Oh, say, "He is a cavalier,
Who truly serves and valiantly,
In tourney and festivity,
With lute and sword, each lady fair!"





CHAPTER 1



On a beautiful evening, many hundred years ago, a worthy old
fisherman sat mending his nets. The spot where he dwelt was
exceedingly picturesque. The green turf on which he had built his
cottage ran far out into a great lake; and this slip of verdure
appeared to stretch into it as much through love of its clear waters
as the lake, moved by a like impulse, strove to fold the meadow, with
its waving grass and flowers, and the cooling shade of the trees, in
its embrace of love. They seemed to be drawn toward each other, and
the one to be visiting the other as a guest.

With respect to human beings, indeed, in this pleasant spot,
excepting the fisherman and his family, there were few, or rather
none, to be met with. For as in the background of the scene, toward
the west and north-west, lay a forest of extraordinary wildness,
which, owing to its sunless gloom and almost impassable recesses, as
well as to fear of the strange creatures and visionary illusions to
be encountered in it, most people avoided entering, unless in cases