Yes, departed friend, thousands are arrived, and more are coming. They
wish to hear the wisdom of Adela. Truly, she was a princess, for she
had always been the leader. O Sorrow, what good can you do!
Her garments of linen and wool she spun and wove herself. How
could she add to her beauty? Not with pearls, for her teeth were
more white; not with gold, for her tresses were more brilliant; not
with precious stones, for her eyes, though soft as those of a lamb,
were so lustrous that you could scarcely look into them. But why
do I talk of beauty? Frya was certainly not more beautiful; yes, my
friends, Frya, who possessed seven perfections, of which each of her
daughters inherited one, or at most three. But even if she had been
ugly, she would still have been dear to us. Is she warlike? Listen, my
friend. Adela was the only daughter of our Grevetman. She stood seven
feet high. Her wisdom exceeded her stature, and her courage was equal
to both together. Here is an instance. There was once a turf-ground on
fire. Three children got upon yonder gravestone. There was a furious
wind. The people were all shouting, and the mother was helpless. Then
came Adela. What are you all standing still here for? she cried. Try
to help them, and Wr-alda will give you strength. Then she ran
to the Krylwood and got some elder branches, of which she made a
bridge. The others then came to assist her, and the children were
saved. The children bring flowers to the place every year. There came
once three Phoenician sailors, who began to ill-treat the children,
when Adela, having heard their screams, beat the scoundrels till they
were insensible, and then, to prove to them what miserable wretches
they were, she tied them all three to a spindle.
The foreign lords came to look after their people, and when they saw
how ridiculously they had been treated they were very angry, till
they were told what had happened. Upon that they bowed themselves
before Adela, and kissed the hem of her garment. But come, distant
living friend. The birds of the forest fled before the numerous
visitors. Come, friend, and you shall hear her wisdom. By the
gravestone of which mention has already been made her body is
buried. Upon the stone the following words are inscribed:--
Tread softly, for here lies Adela.
The old legend which is written on the outside wall of the city tower
is not written in "The Book of Adela's Followers." Why this has been
neglected I do not know; but this book is my own, so I will put it
in out of regard to my relations.