The spring had come in its brightness to the northern lands, when one morning Sintram turned his horse homewards, after a successful encounter with one of the most formidable disturbers of the peace of his neighbourhood.His horsemen rode after him, singing as they went.As they drew near the castle, they heard the sound of joyous notes wound on the horn."Some welcome visitor must have arrived,"said the knight; and he spurred his horse to a quicker pace over the dewy meadow.While still at some distance, they descried old Rolf, busily engaged in preparing a table for the morning meal, under the trees in front of the castle-gates.From all the turrets and battlements floated banners and flags in the fresh morning breeze:
esquires were running to and fro in their gayest apparel.As soon as the good Rolf saw his master, he clapped his hands joyfully over his grey head, and hastened into the castle.Immediately the wide gates were thrown open; and Sintram, as he entered, was met by Rolf, whose eyes were filled with tears of joy while he pointed towards three noble forms that were following him.
Two men of high stature--one in extreme old age, the other grey-headed, and both remarkably alike--were leading between them a fair young boy, in a page's dress of blue velvet, richly embroidered with gold.The two old men wore the dark velvet dress of German burghers, and had massive gold chains and large shining medals hanging round their necks.
Sintram had never before seen his honoured guests, and yet he felt as if they were well known and valued friends.The very aged man reminded him of his dying father's words about the snow-covered mountains lighted up by the evening sun; and then he remembered, he could scarcely tell how, that he had heard Folko say that one of the highest mountains of that sort in his southern land was called the St.Gotthard.And at the same time, he knew that the old but yet vigorous man on the other side was named Rudlieb.But the boy who stood between them ah! Sintram's humility dared scarcely form a hope as to who he might be, however much his features, so noble and soft, called up two highly honoured images before his mind.
Then the aged Gotthard Lenz, the king of old men, advanced with a solemn step, and said--"This is the noble boy Engeltram of Montfaucon, the only son of the great baron; and his father and mother send him to you, Sir Sintram, knowing well your holy and glorious knightly career, that you may bring him up to all the honourable and valiant deeds of this northern land, and may make of him a Christian knight, like yourself."Sintram threw himself from his horse.Engeltram of Montfaucon held the stirrup gracefully for him, checking the retainers, who pressed forward, with these words: "I am the noblest born esquire of this knight, and the service nearest to his person belongs to me."Sintram knelt in silent prayer on the turf; then lifting up in his arms, towards the rising sun, the image of Folko and Gabrielle, he cried, "With the help of God, my Engeltram, thou wilt become glorious as that sun, and thy course will be like his!"And old Rolf exclaimed, as he wept for joy, "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace."Gotthard Lenz and Rudlieb were pressed to Sintram's heart; the chaplain of Drontheim, who just then came from Verena's cloister to bring a joyful greeting to her brave son, stretched out his hands to bless them all.
End
