He was not long in seeking the bright star, which he indeed felt was
destined henceforth to guide the course of his whole life. The delicate
form approached him not far from the entrance; weeping softly, it seemed
to him, in the light of the full moon which was just rising, and yet
smiling with such infinite grace, that her tears were rather like a
pearly ornament than a veil of sorrow. In deep and infinite joy and
sorrow the two lovers wandered silently together through the flowery
groves; now and then a branch waving in the night-air would touch the
guitar on the lady’s arm, and it would breathe forth a slight murmur
which blended with the song of the nightingale, or the delicate fingers
of the girl would tremble over the strings and awaken a few scattered
chords, while the shooting stars seemed as if following the tones of the
instrument as they died away. Oh, truly happy was this night both to
the youth and the maiden, for no rash wish or impure desire passed even
fleetingly across their minds. They walked on side by side, happy that
Providence had allowed them this delight, and so little desiring any
other blessing that even the transitoriness of that they were now
enjoying floated away into the background of their thoughts.
In the middle of the beautiful garden there was a large open lawn,
ornamented with statues and surrounding a beautiful and splashing
fountain. The two lovers sat down on its brink, now gazing at the waters
sparkling in the moonlight, and now delighting in the contemplation
of each other’s beauty. The maiden touched her guitar, and Heimbert,
impelled by a feeling scarcely intelligible to himself, sang the
following words to it:
“There is a sweet life linked with mine,
But I cannot tell its name;
Oh, would it but to me consign
The secret of that life divine,
That so my lips in whispers sweet
And gentle songs might e’en repeat
All that my heart would fain proclaim!”
He suddenly paused, and blushed deeply, fearing he had been too bold.
The lady blushed also, touched her guitar-strings with a half-abstracted
air, and at last sang as if dreamily:
“By the spring where moonlight’s gleams
O’er the sparkling waters pass,
Who is sitting by the youth,
Singing on the soft green grass?
Shall the maiden tell her name,
When though all unknown it be,
Her heart is glowing with her shame,
And her cheeks burn anxiously,
First, let the youthful knight be named.
‘Tis he that on that glorious day
Fought in Castilla’s proud array;
‘Tis he the youth of sixteen years,
At Pavia, who his fortunes tried,
The Frenchman’s fear, the Spaniard’s pride.
Heimbert is the hero’s name,
Victorious in many a fight!
And beside the valiant knight,
Sitting in the soft green grass,
Though her name her lips shall pass,
Dona Clara feels no shame ”
“Oh!” said Heimbert, blushing from another cause than before, “oh,
Dona Clara, that affair at Pavia was nothing but a merry and victorious
tournament, and even if occasionally since then I have been engaged in
a tougher contest, how have I ever merited as a reward the overwhelming
bliss I am now enjoying! Now I know what your name is, and I may
in future address you by it, my angelic Dona Clara, my blessed and
beautiful Dona Clara! But tell me now, who has given you such a
favorable report of my achievements, that I may ever regard him with
grateful affection?”
“Does the noble Heimbert of Waldhausen suppose,” rejoined Clara, “that
the noble houses of Spain had none of their sons where he stood in the
battle? You must have surely seen them fighting by your side, and must I
not have heard of your glories through the lips of my own people?”
The silvery tones of a little bell sounded just then from a neighboring
palace, and Clara whispered, “It is time to part. Adieu, my hero!” And
she smiled on the youth through her gushing tears, and bent toward him,
and he almost fancied he felt a sweet kiss breathed from her lips. When
he fully recovered himself Clara had disappeared, the morning clouds
were beginning to wear the rosy hue of dawn, and Heimbert, with a heaven
of love’s proud happiness in his heart, returned to his watchful friend
at the garden gate.