Oldal 291 [291]
ROLAND. 235
it was too little for anybody to hide in. The good serving
pleased him well; but in the end he became uneasy, and went
to a wise woman to take counsel of her. The wise woman
said, :
“There is magic in it: get up early some morning, and
if you hear something moving in the room, be it what it may,
throw a white cloth over it, and the charm will be broken.”
The shepherd did as she told him, and the next morning
at daybreak he saw the chest open, and the flower come out.
Then he jumped up quickly and threw a white cloth over it.
So the spell was broken, and a lovely maiden stood before
him ; and she told him that she had been the flower, and had
until now cared for his household matters. She told him all
that had happened to her, and she pleased him so much that
he asked her to marry him, but she answered “ No,” because
she still remained true to her dear Roland, though he had
forsaken her; but she promised not to leave the shepherd,
but to go on taking care of his house.
Now the time came when Roland’s wedding was to be
held ; and there was an old custom in that country that all
the girls should be present, and should sing in honour of the
bride and bridegroom. ‘The faithful maiden, when she knew
this, was so sorrowful that she felt as if her heart would break ;
and she would not go, until the others came and fetched her.
And when her turn came to sing she slipped behind, so that
she stood alone, and so began to sing : and as soon as her song
reached Roland’s ear he sprang up and cried,
"I know that voice! that is the right bride, and no other
will I have.” And everything that he had forgotten, and that
had been swept out of his mind, came suddenly home to him
in his heart. And the faithful maiden was married to her
dear Roland; her sorrow came to an end and her joy began.