Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-06-07
ERWIN'S DAUGHTER.

Who does not know OF the magnifi-
cent cathedral of Sirasburg. that work of
four long centuries? Inaugurated in the
fifteenth century, it has since resisted all
the ravages of men and time, and still
stands as firm, as imposing as ever!-
How many lives have been consumed in
carving this host of statues! How many
have there embodied the wonderful in
spirations of their genius! How much
patience and courage was essential to
interweaye this immense fabric of stones,
which commences at the ground and
finishes almost in the clouds! God, alone,
can tell But from among the genera
tons of illustrious unknown, who success
fully pursued this work, some few names
have been preserved by popular tradi-
ton, which, oblivious to the great, has
perpetuated more touching memories;
and whilst ignoring tue origin of the first
plan of the holy basilica, yet recalls the
story OF young girl who sculptured the
last stone. All that the people have re
tanned of this long history of the science
and art of the mideval age, is legend
which the peasant girls of Alsace relate,
as they vile away the evening.
The following is the substance of their
recital:
In the thirteenth century. the architect,
Erwin de Steinbach, WAS entrusted with
the construction of the tower which was
to crown the cathedral. He was an old
man, who asked of Heaven his genius,
and only used it for the greatest glory of
Christ. God had given him son nam
ed Jean and daughter named Sabine,
who helped him in his work. Jean was
his strength, Sabine his heart; with the
former he dared undertake, with the lat
ter he was happy in executing. Both
had received celestial gifts, and moulded
the stone in obedience to their thoughts;
but the young girl had, besides, the beau
ty of an angel. Wherever she appeared
her countenance sweety beguiled the
heart, and captivated all who beheld her;
when she spoke her face was forgotten.in
the charm of her voice, and any one Of
the young architects and sculptors who
worked under her fathers direction,
would have given all the wealth of the
world to obtain her love. Two, especially,
had openly declared their pretentions.-
One was a SiIesiau, named Bernard de
Sunder; the other, 'Frenchman from
Boulogne, called Polydore. They pos
sessed equal ability 10 the production and
execution Of sculptural designs; but their
characters were as unlike as the tempest
is unlike the calm of cloudless sky
Bernard was humble, subdued, full of
respect for men and love for God. Poly.
dore, on the contrary, was proud, auda-
cious, rebellous against earth and heaven.
When they mounted together the lofty
scaffoldings of the tower, suspended over
the abyss by fragile rope, Bernard new
er failed to cross himself, repeating the
words of the psalm, "Oh, God we are
in thy bands as chaff before the wind, as
water which fioweth away" while Poly
dore looked laugbingly up to the sky,
singing the refrain of the stone carver's
song:
Mallet and chisel aloft bearl
Though above the clouds the swallows fly,
/, with naught but my courage, dare
Mount higher still toward the distant sky.
Sabine had remarked these dissimiar-
tiles, and avowed her preference for the
young German. From the knowledge
Of this Polydore experienced grief which
soon became transformed into sullen
rage. Nevertheless, he hoped that the
young girl might yet be induced to
change her sentiments.
Erwin died, and the Council Of Stras-
burg issued proclamation announcing
that the continuation of the tower should
be con6ded to that one of the young
architects who would furnish within the
period of twelve days the finest design.
Before the expiration of the appointed
term, the Frenchman had finished his,
and every one declared that it could not
be surpassed, Sabine was struck with
admiration at seeing it, and could not re-
frain from tears.
"Why do you weep?" asked Poly
dore.
"Alasw replied the young girl, 81
weep because my father, when dying,
made me swear that no other name should
be attached to his work. I had hoped
that it would be within the power of my
brother to complete it; but now you have
excelled him, and the name of Polydore
will replace that of Erwin"
You can prevent it yet" answered
the Frenchmsn. "Consent to marry me,
and l yield to your brother the honor of
finishing the tower"
Sabine made no reply, but retired to
her own apartment, her heart racked with
contending emotions. If she persisted in
her partialty for Bernard de Sunder, she
could not keep the oath made to her
father; if on the other hand. she accept
ed Polydore's proposal, she saved the
glory of Erwin, but lost her own happi.