Page:The Story and Song of Black Roderick.djvu/80

72 hearing the voice of his mistress bidding him fear not, all perchance had gone well.

But Roderick, sick and eager for the sight of his bride, flung open the door, and was seized by the evil one and carried away. Now, the spirit of the little bride followed the horrible coach that contained her love, even to the flaming gates of hell, and there the evil one stopped and looked upon her with desire.

‘Better,’ quoth he, ‘a thousand times to let go this wretched fellow, who will surely return to me later, if I can gain this soul who hath come even out of the kingdom of heaven.’

And, turning to the poor little bride, he said:

‘Give thou thyself to me, and I will let this love of thine return to the world to work out his redemption.’

But the little soul, weeping, saith:

‘Nay, my soul belongeth to Christ in heaven, and I must not give it to thee; but for seven years shall I be thy slave if thou givest this dear one to me at the end.’