"Led they not forth, in rapture,
A beauteous maiden there?
Resplendent as the morning sun,
Beaming with golden hair?"

"Well saw I the ancient parents,
Without the crown of pride;
They were moving slow, in weeds of woe,
No maiden was by their side!"

C

'T WAS Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, When woods and fields put off all sadness Thus began the King and spake;

"So from the halls

Of ancient Hofburg's walls,

A luxuriant Spring shall break

Drums and trumpets echo loudly,
Wave the crimson banners proudly.
From balcony the King looked on:

In the play of spears,

Fell all the cavaliers,

Before the monarch's stalwart son.

TRANSLATIONS.

150

To the barrier of the fight

Rode at last a sable Knight,

"Sir Knight! your name and scutcheon,

say!"

"Should I speak it here,

Ye would stand aghast with fear;

I'm a Prince of mighty sway 1"

When he rode into the lists,

The arch of heaven grew black with mists
And the castle 'gan to rock.

At the first blow,

Fell the youth from saddle-bow,
Hardly rises from the shock.

Pipe and viol call the dances,
Torch-light through the high halls glances;

Waves a mighty shadow in;

With manner bland

Doth ask the maiden's hand,

Doth with her the dance begin;