🧚 Legends and Tales., part 7 · page 2

Desolate stand the ruins of the once imperial hunting seat, the moat so thickly overgrown with the buck-thorn that no human foot would willingly attempt to tread it.65

A light sighing stirs in the foliage like a ghostly breath from the primeval days.66

Dost thou remember the time when we listened to the rustling and moaning of the fir-trees, like echoes of the voices of olden times?67 In our dreams we saw the ancient Königsburg in splendour, heard the forest ring with the noise of the hunt, saw the troop of huntsmen ride back to the castle, among them many a knight, earl, and prince, and foremost rode the Kaiser with his blushing daughter Reinhilde.68

How radiant was the royal maiden, her green veil floating on the breeze, her clear eyes gazing fearlessly around her, her sweet face smiling like a bright morning in spring.69

The Kaiser bends to her and whispers in her ear.70

Why do her blushing cheeks turn pale?71 What has caused the smile to vanish so suddenly from her face, and the tears to rush to her eyes?72

She turns in fear and looks upon her following train.73 Why does a noble knightly countenance there also turn pale?74

The Kaiser glances in surprise at his shrinking daughter.75

"Dear little Reinhilde, have I grieved thee?76 Hast thou understood me?77 Two princes beg the honour of thy hand."78

Reinhilde raises her eyes with firmness to his and replies: "Dear father, forgive, but I do not seek for crowns.79 Thou thyself hast not hidden from me how heavy is the crown.80 Thou hast often told me that only love makes happy; and I have found a love deep and pure, and could shout for joy; a heart, a knightly heart is mine.81 Oh! do not tear this true and noble heart from mine."82

The Kaiser frowns and the anger-vein swells on his brow as he replies: "Dost thou dare to speak thus to me, thou shameless girl?83 Who is the low knave, the insolent coxcomb, who has dared to raise his eyes to the Kaiser's daughter?84 My rage shall crush him; ruin on his head who has robbed me of the joy of my old age--the heart of my daughter."85

All stand aghast at the Kaiser's wrath, all save one noble knight, who steps fearlessly forth from the circle, with head proudly raised, a youth of manly beauty, the blond locks falling on his shoulders, the blue eyes blazing in just indignation, approaches the Kaiser, and cries, "Herr Kaiser, it was not a 'knave.'86 At the breach on the bloody field thou hast said, 'Brave Werner, thou art my bravest hero!'87 And thou hast chosen me as companion for thy kingly son.88 Oft hast thou said to me, 'For Werner's faithfulness where shall I find a worthy reward?'89 Herr Kaiser, now thou hast the reward; take back the word of scorn; listen to the voice of love; make two hearts happy."90

Gently Reinhilde clasps the father's hands; but the anger-vein swells higher on the imperial brow.91

"Throw the traitor in the deepest dungeon in chains!" he cries; "and thou, whom I disown as daughter, get out of my sight; let me never see thee again!"92

The Kaiser sets spurs to his steed and rides to the Schloss, the attendants bring the unhappy knight to the dungeon, Reinhilde faints and sinks from her steed in the grass, and soon no sound is heard save the sighing in the firs.93

With heavy head resting on his arm, the Kaiser sits alone in the great hall of the Königsburg.94

Suddenly he starts wildly to his feet; was that a moan that fell upon his ear?95 No, 'tis only the rattle of the hoarse weathercock.96 Hark! surely that is a cry of anguish.97 He listens in agony.98

"No, no," the watcher cries from the tower.99 He hears the moaning of the tempest, and rain and hailstones beat against the windows.100

In heartrending tones the Kaiser cries, "Reinhilde!101 It was too hard and cruel; a loving word had been better."102

Quickly he calls his old servant. "103 Alter,[1] bring me my little daughter."104

[1] Old man.105

The servant trembles in terror, and tears burst forth.106

"What ails thee, Alter?" cries the Kaiser.107

"Herr Kaiser, thou knowest thy little daughter is not here!108 Thou hast disowned her."109

The Kaiser stares at him in horror, "Reinhilde not here?110 Since when?"111

"Herr Kaiser, since yesterday.112 She has not returned to the Schloss; her steed came back without its rider.113 We sent out messengers, but none have found her."114

The Kaiser turns pale.115

"And thou hast not told me till now!116 Reinhilde, Reinhilde not here?117 Merciful God!118 Reinhilde, my child!119 Lost in the forest in storm and tempest!120 Up; ring the alarm!121 To horse! to horse!122 Let loose the hounds in the forest; let the horns resound that my child may know the father calls.123 Bring me my steed, I will myself ride forth into the storm."124

And a thousand torches light up the forest, and the echo of a thousand voices rings far and wide.125 And the Kaiser's voice combats with the storm as he cries, "Reinhilde!126 Reinhilde! my little daughter!"127

At length despair seizes the father's heart, he throws himself to the earth in wild agony, beats his brow and tears his hair, while a troop of attendants stand weeping around him.128

With a sudden light in his face, he springs to his feet and exclaims, "Back to the Schloss!129 There is one who will find Reinhilde, but that one pines in the dungeon.130 He has loved her like me.131 I know his love is true; the God of love will be with him; _he_ will find my little daughter."132 And the Kaiser commands, "Let Werner be set free!133 And when he finds Reinhilde, she herself shall be his reward; let her be his wife, and he my son!"134

In the dark mountain cave, on the hard, cold ground, kneels the silver-haired hermit Volkmar, and without before the entrance, by the image of the Virgin, Reinhilde, pale and trembling, is kneeling, in prayer.135 She vows to become the bride of heaven if the Kaiser does not relent.136

The good old man, when she came yesterday telling him all her sorrow, received her lovingly, and gave her a secure refuge in his peaceful retreat. "137 Stay here, my daughter," he said; "hope and trust in God."138

Hark!139 The horns are heard, and Volkmar rises hastily from his knees and cries, "Quick, in the cave, Reinhilde, that no one see thee; the way leads close by the Virgin's shrine."140

The searchers come, and cry, "God greet thee Volkmar!141 Hast thou not seen the Kaiser's daughter?"142

And Volkmar replies, "I have only seen a bride of heaven, who is resting in the cave."143

They ride on, and Volkmar asks the trembling Reinhilde, "Hast thou heard?144 They are seeking thee."145

"My father has disowned me.146 I stand alone.147 Only in the Kloster can I find a home."148

And now a single man approaches, stops by the entrance, throws himself on his knees before the shrine of the Virgin, and as Reinhilde hears the voice she trembles and turns pale, for the Kaiser it is who prays.149

She exclaims in anguish, "It is my father, but I do not answer, for he has disowned me his child.150 I stand in the world alone.151 Only in the Kloster can I find a home."152