Ekkehard. Vol. II (of II).

German

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

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 pie

tching yonder stork, flying over to Radolfszell. Take care, thou par

upil now let go the other end, it fell down heavily, tearing out the badl

ad disentangled herself from the coarse wrapper. "I suppose I must

er-pupil became visible on the ladder, and jumping down fr

ve dreamt this very night, that you cut off all my curls, and that I had ret

he holidays, my little man; or thy back will prove a nice floor for

the cool auditories of his monastery. He re

hat is the matter?"

d the pupil of t

d Praxedis. "What reasons has

all about that day, when I fled with my brave, old friend Romeias before the Huns, and how he

a mock serious face, "I have some

ked the bo

on the threshold of a cloister-school," continued she, and suddenly thr

rom the garden-door, at the very moment when she playf

re just in time, Sir Chamberlain, to assist us in fixing th

of the chamberlain's fierce-looking moustache, slipped away between some rose-bushes. Astronomy and the metr

or kisses in this castle, gent

ts ride away and stray about in night and darkness; and when they return at da

de a vow not to betray a single word of his nig

n I help you?"

e to be told; old stories, Sir chamberlain, the more wonderful, the better! Our Mistress has grown tired of Latin, and wishe

ring 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, juggler

rt about a certain business, transacted over the monastic wine-jug," said Praxedis. "It will be merri

ed the ladder, and fastened the ends to the branches. Opposite, were some tall poles, entwined with the blue blossomed bean-plant. To these, P

the vesper wine," said Master Spazzo half

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. Finall

is hedged in, like King Laurins' rose-garde

ing 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

rain, and it was in her honour that he had donned a pair of very queer-looking, pointed shoes, adorned on both sides

her eyes hastily about, now said: "Has Master Ekkehard, for whose e

anted to show him the different constellations, such as the bear, and Orion and the faintly glittering Ple?ads, he gave m

say?" asked

countenance, let me hear thy voice. For sweet is thy voice and thy countenance is lovely.' And another time he

whispered Master Spazzo into the Greek maid

at thou hast been dreaming thyself. Run up to thy unc

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 h

l 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 pr

of straw of different lengths,

r for the young ver

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 thin

friend Notker and myself were locked up for three days, fed on bread and water, and had

d, that we should tempt thee a

to draw. Ekkehard's eyes were fixed immovably on the rose under her head-band, as

excuse would be available, and dolefully looked down into the valley, as if he expected help to come from thence. Praxedis

nt, if he will relate us some pretty sto

with its broad hilt before him, so that he could lean on i

r 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 B

rcely 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 suc

came very good friends, and I let my horse be put into his stables, and remained his guest for the night. An

d got that name; upon which he struck up a loud laugh, and then told me the story of 'Smith Weland.'

ho looks about for a draught of wine, to moisten his dry lips with. But

her, 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.'

o go away, and to acquire the last finishing touch in his craft, among

d'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

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 w

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

ing 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 aw

an inquiring look at the Duchess, to see whether she should not jump up, to close Master Spazzo's mouth, but as nothin

and 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 win

story of sm

he 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 as

ect 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 belo

They drew accordingly, and the shortest, this time, remained with Praxedis. She neither appeared embarrassed, nor d

ecoming 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 sl

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

He is served by the best of heroes, and his court is the constant scene of balls and tourna

give him yo

the ground, he cried: 'Nobody has as yet wooed my daughter, who has not lost his head

nor moon could shine; and they had nothing but bread and wate

t 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

ut 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

n the rear, and the whole was such a splendid spectacle, that the Empress said: 'Alas, how stupid we have been

he bent his knee before the Greek Emperor and said: 'I, the Prince Dietrich have been outlawed by a king whose name

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 t

temporary abode received either a mantle or some piece of arms. Amongst others there also came an outlawed count, to whom

and amongst the women there began a whispering and talking, so that th

I also may obtain a look at the man whom they all renown so?' And Herlindis replied: 'The best thing would be if

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 As

could not obtain the desired glimpse of t

til my eyes have beheld that valiant man. He, who would bring me the hero to my chamber, might win a handsome reward.

due courtesy. And she sat down beside him, and whispered into his ear: 'My mistress, the Emperor's daughter

days gone by; why dost thou mock the homeless wanderer? At the Emperor's court there are

that he, who wishes to keep his reputation unstained, must be very careful. Constantinus would banish me, if he

ir of silver, and he gave her one of each pair, as well as a mantle and twelve bracelets; for he was a gallant ma

g a number of big-nosed faces on the sand, with the scabbard of his sw

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

Then, at least thou must give me the shoes which the noble

it was made for the same foot. 'Woe is me!' cried the beautiful maiden. 'Thou hast made a mistake, and I shall never get i

o!'--and she drew up her skirts almost to her knees, and walked over the wet courtyard to Sir Dietrich

again. A mistake has been made; so my mistress bids me ask y

go,' said he, 'but the Emperor'

ing the throwing of the spear. Take two servant-men with you, and

rian, who was outside called out: 'What matters an old shoe? We have made many thousands of them, and the servants are now wearing

and imparted the desir

d raved like a madman. Asprian cut a summersault in the air, and Eveningred threw an immense stone of several hundred weight a long

. Her chamber-door was then opened to him and she addressed him thus: 'Welcome, my noble lord! Gr

ners were graceful and elegant. So she put her foot on his knee, and the foo

l man now began, 'thou hast probably been wooed by many

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

hither quickly. We have lived pleasantly together as friends, and he has

e it all! Thou art a messenger, sent by King Rother. And now speak out forthwith, and hide n

id! 'Then I will put my trust in God and leave my fate in thy han

f 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

ned friends?' said the King. 'If they could see me, th

t them out,' said the princess. '

ok to that,

and he left her chamber in all honour, and re

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 the

ant thee, if thou wilt find me security, that

one 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,

elve 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 co

repared 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 D

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

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 sea

e story of

d spoken a

smith Weland will carry off the prize, after King Roth

o was not an

last tale has not yet been told." He glanced over at Ekkehard who was sitting lost in thought. He had not heard much of Kin

ny 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,

l be found in this world, which you kno

s and plain. Strong fragrant perfumes filled the air, and the fireflies were

surrounded by linen, saturated with oil, burned b

ill sitting contentedly on his stoo

ung guest think?"

f I could have seen the giant Asprian, das

go out to conquer giants and dragons

"But we have to fight the Devil himse

ng a twig from the maple-tree into two unequal pieces,

chess, "you must dr

He drew out the shorter piece. It slipped out o

arply exclaime

ooke

o relate s

passing his right hand over his forehead.

hing. Who is going to

t, whilst the others looked at him in mute wond

, and it shone down from a hill, and it was more radiant and glor

and?" muttered Master S

the hill, and which knew that it must perish if it flew into the light.--And it did fly in all the sa

sprang up,

ole of your sto

it," replied he w

proudly said the Duchess. "The

ul look. Burkhard again carried her trai

lder. "The dark moth was a poor fool, M

the lights. "It was a monk," said