Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-06-15
DAILY EVENING STAR.
THE BLACK RAVEN.
A HUNGARIAN TRADITION


Among the lofty Carpathians, where
they mirror their stern and solemn beauty
in the clear waters of the Waag, linked
together in long chain, like the giant
guardians of the fair valley at their feet.
may be seen a detached and sterile rock
almost inaccessible, totally devoid of
vegetation, and laved by the rapid river,
which hurries from beneath its heavy
shadows to dance again in brightness in
the sunlight beyond. -s
The Count Stibor was as brave as he
was highborn; and riches had poured in
upon him until he had become one of
the wealthiest mobiles in the empire. 1t
CHANGED that one day he hunted with q
great retinue among the mountain fast
nesses: and glorious was the sport of that
gallant hunt. The .light-footed chamois,
the antlered deer, the fierce wolf, and the
grisly bear were alike laid low; when,
as the sun was about to set, he formed
his temporary encampment on the pleas
ant bank of the Waag, just where, on
the opposite side of the channel, the lone
and precipitous rock we have described
turned aside the glancing water.
The heart of Stibor was merry, for
the sport had gone we'll throughout the
day; and when his rude tents were raised,
the savory steam of the venison, and the
sparkles of the wine cup frightened his
humor, and he listened with smile upon
his lips to the light sallies of the Joyous
company.
As they talkeL idly Of the days hunt
ing, however, one wished that the deer
had taken another direction; second
that he had not missed certain shot; a
third that he had not lost his cotea,,-de-
chasse in the underwood; in short, there
was not an individual among them who
had not some regret blent with his
triumph, like drop Of gall in cup Of
honey.
"Hear me, said the magnificent noble,
during transient pause in the conver.
sation: 1" seem to be the only hunter of
the day to whom the sport has been
without blemish. 1t is true that all
your misfortunes are light enough; but
[ will have no shadow cast upon my own
joy; and therefore to compensate to you
for these alleged mishaps, each of you is
free to make wish, and if it be within
my power to grant it, / pledge my knight
ly word that it shall be fulfilled :"
A murmur of admiration ran through
the astonished circle: and the work of
ambition began. Gold was the first
thing asked for-for avarice is ever the
most greedy of all passions; and then
revenge upon on enemy-for human ma
ture will often sacrifice personal gain to
vengeance and the power-authority-
rule over their man the darling occupa-
ton and privilege of poor, weak, selfmis-
guiding mortals. In short, there was no
boon, within the reach of reason, which
had not been asked and promised, and
when the eye of Stibor fell upon his Jester,
who was standing apart playing with the
tassels of his vest, and apparently quite
in the subject which had
made all around him eager and excited.
"And thou, knave," said the noble,
" hast thou nothing to ask? Thou must |
bestir thyself, or thy master will have
little left to give, if the game 60 on thus" "
Gear not, fear not, replied the fool: |
" the claimants have been courteous, for
they have not touched upon that portion
of thy possessions of which / covet.
They have demanded gold, blood, do
the power to enjoy themselves
and to render others wretched-they are
to all they want. ask only for
stones"
A loud laugh ran through the circle.
"Stores, Betzko," echoed the aston
iShed Stibor, "t thou shalt have them to
thy hearts content, where anu in what
shape thou wilt"
Il take thee at thy work, Count Sti-
Dor. | will have them yonder, on the
crest of the bold rock that stands out
like a braggart daring the foot of man;
and in the shape Of good castle in which
[ may hold my own, should need be-"
was the uplooked-for reply.
"Thou hast lost thy chance, Betzko,"
cried a voice, amid the universal merri-
ment that ensued. mot even Stibor
can accomplish thy desire"
"Who dares to say that Stibor cannot
grant it, if such be his will 2" demanded
the chieftain in a voice ofthunder, as he
rose proudly from the earth where he had
been seated on q couch Of skins. "The
castle of BetZko shall be built !"
And it 1ras built-and within year a
festival was held there; and the noble be-
came enamored of his own creation-for
it was beautiful in its strength, and the
fair danes admired its courtly halls as
much as the warriors priced its solid walls
and its commanding towers. And thus
Count Stibor brought off the rockfortre IS
from his jester with gold, and made it
the chief place of his abode; and he feast
ed there with his guests, and made merry
with music and dance, until it seemed as
though life was to be for him one long
festival. Men often walk over the spot
which afterwards opens to bury them.
Little by little, the habit of self-indul-
gence grew upon the luxurious noble /;
yet still he loved the chase beyond all
else on earth, and his dogs were of the
feetest and finest breed.
He was one day at table, surrounded
by the richest viands ard the rarest
wines, when one of his favorite hounds
entered the hall, bowling with pain, and
dragging after him bis wounded foot,
which dropped blood as he moved along.
Terror seized upon the hearts of the vas
sails, even before the rage of their lord
burst forth and when it came, terrible
was the storm as he vowed vengeance
against the wretch who had dared thus
tn mutilate an animal that he valued.