were still glowing in the sunshine.
"As long as the cross stands on yonder rock, I shall not be entirely
forsaken," said he. He then collected some grass that grew outside and
prepared himself a new couch, in the place of the old one. The cool
evening air began to be felt. So he wrapped himself up in Moengal's
mantle and lay down. Sleep is the best cure for the sufferings of
youth, and in spite of heartache and loneliness, it soon closed
Ekkehard's eyelids.
The first dawn of morning rose over the head of the Kamor, and only the
morning-star was still shining brightly, when Ekkehard started up from
his slumbers. It was as if he had heard the merry tones of a herdsman's
shout, and on looking up, he saw a light shining out from the darkest
recess of the cavern. He believed himself to be under the delusion
of a dream; that he was still in his dungeon and that Praxedis was
coming to free him. But the light came nearer and proved to be a torch
of pine-wood. A young girl, with high looped-up petticoats, was
carrying this primitive candle. He jumped up. Without showing either
fear or surprise, she stood before him, and said: "God's welcome to
you."
It was a bold, half wild looking maiden, with olive complexion and
fiery sparkling eyes. Her dark abundant tresses were fastened behind by
a massive silver pin, in the shape of a spoon. The braided basket on
her back, and the Alpine stick in her right hand, marked her as being
an inhabitant of the mountains.
"Holy Gallus, protect me from new temptation," thought Ekkehard; but
she called out cheerfully. "Again I say, be welcome! My father will be
very glad to hear that we have got a new mountain-brother. One can well
see by the little milk which the cows give, that the old Gottshalk is
dead,--he has said many a time."
It did not sound like the voice of a female demon.
Ekkehard was still sleepy and yawned.
"May God reward you!" ejaculated the maid.
"Why did you say, may God reward you?" asked he.
"Because you have not swallowed me up," laughed she, and before he
could put any more queries, she ran away with her torch-light, and
disappeared in the back of the cavern.
Presently she returned, however; followed by a grey-bearded herdsman,
wrapped in a mantle made of lambs' skins.
"Father will not believe it!" cried she.
The herdsman now took a deliberate survey of Ekkehard. He was a hale
and hardy man; who in the days of his youth, could threw a stone of a
hundred weight above twenty paces, without losing an inch of his
ground. His tanned face and his bare sinewy arms, were signs of his not
yet having lost much of his strength.
"So you are going to be our new mountain-brother?" said he,
good-naturedly extending his hand. "Well, that's right!"
"Ekkehard was a little embarrassed at the strangeness of the
apparition.
"I intended to pay a visit to Brother Gottshalk," said he.
"Zounds! there you are too late," said the herdsman. "He lost his life
last autumn. 'Twas a grievous affair. Look there!"--pointing to a wall
of rocks in the depth below--"on yonder slope he went to gather dry
leaves; I was there myself to help him. Suddenly, he started up, as if
he had been bitten by a snake, and pointing over at the Hohenkasten, he
cried: 'holy Anastasia, thou art made whole again, and standest on both
feet, and beckonest to me with both thy arms!' ... and down he jumped,
as if there had been no abyss between the rock he stood on and the
Hohenkasten. With a '_kyrie eleison!_' he went down into the frightful
depth.--May God be merciful to his soul! It was only this spring that
we found the body, wedged in between the rocks; and the vultures had
carried off one arm and one leg, nobody knows whereto."
"Don't frighten him!" said the maiden, giving her father a nudge.
"You can remain here notwithstanding that, all the same," continued he,
"You shall get all that we gave to Gottshalk; milk and cheese, and
three goats which may graze wherever they like. And if that won't
satisfy you, you can ask for more, for we are no niggards and misers up
here. In return, you will preach us a sermon each Sunday, and pronounce
a blessing over meadows and pasture-grounds, so that storms and
avalanches will cause no harm. Further, you have to ring the bell, to
announce the hours."
Ekkehard cast a doubtful look into the spacious cavern. It was a
delicious feeling for him, to know that there were human beings close
at hand: but he could not make out whence they came.
"Are your pasture-lands in the depths of the mountains?" asked he with
a smile.
"He does not know where the Ebenalp is!" exclaimed the young girl
compassionately. "I will show it you."
Her chip of pine-wood was still burning. She turned round to the back
part of the cavern; the men following on her heels. So they went
through a dark and narrow passage, into the interior of the mountain;
fragments of stones were lying across the path. Often they had to bend
down their heads, to be able to proceed. Faint, reddish gleams of light
played on the projecting edges of the walls, and soon the flaring
daylight appeared. The young girl struck her chip against the strangely
formed stalactites, which hung down from the roof, so that it went out.
A few steps more, and they stood on a wide and delicious Alpine tract.
Innumerable flowers were exhaling their sweet fragrance. Veronicas,
orchises and lovely blue gentians, grew there in great profusion; and
the Apollo, the magnificent butterfly of the Alps, with its shining red
eyes on its wings, was hovering over the luxuriant petals.
After the oppressive darkness and narrowness of the cavern, a
magnificent and extensive panorama, was doubly grateful to the eye.
The early morning mists were as yet lying in heavy and compact masses
over the valley, looking like some mighty sea, which in the very
moment, when its foam-crested billows were rising up, had been changed
into stone. With clear, sharp outlines the mountain-peaks stood out
against the blue sky,--like giant isles rising out of the sea of mists.
The Bodensee too, was covered up with vapoury clouds, and the rows of
the far off Rhetian mountains, with their craggy pinnacles were just
visible through the soft haze surrounding them. The melodious tinkling
of the cow-bells, was the only sound that broke the silence of that
early morning hour. In Ekkehard's soul there rose a proud and yet
humble prayer.
"You are going to stay with us," said the old herdsman. "I can tell so
by the expression of your eyes."
"I am a homeless wanderer, whom the Abbot has not sent out hither,"
said Ekkehard sadly.
"That's all the same to us," replied the other. "If but we, and the old
Säntis over there, are satisfied, then nobody else need be asked. The
Abbot's sovereignty does not extend here. We pay him our tithes, when
his stewards come here to look at our cottages, on the day when the
milk is examined, because it is an old custom; but except that, we have
an old proverb which says 'his fields and grounds I do not till, nor do
I bow before his will.'"
"Look there!" pointing out a grey mountain-peak, which in solitary
grandeur rose from far-stretching ice-fields,--"that is the high
Säntis, who is the Lord and master of the mountains. We take off our
hats to him, but to nobody else. There, to the right is the 'blue
snow,' where in times long ago, there were meadows and pasture-grounds
enough; but a proud and overbearing man lived there, who was a giant,
and whose pride increased with his flocks, so that he said: 'I will be
king over all, that my eyes survey.' But in the depths of the Säntis,
there arose a roaring and trembling; and the ground opened and emitted
floods of ice, which covered up the giant, his cottage, herds and
meadows; and from the eternal snow which lies there, cold chilling
winds blow down, to remind one, that besides the lord of the mountains,
nobody is meant to reign here!"
The herdsman inspired Ekkehard with confidence. Independant strength,
as well as a kindly heart could be perceived in his words. His
daughter, meanwhile, had gathered a nosegay of Alpine roses, which she
held out to Ekkehard.
"What is thy name?" asked he.
"Benedicta."
"That is a good name," said Ekkehard, fastening the Alpine roses to his
girdle. "Yes, I will remain with you."
Upon this the old man shook his right hand, so as to make him wince,
and then, seizing the Alpine horn which hung suspended on a strap at
his side, he blew a peculiar signal.
From all sides, answering notes were heard, and soon the neighbouring
herdsmen all came over; strong, wild-looking men, and assembled round
the old man; whom,--on account of his good qualities,--they had elected
master of the Alps, and inspector of the meadows on the Ebenalp.
"We have got a new mountain-brother," said he. "I suppose that none of
you will object?"
After this address they all lifted their hands, in sign of approval,
and then stepping up to Ekkehard, they bade him welcome; and his heart
was touched and he made the sign of the cross over them.
Thus Ekkehard became hermit of the Wildkirchlein, scarcely knowing how
it had all come about. The master of the Ebenalp kept his word, and did
his best to make him comfortable. The three goats were lodged in the
side-cavern. Then, he also showed him an intricate hidden path between
the rocks, which led down to the Seealpsee, which contained plenty of
fine trout. Further, he put some new shingles into the gaps of the
roof, that wind and weather had caused in Gottshalk's blockhouse. By
degrees, Ekkehard accustomed himself to the narrow confinement of his
new domicile, and on the following Sunday he carried the wooden cross
into the foreground of the cavern; adorned it with a wreath of newly
gathered flowers, and rang the bell which had hung at the entrance ever
since Gottshalk's time, and which bore the mark of Sancho, the wicked
bell-founder at St. Gall. When his herdsmen, with their families of
boys and girls were all assembled, he preached them a sermon on
the transfiguration, and told them how everyone who ascended the
mountain-heights with the right spirit, in a certain sense of the word,
became transfigured also.
"And though Moses and Elijah may not come down to us," he cried, "have
we not the Säntis and the Kamor standing beside us?--and they also are
men of an old covenant, and it is good for us to be with them!"
His words were great and bold; and he himself wondered at them, for
they were almost heretical, and he had never read such a simile in any
of the churchfathers before. But the herdsmen were satisfied, and the
mountains also; and there was nobody to contradict him.
At noon, Benedicta, the herdsman's daughter came up. A silver chain
adorned her Sunday bodice, which encircled her bosom like a coat of
mail. She brought a neat milking-pail; made of ashwood, on which, in
simple outlines, a cow was carved.
"This, my father sends you," said she, "because you have preached so
finely, and have spoken well of our mountains,--and if anybody should
try to harm you, you are to remember that the Ebenalp is near."
She threw some handsful of hazel-nuts into the pail. "These, I have
gathered for you," added she, "and if you like them, I know where to
find more."
Before Ekkehard could offer his thanks, she had disappeared in the
subterranean passage.
"Dark-brown are the hazel-nuts,
And brown like they, am I
And he who would my lover be,
Must be the same as I!"
she sang archly, whilst going away.
A melancholy smile rose to Ekkehard's lips.
The tempest in his heart had not yet been quite appeased. Faint murmurs
were yet reverberating within; like the thunderclaps of an Alpine
storm, which are repeated by innumerable echoes from the mountains.
A huge, flat piece of rock had fallen down beside his cavern. Melting
snow had undermined it in the spring. It resembled a grave-stone, and
he christened it inwardly, the grave of his love. There he often sat.
Sometimes, he fancied the Duchess and himself lying under it; sleeping
the calm sleep of the dead; and he sat down on it, and looked over the
pine-clad mountains far away towards the Bodensee,--dreaming. It was
not well that he could see the lake from his cell, as the sight called
up continual painful recollections. Often, his heart was brimful with
bitter, angry pain; often again he would strain his eyes in the
direction of the Untersee of an evening, and whisper soft messages to
the passing winds. For whom were they meant?
His dreams at night were generally wild and confused. He would find
himself in the castle-chapel, and the everlasting lamp was rocking over
the Duchess's head as it did then; but when he rushed towards her, she
had the face of the woman of the wood, and grinned at him scoffingly.
When he awoke from his uneasy slumbers in the early morning, his heart
would often beat wildly, and the words of Dame Hadwig, "oh,
schoolmaster, why didst thou not become a warrior?" persecuted him,
till the sun had risen high in the sky, or the appearance of Benedicta
would banish them.
Often again, he would throw himself down on the short, soft grass on
the slope, and ponder over the last months of his life. In the pure,
keen Alpine air, figures and events assumed clearer and more objective
outlines before his inward eye, and he was tormented by the thought
that he had behaved shyly and foolishly, and had not even succeeded in
fulfilling his task by telling a story like Praxedis and Master Spazzo.
"Ekkehard thou hast made thyself ridiculous," muttered he to himself;
and then he felt, as if he must break his head against the rocks.
A melancholy mind broods long over a wrong it has undergone; quite
forgetting that a blameworthy action is only blotted out in the memory
of others, by better ones following.
Therefore, Ekkehard was as yet not ripe for the healing delights of
solitude. The ever-present recollection of past suffering had a strange
effect on him. Whenever he sat all alone in his silent cavern, he
fancied he heard voices that mockingly talked to him of foolish hopes,
and the deceits of this world. The flight, and calls of the birds in
the air, seemed to him the shrieks of demons, and all his praying would
avail nothing against these fantastic delusions.
When the terrors of the wilderness have once taken hold of a mind, eye
and ear are easily deceived and apt to believe all the old legends and
tales, which assert that the air, as well as water and earth, is
inhabited by legions of immortal spirits.
It was a soft, fragrant midsummer night. Ekkehard was just about to lay
himself down on his simple couch, when the moon-beams fell right into
the cavern. Two white clouds were sailing along the sky, one behind the
other, and he overheard how they were talking together. One of them was
Dame Hadwig, and the other Praxedis.
"I should really like to see, what the asylum of a wandering fool looks
like," said the first white cloud, and swiftly hurrying down the steep
rocky walls, she stood still on the Kamor, right opposite the cavern,
and then floating down to the fir-trees which grew in great numbers in
the valley below, she cried out: "It is he! Go and seize the
blasphemer."
Then, the fir-trees sprang into life and became monks; thousands and
thousands, and chaunting psalms and swinging rods in their hands, they
began to climb up the rock towards the Wildkirchlein.
Trembling with terror, Ekkehard jumped up and seized his spear,--but
now it was as if a host of will-o'-the-wisps, started out from the
recesses of the cavern. "Away with you, out from the Alps!" cried they
threateningly. All his pulses throbbed in the heat of fever, and so he
ran away over the narrow path, along the frightful precipice, into the
dark night, like a madman.
The second cloud was still standing beside the moon: "I cannot help
thee," said she with Praxedis's voice, "I do not know the way."
Downhill he ran, as fast as his feet would carry him. Life had become a
mere torture to him, and yet he caught hold of projecting parts of the
rocks, and used his spear as a staff, not to fall down and thus get
into the hands of the approaching spectres.
The nightly descent from the Hohentwiel was mere child's play, compared
to this. Unconscious of all danger, he darted past precipices, and at
last came down to level ground, beside the lake. The goats often fell
down there, when they turned their eyes away from the grass, and gazed
into the neck-breaking depth below.
At last he stood still beside the mysteriously beckoning, green
Seealpsee, over which the silvery moon-beams danced and trembled. The
rotten trunks, lying about on the shores, gave forth a spectral light.
Ekkehard's eyes grew dim and filmy.
"Take me into thy arms," cried he, "for my heart is panting for rest."
He ran into the cool, silent flood, but his feet still touched ground,
and the cooling waters of the mountain-lake, sent a delicious freshness
through his feverish limbs. The water already reached to his breast,
when he stopped and looked up confusedly. The white clouds had
disappeared; the moon-beams having dissolved them into transparent
vapours. Magnificently, and yet sadly withal, the stars were glittering
high over his head.
In bold, fantastic lines the Möglisalp stretched out its grass-covered
horns towards the moon. On its left, stood calm and serious, the
furrowed head of the "old man" and to the right, towering above its
double belt of glaciers, the stern, grey pyramid of the Säntis,
surrounded by innumerable crags and pinnacles; looking like dark
spectres of night.
Then, Ekkehard knelt down on the pebbly ground of the lake, so that the
waters closed over his head, and rising again after a while, he stood
there immovably with lifted arms, as if he were praying.
The moon now sank down behind the Säntis; a bluish light trembled over
the old snow of the glaciers. A rocking pain darted through Ekkehard's
brain. The mountains around him, began to rock and dance; a wailing
sound streamed through the pine-woods, and the lake rose and stirred,
and its waves were alive with thousands and thousands of black
tadpoles....
But in soft, dewy beauty, the figure of a woman rose from the waters,
and floated up to the top of the Möglisalp. There, she sat on the soft
velvety grass, and shook the water from her long streaming tresses, and
made herself a wreath of Alpine flowers.
In the depths of the mountains there arose a growling and trembling.
The Säntis stretched himself out to his full height, and so did the old
man to his right. Like gigantic Titans of old, they stormed at each
other. The Säntis seized his rocks, and threw them over, and the old
man tore off his head and flung it at the pyramid of the Säntis. Now
the Säntis stood on the right side, and the old man was flying before
him to the left;--but the lady of the lake, looked on in smiling
composure, and from her mountain-peak, she mocked the stone combatants.
And she shook her yellow curls, out of which there fell down a pearly
waterfall; and it flowed down wilder and wilder, till it whirled the
maiden with the liquid eyes, back into the lake.
Upon this, the uproar and strife ceased suddenly. The old man took up
his head; put it on again, and singing a sad, mournful strain, he
returned to his old place. And the Säntis likewise had resumed his
post, and his glaciers were glittering calmly as before.
... When Ekkehard awoke the next morning, he lay in his cavern, shaken
with feverish cold. His knees felt as if they were broken.
The sun stood at his zenith, when Benedicta flitted past the cavern,
and saw him lying there trembling, and wrapped in his wolf's skin
mantle. His habit hung heavy and dripping over a piece of rock.
"When you again are going to fish for trout in the Seealpsee," said
she, "you had better let me know, so that I can lead you. The goat-boy
who met you before sunrise, told us that you had staggered up the hill
like a man walking in his sleep."
She went and rang the midday bell for him.
CHAPTER XXIII.
On the Ebenalp.
For six days Ekkehard was ill. The herdsmen nursed him, and a decoction
of the blue gentian took away the fever. The Alpine air too, helped his
recovery. A great shock had been necessary to restore his bodily as
well as mental equilibrium. Now he was all right again, and heard
neither voices, nor saw phantoms. A delicious feeling of repose and
recovering health ran through his veins. It was that state of indolent,
pleasant weakness, so beneficial to persons recovering from melancholy.
His thoughts were serious, but had no longer any bitterness about them.
"I have learnt something from the mountains," said he to himself.
"Storming and raging will avail nothing, though the most enchanting of
maidens were sitting before us; but we must become hard and stony
outside like the Säntis, and put a cooling armour of ice round the
heart; and sable night herself must scarcely know, how it burns and
glows within."
By degrees, all the sufferings of the past months, were shrouded and
seen through a soft haze. He could think of the Duchess and all that
had happened on the Hohentwiel, without giving himself a heartache. And
such is the influence of all grand and beautiful nature, that it not
only delights and softens the heart of the looker-on, but that it
widens the mind in general, and conjures back the days, which have long
since, become part and parcel of the inexorable Past.
Ekkehard, had never before cast a retrospective glance on the days of
his youth, but he now loved to fly there in his thoughts, as if it had
been a paradise, out of which the storm of life had driven him. He had
spent several years in the cloister-school at Lorsch on the Rhine. In
those days he had no idea what heart-and-soul-consuming fire could be
hidden in a woman's dark eyes. Then, the old parchments were his world.
One figure out of that time had, however, been faithfully kept in his
heart's memory; and that was Brother Conrad of Alzey. On him, who was
his senior by but a few years, Ekkehard had lavished the affection of a
first friendship. Their roads in life afterwards became different; and
the days of Lorsch had been forced into the background, by later
events. But now, they rose warm and glowing in his thoughts, like some
dark hill on a plain, when the morning-sun has cast his first rays on
it.
It is with the human mind as with the crust of this old earth of ours.
On the alluvion of childhood, new strata heap themselves up, in stormy
haste; rocks, ridges and high mountains, which strive to reach up to
heaven itself, and the ground on which they stand, is forgotten and
covered with ruins.--But like as the stern peaks of the Alps, longingly
look down into the valleys, and often, overwhelmed by homesickness,
plunge down into the depths from which they rose,--in the same way,
memory loves to go back to youth, and digs for the treasures which were
left thoughtlessly behind, beside the worthless stones.
So Ekkehard's thoughts now recurred often to his faithful companion.
Once more he stood beside him, in the arched pillar-supported hall, and
prayed with him beside the mausoleums of the old kings, and the stone
coffin of the blind Duke Thassilo. With him, he walked through the
shady lanes of the cloister-garden, listening to his words;--and all
that Conrad had spoken then, was good and noble, for he looked at the
world with a poet's eye, and it was as if flowers must spring up on his
way, and birds carol gaily, when his lips opened to utter words,
sweeter than honey.
"Look over yonder!" Conrad had once said to his young friend, when they
were looking down, over the land, from the parapet of the garden.
"There, where the mounds of white sand rise from the green fields,
there was once the bed of the river Neckar. Thus, the traces of past
generations, run through the fields of their descendants, and 'tis well
if these pay them some attention. Here, on the shores of the Rhine, we
stand on hallowed ground, and it were time that we set to collecting
that, which has grown on it, before the tedious trivium and quadrivium,
has killed our appreciation of it."
In the merry holiday-time, Conrad and he had wandered through the
Odenwald, where, in a valley, hidden by green drooping birch-trees,
they had come to a well. Out of this they drank, and Conrad had said:
"bow down thy head, for this is the grove of the dead, and Hagen's
beech-tree and Siegfried's well. Here the best of heroes received his
death-wound from the spear of the grim Hagen, which entered his back,
so that the flowers around were bedewed with the red blood. Yonder, on
the Sedelhof, Chriemhildis mourned for her slain husband, until the
messengers of the Hunnic king, came to demand the hand of the young
widow." And he told him all about the princely castle at Worms, and the
treasure of the Nibelungen, and the revenge of Chriemhildis, and
Ekkehard listened with sparkling eager eyes.
"Give me thy hand!" he cried, when all was over, to his young friend.
"When we have become men, well versed in poetry, then we will erect a
monument to the legends of the Rhine. My heart is even now brimful with
the material for a mighty song of the prowess of heroes, perils, death
and vengeance, and I likewise know the art of the horny Siegfried, how
he made himself invulnerable; for though there are no more any dragons
to be slain in whose blood one could bathe, everyone, who with a pure
heart breathes the mountain air, and bathes his brow in the morning
dew, is gifted with the same knowledge. He can hear what the birds are
singing in the trees, and what the winds tell of old legends, and he
becomes strong and powerful; and if his heart is in the right place, he
will write it down for the benefit of others."
Ekkehard had listened with an amazed, half fearful surprise at the
other's dashing boldness, and had said at last: "My head is getting
quite dizzy, when I listen to thee, and how thou intendest to become
another Homerus."
And Conrad had smilingly replied: "Nobody will dare to chant another
Iliad after Homer, but the song of the Nibelungen has not yet been
sung, and my arm is young and my courage undaunted, and who knows what
the course of time may bring."
Another time they were walking together on the shores of the Rhine, and
the sun, coming over the Wasgau mountains, was mirrored in the waves,
when Conrad said: "For thee I also know a song, which is simple and not
too wild, so that it will suit thy disposition; which prefers the notes
of a bugle, to the roar of thunder. Look up! Just as to-day, the towers
of Worms shone and glistened in the sun, when the hero Waltari of
Aquitania, flying from the Hunnic bondage came to Franconia. Here, the
ferry-man rowed him over, with his sweetheart and his golden treasure.
Through yonder dark, bluish looking wood he then rode, and there was a
fighting and tilting, a rattling and clashing of swords and spears,
when the knights of Worms, who had gone out in his pursuit, attacked
him. But his love and a good conscience made Waltari strong, so that he
held out against them all, even against King Gunther and the grim
Hagen."
Conrad then told him the whole legend with its details. "Around all
large trees," he concluded, "wild, young sprouts shoot up in abundance;
and so round the trunk of the Nibelungen a whole thicket has sprung up,
out of which he who has got the talent can build up something. Couldst
thou not sing the Waltari?"
But Ekkehard preferred at that time to throw pebbles, making them
skim the water, and he only took in, half the meaning of that which
his friend had said. He was a devoted cloister-pupil, and his thoughts
were as yet contented with the tasks which fell to his daily share.
Time separated the two friends, and Conrad had to fly from the
cloister-school, because he had once said that the logic of Aristotle
was mere straw. So he had gone out into the wide world, nobody knew
whither; and Ekkehard came to St. Gall pursuing his studies
assiduously. There, he had grown into a learned and sensible young man,
deemed fit to become a professor; and he sometimes thought of Conrad of
Alzey with something akin to pity.
But a good seed-corn may for a long time lie hidden in a human heart,
and yet at last germinate and bud, like the wheat from Egypt's
mummy-graves.
That Ekkehard now delighted in dwelling on these recollections, was a
proof that he had undergone a considerable change. And this was well.
The caprices of the Duchess, and the unconscious grace of Praxedis, had
refined his shy and awkward manners. The time of stirring excitement he
had gone through during the invasion of the Huns, had given a bolder
flight to his aspirations and had taught him to despise the paltry
intrigues of petty ambition. Then, his heart received a mortal
wound, which had to be struggled with and overcome; and so, the
cloister-scholar, in spite of cowl and tonsure, had arrived at a happy
state of transition, in which the monk was about to become a poet, and
walked about like a serpent which has assumed a new covering, and only
watches for an opportunity to strip off its shabby old coat against
some hedge or tree.
Daily and hourly, when contemplating the ever-beautiful peaks of his
mountains, and breathing the pure, fragrant Alpine air, it appeared a
constant riddle to him, how he could ever have thought to find
happiness in reading and poring over yellow parchment-leaves, and how
he then almost lost his reason on account of a proud woman. "Let all
perish which has not strength to live," said he to himself, "and build
up a new world for thyself; but build it inwardly; large, proud and
wide,--and let the dead Past bury its dead!"
He was already walking about again quite cheerfully in his hermitage,
when one evening after he had rung the vesper-bell, the master of the
Ebenalp came to him, carrying something carefully in a handkerchief.
"God's blessing be with you, mountain-brother," said he. "Well, you
have had a good shaking-fit, and I came to bring you something as an
after-cure. But I see that your cheeks are red and your eyes bright, so
it has become unnecessary."
He opened his handkerchief, and displayed a lively ant-hill,--old and
young ants with a quantity of dry fir-leaves. He shook the industrious
little creatures down the hill-side.
"If you had not been well, you would have had to sleep on that
to-night," said he with a laugh. "That takes away the last trace of
fever!"
"The illness is past," said Ekkehard, "Many thanks for the medicine!"
"You had better provide yourself against the cold, however," said the
herdsman, "for a black cloud is hanging over the Brülltobel, and the
toads are coming out of their holes; a sure sign that the weather is
about to change."
On the next morning all the peaks shone out in a dazzling white cover.
A great deal of snow had fallen. Yet it was still much too early for
the beginning of winter. The sun rose brightly, and tormented the snow
with his rays, so as to make it almost repent having fallen.
When Ekkehard that evening was sitting before his pine-wood torch, he
heard a thundering noise, as if the mountains were toppling over. He
started, and put his hand up to his forehead, fearing that the fever
was coming back.
This time, however, it was no fancy of a sick brain. A hollow echo
boomed forth from the other side, rolling through the glens of the
Sigelsalp, and Maarwiese. Then, there followed a sound like the
breaking of mighty trees,--a clattering fall, and all was silent again.
Only a low, plaintive hum, could be heard all the night, coming up from
the valley.
Ekkehard did not sleep; yet, since his experiences on the Seealpsee, he
did not quite trust the evidence of his senses. In the early morning he
went up to the Ebenalp. Benedicta stood before their cottage door and
greeted him with a snow-ball. The herdsman laughed when questioned
about the nightly disturbance.
"That music you will hear often enough," said he. "An avalanche has
fallen down into the valley."
"And the humming?"
"That I suppose to have been your own snoring."
"But I did not sleep," said Ekkehard.
So they went down with him and listened. It was like a distant moaning
coming up from the snow.
"If Pater Lucius of Quaradaves were still living," said Benedicta, "I
should believe it to be him; as he had such a soft bear-like voice."
"Hush, thou wild bumble-bee!" cried her father. Then, they went to
fetch shovels and Alpine sticks, the old man likewise taking his
hatchet, and accompanied by Ekkehard, they followed the traces of the
avalanche. It had fallen down from the Aesher, over earth and rock;
breaking the low fir-trees like straw. Three mighty tors, looking down
into the valley like sentinels, stopped the fall. There, the snow had
angrily heaped itself up, only a small part had fallen over. The chief
bulk, broken to pieces by the violence of the encounter, lay about in
fantastic masses. The herdsman stooped down, to place his ear on the
snow; then he advanced a few paces, and thrusting his mountain-stick
in, he cried: "here we must dig!"
And they shovelled up the snow for a considerable while, and dug a
regular shaft, so that the snow-walls on both sides, rose high over
their heads. They had often to breathe on and rub their hands during
their cold work. Suddenly the herdsman uttered a shout of delight,
echoed by Ekkehard, for now a black spot had become visible. The old
man ran to fetch the hatchet; a few shovelsful more, and a shaggy
object arose heavily, and, snorting and grunting, stretched out its
forepaws, as if trying to shake off sleep; and finally it slowly
mounted one of the tors, and sat down.
It was a huge she-bear, who, on a nightly fishing-expedition to the
Seealpsee, had been buried alive with her spouse. The latter, however,
gave no sign of life. He had been stifled by her side, and lay there in
the quiet sleep of death. Around his snout there was yet a half angry,
half defiant expression; as if he had left this life with a curse on
the early snow.
The herdsman wanted to attack the she-bear with his hatchet, but
Ekkehard restrained him, saying: "Let her live! One, will be enough for
us!"
Then, they drew the bear out, and together could hardly carry him. The
she-bear sat on her rock, gazing down mournfully, and uttering a
plaintive growl, she cast a tearful look on Ekkehard, as if she had
understood his interference in her behalf. Then, she came down slowly,
but not as if with hostile intentions. The men meanwhile had made a
sling, with some twisted fir-branches, in which to drag their booty
along. They both stepped back, hatchet and spear in hand, but the
bear-widow bent down over her dead spouse, bit off his right ear and
ate it up, as a memorial of the happy Past. After this, she approached
Ekkehard walking on her hind-legs, who, being frightened at the
prospect of a possible embrace, made the sign of the cross, and
pronounced St. Gallus's conjuration against bears: "Go out and take
thyself away from this our valley, thou monster of the wood. Mountains
and Alpine glens be thy realm; but leave us in peace, as well as the
herds of this Alm."
The she-bear had stopped, with a bitter melancholy look in her eyes, as
if she felt hurt at this disdain of her friendly feelings. She dropped
down on her fore-legs, and turning her back on the man who had thus
banished her, walked away on all fours. Twice she looked back, before
entirely disappearing from their sight.
"Such a beast, has the intelligence of a dozen men, and can read a
person's will, in his eyes," said the herdsman. "Else, I should think
you a saint, whom the inhabitants of the wilderness obey."
Weighing the paws of the dead bear in his hand, he continued: "Hurrah!
that will be a repast. These we will eat together next Sunday, with a
dainty salad, made of Alpine herbs. The meat will be ample provision
for us through the winter, and for the skin we will cast lots."
Whilst they were dragging the victim of the avalanche up to the
Wildkirchlein, Benedicta sang:
"And he who digs for snow-drops,
And whom fortune will befriend,
Will by chance dig a bear out,
And perhaps two, in the end."
The snow had been a mere soft sleet, which soon melted again. Summer
came back once more to the mountains with heart-stirring warmth, and a
peaceful Sabbath-quiet lay over the highlands. Ekkehard had regaled
himself with the bear's paws at dinner in company with the herdsman and
his daughter. It was a savoury dish, coarse, but strengthening, and
well suited for inhabitants of the mountains. Then he mounted the top
of the Ebenalp, and threw himself into the fragrant grass, from whence
he looked up at the blue sky, enjoying his recovered health.
Benedicta's goats were grazing around him, and he could hear how the
juicy Alpine-grass was greedily munched between their sharp teeth.
Restless clouds drifted along the hillsides; and on a piece of white
lime-stone, with her face towards the Säntis, sat Benedicta. She was
playing on a queer sort of a flute. It was a simple and melodious air;
like a voice from the days of youth. With two wooden milk-spoons in her
left hand she beat time. She was a proficient in this art, and her
father would often say with regret: "Tis really a pity! She deserved to
be called Benedictus, as she would have made a capital herdsman."
When the rythmical air came to an end, she gave a loud shout in the
direction of the neighbouring alp, upon which the soft tones of an
Alpine horn were heard. Her sweetheart, the herdsman on the Klus stood
under the dwarf fir-tree, blowing the _ranz des vaches_,--that strange,
primitive music, which unlike any other melody, seems at first a mere
humming sound, which an imprisoned bumble-bee, searching for an outlet,
might produce, and that by-and-by, rises and swells into that wondrous
song of longing, love, and home-sickness, creeping into the very
heart's core; filling it either with rapturous joy, or making it almost
break with sorrow.
"I trow that you are quite well again, mountain-brother," cried
Benedicta to Ekkehard, "as you are lying so contentedly on your back.
Did you like the music?"
"Yes," said Ekkehard, "go on!"
He could scarcely gaze his fill, on all the beauty around him. To the
left, in silent grandeur, stood the Säntis, with his kindred. Ekkehard,
already knew them by their different names, and greeted them as his
dear neighbours. Before him, a confused mass of smaller hills and
mountains, green luxuriant meadow-lands, and dark pine-woods lay
extended. A part of the Rhinevalley, bordered by the heights of the
Arl-mountains and the distant Rhætian Alps, looked up at him. A vapoury
stripe of mist indicated the mirror of the Bodensee, which it covered;
and all that he saw was wide and grand and beautiful.
He, who has felt the mysterious influence which reigns on airy
mountain-peaks, widening and ennobling the human heart, raising it
heavenwards, in loftier thoughts, he, is filled with a sort of smiling
pity, when he thinks of those, who, in the depth below, are dragging
tiles and sand together, for the building of new towers of Babel; and
he will unite in that joyous mountain-cry, which according to the old
herdsman, is equal to a paternoster before the Lord.
The sun was standing over the Kronberg, inclining towards the west, and
deluging the heavens with a flood of golden light. He likewise sent his
rays into the mists over the Bodensee, so that the white veil slowly
dissolved, and in soft, delicate blue tints, the Untersee became
visible. Ekkehard strained his eyes, and beheld a filmy dark spot,
which was the island of Reichenau, and a mountain which scarcely rose
above the horizon, but he knew it well,--it was the Hohentwiel.
The _ranz des vaches_ accompanied the tinkling of the cow-bells, and
over the prospect was a continually increasing warmth of colour. The
meadows were steeped in a golden-brown green, and even the grey
lime-stone walls of the Kamor, were dyed with a faint roseate hue.
Then, Ekkehard's soul also glowed and brightened. His thoughts flew
away, over into the Hegau, and he fancied himself once more sitting
with Dame Hadwig on the Hohenstoffeln, when they celebrated Cappan's
wedding, and saw Audifax and Hadumoth, who appeared to him the very
embodiment of earthly happiness, coming home from the Huns. There arose
also from the dust and rubbish of the past, what the eloquent Conrad of
Alzey, had once told him of Waltari and Hiltgunde. The joyous spirit of
poetry entered his mind. He rose and jumped up into the air, in a way,
which must have pleased the Säntis. In the imagery of poetry, the poor
heart could rejoice over that, which life could never give it;--the
glory of knighthood, and the felicity of wedded love.
"I will sing the song of Waltari of Aquitania!" cried he to the setting
sun, and it was as if he saw his friend Conrad of Alzey, standing
between the Sigelsalp and Maarwiese, in robes of light, and nodding a
smiling approval to this plan.
So, Ekkehard cheerfully set to work. "What is done here, must either be
well done, or not at all, else the mountains will laugh at us," the
herdsman had once said, to which remark, he had then nodded a hearty
assent. The goat-boy was sent into the valley to fetch some eggs and
honey; so, Ekkehard begged his master to give him a holiday, and
entrusted him with a letter to his nephew. He wrote it in a cipher,
well known at the monastery, so that no other persons could read it.
The contents of the letter were as follows:
"All hail and blessings to the cloister-pupil Burkhard!"
"Thou, who hast been an eye-witness of thy uncle's sorrow, wilt know
how to be silent. Do not try to find out where he is now, but remember
that God is everywhere. Thou hast read in Procopius how Gelimer, the
king of the Vandals, when he was a prisoner in the Numidian hills, and
when his misery was great, entreated his enemies to give him a harp, so
that he might give voice to his grief. Thy mother's brother now begs
thee, to give to the bearer of this, one of your small harps, as well
as some sheets of parchment, colours and pens, for my heart in its
loneliness, also feels inclined to sing a song. Burn this letter. God's
blessing be with thee! Farewell!"
"Thou must be wary and cautious, as if thou wert going to take the
young ones out of an eagle's nest," Ekkehard said to the goat-boy. "Ask
for the cloister-pupil, who was with Romeias the watchman, when the
Huns came. To him thou art to give the letter. Nobody else need know
about it."
The goat-boy, putting his forefinger to his lips, replied with a
knowing look: "With us no tales are repeated. The mountain-air teaches
one to keep a secret."
Two days afterwards he returned from his expedition, and unpacked
the contents of his wicker-basket before Ekkehard's cavern. A small
harp, with ten strings, three-cornered so as to imitate a Greek
delta; colours and writing material, and a quantity of clean, soft
parchment-leaves with ruled lines, lay all carefully hidden under a
mass of green oak-leaves.
The goat-boy however looked sullen and gloomy.
"Thou hast done thy business well," said Ekkehard.
"Another time, I won't go down there," grumbled the boy, clenching his
fist.
"Why not?"
"Because there is no room for such as I. In the hall, I enquired for
the pupil, and gave him the letter. After that, I felt rather curious
to see what nice young saints those might be, who went to school there,
with their monks' habits. So I went to the garden where the young
gentlemen were playing with dice, and drinking, as it was a recreation
day. I looked on, at their throwing stones at a mark, and playing a
game with sticks, and I could not help laughing, because it was all so
weak and miserable. And when they asked me, what I was laughing at, I
took up a stone, and threw it twenty paces further than the best of
them, and cried out: what a set of green-beaks you are! Upon this, they
tried to get at me with their sticks; but I seized the one next to me,
and sent him flying through the air, so that he dropped into the grass
like a lamed mountain-rook; and then they all cried out that I was a
coarse mountain-lout, and that their strength lay in science and
intellect. Then I wanted to know what intellect was, and they said:
drink some wine, and afterwards we will write it on thy back! And the
cloister-wine being good, I drank a few jugs full, and they wrote
something on my back. I do not remember how it was all done, for the
next morning I had a very bad headache, and did not know any more about
their intellect, than I had done before."
Throwing back his coarse linen shirt, he showed his back to Ekkehard,
on which with black cart-grease, in large capital letters the following
inscription was written.
"Abbatiscellani, homines pagani,
Vani et insani, turgidi villani."
It was a monastic joke. Ekkehard could not restrain a laugh. "Don't
mind it," said he, "and remember that it is thy own fault as thou hast
sat too long over thy wine."
The goat-boy, however, was not to be appeased so easily.
"My black goats are far dearer to me, than all those younkers
together," said he, buttoning his shirt again. "But if ever I catch
such a milksop on the Ebenalp, I will write something on his back with
unburnt ashes, that he will not forget as long as he lives; and if he
is not satisfied with that, he may fly down the precipice, like an
avalanche in spring."
Still grumbling, the boy went away.
Ekkehard then took up the harp, and sitting down at the foot of the
crucifix before his cavern, he played a joyous air. It was a long time
since he had last touched the chords, and it was an unspeakable delight
for him, in that vast solitude, to give vent in low tuneful melodies,
to the thoughts and feelings, that were oppressing his heart. And the
fair lady _Musica_ was _Poetry's_ powerful ally; and the epic song of
Waltari, which at first had approached him only in misty outlines,
condensed itself into clearly defined figures; which again grouped
themselves into warm, life-glowing pictures. Ekkehard closed his eyes
to see them still better, and then he beheld the Huns approaching; a
race of nimble, merry horsemen, with less repulsive faces than those
against whom he had himself fought but a few months ago; and they
carried off the royal offspring from Franconia and Aquitania, as
hostages; Waltari and the fair Hiltgunde, the joy of Burgundy. And as
he struck the chords with greater force, he also beheld King Attila
himself, who was of tolerable mien, and well inclined to gaiety and the
joys of the cup. And the royal children grew up at the Hunnic court,
and when they were grown up, a feeling of home-sickness came over them,
and they remembered how they had been betrothed to each other, from the
days of their childhood.
Then, there arose a sounding and tuning of instruments, for the
Huns were holding a great banquet; King Attila quaffed the mighty
drinking-cup, and the others followed his example until they all slept
the heavy sleep of drunkenness. Now he saw how the youthful hero of
Aquitania, saddled his warhorse in a moon-lit night, and Hildegunde
came and brought the Hunnic treasure. Then he lifted her up into the
saddle, and away they rode out of Hunnic thraldom.
In the background, in fainter outlines, there still floated pictures of
danger, and flight, and dreadful battles with the grasping King
Gunther.
In large bold outlines, the whole story which he intended to glorify in
a simple, heroic poem, stood out before his inward eye.
That very same night, Ekkehard remained sitting up with his
chip-candle, and began his work; and a sensation of intense pleasure,
came over him, when the figures sprang into life, under his hand. It
was a great and honest joy; for in the exercise of the poetic art,
mortal man elevates himself to the deed of the Creator, who caused a
world to spring forth out of nothing. The next day found him eagerly
busying himself with the first adventures. He could scarcely account
for the laws by which he regulated and interwove the threads of his
poem, and in truth it is not always necessary to know the why and the
wherefore of everything. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou
hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and
whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit," says St.
John.
And if now and then a feeling of doubt and distrust of his own
faculties came over him,--for he was timidly organised, and sometimes
thought that it was scarcely possible to attain anything without the
help of books, and learned models,--then, he would walk up and down the
narrow path before his cavern, and riveting his looks on the gigantic
walls of his mountains, he derived comfort and serenity from them; and
finally said to himself, "In all that I write and conceive, I will
merely ask the Säntis and the Kamor, whether they are satisfied." And
with these thoughts, he was on a good track; for the poetry of him, who
receives his inspiration from old mother nature, will be genuine and
truthful, although the linen-weavers, stonecutters, or the whole of
that most respectable brotherhood of straw-splitters, in the depth
below, may ten thousand times declare it to be, a mere fantastical
chimera.
Some days were thus spent, in industrious work. In the Latin verse of
Virgil, the figures of his legend were clothed, as the paths of the
German mother-tongue struck him as being still too rough and uneven,
for the fair measured pace of his epic. Thus his solitude became daily
more peopled. At first, he thought he would continue his work night and
day, without any interruption; but the physical part of our nature will
claim its rights. Therefore he said: "He who works, must attune his
daily labour to the course of the sun;" and when the shadows of evening
fell on the neighbouring heights, he made a pause; seized his harp and
with it ascended the Ebenalp. The spot, where the first idea of writing
the epic had entered his mind, had become very dear to him.
Benedicta welcomed him joyfully, when he came for the first time with
his harp.
"I understand you, mountain-brother," said she. "Because you are not
allowed to have a sweetheart, you have taken to a harp to which you
tell everything that's going on in your heart. But it shall not be in
vain that you have become a musician."
Raising her hand to her mouth, she uttered a clear, melodious whistle,
towards the low-thatched cottage on the Klusalp, which soon brought
over the herdsman her sweetheart, with his Alpine horn. He was a strong
and fine looking lad. In his right ear he wore a heavy silver ring,
representing a serpent, suspended from which, on a tiny silver chain,
hung the slender milkspoon, the herdsman's badge of honour. His waist
was encircled by the broad belt; in front of which some monstrous
animal, faintly resembling a cow, was to be seen. With shy curiosity
depicted in his healthy face, he stood before Ekkehard; but Benedicta
said:
"Please to strike up a dance now; for often enough we have regretted
that we could not do it ourselves; but, when he blows his horn he
cannot whirl me round at the same time, and when I play on the flute, I
cannot spare an arm."
Ekkehard willingly struck up the desired tune, being much pleased at
the innocent merriment of these children of the mountains; and so they
danced on the soft Alpine grass, until the moon rose in golden beauty
over the Maarwiese. Greeting her with many a shout of delight, they
still continued their dance; singing at the same time, alternately some
simple little couplets ...
"And the glaciers grew upwards
Until nigh to the top,
What a pity for the maiden
If they'd frozen her up!"
sang Benedicta's lover, gaily whirling her round;
"And the storm blew so fiercely,
And it blew night and day,
What a pity for the cow-herd
If it had blown him away!"
she replied in the same measure.
When at last, tired with dancing, they rested themselves beside the
young poet, Benedicta said: "Some day you will also get your reward,
you dear, kind music-maker! There is an old legend belonging to these
mountains, that once in every hundred years, a wondrous blue flower
blooms on the rocky slopes, and to him, who has got the flower, the
mountains open, and he can go in and take as much of the treasures of
the deep, as his heart desires; and fill his hat to the brim with
glittering jewels. If ever I find the flower, I will bring it to you,
and you'll become a very, very rich man;" for, added she, clasping the
neck of her lover with both arms,--"I should not know what to do with
it, as I have found my treasure already."
But Ekkehard replied, "neither should I know what to do with it!"
He was right. He, who has been initiated in art, has found the genuine
blue flower. Where others see nothing but a mass of rocks and stones,
the vast realm of the beautiful opens to him; and there he finds
treasures which are not eaten up by rust, and he is richer than all the
money-changers and dealers, and purse-proud men of the world, although
in his pocket, the penny may sometimes hold a sad wedding-feast with
the farthing.
"But what then are we to do with the blue flower?" asked Benedicta.
"Give it to the goats or to the big bull-calf," said her lover
laughingly. "They also deserve a treat now and then."
And again they whirled each other around in their national dances,
until Benedicta's father came up to them. The latter had nailed the
bear's skull which had since been bleached by the sun, over the door of
his cottage, after the day's labours were done. He had stuck a piece of
stalactite between the jaws, so that the goats and cows timidly ran
away, scared by the new ornament.
"You make noise and uproar enough to make the Säntis tremble and
quake," cried the old master of the Alps. "What on earth are you doing
up there?" Thus, good-naturedly scolding, he made them go into the
cottage.
The Waltari-song meanwhile, proceeded steadily; for when the heart is
brimful of ideas and sounds, the hand must hurry, to keep pace with the
flight of thought.
One midday, Ekkehard had just begun taking his usual walk on the narrow
path before his cavern, when a strange visitor met his view. It was the
she-bear, which he had dug out of the snow. Slowly she climbed up the
steep ascent, carrying something in her snout. He ran back to his cave
to fetch his spear, but the bear did not come as an enemy. Pausing
respectfully at the entrance of his domicile, she dropped a fat marmot,
which she had caught basking in the sunny grass, on a projecting stone.
Was it meant as a present to thank him for having saved her life, or
was it instigated by other feelings, who knows?--To be sure, Ekkehard
had helped to consume the mortal remains of her spouse;--could some of
the widow's affection thus be transferred to him?--we know too little
about the law of affinities to decide this question.
The bear now sat down timidly before the cavern, stedfastly gazing in.
Then, Ekkehard was touched, and pushed a wooden plate with some honey
towards her, though still keeping his spear in his hand. But she only
shook her head mournfully. The look out of her small, lidless eyes was
melancholy and beseeching. Ekkehard then took down his harp from the
wall, and began to play the strain, which Benedicta had asked for. This
evidently had a soothing effect on the deserted bear-widow's mind; for
raising herself on her hind-legs, she walked up and down, with
rhythmical grace; but when Ekkehard played faster and wilder, she
bashfully cast down her eyes, as her thirty-years-old bear's conscience
did not sanction her dancing. Then, she stretched herself out again
before the cavern, as if she wanted to deserve the praise, which the
author of the hymn in praise of St. Gallus, bestowed on the bears, when
he called them, "animals possessing an admirable degree of modesty."
"We two suit each other well," said Ekkehard. "Thou hast lost what thou
hast loved best, in the snow, and I, in the tempest,--I will play
something more for thee."
He now chose a melancholy air which seemed to please her well, as she
gave an approving growl now and then. But Ekkehard, ever inwardly busy
with his epic, at last said: "I have thought for a long while, what
name I should give to the Hunnic queen, under whose care the young
Hildgund was placed; and now I have found one. Her name shall be
_Ospirin_, the godlike bearess. Dost thou understand me?"
The bear looked at him, as if it were all the same to her; so Ekkehard
drew forth his manuscript, and added the name. The wish to make known
the creation of his mind to some living being, had for a long while
been strong within him. Here, in the vast solitude of the mountains, he
thought that the bear might take the place which under other
circumstances would have required some learned scholar. So he stepped
into his blockhouse, and leaning on his spear, he read out the
beginning of his poem; he read with a loud, enthusiastic voice, and the
bear listened with laudable perseverance.
So he read further and further; how the knights of Worms, who
persecuted Waltari, entered the Wasgau-forest, and fought with
him,--and still she listened patiently; but when at last the single
combat went on without end,--when Ekkefried of Saxony fell down into
the grass a slain man, beside the bodies of his predecessors, and
Hadwart and Patavid, the nephews of Hagen, likewise shared the lot of
their companions,--then, the bear raised herself slowly, as if even she
had grown tired of so much bloodshed; and with stately steps strode
down the valley.
In a solitary rocky crag on the Sigelsalp opposite, was her domicile.
Thitherwards she directed her steps, to prepare for the coming long
sleep of winter.
The epic, however, which of all living beings, was first heard by the
she-bear of the Sigelsalp, the writer of this book, has rendered into
German verse, during the long winter-evenings; and though many a worthy
translator had undertaken this task before him, he yet did not like to
withhold it from the reader, in order that he may see, that in the
tenth century, as well as in later ages, the spirit of poetry had set
up her abode in the minds of chosen men.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Song of Waltari.
When Attila was king amongst the Huns,--
Whose fame had sounded over lands and seas,
Whose valiant hordes, had conquer'd many kings,
Destroying all who ventured to resist,
And granting peace to those who bent their necks
Low in the dust, before his mighty sword,
And paying heavy ransom thus were spar'd,--
One day the bugle sounded far and wide
Announcing that another war was near,
Calling the men to arms, and then to horse
To go where'er their leader should decree.
And Attila, when all had been prepar'd,
Spoke thus unto his men, who breathless stood
To hear, what their great king would have to say.
"Wearied of this long peace, I have resolv'd,
That though unask'd, and like enough to be,
Unwelcome too, we yet will tarry not,
But pay a visit to the town of Worms
Franconia's proud and noble capital."
Scarce had he ended, when a roaring shout,
Broke on the silence like a cataract,
Loud rose and wild their joyous, swelling cry,
"Long live the king! long live King Attila."
Gay were the festivals then held at Worms
Where Gibich sat in his ancestral halls,
To celebrate the birth of his first son,
The heir which Heaven had denied him long.
But suddenly a pallor, icy cold
Spread o'er his features, turning them to stone,
As if Medusa's head he had beheld;
For in that evil moment he had heard,
That from the Danube came a dreadful host
Of enemies, who soon would flood his land,
In numbers countless as the stars of heaven,
And swifter than the scorching desert-winds.
In frighten'd haste a council then was held,
In which the wisest men the land possess'd,
Were to decide what it were best to do.
And in this danger, one and all agreed,
That, as resistance were mere idle boast,
'Twere better not to irritate their foes
But offer tribute, and give hostages;
And rather give the something, which they ask'd,
Than lose their all,--land, fortunes, with their lives.
But as King Gibich's son, Gunther by name,
Was but a suckling yet, as hostage he
Could not be sent,--Sir Hagen in his place,
Gibich's own cousin was selected then,
A young and stalwart knight, whose pedigree
Prov'd his descent from noble, Trojan blood.
So, he was sent, with ample bags of gold
To make the peace with Attila the Hun.
In those same days, there reign'd in Burgundy,
King Herrich with a strong and mighty hand;
Whose only child, the gentle Hildegund,
Was fairer far, and lovelier to behold,
Than any other maid in all the land
Whose future queen, she one day was to be.
But when Franconia had obtain'd the peace,
The Huns with all their concentrated force,
Approach'd the frontiers now of Burgundy;
And at their head tow'ring above the rest,
There rode the king, the dreaded Attila.
Behind him, pressing forward eagerly,
A body-guard of noble Hunnic chiefs.
The earth reechoed with their horses' tramp,
The clashing of their swords frighten'd the air,
And in the fields, an iron wood of spears,
Shone out with reddish light, like dewy meads,
On which the sun is casting his first rays.
And thus they scal'd the mountains, cross'd the streams,
For nothing could impede their reckless speed.
Already they had pass'd the river Rhone,
And now came pouring in, a surging sea
Of men and riders, fearful to behold.
At Chalons sat King Herrich, fearing nought,
When from the belfry rose the watchman's cry;
"I see a cloud of dust, foreboding ill,--
Our enemies have come, and so beware,
And shut your houses ere it be too late."
The tale, of how Franconia had escap'd
By paying tribute, had reach'd Herrich's ear,
Who now address'd his vassals in this way:
"Well do we know that brave and valiant men,
Franconia holds;--and yet they did not dare,
Resist the Huns, but made a treaty with
King Attila, and so I do not see,
Why we, like fools, should risk to lose our lives.
One cherish'd daughter do I but possess--
Yet for my country's weal I'll offer her
As hostage to the Huns, to guard the peace."
Bare-headed and unarmed, his messengers
Then went to meet the Huns, and sans delay,
Into the presence of King Attila
They soon were brought, who did receive them well
As was his wont,--to dissipate their fears,
And then with gracious mien address'd them thus:
"Indeed, believe me, I myself prefer
A friendly treaty far, to bloody war;
I am a man of peace, and only fight
Against the wanton fools, who dare to doubt
The power which I hold from Heaven's self:
Therefore, your Master's offer I accept."
This message then was brought unto the king,
Who now went out himself, accompanied
By a long train of heavy laden men
Bearing the gold and jewel's manifold
Which as a tribute to the Huns he paid.
And by the hand, fair as the morning star
He led his only daughter, Hildegund.
The peace was sign'd,--farewell sweet Hildegund
The pearl of Burgundy, its hope and joy.
Full of content at this new treaty made,
King Attila now led his warriors brave
On to the west, to Aquitania
Where Alpher sway'd the sceptre, strong and brave.
An only son, Waltari was his pride
Who yet a boy, promis'd one day to be
All that a father's heart could wish to see.
Herrich and Alpher, old and faithful friends,
With many a solemn oath on either side,
Had long decreed, that when the time should come,
Their children's hands in wedlock should be join'd.
Sadly King Alpher brooded in his halls,
On that which it behov'd him now to do.
"Alack!" he cried, "that in my hoary days
I cannot find my death, by lance or sword;
But now that Burgundy has deign'd to crave
A shameful peace, such as Franconia's king
First did conclude,--what now is left to me,
But do the same?--dispatch my messengers
And offer bribes of gold,--and worse than all,
My only son as hostage to the foe!"
Thus spoke King Alpher, and so was it done.
Laden with gold, the Huns returned home,
With Hagen, Hildegund and Alpher's son,
They gladly greeted their Pannonian home,
And here our captives led no evil life,
For Attila was not a cruel man
By nature;--so he had them treated well,
Almost as if they'd been his flesh and blood.
The maiden Hildgund, to his wife the queen,
Ospirin was her name, entrusted was,
Whilst the two princes, he himself took care
To see well-taught in all the warlike arts
Neglecting nothing, fitted for their rank.
And so they grew in years and wisdom too,
Outstripping all in strength, and witty speech,
For which the king did love them both alike
And placed them high above the noble Huns.
The German maiden too, soon won the heart
Of Ospirin, the proud and haughty queen.
The soft and winning ways of fair Hildgund,
Did gain her confidence, until at last,
She made her keeper of the treasure-room.
Next to the queen she was in honour held;
Her slightest wish, scarce uttered was obey'd.
Meanwhile King Gibich fell a prey to death,
So that his throne was now by Gunther held,
Who broke the treaty made with Attila,
And offer'd scoff and taunts instead of gold,
Unto the messengers that he had sent.
As soon as Hagen heard this welcome news,
He fled by night, and safely reach'd the court
Of Gunther, who receiv'd him full of joy.
Great was the sorrow in the morning, when
King Attila first heard of Hagen's flight;
And with a cunning mien the queen spoke thus:
"Oh Lord and spouse, I warn thee to beware,
Lest Walter too, thy pillar of support
Try to escape, like to his faithless friend.
Therefore I pray thee, follow my advice,
And to Waltari say with friendly speech:
In many battles thou hast prov'd thy arm,
Strong and untiring in thy master's cause.
Therefore, I fain would give thee now some sign,
Of my approving love and gratitude.
Of all the noble Hunnic maidens here,
I bid thee choose the best to be thy wife
And what of goods and lands thou wilt demand,
It shall be granted, ere you say the word."
These words well pleas'd the king, and show'd him how
A woman's cunning often hits the mark,
Which has escap'd the prudent eye of man.
And so he bade Waltari come to him
And told him all the queen had said before.
But though his words he temptingly set forth
Waltari guessing all that lay beneath,
And having long before form'd other plans,
With subtle speech, his fears tried to dispel.
"Oh prince, all I have done is quickly told,
And scarce deserves the kindly praise you deign
To lavish on my poor, though faithful deeds.
But if I were to follow your command,
And take a wife, my time would be engross'd,
By other cares and duties manifold;
Which all would serve to make me turn away,
And leave the path of honour by your side.
For when you love a wife, you dislike war,
Which is to tear you from her loving arms.
And so, my gracious lord I do beseech,
Not thus to banish me from his dear side.
And never, when you order me to fight
By night or day, my sword you'll idle find;
And in the midst of battle ne'er my eyes
Shall be found looking backwards, towards the spot
Where wife and children I did leave behind,--
A thought to lame my arm and dim my eye.
Therefore, by your own valour and my own,
I beg you not to force this yoke on me."
Then Attila was touch'd, and in his soul
He thought, "Waltari never thinks of flight!"
Meanwhile rebellion dared to raise her head
In distant lands, amongst another tribe,
Against whose province war was now proclaim'd,
And young Waltari then was named chief
Of all the army; and it was not long
Before a battle wagèd long and fierce.
Full valiantly they fought the Hunnic hordes,
Filling the air with their redundant cries,
To which the trumpets join'd their piercing voice.
Like glaring sheets of lightning flew the spears
Splitting the shields and helmets of the foe,
And as the pelting hailstones in a storm,
So fell the arrows, swift and merciless.
And wilder still, and fiercer grew the fight,
Until they drew the sword, and man to man they fought.
Then many a rider lay with fractur'd skull,
Beside his horse, fell'd by the self same sword.
And in the foremost ranks Waltari fought,
As if King Death himself with nimble scythe,
Were mowing down his harvest,--thus he stood
Filling with awe the hearts of all around,
And causing a wild flight where'er he turn'd
So that the bloody victory was won,
And great the booty which they made that day.
Giving the signal then to rest themselves,
Now from their armed dance, Waltari plac'd
A wreath of verdant oak leaves on his head,
And all his men who saw it, did the same.
And thus triumphantly they did return,
Each to his sep'rate home, with gladsome heart.
And to Attila's palace, Walter went,
Riding but slowly, like a weary man.
But when the servants saw him thus approach,
With eager, curious looks, they hurried forth,
And seizing his good palfrey by the reins
They bade him welcome; offering their help
To rest him after all his past fatigues,
And putting questions to him 'bout the war,
And if their arms were crown'd with victory.
But scanty answers to these quests he made;
Then entering the hall he found Hildgund,
Who blushingly receiv'd his proffer'd kiss,
Then hurried off to fetch a cup of wine,
To still his thirst, after so much fatigue.
Long was the draught he took, for as the earth
Gladly absorbs the rain after long drought,
So did the wine refresh his parchèd tongue.
Then, clasping the fair maiden's hand in his,
For both knew well that they were long betroth'd,
He thus spoke out before the blushing maid:
"Many a year has softly glided by,
Whilst in captivity we long'd for home,
For though the cage that holds us, be of gold,
'Tis still a cage, and ne'er can I forget,
The ancient promise, which made thee my bride,
In times of freedom, ere the Huns had come."
These words, like fiery arrows found their way,
Into the ears of Hildgund, who to try,
The faith and truthfulness of him who spoke,
With tearful voice, and flashing eye replied:
"How darest thou dissemble thy true thoughts,
For ne'er thy heart did feel, what says thy mouth,
For thy proud heart is set on nobler game,
Than the poor maiden, whom thou mockest now."
With steady eyes, that gaz'd a half reproach,
The valiant hero thus his speech resum'd:
"Far be deceit and falsehood from my lips,
Which never yet have utter'd one false word,
And verily thou know'st I love thee well,--
And if I, in thy woman's soul could read
I fain would tell thee something, secretly,
Whilst not a spying ear is list'ning near."
Fully convinc'd of having wrong'd her knight,
Hildgunde, weeping fell upon her knees,
"Go where thou wilt, and I will follow thee,
Through grief and dangers, until Death us part."
With gentle words and loving arms he rais'd
The weeping maiden; saying all he knew
To comfort her, and then reveal'd his plans:
"My soul has long been weary of this yoke,
And fill'd with yearning for my fatherland,
Yet never would I go without Hildgund,
My own beloved future wife and queen."
And smiling through her tears, Hildgund replied:
"My lord, the words thou speakest, I have borne,
For many years, a secret in my heart.
So let us fly then when and how thou wilt,
And our love will help us to surmount
All dangers that may rise in our path."
Then further Walter whisper'd in her ear:
"And as they have entrusted thee with all
The keys unto their treasures, I would have
Thee lay aside the armour of the king,
His helmet and his sword, a master-piece
Of foreign workmanship. Then go and fill
Two chests with gold and jewels to the brim,
So that thou scarce canst lift them off the ground.
Besides, four pair of well-made leathern shoes,
--The way is long,--as many take for thee.
And from the blacksmith fetch some fishing hooks
So that the lakes and rivers which we pass,
May yield us fish, for our support and cheer.
All this a week from this, let be prepar'd,
For then the king will hold a sumptuous feast,
And when the wine has sent them all to sleep,
We two will fly, away to the far west!"
The hour for the feast had come at last
And in the hall, bedeck'd with colours gay,
Attila on his throne, in purple clad,
Presided o'er the feast; whilst round about,
On couches numberless, the others lay.
The tables scarce could bear the heavy load,
Of all the dishes, pleasant to behold;
Whilst from the golden beakers issued forth
Enticing, fragrant scents of costly wines.
The meal had now begun. With zealous grace
Waltari on himself the duty took,
To act as host, encouraging the guests,
To do full honour to the goodly cheer.
And when at last their appetites were sooth'd,
And all the tables from the hall remov'd,
Waltari to the king these words address'd.
"And now, my noble lord and king, I beg,
To give your gracious leave without delay
That the carousing to the meal succeed."
Then dropping on his knees, a mighty cup
Richly adorn'd with many a picture rare,
He thus presented to the king, who said:
"Indeed, my good cup-bearer, you mean well,
By thus affording me the ample means,
To drown my thirst, in this great flood of wine!"
Then laughingly he rais'd it to his lips,
And drank and drank, until the giant cup
Was emptied to the dregs, and fairly stood
The nail-test, as no single drop would flow,
When upside down the beaker then was turn'd.
"Now, follow my example, all of you!"
The old carouser cried, with cheerful voice.
And swifter almost than the chasèd deer,
The cup-bearers now hurried through the hall,
Filling the cups as soon as they were quaff'd,
Each trying in this tournament of wine,
To get the better of his neighbours there.
Thus in short space of time, many a tongue
That often utter'd wise and prudent speech,
Began to stammer,--until by degrees,
The wine did conquer e'en the strongest men;
So that when midnight came, it found them all,
A prey to drunken and besotted sleep.
With soft and careful voice, Waltari now
Call'd to Hildgund, and bidding her prepare,
Went to the stable then to fetch his horse,
Lion by name, his good and trusty steed
That stood awaiting him pawing the ground,
And with dilating nostrils, bit the reins
As if impatient to display his strength.
Then on each side the treasure laden chests
Were fasten'd carefully; some victuals too
Packed in a basket, had not been forgot.
First lifting up the maiden in whose hands
The reins he plac'd, Waltari follow'd her,
His red-plum'd helmet towering above
His massive armour, whose protective strength
Had stood the test, of many fierce attacks.
On either side, he wore a trusty sword,
Beside a Hunnic sabre, short but sharp;
And in his hands both shield and lance he held.
Thus, well prepar'd 'gainst any chance attack
Waltari and his bride rode from the halls
Of Attila for ever--full of joy
All through the long and darksome night they rode,
The maiden taking care to guide the steed,
And watch the treasure, holding in her hand
The fishing-rod, as her companion had
Enough to do to carry all his arms.
But when the morning sun cast his first rays,
Upon the slumb'ring earth, they left the track,
Of the broad highway, turning to the shade
Of lonely woods, and if the wish for flight
Had not been stronger in the maiden's heart,
Than fear,--she fain would have shrunk back,
Before the dangers which seem'd lurking there
Behind each tree; and when a branch but mov'd
Or when some hidden bird its voice did raise,
Her bosom heav'd, with half suppressèd sighs.
But on they rode, having to find their way,
Through pathless woods, and lonely mountain-glens.
* * *
Yet still they slept, in that vast banquet hall,
Until the sun stood high up in the sky,
When Attila, the king, first did awake,
And rais'd his heavy head, clouded with wine,
Then slowly rose, and stepping to the door,
Call'd out with drowsy voice: "Ye men out there,
Go find Waltari, quick and bring him here,
That he may cheer his king with sprightly talk,
Presenting him the welcome morning-cup."
The servants, to obey his order, went
In all directions, looking here and there,
Yet nowhere was Waltari to be found.
With trembling gait, Dame Ospirin now came,
And from afar was heard her scolding voice,
"What in the name of wonder ails Hildgund,
That she forgets to bring my morning-gown?"
Then, there arose a whisper 'mongst the men,
And soon the queen had guess'd the fatal truth,
That both their captives now had taken flight.
Loud was her grief with which she now exclaim'd,
"Oh cursèd be the banquet, curs'd the wine
Which so much mischief in one night has wrought!
And yet, I who foresaw the coming doom,
Unheeded rais'd my warning voice in vain.
So now the strongest pillar of support,
That propp'd the throne, Waltari too is gone."
Fierce was the anger which beset the heart
Of Attila, who tearing his grey locks
In his impotent rage, could find no words,
In which to utter, all that rag'd within.
During that day he neither ate nor drank,
In gloomy silence brooding o'er his loss,
Even at night, his mind could find no rest,
For stubborn sleep refus'd to close his eyes.
So, tossing restlessly about, he lay
As if his blood were chang'd to liquid fire;
Then madly starting up, he left his couch
And pacing his dark chamber up and down,
His frantic grief in all his acts display'd.
But while in fruitless sorrow, thus the night
Crept by with stealthy, slowly measured tread,
Waltari with his lady-love rode on
In breathless silence, through the Hunnic lands.
But when the rising dawn announc'd the day,
King Attila did call the eldest Huns,
Whose hoary heads were signs of ripen'd wit,
Around his throne, and then address'd them thus:
"He that shall bring Waltari back to me,
That cunning fox who has deserted us,
Him I will clothe, in costly golden robes
And cover him with gifts from head to foot;
So that his very feet shall tread on gold."
'Twas said in vain, for neither count nor knight
Nor page nor slave was found in all the land,
Who had the courage to pursue a man,
Renownèd for his valour and his strength,
Who never yet had found his match and peer,
Whose sword was ever crown'd with victory.
Thus all the king could say, was said in vain
And unavailing were both gold and speech.
Thus unpursued the lovers onward sped,
Trav'ling by night and resting in the day,
In shady nooks and shelter'd mountain-glens
Spending their time in catching birds and fish,
To still their hunger, and to drive away
All idle fancies from their hearts and heads,
So that in all this time, the noble knight
Not once the maiden wanted to embrace.
Full fourteen times the Sun had pass'd his round
Since they had left the halls of Attila,
When in the ev'ning light, between the trees
They saw a sheet of water, flashing bright
And golden in the sunshine,--and at last,
They gave a joyous welcome to the Rhine,
The noble river from whose vine-clad banks
The stately battlements and lofty towers,
Of ancient Worms, Franconia's capital
Rose proudly in the air. A ferry-man
Who then was loitering beside his boat,
Row'd them across, and as a fee receiv'd
Some fish which in the Danube had been caught,
On that same morning by Waltari's hook.
As soon as they had reach'd the other side
Waltari spurr'd his charger to a quicker pace.
The boatman, the next morning brought the fish
Unto the royal cook, who gladly took
The foreign ware; which, daintily prepar'd
He serv'd that very day at the king's board.
Full of surprise King Gunther look'd at them,
Then turning to his guests he said aloud,
"In all the time that in Franconia, I
Have sat upon the throne, I ne'er did see,
A fish like these, amongst the goodly fare
Upon my table; therefore tell me quick
My worthy cook, whence these fair fish may come?"
The cook denounc'd the boatman, who was fetch'd
And to the questions put, thus did reply:
"As I was sitting by the riverside
Just as the sun was slowly gliding down
Behind the hills,--the eve of yesterday,
A foreign rider, in full armour came
Out from the woods, looking so proud and bold
As if he then and there, came from the wars;
And though his armour was not light I trow
He yet did spur his horse to hurry on,
As if by unseen enemies pursued.
Behind him, on the selfsame steed, a maid
Fair as the sun, was seated, whose small hands
Did guide the animal, whose wondrous strength,
I had full leisure to observe the while.
Besides this double freight of man and maid,
It bore two caskets, fasten'd to its sides,
Which, as it shook its archèd neck, gave forth
A ringing, clinking sound of precious gold.
This man I row'd across, and got the fish
Instead of copper payment, from his hands."
As soon as he had ended, Hagen cried
"My friends, I bid ye all rejoice with me!
For surely 'tis my friend Waltari, who
Now from the Huns has like myself escap'd."
Loud were the shouts of joy, which from all sides,
Did greet this welcome news; but full of greed
King Gunther, when the tumult had decreas'd,
With cunning speech, the company address'd.
"I also, my good friends, bid you rejoice
With me, that I have liv'd to see the day,
When the fair treasure, which my father gave
Unto the Huns,--a kindly providence
Has now sent back, and never be it said,
That I had fail'd to profit by my luck."
Thus Gunther spoke, nor did he tarry long,
But choosing from his knights, twelve of the best,
He bade them mount, and follow in this quest,
On which his heart and soul was madly fix'd.
In vain did Hagen, faithful to his friend,
Bid him beware, and try to turn his thoughts,
To better aims,--his words did not avail;
For avarice and lust of gold had made
Their fatal entrance into Gunther's heart.
So from the gates of Worms, the well-arm'd troop
Rode onwards, following Waltari's track.
Meanwhile Waltari and his gentle bride
Had enter'd a dark wood, where mighty trees
Were giving shade and shelter from the heat.
Two rugged hills extended their steep peaks,
In stern and gloomy grandeur heavenwards;
A cool and shelter'd ravine lay between,
Blocked up by narrow walls of sandy rocks.
And cradled in a nest of trees and grass,
A very den for robbers, hard to take,
Which they no sooner spied, than Walter said,
"Here let us rest my love! For many nights
My eyes have tasted neither rest nor sleep."
Then taking off his armour, he lay down
Resting his head upon the maiden's lap.
And further he continued: "while I sleep.
My own beloved, keep a careful look
Into the valley, and if but a cloud
Of dust were rising in the distance, mind
To wake me with a soft and gentle touch
Of thy dear fingers. Do not startle me
All of a sudden, even though a host
Of enemies were coming at a time.
I fully trust thy loving eyes,"--and thus
He clos'd his own and soon was fast asleep.
Meanwhile King Gunther's greedy eye had spied,
The footprints of a solitary horse,
And with exulting joy he cried aloud:
"Come on my faithful vassals! Ere the sun
Has sunk behind those hills, we shall have ta'en
Waltari with his stolen gold, I trow."
His face o'ershadow'd by a darkling cloud
Prince Hagen said: "Believe me noble king,'
That not so lightly you will vanquish him.
Oft did I see how valiant heroes fell,
Stretch'd to the ground by Walter's goodly sword,
Which never miss'd its mark, nor found the man
Who was his match in all the warlike arts."
Unheeded fell these words on Gunther's ear,
And in the heat of noon, they reach'd the glen,
Which as a stronghold nature had array'd.
With wakeful eyes, Hildgundé kept her watch,
When suddenly she saw a cloud of dust
Rise in the distance, and could hear the tramp
Of swift approaching horses. So she laid
Her lily fingers on Waltari's hair,
And whisper'd in his ear: "awake my love,
For I can see a troop of armed men;
Their shields and lances glisten in the sun."
And from his drowsy eyes he rubb'd the sleep,
Then hastily he seiz'd his sword and shield,
Put on the armour, and thus stood prepar'd
For bloody fight, which was to follow soon.
But when Hildgunde saw the knights approach,
She threw herself despairing on the ground,
And with a wailing voice she cried aloud:
"Ah woe is me! the Huns are coming here!
But rather than return a prisoner
A second time,--I prythee my dear lord,
To kill me with thy sword;--so that if I,
Shall never live to be thy wife, no man
Shall dare to make me his reluctant bride."
With soothing words, Waltari then replied:
"Be calm my own, and banish needless fear.
For He, who was my help in former plight,
Will not desert me in my sorest need.
These are no Huns my darling! Silly boys,
Not knowing what the danger they provoke,
In youthful wantonness of stubborn pride."
Then, with a merry laugh he cried aloud:
"Forsooth, look yonder, if I don't mistake
That man is Hagen my alien friend!"
Then stepping to the entrance of the gorge,
The hero boldly utter'd this proud speech:
"I tell ye that not one Franconian man,
Shall bring the tidings home unto his wife
That, living, he had touch'd Waltari's gold,
And,"--but he did not end the haughty speech,
But falling on his knees he humbly ask'd,
God's pardon for his own presumptuousness.
Anon he rose, and letting his keen eye
Glance o'er the ranks of the approaching foes,
He said unto himself, "of all these men
There is but one of whom I am afraid;
And that is Hagen, for I know his strength;
And that in cunning tricks, there is no man
Can claim to be his equal, I believe."--
But whilst Waltari held himself prepar'd
Sir Hagen once again did warn the king:
"If you would hear my counsel, I advise
To send some messenger, and try to get
A peaceful issue; for maybe that he
Himself is ready to give up the gold.
If not, there still is time to draw the sword."
So Gamelo of Metz, a stalwart knight
Was sent as herald to Waltari then,
And soon accosted him, with this demand:
"Tell me, oh stranger knight, whence thou dost come,
What is thy name, and where thy home may be?"
"First let me hear," Waltari then replied,
"Who is the man, whose orders to obey
Thou camest hither?" And with haughty mien,
Sir Gamelo now said: "Franconia's king,
Gunther by name, has sent me on this quest."
Waltari then resum'd: "What does it mean,
To stop and question peaceful trav'lers thus?
Waltari is my name, of Aquitain
Whence, as a hostage to King Attila,
I once was sent whilst I was yet a boy;
And now, full tired of captivity,
I'm turning back to liberty and home."
"If that is so," Sir Gamelo replied,
"I've come to bid thee, to deliver up
Thy golden treasure with yon damsel fair
And thy good steed unto my lord and king;
Who, under these conditions, will be pleas'd,
To grant thee life and freedom unimpair'd."
With anger flashing from his dark-blue eyes
Waltari when he heard this offer made,
Loudly exclaim'd: "Think ye that I'm a fool?
How can thy king claim what is not his own
Commanding me as if he were a God
And I his wretched slave? As yet my hands
Are free and without fetters,--yet, to prove
My courtesy unto thy royal lord
I willingly now offer him herewith
A hundred bracelets of the purest gold."
With this fair offer, Gamelo return'd,
And Hagen when he heard it, eagerly
Said to the king: "oh take what he will give,
Lest evil consequences should ensue.
A fearful dream, which came to me last night,
Does fill my soul with an unusual dread
Of coming ill. I dreamt oh gracious lord,
That we together hunted in the wood
When suddenly a monstrous bear appear'd
Attacking you with such wild vehemence,
That ere I yet could come to rescue you
The bear had torn the flesh up to the hip,
Of your right leg; and when with headlong haste,
I rais'd the lance, it struck me with one paw,
And scratch'd my eye out." But with proud disdain,
The king replied: "I now see verily,
That like thy father, much thou dost prefer,
To fight with thy smooth tongue, than with thy sword."
With burning pain and anger Hagen heard
These bitter words of ill deservèd blame.
Yet, keeping a calm outside he replied:
"If that be your opinion I'll refrain,
From joining in this fight against my friend."
So leading out his horse to a near hill,
He there sat down to watch the bloody game.
Then, Gunther turn'd to Gamelo once more.
"Go then, and tell him that we claim the whole.
And should he still refuse to give it up,
I trow that thou art brave and strong enough,
To force, and throw him with thy valiant sword."
And eager to obey his king's demand,
Sir Gamelo rode out with joyous speed;
And from the distance yet he rais'd his voice,
And cried: "Halloh, good friend, I bid thee haste,
And give the whole of thy fair treasure now,
Into my hands, for my good lord and king."
Waltari heard, but did not deign to speak,--
So louder yet the knight, approaching him,
Repeated the same quest: "Out with thy gold!"
But now Waltari, losing patience too,
Cried out with angry voice: "Leave off thy noise!
One verily might think I were a thief,
Who from thy king had robb'd the treasure here,
Say, did I come to you with hostile mind,
That thus you treat me like an outlaw'd man?
Did I burn houses? or destroy the lands?
Do other damage?--that you hunt me down
Like some obnoxious, hurtful beast of prey?
If then to pass your land, one needs must pay,
I'll offer you the double now, to still
The avarice and greed of your proud king."
But Gamelo, with mocking tone replied.
"Yet more than this I trust you'll offer us,
I'm weary now of talk,--so guard your life!"
And covering his arm with threefold shield,
He threw his lance, which would have struck the mark,
If with a subtle movement, Walter had
Not turn'd aside, so that it glided past,
Full harmless by, to fasten in the ground.
"Look out, here comes the answer,"--with these words,
Waltari hurl'd his spear, which pierc'd the shield
Of Gamelo,--and to his hip did nail
The luckless hand, which just had miss'd its aim.
The wounded knight then letting go his shield,
With his remaining hand tried hard to wrench
The spear out of his side; but ere he could
Succeed in his endeavour, Walter's sword
Had stabb'd him to the heart;--so down he sank,
Without a groan into the bloody grass.
No sooner did his nephew, Scaramund,
Behold his uncle's fall, when loud he cried:
"Leave him to me!--for either I will die,
Or have revenge for my dear kinsman's blood!"
So on he gallop'd, up the narrow path
That to Waltari's rocky fortress led,
Gnashing his teeth with inward fury, that
Could find no other vent, he cried aloud:
"I have not come, to fight for thy mean gold,
But I will have revenge for him who fell
Before my very eyes,--slain by thy hand."
But with unruffled calm Waltari spoke,
"If mine the fault of that, which caus'd the death
Of him thou call'st thy uncle,--may I fall
Pierc'd to the heart by thy own lance or sword."
Scarce had he ended, when in hasty speed,
That work'd its own destruction, Scaramund
Had thrown his lances both; and one was caught,
By Walter's shield, whilst far beyond the mark,
The second in some mighty oak stuck fast.
With naked sword, in blind and furious wrath,
He then bore down upon his enemy,
To split his head with one resounding blow,
Which made the sparks flash forth indignantly,--
But could not pierce Waltari's cap of steel;
A very masterpiece of workmanship.
Before the echo of this mighty blow
Had died away, Waltari's spear had thrown
The rider to the ground; and though he ask'd,
For mercy, 'twas too late; for with one cut
His head was sever'd from his trunk, and thus
He shar'd the doom, that he could not revenge;
And with his uncle, shar'd an early grave.
"Forwards!" was Gunther's cry, "and don't desist,
Before the worn out man shall render up
Both life and gold!"--Then Werinhard rode forth,
To try his chance against yon fearful man.
He was no friend of lances;--all his skill
Lay in his bow,--and from the distance he
Sent many an arrow 'gainst his stalwart foe.
But _he_, well cover'd by his massive shield
Took ample care, not to expose himself;
So that, before Sir Werinhard came near,
His quiver had been emptied, all in vain;
And full of anger at this first defeat
He now rush'd forward with his naked sword.
"And if my arrows are too light for thee,
Then let me see what this my sword will do!"
"Long have I waited here impatiently,
For thy approach," Waltari made reply,
And like a flash of lightning his good spear
Flew through the air, the harbinger of death;
Missing Sir Werinhard, it hit the horse,
Which rearing backwards in its agony
Threw off its rider, and then fell on him,
And ere Sir Werinhard could raise himself,
Waltari's hand had seiz'd his yellow locks;
Stern and relentlessly he did the same
For him as for the others, and his head
Fell to the ground, where his companions lay
But Gunther still was loth to quit the fight,
So, as fourth combatant, came Ekkefried
He who had slain the duke of Saxony
And liv'd an outlaw since, at Gunther's court.
Proudly he sat upon his red roan steed;
And ere for serious fight he did prepare,
With taunting word and mocking speech he tried,
To rouse Waltari from his outward calm.
"Say, art thou human, or some imp of hell
Who with his magic tricks, by demons taught,
Has thrown and vanquish'd better men than he?
But now, believe me they will be aveng'd!"
But he, with a contemptuous laugh replied:
"Forsooth I know the meaning of such stuff,
And am not frightened by thy idle boasts.
Come on, and I will teach thee my dark tricks,
And prove my being master of my art!"
"I will not keep thee waiting,--so beware!"
And with these words, the Saxon Ekkefried,
With dext'rous hand, his iron spear did throw,
Which striking 'gainst Waltari's shield was broke
To pieces, like some wand of brittle glass.
And with another laugh, Waltari cried:
"Take back thy present, and I warrant thee
Thou'lt find the goblin knows to hit the mark!"
--A moment later, and his fearful spear,
Cleaving the shield, had pierc'd unto the heart
Of Ekkefried, granting a speedy death.
And as his lawful prize Waltari led
His goodly horse away unto the spot
Where Hildgund' still was watching anxiously.
The fifth who came to undertake the fight,
Hadwart by name, had only brought his sword,
With which he hoped to kill this dreadful foe.
And to the king, he said before he went:
"If this my sword, should be victorious,
I prithee, let we have Waltari's shield!"
Spurring his horse, he rode unto the spot,
Where the dead corpses lay blocking the path;
So, jumping to the ground, he cried aloud:
"Come out then from thy corner, thou sly rogue,
Who like a false envenom'd snake dost lie
In ambush, hoping thus to save thy life,
Which I am come to take with my good sword.
And as thy dainty, many-colour'd shield
Will be my booty, I command thee now,
To lay it down, lest it might damag'd be.
And if it were decreed that I should fall,
Thou never wilt escape with thy base life;
As my companions will avenge my death."
With calm composure, Walter, thus replied:
"Indeed, I would not want my trusty shield,
Which more than once to-day has sav'd my life.
Without that shield, I should not now stand here."
"Then wait, and see me take it!" Hadwart cried,
"Thy steed, and aye, thy rose-cheek'd damsel too,
Will soon be mine! Come out then, my brave sword!"
Then there began a fighting, as the like,
Had ne'er been seen before in yonder wood;
So that with wonder and amazement those
Franconians stood, and looked on the while.
At last, to end the combat with one stroke,
Hadwart dealt such a blow, as must have fell'd,
Waltari to the ground, if with his spears
The blow he had not parried, and anon
He wrench'd the weapon out of Hadwart's hand
And threw it far away over his head.
In ignominious flight Sir Hadwart then
Tried hard to save his life, but Alphers' son,
With swifter feet did follow on his heels;
"Stop yet a while, thou hast forgot thy shield!"
And with these words, he rais'd the iron lance;
And struck it through Sir Hadwart's corselet, so
That as he fell, he pinn'd him to the ground.
The sixth who volunteer'd his chance to take
Was Hagen's nephew, young Sir Patavid.
On seeing him prepar'd to meet his doom,
His uncle feeling pity with the lad,
With persuasive speech tried hard to turn
His daring fancy from this bold endeavour,
"Oh, nephew, see how death is lurking there,
And do not waste your fresh and youthful life
Against yon man, whom you will conquer not."
But Patavid not heeding this advice,
Fearlessly went, spurr'd by ambitious pride.
With mournful heart Sir Hagen sat apart,
And heaving a deep sigh he spoke these words:
"Oh ever greedy youth! oh baneful thirst of gold,
I wish that hell would gather all her golden dross,
And set the dragons to watch over it,
Instead of tempting wretched human souls
Into perdition. There's none has got enough,
And to gain more, they risk their very lives
And souls into the bargain. Wretched fools!
That dig and toil and scrape, and do not see
That they are often digging their own grave,
Beside which death stands grinning. Say, what news
Shall I take back to greet thy mother's ears,
And thy poor wife, who waits for thy return?"
And as he thought of her despairing grief,
A solitary tear would trickle down:
"Farewell, farewell for ever, nephew mine!"
He cried in broken accents, which the winds
Did carry off unto Waltari's ear,
Whose heart was touch'd by his old friend's complaint,
And thus address'd the bold, tho' youthful knight:
"I warn thee, my brave lad, to spare thy strength,
For other deeds and not to risk the fate,
Of those who came before thee,--stalwart knights,
For I should grieve to lay thee by their side."
"My death does not regard thee; come and fight,
Forsooth, I did not come for idle talk,"--
Was Patavid's reply, and as he spoke,
His whizzing spear came flying through the air.
But by Waltari's own 'twas beaten off,
With such a mighty stroke, that e'en before the feet,
Of fair Hildgund it fell, close by the cave.
A cry of fear escapèd from her lips.
Then, from her rock, she anxiously look'd forth
To see whether her knight still kept the ground,
Another time he rais'd his warning voice
Bidding his enemy desist from further fight,
Who, heedless of these words, still forward press'd
With nakèd sword in hand, hoping to fell
Waltari with one strong and dext'rous blow.
But he, bent down his head, so that the sword
Not meeting with resistance, cut the air
And draggèd him who held it to the ground;
And ere that he could rise, Waltari's sword
Had dealt the death-blow with unsparing hand.
Quick to avenge his friend, Sir Gerwig now
Did spur his noble steed, which with one bound
Jump'd o'er the bodies that block'd up the way.
And ere Waltari yet could free his sword,
From his last foe, Sir Gerwig's battle-axe
--The fav'rite weapon of Franconians then
Flew through the air, a fearful sight to see.
Quicker than thought Waltari seiz'd his shield
To guard himself,--and with one backward bound
Took up his trusty lance, and thus prepar'd,
Unflinching stood, awaiting the attack.
No single word was said on either side;
Each thirsted for the fight with hungry soul;
One to avenge the death of his dear friend,
The other to defend his life and gold,
And her he valued more, far more than both.
Full long they fought with unrelenting zeal
A well-match'd pair, until Waltari's lance
Lifting the shield of his antagonist,
Did find its way into his corsèlet;
And with a hollow groan he reelèd back
Expiring on the spot where he fell down.
With fear and wonder, the Franconians saw,
Waltari's prowess, and their friend's defeat;
So that at last they all besought the king
To cease from further fight; but he replied:
"Ah well, indeed, I never would have thought
To find such weak and craven-hearted men
Amongst my knights that I deem'd brave before.
What! does misfortune make your spirits fail,
Instead of raising them to boiling heat?
And do you mean to say we should return
Conquer'd and beaten by one single man?
Nay, if before I only wish'd to have
The stranger's gold, I now will have his life!
The blood which he has shed, does cry for blood!"
He ceas'd and at his words, new courage fill'd
The hearts of his brave knights, so that now each
Would be the first to try the bloody game,
And in a file they now rode up the path.
Meanwhile, Waltari there to cool his brow,
Had ta'en his helmet off, and hung it up
On the strong branch of a tall stately oak;
And as the fragrant breezes cool'd his brow
He felt new strength and vigour in his limbs,
But while he thus stood breathing the fresh air,
Sir Randolf on his fiery steed advanc'd
And came upon him with such sudden speed,
That with his iron bar quite unawares
He would have pierc'd Waltari where he stood
If that the armour which did shield his breast,
Had not been forg'd by Weland's dext'rous hands,
And thus resisted Randolf's fierce assault.
Not having time to don his cap of steel,
He seiz'd his shield as Randolf rais'd his sword,
And dealt a cut, which, grazing Walter's head,
Cut off some locks of his abundant hair.
The second blow now struck against the edge
Of Walter's shield, with such fierce vehemence
That it stuck fast, and ere that he could wrench
It from this prison-hold, Waltari's hand
Had dragg'd him from the saddle to the ground,
"Ha!" cried he, "thou shalt pay for my shorn locks,
With thine own pate!" and as he said the words,
Sir Randolf's head lay bleeding on the ground.
The ninth who now rode up in furious haste
Was Helmnod, bearing neither sword nor lance,
But on a long and twisted cord instead
A heavy trident set with many spikes.
And in the rear, his friends held the one end,
Of the strong rope, hoping, that when the spikes
Had taken hold of Walter's shield, to drag
Him to the ground with their united force.
"Take care of thy bald head!" Sir Helmnod cried,
"For death is coming towards thee from above!"
And as he spoke, he threw the curious arms
With practis'd hands,--nor did he miss the aim.
Right in the middle of Waltari's shield
It fix'd its iron claws, and a loud cry
Of joyous exultation fill'd the air,
As this success was noted by the rest
Who now, e'en aided by the king himself,
Pull'd hard with all their might,--yet 'twas in vain
For like some giant-oak he kept the ground
Until, wearied at last with such vain sport,
He suddenly let go his faithful shield.
So, trusting merely on his coat of mail
And his own sword, he madly rush'd along
And with one fearful blow, he split the head
And neck of Helmnod, through his cap of steel.
Before Sir Trogus yet could free himself
From the entangling rope that held him fast,
To fetch his arms which all had laid aside
Not to be cumber'd, as they pull'd the rope,
Waltari with one slash of his fierce sword
Had lam'd him on both legs, and ta'en his shield,
Before Sir Trogus could stretch out his hand
With which he now took up a mighty stone
And hurl'd it with such vigour through the air,
That it did break his own strong shield in twain.
Then, crawling onwards through the shelt'ring grass.
Sir Trogus stealthily regain'd his sword,
Which joyfully he rais'd above his head.
His hero's heart still long'd to die in fight
And so he cried aloud: "oh, that a friend
Were near to help me, or my trusty shield
Had not been robb'd! I tell thee, haughty knight,
Not thine own bravery, but want of chance
Has conquer'd me. Come on and take my sword!"
"Thy wish shall be fulfill'd!" Waltari cried,
And quick as lightning he flew down the path,
Cut off the hand that vainly rais'd the sword,
So that it fell, a useless member now
Unto the ground. But ere the final blow
Which was to end his soul's captivity,
He yet had dealt, Sir Tannast gallop'd down,
To help his friend in this dread hour of need.
Full angrily Waltari turnèd round,
And with a ghastly wound beneath his arm
Sir Tannast fell, bleeding beside his friend;
And murmuring, "farewell, beloved maid!"
He breath'd his last, and with a smile he died.
Full of despair, Sir Trogus rais'd his voice
To heap such bitter words and sharp insults
Upon Waltari's head, that he, inflam'd
With angry rage, to stop his sland'rous tongue
Now throttled him with his own chain of gold.
When all his knights had thus been slain, the king
In bitter sorrow fled unto the spot,
Where Hagen sat in gloomy solitude;
And shedding scalding tears of rage and grief,
He tried to touch his heart with subtle speech
And thus to rouse him from his apathy.
But cold as ice Sir Hagen made reply:
"Full well thou know'st, oh king, that the pale blood,
Which from my fathers I inherited
Whose craven hearts would shrink with coward fear
When they but heard of war, does hinder me
To fight with yonder man. 'Tis thy own speech
Which now does lame my arm. I cannot fight."
Again the king tried to appease his wrath
Humbling himself, by asking pardon now,
And promising that if he would but fight,
He would reward him amply, ending thus:
"Indeed, I never shall survive the day,
On which the burning shame will be reveal'd,
When in the streets and high-roads 'twill be said,
'One single man did kill a host of knights
And there was none who would avenge the deed!'"
Still Hagen hesitated, thinking how
Waltari once had been his bosom-friend,
His brother almost,--but when now at last
His king and master fell upon his knees,
And with uplifted hands besought his help,
Then the ice melted which had bound his heart
In chains of pride and hatred, and he felt,
That if he still refus'd, his honour would
For ever be defil'd, and so he spoke:
"Whate'er thou biddest me to do, my king,
It shall be done, and what no bribe on earth
Could have obtained, the faith I owe to thee,
Has now accomplish'd;--but before I try
My sword and strength against my quondam friend,
I fain would find some way to drive him from
His present stronghold, which does make his strength.
For, whilst he keeps that place, 'tis certain death
To come but near him. Ah, believe me king,
That never even to avenge the death
Of my fair nephew, would I raise my hand
Against my well-tried friend. Only for thee,
To save thee from the shame of this defeat,
I sacrifice my friendship. Let us hence,
So that, imagining that we were gone,
He too will ride away, suspecting naught;
And in the open field, quite unprepar'd,
We will attack him; and I warn thee that
The fight will not be easy, even so."
This cunning plan did please the king so well,
That he embrac'd Sir Hagen on the spot,
And then they went away to hide themselves,
Leaving their horses grazing in the woods.
The sun had disappear'd behind the hills
And now our hero, wearied from the fight,
Stood there, revolving in his inmost heart,
Whether 'twere best, to rest and pass the night--
In his good stronghold, or to hurry on,
And find his way out of this wilderness.
His soul misgave him when he saw the king
Kissing Sir Hagen, with exulting mien.
Yet, after he had thought of this and that,
He made resolve 'twere better to remain,
So that it were not said that he had fled,
Like some base criminal at fall of night.
So, cutting down from the surrounding trees
And thorny brambles many a branch and bough,
He made himself a strong and solid hedge,
To guard him 'gainst an unforeseen attack--
With deep-drawn sighs he then walk'd to the spot,
Where all the corpses lay, his hand had fell'd,
And putting back each head unto its trunk,
He threw himself down on his knees and prayed:
"Oh Lord of hosts, whom all the world obeys,
Without whose holy will, nothing is done,
I thank Thee, that to-day Thou wert with me
Helping me to defeat mine enemies,
Who thirsted all to drink my guiltless blood.
Oh Lord whose mighty word destroyeth sin,
Yet taketh pity on us sinners all,
I pray Thee now to show Thy mercy rare,
On these my hand has slain, so that their souls,
May enter all into Thy paradise,
And I may meet them there, when my day comes."
Thus Walter pray'd; then, rising from the ground,
He went to fetch the horses of the dead,
And tied them all together with a cord
Made of some willow branches, growing near.
Then, taking off his armour, he lay down
Upon his shield, to rest his weary limbs;
And speaking tender words unto Hildgund,
He bade her watch his slumbers as before,
For much he needed some refreshing sleep.
Thus all the night, the fair and faithful maid
Sat by his side, driving the sleep away,
That tried to steal upon her unawares,
By softly singing little bits of song.
Before the dawn of day Waltari rose
And telling her to sleep now in her turn
He paced the ground with calm and even steps,
His lance in hand, ready for an attack.
And thus the night wore on, and morning came;
A soft, refreshing mist fell down as dew
Hanging in pearly drops on grass and trees.
Then, from the corpses with all rev'rent care
Waltari took the armours, sword and all,
Leaving their costly dresses though, untouch'd.
Four of the chargers then were laden with
His rightful booty, whilst the other two
Were destin'd for himself and his fair bride.
Yet ere they started, mounting on a tree,
Waltari with his falcon-eyes survey'd
The scenery around, but seeing nought
Which might have rous'd suspicion, he resolv'd
To wait no more, and thus they now rode forth,
Hildgunde, with the booty-laden steeds
Riding ahead, whilst Walter clos'd the train.
Scarce were they gone when Hildgund looking back,
Beheld two stalwart knights approaching fast,
And paling with dismay, she cried aloud:
"Oh dear my Lord! The end is coming now
I pray thee fly, and save thy precious life!"
Turning his head, Waltari saw the foe
And said with tranquil mien: "no man shall say,
Waltari fled, whilst he could wield the sword!
Here, take the reins of King Attila's horse
And save the golden treasure. Yonder wood
Will give thee shelter, whilst I will accost
The strangers thus, as it becomes a knight."
The maiden tremblingly obey'd his words,
Whilst he prepar'd his trusty lance and shield.
Yet from a distance, Gunther called out:
"Now thou no more canst hide between the rocks,
Stand still and let us see, whether the end,
Will not reveal another countenance!
And whether fortune is thy hired maid!"
But with contemptuous mien, Waltari turn'd
His head away, as if he had not heard
And looking full in Hagen's face, he said:
"Oh Hagen, my old friend, what has occurr'd,
That as an enemy you come to me?
Hast thou forgot the tears which thou hast shed
When lying in my arms for the last time,--
That thus thou treatest me, thy faithful friend?
Indeed, I thought the day that we should meet,
Would be a joyous one for thee and me,
And that with open arms, and loving words
Thou wouldst accost me. Oh, how oft my heart
Would beat with restless longing, when I thought
Of thee, so far away, yet still my friend.
Hast thou forgotten then our boyish days,
When both did work and strive, for one great aim,
Then, when I look'd into thine eyes I felt
As if my parents and my home were near,
As if I were not quite forsaken yet.
And so I kept my love and faith for thee
And, therefore, pray thee to depart in peace
And as a friendly gift I'll fill thy shield
With gold and jewels even to the brim."
But with a sombre look and angry voice
Sir Hagen to this speech now made reply.
"Indeed, I think, that thou didst break the faith
When by thy cruel sword my nephew fell,
_His life_ and not thy gold I claim from thee,
And will hear nought of friendship past and gone."
Thus speaking he alighted from his horse
As likewise did Waltari, and the king;
And so they stood prepar'd, two against one,
Sir Hagen was the first to break the peace
And with an able hand he threw the spear,
Which proudly pierc'd the air with hissing sound;
But without deigning e'en to turn aside,
Waltari stood extending his good shield,
From which the lance rebounded with such force
As if its point had struck against a wall of stone.
Then Gunther threw his spear with good intent
But with such feeble arm, that it fell down,
Scarce having touch'd the rim of Walter's shield.
Their lances being gone, both drew the sword,
And with it levell'd many a well-aim'd blow
Which all were parried by Waltari's lance.
At last an evil thought struck Gunther's mind,
And whilst Sir Hagen fiercely onward press'd
He stealthily bent down to seize his lance,
But just when he had seized the oaken shaft,
Waltari, throwing bold Sir Hagen back,
Did place his foot on the coveted spear.
Full of dismay, the king stood there aghast
Not moving hand or foot, so that his life
Was sore endanger'd, when Sir Hagen sprang
With deerlike swiftness forwards, shielding him,
So that recovering by slow degrees
He once again could join in the attack,
That wagèd fiercer now than e'er before;
Yet still Waltari stood like some strong rock,
Unmov'd and calm amidst the breakers roar.
But from his eyes shot forth such scathing looks,
And on his brow, in triple sisterhood,
Sat fury, hatred and the fierce desire
To die or gain the bloody victory.
At last, to Hagen he address'd these words:
"Oh hawthorn tree,[3] I do not fear thy prick!
And let thy vaunted strength be, what it may,
I mean to wrestle with thee." At these words,
He hurl'd his lance with such unerring aim
That part of Hagen's armour was torn off.
Then turning suddenly to Gunther, he
With one astounding cut of his good sword,
Did sever the right leg from Gunther's frame.
Half dead, King Gunther fell upon his shield
But when Waltari just had rais'd his arm,
To deal the mortal blow, Sir Hagen saw
The peril of his king, and with one bound
He threw himself between, so that the sword
Fell on his helmet, with a clashing sound
And then was shiver'd into sev'ral bits.
With angry frown, Waltari threw the hilt
Contemptuously aside, for though of gold,
What could it now avail him? Then he rais'd
His iron-pointed lance with careless hand
But ere he yet had pois'd it, Hagen's sword
Cut off the hand, which to its enemies
Had been so fearful, and so far renown'd,--
And now lay helpless on the bloody ground.
Yet even then, Waltari's noble heart
Thought not of flight, but pressing back his pain,
His left hand grasp'd the Hunnic scimitar
Which still was left him in this hour of need,
And which aveng'd him, slashing Hagen's face
In such a fearful way, that his right eye
Besides six teeth he lost by this one blow.
Then both did drop their arms, and thus at last
The bloody fight was ended. Both had shown
Their strength and valour in an equal way,
And now did part with knightly courtesy.
Then, sitting side by side, they staunch'd their wounds
With flowers, until Walter's ringing voice
Had brought the fair Hildgund unto their side,
Who with her gentle hands then dress'd the wounds.
As soon as this was done, Waltari said:
"Now sweet my love, I prythee go and bring
For each a cup of wine, for verily
I think we have deserv'd it all to-day.
First give the cup to Hagen, my old friend,
Who, like a faithful vassal to his king,
Has fought full valiantly in his behalf;
Next give it me and then the king may drink,
Who least has done, and therefore shall be last."
The maiden doing as her lord had said,
Stepp'd up to Hagen, who, though plagued with thirst
Refus'd to drink, before Waltari's lips
Had been refreshèd by the cooling draught.
And when the pangs of thirst had thus been still'd
The two, who just before had been dread foes,
Now sat together, holding friendly talk,
And jesting gaily as in days gone by.
"In future thou, my friend," Sir Hagen said,
"Must wear a leathern glove, well stuff'd with wool,
On thy right arm, to make the world believe
Thou still hadst got both hands at thy commands,
And at thy right side thou must wear the sword;
But worse than all, when thou wilt clasp thy bride
With thy left arm thou must embrace her then,--
In fact all thou wilt do in future life
Must awkward be,--_left-handed_ as they say."
Briskly Waltari to this jest replied:
"Oh, stop thy railing, poor and one-eyed man
For with my left hand here, I yet may kill
The boar and stag, which thou no more wilt eat;
And in my fancy I can see thee look,
On friends and foes and all the world awry!
But for the sake of our youthful days
And ancient friendship, I will counsel thee,
To bid thy nurse make porridge and milk-soups
When thou com'st home, such as befit thy state
Of toothless incapacity for other food."--
Thus they renew'd the friendship of their youth,
And after having rested, laid the king
Who suffer'd greatly, on his horse's back.
And then the two Franconians slowly rode
To Worms, from where the day before they came
In all the pride of their exulting hearts,
Meanwhile, Waltari and his gentle bride
Went on to Aquitania, Walter's home
Where they were both receiv'd with tears of joy
By his old father, who had long despair'd
Of holding in his arms his son again,
Who soon was wedded to fair Hildegund;
And when his father died, for thirty years
Waltari sway'd the sceptre, lov'd by all.
* * *
Oh, much beloved reader, if my song
Has been but roughly chanted, I implore
Thy kind forgiveness,--I did my best.
Praisèd be Jesus Christ!--So ends Waltari's song.
CHAPTER XXV.
The last Echo, and End.
----And he has sung bravely, our hermit Ekkehard; and his Waltari-song
is a venerable monument of German spirit; the first great epic out of
the circle of national heroic legends, which, in spite of the
destroying rust of ages, was bequeathed undamaged to later
generations.--To be sure, other notes have been struck in it than those
which the Epigonic poets have hatched in their gilt-edged little books.
The spirit of a great, heroic time breathes through it; wild and awful
like the roaring of the tempest in mighty oak-trees. There is a
sounding and clinking of swords dashing and splitting of helmets;
whilst but little is heard of gallant speeches and tender wooing, or
would-be eloquent dissertations on God and the universe, and Heaven
knows what! All that is shown to us there, is a Titanic fight and
Titanic jests; old knighthood in all its simple sternness; true,
honest, silent love, and genuine open-faced hatred;--these were the
materials for Ekkehard's epic; and therefore his work has become grand
and mighty, and stands at the portal of German poetry, tall and strong,
like one of those iron-clad giants, which the plastic art of later
days, loved to place as gate-keepers before the entrance of its
palaces.
He, who by the roughness of ancient, often almost heathenish views, may
be affected as by the rude blast on a sea-coast, which is apt to
produce a cold in the dress-coat-wearing individual,--will be pleased
to consider, that the epic has been sung by one who had himself fought
with the Huns; and that he composed it many hundred feet over the
valley-regions, whilst his curls were being ruffled by the wind which
had swept over the glaciers on the Säntis; that his mantle was a wolf's
skin, and that a she-bear was his first auditor.
'Tis a pity that the sportive sprites and goblins have ceased this
many-a-day to practise their merry art; otherwise it might not be amiss
for many a writer of the present day, if, by invisible hands, he were
suddenly carried away from his mahogany table, to the green meadow of
the Ebenalp; up to those heights where the "old man" in all his
mountain-grandeur, looks into the poet's manuscript; where the thunder,
with its manifold echoes, rolls through the ravines and glens; and
where the golden-vulture, in proud, lonely circles, rises up to the
rainbow. There, a man must either compose something grand, pithy and of
large dimensions, or he must penitently fall on his knees, like the
prodigal son, and confess before those magnificent scenes of nature,
that he has sinned.--
Our tale is drawing to its close.
Perhaps some of our readers would be pleased to hear, that Ekkehard,
after having completed his song, died a peaceful death. It would verily
have been a most touching conclusion, "how he had reclined before his
cavern, with eyes strained towards the Bodensee; his harp leaning
against the rock; the parchment-roll in his hands,--and how his heart
had broken!"--Further, one might have added some fine simile;--how the
poet was consumed by the burning flames of his genius; like the torch
which is burnt to ashes while it gives its light;--but this touching
spectacle, I am sorry to say, Ekkehard did not afford to posterity.
Genuine poetry makes a man fresh and healthy. So Ekkehard's cheeks had
assumed a brighter colour during his work, and he often experienced a
feeling of well-being which made him stretch out his arm, as if he were
about to strike down a wolf or bear, with one blow of his fist.
But when his Waltari had bravely conquered all dangers and deathly
wounds,--then, he gave a shout of delight which made the stalactite
walls of his cavern, reecho. The goats in their stable, received a
double quantity of herbs that day, and to the goat-boy he gave some
silver coins to induce him to descend to Sennwald in the Rhine-valley,
there to procure a jug of red wine.
It was in those days just as it is now, "_libro completo, saltat
scriptor pede laeto_;" when the book is finished, the writer jumps with
joy.
Therefore on that evening he sat on the Ebenalp in the cottage of the
old herdsman and they did not spare the jug; and lastly Ekkehard seized
the huge Alpine-horn, and mounting a rock, blew a mighty strain in the
direction of the hazy distant Hegau-mountains; and the notes swelled
out loud and triumphantly, as if they wanted to reach the Duchess's
ears, so as to make her step out on her balcony, followed by Praxedis,
whom he then would have liked to greet with a laugh.
"If I were to come once more into the world," he said to his friend the
master of the Ebenalp, "and were to drop down from the sky just where I
pleased, I verily believe that I would choose no other spot than the
Wildkirchlein."
"You are not the first man who has been pleased with our residence,"
laughed the old man. "When brother Gottshalk was still living, five
Italian monks once came up to pay him a visit, and they brought some
better wine than this with them; and they jumped and danced, so as to
make their habits fly. 'Twas only when they went downhill again that
they composed their faces into the necessary serious expression, and
one of them, before leaving, made a long speech to our goats. 'Don't
blab, ye dear goats,' he said, 'for the Abbot of Novalese need not know
anything of our spirits' raptures.'"
"But now, mountain-brother, I wish you to tell me one thing, and that
is what you have been doing all these last days, cowering in your
cavern? I have well observed, that you have drawn many hooks and runes
on your asses skin, and I trust that you are not concocting some evil
charm, against our flocks or mountains? Else"----a threatening look
finished the sentence.
"I have merely been writing a song," said Ekkehard.
The herdsman shook his head. "Writing! that confounded writing,"
he growled. "Well 'tis none of my business; and I trow that the
high Säntis will still be looking down on our grand-children and
great-grandchildren, without their knowing how to guide pen or
lead-pencil; for I shall never believe that writing will do a man any
good. Man, if he wants to be God's likeness, must walk upright on both
his feet, whilst he who wants to write, must sit down with a bent and
crooked back. So now I ask you whether that is not just the contrary of
how God would have if? Consequently it must be an invention of the
Devil. Therefore mountain-brother,--mind what you are about. And
whenever you try that trick again, and I find you cowering down like a
marmot in your cavern, and writing, thunder and lightning, then I will
exercise my power as Master of the Alps, and I will tear up your
parchment-leaves into little bits, so that the wind will scatter them
amongst the fir-trees below! Up here, everything has to be orderly and
simple, and I tell you once for all, that we will have nothing to do
with new-fangled things!"
"I promise not to do it again," said Ekkehard laughing and holding out
his hand.
The brave Master of the Alps had grown warm over the red wine from
Sennwald.
"Thunder and lightning!" he continued. "What after all is the meaning,
of writing down a song? 'Tis mere foolery! There! Try and write that
down if you can." And with these words he began to sing some Alpine
"_Jodler_" in such rough, unmodulated sounds, that even the sharpest
ear would have found some difficulty in discovering a note which could
have been rendered by word or writing.
* * *
At the same hour, in a vine-clad summerhouse of the Bishop's garden at
Passau on the Danube, a man, in the first bloom of manhood, was sitting
before a stone table. An indescribable subtle expression played round
his lips, half hidden by an ample brown beard, whilst luxurious curls
fell down from under his velvet cap. His dark eyes followed the
characters which his right hand was tracing on a parchment roll. Two
fair-haired boys were standing beside his armchair; curiously peeping
over his shoulder. Many a parchment-leaf was already covered with the
recital of tempests and battles, and the bloody deaths of valiant
heroes,--and he was now approaching the end. And before long, he laid
aside his pen, and took a long and solemn draught of Hungarian wine,
out of a pointed goblet.
"Is it done?" asked one of the boys.
"Yes, 'tis all finished," said the writer, "how it began, and how it
came, and how it ended with sorrow and shame!"
He held out the manuscript to him, and the boys ran away jubilant, to
their uncle, Bishop Pilgerim, and showed it to him. "And thou art in it
also, dear uncle," they cried. "'The Bishop with his niece, to Passau
then did go.' Twice thou art in it,--and here again a third time!"
Pilgerim the Bishop, then stroked his white beard and said: "Ye may
well rejoice, my dear nephews, that Conrad has written down this tale
for you; and let me tell you that if the Danube streamed with gold for
three entire days and nights, ye might not fish up anything more
precious than that song, which contains the greatest history the world
ever saw."
The scrivener, meanwhile, stood with radiant countenance under the
vine-leaves and blooming honeysuckle in the garden, looking at the
withered red leaves, which autumn had shaken from the trees, and then
he gazed downwards into the soft-flowing Danube, and in his right ear
he heard a loud ringing sound,--for at that very moment, Ekkehard had
filled a wooden cup with wine, and spoken thus to the old herdsman: "I
once had a good comrade, for a better one cannot be found anywhere, and
his name is Conrad. The love of women, and worldly ambition are all
nought, but I shall ever remain the debtor of old and faithful
friendship, unto my last dying day. So you must now drink his health
with me, and I tell you, he is a man who would please the old Säntis
well, if he were here."
And the herdsman had emptied the cup and had said: "Mountain-brother, I
believe you. Long life to him!"
Therefore the man at Passau had felt his ear tingling; but he did not
know the reason thereof. The sound had not yet died out, when the
Bishop came towards him, and he was followed by a groom who led a white
little mare, which was old and shabby; and when one looked at it
closer, one could see that it was blind on one eye. And the Bishop
nodded his head with the pointed mitre and graciously said: "Master
Conrad, that what you have written to please my nephews, shall not be
without its reward. My tried battle-horse is yours!"
A faint, half melancholy smile played round Master Conrad's finely cut
lips, whilst he thought: "Well, it serves me but right. Why did I
become a poet!"--But aloud, he said: "May God reward you Sir Bishop! I
hope that you will grant me a few days leave, to rest myself from my
work."
Then he caressed the poor old horse, and mounted it without waiting for
the answer. And he sat both proudly and gracefully in the saddle, and
even persuaded his humble charger to fall into a tolerable canter, so
that he soon disappeared.
"I would wager my best falcon against a pair of turtle-doves," said the
elder of the two boys, "if he is not again riding to Bechelaren to the
markgravian castle. He has said many a time, 'quite as well as I can
bring my gracious master the Bishop into the song, I can also in it
erect a memorial to the margravine Gotelinde and her fair daughter.
They, after all, will appreciate it most.'"
Meanwhile, Master Conrad had already passed out of the gate of the
Bishop's town. Casting a longing look into the distance, he began to
sing with a clear voice:
"Then boldly spoke the minstrel, his voice rang through the air:
Oh margrave, noble margrave, God gave thee blessing rare
In giving thee so fair a spouse, and true as she is fair.
And if I only were a king, and reigned o'er land and sea,
To make thy daughter my dear queen, my only wish would be.
For ne'er a maid more beautiful." ...
... but when he had got so far, a cloud of dust was blown right into
his face, so that involuntary tears started into his eyes, and his
singing was stopped.
The lines were out of the work, for which the Bishop had just now
rewarded him. It was an epic in the German tongue, and was called, "The
song of the Nibelungen!"
* * *
By and bye autumn began, and although the evening-red is more glowing
and brilliant then, than in any other part of the year, it is also
accompanied by fresh breezes, so that the inhabitants of the Alps get
ready to decamp into their lowly dwellings in the valleys, and no
wolf's skin then can prevent a man's teeth from chattering.
Fresh snow was glistening on all the peaks around, and was evidently
not intending to melt again that year. Ekkehard had preached his last
sermon to the herdsmen. After it, Benedicta sauntered past him.
"Now 'tis all over with our merry-making up here," said she, "for
to-morrow man and beast will betake themselves to their winter
quarters. Where are you going, mountain-brother?"
The question fell heavily on his heart.
"I should like best to remain here," said he.
Benedicta struck up a merry peal of laughter. "One can well see, that
you have not spent a winter up here; else you would not wish for
another. I should like to see you snowed up in your hermitage, with the
cold creeping in at every chink and crevice, so as to make you tremble
like an aspen leaf, whilst avalanches come thundering down round about
you, and the icicles are growing right into your very mouth.... And
when you attempt to go down into the valley to fetch some provisions,
then the snow blocks up the path as high as a house; one step and you
sink down to the knees,--a second--traladibidibidib! and the cowl is
all that is left, and one does not see more of you than of a fly that
has fallen into a pot of milk. Besides we have had so many great
tit-mice this year,--that means a severe winter. Ugh--how pleasant the
long winter-evenings will be! Then, we sit around the warm stove, and
spin by the light of the pine-chips. How the wheels fly about, and the
fire crackles, and we relate the most beautiful stories, and all good
boys may come and listen. 'Tis a pity that you have not become a
herdsman, mountain-brother, for then I could take you also with me to
our spinning-room."
"'Tis a pity," said Ekkehard.
The next morning they went down the valley in gay procession. The old
herdsman had put on his finest linen shirt, and looked like some jolly
old patriarch. With a round leathern cap on his head, and the
handsomest milk-pail on his left shoulder, he walked ahead, singing the
"ranz-des-vaches" in a clear fresh voice. Then came Benedicta's goats;
the skirmishers of the great army; their keeper amongst them, wearing
in her dark locks the last Alpine roses, which already showed some
yellow leaves. Then came the big large-spotted Susanna, the queen of
the herd, wearing the heavy bell round her neck, in sign of her high
rank. Dignified and proud was her gait, and whenever one of the others
ventured to outstrip her, she gave her such a contemptuous and
threatening look, that the presumptuous cow instantly fell back. Slowly
and heavily the rest of the herd marched downhill. "Farewell thou
dainty Alpine-grass," was probably thought by many a plump cow, as it
cropped a stray flower here and there, on the way-side.
The bull carried the milking-stool between his horns, and on his huge
back sat the goat-boy, with his face to the tail, holding up the
outstretched fingers of both his hands to his not over delicately
formed nose, and calling out the following doggrel-verses:
"The summer's gone away, and autumn's come aright,
So now we will bid you farewell and goodnight.
Ye silent, snowy masters, good-bye then all together
And may your sleep be sound, until there's better weather!"
A sledge with the simple furniture and kitchen utensils, closed the
train.
By degrees, herdsmen, cows and goats disappeared in the fir-wood below;
their joyous songs and the merry tinkle of the cow-bells dying away in
the distance; and then it became silent and lonely, as on that evening
when Ekkehard had first knelt before the cross of the Wildkirchlein.
He entered his hermitage. During his solitary life in the mountains, he
had learnt to understand, that solitude is only a school for life, and
not _life_ itself; and that he, who in this busy, active world will
only be a passive spectator, wrapped up in himself, must in the end
become a useless being.
"There's no help for it," said he, "I too must return to the valley!
The snow is too cold, and I am too young to remain a hermit."
"Farewell then, mighty Säntis, thou good and trusty friend,
Farewell, ye bonny meadows, that healthy breezes sent!
I thank thee for thy blessings, oh holy solitude.
That took away my sorrow, heal'd my rebellious mood.
My heart now beateth calmly; my banner is unfurl'd,
And longing for new battles, I go into the world.
My youth was idle dreaming,--then came the darksome night,
But here, among the mountains, I woke to life and light."
He seized his knapsack, and in it put his scanty belongings. His most
precious thing, the Waltari song, carefully wrapped up, was placed on
the top. A smile played round his lips as he looked about on the
few things which he left behind. On a stone stood the half empty
ink-bottle, which he took and threw down the abyss, where it broke into
many glittering fragments. The three-cornered harp, leaning against the
wall outside, had something melancholy about it.
"Thou shalt remain here, and sweeten the lonely hours of him who comes
after me," said he. "But mind not to give forth weak, sweetish sounds;
else it were better that the water should drop down on thy strings from
the crevices, so that they get rusty, and that the winds from the
glaciers break them. I have sung my song!"
Therewith he hung the harp on a nail.
During his hermit's life, he had carved for himself a strong
bow,--quiver and arrows being still there from Gottshalk's time. Thus
he was well armed, and after hanging his wolf's skin mantle round his
shoulders, he stood before his hermitage, casting a long, long look at
the beautiful scenery around; at his beloved mountain peaks,--and then
let his gaze glide down into the depth, where the seagreen Seealpsee
peeped forth from between the dark fir-trees. It was all as beautiful
as ever.
The black-martin, which lived in a crevice of the same rock that
sheltered him, confidingly flew down on his shoulder and pecked his
cheek,--then spreading its black and red plumage it flew up into the
blue air, as if it wanted to tell the Säntis that the hermit was going
away.
Firmly setting the point of his spear into the ground, he walked down
the well-accustomed giddy path. When he had reached the Aesher, he
stopped once more, and waving his hand to his hermitage, he uttered a
long "_Jodler_" that reverberated from the Kamor and Hohen-Kasten to
the Maarwiese, until it was lost in the distant clefts of the
mountains.
"_He_ can do it well," said a returning herdsman in the valley to one
of his comrades.
"Almost like a goat-boy!" said the other, as Ekkehard was just
disappearing behind a rocky wall.
The rising sun had already cast his rays for some time on the
Wildkirchlein, which, like a deserted nest, seemed to look mournfully
into the valley below.
At the Bodensee, people prepared for the coming vintage. One fine
evening, Dame Hadwig sat in her garden, with the faithful Praxedis by
her side. The Greek had unpleasant times now. Her mistress was out of
tune, discontented and reserved. To-day likewise she could not entice
her into a conversation. It was a day of evil remembrances.
"To-day it is just a year," Praxedis began, with seeming indifference,
"that we sailed over the Bodensee, and paid a visit to St. Gallus."
The Duchess made no reply. "A great deal has happened since then,"
Praxedis was going to add, but the words died on her lips.
"And have you heard, gracious mistress, what people are saying of
Ekkehard?" resumed she, after a considerable pause.
Dame Hadwig looked up. Her mouth was working.
"And what do people say?" she asked carelessly.
"Master Spazzo has lately encountered the Abbot from the Reichenau,"
said Praxedis, "who accosted him thus: 'The Alps have been highly
favoured, for the walls of the Säntis reverberate with the sound of the
lyre and poetical twitterings; for a new Homer has built his nest up
there, and if he only knew in which cave the muses are living, he might
lead their dance like the Cynthian Apollo.' And when Master Spazzo,
shaking his head, replied, 'how does that regard me?' then the Abbot
said: 'The poet's no other than your Ekkehard. This news has reached us
from the cloister-school at St. Gall.' Master Spazzo then rejoined
laughingly: 'How can a man sing, who is not able to tell a story
even?'"
The Duchess had risen. "Be silent," said she, "I won't hear anything
more about it." Praxedis understood the wave of her hand, and
sorrowfully went away.
Dame Hadwig's heart, however, felt differently from what her tongue
uttered. She stepped up to the garden-wall, and looked over towards the
Helvetian mountains. Dusk had set in, and long, heavy steel-gray clouds
stood immovably over the evening-red that glowed and trembled beneath
them.
In looking at the beauty and softness of the waning day, her heart was
softened also. Her eyes were riveted on the Säntis, and it was as if
she saw a vision, in which the Heavens opened and sent down two angels,
who, descending to those heights, lifted up a man in a well-known
monk's habit, and the man was pale and dead, and an aureole of light,
clear and beautiful surrounded the airy procession ...
But Ekkehard was not dead.
A low hissing sound, made the Duchess start up from her reverie. Her
eyes glided over the dark rocky wall, down which the prisoner had once
made his escape, and beheld a dark figure disappearing in the shade,
whilst an arrow sped towards her, and dropped heavily at her feet.
She bent down to take up the curious missile. No hostile hand had sent
it from the bow. Thin parchment-leaves were rolled round the shaft,
whilst the point was covered with some wild flowers. She untied the
leaves, and did not fail to recognize the handwriting. It was
"Waltari's song." On the first page was written in pale red ink: "A
parting salutation for the Duchess of Suabia!" and beside it the words
of the apostle James: "Blessed is the man, who has conquered
temptation."
Then the proud woman inclined her head, and wept bitterly.--
* * *
Here our story is ended.
Ekkehard went out into the wide world, and never set eyes again on the
Hohentwiel. Neither did he ever return to the monastery of St. Gall. It
is true that when he descended from the Alps and approached the
well-known walls, he reflected whether he should not enter it again as
a penitent; but at the right moment an adage of the old Master of the
Alps occurred to him: "when a man has once been master, he does not
like to become a servant again,"--and so he passed by.
Later, a good deal was talked about a certain Ekkehard at the court of
the Saxon Emperor, who was said to be a proud, strong-willed and
reserved man; who to great piety united great contempt for the
world,--but contented, active and well-versed in all the arts. He
became the Emperor's chancellor, and tutor of his young son; and his
counsel was of great influence in all the affairs of the realm. One
historian reports of him, that by degrees he had risen to so much
honour, that there was a rumour that the highest dignity of the Church
was awaiting him.
The Empress Adelheid, also held him in great esteem; and his influence
was one of the chief causes that an army was sent out against the
overbearing King of Denmark.
It has not been ascertained whether this was the same Ekkehard of our
story.
Others have pretended that there had been several monks of the name of
Ekkehard in the monastery of St. Gall; and that he, who had instructed
the Duchess in Latin, was not the same who had composed Waltari's song.
Those, however, who have attentively read the story which we have now
happily brought to a conclusion, know better.
About the fate of the others whom our tale, in many-coloured forms, has
brought before the reader's eye, there is not much left to be told.
The Duchess Hadwig never married again; and in her pious widowhood
reached a considerable age. Later, she founded a humble little convent
on the Hohentwiel, to which she bequeathed her territories in the
Allemannian lands.
Ekkehard's name was no more allowed to be mentioned before her; but
Waltari's song was read very often, and she evidently derived much
pleasure and comfort from it. According to an,--however unwarranted
assertion of the monks from the Reichenau,--she is said to have known
it almost by heart.
Praxedis faithfully served her mistress for some years more; but by
degrees an irresistible longing for her bright, sunny home, took
possession of her, so that she declared that she could not bear the
Suabian air any longer.
Richly dowered, the Duchess let her go from her. Master Spazzo, the
chamberlain, gave her a gallant and honourable escort as far as
Venetia; from whence a Greek galley bore the still pretty maiden from
the city of St. Mark, to Byzantium. The accounts which she gave there
of the Bodensee, and the rough but faithful barbarian hearts near its
shores, were received by all the waiting-women at the Greek court with
a dubious shake of the head, as if she were speaking of a bewitched
sea, and some fabulous country.
Old Moengal, for some time longer took care of the spiritual welfare of
his parishioners. When the Huns threatened the land with another
invasion, he spent much time in making plans for their reception. He
proposed to dig some hundred deep pit-falls in the plain; to cover them
with boughs and ferns, and behind them, in full battle-array, to wait
for the enemy; so that horses and riders should thus be frustrated in
their wicked designs.
The evil guests, however, did not make their reappearance in the Hegau,
and thus robbed the parish-priest of the pleasure of splitting their
skulls with the mighty blows of his shilalah. A peaceful death overtook
the old sportsman, just when he was about to rest himself after a
prosperous falcon-hunt. On his grave, in the shadow of his grey
parish-church there grew a holly-bush, which became higher and more
knotty than any which had ever been seen in those parts; and people
said that it must be an offspring of their priest's good bludgeon,
Cambutta.
Audifax, the goat-herd, learned the goldsmith's art, and settled down
in the bishopric of Constance, where he produced much fine workmanship.
The companion of his adventures, there became his wedded spouse, and
the Duchess was god-mother to their first little son.
Burkhard the cloister-pupil, became a celebrated Abbot of the monastery
of St. Gallus, and on all great occasions he still manufactured many
dozens of learned Latin verses, from which, however, thanks to the
destroying powers of time, posterity has been spared.
... And all have long since become dust and ashes. Centuries have
passed, in swift procession over the places, where their fates were
fulfilled; and new stories have taken the place of the old ones.
The Hohentwiel has still witnessed a good deal, during war and peace.
Many a brave knight rode out of its gates, and many an imprisoned man
pined in its vaults,--until the last hour of the proud fortress struck;
for on a fine day in May, it was blown to pieces by the enemy, so that
towers and walls were scattered into the air.
In the present day, 'tis quiet enough on that summit. The goats are
peacefully grazing between the huge fragments; but from over the
glittering Bodensee, the Säntis still stands out in the blue distance,
as grand and beautiful as it did many hundred years ago; and it is
still a pleasurable thing, seated in the luxuriant grass, to look over
the land.
He, who has written this book, has sat up there, on many a
spring-evening, a strange and lonely guest; and the crows and jackdaws
flew tauntingly around him, as if they wanted to mock him, because he
was so lonely; and they did not notice that a numerous and honourable
party was assembled around him.--They were all those in fact, whose
acquaintance the reader has made in the course of this story; and they
told him every thing; clearly and distinctly, and they kindly
encouraged him to write it down, thus to help them to live again in the
memory of a later, railway-hurrying present.
And if he has succeeded in calling up also before you, much beloved
reader, who have patiently followed him till now, a distinct picture of
that faded, bygone time, then he considers himself well paid for his
trouble, and some head-ache. Fare-thee-well! and be his friend also in
the future!
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: Abbreviation of _domina_.]
[Footnote 2: An old Suabian law.]
[Footnote 3: The meaning of Hagen in German.]
THE END.
* * * * *
PRINTING OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER.
* * * * *
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Joseph Victor Scheffel
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