Our grand-uncle and guardian, the old knight Im Hoff, had ever, so long
as I could remember, demeaned himself as a penitent, spending his nights,
and not sleeping much, in a coffin, and giving the lion's share of his
great revenues to pious works to open unto himself the gates of Heaven;
but what a change was wrought in him by the Emperor's coming! This
straight-backed and stiff necked man, who had never bowed his head save
only in church and before the holy images of the saints, learnt now to
stoop and bend. His bloodless face, which had long ceased to smile, was
now the very home of smiles. His great house was filled, for there
lodged Duke Ernst of Austria, the Hungarian Count of Gara--who through
his wife was near of kin to the Emperor, and his Majesty's trusty
secretary, Kaspar Slick, and all their people. And so soon as either of
these came, a gleam as of starlight lighted up his old features, or, if
it fell that the sovereign granted to him to attend him, it was broad
sunshine that illumined it. And whereas the other gentlemen of the
council, hereditary and elected, albeit they were ever ready to shake
hands with a common workman, would stand face to face with their
Majesties or the dukes and notables, upright and duly mindful of their
own worth, my guardian would cast off his gravity and dignity both
together; and verily we all knew full well to what end. He, who had been
defrauded of his life's happiness by a Baron's daughter, yearned to move
the King to raise him to the rank of Baron. He loaded the Secretary
Slick with gifts and favors, and seeing that his Majesty was graciously
pleased to smile on me, his ward, he would be at much pains to flatter
me, calling me his "golden hair" or "Blue-eyes;" and enjoin it on me that
I should make mention of him to the King as his Majesty's most faithful
servant, ever ready for any sacrifice in his service, at the same time he
asked with a grin how it would pleasure me to hear Herdegen called by the
name and title of Baron von Schopper-Im Hoff?
Our own honest and honorable name I weened was good enough for us three;
yet, for my brother's sake and for Ann's, I held my peace, and took
occasion while he was in so friendly a mood to urge him to release
Herdegen, and grant him to choose another than Ursula. But how wroth he
waxed, how hastily he put on the icy, forbidding bearing he was wont to
wear, as he rated me for a wilful simpleton who would undo her brother's
weal!
It was now St. Susannah's day--[August 11th]--We were bidden to the
tourney. Duke Ernest of Austria had challenged Duke Kanthner of Oels in
Silesia to meet him in the lists and, besides the glory to be gained,
there was a prize of sixty and four gold pieces. Other knights also were
to joust in the ring.
Queen Barbara, of her grace, had bidden me attend with her ladies. At
the jousting-place I found Ann; her mother had remained at home by reason
that the old mother was sick. My faithful Uncle Christian Pfinzing, who
played the host to the Emperor and Empress at the Castle as representing
the town council, had brought his "dear watchman" hither and placed her
in the keeping of certain motherly dames. Presently, seeing a moment
when she might speak with me, Ann said in my ear: "I will end this sport,
Margery; I can no longer endure it. He hath sworn to renounce all and
everything that may keep us apart!" There was no time for more. Each
one had to take his seat. As yet their Majesties were not come, and
there was time to gaze about.
The lists were in the midst of the market-place. The benches were decked
with hangings, the lords and ladies who filled them, the feathers waving,
the sparkle of jewels, the glitter of gold and silver, the sheen of silk
and velvet, the throng of common folk, head over head in the topmost
places, the music and uproar, nay, the very savor of the horses dwell
still in my mind; yet far be it from me to write of things well-known to
most men.
Then my grand-uncle came forth. He had Ursula on his arm as he walked
through the gate-way into the lists and across the sanded ring to his
seat on the far side. This was in truth forbidden, but the unabashed
old man defied the rules, and as for Ursula she was well pleased to be
gazed at. The old knight was smiling; how stately was his mien, and how
well the silver breast plate beseemed him, with the golden lion rampant
of the Im Hoffs! That helmet and breastplate had been forged for his
special use of the finest silver and gold plate, and were better fit to
turn the point of my pen-knife than that of sword and lance. Yet many an
one admired the stalwart gait of the old man in his heavy harness. Even
Tetzel's dull face was less dull than its wont, and Ursula's eyes
sparkled as though her knight had carried off the prize.
Presently my grand-uncle saw where I was sitting, and waved and bowed to
me as though he had some good tidings to give me. Tetzel did likewise,
seeming like the old man's pale and creeping shadow. Ursula's triumphing
eyes proclaimed that now she had indeed gained her end; the dullest wit
might not miss her meaning. In spite of Ann, Herdegen had pledged his
troth to Ursula. The lists and seats, meseemed, whirled round me in a
maze, and scarce had they settled down again, as it were, when Cousin
Maud sat down heavily in her place, and by her face made me aware that
some great thing had befallen; for now and again she drew in her cheeks
and pursed her lips as though she would fain blow out a light. When my
eyes met hers she privily pointed with her fan to show me Herdegen and
Ursula, and shrugged her shoulders so high that her big head with its
great feathered turban sank between them. And if there was surging and
wrath in her breast not less was there in mine. Howbeit I had to put on
a guise of content, nay of gladness, for the Royal pair had bidden me to
their side and it was my task to explain all they desired to learn.
A sunny blue sky bent over the ground; albeit dark clouds came up from
the west, and I found it hard to make fitting answer to their Majesties'
questions.
While the horses were pawing and neighing, and the lances rattled on the
shields, nay, even when the Dukes of Austria and Schleswig rushed on each
other and the Austrian unhorsed his foe, I scarce looked on the jousting-
place on which all other eyes were fixed as though held by chains and
bonds. Mine were set on the spot where Ursula and Ann were sitting, and
with them the young knight from Brandenburg, Sir Apitz of Rochow, and my
brother Herdegen. Junker Henning had his part to play in the tournament.
To Rochow the tourney was all in all; Herdegen gazed only at Ann. She,
to be sure, made no return, but still he would fix his eyes on her and
speak with her. Ursula had turned paler, and meseemed she had eyes only
for him and his doings. What went forward in the pauses of the tilting I
could not mark, inasmuch as my eyes and ears were their Majesties' alone.
Now, two more knights sprang forth. What cared I of what nation they
were, what arms they bore and what they and their horses might do; I had
somewhat else to think of. Ursula and I had long been at war, but to-day
I felt nought but compassion for her: and indeed, on this very day, when
she believed she had won the victory, she more needed pity than when she
had so besought Heaven to grant her Herdegen's love, inasmuch as my
brother sat whispering to Ann with his hand on his heart. And Ann
herself had put away all false seeming; and while she gazed into her
lover's eyes with soft passion, Ursula sat bending her fan as though she
purposed to break it.
To think of Ursula as ruling in our house, and of Ann pining with heart
sickness was cruel grief, and yet were these two things almost less hard
to endure than the shameless flightiness and strange demeanor of my noble
brother, the pride of my heart.
The town council had voted eight hundred gulden to King Sigismund, and
four hundred to the Queen; two hundred and thirty to Porro the jester,
and great gifts to many of the notables and knights as a free offering
from the city; and now, in a pause in the jousting, his Majesty announced
his great delight at the faithful, bountiful, and overflowing hand held
out to him by his good town of Nuremberg, which had ever been dear to his
late beloved father King Charles. And then he pointed to the gentlemen
of the council, who made a goodly and reverend show indeed in their long
flowing hair and beards, their dark velvet robes bordered with fine fur,
and thin gold chains; and he spoke of their noble and honorable dealing.
I heard him say that each one of them was to be respected as joint ruler
with him over that which was his own, and likewise in greater matters.
Each one was his equal in manly virtue, and the worthy peer of his
Imperial self. Then he pointed out to the Queen certain noble and goodly
heads, and it was my part to make known whatsoever I could tell of their
possessions and their manner of trade. The Hallers were well known to
him, and not alone my best beloved, inasmuch as they did great trading
with his kingdom of Hungary; and he was well pleased to see my Hans with
his father as one of the council.
His gracious wife was pleased to compare the good order, and cleanness,
and comfort of Nuremberg with the cities in their native country.
Whereas she had already been into some of our best houses, and indeed
into our own, she spoke well of the wealth, and art, and skill in all
crafts of the Nuremberg folk, saying they had not their like in all the
world so far as she knew. And then again she spoke her pleasure at the
honorable seemliness of the councillors, and asked me many questions
concerning this one and that, and, among the rest, concerning Master
Ulman Pernhart. The royal pair marked, in one his noble brow, in another
his long flowing hair, in a third his keen and shrewd eye, till presently
King Sigismund asked his Fool, Porro, which of all the heads in the ranks
opposite he might judge to be the wisest and weightiest. The jester's
twinkling eyes looked along the rows of folk, and whereas they suddenly
fell on little Dame Henneleinlein, the Honey-wife, who sat, as was her
wont, with her head propped on her hands, he took the King's word up and
answered in mock earnest: "Unless I am deceived it is that butter-cup
queen, Nuncle, seeing that her head is so heavy that she is fain to hold
it up with both hands."
And he pointed with his bauble to the old woman, who, as the bee-master's
widow, had boldly thrust herself into the front rank with those of
knight's degree; and there she sat, in a gown of bright yellow brocade
which Cousin Maud had once given her, stretching her long neck and
resting her head on her hands. The King and Queen, looking whither the
Fool pointed, when they beheld a little old woman instead of a stately
councillor, laughed aloud; but the jester bowed right humbly towards the
dame, and, she, so soon as she marked that the eyes of his Majesty and
his gracious lady were turned upon her, and that her paltry person was
the object of their regard, fancied that I had peradventure named her as
being Ann's cousin, or as the widow of the deceased bee-master who, long
years ago, had led the Emperor Charles to see the bee-gardens, so she
made reverence again and again, and meanwhile laid her head more and more
on one side, ever leaning more heavily on her hand, till the King and
Queen laughed louder than ever and many an one perceived what was doing.
The cup-bearer and chamberlain drew long faces, and Porro at last ended
the jest by greeting the old woman with such dumbshow as no one could
think an honor. The cunning little woman saw now that she was being made
game of, and whereas not their Majesties alone, but all the Court about
them were holding their sides, and she saw that I was in their midst, she
believed me to be at the bottom of their mischief, and cast at me such
vengeful glances as warned me of evil in store.
After this tourney there was to be a grand dance in the School of Arms,
to which their Majesties were bidden with all the princes, knights, and
notables of the Diet, and the patricians of the town. Next day, being
Saint Clara's day, there would be a great feast at the Tetzels' house by
reason that it was the name-day of Dame Clara, Ursula's grandmother, and
the eldest of their kin. At this banquet Herdegen's betrothal was to be
announced to all their friends and kindred--this my uncle whispered to me
as he went off after the jousting to attend the King, who had sent for
him. The old man had seen nought of Herdegen's doings with Ann, by
reason that he and old Tetzel had both been seated on the same side of
the lists, and the tall helmets and feathers had hidden the young folks
from his sight. So assurance and contentment even yet beamed in his eye.
The tourney had lasted a long time. I scarce had time enough to change
my weed for the dance. Till this day I had sported like a fish in this
torrent of turmoil and pleasure; but to-day I was weary. My body was in
pain with my spirit, and I would fain have staid at home; but I minded me
of the Queen who, albeit she was so much older, and was watched by all--
every one expecting that she should be gracious--in her heavy royal
array, went through all this of which I was so weary.
Meanwhile a great storm had burst upon us and passed over; all creatures
were refreshed, and I likewise uplifted my head and breathed more freely.
The fencing school--a great square chamber, as it is to this day, with
places all round for the folk to look on--was lighted up as bright as
day. My lover and I, now in right good heart once more, paced through
the Polish dance led by the King and Queen. Ann's mother had been
compelled to stay at home, to tend the master's old mother, and my friend
had come under Cousin Maud's protection. She was led out to dance by
Junker Henning; his fellow country-man, Sir Apitz von Rochow, walked with
Ursula and courted her with unfailing ardor. Franz von Welemisl, who was
wont to creep like her shadow, and who was again a guest at the Tetzels'
house, had been kept within doors by the cough that plagued him.
Likewise I looked in vain for Herdegen.
The first dance indeed was ended when he came in with my great-uncle; but
the old knight looked less confidently than he had done in the morning.
Ann was pale, but, meseemed fairer than ever in a dress of pomegranate-
red and white brocade, sent to her from Italy by her step-father's
brother, My lord Bishop, by the hand of Cardinal Branda. As soon as I
had presently begun to speak with her, she was carried off by Junker
Henning, and at that same moment my grand-uncle came towards me to ask
who was that fair damsel of such noble beauty with whom I was but now
speaking. He had never till now beheld Ann close at hand, and how gladly
did I reply that this was the daughter of Pernhart the town Councillor
and she to whom Herdegen had plighted his faith.
The old man was startled and full wroth yet, by reason of all the fine
folk about us, he was bound to refrain himself, and he presently
departed.
The festival went forward and I saw that Herdegen danced first with
Ursula and then with Ann. Then they stood still near the flower shrubs
which were placed round about the hall to garnish it, and it might have
been weened from their demeanor that they had quarrelled and had come to
high words. I would fain have gone to them, but the Queen had bid me
stay with her and never ceased asking me a hundred questions as to names
and other matters.
At last, or ever it was midnight, their Majesties departed. I breathed
more freely, put my hand on my Hans' arm, and was minded to bid him take
me to Herdegen and speak out my mind, but my brother, as it fell,
prevented me. He came up to me and with what a mien! His eyes flashing,
his cheeks burning, his lips tight-set. He signed to me and Hans to
follow whither he went, and then passionately besought us that we would
depart from the dance for a while with him and his sweetheart, that was
Ann. Such an entreaty amazed us greatly, yet, when he told us that she
would go no whither with him save under our care, and that everything
depended on his learning this very hour how he stood with her, we did his
will. And he likewise told us that he had not indeed given his word that
morning to my grand-uncle and Jost Tetzel, but had only pledged his word
that he would give them his answer next day.
So presently Hans and I stole out behind the pair, out into the road.
I, for my part, was well content and thankful and, when we beheld them
accuse and answer each other right doughtily, we laughed, and were agreed
that Aunt Jacoba's counsel had led to a good issue; and I told my Hans
that I should myself take a lesson from all this and let the smart
Junkers and Knights make love to me to their hearts' content, if ever
I should be moved to play him a right foolish trick.
Presently, when we had many times paced the road to and fro the
Pernharts' house, Ann was minded to knock at the door; but behold she was
saved the pains. Mistress Henneleinlein just then came out whereas she
had been helping Dame Giovanna to tend the sick grandmother. The lantern
Eppelein carried in front of us was not so bright as the sun, yet could I
see full plainly the old woman's venomous eye; and what high dudgeon
sounded in her voice! Each one had his meed, even my Hans, to whom she
cried: "Keep thy bride out of Porro's way, Master Haller. It ill-beseems
the promised wife of a worshipful Councillor to be casting her lot in
with a Fool! Howbeit, to laugh is better than to weep, and he laughs
longest who laughs last!" And thereupon she herself laughed loudly and,
with a scornful nod to Ann, turned her back on us.
All was still in Master Pernharts' house; he himself had gone to rest.
At Herdegen's bidding we followed him into the hall, and there he clasped
Ann to his heart, and declared to us that now, and henceforth for ever,
they were one. Whereupon we each and all embraced; but my friend clung
longest to me, and whispered in my ear that she was happier than ever she
could deserve to be. Herdegen asked me whether now he had made all
right, and whether I would be the same old Margery again? And I right
gladly put up my lips for his to kiss; and the returned prodigal, who had
come back to that which was his best portion, was like one drunk with
wine. He was beside himself with joy, so that he clasped first me and
then Hans in his arms, and slapped Eppelein, who carried a lantern to
show us the pools left by the storm of rain, again and again on the
shoulder, and thrust a purse full of money into his free hand, albeit
there was an end now of my grand-uncle's golden bounty. Nought would
persuade him to go back to the dancing-hall, to meet Ursula and her kin;
and when he presently departed from us we heard him along the street,
singing such a love song as no false heart may imagine, as glad as the
larks which would now ere long be soaring to the sky.
We got back to the great hall. The dancing and music were yet at their
height; our absence we deemed had scarce been marked; howbeit, as soon as
we entered, my grand-uncle made enquiry "where Herdegen might be," and
when I looked about me at haphazard I beheld--my eyes did not cheat me--
I beheld Mistress Henneleinlein in one of the side-stalls.
No man told me, yet was I sure and certain that she was saying somewhat
which concerned me, and presently I discerned in the dim back-ground the
feathered plume which Ursula had worn at the dance. My heart beat with
fears; every word spoken by the old Dame would of a surety do us a
mischief. Hans mocked at my alarms and at a maid's folly in ever taking
to herself matters which concern her not.
Then Ursula came forth into the hall again, and how she swept past us on
Junker Henning's arm.
A young knight of the Palatinate now led me out to a dance I had erewhile
promised him.
We stopped for lack of breath. The festival was over; yet did Ursula and
the Junker walk together. He was hearkening eagerly to all she might
say, and on a sudden he clapped his hand into hers which she held out to
him, and his eyes, which he had held set on the floor, fired up with a
flash. Presently he and the Knight von Rochow made their way, arm in arm
through the press, and both were laughing and pulling their long red
beards.
I still clung to my lover's arm and entreated him to take me to speak
with Junker Henning, inasmuch as I sorely wanted to question him; but the
Junker diligently kept far from us. Nevertheless we at last stayed him,
and after that I had enquired, as it were in jest, whether he had healed
his old feud with Mistress Ursula and concluded a truce, or peradventure
made peace with her, he answered me, in a tone all unlike his wonted
frank and glad manner, that this for a while must remain privy to him and
her, and that we should scarce be the first to whom he should reveal the
matter; and forthwith he bid us farewell with a courtly reverence. But
my lover would not let him thus depart, and asked him, calmly, what was
the interpretation of this speech, whereupon Rochow spoke for his young
fellow-countryman, and enquired, in the high-handed and lordly tone which
ever marked his voice and manner, whether here, in the native land of
Nuremberg playthings, love and faith were accounted of as toys.
Junker Henning however, broke in, and said, casting a warning look at me:
"Far be it from him to break friendship with an honorable gentleman, such
as my Hans, before having an explanation." And he held out his hand
somewhat more readily than before, bowed sweetly to me and led away his
cousin.
At last we got out with the Haller parents and Cousin Maud. The old
folks got into litters, and the serving men were lighting the way before
me to mine, when my lover stayed me, saying: "It is already grey in the
East. Never before were we together so well betimes, Margery, and happy
hours are few. If thou'rt not too weary, let us walk home together in
this fresh morning air."
I was right well-content and we went gently forward, I clinging to him
closely. He felt how high my heart was beating and, when he asked me
whether it was for love that it beat so fast, I confessed in truth that,
whereas the Brandenburgers outdid all other knights in the kingdom, in
defiance and hotheadedness, I feared lest there should be a passage of
arms betwixt Junker Henning and my brother Herdegen. But Hans made
answer that, if it were the Brandenburgers intent to challenge him, he
could not hinder it; yet be trowed it would be to their own damage; that
Herdegen had scarce found his match at the Paris school of arms; and at
least should we not mar this sweet morning walk by such fears.
And he held me closer to him, and while we slowly wandered on he poured
forth his whole heart to me, and confessed that through all his lonely
life in foreign lands he had ever lacked a great matter; that even with
the gayety of his favorite comrades, even when his best diligence had
been crowned with great issues, yet had he never had full joy in life.
Nor was it till my love had made him a complete and truly happy man that
he had felt, as it were, whole, inasmuch as that alone had stilled the
strange craving which till then had made his heart sick.
Yea, and I could tell him that it had been the same with me; and as for
what more we said, verily it should rather have been sung to sweet and
lofty music on the lute and mandoline. Two rightly matched souls stood
revealed each to each, and Heaven itself, meseemed, was opened in the
strait ways of our town.
We kissed as we stood on the threshold of the Schopper-house, and when at
length we must need part he held me once more to his heart, longer than
ever he had before, and tore himself away; and laying his hands on my
shoulders, as he looked into my eyes in the pale light of dawn, he said:
"Come what may, Margery, we love each other truly and have learned
through each other what true happiness means; and nevertheless we are
as yet but in the March-moon of our love, and its May days, which are
sweeter far, are yet to come. But even the March-joy is good--right
good to me."