Alfaleith.org

"It stops," she exclaimed at last, joyfully, and sprang down to the brook, to the place where the tree had riveted itself into a projecting tongue of land. "See here!" she called out to her companion; "here it bears leaves, on our bank; it is very possible that it may grow firmly on our land."

"But do thou," cried Ingo, transported, "tell me whether that would be pleasant to thee."

Irmgard remained silent.

Then the sun broke out above the wall of clouds; its rays illuminated the noble figure of the maiden; her hair shone like gold around her head and shoulders, as she, with downcast eyes and blushing cheeks, stood before the man. His heart bounded with joy and love; he approached her respectfully; she remained as if spellbound, but moved her hand gently, as if to ward him off, and murmured beseechingly, "The dear sun looks down on us." But he kissed her heartily, and called out to the laughing sun:

"A greeting to thee, bright lord of the day! Be gracious to us, and guard confidentially what thou beholdest."

He kissed her again, and felt her warm lips against his; but when he wished to embrace her, Irmgard removed his arm. She looked at him with deep love, but her cheeks were pale, and she dismissed him with a movement of her hand toward the mountains. He obeyed and sprang from her, and as he turned to look back to her, he saw her, enveloped in light, throw herself down upon her knees before the tree, and hold up her arms imploringly to the shining heaven.

On the same morning the nobles and wise men, the leaders of the community, and trusty warriors, assembled in the house of Prince Answald, and sat down on the seats which were arranged for them on both sides of the hearth. The host took his seat in the middle, and behind his chair stood Theodulf. The herald closed the door, and the Prince spoke to the assembly.

"Ingo, the son of King Ingbert, has come to my house, bound to me by ties of friendly hospitality from the time of his father. Today I desire for him the right of guest of the people, that he may be safe from enemies, either foreign or among our people, not only in my house, but also in your land; that he may find justice against evil-doers, and protection by the weapons of the neighbors from every one that would injure you for the worthy man; with you it rests to grant or refuse."

After these words a deep silence ensued. At last Isanbart rose; his snow-white hair hung about his scarred face, his tall figure supported itself on a staff, but the voice of the old man sounded powerfully, and the men listened to him respectfully.

"It becomes thee, Prince, to speak as thou hast done. We are accustomed to thy gifts to the people; and when thou beggest something of them, our hearts are ready to grant it. Renowned is the man; and that it is himself, and not a lying traveler, we have the warrant of the minstrel's song, the hospitable token that he has exchanged with his host, and above all else, the dignity of his countenance and figure. But we are placed as guardians over the welfare of many, and the anxious times admonish us to be cautious; therefore it becomes us to take earnest counsel, and to balance the opinions of the heroes of the people, which are somewhat divided."

He seated himself, and the neighbors nodded to him respectfully. But Rothari rose up impetuously --- a nobleman of the old princely race, a stout man with red face and red hair, a renowned drinker, valiant also in the men's war exercises, and brisk in the dance; the boys called him, in banter, "King Puff-cheek."

<< Previous Page | Back | Next Page >>