Sidonia the Sorceress V1

t at Wolgast, and of what fu

n Sidonia, and what they related to me concerning her I h

also guardian to the five young princes. But he grumbled, and said-"The ducal widow had maids of honour enough to dam up the river with if she chose; and he

carcely had they arrived there, when a letter came from the ducal widow of Wolgast, saying, that on no

satisfied; and taking the matter in her own hands she left her fath

e lady there who would watch over her, as indeed she felt would be necessary at a court. And Fabianus supported h

he have

lling any one; and having a fair wind, sailed up directly to the l

el; and truly she was an Eve in sin, and brought as much evil upon the land of Pomerania as our first mother upon the whole world. Sidonia was enveloped i

the gallery, until they reached the private apartments of the princess, from whence resounded a psalm which her Grace was singing with her ladies while they spun, and whic

t he had promised her father to bring her here; but her Grace cut short his apologies with "Dear uncle, Dr. Martin Luther told me on my wedding-day that he never allowed himself to be interrupted at his prayers, because it betokened the presence of something evil. And you have now broken in on our devoti

court, you may remain; but take care that you never lift your eyes upon the young men. Such wantons are hateful to m

ways so gloomy and melancholy-that it was time now for her to forget her late spouse, and think of gayer subjects. To which she ans

bridal a hundred times; yet to please he

and taking it up, he blew on it; then turning round, exclaimed-'Away with thee, Satan! away with thee, Satan! Meddle not in this matter!' And

e a great blessing from God in your five fine s

children, telling how handsome was the young Prince Ernest,

air, and her eyes flashed like torches, so that it was evident some pl

s time for you to think of a second husband, methinks, after having wept ten years for your Philip. The best doctor, they say, for a young widow, is

d words, yet she grew as sour as vinegar again immediately; for

such folly; do you not know what St. Pau

n, does he not say, too, 'I will

uncle, I am n

y stranger came in here to look for the widow, he would find it difficul

d; "I never imagined

blooming a

ighed; but gave his Grace a smart slap when he attempted to seize her ha

old, knights, squires, pages, and even grooms and peasants, to the castle, where they all received entertainment. And ten rooms were laid with dinner, and all stood open, so that any one might enter under the permission of the Court Marshal. All this I must notice here,

the Duke of Stettin. But the Duke forbade them, saying he wished to dine in private for this day with the Duchess and her two sons; the Grand Chamberlain, too, he hoped would be present, and Sidonia might have a seat at the ducal table, as she was of noble blood; besides

vain, dear uncle." And Ulrich added, "Yes, and the image has such an expression, that if the real Eve loo

e and the Princes leading, while from every door along the corridor the young knights and pages peeped out to get

of the pillars wearing a black Spanish mantle, fastened with chains of

to see him, and tapped him

o much of you. What a fine youth you have

to say the "gratias;" but she blundered and stammered, which many imputed to modesty, so that Prince Ernest had to repeat it in her stead.

he Prince came to her relief and repeated the words for her. And now the evil spirit wit

larly when the Duke encouraged Prince Ernest to follow his example; but the poor youth looked quite ashamed, and cast down his eyes. However, when he raised them again Sidonia's were fixed on him, and she murmured, "Will you not learn?" with such a glance accompanying the words, that he cou

hat day; or, if he preferred fishing, there were some excellent carp within the domain. But the Duke repl

allowed to accompany them. The Pomeranian standard also was hoisted to do him honour, and finally he bade the illustrious widow farewell, recommending Sidonia to her care. But the fair