THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. A ROMANCE. FROM THE GERMAN OF THE BARON DB LA MOTTE FOUQUE. AUTHOR OP "UNDINE," "SINTRAM," "ASLAUGA'S KNIGHT," ETC., ETC. V** NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY JAMES MILLER, (SUCCESSOR TO c. s. FRANCIS & co 522 BROADWAY. PREFACE. THIODOLF, Fouque calls his most successful work. It is the spontaneous offshoot of a mind filled with all requisite ma- terials, and inspired by the idea to give them life and form. Indeed there can be little doubt that Sir Walter Scott carried this tale, as well as Undine, in his mind in more than one of his works. He speaks of them in equal terms of admiration, and induced a Mr. Gordon to undertake the translation of Thiodolf Nor can the Berserker rage, so frequently mentioned in Thiodolf, be better illustrated than by the following quotation from Harold the Dauntless : " Profane not, youth it is not thine To judge the spirit of our line The bold Berserker's rage divine, Through whose inspiring deeds are wrought Past human strength and human thought When full upon his gloomy soul The champion feels the influence roll, He swims the lake, he leaps the wall Heeds not the depth, nor plumbs the fall ; Unshielded, mailless, on he goes Singly against a host of foes ; Their spears he holds like withered reeda, Their mail like maidens' silken weeds ; One 'gainst a hundred will he strive, Take countless wounds, and yet survive. Tlien rush the eagles to his cry Of slaughter and of victory ; And blood he quaffs like Odin's bowl, Deep drinks his sword deep drinks his soul ; 2037853 Ti PREFACE. And all that meet him in his ire He gives to ruin, rout, and fire ; Then, like gorged lion, seeks some den, And couches till he's man agen."* The Translator thus feels that in making the English public acquainted with this tale, the great authority of Sir Walter Scott is followed, and an additional illustration is gained for his works. It is also believed, on the authority of Fouqu6 himself, who takes the credit of always care- fully searching and putting forward real historical details, tinged of course with romantic coloring,- that it will be found a curious and interesting picture of the Northman and Byzantine manners of the tenth century, f The following passage from The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (ch. Iv.) may serve to explain the strange position of the Scandinavian or VarangianJ troops at Con- stantinople. Having traced their origin as the founders, and for three generations the upholders, of the Scandina- vian dynasty in Russia, the historian shows that Wladimir the First, feeling himself securely settled, and in danger but from his own friends, induced them, by representing the superior wealth of the South, to proceed to Constantinople ; previously, however, warning the Emperor of the charac- ter of his self-invited guests. He then continues ; " The exiles were entertained at the Byzantine court ; and they preserred, till the last age of the empire, the inheritance of * The full history of this strange possession, which reminds the reader of the Malay " running a-muck," may be seen in Ihre, Glotsarium Sino- Gothicum, sub voce ' Berserker.' f The contrast of the luxurious Byzantine Court with the rough and self denying Northmen, the material of Thiodolf, forms also the subject of Sir Walter Scotf s last work, Count Robert of Paris. J The word means Corsair. PREFACE. rii spotless loyalty, and the use of the Danish or English tongue. With their broad and double-edged battle-axes on their shoulders, they attended the Greek Emperor to the temple, the senate, and the hippodrome ; he slept and feasted under their trusty guard ; and the keys of the palace, the treasury, and the capital, were held by the firm and faithful hands of the Varangians." The expedition of Thiodolf against the Bulgarians is probably imitated from that of John Zimisces against Swa- toslaus in 970. In this translation the greatest care has been used to imitate, as closely as possible, the simple severity of the original. BOOK I * . THIODOLF THE ICELANDER, BOOK I. CHAPTER I. THE waves were yet very high, the fragments of the wrecked ship were driven wildly over the se* ; even the mast, by clinging to which the knight Pietro had safely brought his beloved to shore, was now borne back by a towering wave into the boundless ocean. Pietro heeded it not, although he had fastened a kerchief full of jewels and gold to the mast, and had not yet detached it ; in this moment he had noticed nothing in the world but the fair pale being in his arms, who had not yet reopened her heavenly eyes. The storm played roughly with her dark silky hair, and drove it now in wild beauty half over her white face, and now threw it back from her smooth forehead ; drops of rain fell on her delicate cheeks, and twigs torn from the trees rustled round her. But neither that nor Pietro's agonised, almost despairing, cry to his beloved could awaken her from that deep, death-like slumber. The sun was sinking in the west, and still the fair form lay mo- tionless, stiff, and mute. At length the calm of approaching evening began to overcome the storm. The winds blew more gently, and the broken clouds sailed over the sky with slackened speed. * Then a gleam of the setting sun broke brightly through the grey mist, and rested with a pleasant light on the delicate features of the maiden. The wild anguish of Pietro's heart was hushed, a soft sorrow seemed to speak to him in flute-like tones ; he bent over the senseless form and sighed, while tears of love filled his eyes : " O Malgherita, iny only joy ! Malgherita !" And, as if it had been granted to 2 ' * % * S THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. i. none but the gentlest sounds and lights of nature to awaken so tender a beauty, Malgherita opened her eyes at this caressing greeting, and smiled kindly on the evening gleam and on her lover. With all the tender care and thankful rapture with which man can cherish and tend the lost and unexpectedly recovered treasure of his life, Pietro strove to show his joy to the fair maiden, and to find wherewithal to refresh and strengthen her after the rough storm. But around them stared nothing but brushwood and bare rocks. The two lovers sat on a small platform, whose length and breadth measured but a few hundred steps ; behind them rose a steep height, which formed a half-moon, reaching to the coast, and was covered with tall old trees, to which it was easy to see axe and saw had never been laid; hard by a mountain-stream rushed impetuously down into the^a, adding to the wild noise of the urge. " Where are we, Pietro ?" asked Malgherita smiling and rub- bing her beautiful eyes, as if she thought it was but a dream, and felt sure that, when fully awake, she should find herself in a well- known beloved country. The knight understood the movement, and was much troubled at it. " Malgherita," said he, after a silence, " it is, alas, no dream which places thee on this inhospitable coast ! But I cannot tell thee how it is called. The storm has tossed us hither and thither for many days over the wild sea, till not the steersman himself could tell where we were driven, for by night the stars were veiled with impenetrable darkness, and by day a covering of wet mist concealed the sun." " I recollect more and more about it," said Malgherita thought- fully. " We have been very, very long tossed about, and at last we were shipwrecked. Is it not so ?" " Yes, truly," saicWMetro. " The blind, deaf sea did not show that reverence for thy holy, patient beauty which all nature ought to feel for so bright an apparition. All became ungodly and rugged as this shore which we hardly reached, and which,' per- haps, we are the first to tread, and to give it a name by our mis- chance." " Then let it be called the shore of love," said Malgherita with * ' V i CHAP, i.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. ? a heavenly smile ; " and speak not, O my beloved, of any mis- chance which has befallen us! Build me here, by the sea, a little straw hut : it shall be my father's castle near Marseilles ; and when thou returnest with thy prey from the chase, I will adorn thee as a victor with reeds and sea-side flowers, as of yore I adorned thee with gold and jewels, after a gorgeous tournament. This is a knightly thought, Pietro ; and we" will spend our whole life in quiet innocent sports. We need but think that we are again become children ; and has not love long ago done that for us?" In spite of the pleasant images that floated before her mind, here Malgherita suddenly shuddered, and looked fearfully at some bushes behind them. Pietro turned his eyes eagerly in the same direction, at the same time putting his hand to his side, and dis- covering, to his comfort, that the sea had at least left him the precious well-tempered dagger in his belt. " Didst thou, too, hear anything ?" asked the terrified maiden, after a pause. " It seemed to me as if some one laughed behind that thicket." " Perchance it is but a mocking echo," said the knight sooth- ingly, though without looking away from the spot. " But happen what may, Malgherita, be at ease ; thou art under Pietro's safe- guard." The maiden, calmed and cheered, again gazed smiling on the sea, trusting fearlessly in her lover, and rejoicing that her life and safety lay in his valor. " See, Pietro," said she, " how brightly the setting sun streams to us over the waves ! What a broad dazzling path of light ! The storm is past ; a peaceful, untroubled night seems to rise out of the waters." But a distinct laugh was now heard close to them, and, while Pietro in angry alarm started up, a slender youth of gigantic height came forth from the bushes : an immense battle-axe was on his shoulder ; he was still laughing, as he said in broken lan- guage, half Italian, half Provencal : "Oh, how little the maiden knows about storms ! It will blow, and thunder, and rain, all night. Dost thou not see how low the sea-birds are skimming ? Thou must be a little foolish, dear lady." " Bold man, be silent," cried Pretro,and drew his dagger. m -* 4 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHA*. i. " Leave your little knife in its place leave it," said the stranger, laughing ; " I will do you no harm. But if you attack me, see, I have a battle-axe a dozen of your little knives would not make one like it." " Though the sea has swallowed up my arms," said Pietro, proudly, " that will not hinder me from defending, with the last that is left me, the beauty whom thou hast insulted." " Ins'ult beauty ! no, not insult," said the stranger, suddenly be- coming grave. " If I spoke uncourteously, it was because I only bungle at your language. I have not myself been to that land whence you probably come, sir knight and lady, but my father and uncle have often. You come from Italy, do you not ?" " From Marseilles, dear stranger," said Malgherita ; and as he nodded familiarly, to signify that he understood the difference, she continued, a sudden longing rising in her heart, " Are we, then, very, very far from the bright Provencal coast ?" " We are here in Iceland," said the stranger, gently ; " but it is not so terribly far. Wait a little, lady, perhaps half a year, then the best season will come the gay spring and then you can sail away." " Iceland !" said Malgherita, turning pale, and looking down. " Ah, Pietro, shall we ever see thy fair knightly castle of Tus- cany ?" " Why not," said the stranger. " Iceland is in this world, Tuscany is in this world ; and a gallant of the right sort may well reach both the one and the other." Then he raised his voice, and sang, in his own tongue, the fol- lowing words : 'The Northman sails both north and south, Sees many lands, and knows them all ; The one he greets with kindly gifts, The other 'neath his sword'doth fall." " I shall take my first flight next spring," continued he again, in broken southern tongue ; " and then I will take thee home, pretty lady, and thee too, sir knight, rf thou behave civilly and leave thy little knife quiet in its proper place." Pietro and Malgl erita, when they listened to the rough-sound- CHAP, i.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 3 ing song, recollected that these tones had been heard by them :n their far-off blooming home, sung by some noble Normans who had sailed over from Sicily. To honor these strangers many had learnt their language ; and so it came that the two lovers could speak to the Icelander in his own tongue, whereby arose far bet- ter understanding between them. " If I take you to your home so full of golden fruit and sun- light," said the Icelander, " I shall soon learn Italian. Hitherto I have never left this island. Will you come with me to my uncle's ? I tell you that the rain will soon pour down again, and then you can see how you like what will be your winter quarters. Autumn storms are very wild here ; we shall not be able to set out before spring." "A winter in Iceland!" sighed Malgherita: "it is very strange." " What is there to wonder at ?" cried the Icelander. " A brave man cares little where he winters ; but, indeed, you are not a brave man, lady something very different. Will you both come to my uncle's ? I live there also, and we have good cheer : plenty of mead and ale, and songs and legends as many as one can wish for." The lovers, in their need, accepted without delay the hospitable invitation ; and perhaps the kind and honest heart, which shone forth from the large blue eyes of the youth, would have hindered them, even in more favorable circumstances, from giving him an uncourteous refusal. So they all three went up the hill by a wild path skirting the wood. THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. CHAPTER II. IN the deepening darkness something like a wall was seen through the branches, and Pietro asked the Icelander if that was his uncle's dwelling. " No," was the answer ; " it is the dwelling of my father his honorable grave. I never like to pass by without singing him a song, if you would wait one little minute, pretty lady, ths rain is not yet so very near." " You good son," said Malgherita, with a mournful smile, "do according to your pious custom. 1 will gladly give you time." They were now close to the lofty grave, on whose grassy sum- mit towered high an immense stone inscribed with strange marks and figures ; Pietro and Malgherita sat down under a wide-spread- ing elm, while the Icelander hastened up the mound and climbed upon the stone, whence he sang words like the following : " My father long ago was slain By the wild robbers of the main : He resteth now in sleep profound Beneath the elm-tree-shaded mound, His first-born, vigorous, young, and brave, Contemplates from his parent's grave That unknown world, that distant strand, For which he leaves his father-land. Oh, to thy son, dear father, tell Where thou dost now in spirit dwell : Is it with Christ, we call the White ? Or in Walhalla's halls of light? Fight bravely on, beloved youth, And thou shall know the hidden truth When, yielding up thy parting breath, Thou join'st him in the vale of death. CHAP ii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 7 Since first this ancient earth began, Innumerable tribes of man Have sprung to life, then pass'd away, Like flowers that live but for a day. But, old or new, they all are gone ; And 'tis the hero's name alone That lives for aye in minstrel-lays And songs of never-ending praise." Then the youth sprang gaily down from the stone, wf ft to the lovers, and then all set off again together. But Malgher .a, since his song, could not help looking on him somewhat askance ; and at length she said, " You" have not yet made known to us who you yourself are." " Ah ! that indeed can be done but too easily and too shortly," answered he. " See, if I tell you that I am called Thiodolf and am the son of Asmundur, and that both my parents have long ago passed into the grave, you know all my history, so far. That of my glorious father may have sounded a good deal farther, and so shall mine in time. Only ask again after a couple of years." " I did not mean that," said Malgherita. " But you sang just now such strange heathen words ; and yet in the midst of them came the name of our Lord Christ." " Yes, yes," interrupted Thiodolf, " I know that. In your country they believe entirely in the white Christ." " The white Christ !" said Pietro, in surprise ; " what does that mean ?" " Why, it means your your own Christ," answered Thiodolf. " Many Christian priests come to our island ; they want us to let ourselves be sprinkled with water, after their fashion, and be- lieve on the Crucified. What they tell us of Him sounds so beautiful and sweet that we listen gladly to them, and we too love the Christ, and call Him white, as we do all good spirits." " Then why do you not let yourselves be baptized in His holy Name ?" asked Pietro. " Many of us have done this," answered Thiodolf; " but they believe likewise in our good old gods. They think they may take the One and not leave the others." " Pietro, Pietro, whither are we come ?" whispered Malgherita, trembling, and clinging closer to her lover. 8 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. n. " Oh ! don't be frightened," said Thiodolf, kindly. It \a only on account of our sorceries that we are not entirely of your be- lief. They are quite needful for us here amongst our elves and sprites ; those merry folks who will give you many sports during the winter, lady." " What thou, Ice-giant, callest sport," muttered Pietro, discon- tentedly, to himself; and then asked aloud, " Art thou and thine uncle baptized or not, Thiodolf?" " We are marked," answered Thiodolf; " that is, we have let ourselves be marked with the cross, as a first step, and now we can hold intercourse with Christians as well as with heathens. Your bishops themselves ordained this : but baptism will not come till long afterwards. Many times we take pleasure in the thought of it, and many times not." " I still have thee, Pietro," said Malgherita softly to herself, strengthening her sorrowful heart with this sweet trust ; and her knight, who understood her, pressed the delicate hand of his be- loved joyfully to his heart with increased confidence in himself. At this moment a sudden turn of the path brought them to an immense far-spreading building, which rose up dark and mis- shapen against the evening sky. " Here we shall pass the winter together," said Thiodolf. CHAP, in.] FHIODOLF THE ICELANDER. CHAPTER III. AT the entrance a hammer was hanging to an iron chain ; the young Icelander seized it and thundered it three times against the gate. " Gently, gently !" a strong voice was heard to cry from afar. " I knew at the first stroke that it was Thiodolf. Thou needst not shiver the planks of the door." And at the same time a deep laugh sounded, and soon there was a going hither and thither in the court-yard, while the loud bark of dogs burst forth from all sides. " Only let me come in, you brutes I" cried the youth ; " and I will tell you to know Thiodolf better. Silence !" The barking ceased instantly ; but a shaggy monster quickly appeared on the walls, who looked around with fiery eyes, then gathered itself up for a spring, and bounded down amongst those who were waiting at the gate. Malgherita screamed in terror ; but Thiodolf, patting the head of the creature who was fawning upon him, said : " What is there to be so frightened at ? It is not even one of the hounds ; it is only my wolf; and when I or my uncle are near he bites no one." By this time the double gates of the strange building were open, and several men with long beards, clothed in wolves' and bears' skins, with great flaming pine-torches in their hands, appeared within. Malgherita, hiding her terror, went in with Pietro, and passed through the double rank which the men formed, to the en- trance of the main building, from whose large hall the hearth- light shone through the open door. The bearded men bowed lowly and kindly as the guests passed them ; and Thiodolf, as he went by, gave orders that the best and most refreshing food should be prepared for the wondrously lovely little lady and the noble knight whom he had brought with him ; whereupon the servants ran with ready zeal in different directions. The wolf trottet. joyfully behind his master, and showed his teeth fiercely at the 10 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. m. dogs, who stretched their dark heads out of many corners of the building ; and then Thiodolf pinched his ear till he howled. They entered the hall of the house ; there were sitting on each side of the hearth, on high stools, a stiff and stately man and woman, both very old, and dressed in strange but rich clothing. They looked almost like two images ; and for such Pietro and Malgherita at first took them, thinking that the fire before them was consuming some idolatrous sacrifice. But Thiodolf went up to them, saying : " Uncle Nefiolf and Aunt Gunhilda, I bring you two fair guests ;" and forthwith the old man got down from his high position, greeted Malgherita in no uncourteous manner, and led her to his seat ; while the old woman quietly kept her place of honor, and only offered her hand kindly to the visitors. It was strange to see how the blooming, slender Malgherita, and the old, solemn Gunhilda, sat opposite to each other, on their high stools ; and Thiodolf, who, with his uncle and Pietro, had taken lower seats round the fire, said : " The pretty stranger is still prettier to look at since she has sat near my good old aunt. It is like that bright future of which the Christian priests always talk, compared to the old fallen Odin's time. Wait just a moment, Aunt Gunhilda, you must see it too." Then he sprang up in simple-hearted haste, took down from the wall a shield bright as a mirror, and asked good-humoredly, as he held it before the two women, " Is it not true, Aunt Gunhilda ? is it not a pretty picture ? I mean from the contrast." Pietro could hardly keep from laughing, and the old Nefiolf laughed out most heartily, saying : " He never does otherwise. He must go out far into the world before he learns its ways." Gunhilda, too, laughed good-humoredly ; and Thiodolf quietly put batck the shield in its place, appearing accustomed to his uncle and aunt's well-meant jests at him, and not much troubling him- self to make out what they found so wonderful in him. But Malgherita could not join in the laugh ; all here seemed to her so mysterious, and solemn, and magical ; and since her place near Gunhilda had separated her from Pietro, tears of sadness stood in her eyes, and she trembled violently. The good old woman saw this, and, at the same time, first perceived that Malgherita's clothes CHAP, in.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. H were soaked with sea-water ; so she hastened to take her lovely guest into her chamber to provide her with dry garments, looking back reproachfully at her nephew because he had said nothing of this, and doubtless in his thoughtless ways had unnecessarily de- layed the delicate maiden on the road. " Yes, indeed, indeed," said Thiodolf, shaking his head, as if angry at himself; " I did just what aunt says. But then why is that Provencal child so fair ? who could think of chill when look- ing at her? It is just as if a bright, all-powerful mermaid had risen from the sea, which would be natural for her." Old Nefiolf, in the meanwhile, had made the knight also take off his wet clothes, and had dressed him in costly furs, adorned with golden clasps. Malgherita soon came back with Gunhilda, dressed in a rich northern garb, and looking indescribably lovely in her strange attire. They all again sat round the fire ; the attendants brought mead and food, and it seemed as if the northern dress had made the northern home more natural to the two strangers. The old man spoke of his expeditions in Sicily, and sang many songs which he had brought thence ; Pietro spoke of the heroes of northern race, and how they upheld the Norman name in knightly honor on the southern coasts. Thus a bridge was, as it were, thrown over from one far-distant home to the other, and soon it seemed to Malgherita that Iceland was much nearer to Marseilles than it had at first appeared to her. They separated to go to rest, when Gunhilda, who had heard from Mal- gherita that she was only Pietro's betrothed, not his wife, took the maiden into her chamber ; the uncle invited the knight to share his place of rest. " For," said he, " if you sleep near Thiodolf, you will probably be roughly awakened ; for at every howl of a bear, he rushes, were it midnight, out into the wild forest." " I cannot help it," answered Thiodolf. " This is what I think : it is better to hunt than to sleep ; for I shall have time enough to sleep when they carry me to my father in his mound of earth, and shut the stone door upon me. It is true that the dead hunt in Iceland. Some nights ago, when the moon had thrown her cold white mantle far over the mountains . , . ." 12 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHA. m " Thou must not tell fearful things before sleeping-t jme," said Gunhilda. " Dost not thou see how the maiden shudders ?" " She is nothing but an aspen-tree, with her tremblings and shakings !" cried Thiodolf, vexed ; and he left the hall : the others at the same time went to their chambers. CHA. IT ] THIODOLPH THE ICELANDER. 13 CHAPTER IV. THE sun had but just risen from the sea when Malgherita, hardly less beautiful and bright, came forth from Nefiolf 's court. She carried in her hand a lute, which she had found in the hall, and drew from it as she went some sweet sounds ; although the in- strument was too large for her to carry, and she held it uneasily in her arms. The strings were also too far apart, and much too hard and rough to bend beneath so small and delicate a hand. But Malgherita still caressed her awkward companion softly and fondly, till many delicious sounds swepf over the island in its morning brightness. Then she hastened with winged steps to reach a neighboring height, whence the sea would lie open before her in all its majesty. As she stood on the height, she looked around with a long, thirsty gaze ; but then sighing deeply, and shaking her head as if unsatisfied, she sank down upon the grass, touche^ the heavy lute as gently as she could, and sang to it this eoog " Thou glorious sea, upon whose sand I spent my infant hours, Gathering beside thy fragrant strand Its sweetly blooming flowers; Thou didst allure me from my rest To gaze upon thine azure breast, With thought that, as of yore, thou sea, Thou wouldst look brightly up at me. I came, beheld, my joy was o'er, melancholy doom ! Dark hangs the mist above this shore, The waves are beautiful no more, The very heaven is gloom ! No, naught is left me but to die ! Both have deceived me sea and sky. Yea, all is false, save love's sweet light, Which can illume e'en Iceland's night I* 14 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, nr Malgherita had hardly finished, when she heard from the sea- shore the sound of a lute ; she at first took them for the echo of her own, till at last a not unpleasing man's voice joined with them, and sang these words : " And dost thou so long for thy beautiful land, Little stranger, whom tempests have toss'd on our strand ? Oh say, doth this island so gloomy appear, Its ocean so dark, and its heaven so drear ? Yet here in the meadows, in forest and fell, The elves and the fairies delight them to dwell, And to speed through the air, and to dance on the sand, They are called the ' good folk ' by the men of this land. And indeed they are truly a good little race, They are full of good-will, and of kindness, ana grace ; Your home they will prosper, your hearth they will bless, With gambol and frolic, with smile and caress. They weave a sweet harmony all the night long, Which is call'd in. our country ' the good people's song ;' And be thou but pleased with their frolicsome lay, The good people will guard thee by night and by day. They will hover around thee, and watch by thy bed, And shield from all danger thy beautiful head ; Thy house they will build, thy mead they will brew, And many more things the good people will do ; For the fairest of gifts they bestow on the fair. Then yield thee not, lady, to gloom and despair : When thou longest for home, oh, remember the while That the elves and the fairies enliven this isle." Malgherita had listened to this song with shuddering pleasure ; it was as if the unearthly delicate elves, of whom the strains spoke, had themselves brought those strains out of their wild echoing grottoes. But then again the true-hearted powerful voice of the singer restored her confidence that the sound came from the breast of a man where beat a living heart. And she was right ; for as the song ended, Thiodolf came, with a friendly smile, out of the thicket at the foot of the hill, hung the lute to which he had sung on a tree, and went up to the maiden, CHAP, iv.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 15 greeting her heartily. She greeted him gently in return, and hade him sit on the grass beside her ; for his song about the elves had pleased her, and she would willingly hear more of those wonderful beings whom he called " the good people." He granted her wish so soon as it had passed her fair lips, and told her much concerning the elves how they were very little, but most wise creatures, dwelling in beautiful habitations beneath the earth how, both by word and deed, they helped those who were friendly to them, sometimes even supplying them with household- stuff and arms, but returning every insult with much sharper and more painful insults. " Shame !" said Malgherita ; " who could provoke the kindly little creatures ? I would give much to know for certain that they are always around me here." " They certainly do not stir or move from thee," answered Thiodolf. " They would be very silly elves if they had not a special pleasure in serving thee, for thou art very nearly the fairest maiden that ever trod the earth." Malgherita turned away with a confused blush, plucking and platting some blades of grass. Then she asked, " Have you, then, ever seen these elves, Thiodolf?" " Yes, indeed," answered he, " whole troops of them only in my dreams, though. But I have heard them singing, really and truly, when awake at times when I have been quite alone, by night in distant woods ; and I am much mistaken if they have not often helped me in my fishing and hunting." " Greet the good people from me," said Malgherita, smiling, " whenever you meet them again, either sleeping or waking : they please me much." " That tune to which I just now sang my little song," said Thiodolf, " we call, after them, the good people's tune. But it commonly sounds freer, and runs to the ends of the lines much more boldly and simply. This time your Provencal song, which flowed so softly over your lips, put a graver measure into my head ; and the good people's tune was altered to that." He stopped short, and looked at Malgherita as if wondering and inquiring. And when she asked the reason, he answered : "I am only thinking whether thou art not thyself a bright child 1 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. IT. of the good people, who, after their custom, art making sport of me. Thou mayest have risen out of the sea with thy lover. Men tell many a tale of elves where the same thing happened." " It may be !" said Malgherita ; and a shade of sadness passed over her fair face. " Truly I did rise from the sea with my lover ; but he is no unearthly elf; and still less was our terrible coming out of the sea a jest. We are two poor shipwrecked beings, and T a frightened wandering dove." " Only be happy," said Thiodolf ; " I have many sports for thee in my mind, and one especially, which will make thee think that thou art again in the midst of thy south country. But I must wait for the opportunity." Malgherita smiled gratefully, and went back with him to the house, where the old people and Pietro were already sitting at the door. Thiodolf repeated with great joy that he had now indeed promised something to the maiden which pleased her, and it would certainly come to pass even better than she expected. * CHAP, v ] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 17 CHAPTER V. SINCE this time Thiodolf was but seldom, and then unwillingly, away from Malgherita ; and she, too, liked to have beside her the true-hearted kindly Icelander, who spread out before her a whole treasure of beautiful, though sometimes fearful, elfin stories. Now, as he almost always called the elves, after Icelandic fashion, the " darlings," and yet to please Malgherita strove to speak in his broken southern dialect, it might happen that words which could be misunderstood fell upon Pietro's ear, and for many days made him become more and more grave and gloomy, though Malgherita in her guileless innocence remarked it not. Thiodolf, too, who meant well to all men, never had a thought that any one could deem otherwise of him, or could therefore wish him evil. Then it happened one evening that the youth spoke of the Ice- land breed of falcons, and how true they were to their own mas- ter, if he treated them kindly, so that only in death would they part from him. " You speak of hounds, probably," said Pietro ; and he laughed scornfully. " As concerns falcons, you must abate a good deal of what you say." " I am no trafficker, so why should I abate of their value ?" said Thiodolf, good-humoredly. " And I was not speaking of hounds, but of falcons. He must be a witless fellow who would say one word and lets another escape his tongue. But, as it seems so incredible, I will fetch my favorite falcon : you shall keep him in your chamber ; and if he takes any food from your hand, I will forfeit him to you. Then, after three days, let him fly away ; and he will follow me to the farthest end of the island, where I will go this very evening." But Malgherita forbade the trial, saying that it would be wrong in God's sight to torment a good faithful creature, only for the sake of proving which was right. 3 18 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP T. Thiodolf smiled joyfully at this, and said, in his broken Pro- venqal language, " If the pretty maiden wills it not, there is an end of the wager. It is a very good thing that fair Malgherita is so kind to the falcon ; his master thanks her for it ; and it is like one of the good jeople to be so gracious to the poor little crea- ture." Malgherita nodded, agreeing to what he said, and Pietro was silent ; but after a while, when all the others were engaged in other talk, he softly touched Thiodolf's shoulder, and whispered in his ear, " I must speak to you alone. Let none know of it." Therewith he left the hall, and Thiodolf quickly followed him. Pietro was standing in the court ; but when Thiodolf drew near to him, he silently went on, beckoning the youth to follow until they came to a distant wood. There Pietro loosened from his belt a battle-axe, which he had taken out of the armory of old Nefiolf, and always wore at his side near his dagger, saying^ " Make ready, Thiodolf. We must fight together." "Praise be to Odin and all the gods of Walhalla," cried the Icelander, " that such a wise thought has come into thy head ! We two young men have been too long gazing at each other idly without trying our strength. But lay aside the battle-axe ; the thing is very sharp." " Does not, then, that long sword cut which hangs at thy side ?" said Pietro, with a displeased smile. " Truly it cuts but too sharply," answered Thiodolf; "and therefore will I go and fetch blunt weapons, wherewith we shall not hurt one another in our trial of skill." " Blunt arms ! trial of skill !" cried Pietro ; and his wild laugh rang through the forest. " The strife about the falcon thou couldst indeed forbid, O Malgherita ; but here the bloody strife shall be ended undisturbed ; and one of us, if not both, must part with life in it." " Ay, is it so ?" said Thiodolf. " Wilt thou indeed fight for life and death ? Well, it is not the first time I have so fought. Come on, thou dear stranger knight." His sword was drawn, and he awaited what Pietro would do. The knight had taken his dagger in his right hand, and was brand- ishing it to ar 1 fro, preparing to fling it; so that it could be seen CHAP, v.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 19 he meant to decide the combat by one mortal throw. Thiodolf looked sharply and steadily, now at Pietro's eye, now at his hand. The small, glancing weapon .flew, and Thiodolf's sword met it sc firmly in its rapid course, that it sprang up whirling in the air, an! then dropt on one side amongst he bushes. Then the com- bat ants fell upon each other with battle-axe and sword. Pietro did not wield the axe with the strength and ease of a northern warrior, but he moved more lightly and dexterously ; so that Thiodolf saw himself attacked now on this side, now on that. The gigantic Icelander did not for that move from his place ; his feet remained as if rooted in the ground ; and only his long gleaming sword followed the strokes of the rapid Italian ; so that it seemed almost as if Pietro were thundering the blows of his axe upon a slight, enchanted tree, which was defended on all sides by strange light- nings. The lightning defended him well, and Thiodolf stood calm and unwounded ; but the axe did not defend so well, for the northern steel suddenly pierced Pietro's right arm ; his weapon fell ; in the vain endeavor to recover it his foot slipped, and he too fell to the ground. Thiodolf stooped over him, and placed the point of his sword at the breast of his vanquished foe. " Dost thou yield ?" asked he. And as Pietro was silent in angry shame, the harm- less victor broke forth in a loud clear laugh. Pietro's anger rose, and he cried out, " Strike me at once, thou churlish, scoffing boor. Thou mayest well laugh over the mad fate that has let thee conquer a knight like me." " Nay," answered Thiodolf; " I do not laugh at that it seems quite natural. But it makes me merry to think how many at- tempts thou madest to hew me down, and at last they caused thee thyself to fall on thy nose. Yes, yes ; so it is. Who sprang upon his prey and broke his own teeth ? that was the wolf in the trap. For the rest," added he more seriously, " reviling does not become your condition, and yet less one who thinks himself a pattern for courteous knights. I may be a boor, for I often till the ground ; but I am also the son of a hero and a prince. You may ask all Iceland if it is not so. And that I am no churl. . . See !" With unlooS.ed-for dexterity he bent over Pietro, grasped him 20 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, r round the body, and placed him on his feet ; then smiled, and said, " Couldst thou do this ? only try ; I will lie down. But, indeed, I am somewhat too heavy for thee." Pietro stood before him, crimson with shame ; and, with a slight bend of his head, stretched out his hand in token of reconciliation. Thiodolf shook it violently, looked at Pietro's wound, which, being trifling, he bound up quickly and without giving pain, and then said : " Now tell me, dear knight, why did we let fly at each other so very seriously ? I could not ask before the fight ; for it is better to say ' yes' at once to such invitations than to seek long for the how or wherefore. But now the feast is ended, may I know in whose honor we have entertained each other ?" Pietro seemed not yet to have recovered the power of speech ; but it was a much gentler feeling that now held him silent than his former vehement spite. At length he said, in a low voice, " Ask me not to tell thee, young hero. I was blinded by a great, bewildering error, which thy bright joyousness has caused to fall from my eyes like scales." " I noticed something of the sort myself," answered Thiodolf, " when in the midst of thy challenge thou spakest of Malgherita. But, sir knight, as a reasonable knight, how could such a thought come across thee, even in thy dreams ? Hearken, I will confide something to thee : I am very fond of Malgherita, and like to give her joy ; but even had she not been another's bride, I should never have wooed her." "This excuse," said Pietro, suddenly becoming gloomy, "almost forces me to ask anew from thee a bloody reckoning, and on better grounds than before. Thou shalt not so speak of my lady." " Why not ?" asked Thiodolf, laughing. " I might as well woo one of the elfin women as Malgherita. The little creature would be obliged well nigh to dislocate her neck if she would look into my eyes ; and there would be no pleasure to me in kneeling be- fore her. She does very well for thee." Pietro could not but laugh ; and Thiodolf, fetching some water from a near spring, washed the blood from his friend's garments, and most carefully concealed the hurt. " Malgherita must know nothing of this," said he ; " for the delicate flower has quickly pearly tears in her eyes ; and thou art her chiefest joy. Besides, CHAP, v.] TH10DOLF THE ICELANDER. 21 then there might come the telling of the whole story ; and it seems to me as if it would be vexatious for one who has a betrothed to speak to her of a fight without victory. Or is it otherwise ?" " No, no," answered Pietro, smiling, but ashamed ; " it is aa thou sayest." Thiodolf searched for Pietro's dagger in the bushes, and with it gave him good advice to go to fight in future rather with a sword than with the northern battle-axe, which was sure to bring him to the ground ; and then they returned arm-in-arm to the castle. 29 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. YI. CHAPTER VI. As they sat together in the evening around the hearth, Pietro was so bright, so humble, so full of delicate tenderness towards Malgherita, that it seemed as if he would make amends to all for his former injustice, although it had not been spoken of. All were greatly pleased with the accomplished knight ; and Mal- gherita shone upon him in her still joy with heightened love, like a morning rose. Amongst others, he sang in his mother-tongue the following lay : " my lovely distant home, Where the sun doth ever shine ; Land of rivers, fruits, and flowers, Holy rood and holy shrine ; " I have left thee far behind, I have found a dreary spot ; Yet my bosom, never sad, Cheerful bears its gloomy fot. "For, the while thy fairest rose Blossoms loving at my side, x Easy 'tis to smile at storms, And defy the raging tide. " Yea, fair land, I have thee too ; For, whene'er we sing thy lays, O'er our brows the breath of spring, Soft and balmy, fluttering plays." " Ah ! it must be very fair in your country," said Thiodolf ; "and glorious adventures must have befallen you that could drive you forth from that land of flowers. I think you will relate them to us here this very evening." But a displeased look fell upon him from Uncle Nefiolf, who CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 23 said, " Art thou so without good manners that thou canst ask a guest whence he comes, and what has driven him to our hearth ? Shame upon thee !" Thiodolf shrugged his shoulders, and said, " There is amongst us a good old proverb : ' What is more helpless than a lame bear, a leaky ship, or a youth who has not yet been in foreign lands?' You must have patience with me till after my first flight, then I shall soon get good manners." But Pietro grasped his hand, saying to Nefiolf, "If it be not unpleasing to you and your wife, I would gladly take the oppor- tunity to relate what has befallen Malgherita and me. We feel strange to one another as long as a veil hangs before the past." " Right well," answered Nefiolf; " if it seems good to you, I shall hear it myself willingly. We shall henceforth, without doubt, live together in greater confidence." Pietro began his tale in the following words : " On a gentle height, whence can be seen the fair Provencal eoast and the rich port of Marseilles, there rises a stately castle, above whose walls many noble chestnuts, growing in the inner court, stretch their topmost branches; so that the traveller is al- lured, not less by this leafy green than by the grandeur of the building, to ask hospitality there, without fear of repulse. And truly he would not seek in vain, for it belongs to a very noble and powerful lord, who is commonly called in all the country round, 'the great baron.' Now, as a noble and knightly mind is seldom without the love of song and poetry, the great baron was wont to hold yearly, on an appointed day, a spkndid feast, to which the most skilful troubadours of the province were invited from far and near ; the minstrels especially, from all lands, had free entrance. Then arose among them all an harmonious contention, from which the victor departed, crowned with an olive-wreath by the two daughters of the baron, and the other minstrels with valuable gifts of gold and gear. " On one of these days a knightly expedition, undertaken from joy of heart and youthful curiosity, brought me into the neigh- borhood of the castle. On all sides were streaming towards it joyous companies of knights and ladies, burghers and peasants ; and over the chestnut-trees of the castle there floated a sweet 24 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, vi sound of bugles, flutes, and harps, as if the more surely to attract all friends of song to the pleasant strife. The meaning of the festival was soon explained to me, and I quickly found means to put on the dress of a troubadour. I never travelled without my dear lute at my side ; and as I was from childhood familiar with the gay science, with poetry, song, and music, I dared to hope that I might take a not unworthy place with the other challengers, and perchance adorn my brows, already often overshadowed by bloody laurel-wreaths, with the gentler olive-wreath of this day. " I entered the spacious court of the castle, and perceived that in the midst there was a lofty olive-tree ; its slender stem was wreathed with flowers, and on each side, leaning against the tree, were seated two bright, graceful female forms. You may have seen, Father Nefiolf, in your southern voyages, lamps or delicate vases which have been dug out of the ruins of Roman cities, and which, in like manner, represent female figures leaning against a slender pillar or against a vase." " I have, indeed, seen the like, and 1 can well think how beau- tiful must have been the baron's daughters by the olive-tree," an- swered the old man ; and a gleam, which seemed to have wan- dered from the young south, rested on his withered face. " There was one difference," continued Pietro ; " the two lovely statues were not of the same height. The one, beaming in ma- jestic, somewhat stern, beauty, rose up like a tall lily that was the elder sister, called Isolde. You can readily judge how lovely was the younger, who resembled a tiny blooming rosebud, when I tell you that she was called Malgherita, and now sits near us by the fire." The maiden blushed brightly, and all looked at her with admi- mtion, while Pietro continued thus : " Opposite to the lofty Isolde bad ranged themselves such of the troubadours as purposed to sing stately lays, called sirvents by the Provencals, or some other solemn strains. Before the delicate Malgherita we stood, who meant to try our skill in lighter, more joyous measure ; and in the noble hall, just in front of the olive, was the great baron in all his pomp, begirt with vassals and retainers. Each of the maidens held already in her fair hand a wreath wherewith to adorn the most favored minstrel, and, with this sight before us, we CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 23 gave little heed to all the splendor of the majestic baron. The minstrel-tourney began in fair order; our melodious weapons poured through the blue air streams of sweetest harmony ; and higher and more confidently did the hope beat in my heart that I should receive the wreath from Malgherita's hand. I may fear- lessly say that I had almost gained the prize, but the deepening passion that thrilled through me at the sight of my beloved ; the fancy, or perchance the certainty oh, blush not so brightly, my sweet bride ! that a kindly glance of her eye fell on me all this slackened the rapidity of my light song. A minstrel from Marseilles, emboldened by the feebler tones of my voice, raised a noble exulting strain, and the -judges awarded him the prize. Anger and sorrow kept me from looking up as he knelt before Malgherita, and she wove the olive wreath in his hair. The- jewels and pearls which were proffered to me as second in skill, I divided, in the bitterness of my heart, amongst the bystanders, and then went hastily towards the castle-gate. My victor meant to bear his honors humbly, and had therefore drawn back into the crowd, so that we unexpectedly met near the gate. He had mo- destly taken off the wreath and held it in his hand, so that acci- dentally, in the press of people, it touched my hair. A sudden thought flashed through me. I snatched from my bosom a jewel worth a baron's cnstle, which I carried with me, lest I might need a large sum on my journey, and held it before the minstrel's eyes, saying : ' Let us make an exchange. You will not let your wreath adorn your head ; and who sees it where you now hold it ?' Dazzled by the splendor of the offer, the minstrel began the unworthy folly of bargaining. I was ashamed of his baseness, however much the wreath rejoiced me, and, as I gave him the jewel, I struck him sharply on the hand with my dagger, saying, ' Take a lesson with your bargain, and learn lo mend your evil ways.' He shrieked out, and the blood spouted up as from a fountain. All pressed round me in displeasure and anger. In one moment I had placed the wreath on my head, and drawn my sword ; the crowd, seeing that I was protected by a chestnut-tree behind me, drew back in terror from my threatening looks. But the baron stal ; ed wrathfully towards me. Already my contempt of his gift ol pearls and gold had made him hate me, and he 28 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, v; seemed glad that my outrage on the security of his castle gave him a pretext to reVenge himself. He would not hearken to me, but only desired, as he held over me his naked sword, that I should instantly give up my arms, and surrender myself to his judgment, whether for pardon or condemnation. With eyes flashing fire, I sprang upon him, threw him on the ground by a dexterous stroke, and then rushed through the gate, securing safety to myself, my lute, and my olive-wreath. How I afterwards lin- gered for months in the neighborhood without ever falling into the power of the baron, though he diligently searched for me ; how I succeeded in approaching Malgherita under many disguises, and at last won her pure love, let me pass over for to-day the many- colored tale, which I would rather put hereafter into the bright light of some song or ballad. The night is growing darker, and I have yet much to relate. As soon as I had gained the know- ledge of Malgherita's love, I repaired to a baron who had long received hospitality at my castle in Tuscany, and now very gladly repaid it me after the true knightly fashion. In his company, and with all the splendor which befitted my rank, I went openly to the castle of the great baron, and excited no small wonder in him, when, in the person of the troubadour he had so tyrannically pursued, I presented to him the Marquis of Castel-Franco. He offered me all knightly satisfaction ; but when I, instead, asked for the hand of his youngest daughter, his large flashing eyes looked thoughtfully down. My companion had already warned me that, according to an old sacred custom of his house, the baron would hardly give his younger daughter in marriage before the elder ; and that the proud Isolde looked so coldly on all knights, that not one of her many lovers, had ever dared to approach her as wooers. I thought I saw a rejection ready to pass his imperi- ous lips; but suddenly the great baron seemed to collect himself, a kindly gleam passed over his features, he grasped my hand and said, ' So let it be.' Perchance he thought that Malgherita's fame might suffer by any other issue of my suit, and he might find no fitting cause for its rejection ; in short, my beloved was to be affi- anced to me, and the evening appointed for the solemn betrothal had arrived. The castle, lighted up with torches and lamps, shone out far into the valley. Lofty banners of my colors and CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 27 the baron's floated from every tower in the torchlight ; the guests were assembled, and, glowing with joy, I entered the hall, lead- ing Malgherita ; her father walked before us. He was about to speak the words which were to make my happiness, when Isolde approached with solemn grace, and said, so that all could hear : ' Since you, O beloved father, betroth one of your daughters, and bright earthly hopes arise in long succession to you for future times, you will the more willingly let your other child likewise make a vow, after which she has thirsted from her heart for long years a vow which has its object beyond this world, and betroths me to a heavenly Lord. To speak openly and blame it not in me as pride, ye honored guests I think not to find any other bridegroom who shall be worthy of me. I therefore here solemnly declare that it is in my mind to live and die as a nun.' " "Ha, ha!" interrupted Thiodolph, "I know about that; uncle las told me of it. It must be a pretty catch to take one of those t.unneries; I hope to have that sport in some of my future voy- ages." And then, as Malgherita looked at him in some displea- sure, he added : " Nay, I will do them no harm, those wonderful cloister-maidens ; only I should like to see them, and then I would open wide the doors and say : " Such of you as will, go forth into the world, children. Those who will remain let them do so. No man must break his heart for such.' " " The baron thought very differently," said Pietro. " He first used entreaties, then threats, to make Isolde withdraw her over- hasty word, and as she showed by her calm firmness that it was no question here of over haste, and that she had no thought of retracting, he broke forth into the wildest fury against me, assert- ing that I had come but to insult and ruin him, injuring and pro- voking him in every way ; and sooner would he give up both his daughters to the cloisters, yea, even to death, than give one of them to my arms. It was vain to speak to him, he broke off every engagement with me ; and as I turned to Isolde, she said, coldly : ' I grieve for you both you were well mated ; but I cannot help you, for truly T can find my mate in no mortal.' " " Wait awhile," murmured Thiodolf to himself; " I may yet make thee repent of this, proud maiden. Art thou, then, too good for a noble knight ? The tables may still be turned." 28 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vi. Pietro was about to continue, but Malgherita laid her hand on his mouth, saying : " Say nothing to-night of how thou car- riedst me away, beloved. Fearful things would be told, and sleep and dreams are drawing near." " So be it," said Pietro ; " I will then only say farther, that I carried my sweet prey on board ship ; we did not sail at once for the coast of Tuscany, that we might deceive the boats which the baron and his allies of Marseilles undoubtedly sent in pursuit of us. We took the contrary direction, reached the open sea, and were driven, first by threatening ships and then by still more dan- gerous tempests, to this coast, where all, save Malgherita and myself, found their death." " The rest were no great loss," said Thiodolf. " One can see that they were no Iceland sailors, or they would have better resisted the storm, and known more where they were. Those who have to do with sea-water will have to swallow some, of it. But, Malgherita, do not be too much vexed that you are come to Iceland. I hope, I hope very much that you will soon have a glorious sport." CHAP, vii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. CHAPTER VII. IMAGES of her fair home passed soothingly through Malgherita's mind ; so soon as she had closed her eyes in sleep, gales, as from orange-groves in spring, breathed upon her eyelids, and her ears were filled with songs of nightingales, and murmurings of the silvery streams which run through the Provencal plains. But hardly had she noticed this with deep delight and longing hope, when a hoarse voice broke in upon the sweet sounds, saying, " Who bade thee strike so madly in the dark, sir knight ? Know- est thou whom thou hast struck ?" And a bloody head seemed to look sharply into her eyes through their closed lids. She knew well that the voice and head were those of her father's cas- tellan, whom Pietro, when he carried her away, had wounded, it might be mortally. Then she started in affright from her slum- bers ; deep darkness lay around her, and old Gunhilda breathed heavily, in her sleep, from under the covering of her bed. Malgherita lay down again shuddering, and closed her eyes. Then lights danced before her, and reminded her that she had not put out the torches in her chamber the night of her flight, whereby her father's castle might have been set on fire, a thought which often pressed heavily upon her, and now wove itself into a fearful fiery dream. It seemed to her that all the chestnut and olive- woods of Provence were in flames, and that the whole of her sweet native land was, through her fault, laid waste by an inex- tinguishable fire, which destroyed knightly castles, towns and vil- lages, cloisters, and hermitages. In the midst of these fearful visions, a voice pierced through Malgherita's sleep, crying out, " Hurrah, hurrah ! the fire-sport is begun ! the fire from the south has reached us !" Malgherita sprang up with a shriek, and a red stream of light, pouring in through the window, met her eyes. Flames fearfully bright were darting up from the summit of a high mountain opposite, 39 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vn. changing night into day ; and a gigantic man was seen balancing himself on the branches of an elm close to the window, his dark form marked out against the dazzling light, while he clapped his hands, as if he took pleasure in the terrifying sight, and perhaps had caused it. Malgherita trembled, and murmured softly, " Ah, gracious God, now truly have I lost my senses, or the end of the world is coming !" Then the tall man on the tree struck against the window, laughing ; and the maiden in breathless terror, threw herself on the bed of Gunhilda, who was only now fully awakened. " Gently, gently," said she, after looking awhile through the window at the flames, " it is but an old acquaintance, which has never brought harm to our island, but is its most brilliant orna- ment. Mount Hecla is giving out flames ; there is nothing to fear we are in no danger." Malgherita looked up at her, half-comforted, half doubtful, and was about to question her, when the giant on the tree again began to move, and sang the following words : " Rocky cauldron's flaming stream, Flicker upwards, dance and gleam ! Many elfins stir the same Laugh, good people, o'er 'the flame ! Echo, give your answer back ! Bluster, winds ! and, lightnings, crack ! Shrieks, and yells, and torches glowing, Blazing torrents ever flowing ! Yells, and shrieks, and torches bright ! Ha ! behold a glorious sight !" And again he turned to the window, laughing and clapping his hands. Malgherita hid her face in the garments of the old woman, whom she implored to save her from that dreadful spectre. Gun- hilda went quickly to the window, and cried angrily, " Mad nephew, what art thou doing ? Wilt thou frighten to death the tender maiden here with thy uncouth singing and clapping ?" " What !" answered Thiodolf, gently from without, " am I again mistaken ? Is she not pleased at this ? My uncle has so dften told me that there are fire-mountains in the south, just like CHAP, vii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER . A this. I have been hoping so long that there would be an eruption of our Hecla, because I thought that little Malgherita would then be quite at her ease, and comfortable with us as if at home. And is it not so ? Perhaps there is not noise enough, as she said lately that the sea here was not blue enough. Wait a while : I will just sing a magic song or two to the flames, then they will rage as wildly as Loki the bad god, when the serpent's poison trickles on him." And he began anew to attune his voice for the fearful song ; but Gunhilda called to him that Malgherita lay half sense- less from the terror he had already caused her. Then Thiodolf climbed down from his tree, shaking his head, and very much troubled. Gunhilda's tender soothing at length made Malgherita lift up again by degrees her delicate trembling form ; and she looked out not without a feeling of awful pleasure, at the burning Hecla, of which a few broken stories had reached her ears in Provence, and which she now with her own eyes saw so wonderfully near her. Rest was over for this night ; morning began to dawn, and the men were heard assembling in the hall. Gunhilda led her trembling foster-child down the dark stairs, across which fell occasionally gleams of the distant flames as they shot upwards. Nefiolf, Pietro, and Thiodolf were seated round the hearth. The women took their usual raised seats, and many reproofs and scoldings were given to the wild youth who had so terrified the delicate maiden. He heard them all very humbly, with sunken head ; only murmuring at times that it was most unheard of and perverse ill-luck, which had thus spoilt the pleasure that he had so long been expecting for Malgherita. In future he wojld think of other and much better sports. THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, vni CHAPTER VIII. THE fire-stream from Mount Hecla had ceased ; for several days the island had lain calm, and of a misty grey, in the midst of the wide sea ; it was cold, for already wintry storms breathed their wild notes across the plains. Long before had been heard the loud flapping of the wings of the wild swans, as they swept away to the south ; the trees were dripping with heavy moisture, and let fall their brown leaves, like a solemn covering, over valley and plain. At this time Thiodolf was very little in the house ; he thought that now the woods were in their gayest dress. How could one ever dream of more beautiful trees than these in them he asked whither they were bound. " We were bound," answered the man, " for Norway, to the neighborhood of Bergen. A great feast is to be kept in memory of the victory once gained there over the famous Icelandic chief, Helmfrid ; when he was forced to leave his shield, after he had in vain striven to win a fair princess. You must have heard that in your native songs." " Yes, I know it well," said Thiodolf. " The brother of Helm- frid's sword hangs at my side ; and how might it be if I won the shield to wear with it ?" " You will find there a great multitude of armed men," said Swartur's soldier, " and a mighty opposition." Thiodolf did not answer ; he went to the helm of his ship, and steered it full towards the south-west. Not far from the island of Faroe, to the west of the town of Bergen, there rises a high mountain, called by the people, on ac- count of its strange shape, " the Monk." There, when the sea is not too high, ships can find a good harbor ; and the ship which in a storm can reach " the Monk " lies concealed. Thiodolf had directed his eyes to this port. He left at its entrance his own ship, and many trusty soldiers to protect her ; and with the pirate's vessel he prepared to approach the shore of Bergen. As he did not summon Pietro to accompany him, the knight came up to him with a displeased look, and said, " Did I then show myself so unworthy in the last combat, that thou wilt not take me with thee on this new adventure which now thou art planning in thy mind ?" " Thor and all the mighty gods forbid !" answered Thiodolf. " Thou art my well-beloved and brave comrade in arms. I but thought that thou shouldest remain here with Malgherita ; be- cause there may be rather warm work for us on the coast of Norway." Then Malgherita drew near, and said with an effort, but proudly, " I pray you, Thiodolf, never again to think of rejecting the brave arm of my lord by reason of that childish utterance of my fears. You will here leave me such a guard as befits my 04 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. XT. rank ; and for the rest, I commit the renowned Marquis of Gas- telfranco to God's keeping." Pietro pressed a warm kiss on the lips of his noble wife. Thi- odolf bent low before her, saying, " I cannot tell you, lady, how gloriously bright you shine before me at this moment. The fair maidens who fill the cups of the heroes in Walhalla must look like you. But we, Pietro, must not less brightly shine after our fashion than thy fair wife after hers ; and therefore let us hasten to Bergen, where many noble deeds are to be done." The friends went on board the pirate's vessel, and set sail sing- ing for the woody strand. There, beside two great glowing fires which extended from the summit of a height down to the sea, sat many warriors in full armor feasting, while the sound of harps floated joyfully above the revellers. High up on the hill an almost gigantic golden shield was seen brightly shining from be- tween the branches of some linden-trees ; and at certain parts of the song the guests rose from their seats, greeted, as it were, the shield, and struck together their silver-edged drinking-horns. It was beautiful to see how the festal torch-light shone upon the dark green of the leaves, and seemed to vie with the brightness of the golden shield. As Thiodolf and his companions left their vessel, and, going along the shore, approached the banqueters, they heard the fol- lowing words of the song : " For a king's daughter didst thou fight, brave youth, But won pale death instead to be thy bride ; Helmfrid, thou hero of the northern isle, Too lightly didst thou think of Norway's sons. Thou fondly didst anticipate the joy Of winning here a wreath of victorj Of holding here thy splendid marriage-feast But thy spear broke, thy shield fell to the ground. Upon the turf it fell, and thy red blood Gushed over the bright gold in trickling streams; Scarce could thy warriors bear thy vanquish'd form, Thy wounded body to thy ships again. Go forth, thou valiant fighter, thou brave knight, Thou hast found thy master in this hero-lanU. Henceforth, when Iceland is the minstrel's theme, Let Norway's- noble deed be louder sung !" CHAP, xv.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 65 " That may well be, ye noble Northmen," said Thiodolf, when, after the old hospitable custom, he and his companions had been deired to sit down, and had received drinking-horns. " But I think we shall try it to-day once again ; unless perchance you will give me with your good will the shield of Helmfrid up yonder, and receive in exchange as a friendly gift this one on my arm, which, in truth, is no bad piece of armor." " That bargain could hardly pass," said an old Norman, shak- ing his head. " How art thou called, thou that thinkest to offer thy shield in the place of Helmfrid's ?" " In sooth I am not called Helmfrid, but only Thiodolf," an- swered the youth, and bent his head modestly. " You have, in- deed, never yet heard this name ; for this is my first expedition out in the world. But have patience and forbearance, sirs, and take my shield instead of that one. I promise you that in two years at latest it shall be of no less worth." " You look like one who would hold his word," said the old Norwegian, " and I feel no doubts about you ; but yet the ex- change you propose can in no ways be effected." " Then a fight must come to pass," said Thiodolf, rising up ; "for I am firmly resolved either to remain dead upon this coast, or to carry off with me Helmfrid's shield. So, choose you out, my dear German countrymen, certain of your warriors who shall defend the shield against me. I have five-and-twenty soldiers with me ; send an equal number to oppose me, or if it seem good to you, a double number." " It would be strange," said the old man, " if Norway's war- riors used superior numbers to secure victory. I will myself de- fend the hill on which the shield hangs against you ; and I will draw lots for five-and-twenty comrades not one man more." " That was just what I myself expected of you," answered Thiodolf, with a kindly nod of his head." The preparations for the fight were made. The path which led through the two fires up to the shield was to be stormed and defended ; all attacks from the sides or the rear were forbidden in the trial of strength between the Normans and the Icelanders, as disturbing and likely to confuse the clear judgment which was to be formed on the valor of the two parties. 66 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. XT. The old man had drawn the lots, and now he stood on the linden-hill with twenty-five noble warriors ; the golden shield shone over their spears to inspirit them ; the war-trumpets sound- ed, and the combat began. The lances flew high among the branches of the trees, so that fresh boughs fell together with the heavy spears, like wreaths of victory, on helmet and armor. One of the Norwegian warriors, whom death had struck at the first throw, lay covered with broken branches, as beneath a beautiful fresh grave in spring. And now they drew nearer to each other with swords and bat- tle-axes, and a fearful and mighty strife began. The heroes fought in silence ; but there was often heard a long-drawn breath and a groan amidst the clank of arms ; for each warrior exerted his strength to the very utmost, well knowing that he had to do with adversaries who could not be repulsed with less effort. Sounds from the harps of the gazers-on arose, doubtful and un- certain, as if preparing for a song of victory, when the combat should be decided. Throng-piercer, the lately named sword of Thiodolf, had already done great honor to its name. The Norwegians fell before it in their blood ; the old hero, who had led them on, stood almost alone in front of the golden shield ; but he stood so firm and ready for the fight, and he hurled the spears, which lay thick around this hot place, so rapidly and with such certain aim, that none could yet say confidently that the victory was won by the Icelanders. Thiodolf, meaning to decide all with one blow, threw his shield over his back, seized Throng-piercer with both hands for a mighty stroke, and sprung wildly up to the old man. The spear of the latter flew with a steady aim towards his face ; but Pietro turned away the weapon with his shield, while at the same moment a lance struck the knight's unprotected side, and stretched him breathless on the grass. Thiodolf by this time had reached his enemy, and thundered such a blow on his steel helmet that the old man fell down with a heavy groan, and the victor, unopposed, flew like an arrow up the linden-tree, seized Helmfrid's golden shield, and, springing down again as rapidly, he swung the recovered armor high over CHAP. xv. J THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 87 his head, and a tumultuous shout of victory rang through the forest. The warriors of Norway sank spears, and swords, and battle- axeS; slowly towards the ground, and raised a solemn, somewhat mournful, song of praise in honor of the stranger victor. He the while knelt beside his beloved Pietro, and looked at his wound, scolding him sharply. " How, then, shall I show myself to that little Malgherita," cried he, in angry sorrow, " if I bring thee wounded to the Monk's Rock perchance wounded mortally ? Did I ever tell thee to cover me with thy shield ? why didst thou do anything so foolish ? Such a mad deed ! Wait a little ! if thou diest, thou shall have to answer me for it, I can tell thee." At these words a smile passed over Pietro's pale face, but he had no strength to answer. Then there came one to help the Icelander in his care for the knight, who rubbed the wounded man with strong oil, and spoke earnestly to Thiodolf : " Shame on thee ! such a choice fighter, and such a bad leech to tend the wound of thy friend ! I hope that when thou art older, thou wilt get more skill. Look more narrowly before thou beginnest to scold and to lament. The skin is hardly broken ; and he is faint, not from the wound, but from the stunning blow." Thiodolf and Pietro looked into the face of the grave speaker, and knew him to be the old warrior who had defended the shield against them, and who wore a broad bandage around his un helmed head, which ached and smarted from the blow of Thiodolf. He gave his hand kindly to his victor, saying : " It need not be said that the Helmfrid's shield is now thine. But I would pray thee, in the name of this whole assembly, to abide by the exchange thou first spoke of, and to leave us in possession of the Thiodolf's shield. We know now what we shall possess in it." Thiodolf bent respectfully, and offered his bright shield to the old man, who took it fro.ii his hand , and the Norwegians forth- wiih, to the sound of harps, and with loud cries of joy, hung it on the same branch where the shield of Helmfrid had before hung. THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, xvr CHAPTER XVI. WHEN the old chief's favorable opinion of Pietro's wound had been found correct, Thiodolf hastened to take him back to Mai- gherita. The brave men of Norway accompanied their renowned guests to the shore with songs and music, and horns filled with mead ; and thus the victors sailed joyously back to their com- rades. Thiodolf stood on the fore part of the ship, Pietro at his side, and the golden shield at the end of a lance sparkled in front of them, so that it gave out the happy tidings to the Monk's Rock long before the ship had touched the strand. Thiodolf said to Malgherita, as she joyfully approached them, " Hearken, pretty lady ; thou didst very well to let thy husband come with me to the coast of Bergen. To speak the truth, he owed me a little too much till to-day for the services I have done him ; and perhaps that interferes somewhat with a true, open friendship. But now all is right. Without him, I should be lying pale and cold on the linden-hill, or else in a Runic grave ; and Helmfrid's shield would be hanging in his old place. Embrace me, brother Pietro ; for equal and equal are good companions." The two young heroes embraced ; and Malgherita looked up at her knight with yet more joyful pride and happier love. After Thiodolf had . left them awhile to see to the embarking, Malgherita pointed to the Monk's Rock, which looked strangely in the red evening glow, half- veiled by mists, and said : " Ah, Pietro, I would that huge stone had never come before my eyes ; it will now often appear to me again in my dreams. For, trust me, those who have once seen the iron north so stern and un- changeable will never lose it from their mind, even when the most balmy flowers and fruits of the south bloom around them in full luxuriance ; and that fearful image which we see yonder greatly increases the gloomy impression." Pietro strove to disperse her fears ; but she repeated, that at CHAP, xvi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 6* all times so terrible a monk's figure would rise frightfully before her. Just then the trumpets sounded for their departure ; and th sails were given to the wind as the stars began to appear. A soft breeze blew over the sea, bringing, as it were, a southern greeting to the voyagers, who were yet in the north. And Thio- dolf said to Pietro and the fair lady : " The moon shines bright upon the waters. Could you* not sit awhile beside me at the helm, and we might talk together in this pleasant twilight ?" " Willingly," said Malgherita. " Tell us the history of that golden shield which you have won to-day." " If it give you pleasure, 1 shall do it joyfully," answered Thio- dolf. And he began in the following manner : " There was a man called Helmfrid ; he was the best of all the spearmen, swimmers, and mariners of Iceland. Besides, he was of high courage, and of so noble stature that none couhl be compared with him. Our old people, who were young men with him, know not how to speak enough of him. As he grew to man's estate, and yet never seemed to think of wooing any lovely maiden, his comrades would ask him whether he bore no love to fair women ; and once Helm- frid thus answered : ' Great love I bear to fair women ; but yet the fairest that I have hitherto seen are not fair enough for me, far and wide as I have been in the world. But I have heard speak of a king's daughter in Norway, who is fair above all on earth ; and I will go forth after her, and win her for me, for she belongs to me or to none.' And soon afterwards he had sailed for Norway. " When he arrived there, the king's daughter, who had, per- chance, heard of the bold and presumptuous speech of her suitor, showed herself beyond measure proud towards him. She also imposed upon him trials of skill in arms, unheard of among other warriors ; she would now bid him throw spears of gigantic force, then bring wild horses and tame them, and many like exploits ; all with the intention that he should fail in some one of them, and thus his proud spirit would be brought low. But he came out of all'these trials more and more glorious ; and the maiden knew not what else she could lay upon him. Then she once met him on a hill of linden-trees, and spoke thus to him : ' Thou mighty 70 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. xvr. Helrnfrid, thou speakest fairly of thy love for me ; but what thou hast done to prove its truth are only warlike games, which thou thyself lovest, and which help to increase thy renown. But now I would give thee another trial, to leave something undone for my sake.' " And as he prayed her earnestly to make known her pleasure to him, she said that he must doff his armor, and become, for love of her, a poor fisherman. He did so that very day ; but before three weeks had passed, the other fishermen looked upon this so brave and skilful comrade as their master ; so that he was wont to be called the fisher-king, and was held in great honor. " Again the king's daughter met him, and reproached him with turning everything to his advantage, bidding him now throw away his nets, and become a smith. He obeyed her ; and what did it avail ? very soon no man would wear arms which were not forged by the smith Helrnfrid ; his door was thronged with noble horses, which he was to shoe ; and the soldiers showed more re- verence to him than to the king, who was father of the maiden. " At length she bade him put on the garb of a Christian monk he had been christened during one of his expeditions and not come forth again from the linden-forest, or hold intercourse with any in the world. He bore this with great firmness and gentle- ness ; only showing himself somewhat impatient with those who would visit him, notwithstanding his prohibition, for he lamed some with the stones that he flung at them. " And now the maiden felt that the love and truth of the brave Helmfrid had melted her hard heart. She came to him one bright evening in the linden-forest, gave him her fair hand, and said that she was his bride. From that moment an overweening pride came back into his heart : he would give a good word to no man, for the sake of his love ; and arming himself again in bright steel, he went, with several Icelanders, who had come with him into Norway and obeyed him in all things, into the presence of the king and his court, saying : ' Thy daughter and I are one ; she goes back with me to Iceland as my wife. Say a hasty farewell to her ; for my pennons are waving, and my sails are swelling.' " But the Norwegian prince took this ill ; and when Helmfrid CHAP, xvi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 71 would have carried her away by force, a sharp fight ensued. There would have been no harm in that, but that the mighty Helmfrid had forgotten that his strength had departed while he lived the austere life of a hermit. Thus was he conquered for the first time, and pressed so sorely that his companions could hardly bring him in safety to his ship, for he was senseless from his wounds ; and his golden shield remained in possession of his enemies. " He never could forget this disgrace, nor ever again showed himself among the ranks of the north. But, from the south, wondrous tales of the hero-deeds which he has accomplished have come over to us. It is said that the Norway king once offered him peace and his daughter's hand ; but Helmfrid, red with shame and wrath, answered : ' My shield is lost ! all is lost ! my love and all !' " Then the king's daughter left the world, and went into an old sea-fortress of her father's, where she now still lives, a very aged maiden. They say of her that she sings this song: ' On Iceland I look back, Over the foamy sea ; But, with victorious laurel crown'd, No Helmfrid comes to me. ''The lurid moon and pale Sinks in the ocean's bed, Like to a bloody, bloody shield Wo to the omen dread !' " But now, as the moon is again quite pale, and is going to dip into the sea, and midnight is come, I think that you must go to rest, dear friends ; and I will steer you on a good wav while you sleep." 72 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. xvii. CHAPTER XVII. AFTER several weeks' voyage they approached a fair land, which allured the voyagers by its high green trees, gentle hills, and no- ble castles, and which even Thiodolf immediately knew : for he had learnt much from his uncle's teaching, and now also every, thing was pointed out to him by some old experienced seamen who accompanied him. He forthwith went to Pietro and Malgherita, and said : " See ! that is your fair France, and her north coast ; I might almost say my fair France, for in her live many brave northern knights many who are nearly related to me, as the family of Montfaucon. We have always kept in brotherly friendship, and it would be a great joy to me to go and visit them in this land ; only it is as- serted that these lords are the choicest knights in all the world ; so that in Germany, Italy, and Spain, and wherever man can go, they are held as mirrors of good courtesy. Now, how I might appear beside them none can know but the gods and goddesses of Asgard. It is, therefore, most advisable that I let myself first be a little knocked about in the world, and be polished with fitting tools, before I show myself to their dainty lordships." " Thou hast much of the diamond about thee, Thiodolf," said Pietro, looking at him with a kindly earnestness ; " and there- fore must thou be diligently and sharply polished, and many a less noble stone would be ground to dust by such polishing. But when once the work is over ! Thou art a happy highly-gifted being, dear youth !" " Well," answered Thiodolf, laughing, " even were I now fully polished and smooth, we might in no ways stop on this French coast ; for we must go round all Spain until we can cast anchor before Malgherita's own beautiful land, and time is a precious thing." " Cast anchor before my own land !" exclaimed Malgherita. CHAP, xvii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 73 " Nay, we must go to Tuscany. Or wilt thou ruin us ? Dost thou not know how my father rages against us ?" " Let the old lord do that, if it pleases him," answered Thio- dolf. " At the very worst, thou and thy husband are under the protection of brave northern warriors ; but what is much better, I have resolved to bring about a reconciliation. I have thought on that for a long time ; and a good strong will can do much." " Strange it would be," said Pietro, after some thought, " if it fell to our friend Thiodolf to bring about, with his simple true- heartedness, what so many wise Provencals and Italians, both knights and priests, have in vain attempted." " Ah !" said Malgherita, smiling at the wonderful Icelander ; " noble, hospitable hero, if thou couldst but do that for us !" " We cannot tell for what we are destined," said Thiodolf. " It may even be that all this is now unnecessary, and that your father has of his own accord put away his anger. Uncle Nefiolf and aunt Gunhilda have very often scolded me ; but now I know well their hearts are sad by reason of me. To say the truth, mine too yearns after the dear old people. I so often dream of them, and wake up suddenly and find they are so far from me." He paused for a moment, and put his hand before his eyes ; but then he added with a smile, " It is marvellous how men come to love one another when a little space of sea lies between them. At home, I can tell you that the good old couple were often suf- ficiently contrary. But now, in regard to our doings on this Provencal shore, I earnestly beg you both to let me contrive it all as I have planned in my own head, and do not worry me with many questions ; for if I had to give a full regular account, it would drive me mad." Pietro and Malgherita could not but smile at their strange friend ; but as they knew that he meant kindly by them, and as at worst they had not much to lose in Provence, they left it en- tiroly in his hands to carry out the whole scheme. * THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. xvm. CHAPTER XVIII. THE shapes of the clouds, and reflections in the sea, and birds sailing by, and sweet odors mysteriously wafted, had now for many days called up before Malgherita's mind the image of her home, more and more alluring and bright. She spoke only in the Provencal tongue, in which Thiodolf could now answer her almost as well as Pietro. She hardly ever laid aside a mandoline that she had bought during the voyage, and she sang to it all the songs which had lulled her infancy. In short, she was like a flower-bud opening at the breath of approaching spring. She would fain have blown upon the sails in her sweet impatience to hasten the course of the ship ; and truly both wind and weather seemed to have entered into a faithful agreement to further the wish of the gentle beauty. Both vessels swept evenly, and lightly, and rapidly over the mirror-like sea ; in which Malgherita, with pure rapture, saw again that deep sparkling blue which she had so unwillingly missed in the north. " Lovely little lady," said Thiodolf to her one evening, " you must do me one single favor. We are now close to your coasts ; the blue misty streaks yonder show them. But when evening darkens, go into your chamber, and hang a curtain before its little window, and do not look out till I call you. It would please me so much to be present when your blooming native land, in all the splendor of the early dawn, shines for the first time before your blooming face. Will you do this ?" Malgherita smiled and agreed, and went back into her little cabin ; Pietro remained on deck with Thiodolf. And now that all was so still and quiet in the ship, and it glided with arrow-like swiftness on its way, Malgherita thought of the time when in her childhood she was waiting for the Christmas-tree and its gifts. At times she slumbered, and smiling dreams came to her, as if she already saw before her the beloved shore of Provence ; and CHAP, xvm.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. -J5 when she awoke in joy, and saw that she was yet in the ship's cabin, with a little lamp hanging before her bed, she returned again with unspeakable calm and deep delight to her quiet hope- ful waiting. As the morning began to glimmer through the veil hung up before the window, she arose and adorned herself very carefully, like a bride, in order to welcome her fair home most joyfully. She had not long to wait before Thiodolf came and knocked at the little door, which he opened at her friendly " Enter !" and then stood as if dazzled. " Oh, all ye gods !" cried he, bending low, " how beautiful is Malgherita become ! But come forth into the light of day, thou blooming child of Walhalla ; the glimmer of the lamp is not nearly bright enough to give thee light." And then as she went forth, and Pietro clasped her with loving wonder, and she from his arms looked out upon that near land, with its sunny meadows and shades of chestnut and olive-groves, and its silvery gliding streams, and her father's castle shining afar, and on the other side the princely port of Marseilles dear reader, thou too hast a native land ! it may be much less fair than that garden of Provence ; but remember how joy filled all thy senses, when, after a long absence, it was allowed thee unexpect- edly to see it in the blessed brightening light of early morning and of love ! Malgherita stood smiling and motionless as some lovely statue, while the ship was steered with a still and even motion nearer and nearer to the land. They cast anchor, and a little boat was lowered, while a troop of brave Icelanders plunged with all their arms into the foaming sea, and swam singing to the strand. Malgherita raised her head somewhat frightened. " That is your and Pietro's body-guard, bright lady," said Thiodolf, as he pointed to the swimmers ; " and the boat is for you two and for me. I will row you to land ; for at least you must touch your fair native land, and pluck her flowers, come what may afterwards of my undertaking." " But when we are once on land, Thiodolf," said Malgherita doubtfully, " are we safe then ?" "Chide her, Pietro," said Thiodolf, turning to him ; " chide her well and heartily. What, has that delicate child so brave and 76 . THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. xvi... skilful a husband, and does she tremble while under his care ? Besides, there is your body-guard yonder. I will answer on my head for any evil that befals you !" The Icelanders were already on the shore shaking the water from their armor, their shields, and their spears, and then stood ranged in order, reverently waiting. Malgherita gave her hand to her knight, and let her bear him into the boat ; Thiodolf with a light leap sprang after them, seized the oar, and plied it with such powerful strength, that the little vessel seemed to fly, and yet touch the shore gently without any shock. Thiodolf looked around with a keen and rapid glance. " That wood, yonder," he said, " is just fitted to shelter Malgherita, until I bring her good news from the castle. We shall certainly find some pleasant openings in the wood, whence thou, Pietro, canst gain a sight of the sea and of the boat ; two men shall remain to watch her ; the rest shall go with thee into the wood. If against my expectation any mischance should befal me, I will give a blast on my horu. Thou wilt hear it easily in this chestnut- wood, if I wind it from the castle ; and then rise up quickly and put Malgherita in safety in the ship." " But what, then, would become of thee ?" asked Pietro. " Thou wilt not," was the answer, " do me the wrong to sup- pose that a Northman can so easily be stopped by danger, when he has none to care for but himself. But if anything do go cross with me, thou wilt notice if I am not back in an hour; and then, brother Pietro, thou wilt take the crew of the pirate's ship, thou wilt bring them to land, and come threateningly against the castle of the great baron. The rest will all be easily managed in such a case. But now, say no more of this ; and let us find out the securest and pleasantest resting-place for Malgherita on the mother earth of her beautiful Provence." They went into the lofty chestnut-grove. The massive dark, leaved branches joined as if to form a shady, protecting hall, and soon a fitting place was found for the lady on the flowery grass, whence they could catch a sight of the boat between the leaves, and yet remain concealed from the view of any who perchance might be passing through the forest. Just as Thiodolf was about to take leave of them in order to CHAP, xviii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 77 pursue his way to the castle, the joyous notes of horns sounded through the wood, and it was easy to perceive that a hunting party which had left the principal road was about to pass close to the place where Malgherita and her companions were standing. Thiodolf therefore thought it better to give her the protection of his arm and spear, until the numerous band that were approach- ing should have passed by. Malgherita let fall a thick veil over her face ; while the northern dress which she and Pietro still wore would yet more certainly conceal them from the eyes of any acquaintance who might pass. The procession was opened by some pages on foot, clad in green and gold, bearing in their hands gilded lances. Then came huntsmen on white horses ; they wore grey dresses em- broidered with silver, and sounded the choicest tunes on their great silver hunting-ho~ns. They were followed by noble knights in various gaily adorned hunting dresses, Mounted on Arab horses; but the form that came after them, li be midst of other noble knights, was so dazzling and glorious, that the trees around seem- ed well nigh to sparkle in its radiance. &. tall, slender maiden, in the most richly embroidered robe, sat on a snow-white palfrey ; all felt that the pomp around was merely to do her honor, and she alone seemed unconscious of this as she gazed with her large deep-blue eyes on the blue of heaven. Only as the procession passed the travellers, the pause which the escort of the lady made at their strange appearance drew her attention for an instant. She looked kindly at the tall noble-looking Northmen, greeted yet more kindly their brilliant leader, and then rode gravely on, again fixing her eyes like an eagle in the direction of the sun. " Oh, heavens !" sighed Malgherita, after a long silence, " that was my sister Isolde." " So !" answered Thiodolf, and sank into deep thought. " I have seen her once in my dreams ; but I took her then for the goddess Freya. And that, then, that is the form of Isolde !" JBOOK II "CHAPTER i. A LOFTY vaulted passage led into the castle of the great Proven- cjal baron ; from its open arches one looked down upon a thicket full of deer, which yet lay within the outer wall of the castle. It was a pleasant sight to look over upon the deep green summits of the trees, between which shone out now waving grass, and now the waters of little crystal ponds and of the moat. The deer could be heard rustling through the bushes, or feeding on the branches, and at times they could be seen playing together in the open parts of the wood. A beautiful crucifix, painted on the wall of the vaulted pas- sage, recalled to mind the founder of the house, who had been a skilful painter, although his wielding of the pencil had never in- terfered with his wielding of the sword. He was equally dexte- rous with both, and had painted the image of the Saviour in this spot, which was especially dear to him, that he might sanctify and soften by the holiest thought the joy which here flowed in to him from the chase and life in all its freshness. It was said, too, that he had concealed in the wall a very mysterious prophecy relating to some of his descendants, but the exact spot was no longer known. In short, most of the dwellers in the castle, and the great baron himself, looked with more awe than satisfaction on this part of the building ; for wonderful tales were told about it, how the shade of Huldibert thus the founder of the family was named at times swept along the gallery, and would often appear in the same spot, taking part in the concerns of the family. The beautiful Isolde was quite a stranger to this fear; so far from it, she loved this place above all others : and when the great baron, in the vain endeavor to turn her from her longing for the 7 82 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. i. convent, almost forced upon her diversion after diversion, she would often take refuge in this spot, calming and relieving her earnest mind by prayer and reflection ; for in this place, shunned by all, even her imperious father did not dare in the slightest de- gree to disturb her. And so it happened that on the evening after the stately hunt- ing-party, when Thiodolf for the first time had gazed on Isolde, she went in deep thought to her beloved arched walk. Visions of a heavenly love shone about her, and, doubting whether the like could ever be realized on earth, she looked forward with longing desire to the solemn life of the cloister. She felt sure that just such a longing had driven proud, noble spirits away from the littleness of this earth to seek an invisible glory ; and that thus the rules of nuns and monks were founded. She thought also that perchance the prophecy of the founder of her race might signify something like this, and her burning wish was to discover the mysterious prophecy ; but she too dearly loved the old wall, painted with many bright figures besides that image of the Saviour, to dare injure it on only a bare conjecture. This day, as often before, she walked to and fro in this spot with the awful but cherished wish that her ancestor Huldibert might but once give her a sign, and raise her to the mighty existence and movements of the other world, even though terror and bewilder- ing dread might bring the gift to her. While she stood in deep thought, leaning against a column, a sound as of wings rustled past her. She started in sudden wo- manish fear, but instantly her mind, awaking to something of supernatural that perhaps was about to reveal itself according to her desire, she raised her stately form with queen-like pride, and said : " Who is it that would speak to me ? Here stands Isolde, the eldest daughter of the great baron, who will not yield in cou- rage and high spirit to the noblest of her ancestors." Again there flew something close to her dark locks, and she saw with a quick glance that it was a beautiful falcon ; at the same moment a knight, in shining armor, but with a strange head-covering, sprang over the balustrade of the gallery, close to her, and said : " I know well that Isolde stands here, and for that reason do I too stand here." CHAP, i.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 83 She recognized the Northman chief whom she had before seen in the chestnut- wood, and to whom she had given a kindly look ; but now, vexed at her hope of something higher being deceived, she turned away displeased, saying : " Return, sir stranger, whence you are come. The ear of Isolde is not open to you, and all you could say would here be an idle and useless fooling." " I would fain know that somewhat more certainly," said Thiodolf, without stirring from the spot. " Hearken, beautiful maiden : thou art an image of all that is lovely and gracious, but yet, in sooth, thou art no goddess, and therefore thou must listen before thou canst know that my speech is fooling, else thou thy- self would be foolish, and that were pity." Isolde fixed on him a long, wondering look ; her pride had well nigh vanished before this calm, simple, and almost childishly ex- pressed strength ; but, endeavoring to confirm her haughtiness by another thought, she said : " I know not by whose permission you stand in this place, nor, indeed, how you are come hither." " That will I relate to thee," said Thiodolf. " See, I came, as was seemly, to the great gate of your castle, but it was in no seemly fashion that some rude halberdiers on guard asked me my name, and who I was. I gave them for answer, that theirs were bad, inhospitable manners to begin by asking a stranger after such things, and not at least to give him first a cup of honor ; thereupon one of them would have made a grimace, as if to laugh at me, but I struck him on the mouth, so that he fell down, and then I went forth. The others were not so well satisfied with this that they should wish to follow me ; so I went all round the castle, and, as I am accustomed to much more rugged paths amongst rocks, I easily climbed over the outer walls, and after- wards up here to thee, by the balustrade of the gallery. Now, hearken to the rest patiently, and then thou wilt perceive that no foolish word shall pass my lips." Isolde shook her head, and seated herself on a projection of the wall ; she looked down for a moment thoughtfully, and said at length : " You are a strange, unheard-of guest ; but yet speak to me." " That will be easily done," answered Thiodolf: " for hearken, what sweet sounds of horns and lutes float over to us from the 84 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. i. court of the castle. A true heart can speak out incomparably well to such sounds." In truth, many notes from wind and stringed instruments were heard from the halls of the castle. They came from some trou- badours who there held a trial of skill. Thiodolf began as follows : " In those northern regions whence I come, there live tender spirits who cannot bear the bright day. By night and by moonlight they are allowed to trip their graceful dances ; but one single glance of the keen, powerful sun turns them to stone. Now, there lived once amongst them a haughty maiden, who thought that unless she could dance in the sunlight, bold and proud as the strongest beings in all the world, she would not dance at all. She followed her own will in spite of all wise opposition ; and she who had been but now the flower and per- fection of youth, became a cold, dead stone. Wouldest thou also become a stone, Isolde ?" The maiden looked proudly and steadfastly in his eyes. "Youth," she said, " thou must forthwith depart. I perceive well that thou hast not the slightest understanding of that which stirs my heart." "Have I not?" asked Thiodolf, smiling. "In my heart as well as in thine there arises often an overweening pride. But I do like a true strong son of the north, and I tread her under foot till she loses all wish to speak. It is true that thou, poor weak maiden, fair and noble as thou art, canst not do the like, and I therefore have great compassion for thee. But thou must be patient. The Almighty has not created thee for anything stronger." Isolde smiled proudly at Thiodolf, or strove to do so ; but he said very earnestly : " Oh, make not so hateful a grimace ; it becomes thee ill, believe me. Yes, I can say yet more : your white Christ certainly never looked so in His whole life." " How sayest thou your Christ^ Art thou, then, a heathen ?" answered Isolde, bewildered. " Whatever I may be," cried Thiodolf, " in this moment I am truly better than thou, for thou haughtily wouldst send me away, and I bring thee joy and peace in rich abundance." " Show me the joy and peace, if I am to belieye in them," said CHAP, i.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 85 Isolde, without being able to raise her eyes from the ground. A blush like dawning morn passed over her cheeks. " Ah, thou messenger of the gods !" sighed Thiodolf, " when thou lookest so lovely, like a heavenly flower, I must humbly confess all to thee. This is what I meant : thy father must for- give that poor gentle Malgherita, and then I will carry away by force from her castle that proud, disdainful thing, Isolde, who thinks that there is no knight good enough for her, and marry her after the Christian fashion. I shall afterwards take her away with me. Thus would it be well with us all. Thy father will have married his eldest daughter, and, in sooth, to the son of a Northman prince ; Pietro and Malgherita will find grace with him ; Isolde's proud spirit will be broken, and I well, then, a brave man must always think of himself last, and my wife may be perverse as she will, yet will she not be able to embitter my delight in daring adventures." " I must be dreaming thou art mad !" said Isolde, putting her hand to her forehead. " Nay, lady," answered Thiodolf, " thou art not dreaming ; but thou hearest how a brave Northman will deal with his wife if she is such an one as I had imaged thee to myself. But thou wilt be far otherwise. Dear, lovely, noble Isolde, what I did for the sake of Pietro and his wife, I now do for my own sake alone. Oh, give me thy fair, proud hand. I pray thee, dear Isolde, hearken how the harps breathe to us from afar. They may urge my suit ; I feel that I, a poor, rough Northman, cannot do it so well." It seemed almost as if Isolde were about to answer this strange speech mildly ; but the strains which but just before had only breathed in soft whispers, now suddenly arose in triumphant and stately measures, so that Isolde drew herself up like a queen, and said : " Hence, thou bold, deluded man ! What passes for enchantment in thy poor snowy north here happily avails nothing. Thy daring is now known to me, and I tell thee that I will never stoop myself to thee, the less because thou hast shown thyself so overbold." "Oh, ho!" said Thiodolf, "the aspect of things is changed. Now must I return to the plan which I had first formed. Pietro 8C THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. i. and Malgherita must on no account be the sufferers, and I will soon see how I can overcome thee, thou fair, unruly thing !" So saying, he took Isolde in his arms, and bore her down the steps of the arched walk. In the same way he passed through the garden, and she was far too stunned and terrified by this un- expected attack to be able to call for help ; and, perchance, no help would have availed against Thiodolf's anger and heroic strength. CHAP, ii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 87 CHAPTER II. WHILE these things were passing, a forester had joined himself to those who waited in the chestnut-grove ; his appearance made Malgherita tremble violently, and wrap herself still more closely in her veil. He was a large, noble-looking man, past the prime of life, lordly and proud in his bearing, and yet courteous, or even gracious, towards the strangers. At times, when his hair was thrown back from his forehead, and the shadowing plume of his cap was driven aside by a certain rapid movement, which occasionally contrasted with his usually grave manner, the scar of a deep wound was seen above his eyes. Once as the noble huntsman turned to put a question to the Northmen regarding their long and heavy lances, Malgherita whispered in Pietro's ear : " Ask him how he received that fright- ful wound ; oh, ask him that. My blood will else curdle with a horrible doubt." When the stranger again turned to them, the Tuscan knight said : " Dear sir, make known to us who has so deeply marked you above your brow, if, at least, you are not averse to speak of it." The forester was silent for a time, and his countenance was sad ; then he said at length, pointing to the large castle which was shining in the distance : " In that castle there is an arched passage, which has often seen many awful bewildering things. Thence my youngest daughter was once stolen from me. I am the lord of the castle ; and when I, awakened by the noise, glided forth in the darkness methinks it was my ancestor Huldibert who awoke me the ravisher sprang towards me with drawn sword. He may have taken me for the seneschal, for he was hardly so without fear of God as to have struck wittingly at the father of his beloved. In short, he gave me this deep wound, 88 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER [CHAP. n. and I fell senseless in the passage, where the blood-stains may yet be seen. I have laid a heavy curse upon any who dare attempt to wash them out. Grandchildren and great-grandchil- dren shall speak of that curse." He shuddered at his own words, and silently fixed his eyes on the ground ; then again raised his voice, and said : " I sent a curse after the fugitives, and that may every one know, as well as the wicked deed which preceded it, so that other children tempted to evil may consider it, and deliver their souls and bodies. I have laid a malediction on my daughter, that she shall never lay a living child on her bosom until" . He stopped, and added, after a pause : " The condition is impracticable, and need not be repeated ; but that the curse should lie heavy is the main thing, and it does lie heavy, children, you may believe me, on the accursed one." He smiled bitterly to himself. Malgherita gave a shriek of anguish. The old baron drew himself up slowly, stared, now at the lady, now at the knight, and said at last : " I have, doubt- Jess, the ravisher before my eyes, perchance also her he bore away. Strike me now dead, ye evil ones j for I tell you, you are otherwise lost without deliverance." Neither Pietro nor Malgherita dared to move, and the great baron went his way through the chestnut-forest with threatening words and blowing on his horn. The terrified lady wrung her hands and wept hot tears, and the only words she could bring forth were, "Flight, speedy flight !" In vain Pietro opposed to her repeated entreaties that they must await the return of Thiodolf, or, at least, the signal from his horn ; in vain the brave Icelanders assured her that not the least evil should befall her even did the baron come with all his force. She continued to implore that they would retreat to the ship, if they loved and honored her. At length the Iceland warriors said to Pietro : " Sir knight, you will do very wrong if you do not at once grant the prayer of that lovely little lady. We are appointed to protect her in this country ; therefore it de- pends solely and entirely on her will what shall be done and what left undone." Pietro, to whom the whole world was but a ring where Mai- CHAP, ii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 89 gherita shone as the jewel, gladly agreed to this. He asked again of his gentle love what was her pleasure ; and as she, in anxious haste, pointed to the sea, and commanded that no one should remain behind so that all traces might be lost to her angry father they altogether went to the boat, and, with rapid strokes of the oars, they relumed to the larger vessel. THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP XIL CHAPTER III. NOT long afterwards, Thiodolf came with Isolde to the appointed spot in the wood, and finding it deserted, he looked around, with angry flashing eyes. " Vanished ?" he cried out. " Has, then, the earth opened her mouth, or have the spirits of the air carried them away ? For assuredly my glorious Icelanders would never have let themselves be driven away without leaving some traces of combat ; at least, arms would be scattered about here, and a heap of the bones of the dead. But I will soon find out some watch-tower, where I can see all around." And therewith he climbed up a lofty chestnut-tree, calling back to Isolde : " Give not thyself the useless trouble of running away, maiden. In a very, very little time I should catch thee again ; so, I advise thee, remain quiet under the chestnut-shade." Isolde obeyed the strange direction. Like some fair image, she stood motionless beneath the branches, and truly she was deadly pale as a marble statue, and her eyes looked out in fearful fixedness from beneath her beautiful brows. Then came a richly-attired youth riding through the forest. He was called Glykomedon, and was from the great Greek capital Constantinople. Skilled in many delicate arts, equally diligent in the employments of a merchant and of a knight, sprung from a noble and princely race, and yet rich in connexions with mer- chants, he was held in equal honor in the city of Marseilles and in the castle of the great baron. As he now came through the shade of the forest with a waving plume in his cap, a richly em- broidered scarlet mantle wrapped around him, and a costly sword at his side, Isolde stretched, imploringly, her right hand towards him, while she laid the finger of the left on her beautiful mouth, commanding silence. Glykomedon, who had long sighed for the love of the fair lady, went softly towards her with a beating heart ; but a second sign of Isolde, who pointed out to him the northern CHAP, in.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 91 giant, looking around from the topmost branches of the tree, checked his daring hope. A few whispered words of the lady said what was to be done ; but he did not grasp, as she meant and desired, the glittering sword at his side, but rather stood still thoughtfully, and, as it seemed, somewhat doubtfully, sending up a sharp glance to the top of the chestnut-tree. Suddenly he tore the red mantle from his shoulders, shrouded Isolde in it, placed nis plumed cap on her head, and then, as friend might do with friend, he took her by the arm, and passed on with her into the deeper shade of the forest. The eagle-glance of the young Icelander had soon ascertained that there was no trace of Pietro and Malgherita, nor of his soldiers, to be discovered on the coast. And when, looking down, he also missed Isolde, he sprang from the tree full of rage ; and seeing only two youths sauntering quietly through the wood, he ran after them with rapid steps, and reached them in a few strides. " Boys," he said, " have you not seen a tall, beautiful maiden, who must have run somewhere from the place whence I come ? Perchance to the castle yonder ? Hide nothing from me, you dainty youths, I pray you earnestly, for I might otherwise tear you to pieces in my wrath." Isolde trembled violently, and concealed her face yet deeper in the bright mantle ; but Glykomedon pointed, with courteous mien, to the right, and said, " Yonder, dear sir, I saw her run, and it appeared to me, in sooth, that she took her way to the castle." And then he went with Isolde into the thicket to the left, while Thiodolf flew with quickened speed along the opposite path, which had been pointed out to him. He had not gone far when he met a troop of the great baron's retainers, who were riding, in armed array, towards the coast. He wished to avoid the troop, in order not to delay his pursuit ; but two other detachments in conjunction with the first formed a semicircle which reached to the sea, connected by some detached marksmen and riders, and apparently bent upon seizing all whom they should meet in the space which they surrounded. " Give place !" cried Thiodolf to them. They heeded him not, and only pressed on, more on their guard, and more prepared for fight. But then a lofty knight, in a splendid hunting-dress, on a 92 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. IIL beautiful grey horse, it was the great baron, called out : " I find them not in the chestnut-grove. Seize me that man : he must give an account of them !" " Must I ?" cried Thiodolf. And he threw one of the two spears that he held in his hand so rapidly and so surely, that the horse of a trooper, who was dashing towards him, lay stretched on the ground, pierced through. The other lance he threw, as if in sport, vigorously upwards, and caught it again ; then slowly took his way back to the sea-shore^ at times holding out the shining spear-point towards his pursuers. They slackened their pursuit ; and none dared to advance towards him, all looking upon him as a wild beast already surrounded and captured, which must yield itself soon to the immense superiority of numbers. Thus the Icelander reached the strand, where they thought surely to take him ; and those nearest to him covered themselves with their cloaks and mantles, that they might escape the lance- stroke with which his practised hand threatened them ; but Thio- dolf sprang lightly into the sea, as if it had been but a bath pre- pared for a joyous sport, and with powerful strokes of his arms swam back to his ship. Hardly could the astonished pursuers collect themselves enough to send some arrows after him ; and they hissed harmlessly in the water. They stirred up Thiodolf's wrath, however ; and while a boat came towards him from the ship, and he swung himself into it, he threw his spear to the shore, and struck down dead the boldest of the archers, crying out, " There, you have a slight token from me. Henceforth beware of such as ma !" CHAP, iv.] THIODOLPH THE ICELANDER. 3 CHAPTER IV. ONCE on board the ship, Thiodolf cast fearful glances around him. It was easy to see that the Berserker rage was beginning its terrific work within him. He looked fixedly at Pietro, tried with alarming care the edge of a battle-axe that he had caught up, and cried to the seamen : " Raise the anchor ! give the sails to the wind ! Everything has failed here ; and I can well take ven- geance during the voyage. Ye shall see a somewhat bloody tragedy, but one well worth noting." The seamen of both ships dared not oppose the slightest resist- ance to the will of the wrathful hero, and put to sea. He at first walked to and fro with frightful calmness, and at length went slowly with lifted battle-axe towards Pietro, who, well knowing that no words of his could now avail, held himself prepared for a combat for life or death. But then Malgherita her usual timid- ity overcome by this overwhelming terror placed herself be- tween the combatants : " Thiodolf," she said, and pointing to her beating heart, " turn hither thy weapon. It must be all one to thee to kill me so, or by terror and grief; and I truly am alone the guilty one." "That I believe not," answered Thiodolf; "and I need not believe it ; for I have already one before me on whom I may take vengeance. Take thyself out of my sight ! Thou wouldst die before my eyes if the old dark spirit of my race gained full power over me ! Thou coulc Hecla ! Away, I tell thee !" " Never !" sighed the pale lady. " I know now that I must die ; but I will die with Pietro. And here, so close to the gate of death, I swear to thee that I alone am guilty of all. Thou saidst that thou didst need no help but thine own." "I did say so, truly," said Thiodolf, his anger softening; he lowered the battle-axe, and looked for a time steadfastly in Malghe. 94 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. iv. rita's face. At length he cried out : " How has that child power to allay the Berserker rage with her pure eyes ! Ah, and she is like Isolde also, though truly she is but a tiny image of her !" Then he flung away his battle-axe, went up cordially to Pietro, and said : " But, my good brother in arms, wherefore didst thou leave the shore before I blew on my horn ?" When he now had heard all, and how Pietro had throughout resisted, and only yielded to the imploring prayers and commands of Malgherita, he became very thoughtful and still, and said, at last, to the oldest of the Icelanders : " If ever I show myself so mad again, I give thee full power to have me held, and, if neces- sary, to bind me. I should never through my whole life have known peace again if my beloved brother had fallen so unde- servedly by my own hand." The old man looked at him, and shook his head, saying : " I ween thou couldst sooner bind us all together than we thee, espe- cially when once thou art possessed by the true Berserker rage." " That might well be," answered Thiodolf, thoughtfully, " and so much the worse both for me and the whole ship's crew." He sighed deeply, and placed himself at the helm ; and for the rest of the day no one could draw forth a word from him, though in other respects he showed himself kind and submissive to every one. The next morning he looked better pleased. " I will take the greatest heed to myself," he said, taking Pietro and Malgherita's hands ; " and if, in spite of all, I begin to thunder and lighten, then tell me some stories of how your white Christ came to His disciples, who were fishers, on the sea-coast, in the grey mists of morning. I know not how it happens, but when I hear such tales I feel such a longing in my mind, and I become so soft and kind. But now let me talk to you, dear children, of what concerns us at present." And then he related to them all that he had wished to do, and how all had failed. Malgherita and Pietro could not but smile at times at his strange wild true-heartedness, but he himself could noways understand why all had not turned out well. He ended by saying that he would but take them first in safety to Tuscany, and then return to fetch Isolde, and assuredly bring about a re- CHAP, iv.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 95 conciliation in his own way. " Ask me nothing about it, chil- dren," he concluded. " You do not understand, I see plainly, our northern schemes ; and as at the very worst it is only my own skin that will suffer, and that of my sworn companions, no one has anything to do with the business but myself.' 96 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, r CHAPTER V. IN the blooming land of Tuscany, one beautiful evening, there sat several shepherds together under some shady trees ; while the sea, in the golden light of evening, glittered before them. The eldest of them touched a guitar, to whose tones another sang the following song : " The Lady Laura's castle grey Stands lonely on the steep : Owl, bat, and swallow, flap their wings Around the towers, while reptile things Along the pavement creep. Once belted knights, with gallant grace, Here held the gay tournay, And couch'd the lance in mimic strife : How did all pleasure and all life So quickly pass away ? The bold Moors came, well arm'd and fierce, In ships that court the breeze : Warder and watch before them felL Oh, say ! who taught the infidel The fairest prize to seize ? The sweetest flower is pluck'd away From out our summer crown : Put hand to lance, and heel to spur, Knights, ride ye forth, and rescue her, For Tuscany's renown." " And so was it done !" said a third. " Truly our knights rode from here but one went to Florence, another to Sienna, a third to Pisa ; and while our nobility there showed their prowess, and took their pleasure with their own and the burghers' blood, our coasts remained open to the sea-robbers. See how many beautiful castles shine all around on our heights, and all stand empty as the castle of the ravished Countess Laura !" CHAP, v.] TH10DOLF THE ICELANDER. 97 " Were but the Marquis Pietro of Castel-Franco here !" said the one who had sung. " He was always the mirror of our chivalry ; he would never have suffered the outrage, more es- pecially because the Countess Laura was the wife of his late cousin." " It is still to be proved," answered the other, " whether he could have done anything in the matter. Thou must remember how the Count Paolo died. The unknown knight in Moorish garb, who pierced him mortally with a lance in the tournay held in his own castle-court, appeared to all the guests mysterious, and almost like a wizard ; and the fair countess herself was not free from all suspicion. It is said that it was in displeasure against her that Marquis Pietro went forth on his voyages." " He may have had what motive he pleased," said the old shepherd ; " evil enough has his absence brought to us. Ah ! how mournfully Castel-Franco looks down from the mountains ! It seems far more like a ruin than a castle, although all the stones are firm knit together ; for the soul has departed from the castle with its lords. Let it but for a short time longer remain desolate and shut up, and brambles will shoot forth from the stones, and branches wave from the towers instead of banners. Yes, it appears as if already rampart, gate, and wall, had fallen down together, and I was seeing curious travellers wandering among the ruin." All were silent in melancholy thought, when suddenly one of the circle started up in terror : " May all the saints have mercy !" he cried out. " A Norman pirate-ship comes towards us with swelling sails !" They all looked, and saw the threatening appearance ; and while one called for arms, another urged to send for help, and a third proposed to drive the flocks farther inland, the old shepherd said : " Be not too hasty, children, with your needless terrors. You may see that the ship bears a flag of peace. Only go to meet her as friends, and all will be well." Some still were doubtful, and thought that the flag of peace was only to draw them on to their destruction. But the old shepherd reproved this with solemn words, reminding them that the vessel bore nothing of a Musselman appearance, but a Norman ; 8 98 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. v. and the Normans, it was well known, played no tricks with their flags and banners. Then all did after the old man's advice ; and they did well, for the strangers had been sent on before by Thiodolf, to spread through castle and village the news of the approach of Pietro and Malgherita. A joyful stir was forthwith seen on all the coast. The maidens came forth with wreaths of flowers ; the wives with choice fruits, and bright veils floating in the air ; their fathers and husbands, whether husbandmen, shepherds, or hunters, with their sharp polished scythes, and crooks, and weapons. The soldiers who were still in the neighborhood, having been wont to fight under the banner of the ancient race of Castel-Franco, likewise gathered together, and went down to the coast to give a joyful welcome. The bells of the villages around rang out, and the sound of many guitars joined to them like the joyful notes of spring birds. But only those who bear already in their minds the sweet summer sounds of the south can imagine the delicious songs of the women and girls, now sportive, now touching. The travellers landed ; and while Pietro by his courteous knightly bearing, and Malgherita by her beauty and gentle grace, won all hearts, Thiodolf walked beside them as in a waking dream. Now his look was fixed on the deep-green tops of the trees, which looked so fair against the bright sky with their reddening fruits ; then he strode on over the rich grass carpet ; and then again paused at some graceful villa and its dazzling garden. With a happy smile and a sigh, he said to himself, " Truly Uncle Nefiolf told no falsehood when he spoke of this glorious land of the south ; but he described it rather stiffly and coldly, the poor man !" " And is it only here that you first find all that you fancied ?" said Malgherita smiling. " You will make me angry if you put my sweet native Provence so far below Tuscany." But he answered kindly : " In Provence, dear Malgherita, 1 thought but of thee, and let all the gods bear the blame much, far too much, of Isolde, so evil-minded, but ah ! so wondrously fair." As they thus spoke, they reached the castle, where already the traces of neglect and desolation had almost disappeared before the CHAP, v.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 99 joyful activity of all. Sunshine lay on every face ; only a mo- mentary but very deep shade passed over the features of the noble knight when he was reminded of the fair widow of his cousin, the Countess Laura, who had been carried away by pirates from Bar- bary. Thiodolf thought that his sadness was caused by this outrage, and was about to promise his help to deliver her, when the marquis said : " Trouble not thyself about the cast-away. May my eyes never see her again !" " Well," answered Thiodolf, " that wish may very easily be fulfilled ; and if it please thee, it pleases me likewise." Therewith he sat down, laughing, beside Pietro and Malgherita, at the sumptuous table, covered with noble wines and beautiful fruits ; and, contrary to his custom, he threw away his clattering sword Throng-piercer, saying that all here was much too bright and joyous for any to dare talk of cold steel. With almost childlike joy, Thiodolf ate of the golden fruits of the south, and let the sparkling wine flow into the polished glass, and then trickle in slow drops on his tongue. " Sing, Malghe- rita, sing, then," he prayed the while, " a little song to thy man- doline ; and. dear people, open the window, that the balmy air may pour in from without, and the rays of the golden moon. My children, your land is unspeakably glorious. I will win for myself a castle or two in the neighborhood, so that we may always dwell together." But in the midst of all this bright feasting and enjoyment, he arose gravely from his seat, looked out at the stars, buckled on his clanking sword, and said : " It is time. I must, before all, get Isolde out of the Provencal castle ; and so, ye dear joyous friends, good night." AH endeavors to withhold him from the voyage were in vain. He blew his war-horn at the open window till the singing birds were silenced by it as by a thunder-clap ; and forthwith the Ice- landers were seen in busy tumult, hastening over the moonlit meadows down to the sea, preparing their ships for departure, and pouring forth strange songs, never before heard in Tuscany. The dwellers in the land, men, women, and children, went after them in astonishment, but lovingly and confidingly. In the meanwhile Pietro had made a sign to the company to leave 100 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. r. the hall ; and when alone with Thiodolf and Malgherita, he said : " Since thou wilt leave us so quickly, brother-in-arms, I am bound to give thee an account of what has passed with respect to the widow of my cousin, the fair Laura, who has been carried away ; so that thou mayest not deem that any unknightly feeling has hindered me from hastening after the ravisher." " Many foolish thoughts go, indeed, through my head," answer- ed Thiodolf; " but never one so foolish as that, I hope." " Distance is a bad pleader," said Pietro ; " and it seems to me as if we shall not meet again for a long time." " That may well happen," said Thiodolf; " for I should not wil- lingly return to you without Isolde, and it may be that it will be somewhat hard to win her. But for what thou sayest about distance, I understand it not: it sounds to me very mistaken. Thou knowest how dear to my heart Uncle Nefiolf and Aunt Gunhilda have become since they have been so far away from me. Thou thinkest, perchance, that they were not very beautiful to look upon. Ah! beloved Pietro, distance has done no injury to the proud, lovely Isolde. But if thou hast somewhat to relate to me, say on, in the name of all the gods : I love to hear stories." And Pietro spoke as follows : " As the choicest of the Tuscan chivalry strove to win the hand of the beautiful Laura, many wondered when the fair prize fell to the share of my noble and rich, but somewhat aged, cousin Paolo. I myself could the less understand it, because I knew that Laura lived wholly in the by- gone world of the Greeks and Romans, collecting around her their statues, parchments, and other remains, of which the good Count Paolo had never thought in his whole life. Be it as it may, Count Paolo led the fair lady to the altar, and both lived together fur some time in great joy and much festivity. There came at length a young minstrel to the castle ; he bore on his arm a lyre, such as the old Greeks used to strike ; he sang very deliciously, and greatly pleased the Lady Laura in his flowing Moorish dress, though people in general held him for an unbaptized Moor." " Unbaptized !" interrupted Thiodolf; " she might have loved him for all that. I myself am unbaptized. But a Moor ! Shame upon her ! The creatures are as black as night to look upon." Pietro told him, smiling, that many noble Arabs dwelt on the CHAP, v.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 101 Spanish and African coasts who were of no darker complexion than Italians, and who were only called Moors because they had come from the ancient land of Mauritania. This satisfied Thiodolf ; and Pietro continued : " But the min- strel did not at all please Count Paolo, and he once drove him from the castle in a stormy night. The exact circumstances are not known ; only this is known for certain, that the Lady Laura behaved as if nothing important had happened, and showed her- self so sweet and loving to the old lord that she won him to give a splendid tournament in his castle-court on her birth-day, at which he himself appeared in the lists most richly attired, and bearing himself right manfully. But our gay sport soon turned into sorrowful earnest. An unknown knight, in strange attire, who tilted after an unwonted fashion, struck the noble host with such wonderful dexterity through the vizor, that Paolo at once fell lifeless on the sand ; while the veil of the lady, waving in sign of peace, forbade to us combatants any outbreak of our quickly kindled wrath. Afterwards, when we would have sum- moned the murderous stranger to justice and judgment, he had vanished in an incomprehensible manner. And for many months our intercourse with the widow remained doubtful, and unsatis- factory, and uncertain. Neither was vengeance to be taken, nor friendship and confidence kept up. Then I took my resolution, and went forth, forsaking castle and native land, and kindred, seeking for myself an untroubled happiness in foreign countries, and a more joyous life. Gracious Heaven has granted me this in Malgherita's arms ; and the unworthy beauty has been carried beyond our reach by a fortunate storm." " It will not end well with that woman," said Thiodolf. " An old proverb of our country says, ' Cast away from thee guilt and curse, or thou wilt never draw down to thee the falcon, happiness, from the clouds.' " Then he stretched out his hand lovingly to his friends to take leave, and went out of the hall, bidding them not to follow. " For," said he, " we are all three, I feel it, somewhat sad ; and we should but drive the sting of parting as many times into our hearts as there are steps from here to the sea-shore. The knife had better go in sharp once for all, and quickly come out again, 103 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. V. and then the wound will heal soon and healthfully. Good night, children ; I love you from my very soul." He was out of the hall, and Malgherito and Pietro looked at each other pale and sorrowful. But on Malgherita's face lay a far other paleness than that which the sadness of parting brings. Pietro marked it, but dared not ask the cause, for a like myste- rious feeling stirred within himself. " Didst thou hear the saying with which Thiodolf parted from us ?" said Malgherita after a time, gravely and solemnly : ' Cast away guilt and curse, or thou canst never draw down to thee the falcon, happiness, from the clouds.' Pietro, we shall never draw him down to us at least not so without trouble, as we had boldly thought." * Pietro would have answered her with soothing words, but his tongue seemed powerless. At length he brought himself to ask whether they had not had enough of trouble and hardship in their shipwreck, and their winter in Iceland, and many other things that they had suffered ; but Malgherita answered : " Deceive not thyself. No portion of our hearts has yet been touched, and that must come assuredly. Hitherto Fate has but mocked us, and sounded her trumpet to prepare us for a fearful dance. But our undutifulness and the wound of my father call for more. Thou knowest, Pietro, that I bear a child in my bosom ; and does not the thunder of that mysterious father's curse roll in thy ears also ?" " Let us, then, but suffer together !" answered Pietro ; and clasping each other, they sank down in prayer, weeping hot tears. The while was heard from the coast the joyful song of the Icelanders, who were now gaily setting sail in the bright moon- light. After some days of prosperous voyage, Thiodolf cast anchor before the coast of Provence. He had found out a shady creek, where he was the more secure, as hardly any but bold Icelanders would have chosen this difficult spot for landing. With the choicest of his troops he ascended a neighboring hill, whence they could see almost into the streets of the fair city of Marseilles, and also have in sight the rather more distant castle of the great baron. Thiodolf seemed to be forming a plan of attack for the OHAP. v.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 103 castle ; but at length he said : " We must know first how matters stand. Therefore will I go and make inquiries in the city, which, besides, I shall be glad to see nearer." Some of his soldiers put before him the danger in which he would place himself after all that he had but just before attempt- ed on this shore, and begged that he would rather send one of them. But of this he would hear nothing, saying that it had never been the way of his race to keep back from any kind of danger. And when two of the Icelanders pleaded their age and experi- ence against him, he cried out, with kindling eyes : " You are come with me to help me, not to direct me !" whereat they all remained humbly silent. Then he became gentle again, and said, soothing them kindly : " The people yonder will not eat me. But if I perish there, and you hear that they have overcome me by numbers, then do not let the city escape : overthrow it till what is lowest becomes highest ; and take heed that a mighty . grave for Thiodolf be raised, which may be seen far out at sea, like a high mountain." Then he gave them a friendly greeting, and walked gaily towards the brilliant city. But before he reached it, a path which wound through flowery fields, and which he followed, marvelling at its trimness and evenness, led him to a fair meadow where a joyous drinking-party sat under shady branches, and music sounded merrily in the sunny air, while beautiful maidens and youths were dancing on the smooth sward. This much pleased the good-humored Thiodolf, and he would gladly have joined them, but he knew not how to set about it. He often thought of taking part with either the drinking or the dancing party, but he feared that he should frighten them ; and he would on no account have troubled this pleasant company. A few, mdeed, looked wonder- ing at the stalwart gigantic form, and at his strange head-gear ; but those who dwelt in the rich merchant city were too much accustomed to strangers from all the known parts of the world to dwell long upon any one ; and so Thiodolf stood solitary and thoughtful in the midst of the gay rout, leaning upon his spear. At length his eyes fell upon a pretty building, before whose door was hung a garland ; and many people were hastening in with empty flasks, and coming out with full ones. " Aha !" 104 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. T. said he to himself, "yonder must be the source of all these good things ; and we must try how we too can get a drink out of it." He walked towards it, and asked a smiling maiden, who was giving out food and drink to many passers-by, whether he might dare to join the guests. " Wherefore not, good Sir Giant ?" answered she, playfully ; " if you have but money enough." " Money !" asked Thiodolf ; " what has that to do with giving hospitality ?" " Very much," answered the maiden, laughing :^ " the host gives his gifts for money ; and if you have no money, his gifts are not for you." " I would not be such a host," said Thiodolf, shaking his head. " But I can get over the difficulty. I have truly no money with me : but yet can I have for this two flasks of wine, and of the right kind, fiery, sparkling, and bright ?" He broke a gold clasp from his cloak, and held it towards the maiden. " Ten flasks, if so please you, and more," answered she, bend- ing low, and quickly seizing the clasp. " Will it please you to drink within, or under a bower ?" " Under a bower, if it may be," said Thiodolf. " And as for ten flasks ay, bring at first only five, but let them be somewhat large ; we can then see about more." He was very speedily served. And he said, letting himself sink down in the fragrant bower, " It is truly somewhat foolish to be a guest after this fashion ; but I should lie if I said it was unpleasant." He had already almost emptied one flask when he first noticed that he was not alone in the bower. A little good-natured-looking man, in very respectable attire, was sitting opposite to him, and looking at him with keen eyes ; but there was so much kindness about his friendly mouth, that it always seemed ready to explain or excuse what the sharp eyes might discover. Thiodolf, who willingly allowed himself to be looked through, because all within him was pure and bright as a mirror, looked on his part at the CHAP, v.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 105 stranger with a smile, nodded at him, and said, " It is very plea- sant here '" " Yes, truly," answered the friendly man ; " and I am very glad that you feel that so strongly." " Let us drink together," said Thiodolf, and the stranger accepted ; but he brought out two flasks of a far more costly wine. It was soon made known, in their confidential talk, that Thio- dolf's companion was a merchant of Marseilles, who, during great part of the year, was forced by his business to live in foreign and often inhospitable lands ; but then that only made his repose after- wards the sweeter and fuller. " To our good brotherhood !" cried Thiodolf, making their glasses touch ; " for in fact, dear sir, we are both of the same trade ; only that you commonly give money for the goods of foreign lands, and I thrusts of spears, and blows of swords, and blood." " Well," said the merchant smiling, " there may still be some little difference ; for men freely give up their wares to us, and according to a settled agreement. But, on the other hand, you often repay with knightly help, or a joyful victory ; and that is so noble a coin, that none other on earth may be compared to it. 1, and my like, may gladly agree to the brotherhood you speak of." "And arms !" said Thiodolf. "You use arms on your voy- ages ?" "Never without necessity," said the merchant; "but never without courage." " That is right !" cried Thiodolf, and he seized his companion's hand in his powerful grasp. " Dear, brave man ! it is easy to see that you may be spoken to without thoughtful reserve. Boldly out with our words as beseems valiant men. Tell me, in the name of all the gods, how goes it now in the castle of the great baron ?" " One of your countrymen has but lately made sad havoc there," answered the merchant, and he shook his head and looked keenly in the eyes of the questioner. 106 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. v. " So ! has he ?" replied Thiodolf rather hurt. " But tell me now what has come of it." " What well nigh must come of it," said the merchant. " The proud and lofty mind of the baron has become bewildered by his wrathful sorrow. Neither by day nor by night will he come out of the vaulted passage which leads to the castle from the park, and which was always looked upon by him and most of his house- hold as a mysterious and ill-fated spot. There he wanders about with an old heavy hammer, and strikes against the painted walls to find the hollow place where the prophecy of his ancestor, Hul- dibert, lies concealed. That prophecy he thinks will throw light upon the fearful destiny which has robbed him of both his daugh- ters." " Both his daughters ? Both ?" asked the astonished Thiodolf. " Isolde but left her home for half an hour, and has long ago re- turned to it." " You are misinformed," answered the merchant. " Isolde has been forcibly carried off by that Northman ; probably at the de- sire of Malgherita, who but just before had sprung up again like an apparition." " Yes," said Thiodolf, striking the table till flasks and glasses clattered together, " that I know well. But she made her escape from him, and is long since with her father." " Dear sir," answered the merchant smiling, " you are in error, however strong assertion your fist may make on the table. A wild Northman, who had been both seen and felt at the castle- gate, for a porter is now lying in bed half dead from a blow of his fist " " He must have been a proper fool of a porter !" interrupted Thiodolf. " A little bit of a blow." "Be it as it may with him," continued the merchant; "but this Northman had afterwards a fight with the baron's troops on the shore, and escaped back to his two vessels, to which he had undoubtedly before contrived to convey Isolde." " Nay, sir, that he had not contrived," cried Thiodolf with a displeased laugh ; " and more the pity." " You contradict strangely," said the merchant. " Oh, si-," answered Thiodolf, he who contradicts strangely CHAP, v.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER, 107 is yourself. None can know the story so well as I ; for I am that wild fellow of whom it pleases you to speak." " Is it so ? that makes indeed a difference," said the merchant laughing heartily ; but soon falling into grave thought, he looked down silently for a while, and asked at length, " In heaven's name, have you then no knowledge where Isolde may now be ?" " It was that which I would ask you," cried Thiodolf. " And you may give me the information with a very safe conscience ; for I have no other thought than that of the reconciliation of the whole house ; and therefore it was that* I wished to carry off Isolde, and even to marry her." " Ah, good friend," said the merchant smiling, " that last many men have already heartily wished." " But not so honorably and so honestly as I," said Thiodolf; " I would wager that." "And I too," answered the merchant; "though perchance you would set about it somewhat strangely. Thus much is cer- tain : you alone can now deliver Isolde, who must have fallen into the hands of a most unworthy ravisher." " I shall probably grind him to dust," said Thiodolf. " But let me now think," continued the merchant, " how we can find a trace of who he is, and whither his course may have turned." After a pause he said, "It can hardly be any other! The proud Arab, Prince Achmet, must have done the deed. At that very time he was cruising about our coasts, and his corsairs have often been seen on shore. Except his vessels and yours, there have been only merchant-ships peaceably lying in the har- bor of our city, and they would never have ventured on any deed of violence ; least of all against a daughter of the great baron." Already on his feet, and with his spear in hand, Thiodolf asked, " Where shall I find Achmet ?" " They say that he sailed hence to Sicily," said the merchant. " And if you find him not there, he must be gone to the African coast. He has there a large noble castle, not far from the spot where the old Carthage stood ; and without doubt he must have thought of concealing there the stolen treasure." " Thanks, my brave, wise informant," said Thiodolf, shaking 108 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, v the merchant's hand ; " and before we part let me hear your name." " I am called Bertram," answered he. " And I, too, would make you a request. There is in the neighborhood of Achmet's castle an old Arab called Haroun, who has in keeping some very precious jewels of mine. I have never sent for them, because there has been no opportunity sufficiently safe ; but now I wish that you would take them into your -brave hands, and bring them to me in Marseilles when you restore Isolde. You will think that I am a selfish man, who has nothing before his eyes but his own business and profit." " Wherefore not ?" said Thiodolf. " It is the greatest joy and pleasure in the world, when one man takes another by the hand, and finds his own advantage in bringing about an intercourse be- tween good people." " Truly," said Bertram, " Haroun may do you a good turn in helping you to recover Isolde. Give him this seal-ring from me, then he will know you to be my friend, and you may trust him blindly under. all circumstances. You will readily find him. Every dweller on the coast will show you the way to old Ha- roun's house. See, my valiant Northman, the thought which you just now spoke out is the very one that makes me joyful and bold in traffic, and gives me hope that my life spent in it is well pleasing to God." " Long live merchants J- Long live warriors !" cried Thiodolf, as he emptied his glass, pressed the merchant to his heart, and hastened with two flasks of the noble wine under his arm gaily back to his ship. Immediately the anchors were raised, and to- wards midday they set sail with a favorable wind. CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 109 CHAPTER VI. WHEN after some time the fertile Sicily, with her smoking moun- tain, arose out of the waves in sight of the voyagers, all the Icelanders stood on the decks of their vessels, and joyfully stretched out their arms towards the beautiful vision. " Hecla's brother !" they cried out. " Welcome, Hecla's brother ! Is it not as if we were looking upon our old beloved fire-mountain itself?" And then they broke forth into the following song : " Deep in the bosom of the earth, Day and night a furnace rages ; Flames as ancient as the world, Yet unknown to man for ages. But when, smoking in her wrath, Hecla lifts her thousand voices, And when Etna threatens loud, Then the soul of man rejoices ; Glorious thoughts his heart inspire, That the world is girt by fire !" " I canff/at now understand," said Thiodolf to himself, " how Malgherita could help taking more pleasure in the fiery-red Hecla. Etna here only sends out smoke into the air, and yet how joyfully my heart beats at the sight !" While they were casting anchor before the fertile island, they heard the song of some fishermen who were rowing about, sing, ing words like the following : " In the red glow of evening Came o'er the blue sea The strong northern hero, So bold and so free. That his sword is unsparing Shall Musselmans find; But to woman he ever Is gentle and kind. 110 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vi. " When the battle is ended, The mazes he'll trace, Of the song and the dance With skill and with grace. He who boldly meets death, And who fears not to dare, He also shall vanquish The hearts of the fair." " Would to the gods that it were so !" said Thiodolf with a sigh. " Then would Isolde not have shown herself so ungracious towards me ; for as to meeting death firmly, that I think I could do as well as any other. But I must speak to those good fisher- men at any rate." He beckoned to them ; and as at that time there were many true and brave Normans on the island, their countrymen were received without the smallest distrust. The fishermen rowed gladly to the vessel, and prayed the noble lord to rest a while in a bower which they had made near the shore of orange and plane branches interwoven. " Have you any wine there ?" asked Thiodolf. " I will pay you well for it, and I greatly like it." " Good wine of Syracuse," answered the fishermen ; and with- out more ado he went with them and some of his companions to land. As they now drew near to the orange-shade, he whispered to his Icelanders, " Children, there is no help for it ; th\ time you must go on and make inquiries about Achmet. It is so very pleasant here under the branches. Besides I see bright flasks glisten ; and as it is a land of friends, I can well remain behind. Now make yourselves thoroughly well informed ; you will surely find me here when you return, if even you are rather long away." The soldiers dispersed, and Thiodolf went with his friendly hosts into the leafy bower. " Children," he said, as they sat with their glasses before them, " you were singing just now a beautiful song of a brave and courteous Northman. Of what hero were you then speaking?" " Of the great knight Helmfrid," answered a fisherman. " He bore himself so gallantly, that not only castles and ships, but also the hearts of the noblest and fairest women could offer him no CHAP, vr] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. Ill resistance. And often indeed has he wooed a lovely lady ; but when he was just about to hear the sweet consent from her lips, he colored up as if in anger and shame, turned away, and sought some other path." " That was well," said Thiodolf. " I can easily guess at the reason. But if I only knew where he now is, I would bring him a certain shield, and with it lull to rest his wrathful sorrow." " You would come too late, dear sir," answered the fisherman ; "at least too late as far as regards his love-adventures. The great knight Helmfrid must now be an old man." " They say," added another, " that he is become the head of the northern guard which the rich Greek emperor keeps at his court, and which is called the troop of the Vaeringers. He must be there a very mighty and glorious prince." " Then he is what beseems him," said Thiodolf; "and the peo- ple who have made him such have not done a tittle more than their duty. So help me Odin ! what a joy it must be to look only for once into the face of such a warrior !" While they were thus speaking, a blooming graceful woman joined them. She belonged to the fishermen, and helped to bring wine and pour it out. At length she said to him who was her husband, " These are other and pleasanter guests than the corsairs who were here of late." " Corsairs !" and Thiodolf sprang up. "Could you not tell me whether the Arab prince Achmet was their leader ?" " That he was," answered the woman. " I know that as well as any one. For when they had tormented us long enough, and were just about to sail away, I was called to the ship in order to dress and plait the hair of a beautiful lady." " Indeed !" cried Thiodolf. " O thou dear woman, thou art to me like a guiding star, and one very fair and kindly to look upon. Tell me now, how went it with the beautiful lady ?" " I plaited her silky tresses," answered the woman, smiling ; " and the while the Arab prince knelt before her on rich cushions, and spoke tender and loving things to her ; but I could not hear much of them, for all around were youths and maidens singing to their Moorish instruments. The lady in the midst of these flat- tering sounds looked like a very queen, so steadily and brightly 112 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, vi did her eyes look out upon the green of the sea and the blue of heaven." Oh, I know that !" murmured Thiodolf to himself. " Just so did I see her for the first time : as if she were a sunflower, the proud maiden, and naught but the sun was worthy of her gaze. Did you not hear," continued he, turning to the woman, " whither they were steering ?" " I think, dear sir," answered she, " that they were going to Africa. At least much was said in the songs, and also in the speech of the Arab prince, of a castle that stands near the ruins of the old Carthage, or perhaps on part of them, and where the true joy of love was to rise up out of a fallen world." " I have it ! thanks be to all the gods !" cried Thiodolf, spring, ing up and seizing his horn. But quickly turning again to the fishermen, he said kindly, " Be not afraid, children, if I blow somewhat loud. I must do it this once, for I have not a moment of time to lose." And forthwith the thunder of his mighty horn echoed through the flowery valleys. The Icelanders came hastily running back, and he called out to them in his native tongue : " Wise warriors scour the land, Aye for tidings seeking ; Their leader, the while, bright wine is quaffing. " The best of tidings came, As the goblet he raised. The secret is known. We must be sailing !" Then he put two golden rings into the hand of the pretty fisher, wife, who bowed, full of thanks, to the noble hero, and hastening to his companions on board, steered full of joyful hopes to the African coast. The beams of the sinking sun fell with a strange brightness on the ruins of the overthrown Carthage. High grass and fragrant shrubs, which sprang up out of the clefts of the stones, whispered in the sea-breeze, as if repeating with mysterious sounds the mar- vellous deeds of the past. The voice of a shepherd-boy sang these words from amongst the mounds, which might have been taken for graves : CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. US " When banish'd Mariu8, once a Roman chief, On Carthage' ruin'd fragments sat him down, He thus po-ur'd forth his bosom's sad complaint : ' changeful life !' he cried ; say, what art thou ? More than a passing shadow a mere shade ? Or less than the forerunner of grim death ?' " A beautiful woman who passed just then, leaning on the arm of a Moorish prince, trembled painfully at this song, and he imme- diately took her back to a splendid castle which rose up not far from the spot. Soon after Thiodolf came across the plain. He had landed some hours before ; and had, as he was wont, taken upon himself alone to make inquiries in this land of enemies. His answer to some well-meant remonstrances of his companions had been : " In the first place, it makes less noise when I go alone ; and then I can get more honor from all that may befal me. Keep quiet in your posts, and let no man interfere with me." They well knew what that meant, and did not venture on another word of opposition ; remaining on the shore listening and prepared for combat, that they might run at the first sound of the horn, wherever their young leader should call them. Now as Thiodolf was striding over the ruins, he heard the song of the boy as it gave out these words : " The brilliant green of summer's days Changes to autumn's mournful browa" " There is not much harm in that," said Thiodolf. " Autumn is a beautiful season ; but thou, to whom it seems so mournful, come out for a while from thy heap of stones. I have to speak with thee." The stripling shepherd drew near to the young hero, greeting him courteously. " Thou fair boy," said Thiodolf, " canst thou show me the way to old Haroun's dwelling ?" " I will do so gladly in the morning, dear sir," answered the boy ; " but this evening it is all too fearful around the old build- ing. Besides, many wild beasts cower there in the night-time ; and before we could complete our journey, the moon would be already risen high." 9 114 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. CHAP vi. " Leave the moon to rise if she will, dear child," answered Thiodolf. " Thou art under the safeguard of a strong Northman. Be/ore a hair of thy head can be touched, I must be lying dead on the ground ; and that would not be so easily done." " I well believe that, thou great noble man," said the boy. " I will go with thee ; but I must first collect my flock." Thiodolf was content with this. The boy drove his flock into a space surrounded with a half-fallen wall, closed the entrance carefully with hurdles, and went his way with his knightly com- panion. They went over the level coast, only passing at times detached lonely buildings, or low brushwood, breaking the same- ness of the way, while the deepening shades of evening more and more overcame the power of the setting sun. Clouds of deepest sorrow and longing came at the same time over Thiodolf's mind. The friends he had left behind in Iceland, and the proud beauty who had fled from him, came before him as if the past and the future, half severe and half alluring. He was tempted to think that all the joy which he was pursuing was but an unreal cloud. His faithful relations in Iceland he might never see again, and never win the love of that glorious maiden. Some chords which the boy drew forth from the lute sounded mournful like- wise, and now and then a heavy tear fell from his large blue eyes, almost like the rain-drops which fall from the clouds when a mighty storm is about to burst forth. When the moon had been long up, and the sands appeared golden yellow in her light, the wanderers perceived a ruined building which rose upon a gentle hill. All around grew thick bushes of shrubs strange to look upon ; some of them spreading wide, others shooting up high ; every leaf recalling to a stranger how far off is his beloved home, and in what remote wild country he is wandering. " Yonder lives old Haroun," said the boy, and he pointed with his hand towards the moon-lit building ; but he suddenly remained in this position as if spell-bound. "What is the matter, boy?" asked Thiodolf. "Go onwards, or we shall find old Haroun already asleep." " Dost thou not see it ?" whispered the child, but without moving. " Yonder is cowering a fearful lion, ready to spring on us j if we move, he will be upon us." CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 115 " Truly the lion must be a bad beast," answered Thiodolf. " If only I could see him !" And cautiously looking through the bushes, he said at length, " Look now, there is a beautiful greai dog, quite gold-colored ; he shall help us in our chase." But a* he was about to call the dog, it sprang fiercely out upon him " Come on !" cried Thiodolf; but at the same moment he felt his- round shield almost torn from his arm, and the creature's teeth in his side. " Dost thou so love to bite, sirrah ?" he cried, and let his battle-axe fall on the beautiful head of the beast, dividing it into two bloody halves, so that the wild aggressor fell to the ground with a loud far-echoing cry, and then stretching out his limbs in death immediately expired. " Pity for the beautiful noble dog !" said Thiodolf compassionately. " I have never seen so large a one. But why was the creature so ill-conditioned ? And now, where shall we find the lion ?" The astonished boy had difficulty in convincing him that there lay the lion, and that if was one of the most fearful that could be met with on the African coasts. " So, so !" said Thiodolf, bending down to observe the fallen beast. "So that is a lion! Well, it is a very beautiful and powerful creature ; but I can tell thee I had pictured to myself it would be something more." An old man, with a venerable beard and high turban, had ap- proached them. " Could you not tell me, my children, who killed here this mighty lion ? I know very well that it may have been a thunderbolt. But how came it that I heard nothing of it, and yet that the fearful death-cry of the beast rang through my chambers ?" " Thunderbolt ?" answered Thiodolf. " Yes, if you call this a thunderbolt." He held his battle-axe towards the old man, and added, " But you are mistaken." " And yet I might well-nigh call it a thunderbolt," said the old man, now looking at the edge of the axe, and now at the animal's wound ; and the boy whispered in Thiodolf 's ear that this was the rich old Haroun, to whom they were going. " Dear Haroun," said Thiodolf kindly, " I have to give thee a greeting from thy friend Bertram." The old man looked at him, his eyes sparkling with joy, and 116 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vi. said : " Truly, thou valiant youth, thou hast the look of one who may be the friend of my friend, and thou beseemest thyself as such ; but yet I must ask for another assurance." Then Thiodolf held the seal-ring before his eyes ; and forth- with Haroun grasped the hand of his guest with youthful warmth and youthful strength, and led him up into the building, promis- ing at the same time hospitality and a night's lodging to the shepherd-boy, so that in the morning he could return in the safety of daylight to his flock. The two men sat opposite to each other in a great hall, painted with figures of very ancient date, and talked over their business. Between them stood a table covered with rich fruits, and a flask of precious wine shone before Thiodolf, who diligently applied himself to it. Faithful to discharge the commission of his friend, he settled about the transfer of the jewels before he began to ask after Isolde and Achmet. " The bold prince lately returned home with a wondrously fair woman," answered Haroun ; " and a succession of feasts has been held in his splendid castle. I will give thee a counsel, dear friend. Go thou to-morrow towards evening to the castle as a player on the lute, thou canst strike its strings ?" " Not much worse than I can wield a sword," answered Thi- odolf, nodding confidently. " That is well," proceeded the old man ; " then that will be the best way to search out how matters stand there, and then to make plans accordingly." " I must say one thing to thee first. If I can go there as I am now, so let it be. But to disguise myself as a Musselman, that I can do neither now nor ever. I will live as a Northman, I will die as a Northman ; and no single moment shall come between in which it can be said that I have passed for aught else." " Thou art a strange man," said Haroun with some displeasure, " and takest too much thought. When the alchymist can change metals for ever, why should a man be scared at putting on another garb for two or three hours ?" " With an Icelander such tricks are not so lightly played," answered Thiodolf indignantly. " Well, well," said the old man kindly ; " it must, then, be CHAP, vi.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 117 done after another fashion. * In the castle they much love all that is called song or melody ; and the gates would open all the quicker before the wonderful appearance of an Icelandic minstrel." " Yes," said Thiodolf, " that is the way with doors when Ice- landers knock at them : if good words cannot do, good blows can." At this moment he perceived a large figure painted on the wall in vivid colors, on which the lamp, as he turned it in order more conveniently to help himself, threw a bright light. " That must be a very old painting ?" he asked. " Truly it must be of the time of Carthage," was the answer, " for our law forbids us to make such images." " That is a strange law," cried Thiodfol, " which would forbid man to make beautiful images, in which other people will find pleasure for many hundred years afterwards. If I am not mis- taken, I would never let myself be so hindered." " The prophet," answered Haroun, " says that all such figures will one day, before the judgment-seat of God, ask of those who made them souls for the pictured bodies." " That sounds very serious," said Thiodolf j " but yet I think, if the pictures are of the right sort, there is nothing to be said against them. But now, my noble host, declare to me what those figures on the wall may mean, the young knight, who stands before an altar, solemnly stretching out his hands toward heaven, and the old chief near him, who appears as if he were giving him grave warning." " There was, in the old Carthaginian times, a very great hero, who had yet a far greater hero for his son. And now because the city of Carthage had such a strife with the city of Rome that it was easy to see that one of them must be overthrown, the old hero made the young hero, whose glorious and unequalled great- ness he well foresaw, take an oath that he would be an enemy to all Romans, and know of no reconciliation with them till death. The young hero joyfully took the oath, and kept it fast through his whole life ; so that the great city of Rome was well-nigh swept away from the earth before his wrath." " I like that well," said Thiodolf; " and if the people on the wall both look somewhat strange and harsh, and very passionate in their whole appearance, one can yet see that they are of the 118 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vi. right good sort. Such an oath, and 'his weapons first put into his hand, it is very beautiful ; and I would fain that something like it could now be found in the world. But not an oath only against the Romans, or against this or that one in particular, but against all that is bad, and for all that is good." " The Christians have such a kind of knightly oath amongst them," said Haroun ; " but he who would learn it must first be baptized." " That is a pity," cried Thiodolf ; " I would else have taken it." At the same time he was about to offer to his host a parting cup ; and he then first remarked that Haroun let no drop of wine pass his lips. " Why is that now ?" asked he. " Your law has not forbid- den you that likewise ?" " Yes," said Haroun, " our law does forbid it ; and the great Mahomet has given us an example of obedience. He could lift himself to heaven in his ecstasies without the help of a drop of the intoxicating liquor." " Mahomet !" repeated Thiodolf, thoughtfully to himself, " that must be the Mahound of whom Malgherita was asking in the spring. No, all the gods be praised ! he belongs not to us. It was well 'if he was so full of inspiration in himself; but he should not have forbidden the joyous wine to other brave people !" " Mock not !" interrupted Haroun, very gravely. " Nay, truly I am not mocking," answered Thiodolf, good- humoredly. " I honor greatly the hero who could despise so precious an earthly gift, and yet, as you say, could soar up to heaven. Only I do not understand him well ; and also I am not the man to imitate him." So saying, he emptied a newly brought flask almost at a draught, and wished good night to his host. When he was on his bed he could hear the sounds of a harp, and Haroun singing from the flat roof of a building below him. The song spoke of the joys of Mahomet's paradise, and the many lovely maidens who were there to greet the heroes with ever-chang- ing love. But in Thiodolfs heart was the one Isolde, whom he hoped next day to recover ; and he fell asleep, smiling, with her image before his closing eyes. CHAP. TH.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. CHAPTER VII. A PART of the following day was spent in arranging and putting together Bertram's jewels, so that Thiodolf could carry them away with him as soon as he had gained his object. " The only thing to be considered is, that you dwell so far from Achmet's castle. Perchance 1 may succeed by a sudden unfore- seen stroke, and then I shall have to come here again, it may be, to stake my prize on a second throw." " Hearken, friend," said Haroun, after some reflection, " I be- lieve we should do best if you take the whole packet with you. Bertram has chosen your brave arm for the defence of his trea- sure, and I think you will take it in safety through everything." " Assuredly," answered Thiodolf. " At the same time, Ber- tram would never wish his jewels to be as fetters to my under- taking. At the worst I will make him tell me what they are worth, and I will somewhere take their full value for him. There are many precious stones in the world. But none shall easily take these from me ; give them to me." And then, with a lute of the old man's under his arm, he took again the way that he had passed yesterday, and reached Ach- met's castle in the cool of the evening. " It seems pleasant here," said he to himself; " and I wish that all things may go peaceably, so that I need not sprinkle the smooth polished walls with blood." But as he was about to go in, it struck him that his faithful companions might be missing him too long, and perhaps at night- fall might come inland to seek for him. So he went up a hillock, whence his ships could be seen, and blew on his horn, but in slow, measured tones, which spoke of peace and waiting. At the first sound of the well-known horn, all the Northmen sprang to arms ; but understanding the call to rest and stand still, they laid aside their arms again with sighs, and seated themselves in a circle, to repeat old legends to each other. 120 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vn. In the meanwhile Thiodolf once more approached the noble building, and was hospitably admitted at his knock and call. He asked for the lord of the castle, and a handsome man in Moorish garb came to him out of one of the beautiful alleys in the garden, and made himself known as such. Then Thiodolf thought to do as Haroun had advised, and to begin the conversation with a song. He powerfully grasped the strings of the lute, but two strings broke in the rough pull ; he pressed the delicate instrument yet harder, and the wood-work flew asunder. He flung it angrily on the ground, and broke it entirely with his foot ; then looked at the lord of the castle with some embarrassment. " My dear guest," said the Moor, with a hearty laugh, " what dost thou then want with me ?" " What do I want ?" answered Thiodolf: " I wanted, indeed, to play before you ; but see, that thing under my feet was alto- gether too tender, and broke in two." " That was unfair of the lute, when you touched it so deli- cately," said the other, still laughing ; and he invited his guest, from whom he expected much amusement, to follow him to a joy- ous evening meal in the palace. " Have you here no women ?" asked Thiodolf, as they entered together a splendid hall, where richly dressed men already were lying on cushions round a brilliant table. " Not women" answered Achmet, " but one woman ; and a fairer one than is in the paradise of Mahomet. But after thou hast so treated thy own lute, thou canst not blame me if I first make trial how far thou art fit to be taken into her presence. The fair one is in a neighboring chamber." " Well," said Thiodolf, " we will wait." And he threw himself on a cushion, and gaily poured out wine. " It is wise of thee," said he, after a pause, during which the others had stared at him with laughing astonishment, " not to deny thyself the beloved juice of the vine ; for I lately heard that such is the custom with you of the high turbans and crooked swords." " In this castle we keep every custom that stirs the spirit of life most nobly and joyfully, and makes the blood flow quicker through the veins," cried Achmet ; and " Long live god-like freedom !" niAP. vn.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 121 added he; wnereat the other revellers made their golden cups touch and give forth a clear sound. But Thiodolf shook his head, and said to himself: " That might carry you far, perchance somewhat farther than would please you." " Thou art muttering something to thyself, dear hyperborean sage," said the laughing prince. " Wilt thou not let us hear what the Muses have granted to a priest from so far north ?" " I understand not thy strange words and expressions," an- swered Thiodolf. " How, dear sir ?" said a mocking guest ; " hast thou never been in Greece ? dost thou not know the godlike Homer ? nor the joyous Aristophanes? After their free, unsophisticated way we spend our lives ; and we know of none other rule than that which comes down to us from the heavenly halls of science, and which is as needful as it is lovely. And now, my refined and polished guest, without doubt thou comprehendest my words, and that which keeps us together." " I understand not one single word of it," said Thiodolf, gently ; " nor do I understand why the company here all make such jest- ing faces. But this I assuredly know, that none shall get either song or sport from me until I have seen the fair woman who dwells in this castle." " Then the risk must indeed be run," said Achmet, laughing. And some of the guests cried, " Yes, by all means." The prince went out, and soon came back, leading a slender veiled lady, of tall and noble stature. " Now, then, wilt thou sing, young Orpheus ?" asked he, smiling. " I am not called Orpheus," was the answer ; " I am called Thiodolf, the son of Asmundur. And I will not sing till she has flung back the veil from her fair face." " Oh, ho ! my dainty sir," answered Achmet ; " perchance that price might be paid beforehand for a glorious song, but not for some strange kind of noise." " The price !" muttered Thiodolf, half rising from his cushion ; and all involuntarily shuddered at the strong, graceful motion. But soon leaning back again quietly, he continued with earnest friendliness, " I see not why we should spoil each other's lives 122 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. VH. with so many tricks and turnings. That veiled woman is, with- out doubt, the one whom I seek. In many ways I am pledged to her relations to bring her back again ; and I look for great joy to myself in the deed. Be pleased, Prince Achmet, to restore the fair lady to me peaceably. It will thus be best for us all." An inextinguishable laughter broke forth from Achmet's lips, and excited that of all the guests, till the sound drew together all the dwellers of the castle ; and as one related to another the words and demands of the stranger, all laughed, till the lowest of the crowd pointed with his fingers atThiodolf as a most diverting and unheard-of monster. The lady alone appeared to be seized with some foreboding sadness, and retired to her chamber with unsteady steps. For a space Thiodolf sat quite still under the gibes and laugh- ter of the strange, unknown forms. But a silent, mighty flame rose ever hotter and hotter in his eyes. It was almost as when in a time of threatening danger torches shine from the windows of some high watch-tower. At length he rose, looked around sharply and severely, and said, with a voice of thunder which sounded clear through the tumult, " Wilt thou give her to me now forthwith ? I mean, the lady thou hast carried away. Wilt thou ?" It seemed as if Achmet foresaw something of the fearful strength which stormed in Thiodolf 's wrath. He tried now to speak kindly and peaceably to him ; and the others, too, became suddenly silent. But it was too late Thiodolf 's Berserker rage had awoke. Once again he asked with flashing eyes, " Wilt thou give her to me ? Is she ready to depart ?" And the delay of the answer was the signal for the most fearful outbreak. Knives and other sharp instruments, caught up at the moment by the furious Icelander, flew on all sides of the room like a shower ; and many fell senseless or dead to the ground, on whose lips a bold smile yet rested. As the rest rushed in anger and terror against the raging youth, a mighty stroke of the battle-axe struck the breast of the foremost; and then the good sword Throng- piercer began its fearful meal. It was less a fight than the annihilating wrath of nature's strength let loose against man's weakness. Soon only bloody CHAP, vii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 123 corpses were lying about in the hall, just before so gay ; and a few wounded men, with every sign of terror, were tottering down the stairs. The fearful Thiodolf stood alone in the deserted blood- stained hall. The overpowering weakness, which is wont to follow the Ber- serker rage, began to creep through all his limbs as soon as the horrid victory was won. He felt the approach of unconsciousness, and wished to hasten and take his prize into a place of safely. He called out repeatedly in the Provencal tongue, " Isolde, come forth ! I bid thee, Isolde, come forth ! I will take thee uninjured to thy sister, by the honor of my race, and as surely as the bones of my father are resting in the earth !" But when all was still silent, he collected his last exhausted strength, and broke open the door with his foot. The veiled lady, whom he had before seen leaning on Achmet's arm, sank trem- bling on her knees before him, and stretched out her hand im- ploringly. " Come, then, Isolde," he said, kindly. " In sooth, no man in the world can less think to put thee to pain than Thiodolf the son of Asmundur. But throw back thy veil, that I may drink in strength and joy from thy sweet eyes." It seemed as if the lady in her great fear understood few of Thiodolf 's comforting words ; but the same fear made her hasten" to obey such as she did understand as a command. She unveiled herself. But how was it with poor Thiodolf when a face, very fair indeed, but quite unknown, looked upon him with pale, beseech- ing features ? " Lady," he said, faltering, " ah ! lady, conceal nothing from me. Are you, then, the only woman here in this castle ?" " Yes," stammered she ; " except my two black slaves, there is none other here. I would not dare to inform you falsely, my mighty lord." " So, so," answered Thiodolf, as in a dream ; " that is another and a very bad thing. Truly I have greatly erred. Forgive me, thou unknown, alas ! quite unknown beauty ; but sleep presses upon me as with leaden weight." And he sank down 124 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP, vri amongst the dead in heavy exhaustion, more overcome by the weight of grief than by his swoon. He must have long lain thus, when unconsciousness passed away, and he felt himself again fresh and strong. His first thought was for Bertram's property. It was still lying safe on his breast. Whilst he was further recovering his recollection, he heard the voice of the lady close to him saying, in displeasure, " Cease from giving needless succor, Haroun, I repeat. Thou knowest that Achmet has escaped from that ghastly bath of blood, and will soon be here with some slaves to put that wild beast yonder in chains, which he will not easily break. Then will we take vengeance on him, and on thee, unless at once thou leavest him and takest thyself from our castle." "He is my guest," answered Haroun. " I will do by him as is the duty of a brave Arab ; and if you do me harm for that, you will have to answer for it to yourself." And he began anew to rub diligently the temples of the youth with a strong sweet-smelling balsam ; but Thiodolf suddenly sprang up, his arms rattling, and stood firm and joyful on his feet. He grasped Haroun's hand, saying, " It is good of thee to have come thus to assist me. Fear no more from any man ; I am once more in my full strength." He only gave a contempt- uous look to the trembling woman, adding, " Fie, shame on thee ! So fair, and yet so wicked !" At this moment many people ran hastily up the steps. " You come to rne in a happy moment," said Thiodolf to himself, smil- ing bitterly ; he seized Throng-piercer firmly, and walked straight to the door. Achmet sprang in with five or six slaves carrying fetters in their hands ; but when they saw the hero standing with his glittering sword, they all remained pale and motionless. " Ye are those for whom I wait !" said Thiodolf. " Why do ye delay ? Will ye not come in ?" The black slaves took to flight. " Fly away !" cried Thiodolf after them ; " but thou, Achmet, thou must not run from me. i am swift as a deer and by all means must I have thee." Achmet manned himself, threw the chains on the ground, and drew near with drawn sword. The swords flew clashing one CHAP, vii.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 125 against the other for some time ; but Throng-piercer had the advantage. Achmet's weapon fell to the ground ; Thiodolf seized him, bound him, and then stood calmly before him, saying, "Now, methinks it would serve the fellow right if I were to sink him thus bound in a pond, or in fault of that in the sea ; for he did a coward's deed when he came with five or six others upon an unconscious man." " Thou wilt not kill this prince without taking my life also," said the lady, as she stepped firmly between Thiodolf and Achmet. " He is now the light of my life, and I will not leave him. Be- ware of dishonoring thy hands with a woman's murder !" " Oh, fear not for that !" answered Thiodolf. " I am one, believe me, who with my right hand would cast him in, and hold thee back with my left till he has sunk. What thou wilt after- wards do, thou must answer for." " I would entreat thee, my strange, fearful guest," said Haroun, " to show thyself a milder conqueror. It would too much grieve me to see a stain upon thee, thou noble hero." " Thou art right, my friend," answered Thiodolf. " I would gladly be a wise and faithful judge, since for that I think I have been sent into this castle." After some grave thought he sat down on the cushions in the hall, and said, " I will here do my very best to act and to speak rightly. But answer me carefully, and lie not. I can indeed first let thee loose," said he immedi- ately afterwards to Achmet ; " for there is no fear of thy escap- ing. But I warn thee not to attempt it, for evil would happen to thee." Therewith he loosed his bands, sat down again on the cush- ions, and ordered the prince to relate how he had come by the fair lady. It soon appeared that the lady was the Countess Laura ; of whom, as the unworthy widow of his kinsman, Pietro had made such severe and bitter complaints ; and Prince Achmet, the Moorish youth with the lute, and also the knight before whose spear the old lord had fallen in the tournament. " That does not much mend the matter," said Thiodolf, shaking his head. "On the contrary, the murder of old Paolo weighs very heavily on you ; though one can see that you carried away the lady with her own free will." 126 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vn. " I killed Count Paolo unintentionally," answered Achmet. " I sought no more than to show to the lady my knightly skill and dexterity. But the excitement of the combat, and the different manner of fighting which prevails with us and Christian knights, brought it to so sad and bloody an ending." " If one could but trust that smooth-tongued man !" said Thio- dolf. " But his coward deed just now, when he would have bound me as I lay senseless it witnesses too much against him ; and, behold, it goes against his life." " Will it, then, come to that ?" cried Laura, wringing her hands. " And we had pictured to ourselves a life of endless joy for long, long years !" " Yes," answered Thiodolf ; " but why did not you have better thoughts ? Such inglorious luxury could never bring to noble things. I am sorry that I must kill him ; but I see well that I may not do otherwise. Achmet, is there here in the neighbor- hood a pond or lake, where I can quickly make an end of thee ?" " Thiodolf," said Haroun, " if thou wert to lay upon him and upon her some purifying penance, would not that be enough ?" The young judge sat for a time motionless in deep thought. At length he said, " In good sooth, I believe that so it may be. We have a proverb in Iceland which says : ' A pillow cures the sick woman ; a horse or a ship the sick man.' Now it cannot be otherwise with deluded people ; and I will try if I can heal you both. Thee, Laura, by a year or more of great stillness and quiet, and him by the same period of warlike activity in storms by sea and dangers by land. I will at once take the Countess Laura to a convent ; there she shall reflect whether it were not much better to remain in it for ever, on account of the many seri- ous events which have happened in her life. In the mean while Achmet shall sail to my home in Iceland, and there greet for me my uncle Nefiolf and my aunt Gunhilda, and bring me word of what they are doing, and also of how it goes with my dear tame wolf whom I left behind there. See, children, that will help us all ; for I must fairly tell you that I have long since wished for such a messenger. And you both will perchance become good orderly people ; a joy to gods and men. But if not, then may Achmet take his wicked Laura out of her convent." CHAP, vn.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 127 " But where shall I find thee again ?" asked Ach.net. " I will see to that," answered Thiodolf. " I will leave so bright a track behind me, that there shall be no fear of losing the way." Achmet offered to take an oath that he would fulfil Thiodolf 's commands ; but the latter would not allow him. " You have taken care," said he, " that no man should trust to such words from your mouth ; but I know of another curb that I will put upon you," In the dawn of morning they took their way to the strand. Laura and Achmet went before, ashamed and troubled ; Thiodolf and Haroun walked gravely behind them. As the old Arab took leave on the shore, he said, " Mahomet grant, my brave North- man, that I may meet thee again in the bowers of his paradise." " We shall not truly meet sooner," said Thiodolf, earnestly ; " and who indeed can say whether we shall even there ? For see, old sir, this is now the third abode I have heard of where brave people meet after death, and yet I firmly believe there can be but one place of the kind. Well ! the great Father will soon make it known j and I think that we shall both assuredly be in it." The Arab bowed reverently ; and when far from the shore, still greeted his guest with his unbound turban. As the coast of Africa began to vanish from the eyes of the voyagers, Thiodolf sang : " A huge yellow lion prowl'd over the plain ; By the son of Asmundur that lion was slain. In the proud castle-hall was high revel prevailing; But the son of Asmundur he turn'd it to wailing." He would have sung more, but the thought of Isolde came over him ; the joyous song of victory died on his lips, he bent low his head, and two great tears rolled from his eyes on to the golden shield of Helmfrid. 188 THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. [CHAP. vm. CHAPTER VIII. ON a promontory of southern Sicily there stood a fair and solemn convent. The country all around looked retired and lonely. None there knew whether peace or war prevailed in the world. But whatever news, whether threatening or promising, pierced this deep retirement, was thought of as an important event, and was spoken of perchance for fifty years or more, until some new occurrence interposed. It happened that one day the armed vessels of Thiodolf ap- proached the coast ; some of the nuns looked upon themselves as lost, others thought it a solemn trial sent from God, while others again expected something glorious and joyful. Whatever might be the result, the gates of the holy building were opened in hum- ble submission, and the light of colored torches streamed forth from the sacred enclosure. The abbess stood at the door with all her nuns ; and they sang as the wonderful hero drew near : " Come ye here with death's decree ? Martyrdom will set us free ! As weary pilgrims do ye come ? Welcome to our humble home ! Come ye but as pious guests ? Heavenly joy will fill your breasts P* Thiodolf greeted them by stretching out his left hand, while with the right, in sign of peace, he so threw his lance that it fell to the ground with its point downwards. " We understand your courteous greeting," said the abbess ; " and we thank God that He sends you to us with gentle thoughts. Make known to us what you want from our poor con- vent." " Ah, holy dame," answered Thiodolf simply, " we ask for nothing, we bring you something instead ; but whether the gift is CHAP, vin.] THIODOLF THE ICELANDER. 129 worthy of thanks, experience must first show. This fair young lady, whose guardian I have become after a somewhat strange fashion, you are to keep with you for a year, or perchance rather longer, as it may happen. If in this time she has found no delight in the cloister-life and in penance, then you may let her go forth again into the world ; but in no wise before this gold ring has been brought to you." He held out to the abbess a ring inscribed with Runic characters, so that she might sufficiently consider them, and then said, as he turned to Achmet, " See, this ring shall be given to thee as a token as soon as thou hast brought me news of Uncle Nefiolf and Aunt Gunhilda, and my dear wolf; but not a moment sooner. And now I think I hold thee fast enough ; for thou couldst never be so shameless as to forget Laura en- tirely." Achmet said some words of protestation to Thiodolf, and some tenderly soothing ones to Laura which clearly came from his heart ; but she seemed to give little heed to them, so completely changed was she since she had looked upon that still convent in its solitude between sea and mountain. It could not be known whether the consciousness of her guilt, solemnly punishing and purifying, had stirred in her heart at the sight of the silent dwell- ing, or whether she acted from worldly wisdom to gain the good- will of her future companions. Thiodolf appeared to ponder earnestly over this. As the abbess reaped uaresses on her beautiful humble novice, he said to him- elf, " I.ie who has bought a horse should not rejoice in it till after he fir