Hero Tales and Legends of the Rhine

nd of Fa

ek the hand of Liba, for besides being beautiful she was gentle and virtuous, and withal possessed of a modest fortune left her by her father. But to all their pleadings she turned a deaf ear, for sh

proach to Falkenburg, and hastened to meet him. The gallant knight informed his betrothed that he was on his way to the Palsgrave to receive his fief, and had but turned

ust hasten. When I return we two shall

ng to wave a gay farewell to Liba. The maiden watched him disappear

elt it necessary to accept. He dispatched a messenger to his faithful Liba, informing her of his appointment, which admitted of no delay, and regretting the consequent postponement of their marriage. She, indeed, was ill-pleased with the tidings and fel

a wrong path, lost his way. He wandered on without meeting a living creature, and came at last to an old dilapidated castle, into the courtyard

r master?" qu

own into a gloomy chamber by an aged attendant, and there awaited the coming of the lord. Opposite him was hung a veiled picture, and half hoping that he might solve the mystery

guest with grave courtesy, and offered the hospitality of his castle. Guntram gratefully accepted his host'

said the knight, indicating a harp

been long out of use, and thought that it possibly had some connexion with the original of the veiled por

ts music. Good night, and sleep well." And ere the astonished gue

ing that the knight would continue to accept his hospitality. Guntram followed the old man to hi

, "why is so lovel

ble feats. At last only one of these lovers remained, and of him she asked that he should descend into the family vault and bring her a golden crown from the head of one of her ancestors. He did as he was bidden, but his profanation was puni

ght's chamber, and in bidding him good night the attendant couns

trait, and saw that even the lovely picture had done her less than justice. For a moment he stood with hands clasped in silent admiration. Then with a low sound, half cry, half sob, she cast the harp from her and sank down in an attitude of utter despondency. The knight could bear it no longer and (quite forgetting his paternoster) he flung open the door and knelt at her feet, raising her hand to

but the ring on his hand assured him that the vision was a ghastly reality. He attempted to re

the attendant. "Alas, alas!" said the old

able to Falkenburg. Liba greeted him solicitously. She could see that he was sorely troubled, but forbore to question him, preferring to wait until he should confide

e ground, foaming and gasping, and was carried thence to his home. The faithful Liba stayed by his side, and when he had partially recovered the knight told her the story of the spectre, and added that when the priest had joined their hands he h

rs later she herself passed away, and

ouse

being the second of his name to occupy that see. As a ruler he was firm, zealous, and upright, if somewhat ambitious and high-handed, and his term of office was marked by a civic peace not always experienced in those times. So much for

ther the legend arose on account of the name, and it seems at least probable that the tale is of considerably later date than the tenth century. Some authorities regard the word M?useturm as a corruption of Mauth-turm, a 'toll-tower,' a probable

TION OF B

nd autumn ha

r the corn wa

us sight to s

e rotting on

the star

und Bishop

plentiful las

neighbourhoo

es were fur

op Hatto app

he poor wi

to his grea

have food for

ch tidings

flocked from

n was full as

children, and

saw it could

o he made f

mercy on Chr

the barn and

an excellent bon

try is greatl

it in these

only consum

his palace

down to sup

at night like a

Hatto never

ng as he ent

ture hung aga

death all o

ad eaten it ou

here came a ma

ntenance whi

ened your gran

had eaten a

me running

pale as pal

d Bishop, fl

rats are com

give you for

tower on the Rh

afest place

high and the s

is strong and t

fearfully h

d the Rhine w

s tower, and b

doors, and lo

down and clo

scream made

nd saw two e

rom whence the

d looked-it wa

he grew more fe

screaming, m

rats that wer

swum over the

climbed the sh

tower their

k for which t

be told by the

y come, and by m

ad never been

had never been w

knees the

faster his be

nd louder,

f their teeth

windows and

walls helter-s

he ceiling, and up

d the left, from

without, from

nce to the B

d their teeth ag

pick the Bi

the flesh fr

sent to do j

d of Eh

y. Facing the Mouse Tower, on the opposite bank of the Rhine, stands

war, and Ludwig in turn gathered a small force and hastened to his brother's assistance. His attempts to storm the castle, however, were vain; the stronghold and its garris

he crafty Churchman. "I k

o be a man of courage and resource, but ill-disposed toward the reigning monarch. So the Bishop unfolded

imself a stranger to cunning and trickery, hastened to admit the messenger, whose garb showed him to be a priest, th

friends, should treat each other as enemies. Our sire is ready to forgive you for

and so touched by the clemency of the sovereign that he promised to g

rchman knelt before the crucifix and swore in the most solemn

dwig held court. When they were a mile or two from Ehrenfels Hatto burst into

t depart without even asking him whether he has

rofuse apologies to his guest. "You must think but poorly of my

have come but a little way, would it not be better to return

e enjoying a hearty meal. With her own hands the young Countess presented a b

eir journey, and reached Mainz about nightfall. That very night Adalbert was seized

?" cried the Count, look

d Ludwig, "and must suffe

essed himself

me thine oath that thou wouldst

mptuously. "Was it my fault if thou didst not ex

len, and his fettered limbs trembled with anger

to the block!"

till chuckling over the

o his doom, the victim of th

grafe

phyry, is the scene of a legend which tells of a terrible b

e, resolved to raise a castle upon the lofty eminence, But the more he considered t

one night if the nobleman would grant him the first living creature who should look from its windows. To this the nobleman agreed, and upon the following day found the castle awaiting his possession. He did not dare to enter it, however. But he had communicated his secret to his wife, who decided to circumvent th

e struggling beast of burden. But the donkey emitted such a bray that, recognizing the nature of his prize, the Fiend in sheer

m and it

üdesheim boasts, for Charlemagne, it is said, loved the place and frequently resided there, while tradition even asserts that he it was who instituted the vine-growing industry on the adjacent hills. He perceived that whenever snow fell there it melted with amazing rapidity; and, judging from this that the soil was eminently suitable for bringing forth a specia

mise to God. On reaching his schloss, however, Graf Hans was confronted by a state of affairs which had not entered into his calculations, the fact being that in the interim his daughter had conceived an affection for a young nobleman called Walther, and had promised to marry him at an early date. Here, then, was a complication indeed, and Hans was sorely puzzled to know how to act, while the unfortunate Minna was equally perplexed, and for many weeks she endured literal torment, her heart being racked by a constant storm of emotions. She was deeply attached to Walther, and she felt that she would never be able to forgive herself if she broke her promise to him and failed to bring him the happiness which both were confident their marriage would produce; but, on the other hand, being of a religious disposition, she perforce respected the vow her father had made, and thought that if it were

e river. Nor did posterity fail to remember the story, and down to recent times the boatmen of the neighbourhood, when seeing the Rhine wax stormy at the place where Minna was

se

rusaders. He was a widower, and possessed a beautiful daughter, Gisela. In the holy wars in Palestine Br?mser s

ry, the only locality whence water could be procured, and the increasing scarcity of the supply necessitated the extirpation of the monster. The Crusad

amp he was surprised by a party of Saracens, and after various hardships was cast into a dungeon. Here he remained in misery for a long while, and durin

n-arms, were he not bound by a solemn vow to dedicate his daughter to the Church. When Falkenstein at last understood that the knight's decision was irrevocable he galloped off as if crazed. The knight's vow, however, was not to be fulfilled; Gisela's reason became unhinged, she wandered aimlessly through the corridors of the castle, and one dark and stormy night cast herself into the Rhine and was drowned. Br?mser built t

ige of which remains to mark its former site. Its memory is preserved, however, in the following appal

n of O

at last met her face to face, despite bars and bolts. Eloquently he pleaded his love, swearing to free her from her bonds, to devote his life to her if only she would listen to his entreaties. He ended his asseverations by kneeling before the

uilty happiness, but even this was of short duration, for the knight soon tired and grew cold toward her. At length she was left alone, scorned and sorrowful

emes for compassing his death, her dreams by night being reddened by his blood. At last she plotted with a band of ruffians, promising them great rewards if they would assassinate her enemy. They ag

lover's corpse, and out into the graveyard, tearing open his body and plucking his heart therefrom with a fell purpose that n

his tomb, from which she lifts a bloody heart. She gazes on it with eyes aflame, then, laughing with hellish glee, flings it three times toward the skies, only to let it fall to earth,

Charlemagne

y be found a quainter or more interesting one than that which has for a background th

oad white pinions to his bedside, and the heavenly visitant bade him in the name of the Lord go forth and steal some of his neighbour's goods.

interrupted slumbers. Scarcely had he closed his eyelids, however, ere the divine messenger was again at his side, exhorting him in stil

ked to go out in the dead of night and steal his neighbour's goods, like any of the common robbers whom he was wont to punish so severely! No! the thing was preposterous. Some fiend had appeared in an

e yonder moon sinks in the west, then

nt to be discovered. He imagined himself being detected by his own court in the act of privily leaving his own palace, as though he were a robber, and the thought was intolerable. But his fears were unfounded; all-warders, porters, pages, gr

om of the ancient forests. But Charlemagne had no eye for scenery at the moment. He was filled with grief and shame when he thought of his mission, yet he dared not t

utlawed and persecuted, and to understand the risks and perils of their life. Nevermo

o foot in coal-black armour and mounted on a black steed, iss

itate upon the dangers and m

al. He and his knights risk their lives for every meal. He respects not the cloth of the Church, it is true, yet methinks he is a n

topped, for he now observed the

said Charlemagne to him

demanded to know who the stranger might be. The black knight refused to answer his questions, and the two thereupon engaged in

urs," said the

I with your life? Tell me who you are, f

up and replied with simple

refused to divulge his name, but intimated that he, too, was a

rob the Emperor's treasury. I t

ance stands the castle of Eggerich von Eggermond, brother-in-law to the Emperor. He has persecuted the poor and betrayed th

, remarking that it would be an excellent tool wherewith to bore a hole in the castle wall-a remark which his comrade received in silence, though not

o find entrance,"

, though, as the wall was ten feet thick, it is hardly surprising that he was not successful. The robber, laughing at his comrade's inexperience, showed him a wide ch

aid the Emperor. "We

r occupied by Eggerich and his wife there is a wonderful caparison, made of go

s Charlemagne's l

s victim, and was about to raise the caparison when h

erich, springing up, while Elbe

perhaps it was an evil dream. Thou hast had many evil dreams of late, Eggerich; m

th soft words and caresses the lady

plot, my comrades and I. To-morrow we go to Ingelheim, and ere

ve strength to warn him." But the villain, with a brutal oath, struck her so

nd caught some of the blood in his gauntlet, for a sign to the Emperor. When he was once mo

id he. "The Emperor is no friend

"Are you mad that you risk our lives for the E

wed knight, recommended him to seek the Emperor on the morrow and warn him of his danger. But Elbegast, fearing the gallows, would not consent to this; so his companio

suggested that it was time preparations were being made for the reception of the assassins. Each band of traitors as they arrived was seized and cast into a dungeon. Though apparently clad as peaceful citizens, t

in defiance. It was finally arranged that the Emperor should provide a champion to do

d much difficulty in convincing the black knig

" he demanded of the messenger, as a

a deadly foe of our lord the E

nced the villainous Eggerich, and said he, "I am ready to prove my assertions upon his body." The challenge was accepted, and at daybreak the following morning a fierce combat took place. The issue, however, was never in doubt: Sir Elbegast was v

iage, and with her the broad lands which had belonged to the vanquished trai

was called Ingelheim, in memory of the celesti

and the Y

ation called Alta Villa. In the fourteenth century it was raised to the rank of a

nce his possessions had dwindled away almost to nothing. He knew himself a poor man, yet his desire for pleasure was still unsatisfied. Mortified and angry, he hid himself in the castle of Elz and spent his time lamenting his poverty and cursing his fate. While in this frame of mind

uddenly to hope for he knew not what miracle. His eyes gleamed as the dwarf went on to speak of sacks of gold, and when the little creature asked for but a single hair in return he laughed aloud and offered him a hundred. But the dwarf smiled and shook his head. The noble bowed with a polite gesture, and as he bent his head the little man reached up and plucked out but one hair, and, lo! a sack of gold straightway appeared. At this Ferdinand thought that he must be dreaming, but the sack and gold pieces were real enough to the touch, albeit

to disease, which the doctors could not cure, and to the pricks of a late-roused conscience, which no priests could soothe. All his wasted past rose before him. Day and night his manifold sins appeared before him like avenging furies, until at last, frenzied by this double torture of mind and body, he called upon the Devil to aid him in putting an end to his mise

a

urion in the Twenty-second Legion, which had been engaged under Titus in the destruction of Jerusalem, and it is supposed that he preached the Gospel in Mainz for thirty-three years before his execution. Here also it was that the famous vision of Constantine, the cross in the sky, was vouchsafed to the Christian conqueror as he went fo

flush of its heyday. Its cathedral witnesses to its aforetime civic splendour. This magnificent building took upward of four hundr

Fi

n whose feet were golden slippers, the gift of some wea

As he came to the cathedral he felt an overmastering desire to enter and pour out his distress in the presence of his Maker. So he crept in, a ta

his old fiddle to his shoulder, and into his playing he put all his longing and pain; his quavering voice grew stronger beneath the stress of his fervour. It was as if the springtime had come about him; life was before him, gay and joy

he Blessed Virgin knew how to pay a poor devil who amused her.

But the man recognized it at once. Then was the poor old fiddler worse off than before, for now he was charged with the dreadful crime of sacrilege. The old man told the story of the miracle over and o

irgin. "If I must die," said the fiddler, "I would sing one song to my old fiddle at the feet of t

in his hands. Then he played and sang as before, and again a breath as of springtime stole into the shadowy cathedral and life seemed glad and beautiful. When the music ceased, again the Virgin lifted a foot and softly she flung her other slipper into the f

his days. In return for this the old man surrendered the golden slippers, which, it is also said, the reverend fathe

aiden

ntry. Near by, a lovely lady, as daring in the hunt as she was skilful at spinning, inhabited an abandoned

jewels, but the deceitful fellow inte

dored his sweetheart. The shrewd messenger realized that this rustic's charmer was the same fair lady who had beguiled his master's sou

ust him aside with great violence. In his rage the youth was about to stab the wretch, when he cr

ed how his master, for love of the pretty mistre

eclared that he feared no rival, then, seizing half o

r her. Upon his arrival at the castle the maid announced him, and it was with a secret feeling of dread that the lady went to meet her unwelcome visitor. Mo

able wooer, but she attached a novel condition: she would ride a race with her relentless suitor, and should he overtake her she would accompany him to his castle. But the resolute maiden had secretly vowed to die rather than submit to such degradation. Choosing her fleetest steed, sh

d grimly as he thought to seize his prize, but his laughter was turned to rage when the hor

g among the green verdure by her side. He strode furiously hither and thither, searching for a c

with breathless fear, and many times she thought that the tyrant would slay her protector. At last in one such moment the giant stooped to clu

the gallant knight the youth whose former poverty had kept him from wooing her. They

ion was blessed with many children. The r

nderfu

ain, are the ruins of Falkenstein Castle, acce

harming damsel, but her stern father repelled one and all. Only Kuno of Sayn was firm enough to persevere in his suit against

peal to their souls, their hands touched and clasped, and their hearts throbbed with the passion felt by both. A few days later Kuno climbed the steep path, res

e knight of Sayn declared that he had come to ask the noble lord for his daughter's hand in marriage. After meditating on the knight's proposal for some time, the Lord of Falkenstein pretended to be willing to give his consent-b

o seek some way whereby he could outwit the stubborn lord, for he would not willingly resign his lady-love. He left the tower, vowing to do hi

verseer. The knight explained the nature of the task which he desired to be undertaken, but the overs

perturbed condition. Night cast dusky shadows over the foliage, and the perplexed lover

nce knew him for an earth-spirit, one of those mysterious guardians of the trea

sire to outwit the Lord of Falkenst

on, Kuno hearkened eagerly to its words as showing an ave

ed, "but how do you propos

ren, Kuno, and we shall help you to

no. "In what manner do I trou

it both morning and afternoon we have but little opportunity for repose. How, I ask you, c

ely able to suppress a smile at the wistful way in which the gnom

hours of morning only," replied the gnome. "By so doing I

said Kuno; "you have my

rn. Go to the castle of Falkenstein after dawn to-morrow morning,

up the steep but smooth acclivity. At the gate he encountered the old Lord of Falkenstein and his daughter, who had been apprised of the miracle that had happened and had come out to view the new roadway. The knight of Sayn related his adventure with the earth-spirit, upon which the Lord of Falkenstein told him how a terrib

ions of the dreadful night he had just passed through that he was incapable of further resistance to the wish

c th

of Falkenstein, notable among them being the legend of Osric the Lio

ine's billows, an

ein Castle's m

overed turre

nt wolf 'midst th

he battlements p

in the pas

d through the va

minstrel, and mi

ures for ev

he bat with her li

d vultures now

dark, silen

see, by the moon

teps, where adv

with vengean

e Lion his ne

crackling old s

, and quick cl

oung Carloman,

scene with dis

ls the rose f

sake him, his c

r Osric he cla

s voice falt

e murmurs, "why

ese chambers are

rough the rui

ay and our jo

's Castle will

enstein fore

ur eyeballs? why

weakness, nor f

hese apartmen

ll oft have I he

this castle has

ent blood h

ad spirits, and g

sort at the dea

till brea

ir coming is hea

d awful-hark! har

e, oh! le

!" thus Osric t

malignity gle

and life he

ud turrets no mo

t Blumenberg's

nd, and my gre

breathless on P

removed, to hi

can no ri

, prepare on my

near, and thy

ee to Jesu

e seizes the b

the vaulted hall's

of all for

eneath him; dist

ncle's feet, bath

e! oh, spare

miscreant he tr

ings in despair

soft accen

sorrow, unmoved

s twisted his h

t his boso

blushes with blood

the tongue of th

e of midnig

mazement his hai

voice, loud an

art-appallin

d shrieks through

th laughter; the w

roof threat

hunder, blue light

clatter; chains r

ad their waves

creases, the p

t's black marble

all droppin

im, and so mons

reams, as they b

thout sense

uncle:-he sees

y shrieking,

e sad spect

curses her ste

whips formed of se

her wounds t

cried, and her vo

ir Osric, the t

u hast made

e I languished t

perished dish

thee to an

ce sated, thy l

draught which co

death lurked

, stained with lust

bsolved, unrep

traight seiz

with transport I f

I suffered the

l its pleasu

fiends are athir

y panting heart fu

let them fea

demons their pre

with horrible yel

n his limbs t

eir sockets with

entrails, all re

rt was Ulri

y cock told the

heir victim strai

's heart thr

alling the deed

m Falkenstein sp

d his pater

with horror th

gh strayed be a l

hough lost b

res in these ch

tly revel, and gu

most fearfu

pilgrims! though

he tempest, and fa

nstein Cas

sad banquet hell

e Lion still r

er for his sou

erence o

these, is that which attaches to the palace of Biberich. Biberich lies on the right bank of the river, not very far

hess of Nassau died there, and lay in state as befitted her rank in a

d forty-nine men of the Duke's bodygua

hour died away he beheld the approach of a chariot, drawn by six magnificent coal-black horses, which, to his amazement, drew up before the palace. A la

seek to enter the palace at this ho

Duchess," replied the lady in cold, imperious to

captain, instantly recognizing her, permitted h

ight?" he said to his lieutenant, when th

eutenant. "Unless, perchance,

is eye thereto. "Ha!" he said, shrinking back in amazement and terror

clad in grave-clothes. For a time the ghastly conversation continued, no words being audible to the terror-stricken guard; but from time to time a hollow sound reached them, like the murmur of distant thunder. At length the visitor emerged from the chamber, and returned to her waiting coach. Duty, rather than inclination, obliged the gallant captain to hand her into her carriage, and this task he performed with praiseworthy politeness, though his heart sank w

news reached the palace that the first lady of the bedchamber had died on the previous n

ps

ain in a valley of the Taunus Mountains, north o

ations-was one day hunting in the forest, when he became separated from his attendants and lost his way. In the heat

g, and what were knighthood worth if it heeded not the voice of fair lady in distress? Sir Eppo sprang to his feet, forgetting his own plight in the ardour of chivalry, and set off in the direction from which the voice seemed to come. The way was difficult, and he had to cut a passage with his sword through the dense thicket that separated him from the singer. At length, guided by the mela

ved Sir Eppo strangely. First pity, then a stronger emotion dawned in

he said. "You have but to command me; hencef

she lifted her eyes bravely to the champion w

consecrated net. Bring it hither. If I lay it upon the giant

giant could be heard within. Presently the monster emerged, and departed in search of reeds wherewith to make a pipe. No sooner had he disappeared than the maiden issued from the grotto, and Sir Eppo came o

preparing a couch whereon he might take some rest. Gratified at her solicitude, he stretched himself unsuspectingly on the fragrant pile. In a moment the damsel, uttering the name of the Trinity, threw

id, "lest he should

lay entangled in the net, and with a mighty effort rolled

ed soon after; and on the spot where they had first met was raised the castle

The Sheph

beauty, no less than her father's wealth, attracted suitors in plenty from the neighbouring strongholds, but the spirit of love had not yet awakened in her bo

birth, prevented by circumstances from revealing his identity, yet he based his request solely on his merits as a tender of flocks and herds, and as Sir Bodo found that he knew his work well and that his intelligence was beyond

hile the latter spoke of his handsome looks and melancholy air, his distinction and good breeding, and the mystery which surrounded his identity. All this excited the maide

ght of her he paused as though spell-bound, and the maiden blushed under his earnest scrutiny. A mo

d he; "it seemed that I saw

ned when he declared that the cause of it was a fancied resemblance between Adeline and a dear sister whom death had lately robbed him of. Ere they parted the young people were already deeply in love wi

life and revealed to her his identity. It was indeed a harrowing

d-slain by the ill-treatment of her stepfather, who, it was even said, had hastened her death with poison. Otto, overcome with grief, confronted her murderer, heaped abuse on his head, and demanded his share of the property. The only answer was a sneer, and the youth, maddened with grief and indignation, drew his sword and plunged it in his tormentor's heart. A moment later

le, sought to put her sympathy

an embassy to your uncle in Thuringen, to see whether he may not consent to a divi

ter. But alas! ere their plans could be carried out Bodo himself sent for his daughter and informed her th

should consent to the marriage. Sir Siegebert was but ill pleased with her pale cheeks and haggard eyes and her obvious distaste for his so

forgotten, and wandered through the woods like one distraught, seeking solace and finding none. At length news reached him that on the morrow his beloved was to wed with the knight Sie

her wedding dress. Unseen she slipped out by a little postern gate and made her way quickly to the hut of her shepherd. Alas! it stood empty. In despair she ran hither and thither, calling his name in anguished accents. Suddenly she espied some shepherds endeavouring to draw something out of the water. A strange

his anger was changed to mourning when the body of the drowned maiden was washed ashore a few days later. Too late he repented him of his rash folly. All his

nkf

dy been recorded in the Song of the Saxons. Here Charlemagne was led across the Rhine by deer, escaping with his army from certain slaughter a

her of F

in the midst of one of these points is a vane containing nine round

nto his cell through the grated window. Others, he pondered, were basking in the joyous light outside yonder in the verdant summer fields, whilst he, who even now felt the noose tighten round his neck, was plunged in semi-darknes

n natural to his waking moments. But on a sudden he started in his

had lately become habitual to it. In the course of a few moments, however, this gave way to a look of resolution and

ad to him a missive from those in authority which stated that a petition for mercy which he

ve only killed those animals which were given us by God for our common use. W

"Your comrades, as well as the honourable Company of Foresters, accuse you of bein

shot. Provide me with a gun and with powder and shot blessed by a priest, and I will un

yet spoken. "It would be an injustice not to give you such a chance, especially as, if

of the decision was conveyed to the poacher. But he was assured that if one bullet missed its mark he would certainly die. To this he agreed, and the succeeding day was fixed for the trial of skill. At an early hour the square in which the tower was situated was thronged by an immense crowd. The walls of the city, of

d another hole appeared therein. The crowd vented its feelings by loud huzzahs. Nine times did he fire, and nine times did the bullet hit its mark. And as the last bullet sang through the weather-cock

more to return. But the vane on the tower remains there to

ave of

in their fancy costumes were hardly less resplendent than the ladies in their jewels and brocaded silks, and the masks they all wore added to the excitement and gaiety of the scene. In all the gathering there was but one somb

very curious to know who the gallant knight might be on whom the Queen bestowed her favours with such a lavish hand. At last the time came for the guests to unmask, and the dancers made themselves known to each other-with one exception, that is, for the Black Knight refused to lift his visor. The King and Queen, however, shared to the full the curiosity of their guests as to the identity of their strange guest, and they commanded him to uncover his face, whereupon the knight raised his viso

y on his knees befor

the disgrace of her Majesty, who has danced with an executioner. There is one other way to efface my guilt and to wipe out the humiliation of y

, but the very audacity of it caught his fancy.

rose to his feet: "You have acted like a knave this nig

adt: T

s to the issue. He knew that there were to be present many knights whose strength and skill far exceeded his own, and, brave though he was, he could not but recognize that his chances of victory were small. Yet he felt that he dared not suffer defeat; he must not be disgraced before the spectators. In particular, there was a certain fair lady whose colours he wore; he must not be shamed

rom the altar, unlaced his armour, and donned it herself. Then taking sword and shield and lance, she mounted his steed and rode into Darmstadt. She was absent for some time, but when she r

is friends hailed him as a mighty champion, and she who had won his affections bestowed upon him the reward of knightly valour-her promise of marriage. The bewildered Walther scarce knew whether he was awake or asleep, but at length it was

er a magnificent chapel on the spot where the miracle had taken place. Nor did he grow any less diligent in her

per of

imes steals upon the air, and then the country folk whisper, "The cooper is tasting

he wine that, in the past, had been stored in those dark, cool cellars, wondering if perhaps some might not yet be found there, or if all had been wasted and lost. And whi

moss, leading down to a weather-stained cellar-door. The door opened into dusky vaults and from a niche in the wall the little cooper took a candle and a huge bowl. Then on he went over the moist floor until there rose before them in the candlelight, darker than the gloom about it, a gigantic tun. In a crooning murmur the cooper began to tell of his possessions. He called the vaults his realm, the tuns his dear

d to hold the bowl and lift it to his lips. At last, with a courtly bow, the cooper put it into hi

the song broke into wild howling; he danced about the tuns, then fell to embracing them, stroking and kissing them, babbling love-words to the dusky fragrant wine. And still the cooper led on to the next cask, still he fil

und for the door of the wine vault, for the flight of steps leading down to that realm of delight, but though he searched long and carefu