The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
History
The Oera Linda Book, from a Manuscript of the Thirteenth Century
Frisian language -- Texts
Fifteen months after the last general assembly, at the festival of the
harvest month, everybody gave himself up to pleasure and merry-making,
and no one thought of anything but diversion; but Wr-alda wished
to teach us that watchfulness should never be relaxed. In the
midst of the festivities the fog came and enveloped every place in
darkness. Cheerfulness melted away, but watchfulness did not take its
place. The coastguard deserted their beacons, and no one was to be
seen on any of the paths. When the fog rose, the sun scarcely appeared
among the clouds; but the people all came out shouting with joy, and
the young folks went about singing to their bagpipes, filling the air
with their melody. But while every one was intoxicated with pleasure,
treachery had landed with its horses and riders. As usual, darkness
had favoured the wicked, and they had slipped in through the paths
of Linda's wood. Before Adela's door twelve girls led twelve lambs,
and twelve boys led twelve calves. A young Saxon bestrode a wild bull
which he had caught and tamed. They were decked with all kinds of
flowers, and the girls' dresses were fringed with gold from the Rhine.
When Adela came out of her house, a shower of flowers fell on her head;
they all cheered loudly, and the fifes of the boys were heard over
everything. Poor Adela! poor people! how short will be your joy! When
the procession was out of sight, a troop of Magyar soldiers rushed
up to Adela's house. Her father and her husband were sitting on the
steps. The door was open, and within stood Adelbrost her son. When he
saw the danger of his parents, he took his bow from the wall and shot
the leader of the pirates, who staggered and fell on the grass. The
second and third met a similar fate. In the meantime his parents had
seized their weapons, and went slowly to Jon's house. They would soon
have been taken, but Adela came. She had learned in the burgt to use
all kinds of weapons. She was seven feet high, and her sword was the
same length. She waved it three times over her head, and each time
a knight bit the earth. Reinforcements came, and the pirates were
made prisoners; but too late--an arrow had penetrated her bosom! The
treacherous Magy had poisoned it, and she died of it.
THE ELEGY OF THE BURGTMAAGD.
Yes, departed friend, thousands are arrived, and more are coming. They
wish to hear the wisdom of Adela. Truly, she was a princess, for she
had always been the leader. O Sorrow, what good can you do!
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