so that Hildegardis said, "0, the keen lightning!" and covered
her eyes with both her hands. But Froda looked into the
dazzling radiance with a joyful gaze of welcome. At this
Hildegardis feared him yet more, though at the same time she
thought, "This loftiest and most mysterious of men must be
born for me alone." Yet could she not forbear, almost against
her will, to look from time to time in friendly tenderness on
the poor Edwald, who sat there silent, and with a sweet smile
seemed to pity and to mock his own suffering and his own vain
hopes.

"When the two knights were alone in their sleeping-chamber
Edwald looked for a long time in silence into the dewy, balmy
night. Then he sang to his lute:


"A hero wise and brave,
A lowly, tender youth,
Are wandering through the land
In steadfast love and truth.

"The hero, by his deeds,
Both bliss and fame had won,
And still, with heartfelt joy,
The faithful child looked on."


But Froda took the lute from his hands, and said, "No, Edchen,
I will teach you another song; listen!--