Stranica 291 [291]
OCR
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.
