Divers Princes and Noblemen being assembled in a beautiful and fair Palace, which was situate upon the river Rhine, they beheld a boat or small barge make toward the shore, drawn by a Swan in a silver chain, the one end fastened about her neck, the other to the vessel; and in it an unknown soldier, a man of a comely personage and graceful presence, who stept upon the shore; which done, the boat guided by the Swan left him, and floated down the river. This man fell afterward in league with a fair gentlewoman, married her, and by her had many children. After some years, the same Swan came with the same barge into the same place; the soldier entering into it, was carried thence the way he came, left wife, children and family, and was never seen amongst them after. Now who can judge this to be other than one of those spirits that are named Incubi? says Thomas Heywood. I have adopted his story, but not his solution, making the unknown soldier not an evil spirit, but one who had purchased happiness of a malevolent being, by the promised sacrifice of his first-born child. RUDIGER. Bright on the mountain's heathy slope The day's last splendors shine And rich with many a radiant hue Gleam gayly on the Rhine. And many a one from Waldhurst's walls Along the river stroll'd, As ruffling o'er the pleasant stream The evening gales came cold. So as they stray'd a swan they saw Sail stately up and strong, And by a silver chain she drew A little boat along, Whose streamer to the gentle breeze Long floating fluttered light, Beneath whose crimson canopy There lay reclin'd a knight. With arching crest and swelling breast On sail'd the stately swan And lightly up the parting tide The little boat came on. And onward to the shore they drew And leapt to land the knight, And down the stream the swan-drawn boat Fell soon beyond the sight. Was never a Maid in Waldhurst's walls Might match with Margaret, Her cheek was fair, her eyes were dark, Her silken locks like jet. And many a rich and noble youth Had strove to win the fair, But never a rich or noble youth Could rival Rudiger. At every tilt and turney he Still bore away the prize, For knightly feats superior still And knightly courtesies. His gallant feats, his looks, his love, Soon won the willing fair, And soon did Margaret become The wife of Rudiger. Like morning dreams of happiness Fast roll'd the months away, For he was kind and she was kind And who so blest as they? Yet Rudiger would sometimes sit Absorb'd in silent thought And his dark downward eye would seem With anxious meaning fraught; But soon he rais'd his looks again And smil'd his cares eway, And mid the hall of gaiety Was none like him so gay. And onward roll'd the waining months, The hour appointed came, And Margaret her Rudiger Hail'd with a father's name.