GEORGE THE TRILLER 1455 I "WHY, Lady dear, so sad of cheer? "From the dark glades of forest shades Two sapling oaks with cruel strokes "Ah, Lady dear, dismiss thy fear "My Lord, o'erbold, hath kept his gold, 66 Kunz, wisdom learn, nor strive to burn See, o'er the plain, with all his train, "The warder waits before the gates, The castle rock is steep, The massive walls protect the halls, II 'Tis night's full noon, fair shines the moon On Altenburg's old halls, The silver beams in tranquil streams Rest on the ivied walls. Within their tower the midnight hour What sudden sound is stirring round? Is it the breeze amid the trees Swift from her bed, in sudden dread, She to her lattice flies: Oh! sight of woe, from far below And from yon tower, her children's bower, "Oh hear my prayer, my children spare, The sum shall be restored; Nay, twenty-fold returned the gold, With mocking grace he bowed his face : Thy Lord may learn how I can burn Oh! double fright, a second knight And in his arm, with wild alarm, Would she had wings! She wildly springs Resists her efforts vain! No mortal ear her calls can hear, A cry below, "Oh! let me go, Their playmate I-Oh! hear my cry, With anguish sore she shakes the door; Her second child in terror wild "I greet thee well, the Elector tell III "Swift, swift, good steed, death's on thy speed, Gain Isenburg ere morn; Though far the way, there lodged our prey, "There Konrad's den and merry men Will safely hold the boys The Prince shall grieve long ere we leave "But hark! but hark! how through the dark The castle bell is tolling, From tower and town, o'er wood and down, "The peal rings out! echoes the shout! Groom, turn aside, swift must we ride Far on before, of men a score Prince Ernest bore still sleeping; The clanging bell with distant swell The morn's fresh beam lights a cool stream, He draws his rein, the child's sad plain "Sir Konrad good, be mild of mood, For love of heaven, one drop be given Kunz' savage heart feels pity's smart, A deep-toned bark! A figure dark, Smoke grimed and sun embrowned, Comes through the wood in wondering mood, And by his side a hound. "Oh, to my aid, I am betrayed, The Elector's son forlorn, From out my bed these men of dread Have this night hither borne !" Peace, if thou'rt wise," the false groom cries, See, turned aside, the weapon glide Loud the hound's note as at the throat Back at the sounds Sir Konrad bounds: Unequal fight! Yet for the right "His whistle clear rings full of cheer, All swarth and lusty, with fire poles trusty, His horse's rein he grasps amain His gold-spurred heel his stirrup's steel His frightened steed with wildest speed Sir Konrad's heel fast holds the steel, The peasants round lift from the ground To convent-cell, for keeping well, "Our dear young lord, what may afford We freely spread, milk, honey, bread, IV Three mournful days the mother prays, The prince in vain has scoured the plain- The mother hears, her head she rears, “Rejoice, rejoice, 'tis Albrecht's voice, See, cap in hand the woodman stand— Cries, "Father dear, my friend is here! Oh! who the joy that greets the boy, “I trilled him well," he still will tell To those who sought to know how wrought That mother sad again is glad, Her home no more bereft ; For news is brought Ernst may be sought That cave within, these men of sin Another day and Ernest lay, Safe on his mother's breast: Thus to her sorrow a gladsome morrow The giant knight was judged aright, The Elector mild, since safe his child, But all too late, and o'er the gate Of Freiburg's council hall Sir Konrad's head, with features dread, The traitor's eyes appal. The scullion Hans who wrought their plans, And oped the window grate, Whose faith was sold for Konrad's gold, He met a traitor's fate. Trillen, to shake; a word analogous to our trill, to shake the voice in singing. |