‘A maiden’s true and proper ornament! Look at mine, child! I have worn it fifty years. May I deserve to wear it till I am called! O Margarita! trifle not with that symbol.’
‘“O birdie, and boar, and deer, lie tame!”
I am so happy, aunty.’
‘Nice times to be happy in, Margarita.’
“Be happy in Spring, sweet maidens all,
For Autumn’s chill will early fall.”
So sings the Minnesinger, aunty; and
‘“A maiden in the wintry leaf
Will spread her own disease of grief.”
I love the Minnesingers! Dear, sweet-mannered men they are! Such lovers! And men of deeds as well as song: sword on one side and harp on the other. They fight till set of sun, and then slacken their armour to waft a ballad to their beloved by moonlight, covered with stains of battle as they are, and weary!’
‘What a girl! Minnesingers! Yes; I know stories of those Minnesingers. They came to the castle—Margarita, a bead of thy cross is broken. I will attend to it. Wear the pearl one till I mend this. May’st thou never fall in the way of Minnesingers. They are not like Werner’s troop. They do not batter at doors: they slide into the house like snakes.’
‘Lisbeth! Lisbeth!’ they heard Gottlieb calling impatiently.