[1] _Mägdesprung_--maiden's leap.
[2] _Mägdetrappe_--maiden's footprint.
In the valley of the Selke, that fair Undina of the Harz, near
Alexisbad, rises the majestic rock Mägdesprung; and opposite, on the
other bank of the river, the Mägdetrappe, both of which are so famed
in fable.
In the latter rock one sees the impressions of giant feet, and
Romance attempts to account for them. She is at least as competent
to do so as anybody else, A giant virgin of the grey primeval times
saw from the Mägdesprung her lover on a mountain on the opposite bank.
Her ardent love draws her to him, but she cannot climb the steep
rocks, nor swim the Selke, then a torrent.
So she dares--for what will not love dare?--to leap over the wide
space that divides the two rocks, leaving the impress of her feet in
the rock, since called the Mägdetrappe.
Another _Sage_ has a totally different motive.
A maiden of the Huns, a disciple of Diana, roaming fearlessly through
the vale, hears from the Mägdesprung a cry of distress. She
recognizes the voice that cries for aid, and her eagle eye perceives
her friend being dragged away by two mountain robbers.
Her blood boils, and in the anguish of her soul the brave Hun maiden
leaps the abyss, falls like an avenging angel upon the villainous
mountaineers, with two blows of her spear pierces them both to the
heart, and conducts her friend and favourite--for she is said to have
been a Hun Queen--home to her parents.