They search through city and forest-glade
To find for their love the gentlest maid--
They climb wherever a path may lead
To seek the wisest dame for their meed.
Ride on, ye knights: but ye never may see
What the light of song has shown to me:
Loveliest, gentlest, and wisest of all,
Bold be the deeds that her name shall recall;
What though she ne'er bless my earthly sight?
Yet death shall reveal her countenance bright.
Fair world, good night! Good day, sweet love!
Who seeks here in faith shall find above."


"Such purpose may come to good," said a hollow voice near the
knight; and when he looked round, he saw the form of a poor
peasant woman, so closely wrapped in a grey mantle that he
could not discern any part of her countenance. She looked
over his shoulder on the book, and said, with a deep sigh,
"I know that story well; and it fares no better with me than
with the princess of whom it tells." Froda looked at her with
astonishment. "Yes, yes," pursued she, with strange becks and
nods; "I am the descendant of the mighty Rolf, to whom the
fairest castles and forests and fields of this island once
belonged; your castle and your domains, Froda, amongst others,
were his. We are now cast down to poverty; and because I am
not so fair as Aslauga there is no hope that my possessions
will be restored to me; and therefore I am fain to veil my
poor face from every eye." It seemed that she shed warm tears
beneath her mantle. At this Froda was greatly moved, and