Enough! these wives' tales told, to what I've seen: To Ammendorf I came; and Rudolf here With Kurt and his assembled men in buff And woodland green were gathered at this inn. The abundant Year--like some sweet wife,--a-smile At her brown baby, Autumn, in her arms, Stood 'mid the garnered harvests of her fields Dreaming of days that pass like almoners Scattering their alms in minted gold of flowers; Of nights, that forest all the skies with stars, Wherethrough the moon--bare-bosomed huntress--rides, One cloud before her like a flying fawn. Then I proposed the season's hunt; till eve The test of Rudolf's skill postponed; at which He seemed embarrassed. And 'twas then I heard How he an execrable marksman was; And tales that told of close, incredible shots, That missed their mark; or how the flint-lock oft Flamed harmless powder, while the curious deer Stood staring, as in pity of such aim, Or as inviting him to try once more. Howbeit, he that day acquitted him Of all this gossip; in that day's long hunt Missing no shot, however rashly made Or distant through the intercepting trees. And the piled, various game brought down of all Good marksmen of Kurt's train had not sufficed, Doubled, nay, trebled, there to match his heap. And marvelling the hunters saw, nor knew How to excuse them. My indulgence giv'n, Some told me that but yesterday old Kurt Had made his daughter weep and Rudolf frown, By vowing end to their betrothéd love, Unless that love developed better skill Against the morrow's test; his ancestors' High fame should not be tarnished. So he railed; Then bowed his gray head and sat moodily: But, looking up, forgave all when he saw Tears in his daughter's eyes and Rudolf gone Out in the night, black with approaching storm. Before this inn, crowding the green, they stood, The holiday village come to view the trial: Fair maidens and their comely mothers with Their sweethearts and their husbands. And I marked Kurt and his daughter here; his florid face All creased with smiles at Rudolf's great success; Hers, radiant with happiness; for this Her marriage eve--so had her father said-- Should Rudolf come successful from the hunt.