Page:Select Popular Tales from the German of Musaeus.djvu/121



ICHILDA, the beautiful daughter of Gunderich, Count of Brabant, was an only child; and at her birth, great feasts and rejoicings were held, and persons from all parts were present and partook of the entertainments. Among others, a famous philosopher, by name Albert, was present, and took much interest in the little stranger. When he was about to take his departure the Countess begged of him a token of remembrance for her daughter.

Albert struck his forehead and said, “You remind me well, noble Lady, that I have omitted to present your little one with a gift; but let me alone a little, and tell me at what hour the baby was born.” Then he shut himself up for nine days in a solitary apartment, that he might produce a curious performance, by which the little Richilda might remember him. When this skilful person had concluded his work, and observed that it had succeeded well, he brought it in secret to the Countess, and disclosed to her all the virtues and secret effects of his work, and how it was to be made use of; and desired her to teach her daughter when she grew up, its use and profit; he then took a friendly farewell and rode off. The Countess, overjoyed at this gift, took the magic secret, and concealed it in the drawer, where she kept her jewels. The Count soon after died, and it was not long before his good Countess followed him; and as she observed her latter hour approaching, she called her daughter aside, bade her dry her tears, and thus spoke her farewell: “I leave thee, beloved Richilda, at a time when motherly assistance is most needful to thee; but grieve not! the loss of a good mother shall be compensated to thee by a faithful friend and counsellor, who, if thou art wise and prudent, will guide thy steps. In the drawer, where my jewels are kept, is to be found a wonderful secret, which thou shalt receive after my decease. A highly learned philosopher, who sympathized greatly in the joy at thy birth, has composed it under a certain constellation, and confided it to me, to teach thee the use of it. This master-work is a metallic mirror set in a frame of solid gold. It has, as is evident, the properties of a common mirror, faithfully to give back all the figures which it receives. But for thee it also possesses this gift; all that thou askest it will