The Portland daily press., 1869-11-16

Tuesday Morning, NOvsmbar ie, 1869.
HsLDEGONDa.
A Tale of the Rhine.
CORTLAND


1t was midsummer when we reached Rhine
land The morning sun poured food of
beauty over the battements Of Ehrenbreits-
tein, and made the river a dazzling mirror Of
silver. This Arcadian land has long been
consecrated by poetry and romance, 80 to the
natural charms Of the river have been added
those of historic and legendery lore. AS you
pass the eastled crag of Dracheniels you are
reminded of the sad tale of Roland and his
fair maid. The circumstances thar invest the
histoy OF these unfortunate lovers with a
sweet yet melancholy beauty are these. Sir
Roland has returned from the field of war COW
cred with honor, and was enjoying a season
of unalIoyed bliss with his betrothed, when
the unwelcome news of a second invasion by
foreign foes summoned him away from home
once more. A long and sad adeu followed
this sudden interruption of their halcyon
hours. A dim foreshadowing of evil clouded
the mind OF Hildegonda as she watched his
white plume disappearing and caught the last
signal OF recognition in the wave Of his steel
gloved hand.
Charlemagne was again victorious, and the
valor of his nephew, Sir Roland, was loudly
heraided. When the army returned, Hide
gonda anx.ously waited for his appearance, {,
but he came not. At length the tidings ar
IlNtu IlldL nG udu lOullu grave Wy Tue DAQk1
of the Tagus. Never again would she behold
his face among the vine-clad hills OF his ma
tive land. Her grief was inconsolable. The
world was no longer beautiful to her, and so,
hoping to obiterate the memory Of her great
sorrow, she entered the convent of Frausn-
worth.
But Roland was not dead. Dattle-scarred, A.,
yet alive and well, he presented himself one
day at the old castle, where many months be-
fore he had enjoyed so many happy hours.
Amazed, he found it deserted; its lord dead
and Hidegonia no longer his. An aged man
whom he met told hun the story In few
words:
..The maid thou seekest is the Bride of Heavsni
Yestreen she spoke the holy VOW and donnsd the
holy vel"
Crushed with disappointment, Roland at
once immured himself in gloomy retreat
among the Drachenlels, shunnir g the society
CT men, and seldom leaving his lonely hermit
age but in quest OF food. Three had the
haryests been gathered In, and thrice had the
vintage gladdened the Observation-Disclosures
one quiet evening the vesper bell OF FTaun-
worth startled the lone watcher with q sad,
funeral tone. sit is her knell!p be wildly ex-
claimed He hurried to the river crossed IL aud
sought the convent gate. Then he learn
ed tnat bis presentiment was indeed realized.
Hildegonda was no more. In speechless grief
he bowed by her newly-made grave. Ere
another sunset reddered the hills, Rolaud's
split, too, was released from the body. Lovely
in their lives, they were not in their dea hs
long divided. The memory oil their loves has
been perpetuated by the minstrels lay, and
foreign prince erected tower near the old
hermitage. As the traveller approaches the
village OF Konigswinter, he sees, far up the
verdant slopes of the DrachenfeIs, still stand
ing in imposing beauty, the classic ruins Of
kolandseek.-Rer. L. Il. Th,oing.