DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1442#0056
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42
Ferrand, with anxious haste, filled his hat with water from the limpid spring; and, with trembling hands, sprinkled
the consecrated water on her drooping head.
«My destiny is accomplished !" she exclaimed with ecstasy, and raising herself with renovated strength, assisted
by Ferrand, added: «lam dying for love; and this sentiment alone is it, that I wish will make thee remember me!»
Turning now to the multitude, who continued crowding round her, full of compassionate curiosity, she said, kindly
smiling: «Step fearlessly nearer; for I am but a loving, mortal woman, voluntarily divested of all the power, which
I used to manifest in assisting you; and together with the dissolution of my frame, of which you are witnesses, the
fabric yonder, which you, without any reason, with fear and mistrust see overtopping your valley, will be reduced to ruins.
On the same spot, however, where it now stands, some centuries hence, another castle, fortified with strong lowers,
and ox^namented with high spires, will be raised for the benefit of your posterity; and an ancient family of princes,
overlooking from there their fertile domains, will rule all the countries, that are fertilized by the Neckar and Rhine.
It's sons will be called from here, to ascend the first thrones of Germany; and their glorious castle, will, in return,
hospitably open it's gates, to admit renowned emperors of a foreign race. Victory will enter thro' the castle's gates,
along with heroic warriors, and beauty, in the persons of the daughters of great kings. A light, kindled by wise princes,
will hence proceed to illuminate Germany with the genial ray of knowledge! Plenty will fill the spacious magazines
and high-vaulted cellars, and render that spot famous in all countries, as a miracle of abundance and happiness.
«I can see no end ofthat happiness, whilst the Rhine shall be washing German banks. — But, alas! a dark cloud —
take it away, my Ferrand! —• I can see no more besides thy flaming eye. — Ah, weep! — weep, lest thy heart
should break; for thou hast loved me, after all." At this moment, the warm blood spurted, like a twin-fountain, out
of her mouth and breast — and she ceased breathing.
The spurting streams of life died Ferrands garments with a warm crimson, as he, dropping down likewise, held
the drooping maid in his arms. Thus the motionless young man continued holding her in sad embrace, till her
stiffening limbs warned him to surrender to death its lovely prey.
At last he started up wildly, when he heard the lamentations of his parents, who had already for some time
been clinging fast-to him, and with a thousand endearing words endeavoured to recall him to life.
Having recovered his legs, he cast his darkly rolling looks all around, then convulsively shook old Hinrichs by
the hand, and, pointing at the beautiful corse, asked him with a smile of despair: «Father, are you now satisfied?-—
Do you now pardon the kind benefactress for having been so powerful and good?" Then, turning to the rest, he
cried loudly to the multitude: «Let now every one, that has experienced her kindness, step forth, and pay the last
tribute of gratitude to the hapless woman!" No sooner had he uttered ihese words, than the young men and maidens,
you,
42
Ferrand, with anxious haste, filled his hat with water from the limpid spring; and, with trembling hands, sprinkled
the consecrated water on her drooping head.
«My destiny is accomplished !" she exclaimed with ecstasy, and raising herself with renovated strength, assisted
by Ferrand, added: «lam dying for love; and this sentiment alone is it, that I wish will make thee remember me!»
Turning now to the multitude, who continued crowding round her, full of compassionate curiosity, she said, kindly
smiling: «Step fearlessly nearer; for I am but a loving, mortal woman, voluntarily divested of all the power, which
I used to manifest in assisting you; and together with the dissolution of my frame, of which you are witnesses, the
fabric yonder, which you, without any reason, with fear and mistrust see overtopping your valley, will be reduced to ruins.
On the same spot, however, where it now stands, some centuries hence, another castle, fortified with strong lowers,
and ox^namented with high spires, will be raised for the benefit of your posterity; and an ancient family of princes,
overlooking from there their fertile domains, will rule all the countries, that are fertilized by the Neckar and Rhine.
It's sons will be called from here, to ascend the first thrones of Germany; and their glorious castle, will, in return,
hospitably open it's gates, to admit renowned emperors of a foreign race. Victory will enter thro' the castle's gates,
along with heroic warriors, and beauty, in the persons of the daughters of great kings. A light, kindled by wise princes,
will hence proceed to illuminate Germany with the genial ray of knowledge! Plenty will fill the spacious magazines
and high-vaulted cellars, and render that spot famous in all countries, as a miracle of abundance and happiness.
«I can see no end ofthat happiness, whilst the Rhine shall be washing German banks. — But, alas! a dark cloud —
take it away, my Ferrand! —• I can see no more besides thy flaming eye. — Ah, weep! — weep, lest thy heart
should break; for thou hast loved me, after all." At this moment, the warm blood spurted, like a twin-fountain, out
of her mouth and breast — and she ceased breathing.
The spurting streams of life died Ferrands garments with a warm crimson, as he, dropping down likewise, held
the drooping maid in his arms. Thus the motionless young man continued holding her in sad embrace, till her
stiffening limbs warned him to surrender to death its lovely prey.
At last he started up wildly, when he heard the lamentations of his parents, who had already for some time
been clinging fast-to him, and with a thousand endearing words endeavoured to recall him to life.
Having recovered his legs, he cast his darkly rolling looks all around, then convulsively shook old Hinrichs by
the hand, and, pointing at the beautiful corse, asked him with a smile of despair: «Father, are you now satisfied?-—
Do you now pardon the kind benefactress for having been so powerful and good?" Then, turning to the rest, he
cried loudly to the multitude: «Let now every one, that has experienced her kindness, step forth, and pay the last
tribute of gratitude to the hapless woman!" No sooner had he uttered ihese words, than the young men and maidens,
you,