Morgan John O'Connell

“ Ever since the hills were landed in their present station the devil has let the Aix folk alone; and the clever way in which they took him in gave rise to the proverb, "De Aechen sind der Duevel ze lous," which means in their dialect," The Aix folk are craftier than the devil himself."
Tale and legend fail in fitly portraying his wrath, now that the destined instruments of his vengeance have become two smiling hills, from which the traveller views the lordly sight of City and Minster rising proudly and unharmed from the plain below. ”

“ One evening the councillors were discussing the never-ending theme of the building of the Minster, the spent money, and the terrible anger of their Sovereign, when a stately lord, in gorgeous attire, entered the council chamber. He greeted their worships with easy dignity, saying, “Masters mine, the whole city is in trouble, and, even did I not know it before, I could read in your rueful countenances that ye lack gold. Each day, owing to the duration of the war, it grows scarcer and rarer, and were you to resort to the usurer, you would have great difficulty in raising a good round sum. ”

“ Folks from far and near have vainly tried to get it out. When they think they have nearly succeeded, and the thumb is all but out, back it slips into the very cranny where the Devil left it. Whoever shall succeed in extricating it, and shall present himself with it before the canons in chapter assembled, shall receive a golden robe as his reward.
As a lasting memorial of the memorable occurrence just related, the magistrates had a bronze statue, representing the wolf with a hole in his breast, cast, and erected on the spot where the Devil rent away his soul. ”

“ Most beautiful of all the stories in which they figure is that of Roland’s ill-fated love, the lie,—discovered too late,—the fair young girl’s life given to God, in the dreary cloister,—the champion’s given for his king on the bloody field of battle. ”

“ Danko set to work immediately, the open-handed Emperor supplying him with workmen, tools, and metal in abundance. That the tone of the bell might be clear and sonorous, Charlemagne sent the master one hundred pounds’ weight of silver from his treasury. He little knew that the cunning monk was a base and sordid man, who preferred iniquitous gain to his honour and to his sworn vow of poverty. Danko hid the silver for himself, and replaced it in the casting by a hundred pounds of lead. ”

“ Prompt and decisive in all things, Charlemagne no time in carrying out his plans. The hunting seat rose from the ruins of Ephen, and the foundations of a kingly palace, and of our Blessed Lady’s church, were laid without delay. Builders came from far and near, and a city was begun. Houses rose up on all sides. The desolate moorland vanished, at least in the neighbourhood of the new city. A canal carried off the superfluous waters, and while draining the ground, brought the warm medicinal stream to the bath-house Charlemagne had built. ”

“ That the hills had come into their present position from the sea-shore was firmly believed by the burghers of old, who would cite, as proof positive of the truth of their story, that scallops and other sea-shells, turned to stone from their long rest inland, are found bedded in the soil, while there is not a trace of them in any part of the country round. ”

“ This counsel not pleasing any one, their worships were still in a state of utter helplessness, when a crafty monk came to their aid. He stated clearly the particulars of the bargain, that they had pledged themselves to give up a soul to the Devil, and give it they must; but the compact did not specify that it was to be a human soul; and they ought therefore to be ready to redeem their word by giving the soul of some animal. The councillors again breathed freely, and, it is needless to add, resolved to follow this good advice. ”

“ Fierce and terrible as he is in the fury of battle, in peace he is friendly and hospitable, reverent to learned and holy men, loving to his beautiful Fastrada and his children, a frank and cheery comrade with his Paladins, a father to his people. ”

“ He told him no expense should be spared, and bade him at once set up his foundry; adding that he destined this great bell to be the crowning gem of his Minster, which for thousands of years should summon with mighty voice the faithful to prayer, and peal or toll for all the joys and sorrows of the city. My author gives no further details of this interview; but one can imagine it well enough: the Emperor’s frank liberality, the monk’s secret pride. We can fancy them as they stand speaking earnestly together. Charlemagne’s open, noble face beaming with pleasure ”

“ He is girt with a broad sword no other arm can wield, a wrought baldric supports the mighty horn which calls his followers in battle and in chace; he wears a crown no other head could fill, even could it bear the weight. ”

“ The Devil was so courteous, so persuasive, he gave such excellent reasons, and his offer was so tempting, the councillors forgot all their scruples; and, on condition he paid down the money, agreed to give the soul, and the Devil departed with the deed of surrender bearing their hands and seals.
HOW THE DEVIL LEFT HIS THUMB IN THE WOLF’S GATE.
No sooner had the Devil got hold of the compact, than money began to shower down from all sides of the hall; every piece fresh from the mint, and none of less value than ducats or golden guilders. ”

“ And the dead men arose, and set out on their journey. They were clad in their vestments, but though their souls had for the time returned to their earthly tenements, the flesh had not grown on their bones, and they stalked onward, two skeleton forms, as they had started from the grave. ”

“ Still, the Devil had the treaty signed and sealed by the councillors, and the promised soul he must get, by fair means or by foul. It was natural enough that these worthy citizens, having to supply him with the worth of his unhallowed money, should pass many a sleepless night. Besides, it was very possible that finding his prey so long coming, the Devil might lose his temper, and lay his claw on one of their worships. ”