Old Melthal had several children; but now it was rumoured, that one of them called Erwin (whom no one recollected to have ever heard of before) was just returned from foreign parts, and that a great feast was shortly to be given in honour of his safe arrival. Accordingly, the venerable chief of the Melthals made a tour through the neighbouring districts, for the purpose of inviting his relations and intimates to assemble on the green lawn before his house on an appointed day; thence to accompany his newly-arrived son to the old church on the banks of the Lake, and return thanks to Heaven for his prosperous return; and finally, to pass the remainder of the day and a good portion of the following night at his expence in various festivities and amusements.
Tell’s family was one of the first invited: the expectation of the approaching entertainment gave a look of joy to every countenance. In the great world, no one looks forward to a day marked out for some amusement with half this enthusiasm: the hurry of tiresome and expensive preparations; recollections, how often on similar occasions we have expected more amusement, than we received; the frequent recurrence of such pleasures, which robs them of the charm of novelty; the suggestions of mortified vanity or dissatisfied pride; all these combine to embitter the festivals of the great. But here in the land of innocence and gaiety, here where no one looks for any pleasure, but that which he is sure of finding; where pride and vanity have nothing to do; where every recollection is delightful, and the whole expence and preparation consist in a wreath of fresh-gathered flowers; here it is, that an invitation to a party of pleasure is really welcome, and seldom fails of justifying its name.
The sun was not yet risen, and the youths and damsels of Tell’s family were already on their road to Melthal’s cottage. Lots were cast among the girls to decide, who should have the honour to conduct the procession; the chance fell upon Rosanna. In consequence, she added to that which confined her locks, a second wreath of flowers which she hung round her arm, ready (as was the custom on such occasions) to crown the hero of the entertainment. It was a special privilege enjoyed by that company of young people, which arrived first at the place of rendezvous, that a similar garland to that, with which themselves were adorned, should ornament the head of the principal personage, whereas the garlands of the others could only be worn by relations of that particular family; and this privilege was one, which they valued highly.
Tell’s children, therefore, entreated their sister Rosanna to hasten forwards, in order that no one might arrive before them; and obliging as she ever was, she quickened her steps, though solely from the desire to comply with their wishes: for she little guessed the sort of youth, for whom her garland had been woven. She expected to see a person, who would be as indifferent to her as all those were, whom she had already seen; and it was a matter of little concern to her, whether she ornamented with her garland the locks of the young Melthal, or of one of her own relations.
But how were her sentiments changed, when at the head of her company she arrived on the brow of a little hill, and looked down upon Melthal’s cottage! There sat the old man on a stone bench before the door; and near him stood a youth, whose countenance was illumined by the rosy light of the rising sun, and whose figure excelled in manly beauty every thing that she had ever seen, nay that she had ever thought or dreamt of.—She started back.
—“What!” said she to herself; “can this be a son of the old Henric Melthal? No, no! ’tis certainly some angel, or some saint or martyr at the least. In truth, I never saw one of the beings, to whom those names are applied; but I have been told much respecting such supernatural Existences, and surely if they ever deign to visit the earth in human form, they must needs resemble yonder youth.”—
Erwin Melthal appeared to be in earnest conversation with his father: but no sooner was he aware of the approaching guests, than he hastened towards them, and delivered a welcome with such unaffected grace and easy dignity, that Rosanna’s delight and astonishment were raised to the very highest pitch.
Tell’s family was in fact the first arrived, and Rosanna’s garland was without a competitor for the honour of adorning Erwin’s head; an honour, which she now no longer looked upon as a matter of indifference, and which she could not have consented to make over to one of her companions without some little movements of jealousy and dissatisfaction.
She approached the stranger, while her cheeks were suffused with blushes, and her hand trembled, as she drew the garland from her arm. He stood before her like some well grown cedar, and bowed down his head a little to be crowned by the lovely stranger. She hesitated, retired a few steps, and looked anxiously round to her female companions, as if she would willingly have given up her office to one of them: while Erwin, either out of respect and admiration at the heavenly vision which now stood manifest before him, or from the more earthly consideration of the difference between her stature and his own, sank upon one knee before her, and in this attitude was crowned by her trembling hands.
It was an established custom, that the conductress of the first company that arrived, on these occasions should be the partner of the king of the festival during the whole of the day. Rosanna, who loved to enjoy the earliest breath of morning and the glories of the rising sun, had already frequently obtained this privilege without its causing her much emotion; but now when she reflected, that for a whole day she should be by the side of Erwin Melthal; that she should kneel on the same step with him at church; should join at the same time and almost in the same breath with him in the most solemn offices of devotion; should blend her voice with his in prayers and anthems; and that at table, in the dance, at every kind of festivity, she should still have no associate but Erwin, all this was too much for her to conceive at once, and her feelings scarcely permitted her to breathe.