Page:Select Popular Tales from the German of Musaeus.djvu/135

Rh Brabant. When the pious pilgrim had performed his devotions, and, according to his custom, placed a small gift in the alms-box, he asked the Brother Sacristan why the chapel was hung with black, and what the grief of the whole castle meant? The latter related to him all that had happened to the beautiful Blanche through the wicked hatred of her stepmother. At this Godfrey was much surprised, and said, “Is it permitted to see the corpse of the maiden? Lead me to the grave. If God will, I can call her back to life, if indeed her soul still be in her. I carry with me a relic from our holy father at Rome, which destroys enchantment, and resists all other attacks but those of nature.

The Sacristan quickly called the watchful dwarfs; and when they heard the pilgrim’s words, they rejoiced very much, led him to the grave, and Godfrey was charmed at the face of the lovely alabaster form, which he saw through the window in the coffin. The lid was taken off, he bade the sorrowful servants, except the dwarfs, go out, brought forth his relic, and laid it on the heart of the corpse. In a few moments the torpidity disappeared, and soul and life returned into the body. The maiden wondered at the handsome youth who was near her; and the rejoiced dwarfs considered the wonder-worker as a very angel from heaven. Godfrey told the restored one who he was, and she informed him of her fate, and of the persecutions of her cruel stepmother. “You will not,” said Godfrey, “escape the efforts of the poisoner if you do not follow my counsel. Abide still, a short time, in this grave, that it may not be rumoured about that you live. I will accomplish my pilgrimage, and soon come back, to take you to my mother in Ardennes, and then I will finish by avenging you on your murderess.”

This advice pleased the lovely Blanche well; the noble pilgrim left her, and spoke without, to the attendants who crowded around him, with feigned words,—“The corpse of your mistress will never again arise; the fountain of life is dried up; all is lost—all is dead.” But the faithful dwarfs, who knew the truth, kept the secret, privately provided the maiden with food and drink, watched round the grave as before, and awaited the return of the pious pilgrim. Godfrey made haste to reach Ardennes, embraced his tender mother, and, as he was tired with his journey, he early retired to rest, and quickly fell asleep, with pleasant thoughts of the maiden Blanche. Early the next morning, Godfrey armed himself like a knight, assembled his horsemen, took leave of his mother, and set off. When he had accomplished his journey, and at midnight heard the bell toll in the castle of the beautiful Blanche, he jumped from his horse, put his pilgrim’s dress over his armour, and went into the chapel. The watchful dwarfs had no sooner perceived the kneeling pilgrim at the altar, than they hastened to the grave, to make known the good news to their mistress. She threw off her shroud; and, as soon as the mass