Johann Karl August Musäus

“ The lovely Wulfield, who had wept for six days at the thought of becoming the prey of a shaggy bear, dismissed her sorrow when she found herself in the arms of a gay young knight, conveying her to a splendid palace, where a brilliant bridal was awaiting them. She was received with song and music by pretty young girls crowned with myrtles, who took off her country dress and attired her in regal splendour. Though not vain by nature, she still could not suppress the secret pleasure she felt on admiring her beauty reflected by the crystal mirrors which met her gaze on every side. ”

“ Waidewuth the Unknown offered his hand to Udo, saying in a compassionate tone:—“Your misfortune, noble prince, bends you down, yet, know that a persevering man ought not to give way beneath its heavy load; but exercise his last remaining strength to throw off its burden, and become himself again. Before you determine upon dying, at least confide the cause of your sufferings to the bosom of him whom you believed formerly worthy of your friendship, and deny not yourself the consolation of knowing that there is one who participates in them: for this is comfort to a sufferer.” ”

“ The eagle however seized the weapon, broke it like a reed, and screamed in his ear with a loud voice:—“Audacious man! why disturbest thou my airy dominion with thy bird hunting—the crime thou hast committed will cost thee thy life.” This speech of the bird made the count aware of the nature of the adventure that had befallen him, so, taking courage, he said:—Patience, my lord eagle, patience! What have I done to you? my falcon has suffered for his offence—I leave him to you to satisfy your appetite.” ”

“ Six days had now elapsed and the seventh began to dawn, when from the forest a loud noise was heard, as though Arthur’s chase [4] were coming that way;—whips cracked, bugles sounded, horses stamped, wheels rattled, and a splendid state carriage, surrounded by horsemen, was seen rolling rapidly over the plain towards the castle. All the bolts unfastened without effort, the gates flew open, the draw-bridge went down, and a young prince, beautiful as a summer’s morning, dressed in velvet embroidered with silver descended from the carriage. ”

“ The reception of his brother, the eagle, was not less friendly than that of his brother, the bear.
The castle, court, and all, were here as splendid as there, and the moment of the fatal transformation was advancing but too quickly. On the evening of the seventh day, Edgar took leave of his guest in the most friendly manner, exhorting him not to trespass within his range. “Shall I then for ever separate from you?” said Reginald, dolefully. Is it then indeed impossible to break the spell that binds you? If I had an hundred lives, I would risk them all to set you free!” ”

“ I am count Reginald, the Child of Wonder! Look! the spell that veiled your senses is broken!” The young lady glancing from beneath her veil, and seeing the alabaster tablet destroyed, was struck at the hazardous deed of the young stranger, regarded him affectionately, and was pleased with his noble bearing. She raised him from the ground, and presenting her hand, said in a kind tone, “If it be as you say, noble knight, accomplish the work you have begun, and release me from this direful abode, that I may again see the glorious sun, or, if it be night, the silvery stars.” ”

“ Adelaide invited her brother to await the next metamorphosis, and though it would not take place for six weeks he joyfully agreed to her proposal. She secreted him in a hollow tree, daily providing him with such food from the magazine in her sofa as would remain untainted for six weeks. She dismissed him with the well-meant exhortation:—“Do not, as you value life, expose yourself to the glance of Edgar’s eagle eye. If he sees you within his range you are lost—he tears out your eyes, and plucks out your heart, as he did yesterday to three of your squires then seeking you in this forest.” ”

“ They possessed, however, the privilege of returning to their natural state every seventh day, from sunrise to sunrise, till the silvery stars on the horizon began to grow pale; then the spell spread with the falling of the morning dew over the land,—the castle changed into a steep inaccessible rock—the beautiful park into a dismal solitude—the fountains and cascades into dim and muddy pools—the lord of the castle became a shaggy bear—the knights and squires badgers and martens—the ladies of honour and chambermaids owls and bats, which cooed and wailed all day and night. ”

“ Suddenly an enormous eagle ascended above the forest, and pursued the falcon, which, on seeing so far superior an enemy, returned with the swiftness of an arrow to its master for shelter, but the eagle, darting from the sky, struck one of his heavy talons into the count’s shoulder, and with the other crushed the faithful falcon. The alarmed count endeavoured to disengage himself from the feathered monster by blows and thrusts with his spear. ”

“ Twenty-one years had now elapsed since Wulfield first came to inhabit the enchanted forest, and none of her youthful charms had suffered from the influence of time, nor did their mutual love feel the flight of years; for Mother Nature, in spite of all the charms disturbing her dominions, still maintains her authority; and as long as things are withdrawn by magic from her control, she carefully watches over her rights, and prevents time from exercising its influence over them. ”

“ He looked up, and lo! a powerful eagle was descending on a nest built upon a millenary oak. Reginald, greatly rejoiced at the discovery, hid among the bushes to await till the eagle would again resume its flight, and, after seven hours of anxious expectation, he saw the bird depart, then stepping out, he loudly hallooed:—“Adelaide, dear sister! If you dwell upon this lofty oak answer me! I am Reginald, the child of wonder! your loving brother, who seeks you, endeavouring to break the potent spell that keeps you captive.” ”

“ At the first rays of the sun, the inhabitants of the castle being yet under the all-conquering power of Morpheus, he saddled his horse, left his suite behind, and hurried, full of spirits and courage, towards the enchanted forest. ”

“ To give vent to the feelings which overwhelmed him, he left his couch, moved slowly into the forest, and did not return till the close of the seventh day. The joy on the wedding day had been so universal, that no one had thought of placing victuals and refreshments on the bed of the bride, to sustain her during the days of enchantment, for the spell had no power over any thing in immediate contact with her, except her husband, who would have become a bear in the hour of metamorphosis, even though in her arms. Wulfield’s distress was such, that for two days nothing approached her lips ”

“ He explained the nature of the enchantment, and how its influence ceased every seventh day, and gave to all their natural form. Wulfield was moved by the tenderness and eloquence of her husband, who had convinced her that a matrimonial state in which one day out of seven is cloudless and happy, may be considered as very tolerable, for only the best assorted marriages can glory in such a blessing;—in short, she became resigned to her fate, returned love for love, and rendered Albert the happiest bear under the sun. ”

“ They then separated in peace, the bear trotting to his den; the count, who did not tarry long in the terrible forest, arrived, by the glimmer of the stars, tired and harrassed, at his castle.
A bear who can speak and act like a man, every one knows, is not a natural, but a bewitched one. This the count easily conceived, and therefore tried to outdo his shaggy son-in-law, and to barricade himself in his fortified castle in such a way as to make it impossible for the brute to get in on the appointed day, and carry off his bride. ”

“ For some time she hoped again to see her Bertha and the pearl knight return, and as often as a stranger was announced at court she expected to see her son-in-law. At last the count could not let her any longer languish in vain hopes, and in the confidential bed-room, where many a man’s secrets are divulged, he confessed to her, that her splendid son-in-law was but a horrible fish. “Alas,” exclaimed she in agony, “have I borne children that they may become the prey of disgusting monsters! What is earthly happiness? what are treasures to a childless mother!” ”

“ Waidewuth retorted:—“I was warned of all this when I consulted the stars, and it was this which made me melancholy when I left you; but the constellation is again favourable to you—do not therefore despair; it is in the power of destiny to recompense you for all your losses. You are young and vigorous; will you then consume life by lamenting the loss of a woman? You have only to wish for, and you shall not be wanting of a consort, who will bring forth children to tend you in your old age. ”

“ A powerful prince has wrested from me my principality; I have lost a tender wife, and a beautiful child, the pledge of faithful love. Now, as you know all, I am sure you will agree with my resolution to lay down a life which seems to me far more horrible than death itself. ”

“ Reginald, from the description his mother had given him of his sister Wulfield, at once recognized her, sprang quickly from the thicket to make himself known; but as soon as the young lady saw the youth, she screamed aloud, threw the young bear upon the grass, and running towards the new comer, addressed him in a melancholy voice, thus:—“O youth—what unfortunate star brings you hither? Here dwells a savage bear which devours every human being that approaches his abode—fly and save yourself!” ”

“ Udo hearing the cry:—“Save himself who can!” was the first to plunge into the sea, rejoicing in the secret hope of a speedy death, but in spite of himself, an irresistible power snatched him from a watery grave, and the receding wave left him senseless on the shore. On recovering he saw himself surrounded by a multitude of men engaged in restoring him; one of them was the most assiduous in the task, and Udo on close inspection found him to be Waidewuth the Unknown; but instead of expressing gratitude for their care, the prince said in a weak voice and with melancholy gesture:—“Cruel man! ”

“ Knight Reginald having looked around saw opposite to the slumbering lady an alabaster tablet, covered with hieroglyphic characters. He supposed that upon this tablet was engraved the talisman which held all the enchantments, and in his just anger, he struck it with his clenched hand covered with an iron gauntlet, with all his might, and immediately the beautiful sleeper started, cast a glance at the tablet, and sank back into insensible slumber. ”

“ Zornebock was, in comparison with the Bohemian princess, only a novice in sorcery; she had conquered him by her art, and he was slain whilst retreating from the field of battle, by the hand of a powerful knight to whom she had given magic arms, not to be resisted by the sorcerer. As lovely Hildegarde ceased her narrative, Reginald in return recounted his adventures. On mentioning his three brothers-in-law, the enchanted princes in the forest, she was greatly astonished, for now she perceived Zornebock’s tale to have been no fabrication. ”

“ All made their secret comments on the enigmatic man, some believed him a god of the sea, others, a sorcerer; Udo himself knew not what to think, but judged him rather favourably. He took him to the palace as a guest, tended him carefully, and presented him to his wife, Edda, as a friend. The Unknown justified by his behaviour the good opinion of the prince. He was a high-bred courtier, exhibited much knowledge, and amused the ladies by his wizard tricks, yet neither the kindness shown to him, nor the friendship of his host could untie the band that bound his tongue. ”

“ Udo by this plain reception forsook the romantic idea he had conceived of the inexplicable stranger on the shores of Rugen; seeing now that this adventurer was no king, nor sorcerer, but a common fisherman, distinguishing himself from his companions by the power of prophecy—a power not valued in his own country, (for no one is a prophet at home,) still he was pleased at the ardour he shewed in return for the kindness he had received. ”