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diff --git a/old/slknt10.txt b/old/slknt10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..943b346 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/slknt10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1913 @@ +Project Gutenberg Aslauga's Knight by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque +#4 in our series by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check +the laws for your country before redistributing these files!!! + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. + +Please do not remove this. + +This should be the first thing seen when anyone opens the book. +Do not change or edit it without written permission. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.12.12.00*END* + + + + + +This Gutenberg Etext of "Aslauga's Knight," +by Friedrich de La Motte-Fouque was scanned and proofed +by Sandra Laythorpe, slaythorpe@cwcom.net. + + + + + +Aslauga's Knight + +by Fredrich de la Motte-Fouque + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + + +Many years ago there lived in the island of Fuhnen a noble +knight, called Froda, the friend of the Skalds, who was so +named because he not only offered free hospitality in his fair +castle to every renowned and noble bard, but likewise strove +with all his might to discover those ancient songs, and tales, +and legends which, in Runic writings or elsewhere, were still +to be found; he had even made some voyages to Iceland in +search of them, and had fought many a hard battle with the +pirates of those seas--for he was also a right valiant knight, +and he followed his great ancestors not only in their love of +song, but also in their bold deeds of arms. Although he was +still scarcely beyond the prime of youth, yet all the other +nobles in the island willingly submitted themselves to him, +whether in council or in war; nay, his renown had even been +carried ere now over the sea to the neighbouring land of +Germany. + +One bright autumn evening this honour-loving knight sat before +his castle, as he was often wont to do, that he might look far +and wide over land and sea, and that he might invite any +travellers who were passing by, as was his custom, to share in +his noble hospitality. + +But on this day he saw little of all that he was accustomed to +look upon; for on his knees there lay an ancient book with +skilfully and richly painted characters, which a learned +Icelander had just sent to him across the sea: it was the +history of Aslauga, the fair daughter of Sigurd, who at first, +concealing her high birth, kept goats among the simple +peasants of the land, clothed in mean attire; then, in the +golden veil of her flowing hair, won the love of King Ragnar +Lodbrog; and at last shone brightly on the Danish throne as +his glorious queen, till the day of her death. + +To the Knight Froda it seemed as though the gracious Lady +Aslauga rose in life and birth before him, so that his calm +and steadfast heart, true indeed to ladies' service, but never +yet devoted to one particular female image, burst forth in a +clear flame of love for the fair daughter of Sigurd. "What +matters it," thought he to himself, "that it is more than a +hundred years since she disappeared from earth? She sees so +clearly into this heart of mine--and what more can a knight +desire? wherefore she shall henceforth be my honoured love, +and shall inspire me in battle and in song." And therewith he +sang a lay on his new love, which ran in the following manner: + + + "They ride over hill and dale apace + To seek for their love the fairest face-- + They search through city and forest-glade + To find for their love the gentlest maid-- + They climb wherever a path may lead + To seek the wisest dame for their meed. + Ride on, ye knights: but ye never may see + What the light of song has shown to me: + Loveliest, gentlest, and wisest of all, + Bold be the deeds that her name shall recall; + What though she ne'er bless my earthly sight? + Yet death shall reveal her countenance bright. + Fair world, good night! Good day, sweet love! + Who seeks here in faith shall find above." + + +"Such purpose may come to good," said a hollow voice near the +knight; and when he looked round, he saw the form of a poor +peasant woman, so closely wrapped in a grey mantle that he +could not discern any part of her countenance. She looked +over his shoulder on the book, and said, with a deep sigh, +"I know that story well; and it fares no better with me than +with the princess of whom it tells." Froda looked at her with +astonishment. "Yes, yes," pursued she, with strange becks and +nods; "I am the descendant of the mighty Rolf, to whom the +fairest castles and forests and fields of this island once +belonged; your castle and your domains, Froda, amongst others, +were his. We are now cast down to poverty; and because I am +not so fair as Aslauga there is no hope that my possessions +will be restored to me; and therefore I am fain to veil my +poor face from every eye." It seemed that she shed warm tears +beneath her mantle. At this Froda was greatly moved, and +begged her, for God's sake, to let him know how he could help +her, for that he was a descendant of the famous northern +heroes of the olden time; and perhaps yet something more than +they--namely, a good Christian. "I almost think," murmured +she from beneath her covering, "that you are that very Froda +whom men call the Good, and the friend of the Skalds, and of +whose generosity and mildness such wonderful stories are told. +If it be so, there may be help for me. You need only give up +to me the half of your fields and meadows, and I should be in +a condition to live in some measure such a life as befits the +descendant of the mighty Rolf." Then Froda looked +thoughtfully on the ground; partly because she had asked for +so very much; partly, also, because he was considering whether +she could really be descended from the powerful Rolf. But the +veiled form said, after a pause, "I must have been mistaken, +and you are not indeed that renowned, gentle-hearted Froda: +for how could be have doubted so long about such a trifle? +But I will try the utmost means. See now! for the sake of the +fair Aslauga, of whom you have both read and sang--for the +sake of the honoured daughter of Sigurd, grant my request!" +Then Froda started up eagerly, and cried, "Let it be as you +have said!" and gave her his knightly hand to confirm his +words. But he could not grasp the hand of the peasant-woman, +although her dark form remained close before him. A secret +shudder began to run through his limbs, whilst suddenly a +light seemed to shine forth from the apparition--a golden +light--in which she became wholly wrapped; so that he felt as +though Aslauga stood before him in the flowing veil of her +golden hair, and smiling graciously on him. Transported and +dazzled, he sank on his knees. When he rose up once more he +only saw a cloudy mist of autumn spreading over the meadow, +fringed at its edges with lingering evening lights, and then +vanishing far over the waves. The knight scarcely knew what +had happened to him. He returned to his chamber buried in +thought, and sometimes feeling sure that he had beheld +Aslauga, sometimes, again, that some goblin had risen before +him with deceitful tricks, mocking in spiteful wise the +service which he had vowed to his dead mistress. But +henceforth, wherever he roved, over valley or forest or heath, +or whether he sailed upon the waves of the sea, the like +appearances met him. Once he found a lute lying in a wood, +and drove a wolf away from it, and when sounds burst from the +lute without its being touched a fair child rose up from it, +as of old Aslauga herself had done. At another time he would +see goats clambering among the highest cliffs by the sea- +shore, and it was a golden form who tended them. Then, again, +a bright queen, resplendent in a dazzling bark, would seem to +glide past him, and salute him graciously,--and if he strove +to approach any of those he found nothing but cloud, and mist, +and vapour. Of all this many a lay might be sung. But so +much he learnt from them all--that the fair Lady Aslauga +accepted his service, and that he was now indeed and in truth +become her knight. + +Meanwhile the winter had come and gone. In northern lands +this season never fails to bring to those who understand and +love it many an image full of beauty and meaning, with which +a child of man might well be satisfied, so far as earthly +happiness can satisfy, through all his time on earth. But +when the spring came glancing forth with its opening buds and +flowing waters there came also bright and sunny tidings from +the land of Germany to Fuhnen. + +There stood on the rich banks of the Maine, where it pours +its waters through the fertile land of Franconia, a castle +of almost royal magnificence, whose orphan-mistress was a +relation of the German emperor. She was named Hildegardis; +and was acknowledged far and wide as the fairest of maidens. +Therefore her imperial uncle wished that she should wed none +but the bravest knight who could anywhere be met with. +Accordingly he followed the example of many a noble lord in +such a case, and proclaimed a tournament, at which the chief +prize should be the hand of the peerless Hildegardis, unless +the victor already bore in his heart a lady wedded or +betrothed to him; for the lists were not to be closed to any +brave warrior of equal birth, that the contest of strength and +courage might be so much the richer in competitors. + +Now the renowned Froda had tidings of this from his German +brethren-in-arms; and he prepared himself to appear at the +festival. Before all things, he forged for himself a splendid +suit of armour; as, indeed, he was the most excellent armourer +of the north, far-famed as it is for skill in that art. He +worked the helmet out of pure gold, and formed it so that it +seemed to be covered with bright flowing locks, which called +to mind Aslauga's tresses. He also fashioned, on the +breastplate of his armour, overlaid with silver, a golden +image in half relief, which represented Aslauga in her veil of +flowing locks, that he might make known, even at the beginning +of the tournament--"This knight, bearing the image of a lady +upon his breast, fights not for the hand of the beautiful +Hildegardis, but only for the joy of battle and for knightly +fame." Then he took out of his stables a beautiful Danish +steed, embarked it carefully on board a vessel, and sailed +prosperously to the opposite shore. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + + +In one of those fair beech-woods which abound in the fertile +land of Germany he fell in with a young and courteous knight +of delicate form, who asked the noble northman to share the +meal which he had invitingly spread out upon the greensward, +under the shade of the pleasantest boughs. Whilst the two +knights sat peacefully together at their repast they felt +drawn towards each other and rejoiced when on rising from it, +they observed that they were about to follow the same road. +They had not come to this good understanding by means of many +words; for the young knight Edwald was of a silent nature, and +would sit for hours with a quiet smile upon his lips without +opening them to speak. But even in that quiet smile there lay +a gentle, winning grace; and when from time to time a few +simple words of deep meaning sprang to his lips they seemed +like a gift deserving of thanks. It was the same with the +little songs which he sang ever and anon: they were ended +almost as soon as begun; but in each short couplet there dwelt +a deep and winning spirit, whether it called forth a kindly +sigh or a peaceful smile. It seemed to the noble Froda as if +a younger brother rode beside him, or even a tender, blooming +son. They travelled thus many days together; and it appeared +as if their path were marked out for them in inseparable +union; and much as they rejoiced at this, yet they looked +sadly at each other whenever they set out afresh, or where +cross-roads met, on finding that neither took a different +direction: nay, it seemed at times as if a tear gathered in +Edwald's downcast eye. + +It happened on a time, that at their hostelry they met an +arrogant, overbearing knight, of gigantic stature and powerful +frame, whose speech and carriage proved him to be not of +German but foreign birth. He appeared to come from the land +of Bohemia. He cast a contemptuous smile on Froda, who, as +usual, had opened the ancient book of Aslauga's history, and +was attentively reading in it. "You must be a ghostly +knight?" he said, inquiringly; and it appeared as if a whole +train of unseemly jests were ready to follow. But Froda +answered so firmly and seriously with a negative that the +Bohemian stopped short suddenly; as when the beasts, after +venturing to mock their king, the lion, are subdued to +quietness by one glance of his eye. But not so easily was the +Bohemian knight subdued; rather the more did he begin to mock +young Edwald for his delicate form and for his silence--all +which he bore for some time with great patience; but when at +last the stranger used an unbecoming phrase, he arose, girded +on his sword, and bowing gracefully, he said, "I thank you, +Sir Knight, that you have given me this opportunity of proving +that I am neither a slothful nor unpractised knight; for only +thus can your behaviour be excused, which otherwise must be +deemed most unmannerly. Are you ready?" + +With these words he moved towards the door; the Bohemian +knight followed, smiling scornfully; while Froda was full of +care for his young and slender companion, although his honour +was so dear to him that he could in no way interpose. + +But it soon appeared how needless were the northman's fears. +With equal vigour and address did Edwald assault his gigantic +adversary, so that to look upon, it was almost like one of +those combats between a knight and some monster of the forest, +of which ancient legends tell. The issue, too, was not +unlike. While the Bohemian was collecting himself for a +decisive stroke Edwald rushed in upon him, and, with the force +of a wrestler, cast him to the ground. But he spared his +conquered foe, helped him courteously to rise, and then turned +to mount his own steed. Soon after he and Froda left the +hostelry, and once more their journey led them on the same +path as before. + +"From henceforth this gives me pleasure," said Froda, pointing +with satisfaction to their common road. "I must own to you, +Edchen"--he had accustomed himself, in loving confidence, to +call his young friend by that childlike name--"I must own to +you that hitherto, when I have thought that you might perhaps +be journeying with me to the tournament held in honour of the +fair Hildegardis, a heaviness came over my heart. Your noble +knightly spirit I well knew, but I feared lest the strength of +your slender limbs might not be equal to it. Now I have +learned to know you as a warrior who may long seek his match; +and God be praised if we still hold on in the same path, and +welcome our earliest meeting in the lists!" + +But Edwald looked at him sorrowfully, and said, "What can my +skill and strength avail if they be tried against you, and for +the greatest earthly prize, which one of us alone can win? +Alas! I have long foreboded with a heavy heart the sad truth, +that you also are journeying to the tournament of the fair +Hildegardis." + +"Edchen," answered Froda, with a smile, "my gentle, loving +youth, see you not that I already wear on my breastplate the +image of a liege lady? I strive but for renown in arms, and +not for your fair Hildegardis!" + +"MY fair Hildegardis!" answered Edwald, with a sigh. "That +she is not, nor ever will be--or should she, ah! Froda, it +would pierce your heart. I know well the northland faith +is deep-rooted as your rocks, and hard to dissolve as their +summits of snow; but let no man think that he can look +unscathed into the eyes of Hildegardis. Has not she, the +haughty, the too haughty maiden, so bewitched my tranquil, +lowly mind, that I forget the gulf which lies between us, and +still pursue her; and would rather perish than renounce the +daring hope to win that eagle spirit for my own?" + +"I will help you to it, Edchen," answered Froda, smiling +still. "Would that I knew how this all-conquering lady looks! +She must resemble the Valkyrien of our heathen forefathers, +since so many mighty warriors are overcome by her." + +Edwald solemnly drew forth a picture from beneath his +breastplate, and held it before him. Fixed, and as if +enchanted, Froda gazed upon it, with glowing cheeks and +sparkling eyes; the smile passed away from his countenance, +as the sunlight fades away from the meadows before the coming +darkness of the storm. + +"See you not now, my noble comrade," whispered Edwald, "that +for one of us two, or perhaps for both, the joy of life is +gone?" + +"Not yet," replied Froda, with a powerful effort; "but hide +your magic picture, and let us rest beneath this shade. You +must be somewhat spent with your late encounter, and a strange +weariness oppresses me with leaden weight." They dismounted +from their steeds, and stretched themselves upon the ground. + +The noble Froda had no thought of sleep; but he wished to be +undisturbed whilst he wrestled strongly with himself, and +strove, if it might be, to drive from his mind that image of +fearful beauty. It seemed as if this new influence had +already become a part of his very life, and at last a restless +dreamy sleep did indeed overshadow the exhausted warrior. He +fancied himself engaged in combat with many knights, whilst +Hildegardis looked on smiling from a richly-adorned balcony; +and just as he thought he had gained the victory the bleeding +Edwald lay groaning beneath his horse's feet. Then again it +seemed as if Hildegardis stood by his side in a church, and +they were about to receive the marriage-blessing. He knew +well that this was not right, and the "yes," which he was to +utter, he pressed back with resolute effort into his heart, +and forthwith his eyes were moistened with burning tears. +>From yet stranger and more bewildering visions the voice of +Edwald at last awoke him. He raised himself up, and heard his +young companion saying courteously, as he looked towards a +neighbouring thicket, "Only return, noble maiden; I will +surely help you if I can; and I had no wish to scare you away, +but that the slumbers of my brother in arms might not be +disturbed by you." A golden gleam shone through the branches +as it vanished. + +"For heaven's sake", my faithful comrade," cried Froda, "to +whom are you speaking, and who has been here by me?" + +"I cannot myself rightly understand," said Edwald. "Hardly +had you dropped asleep when a figure came forth from the +forest, closely wrapped in a dark mantle. At first I took her +for a peasant. She seated herself at your head; and though I +could see nothing of her countenance, I could well observe +that she was sorely troubled, and even shedding tears. I made +signs to her to depart, lest she should disturb your sleep; +and would have offered her a piece of gold, supposing that +poverty must be the cause of her deep distress. But my hand +seemed powerless, and a shudder passed through me, as if I had +entertained such a purpose towards a queen. Immediately +glittering locks of gold waved here and there between the +folds of her close-wrapped mantle, and the thicket began +almost to shine in the light which they shed. 'Poor youth,' +said she then, 'you love truly, and can well understand how +a lofty woman's heart burns in keenest sorrow when a noble +knight, who vowed himself to be her own, withdraws his heart, +and, like a weak bondman, is led away to meaner hopes.' +Hereupon she arose, and, sighing, disappeared in yonder +thicket. It almost seemed to me, Froda, as though she uttered +your name." + +"Yes, it was me she named," answered Froda; "and not in vain +she named me. Aslauga, thy knight comes, and enters the +lists, and all for thee and thy reward alone! At the same +time, my Edchen, we will win for you your haughty bride." +With this he sprang upon his steed, full of the proud joy of +former times; and when the magic of Hildegardis' beauty, +dazzling and bewildering, would rise up before him, he said, +smiling, "Aslauga!" and the sun of his inner life shone forth +again cloudless and serene. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + + +>From a balcony of her castle on the Maine Hildegardis was wont +to refresh herself in the cool of the evening by gazing on the +rich landscape below, but gazing more eagerly on the glitter +of arms, which often came in sight from many a distant road; +for knights were approaching singly, or with a train of +followers, all eager to prove their courage and their strength +in striving for the high prize of the tournament. She was in +truth a proud and high-minded maiden--perhaps more so than +became even her dazzling beauty and her princely rank. As she +now gazed with a proud smile on the glittering roads a damsel +of her train began the following lay:-- + + + "The joyous song of birds in spring + Upon the wing + Doth echo far through wood and dell, + And freely tell + Their treasures sweet of love and mirth, + Too gladsome for this lowly earth. + + "The gentle breath of flowers in May, + O'er meadows gay, + Doth fill the pure and balmy air + With perfume rare; + Still floating round each slender form, + Though scorched by sun, or torn by storm. + + "But every high and glorious aim, + And the pure flame + That deep abiding in my heart + Can ne'er depart, + Too lofty for my falt'ring tongue, + Must die with me, unknown, unsung." + + +"Wherefore do you sing that song, and at this moment?" said +Hildegardis, striving to appear scornful and proud, though a +deep and secret sadness was plainly enough seen to overshadow +her countenance. "It came into my head unawares," replied the +damsel, "as I looked upon the road by which the gentle Edwald +with his pleasant lays first approached us; for it was from +him I learnt it. But seems it not to you, my gracious lady, +and to you too, my companions, as if Edwald himself were again +riding that way towards the castle?" "Dreamer!" said +Hildegardis, scornfully--and yet could not for some space +withdraw her eyes from the knight, till at length, with an +effort, she turned them on Froda, who rode beside him, saying: +"Yes, truly, that knight is Edwald; but what can you find to +notice in the meek-spirited, silent boy? Here, fix your eyes, +my maidens, on this majestic figure, if you would behold a +knight indeed." She was silent. A voice within her, as +though of prophecy, said, "Now the victor of the tournament +rides into the courtyard;" and she, who had never feared the +presence of any human being, now felt humbled, and almost +painfully awed, when she beheld the northern knight. + +At the evening meal the two newly-arrived knights were placed +opposite to the royal Hildegardis. As Froda, after the +northern fashion, remained in full armour, the golden image of +Aslauga gleamed from his silver breast-plate full before the +eyes of the haughty lady. She smiled scornfully, as if +conscious that it depended on her will to drive that image +from the breast and from the heart of the stranger-knight. +Then suddenly a clear golden light passed through the hall, +so that Hildegardis said, "0, the keen lightning!" and covered +her eyes with both her hands. But Froda looked into the +dazzling radiance with a joyful gaze of welcome. At this +Hildegardis feared him yet more, though at the same time she +thought, "This loftiest and most mysterious of men must be +born for me alone." Yet could she not forbear, almost against +her will, to look from time to time in friendly tenderness on +the poor Edwald, who sat there silent, and with a sweet smile +seemed to pity and to mock his own suffering and his own vain +hopes. + +"When the two knights were alone in their sleeping-chamber +Edwald looked for a long time in silence into the dewy, balmy +night. Then he sang to his lute: + + + "A hero wise and brave, + A lowly, tender youth, + Are wandering through the land + In steadfast love and truth. + + "The hero, by his deeds, + Both bliss and fame had won, + And still, with heartfelt joy, + The faithful child looked on." + + +But Froda took the lute from his hands, and said, "No, Edchen, +I will teach you another song; listen!-- + + + "'There's a gleam in the hall, and like morning's light + Hath shone upon all her presence bright. + Suitors watch as she passes by-- + She may gladden their hearts by one glance of her eye: + But coldly she gazeth upon the throng, + And they that have sought her may seek her long. + She turns her away from the richly clad knight, + She heeds not the words of the learned wight; + The prince is before her in all his pride, + But other the visions around her that glide. + Then tell me, in all the wide world's space, + Who may e'er win that lady's grace? + In sorrowful love there sits apart + The gentle squire who hath her heart; + They all are deceived by fancies vain, + And he knows it not who the prize shall gain.'" + + +Edwald thrilled. "As God wills," said he, softly to himself. +"But I cannot understand how such a thing could be." "As God +wills," repeated Froda. The two friends embraced each other, +and soon after fell into a peaceful slumber. + +Some days afterwards Froda sat in a secluded bower of the +castle garden, and was reading in the ancient book of his +lovely mistress Aslauga. It happened at that very time that +Hildegardis passed by. She stood still, and said, +thoughtfully, "Strange union that you are of knight and sage, +how comes it that you bring forth so little out of the deep +treasures of your knowledge? And yet I think you must have +many a choice history at your command, even such as that which +now lies open before you; for I see rich and bright pictures +of knights and ladies painted amongst the letters." + +"It is, indeed, the most surpassing and enchanting history in +all the world," said Froda; "but you have neither patience nor +thoughtfulness to listen to our wonderful legends of the +north." + + "Why think you so?" answered Hildegardis, with that pride +which she rejoiced to display towards Froda, when she could +find courage to do so; and, placing herself on a stone seat +opposite, she commanded him at once to read something to her +out of that fair book. + +Froda began, and in the very effort which he made to change +the old heroic speech of Iceland into the German tongue, his +heart and mind were stirred more fervently and solemnly. As +he looked up from time to time, he beheld the countenance of +Hildegardis beaming in ever-growing beauty with joy, wonder, +and interest; and the thought passed through his mind whether +this could indeed be his destined bride, to whom Aslauga +herself was guiding him. + +Then suddenly the characters became strangely confused; it +seemed as if the pictures began to move, so that he was +obliged to stop. While he fixed his eyes with a strong effort +upon the book, endeavouring to drive away this strange +confusion, he heard a well-known sweetly solemn voice, which +said, "Leave a little space for me, fair lady. The history +which that knight is reading to you relates to me; and I hear +it gladly." + +Before the eyes of Froda, as he raised them from his book, sat +Aslauga in all the glory of her flowing golden locks beside +Hildegardis, on the seat. With tears of affright in her eyes, +the maiden sank back and fainted. Solemnly, yet graciously, +Aslauga warned her knight with a motion of her fair right +hand, and vanished. + +"What have I done to you?" said Hildegardis when recovered +from her swoon by his care, "what have I done to you, evil- +minded knight, that you call up your northern spectres before +me, and well-nigh destroy me through terror of your magic +arts? "Lady," answered Froda, "may God help me, as I have not +called hither the wondrous lady who but now appeared to us. +But now her will is known to me, and I commend you to God's +keeping." + +With that he walked thoughtfully out of the bower. +Hildegardis fled in terror from the gloomy shade, and, rushing +out on the opposite side, reached a fair open grass-plot, +where Edwald, in the soft glow of twilight, was gathering +flowers, and, meeting her with a courteous smile, offered her +a nosegay of narcissus and pansies. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + + +At length the day fixed for the tournament arrived, and a +distinguished noble, appointed by the German emperor, arranged +all things in the most magnificent and sumptuous guise for the +solemn festival. The field of combat opened wide, and fair, +and level, thickly strewn with the finest sand, so that, both +man and horse might find sure footing; and, like a pure field +of snow, it shone forth from the midst of the flowery plain. +Rich hangings of silk from Arabia, curiously embroidered with +Indian gold, adorned with their various colours the lists +enclosing the space, and hung from the lofty galleries which +had been erected for the ladies and the nobles who were to +behold the combat. At the upper end, under a canopy of +majestic arches richly wrought in gold, was the place of the +Lady Hildegardis. Green wreaths and garlands waved gracefully +between the glittering pillars in the soft breezes of July. +And with impatient eyes the multitude, who crowded beyond the +lists, gazed upwards, expecting the appearance of the fairest +maiden of Germany, and were only at times drawn to another +part by the stately approach of the combatants. Oh, how many +a bright suit of armour, many a silken richly-embroidered +mantle, how many a lofty waving plume was here to be seen! +The splendid troop of knights moved within the lists, greeting +and conversing with each other, as a bed of flowers stirred by +a breath of wind; but the flower-stems had grown to lofty +trees, the yellow and white flower-leaves had changed to gold +and silver, and the dew-drops to pearls and diamonds. For +whatever was most fair and costly, most varied and full of +meaning, had these noble knights collected in honour of this +day. Many an eye was turned on Froda, who, without scarf, +plume, or mantle, with his shining silver breastplate, on +which appeared the golden image of Aslauga, and with his well- +wrought helmet of golden locks, shone, in the midst of the +crowd, like polished brass. Others, again, there were, who +took pleasure in looking at the young Edwald; his whole armour +was covered by a mantle of white silk, embroidered in azure +and silver, as his whole helmet was concealed by a waving +plume of white feathers. He was arrayed with almost feminine +elegance, and yet the conscious power with which he controlled +his fiery, snow-white steed made known the victorious strength +and manliness of the warlike stripling. + +In strange contrast appeared the tall and almost gigantic +figure of a knight clothed in a mantle of black glossy +bearskin, bordered with costly fur, but without any ornament +of shining metal. His very helmet was covered with dark +bearskin, and, instead of plumes, a mass of blood-red +horsehair hung like a flowing mane profusely on every side. +Well did Froda and Edwald remember that dark knight, for he +was the uncourteous guest of the hostelry. He also seemed to +remark the two knights, for he turned his unruly steed +suddenly round, forced his way through the crowd of warriors, +and, after he had spoken over the enclosure to a hideous +bronze-coloured woman, sprang with a wild leap across the +lists, and, with the speed of an arrow, vanished out of sight. +The old woman looked after him with a friendly nod. The +assembled people laughed as at a strange masquing device; but +Edwald and Froda had their own almost shuddering thoughts +concerning it, which, however, neither imparted to the other. + +The kettle-drums rolled, the trumpets sounded, and led by the +aged duke, Hildegardis advanced, richly apparelled, but more +dazzling through the brightness of her own beauty. She +stepped forward beneath the arches of the golden bower, and +bowed to the assembly. The knights bent low, and the feeling +rushed into many a heart, "There is no man on earth who can +deserve a bride so queenly." When Froda bowed his head, it +seemed to him as if the golden radiance of Aslauga'a tresses +floated before his sight; and his spirit rose in joy and pride +that his lady held him worthy to be so often reminded of her. + +And now the tournament began. At first the knights strove +with blunted swords and battle-axes; then they ran their +course with lances man to man; but at last they divided into +two equal parties, and a general assault began, in which every +one was allowed to use at his own will either sword or lance. +Froda and Edwald equally surpassed their antagonists, as +(measuring each his own strength and that of his friend) they +had foreseen. And now it must be decided by a single combat +with lances to whom the highest prize of victory should +belong. Before this trial began, they rode slowly together +into the middle of the course, and consulted where each should +take his place. "Keep you your guiding-star still before your +sight," said Froda, with a smile; "the like gracious help will +not be wanting to me." Edwald looked round astonished for the +lady of whom his friend seemed to speak, but Froda went on, "I +have done wrong in hiding aught from you, but after the +tournament you shall know all. Now lay aside all needless +thoughts of wonder, dear Edchen, and sit firm in your saddle, +for I warn you that I shall run this course with all my might. +Not my honour alone is at stake, but the far higher honour of +my lady." + +"So also do I purpose to demean myself," said Edwald, with a +friendly smile. They shook each other by the hand, and rode +to their places. + +Amidst the sound of trumpets they met again, running their +course with lightning speed; the lances shivered with a crash, +the horses staggered, the knights, firm in their saddles, +pulled them up, and rode back to their places. But as they +prepared for another course, Edwald's white steed snorted in +wild affright, and Froda's powerful chestnut reared up +foaming. + +It was plain that the two noble animals shrunk from a second +hard encounter, but their riders held them fast with spur and +bit, and, firm and obedient, they again dashed forward at the +second call of the trumpet. Edwald, who by one deep, ardent +gaze on the beauty of his mistress had stamped it afresh on +his soul, cried aloud at the moment of encounter, +"Hildegardis!" and so mightily did his lance strike his +valiant adversary, that Froda sank backwards on his steed, +with difficulty keeping his seat in his saddle, or holding +firm in his stirrups, whilst Edwald flew by unshaken, lowered +his spear to salute Hildegardis as he passed her bower, and +then, amidst the loud applause of the multitude, rushed to his +place, ready for the third course. And, ah! Hildegardis +herself, overcome by surprise, had greeted him with a blush +and a look of kindness; it seemed to him as if the +overwhelming joy of victory were already gained. But it was +not so, for the valiant Froda, burning with noble shame, had +again tamed his affrighted steed, and, chastising him sharply +with the spur for his share in this mischance, said in a low +voice, "Beautiful and beloved lady, show thyself to me--the +honour of thy name is at stake." To every other eye it seemed +as if a golden rosy-tinted summer's cloud was passing over the +deep-blue sky, but Froda beheld the heavenly countenance of +his lady, felt the waving of her golden tresses, and cried, +"Aslauga!" The two rushed together, and Edwald was hurled +from his saddle far upon the dusty plain. + +Froda remained for a time motionless, according to the laws of +chivalry, as though waiting to see whether any one would +dispute his victory, and appearing on his mailed steed like +some lofty statue of brass. All around stood the multitude in +silent wonderment. When at length they burst forth into +shouts of triumph, he beckoned earnestly with his hand, and +all were again silent. He then sprang lightly from his +saddle, and hastened to the spot where the fallen Edwald was +striving to rise. He pressed him closely to his breast, led +his snow-white steed towards him, and would not be denied +holding the stirrups of the youth whilst he mounted. Then he +bestrode his own steed, and rode by Edwald's side towards the +golden bower of Hildegardis, where, with lowered spear and +open vizor, he thus spoke: "Fairest of all living ladies, I +bring you here Edwald, your knightly bridegroom, before whose +lance and sword all the knights of this tournament have fallen +away, I only excepted, who can make no claim to the choicest +prize of victory, since I, as the image on my breastplate may +show, already serve another mistress." + +The duke was even now advancing towards the two warriors, to +lead them into the golden bower, but Hildegardis restrained +him with a look of displeasure, saying immediately, while her +cheeks glowed with anger, "Then you seem, Sir Froda, the +Danish knight, to serve your lady ill; for even now you openly +styled me the fairest of living ladies." + +"That did I," answered Froda, bending courteously, "because my +fair mistress belongs to the dead." + +A slight shudder passed at these words through the assembly, +and through the heart of Hildegardis; but soon the anger of +the maiden blazed forth again, and the more because the most +wonderful and excellent knight she knew had scorned her for +the sake of a dead mistress. + +"I make known to all," she said, with solemn earnestness, +"that according to the just decree of my imperial uncle, this +hand can never belong to a vanquished knight, however noble +and honourable he may otherwise have proved himself. As the +conqueror of this tournament, therefore, is bound to another +service, this combat concerns me not; and I depart hence as +I came, a free and unbetrothed maiden." + +The duke seemed about to reply, but she turned haughtily away, +and left the bower. Suddenly a gust of wind shook the green +wreaths and garlands, and they fell untwined and rustling +behind her. In this the people, displeased with the pride of +Hildegardis, thought they beheld an omen of punishment, and +with jeering words noticed it as they departed. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + + +The two knights had returned to their apartments in deep +silence. When they arrived there, Edwald caused himself to +be disarmed, and laid every piece of his fair shining armour +together with a kind of tender care, almost as if he were +burying the corpse of a beloved friend. Then he beckoned to +his squires to leave the chamber, took his lute on his arm, +and sang the following song to its notes:-- + + + "Bury them, bury them out of sight, + For hope and fame are fled; + And peaceful resting and quiet night + Are all now left for the dead." + + +"You will stir up my anger against your lute," said Froda. +"You had accustomed it to more joyful songs than this. It +is too good for a passing-bell, and you too good to toll it. +I tell you yet, my young hero, all will end gloriously." + +Edwald looked a while with wonder in his face, and he answered +kindly: "Beloved Froda, if it displeases you, I will surely +sing no more." But at the same time he struck a few sad +chords, which sounded infinitely sweet and tender. Then the +northern knight, much moved, clasped him in his arms, and +said: "Dear Edchen, sing and say and do whatever pleases you; +it shall ever rejoice me. But you may well believe me, for I +speak not this without a spirit of presage--your sorrow shall +change, whether to death or life I know not, but great and +overpowering joy awaits you." Edwald rose firmly and +cheerfully from his seat, seized his companion's arm with a +strong grasp, and walked forth with him through the blooming +alleys of the garden into the balmy air. + +At that very hour an aged woman, muffled in many a covering, +was led secretly to the apartment of the Lady Hildegardis. +The appearance of the dark-complexioned stranger was +mysterious, and she had gathered round her for some time, by +many feats of jugglery, a part of the multitude returning home +from the tournament, but had dispersed them at last in wild +affright. Before this happened, the tire-woman of Hildegardis +had hastened to her mistress, to entertain her with an account +of the rare and pleasant feats of the bronze-coloured woman. +The maidens in attendance, seeing their lady deeply moved, and +wishing to banish her melancholy, bade the tire-woman bring +the old stranger hither. Hildegardis forbade it not, hoping +that she should thus divert the attention of her maidens, +while she gave herself up more deeply and earnestly to the +varying imaginations which flitted through her mind. + +The messenger found the place already deserted; and the +strange old woman alone in the midst, laughing immoderately. +When questioned by her, she did not deny that she had all at +once taken the form of a monstrous owl, announcing to the +spectators in a screeching voice that she was the Devil--and +that every one upon this rushed screaming home. + +The tire-woman trembled at the fearful jest, but durst not +return to ask again the pleasure of Hildegardis, whose +discontented mood she had already remarked. She gave strict +charge to the old woman, with many a threat and promise, to +demean herself discreetly in the castle: after which she +brought her in by the most secret way, that none of those whom +she had terrified might see her enter. + +The aged crone now stood before Hildegardis, and winked to +her, in the midst of her low and humble salutation, in a +strangely familiar manner, as though there were some secret +between them. The lady felt an involuntary shudder, and could +not withdraw her gaze from the features of that hideous +countenance, hateful as it was to her. The curiosity which +had led the rest to desire a sight of the strange woman was by +no means gratified, for she performed none but the most common +tricks of jugglery, and related only well-known tales, so that +the tire-woman felt wearied and indifferent and, ashamed of +having brought the stranger, she stole away unnoticed. +Several other maidens followed her example, and, as these +withdrew, the old crone twisted her mouth into a smile, and +repeated the same hideous confidential wink towards the lady. +Hildegardis could not understand what attracted her in the +jests and tales of the bronze-coloured woman; but so it was, +that in her whole life she had never bestowed such attention +on the words of any one. Still the old woman went on and on, +and already the night looked dark without the windows, but the +attendants who still remained with Hildegardis had sunk into a +deep sleep, and had lighted none of the wax tapers in the +apartment. + +Then, in the dusky gloom, the dark old crone rose from the low +seat on which she had been sitting, as if she now felt herself +well at ease, advanced towards Hildegardis, who sat as if +spell-bound with terror, placed herself beside her on the +purple couch, and embracing her in her long dry arms with a +hateful caress, whispered a few words in her ear. It seemed +to the lady as if she uttered the names of Froda and Edwald, +and from them came the sound of a flute, which, clear and +silvery as were its tones, seemed to lull her into a trance. +She could indeed move her limbs, but only to follow those +sounds, which, like a silver network, floated round the +hideous form of the old woman. She moved from the chamber, +and Hildegardis followed her through all her slumbering +maidens, still singing softly as she went, "Ye maidens, ye +maidens, I wander by night." + +Without the castle, accompanied by squire and groom, stood the +gigantic Bohemian warrior; he laid on the shoulders of the +crone a bag of gold so heavy that she sank half whimpering, +half laughing, on the ground; then lifted the entranced +Hildegardis on his steed, and galloped with her silently into +the ever-deepening gloom of night. + +"All ye noble lords and knights, who yesterday contended +gallantly for the prize of victory and the hand of the +peerless Hildegardis, arise, arise! saddle your steeds, and +to the rescue! The peerless Hildegardis is carried away!" + +Thus proclaimed many a herald through castle and town in the +bright red dawn of the following day; and on all sides rose +the dust from the tread of knights and noble squires along +those roads by which so lately, in the evening twilight, +Hildegardis in proud repose had gazed on her approaching +suitors. + +Two of them, well known to us, remained inseparably together, +but they knew as little as the others whether they had taken +the right direction, for how and when the adored lady could +have disappeared from her apartments was still to the whole +castle a fearful and mysterious secret. + +Edwald and Froda rode as long as the sun moved over their +heads, unwearied as he; and now, when he sank in the waves of +the river, they thought to win the race from him, and still +spurred on their jaded steeds. But the noble animals +staggered and panted, and the knights were constrained to +grant them some little refreshment in a grassy meadow. Secure +of bringing them back at their first call, their masters +removed both bit and curb, that they might be refreshed with +the green pasture, and with the deep blue waters of the Maine, +while they themselves reposed under the shade of a +neighbouring thicket of alders. And deep in the cool, dark +shade, there shone, as it were, a mild but clear sparkling +light, and checked the speech of Froda, who at that moment was +beginning to tell his friend the tale of his knightly service +to his sovereign lady, which had been delayed hitherto, first +by Edwald's sadness, and then by the haste of their journey. +Ah, well did Froda know that lovely golden light! "Let us +follow it, Edchen," said he in a low tone, "and leave the +horses a while to their pasture." Edwald in silence followed +his companion's advice. A secret voice, half sweet, half +fearful, seemed to tell him that here was the path, the only +right path to Hildegardis. Once only he said in astonishment, +"Never before have I seen the evening glow shine on the leaves +so brightly." Froda shook his head with a smile, and they +pursued in silence their unknown track. + +When they came forth on the other side of the alder-thicket +upon the bank of the Maine, which almost wound round it, +Edwald saw well that another glow than that of evening was +shining on them, for dark clouds of night already covered the +heavens, and the guiding light stood fixed on the shore of the +river. It lit up the waves, so that they could see a high +woody island in the midst of the stream, and a boat on the +hither side of the shore fast bound to a stake. But on +approaching, the knights saw much more; a troop of horsemen of +strange and foreign appearance were all asleep, and in the +midst of them, slumbering on cushions, a female form in white +garments. + +"Hildegardis!" murmured Edwald to himself, with a smile, and +at the same time he drew his sword in readiness for the combat +as soon as the robbers should awake, and beckoned to Froda to +raise the sleeping lady, and convey her to a place of safety. +But at this moment something like an owl passed whizzing over +the dark squadron, and they all started up with clattering +arms and hideous outcries. A wild unequal combat arose in the +darkness of night, for that beaming light had disappeared. +Freda and Edwald were driven asunder, and only at a distance +heard each other's mighty war-cry. Hildegardis, startled from +her magic sleep, uncertain whether she were waking or +dreaming, fled bewildered and weeping bitterly into the deep +shades of the alder-thicket. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + + +Froda felt his arm grow weary, and the warm blood was flowing +from two wounds in his shoulder; he wished so to lie down in +death that he might rise up with honour from his bloody grave +to the exalted lady whom he served. He cast his shield behind +him, grasped his sword-hilt with both hands, and rushed +wildly, with a loud war-cry, upon the affrighted foe. +Instantly he heard some voices cry, "It is the rage of the +northern heroes which has come upon him." And the whole troop +were scattered in dismay, while the exhausted knight remained +wounded and alone in the darkness. + +Then the golden hair of Aslauga gleamed once more in the +alder-shade; and Froda said, leaning, through weariness, on +his sword, "I think not that I am wounded to death; but +whenever that time shall come, 0 beloved lady, wilt thou not +indeed appear to me in all thy loveliness and brightness?" +A soft "Yes" breathed against his cheek, and the golden light +vanished. + +But now Hildegardis came forth from the thicket, half fainting +with terror, and said feebly, "Within is the fair and +frightful spectre of the north--without is the battle. Oh, +merciful heaven! whither shall I go?" + +Then Froda approached to sooth the affrighted one, to speak +some words of comfort to her, and to inquire after Edwald; but +wild shouts and the rattling of armour announced the return of +the Bohemian warriors. With haste Froda led the maiden to the +boat, pushed off from the shore, and rowed her with the last +effort of his failing strength towards the island which he had +observed in the midst of the stream. But the pursuers had +already kindled torches, and waved them sparkling here and +there. By this light they soon discovered the boat; they saw +that the dreaded Danish knight was bleeding, and gained fresh +courage for their pursuit. Hardly had Froda pushed the boat +to the shore of the island, before he perceived a Bohemian on +the other side in another skiff, and soon afterwards the +greater number of the enemy embarked to row towards the +island. "To the wood, fair maiden," he whispered, as soon as +he had landed Hildegardis on the shore; "there conceal +yourself, whilst I endeavour to prevent the landing of the +robbers." But Hildegardis, clinging to his arm, whispered +again, "Do I not see that you are pale and bleeding? and would +you have me expire with terror in the dark and lonely clefts +of this rock? Ah! and if your northern gold-haired spectre +were to appear again and seat herself beside me! Think you +that I do not see her there now, shining through the thicket!" + +"She shines!" echoed Froda, and new strength and hope ran +through every vein. He climbed the hill, following the +gracious gleam; and Hildegardis, though trembling at the +sight, went readily with her companion, saying only from time +to time, in a low voice "Ah, Sir Knight!--my noble wondrous +knight--leave me not here alone; that would be my death." The +knight, soothing her courteously, stepped ever onwards through +the darkness of dell and forest, for already he heard the +sound of the Bohemians landing on the shore of the island. +Suddenly he stood before a cave thick-covered with underwood, +and the gleam disappeared. "Here, then," he whispered, +endeavouring to hold the branches asunder. For a moment she +paused, and said, "If you should but let the branches close +again behind me, and I were to remain alone with spectres in +this cave! But, Froda, you will surely follow me--a +trembling, hunted child as I am? Will you not?" Without more +misgivings she passed through the branches; and the knight, +who would willingly have remained without as a guard, followed +her. Earnestly he listened through the stillness of the +night, whilst Hildegardis hardly dared to draw her breath. +Then was heard the tramp of an armed man, coming ever nearer +and nearer, and now close to the entrance of the cave. In +vain did Froda strive to free himself from the trembling +maiden. Already the branches before the entrance were +cracking and breaking, and Froda sighed deeply. "Must I, +then, fall like a lurking fugitive, entangled in a woman's +garments? It is a base death to die. But can I cast this +half-fainting creature away from me on the dark, hard earth, +perhaps into some deep abyss? Come, then, what will, thou, +Lady Aslauga, knowest that I die an honourable death!" + +"Froda! Hildegardis!" breathed a gentle, well-known voice +at the entrance, and recognising Edwald, Froda bore the lady +towards him into the starlight, saying, "She will die of +terror in our sight in this deep cavern. Is the foe near at +hand?" "Most of them lie lifeless on the shore, or swim +bleeding through the waves," said Edwald. "Set your mind at +rest, and repose yourself. Are you wounded, beloved Froda?" +He gave this short account to his astonished companions--how, +in the darkness, he had mixed with the Bohemians and pressed +into the skiff, and that it had been easy to him on landing to +disperse the robbers entirely, who supposed that they were +attacked by one of their own crew, and thought themselves +bewitched. "They began at last to fall on one another"--so he +ended his history; "and we have only now to wait for the +morning to conduct the lady home, for those who are wandering +about of that owl-squadron will doubtless hide themselves from +the eye of day." While speaking, he had skilfully and +carefully arranged a couch of twigs and moss for Hildegardis, +and when the wearied one, after uttering some gentle words of +gratitude, had sunk into a slumber, he began, as well as the +darkness would allow, to bind up the wounds of his friend. +During this anxious task, while the dark boughs of the trees +murmured over their heads, and the rippling of the stream was +heard from afar, Froda, in a low voice, made known to his +brother-in-arms to the service of what lady he was bound. +Edwald listened with deep attention, but at last he said +tenderly, "Trust me, the noble Princess Aslauga will not +resent it, if you pledge yourself to this earthly beauty in +faithful love. Ah! even now doubtless you are sinning in the +dreams of Hildegardis, richly-gifted and happy knight! I will +not stand in your way with my vain wishes; I see now clearly +that she can never, never love me. Therefore I will this very +day hasten to the war which so many valiant knights of Germany +are waging in the heathen land of Prussia, and the black +cross, which distinguishes them for warriors of the Church, I +will lay as the best balm on my throbbing heart. Take, then, +dear Froda, that fair hand which you have won in battle, and +live henceforth a life of surpassing happiness and joy." + +"Edwald," said Froda, gravely, "this is the first time that I +ever heard one word from your lips which a true knight could +not fulfil. Do as it pleases you towards the fair and haughty +Hildegardis, but Aslauga remains my mistress ever, and no +other do I desire in life or death." The youth was startled +by these stern words, and made no reply. Both, without saying +more to each other, watched through the night in solemn +thought. + +The next morning, when the rising sun shone brightly over the +flowery plains around the Castle of Hildegardis, the watchman +on the tower blew a joyful blast from his horn, for his keen +eye had distinguished far in the distance his fair lady, who +was riding from the forest between her two deliverers; and +from castle, town, and hamlet, came forth many a rejoicing +train to assure themselves with their own eyes of the happy +news. + +Hildegardis turned to Edwald with eyes sparkling through +tears, and said, "Were it not for you, young knight, they +might have sought long and vainly before they found the lost +maiden or the noble Froda, who would now be lying in that dark +cavern a bleeding and lifeless corpse." Edwald bowed lowly in +reply, but persevered in his wonted silence. It even seemed +as though an unusual grief restrained the smile which erewhile +answered so readily, in childlike sweetness, to every friendly +word. + +The noble guardian of Hildegardis had, in the overflowing joy +of his heart, prepared a sumptuous banquet, and invited all +the knights and ladies present to attend it. Whilst Froda and +Edwald, in all the brightness of their glory, were ascending +the steps in the train of their rescued lady, Edwald said to +his friend, "Noble, steadfast knight, you can never love me +more!" And as Froda looked in astonishment, he continued-- +"Thus it is when children presume to counsel heroes, however +well they may mean it. Now have I offended grievously against +you, and yet more against the noble Lady Aslauga." "Because +you would have plucked every flower of your own garden to +gladden me with them?" said Froda. "No; you are my gentle +brother-in-arms now, as heretofore, dear Edchen, and are +perhaps become yet dearer to me." + +Then Edwald smiled again in silent contentment, like a flower +after the morning showers of May. + +The eyes of Hildegardis glanced mildly and kindly on him, and +she often conversed graciously with him, while, on the other +hand, since yesterday, a reverential awe seemed to separate +her from Froda. But Edwald also was much altered. However he +welcomed with modest joy the favour of his lady, it yet seemed +as if some barrier were between them which forbade him to +entertain the most distant hope of successful love. + +It chanced that a noble count, from the court of the Emperor, +was announced, who being bound on an important embassy, had +wished to pay his respects to the Lady Hildegardis by the way. +She received him gladly, and as soon as the first salutations +were over, he said, looking at her and at Edwald, "I know not +if my good fortune may not have brought me hither to a very +joyful festivity. That would be right welcome news to the +Emperor my master." Hildegardis and Edwald were lovely to +look upon in their blushes and confusion, but the count, +perceiving at once that he had been too hasty, inclined +himself respectfully towards the young knight, and said, +"Pardon me, noble Duke Edwald, my too great forwardness, but I +know the wish of my sovereign, and the hope to find it already +fulfilled prompted my tongue to speak." All eyes were fixed +inquiringly on the young hero, who answered, in graceful +confusion, "It is true; the Emperor, when I was last in his +camp, through his undeserved favour, raised me to the rank of +a duke. It was my good fortune, that in an encounter, some of +the enemy's horse, who had dared to assault the sacred person +of the Emperor, dispersed and fled on my approach." The count +then, at the request of Hildegardis, related every +circumstance of the heroic deed; and it appeared that Edwald +had not only rescued the Emperor from the most imminent peril, +but also, with the cool and daring skill of a general, had +gained the victory which decided the event of the war. + +Surprise at first sealed the lips of all; and even before +their congratulations could begin, Hildegardis had turned +towards Edwald, and said in a low voice, which yet, in that +silence, was clearly heard by all, "The noble count has made +known the wish of my imperial uncle, and I conceal it no +longer, my own heart's wish is the same--I am Duke Edwald's +bride." And with that she extended to him her fair right +hand, and all present waited only till he should take it, +before they burst into a shout of congratulation. But Edwald +forbore to do so; he only sunk on one knee before his lady, +saying, "God forbid that the lofty Hildegardis should ever +recall a word spoken solemnly to noble knights and dames. +'To no vanquished knight,' you said, 'might the hand of the +Emperor's niece belong'--and behold there Froda, the noble +Danish knight, my conqueror." Hildegardis, with a slight +blush, turned hastily away, hiding her eyes, and as Edwald +arose, it seemed as though there were a tear upon his cheek. + +In his clanging armour Froda advanced to the middle of the +hall, exclaiming, "I declare my late victory over Duke Edwald +to have been the chance of fortune, and I challenge the noble +knight to meet me again to-morrow in the lists." + +At the same time he threw his iron gauntlet ringing on the +pavement. + +But Edwald moved not to take it up. On the contrary, a glow +of lofty anger was on his cheeks, and his eyes sparkled with +indignation, so that his friend would hardly have recognised +him; and after a silence he spoke-- + +"Noble Sir Froda, if I have ever offended you, we are now +even. How durst you, a warrior gloriously wounded by two +sword-strokes, challenge a man unhurt into the lists to- +morrow, if you did not despise him?" + +"Forgive me, Duke Edwald," answered Froda, somewhat abashed, +but with cheerfulness, "I have spoken too boldly. Not till +I am completely cured do I call you to the field." + +Then Edwald took up the gauntlet joyfully. He knelt once more +before Hildegardis, who, turning away her face, gave him her +fair hand to kiss, and walked, with his arm in that of his +noble Danish friend, out of the hall. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + + +While Froda's wounds were healing Edwald would sometimes +wander, when the shades of evening fell dark and silent +around, on the flowery terraces beneath the windows of +Hildegardis, and sing pleasant little songs; amongst others +the following:-- + + + "Heal fast, heal fast, ye hero-wounds; + 0 knight, be quickly strong; + Beloved strife + For fame and life, + 0 tarry not too long!" + + +But that one which the maidens of the castle loved best to +learn from him was this, and it was perhaps the longest song +that Edwald had ever sung in his whole life:-- + + + "Would I on earth were lying, + By noble hero slain; + So that love's gentle sighing + Breathed me to life again! + + "Would I an emperor were, + Of wealth and power! + Would I were gathering twigs + In woodland bower! + + "Would that in lone seclusion + I lived a hermit's life! + Would, amid wild confusion, + I led the battle-strife! + + "0 would the lot were mine, + In bower or field, + To which my lady fair + Her smile would yield!" + + +At this time it happened that a man who held himself to be +very wise, and who filled the office of secretary to the aged +guardian of Hildegardis, came to the two knightly friends to +propose a scheme to them. His proposal, in few words, was +this, that as Froda could gain no advantage from his victory, +he might in the approaching combat suffer himself to be thrown +from his steed, and thus secure the lady for his comrade, at +the same time fulfilling the wish of the Emperor, which might +turn to his advantage hereafter in many ways. + +At this the two friends at first laughed heartily; but then +Froda advanced gravely towards the secretary, and said, "Thou +trifler, doubtless the old duke would drive thee from his +service did he know of thy folly, and teach thee to talk of +the Emperor. Good-night, worthy sir, and trust me that when +Edwald and I meet each other, it will be with all our heart +and strength." + +The secretary hastened out of the room with all speed, and was +seen next morning to look unusually pale. + + +Soon after this Froda recovered from his wounds; the course +was again prepared as before, but crowded by a still greater +number of spectators; and in the freshness of a dewy morning +the two knights advanced solemnly together to the combat. + +"Beloved Edwald," said Froda, in a low voice, as they went, +"take good heed to yourself, for neither this time can the +victory be yours--on that rose-coloured cloud appears +Aslauga." + +"It may be so," answered Edwald, with a quiet smile; "but +under the arches of that golden bower shines Hildegardis, +and this time she has not been waited for." + +The knights took their places--the trumpets sounded, the +course began, and Froda's prophecy seemed to be near its +fulfilment, for Edwald staggered under the stroke of his +lance, so that he let go the bridle, seized the mane with +both hands, and thus hardly recovered his seat, whilst his +high-mettled snow-white steed bore him wildly around the lists +without control. Hildegardis also seemed to shrink at this +sight, but the youth at length reined-in his steed, and the +second course was run. + +Froda shot like lightning along the plain, and it seemed as if +the success of the young duke were now hopeless; but in the +shock of their meeting, the bold Danish steed reared, starting +aside as if in fear; the rider staggered, his stroke passed +harmless by, and both steed and knight fell clanging to the +ground before the steadfast spear of Edwald, and lay +motionless upon the field. + +Edwald did now as Froda had done before. In knightly wise he +stood still a while upon the spot, as if waiting to see +whether any other adversary were there to dispute his victory; +then he sprang from his steed, and flew to the assistance of +his fallen friend. + +He strove with all his might to release him from the weight of +his horse, and presently Froda came to himself, rose on his +feet, and raised up his charger also. Then he lifted up his +vizor, and greeted his conqueror with a friendly smile, though +his countenance was pale. The victor bowed humbly, almost +timidly, and said, "You, my knight, overthrown--and by me! +I understand it not." + +"It was her own will," answered Froda, smiling. "Come now to +your gentle bride." + +The multitude around shouted aloud, each lady and knight bowed +low, when the aged duke pointed out to them the lovely pair, +and at his bidding, the betrothed, with soft blushes, embraced +each other beneath the green garlands of the golden bower. + +That very day were they solemnly united in the chapel of the +castle, for so had Froda earnestly desired. A journey into a +far-distant land, he said, lay before him, and much he wished +to celebrate the marriage of his friend before his departure. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + + +The torches were burning clear in the vaulted halls of the +castle, Hildegardis had just left the arm of her lover to +begin a stately dance of ceremony with the aged duke, when +Edwald beckoned to his companion, and they went forth together +into the moonlit gardens of the castle. + +"Ah, Froda, my noble, lofty hero," exclaimed Edwald, after a +silence, "were you as happy as I am! But your eyes rest +gravely and thoughtfully on the ground, or kindle almost +impatiently heavenwards. It would be dreadful, indeed, had +the secret wish of your heart been to win Hildegardis--and I, +foolish boy, so strangely favoured, had stood in your way." + +"Be at rest, Edchen," answered, the Danish hero, with a smile. +"On the word of a knight, my thoughts and yearnings concern +not your fair Hildegardis. Far brighter than ever does +Aslauga's radiant image shine into my heart: but now hear what +I am going to relate to you. + +"At the very moment when we met together in the course--oh, +had I words to express it to you!--I was enwrapped, encircled, +dazzled, by Aslauga's golden tresses, which were waving all +around me. Even my noble steed must have beheld the +apparition, for I felt him start and rear under me. I saw you +no more--the world no more--I saw only the angel-face of +Aslauga close before me, smiling, blooming like a flower in a +sea of sunshine which floated round her. My senses failed me. +Not till you raised me from beneath my horse did my +consciousness return, and then I knew, with exceeding joy, +that her own gracious pleasure had struck me down. But I felt +a strange weariness, far greater than my fall alone could have +caused, and I felt assured at the same time that my lady was +about to send me on a far-distant mission. I hastened to +repose myself in my chamber, and a deep sleep immediately fell +upon me. Then came Aslauga in a dream to me, more royally +adorned than ever; she placed herself at the head of my couch, +and said, 'Haste to array thyself in all the splendour of thy +silver armour, for thou art not the wedding-guest alone, thou +art also the--' + +"And before she could speak the word my dream had melted away, +and I felt a longing desire to fulfil her gracious command, +and rejoiced in my heart. But in the midst of the festival +I seemed to myself more lonely than in all my life before, and +I cannot cease to ponder what that unspoken word of my lady +could be intended to announce." + +"You are of a far loftier spirit than I am, Froda," said +Edwald, after a silence, "and I cannot soar with you into the +sphere of your joys. But tell me, has it never awakened a +deep pang within you that you serve a lady so withdrawn from +you--alas! a lady who is almost ever invisible?" + +"No, Edwald, not so," answered Froda, his eyes sparkling with +happiness. "For well I know that she scorns not my service; +she has even deigned sometimes to appear to me. Oh, I am in +truth a happy knight and minstrel!" + +"And yet your silence to-day--your troubled yearnings?" + +"Not troubled, dear Edchen; only so heartfelt, so fervent in +the depth of my heart--and so strangely mysterious to myself +withal. But this, with all belonging to me, springs alike +from the words and commands of Aslauga. How, then, can it be +otherwise than something good and fair, and tending to a high +and noble aim?" + +A squire, who had hastened after them, announced that the +knightly bridegroom was expected for the torch-dance, and as +they returned, Edwald entreated his friend to take his place +in the solemn dance next to him and Hildegardis. Froda +inclined his head in token of friendly assent. + + +The horns and hautboys had already sounded their solemn +invitation; Edwald hastened to give his hand to his fair +bride; and while he advanced with her to the midst of the +stately hall, Froda offered his hand for the torch-dance to a +noble lady who stood the nearest to him, without farther +observing her, and took with her the next place to the wedded +pair. + +But how was it when a light began to beam from his companion, +before which the torch in his left hand lost all its +brightness? Hardly dared he, in sweet and trembling hope, to +raise his eyes to the lady; and when at last he ventured, all +his boldest wishes and longings were fulfilled. Adorned with +a radiant bridal crown of emeralds, Aslauga moved in solemn +loveliness beside him, and beamed on him from amid the sunny +light of her golden hair, blessing him with her heavenly +countenance. The amazed spectators could not withdraw their +eyes from the mysterious pair--the knight in his light silver +mail, with the torch raised on high in his hand, earnest and +joyful, moving with a measured step, as if engaged in a +ceremony of deep and mysterious meaning. His lady beside him, +rather floating than dancing, beaming light from her golden +hair, so that you would have thought the day was shining into +the night; and when a look could reach through all the +surrounding splendour to her face, rejoicing heart and sense +with the unspeakably sweet smile of her eyes and lips. + +Near the end of the dance she inclined towards Froda, and +whispered to him with an air of tender confidence, and with +the last sound of the horns and hautboys she had disappeared. + +The most curious spectator dared not question Froda about his +partner. Hildegardis did not seem to have been conscious of +her presence, but shortly before the end of the festival +Edwald approached his friend, and asked in a whisper, "Was +it?" + +"Yes, dear youth," answered Froda; "your marriage-dance has +been honoured by the presence of the most exalted beauty which +has been ever beheld in any land. Ah! and if I rightly +understood her meaning, you will never more see me stand +sighing and gazing upon the ground. But hardly dare I hope +it. Now good-night, dear Edchen, good-night. As soon as I +may I will tell you all." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + + +The light and joyous dreams of morning still played round +Edwald's head when it seemed as though a clear light +encompassed him. He remembered Aslauga, but it was Froda, +the golden locks of whose helmet shone now with no less sunny +brightness than the flowing hair of his lady. "Ah!" thought +Edwald in his dream, "how beautiful has my brother-in-arms +become!" And Froda said to him, "I will sing something to +you, Edchen; but softly, softly, so that it may not awaken +Hildegardis. Listen to me. + + + "'She glided in, bright as the day, + There where her knight in slumber lay; + And in her lily hand was seen + A band that seemed of the moonlight sheen. + "We are one," she sang, as about his hair + She twined it, and over her tresses fair. + Beneath them the world lay dark and drear: + But he felt the touch of her hand so dear, + Uplifting him far above mortals' sight, + While around him were shed her locks of light, + Till a garden fair lay about him spread-- + And this was Paradise, angels said.'" + + +"Never in your life did you sing so sweetly," said the +dreaming Edwald. + +"That may well be, Edchen," said Froda, with a smile, and +vanished. + +But Edwald dreamed on and on, and many other visions passed +before him, all of a pleasing kind, although he could not +recall them when, in the full light of morning, he unclosed +his eyes with a smile. Froda alone, and his mysterious song, +stood clear in his memory. He now knew full well that his +friend was dead; but the thought gave him no pain, for he felt +sure that the pure spirit of that minstrel-warrior could only +find its proper joy in the gardens of Paradise, and in +blissful solace with the lofty spirits of the ancient times. +He glided softly from the side of the sleeping Hildegardis to +the chamber of the departed. He lay upon his bed of rest, +almost as beautiful as he had appeared in the dream, and his +golden helmet was entwined with a wondrously-shining lock of +hair. Then Edwald made a fair and shady grave in consecrated +ground, summoned the chaplain of the castle, and with his +assistance laid his beloved Froda therein. + +He came back just as Hildegardis awoke; she beheld, with +wonder and humility, his mien of chastened joy, and asked him +whither he had been so early, to which he replied, with a +smile, "I have just buried the corpse of my dearly-loved +Froda, who, this very night, has passed away to his golden- +haired mistress." Then he related the whole history of +Aslauga's Knight, and lived on in subdued, unruffled +happiness, though for some time he was even more silent and +thoughtful than before. He was often found sitting on the +grave of his friend, and singing the following song to his +lute:-- + + + "Listening to celestial lays, + Bending thy unclouded gaze + On the pure and living light, + Thou art blest, Aslauga'a Knight! + + "Send us from thy bower on high + Many an angel-melody, + Many a vision soft and bright, + Aslauga's dear and faithful Knight!" + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg Aslauga's Knight by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque + diff --git a/old/slknt10.zip b/old/slknt10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5084aa1 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/slknt10.zip |