Legends -- France; Legends -- Germany; Legends -- Rhine River Valley
To this the old man consented, and the strolling musician planted a
vineyard which sprang up as though by magic. When the first vintage
was produced it was found to be delicious beyond the dreams of the
old nobleman, who was indeed a connoisseur in wines. In his delight he
christened the wine Liebfrauenmilch, signifying 'Milk of our Blessed
Lady.' The Devil was furious at this reference to the Holy Virgin, but
he consoled himself with the thought that in due course the man's soul
would be his. But the Virgin herself was pleased with the christening
of the vineyard, and rather sorry for the foolish old nobleman who
had bartered his soul for the Devil's wine. When, therefore, the time
arrived for the Evil One to claim his fee, she sent her angels to drive
him away, and thus he was robbed of his prey.
The old man, having learned the danger of treating with the Devil, now
built a chapel to the Virgin in his vineyard. He lived for a long time
to enjoy the luscious wine, under the protection of the saints, and
never again did he make a compact with Satan.
Now, if anyone requires a proof of this marvellous story, is there not
the Liebfrauenmilch, most delicious of wines to convince him of its
truth?
The Maiden's Caprice
In the town of Worms there stands an old manor, built in the style of
the Renaissance and known as the Wampolder Hof. At one time it belonged
to the lord of Wampold, a wealthy noble of Mainz, who had appointed as
castellan a kinsman of his, himself a nobleman, though landless and
poor and no longer able to uphold his former dignities. In his youth the
keeper had lived a gay and careless life, but now he was old and infirm
and cared no longer for worldly vanities. His sole pride was his young
daughter, a bewitching maiden who had more lovers than one could readily
count, and who smiled upon them all impartially. With so many lovelorn
youths at her beck and call it is hardly surprising that she should grow
exacting and capricious, but this, as usually happens, only made them
love her the more.
There was one among her suitors, however, for whom she cherished a real
affection. Handsome, cultured, and, like herself, of noble birth, he
was, notwithstanding his poverty, by far the most eligible of the
youths who sought her in marriage, and the castellan readily granted his
consent to their betrothal. So for a time everything seemed to indicate
happiness in store for the young couple.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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