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+Produced by Sandra Laythorpe
+
+
+
+
+
+SINTRAM AND HIS COMPANIONS
+
+By Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
+
+with foreword by Charlotte M. Yonge
+
+
+
+
+Introduction
+
+
+Four tales are, it is said, intended by the Author to be appropriate to
+the Four Seasons: the stern, grave "Sintram", to winter; the tearful,
+smiling, fresh "Undine", to Spring; the torrid deserts of the "Two
+Captains", to summer; and the sunset gold of "Aslauga's Knight", to
+autumn. Of these two are before us.
+
+The author of these tales, as well as of many more, was Friedrich, Baron
+de la Motte Fouque, one of the foremost of the minstrels or tale-tellers
+of the realm of spiritual chivalry--the realm whither Arthur's knights
+departed when they "took the Sancgreal's holy quest,"--whence Spenser's
+Red Cross knight and his fellows came forth on their adventures, and in
+which the Knight of la Mancha believed, and endeavoured to exist.
+
+La Motte Fouque derived his name and his title from the French Huguenot
+ancestry, who had fled on the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. His
+Christian name was taken from his godfather, Frederick the Great,
+of whom his father was a faithful friend, without compromising his
+religious principles and practice. Friedrich was born at Brandenburg on
+February 12, 1777, was educated by good parents at home, served in the
+Prussian army through disaster and success, took an enthusiastic part
+in the rising of his country against Napoleon, inditing as many
+battle-songs as Korner. When victory was achieved, he dedicated his
+sword in the church of Neunhausen where his estate lay. He lived there,
+with his beloved wife and his imagination, till his death in 1843.
+
+And all the time life was to him a poet's dream. He lived in a continual
+glamour of spiritual romance, bathing everything, from the old deities
+of the Valhalla down to the champions of German liberation, in an ideal
+glow of purity and nobleness, earnestly Christian throughout, even in
+his dealings with Northern mythology, for he saw Christ unconsciously
+shown in Baldur, and Satan in Loki.
+
+Thus he lived, felt, and believed what he wrote, and though his dramas
+and poems do not rise above fair mediocrity, and the great number of his
+prose stories are injured by a certain monotony, the charm of them is
+in their elevation of sentiment and the earnest faith pervading all. His
+knights might be Sir Galahad--
+
+
+            "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+             Because my heart is pure."
+
+
+Evil comes to them as something to be conquered, generally as a form of
+magic enchantment, and his "wondrous fair maidens" are worthy of them.
+Yet there is adventure enough to afford much pleasure, and often we have
+a touch of true genius, which has given actual ideas to the world, and
+precious ones.
+
+This genius is especially traceable in his two masterpieces, Sintram and
+Undine. Sintram was inspired by Albert Durer's engraving of the "Knight
+of Death," of which we give a presentation. It was sent to Fouque by his
+friend Edward Hitzig, with a request that he would compose a ballad
+on it. The date of the engraving is 1513, and we quote the description
+given by the late Rev. R. St. John Tyrwhitt, showing how differently it
+may be read.
+
+"Some say it is the end of the strong wicked man, just overtaken by
+Death and Sin, whom he has served on earth. It is said that the tuft on
+the lance indicates his murderous character, being of such unusual size.
+You know the use of that appendage was to prevent blood running down
+from the spearhead to the hands. They also think that the object under
+the horse's off hind foot is a snare, into which the old oppressor is
+to fall instantly. The expression of the faces may be taken either way:
+both good men and bad may have hard, regular features; and both good men
+and bad would set their teeth grimly on seeing Death, with the sands of
+their life nearly run out. Some say they think the expression of Death
+gentle, or only admonitory (as the author of "Sintram"); and I have to
+thank the authoress of the "Heir of Redclyffe" for showing me a fine
+impression of the plate, where Death certainly had a not ungentle
+countenance--snakes and all. I think the shouldered lance, and quiet,
+firm seat on horseback, with gentle bearing on the curb-bit, indicate
+grave resolution in the rider, and that a robber knight would have his
+lance in rest; then there is the leafy crown on the horse's head; and
+the horse and dog move on so quietly, that I am inclined to hope the
+best for the Ritter."
+
+Musing on the mysterious engraving, Fouque saw in it the life-long
+companions of man, Death and Sin, whom he must defy in order to reach
+salvation; and out of that contemplation rose his wonderful romance,
+not exactly an allegory, where every circumstance can be fitted with an
+appropriate meaning, but with the sense of the struggle of life, with
+external temptation and hereditary inclination pervading all, while
+Grace and Prayer aid the effort. Folko and Gabrielle are revived from
+the Magic Ring, that Folko may by example and influence enhance all
+higher resolutions; while Gabrielle, in all unconscious innocence,
+awakes the passions, and thus makes the conquest the harder.
+
+It is within the bounds of possibility that the similarities of
+folk-lore may have brought to Fouque's knowledge the outline of the
+story which Scott tells us was the germ of "Guy Mannering"; where a boy,
+whose horoscope had been drawn by an astrologer, as likely to encounter
+peculiar trials at certain intervals, actually had, in his twenty-first
+year, a sort of visible encounter with the Tempter, and came off
+conqueror by his strong faith in the Bible. Sir Walter, between
+reverence and realism, only took the earlier part of the story, but
+Fouque gives us the positive struggle, and carries us along with the
+final victory and subsequent peace. His tale has had a remarkable power
+over the readers. We cannot but mention two remarkable instances at
+either end of the scale. Cardinal Newman, in his younger days, was
+so much overcome by it that he hurried out into the garden to read it
+alone, and returned with traces of emotion in his face. And when Charles
+Lowder read it to his East End boys, their whole minds seemed engrossed
+by it, and they even called certain spots after the places mentioned.
+Imagine the Rocks of the Moon in Ratcliff Highway!
+
+May we mention that Miss Christabel Coleridge's "Waynflete" brings
+something of the spirit and idea of "Sintram" into modern life?
+
+"Undine" is a story of much lighter fancy, and full of a peculiar grace,
+though with a depth of melancholy that endears it. No doubt it
+was founded on the universal idea in folk-lore of the nixies or
+water-spirits, one of whom, in Norwegian legend, was seen weeping
+bitterly because of the want of a soul. Sometimes the nymph is a wicked
+siren like the Lorelei; but in many of these tales she weds an earthly
+lover, and deserts him after a time, sometimes on finding her diving
+cap, or her seal-skin garment, which restores her to her ocean kindred,
+sometimes on his intruding on her while she is under a periodical
+transformation, as with the fairy Melusine, more rarely if he becomes
+unfaithful.
+
+There is a remarkable Cornish tale of a nymph or mermaiden, who thus
+vanished, leaving a daughter who loved to linger on the beach rather
+than sport with other children. By and by she had a lover, but no sooner
+did he show tokens of inconstancy, than the mother came up from the sea
+and put him to death, when the daughter pined away and died. Her name
+was Selina, which gives the tale a modern aspect, and makes us wonder
+if the old tradition can have been modified by some report of Undine's
+story.
+
+There was an idea set forth by the Rosicrucians of spirits abiding in
+the elements, and as Undine represented the water influences, Fouque's
+wife, the Baroness Caroline, wrote a fairly pretty story on the sylphs
+of fire. But Undine's freakish playfulness and mischief as an elemental
+being, and her sweet patience when her soul is won, are quite
+original, and indeed we cannot help sharing, or at least understanding,
+Huldbrand's beginning to shrink from the unearthly creature to something
+of his own flesh and blood. He is altogether unworthy, and though in
+this tale there is far less of spiritual meaning than in Sintram, we
+cannot but see that Fouque's thought was that the grosser human nature
+is unable to appreciate what is absolutely pure and unearthly.
+
+                                             C. M. YONGE.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 1
+
+
+
+In the high castle of Drontheim many knights sat assembled to hold
+council for the weal of the realm; and joyously they caroused together
+till midnight around the huge stone table in the vaulted hall. A rising
+storm drove the snow wildly against the rattling windows; all the oak
+doors groaned, the massive locks shook, the castle-clock slowly
+and heavily struck the hour of one. Then a boy, pale as death, with
+disordered hair and closed eyes, rushed into the hall, uttering a wild
+scream of terror. He stopped beside the richly carved seat of the mighty
+Biorn, clung to the glittering knight with both his hands, and shrieked
+in a piercing voice, "Knight and father! father and knight! Death and
+another are closely pursuing me!"
+
+An awful stillness lay like ice on the whole assembly, save that the boy
+screamed ever the fearful words. But one of Biorn's numerous retainers,
+an old esquire, known by the name of Rolf the Good, advanced towards the
+terrified child, took him in his arms, and half chanted this prayer: "O
+Father, help Thy servant! I believe, and yet I cannot believe." The boy,
+as if in a dream, at once loosened his hold of the knight; and the good
+Rolf bore him from the hall unresisting, yet still shedding hot tears
+and murmuring confused sounds.
+
+The lords and knights looked at one another much amazed, until the
+mighty Biorn said, wildly and fiercely laughing, "Marvel not at that
+strange boy. He is my only son; and has been thus since he was five
+years old: he is now twelve. I am therefore accustomed to see him so;
+though, at the first, I too was disquieted by it. The attack comes upon
+him only once in the year, and always at this same time. But forgive me
+for having spent so many words on my poor Sintram, and let us pass on to
+some worthier subject for our discourse."
+
+Again there was silence for a while; then whisperingly and doubtfully
+single voices strove to renew their broken-off discourse, but without
+success. Two of the youngest and most joyous began a roundelay; but
+the storm howled and raged so wildly without, that this too was soon
+interrupted. And now they all sat silent and motionless in the lofty
+hall; the lamp flickered sadly under the vaulted roof; the whole party
+of knights looked like pale, lifeless images dressed up in gigantic
+armour.
+
+Then arose the chaplain of the castle of Drontheim, the only priest
+among the knightly throng, and said, "Dear Lord Biorn, our eyes and
+thoughts have all been directed to you and your son in a wonderful
+manner; but so it has been ordered by the providence of God. You
+perceive that we cannot withdraw them; and you would do well to tell
+us exactly what you know concerning the fearful state of the boy.
+Perchance, the solemn tale, which I expect from you, might do good to
+this disturbed assembly."
+
+Biorn cast a look of displeasure on the priest, and answered, "Sir
+chaplain, you have more share in the history than either you or I could
+desire. Excuse me, if I am unwilling to trouble these light-hearted
+warriors with so rueful a tale."
+
+But the chaplain approached nearer to the knight, and said, in a firm
+yet very mild tone, "Dear lord, hitherto it rested with you alone to
+relate, or not to relate it; but now that you have so strangely hinted
+at the share which I have had in your son's calamity, I must positively
+demand that you will repeat word for word how everything came to pass.
+My honour will have it so, and that will weigh with you as much as with
+me."
+
+In stern compliance Biorn bowed his haughty head, and began the
+following narration. "This time seven years I was keeping the Christmas
+feast with my assembled followers. We have many venerable old customs
+which have descended to us by inheritance from our great forefathers;
+as, for instance, that of placing a gilded boar's head on the table, and
+making thereon knightly vows of daring and wondrous deeds. Our chaplain
+here, who used then frequently to visit me, was never a friend to
+keeping up such traditions of the ancient heathen world. Such men as he
+were not much in favour in those olden times."
+
+"My excellent predecessors," interrupted the chaplain, "belonged more
+to God than to the world, and with Him they were in favour. Thus they
+converted your ancestors; and if I can in like manner be of service to
+you, even your jeering will not vex me."
+
+With looks yet darker, and a somewhat angry shudder, the knight resumed:
+"Yes, yes; I know all your promises and threats of an invisible Power,
+and how they are meant persuade us to part more readily with whatever of
+this world's goods we may possess. Once, ah, truly, once I too had such!
+Strange!--Sometimes it seems to me as though ages had passed over since
+then, and as if I were alone the survivor, so fearfully has everything
+changed. But now I bethink me, that the greater part of this noble
+company knew me in my happiness, and have seen my wife, my lovely
+Verena."
+
+He pressed his hands on his eyes, and it seemed as though he wept. The
+storm had ceased; the soft light of the moon shone through the windows,
+and her beams played on his wild features. Suddenly he started up, so
+that his heavy armour rattled with a fearful sound, and he cried out
+in a thundering voice, "Shall I turn monk, as she has become a nun? No,
+crafty priest; your webs are too thin to catch flies of my sort."
+
+"I have nothing to do with webs," said the chaplain. "In all openness
+and sincerity have I put heaven and hell before you during the space of
+six years; and you gave full consent to the step which the holy Verena
+took. But what all that has to do with your son's sufferings I know not,
+and I wait for your narration."
+
+"You may wait long enough," said Biorn, with a sneer. "Sooner shall--"
+
+"Swear not!" said the chaplain in a loud commanding tone, and his eyes
+flashed almost fearfully.
+
+"Hurra!" cried Biorn, in wild affright; "hurra! Death and his companion
+are loose!" and he dashed madly out of the chamber and down the steps.
+The rough and fearful notes of his horn were heard summoning his
+retainers; and presently afterwards the clatter of horses' feet on the
+frozen court-yard gave token of their departure. The knights retired,
+silent and shuddering; while the chaplain remained alone at the huge
+stone table, praying.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 2
+
+
+
+After some time the good Rolf returned with slow and soft steps, and
+started with surprise at finding the hall deserted. The chamber where he
+had been occupied in quieting and soothing the unhappy child was in so
+distant a part of the castle that he had heard nothing of the knight's
+hasty departure. The chaplain related to him all that had passed, and
+then said, "But, my good Rolf, I much wish to ask you concerning those
+strange words with which you seemed to lull poor Sintram to rest.
+They sounded like sacred words, and no doubt they are; but I could not
+understand them. 'I believe, and yet I cannot believe.'"
+
+"Reverend sir," answered Rolf, "I remember that from my earliest years
+no history in the Gospels has taken such hold of me as that of the child
+possessed with a devil, which the disciples were not able to cast out;
+but when our Saviour came down from the mountain where He had been
+transfigured, He broke the bonds wherewith the evil spirit had held the
+miserable child bound. I always felt as if I must have known and loved
+that boy, and been his play-fellow in his happy days; and when I grew
+older, then the distress of the father on account of his lunatic son lay
+heavy at my heart. It must surely have all been a foreboding of our poor
+young Lord Sintram, whom I love as if he were my own child; and now
+the words of the weeping father in the Gospel often come into my
+mind,--'Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief;' and something similar
+I may very likely have repeated to-day as a chant or a prayer. Reverend
+father, when I consider how one dreadful imprecation of the father has
+kept its withering hold on the son, all seems dark before me; but, God
+be praised! my faith and my hope remain above."
+
+"Good Rolf," said the priest, "I cannot clearly understand what you
+say about the unhappy Sintram; for I do not know when and how this
+affliction came upon him. If no oath or solemn promise bind you to
+secrecy, will you make known to me all that is connected with it?"
+
+"Most willingly," replied Rolf. "I have long desired to have an
+opportunity of so doing; but you have been almost always separated
+from us. I dare not now leave the sleeping boy any longer alone; and
+to-morrow, at the earliest dawn, I must take him to his father. Will you
+come with me, dear sir, to our poor Sintram?"
+
+The chaplain at once took up the small lamp which Rolf had brought with
+him, and they set off together through the long vaulted passages. In the
+small distant chamber they found the poor boy fast asleep. The light of
+the lamp fell strangely on his very pale face. The chaplain stood gazing
+at him for some time, and at length said: "Certainly from his birth his
+features were always sharp and strongly marked, but now they are almost
+fearfully so for such a child; and yet no one can help having a kindly
+feeling towards him, whether he will or not."
+
+"Most true, dear sir," answered Rolf. And it was evident how his whole
+heart rejoiced at any word which betokened affection for his beloved
+young lord. Thereupon he placed the lamp where its light could not
+disturb the boy, and seating himself close by the priest, he began to
+speak in the following terms:--"During that Christmas feast of which my
+lord was talking to you, he and his followers discoursed much concerning
+the German merchants, and the best means of keeping down the increasing
+pride and power of the trading-towns. At length Biorn laid his impious
+hand on the golden boar's head, and swore to put to death without mercy
+every German trader whom fate, in what way soever, might bring
+alive into his power. The gentle Verena turned pale, and would have
+interposed--but it was too late, the bloody word was uttered. And
+immediately afterwards, as though the great enemy of souls were
+determined at once to secure with fresh bonds the vassal thus devoted
+to him, a warder came into the hall to announce that two citizens of a
+trading-town in Germany, an old man and his son, had been shipwrecked
+on this coast, and were now within the gates, asking hospitality of the
+lord of the castle. The knight could not refrain from shuddering; but
+he thought himself bound by his rash vow and by that accursed heathenish
+golden boar. We, his retainers, were commanded to assemble in the
+castle-yard, armed with sharp spears, which were to be hurled at the
+defenceless strangers at the first signal made to us. For the first,
+and I trust the last time in my life, I said 'No' to the commands of
+my lord; and that I said in a loud voice, and with the heartiest
+determination. The Almighty, who alone knows whom He will accept and
+whom He will reject, armed me with resolution and strength. And Biorn
+might perceive whence the refusal of his faithful old servant arose, and
+that it was worthy of respect. He said to me, half in anger and half in
+scorn: 'Go up to my wife's apartments; her attendants are running to
+and fro, perhaps she is ill. Go up, Rolf the Good, I say to thee, and so
+women shall be with women.' I thought to myself, 'Jeer on, then;' and I
+went silently the way that he had pointed out to me. On the stairs
+there met me two strange and right fearful beings, whom I had never seen
+before; and I know not how they got into the castle. One of them was a
+great tall man, frightfully pallid and thin; the other was a dwarf-like
+man, with a most hideous countenance and features. Indeed, when I
+collected my thoughts and looked carefully at him, it appeared to me--"
+
+Low moanings and convulsive movements of the boy here interrupted the
+narrative. Rolf and his chaplain hastened to his bedside, and perceived
+that his countenance wore an expression of fearful agony, and that he
+was struggling in vain to open his eyes. The priest made the Sign of
+the Cross over him, and immediately peace seemed to be restored, and his
+sleep again became quiet: they both returned softly to their seats.
+
+"You see," said Rolf, "that it will not do to describe more closely
+those two awful beings. Suffice it to say, that they went down into the
+court-yard, and that I proceeded to my lady's apartments. I found the
+gentle Verena almost fainting with terror and overwhelming anxiety, and
+I hastened to restore her with some of those remedies which I was able
+to apply by my skill, through God's gift and the healing virtues of
+herbs and minerals. But scarcely had she recovered her senses, when,
+with that calm holy power which, as you know, is hers, she desired me
+to conduct her down to the court-yard, saying that she must either put
+a stop to the fearful doings of this night, or herself fall a sacrifice.
+Our way took us by the little bed of the sleeping Sintram. Alas! hot
+tears fell from my eyes to see how evenly his gentle breath then came
+and went, and how sweetly he smiled in his peaceful slumbers."
+
+The old man put his hands to his eyes, and wept bitterly; but soon
+he resumed his sad story. "As we approached the lowest window of the
+staircase, we could hear distinctly the voice of the elder merchant; and
+on looking out, the light of the torches showed me his noble features,
+as well as the bright youthful countenance of his son. 'I take Almighty
+God to witness,' cried he, 'that I had no evil thought against this
+house! But surely I must have fallen unawares amongst heathens; it
+cannot be that I am in a Christian knight's castle; and if you are
+indeed heathens, then kill us at once. And thou, my beloved son, be
+patient and of good courage; in heaven we shall learn wherefore it could
+not be otherwise.' I thought I could see those two fearful ones amidst
+the throng of retainers. The pale one had a huge curved sword in his
+hand, the little one held a spear notched in a strange fashion. Verena
+tore open the window, and cried in silvery tones through the wild night,
+'My dearest lord and husband, for the sake of your only child, have pity
+on those harmless men! Save them from death, and resist the temptation
+of the evil spirit.' The knight answered in his fierce wrath--but I
+cannot repeat his words. He staked his child on the desperate cast; he
+called Death and the Devil to see that he kept his word:--but hush! the
+boy is again moaning. Let me bring the dark tale quickly to a close.
+Biorn commanded his followers to strike, casting on them those fierce
+looks which have gained him the title of Biorn of the Fiery Eyes; while
+at the same time the two frightful strangers bestirred themselves very
+busily. Then Verena called out, with piercing anguish, 'Help, O God, my
+Saviour!' Those two dreadful figures disappeared; and the knight and his
+retainers, as if seized with blindness, rushed wildly one against the
+other, but without doing injury to themselves, or yet being able to
+strike the merchants, who ran so close a risk. They bowed reverently
+towards Verena, and with calm thanksgivings departed through the
+castle-gates, which at that moment had been burst open by a violent gust
+of wind, and now gave a free passage to any who would go forth. The lady
+and I were yet standing bewildered on the stairs, when I fancied I
+saw the two fearful forms glide close by me, but mist-like and unreal.
+Verena called to me: 'Rolf, did you see a tall pale man, and a little
+hideous one with him, pass just now up the staircase?' I flew after
+them; and found, alas, the poor boy in the same state in which you saw
+him a few hours ago. Ever since, the attack has come on him regularly at
+this time, and he is in all respects fearfully changed. The lady of
+the castle did not fail to discern the avenging hand of Heaven in this
+calamity; and as the knight, her husband, instead of repenting, ever
+became more truly Biorn of the Fiery Eyes, she resolved, in the walls of
+a cloister, by unremitting prayer, to obtain mercy in time and eternity
+for herself and her unhappy child."
+
+Rolf was silent; and the chaplain, after some thought, said: "I now
+understand why, six years ago, Biorn confessed his guilt to me in
+general words, and consented that his wife should take the veil. Some
+faint compunction must then have stirred within him, and perhaps may
+stir him yet. At any rate it was impossible that so tender a flower as
+Verena could remain longer in so rough keeping. But who is there now to
+watch over and protect our poor Sintram?"
+
+"The prayer of his mother," answered Rolf. "Reverend sir, when the
+first dawn of day appears, as it does now, and when the morning breeze
+whispers through the glancing window, they ever bring to my mind the
+soft beaming eyes of my lady, and I again seem to hear the sweet tones
+of her voice. The holy Verena is, next to God, our chief aid."
+
+"And let us add our devout supplications to the Lord," said the
+chaplain; and he and Rolf knelt in silent and earnest prayer by the bed
+of the pale sufferer, who began to smile in his dreams.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 3
+
+
+
+The rays of the sun shining brightly into the room awoke Sintram, and
+raising himself up, he looked angrily at the chaplain, and said, "So
+there is a priest in the castle! And yet that accursed dream continues
+to torment me even in his very presence. Pretty priest he must be!"
+
+"My child," answered the chaplain in the mildest tone, "I have prayed
+for thee most fervently, and I shall never cease doing so--but God alone
+is Almighty."
+
+"You speak very boldly to the son of the knight Biorn," cried Sintram.
+"'My child!' If those horrible dreams had not been again haunting me,
+you would make me laugh heartily."
+
+"Young Lord Sintram," said the chaplain, "I am by no means surprised
+that you do not know me again; for in truth, neither do I know you
+again." And his eyes filled with tears as he spoke.
+
+The good Rolf looked sorrowfully in the boy's face, saying, "Ah, my dear
+young master, you are so much better than you would make people believe.
+Why do you that? Your memory is so good, that you must surely recollect
+your kind old friend the chaplain, who used formerly to be constantly at
+the castle, and to bring you so many gifts--bright pictures of saints,
+and beautiful songs?"
+
+"I know all that very well," replied Sintram thoughtfully. "My sainted
+mother was alive in those days."
+
+"Our gracious lady is still living, God be praised," said the good Rolf.
+
+"But she does not live for us, poor sick creatures that we are!" cried
+Sintram. "And why will you not call her sainted? Surely she knows
+nothing about my dreams?"
+
+"Yes, she does know of them," said the chaplain; "and she prays to God
+for you. But take heed, and restrain that wild, haughty temper of yours.
+It might, indeed, come to pass that she would know nothing about your
+dreams, and that would be if your soul were separated from your body;
+and then the holy angels also would cease to know anything of you."
+
+Sintram fell back on his bed as if thunderstruck; and Rolf said, with
+a gentle sigh, "You should not speak so severely to my poor sick child,
+reverend sir."
+
+The boy sat up, and with tearful eyes he turned caressingly towards the
+chaplain: "Let him do as he pleases, you good, tender-hearted Rolf;
+he knows very well what he is about. Would you reprove him if I were
+slipping down a snow-cleft, and he caught me up roughly by the hair of
+my head?"
+
+The priest looked tenderly at him, and would have spoken his holy
+thoughts, when Sintram suddenly sprang off the bed and asked after his
+father. As soon as he heard of the knight's departure, he would not
+remain another hour in the castle; and put aside the fears of the
+chaplain and the old esquire, lest a rapid journey should injure his
+hardly restored health, by saying to them, "Believe me, reverend sir,
+and dear old Rolf, if I were not subject to these hideous dreams, there
+would not be a bolder youth in the whole world; and even as it is, I am
+not so far behind the very best. Besides, till another year has passed,
+my dreams are at an end."
+
+On his somewhat imperious sign Rolf brought out the horses. The boy
+threw himself boldly into the saddle, and taking a courteous leave of
+the chaplain, he dashed along the frozen valley that lay between the
+snow-clad mountains. He had not ridden far, in company with his old
+attendant, when he heard a strange indistinct sound proceeding from
+a neighbouring cleft in the rock; it was partly like the clapper of a
+small mill, but mingled with that were hollow groans and other tones of
+distress. Thither they turned their horses, and a wonderful sight showed
+itself to them.
+
+A tall man, deadly pale, in a pilgrim's garb, was striving with violent
+though unsuccessful efforts, to work his way out of the snow and to
+climb up the mountain; and thereby a quantity of bones, which were
+hanging loosely all about his garments, rattled one against the other,
+and caused the mysterious sound already mentioned. Rolf, much terrified,
+crossed himself, while the bold Sintram called out to the stranger,
+"What art thou doing there? Give an account of thy solitary labours."
+
+"I live in death," replied that other one with a fearful grin.
+
+"Whose are those bones on thy clothes?"
+
+"They are relics, young sir."
+
+"Art thou a pilgrim?"
+
+"Restless, quietless, I wander up and down."
+
+"Thou must not perish here in the snow before my eyes."
+
+"That I will not."
+
+"Thou must come up and sit on my horse."
+
+"That I will." And all at once he started up out of the snow with
+surprising strength and agility, and sat on the horse behind Sintram,
+clasping him tight in his long arms. The horse, startled by the rattling
+of the bones, and as if seized with madness, rushed away through the
+most trackless passes. The boy soon found himself alone with his strange
+companion; for Rolf, breathless with fear, spurred on his horse in vain,
+and remained far behind them. From a snowy precipice the horse slid,
+without falling, into a narrow gorge, somewhat indeed exhausted, yet
+continuing to snort and foam as before, and still unmastered by the boy.
+Yet his headlong course being now changed into a rough irregular trot,
+Sintram was able to breathe more freely, and to begin the following
+discourse with his unknown companion.
+
+"Draw thy garment closer around thee, thou pale man, so the bones will
+not rattle, and I shall be able to curb my horse."
+
+"It would be of no avail, boy; it would be of no avail. The bones must
+rattle."
+
+"Do not clasp me so tight with thy long arms, they are so cold."
+
+"It cannot be helped, boy; it cannot be helped. Be content. For my long
+cold arms are not pressing yet on thy heart."
+
+"Do not breathe on me so with thy icy breath. All my strength is
+departing."
+
+"I must breathe, boy; I must breathe. But do not complain. I am not
+blowing thee away."
+
+The strange dialogue here came to an end; for to Sintram's surprise he
+found himself on an open plain, over which the sun was shining brightly,
+and at no great distance before him he saw his father's castle. While
+he was thinking whether he might invite the unearthly pilgrim to rest
+there, this one put an end to his doubts by throwing himself suddenly
+off the horse, whose wild course was checked by the shock. Raising his
+forefinger, he said to the boy, "I know old Biorn of the Fiery Eyes
+well; perhaps but too well. Commend me to him. It will not need to tell
+him my name; he will recognize me at the description." So saying, the
+ghastly stranger turned aside into a thick fir-wood, and disappeared
+rattling amongst the tangled branches.
+
+Slowly and thoughtfully Sintram rode on towards his father's castle,
+his horse now again quiet and altogether exhausted. He scarcely knew
+how much he ought to relate of his wonderful journey, and he also
+felt oppressed with anxiety for the good Rolf, who had remained so far
+behind. He found himself at the castle-gate sooner than he had expected;
+the drawbridge was lowered, the doors were thrown open; an attendant led
+the youth into the great hall, where Biorn was sitting all alone at
+a huge table, with many flagons and glasses before him, and suits of
+armour ranged on either side of him. It was his daily custom, by way of
+company, to have the armour of his ancestors, with closed visors, placed
+all round the table at which he sat. The father and son began conversing
+as follows:
+
+"Where is Rolf?"
+
+"I do not know, father; he left me in the mountains."
+
+"I will have Rolf shot if he cannot take better care than that of my
+only child."
+
+"Then, father, you will have your only child shot at the same time, for
+without Rolf I cannot live; and if even one single dart is aimed at
+him, I will be there to receive it, and to shield his true and faithful
+heart."
+
+"So!--Then Rolf shall not be shot, but he shall be driven from the
+castle."
+
+"In that case, father, you will see me go away also; and I will give
+myself up to serve him in forests, in mountains, in caves."
+
+"So'--Well, then, Rolf must remain here."
+
+"That is just what I think, father."
+
+"Were you riding quite alone?"
+
+"No, father; but with a strange pilgrim. He said that he knew you very
+well--perhaps too well." And thereupon Sintram began to relate and to
+describe all that had passed with the pale man.
+
+"I know him also very well," said Biorn. "He is half crazed and half
+wise, as we sometimes are astonished at seeing that people can be. But
+do thou, my boy, go to rest after thy wild journey. I give you my word
+that Rolf shall be kindly received if he arrive here; and that if he do
+not come soon, he shall be sought for in the mountains."
+
+"I trust to your word, father," said Sintram, half humble, half proud;
+and he did after the command of the grim lord of the castle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 4
+
+
+
+Towards evening Sintram awoke. He saw the good Rolf sitting at his
+bedside, and looked up in the old man's kind face with a smile of
+unusually innocent brightness. But soon again his dark brows were knit,
+and he asked, "How did my father receive you, Rolf? Did he say a harsh
+word to you?"
+
+"No, my dear young lord, he did not; indeed he did not speak to me
+at all. At first he looked very wrathful; but he checked himself,
+and ordered a servant to bring me food and wine to refresh me, and
+afterwards to take me to your room."
+
+"He might have kept his word better. But he is my father, and I must
+not judge him too hardly. I will now go down to the evening meal." So
+saying, he sprang up and threw on his furred mantle.
+
+But Rolf stopped him, and said, entreatingly: "My dear young master,
+you would do better to take your meal to-day alone here in your own
+apartment; for there is a guest with your father, in whose company
+I should be very sorry to see you. If you will remain here, I will
+entertain you with pleasant tales and songs."
+
+"There is nothing in the world which I should like better, dear Rolf,"
+answered Sintram; "but it does not befit me to shun any man. Tell me,
+whom should I find with my father?"
+
+"Alas!" said the old man, "you have already found him in the mountain.
+Formerly, when I used to ride about the country with Biorn, we often met
+with him, but I was forbidden to tell you anything about him; and this
+is the first time that he has ever come to the castle."
+
+"The crazy pilgrim!" replied Sintram; and he stood awhile in deep
+thought, as if considering the matter. At last, rousing himself, he
+said, "Dear old friend, I would most willingly stay here this evening
+all alone with you and your stories and songs, and all the pilgrims in
+the world should not entice me from this quiet room. But one thing must
+be considered. I feel a kind of dread of that pale, tall man; and by
+such fears no knight's son can ever suffer himself to be overcome. So be
+not angry, dear Rolf, if I determine to go and look that strange palmer
+in the face." And he shut the door of the chamber behind him, and with
+firm and echoing steps proceeded to the hall.
+
+The pilgrim and the knight were sitting opposite to each other at the
+great table, on which many lights were burning; and it was fearful,
+amongst all the lifeless armour, to see those two tall grim men move,
+and eat, and drink.
+
+As the pilgrim looked up on the boy's entrance, Biorn said: "You know
+him already: he is my only child, and fellow-traveller this morning."
+
+The palmer fixed an earnest look on Sintram, and answered, shaking his
+head, "I know not what you mean."
+
+Then the boy burst forth, impatiently, "It must be confessed that you
+deal very unfairly by us! You say that you know my father but too much,
+and now it seems that you know me altogether too little. Look me in the
+face: who allowed you to ride on his horse, and in return had his good
+steed driven almost wild? Speak, if you can!"
+
+Biorn smiled, shaking his head, but well pleased, as was his wont, with
+his son's wild behaviour; while the pilgrim shuddered as if terrified
+and overcome by some fearful irresistible power. At length, with a
+trembling voice, he said these words: "Yes, yes, my dear young lord, you
+are surely quite right; you are perfectly right in everything which you
+may please to assert."
+
+Then the lord of the castle laughed aloud, and said: "Why, thou strange
+pilgrim, what is become of all thy wonderfully fine speeches and
+warnings now? Has the boy all at once struck thee dumb and powerless?
+Beware, thou prophet-messenger, beware!"
+
+But the palmer cast a fearful look on Biorn, which seemed to quench
+the light of his fiery eyes, and said solemnly, in a thundering voice,
+"Between me and thee, old man, the case stands quite otherwise. We have
+nothing to reproach each other with. And now suffer me to sing a song to
+you on the lute." He stretched out his hand, and took down from the wall
+a forgotten and half-strung lute, which was hanging there; and, with
+surprising skill and rapidity, having put it in a state fit for use, he
+struck some chords, and raised this song to the low melancholy tones of
+the instrument:
+
+
+                  "The flow'ret was mine own, mine own,
+                   But I have lost its fragrance rare,
+                   And knightly name and freedom fair,
+                     Through sin, through sin alone.
+
+                   The flow'ret was thine own, thine own,
+                   Why cast away what thou didst win?
+                   Thou knight no more, but slave of sin,
+                     Thou'rt fearfully alone!"
+
+
+"Have a care!" shouted he at the close in a pealing voice, as he pulled
+the strings so mightily that they all broke with a clanging wail, and
+a cloud of dust rose from the old lute, which spread round him like a
+mist.
+
+Sintram had been watching him narrowly whilst he was singing, and more
+and more did he feel convinced that it was impossible that this man and
+his fellow-traveller of the morning could be one and the same. Nay, the
+doubt rose to certainty, when the stranger again looked round at
+him with the same timid, anxious air, and with many excuses and low
+reverences hung the lute in its old place, and then ran out of the hall
+as if bewildered with terror, in strange contrast with the proud and
+stately bearing which he had shown to Biorn.
+
+The eyes of the boy were now directed to his father, and he saw that he
+had sunk back senseless in his seat, as if struck by a blow. Sintram's
+cries called Rolf and other attendants into the hall; and only by great
+labour did their united efforts awake the lord of the castle. His looks
+were still wild and disordered; but he allowed himself to be taken to
+rest, quiet and yielding.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 5
+
+
+
+An illness followed this sudden attack; and during the course of it the
+stout old knight, in the midst of his delirious ravings, did not cease
+to affirm confidently that he must and should recover. He laughed
+proudly when his fever-fits came on, and rebuked them for daring to
+attack him so needlessly. Then he murmured to himself, "That was not
+the right one yet; there must still be another one out in the cold
+mountains."
+
+Always at such words Sintram involuntarily shuddered; they seemed to
+strengthen his notion that he who had ridden with him, and he who had
+sat at table in the castle, were two quite distinct persons; and he
+knew not why, but this thought was inexpressibly awful to him. Biorn
+recovered, and appeared to have entirely forgotten his adventure with
+the palmer. He hunted in the mountains; he carried on his usual wild
+warfare with his neighbours; and Sintram, as he grew up, became his
+almost constant companion; whereby each year a fearful strength of body
+and spirit was unfolded in the youth. Every one trembled at the sight
+of his sharp pallid features, his dark rolling eyes, his tall, muscular,
+and somewhat lean form; and yet no one hated him--not even those whom he
+distressed or injured in his wildest humours. This might arise in part
+out of regard to old Rolf, who seldom left him for long, and who always
+held a softening influence over him; but also many of those who had
+known the Lady Verena while she still lived in the world affirmed that a
+faint reflection of her heavenly expression floated over the very unlike
+features of her son, and that by this their hearts were won.
+
+Once, just at the beginning of spring, Biorn and his son were hunting
+in the neighbourhood of the sea-coast, over a tract of country which did
+not belong to them; drawn thither less by the love of sport than by the
+wish of bidding defiance to a chieftain whom they detested, and thus
+exciting a feud. At that season of the year, when his winter dreams had
+just passed off, Sintram was always unusually fierce and disposed for
+warlike adventures. And this day he was enraged at the chieftain for not
+coming in arms from his castle to hinder their hunting; and he cursed,
+in the wildest words, his tame patience and love of peace. Just then one
+of his wild young companions rushed towards him, shouting joyfully: "Be
+content my dear young lord! I will wager that all is coming about as
+we and you wish; for as I was pursuing a wounded deer down to the
+sea-shore, I saw a sail and a vessel filled with armed men making for
+the shore. Doubtless your enemy purposes to fall upon you from the
+coast."
+
+Joyfully and secretly Sintram called all his followers together, being
+resolved this time to take the combat on himself alone, and then to
+rejoin his father, and astonish him with the sight of captured foes and
+other tokens of victory.
+
+The hunters, thoroughly acquainted with every cliff and rock on the
+coast, hid themselves round the landing-place; and soon the strange
+vessel hove nearer with swelling sails, till at length it came to
+anchor, and its crew began to disembark in unsuspicious security. At
+the head of them appeared a knight of high degree, in blue steel armour
+richly inlaid with gold. His head was bare, for he carried his costly
+golden helmet hanging on his left arm. He looked royally around him; and
+his countenance, which dark brown locks shaded, was pleasant to behold;
+and a well-trimmed moustache fringed his mouth, from which, as he
+smiled, gleamed forth two rows of pearl-white teeth.
+
+A feeling came across Sintram that he must already have seen this knight
+somewhere; and he stood motionless for a few moments. But suddenly he
+raised his hand, to make the agreed signal of attack. In vain did the
+good Rolf, who had just succeeded in getting up to him, whisper in his
+ear that these could not be the foes whom he had taken them for, but
+that they were unknown, and certainly high and noble strangers.
+
+"Let them be who they may," replied the wild youth, "they have enticed
+me here to wait, and they shall pay the penalty of thus fooling me. Say
+not another word, if you value your life." And immediately he gave the
+signal, a thick shower of javelins followed from all sides, and the
+Norwegian warriors rushed forth with flashing swords. They found their
+foes as brave, or somewhat braver, than they could have desired. More
+fell on the side of those who made than of those who received the
+assault; and the strangers appeared to understand surprisingly the
+Norwegian manner of fighting. The knight in steel armour had not in his
+haste put on his helmet; but it seemed as if he in no wise needed such
+protection, for his good sword afforded him sufficient defence even
+against the spears and darts which were incessantly hurled at him, as
+with rapid skill he received them on the shining blade, and dashed them
+far away, shivered into fragments.
+
+Sintram could not at the first onset penetrate to where this shining
+hero was standing, as all his followers, eager after such a noble prey,
+thronged closely round him; but now the way was cleared enough for
+him to spring towards the brave stranger, shouting a war-cry, and
+brandishing his sword above his head.
+
+"Gabrielle!" cried the knight, as he dexterously parried the heavy blow
+which was descending, and with one powerful sword-thrust he laid the
+youth prostrate on the ground; then placing his knee on Sintram's
+breast, he drew forth a flashing dagger, and held it before his eyes as
+he lay astonished. All at once the men-at-arms stood round like walls.
+Sintram felt that no hope remained for him. He determined to die as it
+became a bold warrior; and without giving one sign of emotion, he looked
+on the fatal weapon with a steady gaze.
+
+As he lay with his eyes cast upwards, he fancied that there appeared
+suddenly from heaven a wondrously beautiful female form in a bright
+attire of blue and gold. "Our ancestors told truly of the Valkyrias,"
+murmured he. "Strike, then, thou unknown conqueror."
+
+But with this the knight did not comply, neither was it a Valkyria who
+had so suddenly appeared, but the beautiful wife of the stranger,
+who, having advanced to the high edge of the vessel, had thus met the
+upraised look of Sintram.
+
+"Folko," cried she, in the softest tone, "thou knight without reproach!
+I know that thou sparest the vanquished."
+
+The knight sprang up, and with courtly grace stretched out his hand to
+the conquered youth, saying, "Thank the noble lady of Montfaucon for
+your life and liberty. But if you are so totally devoid of all goodness
+as to wish to resume the combat, here am I; let it be yours to begin."
+
+Sintram sank, deeply ashamed, on his knees, and wept; for he had often
+heard speak of the high renown of the French knight Folko of Montfaucon,
+who was related to his father's house, and of the grace and beauty of
+his gentle lady Gabrielle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 6
+
+
+
+The Lord of Montfaucon looked with astonishment at his strange foe; and
+as he gazed on him more and more, recollections arose in his mind of
+that northern race from whom he was descended, and with whom he had
+always maintained friendly relations. A golden bear's claw, with which
+Sintram's cloak was fastened, at length made all clear to him.
+
+"Have you not," said he, "a valiant and far-famed kinsman, called the
+Sea-king Arinbiorn, who carries on his helmet golden vulture-wings? And
+is not your father the knight Biorn? For surely the bear's claw on your
+mantle must be the cognisance of your house."
+
+Sintram assented to all this, in deep and humble shame.
+
+The Knight of Montfaucon raised him from the ground, and said gravely,
+yet gently, "We are, then, of kin the one to the other; but I could
+never have believed that any one of our noble house would attack
+a peaceful man without provocation, and that, too, without giving
+warning."
+
+"Slay me at once," answered Sintram, "if indeed I am worthy to die by so
+noble hands. I can no longer endure the light of day."
+
+"Because you have been overcome?" asked Montfaucon. Sintram shook his
+head.
+
+"Or is it, rather, because you have committed an unknightly action?"
+
+The glow of shame that overspread the youth's countenance said yes to
+this.
+
+"But you should not on that account wish to die," continued Montfaucon.
+"You should rather wish to live, that you may prove your repentance, and
+make your name illustrious by many noble deeds; for you are endowed with
+a bold spirit and with strength of limb, and also with the eagle-glance
+of a chieftain. I should have made you a knight this very hour, if you
+had borne yourself as bravely in a good cause as you have just now in
+a bad. See to it, that I may do it soon. You may yet become a vessel of
+high honour."
+
+A joyous sound of shawms and silver rebecks interrupted his discourse.
+The lady Gabrielle, bright as the morning, had now come down from the
+ship, surrounded by her maidens; and, instructed in a few words by Folko
+who was his late foe, she took the combat as some mere trial of arms,
+saying, "You must not be cast down, noble youth, because my wedded lord
+has won the prize; for be it known to you, that in the whole world there
+is but one knight who can boast of not having been overcome by the Baron
+of Montfaucon. And who can say," continued she, sportively, "whether
+even that would have happened, had he not set himself to win back the
+magic ring from me, his lady-love, destined to him, as well by the
+choice of my own heart as by the will of Heaven!"
+
+Folko, smiling, bent his head over the snow-white hand of his lady; and
+then bade the youth conduct them to his father's castle.
+
+Rolf took upon himself to see to the disembarking of the horses and
+valuables of the strangers, filled with joy at the thought that an angel
+in woman's form had appeared to soften his beloved young master, and
+perhaps even to free him from that early curse.
+
+Sintram sent messengers in all directions to seek for his father, and
+to announce to him the arrival of his noble guests. They therefore
+found the old knight in his castle, with everything prepared for their
+reception. Gabrielle could not enter the vast dark-looking building
+without a slight shudder, which was increased when she saw the rolling
+fiery eyes of its lord; even the pale, dark-haired Sintram seemed to her
+very fearful; and she sighed to herself, "Oh! what an awful abode have
+you brought me to visit, my knight! Would that we were once again in my
+sunny Gascony, or in your knightly Normandy!"
+
+But the grave yet courteous reception, the deep respect paid to her
+grace and beauty, and to the high fame of Folko, helped to re-assure
+her; and soon her bird-like pleasure in novelties was awakened through
+the strange significant appearance of this new world. And besides, it
+could only be for a passing moment that any womanly fears found a place
+in her breast when her lord was near at hand, for well did she know what
+effectual protection that brave Baron was ever ready to afford to all
+those who were dear to him, or committed to his charge.
+
+Soon afterwards Rolf passed through the great hall in which Biorn and
+his guests were seated, conducting their attendants, who had charge of
+the baggage, to their rooms. Gabrielle caught sight of her favourite
+lute, and desired a page to bring it to her, that she might see if the
+precious instrument had been injured by the sea-voyage. As she bent over
+it with earnest attention, and her taper fingers ran up and down
+the strings, a smile, like the dawn of spring, passed over the dark
+countenances of Biorn and his son; and both said, with an involuntary
+sigh, "Ah! if you would but play on that lute, and sing to it! It would
+be but too beautiful!" The lady looked up at them, well pleased, and
+smiling her assent, she began this song:--
+
+
+             "Songs and flowers are returning,
+                And radiant skies of May,
+              Earth her choicest gifts is yielding,
+                But one is past away.
+
+              The spring that clothes with tend'rest green
+                Each grove and sunny plain,
+              Shines not for my forsaken heart,
+                Brings not my joys again.
+
+              Warble not so, thou nightingale,
+                Upon thy blooming spray,
+              Thy sweetness now will burst my heart,
+                I cannot bear thy lay.
+
+              For flowers and birds are come again,
+                And breezes mild of May,
+              But treasured hopes and golden hours
+                Are lost to me for aye!"
+
+
+The two Norwegians sat plunged in melancholy thought; but especially
+Sintram's eyes began to brighten with a milder expression, his cheeks
+glowed, every feature softened, till those who looked at him could
+have fancied they saw a glorified spirit. The good Rolf, who had stood
+listening to the song, rejoiced thereat from his heart, and devoutly
+raised his hands in pious gratitude to heaven. But Gabrielle's
+astonishment suffered her not to take her eyes from Sintram. At last she
+said to him, "I should much like to know what has so struck you in that
+little song. It is merely a simple lay of the spring, full of the
+images which that sweet season never fails to call up in the minds of my
+countrymen."
+
+"But is your home really so lovely, so wondrously rich in song?" cried
+the enraptured Sintram. "Then I am no longer surprised at your heavenly
+beauty, at the power which you exercise over my hard, wayward heart! For
+a paradise of song must surely send such angelic messengers through the
+ruder parts of the world." And so saying, he fell on his knees before
+the lady in an attitude of deep humility. Folko looked on all the while
+with an approving smile, whilst Gabrielle, in much embarrassment, seemed
+hardly to know how to treat the half-wild, half-tamed young stranger.
+After some hesitation, however, she held out her fair hand to him, and
+said as she gently raised him: "Surely one who listens with such delight
+to music must himself know how to awaken its strains. Take my lute, and
+let us hear a graceful inspired song."
+
+But Sintram drew back, and would not take the instrument; and he said,
+"Heaven forbid that my rough untutored hand should touch those delicate
+strings! For even were I to begin with some soft strains, yet before
+long the wild spirit which dwells in me would break out, and there would
+be an end of the form and sound of the beautiful instrument. No, no;
+suffer me rather to fetch my own huge harp, strung with bears' sinews
+set in brass, for in truth I do feel myself inspired to play and sing."
+
+Gabrielle murmured a half-frightened assent; and Sintram having quickly
+brought his harp, began to strike it loudly, and to sing these words
+with a voice no less powerful:
+
+
+             "Sir knight, sir knight, oh! whither away
+              With thy snow-white sail on the foaming spray?"
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+             "Too long have I trod upon ice and snow;
+              I seek the bowers where roses blow."
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+              He steer'd on his course by night and day
+              Till he cast his anchor in Naples Bay.
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+              There wander'd a lady upon the strand,
+              Her fair hair bound with a golden band.
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+             "Hail to thee! hail to thee! lady bright,
+              Mine own shalt thou be ere morning light."
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers'
+
+             "Not so, sir knight," the lady replied,
+             "For you speak to the margrave's chosen bride."
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+             "Your lover may come with his shield and spear,
+              And the victor shall win thee, lady dear!"
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+             "Nay, seek for another bride, I pray;
+              Most fair are the maidens of Naples Bay."
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+             "No, lady; for thee my heart doth burn,
+              And the world cannot now my purpose turn."
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+              Then came the young margrave, bold and brave;
+              But low was he laid in a grassy grave.
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+              And then the fierce Northman joyously cried,
+             "Now shall I possess lands, castle, and bride!"
+                 Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers!
+
+Sintram's song was ended, but his eyes glared wildly, and the vibrations
+of the harp-strings still resounded in a marvellous manner. Biorn's
+attitude was again erect; he stroked his long beard and rattled his
+sword, as if in great delight at what he had just heard. Much shuddered
+Gabrielle before the wild song and these strange forms, but only till
+she cast a glance on the Lord of Montfaucon, sat there smiling in all
+his hero strength, unmoved, the rough uproar passed by him like an
+autumnal storm.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 7
+
+
+
+Some weeks after this, in the twilight of evening, Sintram, very
+disturbed, came down to the castle-garden. Although the presence of
+Gabrielle never failed to soothe and calm him, yet if she left the
+apartment for even a few instants, the fearful wildness of his spirit
+seemed to return with renewed strength. So even now, after having long
+and kindly read legends of the olden times to his father Biorn, she had
+retired to her chamber. The tones of her lute could be distinctly heard
+in the garden below; but the sounds only drove the bewildered youth more
+impetuously through the shades of the ancient elms. Stooping suddenly
+to avoid some overhanging branches, he unexpectedly came upon something
+against which he had almost struck, and which, at first sight, he took
+for a small bear standing on its hind legs, with a long and strangely
+crooked horn on its head. He drew back in surprise and fear. It
+addressed him in a grating man's voice: "Well, my brave young knight,
+whence come you? whither go you? wherefore so terrified?" And then first
+he saw that he had before him a little old man so wrapped up in a rough
+garment of fur, that scarcely one of his features was visible, and
+wearing in his cap a strange-looking long feather.
+
+"But whence come YOU and whither go YOU?" returned the angry Sintram.
+"For of you such questions should be asked. What have you to do in our
+domains, you hideous little being?"
+
+"Well, well," sneered the other one, "I am thinking that I am quite big
+enough as I am--one cannot always be a giant. And as to the rest, why
+should you find fault that I go here hunting for snails? Surely snails
+do not belong to the game which your high mightinesses consider that
+you alone have a right to follow! Now, on the other hand, I know how to
+prepare from them an excellent high-flavoured drink; and I have taken
+enough for to-day: marvellous fat little beasts, with wise faces like
+a man's, and long twisted horns on their heads. Would you like to see
+them? Look here!"
+
+And then he began to unfasten and fumble about his fur garment; but
+Sintram, filled with disgust and horror, said, "Psha! I detest such
+animals! Be quiet, and tell me at once who and what you yourself are."
+
+"Are you so bent upon knowing my name?" replied the little man. "Let it
+content you that I am master of all secret knowledge, and well versed in
+the most intricate depths of ancient history. Ah! my young sir, if you
+would only hear them! But you are afraid of me."
+
+"Afraid of you!" cried Sintram, with a wild laugh.
+
+"Many a better man than you has been so before now," muttered the little
+Master; "but they did not like being told of it any more than you do."
+
+"To prove that you are mistaken," said Sintram, "I will remain here with
+you till the moon stands high in the heavens. But you must tell me one
+of your stories the while."
+
+The little man, much pleased, nodded his head; and as they paced
+together up and down a retired elm-walk, he began discoursing as
+follows:--
+
+"Many hundred years ago a young knight, called Paris of Troy, lived in
+that sunny land of the south where are found the sweetest songs, the
+brightest flowers, and the most beautiful ladies. You know a song that
+tells of that fair land, do you not, young sir? 'Sing heigh, sing ho,
+for that land of flowers.'" Sintram bowed his head in assent, and sighed
+deeply. "Now," resumed the little Master, "it happened that Paris led
+that kind of life which is not uncommon in those countries, and of which
+their poets often sing--he would pass whole months together in the
+garb of a peasant, piping in the woods and mountains and pasturing
+his flocks. Here one day three beautiful sorceresses appeared to him,
+disputing about a golden apple; and from him they sought to know which
+of them was the most beautiful, since to her the golden fruit was to be
+awarded. The first knew how to give thrones, and sceptres, and crowns;
+the second could give wisdom and knowledge; and the third could prepare
+philtres and love-charms which could not fail of securing the affections
+of the fairest of women. Each one in turn proffered her choicest gifts
+to the young shepherd, in order that, tempted by them, he might adjudge
+the apple to her. But as fair women charmed him more than anything else
+in the world, he said that the third was the most beautiful--her name
+was Venus. The two others departed in great displeasure; but Venus
+bid him put on his knightly armour and his helmet adorned with waving
+feathers, and then she led him to a famous city called Sparta, where
+ruled the noble Duke Menelaus. His young Duchess Helen was the loveliest
+woman on earth, and the sorceress offered her to Paris in return for
+the golden apple. He was most ready to have her and wished for nothing
+better; but he asked how he was to gain possession of her."
+
+"Paris must have been a sorry knight," interrupted Sintram. "Such things
+are easily settled. The husband is challenged to a single combat, and he
+that is victorious carries off the wife."
+
+"But Duke Menelaus was the host of the young knight," said the narrator.
+
+"Listen to me, little Master," cried Sintram; "he might have asked the
+sorceress for some other beautiful woman, and then have mounted his
+horse, or weighed anchor, and departed."
+
+"Yes, yes; it is very easy to say so," replied the old man. "But if you
+only knew how bewitchingly lovely this Duchess Helen was, no room was
+left for change." And then he began a glowing description of the charms
+of this wondrously beautiful woman, but likening the image to Gabrielle
+so closely, feature for feature, that Sintram, tottering, was forced to
+lean against a tree. The little Master stood opposite to him grinning,
+and asked, "Well now, could you have advised that poor knight Paris to
+fly from her?"
+
+"Tell me at once what happened next," stammered Sintram.
+
+"The sorceress acted honourably towards Paris," continued the old man.
+"She declared to him that if he would carry away the lovely duchess to
+his own city Troy, he might do so, and thus cause the ruin of his whole
+house and of his country; but that during ten years he would be able to
+defend himself in Troy, and rejoice in the sweet love of Helen."
+
+"And he accepted those terms, or he was a fool!" cried the youth.
+
+"To be sure he accepted them," whispered the little Master. "I would
+have done so in his place! And do you know, young sir, the look of
+things then was just as they are happening to-day. The newly-risen moon,
+partly veiled by clouds, was shining dimly through the thick branches of
+the trees in the silence of evening. Leaning against an old tree, as you
+now are doing, stood the young enamoured knight Paris, and at his side
+the enchantress Venus, but so disguised and transformed, that she did
+not look much more beautiful than I do. And by the silvery light of the
+moon, the form of the beautiful beloved one was seen sweeping by alone
+amidst the whispering boughs." He was silent, and like as in the mirror
+of his deluding words, Gabrielle just then actually herself appeared,
+musing as she walked alone down the alley of elms.
+
+"Man,--fearful Master,--by what name shall I call you? To what would you
+drive me?" muttered the trembling Sintram.
+
+"Thou knowest thy father's strong stone castle on the Moon-rocks?"
+replied the old man. "The castellan and the garrison are true and
+devoted to thee. It could stand a ten years' siege; and the little gate
+which leads to the hills is open, as was that of the citadel of Sparta
+for Paris."
+
+And, in fact, the youth saw through a gate, left open he knew not how,
+the dim, distant mountains glittering in the moonlight. "And if he did
+not accept, he was a fool," said the little Master, with a grin, echoing
+Sintram's former words.
+
+At that moment Gabrielle stood close by him. She was within reach of his
+grasp, had he made the least movement; and a moonbeam, suddenly breaking
+forth, transfigured, as it were, her heavenly beauty. The youth had
+already bent forward--
+
+
+             "My Lord and God, I pray,
+              Turn from his heart away
+                  This world's turmoil;
+              And call him to Thy light,
+              Be it through sorrow's night,
+                  Through pain or toil."
+
+
+These words were sung by old Rolf at that very time, as he lingered
+on the still margin of the castle fish-pond, where he prayed alone to
+Heaven, full of foreboding care. They reached Sintram's ear; he stood
+as if spellbound and made the Sign of the Cross. Immediately the little
+master fled away, jumping uncouthly on one leg, through the gates and
+shutting them after him with a yell.
+
+Gabrielle shuddered, terrified at the wild noise. Sintram approached her
+softly, and said, offering his arm to her: "Suffer me to lead you back
+to the castle. The night in these northern regions is often wild and
+fearful."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 8
+
+
+
+They found the two knights drinking wine within. Folko was relating
+stories in his usual mild and cheerful manner, and Biorn was listening
+with a moody air, but yet as if, against his will, the dark cloud might
+pass away before that bright and gentle courtesy. Gabrielle saluted the
+baron with a smile, and signed to him to continue his discourse, as she
+took her place near the knight Biorn, full of watchful kindness. Sintram
+stood by the hearth, abstracted and melancholy; and the embers, as he
+stirred them, cast a strange glow over his pallid features.
+
+"And of all the German trading-towns," continued Montfaucon, "the
+largest and richest is Hamburgh. In Normandy we willingly see their
+merchants land on our coasts, and those excellent people never fail to
+prove themselves our friends when we seek their advice and assistance.
+When I first visited Hamburgh, every honour and respect was paid to me.
+I found its inhabitants engaged in a war with a neighbouring count, and
+immediately I used my sword for them, vigorously and successfully."
+
+"Your sword! your knightly sword!" interrupted Biorn; and the old wonted
+fire flashed from his eyes. "Against a knight, and for shopkeepers!"
+
+"Sir knight," replied Folko, calmly, "the barons of Montfaucon have ever
+used their swords as they chose, without the interference of another;
+and as I have received this good custom, so do I wish to hand it on. If
+you agree not to this, so speak it freely out. But I forbid every rude
+word against the men of Hamburgh, since I have declared them to be my
+friends."
+
+Biorn cast down his haughty eyes, and their fire faded away. In a low
+voice he said, "Proceed, noble baron. You are right, and I am wrong."
+
+Then Folko stretched out his hand to him across the table, and resumed
+his narration: "Amongst all my beloved Hamburghers the dearest to me are
+two men of marvellous experience--a father and son. What have they not
+seen and done in the remotest corners of the earth, and instituted
+in their native town! Praise be to God, my life cannot be called
+unfruitful; but, compared with the wise Gotthard Lenz and his
+stout-hearted son Rudlieb, I look upon myself as an esquire who has
+perhaps been some few times to tourneys, and, besides that, has never
+hunted out his own forests. They have converted, subdued, gladdened,
+dark men whom I know not how to name; and the wealth which they have
+brought back with them has all been devoted to the common weal, as if
+fit for no other purpose. On their return from their long and perilous
+sea-voyages, they hasten to an hospital which has been founded by them,
+and where they undertake the part of overseers, and of careful and
+patient nurses. Then they proceed to select the most fitting spots
+whereon to erect new towers and fortresses for the defence of their
+beloved country. Next they repair to the houses where strangers and
+travellers receive hospitality at their cost; and at last they return to
+their own abode, to entertain their guests, rich and noble like kings,
+and simple and unconstrained like shepherds. Many a tale of their
+wondrous adventures serves to enliven these sumptuous feasts. Amongst
+others, I remember to have heard my friends relate one at which my hair
+stood on end. Possibly I may gain some more complete information on the
+subject from you. It appears that several years ago, just about the time
+of the Christmas festival, Gotthard and Rudlieb were shipwrecked on
+the coast of Norway, during a violent winter tempest. They could never
+exactly ascertain the situation of the rocks on which their vessel
+stranded; but so much is certain, that very near the sea-shore stood a
+huge castle, to which the father and son betook themselves, seeking for
+that assistance and shelter which Christian people are ever willing
+to afford each other in case of need. They went alone, leaving their
+followers to watch the injured ship. The castle-gates were thrown open,
+and they thought all was well. But on a sudden the court-yard was filled
+with armed men, who with one accord aimed their sharp iron-pointed
+spears at the defenceless strangers, whose dignified remonstrances
+and mild entreaties were only heard in sullen silence or with
+scornful jeerings. After a while a knight came down the stairs, with
+fire-flashing eyes. They hardly knew whether to think they saw a
+spectre, or a wild heathen; he gave a signal, and the fatal spears
+closed around them. At that instant the soft tones of a woman's voice
+fell on their ear, calling on the Saviour's holy name for aid; at the
+sound, the spectres in the court-yard rushed madly one against the
+other, the gates burst open, and Gotthard and Rudlieb fled away,
+catching a glimpse as they went of an angelic woman who appeared at one
+of the windows of the castle. They made every exertion to get their ship
+again afloat, choosing to trust themselves to the sea rather than to
+that barbarous coast; and at last, after manifold dangers, they landed
+at Denmark. They say that some heathen must have owned the cruel castle;
+but I hold it to be some ruined fortress, deserted by men, in which
+hellish spectres were wont to hold their nightly meetings. What heathen
+could be found so demon-like as to offer death to shipwrecked strangers,
+instead of refreshment and shelter?"
+
+Biorn gazed fixedly on the ground, as though he were turned into stone
+but Sintram came towards the table, and said, "Father, let us seek out
+this godless abode, and lay it level with the dust. I cannot tell how,
+but somehow I feel quite sure that the accursed deed of which we have
+just heard is alone the cause of my frightful dreams."
+
+Enraged at his son, Biorn rose up, and would perhaps again have uttered
+some dreadful words; but Heaven decreed otherwise, for just at that
+moment the pealing notes a trumpet were heard, which drowned the angry
+tones his voice, the great doors opened slowly, and a herald entered the
+hall. He bowed reverently, and then said, "I am sent by Jarl Eric the
+Aged. He returned two days ago from his expedition to the Grecian seas.
+His wish had been to take vengeance on the island which is called
+Chios, where fifty years ago his father was slain by the soldiers of the
+Emperor. But your kinsman, the sea-king Arinbiorn, who was lying there
+at anchor, tried to pacify him. To this Jarl Eric would not listen;
+so the sea-king said next that he would never suffer Chios to be laid
+waste, because it was an island where the lays of an old Greek bard,
+called Homer, were excellently sung, and where more-over a very choice
+wine was made. Words proving of no avail, a combat ensued; in which
+Arinbiorn had so much the advantage that Jarl Eric lost two of his
+ships, and only with difficulty escaped in one which had already
+sustained great damage. Eric the Aged has now resolved to take revenge
+on some of the sea-king's race, since Arinbiorn himself is seldom on the
+spot. Will you, Biorn of the Fiery Eyes, at once pay as large a penalty
+in cattle, and money, and goods, as it may please the Jarl to demand?
+Or will you prepare to meet him with an armed force at Niflung's Heath
+seven days hence?"
+
+Biorn bowed his head quietly, and replied in a mild tone, "Seven days
+hence at Niflung's Heath." He then offered to the herald a golden goblet
+full of rich wine, and added, "Drink that, and then carry off with thee
+the cup which thou hast emptied."
+
+"The Baron of Montfaucon likewise sends greeting to thy chieftain, Jarl
+Eric," interposed Folko; "and engages to be also at Niflung's Heath, as
+the hereditary friend of the sea-king, and also as the kinsman and guest
+of Biorn of the Fiery Eyes."
+
+The herald was seen to tremble at the name of Montfaucon; he bowed very
+low, cast an anxious, reverential look at the baron, and left the hall.
+
+Gabrielle looked on her knight, smiling lovingly and securely, for she
+well knew his victorious prowess; and she only asked, "Where shall I
+remain, whilst you go forth to battle, Folko?"
+
+"I had hoped," answered Biorn, "that you would be well contented to stay
+in this castle, lovely lady; I leave my son to guard you and attend on
+you."
+
+Gabrielle hesitated an instant; and Sintram, who had resumed his
+position near the fire, muttered to himself as he fixed his eyes on the
+bright flames which were flashing up, "Yes, yes, so it will probably
+happen. I can fancy that Duke Menelaus had just left Sparta on some
+warlike expedition, when the young knight Paris met the lovely Helen
+that evening in the garden."
+
+But Gabrielle, shuddering although she knew not why, said quickly,
+"Without you, Folko? And must I forego the joy of seeing you fight? or
+the honour of tending you, should you chance to receive a wound?"
+
+Folko bowed, gracefully thanking his lady, and replied, "Come with your
+knight, since such is your pleasure, and be to him a bright guiding
+star. It is a good old northern custom that ladies should be present at
+knightly combats, and no true warrior of the north will fail to respect
+the place whence beams the light of their eyes. Unless, indeed,"
+continued he with an inquiring look at Biorn, "unless Jarl Eric is not
+worthy of his forefather?"
+
+"A man of honour," said Biorn confidently.
+
+"Then array yourself, my fairest love," said the delighted Folko; "array
+yourself and come forth with us to the battle-field to behold and judge
+our deeds."
+
+"Come forth with us to the battle," echoed Sintram in a sudden transport
+of joy.
+
+And they all dispersed in calm cheerfulness; Sintram betaking himself
+again to the wood, while the others retired to rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 9
+
+
+
+It was a wild dreary tract of country that, which bore the name of
+Niflung's Heath. According to tradition, the young Niflung, son
+of Hogni, the last of his race, had there ended darkly a sad and
+unsuccessful life. Many ancient grave-stones were still standing round
+about; and in the few oak-trees scattered here and there over the plain,
+huge eagles had built their nests. The beating of their heavy wings as
+they fought together, and their wild screams, were heard far off in
+more thickly-peopled regions; and at the sound children would tremble
+in their cradles, and old men quake with fear as they slumbered over the
+blazing hearth.
+
+As the seventh night, the last before the day of combat, was just
+beginning, two large armies were seen descending from the hills in
+opposite directions; that which came from the west was commanded by Eric
+the Aged, that from the east by Biorn of the Fiery Eyes. They appeared
+thus early in compliance with the custom which required that adversaries
+should always present themselves at the appointed field of battle before
+the time named, in order to prove that they rather sought than dreaded
+the fight. Folko forthwith pitched on the most convenient spot the tent
+of blue samite fringed with gold, which he carried with him to shelter
+his gentle lady; whilst Sintram, in the character of herald, rode
+over to Jarl Eric to announce to him that the beauteous Gabrielle of
+Montfaucon was present in the army of the knight Biorn, and would the
+next morning be present as a judge of the combat.
+
+Jarl Eric bowed low on receiving this pleasing message; and ordered his
+bards to strike up a lay, the words of which ran as follows:--
+
+
+             "Warriors bold of Eric's band,
+              Gird your glittering armour on,
+              Stand beneath to-morrow's sun,
+                                      In your might.
+
+              Fairest dame that ever gladden'd
+              Our wild shores with beauty's vision,
+              May thy bright eyes o'er our combat,
+                                      Judge the right!
+
+              Tidings of yon noble stranger
+              Long ago have reach'd our ears,
+              Wafted upon southern breezes,
+                                      O'er the wave.
+
+              Now midst yonder hostile ranks,
+              In his warlike pride he meets us,
+              Folko comes! Fight, men of Eric,
+                                      True and brave!"
+
+
+These wondrous tones floated over the plain, and reached the tent
+of Gabrielle. It was no new thing to her to hear her knight's fame
+celebrated on all sides; but now that she listened to his praises
+bursting forth in the stillness of night from the mouth of his enemies,
+she could scarce refrain from kneeling at the feet of the mighty
+chieftain. But he with courteous tenderness held her up, and pressing
+his lips fervently on her soft hand, he said, "My deeds, O lovely lady,
+belong to thee, and not to me!"
+
+Now the night had passed away, and the east was glowing; and on
+Niflung's Heath there was waving, and resounding, and glowing too.
+Knights put on their rattling armour, war-horses began to neigh, the
+morning draught went round in gold and silver goblets, while war-songs
+and the clang of harps resounded in the midst. A joyous march was heard
+in Biorn's camp, as Montfaucon, with his troops and retainers, clad in
+bright steel armour, conducted their lady up to a neighbouring hill,
+where she would be safe from the spears which would soon be flying in
+all directions, and whence she could look freely over the battle-field.
+The morning sun, as it were in homage, played over her beauty; and as
+she came in view of the camp of Jarl Eric, his soldiers lowered their
+weapons, whilst the chieftains bent low the crests of their huge
+helmets. Two of Montfaucon's pages remained in attendance on Gabrielle;
+for so noble a service not unwillingly bridling their love of fighting.
+Both armies passed in front of her, saluting her and singing as they
+went; they then placed themselves in array, and the fight began.
+
+The spears flew from the hands of the stout northern warriors, rattling
+against the broad shields under which they sheltered themselves, or
+sometimes clattering as they met in the air; at intervals, on one side
+or the other, a man was struck, and fell silent in his blood. Then the
+Knight of Montfaucon advanced with his troop of Norman horsemen--even
+as he dashed past, he did not fail to lower his shining sword to salute
+Gabrielle; and then with an exulting war-cry, which burst from many a
+voice, they charged the left wing of the enemy. Eric's foot-soldiers,
+kneeling firmly, received them with fixed javelins--many a noble horse
+fell wounded to death, and in falling brought his rider with him to the
+ground; others again crushed their foes under them in their death-fall.
+Folko rushed through--he and his war-steed unwounded--followed by
+a troop of chosen knights. Already were they falling into
+disorder--already were Biorn's warriors giving shouts of victory--when
+a troop of horse, headed by Jarl Eric himself, advanced against the
+valiant baron; and whilst his Normans, hastily assembled, assisted
+him in repelling this new attack, the enemy's infantry were gradually
+forming themselves into a thick mass, which rolled on and on. All these
+movements seemed caused by a warrior whose loud piercing shout was in
+the midst. And scarcely were the troops formed into this strange
+array, when suddenly they spread themselves out on all sides, carrying
+everything before them with the irresistible force of the burning
+torrent from Hecla.
+
+Biorn's soldiers, who had thought to enclose their enemies, lost courage
+and gave way before this wondrous onset. The knight himself in vain
+attempted to stem the tide of fugitives, and with difficulty escaped
+being carried away by it.
+
+Sintram stood looking on this scene of confusion with mute indignation;
+friends and foes passed by him, all equally avoiding him, and dreading
+to come in contact with one whose aspect was so fearful, nay, almost
+unearthly, in his motionless rage. He aimed no blow either to right or
+left; his powerful battle-axe rested in his hand; but his eyes flashed
+fire, and seemed to be piercing the enemy's ranks through and through,
+as if he would find out who it was that had conjured up this sudden
+warlike spirit. He succeeded. A small man clothed in strange-looking
+armour, with large golden horns on his helmet, and a long visor
+advancing in front of it, was leaning on a two-edged curved spear, and
+seemed to be looking with derision at the flight of Biorn's troops as
+they were pursued by their victorious foes. "That is he," cried Sintram;
+"he who will drive us from the field before the eyes of Gabrielle!" And
+with the swiftness of an arrow he flew towards him with a wild shout.
+The combat was fierce, but not of long duration. To the wondrous
+dexterity of his adversary, Sintram opposed his far superior size; and
+he dealt so fearful a blow on the horned helmet, that a stream of blood
+rushed forth, the small man fell as if stunned, and after some frightful
+convulsive movements, his limbs appeared to stiffen in death.
+
+His fall gave the signal for that of all Eric's army. Even those who
+had not seen him fall, suddenly lost their courage and eagerness for the
+battle, and retreated with uncertain steps, or ran in wild affright on
+the spears of their enemies. At the same time Montfaucon was dispersing
+Jarl Eric's cavalry, after a desperate conflict--had hurled their chief
+from the saddle, and taken him prisoner with his own hand. Biorn of the
+Fiery Eyes stood victorious in the middle of the field of battle. The
+day was won.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 10
+
+
+
+In sight of both armies, with glowing cheeks and looks of modest
+humility, Sintram was conducted by the brave baron up the hill where
+Gabrielle stood in all the lustre of her beauty. Both warriors bent the
+knee before her, and Folko said, solemnly, "Lady, this valiant youth of
+a noble race has deserved the reward of this day's victory. I pray you
+let him receive it from your fair hand."
+
+Gabrielle bowed courteously, took off her scarf of blue and gold, and
+fastened it to a bright sword, which a page brought to her on a cushion
+of cloth of silver. She then, with a smile, presented the noble gift to
+Sintram, who was bending forward to receive it, when suddenly Gabrielle
+drew back, and turning to Folko, said, "Noble baron, should not he on
+whom I bestow a scarf and sword be first admitted into the order of
+knighthood?" Light as a feather, Folko sprang up, and bowing low before
+his lady, gave the youth the accolade with solemn earnestness. Then
+Gabrielle buckled on his sword, saying, "For the honour of God and the
+service of virtuous ladies, young knight. I saw you fight, I saw you
+conquer, and my earnest prayers followed you. Fight and conquer often
+again, as you have done this day, that the beams of your renown may
+shine over my far-distant country." And at a sign from Folko, she
+offered her tender lips for the new knight to kiss. Thrilling all over,
+and full of a holy joy, Sintram arose in deep silence, and hot tears
+streamed down his softened countenance, whilst the shout and the
+trumpets of the assembled troops greeted the youth with stunning
+applause. Old Rolf stood silently on one side, and as he looked in the
+mild beaming eyes of his foster-child, he calmly and piously returned
+thanks:
+
+
+             "The strife at length hath found its end,
+              Rich blessings now shall heaven send!
+                 The evil foe is slain!"
+
+
+Biorn and Jarl Eric had the while been talking together eagerly, but
+not unkindly. The conqueror now led his vanquished enemy up the hill
+and presented him to the baron and Gabrielle, saying, "Instead of two
+enemies you now see two sworn allies; and I request you, my beloved
+guests and kinsfolk, to receive him graciously as one who henceforward
+belongs to us."
+
+"He was so always," added Eric, smiling; "I sought, indeed, revenge;
+but I have now had enough of defeats both by sea and land. Yet I
+thank Heaven that neither in the Grecian seas, to the sea-king, nor in
+Niflung's Heath, to you, have I yielded ingloriously."
+
+The Lord of Montfaucon assented cordially, and heartily and solemnly was
+reconciliation made. Then Jarl Eric addressed Gabrielle with so noble a
+grace, that with a smile of wonder she gazed on the gigantic grey hero,
+and gave him her beautiful hand to kiss.
+
+Meanwhile Sintram was speaking earnestly to his good Rolf; and at
+length he was heard to say, "But before all, be sure that you bury
+that wonderfully brave knight whom my battle-axe smote. Choose out the
+greenest hill for his resting-place, and the loftiest oak to shade
+his grave. Also, I wish you to open his visor, and to examine his
+countenance carefully, that so, though mortally smitten, we may not bury
+him alive; and moreover, that you may be able to describe to me him to
+whom I owe the noblest prize of victory."
+
+Rolf bowed readily, and went.
+
+"Our young knight is speaking there of one amongst the slain of whom I
+should like to hear more," said Folko, turning to Jarl Eric. "Who, dear
+Jarl, was that wonderful chieftain who led on your troops so skilfully,
+and who at last fell under Sintram's powerful battle-axe?"
+
+"You ask me more than I know how to answer," replied Jarl Eric. "About
+three nights ago this stranger made his appearance amongst us. I was
+sitting with my chieftains and warriors round the hearth, forging our
+armour, and singing the while. Suddenly, above the din of our hammering
+and our singing, we heard so loud a noise that it silenced us in a
+moment, and we sat motionless as if we had been turned into stone.
+Before long the sound was repeated; and at last we made out that it must
+be caused by some person blowing a huge horn outside the castle, seeking
+for admittance. I went down myself to the gate, and as I passed through
+the court-yard all my dogs were so terrified by the extraordinary noise,
+as to be howling and crouching in their kennels instead of barking. I
+chid them, and called to them, but even the fiercest would not follow
+me. Then, thought I, I must show you the way to set to work; so I
+grasped my sword firmly, I set my torch on the ground close beside me,
+and I let the gates fly open without further delay. For I well knew that
+it would be no easy matter for any one to come in against my will. A
+loud laugh greeted me, and I heard these words, 'Well, well, what mighty
+preparations are these before one small man can find the shelter he
+seeks!' And in truth I did feel myself redden with shame when I saw the
+small stranger standing opposite to me quite alone. I called to him to
+come in at once, and offered my hand to him; but he still showed
+some displeasure, and would not give me his in return. As he went up,
+however, he became more friendly--he showed me the golden horn on which
+he sounded that blast, and which he carried screwed on his helmet, as
+well as another exactly like it. When he was sitting with us in the
+hall, he behaved in a very strange manner--sometimes he was merry,
+sometimes cross; by turns courteous and rude in his demeanour, without
+any one being able to see a motive for such constant changes. I
+longed to know where he came from; but how could I ask my guest such a
+question? He told us as much as this, that he was starved with cold in
+our country, and that his own was much warmer. Also he appeared well
+acquainted with the city of Constantinople, and related fearful stories
+of how brothers, uncles, nephews, nay, even fathers and sons, thrust
+each other from the throne, blinded, cut out tongues, and murdered. At
+length he said his own name--it sounded harmonious, like a Greek name,
+but none of us could remember it. Before long he displayed his skill as
+an armourer. He understood marvellously well how to handle the red-hot
+iron, and how to form it into more murderous weapons than any I had
+ever before seen. I would not suffer him to go on making them, for I was
+resolved to meet you in the field with equal arms, and such as we are
+all used to in our northern countries. Then he laughed, and said he
+thought it would be quite possible to be victorious without them, by
+skilful movements and the like if only I would entrust the command of my
+infantry to him, I was sure of victory. Then I thought that he who makes
+arms well must also wield them well--yet I required some proof of his
+powers. Ye lords, he came off victorious in trials of strength such as
+you can hardly imagine; and although the fame of young Sintram, as a
+bold and brave warrior, is spread far and wide, yet I can scarce believe
+that he could slay such an one as my Greek ally."
+
+He would have continued speaking, but the good Rolf came hastily back
+with a few followers, the whole party so ghastly pale, that all eyes
+were involuntarily fixed on them, and looked anxiously to hear what
+tidings they had brought. Rolf stood still, silent and trembling.
+
+"Take courage, my old friend!" cried Sintram. "Whatever thou mayest have
+to tell is truth and light from thy faithful mouth."
+
+"My dear master," began the old man, "be not angry, but as to burying
+that strange warrior whom you slew, it is a thing impossible. Would
+that we had never opened that wide hideous visor! For so horrible a
+countenance grinned at us from underneath it, so distorted by death, and
+with so hellish an expression, that we hardly kept our senses. We could
+not by any possibility have touched him. I would rather be sent to kill
+wolves and bears in the desert, and look on whilst fierce birds of prey
+feast on their carcases."
+
+All present shuddered, and were silent for a time, till Sintram nerved
+himself to say, "Dear, good old man, why use such wild words as I never
+till now heard thee utter? But tell me, Jarl Eric, did your ally appear
+altogether so awful while he was yet alive?"
+
+"Not as far as I know," answered Jarl Eric, looking inquiringly at his
+companions, who were standing around. They said the same thing; but on
+farther questioning, it appeared that neither the chieftain, nor the
+knights, nor the soldiers, could say exactly what the stranger was like.
+
+"We must then find it out for ourselves, and bury the corpse," said
+Sintram; and he signed to the assembled party to follow him. All did so
+except the Lord of Montfaucon, whom the whispered entreaty of Gabrielle
+kept at her side. He lost nothing thereby. For though Niflung's Heath
+was searched from one end to the other many times, yet the body of the
+unknown warrior was no longer to be found.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 11
+
+
+
+The joyful calm which came over Sintram on this day appeared to be more
+than a passing gleam. If too, at times, a thought of the knight Paris
+and Helen would inflame his heart with bolder and wilder wishes, it
+needed but one look at his scarf and sword, and the stream of his inner
+life glided again clear as a mirror, and serene within. "What can any
+man wish for more than has been already bestowed on me?" would he say to
+himself at such times in still delight. And thus it went on for a long
+while.
+
+The beautiful northern autumn had already begun to redden the leaves of
+the oaks and elms round the castle, when one day it chanced that Sintram
+was sitting in company with Folko and Gabrielle in almost the very same
+spot in the garden where he had before met that mysterious being whom,
+without knowing why, he had named the little Master. But on this day
+how different did everything appear! The sun was sinking slowly over
+the sea, the mist of an autumnal evening was rising from the fields
+and meadows around, towards the hill on which stood the huge castle.
+Gabrielle, placing her lute in Sintram's hands, said to him, "Dear
+friend, so mild and gentle as you now are, I may well dare to entrust to
+you my tender little darling. Let me again hear you sing that lay of the
+land of flowers; for I am sure that it will now sound much sweeter than
+when you accompanied it with the vibrations of your fearful harp."
+
+The young knight bowed as he prepared to obey the lady's commands. With
+a grace and softness hitherto unwonted, the tones resounded from his
+lips, and the wild song appeared to transform itself, and to bloom into
+a garden of the blessed. Tears stood in Gabrielle's eyes; and Sintram,
+as he gazed on the pearly brightness, poured forth tones of yet richer
+sweetness. When the last notes were sounded, Gabrielle's angelic voice
+was heard to echo them; and as she repeated,
+
+
+             "Sing heigh, sing ho, for that land of flowers,"
+
+
+Sintram put down the lute, and sighed with a thankful glance towards the
+stars, now rising in the heavens. Then Gabrielle, turning towards her
+lord, murmured these words: "Oh, how long have we been far away from
+our own shining castles and bright gardens! Oh, for that land of the
+sweetest flowers!"
+
+Sintram could scarce believe that he heard aright, so suddenly did he
+feel himself as if shut out from paradise. But his last hope vanished
+before the courteous assurances of Folko that he would endeavour to
+fulfil his lady's wishes the very next week, and that their ship was
+lying off the shore ready to put to sea. She thanked him with a kiss
+imprinted softly on his forehead; and leaning on his arm, she bent her
+steps, singing and smiling, towards the castle.
+
+Sintram, troubled in mind, as though turned into stone, remained behind
+forgotten. At length, when night was now in the sky, he started up
+wildly, ran up and down the garden, as if all his former madness had
+again taken possession of him; and then rushed out and wandered upon
+the wild moonlit hills. There he dashed his sword against the trees and
+bushes, so that on all sides was heard a sound of crashing and falling.
+The birds of night flew about him screeching in wild alarm; and the
+deer, startled by the noise, sprang away and took refuge in the thickest
+coverts.
+
+On a sudden old Rolf appeared, returning home from a visit to the
+chaplain of Drontheim, to whom he had been relating, with tears of joy,
+how Sintram was softened by the presence of the angel Gabrielle,
+yea, almost healed, and how he dared to hope that the evil dreams had
+yielded. And now the sword, as it whizzed round the furious youth, had
+well-nigh wounded the good old man. He stopped short, and clasping
+his hand, he said, with a deep sigh, "Alas, Sintram! my foster-child,
+darling of my heart, what has come over thee, thus fearfully stirring
+thee to rage?"
+
+The youth stood awhile as if spell-bound; he looked in his old friend's
+face with a fixed and melancholy gaze, and his eyes became dim, like
+expiring watch-fires seen through a thick cloud of mist. At length
+he sighed forth these words, almost inaudibly: "Good Rolf, good Rolf,
+depart from me! thy garden of heaven is no home for me; and if sometimes
+a light breeze blow open its golden gates, so that I can look in and see
+the flowery meadow-land where the dear angels dwell, then straightway
+between them and me come the cold north wind and the icy storm, and the
+sounding doors fly together, and I remain without, lonely, in endless
+winter."
+
+"Beloved young knight, oh, listen to me--listen to the good angel within
+you! Do you not bear in your hand that very sword with which the pure
+lady girded you? does not her scarf wave over your raging breast? Do you
+not recollect how you used to say, that no man could wish for more than
+had fallen to you?"
+
+"Yes, Rolf, I have said that," replied Sintram, sinking on the mossy
+turf, bitterly weeping. Tears also ran over the old man's white beard.
+Before long the youth stood again erect, his tears ceased to flow, his
+looks were fearful, cold, and grim; and he said, "You see, Rolf, I have
+passed blessed peaceful days, and I thought that the powers of evil
+would never again have dominion over me. So, perchance, it might have
+been, as day would ever be did the Sun ever stand in the sky. But ask
+the poor benighted Earth, wherefore she looks so dark! Bid her again
+smile as she was wont to do! Old man, she cannot smile; and now that
+the gentle compassionate Moon has disappeared behind the clouds with her
+only funeral veil, she cannot even weep. And in this hour of darkness
+all that is wild and mad wakes up. So, stop me not, I tell thee, stop me
+not! Hurra, behind, behind the pale Moon!" His voice changed to a hoarse
+murmur at these last words, storm-like. He tore away from the trembling
+old man, and rushed through the forest. Rolf knelt down and prayed, and
+wept silently.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 12
+
+
+
+Where the sea-beach was wildest, and the cliffs most steep and rugged,
+and close by the remains of three shattered oaks, haply marking where,
+in heathen times, human victims had been sacrificed, now stood Sintram,
+leaning, as if exhausted, on his drawn sword, and gazing intently on
+the dancing waves. The moon had again shone forth; and as her pale beams
+fell on his motionless figure through the quivering branches of the
+trees, he might have been taken for some fearful idol-image. Suddenly
+some one on the left half raised himself out of the high withered
+grass, uttered a faint groan, and again lay down. Then between the two
+companions began this strange talk:
+
+"Thou that movest thyself so strangely in the grass, dost thou belong to
+the living or to the dead?"
+
+"As one may take it. I am dead to heaven and joy--I live for hell and
+anguish."
+
+"Methinks that I have heard thee before."
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"Art thou a troubled spirit? and was thy life-blood poured out here of
+old in sacrifice to idols?"
+
+"I am a troubled spirit; but no man ever has, or ever can, shed my
+blood. I have been cast down--oh, into a frightful abyss!"
+
+"And didst thou break there thy neck?"
+
+"I live,--and shall live longer than thou."
+
+"Almost thou seemest to me the crazy pilgrim with the dead men's bones."
+
+"I am not he, though often we are companions,--ay, walk together right
+near and friendly. But to you be it said, he thinks me mad. If sometimes
+I urge him, and say to him, 'Take!' then he hesitates and points
+upwards towards the stars. And again, if I say, 'Take not!' then, to a
+certainty, he seizes on it in some awkward manner, and so he spoils
+my best joys and pleasures. But, in spite of this, we remain in some
+measure brothers in arms, and, indeed, all but kinsmen."
+
+"Give me hold of thy hand, and let me help thee to get up."
+
+"Ho, ho! my active young sir, that might bring you no good. Yet, in
+fact, you have already helped to raise me. Give heed awhile."
+
+Wilder and ever wilder were the strugglings on the ground; thick clouds
+hurried over the moon and the stars, on a long unknown wild journey; and
+Sintram's thoughts grew no less wild and stormy, while far and near an
+awful howling could be heard amidst the trees and the grass. At length
+the mysterious being arose from the ground. As if with a fearful
+curiosity, the moon, through a rent in the clouds, cast a beam upon
+Sintram's companion, and made clear to the shuddering youth that the
+little Master stood, by him.
+
+"Avaunt!" cried he, "I will listen no more to thy evil stories about the
+knight Paris: they would end by driving me quite mad."
+
+"My stories about Paris are not needed for that!" grinned the little
+Master. "It is enough that the Helen of thy heart should be journeying
+towards Montfaucon. Believe me, madness has thee already, head and
+heart. Or wouldest thou that she should remain? For that, however, thou
+must be more courteous to me than thou art now."
+
+Therewith he raised his voice towards the sea, as if fiercely rebuking
+it, so that Sintram could not but shudder and tremble before the dwarf.
+But he checked himself, and grasping his sword-hilt with both hands, he
+said, contemptuously: "Thou and Gabrielle! what acquaintance hast thou
+with Gabrielle?"
+
+"Not much," was the reply. And the little Master might be seen to quake
+with fear and rage as he continued: "I cannot well bear the name of
+thy Helen; do not din it in my ears ten times in a breath. But if the
+tempest should increase? If the waves should swell, and roll on till
+they form a foaming ring round the whole coast of Norway? The voyage to
+Montfaucon must in that case be altogether given up, and thy Helen would
+remain here, at least through the long, long, dark winter."
+
+"If! if!" replied Sintram, with scorn. "Is the sea thy bond-slave? Are
+the storms thy fellow-workmen?"
+
+"They are rebels, accursed rebels," muttered the little Master in his
+red beard. "Thou must lend me thy aid, sir knight, if I am to subdue
+them; but thou hast not the heart for it."
+
+"Boaster, evil boaster!" answered the youth; "what dost thou ask of me?"
+
+"Not much, sir knight; nothing at all for one who has strength and
+ardour of soul. Thou needest only look at the sea steadily and keenly
+for one half-hour, without ever ceasing to wish with all thy might that
+it should foam and rage and swell, and never again rest till winter has
+laid its icy hold upon your mountains. Then winter is enough to hinder
+Duke Menelaus from his voyage to Montfaucon. And now give me a lock
+of your black hair, which is blowing so wildly about your head, like
+ravens' or vultures' wings."
+
+The youth drew his sharp dagger, madly cut off a lock of his hair,
+threw it to the strange being, and now gazed, as he desired, powerfully
+wishing, on the waves of the sea. And softly, quite softly, did the
+waters stir themselves, as one whispers in troubled dreams who would
+gladly rest and cannot. Sintram was on the point of giving up, when in
+the moonbeams a ship appeared, with white-swelling sails, towards the
+south. Anguish came over him, that Gabrielle would soon thus quickly
+sail away; he wished again with all his power, and fixed his eyes
+intently on the watery abyss. "Sintram," a voice might have said to
+him--"ah, Sintram, art thou indeed the same who so lately wert gazing on
+the moistened heaven of the eyes of Gabrielle?"
+
+And now the waters heaved more mightily, and the howling tempest swept
+over the ocean; the breakers, white with foam, became visible in the
+moonlight. Then the little Master threw the lock of Sintram's hair up
+towards the clouds, and, as it was blown to and fro by the blast of
+wind, the storm burst in all its fury, so that sea and sky were covered
+with one thick cloud, and far off might be heard the cries of distress
+from many a sinking vessel.
+
+But the crazy pilgrim with the dead men's bones rose up in the midst of
+the waves, close to the shore, gigantic, tall, fearfully rocking; the
+boat in which he stood was hidden from sight, so mightily raged the
+waves round about it.
+
+"Thou must save him, little Master--thou must certainly save him," cried
+Sintram's voice, angrily entreating, through the roaring of the winds
+and waves. But the dwarf replied, with a laugh: "Be quite at rest for
+him; he will be able to save himself. The waves can do him no harm.
+Seest thou? They are only begging of him, and therefore they jump up so
+boldly round him; and he gives them bountiful alms--very bountiful, that
+I can assure thee."
+
+In fact, as it seemed, the pilgrim threw some bones into the sea, and
+passed scatheless on his way. Sintram felt his blood run cold with
+horror, and he rushed wildly towards the castle. His companion had
+either fled or vanished away.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 13
+
+
+
+In the castle, Biorn and Gabrielle and Folko of Montfaucon were sitting
+round the great stone table, from which, since the arrival of his noble
+guests, those suits of armour had been removed, formerly the established
+companions of the lord of the castle, and placed all together in a heap
+in the adjoining room. At this time, while the storm was beating so
+furiously against doors and windows, it seemed as if the ancient armour
+were also stirring in the next room, and Gabrielle several times half
+rose from her seat in great alarm, fixing her eyes on the small iron
+door, as though she expected to see an armed spectre issue therefrom,
+bending with his mighty helmet through the low vaulted doorway.
+
+The knight Biorn smiled grimly, and said, as if he had guessed her
+thoughts: "Oh, he will never again come out thence; I have put an end to
+that for ever."
+
+His guests stared at him doubtingly; and with a strange air of
+unconcern, as though the storm had awakened all the fierceness of his
+soul, he began the following history:
+
+"I was once a happy man myself; I could smile, as you do, and I could
+rejoice in the morning as you do; that was before the hypocritical
+chaplain had so bewildered the wise mind of my lovely wife with his
+canting talk, that she went into a cloister, and left me alone with our
+wild boy. That was not fair usage from the fair Verena. Well, so it was,
+that in the first days of her dawning beauty, before I knew her, many
+knights sought her hand, amongst whom was Sir Weigand the Slender;
+and towards him the gentle maiden showed herself the most favourably
+inclined. Her parents were well aware that Weigand's rank and station
+were little below their own, and that his early fame as a warrior
+without reproach stood high; so that before long Verena and he were
+accounted as affianced. It happened one day that they were walking
+together in the orchard, when a shepherd was driving his flock up the
+mountain beyond. The maiden saw a little snow-white lamb frolicking
+gaily, and longed for it. Weigand vaults over the railings, overtakes
+the shepherd, and offers him two gold bracelets for the lamb. But the
+shepherd will not part with it, and scarcely listens to the knight,
+going quietly the while up the mountain-side, with Weigand close upon
+him. At last Weigand loses patience. He threatens; and the shepherd,
+sturdy and proud like all of his race in our northern land, threatens
+in return. Suddenly Weigand's sword resounds upon his head,--the stroke
+should have fallen flat, but who can control a fiery horse or a drawn
+sword? The bleeding shepherd, with a cloven skull, falls down the
+precipice; his frightened flock bleats on the mountain. Only the little
+lamb runs in its terror to the orchard, pushes itself through the
+garden-rails, and lies at Verena's feet, as if asking for help, all
+red with its master's blood. She took it up in her arms, and from that
+moment never suffered Weigand the Slender to appear again before her
+face. She continued to cherish the little lamb, and seemed to take
+pleasure in nothing else in the world, and became pale and turned
+towards heaven, as the lilies are. She would soon have taken the veil,
+but just then I came to aid her father in a bloody war, and rescued
+him from his enemies. The old man represented this to her, and, softly
+smiling, she gave me her lovely hand. His grief would not suffer the
+unhappy Weigand to remain in his own country. It drove him forth as a
+pilgrim to Asia, whence our forefathers came, and there he did wonderful
+deeds, both of valour and self-abasement. Truly, my heart was strangely
+weak when I heard him spoken of at that time. After some years he
+returned, and wished to build a church or monastery on that mountain
+towards the west, whence the walls of my castle are distinctly seen.
+It was said that he wished to become a priest there, but it fell out
+otherwise. For some pirates had sailed from the southern seas, and,
+hearing of the building of this monastery, their chief thought to
+find much gold belonging to the lord of the castle and to the master
+builders, or else, if he surprised and carried them off, to extort from
+them a mighty ransom. He did not yet know northern courage and northern
+weapons; but he soon gained that knowledge. Having landed in the creek
+under the black rocks, he made his way through a by-path up to the
+building, surrounded it, and thought in himself that the affair was now
+ended. Ha! then out rushed Weigand and his builders, and fell upon them
+with swords and hatchets and hammers. The heathens fled away to their
+ships, with Weigand behind to take vengeance on them. In passing by our
+castle he caught a sight of Verena on the terrace, and, for the first
+time during so many years, she bestowed a courteous and kind salutation
+on the glowing victor. At that moment a dagger, hurled by one of the
+pirates in the midst of his hasty flight, struck Weigand's uncovered
+head, and he fell to the ground bleeding and insensible. We completed
+the rout of the heathens: then I had the wounded knight brought into the
+castle; and my pale Verena glowed as lilies in the light of the morning
+sun, and Weigand opened his eyes with a smile when he was brought near
+her. He refused to be taken into any room but the small one close to
+this where the armour is now placed; for he said that he felt as if
+it were a cell like that which he hoped soon to inhabit in his quiet
+cloister. All was done after his wish: my sweet Verena nursed him, and
+he appeared at first to be on the straightest road to recovery; but his
+head continued weak and liable to be confused by the slightest emotion,
+his walk was rather a falling than a walking, and his cheeks were
+colourless. We could not let him go. When we were sitting here together
+in the evening, he used always to come tottering into the hall through
+the low doorway; and my heart was sad and wrathful too, when the soft
+eyes of Verena beamed so sweetly on him, and a glow like that of the
+evening sky hovered over her lily cheeks. But I bore it, and I could
+have borne it to the end of our lives,--when, alas! Verena went into a
+cloister!"
+
+His head fell so heavily on his folded hands, that the stone table
+seemed to groan beneath it, and he remained a long while motionless as a
+corpse. When he again raised himself up, his eyes glared fearfully as he
+looked round the hall, and he said to Folko: "Your beloved Hamburghers,
+Gotthard Lenz, and Rudlieb his son, they have much to answer for! Who
+bid them come and be shipwrecked so close to my castle?"
+
+Folko cast a piercing look on him, and a fearful inquiry was on the
+point of escaping his lips, but another look at the trembling Gabrielle
+made him silent, at least for the present moment, and the knight Biorn
+continued his narrative.
+
+"Verena was with her nuns, I was left alone, and my despair had driven
+me throughout the day through forest and brook and mountain. In the
+twilight I returned to my deserted castle, and scarcely was I in the
+hall, when the little door creaked, and Weigand, who had slept through
+all, crept towards me and asked: 'Where can Verena be?' Then I became as
+mad, and howled to him, 'She is gone mad, and so am I, and you also, and
+now we are all mad!' Merciful Heaven, the wound on his head burst open,
+and a dark stream flowed over his face--ah! how different from the
+redness when Verena met him at the castle-gate; and he rushed forth,
+raving mad, into the wilderness without, and ever since has wandered all
+around as a crazy pilgrim."
+
+He was silent, and so were Folko and Gabrielle, all three pale and cold
+like images of the dead. At length the fearful narrator added in a low
+voice, and as if he were quite exhausted: "He has visited me since that
+time, but he will never again come through the little door. Have I not
+established peace and order in my castle?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 14
+
+
+
+Sintram had not returned home, when those of the castle betook
+themselves to rest in deep bewilderment. No one thought of him, for
+every heart was filled with strange forebodings, and with uncertain
+cares. Even the heroic breast of the Knight of Montfaucon heaved in
+doubt.
+
+Old Rolf still remained without, weeping in the forest, heedless of the
+storm which beat on his unprotected head, while he waited for his young
+master. But he had gone a very different way; and when the morning
+dawned, he entered the castle from the opposite side.
+
+Gabrielle's slumbers had been sweet during the whole night. It had
+seemed to her that angels with golden wings had blown away the wild
+histories of the evening before, and had wafted to her the bright
+flowers, the sparkling sea, and the green hills of her own home. She
+smiled, and drew her breath calmly and softly, whilst the magical
+tempest raged and howled through the forests, and continued to battle
+with the troubled sea. But in truth when she awoke in the morning,
+and heard still the rattling of the windows, and saw the clouds, as if
+dissolved in mist and steam, still hiding the face of the heavens, she
+could have wept for anxiety and sadness, especially when she heard from
+her maidens that Folko had already left their apartment clad in full
+armour as if prepared for a combat. At the same time she heard the sound
+of the heavy tread of armed men in the echoing halls, and, on inquiring,
+found that the Knight of Montfaucon had assembled all his retainers to
+be in readiness to protect their lady.
+
+Wrapped in a cloak of ermine, she stood trembling like a tender flower
+just sprung up out of the snow, tottering beneath a winter's storm. Then
+Sir Folko entered the room, in all his shining armour, and peacefully
+carrying his golden helmet with the long shadowy plumes in his hand. He
+saluted Gabrielle with cheerful serenity, and at a sign from him, her
+attendants retired, while the men-at-arms without were heard quietly
+dispersing.
+
+"Lady," said he, as he took his seat beside her, on a couch to which
+he led her, already re-assured by his presence: "lady, will you forgive
+your knight for having left you to endure some moments of anxiety; but
+honour and stern justice called him. Now all is set in order, quietly
+and peacefully; dismiss your fears and every thought that has troubled
+you, as things which are no more."
+
+"But you and Biorn?" asked Gabrielle. "On the word of a knight," replied
+he, "all is well there." And thereupon he began to talk over indifferent
+subjects with his usual ease and wit; but Gabrielle, bending towards
+him, said with deep emotion:
+
+"O Folko, my knight, the flower of my life, my protector and my dearest
+hope on earth, tell me all, if thou mayst. But if a promise binds thee,
+it is different. Thou knowest that I am of the race of Portamour, and
+I would ask nothing from my knight which could cast even a breath of
+suspicion on his spotless shield."
+
+Folko thought gravely for one instant; then looking at her with a bright
+smile, he said: "It is not that, Gabrielle; but canst thou bear what
+I have to disclose? Wilt thou not sink down under it, as a slender fir
+gives way under a mass of snow?"
+
+She raised herself somewhat proudly, and said: "I have already reminded
+thee of the name of my father's house. Let me now add, that I am the
+wedded wife of the Baron of Montfaucon."
+
+"Then so let it be," replied Folko solemnly; "and if that must come
+forth openly which should ever have remained hidden in the darkness
+which belongs to such deeds of wickedness, at least let it come forth
+less fearfully with a sudden flash. Know then, Gabrielle, that the
+wicked knight who would have slain my friends Gotthard and Rudlieb is
+none other than our kinsman and host, Biorn of the Fiery Eyes."
+
+Gabrielle shuddered and covered her eyes with her fair hands; but at the
+end of a moment she looked up with a bewildered air, and said: "I have
+heard wrong surely, although it is true that yesterday evening such a
+thought struck me. For did not you say awhile ago that all was settled
+and at peace between you and Biorn? Between the brave baron and such a
+man after such a crime?"
+
+"You heard aright," answered Folko, looking with fond delight on the
+delicate yet high-minded lady. "This morning with the earliest dawn I
+went to him and challenged him to a mortal combat in the neighbouring
+valley, if he were the man whose castle had well-nigh become an altar of
+sacrifice to Gotthard and Rudlieb. He was already completely armed,
+and merely saying, 'I am he,' he followed me to the forest. But when
+he stood alone at the place of combat, he flung away his shield down
+a giddy precipice, then his sword was hurled after it, and next with
+gigantic strength he tore off his coat of mail, and said, 'Now fall
+on, thou minister of vengeance; for I am a heavy sinner, and I dare
+not fight with thee.' How could I then attack him? A strange truce
+was agreed on between us. He is half as my vassal, and yet I solemnly
+forgave him in my own name and in that of my friends. He was contrite,
+and yet no tear was in his eye, no gentle word on his lips. He is only
+kept under by the power with which I am endued by having right on my
+side, and it is on that tenure that Biorn is my vassal. I know not,
+lady, whether you can bear to see us together on these terms; if not, I
+will ask for hospitality in some other castle; there are none in Norway
+which would not receive us joyfully and honourably, and this wild
+autumnal storm may put off our voyage for many a day. Only this I think,
+that if we depart directly and in such a manner, the heart of this
+savage man will break."
+
+"Where my noble lord remains, there I also remain joyfully under his
+protection," replied Gabrielle; and again her heart glowed with rapture
+at the greatness of her knight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 15
+
+
+
+The noble lady had just unbuckled her knight's armour with her own
+fair hands,--on the field of battle alone were pages or esquires bidden
+handle Montfaucon's armour,--and now she was throwing over his shoulders
+his mantle of blue velvet embroidered with gold, when the door opened
+gently, and Sintram entered the room, humbly greeting them. Gabrielle
+received him kindly, as she was wont, but suddenly turning pale, she
+looked away and said:
+
+"O Sintram, what has happened to you? And how can one single night have
+so fearfully altered you?"
+
+Sintram stood still, thunderstruck, and feeling as if he himself did
+not know what had befallen him. Then Folko took him by the hand, led him
+towards a bright polished shield, and said very earnestly, "Look here at
+yourself, young knight!"
+
+At the first glance Sintram drew back horrified. He fancied that he saw
+the little Master before him with that single upright feather sticking
+out of his cap; but he at length perceived that the mirror was only
+showing him his own image and none other, and that his own wild dagger
+had given him this strange and spectre-like aspect, as he could not deny
+to himself.
+
+"Who has done that to you?" asked Folko, yet more grave and solemn. "And
+what terror makes your disordered hair stand on end?"
+
+Sintram knew not what to answer. He felt as if a judgment were coming
+on him, and a shameful degrading from his knightly rank. Suddenly Folko
+drew him away from the shield, and taking him towards the rattling
+window, he asked: "Whence comes this tempest?"
+
+Still Sintram kept silence. His limbs began to tremble under him; and
+Gabrielle, pale and terrified, whispered, "O Folko, my knight, what has
+happened? Oh, tell me; are we come into an enchanted castle?"
+
+"The land of our northern ancestors," replied Folko with solemnity, "is
+full of mysterious knowledge. But we may not, for all that, call its
+people enchanters; still this youth has cause to watch himself narrowly;
+he whom the evil one has touched by so much as one hair of his head..."
+
+Sintram heard no more; with a deep groan he staggered out of the room.
+As he left it, he met old Rolf, still almost benumbed by the cold and
+storms of the night. Now, in his joy at again seeing his young master,
+he did not remark his altered appearance; but as he accompanied him to
+his sleeping-room he said, "Witches and spirits of the tempest must
+have taken up their abode on the sea-shore. I am certain that such wild
+storms never arise without some devilish arts."
+
+Sintram fell into a fainting-fit, from which Rolf could with difficulty
+recover him sufficiently to appear in the great hall at the mid-day
+hour. But before he went down, he caused a shield to be brought, saw
+himself therein, and cut close round, in grief and horror, the rest of
+his long black hair, so that he made himself look almost like a monk;
+and thus he joined the others already assembled round the table.
+They all looked at him with surprise; but old Biorn rose up and said
+fiercely, "Are you going to betake yourself to the cloister, as well as
+the fair lady your mother?"
+
+A commanding look from the Baron of Montfaucon checked any further
+outbreak; and as if in apology, Biorn added, with a forced smile, "I was
+only thinking if any accident had befallen him, like Absalom's, and if
+he had been obliged to save himself from being strangled by parting with
+all his hair."
+
+"You should not jest with holy things," answered the baron severely,
+and all were silent. No sooner was the repast ended, than Folko and
+Gabrielle, with a grave and courteous salutation, retired to their
+apartments.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 16
+
+
+
+Life in the castle took from this time quite another form. Those two
+bright beings, Folko and Gabrielle, spent most part of the day in their
+apartments, and when they showed themselves, it was with quiet dignity
+and grave silence, while Biorn and Sintram stood before them in humble
+fear. Nevertheless, Biorn could not bear the thought of his guests
+seeking shelter in any other knight's abode. When Folko once spoke of
+it, something like a tear stood in the wild man's eye. His head sank,
+and he said softly, "As you please; but I feel that if you go, I shall
+run among the rocks for days."
+
+And thus they all remained together; for the storm continued to rage
+with such increasing fury over the sea, that no sea voyage could be
+thought of, and the oldest man in Norway could not call to mind such
+an autumn. The priests examined all the runic books, the bards looked
+through their lays and tales, and yet they could find no record of the
+like. Biorn and Sintram braved the tempest; but during the few hours
+in which Folko and Gabrielle showed themselves, the father and son were
+always in the castle, as if respectfully waiting upon them; the rest
+of the day--nay, often through whole nights, they rushed through the
+forests and over the rocks in pursuit of bears. Folko the while called
+up all the brightness of his fancy, all his courtly grace, in order to
+make Gabrielle forget that she was living in this wild castle, and that
+the long, hard northern winter was setting in, which would ice them in
+for many a month. Sometimes he would relate bright tales; then he would
+play the liveliest airs to induce Gabrielle to lead a dance with her
+attendants; then, again, handing his lute to one of the women, he would
+himself take a part the dance, well knowing to express thereby after
+some new fashion his devotion to his lady. Another time he would have
+the spacious halls of the castle prepared for his armed retainers to
+go through their warlike exercises, and Gabrielle always adjudged the
+reward to the conqueror. Folko often joined the circle of combatants; so
+that he only met their attacks, defending himself, but depriving no one
+of the prize. The Norwegians, who stood around as spectators, used
+to compare him to the demi-god Baldur, one of the heroes of their old
+traditions, who was wont to let the darts of his companions be all
+hurled against him, conscious that he was invulnerable, and of his own
+indwelling strength.
+
+At the close of one of these martial exercises, old Rolf advanced
+towards Folko, and beckoning him with an humble look, said softly, "They
+call you the beautiful mighty Baldur,--and they are right. But even the
+beautiful mighty Baldur did not escape death. Take heed to yourself."
+Folko looked at him wondering. "Not that I know of any treachery,"
+continued the old man; "or that I can even foresee the likelihood of
+any. God keep a Norwegian from such a fear. But when you stand before
+me in all the brightness of your glory, the fleetingness of everything
+earthly weighs down my mind, and I cannot refrain from saying, 'Take
+heed, noble baron! oh, take heed! Even the most beautiful glory comes to
+an end.'"
+
+"Those are wise and pious thoughts," replied Folko calmly, "and I will
+treasure them in a pure heart."
+
+The good Rolf was often with Folko and Gabrielle, and made a connecting
+link between the two widely differing parties in the castle. For how
+could he have ever forsaken his own Sintram! Only in the wild hunting
+expeditions through the howling storms and tempests he no longer was
+able to follow his young lord.
+
+At length the icy reign of winter began in all its glory. On this
+account a return to Normandy was impossible, and therefore the magical
+storm was lulled. The hills and valleys shone brilliantly in their white
+attire of snow, and Folko used sometimes, with skates on his feet, to
+draw his lady in a light sledge over the glittering frozen lakes and
+streams. On the other hand, the bear-hunts of the lord of the castle and
+his son took a still more desperate and to them joyous course.
+
+About this time,--when Christmas was drawing near, and Sintram was
+seeking to overpower his dread of the awful dreams by the most daring
+expeditions,--about this time, Folko and Gabrielle stood together on
+one of the terraces of the castle. The evening was mild; the snow-clad
+fields were glowing in the red light of the setting sun; from below
+there were heard men's voices singing songs of ancient heroic times,
+while they worked in the armourer's forge. At last the songs died away,
+the beating of hammers ceased, and, without the speakers being seen, or
+there being any possibility of distinguishing them by their voices, the
+following discourse arose:--
+
+"Who is the bravest amongst all those whose race derives its origin from
+our renowned land?"
+
+"It is Folko of Montfaucon."
+
+"Rightly said; but tell me, is there anything from which even this bold
+baron draws back?"
+
+"In truth there is one thing,--and we who have never left Norway face it
+quite willingly and joyfully."
+
+"And that is--?"
+
+"A bear-hunt in winter, over trackless plains of snow, down frightful
+ice-covered precipices."
+
+"Truly thou answerest aright, my comrade. He who knows not how to fasten
+our skates on his feet, how to turn in them to the right or left at a
+moment's warning, he may be a valiant knight in other respects, but he
+had better keep away from our hunting parties, and remain with his timid
+wife in her apartments." At which the speakers were heard to laugh well
+pleased, and then to betake themselves again to their armourer's work.
+
+Folko stood long buried in thought. A glow beyond that of the evening
+sky reddened his cheek. Gabrielle also remained silent, considering she
+knew not what. At last she took courage, and embracing her beloved, she
+said: "To-morrow thou wilt go forth to hunt the bear, wilt thou not? and
+thou wilt bring the spoils of the chase to thy lady?"
+
+The knight gave a joyful sign of assent; and the rest of the evening was
+spent in dances and music.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 17
+
+
+
+"See, my noble lord," said Sintram the next morning, when Folko had
+expressed his wish of going out with him, "these skates of ours give
+such wings to our course, that we go down the mountain-side swiftly as
+the wind; and even in going up again we are too quick for any one to be
+able to pursue us, and on the plains no horse can keep up with us; and
+yet they can only be worn with safety by those who are well practised.
+It seems as though some strange spirit dwelt in them, which is fearfully
+dangerous to any that have not learnt the management of them in their
+childhood.
+
+Folko answered somewhat proudly: "Do you suppose that this is the first
+time that I have been amongst your mountains? Years ago I have joined in
+this sport, and, thank Heaven, there is no knightly exercise which does
+not speedily become familiar to me."
+
+Sintram did not venture to make any further objections, and still less
+did old Biorn. They both felt relieved when they saw with what skill and
+ease Folko buckled the skates on his feet, without suffering any one to
+assist him. This day they hunted up the mountain in pursuit of a fierce
+bear which had often before escaped from them. Before long it was
+necessary that they should separate, and Sintram offered himself as
+companion to Folko, who, touched by the humble manner of the youth, and
+his devotion to him, forgot all that had latterly seemed mysterious
+in the pale altered being before him, and agreed heartily. As now they
+continued to climb higher and higher up the mountain, and saw from
+many a giddy height the rocks and crags below them looking like a vast
+expanse of sea suddenly turned into ice whilst tossed by a violent
+tempest, the noble Montfaucon drew his breath more freely. He poured
+forth war-songs and love-longs in the clear mountain air, and the
+startled echoes repeated from rock to rock the lays of his Frankish
+home. He sprang lightly from one precipice to another, using strongly
+and safely his staff for support, and turning now to the right, now to
+the left, as the fancy seized him; so that Sintram was fain to exchange
+his former anxiety for a wondering admiration, and the hunters, whose
+eyes had never been taken off the baron, burst forth with loud applause,
+proclaiming far and wide fresh glory of their guest.
+
+The good fortune which usually accompanied Folko's deeds of arms seemed
+still unwilling to leave him. After a short search, he and Sintram
+found distinct traces of the savage animal, and with beating hearts they
+followed the track so swiftly that even a winged enemy would have been
+unable to escape from them. But the creature whom they sought did not
+attempt a flight--he lay sulkily in a cavern near the top of a steep
+precipitous rock, infuriated by the shouts of the hunters, and only
+waiting in his lazy fury for some one to be bold enough to climb up to
+his retreat, that he might tear him to pieces. Folko and Sintram had now
+reached the foot of this rock, the rest of the hunters being dispersed
+over the far-extending plain. The track led the two companions up the
+rock, and they set about climbing on the opposite sides of it, that
+they might be the more sure of not missing their prey. Folko reached the
+lonely topmost point first, and cast his eyes around. A wide, boundless
+tract of country, covered with untrodden snow, was spread before him,
+melting in the distance into the lowering clouds of the gloomy evening
+sky. He almost thought that he must have missed the traces of the
+fearful beast; when close beside him from a cleft in the rock issued a
+long growl, and a huge black bear appeared on the snow, standing on its
+hind legs, and with glaring eyes it advanced towards the baron. Sintram
+the while was struggling in vain to make his way up the rock against the
+masses of snow continually slipping down.
+
+Joyful at a combat so long untried as almost to be new, Folko of
+Montfaucon levelled his hunting spear, and awaited the attack of the
+wild beast. He suffered it to approach so near that its fearful claws
+were almost upon him; then he made a thrust, and the spear-head was
+buried deep in the bear's breast. But the furious beast still pressed on
+with a fierce growl, kept up on its hind legs by the cross-iron of the
+spear, and the knight was forced to plant his feet deep in the earth to
+resist the savage assault; and ever close before him the grim and bloody
+face of the bear, and close in his ear its deep savage growl, wrung
+forth partly by the agony of death, partly by thirst for blood. At
+length the bear's resistance grew weaker, and the dark blood streamed
+freely upon the snow; he tottered; and one powerful thrust hurled him
+backwards over the edge of the precipice. At the same instant Sintram
+stood by the Baron of Montfaucon. Folko said, drawing a deep breath:
+"But I have not yet the prize in my hands, and have it I must, since
+fortune has given me a claim to it. Look, one of my skates seems to be
+out of order. Thinkest thou, Sintram, that it holds enough to slide down
+to the foot of the precipice?"
+
+"Let me go instead," said Sintram. "I will bring you the head and the
+claws of the bear."
+
+"A true knight," replied Folko, with some displeasure, "never does a
+knightly deed by halves. What I ask is, whether my skate will still
+hold?"
+
+As Sintram bent down to look, and was on the point of saying "No!" he
+suddenly heard a voice close to him, saying, "Why, yes, to be sure;
+there is no doubt about it."
+
+Folko thought that Sintram had spoken, and slid down with the swiftness
+of an arrow, whilst his companion looked up in great surprise. The hated
+form of the little Master met his eyes. As he was going to address him
+with angry words, he heard the sound of the baron's fearful fall, and he
+stood still in silent horror. There was a breathless silence also in the
+abyss below.
+
+"Now, why dost thou delay?" said the little Master, after a pause. "He
+is dashed to pieces. Go back to the castle, and take the fair Helen to
+thyself."
+
+Sintram shuddered. Then his hateful companion began to praise
+Gabrielle's charms in so glowing, deceiving words, that the heart of the
+youth swelled with emotions he had never before known. He only thought
+of him who was now lying at the foot of the rock as of an obstacle
+removed between him and heaven: he turned towards the castle.
+
+But a cry was heard below: "Help! help! my comrade! I am yet alive, but
+I am sorely wounded."
+
+Sintram's will was changed, and he called to the baron, "I am coming."
+
+But the little Master said, "Nothing can be done to help Duke Menelaus;
+and the fair Helen knows it already. She is only waiting for knight
+Paris to comfort her." And with detestable craft he wove in that tale
+with what was actually happening, bringing in the most highly wrought
+praises of the lovely Gabrielle; and alas! the dazzled youth yielded to
+him, and fled! Again he heard far off the baron's voice calling to him,
+"Knight Sintram, knight Sintram, thou on whom I bestowed the holy order,
+haste to me and help me! The she-bear and her whelps will be upon me,
+and I cannot use my right arm! Knight Sintram, knight Sintram, haste to
+help me!"
+
+His cries were overpowered by the furious speed with which the two
+were carried along on their skates, and by the evil words of the little
+Master, who was mocking at the late proud bearing of Duke Menelaus
+towards the poor Sintram. At last he shouted, "Good luck to you,
+she-bear! good luck to your whelps! There is a glorious meal for you!
+Now you will feed upon the fear of Heathendom, him at whose name the
+Moorish brides weep, the mighty Baron of Montfaucon. Never again, O
+dainty knight, will you shout at the head of your troops, 'Mountjoy St.
+Denys!'" But scarce had this holy name passed the lips of the little
+Master, than he set up a howl of anguish, writhing himself with horrible
+contortions, and wringing his hands, and ended by disappearing in a
+storm of snow which then arose.
+
+Sintram planted his staff firmly in the ground, and stopped. How
+strangely did the wide expanse of snow, the distant mountains rising
+above it, and the dark green fir-woods--how strangely did they all look
+at him in cold reproachful silence! He felt as if he must sink under the
+weight of his sorrow and his guilt. The bell of a distant hermitage came
+floating sadly over the plain. With a burst of tears he exclaimed, as
+the darkness grew thicker round him, "My mother! my mother! I had once
+a beloved tender mother, and she said I was a good child!" A ray of
+comfort came to him as if brought on an angel's wing; perhaps Montfaucon
+was not yet dead! and he flew like lightning along the path, back to
+the steep rock. When he got to the fearful place, he stooped and looked
+anxiously down the precipice. The moon, just risen in full majesty,
+helped him. The Knight of Montfaucon, pale and bleeding, was half
+kneeling against the rock; his right arm, crushed in his fall, hung
+powerless at his side; it was plain that he could not draw his good
+sword out of the scabbard. But nevertheless he was keeping the bear and
+her young ones at bay by his bold threatening looks, so that they only
+crept round him, growling angrily; every moment ready for a fierce
+attack, but as often driven back affrighted at the majestic air by which
+he conquered even when defenceless.
+
+"Oh! what a hero would there have perished!" groaned Sintram, "and
+through whose guilt?" In an instant his spear flew with so true an
+aim that the bear fell weltering in her blood; the young ones ran away
+howling.
+
+The baron looked up with surprise. His countenance beamed as the light
+of the moon fell upon it, grave and stern, yet mild, like some angelic
+vision. "Come down!" he beckoned; and Sintram slid down the side of the
+precipice, full of anxious haste. He was going to attend to the wounded
+man, but Folko said, "First cut off the head and claws of the bear
+which I slew. I promised to bring the spoils of the chase to my lovely
+Gabrielle. Then come to me, and bind up my wounds. My right arm is
+broken." Sintram obeyed the baron's commands. When the tokens of victory
+had been secured, and the broken arm bound up, Folko desired the youth
+to help him back to the castle.
+
+"O Heavens!" said Sintram in a low voice, "if I dared to look in your
+face! or only knew how to come near you!"
+
+"Thou wert indeed going on in an evil course," said Montfaucon, gravely;
+"but how could we, any of us, stand before God, did not repentance help
+us? At any rate, thou hast now saved my life, and let that thought cheer
+thy heart."
+
+The youth with tenderness and strength supported the baron's left arm,
+and they both went their way silently in the moonlight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 18
+
+
+
+Sounds of wailing were heard from the castle as they approached; the
+chapel was solemnly lighted up; within it knelt Gabrielle, lamenting for
+the death of the Knight of Montfaucon.
+
+But how quickly was all changed, when the noble baron, pale indeed, and
+bleeding, yet having escaped all mortal danger, stood smiling at the
+entrance of the holy building, and said, in a low, gentle voice, "Look
+up, Gabrielle, and be not affrighted; for, by the honour of my race, thy
+knight still lives." Oh! with what joy did Gabrielle's eyes sparkle, as
+she turned to her knight, and then raised them again to heaven, still
+streaming, but from the deep source of thankful joy! With the help of
+two pages, Folko knelt down beside her, and they both sanctified their
+happiness with a silent prayer.
+
+When they left the chapel, the wounded knight being tenderly supported
+by his lady, Sintram was standing without in the darkness, himself as
+gloomy as the night, and, like a bird of the night, shunning the sight
+of men. Yet he came trembling forward into the torch-light, laid the
+bear's head and claws at the feet of Gabrielle, and said, "The noble
+Folko of Montfaucon presents the spoils of to-day's chase to his lady."
+
+The Norwegians burst forth with shouts of joyful surprise at the
+stranger knight, who in the very first hunting expedition had slain the
+most fearful and dangerous beast of their mountains.
+
+Then Folko looked around with a smile as he said, "And now none of you
+must jeer at me, if I stay at home for a short time with my timid wife."
+
+Those who the day before had talked together in the armourer's forge
+came out from the crowd, and bowing low, they replied, "Noble baron,
+who could have thought that there was no knightly exercise in the whole
+world in the which you would not show yourself far above all other men?"
+
+"The pupil of old Sir Hugh may be somewhat trusted," answered Folko
+kindly. "But now, you bold northern warriors, bestow some praises also
+on my deliverer, who saved me from the claws of the she-bear, when I was
+leaning against the rock wounded by my fall."
+
+He pointed to Sintram, and the general shout was again raised; and old
+Rolf, with tears of joy in his eyes, bent his head over his foster-son's
+hand. But Sintram drew back shuddering.
+
+"Did you but know," said he, "whom you see before you, all your spears
+would be aimed at my heart; and perhaps that would be the best thing for
+me. But I spare the honour of my father and of his race, and for this
+time I will not confess. Only this much must you know, noble warriors--"
+
+"Young man," interrupted Folko with a reproving look, "already again
+so wild and fierce? I desire that thou wilt hold thy peace about thy
+dreaming fancies."
+
+Sintram was silenced for a moment; but hardly had Folko begun smilingly
+to move towards the steps of the castle, than he cried out, "Oh, no, no,
+noble wounded knight, stay yet awhile; I will serve thee in everything
+that thy heart can desire; but herein I cannot serve thee. Brave
+warriors, you must and shall know so much as this; I am no longer worthy
+to live under the same roof with the noble Baron of Montfaucon and his
+angelic wife Gabrielle. And you, my aged father, good-night; long not
+for me. I intend to live in the stone fortress on the Rocks of the Moon,
+till a change of some kind come over me."
+
+There was that in his way of speaking against which no one dared to set
+himself, not even Folko.
+
+The wild Biorn bowed his head humbly, and said, "Do according to thy
+pleasure, my poor son; for I fear that thou art right."
+
+Then Sintram walked solemnly and silently through the castle-gate,
+followed by the good Rolf. Gabrielle led her exhausted lord up to their
+apartments.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 19
+
+
+
+That was a mournful journey on which the youth and his aged
+foster-father went towards the Rocks of the Moon, through the wild
+tangled paths of the snow-clad valleys. Rolf from time to time sang
+some verses of hymns, in which comfort and peace were promised to the
+penitent sinner, and Sintram thanked him for them with looks of grateful
+sadness. Neither of them spoke a word else.
+
+At length, when the dawn of day was approaching, Sintram broke silence
+by saying, "Who are those two sitting yonder by the frozen stream--a
+tall man and a little one? Their own wild hearts must have driven them
+also forth into the wilderness. Rolf, dost thou know them? The sight of
+them makes me shudder."
+
+"Sir," answered the old man, "your disturbed mind deceives you. There
+stands a lofty fir-tree, and the old weather-beaten stump of an oak,
+half-covered with snow, which gives them a somewhat strange appearance.
+There are no men sitting yonder."
+
+"But, Rolf, look there! look again carefully! Now they move, they
+whisper together."
+
+"Sir, the morning breeze moves the branches, and whistles in the sharp
+pine-leaves and in the yellow oak-leaves, and rustles the crisp snow."
+
+"Rolf, now they are both coming towards us. Now they are standing before
+us, quite close."
+
+"Sir, it is we who get nearer to them as we walk on, and the setting
+moon throws such long giant-like shadows over the plain."
+
+"Good-evening!" said a hollow voice; and Sintram knew it was the crazy
+pilgrim, near to whom stood the malignant little Master, looking more
+hideous than ever.
+
+"You are right, sir knight," whispered Rolf, as he drew back behind
+Sintram, and made the Sign of the Cross on his breast and his forehead.
+
+The bewildered youth, however, advanced towards the two figures, and
+said, "You have always taken wonderful pleasure in being my companions.
+What do you expect will come of it? And do you choose to go now with me
+to the stone fortress? There I will tend thee, poor pale pilgrim; and as
+to thee, frightful Master, most evil dwarf, I will make thee shorter by
+the head, to reward thee for thy deeds yesterday."
+
+"That would be a fine thing," sneered the little Master; "and perhaps
+thou imaginest that thou wouldst be doing a great service to the whole
+world? And, indeed, who knows? Something might be gained by it! Only,
+poor wretch, thou canst not do it."
+
+The pilgrim meantime was waving his pale head to and fro thoughtfully,
+saying, "I believe truly that thou wouldst willingly have me, and I
+would go to thee willingly, but I may not yet. Have patience awhile;
+thou wilt yet surely see me come, but at a distant time; and first we
+must again visit thy father together, and then also thou wilt learn to
+call me by my right name, my poor friend."
+
+"Beware of disappointing me again!" said the little Master to the
+pilgrim in a threatening voice; but he, pointing with his long,
+shrivelled hand towards the sun, which was just now rising, said, "Stop
+either that sun or me, if thou canst!"
+
+Then the first rays fell on the snow, and the little Master ran,
+muttering, down a precipice; but the pilgrim walked on in the bright
+beams, calmly and with great solemnity, towards a neighbouring castle on
+the mountain. It was not long before its chapel-bell was heard tolling
+for the dead.
+
+"For Heaven's sake," whispered the good Rolf to his knight--"for
+Heaven's sake, Sir Sintram, what kind of companions have you here? One
+of them cannot bear the light of God's blessed sun, and the other has
+no sooner set foot in a dwelling than tidings of death wail after his
+track. Could he have been a murderer?"
+
+"I do not think that," said Sintram. "He seemed to me the best of the
+two. But it is a strange wilfulness of his not to come with me. Did I
+not invite him kindly? I believe that he can sing well, and he should
+have sung to me some gentle lullaby. Since my mother has lived in a
+cloister, no one sings lullabies to me any more."
+
+At this tender recollection his eyes were bedewed with tears. But he did
+not himself know what he had said besides, for there was wildness and
+confusion in his spirit. They arrived at the Rocks of the Moon, and
+mounted up to the stone fortress. The castellan, an old, gloomy man,
+the more devoted to the young knight from his dark melancholy and wild
+deeds, hastened to lower the drawbridge. Greetings were exchanged in
+silence, and in silence did Sintram enter, and those joyless gates
+closed with a crash behind the future recluse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 20
+
+
+
+Yes truly, a recluse, or at least something like it, did poor Sintram
+now become! For towards the time of the approaching Christmas festival
+his fearful dreams came over him, and seized him so fiercely, that all
+the esquires and servants fled with shrieks out of the castle, and would
+never venture back again. No one remained with him except Rolf and the
+old castellan. After a while, indeed, Sintram became calm, but he went
+about looking so pallid and still that he might have been taken for a
+wandering corpse. No comforting of the good Rolf, no devout soothing
+lays, were of any avail; and the castellan, with his fierce, scarred
+features, his head almost entirely bald from a huge sword-cut, his
+stubborn silence, seemed like a yet darker shadow of the miserable
+knight. Rolf often thought of going to summon the holy chaplain of
+Drontheim; but how could he have left his lord alone with the gloomy
+castellan, a man who at all times raised in him a secret horror? Biorn
+had long had this wild strange warrior in his service, and honoured him
+on account of his unshaken fidelity and his fearless courage, though
+neither the knight nor any one else knew whence the castellan came, nor,
+indeed, exactly who he was. Very few people knew by what name to
+call him; but that was the more needless, since he never entered into
+discourse with any one. He was the castellan of the stone fortress on
+the Rocks of the Moon, and nothing more.
+
+Rolf committed his deep heartfelt cares to the merciful God, trusting
+that he would soon come to his aid; and the merciful God did not fail
+him. For on Christmas eve the bell at the drawbridge sounded, and Rolf,
+looking over the battlements, saw the chaplain of Drontheim standing
+there, with a companion indeed that surprised him,--for close beside him
+appeared the crazy pilgrim, and the dead men's bones on his dark mantle
+shone very strangely in the glimmering starlight: but the sight of the
+chaplain filled the good Rolf too full of joy to leave room for any
+doubt in his mind; for, thought he, whoever comes with him cannot but be
+welcome! And so he let them both in with respectful haste, and ushered
+them up to the hall, where Sintram, pale and with a fixed look, was
+sitting under the light of one flickering lamp. Rolf was obliged to
+support and assist the crazy pilgrim up the stairs, for he was quite
+benumbed with cold.
+
+"I bring you a greeting from your mother," said the chaplain as he
+came in; and immediately a sweet smile passed over the young knight's
+countenance, and its deadly pallidness gave place to a bright soft glow.
+
+"O Heaven!" murmured he, "does then my mother yet live, and does she
+care to know anything about me?"
+
+"She is endowed with a wonderful presentiment of the future," replied
+the chaplain; "and all that you ought either to do or to leave undone
+is faithfully mirrored in various ways in her mind, during a half-waking
+trance. Now she knows of your deep sorrow, and she sends me, the
+father-confessor of her convent, to comfort you, but at the same time to
+warn you; for, as she affirms, and as I am also inclined to think, many
+strange and heavy trials lie before you."
+
+Sintram bowed himself towards the chaplain with his arms crossed
+over his breast, and said, with a gentle smile, "Much have I been
+favoured--more, a thousand times more, than I could have dared to hope
+in my best hours--by this greeting from my mother, and your visit,
+reverend sir; and all after falling more fearfully low than I had ever
+fallen before. The mercy of the Lord is great; and how heavy soever may
+be the weight and punishment which He may send, I trust, with His grace,
+to be able to bear it."
+
+Just then the door opened, and the castellan came in with a torch in his
+hand, the red glare of which made his face look the colour of blood. He
+cast a terrified glance at the crazy pilgrim, who had just sunk back
+in a swoon, and was supported on his seat and tended by Rolf; then
+he stared with astonishment at the chaplain, and at last murmured,
+"A strange meeting! I believe that the hour for confession and
+reconciliation is now arrived."
+
+"I believe so too," replied the priest, who had heard his low whisper;
+"this seems to be truly a day rich in grace and peace. That poor
+man yonder, whom I found half-frozen by the way, would make a full
+confession to me at once, before he followed me to a place of shelter.
+Do as he has done, my dark-browed warrior, and delay not your good
+purpose for one instant."
+
+Thereupon he left the room with the willing castellan, but he turned
+back to say, "Sir Knight and your esquire! take good care the while of
+my sick charge."
+
+Sintram and Rolf did according to the chaplain's desire: and when at
+length their cordials made the pilgrim open his eyes once again, the
+young knight said to him, with a friendly smile, "Seest thou? thou art
+come to visit me after all. Why didst thou refuse me when, a few nights
+ago, I asked thee so earnestly to come? Perhaps I may have spoken wildly
+and hastily. Did that scare thee away?"
+
+A sudden expression of fear came over the pilgrim's countenance; but
+soon he again looked up at Sintram with an air of gentle humility,
+saying, "O my dear, dear lord, I am most entirely devoted to you--only
+never speak to me of former passages between you and me. I am terrified
+whenever you do it. For, my lord, either I am mad and have forgotten all
+that is past, or that Being has met you in the wood, whom I look upon as
+my very powerful twin brother."
+
+Sintram laid his hand gently on the pilgrim's mouth, as he answered,
+"Say nothing more about that matter: I most willingly promise to be
+silent."
+
+Neither he nor old Rolf could understand what appeared to them so awful
+in the whole matter; but both shuddered.
+
+After a short pause the pilgrim said, "I would rather sing you a song--a
+soft, comforting song. Have you not a lute here?"
+
+Rolf fetched one; and the pilgrim, half-raising himself on the couch,
+sang the following words:
+
+
+                  "When death is coming near,
+                   When thy heart shrinks in fear
+                      And thy limbs fail,
+                   Then raise thy hands and pray
+                   To Him who smooths thy way
+                      Through the dark vale.
+
+                   Seest thou the eastern dawn,
+                   Hearst thou in the red morn
+                      The angel's song?
+                   Oh, lift thy drooping head,
+                   Thou who in gloom and dread
+                      Hast lain so long.
+
+                   Death comes to set thee free;
+                   Oh, meet him cheerily
+                      As thy true friend,
+                   And all thy fears shall cease,
+                   And in eternal peace
+                      Thy penance end."
+
+
+"Amen," said Sintram and Rolf, folding their hands; and whilst the last
+chords of the lute still resounded, the chaplain and the castellan came
+slowly and gently into the room. "I bring a precious Christmas gift,"
+said the priest. "After many sad years, hope of reconciliation and peace
+of conscience are returning to a noble, disturbed mind. This concerns
+thee, beloved pilgrim; and do thou, my Sintram, with a joyful trust in
+God, take encouragement and example from it."
+
+"More than twenty years ago," began the castellan, at a sign from the
+chaplain--"more than twenty years ago I was a bold shepherd, driving
+my flock up the mountains. A young knight followed me, whom they called
+Weigand the Slender. He wanted to buy of me my favourite little lamb for
+his fair bride, and offered me much red gold for it. I sturdily refused.
+Over-bold youth boiled up in us both. A stroke of his sword hurled me
+senseless down the precipice.
+
+"Not killed?" asked the pilgrim in a scarce audible voice.
+
+"I am no ghost," replied the castellan, somewhat morosely; and then,
+after an earnest look from the priest, he continued, more humbly: "I
+recovered slowly and in solitude, with the help of remedies which were
+easily found by me, a shepherd, in our productive valleys. When I came
+back into the world, no man knew me, with my scarred face, and my now
+bald head. I heard a report going through the country, that on account
+of this deed of his, Sir Weigand the Slender had been rejected by his
+fair betrothed Verena, and how he had pined away, and she had wished
+to retire into a convent, but her father had persuaded her to marry the
+great knight Biorn. Then there came a fearful thirst for vengeance
+into my heart, and I disowned my name, and my kindred, and my home, and
+entered the service of the mighty Biorn, as a strange wild man, in order
+that Weigand the Slender should always remain a murderer, and that I
+might feed on his anguish. So have I fed upon it for all these long
+years; I have fed frightfully upon his self-imposed banishment, upon
+his cheerless return home, upon his madness. But to-day--" and hot tears
+gushed from his eyes--"but to-day God has broken the hardness of my
+heart; and, dear Sir Weigand, look upon yourself no more as a murderer,
+and say that you will forgive me, and pray for him who has done you so
+fearful an injury, and--"
+
+Sobs choked his words. He fell at the feet of the pilgrim, who with
+tears of joy pressed him to his heart, in token of forgiveness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 21
+
+
+
+The joy of this hour passed from its first overpowering brightness to
+the calm, thoughtful aspect of daily life; and Weigand, now restored
+to health, laid aside the mantle with dead men's bones, saying: "I had
+chosen for my penance to carry these fearful remains about with me, with
+the thought that some of them might have belonged to him whom I have
+murdered. Therefore I sought for them round about, in the deep beds of
+the mountain-torrents, and in the high nests of the eagles and vultures.
+And while I was searching, I sometimes--could it have been only an
+illusion?--seemed to meet a being who was very like myself, but far, far
+more powerful, and yet still paler and more haggard."
+
+An imploring look from Sintram stopped the flow of his words. With a
+gentle smile, Weigand bowed towards him, and said: "You know now all the
+deep, unutterably deep, sorrow which preyed upon me. My fear of you, and
+my yearning love for you, are no longer an enigma to your kind heart.
+For, dear youth, though you may be like your fearful father, you have
+also the kind, gentle heart of your mother; and its reflection brightens
+your pallid, stern features, like the glow of a morning sky, which
+lights up ice-covered mountains and snowy valleys with the soft
+radiance of joy. But, alas! how long you have lived alone amidst your
+fellow-creatures! and how long since you have seen your mother, my
+dearly-loved Sintram!"
+
+"I feel, too, as though a spring were gushing up in the barren
+wilderness," replied the youth; "and I should perchance be altogether
+restored, could I but keep you long with me, and weep with you, dear
+lord. But I have that within me which says that you will very soon be
+taken from me."
+
+"I believe, indeed," said the pilgrim, "that my late song was very
+nearly my last, and that it contained a prediction full soon to be
+accomplished in me. But, as the soul of man is always like the thirsty
+ground, the more blessings God has bestowed on us, the more earnestly
+do we look out for new ones; so would I crave for one more before, as I
+hope, my blessed end. Yet, indeed, it cannot be granted me," added he,
+with a faltering voice; "for I feel myself too utterly unworthy of so
+high a gift."
+
+"But it will be granted!" said the chaplain, joyfully. "'He that
+humbleth himself shall be exalted;' and I fear not to take one
+purified from murder to receive a farewell from the holy and forgiving
+countenance of Verena."
+
+The pilgrim stretched both his hands up towards heaven and an unspoken
+thanksgiving poured from his beaming eyes, and brightened the smile that
+played on his lips.
+
+Sintram looked sorrowfully on the ground, and sighed gently to himself:
+"Alas! who would dare accompany?"
+
+"My poor, good Sintram," said the chaplain, in a tone of the softest
+kindness, "I understand thee well; but the time is not yet come. The
+powers of evil will again raise up their wrathful heads within thee,
+and Verena must check both her own and thy longing desires, until all is
+pure in thy spirit as in hers. Comfort thyself with the thought that
+God looks mercifully upon thee, and that the joy so earnestly sought for
+will come--if not here, most assuredly beyond the grave."
+
+But the pilgrim, as though awaking out of a trance, rose mightily from
+his seat, and said: "Do you please to come forth with me, reverend
+chaplain? Before the sun appears in the heavens, we could reach the
+convent-gates, and I should not be far from heaven."
+
+In vain did the chaplain and Rolf remind him of his weakness: he smiled,
+and said that there could be no words about it; and he girded himself,
+and tuned the lute which he had asked leave to take with him. His
+decided manner overcame all opposition, almost without words; and the
+chaplain had already prepared himself for the journey, when the pilgrim
+looked with much emotion at Sintram, who, oppressed with a strange
+weariness, had sunk, half-asleep, on a couch, and said: "Wait a moment.
+I know that he wants me to give him a soft lullaby." The pleased smile
+of the youth seemed to say, Yes; and the pilgrim, touching the strings
+with a light hand, sang these words:
+
+
+                  "Sleep peacefully, dear boy;
+                     Thy mother sends the song
+                   That whispers round thy couch,
+                     To lull thee all night long.
+                   In silence and afar
+                     For thee she ever prays,
+                   And longs once more in fondness
+                     Upon thy face to gaze.
+
+                   And when thy waking cometh,
+                     Then in thy every deed,
+                   In all that may betide thee,
+                     Unto her words give heed.
+                   Oh, listen for her voice,
+                     If it be yea or nay;
+                   And though temptation meet thee,
+                     Thou shalt not miss the way.
+
+                   If thou canst listen rightly,
+                     And nobly onward go,
+                   Then pure and gentle breezes
+                     Around thy cheek shall blow.
+                   Then on thy peaceful journey
+                     Her blessing thou shalt feel,
+                   And though from thee divided,
+                     Her presence o'er thee steal.
+
+                   O safest, sweetest comfort!
+                     O blest and living light!
+                   That, strong in Heaven's power,
+                     All terrors put to flight!
+                   Rest quietly, sweet child,
+                     And may the gentle numbers
+                   Thy mother sends to thee
+                     Waft peace unto thy slumbers."
+
+
+Sintram fell into a deep sleep, smiling, and breathing softly. Rolf and
+the castellan remained by his bed, whilst the two travellers pursued
+their way in the quiet starlight.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 22
+
+
+
+The dawn had almost appeared, when Rolf, who had been asleep, was
+awakened by low singing; and as he looked round, he perceived, with
+surprise, that the sounds came from the lips of the castellan, who said,
+as if in explanation, "So does Sir Weigand sing at the convent-gates,
+and they are kindly opened to him." Upon which, old Rolf fell asleep
+again, uncertain whether what had passed had been a dream or a reality.
+After a while the bright sunshine awoke him again; and when he rose up,
+he saw the countenance of the castellan wonderfully illuminated by the
+red morning rays; and altogether those features, once so fearful, were
+shining with a soft, nay almost child-like mildness. The mysterious man
+seemed to be the while listening to the motionless air, as if he were
+hearing a most pleasant discourse or lofty music; and as Rolf was about
+to speak, he made him a sign of entreaty to remain quiet, and continued
+in his eager listening attitude.
+
+At length he sank slowly and contentedly back in his seat, whispering,
+"God be praised! She has granted his last prayer; he will be laid in the
+burial-ground of the convent, and now he has forgiven me in the depths
+of his heart. I can assure you that he finds a peaceful end."
+
+Rolf did not dare ask a question, or awake his lord; he felt as if one
+already departed had spoken to him.
+
+The castellan long remained still, always smiling brightly. At last
+he raised himself a little, again listened, and said, "It is over. The
+sound of the bells is very sweet. We have overcome. Oh, how soft and
+easy does the good God make it to us!" And so it came to pass. He
+stretched himself back as if weary, and his soul was freed from his
+care-worn body.
+
+Rolf now gently awoke his young knight, and pointed to the smiling dead.
+And Sintram smiled too; he and his good esquire fell on their knees, and
+prayed to God for the departed spirit. Then they rose up, and bore the
+cold body to the vaulted hall, and watched by it with holy candles until
+the return of the chaplain. That the pilgrim would not come back again,
+they very well knew.
+
+Accordingly towards mid-day the chaplain returned alone. He could
+scarcely do more than confirm what was already known to them. He only
+added a comforting and hopeful greeting from Sintram's mother to her
+son, and told that the blissful Weigand had fallen asleep like a tired
+child, whilst Verena, with calm tenderness, held a crucifix before him.
+
+
+             "And in eternal peace our penance end!"
+
+
+sang Sintram, gently to himself: and they prepared a last resting place
+for the now peaceful castellan, and laid him therein with all the due
+solemn rites.
+
+The chaplain was obliged soon afterwards to depart; but bidding Sintram
+farewell, he again said kindly to him, "Thy dear mother assuredly knows
+how gentle and calm and good thou art now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 23
+
+
+
+In the castle of Sir Biorn of the Fiery Eyes, Christmas-eve had not
+passed so brightly and happily; but yet, there too all had gone visibly
+according to God's will.
+
+Folko, at the entreaty of the lord of the castle, had allowed Gabrielle
+to support him into the hall; and the three now sat at the round stone
+table, whereon a sumptuous meal was laid. On either side there were
+long tables, at which sat the retainers of both knights in full armour,
+according to the custom of the North. Torches and lamps lighted the
+lofty hall with an almost dazzling brightness.
+
+Midnight had now begun its solemn reign, and Gabrielle softly reminded
+her wounded knight to withdraw. Biorn heard her, and said: "You are
+right, fair lady; our knight needs rest. Only let us first keep up one
+more old honourable custom."
+
+And at his sign four attendants brought in with pomp a great boar's
+head, which looked as if cut out of solid gold, and placed it in the
+middle of the stone table. Biorn's retainers rose with reverence, and
+took off their helmets; Biorn himself did the same.
+
+"What means this?" asked Folko very gravely.
+
+"What thy forefathers and mine have done on every Yule feast," answered
+Biorn. "We are going to make vows on the boar's head, and then pass the
+goblet round to their fulfilment."
+
+"We no longer keep what our ancestors called the Yule feast," said
+Folko; "we are good Christians, and we keep holy Christmas-tide."
+
+"To do the one, and not to leave the other undone," answered Biorn. "I
+hold my ancestors too dear to forget their knightly customs. Those who
+think otherwise may act according to their wisdom, but that shall not
+hinder me. I swear by the golden boar's head--" And he stretched out his
+hand, to lay it solemnly upon it.
+
+But Folko called out, "In the name of our holy Saviour, forbear. Where I
+am, and still have breath and will, none shall celebrate undisturbed the
+rites of the wild heathens."
+
+Biorn of the Fiery Eyes glared angrily at him. The men of the two barons
+separated from each other, with a hollow sound of rattling armour, and
+ranged themselves in two bodies on either side of the hall, each behind
+its leader. Already here and there helmets were fastened and visors
+closed.
+
+"Bethink thee yet what thou art doing," said Biorn. "I was about to vow
+an eternal union with the house of Montfaucon, nay, even to bind myself
+to do it grateful homage; but if thou disturb me in the customs which
+have come to me from my forefathers, look to thy safety and the safety
+of all that is dear to thee. My wrath no longer knows any bounds."
+
+Folko made a sign to the pale Gabrielle to retire behind his followers,
+saying to her, "Be of good cheer, my noble wife, weaker Christians have
+braved, for the sake of God and of His holy Church, greater dangers than
+now seem to threaten us. Believe me, the Lord of Montfaucon is not so
+easily ensnared."
+
+Gabrielle obeyed, something comforted by Folko's fearless smile, but
+this smile inflamed yet more the fury of Biorn. He again stretched out
+his hand towards the boar's head, as if about to make some dreadful vow,
+when Folko snatched a gauntlet of Biorn's off the table, with which he,
+with his unwounded left arm, struck so powerful a blow on the gilt idol,
+that it fell crashing to the ground, shivered to pieces. Biorn and his
+followers stood as if turned to stone. But soon swords were grasped
+by armed hands, shields were taken down from the walls, and an angry,
+threatening murmur sounded through the hall.
+
+At a sign from Folko, a battle-axe was brought him by one of his
+faithful retainers; he swung it high in air with his powerful left hand,
+and stood looking like an avenging angel as he spoke these words through
+the tumult with awful calmness: "What seek ye, O deluded Northman? What
+wouldst thou, sinful lord? Ye are indeed become heathens; and I hope
+to show you, by my readiness for battle, that it is not in my right arm
+alone that God has put strength for victory. But if ye can yet hear,
+listen to my words. Biorn, on this same accursed, and now, by God's
+help, shivered boar's head, thou didst lay thy hand when thou didst
+swear to sacrifice any inhabitants of the German towns that should fall
+into thy power. And Gotthard Lenz came, and Rudlieb came, driven on
+these shores by the storm. What didst thou then do, O savage Biorn? What
+did ye do at his bidding, ye who were keeping the Yule feast with him?
+Try your fortune on me. The Lord will be with me, as He was with
+those holy men. To arms, and--" (he turned to his warriors) "let our
+battle-cry be Gotthard and Rudlieb!"
+
+Then Biorn let drop his drawn sword, then his followers paused, and none
+among the Norwegians dared lift his eyes from the ground. By degrees,
+they one by one began to disappear from the hall; and at last Biorn
+stood quite alone opposite to the baron and his followers. He seemed
+hardly aware that he had been deserted, but he fell on his knees,
+stretched out his shining sword, pointed to the broken boar's head, and
+said, "Do with me as you have done with that; I deserve no better. I ask
+but one favour, only one; do not disgrace me, noble baron, by seeking
+shelter in another castle of Norway."
+
+"I fear you not," answered Folko, after some thought; "and, as far as
+may be, I freely forgive you." Then he drew the sign of the cross over
+the wild form of Biorn, and left the hall with Gabrielle. The retainers
+of the house of Montfaucon followed him proudly and silently.
+
+The hard spirit of the fierce lord of the castle was now quite
+broken, and he watched with increased humility every look of Folko and
+Gabrielle. But they withdrew more and more into the happy solitude of
+their own apartments, where they enjoyed, in the midst of the sharp
+winter, a bright spring-tide of happiness. The wounded condition
+of Folko did not hinder the evening delights of songs and music and
+poetry--but rather a new charm was added to them when the tall, handsome
+knight leant on the arm of his delicate lady, and they thus, changing as
+it were their deportment and duties, walked slowly through the torch-lit
+halls, scattering their kindly greetings like flowers among the crowds
+of men and women.
+
+All this time little or nothing was heard of poor Sintram. The last wild
+outbreak of his father had increased the terror with which Gabrielle
+remembered the self-accusations of the youth; and the more resolutely
+Folko kept silence, the more did she bode some dreadful mystery. Indeed,
+a secret shudder came over the knight when he thought on the pale,
+dark-haired youth. Sintram's repentance had bordered on settled despair;
+no one knew even what he was doing in the fortress of evil report on the
+Rocks of the Moon. Strange rumours were brought by the retainers who
+had fled from it, that the evil spirit had obtained complete power over
+Sintram, that no man could stay with him, and that the fidelity of the
+dark mysterious castellan had cost him his life.
+
+Folko could hardly drive away the fearful suspicion that the lonely
+young knight was become a wicked magician.
+
+And perhaps, indeed, evil spirits did flit about the banished Sintram,
+but it was without his calling them up. In his dreams he often saw the
+wicked enchantress Venus, in her golden chariot drawn by winged cats,
+pass over the battlements of the stone fortress, and heard her say,
+mocking him, "Foolish Sintram, foolish Sintram! hadst thou but obeyed
+the little Master! Thou wouldst now be in Helen's arms, and the Rocks of
+the Moon would be called the Rocks of Love, and the stone fortress would
+be the garden of roses. Thou wouldst have lost thy pale face and dark
+hair,--for thou art only enchanted, dear youth,--and thine eyes would
+have beamed more softly, and thy cheeks bloomed more freshly, and thy
+hair would have been more golden than was that of Prince Paris when men
+wondered at his beauty. Oh, how Helen would have loved thee!" Then she
+showed him in a mirror, how, as a marvellously beautiful knight, he
+knelt before Gabrielle, who sank into his arms blushing as the morning.
+When he awoke from such dreams, he would seize eagerly the sword and
+scarf given him by his lady,--as a shipwrecked man seizes the plank
+which is to save him; and while the hot tears fell on them, he would
+murmur to himself, "There was, indeed, one hour in my sad life when I
+was worthy and happy."
+
+Once he sprang up at midnight after one of these dreams, but this time
+with more thrilling horror; for it had seemed to him that the features
+of the enchantress Venus had changed towards the end of her speech, as
+she looked down upon him with marvellous scorn, and she appeared to him
+as the hideous little Master. The youth had no better means of calming
+his distracted mind than to throw the sword and scarf of Gabrielle over
+his shoulders, and to hasten forth under the solemn starry canopy of the
+wintry sky. He walked in deep thought backwards and forwards under the
+leafless oaks and the snow-laden firs which grew on the high ramparts.
+
+Then he heard a sorrowful cry of distress sound from the moat; it was
+as if some one were attempting to sing, but was stopped by inward grief.
+Sintram exclaimed, "Who's there?" and all was still. When he was silent,
+and again began his walk, the frightful groanings and moanings were
+heard afresh, as if they came from a dying person. Sintram overcame the
+horror which seemed to hold him back, and began in silence to climb down
+into the deep dry moat which was cut in the rock. He was soon so low
+down that he could no longer see the stars shining; beneath him moved
+a shrouded form; and sliding with involuntary haste down the steep
+descent, he stood near the groaning figure; it ceased its lamentations,
+and began to laugh like a maniac from beneath its long, folded, female
+garments.
+
+"Oh ho, my comrade! oh ho, my comrade! wert thou going a little too
+fast? Well, well, it is all right; and see now, thou standest no higher
+than I, my pious, valiant youth! Take it patiently,--take it patiently!"
+
+"What dost thou want with me? Why dost thou laugh? why dost thou weep?"
+asked Sintram impatiently.
+
+"I might ask thee the same questions," answered the dark figure, "and
+thou wouldst be less able to answer me than I to answer thee. Why dost
+thou laugh? why dost thou weep?--Poor creature! But I will show thee a
+remarkable thing in thy fortress, of which thou knowest nothing. Give
+heed!"
+
+And the shrouded figure began to scratch and scrape at the stones till
+a little iron door opened, and showed a long passage which led into the
+deep darkness.
+
+"Wilt thou come with me?" whispered the strange being; "it is the
+shortest way to thy father's castle. In half-an-hour we shall come out
+of this passage, and we shall be in thy beauteous lady's apartment. Duke
+Menelaus shall lie in a magic sleep,--leave that to me,--and then thou
+wilt take the slight, delicate form in thine arms, and bring her to the
+Rocks of the Moon; so thou wilt win back all that seemed lost by thy
+former wavering."
+
+Sintram trembled visibly, fearfully shaken to and fro by the fever of
+passion and the stings of conscience. But at last, pressing the sword
+and scarf to his heart, he cried out, "Oh! that fairest, most glorious
+hour of my life! If I lose all other joys, I will hold fast that
+brightest hour!"
+
+"A bright, glorious hour!" said the figure from under its veil, like
+an evil echo. "Dost thou know whom thou then conqueredst? A good old
+friend, who only showed himself so sturdy to give thee the glory of
+overcoming him. Wilt thou convince thyself? Wilt thou look?"
+
+The dark garments of the little figure flew open, and the dwarf warrior
+in strange armour, the gold horns on his helmet, and the curved spear in
+his hand, the very same whom Sintram thought he had slain on Niflung's
+Heath, now stood before him and laughed: "Thou seest, my youth,
+everything in the wide world is but dreams and froth; wherefore hold
+fast the dream which delights thee, and sip up the froth which refreshes
+thee! Hasten to that underground passage, it leads up to thy angel
+Helen. Or wouldst thou first know thy friend yet better?"
+
+His visor opened, and the hateful face of the little Master glared upon
+the knight. Sintram asked, as if in a dream, "Art thou also that wicked
+enchantress Venus?"
+
+"Something like her," answered the little Master, laughing, "or rather
+she is something like me. And if thou wilt only get disenchanted, and
+recover the beauty of Prince of Paris,--then, O Prince Paris," and his
+voice changed to an alluring song, "then, O Prince Paris, I shall be
+fair like thee!"
+
+At this moment the good Rolf appeared above on the rampart; a
+consecrated taper in his lantern shone down into the moat, as he sought
+for the missing young knight. "In God's name, Sir Sintram," he called
+out, "what has the spectre of whom you slew on Niflung's Heath, and whom
+I never could bury, to do with you?"
+
+"Seest thou well? hearest thou well?" whispered the little Master, and
+drew back into the darkness of the underground passage. "The wise man
+up there knows me well. There was nothing in thy heroic feat. Come, take
+the joys of life while thou mayst."
+
+But Sintram sprang back, with a strong effort, into the circle of light
+made by the shining of the taper from above, and cried out, "Depart from
+me, unquiet spirit! I know well that I bear a name on me in which thou
+canst have no part."
+
+Little Master rushed in fear and rage into the passage, and, yelling,
+shut the iron door behind him. It seemed as if he could still be heard
+groaning and roaring.
+
+Sintram climbed up the wall of the moat, and made a sign to his
+foster-father not to speak to him: he only said, "One of my best joys,
+yes, the very best, has been taken from me; but, by God's help, I am not
+yet lost."
+
+In the earliest light of the following morning, he and Rolf stopped up
+the entrance to the perilous passage with huge blocks of stone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 24
+
+
+
+The long northern winter was at last ended, the fresh green leaves
+rustled merrily in the woods, patches of soft moss twinkled amongst the
+rocks, the valleys grew green, the brooks sparkled, the snow melted from
+all but the highest mountain-tops, and the bark which was ready to
+carry away Folko and Gabrielle danced on the sunny waves of the sea. The
+baron, now quite recovered, and strong and fresh as though his health
+had sustained no injury, stood one morning on the shore with his fair
+lady; and, full of glee at the prospect of returning to their home, the
+noble pair looked on well pleased at their attendants who were busied in
+lading the ship.
+
+Then said one of them in the midst of a confused sound of talking: "But
+what has appeared to me the most fearful and the most strange thing in
+this northern land is the stone fortress on the Rocks of the Moon: I
+have never, indeed, been inside it, but when I used to see it in our
+huntings, towering above the tall fir-trees, there came a tightness
+over my breast, as if something unearthly were dwelling in it. And a
+few weeks ago, when the snow was yet lying hard in the valleys, I came
+unawares quite close upon the strange building. The young knight Sintram
+was walking alone on the ramparts as twilight came on, like the spirit
+of a departed knight, and he drew from the lute which he carried such
+soft, melancholy tones, and he sighed so deeply and sorrowfully...."
+
+The voice of the speaker was drowned in the noise of the crowd, and as
+he also just then reached the ship with his package hastily fastened up,
+Folko and Gabrielle could not hear the rest of his speech. But the fair
+lady looked on her knight with eyes dim with tears, and sighed: "Is it
+not behind those mountains that the Rocks of the Moon lie? The unhappy
+Sintram makes me sad at heart."
+
+"I understand thee, sweet gracious lady, and the pure compassion of thy
+heart," replied Folko; instantly ordering his swift-footed steed to be
+brought. He placed his noble lady under the charge of his retainers, and
+leaping into the saddle, he hastened, followed by the grateful smiles of
+Gabrielle, along the valley towards the stone fortress.
+
+Sintram was seated near the drawbridge, touching the strings of
+the lute, and shedding some tears on the golden chords, almost as
+Montfaucon's esquire had described him. Suddenly a cloudy shadow passed
+over him, and he looked up, expecting to see a flight of cranes in the
+air; but the sky was clear and blue. While the young knight was still
+wondering, a long bright spear fell at his feet from a battlement of the
+armoury turret.
+
+"Take it up,--make good use of it! thy foe is near at hand! Near also
+is the downfall of thy dearest happiness." Thus he heard it distinctly
+whispered in his ear; and it seemed to him that he saw the shadow of the
+little Master glide close by him to a neighbouring cleft in the rock.
+But at the same time also, a tall, gigantic, haggard figure passed along
+the valley, in some measure like the departed pilgrim, only much, very
+much, larger, and he raised his long bony arm fearfully threatening,
+then disappeared in an ancient tomb.
+
+At the very same instant Sir Folko of Montfaucon came swiftly as the
+wind up the Rocks of the Moon, and he must have seen something of those
+strange apparitions, for as he stopped close behind Sintram, he looked
+rather pale, and asked low and earnestly: "Sir knight, who are those two
+with whom you were just now holding converse here?"
+
+"The good God knows," answered Sintram; "I know them not."
+
+"If the good God does but know!" cried Montfaucon: "but I fear me that
+He knows very little more of you or your deeds."
+
+"You speak strangely harsh words," said Sintram. "Yet ever since that
+evening of misery,--alas! and even long before,--I must bear with all
+that comes from you. Dear sir, you may believe me, I know not those
+fearful companions; I call them not, and I know not what terrible
+curse binds them to my footsteps. The merciful God, as I would hope, is
+mindful of me the while,--as a faithful shepherd does not forget even
+the worst and most widely-straying of his flock, but calls after it with
+an anxious voice in the gloomy wilderness."
+
+Then the anger of the baron was quite melted. Two bright tears stood in
+his eyes, and he said: "No, assuredly, God has not forgotten thee; only
+do thou not forget thy gracious God. I did not come to rebuke thee--I
+came to bless thee in Gabrielle's name and in my own. The Lord preserve
+thee, the Lord guide thee, the Lord lift thee up! And, Sintram, on the
+far-off shores of Normandy I shall bear thee in mind, and I shall hear
+how thou strugglest against the curse which weighs down thy unhappy
+life; and if thou ever shake it off, and stand as a noble conqueror
+over Sin and Death, then thou shalt receive from me a token of love
+and reward, more precious then either thou or I can understand at this
+moment."
+
+The words flowed prophetically from the baron's lips; he himself was
+only half-conscious of what he said. With a kind salutation he turned
+his noble steed, and again flew down the valley towards the sea-shore.
+
+"Fool, fool! thrice a fool!" whispered the angry voice of the little
+Master in Sintram's ear. But old Rolf was singing his morning hymn in
+clear tones within the castle, and the last lines were these:--
+
+                  "Whom worldlings scorn,
+                   Who lives forlorn,
+                   On God's own word doth rest;
+                   With heavenly light
+                   His path is bright,
+                   His lot among the blest."
+
+
+Then a holy joy took possession of Sintram's heart, and he looked around
+him yet more gladly than in the hour when Gabrielle gave him the scarf
+and sword, and Folko dubbed him knight.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 25
+
+
+
+The baron and his lovely lady were sailing across the broad sea with
+favouring gales of spring, nay the coast of Normandy had already
+appeared above the waves; but still was Biorn of the Fiery Eye sitting
+gloomy and speechless in his castle. He had taken no leave of his
+guests. There was more of proud fear of Montfaucon than of reverential
+love for him in his soul, especially since the adventure with the boar's
+head; and the thought was bitter to his haughty spirit, that the great
+baron, the flower and glory of their whole race, should have come in
+peace to visit him, and should now be departing in displeasure, in stern
+reproachful displeasure. He had it constantly before his mind, and it
+never failed to bring fresh pangs, the remembrance of how all had
+come to pass, and how all might have gone otherwise; and he was always
+fancying he could hear the songs in which after generations would
+recount this voyage of the great Folko, and the worthlessness of the
+savage Biorn. At length, full of fierce anger, he cast away the
+fetters of his troubled spirit, he burst out of the castle with all his
+horsemen, and began to carry on a warfare more fearful and more lawless
+than any in which he had yet been engaged.
+
+Sintram heard the sound of his father's war-horn; and committing the
+stone fortress to old Rolf, he sprang forth ready armed for the combat.
+But the flames of the cottages and farms on the mountains rose up before
+him, and showed him, written as if in characters of fire, what kind of
+war his father was waging. Yet he went on towards the spot where the
+army was mustered, but only to offer his mediation, affirming that he
+would not lay his hand on his good sword in so abhorred a service, even
+though the stone fortress, and his father's castle besides, should fall
+before the vengeance of their enemies. Biorn hurled the spear which
+he held in his hand against his son with mad fury. The deadly weapon
+whizzed past him: Sintram remained standing with his visor raised, he
+did not move one limb in his defence, when he said: "Father, do what you
+will; but I join not in your godless warfare."
+
+Biorn of the Fiery Eyes laughed scornfully: "It seems I am always to
+have a spy over me here; my son succeeds to the dainty French knight!"
+But nevertheless he came to himself, accepted Sintram's mediation,
+made amends for the injuries he had done, and returned gloomily to his
+castle. Sintram went back to the Rocks of the Moon.
+
+Such occurrences were frequent after that time. It went so far that
+Sintram came to be looked upon as the protector of all those whom his
+father pursued with relentless fury; but nevertheless sometimes his
+own wildness would carry the young knight away to accompany his fierce
+father in his fearful deeds. Then Biorn used to laugh with horrible
+pleasure, and to say: "See there, my son, how the flames we have lighted
+blaze up from the villages, as the blood spouts up from the wounds our
+swords have made! It is plain to me, however much thou mayst pretend to
+the contrary, that thou art, and wilt ever remain, my true and beloved
+heir!"
+
+After thus fearfully erring, Sintram could find no comfort but in
+hastening to the chaplain of Drontheim, and confessing to him his misery
+and his sins. The chaplain would freely absolve him, after due penance
+and repentance, and again raise up the broken-hearted youth; but would
+often say: "Oh, how nearly hadst thou reached thy last trial, and gained
+the victory, and looked on Verena's countenance, and atoned for all! Now
+thou hast thrown thyself back for years. Think, my son, on the shortness
+of man's life; if thou art always falling back anew, how wilt thou ever
+gain the summit on this side the grave?"
+
+
+Years came and went, and Biorn's hair was white as snow, and the youth
+Sintram had reached the middle age. Old Rolf was now scarcely able to
+leave the stone fortress; and sometimes he said: "I feel it a burden
+that my life should yet be prolonged; but also there is much comfort in
+it, for I still think the good God has in store for me here below some
+great happiness; and it must be something in which you are concerned, my
+beloved Sir Sintram, for what else in the whole world could rejoice me?"
+
+But all remained as it was, and Sintram's fearful dreams at
+Christmas-time each year rather increased than diminished in horror.
+Again the holy season was drawing near, and the mind of the sorely
+afflicted knight was more troubled than ever before. Sometimes, if he
+had been reckoning up the nights till it should come, a cold sweat
+would stand on his forehead, while he said, "Mark my words, dear old
+foster-father, this time something most awfully decisive lies before
+me."
+
+One evening he felt an overwhelming anxiety about his father. It seemed
+to him that the Prince of Darkness was going up to Biorn's castle; and
+in vain did Rolf remind him that the snow was lying deep in the valleys,
+in vain did he suggest that the knight might be overtaken by his
+frightful dreams in the lonely mountains during the night-time. "Nothing
+can be worse to me than remaining here would be," replied Sintram.
+
+He took his horse from the stable and rode forth in the gathering
+darkness. The noble steed slipped and stumbled and fell in the trackless
+way, but his rider always raised him up, and urged him only more swiftly
+and eagerly towards the object which he longed and yet dreaded to reach.
+Nevertheless he might never have arrived at it had not his faithful
+hound Skovmark kept with him. The dog sought out the lost track for his
+beloved master, and invited him into it with joyous barkings, and warned
+him by his howls against precipices and treacherous ice under the snow.
+Thus they arrived about midnight at Biorn's castle. The windows of the
+hall shone opposite to them with a brilliant light, as though some great
+feast were kept there, and confused sounds, as of singing, met
+their ears. Sintram gave his horse hastily to some retainers in
+the court-yard, and ran up the steps, whilst Skovmark stayed by the
+well-known horse.
+
+A good esquire came towards Sintram within the castle and said, "God be
+praised, my dear master, that you are come; for surely nothing good is
+going on above. But take heed to yourself also, and be not deluded. Your
+father has a guest with him,--and, as I think--a hateful one."
+
+Sintram shuddered as he threw open the doors. A little man in the dress
+of a miner was sitting with his back towards him. The armour had been
+for some time past again ranged round the stone table, so that only two
+places were left empty. The seat opposite the door had been taken by
+Biorn of the Fiery Eyes; and the dazzling light of the torches fell upon
+his features with so red a flare, that he perfectly enacted that fearful
+surname.
+
+"Father, whom have you here with you?" cried Sintram; and his suspicions
+rose to certainty as the miner turned round, and the detestable face of
+the little Master grinned from under his dark hood.
+
+"Yes, just see, my fair son," said the wild Biorn; "thou hast not been
+here for a long while,--and so to-night this jolly comrade has paid me
+a visit, and thy place has been taken. But throw one of the suits of
+armour out of the way, and put a seat for thyself instead of it,--and
+come and drink with us, and be merry."
+
+"Yes, do so, Sir Sintram," said the little Master, with a laugh.
+"Nothing worse could come of it than that the broken pieces of armour
+might clatter somewhat strangely together, or at most that the disturbed
+spirit of him to whom the suit belonged might look over your shoulder;
+but he would not drink up any of our wine--ghosts have nothing to do
+with that. So now fall to!"
+
+Biorn joined in the laughter of the hideous stranger with wild mirth;
+and while Sintram was mustering up his whole strength not to lose his
+senses at so terrible words, and was fixing a calm, steady look on the
+little Master's face, the old man cried out, "Why dost thou look at him
+so? Does it seem as though thou sawest thyself in a mirror? Now that you
+are together, I do not see it so much; but a while ago I thought that
+you were like enough to each other to be mistaken."
+
+"God forbid!" said Sintram, walking up close to the fearful apparition:
+"I command thee, detestable stranger, to depart from this castle, in
+right of my authority as my father's heir,--as a consecrated knight and
+as a spirit!"
+
+Biorn seemed as if he wished to oppose himself to this command with all
+his savage might. The little Master muttered to himself, "Thou art not
+by any means the master in this house, pious knight; thou hast never
+lighted a fire on this hearth." Then Sintram drew the sword which
+Gabrielle had given him, held the cross of the hilt before the eyes of
+his evil guest, and said, calmly, but with a powerful voice, "Worship or
+fly!" And he fled, the frightful stranger,--he fled with such lightning
+speed, that it could scarcely be seen whether he had sprung through the
+window or the door. But in going he overthrew some of the armour, the
+tapers went out, and it seemed that the pale blue flame which lighted
+up the whole in a marvellous manner gave a fulfilment to the little
+Master's former words: and that the spirits of those to whom the armour
+had belonged were leaning over the table, grinning fearfully.
+
+Both the father and the son were filled with horror; but each chose an
+opposite way to save himself. Biorn wished to have his hateful guest
+back again; and the power of his will was seen when the little Master's
+step resounded anew on the stairs, and his brown shrivelled hand shook
+the lock of the door. On the other hand, Sintram ceased not to say
+within himself, "We are lost, if he come back! We are lost to all
+eternity, if he come back!" And he fell on his knees, and prayed
+fervently from his troubled heart to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Then
+the little Master left the door, and again Biorn willed him to return,
+and again Sintram's prayers drove him away. So went on this strife of
+wills throughout the long night; and howling whirlwinds raged the while
+around the castle, till all the household thought the end of the world
+was come.
+
+At length the dawn of morning appeared through the windows of the
+hall,--the fury of the storm was lulled,--Biorn sank back powerless
+in slumber on his seat,--peace and hope came to the inmates of the
+castle,--and Sintram, pale and exhausted, went out to breathe the dewy
+air of the mild winter's morning before the castle-gates.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 26
+
+
+
+The faithful Skovmark followed his master, caressing him; and when
+Sintram fell asleep on a stone seat in the wall, he lay at his feet,
+keeping watchful guard. Suddenly he pricked up his ears, looked round
+with delight, and bounded joyfully down the mountain. Just afterwards
+the chaplain of Drontheim appeared amongst the rocks, and the good beast
+went up to him as if to greet him, and then again ran back to the knight
+to announce the welcome visitor.
+
+Sintram opened his eyes, as a child whose Christmas gifts have been
+placed at his bedside. For the chaplain smiled at him as he had never
+yet seen him smile. There was in it a token of victory and blessing, or
+at least of the near approach of both. "Thou hast done much yesterday,
+very much," said the holy priest; and his hands were joined, and his
+eyes full of bright tears. "I praise God for thee, my noble knight.
+Verena knows all, and she too praises God for thee. I do indeed now dare
+hope that the time will soon come when thou mayst appear before her.
+But Sintram, Sir Sintram, there is need of haste; for the old man
+above requires speedy air, and thou hast still a heavy--as I hope the
+last--yet a most heavy trial to undergo for his sake. Arm thyself, my
+knight, arm thyself even with bodily weapons. In truth, this time only
+spiritual armour is needed, but it always befits a knight, as well as a
+monk, to wear in decisive moments the entire solemn garb of his station.
+If it so please thee, we will go directly to Drontheim together. Thou
+must return thence to-night. Such is a part of the hidden decree, which
+has been dimly unfolded to Verena's foresight. Here there is yet much
+that is wild and distracting, and thou hast great need to-day of calm
+preparation."
+
+With humble joy Sintram bowed his assent, and called for his horse and
+for a suit of armour. "Only," added he, "let not any of that armour be
+brought which was last night overthrown in the hall!"
+
+His orders were quickly obeyed. The arms which were fetched, adorned
+with fine engraved work, the simple helmet, formed rather like that
+of an esquire than a knight, the lance of almost gigantic size, which
+belonged to the suit--on all these the chaplain gazed in deep thought
+and with melancholy emotion. At last, when Sintram, with the help of his
+esquires, was well-nigh equipped, the holy priest spoke:
+
+"Wonderful providence of God! See, dear Sintram, this armour and this
+spear were formerly those of Sir Weigand the Slender, and with them he
+did many mighty deeds. When he was tended by your mother in the castle,
+and when even your father still showed himself kind towards him, he
+asked, as a favour, that his armour and his lance should be allowed to
+hang in Biorn's armoury--Weigand himself, as you well know, intended
+to build a cloister and to live there as a monk--and he put his old
+esquire's helmet with it, instead of another, because he was yet
+wearing that one when he first saw the fair Verena's angelic face. How
+wondrously does it now come to pass, that these very arms, which have so
+long been laid aside, should be brought to you for the decisive hour of
+your life! To me, as far as my short-sighted human wisdom can tell,--to
+me it seems truly a very solemn token, but one full of high and glorious
+promise."
+
+Sintram stood now in complete array, composed and stately, and, from his
+tall slender figure, might have been taken for a youth, had not the deep
+lines of care which furrowed his countenance shown him to be advanced in
+years.
+
+"Who has placed boughs on the head of my war-horse?" asked Sintram
+of the esquires, with displeasure. "I am not a conqueror, nor a
+wedding-guest. And besides, there are no boughs now but those red and
+yellow crackling oak-leaves, dull and dead like the season itself."
+
+"Sir Knight, I know not myself," answered an esquire; "but it seemed to
+me that it must be so."
+
+"Let it be," said the chaplain. "I feel that this also comes as a token
+full of meaning from the right source."
+
+Then the knight threw himself into his saddle; the priest went beside
+him; and they both rode slowly and silently towards Drontheim. The
+faithful dog followed his master. When the lofty castle of Drontheim
+appeared in sight, a gentle smile spread itself over Sintram's
+countenance, like sunshine over a wintry valley. "God has done great
+things for me," said he. "I once rushed from here, a fearfully wild boy;
+I now come back a penitent man. I trust that it will yet go well with my
+poor troubled life."
+
+The chaplain assented kindly, and soon afterwards the travellers passed
+under the echoing vaulted gateway into the castle-yard. At a sign from
+the priest, the retainers approached with respectful haste, and took
+charge of the horse; then he and Sintram went through long winding
+passages and up many steps to the remote chamber which the chaplain
+had chosen for himself; far away from the noise of men, and near to the
+clouds and the stars. There the two passed a quiet day in devout prayer,
+and earnest reading of Holy Scripture.
+
+When the evening began to close in, the chaplain arose and said: "And
+now, my knight, get ready thy horse, and mount and ride back again to
+thy father's castle. A toilsome way lies before thee, and I dare not go
+with you. But I can and will call upon the Lord for you all through the
+long fearful night. O beloved instrument of the Most High, thou wilt yet
+not be lost!"
+
+Thrilling with strange forebodings, but nevertheless strong and vigorous
+in spirit, Sintram did according to the holy man's desire. The sun set
+as the knight approached a long valley, strangely shut in by rocks,
+through which lay the road to his father's castle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 27
+
+
+
+Before entering the rocky pass, the knight, with a prayer and
+thanksgiving, looked back once more at the castle of Drontheim. There
+it was, so vast and quiet and peaceful; the bright windows of the
+chaplain's high chamber yet lighted up by the last gleam of the sun,
+which had already disappeared. In front of Sintram was the gloomy
+valley, as if his grave. Then there came towards him some one riding on
+a small horse; and Skovmark, who had gone up to the stranger as if to
+find out who he was, now ran back with his tail between his legs and
+his ears put back, howling and whining, and crept, terrified, under his
+master's war-horse. But even the noble steed appeared to have forgotten
+his once so fearless and warlike ardour. He trembled violently, and when
+the knight would have turned him towards the stranger, he reared and
+snorted and plunged, and began to throw himself backwards. It was only
+with difficulty that Sintram's strength and horsemanship got the better
+of him; and he was all white with foam when Sintram came up to the
+unknown traveller.
+
+"You have cowardly beasts with you," said the latter, in a low,
+smothered voice.
+
+Sintram was unable, in the ever-increasing darkness, rightly to
+distinguish what kind of being he saw before him; only a very pallid
+face, which at first he had thought was covered with freshly fallen
+snow, met his eyes from amidst the long hanging garments. It seemed that
+the stranger carried a small box wrapped up; his little horse, as if
+wearied out, bent his head down towards the ground, whereby a bell,
+which hung from the wretched torn bridle under his neck, was made to
+give a strange sound. After a short silence, Sintram replied: "Noble
+steeds avoid those of a worse race, because they are ashamed of them;
+and the boldest dogs are attacked by a secret terror at sight of forms
+to which they are not accustomed. I have no cowardly beasts with me."
+
+"Good, sir knight; then ride with me through the valley."
+
+"I am going through the valley, but I want no companions."
+
+"But perhaps I want one. Do you not see that I am unarmed? And at this
+season, at this hour, there are frightful, unearthly beasts about."
+
+Just then, as though to confirm the awful words of the stranger, a
+thing swung itself down from one of the nearest trees, covered with
+hoar-frost,--no one could say if it were a snake or a lizard,--it curled
+and twisted itself, and appeared about to slide down upon the knight
+or his companion. Sintram levelled his spear, and pierced the creature
+through. But, with the most hideous contortions, it fixed itself firmly
+on the spear-head; and in vain did the knight endeavour to rub it off
+against the rocks or the trees. Then he let his spear rest upon his
+right shoulder, with the point behind him, so that the horrible beast no
+longer met his sight; and he said, with good courage, to the stranger,
+"It does seem, indeed, that I could help you, and I am not forbidden to
+have an unknown stranger in my company; so let us push on bravely into
+the valley!"
+
+"Help!" so resounded the solemn answer; "not help. I perhaps may help
+thee. But God have mercy upon thee if the time should ever come when
+I could no longer help thee. Then thou wouldst be lost, and I should
+become very frightful to thee. But we will go through the valley--I have
+thy knightly word for it. Come!"
+
+They rode forward; Sintram's horse still showing signs of fear, the
+faithful dog still whining; but both obedient to their master's will.
+The knight was calm and steadfast. The snow had slipped down from the
+smooth rocks, and by the light of the rising moon could be seen various
+strange twisted shapes on their sides, some looking like snakes, and
+some like human faces; but they were only formed by the veins in the
+rock and the half-bare roots of trees, which had planted themselves in
+that desert place with capricious firmness. High above, and at a great
+distance, the castle of Drontheim, as if to take leave, appeared again
+through an opening in the rocks. The knight then looked keenly at his
+companion, and he almost felt as if Weigand the Slender were riding
+beside him.
+
+"In God's name," cried he, "art thou not the shade of that departed
+knight who suffered and died for Verena?"
+
+"I have not suffered, I have not died; but ye suffer, and ye die, poor
+mortals!" murmured the stranger. "I am not Weigand. I am that other, who
+was so like him, and whom thou hast also met before now in the wood."
+
+Sintram strove to free himself from the terror which came over him
+at these words. He looked at his horse; it appeared to him entirely
+altered. The dry, many-coloured oak-leaves on its head were waving like
+the flames around a sacrifice, in the uncertain moonlight. He looked
+down again, to see after his faithful Skovmark. Fear had likewise most
+wondrously changed him. On the ground in the middle of the road were
+lying dead men's bones, and hideous lizards were crawling about; and, in
+defiance of the wintry season, poisonous mushrooms were growing up all
+around.
+
+"Can this be still my horse on which I am riding?" said the knight to
+himself, in a low voice; "and can that trembling beast which runs at my
+side be my dog?"
+
+Then some one called after him, in a yelling voice, "Stop! stop! Take me
+also with you!"
+
+Looking round, Sintram perceived a small, frightful figure with horns,
+and a face partly like a wild boar and partly like a bear, walking along
+on its hind-legs, which were those of a horse; and in its hand was a
+strange, hideous weapon, shaped like a hook or a sickle. It was the
+being who had been wont to trouble him in his dreams; and, alas! it was
+also the wretched little Master himself, who, laughing wildly, stretched
+out a long claw towards the knight.
+
+The bewildered Sintram murmured, "I must have fallen asleep; and now my
+dreams are coming over me!"
+
+"Thou art awake," replied the rider of the little horse, "but thou
+knowest me also in thy dreams. For, behold! I am Death." And his
+garments fell from him, and there appeared a mouldering skeleton, its
+ghastly head crowned with serpents; that which he had kept hidden under
+his mantle was an hour-glass with the sand almost run out. Death held
+it towards the knight in his fleshless hand. The bell at the neck of the
+little horse gave forth a solemn sound. It was a passing bell.
+
+"Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit!" prayed Sintram; and full of
+earnest devotion he rode after Death, who beckoned him on.
+
+"He has thee not yet! He has thee not yet!" screamed the fearful fiend.
+"Give thyself up to me rather. In one instant,--for swift are thy
+thoughts, swift is my might,--in one instant thou shalt be in Normandy.
+Helen yet blooms in beauty as when she departed hence, and this very
+night she would be thine." And once again he began his unholy praises of
+Gabrielle's loveliness, and Sintram's heart glowed like wild-fire in his
+weak breast.
+
+Death said nothing more, but raised the hour-glass in his right hand
+yet higher and higher; and as the sand now ran out more quickly, a soft
+light streamed from the glass over Sintram's countenance, and then it
+seemed to him as if eternity in all its calm majesty were rising before
+him, and a world of confusion dragging him back with a deadly grasp.
+
+"I command thee, wild form that followest me," cried he, "I command
+thee, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to cease from thy seducing
+words, and to call thyself by that name by which thou art recorded in
+Holy Writ!"
+
+A name, more fearful than a thunderclap, burst despairingly from the
+lips of the Tempter, and he disappeared.
+
+"He will return no more," said Death, in a kindly tone.
+
+"And now I am become wholly thine, my stern companion?"
+
+"Not yet, my Sintram. I shall not come to thee till many, many years are
+past. But thou must not forget me the while."
+
+"I will keep the thought of thee steadily before my soul, thou fearful
+yet wholesome monitor, thou awful yet loving guide!"
+
+"Oh! I can truly appear very gentle."
+
+And so it proved indeed. His form became more softly defined in the
+increasing gleam of light which shone from the hour-glass; the features,
+which had been awful in their sternness, wore a gentle smile; the crown
+of serpents became a bright palm-wreath; instead of the horse appeared a
+white misty cloud in the moonlight; and the bell gave forth sounds as of
+sweet lullabies. Sintram thought he could hear these words amidst them:
+
+
+                  "The world and Satan are o'ercome,
+                   Before thee gleams eternal light,
+                   Warrior, who hast won the strife:
+                   Save from darkest shades of night
+                   Him before whose aged eyes
+                   All my terrors soon shall rise."
+
+
+The knight well knew that his father was meant; and he urged on his
+noble steed, which now obeyed his master willingly and gladly, and
+the faithful dog also again ran beside him fearlessly. Death had
+disappeared; but in front of Sintram there floated a bright morning
+cloud, which continued visible after the sun had risen clear and warm in
+the bright winter sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 28
+
+
+
+"He is dead! the horrors of that fearful stormy night have killed him!"
+Thus said, about this time, some of Biorn's retainers, who had not
+been able to bring him back to his senses since the morning of the day
+before: they had made a couch of wolf and bear skins for him in the
+great hall, in the midst of the armour which still lay scattered around.
+One of the esquires said with a low sigh: "The Lord have mercy on his
+poor wild soul!"
+
+Just then the warder blew his horn from his tower, and a trooper came
+into the room with a look of surprise. "A knight is coming hither,"
+said he; "a wonderful knight. I could have taken him for our Lord
+Sintram--but a bright, bright morning cloud floats so close before him,
+and throws over him such a clear light, that one could fancy red flowers
+were showered down upon him. Besides, his horse has a wreath of red
+leaves on his head, which was never a custom of the son of our dead
+lord."
+
+"Just such a one," replied another, "I wove for him yesterday. He was
+not pleased with it at first, but afterwards he let it remain."
+
+"But why didst thou that?"
+
+"It seemed to me as if I heard a voice singing again and again in my
+ear: 'Victory! victory! the noblest victory! The knight rides forth
+to victory!' And then I saw a branch of our oldest oak-tree stretched
+towards me, which had kept on almost all its red and yellow leaves in
+spite of the snow. So I did according to what I had heard sung; and I
+plucked some of the leaves, and wove a triumphal wreath for the noble
+war-horse. At the same time Skovmark,--you know that the faithful beast
+had always a great dislike to Biorn, and therefore had gone to the
+stable with the horse,--Skovmark jumped upon me, fawning, and seemed
+pleased, as if he wanted to thank me for my work; and such noble animals
+understand well about good prognostics."
+
+They heard the sound of Sintram's spurs on the stone steps, and
+Skovmark's joyous bark. At that instant the supposed corpse of old
+Biorn sat up, looked around with rolling, staring eyes, and asked of the
+terrified retainers in a hollow voice, "Who comes there, ye people? who
+comes there? I know it is my son. But who comes with him? The answer
+to that bears the sword of decision in its mouth. For see, good people,
+Gotthard and Rudlieb have prayed much for me; yet if the little Master
+come with him, I am lost in spite of them."
+
+"Thou art not lost, my beloved father!" Sintram's kind voice was heard
+to say, as he softly opened the door, and the bright red morning cloud
+floated in with him.
+
+Biorn joined his hands, cast a look of thankfulness up to heaven, and
+said, smiling, "Yes, praised be God! it is the right companion! It is
+sweet gentle death!" And then he made a sign to his son to approach,
+saying, "Come here, my deliverer; come, blessed of the Lord, that I may
+relate to thee all that has passed within me."
+
+As Sintram now sat close by his father's couch, all who were in the room
+perceived a remarkable and striking change. For old Biorn, whose whole
+countenance, and not his eyes alone, had been wont to have a fiery
+aspect, was now quite pale, almost like white marble; while, on the
+other hand, the cheeks of the once deadly pale Sintram glowed with a
+bright bloom like that of early youth. It was caused by the morning
+cloud which still shone upon him, whose presence in the room was rather
+felt than seen; but it produced a gentle thrill in every heart.
+
+"See, my son," began the old man, softly and mildly, "I have lain for
+a long time in a death-like sleep, and have known nothing of what was
+going on around me; but within,--ah! within, I have known but too much!
+I thought that my soul would be destroyed by the eternal anguish; and
+yet again I felt, with much greater horror, that my soul was eternal
+like that anguish. Beloved son, thy cheeks that glowed so brightly are
+beginning to grow pale at my words. I refrain from more. But let me
+relate to you something more cheering. Far, far away, I could see a
+bright lofty church, where Gotthard and Rudlieb Lenz were kneeling and
+praying for me. Gotthard had grown very old, and looked almost like
+one of our mountains covered with snow, on which the sun, in the lovely
+evening hours, is shining; and Rudlieb was also an elderly man, but very
+vigorous and very strong; and they both, with all their strength and
+vigour, were calling upon God to aid me, their enemy. Then I heard a
+voice like that of an angel, saying, 'His son does the most for him! He
+must this night wrestle with death and with the fallen one! His victory
+will be victory, and his defeat will be defeat, for the old man and
+himself.' Thereupon I awoke; and I knew that all depended upon whom thou
+wouldst bring with thee. Thou hast conquered. Next to God, the praise be
+to thee!"
+
+"Gotthard and Rudlieb have helped much," replied Sintram; "and, beloved
+father, so have the fervent prayers of the chaplain of Drontheim. I
+felt, when struggling with temptation and deadly fear, how the heavenly
+breath of holy men floated round me and aided me."
+
+"I am most willing to believe that, my noble son, and everything thou
+sayest to me," answered the old man; and at the same moment the chaplain
+also coming in, Biorn stretched out his hand towards him with a smile of
+peace and joy. And now all seemed to be surrounded with a bright circle
+of unity and blessedness. "But see," said old Biorn, "how the faithful
+Skovmark jumps upon me now, and tries to caress me. It is not long since
+he used always to howl with terror when he saw me."
+
+"My dear lord," said the chaplain, "there is a spirit dwelling in good
+beasts, though dreamy and unconscious."
+
+As the day wore on, the stillness in the hall increased. The last
+hour of the aged knight was drawing near, but he met it calmly and
+fearlessly. The chaplain and Sintram prayed beside his couch. The
+retainers knelt devoutly around. At length the dying man said: "Is that
+the prayer-bell in Verena's cloister?" Sintram's looks said yea; while
+warm tears fell on the colourless cheeks of his father. A gleam shone in
+the old man's eyes, the morning cloud stood close over him, and then the
+gleam, the morning cloud, and life with them, departed from him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 29
+
+
+
+A few days afterwards Sintram stood in the parlour of the convent, and
+waited with a beating heart for his mother to appear. He had seen her
+for the last time when, a slumbering child, he had been awakened by her
+warm farewell kisses, and then had fallen asleep again, to wonder in his
+dreams what his mother had wanted with him, and to seek her in vain the
+next morning in the castle and in the garden. The chaplain was now at
+his side, rejoicing in the chastened rapture of the knight, whose fierce
+spirit had been softened, on whose cheeks a light reflection of that
+solemn morning cloud yet lingered.
+
+The inner doors opened. In her white veil, stately and noble, the Lady
+Verena came forward, and with a heavenly smile she beckoned her son to
+approach the grating. There could be no thought here of any passionate
+outbreak, whether of sorrow or of joy.
+
+
+             "In whose sweet presence sorrow dares not lower
+                Nor expectation rise
+                Too high for earth."--Christian Year
+             (Footnote in 1901 text.)
+
+
+The holy peace which had its abode within these walls would have found
+its way to a heart less tried and less purified than that which beat in
+Sintram's bosom. Shedding some placid tears, the son knelt before his
+mother, kissed her flowing garments through the grating, and felt as
+if in paradise, where every wish and every care is hushed. "Beloved
+mother," said he, "let me become a holy man, as thou art a holy woman.
+Then I will betake myself to the cloister yonder; and perhaps I might
+one day be deemed worthy to be thy confessor, if illness or the
+weakness of old age should keep the good chaplain within the castle of
+Drontheim."
+
+"That would be a sweet, quietly happy life, my good child," replied the
+Lady Verena; "but such is not thy vocation. Thou must remain a bold,
+powerful knight, and thou must spend the long life, which is almost
+always granted to us children of the North, in succouring the weak, in
+keeping down the lawless, and in yet another more bright and honourable
+employment which I hitherto rather honour than know."
+
+"God's will be done!" said the knight, and he rose up full of
+self-devotion and firmness.
+
+"That is my good son," said the Lady Verena. "Ah! how many sweet calm
+joys spring up for us! See, already is our longing desire of meeting
+again satisfied, and thou wilt never more be so entirely estranged from
+me. Every week on this day thou wilt come back to me, and thou wilt
+relate what glorious deeds thou hast done, and take back with thee my
+advice and my blessing."
+
+"Am I not once more a good and happy child!" cried Sintram joyously;
+"only that the merciful God has given me in addition the strength of
+a man in body and spirit. Oh, how blessed is that son to whom it is
+allowed to gladden his mother's heart with the blossoms and the fruit of
+his life!"
+
+Thus he left the quiet cloister's shade, joyful in spirit and richly
+laden with blessings, to enter on his noble career. He was not content
+with going about wherever there might be a rightful cause to defend or
+evil to avert; the gates of the now hospitable castle stood always open
+also to receive and shelter every stranger; and old Rolf, who was almost
+grown young again at the sight of his lord's excellence, was established
+as seneschal. The winter of Sintram's life set in bright and glorious,
+and it was only at times that he would sigh within himself and say,
+
+"Ah, Montfaucon! ah, Gabrielle! if I could dare to hope that you have
+quite forgiven me!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER 30
+
+
+
+The spring had come in its brightness to the northern lands, when one
+morning Sintram turned his horse homewards, after a successful
+encounter with one of the most formidable disturbers of the peace of
+his neighbourhood. His horsemen rode after him, singing as they went. As
+they drew near the castle, they heard the sound of joyous notes wound on
+the horn. "Some welcome visitor must have arrived," said the knight; and
+he spurred his horse to a quicker pace over the dewy meadow. While still
+at some distance, they descried old Rolf, busily engaged in preparing
+a table for the morning meal, under the trees in front of the
+castle-gates. From all the turrets and battlements floated banners and
+flags in the fresh morning breeze: esquires were running to and fro
+in their gayest apparel. As soon as the good Rolf saw his master, he
+clapped his hands joyfully over his grey head, and hastened into the
+castle. Immediately the wide gates were thrown open; and Sintram, as he
+entered, was met by Rolf, whose eyes were filled with tears of joy while
+he pointed towards three noble forms that were following him.
+
+Two men of high stature--one in extreme old age, the other grey-headed,
+and both remarkably alike--were leading between them a fair young boy,
+in a page's dress of blue velvet, richly embroidered with gold. The two
+old men wore the dark velvet dress of German burghers, and had massive
+gold chains and large shining medals hanging round their necks.
+
+Sintram had never before seen his honoured guests, and yet he felt as if
+they were well known and valued friends. The very aged man reminded him
+of his dying father's words about the snow-covered mountains lighted up
+by the evening sun; and then he remembered, he could scarcely tell how,
+that he had heard Folko say that one of the highest mountains of that
+sort in his southern land was called the St. Gotthard. And at the same
+time, he knew that the old but yet vigorous man on the other side was
+named Rudlieb. But the boy who stood between them ah! Sintram's humility
+dared scarcely form a hope as to who he might be, however much his
+features, so noble and soft, called up two highly honoured images before
+his mind.
+
+Then the aged Gotthard Lenz, the king of old men, advanced with a solemn
+step, and said--"This is the noble boy Engeltram of Montfaucon, the only
+son of the great baron; and his father and mother send him to you, Sir
+Sintram, knowing well your holy and glorious knightly career, that
+you may bring him up to all the honourable and valiant deeds of this
+northern land, and may make of him a Christian knight, like yourself."
+
+Sintram threw himself from his horse. Engeltram of Montfaucon held the
+stirrup gracefully for him, checking the retainers, who pressed forward,
+with these words: "I am the noblest born esquire of this knight, and the
+service nearest to his person belongs to me."
+
+Sintram knelt in silent prayer on the turf; then lifting up in his arms,
+towards the rising sun, the image of Folko and Gabrielle, he cried,
+"With the help of God, my Engeltram, thou wilt become glorious as that
+sun, and thy course will be like his!"
+
+And old Rolf exclaimed, as he wept for joy, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy
+servant depart in peace."
+
+Gotthard Lenz and Rudlieb were pressed to Sintram's heart; the chaplain
+of Drontheim, who just then came from Verena's cloister to bring a
+joyful greeting to her brave son, stretched out his hands to bless them
+all.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Sintram and His Companions, by 
+Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
+
+*** 
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