LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 0.. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. NYMPHS, NIXIES AND NAIADS LEGENDS OF THE RHINE M. A. B. EVANS • ! AUTHOR OF " IN VARIOUS MOODS ' WITH ILLUSTRAflONS BY Wm. a. McCullough G. p. PUTNAM'S SONS NEW VOKK LONDON 27 West Twenty-third Street 24 Bedford Street, Strand "Cbc Tl^iucSerbockcv ipvess 1895 763^? Copyright, 1895 BY M. A. B. EVANS Ube Iftnicfterbocfter press, l^cw IRocbelle, IR. ^. TO MY FATHER CONTENTS. Legends of the Rhine .... Legend of the Cologne Cathedral The Kobold and the Bishop of Hildesheim Kitchen-Boy Schwartz-Rheindorf Nonnenworth and Rolandseck The Dance o' the Dead . The Lurlei Bishop Hatto's Treason . Fastrada's Ring The Priestess of Hertha Alt-Windeck PAGE 13 33 43 51 61 67 79 39 97 107 ILLUSTRATIONS. The follow i7ig full-page illustrations^ as well as the designs in the text, are from drawings by IV. A. McCullough. PAGE " The Lurlei." ..... Frontispiece V " Gave a rose." . . . . . , • 53 u " High up on the rocks, in the moonlight's gleam, The Lurlei weaves her spell." . . .69 " This is her magic ring." . . . . . 91 v " Who wave their thin white veils And dance upon the lake." . . . . 99 v HAv^mpbe, IHiyicci, anb maiabci. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 1R?mpb0, IRiyiee, anb IRaiabe. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. V/'E sprites and elves with which Germania's * shore Was thickly peopled in the days of yore, Ye brownies, fairies, kobolds grim and gray, And water-nymphs, disporting night and day. Gome in a host, and answer to my call. Though unbelief has driven away you all To hide in rocky caverns, sea, and cloud. So that you dare not laugh or speak aloud As in those merry days the world was young, And people smiled and jested, laughed and sung, Without these groanings of the inner sense, These metaphysical discussions dense, O'erawing, puzzling, darkening our life. And making it with such vexed questions rife As in these latter days attack our brains. Ah ! then it was enough to live. The rains Of heaven were sweet, the sunshine passing fair, 13 XYMPHS. XIXIES, AXD X A IADS. While all about, in sea, and earth, and air, Peeped forth th' ideal world, which we in vain Strive after now, with heavy heart and brain. The world has grown too old, or else too wise. \ veil has fallen over learned eyes, .\nd lack of faith has chilled. But just once more Come forth, O fays, and scatter blessings o'er A band of earnest seekers after all The higher joys, as well as those which fall More easily within the grasp ^ of those \ Who much prefer to poetry r^ plam prose. '')f varied tastes indeed were all the five Companions, though most eager and alive Each in a way distinct to him alone. To view the noble city of Cologne. The doctor, stout and burly, hair quite gray, Eyes sharp and keen, from which a merry ray c-S^^ ^'^'. k J ;^ LEGENDS OF THE RHIXE. I 5 Shot ever and anon, was apt to view The whole of life beneath the rosy hue Of kindly thoughts with scientific lore Commingled. Next the student from the shore Of far America, that land of hope, So large and vast that in its mighty scope It sways the world ; and men of all degree May feel themselves on those broad acres free. Our student was a man of worthy name. His sires of Revolutionary fame, And in his heart and inmost soul there burned Deep love of country ; though he sometimes yearned. As now, to taste poetic fountains rare Of other lands than that he thought most fair. Besides, he had a fancy to behold Some records, and to hear some legends old Of his Dutch ancestors, from whom he held His home by ever\' traveler beheld ^\^lo journeys down the Hudson's lovely stream. He had been charmed with Holland. Xow his scheme Of travel took the tamed, historic Rhine. i6 jrrjfi'^s, -V7XZ£-S. ^jci> jrAiAZts. Aud oxfaer places ^d^ich be deemed most mie. Xai many moiirb? of inne had he lo speed Along rbe var -where erraui fimcies lead. E.acr fieeiiiig momeni held an added zest. And made him wish of sights to choose ti>e besi. Of ihis qninisne xhr z'nirc. £ marron wise, Ftoiii Eosion, who viih sympaiheac eyes And kindrr lovt locked on the German daine And her fair dan^iiei, who bni tnst now Td ioxn xhe oihss ai Cologne. For friends. In ihai une comTadeship wiiich nsTex ends. From eanr T^omh had these rwo matrons heen : (Soih wddows now I. and ¥'iiL Therri aluai^ seen Tt T mi'lirnl davs The smdeni s mother s ira-il And lofvehr fprm. which withered n^afh ihe Of f Dmme 5 . - .aier in her life. ^Wlien scarce two sinraneis had she been a wife. The doctor, z^z. z friend of linse dajs Whfrr 1d-~t : j^r^r :.i i i-lais "we: And -evf^-' T r bir^im I'DS&Aefor^ LEGEXDS OF THE RHIXE. 1 7 Oh, that the strength of life came then I For thus Would higher ends be wrought and actions done. Alas I th' enthusiasm of youth is gone WTien comes the wisdom of our later years. Accompanied by self-distrust and fears Which youthful hearts would gayly laugh to scorn. Imagine then a bright and glorious mom On which these five went out upon their way. Through devious queer and narrow streets to stray, Assailed by many odors, good and bad. The latter far more frequently, 't is sad To say, until upon their dazzled sight The fair Cathedral, in the morning light. Rose like a dream of beauty. Pausing long To see its walls and towers, famed in song And legend, entered in our pilgrim band At length, and putting slyly in the hand Of one old sacristan, who stood about And waited just to see a party out, A fee which warmed his heart, they went to view The Chapel of the Magi, where most true Are skulls, and bones, and jewels rich and rare, AMiether or not the holv men are there. 1 8 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Still, let us hope they did indeed find rest, As meet they should, within the Church's breast. Most interesting, too, the Devil's Stone, Whereon are seen the marks his claws alone Could make. And this same Master-fiend we find Plays still a part in every German mind Inclined to fiction. As to this fair church, Traditions tell how sadly in the lurch The foul fiend left the puzzled architect Who tried to break his bargain, and detect A way to serve both God and Mammon, still A thing which men find far beyond their skill. This tale the sacristan then told, and spoke With droning voice, which sometimes hoarsely broke. LEGEND OF THE COLOGNE CATHEDRAL. 19 LEGEND OF THE COLOGNE CATHEDRAL. A RCHBISHOP ENGELBERT, long, long ago, A mighty cathedral would have. Calling the wisest of architects known, He thus his commands to him gave. " Build me a church of such beauty and grace As never before has been seen. Spare neither money, nor trouble, nor time, But make it like visions unseen. " Glorious let the spires rise unto heaven, With gems let the altars be girt. Thus shall great honor accrue to Cologne, And the Archbishop Engelbert." Gladly the architect went to his task, — He thirsted for honor and fame. " If," thought he, " this church should be a success, All the world will resound with my name. 22 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. " Not alone Engelbert, bishop and prince, By posterity far shall be known ; People will proudly remember the man Who built the great church for Cologne. Down at his task then he seated himself, And traced a plan novel and fair. "Ha!" cried a mocking voice close to his ear, " That 's the Strassburg Cathedral there." Back in amazement the ar- chitect jumped. And vanishing out of his sight Saw a small, withered, malicious old man, Who was laughing with all of his might. Memory had indeed played him a trick. And that which he thought was his own, Verily was but the Strassburg church. And not the new plan for Cologne. " There ! " he cried out, as he made a new plan Of delicate, Gothic design. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 23 Nothing is like this ! I 'm surely this time Original in every line. " Nothing is like it ! " he shouted in joy. Again came the voice at his side ; Laughing and mocking the old man ap- peared, — " The Cathedral of Mayence ! " he cried. Sad^ but too true, and the architect then, With a sigh, drew another plan. "Ah ! This is my church," but again sneered the voice : " The Cathedral of Amiens ! Ha ! Ha ! " " Who are you," cried out the puzzled young man, " That dare to make sport of my work ? Can you do better than that yourself ? " And he threw him his staff with a jerk. Quickly the old man began with the staff So novel and bold a design, That the poor architect watched in amaze. And whispered : " That plan must be mine." 24 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS, Ere it was more than half sketched, with a stroke The old man erased it, and said : *' There is a plan which will honor your name, And make you remembered when dead." '' Sell it to me," cried the architect, wild With excitement and rage and despair. Mockingly, sneeringly, came the reply, In sounds which burnt into the air. " Not for your gold," cried the Evil One, For 't was he, of course, as you know. " Nothing care I for such trumpery stuff ; I 've more now than you ever could show. " One price, and one only, I '11 take for my plan ; For that you shall have the whole." "Name it! Ah! name it!" "Well, then, my son, The price I demand is — your soul." Stunned and bewildered the architect sank On the ground, and a quick flash of light, Blinding and reeking with sulphurous smoke, Took the little old man from his sight. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 25 Horror-struck, home went the builder and prayed, But yet prayer relieved not his mind. Then to confession he thoughtfully went, In hopes there some comfort to find. Hearing his tale made the kind father quake, And yet, for the good of the town, Sorry was he to lose such a church. When it doubtless would bring much renown. Pilgrims in crowds would flock to the spot, And greater and greater would be Yearly the annual revenues, That would come to the Holy See. " Stay, my dear son," said the worthy old priest ; '' I know of a scheme which to naught All of the works of the Devil will bring, And frighten him quicker than thought. '' Take, then, this relic, a piece of the cross. And go forth without the least fear. Fiends cannot touch you, or danger come nigh. While you hold what e'en devils revere." 26 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Armed with the relic, that very midnight He met the foul fiend, and agreed, When the plan, perfected, should be his own, He 'd sign, Avith his blood, the deed. Stooping to find a sharp stone to draw blood, For neither of them had a knife, Satan dropped, just for a moment, his plan. Which the architect seized, for his life. '' Satan, avaunt ! By this relic I charge You go to the place whence you came ! " " Vanquished, 't is true," snarled the Evil One, But I '11 have my revenge all the same. " Yoti ne'er shall profit by this, my defeat ; And the church which you build from my plan, Never while stars in their courses revolve Shall be finished by mortal man." Thus with a flash and a groan went the Fiend, And nothing to this day is known As to the name, the condition, and fame Of the poor architect of Cologne. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 2"] A silence fell upon the little band. But soon the student quickly waved his hand, As if to brush aside such legends old, And, with a manner quite reserved and cold, And tinctured with that scepticism which now Pervades all classes more or less, we know, But most of all the young ; the student said : " No wonder that the minds which daily fed On stories such as this should never grow To any strength or power, but weakly bow Before the fate which seemed to hold them bound As in a vise. So on this holy ground Six centuries this noble church has stood, A monument to all that 's pure and good, Unfinished. Now at last it seems to be Entirely built, and so you plainly see It only needed just a little strength Of mind, which, happily, has come at length." The sacristan smiled sadly : " Yes, my son, The church indeed is very nearly done. But after all, you see the marble floors Are not quite finished, and the heavy doors Which are to be the glory of the church Have been delayed, from time to time. We search In vain to find the secret of the bell 28 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Which hangs in yonder tower. Its clangorous swell Is frightful, yet the bell has not a flaw. On this the Devil, too, has laid his claw. Mark well my words. They think this struc- ture will Be finished soon. 'T is un- completed still." And, with a shrug and goodly pinch of snuff, The sacristan departed in a huff; As who should say : " These strangers in our town ! What right have they to pull our legends down Or put our churches up, we 'd like to know 1 And I, for one, would like to tell them so." The friends departed, with a smile, and went To see the church St. Ursula was sent To grace, with legends of her life and times. Her faith, and love, her beauty, and her rhymes, And most of all, her bones, and those of all Th' eleven thousand virgins, of whose fall Beneath the hands of ruthless Huns, brave tales Are told, at which the stoutest spirit quails. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 29 Full many other sights in fair Cologne Our travelers enjoyed, each one his own Peculiar thoughts put to the pleasure found At every step, on this historic ground. The trip up to the Alte Burg is one Which never should a poet leave undone, For here the tricksy Kobolds had their home, And here they still believe the Kobolds come. One little urchin, with a face quite pale With horror, told our friends this grewsome tale. THE KOBOLD AND THE BISHOP OF HILDESHEIM'S KITCHEN-BOY. 31 THE KOBOLD AND THE BISHOP OF HILDESHEIM'S KITCHEN-BOY. pOUND kitchen-fires, *• ^ With vain desires, Roamed Kobold old and gray. Some meat he took, , And so the cook Forthwith sent him away. But this was naught, The Kobold thought. To what the boy had done. 'T was nothing less Than dirty mess, Thrown o'er him, just for fun. That very night. As soon as light Departed from the sky. The Kobold came Up to his game. Revenge was in his eye 33 34 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. That boy he took, And with a look He killed him on the spot. Then, for his sup. He cut him up, And filled the dinner pot. This awful fate Came not too late To warn and guard the rest. And, from that day, The peasants gay Ne'er with the Kobolds jest. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 35 A shout of laughter met the little lad, Whose heart was soothed, and presently made glad By several silver coins put in his hand. This was a language he could understand Far better than the mirth his tale provoked. To him it was a thing not lightly joked About, these tales of ghosts, or with a shout Of laughter greeted. Every lazy lout Was threatened with the vengeance of the fay, If his appointed task was not each day Done well. And every night some milk, or cream, Or bread, was set aside, with childish dream That possibly a Kobold might come by, And, after doing all the farm-work, try To rest himself, and take a little food. Far better thus to have a spirit good Attend one, than the other kind, which these Become at once if we their hearts displease. 36 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS, Another sprite which at Godorf one hears Sad tales about, if e'er one interferes With him, or follows his delusive light, Is '' Heervvisch," Into many a sorry plight He leads unwary travelers. His name ^^ " Will-o'-the-Wisp " with us, his traits the same. The peasants of Godorf a tale unfold Of how a heedless girl the goblin old Defied, and sang aloud this silly rhyme. Which makes him madly chase one every time. '' Heerwisch! Ho! Ho! Brenst wie haberstroh Schlag mich blHzeblo'' " Heerwisch ! Ho ! Ho ! Flare like a low. Come, or I go." On which the goblin followed her at once. Ere in his face the stupid little dunce Could shut the door of her own home, he flew Within, with fiery wings, like lightnings blue. The shock stunned every body present there, LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 37 As if a thunder-bolt in clearest air Had fallen down. As for the maiden's plight, She never quite recovered from her fright. And now upon the deep and flowing Rhine Our Pilgrims started, with this wise design. To stop where'er their roving fancies willed, And drink from pleasure's brimming goblets, filled With youth's enthusiasm and manhood's power ; So that each day, each swiftly flying hour Should bring them joy which they could fully taste, And not spoil all their trip, through too much haste. Their first stop was a castle quite near by, The German matron's, whence one could descry The lovely stream, and here a day or so They had the kindest welcome one could know. For maid and matron did their very best To show the greatest favor to each guest. Where 's hospitality in any land Found greater than from German hostess's hand? 38 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. And for old friends, of course, the task is sweet To give a greeting kind, and welcome meet. Again the Rhine, and on its shores they passed The ruined tower, all now remains, at last. To mark the story of the wondrous harp, Made from a lovely maiden's hair, whose sharp Sad fate it was, to perish by the hand Of her own sister. Love, you understand, LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 39 Was at the root of all the trouble sad. The maiden fair a plighted lover had. The sister loved him, too, so in the stream She drowned the fair one, in the wicked dream Of winning soon the lover to herself. Her schemes were blighted, for some cunning elf Made of a maid a harp, which, loudly struck By clever wandering minstrel, brought ill- luck To all nefarious schemes, and death to her Who dared her sister's lover to prefer. At Schwartz-Rheindorf, before they came to Bonn, They paused awhile, and drew a peasant on To tell the story of the convent there, Now ruined, though it once was passing fair. SCHWARTZ-RHEINDORF. 41 SCHWARTZ-RHEINDORF. A Judgment against Gluttony. nPHE Lady- Abbess and all her nuns * • Went hurrying down to the river. For spring had come, And the river's hum Had set the leaves a-quiver. The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns Were watching the fish succumbing. Two sturgeons fine, Off which to dine. Were pleasure worth the coming. The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns Had been most hard and snatching. For many poor They turned from their door, Because some of their fish they 'd been catching. 43 44 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns Took both of the two great sturgeons ; In spite of the law, When they plainly foresaw They 'd be sick, and a case for the surgeons. The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns Were punished far worse than the fishes. When down at the board Were seated the horde, Not a vestige of fish in the dishes. The Lady- Abbess and all her nuns Screamed with rage at the cook and the waiters. " Oh, what have you done ? Of the fishes not one Remains for your reverend ?naters." LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 45 The Lady-x\bbess and all her nuns Looked adown the shining river, And away and afar, Like the evening star, Shone the fish in the light all a-quiver. The Lady-Abbess and all her nuns (For the convent should be an almsgiver). Were judged so amiss, That from that day to this They could catch ne'er a fish from that river. 46 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. " An awful warning ! " said the doctor's voice, As smilingly he wiped his eyes. The choice Of evils is but small, and yet 1 think I 'd rather eat the fishes than to drink A cup of disappointment like to that. The fishes might have made them sick, but what Would that have been to missing such a dish? I think we must forgive them, for the fish They missed." Then with a laugh and smile passed on The friendly five, until they came to Bonn. There was that dread tribunal's awful power The Middle Ages feared, in troublous hour. And here the robber-knight, Von Feyermahl, Was brought to answer justice's noble call. For running off with Kommern's lovely maid. His life the forfeit which at length he paid. Beyond, the Drachenfels, where Siegfried won The fame the Nibelungen Lied gives one Who nobly earned it. Here the dragon kept The treasure of the king, his daughter, wept LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 47 As lost, until released and homeward led In triumph. Gladly would the maid have wed Her rescuer. But this was not to be, For Siegfried, loveless, cared but to be free. The tale of Nonnenworth and Rolandseck Was told while passing, on the steamer's deck. NONNENWORTH AND ROLANDSECK. 49 NONNENWORTH AND ROLANDSECK " IT ILDEGUNDA, maiden fair, ^ -^ Hildegunda, flower most rare, May I on my helmet wear Favors thine, sweet lady ? " Thus spake Roland, knight of old, Roland brave, in battle bold. Yet whose heart, most strangely cold, Ne'er before found lady. Blushingly she answered him ; Gave a rose ; her eyes were dim With her tears, for life and limb He would soon be risking. In Crusades, far, far away Sped the knight at break of day. War is not a roundelay ; Nor its fate worth risking. Time sped on, and ne'er a word Had the hapless maiden heard 51 52 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. For a twelvemonth, since had spurr'd Far away her lover. " Woe is me ! " the lady cried. " Roland surely must have died, Else he would his promised bride Send news of her lover." In the monastery near Sought she comfort for her fear ; Taking heavenward her career, All of earth forswearing. Came at last the pilgrim back. Many foes along his track He had laid full low, alack ! Danger ne'er forswearing. Now, howe'er, before him loomed Grief to which his life was doomed ; For no more before him bloomed Lily fair, his lady. Oh, the grief of that brave knight ! Powerless his strength and might For restoring to his sight Evermore, his lady. u*^ " Gave a rose, 53 LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 55 Opposite the little isle Where the convent stood, a hill Overlooked it, stern and chill. There sat down brave Roland. There he built of rock and stone Tiny hut, for him alone. Convent-bells of solemn tone. Heard each day brave Roland. Years passed thus, until one day Roland heard the solemn lay For a sister passed away, Sung for Hildegunda. Down upon the river's bank, Worn and weak the warrior sank, Passed from Life to Death's dark rank. Joining Hildegunda. Peasants sometimes hear the sound Of sweet singing, underground. Nevermore to part, now found, Roland and Hildegunda. 56 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. A little silence fell upon the friends, As when a touching melodrama ends. But presently, with stories of the mine Near by, which, haunted by a monk, whose wine. If tasted once, strange fortunes brought to those Who drank, our friends' bright spirits quickly rose. This monk, or gnome is Meister Hammerling Called by the bards who of his prowess sing. Soon by the walls of Hammerstein, the boat Brought all our friends, where many an anec- dote Of Charles Martel (the Hammer) one could hear. Perhaps the name from iron-works quite near Was giv'n, however. But Count Otto's bride, Fair Irmengarde, and Henry Fourth, beside, Are subjects certain to attract the love Of all romancers. How Count Otto strove To keep his lovely cousin for his wife, In spite of Pope and King, and all his life Devoted to her. Andernach which comes Upon the view past Hammerstein, becomes At times, they say, within the ruined walls Of its old castle, such a scene of brawls LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 57 And shoutings, and such fiendish, ugly mirth, Unseemly, wild, as never souls from earth Could make. And strange, and fiendish forms and shapes Are said to have been seen. The while es- capes From ruined chimneys, clouds of sulphurous smoke, To make the stoutest lungs fill up and choke. And now Coblentz, and Ehrenbreitstein, too, Across the river flash upon the view. " Honor's broad stone " this fortress e'er shall be, While German valor keeps that nation free. And still beyond, the little island known As Oberworth, which had a house of stone Upon it once, a convent. There was found One spot so bare, 't was called the Devil's ground. The awful tale a simple country lass Here told our friends. We cannot let it pass. THE DANCE O' THE DEAD. 59 THE DANCE O' THE DEAD. TTURRYING, scurrying, out from the light, * ^ Blown about wildly by winds of the night, Grevvsomely dance. Retreat and advance, Shaking their bones Over the stones. Laughing so free. Yet without glee, Dance on forever the fiends of the night. Woe to the mortal approaching too near, Letting the sounds of their mirth reach his ear. Straightway he feels Strange life in his heels, And e'er he knows Round him they close. Leading him on, E'er and anon Seizing him, hurrying past with a jeer. 6i 62 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Into their circle at last he is drawn, And long before the gray light of the dawn Scatters the host, All hope he has lost. Faster and swift. Now all adrift, Madly he whirls. Curses he hurls, Yet by naught can the foul spell be withdrawn. On and yet on whirls the dance to its goal. Visions of blackness before him unroll ; All his misdeeds. With strange thoughts and creeds, As in a trance, — Still his feet dance. Sinks he, at last, Worn out, aghast. And may the Lord give repose to his soul. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 63 The pious woman crossed herself, and spoke In awe-struck tones. At length, the student broke The silence, calling their attention then To Lahneck, still a frowning castle, when The Templars held it as a last resort, And perished nobly there, in firm support Of what they held as right. Soon Rhens appeared Upon the farther shore, and proudly reared The JRoyal Throne, or hill, the Kunigstuhl, Where Wenceslaus, the emperor, a fool Indeed, forsook his lands and castle fine, And sold them all for Bacharach's strong wine. The Nixies' special home along this shore, From warlike Boppart to the still St. Goar. This martial Boppart, named for him who slew His lady love, Maria and true. Not knowing her in man's stout ar- mor dressed. Until she breathed her last upon his breast. 64 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. And just beyond St. Goar, upon the sight Of all the travelers, a glorious light Fell full upon that rock, so closely bound With most romantic legend ever found — " The Lurlei." At the very name comes forth A host of fancies, proving well its worth. And here, the German maiden, with a smile. And modest hope the journey to beguile, As gently up the stream they sailed along, Told once again the tale, in sweetest song. THE LURLEI. 6s THE LURLEI. LJIGH up on the rocks, in the moonlight's ^ ^ gleam, The Lurlei weaves her spell. She is beautiful as a poet's dream, And she knows her power full well. Around her ever there seems to play, Enveloping all her form, A faint green light, like the river's spray. When it leaps up, soft and warm. Her eyes are like stars of the brightest heaven, — Her smile like a magic wand. Her golden harp, with its strings just seven. Hangs over the rocks, near her hand. Her locks, of a lovely golden hue, Fall over her shoulders fair. While a golden comb flashes through and through, And she sings as she combs her hair. 67 68 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. She sings a song of such wonderful power That nothing like it is heard, Save the music, perhaps, of a man's last hour, Or the lilt of the paradise bird. Once heard, it never can be forgot, That song so weird and wild. It echoes for miles around the spot, And even the waves are beguiled. Now woe betide the fisherman bold Or the knight of high degree ! If he hears the song of the sorceress cold, A lost man surely is he ! But who shall tell of the joy he feels. That strange, wild joy unknown Save to him who with love of the Lurlei reels, Climbing up to her rocky throne. Ere into the stream, to her watery den, The bright, mocking Lurlei leads, Who shall say on what joys past human ken The soul of her lover feeds ? But if the friends of the lost one send To capture the maiden fair, --^ '^ '-^ H^gh up'on the rocks, in the moonlight's gleam, The Lurlei weaves her spell." 69 LEGENDS OF THE RHINE, /I Far over the stream, with a mocking bend, She tosses her golden hair. With a gurgling sound the waters rise, With a loving rush and swirl, And carry away, before their eyes, The mocking, laughing girl. And on the rocks, the very next night. The same as ever she stands ; Still combing her hair in the clear moonlight, Or holding her harp in her hands. Oh, how can one brave the Lurlei's power, How her charms and spells subdue ? What will warn and guard one in danger's hour ? Will nothing betray a clue ? As long as beauty and love exist, As long as hearts are warm. So long will it always be hard to resist The Lurlei's, or beauty's, charm. J 2 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. " Thanks, Madchen ! " cried they all, when ceased the song ; While on them, and on all the shores along, There seemed to rest the Lurlei's magic spell. It stirred their pulses, young and old as well. They listened for the echo, as it came, Repeating ever Lurlei's magic name Whene'er they called it. Presently in sight " The Seven Sisters " (seven rocks), whose plight And fate were dreadful, as their hearts w^ere hard. They scorned their lovers' prayers ; this their reward. As rocks, they stop and bar the river's way, And rocks they will be till the Judgment Day. '^ The Devil's Ladder " next attention claimed, At Lorch ; for here a maiden justly famed For youth and grace, was stolen by a gnome, Because her father did not open home And heart to him, a night or two before ; And here the maid was kept two years and more. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. n At length a lover found a way to climb Up on the rocks, and won his bride, in time. At Rheinstein, too, full oft a tale is told Of how a stratagem of lover bold Succeeded, and how fast the maiden rode Away from gouty bridegroom, to th' abode Of handsome Cuno, where the wedding feast Was eaten with rejoicing love, at least. And now, at length, they neared fair Bingen's shore, But passing first, at Bingen's very door, 74 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. The famous Mouse Tower, Bishop Hatto's tomb, Where that unlucky man met justice's doom. The tale most ably told in flowing rhyme By Southey's pen, was read just at the time Of passing, by the Boston Matron, who Possessed a voice, well modulated, true, And sweet to hear. The story is well known. How Bishop Hatto fled away alone To this, his fortress on the Rhine, because He feared the vengeance of high Heaven's laws. With promises of corn to starving poor He 'd filled his barn, and then made fast the door. And burnt them all, both women, men, and babes. Although his conscience, blunt, forbore its stabs, Heav'n's judgment came. A host of rats ap- peared. They ate his corn, and straight their pathway steered Toward Bishop Hatto's palace. Off he fled. But they pursued him, and as quickly sped Across the river, up the tower's wall, And in at every hole and chink, though all LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 75 Were barred with greatest care. They gnawed their way Through every fastening, without delay. With sharpened teeth, they on the bishop fell. And scarcely left one bone the tale to tell. This Hatto must a wily man have been, As by this other story here is seen. BISHOP HATTO'S TREASON. 77 BISHOP HATTO'S TREASON. " TJ O ! Archbishop Hatto I " cried Ludwig n the Child, Who in Germany ruled with a power far too mild, ''Will no one make way with Adalbert the bold ? This knight too much })ower continues to hold ! In spite of my battles he keeps me in check. His forces are strong, and they come at his beck. From his thralldom I 've struggled to shake myself free, But Adalbert is still far too wily for me." '* Let me try," said Hatto, '' I '11 ]ninish his crime ! My life on it, I will outwit him this time ! " So, forth from the king's court he hurried away, And reached the knight's castle with little delay. 79 8o NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Right humbly Adalbert received him, and said : — ^' On an errand of mercy and truth are ye sped, Holy Father ? To Ehrenfels welcome full kind Would I give to a man of such liberal mind," ^' My son," said the bishop, ''your king and your lord Would fain be a friend to you. Put up your sword. Make submission, and take then this boon without leaven, The peace of your king and the blessing of Heaven." With words such as these did the bishop pre- vail ; And promised safe conduct, without the least fail. '' As sure as God liveth," the archbishop spake, And his hand on the cross did not waver or shake. "As sure as God liveth, I '11 bring you safe back To this castle, and if aught of ill cross your track. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 8 1 May the Lord deal with me thus, and more than that, too, A thousand times over, if ill befall you." Not an hour on their journey had started the train. When the bishop put hand to his head, as in pain. " You 're not hospitable to your bishop. Sir Knight ; I am faint, and my head aches with hunger's might." " Oh, pardon ! A thousand times ])ardon, my lord I Come back and sit down at my well-laden board. In my ardor of loyalty, ardor of host Was forgotten a moment, though never was lost." So back to the castle fast hurried the men. Ate their breakfast and hurried away again ; And by evening reached the proud court of the king. At whose feet the knight hastened his homage to bring. " Hold the traitor ! " cried Ludwig, while Hatto stood near, 82 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. And saw the knight seized, yet did not inter- fere. '' You pledged your troth, Bishop," the baffled knight cried. " But for you and your hojior, I 'd not thus have died." ''And did I not keep it?" said Hatto, the lure, "I promised I 'd take you in safety secure To your castle. And did I not do so, my son .? You asked no further promise. I gave you but one." Then up rose the knight, and before to his death They hurried him off, he said, gasping for breath : — " My curse be upon you ! Lord Bishop, be- ware ! Both in Church and in State, a man must play fair. My fate is most cruel, yet, if you could see The future, which now is unrolled before me. You would shudder and quake at your own guilty end, For Heaven is certain its vengeance to send. LEGENDS OE THE RHINE. 83 ''You shall die by the teeth of vermin alone. They shall pick your flesh from every bone. And though, for mercy on Heaven you call, Your voice shall ring back from a hard gray wall. As hard and as cruel as is your heart, Which by vermin and fiends shall be torn apart. And through every age shall the story run, Of Hatto, whose treachery 's equaled by none ! " 84 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. A little farther on, at Riidesheim, They tell a tale of that unhappy time When all the world crusading went. The sire Of lovely Gisela Bromser, from the fire Of Paynim arms and slavery escaped, Her future life against her liking shaped. She loved a noble youth of high degree ; Her father vowed the convent walls should be Her future home. At last, in her despair, She threw herself within the Rhine, just where It flows around the lofty castle wall, And ended thus her griefs, and hopes, and all. Her father built a cloister, to atone For all his harshness, but his child was gone. The peasants think her gentle spirit roves Around the place, with voice like cooing doves. Time presses us, to tell of Ingelheim, And Charlemagne's adventures, love, and crime ; Of Eginhard, and Emma fair and brave, Who, maidenly and knightly fame to save. Across the courtyard, where lay thick the snow, Bore Eginhard upon her back, to show The footsteps of one person only, from Her chamber-window, issuing therefrom. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE, 85 The monarch saw them, but he pardoned, too. Their marriage quickly followed love so true. And now to Mayence, with the two stone heads Upon its walls, to tell of treason's deeds. The Frauenlob, Von Meissen, lingers here In memory and song so sweet and clear. And, in the wall of its cathedral, there Exists a fragment of the tomb so fair, Erected for Fastrada, best loved wife Of Charlemagne, who mourned her all his life, Such influence she had o'er court and king. This is the story of her magic ring. FASTRADA'S RING. 67 FASTRADA'S RING. /^F all of the treasures Fastrada possessed, ^-^ Freely giv'n by the love of the king, The one she considered the choicest and best. And prized above rubies, and all of the rest. Was the stone in her magic ring. 'T was a curious stone, of most singular hue. And giv'n in a singular way By a serpent, who Charlemagne's great justice knew, And claimed 'gainst a toad who his nest hid from view The king's help, without any delay. And justice was done to the serpent, who then. To show his respect toward the king. Laid this beautiful gem on his table, and when The king turned to thank him, away to his den Crawled the snake, leaving only the ring. 90 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. So the fair Empress wore it, and with it the love Of all who beheld her she drew To herself, and her charms round the mon- arch she wove So securely, that ne'er from her side would he rove. And daily his love for her grew. But Death claimed Fastrada, so, under her tongue. She tried the rich treasure to hide. O'er her perishing body the Emperor hung. And to her loved garments he still fondly clung, Till torn weeping away from her side. The archbishop, finding the jewel, transferred \ he monarch's affection to him. He hung on the archbishop's every word. In fact, this strange love was a trifle absurd, And did not pass away, like a whim. So, into the hot springs at Aix-la-Chapelle The archbishop threw it away. The people were charmed, for all chroniclers tell How the king loved this city most fondly and well. In these springs the ring rests, to this day. 91 LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 93 Would you know the bright jewel, which, polished or rough, Brings that love which Fastrada ne'er lacked ? You may find the gem still, if you search long enough. Though it sparkles so brightly, 't is quite com- mon stuff, For the name of the jewel is — tact. 94 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Still farther up the Rhine, and east, and west, Our travelers found much of interest, And fain would linger 'neath the magic spell These legends cast o'er rocks and trees, as well As on the far-famed stream. A magic thrill Ran through them all, a feeling of good-will Among the elders, something more, perhaps, With those two younger hearts, who felt the lapse Of time less keenly. For the sun of youth Adorns and gilds with its eternal truth Each day the happy lives it shines upon And glorifies, — but more of this anon. At Heidelberg, with ruined castle crowned, This tale, of truly heathen lore, was found. THE PRIESTESS OF HERTHA. 95 THE PRIESTESS OF HERTHA TF faithless ever priestess prove, ^ Or sacrifice to human love, Hertha will be avenged. So runs the law, yet, in despite. One maiden loved a handsome knight. Hertha will be avenged. 97 98 NYMPHS, AUXIES, AND NAIADS. By sacrifices fair and sweet They hoped the goddess's eyes to cheat Hertha will be avenged. Not long the guilty pair enjoyed Their stolen love, for, while they toyed, Hertha would be avenged. Next day the lover came, to find A sight which nearly turned his mind ; Hertha would be avenged. For o'er his love a fierce wolf stood, And feasted on her heart's warm blood And Hertha was avenged. ^* 'M Who wave their thin white veils And dance upon the lake." 99 LEGENDS OF THE RHINE, 1 01 And now, within the deep Black Forest, glide Our friends, where rocks, and trees, and lakes, all hide The airy beings of th' ideal world. If, in the " Mummelsee " a stone is hurled. So great the stormy anger it provokes Among the water-nymphs and fairy folks Who live there, that they send a dreadful storm Forthwith, and often do the greatest harm. Here any misty night are clearly seen These spectres of the lake, of witching mien, The " Miimmeli," who wave their thin white veils And dance upon the lake. Full many tales Of peasants there, tell how their lovers bold Adore these maidens, stony-hearted, cold. And sometimes follow them, when, at the hour Appointed by their mighty master's power, They have to seek again their watery home. Such men, thus drowned, ne'er to the surface come. Some lovers do not drown themselves, but wait Upon the bank, until a much worse fate O'ertakes them, lovesickness, and mad de- spair. Until they end existence, starving there. I02 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. Of gnomes and fairies is the forest full. Rastatt boasts a " White Lady's " spectral rule. Near Gernsbach, the " Klingelcapelle " stands, Commemorating rescue from the hands c>%'r^'X. Of temptress, in the form of woman fair. Who once beset a pious hermit there. The holy man was just about to yield To her strong fascinations, when there pealed A chime of tinkling bells upon his ear. Which drove the fiend away, in greatest fear. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 1 03 So once more with the shield of faith arrayed, The hermit kneeled, and thankfully he prayed. The Devil's Pulpit, and the Angel's, too. Stand face to face, near Mt. Mercurius's view. The Devil tried his best to argue down The Angel sent to conquer his renown ; And he, at first, prevailed, but by and by, The Angel's arguments, so pure and high. Gained favor, and the Devil fled away. Both pulpits will stand empty, legends say. Until the Devil finds a man who 's tried To fill them both, and argue on each side. The ^' Rockert " fairy lives near Eberstein, And presents makes of food, and corn, and wine. To starving but deserving poor, who love To sing her praises through each dell and grove. The legend of Alt-Windeck's castle old, To all our friends, a queer old man there told. ALT-WINDECK. 105 ALT-WINDECK. A Warning to the Masses. A knight of this castle imprisoned a dean, '**' A popular dean of Strassburg. But his people and friends would not thus let him go, This popular dean of Strassburg. So, with peasants insurgent, they quickly laid siege To the castle, and would have succeeded In forcing a way, had not strangely appeared A trench, which their pathway impeded No mortal in sight, but a queer little hen Pecked away at the earth. 'T was a fairy, Who flew to the castle, and there gave advice, With a manner most haughty and airy. 107 I08 NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. " Now, listen, Sir Knight, to a fairy's advice. Don't you see how much greater your power, To league with the Church, and o'er clod- hoppers rule, When the clouds of danger lower?" " True enough ! " said the knight, and he let the dean go. After entering into alliance. " If the Church and the State together hold sway, To the people they bid defiance ! " LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. 109 Our travelers would fain have lingered long, Within this lovely home of myths and song. Black Forest legends have an air of truth Which comes from forests' deep perennial youth. One feels that anything might happen there, And love and faith and hope shine every- where. But time is pressing, and we hurry on To reach the great Hartz Mountains, and of one Adventure, which our faithful friends befell. To speak of, and its consequence to tell. The scene, the summit of the Brocken, morn The time, and here the German maiden, sworn To secrecy, has started out to see The Brocken spectre, if such chance might be. The student, too, all unsuspecting, went Up to the top, by path quite different. The mists enveloped everything a while, But presently the sun began to smile, And far away a figure seemed to rise, And come from out the misty, cloudy skies ; A figure of a young and lovely maid, no NYMPHS, NIXIES, AND NAIADS. But huge, gigantic in proportion made. She raises up her hand and beckons. Lo, Two figures now upon the cloud-mists glow. The other is a man, who, standing, waits, As if he saw beyond the pearly gates. Yet not upon the wondrous, cloudy skies Are fixed his looks, but oh the Madchen's eyes. For there he finds the answer, long desired, To most important question, love inspired. Ah, well ! 'T was only Brocken spectres heard The words he uttered, or a passing bird Perchance, who knew the old, old story well. And none of these, forsooth, would ever tell. Right lively ran the German matron's tongue ; But love is love, and people will be young. And pleased was she, the son of her old friend Should seek her much-loved daughter's life to blend With his. — And so, like shadows, come and go The real and th' unreal, mingled so. That through life's drama still the question spins, Where ends the fact, where fancy then begins. LEGENDS OF THE RHINE. I I I And, while we say " adieu," and from our sight We see both friends and legends vanish quite, We hope these lovers' lives as smooth may run As sailed their boat beneath that summer's sun. While still th' ideal world around may move. The true ideal, that of faithful love, Whether their home is on the Hudson fine. Or, in the Madchen's castle on the Rhine. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS iiiiiiiiiir 370 5 lllllliillillilillillilliili n n^c 0-70 n-rr\ c ^