will win for you
your haughty bride." With this he sprang upon his steed, full of the
proud joy of former times; and when the magic of Hildegardis' beauty,
dazzling and bewildering, would rise up before him, he said, smiling,
"Aslauga!" and the sun of his inner life shone forth again cloudless and
serene.

CHAPTER III.

From a balcony of her castle on the Maine Hildegardis was wont to
refresh herself in the cool of the evening by gazing on the rich
landscape below, but gazing more eagerly on the glitter of arms,
which often came in sight from many a distant road; for knights were
approaching singly, or with a train of followers, all eager to prove
their courage and their strength in striving for the high prize of the
tournament. She was in truth a proud and high-minded maiden--perhaps
more so than became even her dazzling beauty and her princely rank. As
she now gazed with a proud smile on the glittering roads a damsel of her
train began the following lay:--

"The joyous song of birds in spring
Upon the wing
Doth echo far through wood and dell,
And freely tell
Their treasures sweet of love and mirth,
Too gladsome for this lowly earth.

"The gentle breath of flowers in May,
O'er meadows gay,
Doth fill the pure and balmy air
With perfume rare;
Still floating round each slender form,
Though scorched by sun, or torn by storm.

"But every high and glorious aim,
And the pure flame
That deep abiding in my heart
Can ne'er depart,
Too lofty for my falt'ring tongue,
Must die with me, unknown, unsung."

"Wherefore do you sing that song, and at this moment?" said Hildegardis,
striving to appear scornful and proud, though a deep and secret sadness
was plainly enough seen to overshadow her countenance. "It came into my
head unawares," replied the damsel, "as I looked upon the road by which
the gentle Edwald with his pleasant lays first approached us; for it was
from him I learnt it. But seems it not to you, my gracious lady, and to
you too, my companions, as if Edwald himself were again riding that way
towards the castle?" "Dreamer!" said Hildegardis, scornfully--and yet
could not for some space withdraw her eyes from the knight, till at
length, with an effort, she turned them on Froda, who rode beside him,
saying: "Yes