"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 pulledthe strings so mightily that they all broke with a clanging wail, anda cloud of dust rose from the old lute, which spread round him like amist.
Sintram had been watching him narrowly whilst he was singing, and moreand more did he feel convinced that it was impossible that this man andhis fellow-traveller of the morning could be one and the same. Nay, thedoubt rose to certainty, when the stranger again looked round athim with the same timid, anxious air, and with many excuses and lowreverences hung the lute in its old place, and then ran out of the hallas if bewildered with terror, in strange contrast with the proud andstately bearing which he had shown to Biorn.
The eyes of the boy were now directed to his father, and he saw that hehad sunk back senseless in his seat, as if struck by a blow. Sintram'scries called Rolf and other attendants into the hall; and only by greatlabour did their united efforts awake the lord of the castle. His lookswere still wild and disordered; but he allowed himself to be taken torest, quiet and yielding.
CHAPTER 5
An illness followed this sudden attack; and during the course of it thestout old knight, in the midst of his delirious ravings, did not ceaseto affirm confidently that he must and should recover. He laughedproudly when his fever-fits came on, and rebuked them for daring toattack him so needlessly. Then he murmured to himself, "That was notthe right one yet; there must still be another one out in the coldmountains."
Always at such words Sintram involuntarily shuddered; they seemed tostrengthen his notion that he who had ridden with him, and he who hadsat at table in the castle, were two quite distinct persons; and heknew not why, but this thought was inexpressibly awful to him. Biornrecovered, and appeared to have entirely forgotten his adventure withthe palmer. He hunted in the mountains; he carried on his usual wildwarfare with his neighbours; and Sintram, as he grew up, became hisalmost constant companion; whereby each year a fearful strength of bodyand spirit was unfolded in the youth. Every one trembled at the sightof 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 hedistressed or injured in his wildest humours. This might arise in partout of regard to old Rolf, who seldom left him for long, and who alwaysheld a softening influence over him; but also many of those who hadknown the Lady Verena while she still lived in the world affirmed that afaint reflection of her heavenly expression floated over the very unlikefeatures of her son, and that by this their hearts were won.
Once, just at the beginning of spring, Biorn and his son were huntingin the neighbourhood of the sea-coast, over a tract of country which didnot belong to them; drawn thither less by the love of sport than by thewish of bidding defiance to a chieftain whom they detested, and thusexciting a feud. At that season of the year, when his winter dreams hadjust passed off, Sintram was always unusually fierce and disposed forwarlike adventures. And this day he was enraged at the chieftain for notcoming 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 oneof his wild young companions rushed towards him, shouting joyfully: "Becontent my dear young lord! I will wager that all is coming about aswe and you wish; for as I was pursuing a wounded deer down to thesea-shore, I saw a sail and a vessel filled with armed men making forthe shore. Doubtless your enemy purposes to fall upon you from thecoast."
Joyfully and secretly Sintram called all his followers together, beingresolved this time to take the combat on himself alone, and then torejoin his father, and astonish him with the sight of captured foes andother tokens of victory.
The hunters, thoroughly acquainted with every cliff and rock on thecoast, hid themselves round the landing-place; and soon the strangevessel hove nearer with swelling sails, till at length it came toanchor, and its crew began to disembark in unsuspicious security. Atthe head of them appeared a knight of high degree, in blue steel armourrichly inlaid with gold. His head was bare, for he carried his costlygolden helmet hanging on his left arm. He looked royally around him; andhis countenance, which dark brown locks shaded, was pleasant to behold;and a well-trimmed moustache fringed his mouth, from which, as hesmiled, gleamed forth two rows of pearl-white teeth.
A feeling came across Sintram that he must already have seen this knightsomewhere; and he stood motionless for a few moments. But suddenly heraised his hand, to make the agreed signal of attack. In vain did thegood Rolf, who had just succeeded in getting up to him, whisper in hisear that these could not be the foes whom he had taken them for, butthat they were unknown, and certainly high and noble strangers.
"Let them be who they may," replied the wild youth, "they have enticedme here to wait, and they shall pay the penalty of thus fooling me. Saynot another word, if you value your life." And immediately he gave thesignal, a thick shower of javelins followed from all sides, and theNorwegian warriors rushed forth with flashing swords. They found theirfoes as brave, or somewhat braver, than they could have desired. Morefell on the side of those who made than of those who received theassault; and the strangers appeared to understand surprisingly theNorwegian manner of fighting. The knight in steel armour had not in hishaste put on his helmet; but it seemed as if he in no wise needed suchprotection, for his good sword afforded him sufficient defence evenagainst the spears and darts which were incessantly hurled at him, aswith rapid skill he received them on the shining blade, and dashed themfar away, shivered into fragments.
Sintram could not at the first onset penetrate to where this shininghero was standing, as all his followers, eager after such a noble prey,thronged closely round him; but now the way was cleared enough forhim to spring towards the brave stranger, shouting a war-cry, andbrandishing his sword above his head.
"Gabrielle!" cried the knight, as he dexterously parried the heavy blowwhich was descending, and with one powerful sword-thrust he laid theyouth prostrate on the ground; then placing his knee on Sintram'sbreast, he drew forth a flashing dagger, and held it before his eyes ashe 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 itbecame a bold warrior; and without giving one sign of emotion, he lookedon the fatal weapon with a steady gaze.
As he lay with his eyes cast upwards, he fancied that there appearedsuddenly from heaven a wondrously beautiful female form in a brightattire 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 whohad so suddenly appeared, but the beautiful wife of the stranger,who, having advanced to the high edge of the vessel, had thus met theupraised 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 tothe conquered youth, saying, "Thank the noble lady of Montfaucon foryour life and liberty. But if you are so totally devoid of all goodnessas 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 oftenheard 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 ofhis gentle lady Gabrielle.
CHAPTER 6
The Lord of Montfaucon looked with astonishment at his strange foe; andas he gazed on him more and more, recollections arose in his mind ofthat northern race from whom he was descended, and with whom he hadalways maintained friendly relation
s. A golden bear's claw, with whichSintram's cloak was fastened, at length made all clear to him.
"Have you not," said he, "a valiant and far-famed kinsman, called theSea-king Arinbiorn, who carries on his helmet golden vulture-wings? Andis not your father the knight Biorn? For surely the bear's claw on yourmantle 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 couldnever have believed that any one of our noble house would attacka peaceful man without provocation, and that, too, without givingwarning."
"Slay me at once," answered Sintram, "if indeed I am worthy to die by sonoble hands. I can no longer endure the light of day."
"Because you have been overcome?" asked Montfaucon. Sintram shook hishead.
"Or is it, rather, because you have committed an unknightly action?"
The glow of shame that overspread the youth's countenance said yes tothis.
"But you should not on that account wish to die," continued Montfaucon."You should rather wish to live, that you may prove your repentance, andmake your name illustrious by many noble deeds; for you are endowed witha bold spirit and with strength of limb, and also with the eagle-glanceof a chieftain. I should have made you a knight this very hour, if youhad borne yourself as bravely in a good cause as you have just now ina bad. See to it, that I may do it soon. You may yet become a vessel ofhigh honour."
A joyous sound of shawms and silver rebecks interrupted his discourse.The lady Gabrielle, bright as the morning, had now come down from theship, surrounded by her maidens; and, instructed in a few words by Folkowho 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 lordhas won the prize; for be it known to you, that in the whole world thereis but one knight who can boast of not having been overcome by the Baronof Montfaucon. And who can say," continued she, sportively, "whethereven that would have happened, had he not set himself to win back themagic ring from me, his lady-love, destined to him, as well by thechoice of my own heart as by the will of Heaven!"
Folko, smiling, bent his head over the snow-white hand of his lady; andthen bade the youth conduct them to his father's castle.
Rolf took upon himself to see to the disembarking of the horses andvaluables of the strangers, filled with joy at the thought that an angelin woman's form had appeared to soften his beloved young master, andperhaps even to free him from that early curse.
Sintram sent messengers in all directions to seek for his father, andto announce to him the arrival of his noble guests. They thereforefound the old knight in his castle, with everything prepared for theirreception. Gabrielle could not enter the vast dark-looking buildingwithout a slight shudder, which was increased when she saw the rollingfiery eyes of its lord; even the pale, dark-haired Sintram seemed to hervery fearful; and she sighed to herself, "Oh! what an awful abode haveyou brought me to visit, my knight! Would that we were once again in mysunny Gascony, or in your knightly Normandy!"
But the grave yet courteous reception, the deep respect paid to hergrace and beauty, and to the high fame of Folko, helped to re-assureher; and soon her bird-like pleasure in novelties was awakened throughthe strange significant appearance of this new world. And besides, itcould only be for a passing moment that any womanly fears found a placein her breast when her lord was near at hand, for well did she know whateffectual protection that brave Baron was ever ready to afford to allthose who were dear to him, or committed to his charge.
Soon afterwards Rolf passed through the great hall in which Biorn andhis guests were seated, conducting their attendants, who had charge ofthe baggage, to their rooms. Gabrielle caught sight of her favouritelute, and desired a page to bring it to her, that she might see if theprecious instrument had been injured by the sea-voyage. As she bent overit with earnest attention, and her taper fingers ran up and downthe strings, a smile, like the dawn of spring, passed over the darkcountenances of Biorn and his son; and both said, with an involuntarysigh, "Ah! if you would but play on that lute, and sing to it! It wouldbe but too beautiful!" The lady looked up at them, well pleased, andsmiling 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 especiallySintram's eyes began to brighten with a milder expression, his cheeksglowed, every feature softened, till those who looked at him couldhave fancied they saw a glorified spirit. The good Rolf, who had stoodlistening to the song, rejoiced thereat from his heart, and devoutlyraised his hands in pious gratitude to heaven. But Gabrielle'sastonishment suffered her not to take her eyes from Sintram. At last shesaid to him, "I should much like to know what has so struck you in thatlittle song. It is merely a simple lay of the spring, full of theimages which that sweet season never fails to call up in the minds of mycountrymen."
"But is your home really so lovely, so wondrously rich in song?" criedthe enraptured Sintram. "Then I am no longer surprised at your heavenlybeauty, at the power which you exercise over my hard, wayward heart! Fora paradise of song must surely send such angelic messengers through theruder parts of the world." And so saying, he fell on his knees beforethe lady in an attitude of deep humility. Folko looked on all the whilewith an approving smile, whilst Gabrielle, in much embarrassment, seemedhardly to know how to treat the half-wild, half-tamed young stranger.After some hesitation, however, she held out her fair hand to him, andsaid as she gently raised him: "Surely one who listens with such delightto music must himself know how to awaken its strains. Take my lute, andlet 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 delicatestrings! For even were I to begin with some soft strains, yet beforelong the wild spirit which dwells in me would break out, and there wouldbe 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' sinewsset in brass, for in truth I do feel myself inspired to play and sing."
Gabrielle murmured a half-frightened assent; and Sintram having quicklybrought his harp, began to strike it loudly, and to sing these wordswith 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 lan
d 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 vibrationsof the harp-strings still resounded in a marvellous manner. Biorn'sattitude was again erect; he stroked his long beard and rattled hissword, as if in great delight at what he had just heard. Much shudderedGabrielle before the wild song and these strange forms, but only tillshe cast a glance on the Lord of Montfaucon, sat there smiling in allhis hero strength, unmoved, the rough uproar passed by him like anautumnal storm.