gh tangled
vines and undergrowth, heedless of the thorns that gashed me, cursing
such obstacles as stayed me; now o'erleaping thorny tangles, now
pausing to beat me a way with my pikestaff, running at breathless speed
whenever I might until (having taken a wrong direction in my frenzy) I
came out amid those vines and bushes that bordered the lake of the
waterfall, and right over against the great rock I have mentioned. But
from where I was (the place being high) I could see over and beyond
this rock; and as I stood panting and well-nigh spent, mighty
distraught and my gaze bent thitherward, I shivered (despite the sweat
that streamed from me) with sudden awful chill, for from those greeny
depths I heard a scream, wild and heartrending, and knowing this voice
grew sick and faint and sank weakly to my knees; and now I heard vile
laughter, then hoarse shouts, and forth of the underbrush opposite
broke a wild, piteous figure all rent and torn yet running very
fleetly; as I watched, cursing my helplessness, she tripped and fell,
but was up again all in a moment, yet too late, for then I saw her
struggling in the clasp of a ragged, black-bearded fellow and with
divers other men running towards them.

And now madness seized me indeed, for between us was the lake, and,
though my bow was strung and ready, I dared not shoot lest I harm her.
Thus as I watched in an agony at my impotence, my lady broke her
captor's hold and came running, and he and his fellows hard after her.
Straight for the rock she came, and being there stood a moment to stare
about her like the piteous, hunted creature she was:

"Martin!" she cried, "O Martin!" and uttering this dolorous cry (and or
ever I might answer) she tossed wild arms to heaven and plunged over
and down. I saw her body strike the water in a clean dive and vanish
into those dark and troubled deeps, and with breath in check and
glaring eyes, waited for her to reappear; I heard vague shouts and
cries where her pursuers watched for her likewise, but I heeded them
nothing, staring ever and waiting--waiting. But these gloomy waters
gave no sign, and so at last my breath burst from me in a bitter,
sobbing groan. One by one the minutes dragged by until I thought my
brain must crack, for nowhere was sign of that beloved shape. And
then--all at once, I knew she must be dead; this sweet innocent slain
thus before my eyes, snatched out of life and lost forever to me for
all time, lost to me bey