Page:Poet Lore, volume 36, 1925.pdf/384



Miller—I refuse to give up the linden tree because it is my inheritance from my grandfather and great-grandfather. It belonged to our family farther back then any one can remember. It grew for hundreds of years, and if I gave it to you, it would fall in a moment. And how could I permit it to sink, to be overthrown, that its crown, where the birds nest and sleep and sing, should lie prostrate? And under it, in its shadows, in the summer heat of noonday and evenings, how many people have rested and will rest! What conversations there, how much talk and story-telling, old memories of marvellous deeds! Generation follows generation and the linden continually guards and shades them.

Grandmother.—It is like a consecrated tree; and it can be understood, too, on the night of St. John, when its leaves rustle.

Magistrate (With a smile).—Splendid tales about a treasure, about a golden crown and a song—

Courtier.—Nothing but products of darkness, superstition and ignorance.

Miller.—You may call it what you will; you cannot understand it because you cannot feel it. It is an old inheritance and our comfort; and we believe that as long as the linden raises its crown, this roof (points to the mill) is secure.

Princess (Enters meanwhile and remains standing on the bridge).—That is not coarse. And he speaks with fire.

Courtier.—A foolish superstition.

Magistrate.—And the stories are dangerous.

Miller.—You used to hear them from your own mother.

Magistrate (Sharply).—I have heard nothing of the sort. (To the .) They are dangerous because they strengthen their stubborness and disobedience There, under that linden, the dissatisfied have always had their gatherings. And to this day they gather there secretly and conspire against the officials and the nobility. The mill here has always been the shelter of every one, whether he be heretic or rebel; and when they were unable to conceal him here, he always managed to disappear yonder by the linden, without a sign of footprints.

Courtier.—That tree must be disposed of! It shall fall.