🧚 Legends and Tales., part 8

The Kaiser rides forth with his train, and a knight comes on foot and alone, kneels before the shrine and prays, and at the sound of his voice Reinhilde's eye grows bright.1

His prayer ended his voice rings mightily through the forest as he cries in love and longing, "Reinhilde!2 Reinhilde!"3

And a silvery voice answers, "Who calls Reinhilde?"4

The Kaiser, who is yet near, turns in joyful surprise in the direction of the voice. "5 Merciful Heaven!" he cries, "hast thou heard our earnest petitions?"6

See!7 From the dark cave issues a light form, and a cry of joy resounds through the whole forest.8 And in a blissful embrace kneel before the Kaiser Werner and Reinhilde.9

The Twelve Knights in the Schöneburg.10

About a Stunde[1] from Treseburg, up the Bode, lies the picturesque foundry village Attenbrack, the spot where in the old days Schloss Schöneburg looked down from its high, steep mountain seat into the vale below.11

[1] _Stunde_, speaking of distance in Germany, signifies the distance a man can walk in an hour.12 It is about a German mile, which is equal to four and seven-tenths of an English mile.13

On three sides the mountain rises steep from the Bode, being scarcely approachable save from the south side; and in wild confusion lie scattered over the mountain sides shapeless heaps of fallen stones, the sole ruins of the once stately castle; of walls and vaulted chambers no trace remains.14

From the south side the height is connected by a narrow tongue of land with the vast forests that cover the high table-lands of the Harz.15

Seldom is the spot trodden by the foot of man, except by some benighted traveller, some inquisitive student of history, and the passionate lover of wood and mountain solitude.16

More frequently resounds the tread of the hunter in this lonely spot, and of the herdsman, who pastures his cows in the beech forest.17

Once a herdsman stood, on St. John's Day, on the narrow path leading to the then not entirely fallen walls, and dreamed of the days of the past, of the Burg and its knights, dames, and maidens, and the treasures that were said to lie concealed under the ruins.18

The forest rustled mysteriously, mingled with the dreamy tinkling of the cow-bells.19

Suddenly it seemed to him he heard a tumbling noise and loud, merry laughter.20 This was wonderful, but what he saw was still more astounding.21 For, stealing forward and looking over the broken walls, he saw twelve knights in antique costume, who amused themselves with the game of skittles.22

The herdsman was not sure whether he was awake or dreaming.23 He rubbed his eyes, and looked bewildered around him, but it could be no illusion, for there stood the oaks and beeches, every tree of which he knew, there grazed his herd to the music of their jingling bells, the dogs cowering watchfully near, and from the valley could be heard the rattle of the foundry.24

He saw it all clearly, for it was mid-day, and there within the mouldering walls the twelve knights played on, and he heard the rolling and bouncing of the balls.25

But he had not much time for observation, for the knights caught sight of him, and beckoned him to approach.26

He did so with trembling.27

They treated him gruffly and severely, and commanded him to set up the fallen pins, and he was obliged to yield.28

Perhaps an hour had passed in this employment, when lo! no ball more rolled, and looking up to see the cause of the delay, the knights had vanished!29

It was not a dream, for all the pins lay there before him; but knowing that his neighbours in Attenbrack would hold him for a dreamer without proof, he decided to take the pins home with him.30

But they were so large and heavy, he could not carry them all, so he took only the king.31

All listened incredulously to his tale of the knights and old dress, and feared he was not quite right in his head.32

Then he drew forth from his pocket the pin, as proof; but it was so heavy he could not hold it, and it fell to the ground with a clear ring; when, lifting it up, it was found to be pure gold.33

No one doubted longer, but all hastened to the ruins to get the other eight pins; but they were all only of wood--of light Taxus wood.34

The Gegensteine.35

In the midst of the bright landscape opposite Schloss Ballenstedt rise the two huge boulders called the Gegensteine, which mark the eastern termination of the Devil's Wall.36

The taste and passion for the wonderful and mysterious are too strong in the human mind to permit of these majestic rocks being without their Sage.37

In the time long ago, when all this district was covered with dense forests, swamps, and morasses, where now ripen the golden corn, fruits, and every blessing that crowns the husbandman's toil, and wild beasts preyed on the around-lying mountains, evil spirits practised their devices in the Gegensteine.38

In the distance one could see during the night, especially at midnight, now fiery balls, now flames of fire rising in the air, and could hear death cries, or the most delightful tones, which the evil spirits employed to decoy unwary mortals to destruction.39

Many who ridiculed the idea of danger, paying no heed to friendly warnings, forced their way through thorns and thickets to behold the mystery, and returned no more.40

They were carried by demons through the air, and one heard their moanings of despair without the power to save them.41

Only he who was consecrated to God could approach the Gegensteine unharmed.42

One morning a farmer rode before sunrise from Ballenstedt to Quedlinburg, to offer prayers and obtain absolution in the convent church, only just founded by the Kaiserin Matilda--for in Ballenstedt there was neither church nor pater.43

Lost in devotional thoughts, hence without fear, he rode quietly along; an irresistible languor seized him and he fell asleep.44

The nag, feeling no longer the hand guiding the reins, turned aside to seek for himself a fresh breakfast, stood still, and began to graze.45

The farmer awoke.46 He rubbed his eyes in amazement, for he found himself in an unknown spot, in a dark thicket, without road or path; all around him towered mighty rocks that almost shut him in.47 He heard the roaring of water outside, beneath him a raging din, and before him yawned an awful chasm.48

The farmer had never heard of such a wild and savage scene so near his place of residence, and fancied he had been transplanted through enchantment to some distant land.49 Anxiously he gazed around him, convinced himself he was not dreaming, for the sun was shining upon the savage rocks, and his nag grazed unconcerned.50

The thought occurred to him he might be in the domains of wicked spirits, and a cold shudder ran over him; but he lacked the courage to turn back, fearing some monster might follow him.51 He was indeed in a painful position, for it was out of the question that he should remain where he was.52

Meanwhile the terrible din and roar had ceased, all grew peaceful, the birds sang joyfully in the sunlight, and all notion of danger vanished from his mind.53

He gained confidence as he looked around him to mark the place, resolving the next day to bring his wife and children to see it, and convince them that all the tales about the terrors of the Gegensteine were untrue.54