Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/140

 ‘Farewell,’ he mournfully replied, and left me. ’Twas thus I plunged him into guilt. When he departed from me, bitterness entered his soul; his guardian angel abandoned him, and he did that which the laws and his own heart alike condemn.”

The worthy burgess shook his head on hearing this recital, and exclaimed, after a pause: “This is indeed very extraordinary! but,” he continued, “why stayest thou here, filling this solitary wild with lamentations, which can be of no use either to thy lover or to thyself.”

“Kind sir,” she replied, “I was on my way to Hirschberg, when the violence of my grief so oppressed me, that I sunk, half dead, beneath this tree.”

“And what dost thou purpose to do at Hirschberg?”

“I will throw myself at the feet of the judges; I will rouse the town with my cries, and the maidens of Hirschberg, mingling their tears and entreaties with mine, will induce the Tribunal to take compassion on us, and to spare my lover’s life. At all events, if I cannot save his life, I will die with him.”

The Gnome was so moved by the poor girl’s distress, that he from that moment utterly abandoned all idea of further vengeance against the unlucky Benedict, whom he resolved without delay to restore to her arms. “Dry thy tears,” said he in sympathizing tones, “and let thy sorrow cease; before sunset thy lover shall be free. To-morrow morning, at the first crow-