Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/250

 more social and generous intercourse with so noble a friend; owing to which ill-timed reserve it is that we can now never learn to what class in the world of spirits her benevolent protectress belonged.

In this village the widow hired a cart and a yoke of oxen, with which she proceeded to Bamburg, where she arrived quite safe with her child, her hen and fifteen eggs, and took a house. She lived at first very retired, directing all her attention to the education of her daughter and the cherishing of her hen; but after a time, her eggs having multiplied, she purchased lands and houses, vineyards and castles, and lived in excellent style on her rents; she gave alms to the poor, and made rich presents to the neighbouring convents; so that the fame of her opulence and her good works spread far and wide, and attracted the attention of the Bishop, who came and made her acquaintance, and exhibited great friendship and esteem for her. Meantime, as Lucretia increased in stature, her charms became daily more conspicuous, and her beauty and modesty were the subjects of general admiration.

About this period (1057) the Emperor convoked the Germanic Diet at Bamburg. So encumbered was the town by the numerous trains of the Princes and Prelates who flocked thither, that our widow, to withdraw herself from the crowd, retired with her daughter to one of her country houses; but the