Fairy tales; German fiction -- Translations into English
Proofs had not been wanting to show hint how devoted the prince was to
him, and if he had been able to say to his patron, "I am a Greylock," no
doubt his lord would gladly have accorded his daughter's hand to him.
George had repeated this to himself a thousand times, but he had remained
firm, had kept his counsel and had not ceased to hope that by righteous
energy and industry he might accomplish the "great and good task" which
had been required of him in Misdral's cave. When his grey lock grew, the
fairy Clementine's fish had said to him, then would he know that he had
achieved something great and good, and that he might bear once more the
name of his proud race and return home without exposing his family to any
danger. He had reached the goal, the task was completed, he might call
himself a Greylock once more, for the curl which was the pride of his
race now adorned his head too.
"The prince watched him turn very red then very pale and finally said
inquiringly "Well, my Peregrinus?" The architect fell upon his knee,
kissed the prince's hand and cried:
"I am not Peregrinus. Henceforth I am a Greylock, I am George, the
second son of the Duke Wendelin, of whom you have heard, and I must
confess to you, my noble lord, that I love your daughter Speranza,
and I would not exchange places with any god if you would but give
us your blessing."
"A Greylock!" the prince exclaimed. "Truly, truly this day should not
be reckoned among the feast-days but should be regarded as the best day
in all the year. Come to my arms, my dear, my worthy son!"
An hour later the architect held the princess in his arms. What a
wedding they had! George did not return immediately to his own home.
He wrote to his mother that he was alive and well and intended to visit
her in company with his young bride as soon as he had finished a great
work with which he was occupied. He sent with the letter a portrait of
his wife and when the duchess saw it and read the letter she grew ten
years younger from pure delight, and old Nonna at least five. When
Wendelin XVI. was informed that his brother still lived, he smiled and
the queen followed his example, but as soon as they were alone she cried:
"The land of the Greylocks will be smaller than ever now and even before
it was not so great as my father's."
When Speranza presented her husband with a son the duchess and her
faithful attendant Nonna went to Italy, and the meeting between mother
and son was beyond all measure joyful. Two months she spent with her
dear children and then she returned home, George and his wife having
promised to visit her the following year in the capital of the Greylocks.
The cathedral was finished. There was no finer building under the sun
and artists and connoisseurs flocked from all parts of the world to see
it. George received the commendations of the most critical and his name
was ranked among those of the greatest architects.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account