Legends -- France; Legends -- Germany; Legends -- Rhine River Valley
It was Hildegarde, who had recognized Heinrich and learned his
intention. In impassioned tones she urged the young men not to be
guilty of the folly of shedding each other's blood in such a cause, and
declared that it was her firm intention to spend her remaining days in a
convent. The brothers submitted themselves to her persuasion and became
reconciled. Some time afterward Conrad's wife proved her unworthiness
by eloping with a young knight, thus killing her husband's love for her,
and at the same time opening his eyes to his own base conduct. Bitterly
now did he reproach himself for his unfaithfulness to Hildegarde, who,
alas! was now lost to him for ever. Hildegarde remained faithful to
her vows, and Heinrich and Conrad lived together till at last death
separated them.
St. Goar
Near the town of St. Goar, at the foot of the Rheinfels, there stands
a little cell, once the habitation of a pious hermit known as St. Goar,
and many are the local traditions which tell of the miracles wrought by
this good man, and the marvellous virtues retained by his shrine after
his death. He settled on Rhenish shores, we are told, about the middle
of the sixth century, and thenceforward devoted his life to the service
of the rude people among whom his lot was cast. His first care was to
instruct them in the Christian faith, but he was also mindful of their
welfare in temporal matters, and gave his services freely to the sick
and sorrowful, so that ere long he came to be regarded as a saint. When
he was not employed in prayer and ministrations he watched the currents
of the Rhine, and was ever willing to lend his aid to distressed
mariners who had been caught by the Sand Gewirr, a dangerous eddy which
was too often the death of unwary boatmen in these parts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account