Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-06-25
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE UNDINE OF STAUFFENBERG
LEGEND oETHE RHINE

Never did Drawer knight break n lance than
Prince Diimegen, Count de Stauffcn. He was
young, accomplished, rich and handsome he
might have aspred tn the favor of the fairest
and most noble lady in the kingdom but this
very circumstance seemed to present obstacles
TO choice. Like hee in garden filed with the
choicest flowers, he wandered from one to an
other, never wearying in the pursuit of sweets,
but still tickle and doubtful on which to rest
Perhaps had the fair danes of the court paid him
less attention, and not allowed him to perceive
the high estimation in which he was held it
would have been different but, alas then, as
now men were apt to be .spoilt by adulation
and Pierro was an example of this fact. He had
been LEFT to his own guidance, from very early
age, by reason of the death of both his parents.
Surrounded as he was by every temptation, it
would not have been very surprising had he given
into the prevalent vices of the court but he es-
capped these, and might have been perfectly hap
Ply but for caprice, which was, however, not al
ways unlnfluenced by ambition.
One day returning late from hunting, he was
accidentally separated from his companions
Overcome with thirst an fatigue, he perceived a.
fountain, shaded with lofty and beautiful oak
trees, at which he dismounted. He had ii ed up
his horse, and was about to drink, when to his
| surprise, he saw seated on the opposite bank of
| the fountain, a damsel of wonde rful beauty He
| bowed low to her and she returned the situation
| at the same time calling him by his name. The
| astonished count asked who she was and whence
she came ? " l live at hand, she replied
I" / have frequently seen you at this fountain,
| with your dogs and huntsmen, and thus it is that
have learned your name."--They continued
conversng for some time, each moment increas.
ing the counts admiration when, on hearing
voices in the neighbouring thicket she sudden.
ly vanished. The count surrounded the
next minute by his hunting comparisons, who
had been vainly seeking him for some time, and
they limited that he had been amusing himself
at their expense, as they had been in the neigh
borhood of the foun toin all the time and they
insisted they must have been heard before, if he
had not been obstinately and wilfully deaf One
of them said jestngly, that perhaps he had been
visiting the bottom ofthe fountains in quest of
one of its fair inhabta nts, as many of the neigh
boring peasants declare positively that females of
surprizing beauty have frequently been seen on
its banks, and that on the approach of footsteps
they always disappear beneath the waters. The
count inpatently interrupted them, by asking
them whether they had not seen female as
they approached the fountain. This, however,
only gave new vigor to their jokes at length,
having sought in vain for the lovely girl, or
for some traces her dwelling which she said was
near at hand the count tired of his companions
mirth, and full of surprize and perpexity, re-
turned to his palace.
He could not, however, for one moment for
get the fairy form and angelic countenance of
the fountain beauty his wayward heart now
| fancied itself fixed, and he impatiently passed
the hours till daylight enabled him to renew the
search. But day after day did he vainly
hope to meet her. At the hour he had first seen
her he repaired constantly to the fountain, blu,
the unknown was never tliere.-At length one
evening, as he was pensively reclining against
| an oak, he heard voice of celestial sweetness
which appeared to proceed from the depth of
the water He rose, looked on every side with
the utmost anxiety, but no one was visible, and
the voice was no longer to be heard He re.
turned to reseat himself under the oak. in the
hope that he should again hear her voice, when
suddenly he beheld the unknown seated on the
stone he had just left. She appeared in most
li';iy hurnour. and replied to all his questions
with fascinating badinage that captivated the
count, still more than her former behaviour he
confessed his passion, she Instantly became
thoughtful and silent at length, she told him to
meet her at the same honr on the following ,lov
The chevaer was true to his appointment
at break OF day the fair unknown appeared from
the copice and so beautiful she looked. that p;.
ere thought he bebeld an angel The ringlets
of hor auburn hair sparkled with the MORNING
dew, q wero wound with wreath orblue bells
She fixed her innocent and expressive ewes on
the enamored count, who was silent with nd.
miration. At length he ventured to take her
hand, and speak To her Of his passion. She made
him sit down by her, and thus replied to him
I" am not child ofearth !; the waters are nv
home. am an Undine, and therefore unfit 10
we'd with the Court Of StaufFenberg He
should have, with his bridge, wealth and broad