German fiction -- Translations into English; Netherlands -- History -- Eighty Years' War, 1568-1648 -- Fiction
Soon after, Adam found Moor at home, and a few hours later took Ulrich
to him. It was a happy and a quiet meeting, which was soon followed by a
second interview in the smith's house.
Moor gazed long and searchingly at Ulrich's work. When he had examined
it sufficiently, he held out his hand to his pupil, saying warmly:
"I always said so; you are an artist! From to-morrow we will work
together again, daily, and you will win more glorious victories with the
brush than with the sword."
Ulrich's cheeks glowed with happiness and pride.
Ruth had never before seen him look so, and as she gazed joyfully into
his eyes, he held out his hands to her, exclaiming: "An artist, an artist
again! Oh, would that I had always remained one! Now I lack only one
thing more--yourself!"
She rushed to his embrace, exclaiming joyously "Yours, yours! I have
always been so, and always shall be, to-day, to-morrow, unto death,
forever and ever!"
"Yes, yes," he answered gravely. "Our hearts are one and ever will be,
nothing can separate them; but your fate shall not be linked to mine
till, Moor himself calls me a master. Love imposes no condition--I am
yours and you are mine--but I impose the trial on myself, and this time I
know it will be passed."
A new spirit animated the pupil. He rushed to his work with tireless
energy, and even the hardest task became easy, when he thought of the
prize he sought. At the end of a year, Moor ceased to instruct him,
and Ruth became the wife of Meister Ulrich Schwab.
The famous artist-guild of Antwerp soon proudly numbered him among
them, and even at the present day his pictures are highly esteemed by
connoisseurs, though they are attributed to other painters, for he never
signed his name to his works.
Of the four words, which illumined his life-path as guiding-stars, he had
learned to value fame and power least; fortune and art remained faithful
to him, but as the earth does not shine by its own might, but receives
its light from the sun, so they obtained brilliancy, charm and endearing
power through love.
The fierce Eletto, whose sword raged in war, following the teachings of
his noble Master, became a truly Christian philanthropist.
Many have gazed with quiet delight at the magnificent picture, which
represents a beautiful mother, with a bright, intelligent face, leading
her three blooming children towards a pleasant old man, who holds out his
arms to them. The old man is Adam, the mother Ruth, the children are the
armorer's grandchildren; Ulrich Schwab was the artist.
Meister Moor died soon after Ulrich's marriage, and a few years after,
Sophonisba di Moncada came to Antwerp to seek the grave of him she had
loved. She knew from the dead man that he had met his dear Madrid pupil,
and her first visit was to the latter.
After looking at his works, she exclaimed:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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