SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
MARY SCHWEIDLER
THE AMBER WITCH
SIDONIATHE SORCERESS
THE SUPPOSED DESTROYER OF THE WHOLE
REIGNING DUCAL HOUSE OF
POMERANIA
TRANSLATED BY LADY WILDE
MARY SCHWEIDLER
THE AMBER WITCH
WILLIAM MEINHOLD
//
DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY
IN TWO VOLUMES
VOL. I.
LONDON
REEVES AND TURNER
WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND
1894
[All Rights reserved]
oC
N/' /
DEDICATION OF THE GERMAN EDITION.
TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS
LADY LUCY DUFF GORDON,
THE
YOUNG AND GIFTED TRANSLATOR
OF
>"THE AMBER WITCH,"
THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
PREFACE
A MONGST all the trials for witchcraft with which we
/~\ are acquainted, few have attained so great a celebrity
as that of the Lady Canoness of Pomerania, Sidonia
von Bork. She was accused of having by her sorceries caused
sterility in many families, particularly in that of the ancient
reigning house of Pomerania, and also of having destroyed the
noblest scions of that house by an early and premature death.
Notwithstanding the intercessions and entreaties of the Prince
of Brandenburg and Saxony, and of the resident Pomeranian
nobility, she was publicly executed for these crimes on the
1 9th of August 1620, on the public scaffold, at Stettin ; the
only favour granted being, that she was allowed to be beheaded
first and then burned.
This terrible example caused such a panic of horror, that
contemporary authors scarcely dare to mention her name, and,
even then, merely by giving the initials. This forbearance
arose partly from respect towards the ancient family of the
Von Borks, who then, as now, were amongst the most illus-
trious and wealthy in the land, and also from the fear of
offending the reigning ducal family, as the Sorceress, in her
youth, had stood in a very near and tender relation to the
young Duke Ernest Louis von Pommern-Wolgast.
These reasons will be sufficiently comprehensible to all
who are familiar with the disgust and aversion in which the
paramours of the evil one were held in that age, so that even
upon the rack these subjects were scarcely touched upon.
viii PREFACE
The first public, judicial, yet disconnected account of Si-
donia's trial, we find in the Pomeranian Library of Dahnert,
fourth volume, article 7, July number of the year 1755.
Dahnert here acknowledges, page 241, that the numbers
from 302 to 1080, containing the depositions of the witnesses,
were not forthcoming up to his time, but that a priest in
Pansin, near Stargard, by name Justus Sagebaum, pretended
to have them in his hands, and accordingly, in the fifth
volume of the above-named journal (article 4, of April 1756),
some very important extracts appear from them.
The records, however, again disappeared for nearly a
century, until Barthold announced, some short time since,*
that he had at length discovered them in the Berlin Library ;
but he does not say which, for, according to Schwalen-
berg, who quotes Dahnert, there existed two or three dif-
ferent copies, namely, the Protocol/urn Jodoci Neumarks, the
so-called Acta Lothmanni, and that of Adami Moesters,
contradicting each other in the most important matters.
Whether I have drawn the history of my Sidonia from one
or other of the above-named sources, or from some entirely
new, or, finally, from that alone which is longest known, I
shall leave undecided.
Every one who has heard of the animadversions which
" The Amber Witch " excited, many asserting that it was
only dressed-up history, though I repeatedly assured them it
was simple fiction, will pardon me if I do not here distinctly
declare whether Sidonia be history or fiction.
The truth of the material, as well as of the formal contents,
can be tested by any one by referring to the authorities I have
named ; and in connection with these, I must just remark, that
in order to spare the reader any difficulties which might pre-
sent themselves to eye and ear, in consequence of the old-
fashioned mode of writing, I have modernised the orthography,
and amended the grammar and structure of the phrases. And
* " History of Rugen and Pomerania," vol. iv. p. 486.
PREFACE . ix
lastly, I trust that all just thinkers of every party will pardon
me for having here and there introduced my supernatural views
of Christianity. A man's principles, as put forward in his
philosophical writings, are in general only read by his own
party, and not by that of his adversaries. A Rationalist will
fly from a book by a Super naturalist as rapidly as this latter
from one by a Friend of Light. But by introducing my views
in the manner I have adopted, in place of publishing them in
a distinct volume, I trust that all parties will be induced to
peruse them, and that many will find, not only what is worthy
their particular attention, but matter for deep and serious re-
flection.
I must now give an account of those portraits of Sidonia
which are extant.
As far as I know, three of these (besides innumerable
sketches) exist, one in Stettin, the other in the lower Pome-
ranian town Plathe, and a third at Stargord, near Regenwalde,
in the castle of the Count von Bork. I am acquainted only
with the last-named picture, and agree with many in thinking
that it is the only original.
Sidonia is here represented in the prime of mature beauty
— a gold net is drawn over her almost golden yellow hair,
and her neck, arms, and hands are profusely covered with
jewels. Her bodice of bright purple is trimmed with costly
fur, and the robe is of azure velvet. In her hand she carries
a sort of pompadour of brown leather, of the most elegant
form and finish. Her eyes and mouth are not pleasing, not-
withstanding their great beauty — in the mouth, particularly,
one can discover an expression of cold malignity.
The painting is beautifully executed, and is evidently of the
school of Louis Kranach.
Immediately behind this form there is another looking over
the shoulder of Sidonia, like a terrible spectre (a highly
poetical idea), for this spectre is Sidonia herself painted as a
Sorceress. It must have been added, after a lapse of many
x PREFACE
years, to the youthful portrait, which belongs, as I have said,
to the school of Kranach, whereas the second figure portrays
unmistakably the school of Rubens. It is a fearfully char-
acteristic painting, and no imagination could conceive a con-
trast more shudderingly awful. The Sorceress is arrayed in
her death garments — white with black stripes ; and round her
thin white locks is bound a narrow band of black velvet
spotted with gold. In her hand is a kind of a work-basket,
but of the simplest workmanship and form.
Of the other portraits I cannot speak from my own personal
inspection ; but to judge by the drawings taken from them to
which I have had access, they appear to differ completely, not
only in costume, but in the character of the countenance, from
the one I have described, which there is no doubt must be
the original, not only because it bears all the characteristics of
that school of painting which approached nearest to the age in
which Sidonia lived — namely, from 1540 to 1620 — but also
by the fact that a sheet of paper bearing an inscription was
found behind the painting, betraying evident marks of age in
its blackened colour, the form of the letters, and the expres-
sions employed. The inscription is as follows : —
" This Sidonia von Bork was in her youth the most beau-
tiful and the richest of the maidens of Pomerania. She in-
herited many estates from her parents, and thus was in her
own right a possessor almost of a county. So her pride
increased, and many noble gentlemen who sought her in
marriage were rejected with disdain, as she considered that a
count or prince alone could be worthy of her hand. For these
reasons she attended the Duke's court frequently, in the
hopes of winning over one of the seven young princes to her
love. At length she was successful ; Duke Ernest Louis
von Wolgast, aged about twenty, and the handsomest youth
in Pomerania, became her lover, and even promised her his
hand in marriage. This promise he would faithfully have
kept if the Stettin princes, who were displeased at the pros-
PREFACE xi
pect of this unequal alliance, had not induced him to abandon
Sidonia, by means of the portrait of the Princess Hedwig
of Brunswick, the most beautiful princess in all Germany.
Sidonia thereupon fell into such despair, that she resolved to
renounce marriage for ever, and bury the remainder of her
life in the convent of Marienfliess, and thus she did. But the
wrong done to her by the Stettin princes lay heavy upon her
heart, and the desire for revenge increased with years ; besides,
in place of reading the Bible, her private hours were passed
studying the Amad'is^ wherein she found many examples of
how forsaken maidens have avenged themselves upon their
false lovers by means of magic. So she at last yielded to
the temptations of Satan, and after some years learned the
secrets of witchcraft from an old woman. By means of this
unholy knowledge, along with several other evil deeds, she so
bewitched the whole princely race that the six young princes,
who were each wedded to a young wife, remained childless ;
but no public notice was taken until Duke Francis succeeded
to the duchy in 1618. He was a ruthless enemy to witches ;
all in the land were sought out with great diligence and
burned, and as they unanimously named the Abbess of
Marienfliess* upon the rack, she was brought to Stettin by
command of the Duke, where she freely confessed all the
evil wrought by her sorceries upon the princely race.
" The Duke promised her life and pardon if she would free
the other princes from the ban ; but her answer was that
she had enclosed the spell in a padlock, and flung it into the
sea, and having asked the devil if he could restore the padlock
again to her, he replied, * No ; that was forbidden to him ; '
by which every one can perceive that the destiny of God was
in the matter.
" And so it was that, notwithstanding the intercession of
* Sidonia never attained this dignity, though Micraelius and others
gave her the title.
xii PREFACE
all the neighbouring courts, Sidonia was brought to the scaf-
fold at Stettin, there beheaded, and afterwards burned.
" Before her death the Prince ordered her portrait to be
painted, in her old age and prison garb, behind that which
represented her in the prime of youth. After his death,
BogislafT XIV., the last Duke, gave this picture to my
grandmother, whose husband had also been killed by the
Sorceress. My father received it from her, and I from
him, along with the story which is here written down.*
" HENRY GUSTAVUS SCHWALENBERG."
* The style of this " Inscription" proves it to have been written in
the beginning of the preceding century, but it is first noticed by Dah-
nert. I have had his version compared with the original in Stargord
— through the kindness of a friend, who assures me that the transcription
is perfectly correct, and yet can he be mistaken? for Horst (Magic
Library, vol. ii. p. 246), gives the conclusion thus: "From whom
my father received it, and I from him, along with the story precisely as
given here by H. G. Schwalenberg. " By this reading, which must have
escaped my friend, a different sense is given to the passage ; by the
last reading it would appear that the " I " was a Bork, who had taken
the tale from Schwalenberg's history of the Pomeranian Dukes, a work
which exists only in manuscript, and to which I have had no access ;
but if we admit the first reading, then the writer must be a Schwa-
lenberg. Even the "grandmother" will not clear up the matter, for
Sidonia, when put to the torture, confessed, at the seventh question, that
she had caused the death of Doctor Schwalenberg (he was counsellor
in Stettin then), and at the eleventh question, that her brother's son,
Otto Bork, had died also by her means. Who then is this " I " ? Even
Sidonia's picture, we see, utters mysteries.
In my opinion the writer was Schwalenberg, and Horst seems to have
taken his version from Paulis's " General History of Pomerania," vol. iv.
p. 396, and not from the original of Dahnert.
For the picture at that early period was not in the possession of a
Bork, but belonged to the Count von Mellin in Schillersdorf, as passages
from many authors can testify. This is confirmed by another paper
found along with that containing the tradition, but of much more modern
appearance, which states that the picture was removed by successive
PREFACE xiii
inheritors, first from Schillersdorf to Stargord, from thence to Heinrichs-
berg (there are three towns in Pomerania of this name), and finally from
Heinrichsberg, in the year 1834, was a second time removed to Stargord
by the last inheritor.
This Schillersdorf lies between Gartz and Stettin on the Oder.
WILLIAM MEINHOLD.
LETTER OF DR. THEODORE PLONNIES
To BOGISLAFF THE FOURTEENTH, THE LAST
DUKE OF POMERANIA.
MOST EMINENT PRINCE AND GRACIOUS LORD, — Serene
Prince, your Highness gave me a commission in past years
to travel through all Pomerania, and if I met with any per-
sons who could give me certain "information" respecting
the notorious and accursed witch Sidonia von Bork, to set
down carefully all they stated, and bring it afterwards into
connexum for your Highness. It is well known that Duke
Francis, of blessed memory, never would permit the accursed
deeds of this woman to be made public, or her confession
upon the rack, fearing to bring scandal upon the princely
house. But your Serene Highness viewed the subject differ-
ently, and said that it was good for every one, but especially
princes, to look into the clear mirror of history, and behold
there the faults and follies of their race. For this reason may
no truth be omitted here.
To such princely commands I have proved myself obedient,
collecting all information, whether good or evil, and con-
cealing nothing. But the greater number who related these
things to me could scarcely speak for tears, for wherever I
travelled throughout Pomerania, as the faithful servant of
your Highness, nothing was heard but lamentations from old
and young, rich and poor, that this execrable Sorceress, out
of satanic wickedness, had destroyed this illustrious race, who
xvi LETTER TO BOGISLAFF XIV.
had held their lands from no emperor, in feudal tenure, like
other German princes, but in their own right, as absolute
lords, since five hundred years, and though for twenty years
it seemed to rest upon five goodly princes, yet by permission
of the incomprehensible God, it has now melted away until
your Highness stands the last of his race, and no prospect is
before us that it will ever be restored, but with your High-
ness ( God have mercy upon us ! ) will be utterly extinguished,
and for ever. " Woe to us, how have we sinned ! " (Lament,
v. 16).*
I pray therefore the all-merciful God, that He will re-
move me before your Highness from this vale of tears, that
I may not behold the last hour of your Highness or of my
poor fatherland. Rather than witness these things, I would
a thousand times sooner lie quiet in my grave.
* Marginal note of Duke Bogislaff XIV. — "In tuas manus com-
mendo spiritum meum, quia tu me redemisti fide deus."
CONTENTS
SID ONI A THE SORCERESS.
BOOK I.
FROM THE RECEPTION OF SI DON I A AT THE
DUCAL COURT OF WOLGAST UNTIL HER
BANISHMENT THEREFROM.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Of the education of Sidonia 3
CHAPTER II.
Of the bear-hunt at Stramehl, and the strange things that befell
there . . 10
CHAPTER III.
How Otto von Bork received the homage of his son-in-law,
Vidante von Meseritz — And how the bride and bridegroom
proceeded afterwards to the chapel — Item, what strange
things happened at the wedding-feast 17
CHAPTER IV.
How Sidonia came to the court at Wolgast, and of what further
happened to her there 34
VOL. I. b
xviii CONTENTS
CHAPTER V.
PAGE
Sidonia knows nothing of God's Word, but seeks to learn it from
the young Prince of Wolgast ...... 40
CHAPTER VI.
How the young Prince prepared a petition to his mother, the
Duchess, in favour of Sidonia — Item, of the strange doings
of the Laplander with his magic drum 48
CHAPTER VII.
How Ulrich von Schwerin buries his spouse, and Doctor Ger-
schovius comforts him out of God's Word .... 54
CHAPTER VIII.
How Sidonia rides upon the pet stag, and what evil consequences
result therefrom ...... 62
CHAPTER IX.
How Sidonia makes the young Prince break his word — Item,
how Clara von Dewitz in vain tries to turn her from her evil
ways 69
CHAPTER X.
How Sidonia wished to learn the mystery of love-potions, but is
hindered by Clara and the young Prince .... 78
CHAPTER XL
How Sidonia repeated the catechism of Dr. Gerschovius, and how
she whipped the young Casimir, out of pure evil-mindedness . 86
CONTENTS xix
CHAPTER XII.
PAGE
Of Appelmann's knavery — Item, how the birthday of her High-
ness was celebrated, and Sidonia managed to get to the
dance, with the uproar caused thereby 93
CHAPTER XIII.
How Sidonia is sent away to Stettin — Item, of the young lord's
dangerous illness, and what happened in consequence . . 106
CHAPTER XIV.
How Duke Barnim of Stettin and Otto Bork accompany Sidonia
back to Wolgast ......... 120
CHAPTER XV.
Of the grand battue, and what the young Duke and Sidonia
resolved on there ......... 127
CHAPTER XVI.
How the ghost continued to haunt the castle, and of its daring
behaviour — Item, how the young lord regained his strength,
and was able to visit Crummyn, with what happened to him
there 139
CHAPTER XVII.
Of Ulrich's counsels — Item, how Clara von Dewitz came upon
the track of the ghost 151
CHAPTER XVIII.
How the horrible wickedness of Sidonia was made apparent ; and
how in consequence thereof she was banished with ignominy
from the ducal court of Wolgast 159
xx CONTENTS
BOOK II.
FROM THE BANISHMENT OF SIDONIA FROM THE
DUCAL COURT OF WOLGAST UP TO HER
RECEPTION IN THE CONVENT OF
MARIENFLIESS.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Of the quarrel between Otto Bork and the Stargardians, which
caused him to demand the dues upon the Jena . . . 175
CHAPTER II.
How Otto von Bork demands the Jena dues from the Star-
gardians, and how the burgomaster Jacob Appelmann takes
him prisoner, and locks him up in the Red Sea . . . 185
CHAPTER III.
Of Otto Bork's dreadful suicide — Item, how Sidonia and Johann
Appelmann were brought before the burgomaster . . .197
CHAPTER IV.
How Sidonia meets Claude Uckermann again, and solicits him
to wed her — Item, what he answered, and how my gracious
Lord of Stettin received her 204
CHAPTER V.
How they went on meantime at Wolgast — Item, of the Diet at
Wollin, and what happened there
CONTENTS xxi
CHAPTER VI.
PAGE
How Sidonia is again discovered with the groom, Johann Appel-
mann ........... 219
CHAPTER VII.
Of the distress in Pomeranian land — Item, how Sidonia and
Johann Appelmann determine to join the robbers in the
vicinity of Stargard ........ 225
CHAPTER VIII.
How Johann and Sidonia meet an adventure at Alten Damm —
Item, of their reception by the robber-band . . . .231
CHAPTER IX.
How his Highness, Duke Barnim the elder, went a-hawking at
Marienfliess — Item, of the shameful robbery at Zachan,
and how burgomaster Appelmann remonstrates with his
abandoned son ......... 238
CHAPTER X.
How the robbers attack Prince Ernest and his bride in the Ucker-
mann forest, and Marcus Bork and Dinnies Kleist come to
their rescue 247
CHAPTER XI.
Of the ambassadors in the tavern of Mutzelburg — Item, how the
miller, Konnemann, is discovered, and made by Dinnies
Kleist to act as guide to the robber cave, where they find all
the Women-folk lying apparently dead, through some devil's
magic of the gipsy mother 255
xxii CONTENTS
CHAPTER XII.
PAGE
How the peasants in Marienfliess want to burn a witch, but are
hindered by Johann Appelmann and Sidonia, who discover
an old acquaintance in the witch, the girl Wolde Albrechts . 259
CHAPTER XIII.
Of the adventure with the boundary lads, and how one of them
promises to admit Johann Appelmann into the castle of
Daber that same night — Item, of what befell amongst the
guests at the castle 269
CHAPTER XIV.
How the knave Appelmann seizes his Serene Eminence Duke
Johann by the throat, and how his Grace and the whole
castle are saved by Marcus Bork and his young bride Clara ;
also, how Sidonia at last is taken prisoner .... 279
CHAPTER XV.
How Sidonia demeans herself at the castle of Saatzig, and how
Clara forgets the injunctions of her beloved husband, when
he leaves her to attend the Diet at Wollin, on the subject of
the courts — Item, how the Serene Prince Duke Johann
Frederick beheads his court fool with a sausage . . . 289
CHAPTER XVI.
How Sidonia makes poor Clara appear quite dead, and of the
great mourning at Saatzig over her burial, while Sidonia
dances on her coffin and sings the logih psalm— Item, of the
sermon, and the anathema pronounced upon a wicked sinner
from the altar of the church 299
CHAPTER XVII.
How Sidonia is chased by the wolves to Rehewinkel, and finds
Johann Appelmann again in the inn, with whom she goes
away a second time by night 308
CONTENTS xxiii
CHAPTER XVIII.
PAGE
How a new leaf is turned over at Bruchhausen in a very fearful
manner — Old Appelmann takes his worthless son prisoner,
and admonishes him to repentance — Of Johann's wonderful
conversion, and execution next morning in the churchyard,
Sidonia being present thereby 316
CHAPTER XIX.
Of Sidonia' s disappearance for thirty years — Item, how the young
Princess Elizabeth Magdelene was possessed by a devil, and
of the sudden death of her father, Ernest Ludovicus of
Pomerania 328
CHAPTER XX.
How Sidonia demeans herself at the Convent of Marienfliess —
Item, how their Princely and Electoral Graces of Pomerania,
Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg, went on sleighs to Wolgast,
and of the divers pastimes of the journey .... 339
CHAPTER XXL
How Sidonia meets their Graces upon the ice — Item, how Dinnies
Kleist beheads himself, and my gracious lord of Wolgast
perishes miserably ......... 346
CHAPTER XXII.
How Barnim the Tenth succeeds to the government, and how
Sidonia meets him as she is gathering bilberries— Item, of
the unnatural witch-storm at his Grace's funeral, and how
Duke Casimir refuses, in consequence, to succeed him . . 353
CHAPTER XXIII.
Duke Bogislaff XIII. accepts the government of the duchy, and
gives Sidonia at last the long-desired prcsbenda — Item, of her
arrival at the convent of Marienfliess 359
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER I.
Of the education of Sidonia.
THE illustrious and high-born prince and lord, BogislafF,
fourteenth Duke of Pomerania, Prince of Cassuben, Wenden,
and Rugen, Count of Giizkow, Lord of the lands of Lauen-
burg and Butow, and my gracious feudal seigneur, having
commanded me, Dr. Theodore Plonnies, formerly bailiff at
the ducal court, to make search throughout all the land for
information respecting the world-famed sorceress, Sidonia von
Bork, and write down the same in a book, I set out for
Stargard, accompanied by a servant, early one Friday after
the Visitationis Maria, 1629 ; for, in my opinion, in order to
form a just judgment respecting the character of any one, it
is necessary to make one's self acquainted with the circum-
stances of their early life ; the future man lies enshrined in
the child, and the peculiar development of each individual
nature is the result entirely of education. Sidonia's history
is a remarkable proof of this. I visited first, therefore, the
scenes of her early years ; but almost all who had known her
were long since in their graves, seeing that ninety years had
passed since the time of her birth. However, the old inn-
keeper at Stargard, Zabel Wiese, himself very far advanced
in years (whom I can recommend to all travellers — he lives
in the Pelzerstrasse), told me that the old bachelor, Claude
Uckermann of Dalow, an aged man of ninety- two years old,
3
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
was the only person who could give me the information I
desired, as in his youth he had been one of the many followers
of Sidonia. His memory was certainly well nigh gone from
age, still all that had happened in the early period of his life
lay as fresh as the Lord's Prayer upon his tongue. Mine
host also related some important circumstances to me myself,
which shall appear in their proper place.
I accordingly proceeded to Dalow, a little town half a
mile from Stargard, and visited Claude Uckermann. I found
him seated by the chimney corner, his hair as white as snow.
" What did I want ? He was too old to receive strangers ;
I must go on to his son Wedig's house, and leave him in
quiet," &c. &c. But when I said that I brought him a
greeting from his Highness, his manner changed, and he
pushed the seat over for me beside the fire, and began to
chat first about the fine pine-trees, from which he cut his
firewood — they were so full of resin ; and how his son, a
year before, had found an iron pot in the turf moor under a
tree, full of bracelets and earrings, which his little grand-
daughter now wore.
When he had tired himself out, I communicated what his
Highness had so nobly commanded to be done, and prayed
him to relate all he knew and could remember of this detest-
able sorceress, Sidonia von Bork. He sighed deeply, and
then went on talking for about two hours, giving me all his
recollections just as they started to his memory. I have
arranged what he then related, in proper order. It was to
the following effect : —
Whenever his father, Philip Uckermann, attended the fair
at Stramehl, a town belonging to the Bork family, he was in
the habit of visiting Otto von Bork at his castle, who, being
very rich, gave free quarters to all the young noblemen of the
vicinity, so that from thirty to forty of them were generally
assembled at his castle while the fair lasted ; but after some
time his father discontinued these visits, his conscience not
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 5
permitting him further intercourse. The reason was this.
Otto von Bork, during his residence in Poland, had joined
the sect of the enthusiasts,* and had lost his faith there, as a
young maiden might her honour. He made no secret of his
new opinions, but openly at Martinmas fair, 1560, told the
young nobles at dinner that Christ was but a man like other
people, and ignorance alone had elevated Him to a God ;
which notion had been encouraged by the greed and avarice
of the clergy. They should therefore not credit what the
hypocritical priests chattered to them every Sunday, but
believe only what reason and their five senses told them was
truth, and that, in fine, if he had his will, he would send
every priest to the devil.
All the young nobles remained silent but Claude Zastrow,
a feudal retainer of the Borks, who rose up (it was an evil
moment to him) and made answer : " Most powerful feudal
lord, were the holy apostles then filled with greed and covet-
ousness, who were the first to proclaim that Christ was God,
and who left all for His sake ? Or the early Christians who,
with one accord, sold their possessions, and gave the price to
the poor ? " Claude had before this displeased the knight,
who now grew red with anger at the insolence of his vassal
in thus answering him, and replied : " If they were not
preachers for gain, they were at least stupid fellows."
Hereupon a great murmur arose in the hall, but the aforesaid
Zastrow is not silenced, and answered : " It is surprising,
then, that the twelve stupid apostles performed more than
twelve times twelve Greek or Roman philosophers. The
knight might rage until he was black in the face, and strike
the table. But he had better hold his tongue and use his
understanding ; though, after all, the intellect of a man
who believed nothing but what he received through his
five senses was not worth much ; for the brute beasts were
* Probably the sect afterwards named Socinians ; for we find that Lae-
lius Socinus taught in Poland, even before Melancthon's death (1560).
6 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
his equals, inasmuch as they received no evidence either but
from the senses."
Then Otto sprang up raging, and asked him what he
meant ; to which the other answered : " Nothing more than
to express his opinion that man differed from the brute, not
through his understanding, but by his faith, for that animals
had evidently understanding, but no trace of faith had ever
yet been discovered in them." *
* This axiom is certainly opposed to modern ontology, which denies
all ideas to the brute creation, and^xplains each proof of their intel-
lectual activity by the unintelligible word "instinct." The ancients
held very different opinions, particularly the new Platonists, one of
whom (Porphyry, liber ii. De abstinentia) treats largely of the intellect
and language of animals. Since Cartesius, however, who denied not
only understanding, but even feeling, to animals, and represented them
as mere animated machines (De passionib. Pars i. Artie, iv. et de
Methodo, No. 5, page 29, &c.), these views upon the psychology of
animals produced the most mischievous results ; for they were carried
out until if not feeling, at least intellect, was denied to all animals more
or less ; and modern philosophy at length arrived at denying intelli-
gence even to God, in whom and by whom, as formerly, man no longer
attains to consciousness, but it is by man and through man that God
arrives to a conscious intelligent existence. Some philosophers of our time,
indeed, are condescending enough to ascribe Understanding to animals
and Reason to man as the generic difference between the two. But I
cannot comprehend these new-fashioned distinctions ; for it seems to
me absurd to split into the two portions of reason and understanding
one and the same spiritual power, according as the object on which it
acts is higher or lower ; just as if we adopted two names for the same
hand that digs up the earth and directs the telescope to heaven, or
maintained that the latter was quite a different hand from the former.
No. There is but one understanding for man and beasts, as but one
common substance for their material forms. The more perfect the form,
so much the more perfect is the intellect ; and human and animal
intellects are only dynamically different in human and animal bodies.
And even if, among animals of the more perfect form, understanding
has been discovered, yet in man alone has been found the innate
feeling of connection with the supernatural, or Faith. If this, as the
generic sign of difference, be called Reason, I have nothing to object,
except that the word generally conveys a different meaning. But Faith
is, in fact, the pure Reason, and is found in all men, existing alike in
the lowest superstitions as well as in the highest natures.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 7
Otto's rage now knew no bounds, and he drew his dagger,
roaring, " What ! thou insolent knave, dost thou dare to
compare thy feudal lord to a brute ? " And before the other
had time to draw his poignard to defend himself, or the
guests could in any way interfere to prevent him, Otto
stabbed him to the heart as he sat there by the table. (It
was a blessed death, I think, to die for his Lord Christ.)
And so he fell down upon the floor with contorted features,
and hands and feet quivering with agony. Every one was
struck dumb with horror at such a death ; but the knight
laughed loudly, and cried, " Ha ! thou base-born serf, I shall
teach thee how to liken thy feudal lord to a brute," and
striding over his quivering limbs, he spat upon his face.
Then the murmuring and whispering increased in the hall,
and those nearest the door rushed out and sprang upon their
horses ; and finally all the guests, even old Uckermann, fled
away, no one venturing to take up the quarrel with Otto
Bork. After that, he fell into disrepute with the old
nobility, for which he cared little, seeing that his riches and
magnificence always secured him companions enough, who
were willing to listen to his wisdom, and were consoled by
his wine.
And when I, Dr. Theodore Plonnies, inquired from the
old bachelor if his Serene Highness had not punished the
noble for his shameful crime, he replied that his wealth and
powerful influence protected him. At least it was whispered
that justice had been blinded with gold ; and the matter was
probably related to the prince in quite a different manner from
the truth ; for I have heard that a few years after, his High-
ness even visited this godless knight at his castle in Stramehl.
As to Otto, no one observed any sign of repentance in
him. On the contrary, he seemed to glory in his crime, and
the neighbouring nobles related that he frequently brought in
his little daughter Sidonia, whom he adored for her beauty,
to the assembled guests, magnificently attired ; and when she
8 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
was bowing to the company, he would say, " Who art thou,
my little daughter ? " Then she would cease the salutations
which she had learned from her mother, and drawing herself
up, proudly exclaim, "I am a noble maiden, dowered with
towns and castles ! " Then he would ask, if the conversa-
tion turned upon his enemies — and half the nobles were so —
" Sidonia, how does thy father treat his enemies?" Upon
which the child would straighten her finger, and running at
her father, strike it into his heart, saying, " Thus he treats
them." At which Otto would laugh loudly, and tell her to
show him how the knave looked when he was dying. Then
Sidonia would fall down, twist her face, and writhe her little
hands and feet in horrible contortions. Upon which Otto
would lift her up, and kiss her upon the mouth. But it will
be seen how the just God punished him for all this, and how
the words of the Scriptures were fulfilled : " Err not, God is
not mocked ; for what a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The parson of Stramehl, David Dilavius, related also to
old Uckermann another fact, which, though it hardly seems
credible, the bachelor reported thus to me : —
This Dilavius was a learned man whom Otto had selected
as instructor to his young daughter; "but only teach her,"
he said, " to read and write, and the first article of the Ten
Commandments. The other Christian doctrines I can teach
her myself; besides, I do not wish the child to learn so
many dogmas."
Dilavius, who was a worthy, matter-of-fact, good, simple
character, did as he was ordered, and gave himself no further
trouble until he came to ask the child to recite the first article
of the creed out of the catechism for him. There was
nothing wrong in that ; but when he came to the second
article, he crossed himself, not because it concerned the
Lord Christ, but her own father, Otto von Bork, and ran
somewhat thus : —
" And I believe in my earthly father, Otto von Bork, a
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 9
distinguished son of God, born of Anna von Kleist, who
sitteth in his castle at Stramehl, from whence he will come
to help his children and friends, but to slay his enemies and
tread them in the dust."
The third article was much in the same style, but he had
partly forgotten it, neither could he remember if Dilavius had
called the father to any account for his profanity, or taught
the daughter some better Christian doctrine. In fine, this
was all the old bachelor could tell me of Sidonia' s education.
Yes — he remembered one anecdote more. Her father had
asked her one day, when she was about ten or twelve years
old, " What kind of a husband she would like ? " and she
replied, " One of equal birth." " Ille :* Who is her equal
in the whole of Pomerania ? " " Ilia : Only the Duke of
Pomerania, or the Count von Ebersburg." " Ille : Right !
therefore she must never marry any other but one of these."
It happened soon after, old Philip Uckermann, his father,
riding one day through the fields near Stramehl, saw a
country girl seated by the roadside, weeping bitterly. " Why
do you weep ? " he asked. " Has any one injured you ? "
" Sidonia has injured me," she replied. " What could she
have done ? Come dry your tears, and tell me." Where-
upon the little girl related that Sidonia, who was then about
fourteen, had besought her to tell her what marriage was,
because her father was always talking to her about it. The
girl had told her to the best of her ability ; but the young
lady beat her, and said it was not so, that long Dorothy had
told her quite differently about marriage, and there she went
on tormenting her for several days ; but upon this evening
Sidonia, with long Dorothy, and some of the milkmaids of
the neighbourhood, had taken away one of the fine geese
* In dialogue the author makes use of the Latin pronouns, Ille, he ;
7//<z, she, to denote the different characters taking part in it ; and
sometimes Hie and Hczc, for the same purposes. Summa he employs
in the sense of " to sum up," or " in short."
10 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
which the peasants had given her in payment of her labour.
They picked it alive, all except the head and neck, then built
up a large fire in a circle, and put the goose and a vessel of
water in the centre. So the fat dripped down from the poor
creature alive, and was fried in a pan as it fell, just as the
girls eat it on their bread for supper. And the goose, having
no means of escape, still went on drinking the water as the
fat dripped down, whilst they kept cooling its head and heart
with a sponge dipped in cold water, fastened to a stick, until
at last the goose fell down when quite roasted, though it still
screamed, and then Sidonia and her companions cut it up for
their amusement, living as it was, and ate it for their supper,
in proof of which, the girl showed him the bones and the re-
mains of the fire, and the drops of fat still lying on the grass.
Then she wept afresh, for Sidonia had promised to take
away a goose every day, and destroy it as she had done the
first. So my father consoled her by giving her a piece of
gold, and said, " If she does so again, run by night and cloud,
and come to Dalow by Stargard, where I will make thee
keeper of my geese." But she never came to him, and he
never heard more of the maiden and her geese.
So far old Uckermann related to me the first evening,
promising to tell me of many more strange doings upon the
following morning, which he would try to think over during
the night.
CHAPTER II.
Of the bear-hunt at Stramehl, and the strange things that
befell there.
THE following morning, by seven o'clock, the old man sum-
moned me to him, and on entering I found him seated at
breakfast by the fire. He invited me to join him, and pushed
a seat over for me with his crutch, for walking was now
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS n
difficult to him. He was very friendly, and the eyes of the
old man burned as clear as those of a white dove. He had
slept little during the night, for Sidonia's form kept floating
before his eyes, just as she had looked in the days when he
paid court to her. Alas ! he had once loved her deeply,
like all the other young nobles who approached her, from the
time she was of an age to marry. In her youth she had been
beautiful ; and old and young declared that for figure, eyes,
bosom, walk, and enchanting smile, there never had been seen
her equal in all Pomerania.
" Nothing shall be concealed from you," he said, " of all
that concerns my foolish infatuation, that you and your chil-
dren may learn how the all-wise God deals best with His
servants when He uses the rod and denies that for which they
clamour as silly children for a glittering knife." Here he
folded his withered hands, murmured a short prayer, and
proceeded with his story.
"You must know that I was once a proud and stately
youth, upon whom a maiden's glance in no wise rested in-
differently, trained in all knightly exercise, and only two years
older than Sidonia. It happened in the September of 1 566,
that I was invited by Caspar Roden to see his eel-nets, as
my father intended laying down some also at Krampehl * and
along the coast. When we returned home weary enough in
the evening, a letter arrived from Otto von Bork, inviting
him the following day to a bear-hunt; as he intended, in
honour of the nuptials of his eldest daughter Clara, to lay
bears' heads and bears' paws before his guests, which even in
Pomerania would have been a rarity, and desiring him to
bring as many good huntsmen with him as he pleased. So I
accompanied Caspar Roden, who told me on the way that
Count Otto had at first looked very high for his daughter
Clara, and scorned many a good suitor, but that she was now
getting rather old, and ready, like a ripe burr, to hang on the
* A little river near Dalow.
t2 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
first that came by. Her bridegroom was Vidante von Meseritz,
a feudal vassal of her father's, upon whom, ten years before,
she would not have looked at from a window. Not that she
was as proud as her young sister Sidonia. However, their
mother was to blame for much of this ; but she was dead now,
poor lady, let her rest in peace.
So in good time we reached the castle of Stramehl,
where thirty huntsmen were already assembled, all noblemen,
and we joined them in the grand state hall, where the morn-
ing meal was laid out. Count Otto sat at the head of the
table, like a prince of Pomerania, upon a throne whereon
his family arms were both carved and embroidered. He
wore a doublet of elk-skin, and a cap with a heron's plume
upon his head. He did not rise as we entered, but called to
us to be seated and join the feast, as the party must move off
soon. Costly wines were sent round; and I observed that
on each of the glasses the family arms were cut. They were
also painted upon the window of the great hall, and along
the walls, under the horns of all the different wild animals
killed by Otto in the chase — bucks, deers, harts, roes, stags,
and elks — which were arranged in fantastical groups.
After a little while his two daughters, Clara and Sidonia,
entered. They wore green hunting-dresses, trimmed with
beaver- skin, and each had a gold net thrown over her hair.
They bowed, and bid the knights welcome. But we all re-
mained breathless gazing upon Sidonia, as she lifted her
beautiful eyes first on one, and then on another, inviting us
to eat and drink ; and she even filled a small wine-glass
herself, and prayed us to pledge her. As for me, unfortunate
youth, from the moment I beheld her I breathed no more
through my lungs, but through my eyes alone, and, springing
up, gave her health publicly. A storm of loud, animated,
passionate voices soon responded to my words with loud
vivas. The guests then rose, for the ladies were impatient
for the hunt, and found the time hang heavily.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 13
So we set off with all our implements and our dogs, and
a hundred beaters went before us. It happened that my
host, Caspar Roden, and I found an excellent sheltered
position for a shot near a quarry, and we had not long been
there (the beaters had not even yet begun their work) when
I spied a large bear coming down to drink at a small stream
not twenty paces from me. I fired ; but she retired quickly
behind an oak, and, growling fiercely, disappeared amongst
the bushes. Not long after, I heard the cries of women
almost close to us ; and running as fast as possible in the
direction from whence they came, I perceived an old bear
trying to climb up to the platform where Clara and Sidonia
stood. There was a ruined chapel here — which, in the time
of papacy, had contained a holy image — and a scaffolding had
been erected round it, adorned with wreaths of evergreen and
flowers, from which the ladies could obtain an excellent view
of the hunt, as it commanded a prospect of almost the entire
wood, and even part of the sea. Attached to this scaffolding
was a ladder, up which Bruin was anxiously trying to ascend,
in order to visit the young ladies, who were now assailed by
two dangers — the bear from below, and a swarm of bees above,
for myriads of these insects were tormenting them, trying to
settle upon their golden hair-nets ; and the young ladies,
screaming as if the last day had come, were vainly trying to
beat them off with their girdles, or trample them under their
feet. A huntsman who stood near fired, indeed, at Bruin,
but without effect, and the bees assailing his hands and face
at the same time, he took to flight and hid himself, groaning,
in the quarry.
In the meantime I had reached the chapel, and Sidonia
stretched forth her beautiful little hands, crying, along with
her sister, " Help ! help ! He will eat us. Will you not
kill him ? " But the bear, as if already aware of my inten-
tion, began now to descend the ladder. However, I stepped
before him, and as he descended, I ascended. Luckily for
14 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
me, the interval between each step was very small, to accom-
modate the ladies' little feet, so that when Bruin tried to thrust
his snout between them to get at me, he found it rather difficult
work to make it pass. I had my dagger ready ; and though
the bees which he brought with him in his fur flew on my
hands, I heeded them not, but watching my opportunity,
plunged it deep into his side, so that he tumbled right down
off the ladder ; and though he raised himself up once and
growled horribly, yet in a few seconds he lay dead before our
eyes. How the ladies now tripped down the ladder, not two
or three, but four or five steps at a time ! and what thanks
poured forth from their lips ! I rushed first to Sidonia, who
laid her little head upon my breast, while I endeavoured to
remove the bees which had got entangled in her hair-net.
The other lady went to call the huntsman, who was hiding in
the quarry, and we were left alone. Heavens ! how my heart
burned, more than my inflamed hands all stung by the bees, as
she asked, how could she repay my service. I prayed her
for one kiss, which she granted. She had escaped with but
one sting from the bees, who could not manage to get through
her long, thick, beautiful hair, and she advanced joyfully to
meet her father and the hunting-train, who had heard the cries
of the ladies. When Count Otto heard what had happened,
and saw the dead bear, he thanked me heartily, praying me to
attend his daughter Clara's wedding, which was to be celebrated
next week at the castle, and to remain as his guest until then.
There was nothing in the world I could have desired beyond
this, and I gratefully accepted his offer. Alas ! I suffered for
it after, as the cat from poisoned dainties.
But to return to our hunt. No other bear was killed that
day, but plenty of other game, as harts, stags, roes, boars —
more than enough. And now we discovered what an old
hunter had conjectured, that the dead bear was the father, who
had been alarmed by the growls of his partner, at whom I had
fired whilst he was endeavouring to carry off the honey from
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 15
a nest of wild bees in a neighbouring tree. For looking around
us, we saw, at the distance of about twenty paces, a tall oak-
tree, about which clouds of bees were still flying, in which he
had been following his occupation. No one dared to approach
it, to bring away the honeycombs which still lay beneath, by
reason of the bees, and, moreover, swarms of ants, by which
they were covered. At length Otto Bork ordered the hunts-
man to sound the return ; and after supper I obtained another
little kiss from Sidonia, which burned so like fire through my
veins that I could not sleep the whole night. I resolved to
ask her hand in marriage from her father.
Stupid youth as I was, I then believed that she looked upon
me with equal love ; and although I knew all about the mode
in which she had been brought up, and many other things
beside, which have now slipped from my memory, yet I looked
on them but as idle stories, and was fully persuaded that Sidonia
was sister to the angels in beauty, goodness, and perfection.
In a few days, however, I had reason to change my opinion.
Next day the two young ladies were in the kitchen, over-
seeing the cooking of the bear's head, and, as I passed by
and looked in, they began to titter, which I took for a good
omen, and asked, might I not be allowed to enter. They said,
" Yes, I might come in, and help them to cleave the head."
So I entered, and they both began to give me instructions, with
much laughter and merry jesting. First, the bear's head had
to be burned with hot irons ; and when I said to Sidonia that
thus she burned my heart, she nearly died of laughter. Then
I cut some flesh off the mouth, broke the nose, and handed it
all over to the maidens, who set it on the fire with water, wine,
and vinegar. As I now played the part of kitchen-boy, they
sent me to the castle garden for thyme, sage, and rosemary*
which I brought, and begged them for a taste of the head ;
but they said it was not fit to eat yet — must be cooled in brine
first ; so in place of it I asked one little kiss from each of
the maidens, which Sidonia granted, but her sister refused.
1 6 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
However, I was not in the least displeased at her refusal,
seeing it was only the little sister I cared for.
But judge of my rage and jealousy, that same day a
cousin arrived at the castle, and I observed that Sidonia
allowed him to kiss her every moment. She never even
appeared to offer any resistance, but looked over at me lan-
guishingly every time to see what I would say. What could
I say ? I became pale with jealousy, but said nothing. At
last I rushed from the hall, mute with despair, when I
observed him finally draw her on his knee. I only heard
the peal of laughter that followed my exit, and I was just
near leaving the whole wedding-feast, and Stramehl for ever,
when Sidonia called after me from the castle gates to return.
This so melted my heart, that the tears came into my eyes,
thinking that now indeed I had a proof of her love. Then
she took my hand, and said, " I ought not to be so unkind.
That was her manner with all the young nobles. Why
should she refuse a kiss when she was asked ? Her little
mouth would grow neither larger nor smaller for it." But I
stood still and wept, and looked on the ground. "Why
should I weep ? " she asked. Her cousin Clas had a bride
of his own already, and only took a little pastime with her,
and so she must cure me now with another little kiss.
I was now again a happy man, thinking she loved me ; and
the heavens seemed so propitious, that I determined to ask
her hand. But I had not sufficient courage as yet, and
resolved to wait until after her sister's marriage, which was
to take place next day. What preparations were made for
this event it would be impossible adequately to describe. All
the country round the castle seemed like a royal camp. Six
hundred horses were led into the stables next day to be fed,
for the Duke himself arrived with a princely retinue. Then
came all the feudal vassals to offer homage for their fiefs to
Lord Otto. But as the description is well worth hearing, I
shall defer it for another chapter.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 17
CHAPTER III.
How Otto von Bork received the homage of his son-in-law,
Vidante von Meseritz — And how the bride and bride-
groom proceeded afterwards to the chapel — Itemy what
strange things happened at the wedding-feast.
NEXT morning the stir began in the castle before break of
day, and by ten o'clock all the nobles, with their wives and
daughters, had assembled in the great hall. Then the bride
entered, wearing her myrtle wreath, and Sidonia followed,
glittering with diamonds and other costly jewels. She wore
a robe of crimson silk with a cape of ermine, falling from her
shoulders, and looked so beautiful that I could have died for
love, as she passed and greeted me with her graceful laugh.
But Otto Bork, the lord of the castle, was sore displeased
because his Serene Highness the Prince was late coming, and
the company had been waiting an hour for his presence. A
platform had been erected at the upper end of the hall covered
with bearskin ; on this was placed a throne, beneath a canopy
of yellow velvet, and here Otto was seated dressed in a
crimson doublet, and wearing a hat half red and half black,
from which depended plumes of red and black feathers that
hung down nearly to his beard, which was as venerable as a
Jew's. Every instant he despatched messengers to the tower
to see if the prince were at hand, and as the time hung heavy,
he began to discourse his guests. " See how this turner's
apprentice * must have stopped on the road to carve a puppet.
God keep us from such dukes ! " For the prince passed all
his leisure hours in turning and carving, particularly while
travelling, and when the carriage came to bad ground, where
the horses had to move slowly, he was delighted, and went
* So this prince was called from his love of turning and carvin
dolls.
VOL. I.
i8 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
on merrily with his work ; but when the horses galloped, he
grew ill-tempered and threw down his tools.
At length the warder announced from the tower that the
duke's six carriages were in sight, and the knight spoke from
his throne : " I shall remain here, as befits me, but Clara
and Sidonia, go ye forth and receive his Highness ; and when
he has entered, the kinsman * in full armour shall ride into the
hall upon his war-horse, bearing the banner of his house in his
hand, and all my retainers shall follow on horses, each bearing
his banner also, and shall range themselves by the great window
of the hall ; and let the windows be open, that the wind may
play through the banners and make the spectacle yet grander."
Then all rushed out to meet the Duke, and I, too, went, for
truly the courtyard presented a gorgeous sight — all decorated
as it was, and the pride and magnificence of Lord Otto were
here fully displayed ; for from the upper storey of the castle
floated the banner of the Emperor, and just beneath it that of
Lord Otto (two crowned wolves with golden collars on a
field or for the shield), and the crest, a crowned red-deer
springing. Beneath this banner, but much inferior to it in
size and execution, waved that of the Dukes of Pomerania ;
and lowest of all, hung the banner of Otto's feudal vassals —
but they themselves were not visible. Neither did the kinsman
appear to receive and greet his Highness. Otto knew well, it
seems, that he could defy the Duke (however, I think if my
gracious Lord of Wolgast had been there, he would not have
suffered such insults, but would have taken Otto's banner and
flung it in the mud).f Be this as it may, Duke Barnim
never appeared to notice anything except Otto's two
daughters. He was a little man with a long grey beard, and as
he stepped slowly out of the carnage held a little puppet by
the arm, which he had been carving to represent Adam. It
* This was the feudal term for the next relation of a deceased vassal,
upon whom it devolved to do homage for the lands to the feudal lord.
f Marginal note of Duke Bogislaff, " And so would I."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 19
was intended for a present to the convent at Kobatz. His
superintendent generalis, Fabianus Timseus (a dignified-looking
personage), accompanied him in the carriage, for his Highness
was going on the same day to attend the diet at Treptow, and
only meant to pay a passing visit here. But Lord Otto con-
cealed this fact, as it hurt his pride. The other carriages
contained the equerries and pages of his Highness, and then
followed the heavy waggons with the cooks, valets, and
stewards.
When the Prince entered the state hall, Lord Otto rose
from his throne and said : " Your Highness is welcome, and
I trust will pardon me for not having gone forth with my
greetings ; but those of a couple of young damsels were pro-
bably more agreeable than the compliments of an old knight
like myself, who besides, as your Grace perceives, is engaged
here in the exercise of his duty. And now, I pray your
Highness to take this seat at my right hand." Whereupon
he pointed to a plain chair, not in the least raised from the
ground, and altogether as common a seat as there was to be
found in the hall ; but his Highness sat down quietly (at which
every one wondered in silence) and took the little puppet in
his lap, only exclaiming in low German, " What the devil,
Otto ! you make more of yourself, man, than I do ; " to
which the knight replied, " Not more than is necessary."
"And now," continued the old man, "the ceremony of
offering homage commenced, which is as fresh in my memory as
if all had happened but yesterday, and so I shall describe it that
you may know what were the usages of our fathers, for the cus-
toms of chivalry are, alas ! fast passing away from amongst us.
When Otto Bork gave the sign with his hand, six trumpets
sounded without, whereupon the doors of the hall were thrown
wide open as far as they could go, and the kinsman Vidante
von Meseritz entered on a black charger, and dressed in com-
plete armour, but without his sword. He carried the banner
of his house (a pale gules with two foxes running), and riding
20 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
straight up to Lord Otto, lowered it before him. Otto then
demanded, "Who art thou, and what is thy request?" to
which he answered, "Mighty feudal Lord, I am kinsman
of Dinnies von Meseritz, and pray you for the fief." " And
who are these on horseback who follow thee ? " " They are
the feudal vassals of my Lord, even as my father was." And
Otto said, " Ride up, my men, and do as your fathers have
done." Then Frederick Ubeske rode up, lowered his
banner (charged with a sun and peacock's tail) before the
knight, then passed on up to the great windows of the hall,
where he took his place and drew his sword, while the wind
played through the folds of his standard.
Next came Walter von Locksted — lowered his banner
(bearing a springing unicorn), rode up to the window, and
drew his sword. After him, Claud Drosedow, waving his
black eagle upon a white and red shield, rode up to the
window and drew his sword ; then Jacob Pretz, on his white
charger, bearing two spears transverse through a fallen tree
on his flag ; and Dieterich Mallin, whose banner fell in folds
over his hand, so that the device was not visible ; and Lorenz
Prechel, carrying a leopard gules upon a silver shield ; and
Jacob Knut, with a golden becker upon an azure field, and
three plumes on the crest ; and Tesmar von Kettler, whose
spurs caught in the robe of a young maiden as he passed, and
merry laughter resounded through the hall, many saying it
was a good omen, which, indeed, was the truth, for that
evening they were betrothed ; and finally came Johann
Zastrow, bearing two buffaloes' horns on his banner, and a
green five-leaved bush, rode up to the window after the others,
and drew his sword.
There stood the nine, like the muses at the nuptials of
Peleus,* and the wind played through their banners. Then
Lord Otto spoke —
* The nine muses were present at the marriage of Peleus and Thetis.
—See Pindar t pyth. 3, 160.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 21
" True, these are my leal vassals. And now, kinsman of
Meseritz, dismount and pay homage, as did thy father, ere
thou canst ride up and join them." So the young man dis-
mounted, threw the reins of his horse to a squire, and
ascended the platform. Then Otto, holding up a sword,
spoke again —
" Behold, kinsman, this is the sword of thy father ;
touch it with me, and pronounce the feudal oath." Here
all the vassals rode up from the window, and held their
swords crosswise over the kinsman's head, while he spake
thus —
" I, Vidante von Meseritz, declare, vow, and swear to the
most powerful, noble, and brave Otto von Bork, lord of the
lands and castles of Labes, Pansin, Stramehl, Regenwalde,
and others, and my most powerful feudal lord, and to his law-
ful heirs, a right loyal fealty, to serve him with all duty and
obedience, to warn him of all evil, and defend him from all
injury, to the best of my ability and power."
Then he kissed the knight's hand, who girded his father's
sword on him, and said —
"Thus I acknowledge thee for my vassal, as my father
did thy father."
Then turning to his attendants he cried, " Bring hither the
camp furniture." Hereupon the circle of spectators parted
in two, and the pages led up, first, Vidante's horse, upon
which he sprung ; then others followed, bearing rich garments
and his father's signet, and laid them down before him, saying,
" Kinsman, the garments and the seal of thy father." A
third and a fourth bore a large couch with a white coverlet,
set it down before him, and said, " Kinsman, a couch for
thee and thy wife." Then came a great crowd, bearing
plates and dishes, and napkins, and table-covers, besides
eleven tin cans, a fish-kettle, and a pair of iron pot-hooks ;
in short, a complete camp furniture ; all of which they set
down before the young man, and then disappeared-
22 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
During this entire time no one noticed his Highness the
Duke, though he was indeed the feudal head of all. Even
when the trumpets sounded again, and the vassals passed out
in procession, they lowered their standards only before Otto,
as if no princely personage were present. But I think this
proud Lord Otto must have commanded them so to do, for
such an omission or breach of respect was never before seen
in Pomerania. Even his Highness seemed, at last, to feel
displeasure, for he drew forth his knife, and began to cut
away at the little wooden Adam, without taking further
notice of the ceremony.
At length when the vassals had departed, and many of the
guests also, who wished to follow them, had left the hall, the
Duke looked up with his little glittering eyes, scratched the
back of his head with the knife, and asked his Chancellor,
Jacob Kleist, who had evidently been long raging with anger,
" Jacob, what dost thou think of this spectaculo ? " who
replied, " Gracious lord, I esteem it a silly thing for an
inferior to play the part of a prince, or for a prince to be
compelled to play the part of an inferior." Such a speech
offended Otto mightily, who drew himself up and retorted
scornfully, " Particularly a poor inferior who, as you see, is
obliged to draw the plough by turns with his serfs." Here-
upon the Chancellor would have flung back the scorn, but his
Highness motioned with the hand that he should keep silence,
saying, " Remember, good Jacob, that we are here as guests ;
however, order the carriages, for I think it is time that we
proceed on our journey."
When Otto heard this, he was confounded, and, descend-
ing from his throne, uttered so many flattering things, that his
Highness at length was prevailed upon to remain ( I would not
have consented, to save my soul, had I been the Prince — no,
not even if I had to pass the night with the bears and wolves
in the forest before I could reach Treptow) ; so the good old
Prince followed him into another hall, where breakfast was
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 23
prepared, and all the lords and ladies stood there in glittering
groups round the table, particularly admiring the bear's head,
which seemed to please his Highness mightily also. Then
each one drained a large goblet of wine, and even the ladies
sipped from their little wine-glasses, to drink themselves into
good spirits for the dance.
Otto now related all about the hunt, and presented me to
his Grace, who gave me his hand to kiss, saying, " Well
done, young man — I like this bravery. Were it not for you,
in place of a wedding, and a bear's head in the dish, Lord
Otto might have had a funeral and two human heads in a
coffin." His Grace then pledged me in a silver becker of
wine ; and afterwards the bride and bridegroom, who had sat
till then kissing and making love in a corner ; but they now
came forward and kissed the hand of the Duke with much
respect. The bridegroom had on a crimson doublet, which
became him well ; but his father's jack-boots, which he wore
according to custom, were much too wide, and shook about
his legs. The bride was arrayed in a scarlet velvet robe, and
bodice furred with ermine. Sidonia carried a little balsam
flask, depending from a gold chain which she wore round her
neck. (She soon needed the balsam, for that day she suffered
a foretaste of the fate which was to be the punishment for her
after evil deeds. ) And now, as we set forward to the church,
a group of noble maidens distributed wreaths to the guests ;
but the bride presented one to the Duke, and Sidonia (that
her hand might have been withered) handed one to me, poor
love-stricken youth.
It was the custom then, as now, in Pomerania, for all the
bride- maidens, crowned with beautiful wreaths, to precede the
bride and bridegroom to church. The crowd of lords, and
ladies, and young knights pouring out of the castle gates, in
order to see them, separated Sidonia from this group, and she
was left alone weeping. Now the whole population of the
little town were running from every street leading to the
24 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
church ; and it happened that a courser * of Otto Bork's
came right against Sidonia with such violence, that, with a
blow of his head, he knocked her down into the puddle (she
was to lie there really in after-life). Her little balsam-flask
was of no use here. She had to go back, dripping, to the
castle, and appeared no more at her sister's nuptials, but con-
soled herself, however, by listening to the bellowing of the
huntsman, whom they were beating black and blue by her
orders beneath her window.
I would willingly have returned with her, but was ashamed
so to do, and therefore followed the others to church. All
the common people that crowded the streets were allowed to
enter. Then the bridegroom and his party, of whom the
Duke was chief, advanced up to the right of the altar, and
the bride and her party, of which Fabianus Timasus was the
most distinguished, arrayed themselves on the left.
I had now an opportunity of hearing the learned and ex-
cellent parson Dilavius myself; for he represented his patron
(who was not present at the feast, but apologised for his ab-
sence by alleging that he must remain at the castle to look
after the preparations) almost as an angel, and the young ladies,
especially the bride, came in for even a larger share of his
flattery ; but he was so modest before these illustrious person-
ages, that I observed, whenever he looked up from the book,
he had one eye upon the Duke and another on Fabianus.
When we returned to the castle, Sidonia met the bride-
maidens again with joyous smiles. She now wore a white
silk robe, laced with gold, and dancing-slippers with white
silk hose. The diamonds still remained on her head, neck,
and arms. She looked beautiful thus ; and I could not with-
draw my eyes from her. We all now entered the bride-
chamber, as the custom is, and there stood an immense bridal
couch, with coverlet and draperies as white as snow ; and
all the bridemaids and the guests threw their wreaths upon it.
* A man who courses greyhounds,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 23
Then the Prince, taking the bridegroom by the hand, led him
up to it, and repeated an old German rhyme concerning the
duties of the holy state upon which he had entered.
When his Highness ceased, Fabianus took the bride by
the hand, who blushed as red as a rose, and led her up in
the same manner to the nuptial couch, where he uttered a
long admonition on her duties to her husband, at which all
wept, but particularly the bride-maidens. After this we pro-
ceeded to the state hall, where Otto was seated on his throne
waiting to receive them, and when his children had kissed his
hand the dancing commenced. Otto invited the Prince to
sit near him, and all the young knights and maidens who in-
tended to dance ranged themselves on costly carpets that
were laid upon the floor all round by the walls. The trumpets
and violins now struck up, and a band was stationed at each
end of the hall, so that while the dancers were at the top one
played, and when at the lower end the other.
I hastened to Sidonia, as she reclined upon the carpet, and
bending low before her, said, " Beautiful maiden ! will you
not dance ? " * Upon which she smilingly gave me her little
hand, and I raised her up, and led her away.
I have said that I was a proficient in all knightly exercises,
so that every one approached to see us dance. When Sidonia
was tired I led her back, and threw myself beside her on the
carpet. But in a little while three other young nobles came
and seated themselves around her, and began to jest, and toy,
and pay court to her. One played with her left hand and
her rings, another with the gold net of her hair, while I held
her right hand and pressed it. She coquettishly repelled them
all — sometimes with her feet, sometimes with her hands. And
when Hans von Damitz extolled her hair, she gave him such
a blow on the nose with her head that it began to bleed, and
* It will interest my fair readers to know that this was, word for
word, the established form employed in those days for an invitation to
dance.
26 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
he was obliged to withdraw. Still one could see that all these
blows, right and left, were not meant in earnest. This con-
tinued for some time until an Italian dance began, which she
declined to join, and as I was left alone with her upon the
carpet, " Now," thought I, " there can be no better time to
decide my fate ; " for she had pressed my hand frequently,
both in the dance and since I had lain reclining beside her.
" Beautiful Sidonia ! " I said, " you know not how you
have wounded my heart. I can neither eat nor sleep since I
beheld you, and those five little kisses which you gave me
burn through my frame like arrows."
To which she answered, laughing, " It was your pastime,
youth. It was your own wish to take those little kisses."
" Ah, yes ! " I said, " it was my will ; but give me more
now and make me well."
" What ! " she exclaimed, " you desire more kisses ? Then
will your pain become greater, if, as you say, with every kiss
an arrow enters your heart, so at last they would cause your
death."
" Ah, yes ! " I answered, " unless you take pity on me, and
promise to become my wife, they will indeed cause my death."
As I said this, she sprang up, tore her hand away from me,
and cried with mocking laughter, "What does the knave
mean ? Ha ! ha ! the poor, miserable varlet ! "
I remained some moments stupefied with rage, then sprung
to my feet without another word, left the hall, took my steed
from the stable, and turned my back on the castle for ever.
You may imagine how her ingratitude added to the bitterness
of my feelings, when I considered that it was to me she owed
her life. She afterwards offered herself to me for a wife, but
she was then dishonoured, and I spat out at her in disgust.
I never beheld her again till she was carried past my door to
the scaffold.
All this the old man related with many sighs ; but his
after-meeting with her shall be related more in extenso in
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 27
its proper place. I shall now set down what further he
communicated about the wedding-feast.
You may imagine, he said, that I was curious to know all
that happened after I left the castle, and my friend, Bogislaff
von Suckow of Pegelow, told me as follows.
After my departure, the young lords grew still more free
and daring in their manner to Sidonia, so that when not
dancing she had sufficient exercise in keeping them off with
her hands and feet, until my friend BogislafF attracted her
whole attention by telling her that he had just returned
from Wolgast, where the ducal widow was much comforted
by the presence of her son, Prince Ernest Ludovick, whom
she had not seen since he went to the university. He
was the handsomest youth in all Pomerania, and played the
lute so divinely that at court he was compared to the god
Apollo.
Sidonia upon this fell into deep thought. In the mean-
while, it was evident that his Highness old Duke Barnim
was greatly struck by her beauty, and wished to get near her
upon the carpet ; for his Grace was well known to be a great
follower of the sex, and many stories are whispered about a
harem of young girls he kept at St. Mary's — but these things
are allowable in persons of his rank.
However, Fabianus Timaeus, who sat by him, wished to
prevent him approaching Sidonia, and made signs, and
nudged him with his elbow ; and finally they put their
heads together and had a long argument.
At last the Prince started up, and stepping to Otto, asked
him, Would he not dance ? " Yes," he replied, " if your
Grace will dance likewise." " Good," said the Prince, " that
can be soon arranged," and therewith he solicited Sidonia' s
hand. At this Fabianus was so scandalised that he left
the hall, and appeared no more until supper. After the
dance, his Highness advanced to Otto, who was reseated on
his throne, and said, "Why, Otto, you have a beautiful
28 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
daughter in Sidonia. She must come to my court, and
when she appears amongst the other ladies, I swear she will
make a better fortune than by staying shut up here in your
old castle."
On which Otto replied, sarcastically smiling, "Ay, my
gracious Prince, she would be a dainty morsel for your
Highness, no doubt ; but there is no lack of noble visitors
at my castle, I am proud to say." Jacob Kleist, the
Chancellor, was now so humbled at the Duke's behaviour
that he, too, left the hall and followed Fabianus. Even
the Duke changed colour ; but before he had time to speak,
Sidonia sprang forward, and having heard the whole conver-
sation, entreated her father to accept the Duke's offer, and
allow her either to visit the court at Wolgast or at Old
Stettin. What was she to do here ? When the wedding-
feast was over, no one would come to the castle but huntsmen
and such like.
So Otto at last consented that she might visit Wolgast,
but on no account the court at Stettin.
Then the young Sidonia began to coax and caress the old
Duke, stroking his long beard, which reached to his girdle,
with her little white hands, and prayed that he would place
her with the princely Lady of Wolgast, for she longed to
go there. People said that it was such a beautiful place,
and the sea was not far off, which she had never been at
in all her life. And so the Duke was pleased with her
caresses, and promised that he would request his dear cousin,
the ducal widow of Wolgast, to receive her as one of her
maids of honour. Sidonia then further entreated that there
might be no delay, and he answered that he would send a
note to his cousin from the Diet at Treptow, by the Grand
Chamberlain of Wolgast, Ulrich von Schwerin, and that she
would not have to wait long. But she must go by Old
Stettin, and stop at his palace for a while, and then he would
bring her on himself to Wolgast, if he had time to spare.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 29
While Sidonia clapped her hands and danced about for
joy, Otto looked grave, and said, " But, gracious Lord,
the nearest way to Wolgast is by Cammin. Sidonia must
make a circuit if she goes by Old Stettin."
The conversation was now interrupted by the lacqueys, who
came to announce that dinner was served.
Otto requested the Duke to take a place beside him at
table, and treated him with somewhat more distinction than
he had done in the morning ; but a hot dispute soon arose,
and this was the cause. As Otto drank deep in the wine-
cup, he grew more reckless and daring, and began to display
his heretical doctrines as openly as he had hitherto exhibited
his pomp and magnificence, so that every one might learn
that pride and ungodliness are twin brothers. May God
keep us from both !
And one of the guests having said, in confirmation of some
fact, " The Lord Jesus knows I speak the truth ! " the
godless knight laughed scornfully, exclaiming, "The Lord
Jesus knows as little about the matter as my old grandfather,
lying there in his vault, of our wedding-feast to-day."
There was a dead silence instantly, and the Prince, who
had just lifted up some of the bear's paw to his lips, with
mustard sauce and pastry all round it, dropped it again upon
his plate, and opened his eyes as wide as they could go ; then,
hastily wiping his mouth with the salvet, exclaimed in low
German, " What the devil, Otto ! art thou a freethinker ? "
who replied, " A true nobleman may, in all things, be a
freethinker, and neither do all that a prince commands nor
believe all that a pope teaches." To which the Duke
answered, '* What concerns me I pardon, for I do not
believe that you will ever forget your duty to your Prince.
The times are gone by when a noble would openly offer
violence to his sovereign ; but for what concerns the honour of
our Lord Christ, I must leave you in the hands of Fabianus
to receive proper chastisement."
30 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Now Fabianus, seeing that all eyes were fixed on him,
grew red and cleared his throat, and set himself in a position
to argue the point with Lord Otto, beginning — " So you
believe that Christ the Lord remained in the grave, and is not
living and reigning for all eternity ? "
Ilk. — "Yes ; that is my opinion."
Hie. — " What do you believe, then ? or do you believe in
anything ? "
Ille. — " Yes ; I believe firmly in an all-powerful and om-
niscient God."
Hie. — " How do you know He exists ? "
Ille. — " Because my reason tells me so."
Hie. — " Your reason does not tell you so, good sir. It
merely tells you that something supermundane exists, but can-
not tell you whether it be one God or two Gods, or a hundred
Gods, or of what nature are these Gods — whether spirits,
or stars, or trees, or animals, or, in fine, any object you can
name, for paganism has imagined a Deity in everything,
which proves what I assert. You only believe in one God, be-
cause you sucked in the doctrine with your mother's milk." *
* The history of all philosophy shows that this is psychologically
true. Even Lucian satirises the philosophers of his age who see God
or Gods in numbers, dogs, geese, trees, and other things.
But monotheistic Christianity has preserved us for nearly 2000
years from these aberrations of philosophy. However, as the authority
of Christianity declined, the pagan tendency again became visible ;
until at length, in the Hegelian school, we have fallen back helplessly
into the same pantheism which we left 2000 years ago. In short,
what Kant asserts is perfectly true : that the existence of God cannot
be proved from reason. For the highest objects of all cognition —
God, Freedom, and Immortality — can as little be evolved from the new
philosophy as beauty from the disgusting process of decomposition.
And yet more impossible is it to imagine that this feeble Hegelian
pantheism should ever become the crown and summit of all human
thought, and final resting-place for all human minds. Reason, whether
from an indwelling instinct, or from an innate causality-law, may
assert that something supermundane exists, but can know nothing
more and nothing further.
So we see the absurdity of chattering in our journals and periodicals
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 31
Ilk. — "How did it happen, then, that Abraham arrived
at the knowledge of the one God, and called on the name of
the Lord?"
Hie. — " Do you compare yourself with Abraham ? Have
you ever studied Hebrew ? "
llle. — " A little. In my youth I read through the book
of Genesis."
Hie. — " Good ! then you know that the Hebrew word for
name is Shem ? "
//&.—« Yes; I know that."
Hie. — " Then you know that from the time of Enos the
name* was preached (Genesis iv. 26), showing that the pure
doctrine was known from the beginning. This doctrine was
darkened and obscured by wise people like you, so that it was
almost lost at the time of Abraham, who again preached the
name of the Lord to unbelievers."
llle. — "What did this primitive doctrine contain ? "
Hie. — " Undoubtedly not only a testimony of the one living
God of heaven and earth, but also clearly of Christ the
Messiah, as He who was promised to our fallen parents in
paradise (Genesis iii. 15)."
llle. — " Can you prove that Abraham had the witness of
Christ?"
of the progress of reason. The advance has been only formal, not
essential. The formal advance has been in printing, railroads, and
such like, in which direction we may easily suppose progression will yet
further continue. But there has been no essential advance whatever.
We know as little now of our own being, of the being of God, or even
of that of the smallest infusoria, as in the days of Thales and Anaxi-
mander. In short, when life begins, begins also our feebleness ;
" Therefore," says Paul, " we walk by faith, not by sight." Yet these
would-be philosophers of our day will only walk by sight, not by
faith, although they cannot see into anything — not even into them-
selves.
* In order to understand the argument, the reader must remember
that the name here is taken in the sense of the Greek \oyos, and is con*
sidered as referring especially to Christ.
32 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Hie. — " Yes ; from Christ's own words (John viii. 56) : —
* Abraham, your father, rejoiced to see My day, and he saw
it, and was glad.' Item : Moses and all the Prophets have
witnessed of Him, of whom you say that He lies dead in the
grave."
Ilk. — " Oh, that is just what the priests say."
Hie. — " And Christ Himself, Luke xxvi. 25 and 27. Do
you not see, young man, that you mock the Prince of Life,
whom God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began
—Titus i. 2 — ay, even more than you mocked your temporal
Prince this day ? Poor sinner, what does it help you to
believe in one God ? "
" Even the devils believe and tremble," added Jacob Kleist
the Chancellor. " No, there is no other name given under
heaven by which you can be saved ; and will you be more
wise than Abraham, and the Prophets, and the Apostles, and
all holy Christian Churches up to this day ? Shame on you,
and remember what St. Paul says : * Thinking themselves
wise, they became fools.' And in 1st Cor. xv. 17: * If
Christ be not risen, than is your faith vain, and our preaching
also vain. Ye are yet in your sins, and they who sleep in
Christ are lost.' " *
So Otto was silenced and coughed, for he had nothing to
answer, and all the guests laughed ; but, fortunately, just then
the offering-plate was handed round, and the Duke laid down
two ducats, at which Otto smiled scornfully, and flung in
seven rix-dollars, but laughed outright when Fabianus put
down only four groschen.
* This proof of Christ's divinity from the Old Testament was con-
sidered of the highest importance in the time of the Apostles ; but
Schleiermacher, in his strange system, which may be called a mystic
Rationalism, endeavours to shake the authority of the Old Testament
in a most unpardonable and incomprehensible manner. This appears
to me as if a man were to tear down a building from the sure founda-
tion on which it had rested for 1000 years, and imagine it could rest in
true stability only on the mere breath of his words.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 33
This seemed to affront his Highness, for he whispered to
his Chancellor to order the carriages, and rose up from table
with his attendants. Then, offering his hand to Otto, said,
"Take care, Otto, or the devil will have you one day in
hell, like the rich man in Scripture." To which Otto re-
plied, bowing low, " Gracious Lord, I hope at least to meet
good company there. Farewell, and pardon me for not
attending you to the castle gates, but I may not leave my
guests."
Then all the nobles rose up, and the young knights ac-
companied his Highness, as did also Sidonia, who now further
entreated his Grace to remove her from her father's castle,
since he saw himself how lightly God's Word was held there.
Fabianus was infinitely pleased to hear her speak in this
manner, and promised to use all his influence towards having
her removed from this Egypt.
Here ended all that old Uckermann could relate of Sidonia's
youth ; so I determined to ride on to Stramehl, and learn there
further particulars if possible.
Accordingly, next day I took leave of the good old man,
praying God to give him a peaceful death, and arrived at
Stramehl with my servant. Here, however, I could obtain no
information ; for even the Bork family pretended to know
nothing, just as if they never had heard of Sidonia (they were
ashamed, I think, to acknowledge her), and the townspeople
who had known her were all dead. The girl, indeed, was still
living whose goose Sidonia had killed, but she was now an
old woman in second childhood, and fancied that I was myself
Sidonia, who had come to take away another goose from her.
So I rode on to Freienwald, where I heard much that shall
appear in its proper place ; then to Old Stettin ; and, after
waiting three days for a fair wind, set sail for Wolgast,
expecting to obtain much information there.
VOL.
34 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER IV.
Ho iv Sidonia came to the court at Wolgast) and of what further
happened to her there.
IN Wolgast I met with many persons whose fathers had known
Sidonia, and what they related to me concerning her I have
summed up into connection for your Highness as follows.
When Duke Barnim reached the Diet at Treptow, he
immediately made known Sidonia' s request to the Grand
Chamberlain of Wolgast, Ulrich von Schwerin, who was 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 wished for no more pet
doves to be brought to court, particularly not Sidonia ; for he
knew her father was ambitious, and longed to be called * your
Grace.' "
Even Fabian us could not prevail in Sidonia' s favour. So
the Duke and he returned home to Stettin ; but scarcely had
they arrived there, when a letter came from the ducal widow
of Wolgast, saying, that on no account would she receive
Sidonia at her court. The Duke might therefore keep her at
his own if he chose.
So the Duke took no further trouble. But Sidonia was not
so easily satisfied ; and taking the matter in her own hands she
left her father's castle without waiting his permission, and set
off for Stettin.
On arriving, she prayed the Duke to bring her to Wolgast
without delay, as she knew there was an honourable, noble
lady there who would watch over her, as indeed she felt
would be necessary at a court. And Fabianus supported her
petition ; for he was much edified with her expressed desire to
crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts.
Ah ! could he have known her !
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 35
So the kind-hearted Duke embarked with her immediately,
without telling any one ; and having a fair wind, sailed up
directly to the little water-gate, and anchored close beneath
the Castle of Wolgast.
Here they landed ; the Duke having Sidonia under one
arm, and a little wooden puppet under the other. It was an
Eve, for whom Sidonia had served as the model ; 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 in a black mantle, and wore a hood
lined with fur covering her face. The Duke also had on a large
wrapping cloak, and a cap of yellow leather upon his head.
So they entered the private gate, and on through the first
and second courts of the castle, without her Grace hearing a
word of their arrival. And they proceeded on through 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 which psalm
was played by a little musical box placed within the Duchess's
own spinning-wheel. Duke Barnim had made it himself for
her Grace, and it was right pleasant to hear.
After listening some time, the Duke knocked, and a maid
of honour opened the door. When they entered, her Grace
was so confounded that she dropped her thread and exclaimed,
" Dear uncle ! is this maiden, then, Sidonia ? " examining her
from head to foot while she spoke. The Duke excused
himself by saying that 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 devotions ; therefore sit down with the
maiden and join our psalm, if you know it." Then her
Grace took up the reel again, and having set the clock-work
going with her foot, struck up the psalm once more, in a clear,
36 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
loud voice, joined by all her ladies. But Sidonia sat still,
and kept her eyes upon the ground.
When they had ended, her Grace, having first crossed her-
self, advanced to Sidonia, and said, " Since you arrived at my
court, you may remain ; but take care that you never lift your
eyes upon the young men. Such wantons are hateful to my
sight ; for, as the Scripture says, ' A fair woman without dis-
cretion is like a circlet of gold upon a swine's head.' ''
Sidonia changed colour at this ; but the Duke, who held
quite a different opinion about such women, entreated her
Grace not to be always so gloomy and melancholy — that it
was time now for her to forget her late spouse, and think of
gayer subjects. To which she answered, "Dear uncle, I
cannot forget my Philip, particularly as my fate was fore-
shadowed at my bridal by a most ominous occurrence."
Now, the Duke had heard this story of the bridal a hundred
times ; yet to please her he asked, " And what was it, dear
cousin ? "
" Listen," she replied. " When Dr. Martin Luther ex-
changed our rings, mine fell from his hand to the ground ; at
which he was evidently troubled, 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 so my dear lord was taken from me in his forty-fifth
year, and I was left a desolate widow." Here she sobbed
and put her kerchief to her eyes.
" But, cousin," said the Duke, " remember you have a
great blessing from God in your five fine sons. And that
reminds me — where are they all now ? "
This restored her Grace, and she began to discourse of
her children, telling how handsome was the young Prince
Ernest, and that he and the little Casimir were only with
her now.
Here Sidonia, as the other ladies remarked, moved rest-
lessly on her chair, and her eyes flashed like torches, so
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 37
that it was evident some plan had struck her, for she was
strengthening day by day in wickedness.
" Ay, cousin," cried the Duke, " it is no wonder a hand-
some mother should have handsome sons. And now what
think you of giving us a jolly wedding ? It is 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 a handsome lover. What think you of myself, for
instance ? " And he pulled off his leather cap, and put his
white head and beard up close to her Grace.
Now, though her Grace could not help laughing at his
position and words, yet she grew as sour as vinegar again
immediately ; for all the ladies tittered, and, as to Sidonia,
she laughed outright.
" Fie ! uncle," said her Grace, " a truce to such folly ; do
you not know what St. Paul says — * Let the widows abide
even as I ' ? "
" Ay, true, dear cousin ; but, then, does he not say, too,
' I will that the younger widows marry ' ? "
" Ah, but, dear uncle, I am no longer young."
" Why, you are as young and active as a girl ; and I en-
gage, cousin, if any stranger came in here to look for the
widow, he would find it difficult to make her out amongst
the young maidens ; don't you think so, Sidonia ? "
" Ah, yes, " she replied ; " I never imagined her Grace
was so young. She is as blooming as a rose."
This appeared to please the Princess, for she smiled
slightly and then sighed ; but gave his Grace a smart slap
when he attempted to seize her hand and kiss it, saying —
"Now, uncle, I told you to leave off this foolery."
At this moment the band outside struck up Duke Bogis-
laff's march — the same that was played before him in
Jerusalem when he ascended the Via Dolorosa up to Gol-
gotha ; for it was the custom here to play this march half-
an-hour before dinner, in order to gather all the household,
38 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
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, because Sidonia afterwards caused
much scandal by these means. The music now rejoiced her
greatly, and she began to move her little feet, not in a
pilgrim, but in a waltz measure, and to beat time with them,
as one could easily perceive by the motion underneath her
mantle.
The Grand Chamberlain, Ulrich von Schwerin, now
entered, and having looked at Sidonia with much surprise,
advanced to kiss the hand of the Duke and bid him welcome
to Wolgast. Then, turning to her Grace, he inquired if the
twelve pages should wait at table to do honour to 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 pre-
sent, and Sidonia might have a seat at the ducal table, as she
was of noble blood ; besides, he had taken her likeness as
Eve, and the first of women ought to sit at the first table.
Hereupon the Duke drew forth the puppet, and called to
Ulrich — " Here ! you have seen my Adam in Treptow ;
what think you now of Eve ? Look, dear cousin, is she not
the image of Sidonia ? "
At this speech both looked very grave. Ulrich said
nothing ; but her Grace replied, " You will make the girl vain,
dear uncle." And Ulrich added, " Yes, and the image has
such an expression, that if the real Eve looked so, I think
she would have left her husband in the lurch and run with
the devil himself to the devil."
While the last verse of the march was playing — " To Zion
comes Pomerania's Prince" — they proceeded to dinner —
the Duke and the Princes leading, while from every door
along the corridor the young knights and pages peeped out
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 39
to get a sight of Sidonia, who, having thrown off her mantle,
swept by them in a robe of crimson velvet laced with gold.
When they entered the dining-hall, Prince Ernest was
leaning against one of the pillars wearing a black Spanish
mantle, fastened with chains of gold. He stepped forward
to greet the Duke, and inquire after his health.
The Duke was well pleased to see him, and tapped him
on the cheek, exclaiming —
" By my faith, cousin, I have not heard too much of you.
What a fine youth you have grown up since you left the
university."
But how Sidonia' s eyes sparkled when (for his misfor-
tune) she found herself seated next him at table. The
Duchess now called upon Sidonia 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.
This seemed to give him courage ; for when the others
began to talk around the table, he ventured to bid her
welcome to his mother's court.
When they rose from table, Sidonia was again com-
manded to say grace ; but being unable, the Prince came to
her relief and repeated the words for her. And now the
evil spirit without doubt put it into the Duke's head, who
had drunk rather freely, to say to her Grace —
" Dear cousin, I have introduced the Italian fashion at
my court, which is, that every knight kisses the lady next
him on rising from dinner — let us do the same here." And
herewith he first kissed her Grace and then Sidonia. Ulrich
von Schwerin looked grave at this and shook his head,
particularly 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 could no longer resist to touch her lips.
4o SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
So there was great laughing in the hall ; and the Duke then,
taking his puppet under one arm and Sidonia under the other,
descended with her to the castle gardens, complaining that
he never got a good laugh in this gloomy house, let him do
what he would.
And the next day he departed, though the Prince sent his
equerry to know would his Grace desire to hunt that day ; or,
if he preferred fishing, there were some excellent carp within
the domain. But the Duke replied, that he would neither
ride nor fish, but sail away at ten of the clock, if the wind
were favourable.
So many feared that his Grace was annoyed ; and therefore
the Duchess and Prince Ernest, along with the Grand
Chamberlain, attended him to the gate ; and even to please
him, Sidonia was allowed to accompany them. The Pome-
ranian standard also was hoisted to do him honour, and
finally he bade the illustrious widow farewell, recommending
Sidonia to her care. But the fair maiden herself he took in
his arms, she weeping and sobbing, and admonished her to be
careful and discreet ; and so, with a fair wind, set sail from
Wolgast, and never once looked back.
CHAPTER V.
Sidonia knows nothing of God's Word, but seeks to learn it
from the young Prince of Wolgast.
NEXT day, Sunday, her Grace was unable to attend divine
service in the church, having caught cold by neglecting to put
on her mantle when she accompanied the Duke down to the
water-gate. However, though her Grace could not leave
her chamber, yet she heard the sermon of the preacher all
the same ; for an ear- tube descended from her apartment
down on the top of the pulpit, by which means every word
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 41
reached her, and a maid of honour always remained in at-
tendance to find out the lessons of the day, and the other
portions of the divine service, for her Grace, who thus could
follow the clergyman word for word. Sidonia was the one
selected for the office on this day.
But, gracious Heavens ! when the Duchess said, Find me
out the prophet Isaiah, Sidonia looked in the New Testa-
ment ; and when she said, Open the Gospel of St. John,
Sidonia looked in the Old Testament. At first her Grace
did not perceive her blunders ; but when she became aware of
them, she started up, and tearing the Bible out of her hands,
exclaimed, " What ! are you a heathen ? Yesterday you
could not repeat a simple grace that every child knows by
heart, and to-day you do not know the difference between
the Old and New Testaments. For shame ! Alas ! what
an ill weed I have introduced into my house. "
So the cunning wench began to weep, and said, her father
had never allowed her to learn Christianity, though she
wished to do so ardently, but always made a mock of it, and
for this reason she had sought a refuge with her Grace,
where she hoped to become a truly pious and believing
Christian. The Duchess was quite softened by her tears,
and promised that Dr. Dionysius Gerschovius should examine
her in the catechism, and see what she knew. He was a
learned man from Daber,* and her Grace's chaplain. The
very idea of the doctor frightened Sidonia so much, that her
teeth chattered, and she entreated her Grace, while she kissed
her hand, to allow her at least a fortnight for preparation and
study before the doctor came.
The Duchess promised this, and said, that Clara von
Dewitz, another of her maidens, would be an excellent person
to assist her in her studies, as she came from Daber also, and
was familiar with the views and doctrines held by Dr.
Gerschovius. This Clara we shall hear more of in our
* A small town in Lower Pomerania.
42 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
history. She was a year older than Sidonia, intelligent,
courageous, and faithful, with a quiet, amiable disposition, and
of most pious and Christian demeanour. She wore a high,
stiff ruff, out of which peeped forth her head scarcely visible,
and a long robe, like a stole, sweeping behind her. She was
privately betrothed to her Grace's Master of the Horse,
Marcus Bork by name, a cousin of Sidonia' s ; for, as her
Grace discouraged all kinds of gallantry or love-making at
her court, they were obliged to keep the matter secret, so
that no one, not even her Grace, suspected anything of the
engagement.
This was the person appointed to instruct Sidonia in
Christianity ; and every day the fair pupil visited Clara in her
room for an hour. But, alas ! theology was sadly interrupted
by Sidonia' s folly and levity, for she chattered away on all
subjects : first about Prince Ernest — was he affianced to any
one ? was he in love ? had Clara herself a lover ? and if that
old proser, meaning the Duchess, looked always as sour ? did
she never allow a feast or a dance ? and then she would toss
the catechism under the bed, or tear it and trample on it,
muttering, with much ill-temper, that she was too old to be
learning catechisms like a child.
Poor Clara tried to reason with her mildly, and said —
" Her Grace was very particular on these points. The
maids of honour were obliged to assemble weekly once in
the church and once in her Grace's own room, to le
examined by Dr. Gerschovius, not only in the Lutheran
Catechism, which they all knew well, but also in that written
by his brother, Dr. Timothy Gerschovius of Old Stettin ;
so Sidonia had better first learn the Catechismiim Lutheri,
and afterwards the Catechismum Gerschovii." At last
Sidonia grew so weary of catechisms that she determined
to run away from court.
But Satan had more for her to do ; so he put a little
syrup into the wormwood draught, and thus it was. One
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 43
day passing along the corridor from Clara's room, it so hap-
pened that Prince Ernest opened his door, just as she came
up to it, to let out the smoke, and then began to walk up and
down, playing softly on his lute. Sidonia stood still for a
few minutes with her eyes thrown up in ecstasy, and then
passed on ; but the Prince stepped to the door, and asked her
did she play.
" Alas ! no," she answered. " Her father had forbidden
her to learn the lute, though music was her passion, and her
heart seemed almost breaking with joy when she listened to
it. If his Highness would but play one little air over again
for her."
" Yes, if you will enter, but not while you are standing
there at my door."
" Ah, do not ask me to enter, that would not be seemly ;
but I will sit down here on this beer-barrel in the corridor
and listen ; besides, music is improved by distance."
And she looked so tenderly at the young Prince that his
heart burned within him, and he stepped out into the corridor
to play ; but the sound reaching the ears of her Grace, she
looked out, and Sidonia jumped up from the beer-barrel and
fled away to her own room.
When Sunday came again, all the maids of honour were
assembled, as usual, in her Grace's apartment, to be examined
in the catechism ; and probably the Duchess had lamented
much to the doctor over Sidonia's levity and ignorance, for
he kept a narrow watch on her the whole day. At four of
the clock Dr. Gerschovius entered in his gown and bands,
looking very solemn ; for it was a saying of his " that the
devil invented laughter ; and that it were better for a man
to be a weeping Heraclitus than a laughing Democritus."
After he had kissed the hand of her Grace, he said they had
better now begin with the Commandments ; and, turning
to Sidonia, asked her, " What is forbidden by the seventh
commandment?"
44 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Now Sidonia, who had only learned the Lutheran Cate-
chism, did not understand the question in this form out of
the Gerschovian Catechism, and remained silent.
"What ! " said the doctor, " not know my brother's cate-
chism ! You must get one directly from the court bookseller
— the Catechism of Doctor Timothy Gerschovius — and have
it learned by next Sunday." Then turning to Clara, he re-
peated the question, and she, having answered, received great
praise.
Now it happened that just at this time the ducal horse
were led up to the horse-pond to water, and all the young
pages and knights were gathered in a group under the win-
dow of her Grace's apartment, laughing and jesting merrily.
So Sidonia looked out at them, which the doctor no sooner
perceived than he slapped her on the hand with the catechism,
exclaiming, "What! have you not heard just now that all
sinful desires are forbidden by the seventh commandment,
and yet you look forth upon the young men from the window ?
Tell me what are sinful desires ? "
But the proud girl grew red with indignation, and cried,
" Do you dare to strike me ? " Then, turning to her Grace,
she said, " Madam, that sour old priest has struck me on the
fingers. I will not suffer this. My father shall hear of it."
Hereupon her Grace, and even the doctor, tried to appease
her, but in vain, and she ran crying from the apartment. In
the corridor she met the old treasurer, Jacob Zitsewitz, who
hated the doctor and all his rigid doctrines. So she com-
plained of the treatment which she had received, and pressed
his hand and stroked his beard, saying, would he permit a
castle and land dowered maiden to be scolded and insulted
by an old parson because she looked out at a window ? That
was worse than in the days of Popery. Now Zitsewitz, who
had a little wine in his head, on hearing this, ran in great
wrath to the apartment of her Grace, where soon a great
uproar was heard.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 45
For the treasurer, in the heat of his remonstrance with the
priest, struck a little table violently which stood near him,
and overthrew it. On this had lain the superb escritoire of
her Highness, made of Venetian glass, in which the ducal
arms were painted ; and also the magnificent album of her
deceased lord, Duke Philip. The escritoire was broken, the
ink poured forth upon the album, from thence ran down to
the costly Persian carpet, a present from her brother, the
Prince of Saxony, and finally stained the velvet robe of her
Highness herself, who started up screaming, so that the old
chamberlain rushed in to know what had happened, and then
he fell into a rage both with the priest and the treasurer. At
length her Grace was comforted by hearing that a chemist in
Grypswald could restore the book, and mend the glass again
as good as new ; still she wept, and exclaimed, " Alas ! who
could have thought it ? all this was foreshadowed to her by
Dr. Martinus dropping her ring."
Here the treasurer, to conciliate her Grace, pretended that
he never had heard the story of the betrothal, and asked,
" What does your Grace mean ? " Whereupon drying her
eyes she answered, " O Master Jacob, you will hear a
strange story" — and here she went over each particular,
though every child in the street had it by heart. So this
took away her grief, and every one got to rights again, for
that day. But worse was soon to befall.
I have said that half-an-hour before dinner the band played
to summon all within the castle and the retainers to their
respective messes, as the custom then was ; so that the long
corridor was soon filled with a crowd of all conditions — pages,
knights, squires, grooms, maids, and huntsmen, all hurrying
to the apartments where their several tables were laid.
Sidonia, being aware of this, upon the first roll of the drum
skipped out into the corridor, dancing up and down the
whole length of it to the music, so that the players declared
they had never seen so beautiful a dancer, at which her
46 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
heart beat with joy ; and as the crowd came up, they stopped
to admire her grace and beauty. Then she would pause and
say a few pleasing words to each, to a huntsman, if he were
passing — "Ah, I think no deer in the world could escape
you, my fine young peasant ; " or if a knight, she would
praise the colour of his doublet and the tie of his garter ; or
if a laundress, she would commend the whiteness of her linen,
which she had never seen equalled ; and as to the old cook
and butler, she enchanted them by asking, had his Grace of
Stettin ever seen them, for assuredly, if he had, he would
have taken their fine heads as models for Abraham and
Noah. Then she flung largess amongst them to drink the
health of the Duchess. Only when a young noble passed, she
grew timid and durst not venture to address him, but said,
loud enough for him to hear, " Oh, how handsome ! Do
you know his name ? " Or, " It is easy to see that he is a
born nobleman " — and such like hypocritical flatteries.
The Princess never knew a word of all this, for, according
to etiquette, she was the last to seat herself at table. So
Sidonia's doings were not discovered until too late, for by
that time she had won over the whole court, great and small,
to her interests.
Amongst the cavaliers who passed one day were two fine
young men, Wedig von Schwetzkow, and Johann Appelmann,
son of the burgomaster at Stargard. They were both hand-
some ; but Johann was a dissolute, wild profligate, and Wedig
was not troubled with too much sense. Still he had
not fallen into the evil courses which made the other so
notorious. " Who is that handsome youth ? " asked Sidonia
as Johann passed ; and when they told her, " Ah, a gentle-
man ! " she exclaimed, " who is of far higher value in my
eyes than a nobleman."
Summa : they both fell in love with her on the instant ;
but all the young squires were the same more or less, except
her cousin Marcus Bork, seeing that he was already betrothed.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 47
Likewise after dinner, in place of going direct to the ladies'
apartments, she would take a circuitous route, so as to go by
the quarter where the men dined, and as she passed their
doors, which they left open on purpose, what rejoicing
there was, and such running and squeezing just to get a
glimpse of her — the little putting their heads under the arms
of the tall, and there they began to laugh and chat; but
neither the Duchess nor the old chamberlain knew anything
of this, for they were in a different wing of the castle, and
besides, always took a sleep after dinner.
However, old Zitsewitz, when he heard the clamour,
knew well it was Sidonia, and would jump up from the
marshal's -table, though the old marshal shook his head, and
run to the gallery to have a chat with her himself, and she
laughed and coquetted with him, so that the old knight would
run after her and take her in his arms, asking her where she
would wish to go. Then she sometimes said, to the castle
garden to feed the pet stag, for she had never seen so pretty a
thing in all her life ; and she would fetch crumbs of bread with
her to feed it. So he must needs go with her, and Sidonia
ran down the steps with him that led from the young men's
quarter to the castle court, while they all rose up to look after
her, and laugh at the old fool of a treasurer. But in a short
time they followed too, running up and down the steps in
crowds, to see Sidonia feeding the stag and caressing it, and
sometimes trying to ride on it, while old Zitsewitz held the
horns.
Prince Ernest beheld all this from a window, and was
ready to die with jealousy and mortification, for he felt that
Sidonia was gay and friendly with every one but him.
Indeed, since the day of the lute-playing, he fancied she
shunned him and treated him coldly. But as Sidonia had
observed particularly, that whenever the young Prince passed
her in the gallery he cast down his eyes and sighed, she took
another way of managing him.
48 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER VI.
Hoiv the young Prince prepared a petition to his mother, the
Duchess, in favour of Sidonia — Item, of the strange doings
of the Laplander with his magic drum.
THE day preceding that on which Sidonia was to repeat the
Catechism of Doctor Gerschovius (of which, by the way, she
had not learned one word), the young Duke suddenly entered
his mother's apartment, where she and her maidens were
spinning, and asked her if she remembered anything about a
Laplander with a drum, who had foretold some event to her
and his father whilst they were at Penemunde some years
before ; for he had been arrested at Eldena, and was now in
Wolgast.
" Alas ! " said her Grace, " I perfectly remember the hor-
rible sorcerer. One spring I was at the hunt with your
father near Penemunde, when this wretch suddenly appeared
driving two cows before him on a large ice-field. He pre-
tended that while he was telling fortunes to the girls who
milked the cows, a great storm arose, and drove him out into
the wide sea, which was a terrible misfortune to him. But
your father told him in Swedish, which language the knave
knew, that it had been better to prophesy his own destiny.
To which he replied, a man could as little foretell his own
fate as see the back of his own head, which every one can see
but himself. However, if the Duke wished, he would tell
him his fortune, and if it did not come out true, let all the
world hold him as a liar for his life long.
" Alas ! your father consented. Whereupon the knave
began to dance and play upon his drum like one frenzied ; so
that it was evident to see the spirit was working within him.
Then he fell down like one dead, and cried, * Woe to thee
S1DONIA THE SORCERESS 49
when thy house is burning ! Woe to thee when thy house is
burning ! '
" Therefore be warned, my son ; have nothing to do with
this fellow, for it so happened even as he said. On the nth
December '57, our castle was burned, and your poor father
had a rib broken in consequence. Would that I had been
the rib broken for him, so that he might still reign over the
land; and this was the true cause of his untimely death.
Therefore dismiss this sorcerer, for it is Satan himself speaks
in him."
Here Sidonia grew quite pale, and dropped the thread, as
if taken suddenly ill. Then she prayed the Duchess to
excuse her, and permit her to retire to her own room.
The moment the Duchess gave permission, Sidonia glided
out ; but, in place of going to her chamber, she threw her-
self in a languid attitude upon a seat in the corridor, just
where she knew Prince Ernest must pass, and leaned her
head upon her hand. He soon came out of his mother's
room, and seeing Sidonia, took her hand tenderly, asking,
with visible emotion —
" Dear lady, what has happened ? "
" Ah," she answered, "I am so weak that I cannot go on
to my little apartment. I know not what ails me ; but I am
so afraid "
" Afraid of what, dearest lady ? "
" Of that sour old priest. He is to examine me to-mor-
row in the Catechism of Gerschovius, and I cannot learn a
word of it, do what I will. I know Luther's Catechism
quite well " (this was a falsehood, we know), " but that does
not satisfy him, and if I cannot repeat it he will slap my
hands or box my ears, and my lady the Duchess will be
more angry than ever ; but I am too old now to learn cate-
chisms."
Then she trembled like an aspen-leaf, and fixed her eyes
on him with such tenderness that he trembled likewise, and
VOL. i. D
50 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
drawing her arm within his, supported her to her chamber.
On the way she pressed his hand repeatedly ; but with each
pressure, as he afterwards confessed, a pang shot through his
heart, which might have excited compassion from his worst
enemy.
When they reached her chamber, she would not let him
enter, but modestly put him back, saying, " Leave me — ah !
leave me, gracious Prince. I must creep to my bed ; and in
the meantime let me entreat you to persuade the priest not to
torment me to-morrow morning."
The Prince now left her, and forgetting all about the
Lapland wizard whom he had left waiting in the courtyard,
he rushed over the drawbridge, up the main street behind St.
Peter's, and into the house of Dr. Gerschovius.
The doctor was indignant at his petition.
"My young Prince," he said, "if ever a human being
stood in need of God's Word, it is that young maiden." At
last, however, upon the entreaties of Prince Ernest, he con-
sented to defer her examination for four weeks, during which
time she could fully perfect herself in the catechism of his
learned brother.
He then prayed the Prince not to allow his eyes to be
dazzled by this fair, sinful beauty, who would delude him as
she had done all the other men in the castle, not excepting
even that old sinner Zitsewitz.
When the Prince returned to the castle, he found a great
crowd assembled round the Lapland wizard, all eagerly
asking to have their fortunes told, and Sidonia was amongst
them, as merry and lively as if nothing had ailed her.
When the Prince expressed his surprise, she said, that finding
herself much relieved by lying down, she had ventured into
the fresh air, to recreate herself, and have her fortune told.
Would not the Prince likewise wish to hear his ?
So, forgetting all his mother's wise injunctions, he ad-
vanced with Sidonia to the wizard. The Lapland drum,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 51
which lay upon his knees, was a strange instrument ; and by
it we can see what arts Satan employs to strengthen his king-
dom in all places and by all means. For the Laplanders
are Christians, though they in some sort worship the devil,
and therefore he imparts to them much of his own power.
This drum which they use is made out of a piece of hollow
wood, which must be either fir, pine, or birch, and which
grows in such a particular place that it follows the course of
the sun ; that is, the pectines, fibrae, and lineae in the
annual rings of the wood must wind from right to left.
Having hollowed out such a tree, they spread a skin over it,
fastened down with little pegs ; and on the centre of the skin
is painted the sun, surrounded by figures of men, beasts, birds,
and fishes, along with Christ and the holy Apostles. All
this is done with the rind of the elder-tree, chewed first
beneath their teeth. Upon the top of the drum there is an
index in the shape of a triangle, from which hang a number
of little rings and chains. When the wizard wishes to pro-
pitiate Satan and receive his power, he strikes the drum with
a hammer made of the reindeer's horn, not so much to procure
a sound as to set the index in motion with all its little chains?
that it may move over the figures, and point to whatever
gives the required answer. At the same time the magician
murmurs conjurations, springs sometimes up from the ground,
screams, laughs, dances, reels, becomes black in the face,
foams, twists his eyes, and falls to the ground at last in an
ecstasy, dragging the drum down upon his face.
Any one may then put questions to him, and all will come
to pass that he answers. All this was done by the wizard ;
but he desired strictly that when he fell upon the ground, no
one should touch him with the foot, and secondly, that all
flies and insects should be kept carefully from him. So after
he had danced, and screamed, and twisted his face so horribly
that half the women fainted, and foamed and raged until the
demon seemed to have taken full possession of him, he fell
$z SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
down, and then every one put questions to him, to which he
responded ; but the answers sometimes produced weeping,
sometimes laughing, according as some gentle maiden heard
that her lover was safe, or that he had been struck by the
mast on shipboard and tumbled into the sea. And all came
out true, as was afterwards proved.
Sidonia now invited the Prince to try his fortune ; and so,
forgetting the admonitions of the Duchess, he said, " What
dost thou prophesy to me ? "
" Beware of a woman, if you would live long and happily,"
was. the answer.
" But of what woman ? "
" I will not name her, for she is present."
Then the Prince turned pale and looked at Sidonia, who
grew pale also, but made no answer, only laughed, and ad-
vancing asked, "What dost thou prophesy to me?" But
immediately the wizard shrieked, " Away ! away ! I burn,
I burn ! thou makest me yet hotter than I am ! "
Many thought these exclamations referred to Sidonia' s
beauty, particularly the young lords, who murmured, " Now
every one must acknowledge her beauty, when even this son
of Satan feels his heart burning when she approaches." And
Sidonia laughed merrily at their gallantries.
Just then the Grand Chamberlain came by, and having
heard what had happened, he angrily dismissed the crowd,
and sending for the executioner, ordered the cheating im-
postor to be whipped and branded, and then sent over the
frontier.
The wizard, who had been lying quite stiff, now cried out
(though he had never seen the Chamberlain before) — " Listen,
Ulrich ! I will prophesy something to thee : if it comes not
to pass, then punish me ; but if it does, then give me a boat
and seven loaves, that I may sail away to-morrow to my own
country."
Ulrich refused to hear his prophecy ; but the wizard cried
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 53
out — " Ulrich, this day thy wife Hedwig will die at Span-
tekow."
Ulrich grew pale, but only answered, " Thou liest ! how
can that be ? " He replied, " Thy cousin Clas will visit
her ; she will descend to the cellar to fetch him some of the
Italian wine for which you wrote, and which arrived yesterday >
a step of the stairs will break as she is ascending ; she will
fall forward upon the flask, which will cut her throat through,
and so she will die."
When he ceased, the alarmed Ulrich called loudly to the
chief equerry, Appelmann, who just then came by — " Quick !
saddle the best racer in the stables, and ride for life to Span-
tekow, for it may be as he has prophesied, and let us outwit
the devil. Haste, haste, for the love of God, and I will
never forget it to thee !"
So the equerry rode without stop or stay to Spantekow,
and he found the cousin Clas in the house ; but when he asked
for the Lady Hedwig, they said, " She is in the cellar."
So no misfortune had happened then ; but as they waited and
she appeared not, they descended to look for her, and lo !
just as the wizard had prophesied, she had fallen upon the
stairs while ascending, and there lay dead.
The mournful news was brought by sunset to Wolgast,
and Ulrich, in his despair and grief, wished to burn the Lap-
lander ; but Prince Ernest hindered him, saying, " It is
more knightly, Ulrich, to keep your word than to cool your
vengeance." So the old man stood silent a long space, and
then said, "Well, young man, if you abandon Sidonia, I
will release the Laplander."
The Prince coloured, and the Lord Chamberlain thought
that he had discovered a secret ; but as the prophecy of the
wizard came again into Prince Ernest's mind, he said —
" Well, Ulrich, I will give up the maiden Sidonia. Here
is my hand."
Accordingly, next morning the wizard was released from
54 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
prison and given a boat, with seven loaves and a pitcher of
water, that he might sail back to his own country. The
wind, however, was due north, but the people who crossed
the bridge to witness his departure were filled with fear
when they saw him change the wind at his pleasure to suit
himself; for he pulled out a string full of knots, and having
swung it about, murmuring incantations, all the vanes on
the towers creaked and whirled right about, all the wind-
mills in the town stopped, all the vessels and boats that were
going up the stream became quite still, and their sails flapped
on the masts, for the wind had changed in a moment from
north to south, and the north waves and the south waves
clashed together.
As every one stood wondering at this, the sailors and
fishermen in particular, the wizard sprang into his boat and
set forth with a fair wind, singing loudly, " Jooike Duara !
Jooike Duara ! " * and soon disappeared from sight, nor was
he ever again seen in that country.
CHAPTER VII.
How Ulrich von Schnver'm buries his spouse, and Doctor
Gerschovius comforts him out of God's Word.
THIS affair with the Lapland wizard much troubled the
Grand Chamberlain, and his faith suffered sore temptations.
So he referred to Dr. Gerschovius, and asked him how the
prophets of God differed from those of the devil. Where-
upon the doctor recommended him to meditate on God's
Word, wherein he would find a source of consolation and a
solution of all doubts.
So the mourning Ulrich departed for his castle of Span-
* This is the beginning of a magic rhyme, chanted even by the dis-
tant Calmucks — namely, Dschie jo eie jog.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 55
tekow, trusting in the assistance of God. And her Grace,
with all her court, resolved to attend the funeral also, to do
him honour. They proceeded forth, therefore, dressed in
black robes, their horses also caparisoned with black hang-
ings, and the Duchess ordered a hundred wax lights for
the ceremony. Sidonia alone declined attending, and gave
out that she was sick in bed. The truth, however, was,
that as Duke Ernest was obliged to remain at home to
take the command of the castle, and affix his signature to
all papers, she wished to remain also.
The mourning cortege, therefore, had scarcely left the
court, when Sidonia rose and seated herself at the window,
which she knew the young Prince must pass along with his
attendants on their way to the office of the castle. Then
taking up a lute, which she had purchased privately, and
practised night and morning in place of learning the catechism,
she played a low, soft air, to attract their attention. So all
the young knights looked up ; . 3nd wlien Prince Ernest
arrived he looked up also, and seeing Sidonia, exclaimed,
with surprise, " Beautiful Sidonia, how have you learned the
lute ? " At which she blushed and answered modestly,
" Gracious Prince, I am only self-taught. No one here
understands the lute except your Highness."
" Does this employment, then, give you much pleasure ? "
" Ah, yes ! If I could only play it well ; I would give
half my life to learn it properly. There is no such sweet
enjoyment upon earth, I think, as this."
" But you have been sick, lady, and the cold air will do
you an injury."
" Yes, it is true I have been ill, but the air rather refreshes
me ; and besides, I feel the melancholy of my solitude less
here."
" Now farewell, dear lady ; I must attend to the business
of the castle."
This little word — " dear lady " — gave Sidonia such con-
56 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
fidence, that by the time she expected Prince Ernest to pass
again on his return, she was seated at the window awaiting
him with her lute, to which she now sang in a clear, sweet
voice. But the Prince passed on as if he heard nothing —
never even once looked up, to Sidonia' s great mortification.
However, the moment he reached his own apartment, he
commenced playing a melancholy air upon his lute, as if in
response to hers. The artful young maiden no sooner heard
this than she opened her door. The Prince at the same
instant opened his to let out the smoke, and their eyes met,
when Sidonia uttered a feeble cry and fell fainting upon the
floor. The Prince, seeing this, flew to her, raised her up, and
trembling with emotion, carried her back to her room and
laid her down upon the bed. Now indeed it was well for
him that he had given that promise to Ulrich. When Sidonia
after some time slowly opened her eyes, the Prince asked
tenderly what ailed her ; and she said, " I must have taken
cold at the window, for I felt very ill, and went to the door
to call an attendant ; but I must have fainted then, for I re-
member nothing more." Alas! the poor Prince, he believed
all this, and conjured her to lie down until he called a maid,
and sent for the physician if she desired it; but, no — she
refused, and said it would pass off soon. (Ah, thou cunning
maiden ! it may well pass off when it never was on. )
However, she remained in bed until the next day, when the
Princess and her train returned home from the funeral. Her
Grace had assisted at the obsequies with all princely state,
and even laid a crown of rosemary with her own hand upon
the head of the corpse, and a little prayer-book beside it, open
at that fine hymn " Pauli Sperati " (which also was sung
over the grave). Then the husband laid a tin crucifix on the
coffin, with the inscription from I John iii. 8 — " The Son
of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the
devil." After which the coffin was lowered into the grave
with many tears.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 57
Some days after this, being Sunday, Doctor Gerschovius
and the Grand Chamberlain were present at the ducal table.
Ulrich indeed ate little, for he was filled with grief, only
sipped a little broth,. into which he had crumbled some rein-
deer cheese, not to appear ungracious ; but when dinner was
over, he raised his head, and asked Doctor Gerschovius to
inform him now in what lay the difference between the prophets
of God and those of the devil. The Duchess was charmed
at the prospect of such a profitable discourse, and ordered a
cushion and footstool to be placed for herself, that she might
remain to hear it. Then she sent for the whole household —
maidens, squires, and pages — that they too might be edified,
and learn the true nature of the devil's gifts. The hall was
soon as full, therefore, as if a sermon were about to be preached ;
and the doctor, seeing this, stroked his beard, and he begun
as follows : * —
* Perhaps some readers will hold the rationalist doctrine that no
prophecy is possible or credible, and that no mortal can under any
circumstances see into futurity ; but how then can they account for the
wonderful phenomena of animal magnetism, which are so well authen-
ticated? Do they deny all the facts which have been elicited by the
great advance made recently in natural and physiological philosophy ?
I need not here bring forward proofs from the ancients, showing their
universal belief in the possibility of seeing into futurity, nor a cloud of
witnesses from our modern philosophers, attesting the truth of the
phenomena of somnambulism, but only observe that this very Academy
of Paris, which in 1784 anathematised Mesmer as a quack, a cheat,
and a charlatan or fool, and which in conjunction with all the academies
of Europe (that of Berlin alone excepted) reviled his doctrines and
insulted all who upheld them, as witches had been reviled in preced-
ing centuries, and compelled Mesmer himself to fly for protection to
Frankfort — this very academy, I say, on the I2th February 1826,
rescinded all their condemnatory verdicts, and proclaimed that the
wonderful phenomena of animal magnetism had been so well authen-
ticated that doubt was no longer possible. This confession of faith was
the more remarkable, because the members of the commission of
inquiry had been carefully selected, on purpose, from physicians who
were totally adverse to the doctrines of Mesmer.
There are but two modes, I think, of explaining these extraordinary
phenomena — either by supposing them effected by supernatural agency,
58 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
I am rejoiced to treat of this subject now, considering how
lately that demon Lapp befooled ye all. And I shall give
you many signs, whereby in future a prophet of God may be
distinguished from a prophet of the devil, ist, Satan's pro-
phets are not conscious of what they utter ; but God's pro-
phets are always perfectly conscious, both of the inspiration
they receive and the revelations they make known. For as
the Laplander grew frenzied, and foamed at the mouth, so it
has been with all false prophets from the beginning. Even
the blind heathen called prophesying mania, or the wisdom of
madness. The secret of producing this madness was known
to them ; sometimes it was by the use of roots or aromatic
herbs, or by exhalations, as in the case of the Pythoness,
whose incoherent utterances were written by the priests of
Apollo, for when the fit was over, all remembrance of what
she had prophesied vanished too. In the Bible we find all
false prophets described as frenzied. In Isaiah xliv. 25 —
as all seers and diviners from antiquity, through the Middle Ages down
to our somnambulists, have pretended that they really stood in com-
munication with spirit ; or, by supposing that there is an innate latent
divining element in our own natures, which only becomes evident and
active under certain circumstances, and which is capable of revealing
the future with more or less exactitude just as the mind can recall the
past. For past and future are but different forms of our own subjec-
tive intuition of time, and because this internal intuition represents no
figure, we seek to supply the defect by an analogy. For time exists
within us, not without us ; it is not something which subsists of itself,
but it is the form only of our internal sense.
These two modes of explaining the phenomena present, I know,
great difficulties ; the latter especially. However, the pantheistical
solution of the Hegelian school adopted by Kieser, Kluge, Wirth,
Hoffman, pleases me still less. I even prefer that of Jung-Stilling
and Kerner — but at all events one thing is certain, the facts are there ;
only ignorance, stupidity, and obstinacy can deny them. The cause is
still a subject of speculation, doubt, and difficulty. It is only by a
vast induction of facts, as in natural philosophy, that we can ever hope
to arrive at the knowledge of a general law. The crown of all creation
is man ; therefore while we investigate so acutely all other creatures,
let us not shrink back from the strange and unknown depths of our
own nature which magnetism has opened to us.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 59
" God maketh the diviners mad." In Ezekiel xiii. 3 —
" Woe to the foolish prophets." Hosea ix. 7 — " The
prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad." And Isaiah
xxviii. 7 explains fully how this madness was produced.
Namely, by wine and the strong drink Sekar.* Further
examples of this madness are given in the Bible, as Saul
when under the influence of the evil spirit flung his spear
at the innocent David ; and the four hundred and fifty
prophets of Baal, who leaped upon the altar, and screamed,
and cut themselves with knives and lancets until the blood
flowed ; and the maiden with the spirit of divination, that
met Paul in the streets of Philippi ; with many others.
But all this is an abomination in the sight of God. For as
the Lord came not to His prophet Elijah in the strong wind,
nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the still small
voice, so does He evidence Himself in all His prophets ;
and we find no record in Scripture, either of their madness,
or of their having forgotten the oracles they uttered, like the
Pythoness and others inspired by Satan.f Further, you may
observe that the false prophets can always prophesy when
they choose, Satan is ever willing to come when they exor-
cise him ; but the true prophets of God are but instruments
* It is doubtful of what this drink was composed. Hieronymus and
Aben Ezra imagine that it was of the nature of strong beer. Probably
it resembled the potion with which the mystery-men amongst the
savages of the present day produce this divining frenzy. We find such
in use throughout Tartary, Siberia, America, and Africa, as if the usage
had descended to them from one common tradition. Witches, it is
well known, made frequent use of potions, and as all somnambulists
assert that the seat of the soul's greatest activity is in the stomach, it
is not incredible what Van Helmont relates, that having once tasted
the root napelhis, his intellect all at once, accompanied by an unusual
feeling of ecstasy, seemed to remove from his brain to his stomach.
f It is well known that somnambulists never remember upon their
recovery what they have uttered during the crisis. Therefore phe-
nomena of this class appear to belong, in some things, to that of the
divining frenzy, though in others to quite a different category of the
divining life.
60 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
in the hand of the Lord, and can only speak when He chooses
the spirit to enter into them. So we find them saying invari-
ably— " This is the word which came unto me," or " This
is the word which the Lord spake unto me." For the
Lord is too high and holy to come at the bidding of a
creature, or obey the summons of his will. St. Peter con-
firms this, 2 Pet. i. 21, that no prophecy ever came at the
will of man.
Again, the false prophets were persons of known infamous
character, and in this differed from the prophets of God,
who were always righteous men in word and deed. Dio-
dorus informs us of the conduct of the Pythoness and the
priests of Apollo, and also that all oracles were bought with
gold, and the answer depended on the weight of the sack.
As Ezekiel notices, xiii. 1 9 ; and Micah iii. 8. Further,
the holy prophets suffered all manner of persecution for the
sake of God, as Daniel, Elias, Micah, yet remained faithful,
with but one exception, and were severely punished if they
fell into crime, and the gift of prophecy taken from them ;
for God cannot dwell in a defiled temple, but Satan can
dwell in no other.
Also, Satan's prophets speak only of temporal things, but
God's people of spiritual things. The heathen oracles, for
instance, never foretold any events but those concerning peace
or war, or what men desire in riches, health, or advancement
— in short, temporal matters alone. Whereas God's people,
in addition to temporal concerns, preached repentance and
holiness to the Jewish people, and the coming of Christ's
kingdom, in whom all nations should be blessed. For as the
soul is superior to the body, so are God's prophets superior to
those of the Prince of this world.
And in conclusion, observe that Satan's seers abounded
with lies, as all heathen history testifies, or their oracles were
capable of such different interpretations that they became a
subject of mockery and contempt to the wise amongst the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 61
ancient philosophers. But be not surprised if they some-
times spoke truth, as the Lapland wizard has done, for the
devil's power is superior to man's, and he can see events
which, though close at hand, are yet hidden from us, as a
father can foretell an approaching storm, though his little son
cannot do so, and therefore looks upon his father's wisdom as
supernatural.* But the devil has not the power to see .into
futurity, nor even the angels of God, only God Himself.
The prophets of God, on the contrary, are given power by
Him to look through all time at a glance, as if it were but a
moment ; for a thousand years to Him are but as a watch of
the night ; and therefore they all from the beginning testified
of the Saviour that was to come, and rejoiced in His day as if
they really beheld Him, and all stood together as brothers in
one place, and at the same time in His blessed presence. But
what unanimity and feeling has ever been observed by the
seers of Satan, when the contradictions amongst their oracles
were notorious to every one ?
And as the eyes of all the holy prophets centred upon
Christ, so the eyes of the greatest of all prophets penetrated
the furthest depths of futurity. Not only His own life, suffer-
ings, death, and resurrection were foretold by Him, but the end
of the Jewish kingdom, the dispersion of their race, the rise
of His Church from the grain of mustard-seed to the wide,
world-spreading tree ; and all has been fulfilled. Be assured,
therefore, that this eternal glory, which He promised to those
who trust in Him, will be fulfilled likewise when He comes to
judge all nations. So, my worthy Lord Ulrich, cease to
weep for your spouse who sleeps in Jesus, for a greater Prophet
than the Lapland wizard has said, " I am the resurrection
and the life, whosoever belie veth in Me shall never die." -j*
* The somnambulists also can prophesy of those events which are
near at hand, but never of the distant.
f In addition to the foregoing distinctions between the satanic and
the holy prophets, I may add the following — that almost all the
62 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER VIII.
Hoiv Sidonia rides upon the pet stag, and what evil conse-
quences result therefrom.
WHEN the discourse had ended, her Grace retired to her
apartment and Ulrich to his, for it was their custom, as I
have said, to sleep after dinner. Doctor Gerschovius re-
turned home, and the young Prince descended to the gardens
with his lute. Now was a fine time for the young knights,
for they had been sadly disturbed in their carouse by that
godly prophesying of the doctor's, and they now returned to
their own quarter to finish it, headed by the old treasurer
Zitsewitz. Then a merry uproar of laughing, singing, and
jesting commenced, and as the door lay wide open as usual,
Sidonia heard all from her chamber ; so stepping out gently
with a piece of bread in her hand, she tripped along the
corridor past their door. No sooner was she perceived than
a loud storm of cheers greeted her, which she returned with
smiles and bows, and then danced down the steps to the
courtyard. Several rose up to pursue her, amongst whom
Wedig and Appelmann were the most eager.
diviners amongst the heathen were women. For instance, Cassandra,
the Pythia in Delphi, Triton and Peristhaea in Dodona, the Sybils,
the Velleda of Tacitus, the Mandragoras, and Druidesses, the
witches of the Reformation age ; and in fine, the modern somnambules
are all women too. But throughout the whole Bible we find that the
prophetic power was exclusively conferred upon men, with two excep-
tions—namely, Deborah, Judges iv. 4, and Hilda, 2 Chron. xxxiv. 22 —
for there is no evidence that Miriam had a seer spirit ; she was probably
only God-inspired, though classed under the general term prophet.
We find, indeed, that woe was proclaimed against the divining women
who prophesy out of their own head, Ezekiel xiii. 17-23 ; so amongst
the people of God the revelation of the future was confined to men,
amongst the heathen to women, or if men are mentioned in these pagan
rites, it is only as assistants and inferior agents, like animals, metals,
roots, stones, and such like. See Cicero, De Dimnatione, i. 18,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 63
But they were too late, and saw nothing but the tail of
her dress as she flew round the corner into the second court.
Just then an old laundress, bringing linen to the castle for
her Highness, passed by, and told the young men that the
young lady had been feeding the tame stag with bread, and
then jumped on its back while she held the horns, and that
the animal had immediately galloped off like lightning into
the second court ; so that the young knights and squires
rushed instantly after her, fearing that some accident might
happen, and presently they heard her scream twice. Appel-
mann was the first to reach the outer court, and there beheld
poor Sidonia in a sad condition, for the stag had flung her
off. Fortunately it was on a heap of soft clay, and there she
lay in a dead faint.
Had the stag thrown her but a few steps further, against
the manger for the knights' horses, she must have been
killed. But Satan had not yet done with her, and there-
fore, no doubt, prepared this soft pillow for her head.
When Appelmann saw that she was quite insensible, he
kneeled down and kissed first her little feet, then her white
hands, and at last her lips, while she lay at the time as still
as death, poor thing. Just then Wedig came up in a great
passion ; for the castellan's son, who was playing ball, had
flung the ball right between his legs, out of tricks, as he was
running by, and nearly threw him down, whereupon Wedig
seized hold of the urchin by his thick hair to punish him,
for all the young knights were laughing at his discomfiture ;
but the boy bit him in the hip, and then sprang into his
father's house, and shut the door. How little do we know
what will happen ! It was this bite which caused Wedig's
lamentable death a little after.
But if he was angry before, what was his rage now when
he beheld the equerry, Appelmann, kissing the insensible
maiden.
" How now, peasant," he cried, " what means this bold-
64 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
ness ? How dare this tailor's son treat a castle and land
dowered maiden in such a way ? Are noble ladies made for
his kisses ? " And he draws his poignard to rush upon
Appelmann, who draws forth his in return, and now assuredly
there would have been murder done, if Sidonia had not just
then opened her eyes, and starting up in amazement prayed
them for her sake to keep quiet. She had been quite in-
sensible, and knew nothing at all of what had happened.
The old treasurer, with the other young knights, came up
now, and strove to make peace between the two rivals, hold-
ing them apart by force ; but nothing could calm the jealous
Wedig, who still cried, "Let me avenge Sidonia! — let me
avenge Sidonia ! " So that Prince Ernest, hearing the tumult
in the garden, ran with his lute in his hand to see what had
happened. When they told him, he grew as pale as a corpse
that such an indignity should have been offered to Sidonia,
and reprimanded his equerry severely, but prayed that all
would keep quiet now, as otherwise the Duchess and the
Lord Chamberlain would certainly be awakened out of their
after-dinner sleep, and then what an afternoon they would
all have. This calmed every one, except the jealous Wedig,
who, having drunk deeply, cried out still louder than before,
" Let me go. I will give my life for the beautiful Sidonia.
I will avenge the insolence of this peasant knave ! "
When Sidonia observed all this, she felt quite certain
that a terrible storm was brewing for all of them, and so she
ran to shelter herself through the first open door that came
in her way, and up into the second corridor ; but further
adventures awaited her here, for not being acquainted with
this part of the castle, she ran direct into an old lumber-
room, where she found, to her great surprise, a young man
dressed in rusty armour, and wearing a helmet with a
serpent crest upon his head. This was Hans von Marintzky,
whose brain Sidonia had turned by reading the Amadis with
him in the castle gardens, and as she had often sighed, and
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 65
said that she, too, could have loved the serpent knight, the
poor love-stricken Hans, taking this for a favourable sign,
determined to disguise himself as described in the romance,
and thus secure her love.
So when her beautiful face appeared at the door, Hans
screamed for joy, like a young calf, and falling on one knee,
exclaimed — "Adored Princess, your serpent knight is here
to claim your love, and tender his hand to you in betrothal,
for no other wife do I desire but thee ; and if the Princess
Rosaliana herself were here to offer me her love, I would
strike her on the face."
Sidonia was rather thunderstruck, as one may suppose,
and retreated a few steps, saying, " Stand up, dear youth ;
what ails you ? "
" So I am dear to you," he cried, still kneeling ; "I am
then really dear to you, adored Princess ? Ah ! I hope to
be yet dearer when I make you my spouse."
Sidonia had not foreseen this termination to their romance
reading, but she suppressed her laughter, remembering how
she had lost her lover Uckermann by showing scorn ; so she
drew herself up with dignity, and said, with as grave a face
as a chief mourner —
" If you will not rise, sir knight, I must complain to her
Highness ; for I cannot be your spouse, seeing that I have re-
solved never to marry." (Ah ! how willingly, how willingly
you would have taken any husband half a year after. ) " But
if you will do me a service, brave knight, run instantly to the
court, where Wedig and Appelmann are going to murder
each other, and separate them, or my gracious lady and old
Ulrich will awake, and then we shall all be punished."
The poor fool jumped up instantly, and exclaiming,
" Death for rny adored princess ! " he sprung down the
steps, though rather awkwardly, not being accustomed to the
greaves ; and rushing into the middle of the crowd, with
his vizor down, and the drawn sword in his hand, he began
VOL. I. E
66 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
making passes at every one that came in his way, crying,
" Death for my adored princess ! Long live the beautiful
Sidonia ! Knaves, have done with your brawling, or I shall
lay you all dead at my feet."
At first every one stuck up close by the wall when they
saw the madman, to get out of reach of his sword, which he
kept whirling about his head ; but as soon as he was recog-
nised by his voice, Wedig called out to him —
" Help, brother, help ! Will you suffer that this peasant
boor Appelmann should kiss the noble Sidonia as she lay
there faint and insensible ? Yet I saw him do this. So help
me, relieve me, that I may brand this low-born knave for his
daring."
" What ? My adored princess ! " exclaimed the serpent
knight. " This valet, this groom, dared to kiss her ? and I
would think myself blessed but to touch her shoe-tie ; " and
he fell furiously upon Appelmann.
The uproar was now so great that it might have aroused
the Duchess and Ulrich even from their last sleep, had
they been in the castle.
But, fortunately, some time before the riot began, both had
gone out by the little private gate, to attend afternoon service
at St. Peter's Church, in the town. For the archdeacon
was sick, and Doctor Gerschovius was obliged to take his
place there. No one, therefore, was left in the castle to
give orders or hold command ; even the castellan had gone
to hear service ; and no one minded Prince Ernest, he was so
young, besides being under tutelage ; and as to old Zitsewitz,
he was as bad as the worst of them himself.
The Prince threatened to have the castle bells rung if they
were not quiet ; and the uproar had indeed partially subsided
just at the moment the serpent knight fell upon Appelmann.
The Prince then ordered his equerry to leave the place in-
stantly, under pain of his severe displeasure, for he saw that
both had drunk rather deeply.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 67
So Appelmann turned to depart as the Prince commanded,
but Wedig, who had been relieved by Hans the serpent,
sprung after him with his dagger, limping though, for the bite
in his hip made him stiff. Appelmann darted through the
little water-gate and over the bridge ; the other pursued him ;
and Appelmann, seeing that he was foaming with rage,
jumped over the rails into a boat. Wedig attempted to do
the same, but being stiff from the bite, missed the boat, and
came down plump into the water.
As he could not swim, the current carried him rapidly
down the stream before the others had time to come up ;
but he was still conscious, and called to Hans, " Comrade,
save me ! " So Hans, forgetting his heavy cuirass, plunged
in directly, and soon reached the drowning man. Wedig,
however, in his death-struggles, seized hold of him with such
force that they both instantly disappeared. Then every one
sprang to the boats to try and save them ; but being Sunday,
the boats were all moored, so that by the time they were un-
fastened it was too late, and the two unfortunate young men
had sunk for ever.
What calamities may be caused by the levity and self-will
of a beautiful woman ! From the time of Helen of Troy up
to the present moment, the world has known this well ; but,
alas ! this was but the beginning of that tragedy which
Sidonia played in Pomerania, as that other wanton did in
Phrygia.
Let us hear the conclusion, however. Prince Ernest, now
being truly alarmed, despatched a messenger to the church for
her Highness ; but as Doctor Gerschovius had not yet ended
his exordium, her Grace would by no means be disturbed, and
desired the messenger to go to Ulrich, who no sooner heard
the tidings than he rushed down to the water-gate.
There he found a great crowd assembled, all eagerly trying,
with poles and hooks, to fish out the bodies of the two young
men ; and one fellow even had tied a piece of barley bread to
68 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
a rope, and flung it into the water — as the superstition goes
that it will follow a corpse in the stream, and point to where
it lies. And the women and children were weeping and
lamenting on the bridge ; but the old knight pushed them all
aside with his elbows, and cried — " Thousand devils ! what
are ye all at here ? "
Every one was silent, for the young men had agreed not to
betray Sidonia. Then Ulrich asked the Prince, who replied,
that Marintzky, having put on some old armour to frighten
the others, as he believed, they pursued him in fun over the
bridge, and he and another fell over into the water. This
was all he knew of the matter, for he was playing on the lute
in the garden when the tumult began.
" Thousand devils ! " cries Ulrich ; " I cannot turn my
back a moment but there must be a riot amongst the young
fellows. Listen ! young lord — when it comes to your turn
to rule land and people, I counsel you, send all the young
fellows to the devil. Away with them ! they are a vain and
dissolute crew. Get up the bodies, if you can ; but, for
my part, I would care little if a few more were baptized in
the same way. Speak ! some of you : who commenced this
tavern broil ? Speak ! I must have an answer."
This adjuration had its effect, for a man answered —
" Sidonia made the young men mad, and so it all happened."
It was her own cousin, Marcus Bork, who spoke, for which
reason Sidonia never could endure him afterwards, and finally
destroyed him, as shall be related in due time.
When Ulrich found that Sidonia was the cause of all, he
raged with fury, and commanded them to tell him all. When
Marcus had related the whole affair, he swore by the seven
thousand devils that he would make her remember it, and that
he would instantly go up to her chamber.
But Prince Ernest stepped before him, saying, " Lord
Ulrich, I have made you a promise — you must now make
one to me : it is to leave this maiden in peace ; she is not to
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 69
blame for what has happened." But Ulrich would not listen
to him.
" Then I withdraw my promise," said the Prince. " Now
act as you think proper."
" Thousand devils ! she had better give up that game,"
exclaimed Ulrich. However, he consented to leave her un-
disturbed, and departed with vehement imprecations on her
head, just as the Duchess returned from church, and was seen
advancing towards the crowd.
CHAPTER IX.
How Sldonia makes the young Prince break his word — Item,
how Clara von Dewitz, in vain tries to turn her from her
evil ways.
IT may be easily conjectured what a passion her Grace fell
into when the whole story was made known to her, and how
she stormed against Sidonia. At last she entered the castle ;
but Prince Ernest, rightly suspecting her object, slipped up
to the corridor, and met her just as she had reached Sidonia's
chamber. Here he took her hand, kissed it, and prayed her
not to disgrace the young maiden, for that she was innocent
of all the evil that had happened.
But she pushed him away, exclaiming — " Thou disobe-
dient son, have I not heard of thy gallantries with this girl,
whom Satan himself has sent into my royal house ? Shame
on thee ! One of thy noble station to take the part of a
murderess!"
"But you have judged harshly, my mother. I never
made love to the maiden. Leave her in peace, and do not
make matters worse, or all the young nobles will fight to the
death for her."
" Ay, and thou, witless boy, the first of all. Oh, that
70 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
my beloved spouse, Philippus Primus, could rise from his
grave — what would he say to his lost son, who, like the
prodigal in Scripture, loves strange women and keeps com-
pany with brawlers ! " (Weeping.)
" Who has said that I am a lost son ? "
"Doctor Gerschovius and Ulrich both say it."
" Then I shall run the priest through the body, and chal-
lenge the knight to mortal combat, unless they both retract
their words/'
" No ! stay, my son," said the Duchess ; " I must have
mistaken what they said. Stay, I command you ! "
" Never ! Unless Sidonia be left in peace, such deeds
will be done to-day that all Pomerania will ring with them
for years."
In short, the end of the controversy was, that the Duchess
at last promised to leave Sidonia unmolested ; and then re-
tired to her chamber much disturbed, where she was soon
heard singing the lOQth psalm, with a loud voice, accom-
panied by the little spindle clock.
Sidonia, who was hiding in her room, soon heard of all
that had happened, through the Duchess's maid, whom she
kept in pay ; — indeed, all the servants were her sworn friends,
in consequence of the liberal largess she gave them ; and even
the young lords and knights were more distractedly in love
with her than ever after the occurrences of the day, for her
cunning turned everything to profit.
So next morning, having heard that Prince Ernest was
going to Eldena to receive the dues, she watched for him,
probably through the key-hole, knowing he must pass her
door. Accordingly, just as he went by, she opened it, and
presented herself to his eyes dressed in unusual elegance and
coquetry, and wearing a short robe which showed her pretty
little sandals. The Prince, when he saw the short robe,
and that she looked so beautiful, blushed, and passed on
quickly, turning away his head, for he remembered the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 71
promise he had given to Ulrich, and was afraid to trust him-
self near her.
But Sidonia stepped before him, and flinging herself at his
feet, began to weep, murmuring, " Gracious Prince and
Lord, accept my gratitude, for you alone have saved me, a
poor young maiden, from destruction."
" Stand up, dear lady, stand up."
" Never until my tears fall upon your feet." And then
she kissed his yellow silk hose ardently, continuing, " What
would have become of me, a helpless, forlorn orphan, without
your protection ? "
Here the young Prince could no longer restrain his emo-
tions ; if he had pledged his word to the whole world, even
to the great God Himself, he must have broken it. So he
raised her up and kissed her, which she did not resist ; only
sighed, " Ah ! if any one saw us now, we would both be
lost." But this did not restrain him, and he kissed her
again and again, and pressed her to his heart, when she
trembled, and murmured scarcely audibly, " Oh ! why do I
love you so ! Leave me, my lord, leave me ; I am miser-
able enough."
" Do you then love me, Sidonia ? Oh ! let me hear you
say it once more. You love me, enchanting Sidonia ! "
" Alas ! " she whispered, while her whole frame trembled,
" what have I foolishly said ? Oh ! I am so unhappy."
" Sidonia ! tell me once again you love me. I cannot
credit my happiness, for you are even more gracious with the
young nobles than with me, and often have you martyred my
heart with jealousy."
" Yes ; I am courteous to them all, for so my father taught
me, and said it was safer for a maiden so to be — but "
" But what ? Speak on."
" Alas ! " and here she covered her face with her hands ;
but Prince Ernest pressed her to his heart, and kissed her,
asking her again if she really loved him ; and she mur-
72 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
mured a faint " yes ; " then as if the shame of such a con-
fession had killed her, she tore herself from his arms, and
sprang into her chamber. So the young Prince pursued
his way to Eldena, but took so little heed about the dues
that Ulrich shook his head over the receipts for half a year
after.
When mid-day came, and the band struck up for dinner,
Sidonia was prepared for a similar scene with the young
knights, and, as she passed along the corridor, she gave
them her white hand to kiss, glittering with diamonds,
thanking them all for not having betrayed her, and praying
them to keep her still in their favour, whereat they were all
wild with ecstasy ; but old Zitsewitz, not content with her
hand, entreated for a kiss on her sweet ruby lips, which she
granted, to the rage and jealousy of all the others, while he
exclaimed, ** O Sidonia, thou canst turn even an old man
into a fool ! "
And his words came true ; for in the evening a dispute
arose as to which of them Sidonia liked best, seeing that
she uttered the same sweet things to all ; and to settle it,
five of them, along with the old fool Zitsewitz, went to
Sidonia's room, and each in turn asked her hand in mar-
riage ; but she gave them all the same answer — that she
had no idea then of marriage, she was but a young, silly
creature, and would not know her own mind for ten years
to come.
One good resulted from Sidonia's ride upon the stag : her
promenades were forbidden, and she was restricted hence-
forth entirely to the women's quarter of the castle. Her
Grace and she had frequent altercations ; but with Clara she
kept upon good terms, as the maiden was of so excellent and
mild a disposition.
This peace, however, was destined soon to be broken ; for
though her Grace was silent in the presence of Sidonia, yet she
never ceased complaining in private to the maids of honour
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 73
of this artful wench, who had dared to throw her eyes upon
Prince Ernest. So at length they asked why her Highness
did not dismiss the girl from her service.
"That must be done," she replied, "and without delay.
For that purpose, indeed, I have written to Duke Barnim,
and also to the father of the girl, at Stramehl, acquainting
them with my intention/'
Clara now gently remonstrated, saying that a little Chris-
tian instruction might yet do much for the poor young sinner,
and that if she did not become good and virtuous under the
care of her Grace, where else could she hope to have her
changed ?
" I have tried all Christian means," said her Grace, " but
in vain. The ears of the wicked are closed to the Word of
God."
" But let her Grace recollect that this poor sinner was
endowed with extraordinary beauty, and therefore it was no
fault of hers if the young men all grew deranged for love
of her."
Here a violent tumult, and much scornful, laughing, arose
amongst the other maids of honour ; and one Anna Lepels
exclaimed — " I cannot imagine in what Sidonia's wonderful
beauty consists. When she flatters the young men, and
makes free with them as they are passing to dinner, what
marvel if they all run after her ? Any girl might have as
many lovers if she chose to adopt such manners."
Clara made no reply, but turning to her Grace, said with
her permission she would leave her spinning for a while,
to visit Sidonia in her room, who perhaps would hearken to
her advice, as she meant kindly to her.
11 You may go," said her Grace ; " but what do you
mean to do ? I tell you, advice is thrown away on her."
" Then I will threaten her with the Catechism of Doctor
Gerschovius, which she must repeat on Sunday, for I know
that she is greatly afraid of that and the clergyman."
74 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
"And you think you will frighten her into giving up
running after the young men ? "
" Oh yes, if I tell her that she will be publicly repri-
manded unless she can say it perfectly."
So her Grace allowed her to depart, but with something
of a weak faith.
Although Sidonia had absented herself from the spinning,
on the pretext of learning the catechism quietly in her own
room, yet, when Clara entered, no one was there except
the maid, who sat upon the floor at her work. She knew
nothing about the young lady ; but as she heard a great deal
of laughter and merriment in the court beneath, it was likely
Sidonia was not far off. On stepping to the window, Clara
indeed beheld Sidonia.
In the middle of the court was a large horse-pond built
round with stones, to which the water was conducted by
metal pipes communicating with the river Peene. In the
middle of the pond was a small island, upon which a bear
was kept chained. A plank was now thrown across the
pond to the island ; upon this Sidonia was standing feeding
the bear with bread, which Appelmann, who stood beside
her, first dipped into a can of syrup, and several of the young
squires stood round them laughing and jesting.
The idle young pages were wont to take great delight in
shooting at the bear with blunt arrows, and when it growled
and snarled, then they would calm it again by throwing over
bits of bread steeped in honey or syrup. So Sidonia,
waiting to see the fun, had got upon the plank ready to give
the bread just as the bear had got to the highest pitch of
irritation, when he would suddenly change his growling into
another sort of speech after his fashion. All this amused
Sidonia mightily, and she laughed and clapped her hands
with delight.
When the modest Clara beheld all this, and how Sidonia
danced up and down on the plank, while the water splashed
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 75
over her robe, she called to her — " Dear Lady Sidonia, come
hither : I have somewhat to tell thee." But she answered
tartly — "Dear Lady Clara, keep it then: I am too young
to be told everything." And she danced up and down on
the plank as before.
After many vain entreaties, Clara had at length to de-
scend and seize the wild bird by the wing — I mean thereby
the arm — and carry her off to the castle. The young men
would have followed, but they were engaged to attend his
Highness on a fishing excursion that afternoon, and were
obliged to go and see after their nets and tackle. So the
two maidens could walk up and down the corridor un-
disturbed ; and Clara asked if she had ' yet learned the
catechism.
Ilia. — " No ; I have no wish to learn it."
Hac. — " But if the priest has to reprimand you publicly
from the pulpit ? "
Ilia. — " 1 counsel him not to do it."
Hac. — "Why, what would you do to him ?"
Ilia. — " He will find that out."
Hac. — " Dear Sidonia, I wish you well ; and therefore
let me tell you that not only the priest, but our gracious
lady, and all the noble maidens of the court, are sad and
displeased that you should make so free with the young men,
and entice them to follow you, as I have seen but too often
myself. Do it not, dear Sidonia ! I mean well by you ; —
do it not. It will injure your reputation."
Ilia. — " Ha ! you are jealous now, you little pious house-
sparrow, that the young men do not run after you too. How
can I help it?"
Hac. — " Every maiden can help it ; were she as beautiful
as could be seen, she can help it. Leave off, Sidonia, or evil
will come of it, particularly as her Grace has heard that you
are seeking to entice our young lord the Prince. See, I tell
you the pure truth, that it may turn you from your light
76 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
courses. Tell me, what can you mean by it ? — for when
noble youths demand your hand in marriage, you reject
them, and say you never mean to marry. Can you think
that our gracious Prince, a son of Pomerania, will make
thee his duchess — thou who art only a common nobleman's
daughter ? "
Ilia. — " A common nobleman's daughter ! — that is good
from the peasant-girl. You are common enough and low
enough, I warrant ; but my blood is as old as that of the
Dukes of Pomerania, and besides, I am a castle and land
dowered maiden. But who are you ? who are you ? Your
forefathers were hunted out of Mecklenburg, and only got
footing here in Pomerania out of charity."
HtKC. — " Do not be angry, dear lady — you say true ; yet
I must add that my forebears were once Counts in Meck-
lenburg, and from their loyalty to the Dukes of Pomerania
were given possessions here in Daber, where they have been
lords of castles and lands for two hundred and fifty years.
Yet I will confess that your race is nobler than mine ; but,
dear child, I make no boast of my ancestry, nor is it fitting
for either of us to do so. The right royal Prince, who is
given as an example and model to us all — who is Lord, not
over castle and land, but of the heavens and the earth — the
Saviour, Jesus Christ — He took no account of His arms
or His ancestry, though the whole starry universe was His
banner. He was as humble to the little child as to the learned
doctors in the temple — to the chiefs among the people, as to
the trembling sinner and the blind beggar Bartimaeus. Let
us take, then, this Prince for our example, and mind our
life long what He says — ' Come unto Me, and learn of Me,
for I am meek and lowly of heart/ Will you not learn of
Him, dear lady ? I will, if God give me grace."
And she extended her hand to Sidonia, who dashed it
away, crying — "Stuff! nonsense! you have learned all this
twaddle from the priest, who, I know, is nephew to the shoe-
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 77
maker in Daber, and therefore hates any one who is above
him in rank."
Clara was about to reply mildly ; but they happened now
to be standing close to the public flight of steps, and a pea-
sant-girl ran up when she saw them, and flung herself at
Clara's feet, entreating the young lady to save her, for she
had run away from Daber, where they were going to burn
her as a witch. The pious Clara recoiled in horror, and
desiring her to rise, said — "Art thou Anne Wolde, some
time keeper of the swine to my father ? How fares it with
my dearest father and my mother ? "
They were well when she ran away, but she had been
wandering now for fourteen days on the road, living upon
roots and wild berries, or what the herds gave her out of
their knapsacks for charity.
H<KC. — " What crime wast thou suspected of, girl, to be
condemned to so terrible a death ? "
Ilia. — " She had a lover named Albert, who followed her
everywhere, but as she would not listen to him he hated her,
and pretended that she had given him a love-drink."
Here Sidonia laughed aloud, and asked if she knew how
to brew the love- drink ?
Ilia. — " Yes ; she learned from her elder sister how to
make it, but had never tried it with any one, and was per-
fectly innocent of all they charged her with."
Here Clara shook her head, and wished to get rid of the
witch-girl ; for she thought, truly if Sidonia learns the brew-
ing secret, she will poison and destroy the whole castleful, and
we shall have the devil bodily with us in earnest. So she
pushed away the girl, who still clung to her, weeping and
lamenting. Hereupon Sidonia grew quite grave and pious
all of a sudden, and said —
"See the hypocrite she is ! She first sets before me the
example of Christ, and then treats this poor sinner with
nothing but cross thorns ! Has not Christ said, f Blessed
78 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy ' ? But only see
how this bigot can have Christ on her tongue, but not in her
heart ! "
The- pious Clara grew quite ashamed at such talk, and
raising up the wretch who had again fallen on her knees,
said —
" Well, thou mayest remain ; so get thee to my maid, and
she will give thee food. I shall also write to my father for
thy pardon, and meanwhile ask leave from her Grace to
allow thee to remain here until it arrives ; but if thou art
guilty, I cannot promise thee my protection any longer, and
thou wilt be burned here, in place of at Daber."
So the witch-girl was content, and importuned them no
further.
CHAPTER X.
How Sidonia 'Wished to learn the mystery of love-potions, but is
hindered by Clara and the young Prince.
WHEN Prince Ernest returned home after an absence of some
days, Sidonia had changed her tactics, for now she never
lifted up her eyes when they met, but passed on blushing and
confused, and in place of speaking, as formerly, only sighed.
This turned his head completely, and sent the blood so
quickly through his veins that he found it a hard matter to
conceal his feelings any longer. For this reason he deter-
mined to visit Sidonia in her own room as soon as he could
hit upon a favourable opportunity, and bring her then a
beautiful lute, inlaid with gold and silver, which he had
purchased for her at Grypswald.
Now, it happened soon after, that her Grace and Clara
went away one day into the town to purchase a jerkin for
the little Prince Casimir, who accompanied them. Sidonia
was immediately informed of their absence, and sought out
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 79
Clara's maid without delay, put a piece of gold into her hand,
and said —
" Send the strange girl from Daber to my room for a few
minutes ; she can perhaps give me some tidings of my dear
father and family, for Daber is only a little way from
Stramehl. But mind," she added, " keep this visit a secret,
as well from her Grace as from your mistress Clara ; other-
wise we shall all be scolded."
So the maid very willingly complied, and brought the
witch-girl directly to Sidonia's little apartment, and then ran
to Clara's room to watch for the return of her Grace in time
to give notice.
The witch-girl was quite confounded (as she afterwards
confessed upon the rack) when Sidonia began —
'* Thou knowest, Anne, that my entreaties alone obtained
thee a shelter here, for I pitied thee from the first ; and from
what I hear, it is certain that her Grace means to deal no
better with thee than thy judges at Daber, therefore my
advice is — escape if thou canst."
Ilia, weeping. — " Where can I go ? I shall die of hunger,
or they will arrest me again as an evil-minded witch, and
carry me back to Daber."
" But do not tell them, stupid goose, that thou hast come
from Daber."
Ilia. — " But what could she say ? Besides, she had no
money, and so must be lost and ruined for ever."
"Well, I shall give thee gold enough to get thee through
all dangers. I give it, mind, out of pure Christian charity ; but
now tell me honestly — canst thou really make a love-drink ? "
Ilia. — " Yes ; her sister had taught her."
" Is the drink of equal power for men and women ? "
Ilia. — " Yes ; without doubt, it would make either mad
with love."
" Has it ever an injurious effect upon them ? does it take
away their strength ? "
So SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Ilia. — " Yes ; they fall down like flies. Some lose their
memory, others become blind or lame."
" Has she ever tried its effects upon any one herself? "
Ilia. — « But will the lady betray me ? "
" Out, fool ! When I have promised thee gold enough to
insure thy escape ! I betray thee ! "
Ilia. — " Then she will tell the lady the whole truth. She
did give a love-drink to Albert, because he grew cross, and
spent the nights away from her, and complained if she idled
a little, so that her master beat her. Therefore she deter-
mined to punish him, and a rash came out over his whole body,
so that he could neither sit nor lie for six weeks, and at night
he had to be tied to a post with a hand-towel ; but all this time
his love for her grew so burning, that although he had previ-
ously hated and beaten her, yet now if she only brought him
a drink of cold water, for which he was always screaming,
he would kiss her hands and feet even though she spat in his
face, and he would certainly have died if his relations had not
found out an old woman who unbewitched him ; whereupon
his love came to an end, and he informed against her."
That must be a wonderful drink. Would the girl teach
her how to brew it ?
But just then our Lord God sent yet another warning
to Sidonia, through His angel, to turn her from her villainy,
for as the girl was going to answer, a knock was heard at
the chamber-door. They both grew as white as chalk ; but
Sidonia bethought herself of a hiding-place, and bid the other
creep under the bed while she went to the door to see who
knocked, and as she opened it, so there stood Prince Ernest
bodily before her eyes, with the lute in his hand.
" Ah, gracious Prince, what brings you here ? I pray
your Highness, for the sake of God, to leave me. What
would be said if any one saw you here ? "
" But who is to see us, my beautiful maiden ? My
gracious mother has gone out to drive ; and now, just look at
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 81
this lute that I have purchased for you in Grypswald. Will
it please thee, sweet one ? "
Ilia. — " Alas, gracious Prince, of what use will it be to me,
when I have no one to teach me how to play ? "
" I will teach thee, oh, how willingly, but — thou knowest
what I would say."
Ilia. — " No, no, I dare not learn from your Highness.
Now go, and do not make me more miserable."
" What makes thee miserable, enchanting Sidonia ? "
Ilia. — " Ah, if your Highness could know how this heart
burns within me like a fire ! What will become of me ?
Would that I were dead — oh, I am a miserable maiden !
If your Highness were but a simple noble, then I might hope
— but now. Woe is me ! I must go ! Yes, I must go ! "
" Why must thou go, my own sweet darling ? and why
dost thou wish me to be only a simple noble ? Canst thou
not love a duke better than a noble ? "
Ilia. — " Gracious Prince, what is a poor count's daughter
to your princely Highness ? and would her Grace ever con-
sent ? Ah no, I must go — I must go ! "
Here she sobbed so violently, and covered her eyes with
her hands, that the young Duke could no longer restrain
his feelings. He seized her passionately in his arms, and
was kissing away the crocodile tears, when lo, another knock
came to the door, and Sidonia grew paler even than the first
time, for there was no place to hide the Prince in, as the
witch-wench was already under the bed, and not even quite
hidden, for some of her red petticoat was visible round the
post, and one could easily see by the way it moved that some
living body was in it, for the girl was trembling with the
most horrible fear and fright. But the Prince was too ab-
sorbed in love either to notice all this or to mind the knock
at the door.
Sidonia, however, knew well that it was over with them
now, and she pushed away the young Prince, just as the door
VOL. i. F
82 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
opened and Clara entered, who grew quite pale, and clasped
her hands together when she saw the Duke and Sidonia to-
gether ; then the tears fell fast from her eyes, and she could
utter nothing but — " Ah, my gracious Prince — my poor
innocent Prince — what has brought you here ? " but neither of
them spoke a word. " You are lost," exclaimed Clara ; " the
Duchess is coming up the corridor, and has just stopped
to look at her pet cat and the kittens there by the page's
room. Hasten, young Prince — hasten to meet her before she
comes a step further."
So the young lord darted out of the chamber, and found
his gracious mother still examining her kittens, whereupon he
prayed her then to descend with him to the courtyard and
look also at his fine hounds, to which she consented.
The moment Prince Ernest disappeared, Clara commenced
upbraiding Sidonia for her evil ways, which could not be any
longer denied — for had she not seen all with her own eyes ? —
and she now conjured her by the living God to turn away
from the young Duke, and select some noble of her own rank
as her husband. This could easily be done when so many
loved her ; but as to the Prince, as long as her Grace and
Ulrich lived, or even one single branch of the princely house
of Pomerania, this marriage would never be permitted, let the
young lord do or say what he chose.
" Ah, thou pious old priest in petticoats," exclaimed Sidonia,
" who told thee I wanted to marry the Prince ? How can I
help if he chooses to come in here and, though I weep and
resist, takes me in his arms and kisses me ? So leave off thy
preaching, and tell me rather what brings thee spying to my
room ? "
Then Clara remembered what had really been her errand,
although the love-scene had put everything else out of her
head until now, and replied — " I was seeking the witch-girl
from Daber, for when I went out with her Grace, I left her
in charge of my maid ; but as we returned home by the little
SIDON1A THE SORCERESS 83
garden gate, I slipped up to my room by the private stairs
without any one seeing me, and found my maid looking out of
the window, but no girl was to be seen. When I asked what
had become of her, the maid answered she knew not, the girl
must have slipped away while her back was turned, so I came
here to ask if you had seen the impudent hussy, for I fear if
her wings are not clipped she will do harm to some one."
Here Sidonia grew quite indignant — what could she know
of a vile witch- wench ? Besides, she had not been ten minutes
there in the room.
" But perchance the bird has found herself a nest some-
where," said Clara, looking towards the bed; "methinks,
indeed, I see some of the feathers, for surely a red gown
never trembled that way under a bed unless there was some-
thing living inside of it." When the witch-girl heard this her
fright increased, so that, to make matters worse, she pulled
her gown in under the bed, upon which Clara kneeled down,
lifted the coverlet, and found the owl in its nest. Now she
had to creep out weeping and howling, and promised to tell
everything.
But Sidonia gave her a look which she understood well,
and therefore when she stood up straight by the bed, begged
piteously that the Lady Clara would not scold her for having
tried to escape, because she herself had threatened her with
being burned there as well as at Daber, so not knowing
where to hide, and seeing the Lady Sidonia' s door open, she
crept in there and got under the bed, intending to wait till
night came and then ask her aid in effecting her flight, for
the Lady Sidonia was the only one in the castle who had
shown her Christian compassion.
Hereat Sidonia rose up as if in great rage, and said,
" Ha ! thou impudent wench, how darest thou reckon on my
protection ! " and seizing her by the hand — in which, how-
ever, she pressed a piece of gold — pushed her violently out of
the door.
84 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Now Clara, thinking that this was the whole truth, fell
weeping upon Sidonia' s neck, and asked forgiveness for her
suspicions. "There, that will do," said Sidonia, — "that
will do, old preacher ; only be more cautious in future.
What ! am I to poke under my bed to see if any one is
hiding there ? You may go, for I suppose you have often
hidden a lover there, your eyes turn to it so naturally."
As Clara grew red with shame, Sidonia drew the witch-
girl again into the room, and giving her a box on the ear that
made her teeth chatter — " Now, confess," said she, " what
I said to the young lord without knowing that you were
listening." So the poor girl answered weeping, "Nothing
but what was good did you say to him, namely, that he
should go away ; and then you pushed him so violently
when he attempted to kiss you, that he stumbled over against
the bed."
" See, now, my pious preacher," said Sidonia, " this girl
confirms exactly what I told you ; so now go along with
you, you hussy, or mayhap you will come off no better than
she has done."
Hereupon Clara went away humbly with the witch-girl
to her own room, and never uttered another word. Never-
theless the affair did not seem .quite satisfactory to her yet.
So she conferred with her betrothed, Marcus Bork, on the
subject. For when he carried books for her Highness from
the ducal library, it was his custom to scrape with his feet in
a peculiar manner as he passed Clara's door ; then she knew
who it was, and opened it. And as her maid was present,
they conversed together in the Italian tongue ; for they were
both learned, not only in God's Word, but in all other know-
ledge, so that people talk about them yet in Pomeranian land
for these things.
Clara therefore told him the whole affair in Italian, before
her maid and the witch-girl — of the visit of the young Prince,
and how the girl was lying hid under the bed, and asked him
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 85
was it »ot likely that Sidonia had brought her there to teach
her how to brew the love-drink, with which she would then
have bewitched the Prince and all the men-folk in the castle,
and ought she not to warn her Grace of the danger.
But Marcus answered, that if the witch-girl had been at
the castle weeks before, he might have supposed that Sidonia
had received the secret of the love-potion from her, since
every man, old and young, was mad for love of her — but
now he must needs confess that Sidonia' s eyes and deceiving
mouth were magic sufficient ; and that it was not likely she
would bring a vile damsel to her room to teach her that
which she knew already so perfectly. So he thought it
better not to tell her Highness anything on the subject.
Besides, if the wench were examined, who knows what she
might tell of Sidonia and the young lord that would bring
shame on the princely house of Wolgast, since she had
been hid under the bed all the time, and perhaps only kept
silence through fear. It were well therefore on every
account not to let the matter get wind, and to shut up the
wench safely in the witches' tower until the answer came
from Daber. If she were pronounced really guilty, it
would then be time enough to question her on the rack about
the love-drink and the conversation between the young lord
and Sidonia.
So this course was agreed on. It is, however, much to
be regretted that Clara did not follow the promptings of her
good angel, and tell all to her Grace and old Ulrich ; for
then much misfortune and scandal would have been spared to
the whole Pomeranian land. But she followed her bride-
groom's advice, and kept all secret. The witch-girl, how-
ever, was locked up that very day in the witches' tower, to
guard against future evil.
86 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER XL
How Sidonia repeated the catechism of Dr. Gerschoviuf, and
how she whipped the young Casimir, out of pure evil-
mindedness.
THE Sunday came at last when Sidonia was to be examined
publicly in the catechism of Dr. Gerschovius. Her Grace
was filled with anxiety to see how all would terminate, for
every one suspected (as indeed was the case) that not one
word of it would she be able to repeat. So the church
was crowded, and all the young men attended without
exception, knowing what was to go forward, and fearing
for Sidonia, because this Dr. Gerschovius was a stern, harsh
man ; but she herself seemed to care little about the matter,
for she entered her Grace's closet as usual (which was right
opposite the pulpit), and threw herself carelessly into a corner.
However, when the doctor entered the pulpit she became
more grave, and finally, when his discourse was drawing near
to the close, she rose up quietly and glided out of the closet,
intending to descend to the gardens. Her Grace did not
perceive her movement, in consequence of the hat with the
heron's plume which she wore, for the feathers drooped
down at the side next Sidonia, and the other ladies were too
much alarmed to venture to draw her attention to the circum-
stance. But the priest from the pulpit saw her well, and
called out — " Maiden ! maiden ! Whither go you ? Re-
member ye have to repeat your catechism ! "
Then Sidonia grew quite pale, for her Grace and all the
congregation fixed their eyes on her. So when she felt quite
conscious that she was looking pale, she said, " You see
from my face that I am not well ; but if I get better, doubt
not but that I shall return immediately." Here all the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 87
maids of honour put up their kerchiefs to hide their laughter,
and the young nobles did the same.
So she went away ; but they might wait long enough, I
think, for her to come back. In vain her Grace watched
until the priest left the pulpit, and then sent two of her ladies
to look for the hypocrite ; but they returned declaring that
she was nowhere to be seen.
Summa. — The whole service was ended, and her Grace
looked as angry as the doctor ; and when the organ had
ceased, and the people were beginning to depart, she called
out from her closet —
" Let every one come this way, and accompany me to
Sidonia's apartment. There I shall make her repeat the
catechism before ye all. Messengers shall be despatched in
all directions until they find out her hiding-place."
This pleased the doctor and Ulrich well. So they all
proceeded to Sidonia's little room ; for there she was, to
their great surprise, seated upon a chair with a smelling-
bottle in her hand. Whereupon her Grace demanded what
ailed her, and why she had not stayed to repeat the cate-
chism.
Ilia. — " Ah ! she was so weak, she would certainly have
fainted, if she had not descended to the garden for a little
fresh air. She was so distressed that her Grace had been
troubled sending for her, of which she was not aware until
now."
" Are you better now ? " asked her Grace.
Ilia. — " Rather better. The fresh air had done her
good."
" Then," quoth her Grace, " you shall recite the catechism
here for the doctor ; for, in truth, Christianity is as necessary
to you as water to a fish."
The doctor now cleared his throat to begin ; but she
stopped him pertly, saying —
" I do not choose to say my catechism here in my room,
88 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
like a little child. Grown-up maidens are always heard in
the church."
Howbeit, her Grace motioned to him not to heed her. So
to his first question she replied rather snappishly, " You have
your answer already."
No wonder the priest grew black with rage. But seeing a
book lying open on a little table beside her bed, and thinking
it was the catechism of Dr. Gerschovius which she had been
studying, he stepped over to look. But judge his horror when
he found that it was a volume of the Amadis de Gaul, and
was lying open at the eighth chapter, where he read — " How
the Prince Amadis de Gaul loved the Princess Rosaliana,
and was beloved in return, and how they both attained to the
accomplishment of their desires."
He dashed the book to the ground furiously, stamped upon
it, and cried —
" So, thou wanton, this is thy Bible and thy catechism !
Here thou learnest how to make young men mad ! Who
gave thee this infamous book ? Speak ! Who gave it to
thee?"
So Sidonia looked up timidly, and said, weeping, " It
was his Highness Duke Barnim who gave it to her,
and told her it was a merry book, and good against low
spirits."
Here tlie Duchess, who had lifted up her hand to give her
a box on the ear, let it fall again with a deep sigh when she
heard of the old Prince having given her such an infamous
book, and lamented loudly, crying —
" Who will free me from this shameless wanton, who makes
all the court mad ? Truly says Scripture, * A beautiful woman
without discretion is like a circlet of gold upon a swine's head.'
Ah ! I know that now. But I trust my messengers will soon
return whom I have despatched to Stettin and Stramehl, and
then I shall get rid of thee, thou wanton, for which God be
thanked for evermore."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 89
Then she turned to leave the room with old Ulrich, who
only shook his head, but remained as mute as a fish. Doctor
Gerschovius, however, stayed behind with Sidonia, in order
to exhort her to] virtue ; but as she only wept and did not
seem to hear him, he grew tired, and finally went his way,
also with many sighs and uplifting of his hands.
A little after, as Sidonia was howling just out of pure ill-
temper, for, in my opinion, nothing ailed her, the little Prince
Casimir ran in to look for his mamma — she had gone to hear
Sidonia her catechism, they told him.
" What did he want with his lady mamma ? "
" His new jerkin hurt him, he wanted her to tie it another
way for him ; but is it really true, Sidonia, that you do not
know your catechism ? I can say it quite well. Just come
now and hear me say it."
It is probable that her Grace and the doctor had devised
this plan in order to shame Sidonia, by showing her how even
a little child could repeat it ; but she took it angrily, and,
calling him over, said, " Yes ; come — I will hear you your
catechism." And as the little boy came up close beside her,
she slung him across her knee, pulled down his hose, and —
oh, shame! — whipped his Serene Highness upon his princely
podex, that it would have melted the heart of a stone. How
this shows her cruel and evil disposition — to revenge on the
child what she had to bear from the mother. Fie on the
maiden !
And here my gracious Prince will say — " O Theodore,
this matter surely might have been passed over, since it brings
a disrespect upon my princely house."
I answer — " Gracious Lord and Prince, my most humble
services are due to your Grace, but truth must be still truth,
however it may displease your Highness. Besides, by no
other act could I have so well proved the infernal evil in
this woman's nature ; for if she could dare to lay her godless
hand upon one of your illustrious race, then all her future acts
90 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
are perfectly comprehensible.* When the malicious wretch
let the boy go, he darted out of the room and ran down the
whole corridor, screaming out that he would tell his mamma
about Sidonia ; but Zitsewitz met him, and having heard the
story, the amorous old fool took him up in his arms, and
promised him heaps of beautiful things if he would hold his
tongue and not say a word more to any one, and that he
would give Sidonia a good whipping himself, in return for
what she had done to him. So, in short, her Grace never
heard of the insult until after Sidonia's departure from
court."
Had her Highness been in her apartment, she must have
heard the child scream ; but it so happened that just then she
was walking up and down the ducal gardens, whither she had
gone to cool her anger.
Soon after a stately ship was seen sailing down the river
from Penemunde, -j- which attracted all eyes in the castle, for
on the deck stood a noble youth, with a heron's plume
waving from his cap, and he held a tame sea-gull upon his
hand, which from time to time flew off and dived into the
water, bringing up all sorts of iish, great and small, in its
beak, with which it immediately flew back to the handsome
youth.
" Ah ! " exclaimed Clara, '* there must be the sons of our
gracious Princess ! for to-morrow is her birthday, and here
comes the noble bishop, Johann Frederick of Camyn, and his
brother, Duke BogislafF XIII., to pay their respects to their
gracious mother."
* Note by Duke Bogislaff XIV. — This is true, and therefore I con-
sent to let it remain ; and I remember that Prince Casimir told me
long afterwards that the scene remained indelibly impressed on his
memory. "For," he said, "the wild eyes and the terrible voice of
the witch frightened me more even than her cruel hand ; as if even
there I detected the devil in her, though I was but a little boy at the
time."
f A town in Pomerania.
STDONIA THE SORCERESS 91
Her Grace, however, would scarcely credit that the hand-
some youth who was fishing after so elegant a manner was
indeed her own beloved son ; but Clara clapped her hands
now, crying, " Look ! your Grace — look ! there is the flag
hoisted ! " And indeed there fluttered from the mast now
the bishop's own arms. So the warder blew his horn, which
was answered by the warder of St. Peter's in the town, and
the bells in all the towers rang out, and the castellan ordered
the cannon in the courtyard to be fired off.
Her Grace was now thoroughly convinced, and weeping
for joy, ran down to the little water-gate, where old Ulrich
already stood waiting to receive the princes. As the vessel
approached, however, they discovered that the handsome
youth was not the bishop, but Duke BogislafF, who had been
staying on a visit at his brother's court at Camyn, along with
several high prelates. The bishop, Johann Frederick, did
not accompany him, for he was obliged to remain at home, in
order to receive a visit from the Prince of Brandenburg.
When the Duke stepped on shore he embraced his weep-
ing mother joyfully, and said he came to offer her his con-
gratulations on her birthday, and that she must not weep but
laugh, for there should be a dance in honour of it, and a right
merry feast at the castle on the morrow.
Then he tumbled out on the bridge all the fish which the
bird had caught ; and her Grace wondered greatly, and
stroked it as it sat upon the shoulder of the Prince. So he
asked if the bird pleased her Grace, and when she answered
" Yes, " he said, " Then, dearest mother, let it be my birth-
day gift to you. I have trained it myself, and tried it here,
as you see, upon the river. So any afternoon that you and
your ladies choose to amuse yourselves with a sail, this bird
will fish for you as long as you please, while you row down
the river."
Ah, what a good son was this handsome young Duke! —
and when I think that Sidonia murdered them all — all — even
92 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
this noble Prince, my heart seems to break, and the pen falls
from my fingers.*
But to continue. The Duchess embraced the fine young
Prince, who still continued talking of the dance they must
have next day. It was time now for his gracious mother
to give up mourning for her deceased lord, he said.
But her Grace would not hear of a dance ; and replied
that she would continue to mourn for her dear lord all the
rest of her life, to whom she had been wedded by Doctor
Martinus. However, the Duke repeated his entreaties, and
all the young nobles added theirs, and finally Prince Ernest
besought her Grace not to deny them permission to have
a festival on the morrow, as it was to honour her birthday.
So she at last consented ; but old Ulrich shook his head,
and took her Grace aside to warn her of the scandal which
would assuredly arise when the young nobles had drunk and
grew excited by Sidonia. Hereupon her Grace made answer
that she would take care Sidonia should cause no scandal —
" As she has refused to learn her catechism, she must not
appear at the feast. It will be a fitting punishment to keep
her a prisoner for the whole day, and therefore I shall lock
her up myself in her own room, and put the key in my
pocket,"
So Ulrich was well pleased, and all separated for the night
with much contentment and hopes of enjoyment on the
morrow.
* Note by Duke Bogislaff XIV. — Et quid mihi, misero filio? Do-
mine in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum, quia tu me redemisti
fide Deus ! (And what remains to me, wretched son ? Lord, into Thy
hands I commend my spirit, for Thou hast redeemed me, Thou God of
truth.) — When one thinks that it was the general belief in that age
that the whole ducal race had been destroyed and blasted by Sidonia's
sorceries, it is impossible not to be affected by these melancholy yet
resigned and Christian words of the last orphaned and childless re-
presentative of the ancient and illustrious house of Wolgast,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 93
CHAPTER XII.
Of Appelmanrfs knavery — Item, how the birthday of her
Highness <zuas celebrated, and Sidonla managed to get to
the dance, 'with the uproar caused thereby.
BEFORE I proceed further, it will be necessary to state what
happened a few days before concerning Prince Ernest's
chief equerry, Johann Appelmann, otherwise many might
doubt the facts I shall have to relate, though God knows I
speak the pure truth.
One came to his lordship the Grand Chamberlain — he
was a shoemaker of the town — and complained to him of
Appelmann, who had been courting his daughter for a long
while, and running after her until finally he had disgraced
her in the eyes of the whole town, and brought shame and
scandal into his house. So he prayed Lord Ulrich to make
the shameless profligate take his daughter to wife, as he had
fairly promised her marriage long ago.
Now Ulrich had long suspected the knave of bad doings,
for many pearls and jewels had lately been missing from
her Grace's shabrack and horse-trappings, and the groom,
who always laid them on her Grace's white palfrey, knew
nothing about them, though he was even put to the torture ;
but as Appelmann had all these things in his sole keeping,
it was natural to think that he was not quite innocent.
Besides, three hundred sacks of oats were missing on the
new year, and no one knew what had become of them.
Therefore Ulrich sent for the cheating rogue, and up-
braided him with his profligate courses, also telling him
that he must wed the shoemaker's daughter immediately.
But the cunning knave knew better, and swore by all the
saints that he was innocent, and finally prevailed upon
Prince Ernest to intercede for him, so that Ulrich promised
94 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
to give him a little longer grace, but then assuredly he would
bring him to a strict account.
And Appelmann drove the Prince that same day to
Grypswald, to find out more musicians for the castle band,
as the march of Duke Bogislaff the Great was to be played
by eighty drums and forty trumpets in the grand ducal hall,
to honour the birthday of her Highness.
One can imagine what Sidonia felt when the Duchess
announced that as she had refused to learn the catechism, and
was neither obedient to God nor her Grace, she should remain
a strict prisoner in her own room during the festival, as a signal
punishment for her ungodly behaviour. But her maid might
bring her food of all that she chose from the feast.
Sidonia first prayed her Grace to forgive her for the love of
God, and she would learn the whole catechism by heart. But
as this had no effect, then she wept and lamented loudly, and
at length fell down upon her knees before her Grace, who
would, however, be neither moved nor persuaded ; and when
Sidonia threatened at last to leave her room, the Duchess
went out, locked the door, and put the key in her pocket.
The prisoner howled enough then, I warrant.
But what did she do now, the cunning minx ? She gave her
maid a piece of gold, and told her to go up and down the
corridor, crying and wringing her hands, and when any one
asked what was the matter, to say, " That her beautiful young
lady was dying of grief, because the Duchess had locked her
up, like a little school-girl, in her own room, and all for not
knowing the catechism of Dr. Gerschovius, which indeed was
not taught in her part of the country, but another, which she
had learned quite well in her childhood. And so for this,
her poor young lady was not to be allowed to dance at the
festival." The maid was to say all this in particular to
Prince Ernest ; or if he did not pass through the corridor, she
was to stop weeping and groaning at his chamber-door, until
he came out to ask what was the matter.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 95
The maid followed the instructions right well, and in less
than an hour every soul in the castle, down to the cooks and
washerwomen, knew what had happened, and everywhere the
Duchess went she was assailed by old and young, great and
small, with petitions of pardon for Sidonia.
Her Grace, however, bid them all be silent, and threatened
if they made such shameless requests to forbid the festival
altogether. But when Prince Ernest likewise petitioned in
her favour, she was angry, and said, "He ought to be
ashamed of himself. It was now plain what a fool the girl
had made of him. Her maternal heart would break, she knew
it would — and this day would be one of sorrow in place of joy
to her ; all on account of this girl."
So the young Prince had to hold his peace for this time ;
but he sent a message, nevertheless, to Sidonia, telling her not
to fret, for that he would take her out of her room and bring
her to the dance, let what would happen.
Next morning, by break of day, the whole castle and town
were alive with preparations for the festival. It was now
seven years — that is, since the death of Duke Philip — since
any one had danced in the castle except the rats and mice,
and even yet the splendour of this festival is talked of in
Wolgast ; and many of the old people yet living there re-
member it well, and gave me many curious particulars thereof,
which I shall set down here, that it may be known how such
affairs were conducted in old time at our ducal courts.
In the morning, by ten of the clock, the young princes,
nobles, clergy, and the honourable counsellors of the town,
assembled in the grand ducal hall, built by Duke Philip after
the great fire, and which extended up all through the three
stories of the castle. At the upper end of the hall was the
grand painted window, sixty feet high, on which was delineated
the pilgrimage of Duke BogislafF the Great to Jerusalem, all
painted by Gerard Horner ; * and round on the walls hung
* A Frieslander, and the most celebrated painter on glass of his time.
96 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
banners, and shields, and helmets, and cuirasses, while all
along each side, four feet from the ground, there were painted
on the walls figures of all the animals found in Pomerania :
bears, wolves, elks, stags, deer, otters, &c., all exquisitely
imitated.
When all the lords had assembled, the drums beat and
trumpets sounded, whereupon the Pomeranian marshal flung
open the great doors of the hall, which were wreathed with
flowers from the outside, and the princely widow entered with
great pomp, leading the little Casimir by the hand. She was
arrayed in the Pomeranian costume — namely, a white silk
under-robe, and over it a surcoat of azure velvet, brocaded
with silver, and open in front. A long train of white velvet,
embroidered in golden laurel wreaths, was supported by twelve
pages dressed in black velvet cassocks with Spanish ruffs.
Upon her head the Duchess wore a coif of scarlet velvet with
small plumes, from which a white veil, spangled with silver
stars, hung down to her feet. Round her neck she had a
scarlet velvet band, twisted with a gold chain ; and from it
depended a balsam flask, in the form of a greyhound, which
rested on her bosom.
As her Serene Highness entered with fresh and blushing
cheeks, all bowed low and kissed her hand, glittering with
diamonds. Then each offered his congratulations as best he
could.
Amongst them came Johann Neander, Archdeacon of St.
Peter's, who was seeking preferment, considering that his
present living was but a poor one ; and so he presented her
Grace with a printed tractatum dedicated to her Highness,
in which the question was discussed whether the ten virgins
mentioned in Matt. xxv. were of noble or citizen rank. But
Doctor Gerschovius made a mock of him for this afterwards,
before the whole table.*
* Over these exegetical disquisitions of a former age we smile, and
with reason ; but we, pedantic Germans, have carried our modern exe-
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 97
Now, when all the congratulations were over, the Duchess
asked Prince Ernest if the water-works in the courtyard
had been completed, * and when he answered «' Yes/'
" Then," quoth her Grace, " they shall run with Rostock
beer to-day, if it took fifty tuns ; for all my people, great
and small, shall keep festival to-day ; and I have ordered
my court baker to give a loaf of bread and a good drink to
every one that cometh and asketh. And now, as it is fitting,
let us present ourselves in the church."
So the bells rung, and the whole procession swept through
the corridor and down the great stairs, with drums and
trumpets going before. Then followed the marshal with his
staff, and the Grand Chamberlain, Ulrich von Schwerin,
wearing his beautiful hat (a present from her Highness),
looped up with a diamond aigrette, and spangled with little
golden stars. Then came the Duchess, supported on each
side by the young princes, her sons ; and the nobles, knights,
pages, and others brought up the rear, according to their
rank and dignity.
As they passed Sidonia's room, she began to beat the
door and cry like a little spoiled child ; but no one minded
her, and the procession moved on to the courtyard, where
getical mania to such absurd lengths, that we are likely to become as
much a laughing-stock to our contemporaries, as well as to posterity,
as this Johannes Neander. In fact, our exegetists are mostly pitiful
schoolmasters — word-anatomists — and one could as little learn the true
spirit of an old classic poet from our pedantic philologists, as the true
sense of holy Scripture from our scholastic theologians. What with
their grammar twistings, their various readings, their dubious punctua-
tions, their mythical, and who knows what other meanings, their hair-
splittings, and prosy vocable tiltings, we find at last that they are
willing to teach us everything but that which really concerns us, and,
like the Danaides, they let the water of life run through the sieve of
their learning. We may apply to them truly that condemnation of
our Lord's (Matt, xxiii. 24) — "Ye blind guides; ye strain at a gnat,
and swallow a camel."
* The Prince took much interest in hydraulics, and built a beautiful
and costly aqueduct for the town of Wolgast.
VOL. I. G
98 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the soldatesca fired a salute, not only from their muskets, but
also from the great cannon called " the Old Aunt," which
gave forth a deep joy-sigh. From all the castle windows
hung banners and flags bearing the arms of Pomerania and
Saxony, and the pavement was strewed with flowers.
As they passed Sidonia's window she opened it, and ap-
peared magnificently attired, and glittering with pearls and
diamonds, but also weeping bitterly. At this sight old
Ulrich gnashed his teeth for rage, but all the young men,
and Prince Ernest in particular, felt their hearts die in them
for sorrow. So they passed on through the great north gate
out on the castle wall, from whence the whole town and
harbour were visible. Here the flags fluttered from the masts
and waved from the towers, and the people clapped their
hands and cried " Huzza ! " (for in truth they had heard
about the beer, to my thinking, before the Princess came out
upon the walls). Summa : There was never seen such joy ;
and after having service in church, they all returned to
the castle in the same order, and set themselves down to the
banquet.
I got a list of the courses at the table of the Duchess from
old Kiissow, and I shall here set it down, that people may see
how our fathers banqueted eighty years ago in Pomerania ;
but, God help us ! in these imperial days there is little left
for us to grind our teeth upon. So smell thereat, and you
will still get a delicious savour from these good old times.
First Course. — I. A soup; 2. An egg-soup, with saffron,
peppercorns, and honey thereon ; 3. Stewed mutton, with
onions strewed thereon ; 4. A roasted capon, with stewed plums.
Second Course. — I. Ling, with oil and raisins; 2. Beef,
baked in oil ; 3. Eels, with pepper ; 4. Dried fish, with
Leipsic mustard.
Third Course. — I. A salad, with eggs; 2. Jellies strewed
with almond and onion seed ; 3. Omelettes, with honey and
grapes ; 4. Pastry, and many other things besides.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 99
Fourth Course. — i. A roast goose with red beet-root,
olives, capers, and cucumbers ; 2. Little birds fried in lard,
with radishes ; 3. Venison ; 4. Wild boar, with the marrow
served on toasted rolls. In conclusion, all manner of pastry,
with fritters, cakes, and fancy confectionery of all kinds.
So her Grace selected something from each dish herself,
and despatched it to Sidonia by her maid ; but the maiden
would none of them, and sent all back with a message that
she had no heart to gormandise and feast; but her Grace
might send her some bread and water, which was alone fitting
for a poor prisoner to receive.
The young men could bear this no longer, their patience
was quite exhausted, and their courage rose as the wine-cups
were emptied. So at length Prince Ernest whispered to his
brother Bogislaus to put in a good word for Sidonia. He
refused, however, and Prince Ernest was ashamed to name
her himself ; but some of the young pages who waited on her
Grace were bold enough to petition for her pardon, where-
upon her Grace gave them a very sharp reproof.
After dinner the Duchess and Prince Bogislaus went up
the stream in a pleasure-boat to try the tame sea-gull, and her
Grace requested Lord Ulrich to accompany them. But he
answered that he was more necessary to the castle that evening
than a night-watch in a time of war, particularly if the young
Prince was to have Rostock beer play from the fountains in
place of water.
And soon his words came true, for when the Duchess had
sailed away the young men began to drink in earnest, so that
the wine ran over the threshold down the great steps, and the
peasants and boors who were going back and forward with
dried wood to the ducal kitchen, lay down flat on their faces,
and licked up the wine from the steps (but the Almighty
punished them for this, I think, for their children now are
glad enough to sup up water with the geese).
Meanwhile many of the youths sprang up, swearing that
ioo SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
they would free Sidonia ; others fell down quite drunk, and
knew nothing more of what happened. Then old Ulrich flew
to the corridor, and marched up and down with his drawn
dagger in his hand, and swore he would arrest them all if
they did not keep quiet ; that as to those who were lying dead
drunk like beasts, he must treat them like other beasts —
whereupon he sends to the castle fountain for buckets of cold
water, and pours it over them. Ha ! how they sprang up
and raged when they felt it ; but he only laughed and said
— if they would not hold their peace he would treat them
still worse ; they ought to be ashamed of their filthiness and
debauchery.*
But now to the uproar within was added one from without,
for when the fountains began to play with Rostock beer, all
the town ran thither, and drank like leeches, while they begged
the serving- wenches to bring them loaves to eat with it. How
the old shoemaker threw up his cap in the air, and shouted —
" Long live her Grace ! no better Princess was in the whole
world — they hoped her Grace might live for many years and
celebrate every birthday like this ! " Then they would pray for
her right heartily, and the women chattered and cackled, and
the children screamed so that no one could hear a word that
was saying, and Sidonia tried for a long time in vain to make
them hear her. At last she waved a white kerchief from the
window, when the noise ceased for a little, and she then began
the old song, namely, " Would they release her ? "
Now there were some brave fellows among them to whom
she had given drink-money, or purchased goods from, and
they now ran to fetch a ladder and set it up against the wall ;
but old Ulrich got wind of this proceeding, and dispersed
the mob forthwith, menacing Sidonia, before their faces,
that if she but wagged a finger, and did not instantly retire
* Almost all writers of that age speak of the excesses to which
intoxication was carried in all the ducal courts, but particularly that
of Pomerania.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS iby
from the window, and bear her well-merited punishment
patiently, he would have her carried straightway through
the guard-room, and locked up in the bastion tower. This
threat succeeded, and she drew in her head. Meantime the
Duchess returned from fishing, but when she beheld the
crowd she entered through the little water-gate, and went up
a winding stair to her own apartment, to attire herself for the
dance.
The musicians now arrived from Grypswald, and all the
knights and nobles were assembled except Zitsewitz, who
lay sick, whether from love or jealousy I leave undecided ;
so the great affair at length began, and in the state hall the
band struck up Duke Bogislaus' march, played, in fact, by
eighty drums and forty-three trumpets, so that it was as
mighty and powerful in sound as if the great trumpet itself
had played it, and the plaster dropped off from the ceiling, and
the picture of his Highness the Duke, in the north window,
was so disturbed by the vibration, that it shook and clattered
as if it were going to descend from the frame and dance
with the guests in the hall, and not only the folk outside
danced to the music, but down in the town, in the great
market-place, and beyond that, even in the horse-market,
the giant march was heard, and every one danced to it
whether in or out of the house, and cheered and huzzaed.
Now the Prince could no longer repress his feelings, for,
besides that he had taken a good Pomeranian draught that
day, and somewhat rebelled against his lady mother, he now
flung the fourth commandment to the winds (never had he
done this before), and taking three companions with him,
by name Dieterich von Krassow, Joachim von Budde, and
Achim von Weyer, he proceeded with them to the chamber
of Sidonia, and with great violence burst open the door.
There she lay on the bed weeping, in a green velvet robe,
laced with gold, and embroidered with other golden orna-
ments, and her head was crowned with pearls and diamonds,
^; i ti;$IDQNIA THE SORCERESS
so that the young Prince exclaimed, " Dearest Sidonia, you
look like a king's bride. See, I keep my word ; come now,
and we shall dance together in the hall."
Here he would willingly have kissed her, but was ashamed
because the others were by, so he said, " Go ye now to the
hall and see if the dance is still going on. I will follow with
the maiden." Thereat the young men laughed, because they
saw well that the Prince did not just then desire their company,
and they all went away, except Joachim von Budde, the rogue,
who crept behind the door, and peeped through the crevice.
Now, the young lord was no sooner left alone with Sidonia
than he pressed her to his heart — " Did she love him ? She
must say yes once again." Whereupon she clasped his
neck with her little hands, and with every kiss that he gave
her she murmured, " Yes, yes, yes ! " " Would she be
his own dear wife ? " " Ah, if she dared. She would have
no other spouse, no, not even if the Emperor came himself
with all the seven electors. But he must not make her more
miserable than she was already. What could they do ? he
never would be allowed to marry her." " He would manage
that." Then he pressed her again to his heart, with such
ardour that the knave behind the door grew jealous, and
springing up, called out — " If his Highness wishes for a
dance he must come now."
When they both entered the hall, her Grace was treading
a measure with old Ulrich, but he caught sight of them
directly, and without making a single remark, resigned the
hand of her Grace to Prince Bogislaus, and excused himself,
saying that the noise of the music had made his head giddy,
and that he must leave the hall for a little. He ran then
along the corridor down to the courtyard, from thence to the
guard, and commanded the officer with his troop, along with
the executioner and six assistants, to be ready to rush into the
hall with lighted matches, the moment he waved his hat with
the white plumes from the window.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 103
When he returns, the dance is over, and my gracious
lady, suspecting nothing as yet, sits in a corner and fans
herself. Then Ulrich takes Sidonia in one hand and Prince
Ernest in the other, brings them up straight before her High-
ness, and asks if she had herself given permission for the
Prince and Sidonia to dance together in the hall. Her
Highness started from her chair when she beheld them, her
cheeks glowing with anger, and exclaimed, " What does
this mean ? Have you dared to release Sidonia ? "
Hie. — " Yes ; for this noble maiden has been treated worse
than a peasant-girl by my lady mother."
Ilia. — " Oh, woe is me ! this is my just punishment for
having forgotten my Philip so soon, and even consenting to
tread a measure in the hall." So she wept, and threw her-
self again upon the seat, covering her face with both hands.
Now old Ulrich began. " So, my young Prince, this is
the way you keep the admonitions that your father, of blessed
memory, gave you on his death-bed ! Fie — shame on you !
Did you not give your promise also to me, the old man before
you ? Sidonia shall return to her chamber, if my word has
yet some power in Pomerania. Speak, gracious lady, give
the order, and Sidonia shall be carried back to her room."
When Sidonia heard this, she laid her white hand, all
covered with jewels, upon the old man's arm, and looked up
at him with beseeching glances, and stroked his beard after
her manner, crying, with tears of anguish, " Spare a poor
young maiden ! I will learn anything you tell me ; I will
repeat it all on Sunday. Only do not deal so hardly with
me." But the little hands for once had no effect, nor the
tears, nor the caresses ; for Ulrich, throwing her off, gave her
such a slap in the face that she uttered a loud cry and fell to
the ground.
If a firebrand had fallen into a barrel of gunpowder, it
could not have caused a greater explosion in the hall than
that cry ; for after a short pause, in which every one stood
104 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
silent as if thunderstruck, there arose from all the nobles,
young and old, the terrible war-cry — "Jodute! Jodute ! *
to arms, to arms ! " and the cry was re-echoed till the whole
hall rung with it. Whoever had a dagger or a sword drew
it, and they who had none ran to fetch one. But the Prince
would at once have struck old Ulrich to the heart, if his
brother Bogislaus had not sprung on him from behind and
pinioned his arms. Then Joachim von Budde made a pass
at the old knight, and wounded him in the hand. So Ulrich
changed his hat from the right hand to the left, and still kept
retreating till he could gain the window and give the promised
sign to the guard, crying as he fought his way backward, step
by step, " Come on now — come on, Ernest. Murder the
old grey-headed man whom thy father called friend — murder
him, as thou wilt murder thy mother this night."
Then reaching the window, he waved his hat until the sign
was answered ; then sprang forward again, seized Sidonia by
the hand, crying, "Out, harlot! " Hereupon young Lord
Ernest screamed still louder, " Jodute ! Jodute ! Down with
the grey-headed villain ! What ! will not the nobles of
Pomerania stand by their Prince ? Down with the insolent
grey-beard who has dared to call my princely bride a harlot ! "
And so he tore himself from his brother's grasp, and sprang
upon the old man ; but her Grace no sooner perceived his
intention than she rushed between them, crying, " Hold !
hold ! hold ! for the sake of God, hold ! He is thy second
father." And as the young Prince recoiled in horror, she
seized Sidonia rapidly, and pushing her before Ulrich towards
the door, cried, " Out with the accursed harlot ! " But
* The learned have puzzled their heads a great deal over the ety-
mology of this enigmatical word, which is identical in meaning with the
terrible " Zettergeschrei" of the Reformation era. It is found in the
Swedish, Gothic, and Low German dialects, and in the Italian Goduta.
One of the best essays on the subject — which, however, leads to no
result — the lover of antiquarian researches will find in Hakeus's ' ' Pome-
ranian Provincial Papers," vol. v. p. 207.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 105
Joachim Budde, who had already wounded the Grand Cham-
berlain, now seizing a stick from one of the drummers, hit
her Grace such a blow on the arm therewith that she had to
let go her hold of Sidonia. When old Ulrich beheld this,
he screamed, "Treason! treason!" and rushed upon Budde.
But all the young nobles, who were now fully armed, sur-
rounded the old man, crying, " Down with him ! down with
him ! " In vain he tried to reach a bench from whence
he could defend himself against his assailants ; in a few
moments he was overpowered by numbers and fell upon the
floor. Now, indeed, it was all over with him, if the sol-
datesca had not at that instant rushed into the hall with fierce
shouts, and Master Hansen the executioner, in his long red
cloak, with six assistants accompanying them.
" Help ! help ! " cried her Grace ; " help for the Lord
Chamberlain ! "
So they sprang to the centre of the hall where he was
lying, dashed aside his assailants, and lifted up the old man
from the floor with his hand all bleeding.
But Joachim Budde, who was seated on the very same
bench which Ulrich had in vain tried to reach, began to
mock the old knight. Whereupon Ulrich asked if it were
he who had struck her Grace with the drumstick. " Ay,"
quoth he, laughing, "and would that she had got more of
it for treating that darling, sweet, beautiful Sidonia no better
than a kitchen wench. Where is the old hag now ? 1
will teach her the catechism with my drumstick, I warrant
you."
And he was going to rise, when Ulrich made a sign to
the executioner, who instantly dropped his red cloak, under
which he had hitherto concealed his long sword, and just
as Joachim looked up to see what was going on, he whirled
the sword round like a flash of lightning, and cut Budde' s
head clean off from the shoulders, so that not even a quill of
his Spanish ruff was disturbed, and the blood spouted up
io6 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
like three horse-tails to the ceiling (for he drank so much
that all the blood was in his head), and down tumbled his
gay cap, with the heron's plume, to the ground, and his head
along with it.
In an instant all was quietness ; for though some of the
ladies fainted, amongst whom was her Grace, and others
rushed out of the hall, still there was such a silence that
when the corpse fell down at length heavily upon the ground
the clap of the hands and feet upon the floor was quite
audible.
When Ulrich observed that his victory was complete, he
waved his hat in the air, exclaiming, "The princely house
of Pomerania is saved ! and, as long as I live, its honour
shall never be tarnished for the sake of a harlot ! Remove
Prince Ernest and Sidonia to separate prisons. Let the rest
go their ways ; — this devil's festival is at an end, and with
my consent, there shall never be another in Wolgast."
CHAPTER XIII.
Hoiv Sidonia is sent aivay to Stettin — Item, of the young lord* s
dangerous illness, and what happened in consequence.
Now the Grand Chamberlain was well aware that no good
would result from having Sidonia brought to a public trial,
because the whole court was on her side.
Therefore he called Marcus Bork, her cousin, to him in
the night, and bid him take her and her luggage away next
morning before break of day, and never stop or stay until
they reached Duke Barnim's court at Stettin. The wind
was half-way round now, and before nightfall they might
reach Oderkruge. He would first just write a few lines
to his Highness ; and when Marcus had made all needful
preparation, let him come here to his private apartment and
STDONIA THE SORCERESS J0;
receive the letter. He had selected him for the business
because he was Sidonia' s cousin, and also because he was
the only young man at the castle whom the wanton had not
ensnared in her toils.
But that night Ulrich had reason to know that Sidonia
and her lovers were dangerous enemies ; for just as he had
returned to his little room, and seated himself down at the
table, to write to his Grace of Stettin the whole business
concerning Sidonia, the window was smashed, and a large
stone came plump down upon the ink-bottle close beside
him, and stained all the paper. As Ulrich went out to call
the guard, Appelmann, the equerry, came running up to him,
complaining that his lordship's beautiful horse was lying
there in the stable groaning like a human creature, for that
some wretches had cut its tail clean off.
Hie. — " Were any of the grooms in the stable lately ? or
had he seen any one go by the window ? "
Hie. — " No ; it was impossible to see any one, on account
of the darkness ; but he thought he had heard some one
creeping along by the wall."
Ille. — " Let him come then, fetch a lantern, and summon
all the grooms ; he would give it to the knaves. Had he
heard anything of her Highness recently ? "
Hie. — " A maid told him that her Grace was better, and
had retired to rest."
Ille. — « Thank God. Now they might go."
But as they proceeded along the corridor, which was now
almost quite dark, the old knight suddenly received such a
blow upon his hat that the beautiful aigrette was broken,
and he himself thrown against the wall with such violence
that he lay a quarter of an hour insensible ; then he shook
his grey head. What could that mean ? Had Appelmann
seen any one ?
Hie. — " Ah ! no ; but he thought he heard steps, as if of
some one running away."
io8 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
So they went on to the ducal stables, but nothing was to
be seen or heard. The grooms knew nothing about the
matter — the guard knew nothing. Then the old knight
lamented over his beautiful horse, and told Appelmann to
ride next morning, with Marcus Bork and Sidonia, to the
Duke's castle at Stettin, and purchase the piebald mare for
him from his Grace, about which they had been bargaining
some time back ; but he must keep all this secret, for the
young nobles were to know nothing of the journey.
Ah, what fine fun this is for the cunning rogue. " If his
lordship would only give him the purse, he would bring him
back a far finer horse than that which some knaves had in-
jured." Whereupon the old knight went down to reckon
out the rose-nobles — but, lo ! a stone comes whizzing past
him close to his head, so that if it had touched him, me-
thinks the old man would never have spoken a word more.
In short, wherever he goes, or stops, or stands, stones and
buffets are rained down upon him, so that he has to call the
guard to accompany him back to his chamber ; but he lays
the saddle on the right horse at last, as you shall hear in
another place.
After some hours everything became quiet in the castle,
for the knaves were glad enough to sleep off their drunken-
ness. And so, early in the morning before dawn, while
they were all snoring in their beds, Sidonia was carried off,
scream as she would along the corridor, and even before the
young knight's chamber ; not a soul heard her. For she had
not been brought to the prison tower, as at first commanded,
but to her own little chamber, likewise the young lord to his ;
for the Grand Chamberlain thought afterwards this proceeding
would not cause such scandal.
But there truly was great grief in the castle when they all
rose, and the cry was heard that Sidonia was gone ; and
some of the murderous lords threatened to make the old man
pay with his blood for it. Item, no sooner was it day than
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 109
Dr. Gerschovius ran in, crying that some of the young pro-
fligates had broken all his windows the night before, and
turned a goat into the rectory, with the catechism of his
dear and learned brother tied round his neck.
Then old Ulrich's anger increased mightily, as might be
imagined, and he brought the priest with him to the Duchess,
who had got but little rest that night, and was busily turning
her wheel with the little clock-work, and singing to it, in a
loud, clear voice, that beautiful psalm (i2oth) — "In deep
distress I oft have cried." She paused when they entered,
and began to weep. "Was it not all prophesied? Why
had she been persuaded to throw off her mourning, and slight
the memory of her loved Philip ? It was for this the wrath
of God had come upon her house ; for assuredly the Lord
would avenge the innocent blood that had been shed."
Then Ulrich answered that, as her Grace knew, he had
earnestly opposed this festival ; but as to what regarded the
traitor whose head he had chopped off, he was ready to
answer for that blood, not only to man but before God.
For had not the coward struck his own sovereign lady
the Princess with the drumstick ? Item, was he not in the
act of rising to repeat the blow, as the whole nobility are
aware, only he lost his head by the way ; and if this had
not been done, all order and government must have ceased
throughout the land, and the mice and the rats rule the cats,
which was against the order of nature and contrary to God's
will. But his gracious lady might take consolation, for
Sidonia had been carried from the castle that morning by
four of the clock, and, by God's grace, never should set
foot in it again. But there was another gravamen, and that
concerned the young nobles, who, no doubt, would become
more daring after the events of last evening. Then he re-
lated what had happened to the priest. " Item, what did
my gracious lady mean to do with those drunken libertines ?
If her Grace had kept up the huntings and the fishings, as
no SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
in the days of good Duke Philip, mayhap the young men
would have been less given to debauchery ; but her Grace
kept an idle house, and they had nothing to do but drink
and brew mischief. If her Grace had no fitting employ-
ment for these young fellows, then he would pack them
all off to the devil the very next morning, for they brought
nothing but disrespect upon the princely house of Wol-
gast."
So her Grace rejoiced over Sidonia's departure, but could
not consent to send away the young knights. Her beloved
husband and lord, Philippus Primus, always kept a retinue of
such young nobles, and all the princely courts did the same.
What would her cousin of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg say,
when they heard that she had no longer knights or pages at
her court ? She feared her princely name would be men-
tioned with disrespect.
So Ulrich replied, that at all events, this set of young
boisterers must be sent off, as they had grown too wild and
licentious to be endured any longer ; and that he would select
a new retinue for her Grace from the discreetest and most
sober-minded young knights of the court. Marcus Bork,
however, might remain ; he was true, loyal, and brave — not
a wine-bibber and profligate like the others.
So her Grace at last consented, seeing that no good would
come of these young men now ; on the contrary, they would
be more daring and riotous than ever from rage, when they
found that Sidonia had been sent away ; and that business of
the window-smashing and the goat demanded severe punish-
ment. So let Ulrich look out for a new household ; these
gay libertines would be sent away.
While she was speaking, the door opened, and Prince
Ernest entered the chamber, looking so pale and haggard,
that her Grace clasped her hands together, and asked him,
with terror, what had happened.
Ilk. — " Did she ask what had happened, when all Pome-
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS in
rania rung with it ? — when nobles were beheaded before her
face as if they were nothing more than beggars' brats ? —
when the delicate and high-born Lady Sidonia, who had
been entrusted to her care by Duke Barnim himself, was
turned out of the castle in the middle of the night as if she
were a street-girl, because, forsooth, she would not learn her
catechism ? The world would scarcely credit such scan-
dalous acts, and yet they were all true. But to-morrow (if
this weakness which had come over him allowed of it) he
would set off for Stettin, also to Berlin and Schwerin, and
tell the princes there, his cousins, what government they held
in Wolgast. He would soon be twenty, and would then take
matters into his own hands ; and he would pray his guardian
and dear uncle, Duke Barnim, to pronounce him at once of
age ; then the devil might take Ulrich and his government,
but he would rule the castle his own way."
Her Grace. — " But what did he complain of? What ailed
him ? She must know this first, for he was looking as pale as
a corpse."
Ille. — " Did she not know, then, what ailed him ? Well,
since he must tell her, it was anger — anger that made him so
pale and weak."
Her Grace. — "Anger, was it ? Anger, because the false
wanton, Sidonia, had been removed by her orders from her
princely castle ? Ah ! she knew now what the wanton had
come there for ; but would he kill his mother ? She nearly
sank upon the ground last night when he called the impu-
dent wench his bride. But she forgave him ; it must have
been the wine he drank made him so forget himself; or was it
possible that he spoke in earnest ? "
Ille (sighing). — « The future will tell that."
" Oh, woe is me ! what must I live to hear ? If thy
father could look up from his grave, and see thee disgracing
thy princely blood by a marriage with a bower maiden ! —
thou traitorous, disobedient son, do not lie to me. I know
ii2 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
from thy sighs what thy purpose is — for this thou art going
to Stettin and Berlin."
The Prince is silent, and looks down upon the ground.
Her Grace. — " Oh, shame on thee ! shame on thee for the
sake of thy mother ! shame on thee for the sake of this ser-
vant of God, thy second father, this old man here ! What !
a vile knave strike thy mother, before the face of all the
court, and thou condemnest him because he avenged her !
Truly thou art a fine, brave son, to let thy mother be struck
before thy face, for the sake of a harlot. Canst thou deny
it ? • I conjure thee by the living God, tell me is it thy true
purpose to take this harlot to thy wife ? "
Ille. — " He could give but one answer ; the future would
decide."
Her Grace (weeping). — " Oh, she was reserved for all
misfortunes ! Why did Doctor Martinus let her ring fall ?
All, all has followed from that ! If he had chosen a good,
humble, honest girl, she would say nothing ; but this wanton,
this light maiden, that ran after every carl and let them
court her ! "
Here the young Prince was seized with such violent con-
vulsions that he fell upon the floor, and her Grace raised him
up with loud lamentations. He was carried in a dead faint
to his chamber, and the court physician, Doctor Pomius,
instantly summoned. Doctor Pomius was a pompous little
man (for my father knew him well), dry and smart in his
words, and with a face like a pair of nutcrackers, for his
front teeth were gone, so that his lips seemed dried on his
gums, like the skin of a mummy. He was withal too self-
conceited and boastful, and malicious, full of gossip and ill-
nature, and running down every one that did not believe
that he (Doctor Pomius) was the only learned physician in
the world. Following the celebrated rules laid down by
Theophrastus Paracelsus, he cured everything with trash —
and asses' dung was his infallible panacea for all complaints.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 113
This pharmacopoeia was certainly extremely simple, easily
obtained, and universal in its application. If the dung suc-
ceeded, the doctor drew himself up, tossed his head, and
exclaimed, "What Doctor Pomius orders always succeeds."
But if the wretched patient slipped out of his hands into the
other world, he shook his head and said, " There is an hour
for every man to die ; of course his had come — physicians
cannot work miracles."
Pomius hated every other doctor in the town, and abused
them so for their ignorance and stupidity, that finally her
Grace believed that no one in the world knew anything but
Doctor Pomius, and that a vast amount of profound know-
ledge was expressed, if he only put his finger to the end of
his nose, as was his habit.
So, as I have said, she summoned him to attend the
young lord ; and after feeling his pulse and asking some
questions respecting his general health, the doctor laid his
finger, as usual, to his nose, and pronounced solemnly —
" The young Prince must immediately take a dose of asses'
dung stewed in wine, with a little of the laudanum paracehi
poured in afterwards — this will restore him certainly."
But it was all in vain ; for the young Prince still continued
day and night calling for Sidonia, and neither the Duchess
nor Doctor Gerschovius could in any wise comfort him.
This afflicted her Grace almost to the death ; and by
Ulrich's advice, she despatched her second son, Duke Barnim
the younger, and Dagobert von Schwerin, to the court
of Brunswick, to solicit in her name the hand of the young
Princess Sophia Hedwig, for her son Ernest Ludovicus.
Now, in the whole kingdom, there was no more beautiful
princess than Sophia of Brunswick ; and her Grace was filled
with hope that, by her means, the influence of the detestable
Sidonia over the heart of the young lord would be destroyed
for ever.
In due time the ambassadors returned, with the most
VOL. u
ii4 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
favourable answer. Father, mother, and daughter all gave
consent ; and the Duke of Brunswick also forwarded by their
hands an exquisite miniature of his beautiful daughter for
Prince Ernest.
This miniature her Grace now hung up beside his bed.
Would he not look at the beautiful bride she had selected
for him ? Could there be a more lovely face in all the German
empire ? What was Sidonia beside her, but a rude country
girl ! — would he not give her up at last, this light wench ?
While, on the contrary, this illustrious princess was as
virtuous as she was beautiful, and this the whole court of
Brunswick could testify.
But the young lord would give no heed to her Grace, and
spat out at the picture, and cried to take away the daub — into
the fire with it — anywhere out of his sight. Unless his dear,
his beautiful Sidonia came to tend him, he would die — he felt
that he was dying.
So her Grace took counsel with old Ulrich, and Doctor
Pomius, and the priest, what could be done now. The doctor
mentioned that he must have been witch-struck. Then more
doctors were sent for from the Grypswald, but all was in vain
— no one knew what ailed him ; and from day to day he grew
worse.
Clara von Dewitz now bitterly reproached herself for
having concealed her suspicions about the love-drink from her
Grace — though indeed she did so by desire of her betrothed,
Marcus Bork. But now, seeing that the young Prince lay
absolutely at the point of death, she could no longer hold her
peace, but throwing herself on her knees before her Grace,
told her the whole story of the witch-girl whom she had
sheltered in the castle, and of her fears that Sidonia had learned
from her how to brew a love-philtre, which she had afterwards
given to the Prince.
Her Grace was sore displeased with Clara for having kept
all this a secret, and said that she would have expected more
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 115
wisdom and discretion from her, seeing that she had always
counted her the most worthy amongst her maidens ; then she
summoned Ulrich, and laid the evil matter before him. He
shook his head ; believed that they had hit on the true cause
now. Such a sickness had nothing natural about it — there
must be magic and witchwork in it ; but he would have the
whole land searched for the girl, and make her give the young
lord some potion that would take off the spell.
Now the witch-girl had been pardoned a few days before
that, and sent back to Usdom, near Daber ; but bailiffs were
now sent in all directions to arrest her, and bring her again to
Wolgast without delay.
So the wretched creature was discovered, before long, in
Kruge, near Mahlzow, where she had hired herself as a
spinner for the winter, and brought before Ulrich and her
Grace. She was there admonished to tell the whole truth,
but persisted in asseverating that Sidonia had never learned
from her how to make a love-drink. Her statement, however,
was not believed ; and Master Hansen was summoned, to try
and make her speak more. The affair, indeed, appeared so
serious to Ulrich, that he himself stood by while she was
undergoing the torture, and carried on the protocollum, calling
out to Master Hansen occasionally not to spare his squeezes.
But though the blood burst from her finger-ends, and her hip
was put out of joint, so that she limped ever after, she confessed
nothing more, nor did she alter the statement which she had
first made.
Item, her Grace, and the priest, and all the bystanders
exhorted her in vain to confess the truth (for her Grace was
present at the torture). At last she cried out, " Yes, I know
something that will cure him ! Mercy ! mercy ! and I will
tell it."
So they unbound her, and she was going straightway to
make her witch-potion, but old Ulrich changed his mind.
Who could know whether this devil's fiend was telling them
n6 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the truth ? May be she would kill the young lord in place of
curing him. So they gave her another stretch upon the rack.
But as she still held by all her assertions, they spared her any
farther torture.
But, in my opinion, the young lord must have obtained
something from her, otherwise he could not have recovered all
at once the moment that Sidonia was brought back, as I shall
afterwards relate.
Sum total. — The young Prince screamed day and night for
Sidonia, and told her Grace that he now felt he was dying, and
requested, as his last prayer upon this earth, to be allowed to
see her once more. The maiden was an angel of goodness ;
and if she could but close his dying eyes, he would die
happy.
It can be easily imagined with what humour her Grace
listened to such a request, for she hated Sidonia like Satan
himself; but as nothing else could satisfy him, she promised
to send for her, if Prince Ernest would solemnly swear, by
the corpse of his father, that he would never wed her, but
select some princess for his bride, as befitted his exalted rank
— the Princess Hedwig, or some other — as soon as he had
recovered sufficiently to be able to quit his bed. So he
quickly stretched forth his thin, white hand from the bed, and
promised his dearly beloved mother to do all she had asked,
if she would only send horsemen instantly to Stettin, for the
journey by water was insecure, and might be tedious if the
wind were not favourable.
Hereupon a great murmur arose in the castle ; and young
Duke Bogislaus fell into such a rage that he took his way
back again to Camyn, and his younger brother, Barnim,
accompanied him. But the anger of the Grand Chamberlain
no words can express. He told her Grace, in good round
terms, that she would be the mock of the whole land. The
messengers had only just returned who had carried away
Sidonia from the castle under the greatest disgrace ; and now,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 117
forsooth, they must ride back again to bring her back with
all honour.
" Oh, it was all true, quite true ; but then, if her dearest
son Ernest were to die "
Ilk. — " Let him die. Better lose his life than his honour."
H<zc. — " He would not peril his honour, for he had sworn
by the corpse of his father never to wed Sidonia."
Hie. — " Ay, he was quick enough in promising, but per-
forming was a different thing. Did her Grace think that the
passion of a man could be controlled by promises, as a tame
horse by a bridle ? Never, never. Passion was a wild
horse, that no bit, or bridle, or curb could guide, and would
assuredly carry his rider to the devil."
Her Grace. — " Still she could not give up her son to death ;
besides, he would repent and see his folly. Did not God's
Word tell us how the prodigal son returned to his father, and
would not her son return likewise ? "
Ille. — " Ay, when he has kept swine. After that he may
return, but not till then. The youngster was as great a fool
about women as he had ever come across in his life."
Her Grace (weeping). — •" He was too harsh on the young
man. Had she not sent away the girl at his command ; and
now he would let her own child die before her eyes, without
hope or consolation ? "
Ille. — " But if her child is indeed dying, would she send
for the devil to attend him in his last moments ? Her Grace
should be more consistent. If the young lord is dying, let
him die ; her Grace has other children, and God will know
how to comfort her. Had he not been afflicted himself ? and
let her ask Dr. Gerschovius if the Lord had not spoken peace
unto him."
Her Grace. — " Ah, true ; but then neither of them are
mothers. Her son is asking every moment if the messengers
have departed, and what shall she answer him ? She cannot
lie, but must tell the whole bitter truth."
n8 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Ilk. — " He saw the time had come at last for him to
follow the young princes. He was of no use here any longer.
Her Grace must give him permission to take his leave, for he
would sail off that very day for his castle at Spantekow, and
then she might do as she pleased respecting the young lord."
So her Grace besought him not to leave her in her sore
trouble and perplexity. Her two sons had sailed away, and
there was no one left to advise and comfort her.
But Ulrich was inflexible. " She must either allow her
son quietly to leave this miserable life, or allow him to leave
this miserable court service."
" Then let him go to Spantekow. Her son should be saved.
She would answer before the throne of the Almighty for what
she did. But would he not promise to return, if she stood in
any great need or danger ? for she felt that both were before
her ; still she must peril everything to save her child."
Ille. — " Yes, he would be ready on her slightest summons ;
and he doubted not but that Sidonia would soon give her
trouble and sorrow enough. But he could not remain now,
without breaking his knightly oath to Duke Philip, his de-
ceased feudal seigneur of blessed memory, and standing before
the court and the world as a fool."
So after many tears her Grace gave him his dismissal, and
he rode that same day to Spantekow, promising to return if
she were in need, and also to send her a new retinue and
household immediately.
This last arrangement displeased Marcus Bork mightily, for
he had many friends amongst the knights who were now to
be dismissed, and so he, too, prayed her Grace for leave to
resign his office and retire from court. He had long looked
upon Clara von Dewitz with a holy Christian love, and, if
her Grace permitted, he would now take her home as his dear
loving wife.
Her Grace replied that she had long suspected this betrothal
— particularly from the time that Clara told her of his advice
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 119
respecting the concealment of the witch-girl's visit to Sidonia ;
and as he had acted wrongly in that business, he must now
make amends by not deserting her in her greatest need. Her
sons and old Ulrich had already left her ; some one must
remain in whom she could place confidence. It would be
time enough afterwards to bring home his beloved wife Clara,
and she would wish them God's blessing on their union.
Ilk. — " True, he had been wrong in concealing that busi-
ness with the witch-girl, but her Grace must pardon him.
He never thought it would bring the young lord to his dying
bed. Whatever her Grace now commanded he would yield
obedience to."
" Then," said her Grace, " do you and Appelmann mount
your horses instantly, ride to Stettin, and bring back Sidonia.
For her dearly beloved son had sworn that he could not die
easy unless he beheld Sidonia once more, and that she attended
him in his last moments."
It may be easily imagined how the good knight endeavoured
to dissuade her Highness from this course, and even spoke
to the young Prince himself, but in vain. That same day he
and Appelmann were obliged to set off for Stettin, and on their
arrival presented the following letter to old Duke Barnim : —
"MARIA, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, BORN DUCHESS OF SAXONY, &C.
" ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND MY DEAR UNCLE, — It has not been
concealed from your Highness how our dear son Ernest Ludovicus,
since the departure of Sidonia, has fallen, by the permission of God,
into such a state of bodily weakness that his life even stands in
jeopardy.
" He has declared that nothing will restore him but to see Sidonia
once more. We therefore entreat your Highness, after admonishing
the aforesaid maiden severely upon her former light and unseemly
behaviour, to dismiss her with our messengers, that they may return
and give peace and health to our dearly beloved son.
" If your Highness would enjoy a hunt or a fishing with a tame
sea-gull, it would give us inexpressible pleasure.
" We commend you lovingly to God's holy keeping.
"Given from our Castle of Wolgast, this Friday, April 15, 1569.
" MARIA."
120 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER XIV.
How Duke Barnlm of Stettin and Otto Bork accompany
Sidonia back to Wolgast.
WHEN his Highness of Stettin had finished the perusal of her
Grace's letter, he laughed loudly, and exclaimed —
" This comes of all their piety and preachings. I knew
well what this extravagant holiness would make of my deal-
cousin and old Ulrich. If people would persist in being so
wonderfully religious, they would soon become as sour as an
old cabbage head ; and Sidonia declared, that, for her part,
a hundred horses should not drag her back to Wolgast,
where she had been lectured and insulted, and all because
she would not learn her catechism like a little school-
girl."
Nor would Otto Bork hear of her returning. (He was
waiting at Stettin to conduct her back to Stramehl.) At
last, however, he promised to consent, on condition that his
Highness would grant him the dues on the Jena.
Now the Duke knew right well that Otto wanted to
revenge himself upon the people of Stargard, with whom he
was at enmity ; but he pretended not to observe the cunning
knight's motives, and merely replied —
" They must talk of the matter at Wolgast, for nothing
could be decided upon without having the opinion of his
cousin the Duchess."
So the knight taking this as a half-promise, and Sidonia
having at last consented, they all set off on Friday with a
good south wind in their favour, and by that same evening
were landed by the little water-gate at Wolgast. His
Highness was received with distinguished honours — the ten
knights of her Grace's new household being in waiting to
receive him as he stepped on shore.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 121
So they proceeded to the castle, the Duke having Sidonia
upon one arm, and a Cain under the other, which he had
been carving during the passage, for the Eve had long since
been finished. Otto followed ; and all the people, when they
beheld Sidonia, uttered loud cries of joy that the dear young
lady had come back to them.
This increased her arrogance, so that when her Grace
received her, and began a godly admonishment upon her past
levities, and conjured her to lead a modest, devout life for the
future, Sidonia replied indiscreetly — " She knew not what
her Grace and her parson meant by a modest, devout life,
except it were learning the catechism of Dr. Gerschovius ;
from such modesty and devoutness she begged to be excused,
she was no little school-girl now — she thought her Grace
had got rid of all her whims and caprices, by sending for her
after having turned her out of the castle without any cause
whatever — but it was all the old thing over again."
Her Grace coloured up with anger at this bitter speech,
but held her peace. Then Otto addressed her, and begged
leave to ask her Grace what kind of order was held at her
court, where a priest was allowed to slap the fingers of a
noble young maiden, and a chamberlain to smite her on the
face? Had he known that such were the usages at her
court of Wolgast, the Lady Sidonia (such he delighted to
call her, as though she were of princely race) never should
have entered it, and he would now instantly take her back to
Stramehl, if her Grace would not consent to give him up the
dues on the Jena.
Now her Grace knew nothing about the dues, and there-
fore said, turning to the Duke — " Dear uncle, what does
this arrogant knave mean ? I do not comprehend his insolent
speech." Hereupon Otto chafed with rage, that her Grace
had named him with such contempt, and cried — " Then was
your husband a knave, too ! for my blood is as noble and
nobler than your own, and I am lord of castles and lands.
122 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Come, my daughter ; let us leave the robbers' den, or mayhap
thy father will be struck even as thou wert."
Now her Grace knew not what to do, and she lamented
loudly — more particularly because at this moment a message
arrived from Prince Ernest, praying her for God's sake to
bring Sidonia to him, as he understood that she had been in
the castle now a full quarter of an hour. Then old Otto
laughed loudly, took his daughter by the hand, and cried
again, " Come — let us leave this robber hole. Come,
Sidonia ! "
This plunged her Grace into despair, and she exclaimed
in anguish, " Will you not have pity on my dying child ? "
but Otto continued, " Come, Sidonia ! come, Sidonia ! " and
he drew her by the hand.
Here Duke Barnim rose up and said, " Sir Knight, be not
so obstinate. Remember it is a sorrowing mother who en-
treats you. Is it not true, Sidonia, you will remain here ? "
Then the cunning hypocrite lifted her kerchief to her eyes,
and replied, " If I did not know the catechism of Doctor
Gerschovius, yet I know God's Word, and how the Saviour
said, * I was sick and ye visited Me,' and James also says,
4 The prayer of faith shall save the sick.' No, I will not
let this poor young lord die, if my visit and my prayer can
help him."
" No, no," exclaimed Otto, " thou shalt not remain, unless
the dues of the Jena be given up to me." And as at this
moment another page arrived from Prince Ernest, with a
similar urgent request for Sidonia to come to him, her Grace
replied quickly, "I promise all that you desire," without
knowing what she was granting ; so the knight said he was
content, and let go his daughter's hand.
Now the good town of Stargard would have been ruined
for ever by this revengeful man, if his treacherous designs
had not been defeated (as we shall see presently) by his own
terrible death. He had long felt a bitter hatred to the people
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 123
of Stargard, because at one time they had leagued with the
Greifcnbergers and the Duke of Pomerania to ravage his
town of Stramehl, in order to avenge an insult he had offered
to the old burgomaster, Jacob Appelmann, father of the chief
equerry, Johann Appelmann. In return for this outrage,
Otto determined, if possible, to get the control of the dues of
the Jena into his own hands, and when the Stargardians
brought their goods and provisions up the Jena, and from
thence prepared to enter the river Half, he would force them
to pay such exorbitant duty upon everything, that the
merchants and the people, in short, the whole town, would be
ruined, for their whole subsistence and merchandise came by
these two rivers, and all this was merely to gratify his re-
venge. But the just God graciously turned away the evil from
the good town, and let it fall upon Otto's own head, as we
shall relate in its proper place.
So, when the old knight had let go his daughter's hand,
her Grace seized it, and went instantly with Sidonia to the
chamber of the young lord, all the others following. And here
a moving scene was witnessed, for as they entered, Prince
Ernest extended his thin, pale hands towards Sidonia, ex-
claiming, " Sidonia, ah, dearest Sidonia, have you come at
last to nursetend me ? " then he took her little hand, kissed
it, and bedewed it with his tears, still repeating, " Sidonia,
dearest Sidonia, have you come to nursetend me ? "
So the artful hypocrite began to weep, and said — " Yes,
my gracious Prince, I have come to you, although your
priest struck me on the fingers, and your mother and old
Ulrich called me a harlot, before all the court, and lastly,
turned me out of the castle by night, as if I had been a
swine-herd ; but I have not the heart to let your Highness
suffer, if my poor prayers and help can abate your sickness ;
therefore let them strike me, and call me a harlot again, if
they wish."
This so melted the heart of my gracious Prince Ernest,
[24 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
that he cried out, " O Sidonia, angel of goodness, give me
one kiss, but one little kiss upon my mouth, Sidonia ! bend
down to me — but one, one kiss ! " Her Grace was dread-
fully scandalised at such a speech, and said he ought to be
ashamed of such words. Did he not remember what he had
sworn by the corpse of his father at St. Peter's ? But old
Duke Barnim cried out, laughing — " Give him a kiss,
Sidonia ; that is the best plaster for his wounds ; ' a kiss in
honour brings no dishonour,' says the proverb."
However, Sidonia still hesitated, and bending down to the
young man, said, " Wait, gracious Prince, until we are alone."
If the Duchess had been angry before, what was it to her
rage now — " Alone ! she would take good care they were
never to be alone ! "
Otto took no notice of this speech, probably because he
saw that matters were progressing much to his liking between
the Prince and his daughter ; but Duke Barnim exclaimed,
" How now, dearest cousin, are you going to spoil all by
your prudery ? You brought the girl here to cure him, and
what other answer could she give ? Bend thee down, Sidonia,
and give him one little kiss upon the lips — I, the Prince, com-
mand thee ; and see, thou needst not be ashamed, for I will set
thee an example with his mother. Come, dear cousin, put off
that sour face, and give me a good, hearty kiss ; your son will
get well the sooner for it : " but as he attempted to seize hold of
her Grace, she cried out, and lifted up her hands to Heaven,
lamenting in a loud voice — " Oh, evil and wicked world ! may
God release me from this wicked world, and lay me down
this day beside my Philip in the grave ! " Then weeping
and wringing her hands, she left the chamber, while the old
knight, and — God forgive him ! — even Duke Barnim, looked
after her, laughing.
" Come, Otto," said his Grace, " let us go too, and leave
this pair alone ; I must try and pacify my dear cousin." So
they left the room, and on the way Otto opened his mind to
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 125
the Duke about this love matter, and asked his Grace, would
he consent to the union, if Prince Ernest, on his recovery,
made honourable proposals for his daughter Sidonia.
But his Grace was right crafty, and merely answered —
" Time enough to settle that, Otto, when he is recovered ; but
methinks you will have some trouble with his mother unless
you are more civil to her ; so if you desire her favour, bear
yourself more humbly, I advise you, as befits a subject."
This the knight promised, and the conversation ceased, as
they came up with the Duchess just then, who was waiting
for them in the grand corridor. No sooner did she perceive
that Sidonia was not with them than she cried out, " So
my son is alone with the maiden ! " and instantly despatched
three pages to watch them both.
Otto had now changed his tone, and instead of retorting,
thanked her Grace for the praiseworthy and Christian care
she took of his daughter. He did not believe this at first,
but now he saw it with his own eyes. Alas, it was too
true, the world was daily growing worse and worse, and the
devil haunted us with his temptations, like our own flesh and
blood. Then he sighed and kissed her hand, and prayed
her Grace to pardon him his former bold language — but, in
truth, he had felt displeased at first to see her Grace so harsh
to Sidonia, when every one else at the castle received her
with rapture ; but he saw now that she only meant kindly
and motherly by the girl.
Then the Duke asked her pardon for his little jest about
the kissing. She knew well that he meant no harm ; and
also that it was not in his nature to endure any melancholy or
lamentable faces around him.
So her Grace was reconciled to both, and when the Duke
announced that he and the knight proposed visiting Barth*
and Eldena, from whence they would return in a few days,
* Barth, a little town ; and Eldena was at that time a richly
endowed convent near Greifswald.
126 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
to take their leave of her, she said that if her dearest son
Ernest grew any better,- she would have a grand battue in
honour of his Highness Duke Barnim, upon their return.
Accordingly, after having amused themselves for a little
fishing with the tame sea-gull, the Duke and Otto rode
away, and her Grace went to the chamber of the young
Prince, to keep watch there during the night. She would
willingly have dismissed Sidonia, but he forbade her; and
Sidonia herself declared that she would watch day and
night by the bedside of the young lord. So she sat the
whole night by his bed, holding his hand in hers, and told
him about her journey, and how shamefully she had been
smuggled away out of the castle by old Ulrich, because she
would not learn the catechism ; and of her anguish when the
messengers arrived, and told of their young lord's illness.
She was quite certain Ulrich must have given him something
to cause it, as a punishment for having released her from
prison, for if he could strike a maiden, it was not surprising
that he would injure even his future reigning Prince to gratify
his malice. It was well the old malignant creature was
away now, as she was told, and if his Grace did right he
would play him a trick in return, and set fire to his castle at
Spantekow as soon as he was able to move.
Her Grace endured all this in silence, for her dear son's
sake, though in truth her anger was terrible. The young
lord, however, grew better rapidly, and the following day
was even able to creep out of bed for a couple of hours, to
touch the lute. And he taught Sidonia all, and placed her
little fingers himself on the strings, that she might learn the
better. Then, for the first time, he called for something to
eat, and after that fell into a profound sleep which lasted
forty-eight hours. During this time he lay like one dead,
and her Grace would have tried to awaken him, but the
physician prevented her. At length, when he awoke, he
cried out loudly, first for Sidonia, and then for some food.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 127
At last, to the great joy of her Grace, he was able, on the
fourth day, to walk in the castle garden, and arranged to
attend the hunt with his dear uncle upon his return to Wol-
gast. The Duke, on his arrival, rejoiced greatly to find the
young lord so well, and said with his usual gay manner,
" Come here, Sidonia ; I have been rather unwell on the
journey : come here and give me a kiss too, to make me
better ! " and Sidonia complied. Whereupon her Grace
looked unusually sour, but said nothing, for fear of dis-
turbing the general joy. Indeed, the whole castle was in a
state of jubilee, and her Grace promised that she and her
ladies would attend the hunt on the following day.
About this time the castle was troubled by a strange
apparition — no other than the spectre of the serpent knight,
who had been drowned some time previously. It was re-
ported that every night the ghost entered the castle by the
little water-gate, though it was kept barred and bolted, tra-
versed the whole length of the corridor, and sunk down into
the earth, just over the place where the ducal coaches and
sleighs were kept.
Every one fled in terror before the ghost, and scarcely
a lansquenet could be found to keep the night watch. What
this spectre betokened shall be related further on in this little
history, but at present I must give an account of the grand
battue which took place according to her Grace's orders, and
of what befell there.
CHAPTER XV.
Of the grand battue, and 'what the young Duke and Sidonia
resolved on there.
THE preparations for the hunt commenced early in the
morning, and the knights and nobles assembled in the hall of
128 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
fishes (so called because the walls were painted with repre-
sentations of all the fishes that are indigenous to Pomerania).
Here a superb breakfast was served, and pages presented
water in finger-basins of silver to each of the princely
personages. Then costly wines were handed round, and
Duke Barnim, having filled to the brim a cup bearing the
Pomeranian arms, rose up and said, " Give notice to the
warder at St. Peter's." And immediately, as the great bell
of the town rang out, and resounded through the castle and all
over the town, his Grace gave the health of Prince Ernest,
who pledged him in return. Afterwards they all descended
to the courtyard, and his Grace entered the ducal mews him-
self, to select a horse for the day. Now these mews were of
such wonderful beauty, that I must needs append a description
of them here.
First there was a grand portico, and within a corridor with
ranges of pillars on each side, round which were hung antlers
and horns of all the animals of the chase. This led to the
pond with the island in the centre, where the bear was kept,
as I have already described. When Duke Barnim and the
old knight emerged from the portico to enter the stable, they
were met by Johann Appelmann, the chief equerry, who spread
before the feet of his Highness a scarlet horse-cloth, em-
broidered with the ducal arms, whereon he laid a brush and a
riding- whip ; and then demanded his Trinkgeld.
On entering, they observed numerous stalls filled with
Pomeranian, Hungarian, Frisian, Danish, and Turkish horses
— each race by itself, and each horse standing ready saddled
and bridled since the morning. Item, all along the walls
were ranged enormous brazen lions' heads, which conveyed
water throughout the building, and cleansed the stables com-
pletely every day.
Otto wondered much at all this magnificence, and asked his
Grace what could her Highness want with all these horses.
" They eat their oats in idleness, for the most part,7' re-
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 129
plied the Duke. t( No one uses them but the pages and
knights of the household, who may select any for riding that
pleases them ; but her Highness would never diminish any of
the state maintained by her deceased lord, Duke Philip. So
there has been always, since that time, particular attention
paid to the ducal stables at Wolgast."
Now the train began to move towards the hunt, in all about
a hundred persons, and in front rode her Grace upon an
ambling palfrey, dressed in a riding-habit of green velvet, and
wearing a yellow hat with plumes. Her little Casimir rode
by her side on a Swedish pony ; then followed her ladies-in-
waiting, amongst whom rode Sidonia, all likewise dressed in
green velvet hunting-dresses, fastened with golden clasps ; but
in place of yellow, they wore scarlet hats, with gilded herons'
plumes. Duke Barnim and Prince Ernest rode along with
her Grace ; and though none but those of princely blood were
allowed to join this group, yet Otto strove to keep near them,
as if he really belonged to the party, just as the sacristan
strives to make the people think he is as good as the priest by
keeping as close as he can to him while the procession moves
along the streets.
After these came the marshal, the castellan, and then the
treasurer, with the office-bearers, knights, and esquires of
the household. Then the chief equerry, with the master of
the hounds and the principal huntsmen. But the beaters,
pages, lacqueys, drummers, coursers, and runners had already
gone on before a good way ; and never had the Wolgastians
beheld such a stately hunt as this since the death of good
Duke Philip. So the whole town ran together, and followed
the procession for a good space, up to the spot where blue
tents were erected for her Grace and her ladies. The ground
all round was strewed with flowers and evergreens, and before
the tents palisades were erected, on which lay loaded rifles,
ready to discharge at any of the game that came that way ;
and for two miles round the master of the hunt had laid
VOL. I. I
130 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
down nets, which were all connected together at a point close
to the princely tent.
When the beaters and their dogs had started the animals,
he left the tent to reconnoitre, and if the sport promised to
be plentiful, he ordered the drums to beat, in order to give
her Highness notice. Then she took a rifle herself, and
brought down several head, which was easily accomplished,
when they passed upon each other as thick as sheep. Sidonia,
who had often attended the hunts at Stramehl, was a most
expert shot, and brought down ten roes and stags, whereon
she had much jesting with the young lords, who had not been
half so successful. And let no one imagine that there was
danger to her Highness and her ladies in thus firing at the
wild droves from her tent, for it was erected upon a scaffolding
raised five feet from the ground, and surrounded by palisades,
so that it was impossible the animals could ever reach it.
On that day, there were killed altogether one hundred and
fifty stags, one hundred roes, five hundred hares, three
hundred foxes, one hundred wild boars, seven wolves, five
wild-cats, and one bear, which was entangled in the net and
then shot. And at last the right hearty pleasure of the day
began.
For it was the custom at the ducal court for each hunts-
man, from the master of the hunt down, to receive a portion of
the game ; and her Grace took much pleasure now in seeing
the mode in which the distribution was made. It was done
in this wise : each man received the head of the animal, and
as much of the neck as he could cover with the ears, by
dragging them down with all his might.
So the huntsmen stood now toiling and sweating, each
with one foot firmly planted against a stone and the other
on the belly of the beast, dragging down the ears with all
his force to the very furthest point they could go, when
another huntsman, standing by, cut off the head at that point
with his hunting-knife.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 131
Then each man let his dog bite at the entrails of a stag,
while they repeated old charms and verses over them, such
as : —
" Diana, no better e'er track' d a wood ;
There's many a huntsman not half so good."
Or, in Low German : —
" Wasser, if ever the devil you see,
Bite his leg for him, or he will bite me."
These old rhymes pleased the young Casimir mightily : if
his lady mother would only lend him a ribbon, he would lead
up little BlafFert his dog to them, and have a rhyme said over
him. So her Grace consented, and broke off her sandal-tie
to fasten in the little dog's collar, because in her hurry she
could find no other string, and left the tent herself with the
child to conduct him to the huntsmen.
Now the moment her Grace had taken her eyes off Si-
donia, and that all the other ladies had left the tent to follow
her and the little boy, who was laughiug and playing with
his dog, the young maiden, looking round to see that no one
was observing her, slipped out and ran in amongst the bushes,
and my lord, Prince Ernest, slipped after her. No one
observed them, for all eyes were turned upon the princely
child, who sprang to a huntsman and begged of him to say a
rhyme or two over his little dog BlafFert. The carl rubbed
his forehead, and at last gave out his psalm, as follows, in
Low German : —
" Blaffert, Blaffert, thou art fat !
If my lord would only feed
All his people like to that
'Twould be well for Pommern's* need."
All the bystanders laughed heartily, and then the hounds
were given their dinner according to the usage, which was
this : — A number of oak and birch trees were felled, and
* Pomerania.
i32 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
over every two and two there was spread a tablecloth —
that is, the warm skin of a deer or wild-boar ; into this, as
into a wooden trencher, was poured the warm blood of the
wild animals, which the hounds lapped up, while forty hunts-
men played a march with drums and trumpets, which was
re-echoed from the neighbouring wood, to the great delight
of all the listeners. When the hounds had lapped up all the
blood, they began to eat up the tablecloths likewise ; but as
these belonged to the huntsmen, a great fight took place
between them and the dogs for the skins, which was right
merry to behold, and greatly rejoiced the ducal party and all
the people.
In the meantime, as I said, Sidonia had slipped into the
wood, and the young lord after her. He soon found her
resting under the shadow of a large nut-tree, and the fol-
lowing conversation took place between them, as he after-
wards many times related : —
" Alas, gracious Prince, why do you follow me ? if your
lady mother knew of this we should both suffer. My head
ached after all that firing, and therefore I came hither to
enjoy a little rest and quietness. Leave me, leave me, my
gracious lord."
" No, no, he would not leave her until she told him
whether she still loved him ; for his lady mother watched
him day and night, like the dragon that guarded the Pome-
ranian arms, and until this moment he had never seen her
alone."
" But what could he now desire to say ? Had he not
sworn by the corpse of his father never to wed her ? "
" Yes ; in a moment of anguish he had sworn it, because
he would have died if she had not been brought back to the
castle."
" But still he must hold by his word to his lady mother,
would he not ? "
" Impossible ! all impossible ! He would sooner renounce
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 133
land and people for ever than his beautiful Sidonia. How
he felt, for the first time, the truth of the holy words, ' Love
is strong as death.' " * Then he throws his arms round her
and kissed her, and asked, would she be his ?
Here Sidonia covered her face with both hands, and
sinking down upon the grass, murmured, "Yours alone,
either you or death."
The Prince threw himself down beside her, and besought
her not to weep. " He could not bear to see her tears ;
besides, there was good hope for them yet, for he had spoken
to old Zitsewitz, who wished them both well, and who had
given him some good advice."
Sidonia (quickly removing her hands). — "What was it?"
" To have a private marriage. Then the devil himself
could not separate them, much less the old bigot Ulrich.
There was a priest in the neighbourhood, of the name of
Neigialink. He lived in Crummyn,f with a nun whom he
had carried off from her convent and married ; therefore he
would be able to sympathise with lovers, and would help
them."
" But his Highness should remember his kingly state, and
not bring misery on them both for ever."
" He had considered all that, they should therefore keep
this marriage private for a year ; she could live at Stramehl
during that period, and receive his visits without his mother
knowing of the matter. At the end of that year he would
be of age, and his own master."
Sidonia (embracing him). — " Ah, if he really loved her so,
then the sooner the better to the church. But let him take
care that evil-minded people would not separate them for
ever, and bring her to an early grave. Had the priest been
informed that he would be required to wed them ? "
" Not yet ; but if he continued as strong as he felt to-day,
he would ride over to Crummyn himself (for it was quite
* Song of Solomon viii. 6. f A town near Wolgast.
134 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
near to Wolgast) the moment Duke Barnim and her father
quitted the castle."
" But how would she know the result of his visit ? his
mother watched her day and night. Could he send a page
or a serving-maid to her ? — though indeed there were none
now he could trust, for Ulrich had dismissed all her good
friends. And if he came himself to her room, evil might be
spoken of it."
" He had arranged all that already. There was the bear,
as she remembered, chained upon the little island in the
horse-pond, just under her window. Now when he returned
from Crummyn, he would go out by seven in the morning,
before his lady mother began her spinning, and commence
shooting arrows at the bear, by way of sport ; then, as if by
chance, he would let fly an arrow at her window and shiver
the glass, but the arrow would contain a little note, detailing
his visit to the priest at Crummyn, and the arrangement he had
made for carrying her away secretly from the castle. She must
take care, however, to move away her seat from the window,
and place it in a corner, lest the arrow might strike herself."
But then a loud " Sidonia ! Sidonia ! " resounded through
the wood, and immediately after, " Ernest ! Ernest ! "
So she sprang up, and cried, " Run, dearest Prince, run
as fast as you are able, to the other side, where the huntsmen
are gathering, and mix with them, so that her Grace may
not perceive you." This he did, and began to talk to the
huntsmen about their dogs and the sweep of the chase, and
as her Grace continued calling " Ernest ! Ernest ! " he
stepped slowly towards her out of the crowd, and asked
what was her pleasure ? So she suspected nothing, and
grew quite calm again.
Duke Barnim now began to complain of hunger, and asked
her Grace where she meant to serve them a collation, for he
could never hold out until they reached Wolgast, and his
friend Otto also was growing as ravenous as a wolf.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 135
Her Grace answered, the collation was laid in the Cisan
tower, close beside them, and as the weather was good, his
Grace could amuse himself with the tubum opticum, which
a Pomeranian noble had bought in Middelburg from one
Johann Lippersein,* and presented to her. By the aid of
this telescope he would see as far as his own town of Stettin.
Neither the Duke nor Otto Bork believed it possible to see
Stettin, at the distance of thirteen or fourteen miles, with any
instrument. But her Grace, who had heard of Otto's god-
less infidelity, rebuked him gravely, saying, " You will soon
be convinced, sir knight ; so we often hold that to be im-
possible in spiritual matters, which becomes not only possible,
but certain, when we look through the telescope which the
Holy Spirit presents to us, weak and short-sighted mortals.
God give to every infidel such a tubum opticum I " The
Duke, fearing now that her Grace would continue her
sermon indefinitely, interrupted her in his jesting way —
" Listen, dear cousin ! I will lay a wager with you. If I
cannot see Stettin, as you promise, you shall give me a kiss ;
but if I see it and recognise it clearly, then I shall give you
a kiss."
Her Grace was truly scandalised, as one may imagine,
and replied angrily — " Good uncle ! if you attempt to offer
such indignities to me, the princely widow, I must pray your
Grace to leave my court with all speed, and never to return ! "
This rebuke made every one grave until they reached
the Cisan tower. This building lay only half a mile from
the hunting-ground, and was situated on the summit of the
Cisanberg, from whence its name. It was built of wood,
and contained four stories, besides excellent stabling for
horses. The apartments were light, airy, and elegant, so
that her Grace frequently passed a portion of the summer
* An optician, and the probable inventor of the telescope, which was
first employed about the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the
seventeenth century.
136 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
time there. The upper story commanded a view of the
whole adjacent country. At the foot of the hill ran the
little river Cisa into the Peen, and many light, beautiful
bridges were thrown over it at different points. The hill
itself was finely wooded with pines and other trees, and
the tower was made more light and airy than that which
Duke Johann Frederick afterwards erected at Friedrichs-
wald, and commanded a far finer prospect, seeing that the
Cisanberg is the highest hill in Pomerania.
While the party proceeded to the tower, Sidonia rode
along by her father, and to judge from her animation and
gestures, she was, no doubt, communicating to him all that
the young lord had promised, and her hopes, in consequence,
that a very short period would elapse before he might salute
her as Duchess of Pomerania.
When they reached the tower, all admired the view even
from the lower window, for they could see the Peen, the
Achterwasser, and eight or nine towns, besides the sea in the
distance. I say nothing of Wolgast, which seemed to lie
just beneath their feet, with its princely castle and cathedral
perfectly distinct, and all its seats laid out like a map, where
they could even distinguish the people walking. Then her
Grace bade them ascend to the upper story, and look out for
Stettin, but they sought for it in vain with their unassisted
eyes ; then her Grace placed the tubum opticum before the
Duke, and no sooner had he looked through it than he cried
out, " As I live, Otto, there is my strong tower of St. James's,
and my ducal castle to the left, lying far behind the Finken-
wald mountain." But the unbelieving Thomas laughed, and
only answered, " My gracious Prince ! do not let yourself be
so easily imposed upon."
Hereupon the Duke made him look through the telescope
himself; and no sooner had he applied his eye to the glass
than he jumped back, rubbed his eyes, looked through a
second time, and then exclaimed —
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 137
" Well, as true as my name is Otto Bork, I never could
have believed this."
" Now, sir knight," said her Grace, " so it is with you as
concerns spiritual things. How if you should one day find
that to be true which your infidelity now presumptuously
asserts to be false ? Will not your repentance then be bitter ?
If you have found my words true — the words of a poor, weak,
sinful woman, will you not much more find those of the holy
Son of God ? Yes, to your horror and dismay, you will find
His words to be truth, of whom even His enemies testified
that He never lied — Matt. xxii. 16. Tremble, sir knight,
and bethink you that what often seems impossible to man
is possible to God."
The bold knight was now completely silenced, and the
good-natured Duke, seeing that he had not a word to say in
reply, advanced to his rescue, and changed the conversation
by saying —
" See, Otto, the wind seems so favourable just now, that I
think we had better say 'Vale' to our gracious hostess in
the morning, and return to Stettin."
Not a word did his Grace venture to say more about the
wager of the kisses, for his dear cousin's demeanour restrained
even his hilarity. Otto had nothing to object to the arrange-
ment ; and her Grace said, if they were not willing longer to
abide at her widowed court, she would bid them both God-
speed upon their journey. " And you, sir knight, may take
back your daughter Sidonia, for our dear son, as you may
perceive, is now quite restored, and no longer needs her nurs-
ing. For the good deed she has wrought in curing him, I
shall recompense her as befits me. But at my court the
maiden can no longer abide."
The knight was at first so thunderstruck by these words that
he could not speak ; but at last drawing himself up proudly,
he said, " Good ; I shall take the Lady Sidonia back with
me to my castle ; but as touching the recompense, keep it for
138 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
those who need it." Sidonia, however, remained quite silent,
as did also the young lord.
But hear what happened. The festival lasted until late in
the night, and then suddenly such a faintness and bodily
weakness came over the young Prince Ernest that all the
physicians had to be sent for ; and they with one accord en-
treated her Grace, if she valued his life, not to send away
Sidonia.
One can imagine what her Grace felt at this news. No-
thing would persuade her to believe but that Sidonia had given
him some witch-drink, such as the girl out of Daber had
taught her to make.
No one could believe either that his Highness affected this
sickness, in order to force his mother to keep Sidonia at the
court ; indeed, he afterwards strongly asseverated, and this at
a time when he would have killed Sidonia with a look, if it
had been possible, that this weakness came upon him suddenly
like an ague, and that it could not have been caused by
anything she had given him, for he had eaten nothing, except
at the banquet at the Cisan tower.
In short, the young Prince became as bad as ever ; but
Sidonia never heeded him, only busied herself packing up her
things, as if she really intended going away with Otto, and
finally, as eight o'clock struck the next morning, she wrapped
herself in her mantle and hood, and went with her father and
Duke Barnim to take leave of her Grace. She looked as
bitter and sour as a vinegar-cruet — nothing would tempt her
to remain even for one day longer. What was her Grace to
do ? the young lord was dying, and had already despatched
two pages to her, entreating for one sight of Sidonia ! She
must give the artful hypocrite good words — but they were of
no avail — Sidonia insisted on leaving the castle that instant
with her father ; then turning to Duke Barnim, she exclaimed
with bitter tears, " Now, gracious Prince, you see yourself
how I am treated here."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 139
Neither would the cunning Otto permit his daughter to
remain on any account, unless, indeed, her Grace gave him a
written authority to receive the dues on the Jena. Such shame-
less knavery at last enraged the old Duke Barnim to such a
degree that he cried out — " Listen, Otto, my illustrious cousin
here has no more to do with the dues on the Jena than you
have ; they belong to'me alone, and I can give no promise until I
lay the question before my council and the diet of the Stettin
dukedom : be content, therefore, to wait until then." One
may easily guess what was the termination of the little drama
got up by Otto and his fair daughter — namely, that Otto sailed
away with the Duke, and that Sidonia remained at the court
of Wolgast.
CHAPTER XVI.
Hoiv the ghost continued to haunt the castle, and of its daring
behaviour — Item, hotw the young lord regained his
strength, and was able to visit Crummyn, 'with 'what
happened to him there.
So Sidonia was again seated by the couch of the young Prince,
with her hand in his hand ; but her Grace, as may well be
imagined, was never very far off from them ; and this annoyed
Sidonia so much, that she did not scruple to treat the mourning
mother and princely widow with the utmost contempt; at
last disdaining even to answer the questions addressed to her
by her Grace. All ^this the Duchess bore patiently for the
sake of her dear son. But even Prince Ernest felt, at length,
ashamed of such insolent scorn being displayed towards his
mother, and said —
"What, Sidonia, will you not even answer my gracious
mother?"
Hereupon the hypocrite sighed, and answered —
" Ah, my gracious Prince ! I esteem it better to pray in
140 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
silence beside your bed than to hold a loud chattering in your
ears. Besides, when I am speaking to God I cannot, at the
same time, answer your lady mother."
This pleased the young man, and he pressed her little hand,
and kissed it. And very shortly after, his strength returned
to him wonderfully, so that her Grace and Sidonia only
watched by him one night. The next day he fell into a
profound sleep, and awoke from it perfectly recovered.
In the meantime, the ghost became so daring and trouble-
some, that all the house stood in fear of it. Oftentimes it
would be seen even in the clear morning light ; and a maid,
who had forgotten to make the bed of one of the grooms,
and ran to the stables at night to finish her work, encountered
the ghost there, and nearly died of fright. Item, Clara von
Dewitz, one beautiful moonlight night, having gone out to take
a turn up and down the corridor, because she could not sleep
from the toothache, saw the apparition, just as day dawned,
sinking down into the earth, not far from the chamber of
Sidonia, to her great horror and astonishment. Item, her
Grace, that very same night, having heard a noise in the
corridor, opened her door, and there stood the ghost before
her, leaning against a pillar. She was horror-struck, and
clapped to her door hastily, but said nothing to the young
Prince, for fear of alarming him.
He had recovered, as I have said, in a most wonderful
manner, and though still looking pale and haggard, yet his
love for the maiden would not permit him to defer his visit to
C rummy n any longer ; particularly as it lay only half a mile
from the castle, but on the opposite bank of the river, near
the island of Usdom.
Thereupon, on the fourth night, he descended to the little
water-gate, having previously arranged with his chief equerry,
Appelmann, to have a boat there in readiness for him, and also
a good horse, to take across the ferry with them to the other
side. So, at twelve o'clock, he and Appelmann embarked
S1DONIA THE SORCERESS 141
privately, with Johann Bruwer, the ferryman, and were safely
landed at Mahlzow. Here he mounted his horse, and told
the two others to await his return, and conceal themselves
in the wood if any one' approached. Appelmann begged
permission to accompany his Highness, which, however, was
denied; the young Prince charging them strictly to hold
themselves concealed till his return, and never reveal to human
being where they had conducted him this evening, on pain of
his severe anger and loss of favour for ever ; but if they held
their secret close, he would recompense them at no distant
time, in a manner even far beyond their hopes.
So his Highness rode off to Crummyn, where all was
darkness, except, indeed, one small ray of light that glanced
from the lower windows of the cloister — for it was standing
at that time. He dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and
knocked at the window, through which he had a glimpse of
an old woman, in nun's garments, who held a crucifix
between her hands, and prayed.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "What can you want
here at such an hour ? "
" I am from Wolgast," he answered, " and must see the
priest of Crummyn."
" There is no priest here now."
" But I have been told that a priest of the name of Neigia-
link lived here."
Ilia. — " He was a Lutheran swaddler and no priest, other-
wise he would not live in open sin with a nun."
" It is all the same to me ; only come and show me the
way."
Ilia. — " Was he a heathen or a true Christian ? "
His Highness could not make out what the old mother
meant, but when he answered, "I am a Christian," she
opened the door, and let him enter her cell. As she lifted up
the lamp, however, she started back in terror at his young, pale,
haggard face. Then, looking at his rich garments, she cried —
142 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
"This must be a son of good Duke Philip's, for never
were two faces more alike."
The Prince never imagined that the old mother could
betray him, and therefore answered, " Yes ; and now lead
me to the priest."
So the old mother began to lament over the downfall of
the pure Christian doctrine, which his father, Duke Philip,
had upheld so bravely. And if the young lord held the true
faith (as she hoped by his saying he was a Christian), if so>
then she would die happy, and the sooner the better — even if
it were this night, for she was the last of all the sisterhood,
all the other nuns having died of grief; and so she went on
chattering.
Prince Ernest regretted that he had not time to discourse
with her upon the true faith, but would she tell him where
the priest was to be found.
Ilia. — " She would take him to the parson, but he must
first do her a service."
" Whatever she desired, so that it would not detain him."
Ilia. — " It was on this night the vigil of the holy St.
Bernard, their patron saint, was held ; now, there was no one
to light the altar candles for her, for her maid, who had
grown old along with her, lay a-dying, and she was too old
and weak herself to stretch up so high. And the idle
Lutheran heretics of the town would mock, if they knew she
worshipped God after the manner of her fathers. The old
Lutheran swaddler, too, would not suffer it, if he knew she
prayed in the church by nights. But she did not care for
his anger, for she had a private key that let her in at all
hours ; and his Highness, the Prince, at her earnest prayers,
had given her permission to pray in the church, at any time
she pleased, from then till her death."
So the old mother wept so bitterly, and kissed his High-
ness's hand, entreating him with such sad lamentations to
remain with her until she said a prayer, that he consented.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 143
And she said, if the heretic parson came there to scold her,
which of a surety he would, knowing that she never omitted
a vigil, he could talk to him in the church, without going
to disturb him and his harlot nun at their own residence.
Besides, the church was the safest place to discourse in, for
no one would notice them, and he would be able to protect
her from the parson's anger besides.
Here the old mother took up the church keys and a horn
lantern, and led the young Prince through a narrow corridor
up to the church door. Hardly, however, had she put the
key in the lock, when the loud bark of a dog was heard in-
side, and they soon heard it scratching, and smelling, and
growling at them close to the door.
" What can that dog be here for ? " said his Highness in
alarm.
" Alas ! " answered the nun, " since the pure old religion
was destroyed, profanity and covetousness have got the
upper hand ; so every church where even a single pious
relic of the wealth of the good old times remains, must be
guarded, as you see, by dogs.* And she had herself locked
* It is an undeniable fact, that the immorality of the people fearfully
increased with the progress of the Reformation throughout Pomerania.
An old chronicler, and a Protestant, thus testifies, 1542 : — "And since
this time (the Reformation) a great change has come over all things.
In place of piety, we have profanity ; in place of reverence, sacrilege
and the plundering of God's churches ; in place of alms-deeds, stingi-
ness and selfishness ; in place of feasts, greed and gluttony ; in place of
festivals, labour; in place of obedience and humility of children,
obstinacy and self-opinion ; in place of honour and veneration for the
priesthood, contempt for the priest and the church ministers. So that
one might justly assert that the preaching of the evangelism had made
the people worse in place of better."
Another Protestant preacher, John Borkmann, asserts, 1560: — "As
for sin, it overflows all places and all stations. It is growing stronger
in all offices, in all trades, in all employments, in every station of life —
what shall I say more? — in every individual" — and so on. I would
therefore recommend the blind eulogists of the good old times to
examine history for themselves, and not to place implicit belief either
in the pragmatical representations of the old and new Lutherans.
144 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
up her pretty dog Storteback* here, that no one might rob
the altar of the golden candlesticks and the little jewels, at
least as long as she lived."
So she desired Storteback to lie still, and then entered the
church with the Prince, who lit the altar candles for her,
and then looked round with wonder on the silver lamps, the
golden pix and cups, and other vessels adorned with jewels,
used by the Papists in their ceremonies.
The old mother, meanwhile, took off her white garment
and black scapulary, and being thus naked almost to the
waist, descended into a coffin, which was lying in a corner
beside the altar. Here she groped till she brought up a
crucifix, and a scourge of knotted cords. Then she kneeled
down within the coffin, lashing herself with one hand till the
blood flowed from her shoulders, and with the other holding
up the crucifix, which she kissed from time to time, whilst
she recited the hymn of the holy St. Bernard : —
" Salve caput cruentatum,
Totum spinis coronatum,
Conquassatum, vulneratum,
Arundine verberatum
Facie sputis illita."
When she had thus prayed, and scourged herself a while,
she extended the crucifix with her bleeding arm to the
Prince, and prayed him, for the sake of God, to have com-
passion on her, and so would the bleeding Saviour and all
the saints have compassion upon him at the last day. And
when his Highness asked her what he could do for her, she
besought him to bring her a priest from Grypswald, who
could break the Lord's body once more for her, and give her
the last sacrament of extreme unction here in her coffin.
Then would she never wish to leave it, but die of joy if this
only was granted to her.
So the Prince promised to fulfil her wishes ; whereupon
* The name of a notorious northern pirate.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 145
she crouched down again in the coffin, and recommenced the
scourging, while she repeated with loud sobs and groans the
two last verses of the hymn. Scarcely had she ended when
a small side-door opened, and the dog Storteback began to
bark vociferously.
" What ! " exclaimed a voice, " is that old damned Ca-
tholic witch at her mummeries, and burning my good wax
candles all for nothing ? "
And, silencing the dog, a man stepped forward hastily,
but, seeing the Prince, paused in astonishment. Whereupon
the old mother raised herself up out of the coffin, and said,
"Did I not tell your Grace that you would see the hard-
hearted heretic here ? — that is the man you seek." So the
Prince brought him into the choir, and told him that he was
Prince Ernest Ludovicus, and came here to request that
he would privately wed him on the following night, without
knowledge of any human being, to his beloved and affianced
bride, Sidonia von Bork.
The priest, however, did not care to mix himself up with
such a business, seeing that he feared Ulrich mightily ; but
his Grace promised him a better living at the end of the
year, if he would undertake to serve him now.
To which the priest answered — " Who knows if your
Highness will be alive by the end of the year, for you look
as pale as a corpse ? "
" He never felt better in his life. He had been ill lately,
but now was as sound as a fish. Would he not marry
him?"
Hie. — " Certainly not ; unless he received a handsome
consideration. He had a wife and dear children ; what
would become of them if he incurred the displeasure of that
stern Lord Chamberlain and of the princely widow ? "
" But could he not bring his family to Stettin ; for he
and his young bride intended to fly there, and put themselves
under the protection of his dear uncle, Duke Barnim ? "
VOL. I. K
146 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Hie. — " It was a dangerous business ; still, if his High-
ness gave him a thousand gulden down, and a written promise,
signed and sealed, that he would provide him with a better
living before the year had expired, why, out of love for the
young lord, he would consent to peril himself and his family ;
but his Highness must not think evil of him for demanding
the thousand gulden paid down immediately, for how were
his dear wife and children to be supported through the long
year otherwise ? "
His Highness, however, considered the sum too large, and
said that his gracious mother had scarcely more a year for
herself than a thousand gulden — she that was the Duchess of
Pomerania.
However, they finally agreed upon four hundred gulden ;
for his Highness showed him that Doctor Luther himself
had only four hundred gulden a year, and surely he would
not require more than the great reformator ecclesia.
So everything was arranged at last, the priest promising
to perform the ceremony on the third night from that ;
" For some time," he said, " would be necessary to collect
people to assist them in their flight, and money must be
distributed ; but his Highness would, of course, repay all
that he expended in his behalf, and further promise to
give him and his family free quarters when they reached
Stettin."
After the ceremony, they could reach the boat through
the convent garden, and sail away to Warte.* Then he
would have four or five peasants in waiting, with carriages
ready, to escort them to East Clune, from whence they
could take another boat and cross the Haff into Stettin ; for,
as they could not reckon on a fair wind with any certainty,
it was better to perform the journey half by land and half
by water ; besides, the fishermen whom he intended to em-
ploy were not accustomed to sail up the Peen the whole way
* A town near Usdom.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 147
into the HafF, for their little fishing-smacks were too slight to
stand a strong current.
Hereupon the Prince answered, that, since it was neces-
sary, he would wait until the third night, when the priest
should have everything in readiness, but meanwhile should
confide the secret to no one. So he turned away, and
comforted the old mother again with his promises as he
passed out.
The next morning, having written all down for Sidonia,
and concealed the note in an arrow, he went forth as he had
arranged, and began to tease the bear by shooting arrows at
him, till the beast roared and shook his chain. Then, per-
ceiving that Sidonia had observed him from the window,
he watched a favourable opportunity, and shot the arrow up,
right through her window, so that the pane of glass rattled
down upon the floor. In the billet therein concealed he
explained the whole plan of escape ; and asked her to inform
him, in return, how she could manage to come to him on
the third night. Would his dearest Sidonia put on the
dress of a page ? He could bring it to her little chamber
himself the next night. She must write a little note in
answer, and conceal it in the arrow as he had done, then
throw it out of the window, and he would be on the watch to
pick it up.
So Sidonia replied to him that she was content ; but, as
regarded the page's dress, he must leave it, about ten o'clock
the next night, upon the beer-barrel in the corridor, but not
attempt to bring it himself to her chamber. Concerning the
manner in which she was to meet him on the third night, had
he forgotten that the old castellan barred and bolted all that
wing ot the castle by eleven o'clock, so that she could never
leave the corridor by the usual way ; but there was a trap-
door near her little chamber which led down into the ducal
stables, and this door no one ever thought of or minded — it
was never bolted night or day, and was quite large enough for
148 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
a man to creep through. Her dear Prince might wait for her,
by that trap-door, at eleven o'clock on the appointed night.
He could not mistake it, for the large basket lay close behind,
in which her Grace kept her darling little kittens ; from thence
they could easily get into the outer courtyard, which was
never locked, and, after that, go where they pleased. If he
approved of this arrangement, let him shoot another arrow
into her room ; but, above all things, he was to keep at a
distance from her during the day, that her Grace might not
suspect anything.
Having thrown the arrow out of the window, and received
another in answer from the Prince, which the artful hypocrite
flung out as if in great anger, she ran to Clara's room, and
complained bitterly how the young lord had broken her win-
dow, because, forsooth, he must be shooting arrows at the
bear ; and so she had to come into her room out of the cold
air, until the glazier came to put in the glass. When Clara
asked how she could be so angry with the young Prince —
did she not love him any longer ? — Sidonia replied, that truly
she had grown very tired of him, for he did nothing but sigh
and groan whenever he came near her, like an asthmatic old
woman, and had grown as thin and dry as a baked plum.
There was nothing very lovable about him now. Would to
Heaven that he were quite well, and she would soon bid fare-
well to the castle and every one in it ; but the moment she
spoke of going his sickness returned, so that she was obliged
to remain, which was much against her inclination ; and this
she might tell Clara in confidence, because she had always
been her truest friend.
Then she pretended to weep, and cursed her beauty, which
had brought her nothing but unhappiness ; thereupon the
tender-hearted Clara began to comfort her, and kissed her ;
and the moment Sidonia left her to get the glass mended, Clara
ran to her Grace to tell her the joyful tidings ; but, alas ! that
very day the wickedness of the artful maiden was brought to
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 149
light. For what happened in the afternoon ? See, the nun
of Crummyn steps out of a boat at the little water-gate, and
places herself in a corner of the courtyard, where the people
soon gather round in a crowd, to laugh at her white garments
and black scapulary ; and the boys begin to pelt the poor old
mother with stones, and abuse her, calling her the old Papist
witch ; but by good fortune the castellan comes by, and com-
mands the crowd to leave off tormenting her, and then asks
her business.
///#. — « She must speak instantly to her Grace the princely
widow."
So the old man brings her to her Grace, with whom Clara
was still conversing, and the old nun, after she had kneeled
to the Duchess and kissed her hand, began to relate how her
young lord, Prince Ernest, had been with her the night be-
fore, while she was keeping the vigilia of holy St. Bernard
to the best of her ability, and had urgently demanded to see
the Lutheran priest named Neigialink, and that when this
same priest came into the church to scold her, as was his wont,
he and the Prince had retired into the choir, and there held
a long conversation which she did not comprehend. But the
priest's mistress had told her the whole business this morning,
under a promise of secrecy — namely, that the priest, her leman,
had promised to wed Prince Ernest privately, on the third
night from that, to a certain young damsel named Sidonia
von Bork. That the Prince had given him a thousand
gulden for his services, and a promise of a rich living when
he succeeded to the government, so that in future she could
live as grand as an abbess, and have what beautiful horses she
chose from the ducal stables.
" And this," said the nun, " was told me by the priest's
mistress ; but as I have a true Pomeranian heart, although,
indeed, the Prince has left the good old religion, I could not
rest in peace until I stepped into a boat, weak and old as I
am, and sailed off here direct to inform your Grace of the
i$o SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
plot." She only asked one favour in return for her service.
It was that her Grace would permit her to end the rest of
her days peaceably in the cloister, and protect her from the
harshness of the Lutheran priests and the fury of the mob,
who fell on her like mad dogs here in the castle court, and
would have torn her to pieces if the castellan had not come
by and rescued her. But above all, she requested and prayed
her Grace to permit a true priest to come to her from Gryps-
wald, who could give her the holy Eucharist, and prepare her
for death. But her Grace was struck dumb by astonishment
and alarm, and Clara could not speak either, only wrung her
hands in anguish. And her Grace continued to walk up and
down the room weeping bitterly, until at last she sat down
before her desk to indite a note to old Ulrich, praying for
his presence without delay, and straightway despatched the
chief equerry, Appelmann, with it to Spantekow.
The old nun still continued crying, would not her Grace
send her a priest ? But her Grace refused ; for in fact she
was a stern upholder of the pure doctrine. Anything else
the old mother demanded she might have, but with the
abominations of Popery her Grace would have nothing to do.
Still the old nun prayed and writhed at her feet, crying and
groaning, " For the love of God, a priest ! for the love of
God, a priest ! " but her Grace drew herself up stiff and stern,
and let the old woman writhe there unheeded, until at length
she motioned to Clara to have her removed to the court-
yard, where the poor creature leaned up against the pump in
bitter agony, and drew forth a crucifix from her bosom, kissed
it, and looking up to heaven, cried, " Jesu ! Jesu ! art Thou
come at last ? " and then dropped down dead upon the pave-
ment, which the crowd no sooner observed than they gathered
round the corpse, screaming out, " The devil has carried her
off! See! the devil has carried off the old Papist witch ! "
Hearing the uproar, her Grace descended, as did also the
young lord and Sidonia, who both appeared as if they knew
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 151
nothing at all about the old nun. And her Grace commanded
that the executioner should by no means drag away the body,
as the people demanded, who were now rushing to the spot
from all quarters of the town, but that it should be decently
lifted into the boat and conveyed back again to Crummyn,
there to be interred with the other members of the sisterhood
at the cloister.
No word did she speak, either to her undutiful son or to
Sidonia, about what she had heard ; only when the latter asked
her what the nun came there for, she answered coldly, " For
a Popish priest.'' Hereupon the young Prince was filled with
joy, concluding that nothing had been betrayed as yet. And
it was natural the old nun should come with this request,
seeing that she had made the same to him. Her Grace also
strictly charged Clara to observe a profound silence upon all
they had heard, until the old chamberlain arrived, and this
she promised.
CHAPTER XVII.
Of Ulrica's counsels — Item, ho<w Clara von Deivitz came upon
the track of the ghost.
AT eleven o'clock that same night, the good and loyal Lord
Ulrich arrived at the castle with Appelmann, from Spantekow,
and just waited to change his travelling dress before he pro-
ceeded to the apartment of her Grace. He found her seated
with Clara and another maiden, weeping bitterly. Dr. Ger-
schovius was also present. When the old man entered, her
Grace's lamentations became yet louder — alas ! how she was
afflicted ! Who could have believed that all this had come
upon her because the devil, out of malice, had made Dr.
Luther drop her wedding-ring at the bridal ! And when
the knight asked in alarm what had happened, she replied
i^2 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
that tears prevented her speaking, but Dr. Gerschovius would
tell him all.
So the doctor related the whole affair, from the declaration
of the old nun to the hypocritical conduct of Sidonia towards
Clara von Dewitz, upon which the old knight shook his head,
and said, " Did I not counsel your Grace to let the young
lord die, in God's name, for better is it to lose life than
honour. Had he died then, so would the Almighty have
raised him pure and perfect at the last day, but now he is
growing daily in wickedness as a young wolf in ferocity."
Then her Grace made answer, the past could not now
be recalled ; and that she was ready to answer before God
for what she had done through motherly love and tenderness.
They must now advise her how to save her infatuated son
from the snares of this wanton. Dr. Gerschovius, thereupon,
gave it as his opinion that they should each be placed in
strict confinement for the next fourteen days, during which
time he would visit and admonish them twice a day, by
which means he hoped soon to turn their hearts to God.
Here old Ulrich laughed outright, and asked the doctor,
was he still bent upon teaching Sidonia her catechism ?
As to the young lord, no admonition would do him good
now ; he was thoroughly bewitched by the girl, and though
he made a hundred promises to give her up, would never
hold one of them. Alas ! alas ! that the son of good Duke
Philip should be so degenerate.
But her Grace wept bitterly, and said, that never was
there a more obedient, docile, and amiable child than her
dear Ernest; skilled in all the fine arts, and gifted by
nature with all that could ensure a mother's love. " But how
does all this help him now ? " cried Ulrich. " It is with a
good heart as with a good ship, unless you guide it, it will
run aground — stand by the helm, or the best ship will be
lost. What had the country to expect from a Prince who
would die, forsooth, unless his mistress sat by his bedside ?
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 153
Ah ! if he could only have followed the funeral of the young
lord, he would have given a hundred florins to the poor
that very day ! "
"It was not her son's fault — that base hypocrite had
caused it all by some hell magic."
Hie. — " That was quite impossible ; however, he would
believe it to please her Grace."
" Then let him speak his opinion, if the counsel of Dr.
Gerschovius did not please him."
Ilk. — " His advice, then, was to keep quiet until the third
night, then secretly place a guard round the castle and at
the wing, and when the bridal party met, take them out
prisoners, send my young lord to the tower, but disgrace
Sidonia publicly, and send her off where she pleased — to the
fiend, if she liked."
" Then they would have the same old scene over again ;
her son would fall sick, and Sidonia could not be brought
back to cure him, if once she had been publicly disgraced
before all the people. So matters would be worse than
ever."
Hereupon old Ulrich fell into such a rage that he cursed
and swore, that her Grace treated him no better than a
fool, to bring him hither from Spantekow, and then refuse
to take his advice. As to Sidonia, her Grace had already
brought disgrace upon her princely house, by first turning
her out, and then praying her to come back before three days
had elapsed. All Pomerania talked of it, and old Otto Bork
did not scruple to brag and boast everywhere, that her
Grace had no peace or rest from her conscience until she
had asked forgiveness from the Lady Sidonia (as the vain
old knave called her) and entreated her to return. Now
if she took the advice of Doctor Gerschovius, and first
imprisoned and then turned away Sidonia, no one would
believe in her story of the intended marriage, but look on
her conduct as only a confirmation of all the hard treatment
1,54 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
which her Grace was reported to have employed towards
the girl ; whereas if she only waited till the whole bridal
party were ready to start, and then arrested Sidonia, her
Grace was justified before the whole world, for what greater
fault could be committed than thus to entrap the young
Prince into a secret marriage, and run away with him by
night from the castle ? Let her Grace then send for the
executioner, and let him give Sidonia a public whipping
before all the people. No one would think the punishment
too hard, for seducing a Prince of Pomerania into a marriage
with her.
So the princely widow of Duke Philip will be justified
before all the world ; and when the young lord sees his bride
so disgraced, he will assuredly be right willing to give her
up ; even if he fall sick, it is impossible that he could send
for a maiden to sit by his bed who had been publicly
whipped by the executioner. Those were stern measures,
perhaps, but a branch of the old Pomeranian tree was
decayed ; it must be lopped, or the whole tree itself would
soon fall.
When the Grand Chamberlain ceased speaking, her Grace
considered the matter well, and finally pronounced that she
would follow his advice, whereupon, as the night waxed late,
she dismissed the party to their beds, retaining only Clara with
her for a little longer.
But a strange thing happened as she, too, finally quitted her
Grace, and proceeded along the corridor to her own little
apartment — and here let every one consider how the hand of
God is in everything, and what great events He can bring
forth from the slightest causes, as a great oak springs up from
a little acorn.
For as the maiden walked along, her sandal became un-
fastened, and tripped her, so that she nearly fell upon her face,
whereupon she paused, and placing her foot upon a beer-barrel
that stood against the wall not far from Sidonia's chamber,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 155
began to fasten it, but lo ! just at that moment the head of
the ghost appeared rising through the trap-door, and looked
round, then, as if aware of her presence, drew back, and she
heard a noise as if it had jumped down on the earth beneath.
She was horribly frightened, and crept trembling to her bed ;
but then on reflecting over this apparition of the serpent knight,
it came into her head that it could not be a ghost, since it came
down on the ground with such a heavy jump ; she prayed
to God, therefore, to help her in discovering this matter,
and as she could not sleep, rose before the first glimmer of
daylight to examine this hole which lay so close to Sidonia's
chamber, and there truly she discovered the trap-door, and
having opened, found that it lay right over a large coach in the
ducal stables ; thereupon she concluded that the ghost was no
other than the Prince himself who thus visited Sidonia.
Then she remembered that the ghost had been particularly
active while the young Prince lay sick on his bed watched
by his mother ; so to make the matter clearer she went the
next evening into the stables, and observing the coach, which
lay just beneath the hole, sprinkled fine ash-dust all round it.
Then returning to her room, she waited until it grew quite
dark, and as ten o'clock struck and all the doors of the corridor
leading to the women's apartments were barred and bolted,
she wrapped herself in a black mantle and stole out with a
palpitating heart into the gallery. Remembering the large
beer-barrel .near Sidonia's room, she crouched down behind
it, and from thence had a distinct view of the trap-door, and
also of Sidonia' s chamber. There she waited for about an
hour, when she perceived the young Prince coming, but not
through the trap-door. He knocked lightly at Sidonia' s door,
who opened it instantly, and they held a long whispering con-
versation together. He had brought her the page's dress, and
there was nothing to be feared now, for he had examined the
trap and found they could easily get out through it on the top
of the coach, and from thence into the stables. After that
156 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the way was clear. Surely some good angel had put the idea
into her head. Then he kissed her tenderly.
Ilia. — " What did the old nun come for ? Could she
have betrayed them ? "
Hie. — " Impossible. She did not know a syllable of their
affairs, and had come to ask his lady mother to send her a
Popish priest, as she had asked himself." Then he kissed her
again, but she tore herself from his arms, threw the little
bundle into the room, and shut the door in his face. Where-
upon the young Prince went his way, sighing as if his heart
would break.
Now Clara concluded, with reason, that the young lord
was not the ghost, inasmuch as he did not creep through the
trap-door, nor did he wear helmet or cuirass, or any sort of
disguise. But when she heard Sidonia talk with such know-
ledge of the trap-door, she guessed there was some knavery
in the matter, and though she sat the night there she was de-
termined to watch. And behold! at twelve o'clock there
was a great clattering heard below, and presently a helmet
appeared rising through the hole, and then the entire figure of
the ghost clambered up through it, and after cautiously look-
ing round it, approached Sidonia's door, and knocked lightly.
Immediately she opened it herself, admitted the ghost, and
Clara heard her drawing the bolts of the door within.
The pious and chaste maiden felt ready to faint with
shame ; for it was now evident that Sidonia deceived the poor
young Prince as well as every one else, and that this ghost whom
she admitted must be a favoured lover. She resolved to
watch until he came out. But it was about the dawn of
morning before he again appeared, and took his hellish path
down through the trap-door, in the same way as he had risen.
But to make all certain she took a brush, and before it was
quite day, descended to the stables, where, indeed, she observed
large, heavy footprints in the ashes all round the coach, quite
unlike those which the delicate little feet of his Highness
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 157
would have made. So she swept them all clean away to
avoid exciting any suspicion, and crept back noiselessly to
her little room. Then waiting till the morning was somewhat
advanced, she despatched her maid on some errand into the
town, in order to get rid of her, and then watched anxiously
for her bridegroom, Marcus Bork, who always passed her
door going to his office ; and hearing his step, she opened
her door softly, and drew him in. Then she related fully
all she had heard and seen on the past night.
The upright and virtuous young man clasped his hands
together in horror and disgust, but could not resolve whether
it were fitter to declare the whole matter to her Highness
instantly or not. Clara, however, was of opinion that her
Grace would derive great comfort from the information,
because when the Prince found how Sidonia had betrayed him,
he would give up the creature of his own accord. To which
Marcus answered, that probably the Prince would not believe
a word of the story, and then matters would be in a worse
way than ever.
Ilia. — "Was he afraid to disgrace Sidonia because she was
his kinswoman ? Was it the honour of his name he wished
to shield by sparing her from infamy ? "
Hie. — " No ; she wronged him. If she were his sister,
he would still do his duty towards her Grace. The honour
of the whole Pomeranian house was perilled here, and he
would save it at any cost. But did his darling bride know
who the ghost was ? "
Ilia. — " No ; she had been thinking the whole night about
him till her head ached, but in vain."
At this moment the Grand Chamberlain passed the room on
his way to the Duchess, and they both went to the door, and
entreated him to come in and give them his advice. How
the old knight laughed for joy when he heard all ; it was
almost as good news to him as the death of the young lord
would have been. But no ; they must not breathe a syllable
158 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
of it to her Highness. Wait for this night, and if the dear
ghost appeared again, he would give him and his paramour
something to think of to the end of their lives. Then he
walked up and down Clara's little room, thinking over what
should be done ; and finally resolved to open the matter to
the young Prince that night between ten and eleven o'clock,
and show him what a creature he was going to make Duchess
of Pomerania. After which they should all, Marcus included,
go armed to the stables — for the Prince, no doubt, would be
slow of belief — and there conceal themselves in the coach until
the ghost arrived. If he came, as was almost certain, they
would follow him to Sidonia's room, break it open, and
discover them together. In order that witnesses might not
be wanting, he would desire all the pages and household to be
collected in his room at that hour ; and the moment they were
certain of having trapped the ghost, Marcus should slip out of
the coach, and run to gather them all together in the grand
corridor. To ensure all this being done, he would take the
keys from the castellan himself that night, and keep them in
his own possession. But, above all things, they were to keep
still and quiet during the day ; and now he would proceed to
her Grace.
But Marcus Bork begged to ask him, if the ghost did not
come that night, what was to be done ? For the next was to
be that of the marriage, and unless the Prince was convinced
by his own eyes, nothing would make him credit the wicked-
ness of his intended bride. Sidonia would swear by heaven
and earth that the story was a malicious invention, and a plot
to effect her utter destruction.
This view of the case puzzled the old knight not a
little, and he rubbed his forehead and paced up and down
the room, till suddenly an idea struck him, and he exclaimed —
" I have it, Marcus ! You are a brave youth, dear
Marcus, and a loyal subject and servant to her Grace. Your
conduct will bring as much honour upon the noble name of
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 159
Bork as Sidonia's has brought disgrace. Therefore I will
trust you. Listen, Marcus. If the ghost does not appear
to-night, then you must ride the morrow morn to Crummyn.
Bribe the priest with gold. Tell him that he must write
instantly to the young Prince, saying, that the marriage must
be delayed for eight days, for there was no boat to be had
safe enough to carry him and his bride up the Haff, seeing
that all the boats and their crews were engaged at the
fisheries, and would not be back to Crummyn until the
following Saturday. The young lord, therefore, must have
patience. Should the priest hesitate, then Marcus must
threaten him with the loss of his living, as the whole princely
house should be made acquainted with his villainy. He will
then consent. I know him well !
" If that is once arranged, then we shall seat ourselves
every night in the coach until the ghost comes ; and, me-
thinks, he will not long delay, since hitherto he has managed
his work with such security and success."
The discreet and virtuous Marcus promised to obey Ulrich
in all things, and the Grand Chamberlain then went his way.
CHAPTER XVIII.
How the horrible 'wickedness of Sidonia was made apparent ;
and how in consequence thereof she was banished with
ignominy from the ducal court of fflolgast.
THE night came at last. And the Grand Chamberlain col-
lected, as he had said, all the officials and pages of the house-
hold together in his office at the treasury, and bid them wait
there until he summoned them. No one was to leave the
apartment under pain of his severe displeasure. Item, he
had prayed her Grace not to retire to rest that night before
twelve of the clock ; and when she asked wherefore, he
160 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
replied that she would have to take leave of a very remark-
able visitor that night ; upon which she desired to know
more, but he said that his word was passed not to reveal
more. So her Grace thought he meant himself, and pro-
mised to remain up.
As ten o'clock struck, the castellan locked up, as was his
wont, all that portion of the castle leading to the women's
apartments. Whereupon Ulrich asked him for the keys,
saying that he would keep them in his own charge. Then
he prayed his Serene Highness Prince Ernest to accompany
him to the lumber-room.
His Highness consented, and they both ascended in the
dark. On entering, Ulrich drew forth a dark lantern from
beneath his cloak, and made the light fall upon an old suit of
armour. Then turning to the Prince — " Do you know this
armour ? " he said.
" Ah, yes ; it was the armour of his dearly beloved father,
Duke Philip."
Hie. — " Right. Did he then remember the admonitions
which the wearer of this armour had uttered, upon his death-
bed, to him and his brothers ? "
" Oh yes, well he remembered them ; but what did this
long sermon denote ? "
Ille. — "This he would soon know. Had he not given
his right hand to the wearer of that armour, and pledged
himself ever to set a good example before the people com-
mitted to his rule ? "
Hie. — " He did not know what all this meant. Had he
even set a bad example to his subjects ? "
Ille. — " He was on the high-road to do it, when he had
resolved to wed himself secretly to a maiden beneath his
rank. (Here the young Prince became as pale as a corpse.)
Let him deny, if he could, that he had sworn by his father's
corpse, with his hand upon the coffin, to abandon Sidonia.
He would not upbraid him with his broken promises to him,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 161
but would he bring his loving mother to her grave through
shame and a broken heart ? Would he make himself on a
level with the lowest of the people, by wedding Sidonia the
next night in the church at Crummyn ? "
Hie. — "Had that accursed Catholic nun then betrayed
him ? Ah, he was surrounded by spies and traitors ; but if he
could not obtain Sidonia now, he would wed her the moment
he was of age and succeeded to the government. If he could
in no way have Sidonia, then he would never wed another
woman, but remain single and a dead branch for his whole
life long. Her blood was as noble as his own, and no devil
should dare to part them."
Hie. — " But if he could prove, this very night, to the young
lord, that Sidonia was not an honourable maiden, but a dis-
honoured creature " Here the young Prince drew his
dagger and rushed upon the old man, with lips foaming with
rage ; but Ulrich sprang behind the armour of Duke Philip,
and said calmly, " Ernest, if thou wouldst murder me who
have been so leal and faithful a servant to thee and thine, then
strike me dead here through the links of thy father's cuirass."
And as the young man drew back with a deep groan, he
continued — " Hear me, before thou dost a deed which eternity
will not be long enough to repent. I cannot be angry with
thee, for I have been young myself, and would have stricken
any one to the earth who had called my own noble bride dis-
honoured. Listen to me, then, and strike me afterwards, if
thou wilt." Hereupon the old knight stepped out from be-
hind the armour, which was fixed upon a wooden frame in
the middle of the apartment, with the helmet surmounting it,
and leaning against the shoulder-piece, he proceeded to relate
all that Clara had seen and heard.
The young Prince turned first as red as scarlet, then pale
as a corpse, and sunk down upon a pile of old armour, unable
to utter anything but sighs and groans.
Ulrich then asked if he remembered the silly youth who
VOL. i. L ,
162 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
had been drowned lately in consequence of Sidonia's folly;
for it was his apparition in the armour he then wore which it
was reported haunted the castle. And did he remember also
how that armour (in which the poor young man's father also
had been killed fighting against the Bohemians) had been
taken off the corpse and hung up again in that lumber-room ?
Hie. — " Of course he remembered all that ; it had happened
too lately for him to forget the circumstance."
Ille. — " Well, .then, let him take the lantern himself, and
see if the armour hung still upon the wall." So the young
lord took the lantern with trembling hands, and advanced to
the place ; but no — there was no armour there now. Then
he looked all round the room, but the armour with the serpent
crest was nowhere to be seen. He dropped the lantern with
a bitter execration. Hereupon the old knight continued —
" You see, my gracious Prince, that the ghost must have flesh
and blood, like you or me. The castellan tells me that when
the ghost first began his pranks, the helmet and cuirass were
still found every morning in their usual place here. But for
eight days they have not been forthcoming ; for the ghost, you
see, is growing hardy and forgetting his usual precautions.
However, the castellan had determined to watch him, and
seize hold of him, for, as he rightly conjectured, a spirit could
not carry away a heavy iron suit of armour on him ; but his
wife had dissuaded him from those measures up to the present
time. Come now to the stables with me," continued Ulrich,
" and let us conceal ourselves in the coach which I mentioned
to you ; Marcus Bork shall accompany us, and let us wait
there until the ghost appears, and creeps through the trap-
door. After some time we shall follow him ; and then this
wicked cheat will be detected. But before we move, swear
to me that you will await the issue peaceably and calmly in the
coach ; you must neither sigh nor groan, nor scarcely breathe.
No matter what you hear or see, if you cannot control your
fierce, jealous rage, all will be lost."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 163
Then the young Prince gave him his hand, and promised to
keep silence, though it should cost him his life, for no one
could be more anxious to discover the truth or falsehood of
this matter than he himself. So they both descended now
to the courtyard, Ulrich concealing the lantern under his
mantle ; and they crouched along by the wall till they reached
the horse- pond, where Marcus Bork stood awaiting them ;
then they glided on, one by one, into the stables, and concealed
themselves within the coach.
It was well they did so without longer delay, for scarcely
had they been seated when the ghost appeared. No doubt
he had heard of the intended marriage, and wished to take
advantage of his last opportunity. As the sound of his feet
became audible approaching the coach, the Prince almost
groaned audibly ; but the stout old knight threw one arm
powerfully round his body, and placed the hand of the other
firmly over his mouth. The ghost now began to ascend the
coach, and they heard him clambering up the hind wheel ; he
slipped down, however (a bad omen), and muttered a half-
curse ; then, to help himself up better, he seized hold of the
sash of the window, and with it took a grip of Ulrich' s beard,
as he was leaning close to the side of the coach to watch his
proceedings. Not a stir did the brave old knight make, but
sat as still as marble, and even held his breath, lest the ghost
might feel it warm upon his hand, and so discover their
ambuscade.
At last he was up; and. they heard him clattering over
their heads, then creeping through the trap-door into the cor-
ridor, and a little after, the sound of a door gently opening.
All efforts were in vain to keep the Prince quiet. He
must follow him. He would rush through the trap-door
after him, though it cost him his life ! But old Ulrich
whispered in his ear, " Now I know that Prince Ernest
has neither honour nor discretion, and Pomerania has little
to hope from such a ruler." All in vain — he springs out of
164 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the coach, but the knight after him, who hastily gave Marcus
Bork the keys of the castle, and bade him go fetch the
household, down to the menials, here to the gallery. Marcus
took them, and left the stables instantly. Then Ulrich
seized the hand of Prince Ernest, who was already on the
top of the coach, and asked him was it thus he would leave
an old man without any one to assist him. Let him in first
through the trap-door, while the Prince held the lantern.
To this he consented, and helped the old knight up, who,
having reached the trap-door, put his head through ; but,
alas ! the portly stomach of the stout old knight would not
follow. He stretched out his head, however, on every side,
as far as it could go, and heard distinctly low whispering
voices from Sidonia's little room ; then a sound as of the
tramp of many feet became audible in the courtyard, by which
he knew that Marcus and the household were advancing
rapidly.
But the young lord, who was waiting at the top of the
coach, grew impatient, and pulled him back, endeavouring to
creep through the hole himself. Praised be Heaven, how-
ever, this he failed to do from weakness ; so he was obliged
to follow the Grand Chamberlain, who whispered to him to
come down, and they could reach the corridor through the
usual entrance. Hereupon they both left the stables, and
met Marcus in the courtyard with his company.
Then all ascended noiselessly to the gallery, and ranged
themselves around Sidonia's door. Ulrich now told eight
of the strongest carls present to step forward and lean their
shoulders against the door, but make no stir until he gave a
sign ; then when he cried " Now ! " they should burst it
open with all their force.
As to the young Prince, he was trembling lilce an aspen
leaf, and his weakness was so great that two young men had
to support him. In short, as all present gradually stole
closer and closer up to the door of Sidonia's room, the old
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 165
knight drew forth his lantern, and signed to the men, who
stood with their shoulders pressed against it ; then when all
was ready, he cried " Now ! " and the door burst open
with a loud crash. Every lock, and bar, and bolt shivered
to atoms, and in rushed the whole party, Ulrich at their
head, with his lantern lifted high up above them all.
Sidonia and her visitor were standing in the middle of the
room. Ulrich first flashed the light upon the face of the
man. Who would have believed it ? — no other than Johann
Appelmann ! The knight hit him a heavy blow across the
face, exclaiming, " What ! thou common horse -jockey —
thou low-born varlet — is it thus thou bringest disgrace upon
a maiden of the noblest house in Pomerania ? Ha, thou shalt
be paid for this. Wait ! Master Hansen shall give thee
some of his gentle love-touches this night ! "
But meanwhile the young Prince had entered, and beheld
Sidonia, as she stood there trembling from shame, and en-
deavouring to cover her face with her long, beautiful golden
hair that fell almost to her knees. " Sidonia ! " he ex-
claimed, with a cry as bitter as if a dagger had passed through
his heart — " Sidonia ! " and fell insensible before her.
Now a great clamour arose amongst the crowd, for beside
the couch lay the helmet and cuirass of the ghost ; so every
one knew now who it was that had played this trick on them
for so long, and kept the castle in such a state of terror.
Then they gathered round the poor young Prince, who
lay there as stiff as a corpse, and lamented over him with
loud lamentations, and some of them lifted him up to carry
him out of the chamber ; but the Grand Chamberlain sternly
commanded them to lay him down again before his bride,
whom he had arranged to wed privately at Crummyn on the
following night. Then seizing Sidonia by the hand, and
dashing back her long hair, he led her forward before all
the people, and said with a loud voice, " See here the illus-
trious and high-born Lady Sidonia, of the holy Roman
166 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Empire, Duchess of Pomerania, Cassuben, and Wenden,
Princess of Riigen, Countess of Giitzkow, and our Serene
and most Gracious Lady, how she honours the princely house
of Pomerania by sharing her love with this stable groom,
this tailor's son, this debauched profligate ! Oh ! I could
grow mad when I think of this disgrace. Thou shameless
one ! have I not long ago given thee thy right name ? But
wait — the name shall be branded on thee this night, so that
all the world may read it."
Just then her Grace entered with Clara, followed by all
the other maids of honour ; for, hearing the noise and
tumult, they had hastened thither as they were, some half
undressed, others with only a loose night-robe flung round
them. And her Grace, seeing the young lord lying pale
and insensible on the ground, wrung her hands and cried
out, " Who has killed my son ? who has murdered my
darling child?"
Here stepped forward Ulrich, and said, " The young
lord was not dead ; but, if it so pleased God, was in a fair
way now to regain both life and reason." Then he related
all which had led to this discovery ; and how they had that
night been themselves the witnesses of Sidonia' s wickedness
with the false ghost. Now her Grace knew his secret,
which he had not told until certain of success.
As he related all these things, her Grace turned upon
Sidonia and spat on her ; and the young lord, having re-
covered somewhat in consequence of the water they had
thrown on him, cried out, " Sidonia ! is it possible ? No,
Sidonia, it is not possible ! "
The shameless hypocrite had now recovered her self-pos-
session, and would have denied all knowledge of Appelmann,
saying that he forced himself in when she chanced to open
the door ; but he, interrupting her, cried, " Does the girl
dare to lay all the blame on me ? Did you not press my
hand there when you were lying after you fell from the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 167
stag ? Did you not meet me afterwards in the lumber-
room — that day of the hunt when Duke Barnim was here
last ? "
" No, no, no ! " shrieked Sidonia. " It is a lie, an in-
famous lie ! " But he answered, " Scream as you will, you
cannot deny that this disguise of the ghost was your own
invention to favour my visits to you. Did you not drop notes
for me down on the coach, through the trap-door, fixing the
nights when I might come ? and bethink you of last night,
when you sent me a note by your maid, wrapped up in a
little horse-cloth which I had lent you for your cat, with the
prayer that I would not fail to be with you that night nor
the next " — Oh, just Heaven ! to think that it was upon that
very night that Clara should break her shoe-string, by which
means the Almighty turned away ruin and disgrace from
the ancient, illustrious, and princely house of Pomerania — all
by a broken shoe-string ! For if the ghost had remained
away but that one night, or Clara had not broken her shoe-
string, Sidonia would have been Duchess of Pomerania ; but
what doth the Scripture say? "Man's goings are of the
Lord. What man understandeth his own way?" (Prov.
xx. 24).
When Sidonia heard him tell all this, and how she had
written notes of entreaty to him, she screamed aloud, and
springing at him like a wild-cat, buried her ten nails in his
hair, shrieking, " Thou liest, traitor ; it is false ! it is false ! "
Now Ulrich rushed forward, and seized her by her long
hair to part them, but at that moment Master Hansen,
the executioner, entered in his red cloak, with six assistants
(for Ulrich had privately sent for him), and the Grand
Chamberlain instantly let go his hold of Sidonia, saying,
" You come in good time, Master Hansen ; take away this
wretched pair, lock them up in the bastion tower, and on
the morn bring them to the horse-market by ten of the
clock, and there scourge and brand them ; then carry them
168 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
both to the frontier out of our good State of Wolgast, and
let them both go their ways from that, whither it may please
them."
When Sidonia heard this, she let go her paramour and fell
fainting upon the bed ; but recovering herself in a little time,
she exclaimed, " What is this you talk of ? A noble maiden
who is as innocent as the child in its cradle, to be scourged
by the common executioner ? Oh, is there no Christian
heart here to take pity on a poor, helpless girl ! Gracious
young . Prince, even if all the world hold me guilty, you
cannot, no, you cannot ; it is impossible ! "
Hereupon the young lord began to tremble like an aspen
leaf, and said in a broken voice, " Alas, Sidonia ! you be-
trayed yourself: if you had not mentioned that trap-door
to me, I might still have believed you innocent (I, who
thought some good angel had guided you to it ! ) ; now it is
impossible; yet be comforted, the executioner shall never
scourge you nor brand you — you are branded enough
already." Then turning to the Grand Chamberlain he said,
that with his consent a hangman should never lay his hands
upon this nobly born maiden, whom he had once destined to
be Duchess of Pomerania ; but Appelmann, this base-born
vassal, who had eaten of his bread and then betrayed him
like a Judas, let him be flogged and branded as much as they
pleased ; no word of his should save the accursed seducer
from punishment.
Notwithstanding this, old Ulrich was determined on
having Sidonia scourged, and my gracious lady the Duchess
must have her scourged too. " Let her dear son only think
that if the all-merciful God had not interposed, he would
have been utterly ruined and his princely house disgraced,
by means of this girl. Nothing but evil had she brought with
her since first she set foot in the castle : she had caused his
sickness ; item, the death of two young knights by drowning ;
Item-) the terrible execution of Joachim Budde, who was
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 169
beheaded at the festival ; and had she not, in addition,
whipped her dear little Casimir, which unseemly act had
only lately come to her knowledge ? and had she not also
made every man in the castle that approached her mad for
love of her, all by her diabolical conduct ? No — away with
the wretch : she merits her chastisement a thousand and a
thousand-fold ! " And old Ulrich exclaimed likewise, " Away
with the wretch and her paramour ! "
Here the young lord made an effort to spring forward to
save her, but fell fainting on the ground ; and while the at-
tendants were busy running for water to throw over him, Clara
von Dewitz, turning away the executioner with her hand
from Sidonia, fell down on her knees before her Grace,
and besought her to spare at least the person of the poor,
unfortunate maiden ; did her Grace think that any punish-
ment could exceed what she had already suffered ? Let her
own compassionate heart plead along with her words — and
did not the Scripture say, "Vengeance is mine, saith the
Lord."
Hereupon her Grace looked at old Ulrich without speak-
ing ; but he understood her glance, and made answer — " No ;
the hangman must do his duty towards the wretch ! " when
her Grace said mildly, " But for the sake of this dear, good
young maiden, I think we might let her go, for, remember,
if she had not opened out this villainy to us, the creature
would have been my daughter-in-law, and my princely house
disgraced for evermore."
Now Marcus Bork stepped forward, and added his prayers
that the n'oble name he bore might not be disgraced in
Sidonia. " He had ever been a faithful feudal vassal to her
princely house, and had not even scrupled to bring the secret
wicked deeds of his cousin before the light of day, though it
was like a martyrdom of his own flesh and blood for con-
science' sake."
Here old Ulrich' burst forth in great haste — " Seven
170 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
thousand devils ! Let the wench be off, then. Not another
night should she rest in the castle. Let her speak — where
would she go to ? where should they bring her to ? "
And when Sidonia answered, sobbing, " To Stettin, to
her gracious lord, Duke Barnim, who would take pity on
her because of her innocence," Ulrich laughed outright in
scorn. " I shall give the driver a letter to him, and another
to thy father. Perhaps his Grace will show thee true pity,
and drive thee with his horsewhip to Stramehl. But thou
shalt journey in the same coach whereon thy leman clambered
up to the trap-door, and Master Hansen shall sit on the
coach-box and drive thee himself. As to thy darling stable-
groom here, the master must set his mark on him before he goes ;
but that can be done when the hangman returns from Stettin."
When Appelmann heard this, he fell at the feet of the Lord
Chamberlain, imploring him to let him off too. " Had he
not ridden to Spantekow, without stop or stay, at the peril of
his life, to oblige Lord Ulrich that time the Lapland wizard
made the evil prophecy ; and though his illustrious lady died,
yet that was from no fault of his, and his lordship had then
promised not to forget him if he were but in need. So now
he demanded, on the strength of his knightly word, that a
horse should be given him from the ducal stables, and that he
be permitted to go forth, free and scathless, to ride wherever
it might please him. His sins were truly heavy upon him,
and he would try and do better, with the help of God."
When the old knight heard him express himself in this
godly sort (for the knave knew his man well), he was melted
to compassion, and said, " Then go thy way, and God give
thee grace to repent of thy manifold sins."
Her Grace had nothing to object ; only to put a fixed
barrier between the Prince and Sidonia, she added, " But
send first for Dr. Gerschovius, that he may unite this shame-
less pair in marriage before they leave the castle, and then
they can travel away together."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 171
Hereupon Johann Appelmann exclaimed, " No, never !
How could he hope for God's grace to amend him, living
with a thing like that, tied to him for life, which God and
man alike hold in abhorrence ? " At this speech Sidonia
screamed aloud, "Thou lying and accursed stable-groom,
darest thou speak so of a castle and land dowered maiden ? "
and she flew at him, and would have torn his hair, but Marcus
Bork seized hold of her round the waist, and dragged her
with great effort into Clara's room.
Now the tears poured from the eyes of her Grace at such
a disgraceful scene, and she turned to her son, who was slowly
recovering — "Hast thou heard, Ernest, this groom — this
servant of thine — refuses to take the girl to wife whom thou
wast going to make Duchess of Pomerania ? Woe ! woe !
what words for thy poor mother to hear ; but it was all fore-
shadowed when Dr. Luther — " &c. &c.
In short, the end of the infamous story was, that Sidonia
was carried off that very night in the identical coach we know
of, and Master Hansen was sent with her, bearing letters to
the Duke and Otto from the Grand Chamberlain, and one
also to the burgomaster Appelmann in Stargard ; and the
executioner had strict orders to drive her himself the whole
way to Stettin. As for Appelmann, he sprung upon a Fries-
land clipper, as the old chamberlain had permitted, and rode
away that same night. But the young lord was so ill from
grief and shame, that he was lifted to his bed, and all the
medici of Grypswald and Wolgast were summoned to attend
him.
And such was the end of Sidonia von Bork at the ducal
court of Wolgast. But old Kiissow told me that for a long
while she was the whole talk of the court and town, many
wondering, though they knew well her light behaviour, that
she should give herself up to perdition at last for a common
groom, no better than a menial compared to her. But I find
the old proverb is true for her as well as for another, " The
172 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
apple falls close to the tree ; as is the sheep, so is the lamb ; "
for had her father brought her up in the fear of God, in place
of encouraging her in revenge, pride, and haughtiness, Sidonia
might have been a good and honoured wife for her life long.
But the libertine example of her father so destroyed all natural
instincts of modesty and maidenly reserve within her, that she
fell an easy prey to the first temptation.
In short, my gracious Prince Bogislaus XIV., as well as all
those who love and honour the illustrious house of Wolgast,
will devoutly thank God for having turned away this disgrace
in a manner so truly wonderful.
I have already spoken of the broken shoe-tie, but in
addition, I must point out that if Sidonia had counselled
her paramour to take the armour of Duke Philip, which
hung in the same lumber-room, in place of that belonging to
the serpent knight, that wickedness would never have come
to light. For assuredly all in the castle would have believed
that it was truly the ghost of the dead duke, who came to
reproach his son for not holding the oath which he had
sworn on his coffin, to abandon Sidonia. And consequently,
respect and terror would have alike prevented any human
soul in the castle from daring to follow it, and investigate
its object. Therefore let us praise the name of the Lord
who turned all things to good, and fulfilled, in Sidonia and
her lover, the Scripture which saith, " Thinking themselves
wise, they became fools" (Rom. i. 21).
END OF FIRST BOOK.
BOOK II.
FROM THE BANISHMENT OF SIDONIA FROM
THE DUCAL COURT OF WOLGAST UP TO
HER RECEPTION IN THE CONVENT
OF MARIENFLIESS.
CHAPTER I.
Of the quarrel between Otto Bork and the Stargardians, which
caused him to demand the dues upon the Jena.
MOST EMINENT AND ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE ! — Your Grace
must be informed, that much of what I have here set down,
in this second book, was communicated to me by that same
old Uckermann of Dalow of whom I have spoken already
in my first volume.
Other important facts I have gleaned from the Diary of
Magdalena von Petersdorfin, Priorissa of the convent of
Marienfliess. She was an old and worthy matron, whom
Sidonia, however, used to mock and insult, calling her the old
cat, and such-like names. But she revenged herself on the
shameless wanton in no other way than by writing down
what facts she could collect of her disgraceful life and courses,
for the admonition and warning of the holy sisterhood.
This little book the pious nun left to her sister Sophia,
who is still living in the convent at Marienfliess ; and she,
at my earnest entreaties, permitted me to peruse it.
Before, however, I continue the relation of Sidonia's
adventures, I must state to your Grace what were the
circumstances which induced Otto von Bork to demand so
urgently the dues upon the Jena from their Highnesses of
Stettin and Wolgast. In my opinion, it was for nothing
else than to revenge himself upon the burgomaster of
Stargard, Jacob Appelmann, father of the equerry. The
quarrel happened years before, but Otto never forgot it,
and only waited a fitting opportunity to take vengeance on
him and "the people of Stargard.
T7<5 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
This Jacob Appelmann was entitled to receive a great
portion of the Jena dues, which were principally paid to
him in kind, particularly in foreign spices, which he after-
wards sold to the Polish Jews, at the annual fair held in
Stramehl.
It happened, upon one of these occasions, as Jacob, with
two of his porters, appeared, as usual, carrying bags of
spices, to sell to the Polish Jews, that Otto met him in the
market-place, and invited him to come up to his castle, for
that many nobles were assembled there who would, no
doubt, give him better prices for his goods than the Polish
Jews, and added that the worthy burgomaster must drink
his health with him that day.
Now, Jacob Appelmann was no despiser of good cheer
or of broad gold pieces ; so, unfortunately for himself, he
accepted the invitation. But the knight had only lured him
up to the castle to insult and mock him. For when he
entered the hall, a loud roar of laughter greeted his appear-
ance, and the half-drunk guests, who were swilling the wine
as if they had tuns to fill, and not stomachs, swore that he
must pledge each of them separately, in a lusty draught.
So they handed him an enormous becker, cut with Otto's
arms, bidding him drain it ; but as the Herr Jacob hesitated,
his host asked him, laughing, was he a Jesu disciple, that
he refused to drink ?
Hereupon the other answered, he was too old for a dis-
ciple, but he was not ashamed to call himself a servant of
Jesus.
Then they all roared with laughter, and Otto spoke —
"My good lords and dear friends, ye know how that
the Stargard knaves joined with the Pomeranian Duke to
ravage my good town of Stramehl, so that it can be only
called a village now. And it is also not unknown to you
that my disgrace then passed into a proverb, so that people
will still say, * He fell upon me as the Stargardians upon
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 177
Stramehl.' Let us, then, revenge ourselves to-day. If
this Jesu's servant will not drink, then tear open his mouth,
put a tun-dish therein, and pour down a good draught till
the knave cries * enough ! ' As to his spices, let us scatter
them before the Polish Jews, as pease before swine, and it
will be merry pastime to see how the beasts will lick them
up. Thus will Stramehl retort upon Stargard, and the
whole land will shout with laughter. For wherefore does
this Stargard pedlar come here to my fairs ? Mayhap I
shall visit his."
Peals of laughter and applause greeted Otto's speech ; but
Jacob, when he heard it, determined, if possible, to effect his
escape ; and watching his opportunity, for he was the only
one there not drunk, sprang out of the hall, and down the
flight of steps, and being young then, never drew breath till
he reached the market-place of Stramehl, and jumped into
his own waggon.
In vain Otto screamed out to " stop him, stop him ! " all
his servants were at the fair, where, indeed, the people of the
whole country round were gathered. Then the host and the
guests sprang up themselves, to run after Jacob Appelmann,
but many could not stand, and others tumbled down by the
way. However, with a chorus of cries, curses, and threats,
Otto and some others at last reached the waggon, and laid
hold of it. Then they dragged out the bags of spices, and
emptied them all down upon the street, crying —
" Come hither, ye Jews ; which of you wants pepper ?
Who wants cloves ? "
So all the Jews in the place ran together, and down they
went on all-fours picking up the spices, while their long
beards swept the pavement quite clean. Hey ! how they
pushed and screamed, and dealt blows about among them-
selves, till their noses bled, and the place looked as if game-
cocks had been fighting there, whereat Otto and his roistering
guests roared with laughter.
VOL. I, M
178 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
One of the bags they pulled out of the waggon contained
cinnamon ; but a huntsman of Otto Bork's, not knowing
what it was, poured it down likewise into the street. Cin-
namon was then so rare, that it sold for its weight in gold.
So an old Jew, spying the precious morsel, cried out,
" Praise be to God ! Praise be to God ! " and ran through
Otto Bork's legs to get hold of a stick of it. This made
the knight look down, and seeing the cinnamon, he straight-
way bid the huntsman gather it all up again quick, and carry
it safely home to the castle.
But the old Jew would by no means let go his hold of the
booty, and kept the sticks in one hand high above his head,
while with the other he dealt heavy buffets upon the hunts-
man. An apprentice of Jacob Appelmann's beheld all this
from the waggon, and knowing what a costly thing this cin-
namon was, he made a long arm out of the waggon, and
snapped away the sticks from the Jew. Upon this the hunts-
man sprang at the apprentice ; but the latter, seizing a pair of
pot-hooks, which his master had that day bought in the fair,
dealt such a blow with them upon the head of the huntsman,
that he fell down at once upon the ground quite dead.
Now every one cried out " Murder ! murder ! Jodute !
Jodute ! Jodute ! " and they tore the bags right and left from
the waggon, Jews as well as Christians ; but Otto commanded
them to seize the apprentice also. So they dragged him out
too. He was a fine young man of twenty- three, Louis Grie-
pentroch by name. There was such an uproar, that the men
who held the horses' heads were forced away. Whereupon
the burgomaster resolved to seize this opportunity for escape ;
and without heeding the lamentations of the other apprentice,
Zabel Griepentroch, who prayed him earnestly to stop and
save his poor brother, desired the driver to lash the horses
into a gallop, and never stop nor stay until the unlucky town
was left far behind them.
Otto von Bork ordered instant pursuit, but in vain. The
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 179
burgomaster could not be overtaken, and reached Wangerin
in safety. There he put up at the inn, to give the panting
horses breathing-time ; and now the aforesaid Zabel besought
him, with many tears, to write to Otto Bork on behalf of
his poor brother, to which the burgomaster at last consented ;
for he loved these two youths, who were orphans and twins,
and he had brought them up from their childhood, and
treated them in all things like a true and loving godfather.
So he wrote to Otto, " That if aught of ill happened to the
young Louis Griepentroch, he (the burgomaster) would com-
plain to his Grace of Stettin, for the youth had only done
his duty in trying to save the property of his master from the
hands of robbers." The good Jacob, however, admonished
Zabel to make up his mind for the worst, for the knight was
not a man whose heart could be melted, as he himself had
experienced but too well that day.
But the sorrowing youth little heeded the admonitions,
only seized the letter, and ran with it that same evening back
to Stramehl. Here, however, no one would listen to him,
no one heeded him ; and when at last he got up to Otto and
gave him the letter, the knight swore he would flay him alive
if he did not instantly quit the town. Now the poor youth
gnashed his teeth in rage and despair, and determined to be
revenged on the knight.
Just then came by a great crowd leading his brother Louis
to the gallows ; and on his head they had stuck a high paper
cap with the Stargard arms painted thereon, namely, a tower
with two griffins (Sidonia, indeed, had painted it, and she
was by, and clapping her hands with delight) ; and for the
greater scandal to Stargard, they had tied two hares' tails
to the back of the cap, with the inscription written in
large letters above them — " So came the Stargardians to
Stramehl ! "
And Otto and his guests gathered round the gallows, and
all the market-folk, with great uproar and laughter. Summa,
i8o SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
when the poor carl saw all this, and that there was no hope
for his heart's dear brother, neither could he even get near
him just to say a last " good-night," he ran like mad to the
castle, which was almost empty now, as every one had gone
to the market-place ; and there, on the hill, he turned round
and saw how the hangman had shoved his dear Louis from
the ladder, and the body was swinging lamentably to and fro
between heaven and earth. So he seized a brand and set
fire to the brew-house, from which a thick smoke and light
flames soon rose high into the air. Now all the people rushed
towards the castle, for they suspected well who had done the
deed, particularly as they had observed a young fellow running,
as if for life or death, in the opposite direction towards the open
country. So they pursued him with wild shouts from every
direction ; right and left they hemmed him in, and cut off his
escape to the wood. And Otto Bork sprang upon a fresh
horse, and galloped along with them, roaring out, " Seize the
rascal ! — seize the vile incendiary ! He who takes him shall
have a tun of my best beer !" But others he despatched to
the castle to extinguish the flames.
Now the poor Zabel knew not what to do, for on every
side his pursuers were gaining fast upon him, and he heard
Otto's voice close behind crying, " There he runs ! there he
runs ! Seize the gallows-bird, that he may swing with his
brother this night. A tun of my best beer to the man who
takes him ! Seize the incendiary ! " So the poor wretch,
in his anguish, threw off his smock upon the grass and sprang
into the lake, hoping to be able to swim to the other side
and reach the wood.
" In after him ! " roared Otto ; and a fellow jumped in
instantly, and seizing hold of Zabel by the hose, 'dragged him
along with him ; but they were soon both carried into deep
water — Zabel, however, was the uppermost, and held the
other down tight to stifle him. Another seeing this, plunged
in to rescue his companion, and from the bank dived down
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 181
underneath Zabel, intending to seize him round the body ;
but it so happened that the fishermen of Stramehl had laid
their nets close to the place, and he plunged direct into the
middle of the largest, and stuck there miserably ; which when
Zabel observed, he let the other go, who was now quite dead,
and struck out boldly for the opposite bank. The fishermen
sprang into their boats to pursue him, and the crowd ran round,
hoping to cut off the pass before he could gain the bank ; but
he was a brave youth, and distanced them all, jumped on land
before one of them could reach him, and plunged into the
thick wood. Here it was vain to follow him, for night was
coming on fast ; so he pursued his path in safety, and returned
to his master at Stramehl.
Otto von Bork, however, would not let the matter rest
here, for he had sustained great loss by the burning of his
brew-house (the other buildings were saved); therefore he
wrote to the honourable council at Stargard — " That by the
shameful and scandalous burning of his brew-house, he had
lost two fine hounds named Stargard and Stramehl, which he
had brought himself from Silesia ; item, two old servants and
a woman ; item, in the lake, two other servants had been
drowned ; and all by the revenge of an apprentice, because
he had justly caused his brother to be executed. Therefore
this apprentice must be given up to him, that he might have
him broken on the wheel, otherwise their vassals on the Jena
should suffer in such a sort, that the Stargardians would long
have reason to remember Otto Bork."
Now, some of the honourable councillors were of opinion
that they should by no mears give up the apprentice ; first,
because Otto had insulted tie Stargard arms, and secondly,
lest it might appear as if they feared he would fulfil his
threats respecting the Jena.
But Jacob Appelmann, the burgomaster, who lay sick in
his bed from the treatment he had received at Stramehl,
entirely disapproved of this resolution ; and when they came
182 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
to him for his advice, proposed to give for answer to the
knight that he should first indemnify him for the loss of his
costly spices, which he valued at one thousand florins, and
when this sum was paid down, they might treat of the matter
concerning the apprentice.
The knight, however, mocked them for making such an
absurd demand as compensation, and reiterated his threats,
that if the young man were not delivered up to him, he
would punish Stargard with a great punishment.
The council, however, were still determined not to yield ;
and as the burgomaster lay sick in his bed, they released the
apprentice from prison ; and replied to Otto, " That if
he broke the public peace of his Imperial Majesty, let the
consequences fall on his own head — there was still justice for
them to be had in Pomerania."
When the burgomaster heard of this, he had himself
carried in a litter, sick as he was, to the honourable council,
and asked them, " Was this justice, to release an incendiary
from prison ? If they sought justice for themselves, let
them deal it out to others. No one had lost more by the
transaction than he : his income for the next two years was
clean gone, and the care and anxiety he had undergone,
besides, had reduced him to this state of bodily weakness
which they observed. It was a heart-grief to him to give
up the young man, for he had reared him from the baptism
water, and he had been a faithful servant unto him up to
this day. Could he save him, he would gladly give up his
house and all he was worth, and go and take a lodging upon
the wall ; for this young man had once saved his life, by
slaying a mad dog which had seized him by the tail of his
coat ; but it was not to be done. They must set an honour-
able example, as just and upright citizens and fearless
magistrates, who hold that old saying in honour — 'Fiat
just'itia et per eat mundus ; ' which means, * Let justice be
done, though life and fortune perish.' But the punishment
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 183
of the wheel was, he confessed, altogether too severe for the
poor youth ; and therefore he counselled that they should
hang him, as Otto had hung his brother."
This course the honourable society consented at last to
adopt ; but the knight had disgraced their arms, and they
ought in return to disgrace his. They could get the court
painter from Stettin at the public expense, and let him
paint Otto Bork's arms on the back of the young man's
hose.
Here the burgomaster again interfered — "Why should
the honourable council attempt a stupid insult, because the
knight had done so ? " But he talked in vain ; they were
determined on this retaliation. At last (but after a great
deal of trouble) he obtained a promise that they would
have the arms painted before, upon his smock, and not
behind, upon the hose, for that would be a sore disgrace
to Otto, and bring his vengeance upon them. " Why should
they do more to him than he had done unto them ? The
Scripture said, ' Eye for eye, tooth for tooth,' and not two
eyes for an eye, two teeth for a tooth." Hereupon the
honourable council pronounced sentence on the young man,
and fixed the third day from that for his execution. But
first the executioner must bring him up before the bed of
the burgomaster, who thus spoke — " Ah, Zabel, wherefore
didst thou not behave as I admonished thee in Wangerin ? "
And as the young man began to weep, he gave him his
hand, and admonished him to be steadfast in the death-
hour, asked his forgiveness for having condemned him,
but it was his duty as a magistrate so to do — thanked him
for having saved his life by slaying the mad dog ; finally,
bid him " Good-night," and then buried his face in the
pillow.
So the hangman carried back the weeping youth to the
council- hall, where the honourable councillors had the Bork
arms fastened upon his smock, and out of further malice
184 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
against Otto (for they knew the burgomaster, being sick in
his bed, could not hinder them), they placed over them a
large piece of pasteboard, on which was written, " So did
the Stargardians with Stramehl." Item, they fastened to
the two corners a pair of wolf's ears, because Bork, in the
Wendig tongue, signifies wolf. This was to revenge them-
selves for the hares' tails.
Then the poor apprentice was carried to the gallows, amid
loud laughter from the common people. And even the
honourable councillors waxed merry at the sight ; and as the
hangman pushed him from the ladder, they cried out, "So
will the Stargardians do to Stramehl ! "
Now Otto heard tidings of all these doings, but he feared
to complain to his Highness the Duke, because he himself
had begun the quarrel, and they had only retorted as was
fair. Item, he did not dare to stop the boats upon the Jena
— for he knew that although Duke Bar mm was usually of a
soft and placable temper, yet when he was roused there was
no more dangerous enemy. And if the Stargardians leagued
with him, they might fall upon his town of Stramehl, as they
had done once before.
Therefore he waited patiently for an opportunity of revenge,
and held his peace until Sidonia acquainted him with the
love of the young Prince Ernest. Then he resolved to
demand the dues upon the Jena to be given up to him, and
if his wicked desire had been gratified, I think the good
citizens of Stargard might have taken to the beggar's staff for
the rest of their days, for like all the old Hanseatic towns,
their entire subsistence came to them by water, and all their
wares and merchandise were carried up the Jena in boats to
the town. These the knight would have rated so highly, if
he had been made owner of the dues, that the town and
people would have been utterly ruined.
It has been already stated that the Duke Barnim gave an
ambiguous answer to Otto upon the subject ; but the knight,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 185
after his visit to Wolgast, was so certain of seeing his
daughter in a short time Duchess of Pomerania, that he
already looked upon the Jena dues as his own, and proceeded
to act as shall be related in the next chapter.
CHAPTER II.
Hoiv Otto von Bork demands the Jena dues from the
Stargardians, and how the burgomaster Jacob Appelmann
takes him prisoner, and locks him up in the Red Sea.*
As the aforesaid knight and my gracious lord, Duke Barnim,
journeyed home from Wolgast, the former discoursed much
on this matter of the Jena dues, but his Grace listened in
silence, after his manner, and nicked away at his doll. (I
think, however, that his Grace did not quite understand the
matter of the Jena dues himself.)
Summa, while Otto was at Stettin, he received information
that three vessels, laden with wine and spices, and all manner
of merchandise, were on their way to Stargard. So he took this
for a good sign, and went straight to the town and up to the
burgomaster, Jacob Appelmann, would not sit down, however,
but made himself as stiff as if his back, would break, and asked
whether he (Appelmann) was aware that the lands of the
Bork family bordered close upon the Jena.
Ille. — " Yes, he knew it well."
Hie. — " Then he could not wonder if he now demanded
dues from every vessel that went up to Stargard."
Ille. — " On the contrary, he would wonder greatly ; since by
an Act passed in the reign of Duke Barnim the First, A.D. 1 243,
the freedom of the Jena had been secured to them, and they
had enjoyed it up to the present date."
* A watch-tower, built in the Moorish style, upon the town wall of
Stargard, from which the adjacent streets take their name.
i86 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Hie. — " Stuff! what was the use of bringing up these old
Acts. His Grace of Stettin, as well as the Duchess of
Wolgast, had now given them over to him."
Hie. — " Then let his lordship produce his charter ; if he
had got one, why not show it ? "
Hie. — " No, he had not got the written order yet, but he
would soon have it."
Hie. — "Well, until then they would abide by the old
law."
Hie. — " By no means. This very day he would insist on
being paid the dues."
Ille. — " That meant, that he purposed to break the peace
of our lord the Emperor. Let him think well of it. It
might cost him dear."
Hie. — " That was his care. The Stargardians should not
a second time hang his arms on the gallows."
Hie, — « It was a simple act of retaliation ; had he not
read, * An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth ' ? "
Hie. — " Nonsense ! was that retaliation, when a set of
low burgher carls took upon themselves to disgrace the lord
of castles and lands ; as well might one of his serfs, when he
struck him, strike him in return ; that would be retaliation
too. Ha ! ha ! ha ! "
Ille. — " What did his lordship mean ? He was no village
justice, nor were the burghers of this good town serfs or
boors."
Hie. — " If he knew not now what he meant, he would
soon learn ; ay, and take off his hat so low to the Bork arms
that it would touch the ground. Then, too, he might him-
self get a lesson in retaliation."
And herewith the knight strode firmly out of the room,
without even saluting the burgomaster ; but Jacob knew well
how to deal with him, so he sent instantly for the keeper of
the forest, who lived in the thick wood on the banks of the
Jena, and told him to watch by night and day, and if he
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 187
observed anything unusual going on, to spring upon a horse
and bring him the intelligence without delay.
Meanwhile the knight summoned all his feudal vassals
around him at Stramehl, and told them how his Grace had
bestowed the Jena dues upon him, but the sturdy burghers of
Stargard had dared to impugn his rights ; therefore let each
of them select two trusty followers, and meet all together on
the morrow morn at Putzerlin, close to the Jena ferry. Then,
if there came by any vessels laden with choice wines, let
them be sure and drink a health to Stargard. So they all
believed him, and came to the appointed place with twenty
horsemen, and the knight himself brought twenty more.
There they unsaddled and turned into the meadow, then set
to work to throw a bridge over the river. As soon as the
forest ranger spied them, he saddled his wild clipper, which
he himself had caught in the Uckermund country, and flew
like wind to the town (for the wild horses are much stouter
and fleeter than the tame, but there are none to be found now
in all Pomerania).
When the burgomaster heard this tale, he told him to go
back the way he came, and keep perfectly still until he saw
a rocket rise from St. Mary's Tower, then Jet him loose all
his hounds upon the horses in the meadow, and he and the
burghers would follow soon, and make a quick end of the
robber knights and freebooters ; but he would wait for three
hours before giving the promised sign from St. Mary's
Tower, that he might have time to get back to the wood.
Still the knight and his followers continued working at the
bridge right merrily. They took the ferryman's planks and
poles, and cut down large oak-trees, and every one that went
across the ferry must stop and help them ; but their work was
not quite completed, when three vessels appeared in sight,
laden with all sorts of merchandise, and making direct for
Stargard. As soon as Otto perceived them, he took half-a-
do zen fellows with him, and jumped into a ferry-boat, crying,
1 88 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
" Hold ! until the dues are paid, you can go no farther.
The river and the land alike belong to me now, and I must
have my dues, as his Grace of Stettin has commanded."
The crew, however, strictly objected, saying that in the
memory of man they had never paid dues upon their goods,
and they would not pay them now ; but Otto and his knights
jumped on deck, followed by their squires, and having asked
for the bill of lading, decimated all the goods, as a priest
collecting his tithe of the sheaves. Then he took the best
cask of wine, had it rolled on land, and called out to the
crew, who were crying like children, " Now, good people,
you may go your ways."
But the poor devils were in despair, and followed him on
land, praying and beseeching him not to ruin them, but to
restore their property, at which Otto laughed loudly, and bid
the strongest of his followers chase the miserable varlets back
to their vessel.
Meanwhile the cask of wine had been rolled up against a
tree, and the knight and his followers set themselves round it
upon the grass, and because they had no glasses, they drank
out of kettles, and pots, and bowls, and dishes, or whatever
the ferryman could give them. Yea> some of them drew off
their boots and filled them with the wine, others drank it out
of their caps, and so there they lay on the grass, swilling the
wine, and the different wares they had seized lay all
scattered round them, and they laughed and drank, and
roared, " Thus we drink a health to Stargard ! " Here-
upon the crew, seeing that nothing could be got from the
robbers, went their way with curses and imprecations, to
which the knight and his party responded only with peals of
laughter.
But the vessel had scarcely set sail, when a woman's voice
was heard crying out loudly from the deck — " Father !
father ! I am here. Listen, Otto von Bork, your daughter
Sidonia is here ! "
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 189
When the knight heard this, he felt as if stunned by a
blow, but immediately comforted himself by thinking that no
doubt Prince Ernest was with her, particularly as he could
observe in the twilight the figure of a man seated beside her
on a bundle of goods. " This surely must be the Prince,"
he said to himself, and so called out with a joyful voice,
" Ah, my dearest daughter, Sidonia ! how comest thou in
the merchant vessel ? "
Then he screamed to the sailors to stop and cast anchor ;
but they heeded neither his cries nor commands, and in place
of stopping, began to crowd all sail. Otto now tried
entreaties, and promised to restore all their goods, and even
pay for the wine drunk, if they would only stop the vessel.
This made them listen to him, but they demanded, beside,
a compensation money of one hundred florins, for all the
anxiety and delay they had suffered. This he promised also,
only let them stop instantly. However, they would not trust
his word, and not until he had pledged his knightly faith
would they consent to stop. Some, indeed, were not even
content with this, and required that he should stand bare-
headed on the bank, and take a solemn oath, with his hand
extended to heaven, that he would deal with them as he had
promised.
To this also the knight consented, since they would not
believe he held his knightly word higher than any oath ;
though, in my opinion, he would have done anything they
demanded, such was his anxiety to behold the Prince and
Princess of Pomerania, for he could imagine nothing else, but
that his daughter and her husband had been turned out of
Wolgast by the harsh Duchess and the old Grand Chamber-
lain, and were now on their way to his castle at Stramehl.
Here my gracious Prince will no doubt say, " But, Theo-
dore, why did she not call on her father sooner, when, as you
told me, he was on board this very vessel plundering the
wares ? "
190 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
I answer — " Serene Prince ! your Grace must know that
she and her paramour were at that time crouching in the cabin,
through fear of Otto, for the sailors did not know her, or who
she was. They had taken her and Appelmann in at Damm,
and believed, this story : that he was secretary to the Duke
at Stettin, and Sidonia was his wife ; they were on their way
to Stargard, but preferred journeying by water, on account of
the robbers who infested the high-roads, and who, they heard,
had murdered three travellers only a few days before."
But when Sidonia had found what her father had done,
and heard the crew cursing and vowing vengeance on him,
she feared it would be worse for her even to fall into the hands
of the Stargardians than into her father's, and therefore rushed
up on deck and called out to him, though her paramour con-
jured her by heaven and earth to keep quiet, and not bring
him under her father's sword.
Summa, as the vessel once more stood still, the knight
sprang quick as thought into the ferry-boat along with some
of his followers, and rowed off to the vessel, where his
daughter sat upon a bundle of merchandise and wept, but
Appelmann crept down again into the cabin. When the
knight stepped on board, he kissed and embraced her — but
where was the young Prince whom he had seen standing
beside her ?
Ilia. — " Alas ! it was not the Prince ; the young lord had
shamefully deceived her ! " (weeping.)
Hie. — " He would make him suffer for it, then ; let her
tell him the whole business. If he had trifled with her, she
should be revenged. Was he not as powerful as any duke in
Pomerania ? "
Ilia. — "He must send away all the bystanders first; did
he not see how they all stood round, with their mouths open
from wonder ? " Hereupon the knight roared out, " Away,
go all, all of ye, or I'll stick ye dead as calves. The devil
take any of you who dare to listen ! " His whole frame
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 191
trembled meanwhile as an aspen leaf, and he could scarcely
wait till the carls clambered over the bundles of goods —
" What had happened ? In the name of all the devils, let her
speak, now that they were alone."
But here the cunning wanton began to weep so piteously,
that not a word could she utter ; however, as old Otto grew
impatient, and began to curse and swear, and shake her by the
arm, she at last commenced (while Appelmann was listening
from the cabin) : —
" Her dearest father knew how the young lord had bribed
a priest in Crummyn to wed them privately ; but this was all a
trick which his wicked mother had suggested to him, in order
to bring her to utter ruin ; for on the very wedding night,
while she was waiting for the Prince in her little room, accord-
ing to promise, to flee with him to Crummyn, the perfidious
Duchess, who was aware of the whole arrangement, sent a
groom to her chamber at the appointed hour, and she being in
the dark, embraced him, thinking he was the Prince. In the
self-same instant the door was burst open, and the old revenge-
ful hag, with Ulrich von Schwerin, rushed in, along with the
young Prince and Marcus Bork, her cousin, amid a great
crowd of people with lanterns. And no one would listen to
her or heed her ; so she was thrust that same night out of the
castle, like a common swine-maid, though the young lord,
when he saw the full extent of his wicked mother's treachery,
fell down in a dead faint at her feet."
And here she wept and groaned, as if her heart would break.
" Who, then, was the gay youth who sat beside her there
on the bundle ? " screamed Otto.
Ilia. — " That was the very groom that she had embraced,
for they had sent him away with her, to make their wicked
story seem true."
Hie. — " But what was his name ? May the devil take
her, to have gone off with a base-born groom. What was his
name ? "
192 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Ilia (weeping). — "What did he think of her, that she
should love a common groom ? truly, he had the title of
equerry, but then he was nothing better than a common
burgher carl. What could she do, when they turned her
by night and cloud out of the castle ? She must thank
God for having had even this groom to protect her, but
that he was her lover — fie ! — no ; that was, indeed, to think
little of her."
Hie. — " He would strike her dead if she did not answer.
Who was the knave ? Where did he come from ? "
Ilia. — " He was called Johann Appelmann, and was son
to the burgomaster of Stargard."
Here the knight raved and chafed like a wild beast, and
drew his sword to kill Sidonia, but she fled away down to her
paramour in the cabin. However, he had heard the whole
conversation, and flew at her to beat her, crying, "Am I
then a base-born groom ? Ha ! thou proud wanton, didst
thou not run after me like a common street-girl ? I will teach
thee to call me a groom ! "
And as the knight listened to all this, the sword dropped
from his hands and fell into the hold, so that he could not get
it up again. Then he was beside himself for rage, and seized
a stone of the ballast, to rush down with it to the cabin.
But, behold ! a rocket shot up from St. Mary's Tower,
and poured its clear light upon the deepening twilight, like a
starry meteor, and, at the same instant, the deep bay of ten or
twelve blood-hounds resounded fearfully across the meadow
where the horses were grazing, and the dogs flew on them,
and tore some of them to the ground, and bit others, so that
they dashed nearly to their masters, who were lying round the
wine-cask, and others fled into the wood bleeding and groaning
with pain and agony, as if they had been human creatures.
Then all the fellows jumped up from their wine-cask, and
screamed as if the last day had come, and Otto let the stone
fall from his hand with horror ; but still called out boldly to
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 193
his men to know what had happened. " Was the devil him-
self among them that accursed evening ? "
Then they shouted in return, that he must hasten to land,
for the Stargardians were upon them, and had killed all their
horses.
" Strike them dead, then ; kill all, and himself the last, but
he would go over and help them."
So he jumped into the boat with his companions, but had
not time to set foot on shore, when the Stargardians, horse and
foot, with the burgomaster at their head, dashed forth from the
wood, shouting, " So fall the Stargardians upon Stramehl ! "
At this sight the knight could no longer restrain his im-
patience, but jumped out of the boat ; and although the water
reached up under his arms, strode forward, crying —
" Courage, my brave fellows ; down with the churls. Kill,
slay, give no quarter. He who brings me the head of the
burgomaster shall be my heir ! His vile son hath brought my
daughter to shame. Kill all — all ! I will never outlive this
day. Ye shall all be my heritors— only kill ! kill! kill!"
Then he jumps on land and goes to clic^w his sword, but he
has none — only the scabbard is hanging there; and as the
Stargard men are already pressing thick upon them, he
shouts —
" A sword, a sword ! give me a sword ! My good castle
of Stramehl for a sword, that I may slay this base-born churl
of a burgomaster ! "
But a blood-hound jumped at his throat, and tore him to
the ground, and as he felt the horrible muzzle closer to his
face, he screamed out —
" Save me ! save me ! Oh, woe is me ! "
And at the same moment, Sidonia's voice was heard from
the vessel, shrieking —
" Father, father, save me ! this groom is beating me to
death — he is killing me ! " while a loud roar of laughter from
the crew accompanied her cries.
VOL. I. N
194 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
No one, however, came to save the knight ; for the Star-
gardians were slaying right and left, and Otto's followers were
utterly discomfited. So the knight tried to draw his dagger,
and having got hold of it, plunged it with great force into the
heart of the ferocious animal, who fell back dead, and Otto
sprang to his feet. Just then, however, a tanner recognised
him, and seizing hold of him by the arms, carried him off to
the other prisoners.
Now, indeed, might he call on the mountains to fall on him,
and the hills to cover him (Hosea x.) ; and now he might
feel, too, what a terrible thing it is to fall into the hands of
the living God (Hebrews x.) ; for the Jesu wounds, I'm
thinking, burned then like hell-fire in his heart.
Summa, as the wretched man was brought before the
burgomaster, who sat down upon a bank and wiped his sword
in the grass, the latter cried out —
" Well, sir knight, you would not heed me ; you have
worked your will. Now, do you understand what retaliation
means — c An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth ' ? "
And as the other stood quite silent, he continued —
" Where is your charter for the Jena dues ? Perchance it
is contained in this letter, which I have received to-day from
her Grace of Wolgast, addressed to you. Hand a lantern
here, that the knight may read it ! If the charter is not therein,
then he shall be flung into prison this night with his followers,
until my lord, Duke Barnim, pronounces judgment upon him."
The ferryman advanced and held a light; but Otto had
scarcely looked over the letter when he began to tremble as
if he would fall to the ground, and then sighed forth, like
the rich man in hell —
" Have mercy on me, and give me a drink of water ! "
They brought him the water, and then he added —
" Jacob, hast thou, too, had any tidings of our children ? "
" Alas ! " the other answered ; " Ulrich has written all
to me."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 195
" Then have mercy on me. Listen how your godless son
there in the vessel is beating my daughter to death, and how
she is shrieking for help."
As the burgomaster heard these unexpected tidings, he sent
messengers to the vessel, with orders to bring the pair im-
mediately before him.
Meanwhile the other prisoners besought the burgomaster
to let them go, for they were feudal vassals of Otto Bork, and
must do as he commanded them. Besides, he told them that
Duke Barnim had given him the dues, and therefore they
held it their duty to assist him in collecting them.
And as Otto confirmed their words, saying that he had
indeed deceived them, the burgomaster turned to his party,
and cried —
" How say you then, worthy burghers and dear friends,
shall we let the vassals run, and keep the lord ? for, if the
master lies, are the servants to be punished if they believe
him ? Speak, worthy friends."
Then all the burghers cried —
" Let them go, let them go ; but keep the knight a
prisoner."
Upon which all the retainers took to their heels, not for-
getting, though, to hoist the cask of wine upon their shoulders,
and so they fled away into the wood.
Now comes a great crowd from all the vessels, accompany-
ing the infamous pair, mocking, and gibing, and laughing at
them, so that no one can hear a word for the tumult. But
the burgomaster bids them hold their peace, and let the guilty
pair be placed before him.
He remained a long while silent, gazing at them both, then
sighing deeply, addressed his son —
" Oh, thou lost son, hast thou not yet given up thy dissolute
courses ? What is this I hear of thee in Wolgast ? Now thou
must needs humble this noble maiden, and bring dishonour on
her house — flinging all thy father's admonitions to the wind — "
196 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Here the son interrupted —
" True ; but this noble maiden had thrown herself in his
way, like a common girl, and he was only flesh and blood
like other men. Why did she follow him so ? "
Whereupon the father replied —
" Oh, thou shameless child, who, like the prodigal in
Scripture, hast destroyed thy substance with harlots and
riotous living, in place of humbleness and repentance, dost
thou impudently tell of this poor young maiden's shame
before all the world ? Oh, son ! oh, son ! even the blind
heathen said, * Ego ilium periisse puto, cm quldem periit
pudor ' * — which means, * I esteem him dead in whom shame
is dead.' Therefore is thy sin doubled, being a Christian,
for thou hast boasted of thy shame before the people here,
and held up the young maiden to their contempt, besides
having beaten her so on board the vessel that many heard her
screams, as if she were only a common wench, and not a
castle and land dowered maiden."
To which Appelmann answered, that she had called him
a common groom and a base-born burgher churl. But his
father commanded him to be silent, and bid his men first bind
the knight's hands behind his back, and then those of his son,
and so carry them both to prison ; but to let the maiden go free.
When the knight heard that he was to be bound, his pride
revoked, and he offered any ransom, or to give any compen-
sation that could be demanded for the injury he had done
them. Every one knew his wealth, and that he had power
to keep his word to the uttermost. But the burgomaster
made answer, " Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth ; how say
you, sir knight — speak the truth, if you had taken me
prisoner, as I have taken you, would you have bound my
hands or not ? " To which the knight replied, " Well,
Jacob, I will not speak a falsehood, for I feel that my end
is near ; — I would have bound your hands."
* Plautus in Bacchid.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 197
Hereupon the brave burgomaster answered, " I know it
well ; however, as you have answered me honestly, I will
spare you. Burghers, do not bind his hands, neither those of
my son. Ye have enough to suffer yet before ye, and God
give you both grace to repent. And now to the town !
The crew shall declare to-morrow morn, before the honour-
able council, what they have lost by the knight's means ; and
he shall make it all good again to them."
So all the people returned with great uproar and rejoicing
back to the town, and the bell from St. Mary's and St. John's
rung forth merry peals, and all the people of the town ran
forth to meet them ; but when they saw the knight a prisoner,
and his empty scabbard hanging by his side, they clapped
their hands and huzzaed, shouting, " So fell the Stargardians
upon Stramehl." Thus with merry laughter, and jests, and
mockings, they carried him up the street to the tower called
the Red Sea, and there locked him up, well guarded.
Here again he prayed the burgomaster to accept a ransom,
but in vain. Whereupon he at last solicited pen, paper, and
ink, and a light, that he might indite a letter to his Grace,
Duke Barnim ; and this was granted to him.
As for his unworthy son, the burgomaster had him carried
to his own house, and there placed him in a room, with three
stout burghers as a guard over him. And Sidonia was placed
by herself in another little chamber.
CHAPTER III.
Of Otto Bork's dreadful suicide — Item, how Sidonia and Johann
Appelmann 'were brought before the burgomaster.
DURING that night there was a strong suspicion upon every
one's mind that something terrible was going to happen ;
for a great storm arose at midnight, and raged fearfully
i98 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
round the Red Sea tower, so that it seemed to rock, and
when the night-watch went round to examine it, behold
three toads crept out, and set themselves upright upon the
parapet like little manikins, as the hares sometimes make
themselves into manikins.
What all this denoted was discovered next morning, for
when the jailer entered Otto's cell in the tower, he saw him
lying on the floor in a pool of blood, with his own dagger
sticking in his heart. On the table stood the lamp which
he had asked for, still burning feebly, and near it a great
many written papers.
The man instantly ran for the burgomaster, who followed
him with all speed to the tower. They felt the corpse, but
it was already quite cold. So then a messenger was de-
spatched for the chirurgeon, to hold a visum repertum over
him.
Meantime they examined the papers, and found first my
gracious Lady of Wolgast's letter to the unfortunate father —
the same which had made him tremble so the day before —
and therein was related all the shameful circumstances con-
cerning Sidonia, just as Ulrich had stated them in the letter
to the burgomaster. Then they came upon his last will and
testament ; but where the seal ought to have been, there lay
a large drop of blood, with this memorandum beneath it :
'This is my heart's first blood which I have affixed here,
in place of a seal, and may he who slights it be accursed for
evermore, even as my daughter Sidonia."
In this testament he had completely disinherited his
daughter Sidonia, and made his son Otto sole inheritor of
all his property, castles, and lands (for his daughter Clara
was already dead, and had left no children). Nothing
should his daughter Sidonia have but two farm-houses in
Zachow,* just to keep her from beggary, and to save the
* A small town near Stramehl, a mile and a half from Regen-
walde.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 199
ancient, illustrious name of their house from falling into
further contempt. Yet should his son think proper to give
her further alimentum, he was at liberty so to do. Lastly,
for the second and third time, he cursed his daughter, to
whom he owed all his misery, from the affair with the
apprentice to that concerning the Jena dues, up to this his
most miserable and wretched death. Item, the burgomaster
picked up another letter, which was addressed to himself, and
wherein the knight prayed, first, that his body might not be
drawn by the executioner to burial, as was the custom with
suicides, but conveyed honourably to Stramehl, and there
deposited in the vault of his family ; secondly, that his
daughter Sidonia might be sent to Zachow, there to learn
how to live humbly as a peasant maid — for that she might
look to being a Duchess of Pomerania, only when she could
keep her evil desires still for even a couple of days.
Then he cursed her so that it was pitiable to read ; and
proved that, if he had been a more God-fearing father, she
might have been a different daughter ; for as St. Paul says
(Galatians vi.), " What a man sowetl,, that shall he also
reap." The letter further said, that, for the good deed done
to his corpse, the burgomaster should take all the gold found
upon his person, consisting of eighty good rose-nobles, and
indemnify himself therewith for the loss of his spices that
day in Stramehl when they were scattered before the Jews.
He lastly desired his last will and testament to be conveyed
to his son, along with his corpse ; and further, his son was
to send compensation to the crew for the cask of wine and
whatever other losses they had sustained, according to his
knightly word which he had pledged to them.
Sum?na, when the chirurgeon arrived and the body was
examined, there was found upon the unfortunate knight a purse,
embroidered with pearls and diamonds, containing eighty rose-
nobles, which the burgomaster in no wise disdained to receive,
and then laid the whole matter before the honourable council,
200 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
with the petition of Otto concerning the corpse. The hon-
ourable council fully justified the burgomaster for all he had
done, and gave their opinion, that as the good town had no
jurisdiction over the knight, so they could have none over his
body, and therefore let it be removed with all honour to
Stramehl, particularly as he had in all things made amends
for the wrong he had done them. As regarded Sidonia, two
porters should be sent to convey her to Zachow.
Meantime Sidonia had heard of her father's horrible death,
and lay on the ground nearly insensible from grief. Just then
the burgomaster returned from the council-hall, and com-
manded that she and his profligate son should be brought
before him. When they arrived, he asked how it happened
that they were both found in the vessel, for Ulrich, the Grand
Chamberlain, had written to inform him that Sidonia had
been sent away in a coach to Stettin, with the executioner
on the box.
Here Sidonia sobbed so violently that no word could she
utter ; therefore the son replied, " That such had been done,
but that he had been given a horse from the ducal stables, and
had followed the coach ; and when they stopped at Ucker-
mund for the night, he had secretly got speech with Sidonia,
and advised her to try and remove the planks from the bottom
of the carriage and escape to him, for that he would be quite
close at hand. And he did what he could that night to loosen
the boards himself. So in the morning Sidonia got them up
easily, and first dropped her baggage out through the hole,
which he picked up ; and then, as they came to a soft, sandy
tract where the coach had to go very slowly, she let herself
also down through it, and sinking in the deep sand, let the
coach go over her without any hurt. Then he came to her,
and they fled to the next town, where he bought a waggon
from some peasants, for her and her luggage to proceed into
Stargard, for she was ashamed to appear before Duke Barnim,
and wished to get on from Stargard to Stramehl ; but when
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 201
they reached Damm, they heard such wild tales of the robbers
and partisans who infested the roads, that Sidonia grew
alarmed, and made him go by water for safety. So he left
the horse and waggon at the inn, and took ship with the
merchants who were going to Stargard. These were their
adventures. The rest his father knew as well as himself.
The burgomaster then asked Sidonia had he spoken truth.
So she dried her eyes, and nodded her head for " Yes."
Then he admonished her gravely, for that she, a noble
maiden, could have dishonoured herself with a mere burgher's
son, like his Johann, in whom even he, his own father, must
say, there was nothing to tempt any girl. And now she knew
the truth of those words of St. James : " Lust, when it hath
conceived, bringeth forth sin ; and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death."
Her sin had, indeed, brought forth her father's death ; —
would that he could say only his temporal death. This her
father had himself asserted in his testament, which he held
now in his hands, and for this cause had left all his goods,
lands, and castles to her brother Otto- -only giving her two
farm-houses in Zachow to save her from the beggar's staff,
and their noble name from falling into yet greater contempt
— and, in addition, he had cursed her with terrible curses ;
but these might be yet turned away, if she would incline her
heart to God, and lead a pious, honest life for the rest of her
days. And much more the worthy man preached to her ;
but she interrupted him, having found her tongue at last, and
exclaimed in wrath, " What ! has the good-for-nothing old
churl written this ? Let me see it ; it cannot be true."
So the burgomaster reached her the paper, and, as she read,
her colour changed, and at last she shrieked aloud and fell
down before the burgomaster, clasping his knees, and praying
by the Jesu cross not to send such a testament to her brother,
for that he was still harder than her father, because he was by
nature avaricious, and would grudge her even salt with her
202 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
bread. Let him remember that his son had promised her
marriage, and would he destroy his own children ?
Then Jacob Appelmann turned to his profligate son, and
asked, " Does she speak the truth ? Have you promised
her marriage ? "
But the shameless knave answered, " True, I so promised
her, when we were at Uckermund ; but now that she has no
money, I wash my hands of her."
Such villainy made the old man flame with indignation.
" He would make him know that he must stand by his word
— he would force him to it, if he could only think it would
be for the advantage of this wretched girl. But he would
admonish her to give him up ; did she not see that he was
shameless, cruel, and selfish ? and how could she ever hope
to turn to God and lead a new life with such an infamous
partner ? Item, his son should be made to work, and to
feel poverty, so that his evil desires miht be stifled ; and as
for her, let her go in God's name to Zachow, and there
in solitude repent her sins, and strive to win the favour of
God."
But that was no water for her mill ; so she continued to
lament, and weep, and pray the burgomaster not to send the
will to her harsh brother ; upon which he answered mildly,
" Wert thou to lie at my feet till morning, it would not help
thee : the testament goes this day to Stramehl ; but I will do
this for thee. Thy father left me some rose-nobles, in a
purse which he carried about with him, as a compensation for
my spices, which he strewed before the Jews in Stramehl, of
which deed thou, too, wert also guilty, as I know ; therefore
I was not ashamed to take the money. But of the purse thy
father said naught ; so I had it in my mind to keep it — for,
in truth, it is of more worth than the nobles it contained. If
I mistake not, these are true pearls and diamonds with which
it is broidered. Look, here it is. What sayest thou ? "
Here she sobbed, and answered, "She knew it well ; she
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 203
had broidered the purse herself. They were her mother's
pearls and diamonds, and part of her bridal gear ; truly they
were worth three thousand florins."
" Then," said the brave old man, a I will give thee this
purse, since it was not named either for me or for thy brother
at Stramehl. Take it to Zachow ; thou wilt make a good
penny of it. Be pious, and God-fearing, and industrious, re-
membering what the Holy Scripture says (Prov. xxxi. ) :
* A virtuous woman takes wool and flax, and labours dili-
gently with her hands. She stretches out her hands to the
wheel, and her fingers grasp the spindle.' Hadst thou learned
this, in place of thy costly broidery, methinks it would have
been better with thee this day."
As he thus spoke, he put the purse in her hands, and she
instantly hid it in her pocket. But the profligate Johann now
suddenly became repentant, for he thought, if I can obtain
nothing good from my father, I may at least get the purse.
So he began to weep and lament, and fell down, too, at his
father's feet, saying, if he would only pardon him this once,
he would indeed take this poor maiden to wife, as he had
promised her, for he alone was guilty of her sin ; only would
his heart's dearest father forgive him ? And so the hypocrite
went on with his lies.
Whereupon his father made answer honourably and mildly —
" Such promises thou hast often made, but never kept. How-
ever, I will try thee yet again. If thou wilt spend each day
diligently writing in the council-office, and return each night
to sleep in my chamber, and continue this good conduct for a
few years, to testify thy repentance, as a brave and upright son,
and Sidonia meanwhile continues to lead a godly and humble
life at Zachow, then, in God's name, ye shall both marry,
and make amends for your sin ; but not before that."
As he said this, and bid his son stand up, the hypocrite
answered, yes, he would do the will of his dear father ; but
then he must keep back this testament ; so would his children
204 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
be happy. Otherwise, wherefore should they marry ? — what
could they live on ? A couple of cabins in Zachow would
not be enough.
" Truly," replied the old man, " if I were as great a knave
as thou art, I would do as thou hast said ; yet, though the
loss of the spices, which her father wickedly destroyed, did
me such injury that I had to sell my house, to get the means
of living and keeping thee at the University of Grypswald, I
will keep my hands pure from the property of another, even
if this property belonged to my greatest enemy, and the enemy
of this good town also. Summa, this day thou shalt go to
the council- office, the testament to Stramehl, and Sidonia to
Zachow."
So the knave was silent : but Sidonia still resisted ; she
would not go to Zachow — never ; but if he would send her
to Stettin, she was certain the good Duke Barnim would be
kind to an unfortunate maiden, who had done nothing more
than what thousands do in secret. And whatever the gra-
cious Prince resolved concerning her, she would abide by.
When the burgomaster heard this speech, he saw that no
amendment was to be expected from her ; and as he had no
authority to compel her to Zachow, he promised, at last, to
send her to Stettin on the following day, for there were two
market waggons going, and she could travel in one, and thereby
be more secure against all danger. And so it was done.
CHAPTER IV.
How Sidonia meets Claude Uckermann again, and solicits him
to wed her — Item, what he answered, and how my
gracious Lord of Stettin received her.
SIDONIA, next morning, got a good soft seat in the waggon,
upon the sack of a cloth merchant ; he was cousin to the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 205
burgomaster, and promised to take her with him, out of
friendship for him. All the men in the waggon were armed
with spears and muskets, for fear of the robbers, who were
growing more daring every day.
So they proceeded ; but had not got far from the town
when a horseman galloped furiously after them, and called
out that he would accompany them ; and this was Claude
Uckermann, of whom I have spoken so much in my former
book. He, too, was going to Stettin. Now when Sidonia
saw him, her eyes glistened like a cat's when she sees a
mouse, and she rejoiced at the prospect of such good com-
pany, for since the wedding of her sister, never had this
handsome youth come across her, though she was constantly
looking out for him. So as he rode up by the waggon, she
greeted him, and prayed him to alight and come and sit by
her upon the sack, that they might talk together of dear old
times.
She imagined, no doubt, that he knew nothing of all that
had happened ; but her disgrace was as public at Stargard
as if it had been pealed from the great bell of St. Mary's.
He therefore knew her whole story, and answered, that
sitting by her was disagreeable to him now ; and he rode on.
This was plain enough, one would think ; but Sidonia still
held by her delusion ; for as they reached the first inn, and
stopped to feed the horses, she saw him stepping aside to
avoid her, and seating himself at some distance on a bank.
So she put on her flattering face, and advanced to him,
saying, "Would not the dear young knight make up with
her? — what ailed him? — it was impossible he could resent
her silly fun at her sister's wedding. Oh ! if he had come
again and asked her seriously to be his wife, in place of
there in the middle of the dancing, as if he had been only
jesting, she would never have had another husband, for from
that till now, never had so handsome a knight met her eyes ;
but she was still free."
206 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Hereupon the young man (as he told me himself) made
answer — " Yes, she had rightly judged, he was only jesting,
and taking his pastime with her, as they sat there upon the
carpet, for he held in unspeakable aversion and disgust a cup
from which every one sipped."
Still Sidonia would not comprehend him, and began to
talk about Wolgast. But he looked down straight before
him in the grass, and never spake a word, but turned on his
heel, and entered the inn, to see after his horse. So he got
rid of her at last.
As the waggon set off again, she began to sing so merrily
and loudly, that all the wood rang with it. And the young
knight was not so stupid but that he truly discerned her
meaning, which was to show him that she cared little for
his words, since she could go away in such high spirits.
Summa, when they reached the inn at Stettin, Sidonia
got all her baggage carried in from the waggon, and there
dressed herself with all her finery : silken robes, golden hair-
net, and golden chains, rings, and jewels, that all the people
saluted her when she came forth, and went to the castle to
ask for his Highness the Duke. He was in his workshop,
and had just finished turning a spinning-wheel ; he laughed
aloud when she entered, ran to her, embraced her, and cried,
" What ! my treasure ! — where hast thou been so long, my
sugar- morsel ? How I laughed when Master Hansen, whom
my old, silly, sour cousin of Wolgast sent with thee, came in
lately into my workshop, and told me he had brought thec
hither in a ducal coach ! I ran directly to the court-
yard ; but when the knave opened the door, my little thrush
had flown. Where hast thou been so long, my sugar-
morsel ? "
As his Grace put all these questions, he continued kissing
her, so that his long white beard got entangled in her golden
chains ; and as she pushed him away, a bunch of hair remained
sticking to her brooch, so that he screamed for pain, and put
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 207
his hand to his chin. At this, in rushed the court marshal
and the treasurer (who were writing in the next chamber) as
white as corpses, and asked, " Who is murdering his Grace ? "
but his Grace held up his hand over his bleeding mouth, and
winked to them to go away. So when they saw that it was
only a maiden combat, they went their way laughing.
Hereupon speaks his Grace — " See now, treasure, what
thou hast done ! Thou canst be so kind to a groom, yet thy
own gracious Prince will treat so harshly ! "
But Sidonia began to weep bitterly. " What did he think
of her ? The whole story was an invention by his old sour
cousin of Wolgast to ruin her because she would not learn
her catechism (and then she told the same tale as to her
father) ; but would not his Grace take pity on a poor for-
saken maiden, seeing that Prince Ernest could not deny he
had promised to make her his bride, and wed her privately
at Crummyn, on the very next night to that on which her
Grace had so shamefully outraged her ? "
" My sweet treasure ! " answered the Duke, " the young
Prince was only making a fool of you ; therefore be content
that things are no worse. For even if he had wedded you
privately, it would have been all in vain, seeing that neither
the princely widow nor the Elector of Brandenburg, his
godfather, nor any of the princes of the holy Roman Empire,
nor lastly, the Pomeranian States, would ever have permitted
so unequal a marriage. Therefore, what the priest joined in
Crummyn would have been put asunder next day by the
tribunals. My poor nephew is a silly enthusiast not to have
perceived this all along, before he put such absurdities in your
head. That he talked gallantry to you was very natural, and
I wished him all success ; but that he should ever have talked
of marriage shows him to be even sillier than I expected from
his years."
Here Sidonia's tears burst forth anew. " Who would
care for her now that her father was dead, and had left
ao8 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
her penniless ? All because he believed that old hypocrite
of Wolgast more than his own daughter. Alas ! alas ! she
was a poor orphan now ! and all her possessions would be
torn from her by her hard-hearted, avaricious brother. Yet
surely his Grace might at least take pity on her innocence."
His Grace wondered much when he heard of Otto's
death, for the letters brought by the market waggon from
the honourable council, acquainting him with the matter, had
not yet arrived, and he scratched behind his ear, and said,
" It was an evil deed of that proud devil her father, to
claim the Jena dues. He had got his answer at Wol-
gast, and ought to have left the dues alone. What right
had he to break the peace of the land, to gratify his lust and
greed? It was well that he was dead; but as concerning
his testament, that must not be interfered with, he had no
power over the property of individuals. Each one might
leave his goods as best pleased him ; yet he would make his
treasurer write a letter in her favour to her brother Otto :
that was all that he could do."
This threw Sidonia into despair ; she fell at his feet,
and told him, that let what would become of her, she
would never go a step to Zachow, and her harsh brother
would never give her one groschen, unless he were forced
to it. His Grace ought to remember that it was by his
advice she had gone to Wolgast, where all her misery had
commenced ; for by the traitorous conduct of the widow,
there she had been robbed, not only of her good name, but
also of her fortune. So his Grace comforted her, and
said that as long as he lived she would want for nothing.
He had a pretty house behind St. Mary's, and six young
maidens lived there, who had nothing to do but spin and
embroider, or comb out the beautiful herons' feathers as
the birds moulted; for he had a large stock of herons
close to the house ; and there was a darling little chamber
there, which she could have immediately for herself. As
S1DONIA THE SORCERESS 209
to clothes, they might all get the handsomest they pleased,
and their meals were supplied from the ducal kitchen.
As his Grace ended, and lifted up Sidonia and kissed
her, she wept and sighed more than ever. " Could he
think this of her ? No ; she would never enter the house
which was the talk of all Pomerania. If she consented,
then, indeed, would the world believe all the falsehoods that
were told of her — of her, who was as innocent as a child ! "
Hereupon his Grace answered stiff and stern (yet this was
not his wont, for he was a right tender master), "Then
go your ways. Into that house or nowhere else." (Alas!
let every maiden take warning, by this example, to guard
against the first false step. Amen, chaste Jesus ! Amen. )
That evening Sidonia took up her abode in the house.
But that same evening there was a great scandalumt and tear-
ing of each other's hair among the girls. For one of them,
named Trina Wehlers, was a baker's daughter from Stra-
mehl, and on the occasion of Clara's wedding she had
headed a procession of young peasants to join the bridal
party, but Sidonia had haughtily pushed her back, and forbid
them to approach. This Trina was a fine rosy wench,
and my Lord Duke took a fancy to her then, so that she
looked with great jealousy on any one that threatened to
rob her of his favour. Now when Sidonia entered the
house and saw the baker's daughter, she commenced again
to play the part of the great lady, but the other only laughed,
and mockingly asked her, " Where was the princely spouse,
Duke Ernest of Wolgast? Would his Highness come to
meet her there ? "
Then Sidonia raged from shame and despair, that this
peasant girl should dare to insult her, and she ran weeping
to her chamber ; but when supper was served, the scandalum
broke out in earnest. For Sidonia had now grown a little
comforted, and as there were many dainty dishes from the
Duke's table sent to them, she began to enjoy herself
VOL. I. O
2jo SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
somewhat, when all of a sudden the baker's daughter gave
her a smart blow over the fingers with a fork. Sidonia
instantly seized her by the hair ; and now there was such
an uproar of blows, screams, and tongues, that my gracious
lord, the Duke, was sent for. Whereupon he scolded the
baker's daughter right seriously for her insolence, and told
her that as Sidonia was the only noble maiden amongst
them, she was to bear rule. And if the others did not
obey her humbly, as befitted her rank, they should all be
whipped. His Grace wore a patch of black plaister on
his chin, and attempted to kiss Sidonia again, but she
pushed him away, saying that he must have told all that
happened at Wolgast to these girls, otherwise how could
the baker's daughter have mocked her about it.
Whereupon my gracious lord consoled her, and said that
if she were quiet and well-behaved, he would take her with
him to the Diet at Wollin, for all the young dukes of Pome-
rania were to attend it, and Prince Ernest amongst the
number, seeing that he had summoned them all there, in
order to give up the government of the land into their
hands, as he was too old now himself to be tormented with
state affairs.
When Sidonia heard this, hope sprang up within her
heart, and she resolved to bear her destiny calmly.
CHAPTER V.
How they went on meantime at Wolgast — Item, of the Diet at
Wollin , and what happened there.
WITH regard to their Serene Highnesses of Wolgast, I have
already related, Kbro primo, that the young lord, Ernest Lu-
dovicus, was carried out of Sidonia's chamber like one dead,
when he beheld her abominable wickedness with his own eyes
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 211
And all can easily believe that he lay for a long while
sick unto death. In vain Dr. Pomius offered his celebrated
specific ; he would take nothing, did nothing day or night
but sigh and groan —
" Ah, Sidonia ; ah, my beloved heart's bride, Sidonia,
can it be possible ? Adored Sidonia, my heart is breaking.
Sidonia, Sidonia, can it be possible ? "
At last the idea struck Dr. Pomius that there must be
magic and devil's work in it. So he searched through all
his learned books, and finally came upon a recipe which
was infallible in such cases. This was to burn the tooth of
a dead man to powder, and let the sick bewitched person
smoke the ashes. Such was solemnly recommended by
Petrus Hispanus Ulyxbonensis, who, under the name of
John XXII. , ascended the papal throne. See his Thesaurus
Pauperum, cap. ult.
But the Prince would neither take anything nor smoke
anything, and the delirium amatorium grew more violent and
alarming day by day, so that the whole ducal house was
plunged into the deepest grief and despair.
Now there was a prisoner in the bastion tower at Wolgast,
a carl from Katzow, who had been arrested and condemned
for practising horrible sorceries and magic — namely, having
changed the calves of his neighbours into young hares, which
instinctively started off to the woods, and were never seen
more, as the whole town testified ; and other devil's doings
he had practised, which I now forget ; but they were fully
proved against him, and so he was sentenced to be burned.
This man now sent a message to the authorities, that
if they pardoned him and allowed him free passage from the
town, he would tell of something to cure the young lord.
This was agreed to ; and when he was brought to the
chamber of the Prince, he laid his ear down upon his breast,
to listen if it were witchcraft that ailed him. Then he
spake —
212 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
" Yes ; the heart beats quite unnaturally, the sound was
like the whimpering of a fly caught in a spider's web ; their
lordships might listen for themselves."
Whereupon all present, one after the other, laid their ear
upon the breast of the young Prince, and heard really as he
had described.
The carl now said that he would give his Highness a potion
which would make him, from that hour, hate the woman who
had bewitched him as much as he had adored her. Item,
the young lord must sleep for three days, and when he woke,
his strength would have returned to him ; to procure this
sleep, he must anoint his temples with goat's milk, which they
must instantly bring him, and during his sleep the Lady
Duchess must, every two hours, lay fresh ox-flesh upon his
stomach.
When her Grace heard this, she rejoiced that her dear
son would so soon hold the harlot in abhorrence who had
bewitched him. And the carl gave him a red syrup, which
he had no sooner swallowed than all care for Sidonia seemed
to have vanished from his mind. Even before the goat's
milk came, he exclaimed —
" Now that I think over it, what a great blessing that we
have got rid of Sidonia."
And no sooner were his temples bathed with the milk
than he fell into a deep sleep, which lasted for three days,
and when he opened his eyes, his first words were —
" Where is that Sidonia ? Is the wanton still here ?
Bring her before me, that I may tell her how I hate her.
Oh, fool that I was, to peril my princely honour for a harlot.
Where is she ? I must have my revenge upon the light
wanton."
Her Grace could hardly speak for joy when she heard
these words ; and. she gave the carl, who had watched all
the time by the bedside of the young Prince, so much ham
and sausages from the ducal kitchen, that he finally could
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 213
not walk, but was obliged to be drawn out of the town in a
car. Then she asked Dr. Pomius how such a miracle could
have been effected. At which he laid his finger on his
nose, after his manner, and replied, such was accomplished
through the introduction of the natural Life Balsam, which the
learned called conferment atlonem Mumta, and so the fool went
on prating, and her Grace devouring his words as if they were
gospel.
Summa. — After a few days the young lord was able to
leave his bed, and as they kept fresh ox-flesh continually ap-
plied to his stomach, he soon regained his strength, so that,
in a couple of weeks, he could ride, fish, and hunt, and his
cheeks were as fresh and rosy as ever. One day he mentioned
" the groom's mistress," as he called her, and wished he could
give her a lesson in lute-playing, it would be one to make her
tremble. But when the letter arrived from Duke Barnim,
declaring that, from his great age, he proposed resigning the
government of Pomerania into the hands of her Grace's sons,
there was no end to the rejoicings at Wolgast, and her Grace
declared that she would herself accompany them to the Diet
at Wollin.
We shall now see what a treat was waiting her at the old
castle there. It was built wholly of wood, and has long
since fallen ; but at the time I write of, it was standing in all
its glory.
Monday, the I 5th May 1 569, at eleven in the forenoon,
his Grace of Stettin came with seven coaches and two
hundred and fourteen horsemen into the courtyard. And
there, on the steps of the castle, stood my gracious Lady of
Wolgast, holding the little Casimir by the hand, in waiting to
receive his Highness, and all her other sons stood round her
— namely, the illustrious Bishop of Camyn, Johann Frederick,
in his bishop's robes, with the staff and mitre. Item, Duke
Bogislaus, who had presented her Grace with a tame sea-gull.
Item, Ernest Ludovicus, in a Spanish mantle of black velvet,
214 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
embossed in gold, and upon his head a black velvet Spanish
hat, looped up with diamonds, from which long white plumes
descended to his shoulder. Item, Barnim the younger, who
wore a dress similar to his brother's. Item, the Grand
Chamberlain, Ulrich von Schwerin, and with him a great
crowd of the counsellors and state officers of Wolgast, besides
all the nobles, prelates, knights, and chief burghers of the
duchy. Among the nobles stood Otto von Bork, brother to
Sidonia ; and the burgomaster, Jacob Appelmann, held his
place among the citizens.
As Duke Barnim drove up to the castle, the guards fired
a salute, and the bells rang, and the cannon roared, and all
the vessels in the harbour hoisted their flags, while the streets,
houses, and courtyards were decorated with flowers, and all
the people of the little town trotted round the carriage,
shouting, " Vivat ! vivat ! vivat ! " so that the like was
never seen before in Wollin.
Now, when the coach stopped, her Grace the Duchess
advanced to meet his Highness ; and as old Duke Barnim' s
head appeared at the window, with his long white beard and
yellow leather cap, her Grace stepped forward, and said —
" Welcome, dearest Un "
But she could get no farther, and stood as stiff as Lot's
wife when she was turned into a pillar of salt, for there was
Sidonia seated in the carriage beside the Duke ! Old
Ulrich, who followed, soon spied the cause of her Grace's
dismay, and exclaimed —
" Three thousand devils, what does your Highness mean
by bringing the accursed harlot a third time amongst
us ? "
But his Highness only laughed, and drew forth his last
puppet, it was a Satan as he tempted Eve, saying —
" Hold this for me, good Ulrich, till I am out of the
coach, and then I shall hear all about it."
To which the other answered —
SIDONJA THE SORCERESS 215
" If you let me catch hold of this other Satan, whom ye
bring with you, I think it were wiser done ! "
Prince Ernest now sprang down the steps, his eye flaming
with rage, and drawing his sword, cried —
" Hold me, or T will stab the serpent to the heart, who so
disgraced me and my family honour. I will murder her
there in the coach before your eyes."
Whereupon old Ulrich flung the little wooden Satan to the
ground, and seized the yo.ung man by the arm, while Sidonia
screamed violently. But the old Duke stepped deliberately
out of the coach. Seeing, however, his wooden Satan lying
broken on the ground, he became very wroth, and called
loudly for a turner with his glue-pot. Then he ascended
the steps, and when all had greeted him deferentially, he
began —
"Dear niece, worthy cousins, and friends, ye have no
doubt heard of the misfortune which hath befallen Sidonia
von Bork, who sits there in the carriage. Her father has
died ; and, further, she has been disinherited. Thereupon
she fled to me to seek a refuge. Now ye all know well that
the Von Borks are an ancient, honourable, and illustrious
race — none more so ; therefore I had compassion upon the
orphan, and brought her hither to effect a reconciliation
between her and Otto Bork, her brother. Step forward,
Otto Bork, where are you hiding ? Step forth, and hand
your sister from the carriage ; I saw you amongst the nobles
here to-day. Step forth ! "
But Otto had disappeared ; and as the Duke found he
would not answer to his summons, he bid Sidonia come forth
herself. Whereupon the young Prince swore fiercely that,
if she but put a foot upon the step he would murder her.
"What the devil! young man," said the Duke, laughing;
" first you must needs wed her, and now you will slay her
dead at our feet ! This is somewhat inconsistent. Come
forth, Sidonia ; he will not be so cruel."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
But she sat in the coach, and wept like a child who has
lost its nurse. So my gracious lady stepped forward, and
commanded the coachman to drive instantly with the maiden
to the town inn ; and so it was done.
Now the old Duke never ceased for the whole forenoon
soliciting Otto Bork to take the poor orphan home with him,
and there to treat her as a faithful and kind brother, in com-
pensation for her father's harsh and unnatural will ; but it
was all in vain, as she indeed had prophesied. " Not the
weight of a feather more should she get than the two farm-
houses in Zachow ; and never let her call him brother, for
ancient as his race was, never had one of them borne the
brand of infamy till now."
In the afternoon, all the prelates, nobles, and burghers
assembled in the grand hall ; then entered the ducal family,
Barnim the elder at their head. He was dressed in a long
black robe, such as the priests wear now, with white ruffles
and Spanish frill, and was bareheaded. He took his seat at
the top of the table, and thus spake —
" Illustrious Princess, dear cousins, nobles, and faithful
burghers, ye all know that I have ruled this Pomeranian land
for fifty years, upholding the pure doctrine of Doctor Martin
Luther, and casting down papacy in all places and at all times.
But as I am now old, and find it hard sometimes to keep my
unruly vassals in order, whereof we have had a proof lately, it
is my will and purpose to resign the government into the hands
of my dear cousins, the illustrious Princes von Pommern-
Wolgast, and retire to Oderburg in Old Stettin, there to rest
in peace for the remainder of my days ; but there are four
princes (for the fifth, Casimir, to-morrow or next day shall get
a church endowment) and but two duchies. For ye know
that, by the Act passed in 1541, the Duchy of Pomerania can
only be divided into two portions, the other princes of the
family being entitled but to life-annuities. Therefore I have
resolved to let it be decided by lot amongst the four Pome-
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 217
ranian princes (according to the example set us by the holy
apostles), which of them shall succeed me in Stettin, which is
to rule in Wolgast in the room of my loved brother, Philippus
Primus of blessed memory ; and, finally, which is to be
content only with the life-annuity. And this shall now be
ascertained in your presence."
Having ended, he commanded the Grand Marshal, Von
Flemming, to bring the golden lottery-box with the tickets,
and beckoned the young princes to the table. Then, while
they drew the lots, he commanded all the nobles, knights, and
burghers present to lift up their hands and repeat the Lord's
Prayer aloud. So every hand was elevated, even the Duke
and my gracious lady uplifting theirs, and the three young
princes drew the lots, but not the fourth, and this was Bogislaff.
So Duke Barnim wondered, and asked the reason. Where-
upon he answered, " That he would not tempt God in aught.
To govern a land was a serious thing ; and he who had little
to rule had little to be responsible for before God. He would
therefore freely withdraw his claims, and be content with the
annuity ; then he could remain with his dear mother, and
console her in her widowhood. He did not fear that he
would ever repent his choice, for he had more pleasure in
study than in the pomp of the world ; and if he took the
government, then must his beloved library be given up for food
to the moths and spiders."
All arguments were vain to turn him from his resolve : so
the lots were drawn, and it was found that Johann Frederick
had come by the Dukedom of Stettin, and Ernest Ludovicus
by that of Wolgast.
But as Barnim the younger went away empty, he was filled
with envy and mortification, showing quite a different spirit
from his meek, humble-minded brother, BogislafF. He swore,
and cursed his ill luck. " Why did not that fool of a book-
worm give over his chance to him, if he would not profit by
it himself ? Why the devil should he descend to play the
2i8 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
commoner, when he was born to play the prince ? " and such-
like unamiable and ill-tempered speeches. However, he was
now silenced by the drums and trumpets, which struck up the
Te Deum, in which all present joined. Then Doctor Dannen-
baum offered up a prayer, and so that grand ceremony con-
cluded. But the feasting and drinking was carried on with
such spirit all through the evening, and far into the night, that
all the young lords, except Bogislaff, had well nigh drowned
their senses in the wine-cup ; and Ernest started up about
midnight, declaring that he would go to the inn and murder
Sidonia. Barnim was busy quarrelling with Johann Frederick
about his annuity. So Ernest would certainly have gone to
Sidonia, if one of the nobles, by name Dinnies Kleist, a man
of huge strength, had not detained him in a singular manner.
For he laid a wager that, just with his little finger in the girdle
of the young Prince, he would hold him fast; and if he (the
Prince) moved but one inch from the spot where he stood, he
was content to lose his wager.
And, in truth, Prince Ernest found that he could not stir
one step from the spot where Dinnies Kleist held him ; so he
called a noble to assist him, who seized his hand and tried
to draw him away, but in vain ; then he called a second, a
third, a fourth, up to a dozen, and they all held each other
by the hand, and pulled and pulled away till their heads
nearly touched the floor, but in vain ; not one inch could
they make the Prince to move. So Dinnies Kleist won his
wager ; and the Duke, Johann Frederick, was so delighted
with this proof of his giant strength, that he took him into
his service from that hour. So the whole night Dinnies
amused the guests by performing equally wonderful feats even
until day dawned.
Now, there was an enormous golden becker which Duke
Ratibor I. had taken away from the rich town of Konghalla,
in Norway land, when he fell upon it and plundered it.
This becker stood on the table filled with wine, and as the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 219
Duke handed it to him to pledge him, Dinnies said, " Shall
I crush this in my hand, like fresh bread, for your Grace ? "
" You may try," said the Duke, laughing ; and instantly he
crushed it together with such force, that the wine dashed
down all over the table-cover. Item, the Duke threw down
some gold and silver medals — " Could he break them ? "
" Ay, truly, if they were given to him ; not else."
" Take, then, as many as you can break," said the Duke.
So he broke them all as easily as altar wafers, and thrust
them, laughing, into his pocket.
Item, there had been large quantities of preserved cherries
at supper, and the lacqueys had piled up the stones on a
dish like a high mountain. From this mountain Dinnies took
handful after handful, and squeezed them together, so that
not a single stone remained whole in his hand. We shall
hear a great deal more of this Dinnies Kleist, and his strength,
as we proceed ; therefore shall let him rest for the present.
CHAPTER VI.
How Sidonia is again discovered 'with the groom, Johann
Appelmann.
IT was a good day for Johann Appelmann, when his father
went to the Diet at Wollin. For as the old burgomaster
held strictly by his word, and sent him each day to the
writing- office, and locked him up each night in his little
room, the poor young man had found life growing very dull.
Now he was his mother's pet, and all his sins and wickedness
were owing to her as much as Sidonia' s to her father. She
had petted and spoiled him from his youth up, and stiffened
his back against his father. For whenever worthy Jacob
laid the stick upon the boy's shoulders, she cried and roared,
and called him nothing but an old tyrant. Then how she
220 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
was always stuffing him up with tit-bits and dainties, whenever
his father's back was turned ; and if there were a glass of
wine left in the bottle, the boy must have it. Then she let
him and his brother beat and abuse all the street-boys and
send them away bleeding like dogs ; and some were afraid to
complain of them, as they were sons of the burgomaster ;
and if others came to the house to do so, she took good care
to send them away with a stout blow or bloody nose.
And as the lads grew up, how she praised their beauty, and
curled their hair and beards herself, telling them they were
not to think of citizen wives, but to look after the richest and
highest, for the proudest in the land might be glad to get
them as husbands. So she prated away during her husband's
absence, for he was in his office all day and most part of the
evening. And God knows, bad fruit she brought forth with
such rearing — not alone in Johann, but also in his brother
Wittich, who, as I afterwards heard, got on no better in
Pudgla, where he held the office of magistrate. So true it is
what the Scripture says, " A wise woman buildeth her house,
but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands " (Prov. xiv.)
Then, another Scripture, "As moths from a garment, so
from a woman wickedness" (Sirach xlii. )
For what did this fool do now ? As soon as her upright
and worthy husband had left the house, forgetting and de-
spising all his admonitions respecting this son Johann, she
called together all her acquaintance, and kept up a gorman-
dising and drinking day after day, all to comfort her heart's
dear pet Johann, who had been used so harshly by his cross
father. Think of her fine, handsome son being stuck down
all day to a clerk's desk. Ah ! was there ever such a tyrant
as her husband to any one, but especially to his own born
children ?
And so she went on complaining how she had thrown
herself away upon such a hard-hearted monster, and had
refused so many fine young carls, all to wed Satan himself
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 221
at least. She could not make out why God had sent such
a curse upon her.
When the brave Johann heard all this, he begged money
from his mother, that he might seek another situation. Now
that there was a new duke in Stettin, he would assuredly
get employment there, but then he must treat all the young
fellows and pages about the court, otherwise they would not
put in a good word for him. Therefore he would give them
a great carouse at the White Horse in the Monk's Close, and
then assuredly he would be appointed chief equerry. So she
believed every word he uttered ; but as old Jacob had carried
away all the money that was in the house with him, she sold
the spices that had just come in, for a miserable sum, also her
own pearl earrings and fur mantle, that her dear heart's son
might have a gay carouse, to console him for all his father's
hard treatment.
Summa. — When the rogue had got all he could from her,
he took his father's best mare from the stable, and rode up to
Stettin, where he put up at the White Horse Inn, and soon
scraped acquaintance with all the idle young fellows about the
court. So they drank and caroused until Johann's last penny
was spent, but he had got no situation except in good promises.
Truly the young pages had mentioned him to the Duke, and
asked the place of equerry for their jovial companion, but his
Highness, Duke Johann, had heard too much of his doings at
Wolgast, and would by no means countenance him.
Then Johann bethought himself of Sidonia, for he had
heard from his boon companions that she was in the Duke's
house behind St. Mary's. And he remembered that purse
embroidered with pearls and diamonds which his father had
given her, so he went many days spying about the house,
hoping to get a glimpse of Sidonia ; but as she never appeared,
he resolved to gain admission by playing the tailor. Where-
fore, he tied on an apron, took a tailor's measure and shears,
and went straight up to the house, asking boldly, if a young
222 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
maiden named Sidonia did not live there ? for he had oot
O
orders to make her a garment. Now the baker's daughter,
Trina Wehlers, suspected all was not right, for she had seen
my gay youth spying about the house before, and staring up at
all the windows. However, she showed the tailor Sidonia's
room, and then set herself down to watch. But the wonders
of Providence are great. Although she could not hear a
word they said, yet all that passed in Sidonia's room was
made evident — it was in this wise. Just before the house
rose up the church of St. Mary's, with all its stately pillars,
and as if God's house wished in wrath to expose the wicked-
ness of the pair, everything that passed in the room was
shadowed on these pillars ; so when Trina observed this, she
ran for the other girls, crying, " Come here, come here, and
see how the two shadows are kissing each other. They can
be no other than Sidonia and her tailor. This would be fine
news for our gracious lord ! " They would tell him the
whole story when his Highness came that evening, and so get
rid of this proud, haughty dragon who played the great lady
amongst them, and ruled everything her own way. Therefore
they all set themselves to watch for the tailor when he left
Sidonia's room ; but the whole day passed, and he had not
done with his measurement. Whereupon they concluded she
must have secreted him in her chamber.
Now the Duke had a private key of the house, and was
in the habit of walking over from Oderburg after dusk almost
every evening ; but as there was no sign of him now, they de-
spatched a messenger, bidding him come quick to his house,
and his Grace would hear and see marvels. How the young
girls gathered round him when he entered, all telling him to-
gether about Sidonia. And when at last he made out the
story, his Grace fell into an unwonted rage (for he was
generally mild and good-tempered) that a poacher should get
into his preserves. So he runs to Sidonia's door and tries to
open it, but the bolts are drawn. Then he threatened to send
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 223
for Master Hansen if she did not instantly admit him, at
which all the girls laughed and clapped their hands with joy.
Whereupon Sidonia at last came to the door with looks of
great astonishment, and demanded what his Grace could want.
It was bed-time, and so, of course, she had locked her door to
lie down in safety.
///£. — « Where is that tailor churl who had come to her in
the morning ? "
Ilia. — " She knew nothing about him, except that he had
gone away long ago."
So the girls all screamed " No, no, that is not true ! She
and the tailor had been kissing each other, as they saw by the
shadows on the wall, and making love."
Here Sidonia appeared truly horrified at such an accusa-
tion, for she was a cunning hypocrite ; and taking up the
coif-block * with an air of offended dignity, said, turning to
his Grace, " It was this coif-block, methinks, I had at the
window with me, and may those be accursed who blackened
me to your face." So the Duke half believed her, and stood
silent at the window ; but Trina Wehlers cried out, " It is
false ! it is false ! a coif-block could not give kisses ! "
Whereupon Sidonia in great wrath snatched up a robe that
lay near her on a couch, to hit the baker's daughter with
it across the face. But woe ! woe ! under the robe lay the
tailor's cap, upon which all the girls screamed out, " There
is the cap ! there is the cap ! now we'll soon find the tailor,"
pushing Sidonia aside, and beginning to search in every nook
and corner of the room. Heyday, what an uproar there
was now, when they caught sight of the tailor himself in the
chimney and dragged him down ; but he dashed them aside
with his hands, right and left, so that many got bleeding
noses, hit his Grace, too, a blow as he tried to seize him, and
rushed out of the house.
Still the Duke had time to recognise the knave of Wol-
* A block for head-gears.
224 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
gast, and was so angry at his having escaped him, that he
almost beat Sidonia. " She was at her old villainy. No
good would ever come of her. He saw that now with his
own eyes. Therefore this very night she and her baggage
should pack off, to the devil if she chose, but he had done
with her for ever."
When Sidonia found that the affair was taking a bad turn,
she tried soft words, but in vain. His Highness ordered up
her two serving wenches to remove her and her luggage.
And so, to the great joy of the other girls, who laughed and
screamed, and clapped their hands, she was turned out, and
having nowhere to go to, put up once more at the White
Horse Inn.
Now Johann knew nothing of this until next morning,
when, as he was toying with one of the maids, he heard a
voice from the window, " Johann ! Johann ! I will give
thee the diamond." And looking up, there was Sidonia.
So the knave ran to her, and swore he was only jesting with
the maid in the court, for that he would marry no one but
her, as he had promised yesterday, only he must first wait
till he was made equerry, then he would obtain letters of
nobility, which could easily be done, as he was the son of
a patricius ; but gold, gold was wanting for all this, and to
keep up with his friends at the court. Perhaps this very
day he might get the place, if he had only some good
claret to entertain them with ; therefore she had better give
him a couple of diamonds from the purse. And so he went
on with his lies and humbug, until at last he got what he
wanted.
Sidonia now felt so ashamed of her degradation, that she
resolved to leave the White Horse, and take a little lodging
in the Monk's Close until Johann obtained the post of equerry.
But in vain she hoped and waited. Every day the rogue
came, he begged for another pearl or diamond, and if she
hesitated, then he swore it would be the last, for this very
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 225
day he was certain of the situation. At last but two diamonds
were left, and beg as he might, these he should not have.
Then he beat her, and ran off to the White Horse, but came
back again in less than an hour. Would she forgive him ?
Now they would be happy at last ; he had received his ap-
pointment as chief equerry. His friends had behaved nobly
and kept their word, therefore he must give them a right
merry carouse out of gratitude ; she might as well hand him
those two little diamonds. Now they would want for nothing
at last, but live like princes at the table of his Highness the
Duke. Would she not be ready to marry him immediately ?
Thereupon the unfortunate Sidonia handed over her two
last jewels, but never laid eyes on the knave for two days
after, when he came to tell her it was all up with him now,
the traitors had deceived him, he had got no situation, and
unless she gave him more money or jewels he never could
marry her. She had still golden armlets and a gold chain,
let her go for them, he must see them, and try what he could
get for them. But he begged in vain. Then he stormed, swore,
threatened, beat her, and finally rushed out of the house de-
claring that she might go to the devil, for as to him he would
never give himself any further trouble about her.
CHAPTER VII.
Of the distress in Pomeranian land — Item, how Sidonia and
Johann Appelmann determine to join the robbers in the
vicinity of Stargard.
WHEN my gracious lord, Duke Johann Frederick, succeeded
to the government, he had no idea of hoarding up his money
in old pots, but lavished it freely upon all kinds of buildings,
hounds, horses — in short, upon everything that could make
his court and castle luxurious and magnificent.
VOL. i. p
226 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Indeed, he was often as prodigal, just to gratify a whim, as
when he flung the gold coins to Dinnies Kleist, merely to see
if he could break them. For instance, he was not content
with the old ducal residence at Stettin, but must pull it down
and build another in the forest, not far from Stargard, with
churches, towers, stables, and all kinds of buildings ; and this
new residence he called after his own name, Friedrichs-
wald.
Item, my gracious lord had many princely visitors, who
would come with a train of six hundred horses or more ; and
his princely spouse, the Duchess Erdmuth, was a lady of
munificent spirit, and flung away gold by handfuls ; so that
in a short time his Highness had run through all his fore-
fathers' savings, and his incoming revenue was greatly
diminished by the large annuity which he had to pay to old
Duke Barnim.
Therefore he summoned the states, and requested them to
assist him with more money ; but they gave answer that his
Highness wanted prudence ; he ought to tie his purse tighter.
Why did he build that new castle of Friedrichswald ? Was
it ever heard in Pomerania that a prince needed two state
residences ? But his Highness never entered the treasury to
look after the expenditure of the duchy — he did nothing but
banquet, hunt, fish, and build. The states, therefore, had no
gold for such extravagances.
When his Highness had received this same answer two or
three times from the states, he waxed wroth, and threatened
to pronounce the interdictum seeculare over his poor land, and
finally close the royal treasury and all the courts of justice, until
the states would give him money.
Now the old treasurer, Jacob Zitsewitz, who had quitted
Wolgast to enter the service of his Grace, was so shocked at
these proceedings, that he killed himself out of pure grief and
shame. He was an upright, excellent man, this old Zitsewitz,
though perchance, like old Duke Barnim, he loved the maidens
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 227
and a lusty Pomeranian draught rather too well. And he fore-
told all the evil that would result from this same interdict ; but
his Highness resisted his entreaties ; and when the old man
found his warnings unheeded and despised, he stabbed himself,
as I have said, there in the treasury, before his master's eyes,
out of grief and shame.
The misery which he prophesied soon fell upon the land ;
for it was just at that time that the great house of Loitz failed
in Stettin, leaving debts to the amount of twenty tons of gold,
it was said ; by reason of which many thousand men, widows,
and orphans, were utterly beggared, and great distress brought
upon all ranks of the people. Such universal grief and lamen-
tation never had been known in all Pomerania, as I have heard
my father tell, of blessed memory ; and as the princely treasury
was closed, as also all the courts of justice, and no redress could
be obtained, many misguided and ruined men resolved to re-
venge themselves ; and this was now a welcome hearing to
Johann Appelmann.
For having given up all hope of the post of equerry, he made
acquaintance with these disaffected persons, amongst whom was
a miller, one Philip Konneman by name, a notorious knave.
With this Konneman he sits down one evening in the inn to
drink Rostock beer, begins to curse and abuse the reigning
family, who had ruined and beggared the people even more than
Hans Loitz. They ought to combine together and right them-
selves. Where was the crime ? Their cause was good ; and
where there were no judges in the land, complaints would do
little good. He would be their captain. Let him speak to
the others about it, and see would they consent. He knew of
many churches where there were jewels and other valuables
still remaining. Also in Stargard, where his dear father played
the burgomaster, there was much gold.
So they fixed a night when they should all meet at Las-
tadie,* near the ducal fish-house ; and Johann then goes to
* A suburb of Stettin.
228 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Sidonia to wheedle her out of the gold chain, for handsel for
the robbers.
"Now," he said, "the good old times were come back in
Pomerania, when every one trusted to his own good sword, and
were not led like sheep at the beck of another ; for the treasury
and all the courts of justice were closed. So the glorious times
of knight-errantry must come again, such as their forefathers
had seen." His companions had promised to elect him captain ;
but then he must give them handsel for that, and the gold
chain would just sell for the sum he wanted. What use was
it to her ? If she gave it, then he would take her with him,
and the first rich prize they got he would marry her certainly,
and settle down in Poland afterwards, or wherever else she
wished. That would be a glorious life, and she would never
regret the young Duke. And had not all the nobles in old time
led the same life, and so gained their castles and lands ? "
But Sidonia began to weep. "Let him do what he would,
she would never give the chain ; and if he beat her, she would
scream for help through the streets, and betray all his plans to
the authorities. Now she saw plainly how she had been de-
ceived. He had talked her out of all her gold, and now
wanted to bring her to the gallows at last. No, never should
he get the chain — it was all she had left ; and she had deter-
mined at last to go and live quietly at her farm in Zachow, as
soon as she could obtain a vehicle from Regenswald to Labes."
When Johann heard this, he was terribly alarmed, and
kissed her little hands, and coaxed and flattered her — " Why
did she weep ? There were plenty of herons' feathers now
in the garden behind St. Mary's, for the birds were moulting.
She could easily get some of them, and they were worth
three times as much as the gold chain. Did she think it a
crime to take a few feathers from that old sinner, Duke
Barnim, or his girls ? And if she really wished to leave him,
she could sell the feathers even better in Dresden than here."
It was all in vain, Sidonia continued weeping — " Let
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 229
him talk as he liked, she would never give the chain. He
was a knave through and through. Woe to her that she had
ever listened to him ! He was the cause of all her misery ! "
and so she went on.
But the cunning fox would not give up his prey so easily.
He now tried the same trick which he had played so suc-
cessfully at Wolgast upon old Ulrich, and at Stargard upon
his father ; in short, he played the penitent, and began to
weep and lament over his errors, and all the misery he had
caused her. " It was, indeed, true that he was to blame for
all ; but if she would only forgive him, and say she pardoned
him, he would devote his life to her, and revenge her upon all
her enemies. The moment for doing so was nigh at hand ;
for the young lord, Prince Ernest, who had so shamefully
abandoned her, was coming here to Stettin with his young
bride, the Princess Hedwig of Brunswick, to spend the
honeymoon, and would he not take good care to waylay them
on their journey to Wolgast, and give them something to
think of for the rest of their lives ? "
When Sidonia heard these tidings, her eyes flashed like a
cat's in the dark. " Who told him that ? She would not
believe it, unless some one else confirmed the story."
So he answered — " That any one could confirm it, for the
whole castle was filled with workmen making preparations for
their reception ; the bridal chamber had been hung with new
tapestry, and painters and carvers were busy all day long
painting and carving the united arms of Pomerania and Bruns-
wick upon all the furniture and glass."
Ilia. — " Well, she would go into the town to inquire, and
if his tale were true, and that he swore to marry her, he
should have the chain."
Hie. — " There was a carver going by with his basket
and tools — let her call him in, and hear what he said on the
matter."
So my cunning fellow called out to the workman, who
230 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
stepped in presently with his basket, and assured the lady
politely, that in fourteen days the young Duke of Wolgast
and his princely bride were to arrive at the castle, for the
Court Marshal had told him this himself, and given him
orders to have a large number of glasses cut with their united
arms ready with all diligence.
When Sidonia heard this, and saw the glasses in his basket,
she handed the golden chain to Johann, and the carver went
his way. Then the aforesaid rogue fell down on his knees,
swearing to marry her, and never to leave her more, for she
had now given him all ; and if this, too, were lost, she must
beg her way to Zachow.
So the gallows-bird went off with the chain, turned it into
money, drank and caroused, and with the remainder set off
for Lastadie, to meet the ringleaders, near the ducal fish-
house, as agreed upon.
But Master Konneman had only been able to gather ten
fellows together ; the others held back, though they had talked
so boldly at first, thinking, no doubt, that when the courts of
justice were reopened, they would all be brought to the gallows.
So Johann thought the number too small for his purposes,
and agreed with the others to send an envoy to the robber-
band of the Stargard Wood, proposing a league between them,
and offering himself (Johann Appelmann, a knight of excellent
family and endowments) as their captain. Should they consent,
the said Johann would give them right good handsel ; and on
the appointed day, meet them in the forest, with his illustrious
and noble bride ; and as a sign whereby they should know him,
he would whistle three times loudly when he approached the
wood.
Konneman undertook to be the bearer of the message,
and returned in a few days, declaring that the robbers had
received the proposal with joy. He found them encamped
under a large nut-tree in the forest, roasting a sheep upon a
spear, at a large fire. So they made him sit down and eat
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 231
with them, and told him it was a right jolly life, with no
ruler but the great God above them. Better to live under
the free heaven than die in their squalid cabins. The band
was strong, besides many who had joined lately, since the
bankruptcy of Hans Loitz, and there were some gipsies too,
amongst whom was an old hag who told fortunes, and had
lately prophesied to the band that a great prize was in store
for them ; they had just returned with some booty from the
little town of Damm, where they had committed a robbery.
One of their party, however, had been taken there.
When Johann heard the good result of his message, he
summoned all his followers to another meeting at the ducal
fish-house, gave them each money, and swore them to
fidelity ; then bid them disperse, and slip singly to the band,
to avoid observation, and he would himself meet them in the
.forest next day.
CHAPTER VIII.
ffotv Johann and Sidonia meet an adventure at Alien Damm —
Item, of their reception by the robber-band.
Now Johann Appelmann had a grudge against the newly
appointed equerry to his Highness, for the man had swilled
his claret, and been foremost in his promises, and yet now
had stepped into the place himself, and left Johann in the
lurch. The knave, therefore, determined on revenge ; so
invented a story, how that his father, old Appelmann, had
sent for him to give him half of all he was worth, and as he
must journey to Stargard directly, he prayed his friend the
equerry to lend him a couple of horses and a waggon out of
the ducal stables, with harness and all that would be neces-
sary, swearing that when he brought them back he would
give him and his other friends such a carouse at the inn, as
they had never yet had in their lives.
232 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
And when the other asked, would not one horse be suf-
ficient, Johann replied no, that he required the waggon for
his luggage, and two horses would be necessary to draw
it. Summa, the fool gives him two beautiful Andalusian
stallions, with harness and saddles ; item, a waggon, whereon
my knave mounted next morning early, with Sidonia and
her luggage, and took the miller, Konneman, with him as
driver.
But as they passed through Alten Damm, a strange ad-
venture happened, whereby the all-merciful God, no doubt,
wished to turn them from their evil way ; but they flung His
warnings to the wind.
For the carl was going to be executed who belonged to
the robber-band, that had committed a burglary there, in the
town, some days previously. However, the gallows having
been blown down by a storm, the linen-weavers, according to
old usage, came to erect another. This angered the millers,
who also began to erect one of their own, declaring that the
weavers had only a right to supply the ladder, but they were
to erect the gallows. A great fight now arose between
weavers and millers, while the poor thief stood by with his
hands tied behind his back, and arrayed in his winding-
sheet. But the sheriffs, and whatever other honourable
citizens were by, having in vain endeavoured to appease the
quarrel, returned to the inn, to take the advice of the honour-
able council.
Just at this moment Johann and Sidonia drove into the
middle of the crowd, and the former leaped off and laughed
heartily, for a miller had thrown down a poor lean weaver
close behind the criminal, and was belabouring him stoutly
with his floured fists, whilst the poor wretch screamed
loudly for succour or assistance to the criminal, who answered
in his Platt Deutsch, " I cannot help thee, friend, for, see,
my hands are bound." Upon this, Johann draws his knife
from his girdle, and slipping behind the felon, cuts the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 233
cord. He straightway, finding himself free, jumped upon the
miller, and turned the flour all red upon his face with his
heavy blows. Then he ran towards the waggon, but the
hangman caught hold of him by the shoulder, so the poor
wretch left the winding-sheet in his hand, and jumping,
naked as he was, on the back of one of the horses, set off,
full speed, to the forest, with Sidonia screaming and roaring
along with him.
Millers and weavers now left off their wrangling, and
joined together in pursuit, but in vain ; the fellow soon dis-
tanced them all, and was lost to sight in the wood.
When he had driven the waggon a good space, and still
heard the roaring of the people in pursuit, he stopped the
horses, and jumped off, to take to his heels amongst the
bushes. Whereupon Konneman threw him a horse-cloth
from the waggon, bidding him cover himself with it ; so the
fellow snapped it up, and rolled it about his body with all
speed. Now this horse-cloth was embroidered with the
Pomeranian arms, and the poor Adam looked so absurd
running away in such a garment, that Sidonia, notwith-
standing all her fright, could not help bursting into a loud
fit of laughter.
Hereupon the crowd came up, cursing, swearing, and
raging, that the thief had escaped them ; Johann Appelmann,
too, was amongst them, and was just in the act of stepping
into the waggon, when Prince Johann Frederick and a
party of carbineers galloped up along with the chief equerry
and a large retinue, all on their way to Friedrichswald.
The Duke stopped to hear the cause of the tumult, and
when they told him, he laughingly said, he would soon
settle with the gallows-knaves ; then, turning to Appelmann,
asked who he was, and what brought him there ?
When Johann gave his name, and said he was going to
Stargard, his Grace exclaimed, with surprise —
" So thou art the knave of whom I have heard so much ;
*34 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
and this woman here, I suppose, is Sidonia ? Pity of her.
She is a handsome wench, I see."
Then, as Sidonia blushed and looked down, he continued —
" And where did the fellow get these fine horses ? Would
he sell them > "
Now Appelmann had a great mind to tell the truth, and
say he got them from the equerry, who was already turning
white with pure fear ; but recollecting that he might come
in for some of the punishment himself, besides hoping to
play a second trick upon his Highness, he answered, that his
father at Stargard had made them a present to him.
The Duke, now turning to his equerry, asked him —
" Would not these horses match his Andalusian stallions
perfectly ? "
And as the other tremblingly answered, "Yes, perfectly,"
his Grace demanded if the knave would sell them.
Ilk. — " Oh yes ; to gratify his Serene Highness the
Duke, he would sell the horses for 3000 florins."
" Let it be so," said the Duke ; " but I must owe thee
the money, fellow."
Hie. — " Then he would not make the bargain, for he wanted
the money directly to take him to Stargard."
So the Duke frowned that he would not trust his own
Prince ; and as Appelmann attempted to move off with the
waggon, his Highness took his plumed cap from his head, and
cutting off the diamond agrafe with his dagger, flung it to him,
exclaiming —
" Stay i take these jewels, they are worth 1 300 florins, but
leave me the horses."
Now the chief equerry nearly fell from his horse with
shame as the knave picked up the agrafe, and shoved it into his
pocket, then humbly addressing his Highness, prayed for per-
mission just to leave the maiden and her luggage in Stargard,
and then he would return instantly with both horses, and bring
them himself to his gracious Highness at Friedrichswald.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 235
The Duke having consented, the knave sprang up upon the
waggon, and turning off to another road, drove away as hard
as he could from the scene of this perilous adventure. After
some time he whistled, but receiving no response, kept driving
through the forest until evening, when a loud, shrill whistle at
last replied to his, and on reaching a cross-road, he found the
whole band dancing with great merriment round a large sign-
board which had been stuck up there by the authorities, and
on which was painted a gipsy lying under the gallows, while
the executioner stood over him in the act of applying the
torture, and beneath ran the inscription —
"Gipsy ! from Pomerania flee,
Or thus it shall be done to thee.'1
These words the. robber crew had set to some sort of rude
melody, and now sang it and danced to it round the sign, the
fellow with the horse-cloth in the midst of them, the merriest
of them all.
The moment they got a glimpse of their captain, men,
women, and children ran off like mad to the waggon, clapping
their hands and shouting, " Huzzah ! huzzah ! what a noble
captain ! Had he brought them anything to drink ? " And
when he said " Yes," and handed out three barrels of wine,
there was no end to the jubilee of cheering. Then he must
give them handsel, and after that they would make a large fire
and swear fealty to him round it, as was the manner of the
gipsies, for the band was mostly composed of gipsies, and
numbered about fifty men altogether.
Summa. — A great fire was kindled, round which they all
took the oath of obedience to their captain, and he swore
fidelity to them in return. Then a couple of deer were roasted ;
and after they had eaten and drunk, the singing and dancing
round the great sign-board was resumed, until the broad day-
light glanced through the trees.
People may see from this to what a pitch of lawlessness and
disorder the land came under the reign of Duke Johann. For,
236 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
methinks, these robbers would never have dared to make such
a mock of the authorities, only that my Lord Duke had shut
up all the courts of justice in the kingdom.
During their jollity, our knave Appelmann cast his eyes
upon a gipsy maiden, called the handsome Sioli ; a tall, dark-
eyed wench, but with scarcely a rag to cover her. Therefore
he bade Sidonia run to her luggage, and take out one of her
own best robes for the girl ; but Sidonia turned away in great
wrath, exclaiming —
" This was the way he kept his promise to her. She had
given him all, and followed him even hither, and yet he cared
more for a ragged gipsy girl than for her. But she would go
away that very night, anywhere her steps might lead her, if only
away from her present misery. Let him give her the Duke's
diamonds, and she would leave him all the herons' feathers,
and never come near him any more."
But my knave only laughed, and bid her come take the
diamonds if she wanted them, they were in his bosom. Then
the gipsy girl and her mother, old Ussel, began to mock the
fine lady. So Sidonia sat there weeping and wringing her
hands, while Johann laughed, danced, drank, and kissed the
gipsy wench, and finally threatened to go and take a robe him-
self out of the luggage, if Sidonia did not run for one instantly.
However, she would not stir ; so Konnemann, the miller,
took pity on her, and would have remonstrated, but Johann
cut him short, saying —
" What the devil did he mean ? Was he not the captain ?
and why should Konnemann dare to interfere with him ? "
Then he strode over to the waggon to plunder Sidonia' s
baggage, which, when she observed, her heart seemed to
break, and she kneeled down, lifted up her hands, and prayed
thus : —
"Merciful Creator, I know Thee not, for my hard and
unnatural father never brought me to Thee ; therefore on his
head be my sins. But if Thou hast pity on the young ravens,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 237
who likewise know Thee not, have pity upon me, and help me
to leave this robber den with Thy gracious help."
Here such a shout of laughter resounded from all sides,
that she sprang up, and seizing the best bundle in the waggon,
plunged into the wood, with loud cries and lamentation ;
whilst Appelmann only said —
"Never heed her, let her do as she pleases; she will be
back again soon enough, I warrant."
Accordingly, scarcely an hour had elapsed, when the un-
happy maiden appeared again, to the great amusement of the
whole band, who mocked her yet more than before. She
came back crying and lamenting —
" She could go no further, for the wolves followed her,
and howled round her on all sides. Ah ! that she were a
stone, and buried fathoms deep in the earth ! That shame-
less knave, Appelmann, might indeed have pitied her, if he
hoped for pity from God ; but had he not taken her robe to
put it on the gipsy beggar ? She nearly died of shame at the
sight. But she would never forgive the beggar's brat to the
day of judgment for it. All she wanted now was some good
Christian to guide her out of the wild forest. Would no one
come with her ? that was all she asked."
And so she went on crying, and lamenting in the deepest grief.
Summa. — When the knave heard all this, his heart seemed
to relent ; perhaps he dreaded the anger of her relations if
she were treated too badly, or, mayhap, it was compassion, I
cannot say ; but he sprang up, kissed her, caressed her, and
consoled her.
" Why should she leave them ? He would remain faith-
ful and constant to her, as he had sworn. Why should the
gown for the beggar-girl anger her ? When they get the
herons' feathers on the morrow, he would buy her ten new
gowns for the one he had taken." And so he continued in
his old deceiving way, till she at last believed him, and was
comforted.
238 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Here the roll of a carriage was heard, and as many of the
band as were not quite drunk seized their muskets and pikes,
and rushed in the direction of the sound. But behold, the
waggon and horses, with all Sidonia's luggage, was off! For,
in truth, the equerry, seeing Johann' s treachery, had secretly
followed him, hiding himself in the bushes till it grew dark,
but near enough to observe all that was going on ; then,
watching his opportunity, and knowing the robbers were all
more or less drunk, he sprang upon the waggon, and galloped
away as hard as he could. Johann gave chase for a little,
but the equerry had got too good a start to be overtaken ;
and so Johann returned, cursing and raging, to the band.
Then they all gathered round the fire again, and drank and
caroused till morning dawned, when each sought out a good
sleeping-place amongst the bushwood. There they lay till
morn, when Johann summoned them to prepare for their
excursion to the Duke's gardens at Zachan.
CHAPTER IX.
How his Highness, Duke Barnim the elder, went a-hawking
at Marienfliess — Item, of the shameful robbery at Zachan,
and how burgomaster Appelmann remonstrates <with his
abandoned son.
AFTER Duke Barnim the elder had resigned the government,
he betook himself more than ever to field-sports ; and amongst
others, hawking became one of his most favourite pursuits.
By this sport, he stocked his gardens at Zachan with an
enormous number of herons, and made a considerable sum
annually by the sale of the feathers. These gardens at
Zachan covered an immense space, and were walled round.
Within were many thousand herons' nests ; and all the birds
taken by the falcons were brought here, and their wings
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 239
clipped. Then the keepers fed them with fish, frogs, and
lizards, so that they became quite tame, and when their
wings grew again, never attempted to leave the gardens, but
diligently built their nests and reared their young. Now,
though it cost a great sum to keep these gardens in order,
and support all the people necessary to look after the birds,
yet the Duke thought little of the expense, considering the
vast sum which the feathers brought him at the moulting
season.
Accordingly, during the moulting time, he generally took
up his abode at a castle adjoining the gardens, called " The
Stone Rampart," to inspect the gathering in of the feathers
himself; and he was just on his journey thither with his fal-
coners, hunters, and other retainers, when the robber-band
caught sight of him from the wood. His Highness was
seated in an open carriage, with Trina Wehlers, the baker's
daughter, by his side; and Sidonia, who recognised her
enemy, instantly entreated Johann to revenge her on the girl
if possible ; but, as he hesitated, the old gipsy mother stepped
forward and whispered Sidonia, " that she would help her
to a revenge, if she but gave her that little golden smelling-
bottle which she wore suspended by a gold chain on her
neck." Sidonia agreed, and the revenge soon followed;
for the Duke left the carriage, and mounted a horse to follow
the chase, the falconer having unloosed a couple of hawks
and let them fly at a heron. Trina remained in the coach ;
but the coachman, wishing to see the sport, tied his horses
to a tree, and ran off, too, after the others into the wood.
The hawk soared high above the heron, watching its oppor-
tunity to pounce upon the quarry ; but the heron, just as it
swooped down upon it, drove its sharp bill through the body
of the hawk, and down they both came together covered
with blood, right between the two carriage horses.
No doubt this was all done through the magic of the gipsy
mother ; for the horses took fright instantly, plunged and
24o SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
reared, and dashed off with the carriage, which was over-
turned some yards from the spot, and the baker's daughter
had her leg broken. Hearing her screams, the Duke and
the whole party ran to the spot ; and his Highness first
scolded the coachman for leaving his horses, then the fal-
coner for having let fly his best falcon, which now lay there
quite dead. The heron, however, was alive, and his Grace
ordered it to be bound and carried off to Zachan. The
baker's daughter prayed, but in vain, that the coachman
might be hung upon the next tree. Then they all set off
homeward, but Trina screamed so loudly, that his Grace
stopped, and ordered a couple of stout huntsmen to carry her
to the neighbouring convent of Marienfliess, where, as I am
credibly informed, in a short time she gave up the ghost.
Now, the robber-band were watching all these proceedings
from the wood, but kept as still as mice. Not until his
Grace had driven off a good space, and the baker's daughter
had been carried away, did they venture to speak or move ;
then Sidonia jumped up, clapping her hands in ecstasy, and
mimicking the groans and contortions of the poor girl, to
the great amusement of the band, who laughed loudly ; but
Johann recalled them to business, and proposed that they
should secretly follow his Highness, and hide themselves at
Elsbruck, near the water-mill of Zachan, until the evening
closed in. In order also to be quite certain of the place
where his Grace had laid up all the herons' feathers of that
season, Johann proposed that the miller, Konnemann, should
visit his Grace at Zachan, giving out that he was a feather
merchant from Berlin. Accordingly, when they reached
Elsbruck, the miller put on my knave's best doublet (for he
was almost naked before), and proceeded to the Stone Ram-
part, Sidonia bidding him, over and over again, to inquire at
the castle when the young Lord of Wolgast and his bride
were expected at Stettin. The Duke received Konnemann
very graciously, when he found that he was a wealthy feather
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 241
merchant from Berlin, who, having heard of the number and
extent of his Grace's gardens at Zachan, had come to pur-
chase all the last year's gathering of feathers. Would his
Highness allow him to see the feathers ?
Summa. — He had his wish; for his Grace brought him
into a little room on the ground-floor, where lay two sacks
full of the most perfect and beautiful feathers ; and when the
Duke demanded a thousand florins for them, the knave re-
plied, " That he would willingly have the feathers, but must
take the night to think over the price." Then he took good
note of the room, and the garden, and all the passages of the
castle, and so came back in the twilight to the band with
great joy, assuring them that nothing would be easier than to
rob the old turner's apprentice of his feathers.
Such, indeed, was the truth ; for at midnight my knave
Johann, with Konnemann and a few chosen accomplices,
carried away those two sacks of feathers ; and no one knew
a word about the robbery until the next morning, when the
band were far off in the forest, no one knew where. But a
quarrel had arisen between my knave and Sidonia over the
feathers : she wanted them for herself, that she might turn
them into money, and so be enabled to get back to her own
people ; but Johann had no idea of employing his booty in
this way. "What was she thinking of? If those fine
stallions, indeed, had not been stolen from him, he might
have given her the feathers ; but now there was nothing else
left wherewith to pay the band — she must wait for another
good prize. Meantime they must settle accounts with the
young Lord of Wolgast, who, as Konnemann had found out,
was expected at Stettin in seven days."
Now, the daring robbery at Zachan was the talk of the
whole country, and as the old burgomaster, Appelmann, had
heard at Friedrichswald about the horses and waggon, and his
son's shameful knavery, he could think of nothing else but
that the same rascal had stolen the Duke's feathers at Zachan.
VOL. I. Q
H* SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
So he took some faithful burghers with him, and set off for
the forest, to try and find his lost son. At last, after many
wanderings, a peasant, who was cutting wood, told them that
he had seen the robber^band encamped in a thick wood near
Rehewinkel ; * and when the miserable father and his burghers
arrived at the place, there indeed was the robber -band
stretched upon the long grass, and Sidonia seated upon the
stump of a tree — for she must play the lute, while Johann,
his godless son, was plaiting the long black hair of the hand-
some Sioli.
Methinks the knave must have felt somewhat startled
when his father sprang from behind an oak, a dagger in his
hand, exclaiming loudly, " Johann, Johann, thou lost, aban-
doned son ! is it thus I find thee ? "
The knave turned as white as a corpse upon the gallows,
and his hands seemed to freeze upon the fair Sioli' s hair ; but
the band jumped up and seized their arms, shouting, " Seize
him ! seize him ! " The old man, however, cared little for
their shouts ; and still gazing on his son, cried out, " Dost
thou not answer me, thou God- forgetting knave ? Thou hast
deceived and robbed thy own Prince. Answer me — who
amongst all these is fitter for the gallows than thou art ? "
So my knave at last came to his senses, and answered
sullenly, " What did he want here ? He had done nothing
for him. He must earn his own bread."
Hie. — " God forgive thee thy sins ; did I not take thee
back as my son, and strive to correct thee as a true and loving
father ? Why didst thou run away from my house and the
writing- office ? "
Hie. — " He was born for something else than to lead the
life of a dog."
///£. — « He had never made him live any such life ; and
even if he had, better live like a dog than as a robber wolf."
* Two miles and a half from Stargard, and the present dwelling-place
of the editor.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 243
Hie. — " He was no robber. Who had belied him so ?
He and his friends were on their way to Poland to join the
army."
Ille. — " Wherefore, then, had he tricked his Highness of
Stettin out of the horses ? "
Hie. — " That was only a revenge upon the equerry, to pay
him back in his own coin, for he was his enemy, and had
broken faith with him."
Ille, — « But he had robbed his Grace Duke Barnim, like-
wise, of the herons' feathers. No one else had done it."
Hie. — " Who dared to say so ? He was insulted and
belied by every one." Then he cursed and swore that he
knew nothing whatever of these herons' feathers which he was
making such a fuss about.
Meanwhile the band stood round with cocked muskets, and
as the burghers now pressed forward, to save their leader, if
any violence were offered, Konnemann called out, " Give the
word, master — shall I shoot down the churl ? "
Here Johann's conscience was moved a little, and he
shouted, " Back ! back ! — he is my father ! "
But the old gipsy mother sprang forward with a knife, cry-
ing, " Thy father, fool ? — what care we for thy father ? Let
me at him, and I'll soon settle thy father with my knife."
When the unfortunate son heard and saw this, he seized a
heavy stick that lay near him, and gave the gipsy such a blow
on the crown, that she rolled, screaming, on the ground.
Whereupon the whole band raised a wild yell, and rushed
upon the burgomaster.
Then Johann cried, almost with anguish, " Back ! back !
he is my father ! Do ye not remember your oaths to me ?
Spare my father ! Wait, at least ; he has something of im-
portance to tell me."
And at last, though with difficulty, he succeeded in calming
these children of Belial. Then drawing his father aside, under
the shade of a great oak, he began — -" Dearest father mine,
H4 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
it was fear of you, and despair of the future, that drove me to
this work ; but if you will now give me three hundred florins,
I will go forth into the wide world, and take honourable
service, wherever it is to be had, during the wars."
Ille. — " Had he yet married that unfortunate Sidonia, who
he observed, to his surprise, was still with him ? "
Hie. — *' No ; he could never marry the harlot now, for she
had run away from old Duke Barnim, and followed him here
to the forest."
Ille. — " What would become of her, then, when he joined
the army ? "
Hie. — " That was her look-out. Let her go to her farm
at Zachow."
Hereupon the old man held his peace, and rested his arm
against the oak, and his grey head upon his arm, and looked
down long upon the grass without uttering a word ; then he
sighed deeply, and looking up, thus addressed Johann : —
" My son, I will trust thee yet again ; but it shall be the
last time ; therefore take heed to what I say. Between Star-
gard and Pegelow there stands an old thorn upon the highway ;
there, to-morrow evening, by seven of the clock, my servant
Caspar, whom thou knowest, shall bring thee three hundred
florins ; but on this one condition, that thou dost now swear
solemnly to abandon this villainous robber-band, and seek an
honourable living far away, in some other country, where thou
must pray daily to God the Lord, to turn thee from thy evil
ways, and help thee by His grace."
So the knave knelt down before his father, wept, and prayed
for his father's forgiveness ; then swore solemnly to abandon
his sinful life, and with God's help to perform all that his father
had enjoined. " And would he not give his last farewell to
his dear, darling mother ? " " Thy mother ! — ah, thy mother ! "
sighed the old man ; " but rise, now, and let me and mine home-
wards. God grant that my eyes have beheld thee for the last
time. Come, I will take this Sidonia back with me."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 245
So they forthwith joined the robber crew again, who were
still making a great uproar, which, however, Johann appeased,
and after some time obtained a free passage for his father and
the burghers ; but Sidonia would not accompany them. The
upright old burgomaster admonished first, then he promised to
drive her with his own horses to her farm at Zachow ; but his
words were all in vain, for the knave privately gave her a look,
and whispered something in her ear, but no one knew what
it was.
Nor did the old man omit to admonish the whole band
likewise, telling them that if they did not now look up to the
high God, they would one day look down from the high
gallows, for all thieves and robbers came to dance in the wind
at last: ten hung in Stargard, and he had seen twenty at
Stettin, and not even the smallest town had its gallows
empty. Hereat Konnemann cried out, " Ho ! ho ! who
will hang us now ? We know well the courts of justice are
closed in all places." And as the old man sighed, and pre-
pared to answer him, the whole band set up such a shout of
laughter that he stood silent a space ; then turning round, trod
slowly out of the thick wood with all his burghers, and was
soon lost to view.
The next evening Johann received the three hundred
florins at the thorn-bush, along with a letter from his father,
admonishing him yet again, and conjuring him to fulfil his
promise speedily of abandoning his wicked life. Upon
which, my knave gave some of the money to a peasant that
he met on the highway, and bid him go into the town, pur-
chase some wine and all sorts of eatables, and fetch them to
the band in the wood, that they might have a merry carouse
that same night. This very peasant had been one of their
accomplices, and great was his joy when he beheld them all
again, and, in particular, the gipsy mother. He told her that
all her prophecy had come out true, for his daughter had
been deserted, and her lover had taken Stina Krugers to
246 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
wife ; could she not, therefore, give him something that would
make Stina childless, and cause her husband to hate her ?
" Ay, if he crossed her hand with silver/'
This the peasant did. Whereupon she gave him a pad-
lock, and whispered some words in his ear.
When Sidonia heard that the man could be brought to hate
his wife by some means, her eyes flashed wildly, and she called
the horrible old gipsy mother aside, and asked her to tell her
the charm.
Hla. — « Yes ; but what would she give her ? She had two
pretty golden rings on her finger ; let her give them, and she
should have the secret."
H&c. — " She would give one ring now, and the other if
the charm succeeded. The peasant had only given her a few
groschen."
Ilia. — " Yes ; but she had only given him half the charm."
Hac. — " Was it anything to eat or drink ? "
Ilia. — " No ; there was no eating or drinking : the charm
did it all."
H<zc. — " Then let her teach it to her, and if it succeeded
by the young Lord of Wolgast, she would have both rings ; if
not, but one."
Ilia. — " It would succeed without doubt ; if his young
wife had no promise of offspring as yet, she would remain
childless for ever."
Summa. — The old gipsy taught her the charm, the same
with which she afterward bewitched the whole princely
Pomeranian race, so that they perished childless from off the
face of the earth ; * and this charm Sidonia confessed upon
the rack afterwards, in the Great Hall of Oderburg, July 28,
A.D. 1620.
* Marginal note of Duke Bogislaff XIV. — "O ter quaterque detes-
tabilem ! Et ego testis adfui tametsi in actis de industria hand notatis.
(Oh, thrice accursed ! And I, too, was present at this confession, although
. I am not mentioned in the protocol.) "
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 247
CHAPTER X.
How the robbers attack Prince Ernest and his bride in the
Uckermann forest, and Marcus Bork and Dinnies Kleist
come to their rescue.
THE young Lord of Wolgast and his young bride, the Princess
Sophia Hedwig, arrived in due time at the court of Stettin,
on a visit to their illustrious brother, Duke Johann Frederick.
During the ten days of their stay, there was no end to the
banquetings, huntings, fishings, and revellings of all kinds, to
do honour to their presence.
The young lord has quite recovered from his long and
strange illness. But the young bride complains a little.
Whereupon my Lord of Stettin jests with her, and the courtiers
make merry, so that the young bride blushes and entreats her
husband to take her away from this impudent court of Stettin,
and take her home to his illustrious mother at Wolgast.
Prince Ernest consents, but as the wind is contrary, he
arranges to make the journey with a couple of carriages through
the Uckermann forest, not waiting for the grand escort of
cavaliers and citizens which his lady mother had promised to
send to Stettin, to convey the bride with all becoming honour
to her own future residence at Wolgast.
His brother reminded him of the great danger from the
robber-band in the wood, now that the courts of justice were
closed, and that Sidonia and Johann were hovering in the
vicinity, ready for any iniquity. Indeed, he trusted the states
would soon be brought to reason by the dreadful condition ot
the country, and give him the gold he wanted. These robbers
would do more for him than he could do for himself. And
this was not the only band that was to be feared ; for, since
the fatal bankruptcy of the Loitz family, robbers, and partisans,
and freebooters had sprung up in, every corner of the land.
248 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Then he related the trick concerning his two Andalusian
stallions. And Duke Barnim the elder told him of his loss
at Zachan, and that no one else but the knave Appelmann
had been at the bottom of it. So, at last, Prince Ernest
half resolved to await the escort from Wolgast. However,
the old Duke continued jesting with the bride, after his
manner, so that the young Princess was blushing with shame
every moment, and finally entreated her husband to set off at
once.
When his Grace of Stettin found he could prevail nothing,
he bade them a kind farewell, promising in eight days to visit
them at Wolgast, for the wedding festivities ; and he sent
stout Dinnies Kleist, with six companions, to escort them
through the most dangerous part of the forest, which was a
tract extending for about seven miles.
Now, when they were half-way through the forest, a terrible
storm came on of hail, rain, thunder, and lightning ; and
though the Prince and his bride were safe enough in the car-
riage, yet their escort were drenched to the skin, and dripped
like rivulets. The princely pair therefore entreated them
to return to Falkenwald, and dry their clothes, for there
was no danger to be apprehended now, since they were
more than half through the wood, and close to the village of
Mutzelburg.
So Dinnies and his companions took their leave, and rode
off. Shortly after the galloping of a horse was heard, and this
was Marcus Bork ; for he was on his way to purchase the lands
of Crienke, previous to his marriage with Clara von Dewitz,
and had a heavy sack of gold upon his shoulder, and a servant
along with him. Having heard at Stettin that the Prince and
his young bride were on the road, he had followed them, as
fast as he could, to keep them company.
By this time they had reached Barnim's Cross, and the
•Prince halted to point it out to his bride, and tell her the
legend concerning it ; for the sun now shone forth from the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
249
clouds, and the storm was over. But he first addressed his
faithful Marcus, and asked, had he heard tidings lately of his
cousin Sidonia ? But he had heard nothing. He would hear
soon enough, I'm thinking.
Then seeing that his good vassal Marcus was thoroughly
wet, his Grace advised him to put on dry clothes ; but he
had none with him. Whereupon his Grace handed him his
own portmanteau out of the coach window, and bid him take
what he wanted.
Marcus then lifted the money-bag from his shoulder,
which his Grace drew into the coach through the window —
and sprang into the wood with the portmanteau, to change
his clothes. While the Prince tarried for him, he related
the story of Barnim's Cross to his young wife, thus : —
" You must know, dearest, that my ancestor, Barnim, the
second of the name, was murdered, out of revenge, in this
very spot by one of his vassals, named Vidante von Mucker-
witze. For this aforesaid ancestor had sent him into Poland
under some pretence, in order the better to accomplish his
designs upon the beautiful Mirostava of Warborg, Vidante's
young wife. But the warder of Vogelsang, a village about
two miles from here, pleasantly situated on the river Haff,
and close to which lay the said Vidante's castle, discovered
the amour, and informed the knight how he was dishonoured.
His wrath was terrible when the news was brought to him,
but he spoke no word of the matter until St. John's day in
the year —
But here his Grace paused in his story, for he had for-
gotten the year ; so he drove on the carriage close up to the
cross, where he could read the date — " St John's day, A.D.
MCCXCII." — and there stopped, with the blessed cross
of our Lord covering and filling up the whole of the coach
window.
Ah, well it is said — Prov. xx. 24 — " Each man's going is
of the Lord, what man is there who understandeth his way ? "
250 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Now when the Princess had read the date for herself, she
asked, what had happened to the Duke, his ancestor ? To
which the Prince replied —
" Here, in these very bushes, the jealous knight lay con-
cealed, while the Duke was hunting. And here, in this spot,
the Duke threw himself down upon the grass to rest, for he
was weary. And he whistled for his retinue, who had been
separated from him, when the knight sprang from his hiding-
place and murdered him where he lay. His false wife he
reserved for a still more cruel death.
" For he brought a coppersmith from Stettin, and had him
make a copper coffin for the wretched woman, who was
obliged to help him in the work. Then he bade her put on
her bridal dress, and forced her to enter the coffin, where he
had her soldered up alive, and buried. And the story goes,
that when any one walks over the spot, the coffin clangs in
the earth like a mass-bell, to this very day."
Meanwhile Marcus had retreated behind a large oak, to
dress himself in the young Duke's clothes ; but the wicked
robber crew were watching him all the time from the wood,
and just as he drew the dry shirt over his head, before he
had time to put on a single other garment, they sprang upon
him with loud shouts, Sidonia the foremost of all, screaming,
" Seize the knave ! seize the base spy ! he is my greatest
enemy ! " So Marcus rushed back to the coach, just as he
was, and placing the cross as a shield between him and the
robbers, cried out loudly to his Highness for a sword.
The Prince would have alighted to assist him, but his
young bride wound her arms so fast around him, shrieking
till the whole wood re-echoed, that he was forced to remain
inside. Up came the robber-band now, and attacked the
coach furiously ; musket after musket was fired at it and the
horses, but luckily the rain had spoiled the powder, so they
threw away their muskets, while Sidonia screamed, " Seize
the false-hearted liar, who broke his marriage promise to me !
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 251
seize his screaming harlot ! drag her from the coach ! Where
is she? — let me see her! — we will cram her into the old
oak-tree ; there she can hold her marriage festival with the
wild-cats. Give her to me ! — give her to me ! I will teach
her what marriage is ! " And she sprang wildly forward,
while the others flung their spears at Marcus. But the
blessed cross protected him, and the spears stuck in the wood
or in the body of the carriage, while he hewed away right
and left, striking down all that approached him, till he stood
in a pool of blood, and the white shirt on him was turned
to red.
As Sidonia rushed to the coach, he wounded her in the
hand, upon which, with loud curses and imprecations, she
ran round to the other coach window, calling out, " Come
hither, come hither, Johann ! here is booty, here is the false
cat ! Come hither, and drag her out of the coach window
for me ! " And now Marcus Bork was in despair, for the
coachman had run away from fear, and though his sword did
good service, yet their enemies were gathering thick round
them. So he bade the Princess, in a low voice, to tear open
his bag of money, for the love of heaven, with all speed, and
scatter the gold out of the windows with both hands ; for
help was near, he heard the galloping of a horse ; could they
gain but a few moments, they were saved. Thereupon the
Princess rained the gold pieces from the window, and the
stupid mob instantly left all else to fling themselves on the
ground for the bright coins, fighting with each other as to
who should have them. In vain Johann roared, " Leave the
gold, fools, and seize the birds here in this cage ; ye can have
the gold after." But they never heeded him, though he
cursed and swore, and struck them right and left with his
sword.
But Marcus, meanwhile, had nearly come to a sad end ;
for the old gipsy hag swore she would stab him with her
knife, and while the poor Marcus was defending himself from
252 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
a robber who had rushed at him with a dagger, she crept
along upon the ground, and lifted her great knife to plunge
into his side.
Just then, like a messenger from God, comes the stout
Dinnies Kleist, galloping up to the rescue ; for after he had
ridden a good piece upon the homeward road, he stopped
his horse to empty the water out of his large jack-boots,
for there it was plumping up and down, and he was still
far from Falkenwald. While one of his men emptied the
boots, another wandered through the wood picking the wild
strawberries, that blushed there as red as scarlet along the
ground.
While he was so bent down close to the earth, the shrieks
of my gracious lady reached his ear, upon which he ran to
tell his master, who listened likewise ; and finding they pro-
ceeded from the very direction where he had left the bridal
pair, he suspected that some evil had befallen them. So
springing into his saddle, he bade his fellows mount with all
speed, and dashed back to the spot where they had left the
carriage.
Marcus was just now fainting from loss of blood, and his
weary hand could scarcely hold the sword, while his frame
swayed back and forward, as if he were near falling to the
ground. The gipsy hag was close beside him, with her arm
extended, ready to plunge the knife into his side, when the
heavy stroke of a sword came down on it, and arm and knife
fell together to the ground, and Dinnies shouting, " Jodute !
Jodute ! " swung round his sword a second time, and the head
of the robber carl fell upon the arm of the hag. Then he
dashed round on his good horse to the other side of the
carriage, hewed right and left among the stupid fools who
were scraping up the gold, while his fellows chased them into
the wood, so that the alarmed band left all this booty, and
ran in every direction to hide themselves in the forest. In
vain Johann roared, and shouted, and swore, and opposed
SIDONJA THE SORCERESS 253
himself single-handed to the knight's followers. He received
a blow that sent him flying, too, after his band, and Sidonia
along with him, so that none but the dead remained around
the carriage.
Thus did the brave Dinnies Kleist and Marcus Bork save
the Prince and his bride, like true knights as they were ; but
Marcus is faint, and leans for support against the carriage,
while before him lie three robber carls whom he had slain
with his own hand, although he fought there only in his shirt ;
but the blessed cross had been his shield. And there, too,
lay the gipsy's arm with the knife still clutched in the hand,
but the hag herself had fled away; and round the brave
Dinnies was a circle of dead men, seven in number, whom
he and his followers had killed ; and the earth all round
looked like a ripe strawberry field, it was so red with blood.
One can imagine what joy filled the hearts of the princely
pair, when they found that all their peril was past. They
alighted from the coach, and when the Princess saw Marcus
lying there in a dead faint, with his garment all covered
with blood, she lamented loudly, and tore off her own veil
to bind up his wounds, and brought wine from the carriage,
which she poured herself through his lips, like a merciful
Samaritan ; and when he at last opened his eyes, and kissed
the little hands of the Princess out of gratitude, she rejoiced
greatly. And the Prince himself ran to the wood for the
portmanteau, which they found behind the oak, and helped
to dress the poor knight, who was so weak that he could not
raise a finger.
Then they lifted him into the coach, while the Prince
comforted him, saying, he trusted that he would soon be well
again, for he would pray daily to the Lord Jesus for him, whose
blessed cross had been their protection, and that he should have
all his gold again, and the lands of Crienke in addition. So
faithful a vassal must never be parted from his Prince, for
inasmuch as he hated Sidonia, so he loved and praised him.
254 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
They were like the two Judases in Scripture, of whom some
one had said, " What one gave to the devil, the other brought
back to God."
And now he saw the wonderful hand of God in all ; for if
it had not rained, the powder of the robber-band would have
been dry, and then they were all lost. Item, the knight
would not have stopped to empty his boots, and they never
would have heard the screams of his dear wife. Item, if he
had himself not forgotten the date, he would never have driven
up close to the cross, which cross had saved them all, but, in
particular, saved their dear Marcus, after a miraculous manner.
" Look how the blessed wood is everywhere pierced with
spears, and yet we are all living ! Therefore let us hope in
the Lord, for He is our helper and defender ! "
Then the Duke turned to the stout Dinnies, and prayed him
to enter his service, but in vain, for he was sworn vassal to his
Highness of Stettin. So his Grace took off his golden collar,
and put it on his neck, and the Princess drew off her diamond
ring to give him, whereupon her spouse laughed heartily, and
asked, Did she think the good knight had a finger for her little
ring ? To which she replied, But the brave knight may have
a dear wife who could wear it for her sake, for he must not
go without some token of her gratitude.
However, the knight put back the ring himself, saying that
he had no spouse, and would never have one ; therefore the
ring was useless. So the Princess wonders, and asks why he
will have no spouse ; to which he replied, that he feared the
fate of Samson, for had not love robbed him of his strength ?
He, too, might meet a Delilah, who would cut off his long hair.
Then riding up close to the carriage, he removed his plumed hat
from his head, and down fell his long black hair, that was
gathered up under it, over his shoulders like a veil, even till
it swept the flanks of his horse. Would not her Grace think
it a grief and sorrow if a woman sheared those locks ? In such
pleasant discourse they reached Mutzelburg, where, as the good
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 255
Marcus was so weak, they resolved to put up for the night,
and send for a chirurgeon instantly to Uckermund. And so
it was done.
CHAPTER XL
Of the ambassadors in the tavern of Mutzelbarg — Item, how
the miller, Konnemann, is discovered, and made by Dinnies
Kleist to act as guide to the robber cave, 'where they Jind all
the women-folk lying apparently dead, through some devil's
magic of the gipsy mother.
WHEN their Highnesses entered the inn at Mutzelburg, they
found it filled with burghers and peasants out of Uckermund,
Pasewalk, and other adjacent places, on their way to Stettin,
to petition his Grace the Duke to open the courts of justice,
for thieves and robbers had so multiplied throughout the land,
that no road was safe ; and all kinds of witchcraft, and im-
posture, and devil's work were so rife, that the poor people were
plagued out of their lives, and no redress was to be had, seeing
his Grace had closed all the courts of justice. Forty burghers
had been selected to present the petition, and great was the joy
to meet now with his Grace Prince Ernest, for assuredly he
would give them a letter to his illustrious brother, and strengthen
the prayer of their petition. The Prince readily promised to
do this, particularly as his own life and that of his bride had
just been in such sore peril, all owing to the obstinacy of his
Grace of Stettin in not opening the courts.
Meanwhile the leech had visited good Marcus Bork, who
was much easier after his wounds were dressed, and promised
to do well, to the great joy of their Graces ; and Dinnies
Kleist went to the stable to see after his horse, there being
so many there, in consequence of this gathering of envoys,
that he feared they might fight. Now, as he passed through
the kitchen, the knight observed a man bargaining with the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
innkeeper ; and he had a kettle before him, into which he
was cramming sausages, bread, ham, and all sorts of eatables.
But he would have taken no further heed, only that the carl
had but one tail to his coat, which made the knight at once
recognise him as the very fellow whose coat-tail he had hewed
off in the forest. He sprang on him, therefore ; and as the
man drew his knife, Dinnies seized hold of him and plumped
him down, head foremost, into a hogshead of water, holding
him straight up by the feet till he had drunk his fill. So the
poor wretch began to quiver at last in his death agonies ;
whereupon the knight called out, " Wilt thou confess ? or
hast thou not drunk enough yet ? "
" He would confess, if the knight promised him life. His
name was Konnemann ; he had lost his mill and all he was
worth, by the Loitz bankruptcy, therefore had joined the
robber-band, who held their meeting in an old cave in the
forest, where also they kept their booty." On further
question, he said it was an old, ruined place, with the walls all
tumbling down. A man named Muckerwitze had lived there
once, who buried his wife alive in this cave, therefore it had
been deserted ever since.
Then the knight asked the innkeeper if he knew of such
a place in the forest ; who said, " Yes." Then he asked if he
knew this fellow, Konnemann ; but the host denied all know-
ledge of him (though he knew him well enough, I think).
Upon which Konnemann said, "That he merely came to
buy provisions for the band, who were hungry, and had
despatched him to see what he could get, while they remained
hiding in the cave. The knight having laid these facts before
their Graces and the envoys, it was agreed that they should
steal a march upon the robbers next morning, and meanwhile
keep Konnemann safe under lock and key.
Next morning they set off by break of day, taking Kon-
nemann as guide, and surrounded the old ruin, which lay
upon a hill buried in oak-trees; but not .a sound was heard
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 257
inside. They approached nearer — listened at the cave —
nothing was to be heard. This angered Dinnies Kleist, for
he thought the miller had played a trick on them, who,
however, swore he was innocent ; and as the knight threat-
ened to give him something fresh to drink in the castle well,
he offered to light a pine torch and descend into the cave.
Hardly was he down, however, when they heard him scream-
ing— " The robbers have murdered the women — they are all
lying here stone dead, but not a man is to be seen."
The knight then went down with his good sword drawn.
True enough, there lay the old hag, her daughter, and Si-
donia, all stained with blood, and stiff and cold, upon the damp
ground. And when the knight asked, " Which is Sidonia ? "
the fellow put the pine torch close to her face, which was
blue and cold. Then the knight took up her little hand,
and dropped it again, and shook his head, for the said little
hand was stiff and cold as that of a corpse.
Summa. — As there was nothing further to be done here,
the knight left the corpses to moulder away in the old cellar,
and returned with the burghers to Mutzelburg, when his
Highness wondered much over the strange event ; but Marcus
rejoiced that his wicked cousin was now dead* and could
bring no further disgrace upon his ancient name.
But was the wicked cousin dead ? She had heard every
word that had been said in the cave ; for they had all drunk
some broth made by the gipsy mother, which can make men
seem dead, though they hear and see everything around them.
Such devil's work is used by robbers sometimes in extremity,
as some toads have the power of seeming dead when people
attempt to seize them. It will soon be seen what a horrible
use Sidonia made of this devil's potion.
Wherefore she tried its effect upon herself now, I know
not — I have my own thoughts upon the subject — but it is
certain that the innkeeper, who was a secret friend of the
robbers (as most innkeepers were in those evil times), had
VOL. i. R
258 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
sent a messenger by night to warn them of their danger. So,
while the band saved themselves by hiding in the forest, per-
haps the old hag recommended this plan for the women, as
they had got enough of cold steel the day before ; or per-
haps the robbers wished to have a proof of the power of this
draught, in case they might want to save themselves, some
time or other, by appearing dead. Still I cannot, with any
certainty, assert why they should all three choose to simulate
death.
Further, just to show the daring of these robber-bands,
now that his Highness had closed the courts, I shall end
this chapter by relating what happened at Monkbude, a town
through which their Highnesses passed that same day, and
which, although close to the Stettin border, belongs to
Wolgast.
It was Sunday, and after the priest had said Amen from
the pulpit, the sexton rung the kale-bell. This bell was a
sign throughout all Pomerania land, to the women-folk who
were left at home in the houses, to prepare dinner ; for then,
in all the churches, the closing hymn began — " Give us,
Lord, our daily bread." So the maid, at the first stroke of
the bell, lifted off the kale-pot from the fire, and had the
kale dished, with the sausages, and whatever else was want-
ing, by the time that the hymn was over, and father and
mother had come out of church. Then, whatever poor
wretch had fasted all the week, and never tasted a morsel of
blessed bread, if he passed on a Sunday through the town,
might get his fill ; for when the hymn is sung, " Give us,
Lord, our daily bread,'* the doors lie open, and no stranger
or wayfarer is turned away empty.
Just before their Highnesses had entered the town, this
kale-bell had been rung, and each maid in the houses had
laid the kale and meat upon the table, ready for the family,
when, behold ! in rush a troop of robbers from the forest,
Appelmann at their head — seize every dish with the kale
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 259
and meat that had been laid on the tables, stick the loaves
into their pockets, and gallop away as hard as they can
across into the Stettin border.
How the maids screamed and lamented I leave unsaid ;
but if any one of them followed and seized a robber by the
hair, he drew his knife, so she was glad enough to run back
again, while the impudent troop laughed and jeered. Thus
was it then in dear Pomerania land ! It seemed as if God
had forsaken them ; for the nobles began their feuds, as of
old, and the Jews were tormented even to the death — yea,
even the pastors were chased away, as if, indeed, they had
all learned of Otto Bork, these nobles saying, " What need
of these idle, prating swaddlers, with their prosy sermons
and whining psalms, teaching, forsooth, that all men are
equal, and that God makes no difference between lord and
peasant ? Away with them ! If the people learn such doc-
trine, no wonder if they grow proud and disobedient — better
no priests in the land." And such-like ungodly talk was
heard everywhere.
CHAPTER XII.
How the peasants in Marienfliess want to burn a witch, but
are hindered by Johann Appelmann and Sidonia, who
discover an old acquaintance in the witch, the girl Wolde
Albrechts.
AT this time, one David Grosskopf was pastor of Marien-
fliess. He was a learned and pious man, and like other pious
priests, was in the habit of gathering all the women-folk of
the parish in his study of a winter's evening, particularly the
young maidens, with their spinning-wheels. And there they
all sat spinning round the comfortable fire, while he read out
to them from God's Word, and questioned them on it, and
exhorted them to their duties. Thus was it done every even-
2<5o SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
ing during the winter, the maidens spinning diligently till
midnight without even growing weary ; or if one of them
nodded, she was given a cup of cold water to drink, to make
her fresh again. So there was plenty of fine linen by each
New Year's day, and their masters were well pleased. No
peasant kept his daughter at home, but sent her to the priest,
where she learned her duties, and was kept safe from the
young men. Even old mothers went there, among whom
Trina Bergen always gave the best answers, and was much
commended by the priest in consequence. This pleased her
mightily, so that she boasted everywhere of it ; but withal
she was an excellent old woman, only the neighbours looked
rather jealously on her.
This same priest, with all his goodness and learning, was
yet a bad logician ; for by his careless speaking in one of his
sermons, much commotion was raised in the village. In
this sermon he asserted that anything out of the usual course
of nature must be devil's work, and ought to be held in
abhorrence by all good Christians : he suffered for this after-
wards, as we shall see. On the Monday after this discourse,
he journeyed into Poland, to visit a brother who dwelt in
some town there, I know not which.
Then arose a great talking amongst the villagers concerning
the said Trina Bergen ; for the cocks began to sit upon the
eggs in place of the hens, in her poultry-yard, and all the
people came together to see the miracle, and as it was against
the course of nature, it must be devil's work, and Trina
Bergen was a witch.
In vain the old mother protested she knew nothing of it,
then runs to the priest's house, but he is away ; from that to
the mayor of the village, but he is going out to shoot, and
bid her and the villagers pack off with their silly stories.
So the poor old mother gets no help, and meanwhile the
peasants storm her house, and search and ransack every
corner for proofs of her witchcraft, but nothing can be found.
SIDON1A THE SORCERESS 261
Stay ! there in the cellar sits a woman, who will not tell her
name.
They drag her out, bring her up to the parlour, while the
old mother sits wringing her hands. Who was this woman ?
and how did she come into the cellar ?
Ilia. — " She had hired her to spin, because her daughter
was out at service till autumn, and she could not do all the
work herself."
"Why then did she sit in the cellar, as if she shunned
the light ? "
Ilia. — " The girl had prayed for leave to sit there, because
the screaming of the young geese in the yard disturbed her ;
besides, she had been only two days with her."
" But who in the devil's name was the girl ? It was easy
to see she had bewitched the hens, for everything against the
course of nature must be devil's work."
Ilia, — « Ah, yes ! this must be the truth. Let them
chase the devil away. Now she saw why the girl would
not sit in the light, and had refused to enter the blessed
church with her the day before."
" What was her name ? They should both be sent to the
devil, if she did not tell the girl's name."
Ilia. — " Alas ! she had forgotten it, but ask herself.
Her story was, that she had been married to a peasant in
Usdom, who died lately, and his relations then turned her
out, that she was now going to Daber, where she had a
brother, a fisher in the service of the Dewitz family, and
wanted to earn a travelling penny by spinning, to convey her
there."
Now as the rumour of witchcraft spread through the
village, all the people ran together, from every part, to Trina's
house. And a pale young man pressed forward from amongst
the crowd, to look at the supposed witch. When he stood
before her, the girl cast down her eyes gloomily, and he
cried out, "It is she ! it is the very accursed witch who
262 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
robbed me of my strength by her sorceries, and barely
escaped from the fagot — seize her — that is Anna Wolde.
Now he knew what the elder sticks meant, which he found
set up as a gallows before his door this morning — the witch
wanted to steal away his manhood from him again — burn
her ! burn her ! Come and see the elder sticks, if they did
not believe him ! "
So the whole village ran to his cottage, where he had
just brought home a widow, whom he was going to marry,
and there indeed stood the elder sticks right before his door
in the form of a gallows, upon which the sheriff was wroth,
and commanded the girl to be brought before him with her
hands bound.
But as she denied everything, Zabel Bucher, the sheriff,
ordered the hangman to be sent for, to see what the rack
might do in eliciting the truth. Further, he bade the people
make a fire in the street, and burn the elder sticks therein.
So the fire is lit, but no one will touch the sticks. Then
the sheriff called his hound and bade him fetch them ; but
Fixlein, who was acute enough at other times, pretended
not to know what his master wanted. In vain the sheriff
bent down on the ground, pointing with his finger, and crying,
" Here, Fixlein ! fetch, Fixlein ! " No, Fixlein runs round
and round the elder sticks till the dust rises up in a cloud,
and yelps, and barks, and jumps, and stares at his master, but
never touches the sticks, only at last seizes a stone in his
mouth, and runs with it to the sheriff.
Now, indeed, there was a Commotion amongst the people.
Not even the dog would touch the accursed thing. So at
last the sheriff called for a pair of tongs, to seize the sticks
himself and fling them into the fire. Whereupon his wife
screamed to prevent him ; but the brave sheriff, strengthening
his heart, advanced and touched them ; whereupon Fixlein, as
if he had never known until now what his master wanted,
made a grab at them, but the sheriff gave him a blow on the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 263
nose with the tongs which sent him away howling, and then,
with desperate courage and a stout heart, seizing the elder
twigs in the tongs, flung them boldly into the fire.
Meanwhile Peter Bollerjahn, the hangman, has arrived, and
when he hears of the devilry he shakes his head, but thinks
he could make the girl speak, if they only let him try his way
a little. But they must first get authority from the mayor.
Now the mayor had not gone to the hunt, for some friends
arrived to visit him, whom he was obliged to stay at home
and entertain, so the whole crowd, with the sheriff, Zabel
Bucher, at the head, set off to the mayoralty, bringing the
witch with them, and prayed his lordship to make a terrible
example of her, for that witchcraft was spreading fearfully in
the land, and they would have no peace else.
Whereupon he came out with his guests to look at the
miserable criminal, who, conscious of her guilt, stood there
silent and glowering ; but he could do nothing for them — did
they not know that his Highness had closed all the courts of
justice, therefore he could not help them, nor be troubled
about their affairs ? Upon which the sheriff cried out, " Then
we shall help ourselves ; let us burn the witch who bewitches
our hens, and sticks up elder sticks before people's doors.
Come, let us right ourselves ! " So the mayor said they might
do as they pleased, he had no power to hinder them, only let
them remember that when the courts reopened, they would
be called to a strict account for all this. And he went into
his house, but the people shouted and dragged away the witch,
with loud yells, to the hangman, bidding him stretch her on
the rack before all their eyes.
When the girl saw and heard all this, and remembered
how the old Lord Chamberlain at Wolgast had stretched her
till her hip was broken, she cried but, " I will confess all, only
spare me the torture, for I dread it more than death."
Upon this, the sheriff said, " He would ask her three
questions, and pronounce judgment accordingly." (Oh!
264 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
what evil times for dear Pomerania land, when the people
could thus take the law into their own hands, and pronounce
judgment, though no judges were there. Had the bailiff
given her a little twist of the rack, just to get at the truth,
it would at least have been more in accordance with the
usages, although I say not he would have been justified in so
doing ; but without using the rack at all, to believe what
this devil's wretch uttered, and judge her thereupon, was
grossly improper and absurd.) Summa, here are the three
questions : —
" First, whether she had bewitched the hens ; and for
what ? "
Respond. — "Simply to amuse herself; for the time hung
heavy in the cellar, and she could see them through the
chinks in the wall." (Let her wait ; Master Peter will soon
give her something to amuse her.)
" Second, why and wherefore had she stuck up the elder
twigs ? "
Respond. — "Because she had been told that Albert was
going to marry a widow ; for he had promised her marriage,
as all the world knew, and even called her by his name,
Wolde Albrechts, and therefore she had put a spell upon him
of elder twigs, that he might turn away the widow and marry
her." (Let her wait; Master Peter will soon stick up elder
twigs for her.)
" Third, whether she had a devil ; and how was he
named?"
Here she remained silent, then began to deny it, but was
reminded of the rack, and Master Peter got ready his instru-
ments as if for instant use ; so she sighed heavily, and
answered, "Yes, she had a familiar called Jurge, and he
appeared always in the form of a man."
Upon this confession the sheriff roared, " Burn the witch ! "
and all the people shouted after him, " Burn the witch ! the
accursed witch ! " and she was delivered over to Master Peter.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 265
But he made answer that he had never burned a witch ; he
would, however, go over to Massow in the morning, to his
brother-in-law, who had burned many, and learn the mode
from him. Meanwhile the peasants might collect ten or
twelve clumps of wood upon the Koppenberg, and so would
they frighten all women from practising this devil's magic.
Would they not burn Trina Bergen likewise — the old hag
who had the witch in her cellar ? It would be a right pleasant
spectacle to the whole town.
This, however, the peasants did not wish. Upon which
the carl asked what he was to be paid for his trouble ?
Formerly the state paid for the criminal, but the courts now
would have nothing to do with the business. What was he
to get ? So the peasants consulted together, and at last
offered him a sack of oats at Michaelmas, just that they might
have peace in the village. Whereupon he consented to burn
her ; only in addition they must give him a free journey to
Massow on the morrow.
Summa. — When the third morning dawned, all the village
came together to accompany the witch up the Koppenberg :
the schoolmaster, with all his school going before, singing,
" Now pray we to the Holy Ghost ; " then came Master
Peter with the witch, he bearing a pan of lighted coal in his
hand. But, lo ! when they reached the pile on the Koppen-
berg, behold it was wet wood which the stupid peasants had
gathered.
Now the hangman fell into a great rage. Who the devil
could burn a witch with wet wood ? She must have be-
witched it. This was as bad as the hen business.
Some of the people then offered to run for some dry wood
and hay ; but my knave saw that he might turn the matter to
profit, so he proposed to sack the witch in place of burning
her ; " for," said he, " it will be a far more edifying
spectacle and example to your children, this sacking in place
of burning. There was a lake quite close to the town, and,
266 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
indeed, he had forgotten yesterday to propose it to them.
The plan was this. They were to tie her up in a leathern
sack, with a dog, a cock, and a cat. (Ah, what a pity he
had killed the wild-cat which he had caught some weeks
before in the fox-trap. ) Then they would throw all into the
lake, where the cat and dog, and cock and witch, would scream
and fight, and bite and scratch, until they sank ; but after a
little while up would come the sack again, and the screaming,
biting, and fighting would be renewed until they all sank down
again and for ever. Sometimes, indeed, they would tear a hole
in the sack, which filled with water, and so they were all
drowned. In any case it was a fine improving lesson to their
children ; let them ask the schoolmaster if the sacking was
not a far better spectacle for the dear children than the
burning."
" Ay, 'tis true," cried the schoolmaster ; " sacking is
better."
Upon which all the people shouted after him, " Ay, sack
her ! sack her ! "
When the knave heard this, he continued —
" Now, they heard what the schoolmaster said, but he
could not do all this for a sack of oats, for, indeed, leather
sacks were very dear just now ; but if each one added a sack
of meal and a goose at Michaelmas, why, he would try and
manage the sacking. The lake was broad and deep, and it
lay right beneath them, so that all the dear children could see
the sight from the hill."
However, the peasants would by no means agree to the
sack of meal, whereupon a great dispute arose around the pile,
and a bargaining about the price with great tumult and
uproar.
Now the robber-band were in the vicinity, and Sidonia, hear-
ing the noise, peeped out through the bushes and recognised
Anna Wolde ; then, guessing from the pile what they were
going to do to her, she begged of Johann to save the poor girl,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 267
if possible ; for Sidonia and the knave were now on the best of
terms, since he had chased away the gipsy hag and her daughter
for robbing him.
So Johann gives the word, and the band, which now num-
bered one hundred strong, burst forth from the wood with wild
shouts and cries. Ho ! how the people fled on all sides, like
chaff before the wind ! The executioner is the first off, throws
away his pan of coals, and takes to his heels. Item, the
schoolmaster, with all his school, take to their heels ; the sheriff,
the women, peasants, spectators — all, with one accord, take to
their heels, screaming and roaring.
The witch alone remains, for she is lame and cannot run ;
but she screams, too, and wrings her hands, crying —
" Take me with you ; oh, take me with you ; for the love
of God take me with you ; I am lame and cannot run !
Summa. — One can easily imagine how it all ended. The
witch-girl was saved, and, as she now owed her life a second
time to Sidonia, she swore eternal fidelity and gratitude to the
lady, promising to give her something in recompense for all
the benefits she had conferred on her. Alas, that I should
have to say to Christian men what this was ! *
And when Sidonia asked how things went on in Daber,
great was her joy to hear that the whole castle and town were
full of company, for the nuptials of Clara von Dewitz and
Marcus Bork were celebrated there. And the old Duchess
from Wolgast had arrived, along with Duke Johann Frede-
rick, and the Dukes Barnim, Casimir, and Bogislaff. Item,
a grand cavalcade of nobles had ridden to the wedding upon
four hundred horses, and lords and ladies from all the
country round thronged the castle.
Now Johann Appelmann would not credit the witch-girl,
for he had seen none of all this company upon the roads ; but
she said her brother the fisherman told her that their Graces
* Namely, the evil spirit Chim. See Sidonia's confession upon the
rack, vol. iv. Dahnert's Pomeranian Library, p. 244.
268 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
travelled by water as far as Wollin, for fear of the robbers, and
from thence by land to Daber.
When Sidonia heard this she fell upon Johann's neck,
exclaiming —
" Revenge me now, Johann ! revenge me ! Now is the
time ; they are all there. Revenge me in their blood ! "
This seemed rather a difficult matter to Johann, but he
promised to call together the whole band, and see what could
be done. So he went his way to the band, and then the evil-
minded witch-girl began again, and told Sidonia, that if she
chose to burn the castle at Daber, and make an end of all
her enemies at once, there was some one hard by in the bush
who would help her, for he was stronger than all the band
put together.
Hla. — "Who was her friend? Let her go and bring
him."
H<KC. — " She must first cross her hand with gold, and give
a piece of money for him ; * then he would come and revenge
her."
Sidonia' s eyes now sparkled wildly, and she put some money
in the woman's hand, who murmured, "For the evil one ; "
then stepped behind a tree, and returned in a short time with
a black cat wrapped up in her apron.
" This," she said, " was the strong spirit Chim.-)- Let her
give him plenty to eat, but show him to no one. When she
wanted his assistance, strike him three times on the head, and
he would assume the form of a man. Strike him six times to
restore him again to this form."
Now Sidonia would scarcely credit this ; so, looking round
to see if they were quite alone, she struck the animal three times
on the head, who instantly started up in the form of a gay young
* According to the witches, every evil spirit must be purchased, no
matter how small the price, but something must be given— a ball of
worsted, a kerchief, &c.
f Joachim.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 269
man, with red stockings, a black doublet, and cap with stately
heron's plumes.
" Yes, yes," he exclaimed, " I know thy enemies, and
will revenge thee, beautiful child. I will burn the castle of
Daber for thee, if thou wilt only do my bidding ; but now,
quick ! strike me again on the head, that I may reassume
my original form, for some one may see us ; and put me in
a basket, so can I travel with thee wheresoever thou goest."
And thus did Sidonia with the evil spirit Chim, as she
afterwards confessed upon the rack, when she was a horrible
old hag of eighty -four years of age.
And he went with her everywhere, and suggested all the
evil to her which she did, whereof we shall hear more in
another place.*
CHAPTER XIII.
Of the adventure with the boundary lads, and hoiv one of them
promises to admit Johann Appelmann into the castle of
Daber that same night — Item, of what befell amongst the
guests at the castle.
WHEN Johann and Sidonia proposed to the band that they
should pillage the castle of Daber, they all shouted with
delight, and swore that life and limb might be perilled, but
the castle should be theirs that night. Nevertheless my
knave Johann thought it a dangerous undertaking, for they
* Dahnert. — This belief in the power of evil spirits to assume the
form of animals, comes to us from remotest antiquity— example, the
serpent in Paradise. In all religions, and amongst all nations, this
belief seems firmly rooted ; but even if we do not see a visible devil, do
we not, alas ! know and feel that there is one ever with us, ever pre-
sent, ever suggesting all wickedness to us, as this devil to Sidonia? —
even our own evil nature. For what else is the Christian life, but a
warfare between the divine within us and this ever-present Satan ? —
and through God's grace alone can we resist this devil.
270 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
knew no one inside the walls, and Anna Wolde, the witch,
could not come with them, seeing that she was lame. So at
last he thought of sending Konnemann disguised as a beggar,
to examine the courtyard and all the out offices — perchance
he might spy out some unguarded door by which they could
effect an entrance.
Then Sidonia said she would go too, and although Johann
tried hard to persuade her, yet she begged so earnestly for
leave that finally he consented. Yes, she must see the very
spot where the viper was hatched which had stung her to
death. Ah, she would brew something for her in return ;
pity only that the wedding was over, otherwise the little bride
should never have touched a wedding-ring, if she could help
it ; but it was too late now."
So the three Satan's children slipped out upon the high-
way from the wood, and travelled on so near to the castle
that the noise, and talking, and laughing, and barking of dogs,
and neighing of horses, were all quite audible to their ears.
Now the castle of Daber is built upon a hill which is
entirely surrounded by water, so that the castle can be
approached only by two bridges — one southwards, leading
from the town ; the other eastwards, leading direct through
the castle gardens. The castle itself was a noble, lofty pile,
with strong towers and spires — almost as stately a building as
my gracious lord's castle at Saatzig.
When Johann observed all this, his heart failed him, and
as he and his two companions peeped out at it from behind
a thorn-bush, they agreed that it would be hard work to take
such a castle, garrisoned, as it was now, by four hundred
men or more, with their mere handful of partisans.
But Satan knows how to help his own, for what happened
while they were crouching there and arguing ? Behold, the
old Dewitz, as an offering to the church at Daber upon his
daughter's marriage, had promised twenty good acres of land
to be added to the glebe. And he comes now up the hill,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 271
with a great crowd of men to dig the boundary. So the
Satan's children behind the thorn-bush feared they would be
discovered ; but it was not so, and the crowd passed on
unheeding them.
Old Dewitz now called the witnesses, and bid them take
note of the position of the boundary. There where the hill,
the wild apple-tree, and the town tower were all in one line,
was the limit ; let them keep this well in their minds. Then
calling over six lads, he bid them take note likewise of the
boundary, that when the old people were dead they might
stand up as witnesses ; but as such things were easily for-
gotten, he, the priest, and the churchwarden would write it
down for them, so that it never, by any chance, could escape
their memory.
Upon which the good knight, being lord and patron, took
a stout stick the first, and cudgelled the young lads well,
asking them between terms —
" Where is the boundary ? "
To which they answered, screaming and roaring —
" Where the hill, the apple-tree, and the town tower are
all in one line."
Then the knight, laughing, handed over the stick to the
priest, saying —
" It was still possible they might forget ; they better,
therefore, have another little memorandum from his rever-
ence."
" No ! no ! " screamed the boys, " we will remember it to
eternity."
However, his reverence just gave them a little touch of
the stick in fun, till they roared out the boundary marks a
second time.
But now stepped forth the churchwarden, to take his turn
with the stick on the boys' backs. This man had been a
forester of the old Baron Dewitz, and had often taken note
of one of the young fellows present, how he had poached and
272 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
stolen the buck- wheat, so he gladly seized this opportunity to
punish him for all his misdeeds, and laying the cudgel on his
shoulders, thrashed and belaboured him so unmercifully, that
the lad ran, shrieking, cursing, howling, and roaring, far away
in amongst the bushes to hide himself, while the churchwarden
cried out —
" Well ! if all the other lads forget the boundary, I think
my fine fellow here will bear the memorandum to the day of
judgment."
And so they went away laughing from the place, and re-
turned to the castle.
But the devil drew his profit from all this, for where
should the lad run to, but close to the very spot where the
robbers were hiding, and there he threw himself down upon
the grass, writhing and howling, and swearing he would be
revenged upon the churchwarden. This is a fine hearing for
my knave in the bush, so he steps forward, and asks —
" What vile Josel had dared to ill-treat so brave a youth ?
He would help him to a revenge upon the base knave, for in-
justice was a thing he never could suffer. The tears really
were in his eyes to think that such wickedness should be in
the world ; " and here he pretended to wipe his eyes.
So the lad, being quite overcome by such compassionate
sympathy, howled and cried ten times more —
" It was the forester Kell, the shameless hound ; but he
would play him a trick for it."
//&. — " Right. He owed the fellow a drubbing already
himself, and now he would have a double one, if he could
only get hold of him."
Hie. — " He would run and tell him that a great lord
wanted to speak to him here in the forest."
//&. — " No, no ; that would scarcely answer ; but where
did the fellow live ? "
Hie. — " In the castle, where his father lived likewise,"
//&._-« Who was his father ? "
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 273
Mic. — " His father was the steward."
///<,. — « Ah, then, he kept the keys of the castle ? "
Hie. — " Oh yes, and the key of the back entrance also,
which led through the gardens. His father kept one key,
and the gardener the other."
Ille. — "Well, he would tell him a secret. This very
Kell had deceived him once, like a knave as he was, and he
was watching to punish him, but he daren't go up to the
castle in the broad daylight, particularly now while the
wedding was going on. How long would it last ? "
Hie. — " For three days more ; it had lasted three days
already, and the castle was full of company, and great lords
from all the country round, a great deal grander even than old
Dewitz, were there."
Ille. — "Well, then, it would be quite impossible to go
up to the castle and flog the churchwarden before all the
company — -he could see that himself. But supposing he let
him in at night through the garden door, couldn't they get
the knave out on some pretence, and then drub him to their
heart's content ? "
So the lad was delighted with the plan, particularly on
hearing that he was to help in the drubbing ; but then if the
forester recognised him, what was to be done ? he would be
ruined. To which Johann answered —
" Just put on an old cloak, and speak no word ; then,
neither by dress nor voice will he know thee ; besides, the
night will be quite dark, so fear nothing. We'll teach him,
I engage, how to beat a fine young fellow again, or to rob
me of my gold, as he did, the base, unworthy knave."
Here the lad laughed outright with joy. " Yes, yes, that
would just do ; and he could put on his father's old mantle,
and bring a stout crab-stick along with him."
Ille. — " All right, young friend ; but how was he to get
into the castle garden ? Was there not a drawbridge which
was lifted every night ? "
VOL. i. s
274 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Hie. — " Oh yes ; but his father very often sent him to
draw it up, and he could leave it down for to-night ; then
he would get the forester, by some means, into the shrubbery,
where it was dark as pitch, and they could thrash the dog
there without any one knowing a word about it."
Hie. — « Good ! Then when the tower-clock struck nine,
let him come himself and admit him into the garden — time
enough after to run for the forester, while he was hiding
himself in the shrubbery, for no one must know a word
about his being there." Then he gave the lad a knife, and
told him if all turned out well he should have a piece of
gold in addition. " Ah ! they would give him a warm
greeting, this dog of a forester ! But after he had called
him out, the lad must pretend as if he had nothing to do
with the matter, and go back to the house, or slip down
some by-path."
So the lad jumped with joy when he got hold of the
knife, and skipped off to the castle, promising to be at the
drawbridge when nine o'clock struck from the tower, to
admit his good friend into the garden.
Meanwhile my gracious Lady of Wolgast was making
preparations for her departure on the morrow from the castle,
for she had been attending the wedding festivities with her
four sons, and Ulrich, the Grand Chamberlain ; but previous
to taking leave of her dear son, Duke Johann Frederick, she
wished to make one more attempt to induce him to take off
the interdict from the country, and allow the courts of justice
to be re- opened, for thus would the land be freed from these
wild hordes who haunted every road, and filled all hearts
with fear.
For this purpose she went up to his own private chamber
in the castle, bringing old Ulrich along with her ; and when
they entered, old Ulrich, having closed the door, began —
" Now, gracious lady, speak to your son as befits a mother
and your princely Grace to do."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 275
Upon which he took his seat at the table, looking around
him as sour as a vinegar- cruet.
So the Duchess lifted up her voice with many tears, and
prayed his Highness of Stettin to stem all this violence that
raged in the land, as a loving Prince and father towards his
subjects. He had resisted all her entreaties until now, with
those of his dear brothers and old Ulrich ; and had not even
his host and the whole nobility tried to soften his heart to-
wards his people, who were suffering by his hard resolve ?
But surely he would not refuse her now, for she had come
to take her leave of him, and had brought his old guardian
and his brothers to plead along with her ; besides, who knew
what might happen next ? For she heard, to her astonish-
ment, that Sidonia was not dead at all, as they supposed,
but roaming through the country with her accursed paramour.
Had she known this, never would she have permitted this
long journey, dear even as the bride was to her heart, but
would have stayed at Wolgast to watch over her heart's dear
son, Ernest, and his young spouse, who rightly feared to put
themselves in danger again, after the sore peril they had
encountered in the Stettin forest ; and who knew what might
happen to her on the journey homeward ? for if she en-
countered Sidonia, what could she expect from her but the
bitterest death? (weeping.) Ah, this all came upon them
because the young Duke had despised the admonitions of his
blessed father upon his death-bed, and thought not of that
Scripture which saith, "The father's blessing buildeth the
children's houses, but the curse of the mother pulleth them
down." * She had never cursed him yet, but that day might
come.
Then Duke Johann answered, " He was sad to see his
darling mother chafe and fret about these same courts of
justice, but his princely honour was pledged, and he could
not retract one word until the states came back to their duty,
* Sirach iii. n.
276 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
and gave him the gold he demanded. For how could he
stand before the world as a fool ? He had begun this castle
of Friedrichswald, and had ordered all kinds of statues,
paintings, &c., from Italy, for which gold must be paid.
How, then, if he had none ? "
" But those were idle follies/' his mother answered,
"and showed how true were the words of Solomon —
4 When a prince wanteth understanding, there is great op-
pression.' " *
Here the Duke grew angry. " It was false ; he did not
want understanding. Well it was that no one had dared
to say this to him but his mother."
But my gracious lady could not hear him plainly ; for his
Serene Highness, Barnim the younger, who had drunk rather
freely at dinner, began to snore so loudly, that he snored
away a paper which lay before old Ulrich, upon which he
had been sketching a list of propositions for the reconciliation
of the Duke and the estates of the kingdom.
Hereupon the old chamberlain cursed and swore — " May
the seven thousand devils take them ! One snarls at his
mother, and the other snores away his paper ! Did the
Prince think that Pomerania was like Saxony, when he began
these fine buildings at Friedrichswald ? His Grace had a
house at Stettin ; what did he want with a second ? Was
his Grace better than his forefathers ? And would not his
Grace have Oderburg when old Duke Barnim died ? and
castles and towns all round the land ? "
But the Duke answered proudly, "That Ulrich should
remember his guardianship had ended. He knew himself
what to do and what to leave undone."
Herewith the young Lord Bogislaff broke in — "Yet,
dearest brother, be advised by us. Bethink you how I re-
signed my chance of the duchy at the Diet of Wollin, and
now I am ready to give you up the annuity which I then
* Prov. xxviii. 16.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 277
received, if it will help your necessities, and that you promise
thereupon to release the land from the interdict, that all this
fearful villainy and lawlessness which is devastating the
country may have an end."
Ille. — " Matters were not so bad as he thought ; besides,
why cannot the people defend themselves, and take care of
their own skin ? "
Hie. — " So they do ; but this only increased injustice and
lawlessness." Then he related many examples of how the
despairing people of the different towns had executed justice,
after their own manner, upon the robbers who fell into their
hands. In Stolpschen, for instance, three fellows had been
caught plundering the corn, and the peasants nailed them
up to a tree, and whipped them till they dropped down dead.
Well might Satan laugh over the sin and wickedness that
reigned now in poor Pomerania.
Item, he related how the peasants in Marienfliess were
going to burn a witch, without trial or sentence. Item,
how many peasants and villagers had hung up their own
bailiffs, or strangled them. Item, how the priests had been
chased away from many places, so that they now had to beg
their bread upon the highway ; and in such towns God's
service was no more heard, but each one lived as it pleased
him, and the peasants did as they chose. And now he
would ask his heart's dear brother, which would be more
upright and honourable in the sight of the great God — to
build up this castle of Friedrichswald, or to let it fall, and
build up the virtue and happiness of his people ? He could
not build the castle without money, and he had none ; but he
could restore his land to peace and happiness by a word.
Let him, then, open these long-closed courts of justice, for
this was his duty as a Prince ; and let him remember that
every prince was ordained of God, and must answer to Him
for his government.
Hereupon the Stettin Duke made answer — " Pity, good
278 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
BogislafT, thou wert not a village priest ! Hast thou finished
thy sermon ? Truly thou wert never meant for a prince, as we
heard from thy own lips, the day of the Diet at Wollin. Thou
hast no sense of princely honour, I see, but I stand by mine ;
and now, by my princely honour, I pledge my princely word,
that, until the states give me the money, the land shall remain
in all things as it is."
Here old Ulrich sprang to his feet (while my gracious lady
sobbed aloud), clapped the table, and roared — "Seven thou-
sand devils, my lord ! are we to be robbed and murdered by
those vile cut-throats that infest the land, and your Grace will
fold your hands and do nothing, till they drive your Grace your-
self out of the land, or run a spear through your body, as they
would have done to your princely brother of Wolgast, only he
had faithful vassals to defend him ? If it is so to be, then must
the nobles make their petition to the Emperor, and we shall
see if his Imperial Majesty cannot bring your Grace to reason,
though your mother and we all have failed to move you."
Here the little Casimir, who was playing with the paper
which his brother had snored away, ran up to his mother, and
pulling her by the gown, said, " Gracious lady mamma, what
ails my brother, the Stettin Duke ? Is he drunk, too ? "
At which they all laughed, except Duke Johann, who gave
a kick to his little brother, and then strode out of the room,
exclaiming, " Sooner my life than my honour; I shall stay here
no longer to be tutored and lectured, but will take my journey
homewards this very night." And so he departed, but by a
small side-door, for old Ulrich had locked the chief door on
entering.
Now, indeed, her Grace wept bitterly : ah ! she thought the
evil had left her house, which the fatal business at her wedding
had wrought on it, when Dr. Martinus dropped the ring ; but,
alas ! it was only beginning now ; and yet she could not curse
him, for he was her son, and she had borne him in pain and
sorrow,
STDONIA THE SORCERESS 279
Summa. — If many were displeased at these proceedings of
his Grace, so also was the Lord God, as was seen clearly by
many strange signs ; for on that same night Duke Barnim the
elder died at Oderburg, and all the crosses, knobs, and spires
throughout the whole town turned quite black, though they had
only been newly gilded a year before, and no rain, lightning,
or thunder had been observed.*
But this was all clearly to show the anger of God over the
sins of the young Duke, and by these signs He would admonish
him to repentance, as a father might gently threaten a refractory
child. As to what further happened his Grace when he went
out by the little door, and the danger that befell him there, we
shall hear more in another chapter.
CHAPTER XIV.
Hoiv the knave Appelmann seizes his Serene Eminence Duke
Johann by the throat, and how his Grace and the whole
castle are saved by Marcus Bork and his young bride
Clara ; also, how Sidonia at last is taken prisoner.
THE castle was now almost quite still, for as the festival had
already lasted three days, the guests were pretty well tired of
dancing and drinking, and most of them, like young Prince
Barnim, had lain down to snore. Yet still there were many
drinking in the great hall, or dancing in the saloon, for the
fiddles fiddled away merrily until far in the night.
And it was a beautiful night this one ; not too dark, but
starry, bright, and soft and still, so that Marcus and his young
bride glided away from the dancing and drinking, to wander
in the cool, fresh air of the shrubbery, before they retired to
their chamber. So they passed down the broad path that led
* The Duke died 2gth September 1573, aged 72 years.— MicraeHus,
369.
280 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
from the garden to the drawbridge by the water-mill, and seat-
ing themselves on a bank under the shade of the trees, began to
kiss and caress, as may well become a young bridal pair to do.
Soon they heard nine o'clock strike from the town, and
immediately after, stealthy footsteps coming along the
shrubbery towards them. They held their breath, and
remained quite still, thinking it was some half-drunken guest
from the castle wandering this way ; but then the drawbridge
was lowered, and three persons advanced to a youth, as they
could see plainly. One said, " Now ? " to which another
answered, " No, when I whistle ! " He who had so asked,
then went back again, but Sidonia and my knave came on
with the boundary lad over the bridge (for, of course, every
one will have guessed them) and entered the shrubbery where
the young bridal pair were seated, but perfectly hidden, by
reason of the darkness.
The boundary lad would now have drawn up the bridge,
but the knave hindered him — " Let him leave it down ; how
would he escape else, if the carl roared, and all came running
out of the castle to see what was the matter ? " Then Sidonia
asked the boy, if he thought the castle folk would hear him ?
To which he answered, no. They could thrash the hound
securely, and he had brought a short cudgel with him for the
purpose. Upon which my knave murmured to him, " Lead on,
then ; I must get out of this dark place to see what I am about.
And when we get to the end of it, do you run and bring him
out here. Then we shall both pay him off bravely."
So they crept on in the darkness towards the castle, but
the young wedded pair had plenty of time to recognise both
Sidonia and Appelmann by their voices. Therefore Marcus
argued truly that the knave and his paramour could be about
no good, for the whole land rang with their wickedness.
And, no doubt, the band was in the vicinity, because Appel-
mann had answered, " No, when I whistle ! "
So the good Marcus grew wroth over the villainy of this
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 281
shameless pair, who had evidently resolved on nothing less
than the destruction of the whole princely race, and even this
castle of Daber was not to be spared, which belonged to his
dear bride's father, so that their wicked purposes might be
fulfilled. Then he whispered, did his dear wife know of any
byway that led to the castle ? as she was born here, perhaps
some such little path might be known to her, so that she
would escape meeting the villain. And as she whispered in
return, " Yes, there was such a path," he bid her run along
it quick as thought, have all the bells rung when she reached
the castle, and even the cannon fired, which was ready loaded
for the farewell salute to the Lady of Wolgast on the morrow ;
and to gather as many people together, of all stations and ages,
as could be summoned on the instant, and let them shout
" Murder ! murder ! " Meanwhile he would run and draw
up the bridge, then track the fellow along the shrubbery, and
seize him if possible.
How Clara trembled and hesitated, as a young girl might ;
but soon collecting herself, she said, although with much
agitation, " I will trust in God : the Lord is my strength, of
whom then should I be afraid ? " and plunged alone into the
darkest part of the shrubbery.
Marcus instantly ran down to the garden door, and began
to draw up the bridge with as little noise as possible. " What
are you doing ? " called out a voice to him from the other
side. " I hear steps," he answered, " and perchance it is
the castellan on his rounds ; he would discover all." So he
draws up the bridge, and then glided along the shrubbery
after my knave.
Meanwhile Appelmann and Sidonia, with the boundary
lad, had reached the door of the castle, through which he
was determined to make good his entrance after the lad by
any means.
But at that very instant it opened, and my gracious lord
Duke Johann Frederick stood before them. For it has
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
been already mentioned, that he left the chamber in which
the family council was held, by a small private door which
led down to this portion of the castle. Here he was looking
about for his court-jester, Clas Hinze, to bid him order
the carriages to convey him and his suite that very night to
Freienwald, and by chance opened this very door which led
out to the shrubbery.
Seeing no one from the darkness, the Duke called out, " Is
Clas there ? " to which Appelmann answered, " Yes, my
lord" (for he had recognised the Duke by his voice), and at
the same time he retreated a few steps into the shrubbery,
hoping the Duke would follow him.
But the Duke called out again, " Where art thou, Clas ? "
" Here ! " responded Appelmann, retreating still further.
Whereupon the boundary lad whispered, " That is not him ! "
His Grace, however, heard the whisper, and called out
angrily, while he advanced from the door, " What meanest
thou, knave ? It is I who call ! Art thou drunk, fool ? If
so, thou must have a bucket of water on thy head, for we
ride away this night."
So speaking, his Highness went on still further into the
shrubbery, upon which my knave makes a spring at his throat
and hurls him to the ground, while he gives a loud, shrill
whistle through the fingers of his other hand. Now the
boundary lad screamed in earnest ; but Sidonia threatened him,
and bade him hold his tongue, and run for the other fellows,
and not mind them. But she screamed yet louder herself,
when a powerful arm seized her round the waist, and she
found herself in the grasp of Marcus Bork.
Appelmann, who had stuffed his kerchief into the Duke's
mouth to stifle his cries, and placed one knee upon his
breast, now sprang up in terror at her scream, while at the
same instant the bells rang, the cannon was fired, and all the
court was filled with people shouting, " Murder ! murder ! "
So he let go his hold of the Duke, and without waiting to
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 28^3
release Sidonia, darted down the shrubbery, reached the
bridge, and finding it raised, plunged into the water, and
swam to the other side.
And here we see the hand of the all-merciful God ; for
had the bridge been down, the band would have rushed over
at their captain's whistle, and then, methinks, there would
have been a sad end to the whole princely race, for, as I
have said, half the guests were drunk and half were snoring,
so that but for Marcus this evil and accursed woman would
have destroyed them all, as she had sworn. True, they were
destroyed by her at last, but not until God gave them over to
destruction, in consequence of their sins, no doubt, and of the
wickedness of the land.
Summa. — When my gracious lord felt himself free, he
sprang up, crying, " Help ! help ! " and ran as quick as he
could back into the castle. Marcus Bork followed with
Sidonia, who drew a knife to stab him, but he saw the glitter
of the blade by the light of the lanterns (for one can easily
imagine that the bells and the cannon had brought all the
snorers to their legs), and giving her a blow upon the arm
that made her drop the knife, dragged her through the little
door, after the Duke, as fast as he was able.
So the whole princely party stood there, and great and
small shouted when the upright Marcus appeared, holding
Sidonia firmly by the back, while she writhed and twisted,
and kicked him with her heels till the sweat poured down
his face.
But when old Ulrich beheld her, he exclaimed, " Seven
thousand devils ! — do my eyes deceive me, or is this Sidonia
again ? " Her Grace, too, turned pale, and all were horrified
at seeing the evil one, for they knew her wickedness.
Then Marcus must relate the whole story, and how he
came to bring to nought the counsel of the devil.
And when Duke Johann heard the whole extent of the
danger from which he had been saved, he fell upon the neck
284 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
of the loyal Marcus, and, pressing him to his heart, ex-
claimed, " Well-beloved Marcus, and dear friend, thou hast
saved my brother of Wolgast in the Stettin forest, so hast
thou saved me this night, therefore accept knighthood from
my hands ; and I make thee governor of my fortress of
Saatzig."
To which the other answered, "He thanked his Grace
heartily for the honours ; but he had already promised to
remain in the service of his princely brother of Wolgast ;
and for that object had made purchase of the lands of
Crienke."
But his Highness would hear of no refusal. Only let him
look at Saatzig ; it was the finest fortress in the land.
What would he do in a miserable fishing village ? The
castle was almost grander than his own ducal house at
Stettin ; and the knights' hall, with its stone pillars and
carved capitals, was the most stately work of architecture
in the kingdom. Where would he find such a dwelling in
his village nest ? Old Kleist, the governor, had just died,
and to whom could he give the castle sooner than to his right
worthy and loyal Marcus ? "
When old Dewitz heard this (he was a little, dry old
man, with long grey hair), he pressed forward to his son-
in-law, and bade him by no means refuse a Prince's offer ;
besides, Saatzig was but two miles off, and they could see
each other every Sunday. Also, if they had a hunt, a
standard erected on the tower of one castle could be seen
plainly from the tower of the other, and so they could lead
a right pleasant, neighbourly life, almost as if they all lived
together."
Still Marcus will not consent. Upon which his mother-
in-law can no longer suppress her feelings, and comes forward
to entreat him. (She was a good, pious matron, and as
fat as her husband was thin. ) So she stroked his cheeks —
" And where in the land, as far as Usdom, could he find such
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 285
fine muranes and maranes * — this fish he loved so much ? —
and where was such fine flax to be had, for his young wife to
spin ? — no flax in the land equalled that of Saatzig ! — since
ever she was a little girl, people talked of the fine Saatzig
flax. Let her dear daughter Clara come over, and see could
she prevail aught with her stern husband. Why, they could
send pudding hot to each other, the castles were so near."
And now the mild young bride approached her husband,
and taking his hand gently, looked up into his eyes with soft,
beseeching glances, but spake no word ; so that the princely
widow of Wolgast was moved, and said, " Good Marcus, if
you only fear to offend my son of Wolgast by taking service
at Saatzig, be composed on that head, for I myself will make
your peace. Great, indeed, would be my joy to have you
and your young spouse settled at Crienke, which, you know, is
but half a mile from Pudgla, my dower- castle, where I mean
to reside ; yet these beseeching glances of my little Clara fill
my heart with compassion, for do I not read in her clear eyes
that she would love to stay near her dear parents, as indeed is
natural ? Therefore, in God's name accept the offer of your
Prince. I myself command you."
Hereupon Marcus inclined himself gracefully to the
Duchess and Duke Johann, and pressed his little wife to
his heart. " But what need, gracious Prince, of a governor
at Saatzig, when all the courts are closed and no justice can
be done ? I shall eat my bread in idleness, like a worn-out
hound. But, marry, if your Grace consents to open the
courts, I will accept your offer with thanks, and do my duty
as governor with all justice and fidelity." Then his Grace
answered, " What ! good Marcus, dost thou begin again on
that old theme which roused my wrath so lately, and made
* The great marana weighs from ten to twelve pounds, and is a
species of salmon-trout. The murana is of the same race, but not
larger than the herring. It must not be confounded with the murana
of which the Romans were so fond, which was a species of eel.
286 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
me fall into that peril ? But I bethink me of thy bravery,
and will say no bitter word ; only, thou mayest hold thy peace,
for I have sworn by my princely honour, and from that there
is no retreating. However, thou hast leave to hold jurisdic-
tion in thy own government, and execute justice according to
thy own upright judgment."
So Marcus was silent ; but the Duchess and the other
princes took up the subject, and assailed his Highness with
earnest petitions — " Had he not himself felt and seen the
danger of permitting these freebooters to get such a head
in the knd ? Had not the tinge of God warned him this
very night, in hopes of turning him back to the right path ?
Let him reflect, for the peace of his land was at stake."
But all in vain. Even though old Ulrich tumbled into the
argument with his seven thousand devils, yet could they
obtain no other answer from his Highness but — " If the
states give me gold, I shall open the courts ; if they give
no gold, the courts shall remain closed for ever. Were he
to be brought before the Emperor, or Pontius Pilate himself,
it was all alike; they might tear him in pieces, but not one
nail's breadth of his princely word would he retreat from, or
break it like a woman, for their prayers."
Then he rose, and calling his fool Clas to him, bid him run
to the old priest, and tell him he would sleep at his quarters
that night, for he must have peace ; but the merry Clas, as he
was running out, got behind his Highness, and stuck his fool's
cap upon the head of his Grace, crying out, " Here, keep my
cap for me."
However, his Highness did not relish the joke, for every
one laughed ; and he ran after the fool, trying to catch him,
and threatening to have his head cut off; but Clas got be-
hind the others, and clapping his hands, cried out, " You
can't, for the courts are closed. Huzza ! the courts are
closed ! " Whereupon he runs out at the door, and my
.gracious lord after him, with the fool's cap upon his head.
S1DONIA THE SORCERESS 287
Nor did he return again to the hall, but went to sleep at the
priest's quarters, as he had said ; and next morning, by the
first dawn of day, set off on his journey homeward.
All this while no one had troubled himself about Sidonia*
My gracious lady wept, the young lords laughed, old Ulrich
swore, whilst the good Marcus murmured softly to his young
wife, " Be happy, Clara ; for thy sake I shall consent to go
to Saatzig. I have decided."
This filled her with such joy that she danced, and smiled,
and flung herself into her mother's arms ; nothing was wanting
now to her happiness ! Just then her eyes rested upon Si-
donia, who was leaning against the wall, as pale as a corpse.
Clara grew quite calm in a moment, and asked, compas-
sionately, " What aileth thee, poor Sidonia ? "
" I am hungry ! " was the answer. At this the gentle bride
was so shocked, that the tears filled her eyes, and she ex-
claimed, " Wait, thou shalt partake of my wedding-feast ; "
and away went she.
The attention of the others was, by this time, also
directed to Sidonia. And old Ulrich said, " Compose your-
self, gracious lady ; I trust your son, the Prince, will not be
so hard and stern as he promises ; now that the water has
touched his own neck, methinks he will soon come to reason.
But what shall we do now with Sidonia ? "
Upon which my Lady of Wolgast turned to her, and
asked if she were yet wedded to her gallows-bird ? " Not
yet," was the answer ; " but she would soon be." Then
my gracious lady spat out at her ; and, addressing Ulrich,
asked what he would advise.
So the stout old knight said, " If the matter were left to
him, he would just send for the executioner, and have her
ears and nose slit, as a warning and example, for no good
could ever come of her now, and then pack her off next day
to her farm at Zachow ; for if they let her loose, she would
run to her paramour again, and come at last to gallows and
288 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
wheel ; but if they just slit her nose, then he would hold her
in abhorrence, as well as all other men-folk.'*
During this, Clara had entered, and set fish, and wild boar,
and meat, and bread, before the girl ; and as she heard
Ulrich's last words, she bent down and whispered, " Fear
nothing, Sidonia, I hope to be able to protect thee, as I did
once before ; only eat, Sidonia ! Ah ! hadst thou followed
my advice ! I always meant well by thee ; and even now, if
I thought thou wouldst repent truly, poor Sidonia, I would
take thee with me to the castle of Saatzig, and never let thee
want for aught through life."
When Sidonia heard this, she wept, and promised amend-
ment. Only let Clara try her, for she could never go to
Zachow and play the peasant-girl. Upon which Clara
turned to her Highness, and prayed her Grace to give
Sidonia up to her. See how she was weeping ; misfortune
truly had softened her, and she would soon be brought back
to God. Only let her take her to Saatzig, and treat her as
a sister. At this, however, old Ulrich shook his head —
" Clara, Clara," he exclaimed, " knowest thou not that the
Moor cannot change his skin, nor the leopard his spots ? I
cannot, then, let the serpent go. Think on our mother, girl ;
it is a bad work playing with serpents."
Her Grace, too, became thoughtful, and said at last —
" Could we not send her to the convent at Marienfliess, or
somewhere else ? "
" What the devil would she do in a convent ? " exclaimed
the old knight. " To infect the young maidens with her
vices, or plague them with her pride ? Now, there was
nothing else for her but to be packed off to Zachow."
Now Clara looked up once again at her husband with her
soft, tearful eyes, for he had said no word all this time, but
remained quite mute ; and he drew her to him, and said —
" I understand thy wish, dear Clara, but the old knight is
right. It is a dangerous business, dear Clara ! Let Sidonia go."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 289
At this Sidonia crawled forth like a serpent from her corner,
and howled —
" Clara had pity on her, but he would turn her out to
starve — he, who bore her own name, and was of her own
blood."
Alas ! the good knight was ashamed to refuse any longer,
and finally promised the evil one that she should go with them
to Saatzig. So her Grace at last consented, but old Ulrich
shook his grey head ten times more.
" He had lived many years in the world, but never had it
come to his knowledge that a godless man was tamed by love.
Fear was the only teacher for them. All their love would be
thrown away on this harlot ; for even if the stout Marcus kept
her tight with bit and rein, and tried to bring her back by
fear, yet the moment his back was turned, Clara would spoil
all again by love and kindness."
However, nobody minded the good knight, though it all
came to pass just as he had prophesied.
CHAPTER XV.
ffo<w Sidonia demeans herself at the castle of Saatzig, and how
Clara forgets the injunctions of her beloved husband, when
he leaves her to attend the Diet at Wollm, on the subject of
the courts — Item, how the Serene Prince Duke Johann
Frederick beheads his court fool with a sausage.
SUMMA. — Sidonia went to the castle of Saatzig, and her worthy
cousin Marcus gave her a little chamber to herself, in the third
story, close to the tower. It was the same room in which she
afterwards sat as a witch, for some days ere she was taken to
Oderburg. There was a right cheerful view from the windows
down upon the lake, which was close to the castle, and over
the little town of Jacobshagen, as far even as the meadows
VOL. I. T
290 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
beyond. Here, too, was left a Bible for her, and the Opera
Lutheri in addition, with plenty of materials for spinning and
embroidery, for she had refused to weave. Item, a serving-
wench was appointed to attend on her, and she had permission
to walk where she pleased within the castle walls ; but if ever
seen beyond the domain, the keepers had orders to bring her
back by force, if she would not return willingly.
In fine, the careful knight took every precaution possible to
render her presence as little baneful as could be, for, truth to
say, he had no faith whatever in her tears and seeming re-
pentance.
First, he strictly forbade all his secretaries to interchange
a word with her, or even look at her. They need not know
his reason, but any one who transgressed his slightest command
in this particular, should be chased away instantly from the
castle.
Secondly, he prayed his dear wife to let Sidonia eat her
meals alone, in her own little room, and never to see her but in
the presence of a third person.
Also, never to accept the slightest gift from her hand — fruit,
flower, or any kind of food whatsoever. These injunctions
were the more necessary, as the young bride had already given
hopes of an heir. Sidonia's rage and jealousy at this prospect
of complete happiness for Clai'a may be divined from her words
to her maid, Lene Penkun, a short time after she reached the
castle —
" Ha ! they are talking of the baptism already, forsooth ;
but it might have been otherwise if I had come across her
a little sooner ! "
This same maid also she sent to Daber for the spirit Chim,
which had been left behind at the last resting-place of the
robbers, never telling her it was a spirit, however, only a
tame cat, that was a great pet of hers. " It must be half
dead with hunger now, for it was four days since she had
left it in the hollow of an old oak in the forest, the poor
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 291
creature ! So let the maid take a flask of sweet milk and
a little saucer to feed it. She could not miss her way, for,
when she stepped out of the high-road at Daber into the
forest, there was a thorn-bush to her left hand, and just be-
yond it a large oak where the ravens had their nests ; in a
hollow of this oak, to the north side, lay her dear little cat.
But she must not tell any one about the matter, or they
would laugh at her for sending her maid two miles and more
to look for a cat. Men had no compassion or tender-
heartedness nowadays to each other, much less to a poor
dumb animal. No ; just let her say that she went to fetch a
robe which her mistress had left in the oak. Here was an
old gown ; take this with her, and it would do to wrap up
the poor little pussy in it after she had fed it and warmed it,
so that no one might see it, for what a mock would all these
pitiless men make of her, if they heard the object of her mes-
sage ; but she was not cruel like them."
Now, after some time, it happened that the states of the
duchy assembled at Wollin, to come to some arrangement
with his Highness respecting the opening of the courts of
justice ; and Marcus Bork, along with all the other nobles,
was summoned to attend the Diet. So, with great grief, he
had to leave his dear wife, but promised, if possible, to re-
turn before she was taken with her illness. Then he bid her
be of good courage, and, above all things, to guard herself
against Sidonia, and mind strictly all his injunctions concern-
ing her.
Alas ! she too soon flung them all to the winds ! For,
behold, scarcely had the good knight arrived at Wollin, when
Clara was delivered of a little son, at which great joy filled
the whole castle. And one messenger was despatched to
Marcus, and another to old Dewitz and his wife, with the
tidings ; but woe, alas ! the good old mother was going to
stand sponsor for a nobleman's child in the neighbourhood,
and could not hasten then to save her dear daughter from a
292 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
terrible and cruel death. She cooked some broth, however,
for the young mother, and pouring it into a silver flask, bid
the messenger ride back with all speed to Saatzig, that it
might not be too cold. She herself would be over in the
morning early with her husband, and let her dear little
daughter keep herself warm and quiet.
Meanwhile Sidonia had heard of the birth, and sent her
maid to wish the young mother joy, and ask her permission
just to give one little kiss to her new cousin, for they told
her he was a beautiful infant.
Alas, alas ! that Clara's joy should make her forget the
judicious cautions of her husband ! Permission was given
to the murderess, and down she comes directly to offer her
congratulations ; even affecting to weep for joy as she kissed
the infant, and praying to be allowed to act as nurse until
her mother came from Daber.
" Why, she had no one about her but common serving-
women ! How could she leave her dearest friend to the
care of these old hags, when she was in the castle, who
owed everything to her dear Clara ? "
And so she went on till poor Clara, even if she did not
quite believe her, felt ashamed to doubt so much apparent
affection and tenderness.
Summa. — She permitted her to remain, and we shall soon
see what murderous deeds Sidonia was planning against the
poor young mother. But first I must relate what happened
at the Diet of Wollin, to which Marcus Bork had been
summoned.
His Highness Duke Johann had become somewhat more
gracious to the states since they had come to the Diet at
their own cost, which was out of the usage ; and further,
because, as old Ulrich prophesied, he himself had felt the
inconveniences resulting from the present lawless state of the
country.
Still he was ill-tempered enough, particularly as he had a
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 293
fever on him ; and when the states promised at last that they
would let him have the money, he said, " So far good ; but,
till he saw the gold, the courts should not be opened. Not
that he misdoubted them, but then he knew that they were
sometimes as tedious in handing out money as a peasant in
paying his rent. The courts, therefore, should not be opened
until he had the gold in his pot, so it would be to their own
profit to use as much diligence as possible." At this same
Diet his Grace related how he first met Clas, his fool, which
story I shall set down here for the reader's pastime.
This same fool had been nothing but a poor goose-herd ;
and one day as he was on the road to Friedrichswald with
his flock, my gracious lord rode up, and growing impatient
at the geese running hither and thither in his path, bid the
boy collect them together, or he would strike them all dead.
Upon which the knave took up goose after goose by the
throat, and stuck them by their long necks into his girdle, till
a circle of geese hung entirely round his body, all dangling by
the head from his waist.
This merry device pleased my lord so much, that he made
the lad court-jester from that day, and many a droll trick he
had played from that to this, particularly when his Highness
was gloomy, so as to make him laugh again. Once, for in-
stance, when the Duke was sore pressed for money, by reason
of the opposition of the states, he became very sad, and all the
doctors were consulted, but could do nothing. For unless
his Grace could be brought to laugh (they said to the Lady
Erdmuth), it was all over with him. Then my gracious
lady had the fool whipped for a stupid jester, who could not
drive his trade ; for if he did not make the Duke laugh, why
should he stay at all in the castle ?
What did my fool ? He collected all the princely sol-
datesca, and got leave from their Graces to review them ; and
surely never were seen such strange evolutions as he put them
through, for they must do everything he bid them. And
294 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
when his Highness came forth to look, he laughed so loud
as never had fool made him laugh before ; and calling the
Duchess, bid him repeat his experimentum many times for
her. In fine, the fool got the good town of Butterdorf for
his fee, which changed its name in honour of him, and is
called Hinzendorf to this day (for his name was Hinze).
But Clas Hinze had not been able to cure my Lord Duke
of his fever, which attacked him at the Diet at Wollin, nor
all the doctors from Stettin, nor even Doctor Pomius, who
had been sent from Wolgast by the old Duchess, to attend
her dear son ; and as the doctor (as I have said) was a
formal, priggish little man, he and the fool were always
bickering and snarling.
Now, one day at Wollin, the weather being beautiful, his
Grace, with several of the chief prelates, and many of the
nobility, went forth to walk by the river's side, and the fool
ran along with them ; item, Doctor Pomius, who, if he could
not run, at least tried to walk majestically ; and he munched
a piece of sugar all the time, for he never could keep his
mouth still a moment. Seeing his Grace now about to cross
the bridge, the doctor started forward with as much haste as
was consistent with his dignity, and seizing his Highness by
the tail of the coat, drew him back, declaring, "That he
must not pass the water ; all water would give strength to the
fever-devil." But his Highness, who was talking Latin to
the Deacon of Colberg, turned on the doctor with — " Apage
te asine ! " and strode forward, whilst one of the nobles gave
a free translation aloud for the benefit of the others, saying,
" And that means : Begone, thou ass ! "
When the fool heard this, he clapped the little man on the
back, shouting, " Well done, ass ! and there is thy fee for
curing our gracious Prince of his fever."
This so nettled the doctor that he spat out the lump of
sugar for rage, and tried to seize the fool ; but the crowd
laughed still louder when Clas jumped on the back of an old
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 295
woman, giving her the spur with his yellow boots in the side,
and shaking his head with the cap and bells at the little
doctor in mockery, who could not get near him for the
crowd. So the woman screamed and roared, and the people
laughed, till at last the Duke stopped in the middle of the
bridge to see what was the matter. When the fool observed
this, he sprang off the old woman's back, and calling out to
the doctor — " See how I cure our gracious lord's fever,"
ran upon the bridge like wind, and, seizing the Duke with all
his force, jumped with him into the water.
Now the people screamed from horror, as much as before
from mirth, and thirty or forty burghers, along with Marcus
Bork, plunged in to rescue his Highness, whilst others tried to
seize the fool, threatening to tear him in pieces.
This was a joyful hearing to Doctor Pomius. He drew
forth his knife — " Would they not finish the knave at once ?
Here was a knife just ready."
But the fool, who was strong and supple, swung himself up
to the bridge, and crouched in between the arches, catching
hold of the beams, so that no one dared to touch him there, and
his Highness was soon carried to land. He was in a flaming
rage as he shook off the water.
" Where is that accursed fool ? He had only threatened
to cut off his head at Daber, but now it should be done in
earnest."
So the fool shouted from under the bridge — " Ho ! ho ! the
courts are all closed ! the courts are all closed ! " At which
the crowd laughed so heartily, that my Lord Duke grew still
more angry, and commanded them to bring the fool to him
dead or alive.
Hearing this, the fool crept forward of himself, and whim-
pered in his Low Dutch, «' My good Lord Duke, praise be
to God that we've made the doctor fly. I'll give him a little
piece of drink-money for his journey, and then I'll be your
doctor myself. For if the fright has not cured you, marry, let
296 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the deacon be your fool, and I will be your deacon as long as
I live."
However, my gracious lord was in no humour for fun, but
bid them carry off the fool to prison, and lock him up there ;
for though, indeed, the fever had really quite gone, as his High-
ness perceived to his joy, yet he was resolved to give the fool
a right good fright in return.
Therefore, on the third day from that, he commanded him
to be brought out and beheaded on the scaffold at Wollin. He
wore a white shroud, bordered with black gauze, over his motley
jacket, and a priest and melancholy music accompanied him all
the way ; but Master Hansen had directions that, when the
fool was seated in the chair with his eyes bound, he should
strike the said fool on the neck with a sausage in place of the
sword.
However, no one suspected this, and a great crowd followed
the poor fool up to the scaffold ; even Doctor Pomius was there,
and kept close up to the condemned. As the fool passed the
ducal house, there was my lord seated at a window looking
out, and the fool looked up, saying, " My gracious master, is
this a fool's jest you are playing me, or is it earnest ? "
To which the Duke answered, " You see it is earnest."
Then answered the fool, " Well, if I must, I must ; yet I
crave one boon ! "
When the promise was granted, the knave, who could not
give up his jesting even on the death-road, said, " Then make
Doctor Pomius herewith to be fool in my place, for look how
he is learning all my tricks from me — sticking himself close up
to my side."
Hereat a great shout of laughter pealed from the crowd, and
the Duke motioned with the hand to proceed to the scaffold.
Still the poor fool kept looking round every moment, think-
ing his Grace would send a message after them to stop the
execution, but no one appeared. Then his teeth chattered, and
he trembled like an aspen leaf; for Master Hansen seized hold
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 297
of him now, and put him down upon the chair, and bound his
eyes. Still he asked, with his eyes bound, " Master, is any one
coming ? "
" No ! " replied the executioner ; and throwing back his
red cloak, drew forth a large sausage in place of a sword, to the
great amusement of the people. With this he strikes my fool
on the neck, who thereupon tumbles down from the stool, as
stone dead from the mere fright as if his head and body had
parted company — yea, more dead, for never a finger or a muscle
did the poor fool move more.
This sad ending moved his Grace even to tears ; and he
fell into a yet greater melancholy than before, crying, " Woe !
alas ! He gave me my life through fright, and through fright
I have taken away his poor life ! Ah, never shall I meet with
so good and merry a fool again ! "
Then he gave command to all the physicians to try and
restore him, and he himself stood by while they bled him
and felt his pulse, but all was in vain ; even Doctor Pomius
tried his skill, but nothing would help, so that my lord cried
out angrily —
" Marry, the fool was right. The fools should be doctors,
for the doctors are all fools. Away with ye all, and your
gibberish, to the devil ! "
After this he had the said fool placed in a handsome black
coffin, and conveyed to his own town of Hinzendorf, there
to be buried ; and over his grave my lord erected a stately
monument, on which was represented the poor fool, as large
as life, with his cap and bells, and staff in his hand ; and
round his waist was a girdle, from which many geese dangled,
all cut like life, while at his side lay his shepherd's bag, and
at his feet a beer-can. The figure is five feet two inches
long, and bears a Latin inscription above it, which I forget ;
but the initials G. H. are carved upon each cheek.*
* His original name was Giirgen Hinze, not Clas. The Latin in-
scription is nearly effaced, but the beginning is still visible, and runs
298 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Shortly after the death of the fool a messenger arrived
from Saatzig to Marcus Bork, bringing him the joyful tidings
that the Lord God had granted him the blessing of a little
son. So he is away to my Lord Duke, to solicit permission
to leave the Diet and return to his castle. This the Duke
readily granted, seeing that he himself was going away to
attend the funeral of the poor fool at Hinzendorf. Then he
wished Marcus joy with all his heart, which so emboldened
the knight that he ventured to make one more effort about
the opening of the courts, praying his Grace to put faith in
the word of his faithful states, and open the courts and the
treasury without further delay.
But his Grace is wroth : " What should he be troubled
for ? The states could give the money when they chose,
and then all would be right. Let the nobles do their duty.
He never saw a penny come out of their pockets for their
Prince."
" But his Highness knew the poor peasants were all beg-
gared ; and where could the nobles get the money ? "
" Let them go to their saving-pots, then, where the money
was turning green from age ; better for them if they had less
avarice. Why did not he himself bring him some gold, in
place of dressing up his wife in silks and jewels, finer than
the Princess Erdmuth herself, his own princely spouse ?
Then, indeed, the courts might be soon opened," &c. So
the sorrowing knight took his leave, and each went his dif-
ferent way.
thus: " Caput ecce mantis gestus que ; " from which Oelrichs con-
cludes that the whole was written in hexameters. (See his estimable
work, " Memoirs of the Pomeranian Dukes," p. 41.)
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 299
CHAPTER XVI.
Hoiv Sidonia makes poor Clara appear quite dead, and of the
great mourning at Saatzig over her burial, while Sidonia
dances on her coffin and sings the logth psalm — Item, of
the sermon and the anathema pronounced upon a 'wicked
sinner from the altar of the church.
I MUST first state that this horrible wickedness of Sidonia,
which no eye had seen nor ear heard, neither had it entered
into the heart of man to conceive (for only in hell could such
have been imagined), never would have come to light but
that she herself made confession thereof to Dr. Cramero, thy
well-beloved godfather, in her last trial. And he, to show
how far Satan can lead a poor human creature who has once
fallen from God, related the same to my worthy father-in-
law, Master David Reutzio, some time superintendent at the
criminal court, from whose own lips I received the story.
And this was her confession : — That when the messenger
returned from Daber with the broth, he had ridden so fast
that it was still, in truth, quite hot, but she (the horrible
Sidonia), who was standing at the bed of the young mother,
along with the other women, pretended that it was too cold
for a woman in her state, and must just get one little heating
on the fire.
The poor Clara, indeed, showed unwillingness to permit
this, but she ran down with it, and secretly, without being
seen by any of the other women, poured in a philtrum that
had been given her by the gipsy hag, and then went back
again for a moment. This philtrum was the one which pro-
duced all the appearance of death. It had no taste, except,
perhaps, that it was a little saltish. Therefore Clara per-
ceived nothing wrong, only when she tasted it, said, " My
heart's dearest mother, in her joy, has put a little too much
300 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
salt into her broth ; still, what a heart's dearest mother sends,
must always taste good ! " However, in one hour after that,
Clara lay as stiff and cold as a corpse, only her breath came
a little ; but even this ceased in a short time, and then a
great cry and lamentation resounded through the whole castle.
No one suspected Sidonia, for many said that young women
died so often ; but even the old mother, who arrived a few
hours after, and hearing the cries from the castle while she
was yet far off, began to weep likewise ; for her mother's
heart revealed the cause to her ere she had yet descended
from the carriage.
But it was a sadder sight next evening, when the husband
arrived at the castle from Wollin. He could not take his eyes
from the corpse. One while he kissed the infant, then fixed
his eyes again upon his dead wife, and sighed and groaned
as if he lay upon the rack. He alone suspected Sidonia,
but when she cried more than they all, and wrung her hands,
exclaiming, who would have pity on her now, for her best
friend lay there dead ! and flung herself upon the seeming
corpse, kissing it and bedewing it with her tears, and praying
to have leave to watch all night beside it, for how could she
sleep in her sore grief and sorrow ? the knight was ashamed
of his suspicions, and even tried to comfort her himself.
Then came the physicians out of Stargard and other
places, who had been summoned in all haste, and they
gabbled away, saying, " It could not have been the broth,
but puerperal fever." This at least was Dr. Hamster's
opinion, who knew all along it would be a bad case. In-
deed, the last time he was at the castle visiting the mower's
wife, he was frightened at the look of the poor lady. Still,
if they had only sent for him in time, this great evil could
not have happened, for his pulvls antispasmodicus was never
known to fail ; and so he went on chattering, by which one
can see that doctors have always been the same from that time
even till now.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 301
Summa. — On the third day the poor Clara was laid in
her coffin, and carried to her grave, with such weeping and
lamentation of the mourners and bearers as never had been
heard till then. And all the nobles of the vicinage, with the
knights and gentlemen, came to attend her funeral at Saatzig
Cathedral, for she was to be buried in this new church just
finished by his Grace Duke Johann, and but one corpse had
been laid in the vaults before her.*
But what does the devil's sorceress do now ? She knew
that the poor Clara would awake the next day (which was
Sunday) about noon, and if any should hear her cries, her
plans would be detected. Therefore, about ten of the clock
she ran to Marcus, with her hair all flowing down her
shoulders, saying, that he must let her away that very day to
Zachow, for what would the world say if she, a young un-
married thing, should remain here all alone with him in his
castle ? No ; sooner would she swallow the bitter cup her
father had left her than peril her name. But first, would he
allow her to go and pray alone in the church ? Surely he
would not deny her this.
Thereupon the simple knight gave her instant leave — " Let
her go and pray, in God's name. He himself would soon
be there to hear the Reverend Dr. Wudargensis preach the
funeral sermon over his heart's dear wife. And after service
he would desire a carriage to be in readiness to convey her
to Zachow."
Then he called to the warder from the window, bidding
him let Sidonia pass. So she went forth in deep mourning
garments, glided through the castle gardens, and concealing
herself by the trees, slipped into the church without any one
having perceived her ; for the sexton had left the door open
to admit fresh air, on account of the corpse. Then she
* The beautifully painted escutcheon of Duke Johann and his wife,
Erdmuth of Brandenburg, is still to be seen on the chancel windows of
this stately staircase.
302 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
stepped over to the little grated door near the altar, which led
down into the vault, and softly lifting it, stepped down, draw-
ing the door down again close over her head. Clara's coffin
was lying beneath, and first she laid her ear on it and listened,
but all was quite still within. Then removing the pall, she
sat herself down upon the lid. Time passed, and still no
sound. The sexton began to ring the bell, and the people
were assembling in the church above. Soon the hymn
commenced, "Now in peace the loved one sleepeth," and
ere the first verse had ended, a knocking was heard in the
coffin, then a cry — " Where am I ? What brought me
here ? Let me out, for God's sake let me out ! I am not
dead. Where is my child ? Where is my good Marcus ?
Ah ! there is some one near me. Who is it ? Let me out !
let me out!" Then (oh! horror of horrors!) the devil's
harlot on her coffin answered, " It is I, Sidonia ! this pays
thee for acting the spy at Wolgast. Lie there and writhe
till thou art stifled in thy blood ! " Now the voice came
again from the coffin, praying and beseeching, so that many
times it went through her stony heart like a sword. And
just then the first verse of the hymn ended, and the voice of
the priest was heard asking the lord governor whether they
should go and sing the remainder over the vault of his dear
spouse, for it was indeed sung in her honour, seeing she had
been ever a mother to the orphan, and a holy, pious, and
Christian wife ; or, since the people all knew her worth, and
mourned for her with bitter mourning, should they sing it
here in the nave, that the whole congregation might join in
chorus ? *
To this the governor, in a loud yet mournful voice, gave
answer —
" Alas, good friends, do what you will in this sad case ; I
am content."
But Sidonia, this devil's witch, was in a horrible fright,
* These interruptions were by no means unusual at that period.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 303
lest the priest would come up to the altar to sing the hymn,
and so hear the knocking within the coffin. However, the
devil protects his own, for, at that instant, many voices called
out —
"Let the hymn be sung here, that we may all join to the
honour of the blessed soul of the good lady."
And mournfully the second verse was heard pealing through
the church, from the lips of the whole congregation, so that
poor Clara's groans were quite smothered. For, when the
voice of her dear husband reached her ear, she had knocked
and cried out with all her strength —
" Marcus ! Marcus ! Alas, dear Lord, will you not come
to me ! " Then again — " Sidonia, by the Jesu cross, I pray
thee have pity on me. Save me — save me — I am stifling.
Oh, run for some one, if thou canst not lift the lid thyself! "
But the devil made answer to the poor living corpse —
" Dost thou take me for a silly fool like thyself, that I
should now undo all I have done ? "
And as the voice went on from the coffin, but feebler and
fainter —
" Think on my husband — on my child, Sidonia ! "
She answered —
" Didst thou think of that when, but for thee, I might
have been a Duchess of Pomerania, and the proud mother of
a prince, in place of being as I now am."
Then all became still within the coffin, and Sidonia sprang
upon it and danced, chanting the i O9th psalm ; * and as she
* Superstition has found many sinful usages for this psalm. The
Jews, for example, took a new vessel, poured a mixture of mustard
and water therein, and after repeating this psalm over it for three con-
secutive days, poured it out before the door of their enemy, as a certain
means to ensure his destruction. In the middle ages monks and nuns
were frequently obliged to repeat it in superstitious ceremonies, at the
command of some powerful revengeful man. And that its efficacy was
considered as something miraculously powerful, even by the evangelical
Church, is proved by this example of Sidonia, who made frequent use of
this terrible psalm in her sorceries, as any one may see by referring to
304 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
came to the words, " Let none show mercy to him ; let none
have pity on his orphans ; let his posterity be cut off and his
name be blotted out," there was a loud knocking again within
the coffin, and a faint, stifled cry — " I am dying ! " then
followed a gurgling sound, and all became still. At that
moment the congregation above raised the last verse of the
hymn : —
" In the grave, with bitter weeping,
Loving hands have laid her down ;
There she resteth, calmly sleeping,
Till an angel lifts the stone."
But the sermon which now followed she remembered her
life long. It was on the tears, the soft tears of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. And as her spirit became oppressed
by the silence in the vault, now that all was still within the
coffin, she lifted the lid after the exordium, to see if Clara
were indeed quite dead.
It was an easy matter to remove the cover, for the screws
were not fastened ; but — O God ! what has she beheld ? A
sight that will never more leave her brain ! The poor corpse
lay all torn and disfigured from the writhings in the coffin, and
a blood-vessel must have burst at last to relieve her from her
agony, for the blood lay yet warm on the hands as she lifted
the cover. But more horrible than all were the fixed glassy
eyes of the corpse, staring immovably upon her, from which
clear tears were yet flowing, and blending with the blood upon
the cheek ; and, as if the priest above had known what was
passing beneath, he exclaimed —
" Oh, let us moisten our couch with tears ; let tears be our
meat day and night. They are noble tears that do not fall
to earth, but ascend up to God's throne. Yea, the Lord
gathers them in His vials, like costly wine. They are noble
the records of the trial in Dahnert. And other interesting examples are
found in the treatise of Joh. Andreas Schmidii, Abusus Psalmi 109 im-
precatorii ; vulgo, The Death Prayer, Helmstadt, 1708.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 305
tears, for if they fill the eyes of God's chosen in this life, yet,
in that other world, the Lord Jesus will wipe away tears from
off all faces, as the dew is dried by the morning sun. Oh,
wondrous beauty of those eyes which are dried by the Lord
Jesus ! Oh, blessed eyes ! Oh, sun-clear eyes ! Oh, joyful
and ever- smiling eyes ! "
She heard no more, but felt the eyes of the corpse were
upon her, and fell down like one dead beside the coffin ; and
Clara's eyes and the sermon never left her brain from that
day, and often have they risen before her in dreams.
But the Holy Spirit had yet a greater torment in store for
her, if that were possible.
For, after the sermon, a consistorium was held in the church
upon a grievous sinner named Trina Wolken, who, it appeared,
had many times done penance for her unchaste life, but had in
no wise amended. And she heard the priest asking, " Who
accuseth this woman ? " To which, after a short silence, a
deep, small voice responded —
" I accuse her ; for I detected her in sin, and though I
besought her with Christian words to turn from her evil ways,
and that I would save her from public shame if she would so
turn, yet she gave herself up wholly to the devil, and out of
revenge bewitched my best sheep, so that it died the very day
after it had brought forth a lamb. Alas ! what will become of
the poor lamb ? And it was such a beautiful little lamb ! "
When Marcus Bork heard this, he began to sob aloud ;
and each word seemed to run like a sharp dagger through
Sidonia's heart, so that she bitterly repented her evil deeds.
And all the congregation broke out into loud weeping, and
even the priest continued, in a broken voice, to ask the sinner
what she had to say to this terrible accusation.
Upon which a woman's voice was heard swearing that all
was a malignant lie, for her accuser was a shameless liar and
open sinner, who wished to ruin her because she had refused
his son.
306 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Then the priest commanded the witnesses to be called, not
only to prove the unchastity, but also the witchcraft. And
after this, she was asked if she could make good the loss of
the sheep ? No ; she had no money. And the people
testified also that the harlot had nothing but her shame.
Thereupon the priest rose up, and said —
" That she had long been notorious in the Christian com-
munion for her wicked life, and that all her penance and
repentance having proved but falsehood and deceit, he was
commissioned by the honourable consistorium to pronounce
upon her the solemn curse and sentence of excommunication.
For she had this day been convicted of strange and terrible
crimes, on the testimony of competent witnesses. Therefore
he called upon the whole Christian congregation to stand up
and listen to the words of the anathema, by which he gave
over Trina Wolken to the devil, in the name of the Almighty
God."
And as he spoke the curse, it fell word by word upon the
head of Sidonia, as if he were indeed pronouncing it over
herself—
"Dear Christian Friends, — Because Trina Wolken hath
broken 'her baptismal vows, and given herself over to the
devil, to work all uncleanness with greediness ; and though
divers times admonished to repentance by the Church, yet
hath stiffened her neck in corruption, and hardened her heart
in unrighteousness, therefore we herewith place the said Trina
Wolken under the ban of the excommunication. Henceforth
she is a thing accursed — cast off from the communion of the
Church, and participation in the holy sacraments. Henceforth
she is given up to Satan for this life and the next, unless the
blessed Saviour reach forth His hand to her as He did to the
sinking Peter, for all things are possible with God. And
this we do by the power of the keys granted by Christ to His
Church, to bind and loose on earth as in heaven, in the name
of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 307
And now Sidonia heard distinctly the screams of the
wretched sinner, as she was hunted out of the church, and
all the congregation followed soon after, and then all was
still above.
Now, indeed, terror took such hold of her that she
trembled like an aspen leaf, and the lid fell many times from
her hand with great clatter on the ground, as she tried to re-
place it on the coffin. For she had closed her eyes, for fear
of meeting the ghastly stare of the corpse again. At last she
got it up, and the corpse was covered ; but she would not stay
to replace the screws, only hastened out of the vault, closing
the little grated door after her, reached the church door, which
had no lock, but only a latch, and plunged into the castle
gardens to hide herself amongst the trees.
Here she remained crouched for some hours, trying to re-
cover her self-possession ; and when she found that she could
weep as well as ever when it pleased her, she set off for the
castle, and met her cousin Marcus with loud weeping and
lamentations, entreating him to let her go that instant to
Zachow. Eat and drink could she not from grief, though
she had eaten nothing the whole morning. So the mournful
knight, who had himself risen from the table without eating,
to hasten to his little motherless lamb, asked her where she had
passed the morning, for he had not seen her in the church ? To
which she answered, that she had sunk down almost dead on
the altar-steps ; and, as he seemed to doubt her, she repeated
part of the sermon, and spoke of the curse pronounced upon
the girl, and told how she had remained behind in the
church, to weep and pray alone. Upon which he exclaimed
joyfully —
"Now, I thank God that my blessed spouse counselled
me to take thee home with us. Ah ! I see that thou hast
indeed repented of thy sins. Go thy ways, then ; and, with
God's help, thou shalt never want a true and faithful friend
while I live."
308 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
He bid her also take all his blessed wife's wardrobe with
her, amongst which was a brocaded damask with citron
flowers, which she had only got a year before ; item, her
shoes and kerchiefs : summa, all that she had worn, he
wished never to see them again. And so she went away in
haste from the castle, after having given a farewell kiss to
the little motherless lamb. For though the evil spirit Chim,
which she carried under her mantle, whispered to her to give
the little bastard a squeeze that would make him follow his
mother, or to let him do so, she would not consent, but pinched
him for his advice till he squalled, though Marcus certainly
could not have heard him, for he was attending Sidonia to the
coach ; but then the good knight was so absorbed in grief
that he had neither ears nor eyes for anything.
CHAPTER XVII.
How Sidonia is chased by the wolves to Rehewinkel^ and finds
Johann Appelmann again in the inn, with whom she goes
away a second time by night.
WHEN Sidonia left Saatzig, the day was far advanced, so that
the good knight recommended her to stop at Daber that
night with his blessed wife's mourning parents, and, for this
purpose, sent a letter by her to them. Also he gave a fine
one-year-old foal in charge to the coachman, who tied it to
the side of the carriage ; and Marcus bid him deliver it up
safely to the pastor of Rehewinkel, his good friend, for he
had only been keeping the young thing at grass for him, and
the pastor now wished it back — they must therefore go by
Rehewinkel. So they drove away ; but many strange things
happened by reason of this same foal ; for it was so restive
and impatient at being tied, that many times they had to stop
and quiet it, lest the poor beast might get hurt by the wheel.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 309
This so delayed their journey, that evening came on before
they were out of the forest ; and as the sun went down, the
wolves began to appear in every direction. Finally, a pack
of ten or twelve pursued the carriage ; and though the coach-
man whipped his horses with might and main, still the wolves
gained on them, and stared up in their faces, licking their
jaws with their red tongues. Some even were daring enough
to spring up behind the carriage, but finding nothing but
trunks, had to tumble down again.
This so terrified Sidonia that she screamed and shrieked,
and, drawing forth a knife, cut the cords that bound the foal,
which instantly galloped away, and the wolves after it. How
the carl drove now, thinking to get help in time to save the
poor foal ! but not so. The poor beast, in its terror, galloped
into the town of Rehewinkel ; and as the paddock is closed,
it springs into the churchyard, the wolves after it, and runs
into the belfry-tower, the door of which is lying open — the
wolves rush in too, and there they tear the poor animal to
pieces, before the pastor could collect peasants enough to try
and save it.
Meanwhile Sidonia has reached the town likewise; and
as there is a great uproar, some of the peasants crowding
into the churchyard, others setting off full chase after the
wolves, which had taken the road to Freienwald, Sidonia did
not choose to move on (for she must have travelled that
very road), but desired the coachman to drive up to the
inn ; and as she entered, lo ! there sat my knave, with two
companions, at a table, drinking. Up he jumps, and seizes
Sidonia to kiss her, but she pushed him away. " Let him
not attempt to come near her. She had done with such low
fellows."
So the knave feigned great sorrow — " Alas ! had she
quite forgotten him — and he treasured her memory so in his
heart ! Where had she come from ? He saw a great many
trunks and bags on the carriage. What had she in them ? "
3io SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Ilia. — "Ah! he would, no doubt, like to get hold of
them ; but she would take care and inform the people what
sort of robber carls they had now in the house. She came
from Saatzig, and was going to Daber ; for as old Dewitz
had lost his daughter, he intended to adopt her in the place
of one. Therefore let him not attempt to approach her, for
she was now, more than ever, a castle and land dowered
maiden, and from such a low burgher carl as he was, would
cross and bless herself."
But my knave knew her well ; so he answered — ** Woe
is me, Sidonia ! do not grieve me by such words ; for know
that I have given up my old free courses of which you talk ;
and my father is so pleased with my present mode of life,
that he has promised to give me my heritage, and even this
very night I am to receive it at Bruchhausen, and am on my
way there, as you see. Truly I meant to purchase some land
in Poland with the money, and then search throughout all
places for you, that we might be wedded like pious Christians.
Alas ! I thought to have sold your poor cabins at Zachow,
and brought you home to my castle in Poland ; but for all
my love you only give me this proud answer ! "
Now Sidonia scarcely believed the knave ; so she called
one of his comrades aside, and asked him was it true, and
where they came from. Upon which he confirmed all that
Johann had said — " The devil had dispersed the whole band,
so that only two were left with the captain — himself and
Konnemann ; and they came from Norenburg, where the
master had been striking a bargain with Elias von Wedel,
for a town in Poland. The town was called Lembrowo, and
there was a stately castle there, as grand almost as the castle
of old Dewitz at Daber. They were going this very night
to Bruchhausen, to get gold from the old stiff-neck of Star-
gard, so that the bargain might be concluded next day."
This was a pleasant hearing for Sidonia. She became
more friendly, and said, " He could not blame her for
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 311
doubting him, as he had deceived her so often ; still it was
wonderful how her heart clung to him through all. Where had
he been so long ? and what had happened since they parted ? "
Hereupon he answered, " That he could not speak while
the people were all going to and fro in the inn ; but if she
came out with him (as the night was fine), they could walk
down to the river-side, and he would tell her all."
Summa. — She went with him, and they sat down upon
the green grass to discourse, never knowing that the pastor
of Rehewinkel was hid behind the next tree ; for he had
gone forth to lament over the loss of his poor foal, and sat
there weeping bitterly. He had got it home to sell, that he
might buy a warm coat for the winter, which now he cannot
do ; therefore the old man had gone forth mournfully into
the clear night, thrown himself down, and wept.
By this chance he heard the whole story from my knave,
and related it afterwards to the old burgomaster in Stargard.
It was as follows : —
Some time after his flight from Daber, a friend from
Stettin told him that Dinnies von Kleist (the same who had
spoiled their work in the Uckermund forest) had got a great
sum of gold in his knapsack, and was off to his castle at
Dame,* while the rest were feasting at Daber. This sum
he had won by a wager from the Princes of Saxony, Bran-
denburg, and Mecklenburg. For he had bet, at table, that
he would carry five casks of Italian wine at once, and without
help, up from the cellar to the dining-hall, in the castle of Old
Stettin. Duke Johann refused the bet, knowing his man well,
but the others took it up ; upon which, after grace, the whole
noble company stood up and accompanied him to the cellar.
Here Dinnies took up a cask under each arm, another in each
hand by the plugs, and a fifth between his teeth by the plug
also ; thus laden, he carried the five casks up every step from
* A town near Polzin, in Lower Pomerania, and an ancient feudal
hold of the Kleists.
3ia SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the cellar to the dining-hall. So the money was paid to him,
as the lacqueys witnessed, and having put the same in his
knapsack, he set off for his castle at Dame, to give it to his
father. And the knave went on — " After I heard this news
from my good friend, I resolved to set off for Dame and
revenge myself on this strong ox, burn his castle, and take
his gold. The band agreed ; but woe, alas ! there was one
traitor amongst them. The fellow was called KafF, and I
might well have suspected him ; for latterly I observed that
when we were about any business, particularly church-robbing,
he tried to be off, and asked to be left to keep the watch.
Divers nights, too, as I passed him, there was the carl praying ;
and so I ought to have dismissed the coward knave at once, or
he would have had half the band praying likewise before long.
" In short, this arrant villain slips off at night from his
post, just as we had all set ourselves down before the castle,
waiting for the darkest hour of midnight to attack the foxes
in their den, and betrays the whole business to Kleist himself,
telling him the strength of the band, and how and when we
were to attack him, with all other particulars. Whereupon
a great lamentation was heard in the castle, and old Kleist, a
little white-headed man, wrung his hands, and seemed ready
to go mad with fear ; for half the retainers were at the annual
fair, others far away at the coal-mines, and finally, they could
scarcely muster in all ten fighting men. Besides this, the
castle fosse was filled with rubbish, though the old man had
been bidding his sons, for the last year, to get it cleared, but
they never minded him, the idle knaves. All this troubled
stout Dinnies mightily ; and as he walked up and down the
hall, his eyes often rested on a painting which represented the
devil cutting off the head of a gambler, and flying with it out
of the window.
" Again and again he looked at the picture, then called out
for a hound, stuck him under his arm, and cut off his head,
as if it had been only a dove ; then he called for a calf from
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 313
the stall, put it under his arm likewise, and cut off the head.
Then he asked for the mask which represented the devil,
and which he had got from Stettin to frighten his dissolute
brothers, when they caroused too late over their cups. The
young Johann, indeed, had sometimes dropped the wine-flask
by reason of it, but DetlorT still ran after the young maidens
as much as ever, though even he had got such a fright that
there was hope for his poor soul yet. So the mask was
brought, and all the proper disguise to play the devil —
namely, a yellow jerkin slashed with black, a red mantle,
and a large wooden horse's foot.
" When Dinnies beheld all this, and the man who played
the devil instructed him how to put them on, he rejoiced
greatly, and declared that now he alone could save the castle.
I knew nothing of all this at the time," said Johann, " nor of
the treason, neither did the band. We were all seated under
a shed in the wood, that had been built for the young deer in
the winter time, and had stuck a lantern against the wall while
we gamed and drank, and our provider poured us out large
mugs of the best beer, when, just at midnight, we heard a
report like a clap of thunder outside, so that the earth shook
under us (it was no thunder-clap, however, but an explosion
of powder, which the traitor had laid down all round the
shed, for we found the trace of it next day).
" And as we all sprang up, in strode the devil himself
bodily, with his horse's foot and cocks' feathers, and a long
calf's tail, making the most horrible grimaces, and shaking
his long hair at us. Fire came out of his mouth and nostrils,
and roaring like a wild boar, he seized the little dwarf (whom
you may remember, Sidonia), tucked him under his arm like
a cock — and just as he was uttering a curse over his good game
being interrupted — and cut his head clean off; then, throwing
the head at me, growled forth —
" ' Every day one,
Only Sundays none ; '
314 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
and disappeared through the door like a flash of lightning,
carrying the headless trunk along with him.
" When my comrades heard that the devil was to carry off
one of them every day but Sunday, they all set up a scream-
ing, like so many rooks when a shot is fired in amongst them,
and rushed out in the night, seizing hold of horses or waggons,
or whatever they could lay their hands on, and rode away
east and west, and west and east, or north and south, as it
may be.
" Summa. — When I came to my senses (for I had sunk
down insensible from horror, when the head of the dwarf was
thrown at me), I found that the said head had bit me by the
arm, so that I had to drag it away by force ; then I looked
about me, and every knave had fled — even my waggon had
been carried off, and not a soul was left in the place of all
these fine fellows, who had sworn to be true to me till death.
"This base desertion nearly broke my heart, and I re-
solved to change my course of life and go to some pious priest
for confession, telling him how the devil had first tempted me
to sin, and then punished me in this terrible manner (as, indeed,
I well deserved).
" So next morning I took my way to the town, after observ-
ing, to my great annoyance, that the castle could have been as
easily taken as a bird's nest ; and seeing a beer-glass painted
on a sign-board, I guessed that here was the inn. Truth to
say, my heart wanted strengthening sorely, and I entered.
There was a pretty wench washing crabs in the kitchen, and
as I made up to her, after my manner, to have a little pas-
time, she drew back and said, laughing, * May the devil take
you, as he took the others last night in the barn ! ' upon
which she laughed again so loud and long, that I thought she
would have fallen down, and could not utter a word more for
laughing.
" This seemed a strange thing to me, for I had never heard
a Christian man, much less a woman, laugh when the talk was
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 315
of the bodily Satan himself. So I asked what there was so
pleasant in the thought? whereupon she related what the
young knight Dinnies Kleist had done to save his castle from
the robbers. I would not believe her, but while I sat myself
down on a bench to drink, the host comes in and confirmed
her story. Summa, I let the conversion lie over for a time
yet, and set about looking for my comrades, but not finding
one, I fell into despair, and resolved to get into Poland, and
take service in the army there — especially as all my money
had vanished."
Here the old parson said that Sidonia cried out, " How
now, sir knave, you are going to buy castle and lands
forsooth, and have no money ? Truly the base villain is
deceiving me yet again."
But my knave answered, " Alas ! woe that thou shouldst
think so hardly of me ! Have I not told thee that my father
is going to give me my heritage ? So listen further what I
tell thee : — In Poland I met with Konnemann and Stephen
Pruski, who had one of my waggons with them, in which all
my gold was hid, and when I threatened to complain to the
authorities, the cowards Jet me have my own property again,
on condition that I would take them into my service, when I
went to live at my own castle. This I promised ; therefore
they are here with me, as you see. And Konnemann went
lately to my father at my request, and brought me back the
joyful intelligence that he would assign me over my portion of
his goods and property."
So far the Pastor Rehewinkelensis heard. What follows
concerning the wicked knave was related by his own sorrow-
ing father to my worthy father-in-law, along with other pious
priests, and from him I had the story when I visited him at
Marienfliess.
For what was my knave's next act ? When he returned
to the town, and heard from his comrades that the coachman
of Saatzig was snoring away there in the stable with open
316 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
mouth, he stuffed in some hay to prevent him screaming, and
tied him hands and feet, then drew his horses out of the stall,
yoked them to the carriage, and drove it himself a little piece
out of the town down into the hollow, then went back for
Sidonia, telling her that her stupid coachman had made some
mistake and driven off without her, but he had put all her
baggage on his own carriage, which was now quite ready, if
she would walk with him a little way just outside the town.
Hereupon she paid the reckoning, mine host troubling himself
little about the affair of the waggon, and they set off on foot.
When they reached the carriage, Sidonia asked if all her
baggage were really there, for she could not see in the dark-
ness. And when she felt, and reckoned all her bundles and
trunks, and found all right, my knave said, " Now, she saw
herself that he meant truly by her. Here was even a nice
place made in the straw sack for her, where he had sat down
first himself, that she might have an easy seat. Item, she
now saw his own carriage which he had fished up in Poland
and kept till now, that he might travel in it to Bruchhausen
to receive his heritage, and he was going there this very
night. She saw that he had lied in nothing."
Whereupon Sidonia got into the carriage with him, never
discovering his knavery on account of the darkness, and about
midnight they reached the inn at Bruchhausen.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ho<w a new leaf is turned over at Bruchhausen in a very fearful
manner — Old Appelmann takes his 'worthless son prisoner,
and admonishes him to repentance — Of Johann's 'wonderful
conversion, and execution next morning in the churchyard,
Sidonia being present thereby.
MY knave halted a little way before they reached the inn,
for he had his suspicions that all was not quite right, and sent
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 317
on the forenamed Pruski to ascertain whether the money was
really come for him. For there was a bright light in the
tap-room, and the sound of many voices, which was strange,
seeing that it was late enough for every one to be in bed.
Pruski was back again soon — yes, it was all right. There
were men in there from Stargard, who said they had brought
gold for the young burgomaster.
Marry ! how my knave jumped down from the carriage,
and brought Sidonia along with him, bidding Pruski to stay
and watch the things. But, behold, as my knave entered, six
men seized him, bound him firmly, and bid him sit down
quietly on a bench by the table, till his father arrived. So
he cursed and swore, but this was no help to him ; and when
Sidonia saw that she had been deceived again, she tried to
slip out and get to the carriage, but the men stopped her,
saying, unless she wished a pair of handcuffs on, she had
better sit down quietly on another bench opposite Johann.
And she asked in vain what all this meant, ftem, my knave
asked in vain, but no one answered them.
They had not long been waiting, when a carriage stopped
before the door, more voices were heard, and, alas ! who
should enter but the old burgomaster himself, with Mag. Vito,
Diaconus of St. John's. And after them came the executioner,
with six assistants bearing a black coffin.
My knave now turned as white as a corpse, and trembled
like an aspen leaf; no word could he utter, but fell with
his back against the wall. Then a dead silence reigned
throughout the chamber, and Sidonia looked as white as her
paramour.
When the assistants had placed the coffin on the ground,
the old father advanced to the table, and spake thus —
" Oh, thou fallen and godless child ! thou thrice lost son !
how often have I sought to turn thee from evil, and trusted
in thy promises ; but in place of better, thou hast grown
worse, and wickedness has increased in thee day by day, as
318 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
poison in the young viper. On thy infamous hands lie so
many robberies, murders, and seductions, that they cannot
be reckoned. I speak not of past years, for then truly the
night would not be long enough to count them ; I speak
only of thy last deeds in Poland, as old Elias von Wedel
.related them to me yesterday in Stargard. Deny, if thou
darest, here in the face of thy death and thy coffin, how
thou didst join thyself to the Lansquenets in Poland, and
then along with two vile fellows got entrance into Lembrowo,
telling the old castellan, Elias von Wedel, that thou wast a
labourer, upon which he took thee into his service. But at
night thou (O wicked son!) didst rise up and beat the old
Elias almost unto death, demanding all his money, which,
when he refused, thou and thy robber villains seized his cattle
and his horses, and drove them away with thee. Item,
canst thou deny that on meeting the same old Elias at
Norenberg by the hunt in the forest, thou didst mock him,
and ask, would he sell his castle of Lembrowo in Poland, for
thou wouldst buy it of him, seeing thy father had promised
thee plenty of gold ?
" Item, canst thou deny having written me a threatening
letter, declaring that if by this very night a hundred dollars
were not sent to thee here at Bruchhausen, a red beacon should
rise up from my sheepfolds and barns, which meant nothing
else than that thou wouldst burn the whole good town of
Stargard, for thou knowest well that all the sheepfolds and
barns of the burghers adjoin one to the other ? Canst thou
deny this, O thou lost son ? If so, deny it now."
Here Johann began again with his old knavery. He wept,
and threw himself on the ground, crawling under the table to
get to his father's feet, then howled forth, that he repented of
his sins, and would lead a better life truly for the future, if his
hard, stern father would only forgive him now.
But Sidonia screamed aloud, and as the burgomaster in his
sorrow had not observed her before, he turned his eyes now
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 319
on her, and exclaimed, " Woe, alas ! thou godless son, hast
thou this noble maiden with thee yet ? I thought she was at
Saatzig ; or perchance thou hast made her thy wife ? "
Ille. — " Alas, no ; but he would marry her soon, to make
amends for the wrong he had done her."
Hie. — "This thou hast ten times promised, but in vain,
and thy sins have increased a hundredfold ; because, like all
profligates, thou hast shunned the holy estate of matrimony,
and preferred to wallow in the mire of unchastity, with any
one who fell in the way of thy adulterous and licentious
eyes."
Ilk. — " Alas ! his heart's dearest father was right ; but he
would amend his evil life ; and, in proof of it, let the reverend
deacon, M. Vitus, here present, wed him now instantly to
Sidonia."
Hie. — " It is too late. I counsel thee rather to wed thy
poor soul to the holy Saviour, like the repentant thief on the
cross. See — here is a priest, and there is a coffin."
Here the executioner broke in upon the old, deeply afflicted
father, telling him the coffin was too short, as, indeed, his
worship had told him, but he would not believe the young
man was so tall. Where could he put the head ? It must
be stuck between his feet, or under his arm, cried out another.
So some proposed one thing and some another, till a great
uproar arose.
Upon which the old mourning father cried out —
" Do you want to break my heart ? Is there not time
enough to talk of this after ? "
Then he turned again to his profligate son, and asked
him —
«' Would he not repent, and take the holy body and blood
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as a passport with him
on this long journey ? If so, let him go into the little room
and pray with the priest, and repent of his sins ; there was
yet time."
320 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Ille. — " Alas, he had repented already. What had he ever
done so wicked that his own bodily father should thirst after
his blood ? The courts were all closed, and law or justice
could no man have in all Pomerania. What wonder then if
club-law and the right of the strongest should obtain in all
places, as in the olden time ? "
Hie. — " That law and justice had ceased in the land was,
alas ! but too true. However, he was not to answer for this,
but his princely Grace of Stettin. And because they had
ceased in the land, was he, as an upright magistrate, called
upon to do his duty yet more sternly, even though the criminal
were his own born son. For the Lord, the just Judge, the
Almighty and jealous God, called to him daily, from His holy
Word — * Ye shall not respect persons in judgment, nor be afraid
of the face of man ; for the judgment is God's.' * Woe to
the land's Prince who had not considered this, but compelled
him, the miserable judge, to steep his father's hands in the
blood of his own son. But righteous Abraham conquered
' through faith, because he was obedient unto God, and bound
his own innocent son upon the altar, and drew forth his knife
to slay him. Therefore he, too, would conquer through faith,
if he bound his guilty son, and drew out the sword against him,
obedient to the words of the Lord. Therefore let him pre-
pare himself for death, and follow the priest into the adjoining
little chamber."
When Johann found that his father could in no wise be sof-
tened, he began horribly to curse him and the hour of his birth,
so that the hair of all who heard him stood on end. And he
called the devil to help him, and adjured him to come and carry
away this fierce and unnatural father, who was more blood-
thirsty than the wild beasts of the forest — for who had ever
heard that they murdered their own blood ?
" Come, devil," he screamed ; " come, devil, and tear this
bloodthirsty monster of a father to pieces before my eyes, so
* Deut. i. 17.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 321
will I give myself to thee, body and soul ! Hearest thou, Satan !
Come and destroy my father, and all who have here come out
to murder me, only leave me a little while longer in this life to
do thy service, and then I am thine for eternity ! "
Now all eyes were turned in fear and horror to the door, but
no Satan entered, for the just God would not permit it, else,
methinks, he would have run to catch such a morsel for his
supper. However, the old man trembled, and seemed dwin-
dling away into nothing before the eyes of the bystanders as
his son uttered the curse. But he soon recovered, and laying
his quivering hands upon the head of the imprecator, broke forth
into loud weeping, while he prayed thus —
" O Thou just and Almighty God, who bringest the
devices of the wicked to nought, close Thine ears against this
horrible curse of my false son ; remember Thine own word —
1 Into an evil soul wisdom cannot enter, nor dwell in a body
subject unto sin.'* Thou alone canst make the sinful soul
wise, and the body of sin a temple of the Holy Ghost. O
Lord Jesus Christ, hast Thou no drop of living water, no crumb
of strengthening manna for this sinful and foolish soul ? Hast
Thou no glance of Thy holy eyes for this denying Peter, that
he may go forth and weep bitterly ? Hast Thou no word to
strike the heart of this dying thief — of this lost son, who,
here bound for death, has cursed his own father, and given
himself up, body and soul, to the enemy of mankind ? O
blessed Spirit, who comest and goest as the wind, enter the
heavenly temple, which is yet the work of Thy hands, and
make it, by Thy presence, a temple of the Most High ! O
Lord God, dwell there but one moment, that so in his death-
anguish he may feel the sweetness of Thy presence, and the
heaven- high comfort of Thy promise ! O Thou Holy
Trinity, who hast kept my steps from falling, through so much
care and trouble, through so much shame and disgrace, through
so much watching and tears, and even now through these ter-
* Wisdom i. 4.
VOL. I. X
322 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
rible curses of my son, come and say Amen to this my last
blessing, which I, poor father, give him for his curse.
"Yes, Johann ; the Lord bless thee and keep thee in the
death hour. The Lord shed his grace on thee, and give thee
peace in thy last agonies !
" Yes, Johann ; the Lord bless thee and keep thee, and give
thee peace upon earth, and peace above the earth ! Amen,
amen, amen ! "
When the trembling old man had so prayed, many wept
aloud, and his son trembled likewise, and followed the priest,
silently and humbly, into the neighbouring chamber.
Then the old man turned to Sidonia, and asked why she
had left her worthy cousin Marcus of Saatzig ?
Upon which she told him, weeping, how his son had de-
ceived her, in order to get her once more into his power, in
order that he might rob her, and all she wanted now was to be
let go her way in peace to her farm-houses in Zachow.
But this the old man refused.
" No ; this must not be yet. She was as evil-minded as his
own son, and needed an example to warn her from sin. Not
a step should she move till his head was off."
And, for this purpose, he bid two burghers seize hold of
her by the hands, and carry her to the scaffold when the
execution was going to take place. The grave must be nearly
ready now, which he bade them dig in a corner of the church-
yard close by, and he had ordered a car-load of sand like-
wise to be laid down there, for the execution should take
place in the churchyard.
Meanwhile the poor criminal has come out of the inner
chamber with M. Vitus, and going up to the bench where
the poor father had sunk down exhausted by emotion, he
flings himself at his feet, exclaiming, with the prodigal son
in the parable —
" Father, I have sinned before heaven and in thy sight,
and am no more worthy to be called thy son."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 323
Then he kissed his feet, and bedewed them with his
tears.
Now the father thought this was all pretence, as formerly,
so he gave no answer. Upon which the poor sinner rose up,
and reached his hand to each one in the chamber, praying
their forgiveness for all the evil he had done, but which he
was now going to expiate in his blood. Item, he advanced
to Sidonia, sighing —
" Would not she too forgive him, for the love of God ?
Woe, alas ! She had more to forgive than any one ; but
would not she give him her pardon, for some comfort on
this last journey ; and so would he bear her remembrance
before the throne of God ? "
But Sidonia pushed away his hand.
" He should be ashamed of such old-womanish weakness.
Did he not see that his father was only trying to frighten
him ? For were he in earnest, then were he more cruel even
than her own unnatural father, who, though he had only
left her two cabins in Zachow, out of all his great riches,
yet had left her, at least, her poor life."
Hereupon the poor sinner made answer —
" Not so ; I know my father ; he is not cruel ; what he
does is right ; therefore I willingly die, trusting in my blessed
Saviour, whose body will sanctify my body in the grave.
For had I committed no other sin, yet the curse I uttered
just now is alone sufficient to make me worthy of death,
as it is written — 'He that curseth father or mother shall
surely be put to death.' J:
When the old man heard such-like words, he resolved to
put his son's sincerity to the test, for truly it seemed to him
impossible that the Almighty God should so suddenly make
the crooked straight, and the dead to live, and a child of
heaven out of a child of hell. So he spake —
"Thy repentance seemeth good unto me, my son, what
* Exodus xxi. 17.
324 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
sayest thou ? will it last, think you, if I now bestow thy life
onthee?"
Hereat Sidonia laughed aloud, exclaiming —
" Said I not right ? It was all a jest of thy dear father's."
But the poor sinner would not turn again to his wallowing
in the mire. He sat down upon a bench, covering his face
with his hands, and sobbed aloud. At last he answered —
" Alas ! father, life is sweet and death is bitter ; but since
the Holy Spirit hath entered into me with the body of our
Lord, I say, death is sweet and life is bitter. No ; off with
my head ! ' I find a law in my members warring against the
law of my spirit, and making me a prisoner under the law of
sin ; ' * for if I see my neighbour rich and I am poor, then
the demon of covetousness rises in me, and my fingers itch to
seize my share. Or, if the foaming flask is before me, how
can I resist to drain it, for the spirit of gluttony is within
me ? Or, if I see a maiden, the blood throbs in my veins,
and the demon of lust has taken possession of me. * Oh,
wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body
of this death ? ' You will, dearest father. You will release
me from this life, as you once gave it to me, for it is now
a life in death. Ah ! show mercy ! Come quickly, and
release me from the body of this death ! "
When he ceased, the old man sprung up like a youth, and
pressing his lost son to his heart, sobbed forth like him of
the Gospel —
" O friends, see ! * This my son was dead, but is alive
again ; he was lost, and is found.7 Yea, yea, see all that
nothing is impossible with God. O Thou Holy Trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now I have nothing more to
ask, but that I too may soon be released from the body of
this death, and go forth to meet my new-found son amidst
the bright circle of the Holy Angels."
Then the son answered —
* Romans vii. 23.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 325
" Let me go now, father. See, the morning dawn shines
already through the window ; so hath the loving mercy of my
God come to me, who sat in darkness and the shadow of
death. Farewell, father ; let me go now. Away with this
head in the clear early morning light, so that my feet be fixed
for evermore upon the path to peace."
And so speaking, he seized M. Vitus by the hand, who
was sobbing loudly, as well as most of the burghers, and the
executioner with his assistants bearing the coffin were going
to follow, when the old man, who had sunk down upon a
bench, called back his son, though he had already gone out
at the door, and prayed the executioner to let him stay one
little while longer. For he remembered that his son had a
welt upon his neck, and he must see whether it would
interfere with the sword. Woe, woe ! if he should have to
strike twice or thrice before the head fell !
So the executioner removed the neck-cloth from the poor
sinner (who, by the great mercy of God, was stronger than
any of them), and having felt the welt, said —
" No ; the welt was close up to the head, but he would
take the neck in the middle, as indeed was his usual custom.
His worship may make his mind quite easy ; he would
stake his life on it that the head would fall with the first
blow. This was his one hundred and fiftieth, and he never
yet had failed."
Then the unhappy criminal tied his cravat on again, took
M. Vitus by the hand, and said —
" Farewell, my father ; once more forgive me for all that
I have done ! "
After which he went out quickly, without waiting to hear
a word more from his father, and the executioner followed
him.
Meanwhile the afflicted father was sore troubled in mind.
Three times he repeated the text — "Ye shall not respect
persons in judgment, nor be afraid of the face of man, for
326 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the judgment is God's." Then he called upon God to
forgive the Prince who, by taking away law and justice from
the land, had obliged him to be the judge and condemner of
his son. How the Lord dealt with the Prince we shall hear
farther on. One while he sent mine host to look over the
hedge, and tell him if the head were off yet. Then he
would begin to pray that he might soon follow this poor son,
who had never given him one moment of joy but through his
death, and pass quickly after him through the vale of tears.
The son, however, is steadfast unto the end. For when
they reached the churchyard, he stood still a while gazing
on the heap of sand. Then he desired to be led to the spot
where his grave was dug ; and near this same grave there
being a tombstone, on which was figured a man kneeling
before a crucifix, he asked —
" Who was to share his grave bed here ? "
Whereupon M. Vitus replied —
" He was a rector scholae out of Stargard, a very learned
man, who had retired from active life, and settled down
here at Bruchhausen, where he died not long since."
Whereat the poor sinner stood still a while, and then
repeated this beautiful distich, no doubt by the inspiration of
the Holy Ghost, to warn all learned sinners against that
demon of pride and vain-glory which too often takes pos-
session of them.
" Quid juvat innumeros scire atque evolvere casus
Si facienda fugis et fugienda facis ? " *
Then he looked calmly at his grave, and only prayed the
executioner not to put his head between his feet ; after which
he returned to the sand-heap and exclaimed —
" Now to God ! "
Upon which, M. Vitus blessed him yet again, and spake —
* "What is the use of knowledge and all our infinite learning,
If we fly what is right and do what we ought to fly ? "
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 327
" O God, Father, who hast brought back this lost son,
and filled this foolish soul with wisdom ; ah ! Jesus, Saviour,
who, in truth, hast turned Thy holy eyes on him as on the
denying Peter and on the dying thief. O Holy Spirit,
who hast not scorned to make this poor vessel a temple for
Thyself to dwell in, that in the death-anguish this sinner may
find the sweetness of Thy presence and the heaven-high com-
fort of Thy promises ! O Thou Holy Trinity — to Thee —
to Thee — to Thee — to Thy grace, Thy power, Thy protection,
we resign this dying mortal in his last agonies. Help him,
Lord God! Kyrle Eleison ! Give Thy holy angels command
to bear this poor soul into Abraham's bosom. O come,
Lord Jesus ; help him, O Lord our God. Kyrie Eleison !
Amen."
And hereupon he pronounced a last blessing over him.
And when the executioner took off his upper garment and
bound the kerchief over his eyes, M. Vitus again spake —
" Think on the holy martyrs, of whom Basilius Magnus
testifies that they exclaimed, when undressing for their death
— Non vestes exuimus, sed veterem hominem deponlmus"
Upon which he answered from under the kerchief some-
thing in Latin, but the executioner had laid the cloth so
thickly even over his mouth and chin, that no one could catch
the words. Then he kneeled down, and while the executioner
drew his sword, M. Vitus chanted —
' ' When my lips no more can speak,
May Thy Spirit in me cry ;
When my eyes are faint and weak,
May my soul see Heaven nigh !
When my heart is sore dismayed,
This dying frame has lost its strength,
May my spirit, with Thy aid,
Cry — Jesu, take me home at length ! "
* "We lay not off our clothes, but the old man."— Basil the Great,
Archbishop of Cassarea, A.D. 379.
328 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
And all who stood round saw, as it were, a wonderful
sign from God ; for as the executioner let the sword fall,
head and sun appeared at the same moment — the head upon
the earth, the sun above the earth ; and there was a deep
silence. Sidonia alone laughed out loud, and cried, "So
ends the conversion ! " And while the psalm was singing,
" Now, pray we to the Holy Ghost," the executioner acting
as clerk, she disappeared, and for thirty years, as we shall
hear presently, no one could ascertain where she went to or
how she lived ; though sometimes, like a horrible ghost, she
was seen occasionally here and there.
Summa. — The miserable criminal was laid in his coffin, and
as, in truth, it was too short for the corpse, and the poor sinner
had requested that his head might not be placed between his
feet, so it was laid upon his chest, with his hands folded over
it, and thus he was buried.
The old father rejoiced greatly that his son remained stead-
fast in the truth until the last, and thanked God for it. Then
he returned to Stargard ; and I may just mention, to conclude
concerning him, that the merciful God heard the prayer of this
His faithful servant, for he scarcely survived his son a year,
but, after a short illness, fell asleep in Jesus.*
CHAPTER XIX.
Of Sidonia' s disappearance for thirty years — Item, hoiv the
young Princess Elizabeth Magdelene <was possessed by
a devil, and of the sudden death of her father, Ernest
Ludovicus of Pomerania.
I HAVE said that Sidonia disappeared after the execution at
Bruchhausen, and that for thirty years no one knew where
* For further particulars concerning this truly worthy man, who may
well be called the Pomeranian Manlius, see Friedeborn, "Description
of Old Stettin," vol. ii. p. 113 ; and Barthold, " Pomeranian History,"
pp. 46, 419.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 329
she lived or how she lived. At her farm-house at Zachow
she never appeared ; but the Acta Criminalia set forth that
during that period she waqdered about the towns of Freien-
wald, Regenwald, Stargard, and other places, in company
with Peter Konnemann and divers other knaves.
However, the ducal prosecutor, although he instituted the
strictest inquiries at the period of her trial, could ascertain
nothing beyond this, except that, in consequence of her evil
habits and licentious tongue, she was held everywhere in fear
and abhorrence, and was chased away from every place she
entered after about six or eight o'clock. Further, that some
misfortune always fell upon every one who had dealings with
her, particularly young married people. To the said Konne-
mann, she betrothed herself after the death of her first
paramour, but afterwards gave him fifty florins to get rid of the
contract, as she confessed at the seventeenth question upon
the rack, according to the Actls Lothmanni. Meantime her
brother and cousins were so completely turned against her,
that her brother even took those two farm-houses to himself;
and though Sidonia wrote to him, begging that an annuity
might be settled on her, yet she never received a line in
answer — and this was the manner in which the whole cousin-
hood treated her in her despair and poverty.
I myself made many inquiries as to her mode of life during
those thirty years, but in vain. $ome said that she went
into Poland and there kept a little tavern for twenty years ;
some had seen her living at Rtigen at the old wall, where in
heathen times the goddess Hertha was honoured. Some
said she went to Riiden, a little uninhabited island between
Riigen and Usdom, where the wild geese and other birds
flock in the moulting season and drop their feathers. Thence,
they said, she gathered the eggs, and killed the birds with
clubs. At least this was the story of the Usdom fishermen,
but whether it were Sidonia or some other outcast woman, I
cannot in strict verity declare. Only in Freienwald did I
330 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
hear for certain that she lived there twelve years with some
carl whom she called her shield- knight ; but one day they
quarrelled, and beat each other till the blood flowed, after
which they both ran out of the town, and went different
ways.
Summa. — On the ist of May 1 592, when the witches gather
in the Brocken to hold their Walpurgis night, and the princely
castle of Wolgast was well guarded from the evil one by
white and black crosses placed on every door, an old wrinkled
hag was seen about eight o'clock of the morning (just the
time she had returned from the Blocksberg, according to my
thinking), walking slowly up and down the great corridor of
the princely castle. And the providence of the great God
so willed it that at that moment the young and beautiful
Princess Elizabeth Magdalena (who had been betrothed to
the Duke Frederick of Courland) opened her chamber-door
and slipped forth to pay her morning greetings to her illus-
trious father, Duke Ernest, and his spouse, the Lady Sophia
Hedwig of Brunswick, who sat together drinking their warm
beer,* and had sent for her.
So the hag advanced with much friendliness and cried out,
" Hey, what a beautiful young damsel ! But her lord papa
was called ' the handsome ' in his time, and wasn't she as
like him as one egg to another. Might she take her lady-
ship's little hand and kiss it ? " Now as the hag was bold in
her bearing, and the young Princess was a timid thing, she
feared to refuse ; so she reached forth her hand, alas ! to the
witch, who first three times blew on it, murmuring some
words before she kissed it ; then as the young Princess asked
her who she was and what she wanted, the evil hag answered,
" I would speak with your gracious father, for I have known
him well. Ask his princely Grace to come to me, for I
have somewhat to say to him." Now the Princess, in her
* Before the introduction of coffee or chocolate, warm beer was in
general use at breakfast.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 331
simplicity, omitted to ask the hag's name, whereby much
evil came to pass, for had she told her gracious father that
SIDONIA wished to speak to him, assuredly he never would
have come forth, and that fatal and malignant glance of the
witch would not have fallen upon him.
However, his Serene Grace, having a mild Christian
nature, stepped out into the corridor at the request of his
dear daughter, and asked the hag who she was and what she
wanted. Upon this, she fixed her eyes on him in silence for
a long while, so that he shuddered, and his blood seemed to
turn to ice in his veins.* At last she spake : " It is a strange
thing, truly, that your Grace should no longer remember the
maiden to whom you once promised marriage." At this
his Grace recoiled in horror, and exclaimed, " Ha, Sidonia !
but how you are changed." " Ah ! " she answered, with a
scornful laugh, " you may well triumph, now that my cheek
is hollow, and my beauty gone, and that I have come to you
for justice against my own brother in Stramehl, who denies
me even the means of subsistence — you, who brought me to
this pass."
Upon which his Grace answered that her brother was a
subject of the Duke of Stettin. Let her go then to Stettin,
and demand justice there.
Ilia. — " She had been there, but the Duke refused to see
her, and to her request for aprabenda in the convent of Marien-
fliess had returned no answer. She prayed his Grace, there-
fore, out of old good friendship, to take up her cause, and use
his influence with the Lord Duke of Stettin to obtain the
prabenda for her, also to send a good scolding to her brother
at Stramehl under his own hand."
Now my gracious Prince was so anxious to get rid of her,
* This belief in the witchcraft of a glance was very general during
the witch period. And even the ancients notice it (Pliny, Hist. Nat.
vii. 2), also Aul. Gell. Noct. Attic, ix. 4 ; and Virgil, Eclog. iii. 103.
The glance of a woman with double pupils was particularly feared.
332 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
that he promised everything she asked. Whereupon she
would kiss his hand, but he drew it back shuddering, upon
which she went down the great castle steps again, murmuring
to herself.
But her wickedness soon came to light ; for mark —
scarcely a few days had passed over, when the beautiful
young Princess was possessed by Satan ; she rolls herself
upon the ground, twists and writhes her hands and feet,
speaks with a great coarse voice like a common carl, blas-
phemes God and her parents ; and what was more wonderful
than all, her throat swelled, and when they laid their hand on
it, something living seemed creeping up and down in it. Then
it went up to her mouth, and her tongue swelled so, that her
eyes seemed starting from their sockets, and the gracious young
lady became fearful to look at.
Item, then she began to speak Latin, though she had
never learned this tongue, whereupon many, and in particular
Mag. Michael Aspius, the court chaplain (for Dr. Gerscho-
vius was long since dead) pronounced that Satan himself verily
must be in the maiden.* This was fully proved on the
* The ancients name three distinguishing marks of demoniacal pos-
session : —
ist, When the patient blasphemes God and cannot repeat the lead-
ing articles of his Christian belief.
2nd, When he foretells events which afterwards come to pass.
3rd, When he speaks in a strange tongue, which it can be proved he
never learned.
Now the somnambulists of our day fulfil the second and third condi-
tions without dispute ; and some account for the divining power by saying
it is the effect of the increased activity of the soul. They also assert
that the patient speaks in a strange tongue only when the magnetiser
with whom he is in en rapport understands the tongue himself, and the
patient speaks it because all the th oughts, feelings, words, &c., of the
operator become his — in short, their souls become one. This explana-
tion, however, is very improbable, and has not been confirmed by facts ;
for the phenomenon of speaking in a strange tongue often appears
before a perfect rapport has been obtained between the patient and the
operator. Indeed, Psellus gives an instance to show that it is not even
at all necessary. (Psellus lived about the eleventh century, and wrote
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 333
following Sunday ; for during divine service in the Church
of St. Peter, the young Princess was carried in on a litter and
laid down before the altar, 'whereupon she commenced utter-
ing horrible blasphemies, and mocking the holy prayer in a
coarse bass voice, while she foamed and raged so violently,
that eight men could scarcely hold her in her bed. Whereat
the whole Christian congregation were admonished to pray to
the Lord for this poor maiden, that she might be freed from
the devil within her ; and during the week all priests through-
out the land were commanded to offer up prayers day and
night for her princely Grace. But on Sundays all the people
were to unite in one common supplication to the throne of
grace for the like object.
And it seemed, after some weeks, as if God had heard
their prayers, and commanded Satan to leave the body of the
young maiden, for she had now rest for fourteen days, and
was able to pray again. Also her rosy cheeks began to
De Operatione Dcemonum, also De Mysteriis sEgyptiorum, his works
are very remarkable, and well worth a perusal. ) He states that a sick
woman all at once began to speak in a strange and barbarous tongue
no one had ever heard before. At last some of the women about her
brought an Armenian magician to see her, who instantly found that she
spoke Armenian, though she had never in her life beheld one of that
nation. Psellus describes him as an old lean wrinkled man. He acted
quite differently from our modern magnetisers, for he never sought to
place himself in sympathetic relation with her by passes or touches ; on
the contrary, he drew his sword, and placing himself beside the bed,
began uttering the most harsh and cruel words he could think of in the
Armenian tongue (acriter conviciatus est}. The woman retorted in the
Armenian tongue likewise, and tried to get out of bed to fight with him.
Then the barbarian grew as if mad, and endeavoured to stab her, upon
which she shrunk back terrified and trembling, and soon fell into a deep
sleep. Psellus seems to have witnessed this, for he says the woman was
wife to his eldest brother. As further regards demoniacal possession,
the New Testament is full of examples thereof ; and though in the last
century the reality of the fact was assailed, yet Franz Meyer has again
defended it with arguments that cannot be overthrown. Remarkable
examples of possession in modern times we find in the Didiskalia, No.
81, of the year 1833, and in Berner's " History of Satanic Possession,"
p. 20.
334 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
bloom once more, so that her parents were filled with joy,
and resolved to hold a thank-festival throughout the land,
and receive the Holy Sacrament in St. Peter's Church with
their beloved daughter.
But what happened ? For as the godly discourse had
ended, and their Graces stepped to the altar to make a rich
offering on the plate which lay upon the little desk, free of
approach from all sides, my knave Satan has again begun
his work. Truly, he waited with cunning till her Grace
had swallowed the Sacrament, that his blasphemies might
seem more horrible. And this was the way he manifested
himself.
After the court marshal and the castellan had laid down a
black velvet carpet, embroidered in gold with the Pomeranian
and Brandenburg arms, for their Graces to kneel upon, they
took another black velvet cloth, on which the Holy Supper
was represented embroidered in silver, to hold before their
Graces like a serviette, while they received the blessed
elements. Then advanced the priest with the Sacrament, but
scarcely had the gracious young Princess swallowed the
same, when she uttered a loud cry and fell backwards with
her head upon the ground, while Satan raged so in her that it
might have melted the heart of a stone.
So M. Aspius bade the organ cease, and then placed the
young lady upon a seat, after which he called upon their
Graces and the whole congregation to join him in offering
up a prayer. Then he solemnly adjured the evil spirit to
come out of her ; it, however, had grown so daring that
it only laughed at the priest ; and when asked where it
had been for so long, and in particular where it had lain
while the Jesu bride was wedded to her Holy Saviour in the
Blessed Sacrament, it impatiently answered that it had Jain
under her tongue ; many knaves might lie under a bridge
while an honourable seigneur passed overhead, and why
should not it do the like ? And here, to the unspeakable
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 333
horror of the whole congregation, it seemed to move up and
down in the chest and throat of the young Princess, like some
animal.
But the long-suffering of God was now at an end, for
while the Reverend Dr. Aspius was talking himself weary
with adjurations, and gaining no good by it, for the evil
spirit only mocked and jeered him, crying, " Look at the fat
parson how he sweats, maybe it will help as much as his
chattering over the wine," who should enter the church
(sent no doubt by the all-merciful God) but the Reverend
Dr. Joel, Professor at Grypswald, for he had heard how
this lusty Satan had taken possession of the princely maiden.
When the devil saw him, he began to tremble through all
the limbs of the young Princess, and exclaimed in Latin,
" Consummatum est." * For this Dr. Joel was a powerful
man, and learned in all the cunning shifts of the arch-enemy,
having many times disputed de Magis.\
Now when he advanced to the young Princess, and saw
how the evil spirit ran up and down her poor form, like a
mouse in a net, he was filled with horror, and removing
his hat, exclaimed, without taking much heed of his Latin,
" Deus misereatur peccatoris" Upon which the devil, in a
deep bass voice, corrected him, crying, " Die peccatricis, die
peccatricis" £
However, Satan himself felt that his hour had come ; for
when Doctor Joel laid his hand upon the maiden, and re-
peated a powerful adjuration from the Clavicula Sa/omonis,
Satan immediately promised to obey if he were allowed to
take away the oblation-cloth which lay upon the desk.
Ilk. — " What did he want with the oblation-cloth ? "
Satanas. — " There was a coin in it which vexed him."
Ille. — " What coin could it be, and wherefore did it vex
him?"
* " It is over." f Of Witchcraft ; see Barthold, iv. 2, 412.
\ Peccatoris is masculine, Peccatricis feminine.
336 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Satanas. — "He would not say."
Hie. — (Adjures him again.)
Satanas. — " Let him have it, or he would tear the young
maiden to pieces." And here he began to foam and rage
so horribly, that her eyes turned in her head, and she
gnashed with her teeth, so that father and mother had to
cover their eyes not to see her great agony. Whereupon
Doctor Joel bent down and wrote with his finger upon her
breast the Tetragrammaton,* crying out —
" Away, thou unclean spirit, and give place to the Holy
Ghost ! "
Upon which the young maiden sank down as quiet as a
corpse, and the oblation- cloth, which lay upon the desk,
whirled round of itself in the middle of the church with
great noise and clatter, as if seized by a storm-wind, and
the money therein was all scattered about the church, so
that the old wives who sat upon the benches fell down upon
the floor, right and left, to try and catch it.
Great horror and amazement now filled the whole con-
gregation ; yet as some had expressed an opinion that the
young Princess was only afflicted by a sickness, and not
possessed at all, Doctor Joel thought it needful to admonish
them in the following words : —
" Those wise persons who, forsooth, would not credit such
a thing as Satanic possession, might see now of a truth, by
the oblation- cloth, that Satan bodily had been amongst them.
He knew there were many such wise knaves in the church ;
therefore let them hold their tongue for evermore, and re-
member that such signs had been permitted before of God,
to testify of the real bodily presence of the devil. Example
(Matt, viii.), where, on the command of Christ, a legion
of devils went into the swine of the Gergasenes ; so that
these animals, contrary to their nature, ran down into the sea
* The four letters which compose the name Jehovah (HlfV). It was
employed by the Theurgists in all their most powerful conjurations.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 337
and were drowned. But the wise people of this day little
heed these divine signs ; so he will add two from historical
records which he happened to remember.
" First, the Jew Josephus relates that, in presence of the
world-renowned Roman captain Vespasian, of his son Titus,
also of all the officers and troops of the army, an ac-
quaintance of his, by name Eleazer, adjured the devil out of
one possessed by means of the ring of Solomon, repeating
at the same time the powerful spell which, no doubt, the
great king himself employed to control the demons, and
which, probably, was the very one he had just now exor-
cised the devil with, out of the Clavicu/a Salomonis. And
to show the bystanders that it was indeed a devil which
he had exorcised out of the nose of the patient, the said
Eleazer bid him, as he was passing, to overturn a vessel of
water that lay there, which indeed was done, to the great
wonderment of all present. Thus even the blind heathen
were convinced, though the would-be wise of the present day
ignorantly doubted.
" But people might say this happened in old times, and was
only told by a stupid Jew ; therefore he would give a modern
example.
"There was a woman named Kronisha (she was still well
remembered by the old people of Stralsund), who was sorely
given to pomp and vanity, wherefore a devil was sent into
her to punish her ; and after the preacher at St. Nicholas
had exorcised him to the best of his power, the wicked
spirit said, mockingly, that he would go if they gave him
a pane of glass out of the window over the tower door ; and
this being granted, one of the panes was instantly scattered
with a loud clang, and the devil flew away through the
opening.*
" So the Christian congregation might now see what silly
* See Sastrowen, his family, birth, and adventures. Edited by
Mohnike, part i. 73.
VOL. I. Y
338 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
fools these wise people were who presumed to doubt," &c.
Then Doctor Joel admonished the Prince himself to keep a
diligent eye over this Satan, who, day by day, was growing
more impudent in the land — no doubt because the pure doctrine
of Dr. Luther vexed him sorely.
And indeed his Highness, to show his gratitude for the re-
covery of his dear daughter, did not cease in his endeavours to
banish witches from the land, knowing that Sidonia had brought
all the evil upon the young Princess. Fifteen were seized and
burned at this time, to the great joy of the country ; but, alas !
these truly princely and Christian measures little helped among
the godless race, for evil seemed still to strengthen in the land,
and many wonderful signs appeared, one of which I would not
set down here, as it was only seen by the court-fool, but that
events confirmed it.
I mean that strange thing, along with a three-legged hare,
which appeared eighty years before at the death of Duke Bogis-
laus the Great, and since at the death of each Duke of his
house. By a strange whim of Satan's, this apparition was only
visible to fools ; until indeed (as we shall hear anon) it appeared
to the nuns at Marienfliess, who bore witness of it.
Summa. — On the very day wherein the devil's brides were
burned at Wolgast, the fool was" walking at evening time up and
down the great corridor, when a little manikin, hardly three
hands high, started out from behind a beer-barrel, riding on a
three-legged hare. He was dressed all in black, except little
red boots which he had on, and he rides up and down the
corridor — hop! hop! hop! — stares at my fool and makes a
face at him ; then rides off again — hop ! hop ! hop ! — till he
vanished behind the barrel.
No one would believe the fool's story ; but woe, alas ! it
soon became clear what the little manikin Puck denoted. For.
my gracious Prince, who had grown quite weak ever since this
horrible witch- work, which had been raging for some weeks —
so that Pomerania never had seen the like — became daily worse,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 339
and not even the fine Falernian wine from Italy, which used
to cure him, helped him now. So he died on the I yth July
1591, aged forty-six years, seven months, and fifteen days,
leaving his only son, Philippus Julius, a child of eight years old,
to reign in his place. Whereupon the deeply afflicted widow
placed the boy under the tutelage and guardianship of his
uncle, the princely Lord of Stettin ; but, woe ! woe ! the
guardian must soon follow his dear brother ! and all through
the evil wickedness of Sidonia, as we shall hear in the follow-
ing chapters.
CHAPTER XX.
Hotu Sidonia demeans herself at the Convent of Marienfliess —
Item, how their Princely and Electoral Graces of Pomerania,
Brandenburg^ and Mecklenburg, went on sleighs to Wol-
gast, and of the divers pastimes of the journey.
AFTER this, Sidonia disappeared again for a couple of years, and
no man knew whither she had flown or what she did, until one
morning she appeared at the convent of Marienfliess, driving a
little one-horse waggon herself, and dressed no better than a
fish-wife. On driving into the court, she desired to speak
with the abbess, Magdalena von Petersdorf ; and when she
came, Sidonia ordered the cell of the deceased nun, Barbara
Kleist, to be got ready for her reception, as his Highness of
Stettin had presented her to a pralenda here.
So the pious old abbess believed the story, and forthwith con-
ducted her to the cell, No. 1 1 ; but Sidonia spat out at it, said
it was a pig- sty, and began to run clattering through all the cells
till she reached the refectory, a large chamber where the nuns
assembled for evening prayer. This, she said, was the only
spot fit for her to put her nose in, and she would keep it for
herself. Meanwhile, the whole sisterhood ran together to the
refectory to see Sidonia ; and as most of them were girls under
340 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
twenty, they tittered and laughed, as young women-folk will
do when they behold a hag. This angered her.
" Ha ! " she exclaimed, " the flesh and the devil have not
been destroyed in them yet, but I will soon give them some-
thing else to think of than their lovers."
And here, as one of them laughed louder than the rest,
Sidonia gave her a blow on the mouth.
" Let that teach the peasant-girl more respect for a castle
and land dowered maiden."
When the good abbess saw and heard all this, she nearly
fainted with shame, and had to hold by a stool, or she would
have fallen to the ground. However she gained fresh courage,
when, upon asking for Sidonia' s documents, she found that
there were none to show. Without more ado, therefore, she
bade her leave the convent ; and, amidst the jeers and laughter
of all the sisterhood, Sidonia was obliged to mount her one-
horse cart again, or the convent porter had orders to force her out.
By this all may perceive that, in place of repenting, Sidonia
had fallen still further in the mire, wherein she wallowed yet
for many years, as if it were, indeed, her true and natural
element, like that beetle of which Albertus Magnus speaks,
that died if one covered it with rose-leaves, but came to life
again when laid in dung.
Hardly had she left the convent-gate when the old abbess
bade a carl get ready a carriage, and flew in it to Stettin herself,
to lay the whole case before my gracious Prince, and entreat
him, even on her knees, not to send such a notorious creature
amongst them ; for what blessing could the convent hope to
obtain if they harboured such an infamous sinner ? So his Grace
wonders much over the daring of the harlot ; for he had given
her no prabenda, though she was writing to him constantly
requesting one. Nor would he ever think of giving her one ;
for why should he send such a hell-besom to sweep the pious
convent of Marienfliess ? The good abbess might rise up, for
as long as he lived Sidonia should never enter the convent.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 341
And his Grace held by his word, though it cost him his
life, as I shall just now relate with bitter sighs.
It happened that, A.D. 1600, there was a terribly hard
winter, so that the fresh Haff* was quite frozen over, and
able to bear heavy beams. Now, as the ice was smooth
and beautiful as a mirror, my Lord of Stettin proposed to
his guests — Joachim Friedrich, Elector of Brandenburg, his
brother-in-law, and old Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg, his
uncle, to go over the Haff in sleighs, and pay a visit to the
princely widow and her little son.
Their Graces were well pleased at the idea. Whereupon
his Highness of Stettin gave orders to have such a proces-
sion formed as never had been seen in Pomerania before
for magnificence and beauty, and therefore I shall note down
some particulars here.
There were a hundred sleighs, some drawn by reindeer
caparisoned like horses, and all decorated gaily. The three
ducal sleighs in particular were entirely girded and lined with
sable skin ; each was drawn by four Andalusian horses ; and
my Lady Erdmuth, who was a great lover of show and pomp,
had hers hung with little tinkling bells and chains of gold, so
that no one to look at them could imagine how very little of
the dear gold her gracious lord and husband had in his purse,
by reason of the hardness of the times.
The adornments of the other sleighs were less costly.
Upon them came the ministers, the officials, and others per-
taining to the retinue of the three princes : item, the ladies-
in-waiting, and divers of the reverend clergy ; last of all came
the Duke's henchman, with a pack of wolf-dogs in leash :
item, several live hares and foxes ; a live bear, which they
purposed to let slip, for the pleasure and pastime of their
Graces. But the young men out of the town, fifty head
strong, and many of the knights, ran along on skates, headed
by Dinnies Kleist, that mighty man, who bore in one hand
* The river Haff,
342 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the blood-banner of Pomerania, and in the other that of
Brandenburg. Barthold von Ramin ran by his side with
the Mecklenburg standard. He was a strong knight too.
But ah ! my God ! how my Ramin, with his ox-head, was
distanced by the wild men of Pomerania, as they ran upon
the ice over the HafF! * Two reserve sleighs, drawn by
six Frisian horses, finished the procession ; they were laden
with axes, planks, ropes, and dry garments, both for men and
women.
When their Graces mounted the sleighs amidst the ringing
of bells and roaring of cannon, great was their astonishment
to see their own initials stamped into the hard ice by Dinnies
Kleist, as thus : F. U. J. E. J. F., which, however, after-
wards caused much dismay to the honest burghers, for one of
them — M. Faber, a, preceptor — mistaking the J. for a G., read
plainly upon the ice : " Fuge, J. F." — that is, " Fly, Johann
Frederick ! "
Ah ! truly has the gracious Prince flown from thence ; but
it is to a bitter death.
During the journey, Duke Johann had much jesting with
his brother-in-law, the Elector, who was filled with wonder
at the strength of Dinnies Kleist, for he kept ahead even of
the Andalusian stallions, and waved aloft the two banners of
Pomerania and Brandenburg, while his long hair floated
behind him ; and sometimes he stopped, kissed the banners,
and then inclined them to their Serene Princely Graces.
Whereupon Duke Johann exclaimed, "Ay, brother, you
might well give me a thousand of your wide-mouthed
Berliners for this carl ; though, methinks, if he had his will,
he would make their wide mouths still wider.'7 At this, his
* The blood-standard was granted by the Emperor Maximilian II.
to Duke Johann Friedrich of Pomerania because he carried the impe-
rial banner during the Turkish war of 1566. It only differed from
the old banner by having a red ground — from thence its name. Both
Pomerania and Brandenburg had wild men in their escutcheon, while
Mecklenburg bore an ox's head.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 343
Electoral Grace looked rather vexed, and began to uphold the
men of Cologne. Upon which his Highness cut him short,
saying, " Marry, brother, you know the old proverb —
' The men of Cologne
Have no hues of their own,
But the men of Stettin
Are the true ever-green.'
For where truly could your fellows find the true green in
their sandy dust-box ? Marry, cousin, one Pomerania is
worth ten Margravates ; and I will show your Grace just now
that my land in winter is more productive than yours even
in autumn. "
His Grace here alluded to the fisheries ; for along the way,
for twelve or fourteen miles, the fishermen had been ordered
to set their nets by torchlight the night before, in holes dug
through the ice, so that on the arrival of the princely party
the nets might be drawn up, and the draught exhibited to
their Graces.
Now, when they entered the fresh HafF, which lay before
them like a large mirror, six miles long and four broad, his
Grace of Pomerania called out —
" See here, brother, this is my first storeroom ; let us try
what it will give us to eat."
Upon which he signed to Dinnies Kleist to steer over to
the first heap of nets, which lay like a black wood in the
distance. These belonged to the Ziegenort fishermen, as the
old schoolmaster, Peter Leisticow, himseif told me ; and as
they had taken a great draught the day before, many people
from the towns of Warp, Stepenitz, and Uckermund were
assembled there to buy up the fish, and then retail it, as was
their custom, throughout the country. They had made a fire
upon a large sheet of iron laid upon the ice, while their horses
were feeding close by upon hay, which they shook out before
them. And having taken a merry carouse together, they all
set to dancing upon the ice with the women to the bagpipe,
344 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
so that the encampment looked right, jovial as their Graces
arrived.
Now when the grand train came up, the peasants roared
out —
" Donnerwetter,* look at the plotz-eaters ! See the cursed
plotz-eaters ! Donnerwetter, what plotz-eaters ! " f
And now they observed, during their shouting, that the
water had risen up to their knees ; and when the ducal pro-
cession rushed up, the abyss re-echoed with a noise like
thunder, so that the foreign princes were alarmed, but soon
grew accustomed thereto. Then the pressure of such a crowd
upon the ice caused the water to spout out of the holes to
the height of a man. So that by the time they were two
bowshots from the nets, all the folk, the women and chil-
dren especially, were running, screaming, in every direction,
trying to save themselves on the firm ice, to the great amuse-
ment of their Graces, while a peasant cried out to the sleigh
drivers —
" Stop, stop ! or ye'll go into the cellar ! "
Hereupon his Grace of Pomerania beckoned over the
Ziegenort schoolmaster, and asked him what they had taken,
to which he answered —
" Gracious Prince, we have taken bley ; the nets are all
loaded ; we've taken seventy schiimers,^ and your Grace
ought to take one with you for supper."
Now his Highness the Elector wished to see the nets
emptied, so they rested a space while the peasants shovelled
* A common oath.
f Plotz-eaters was a nickname given by the Pomeranians to the
people of the Margravates. For the plotz ( Cyprimis Exythrophthalmus)
is a very poor tasteless fish, while the rivers of Pomerania are stocked
with the very finest of all kinds. In return, the men of the Marks
called the Pomeranians "Feather-heads," from the quantity of moor-
palms (Eriophorum vaginatum] which grow in their numerous rich
meadows.
± A schumer was a measure which contained twelve bushels.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 345
out the fish, and pitched them into the aforesaid schiimers.
But ah ! woe to the fish-thieves who had come over from
Warp and other places ; for the water having risen up and
become all muddy with fish-slime, they never saw the great
holes, and tumbled in, to the great amusement of the peasants
and pastime of their Graces.
How their Highnesses laughed when the poor carls in the
water tried to get hold of a net or a rope or a firm piece of
ice, while they floundered about in the water, and the peasants
fished them up with their long hooks, at the same time giving
many of them a sharp prod on the shoulder, crying out —
" Ha ! will ye steal again ? Take that for your pains, you
robbers ! "
Now when their Graces were tired laughing and looking
at the fish hauled, they prepared to depart ; but the school-
master prayed his Highness of Stettin yet again to take a
schiimer of fish for their supper, as their Graces were going
to stop for the night in Uckermund.
" But what could I do with all the fish ? " quoth the Duke.
To which the carl answered in his jargon —
" Eh ! gracious master, give them to the plotz-eaters ; that
will be something new for them. Never fear but they'll eat
them all up ! "
Hereupon his Highness the Elector grew nettled, and cried
out —
" Ho ! thou damned peasant, thinkest thou we have no
bley ? "
" Well, ye've none here," replied the man cunningly.
So their Graces laughed, and ordered a couple of bushels
of the largest to be placed upon the safety sleigh.
Now when they had gone a little farther and found the ice
as smooth as glass, the henchman let loose the bear and the
wolf-dogs after it. My stout Bruin first growls and paws the
ice, then sets himself in earnest for the race, and, on account
of his sharp claws, ran on straight for Uckermund without
346 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
ever slipping, while the hounds fell down on all sides, or tumbled
on their backs, howling with rage and disappointment.
Yet more pleasant was the hare-hunt, for hounds and hares
both tumbled down together, and the hares squeaked and the
hounds yelped ; some hares indeed were killed, but only after
infinite trouble, while others ran away after the bear.
After the hunt they came to another fishery, and so on till
they reached Uckermund, passing six fisheries in succession,
whereof each draught was as large as the first, so that his
Grace the Elector marvelled much at the abundance, and
seeing the nets full of zannats at the last halting-place, cried
out —
"Marry, brother, your storeroom is well furnished. I
might grow dainty here myself. Let us take a bushel of these
along with us for supper, for zannat is the fish for me ! "
This greatly rejoiced his Grace of Stettin, who ordered
the fish to be laid on the sumpter sleigh, and in good time
they reached the ducal house at Uckermund, Dinnies Kleist
still keeping foremost, and waving his two banners over his
head, while Barthold Barnim and the other skaters hung
weary and tired upon the backs of the sleighs.
CHAPTER XXI.
How Sidonia meets their Graces upon the ice — Item, hoiu Dinnies
Kleist beheads himself, and my gracious lord of Wolgasi
perishes miserably.
THE next morning early the whole train set off from Ucker-
mund in the highest spirits, passing net after net, till the
Duke of Mecklenburg, as well as the Elector, lifted their
hands in astonishment. From the HafT they entered the
Pene, and from that the Achterwasser.* Here a great crowd
* A large bay formed by the Pene.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 347
of people stood upon the ice, for the town of Quilitz lay quite
near ; besides, more fish had been taken here than had yet
been seen upon the journey, so that people from Wolgast,
Usdom, Lassahn, and all the neighbouring towns had run
together to bid for it. But what happened ?
Alas ! that his Grace should have desired to halt, for scarcely
had his sleigh stopped, when a little old v/oman, meanly clad,
with fisher's boots, and a net filled with bley-fish in her hand,
stepped up to it and said —
" My good Lord, I am Sidonia von Bork ; wherefore have
you not replied to my demand for the prabencta of Barbara
von Kleist in Marienfliess ? "
" How could he answer her ? He knew nothing at all of
her mode of living, or where she dwelt."
Ilia. — " She had bid him lay the answer upon the altar of
St. Jacob's in Stettin. Why had he not done so ? "
" That was no place for such letters, only for the words of
the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Sacrament of his Saviour ;
therefore, let her say now where she dwelt."
Ilia. — " The richest maiden in Pomerania could ill say
where the poorest now dwelt," weeping.
" The richest maiden had only herself to blame if she were
now the poorest ; better had she wept before. The prabenda
she could never have ; let her cease to think of it ; but here
was an alms, and she might now go her ways."
Ilia. — (Refuses to take it, and murmurs.) "Your Grace
will soon have bitter sorrow for this."
As she so menaced and spat out three times, the thing
angered Dinnies Kleist (who held her in abhorrence ever
since the adventure in the Uckermund forest), and as he had
lost none of his early strength, he hit her a blow with the
blood-standard over the shoulder, exclaiming, " Pack off to
the devil, thou shameless hag ! What does the witch mean by
her spittings ? The prabenda of my sister Barbara shalt thou
never have ! "
348 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
However, the hag stirred not from the spot, answered no
word, but spat out again ; and as the illustrious party drove off
she still stood there, and spat out after them.
What this devil's sorcery denoted we shall soon see ; for as
they approached Ziemitze, and the ducal house of Wolgast
appeared in sight, Dinnies Kleist started on before the safety
sleigh ; and as soon as the high towers of the castle rose above
the trees, he waved the two banners above his head, and brought
them together till they kissed. Having so held them for a
space, he set forward again with giant strides, in order to
be the first to arrive — although, indeed, the town was aware
of the advance of the princely train, for the bells were ringing,
and the blood- standard waved from St. Peter's and the three
other towers.
But woe, alas ! Dinnies, in his impatience, never observed
a windwake direct in his path, and down he sank, while the
sharp ice cut his head clean off, as if an executioner had done
it ; and the head, with the long hair, rolled hither and thither,
while the body remained fast in the hole, only one arm stuck
up above the ice — it was that which held the Brandenburg
standard, but the blood-banner of Pomerania had sunk for ever
in the abyss.*
When his Grace of Stettin beheld this, he was filled with
more sorrow than even at the death of his fool ; and, weeping
bitterly, commanded seven sleighs to return and seize the evil
hag ; then with all speed, and for a terrible example, to burn
her upon the Quilitz mountain.
But when many present assured his Grace that such-like
accidents were very common, and many skaters had perished
thus, whereof even Duke Ulrich named several instances, so
that his Grace of Stettin need not impute such natural acci-
dents to witchcraft or the power of the hag, he was somewhat
* A windwake is a hole formed by the wind in the thawing season, and
which afterwards becomes covered with a thin coating of ice by a sub-
sequent frost.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 349
calmed. Still he commanded the seven sleighs to return and
bring the witch bound to Wolgast, that he might question
her as to wherefore she had spat out.
So the sleighs returned, but the vile sorceress was no
longer on the ice, neither did any one know whither she had
gone ; whereupon the sleighs hastened back again after the
others.
Now it was the Friday before Shrove Tuesday, about
mid-day, when the princely party arrived at Wolgast ; and
Prince BogislafF of Barth was there to receive them, with
his five sons — namely, Philip, Franz, George, Ulrich, and
BogislafF.* And there was a great uproar in the castle —
some of the young lords playing ball in the castle court with
the young Prince, Philip Julius, others preparing for the«
carnival mummeries, which were to commence next evening
by a great banquet and dance in the hall. Indeed, that
same evening their Graces had a brave carouse, to try and
make Duke Johann forget his grief about his well- beloved
Dinnies Kleist : and his Grace thus began to discourse con-
cerning him : —
" Truly, brothers, who knows what the devil may have in
store for us ? for it was a strange thing how my blood-
standard sunk in the abyss, while that of my brother of
Brandenburg floated above it. Think you that our male
line will become extinct, and the heritage of fair Pomerania
descend to Brandenburg ? For, in truth, it is strange that,
out of five brothers, two of us only have heirs — BogislafF
and Ernest Ludovicus, who has left indeed but one only
son."
Then Duke BogislafF (whom our Lord God had surely
blessed for his humility in resigning the government, and also
because of his dutiful conduct ever towards his mother, even
in his youth having brought her a tame seagull) made
* Marginal note of Duke Bogislaff XIV.— "This is not true; for I
had a fever at the time, and remained at home."
350 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
answer, laughingly : " Dear brother, I think Herr Bacchus
has done more to turn Frau Venus against our race than
Sidonia or any of her spells, therefore ye need not wonder if
ye have no heirs. However, if my five young Princes listen
to my warnings and shun the wine- cup, trust me the blood-
standard will be lifted up again, and our ancient name never
want a fitting representative. "
Meanwhile, as they so discoursed, and the gracious ladies
looked down for shame upon the ground, young Lord Philip
began a Latin argument with the Rev. Dr. Glambecken,
court chaplain at Wolgast de monetis ; and pulled out of his
pocket a large bag of old coins, which had been presented to
him by Doctor Chytraeus, professor of theology at Rostock,
with whom his Grace interchanged Latin epistles.*
This gave the conversation a new turn, and the ladies
particularly were much pleased examining the coins ; but the
devil himself surely must have anagrammatised one of them,
for over the letters, Pomerania, figures were scratched
3 5 6412789
— thus — Pomerania — giving the terrible meaning, rape omnla
(rob all) ; and many said that this must have been the very
coin which the devil took that time he rent the oblation-
table, at the exorcism of the young Princess.
This discovery filled the Pomeranian Duke with strong
apprehensions, and young Prince Franz handed over the
coin to the Elector of Brandenburg, saying bitterly, "Yes,
rob all ! Doctor Joel of Grypswald has long since told me
that it would all end this way — even as Satan himself has
scratched down here — but my lord father will not credit
him, he is so proud of his five sons. Doctor Joel, however,
is a right learned man, and no one knows the mysteries
* See the Latin letters of the talented young Prince in Oelrich's.
" Contributions to the Literary History of the Pomeranian Dukes," vol.
i. p. 67. He fell a victim to intemperance, though his death was im-
puted likewise to Sidonia, and formed the subject of the sixth torture
examination.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 351
of the black art better ; besides, who reads the stars more
diligently each night than he ? "
And behold, while he is speaking, the fool runs into the
hall, pale, and trembling in every limb.
" Alas ! Lord Franz," he exclaimed, " I have seen the
manikin again on his three-legged hare, which appeared at
the death of Duke Ernest Ludovicus."
But the young lord boxed him, crying, "Away, thou
knave ! must thy chatter help to make us more melancholy ? "
However Duke Bogislaff bid the fool stay, and tell them
when and where he had seen the imp.
My fool wiped his eyes, and began : " The young Lord
Franz had bid him put on his best jacket (that which had
been given him as a Christmas-box) for the carnival mum-
mings on Shrove Tuesday ; so he went up to the garret to
get it himself out of the trunk, but, before he had quite
reached the trunk, the black dwarf, with his little red boots,
rode out from behind it on his three-legged hare — hop !
hop ! hop ! — made a frightful face at him, and after a little
while rode back again — hop ! hop ! hop ! behind his old
boots, which stood in a corner, and disappeared ! "
What the malicious Puck denoted we shall soon see —
Oh, woe ! woe !
Next day all sorts of amusements were set on foot, to
chase away gloomy thoughts out of the hearts of the illus-
trious guests — such as tilting with lances, dancing upon stilts,
wrestling, rope-dancing. Item, pickleherring and harlequins.
Amongst these last the fool showed off to great advantage,
for who could twist his face into more laughable grimaces ?
Item, in the evening there was a mask of mummers, in which
one fellow played the angel, and another dressed as Satan,
with a large horse's foot and cock's plume, spat red fire from
his mouth, and roared horribly when the angel overcame him
(but withal I think the gloomy thoughts stayed there yet).
And mark what in truth soon happened! When the
352 S1DONIA THE SORCERESS
drums and trumpets struck up the last mask dance in the
great Ritter Hall, which every one joins in, old and young,
his Grace, Duke Johann, went to the room of his dear
cousin Hedwig, the princely widow, and prayed her to tread
the dance with him ; but she refuses, and sits by the fire
and weeps.
"Let not my dear cousin fret," said the Duke, "about
the chatter of the fool."
To which she replied, " Alas ! wherefore not ? For
surely it betokens death to my darling little son, Philip
Julius."
" No," exclaimed the Duke quickly, " it betokens mine ! "
and he fell flat upon the ground.
One can easily imagine how the gracious lady screamed,
so that all ran in from the Knight's Hall in their masks and
mumming-dresses, to see indeed the mumming of the true
bodily Satan ; and Doctor Pomius, who was at the mask
likewise, ran in with a smelling-bottle, but all was in vain.
His Grace lingered for three days, and then having received
the Holy Sacrament from Doctor Glambecken, died in the
same chamber in which he was born, having lived fifty-
seven years, five months, twelve days, and fourteen hours.
How can I describe the lamentations of the princely com-
pany— yea, indeed, of the whole town ; for every one saw
now plainly that the anger of God rested upon this ancient
and illustrious Pomeranian race, and that He had given it over
helplessly to the power of the evil one.
Summa. — On the 9th February the princely corse was
laid in the very sleigh which had brought it a living body,
and, followed by a grand train of princes, nobles, and knights,
along with a strong guard of the ducal soldatesca, was con-
veyed back to Stettin ; and there, with all due and befitting
ceremonies, was buried on Palm Sunday in the vault of the
castle church.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 353
CHAPTER XXII.
How Barnim the Tenth succeeds to the government, and how
Sidonia meets him as she is gathering bilberries. Item,
of the unnatural witch-storm at his Grace9 s funeral, and
how Duke Casimir refuses, in consequence, to succeed him.
Now Barnim the Tenth succeeded to that very duchy
about which he had been so wroth the day of the Diet at
Wollin, but it brought him little good. He was, however,
a pious Prince, and much beloved at his dower of Riigenwald,
where he spent his time in making a little library of all the
Lutheran hymn-books which he could collect, and these he
carried with him in his carriage wherever he went ; so that
his subjects of Riigenwald shed many tears at losing so pious
a ruler.
Item, the moment his Grace succeeded to the government,
he caused all the courts to be reopened, along with the
treasury and the chancery, which his deceased Grace had
kept closed to the last ; and for this goodness towards his
people, the states of the kingdom promised to pay all his
debts, which was done ; and thus lawlessness and robbery
were crushed in the land.
But woe, alas ! — Sidonia can no man crush ! She wrote
immediately to his Grace, soliciting the prabenda, and even
presented herself at the ducal house of Stettin ; but his Grace
positively refused to lay eyes on her, knowing how fatal a
meeting with her had proved to each of his brothers, who no
sooner met her evil glance than they sickened and died.
Therefore his Highness held all old women in abhorrence.
Indeed, such was his fear of them, that not one was allowed to
approach the castle ; and when he rode or drove out, lacqueys
and squires went before with great horsewhips, to chase away
all the old women out of his Grace's path, for truly Sidonia
VOL. i. z,
354 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
might be amongst them. From this, it came to pass that as
soon as it was rumoured in the town, " His Grace is coming,"
all the old mothers seized up their pattens, and scampered off,
helter-skelter, to get out of reach of the horsewhips.
But who can provide against all the arts of the devil ? for
though it is true that Sidonia destroyed his two brothers, also
his Grace himself, along with Philip II., by her breath and
glance, yet she caused a great number of other unfortunate per-
sons to perish, without using these means, as we shall hear fur-
ther on ; whereby many imagined that her familiar Chim could
not have been so weak a spirit as she represented him, on the
rack, in order to save her life, but a strong and terrible demon.
These things, however, will come in their proper place.
Summa. — After Duke Barnim had reigned several years,
with great blessing to his people, it happened that word came
from Riigenwald how that his brother, Duke Casimir, was
sick. This was the Prince whom, we may remember, Sidonia
had whipped with her irreverent hands upon his princely podex,
when he was a little boy.
Now Duke Barnim had quarrelled with the estates because
they refused funds for the Turkish war ; however, he became
somewhat merrier that evening with the Count Stephen of
Naugard, when the evil tidings came to him of his beloved
brother (yet more bitter sorrow is before him, I think). So
the next morning the Duke set off with a train of six carriages
to visit his sick brother, and by the third evening they reached
the wood which lies close beside Riigenwald. Here there
was a large oak, the stem of which had often served his Grace
for a target, when he amused himself by practising firing. So
he stopped the carriage, and alighted to see if the twenty or
thirty balls he had shot into it were still there.
But alas! as he reached the oak, that devil's spectre (I
mean Sidonia) stepped from behind it ; she had an old pot in
her hand filled with bilberries, and asked his Grace, would he
not take some to refresh himself after his journey.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 355
His Highness, however, recoiled horror-struck, and asked
who she was.
She was Sidonia von Bork, and prayed his Grace yet once
more for the prabenda in Marienfliess.
Hereat the Duke was still more horrified, and exclaimed,
" Curse upon thy prabenda, but thou shalt get something else,
I warrant thee ! Thou art a vile witch, and hast in thy
mind to destroy our whole noble race with thy detestable
sorceries."
Ilia. — " Alas ! no one had called her a witch before ; how
could she bewitch them ? It was a strange story to tell of her."
The Duke. — " How did it happen, then, that he had no
children by his beloved Amrick ? "
Ilia (laughing). — " He better ask his beloved Amrick her-
self. How could she know ? "
But here she began to contort her face horribly, and to
spit out, whereupon the Duke called out to his retinue —
" Come here, and hang me this hag upon the oak-tree ; she
is at her devil's sorceries again ! And woe ! woe ! already I
feel strange pains all through my body ! "
Upon this, divers persons sprang forward to seize her, but
the nimble night-bird darted behind a clump of fir-trees, and
disappeared. Unluckily they had no bloodhounds along with
them, otherwise I think the devil would have been easily
seized, and hung up like an acorn on the oak-tree. But God
did not so will it, for though they sent a pack of hounds from
Riigenwald, the moment they arrived there, yet no trace of
the hag could be found in the forest.
And now mark the result : the Duke became worse hour
by hour, and as Duke Casimir had grown much better by the
time he arrived, and was in a fair way of recovery, his Grace
resolved to take leave of him and return with all speed to his
own house at Stettin ; but on the second day, while they were
* Anna Maria, second daughter of John George, Elector of Bran-
denburg,
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
still a mile from Stettin, Duke Barnim grew so much worse,
that they had to stop at Alt-Damm for the night. And
scarcely had he laid himself down in bed when he expired.
This was on the ist of September 1603, when he was fifty-
four years, six months, sixteen days, and sixteen hours old.
But the old, unclean night-bird would not let his blessed
Highness go to his grave in peace (probably because he had
called her an accursed witch). For the i8th of the same
month, when all the nobles and estates were assembled to
witness the ceremonial of interment, along with several
members of the ducal house, and other illustrious personages,
such a storm of hail, rain, and wind, came on just at a quarter
to three, as they had reached the middle of the service, that
the priest dropped the book from his hands, and the church
became so suddenly dark, that the sexton had to light the
candles to enable the preacher to read his text. Never, too,
was heard such thunder, so that many thought St. Jacob's
Tower had fallen in, and the princes and nobles rushed out of
the church to shelter themselves in the houses, while the most
terrific lightning flashed round them at every step.
Yet truly it must have been all witch-work, for when the
funeral was over, the weather became as serene and beautiful
as possible.
And a great gloom fell upon every one in consequence, for
that it was no natural storm, a child could have seen. Indeed,
Dr. Joel, who was wise in these matters, declared to his
Highness Duke Bogislaff XIII. that without doubt it was
a witch-storm, for the doctor was present at the funeral, as
representative of the University of Grypswald. And respecting
the clouds, he observed particularly that they were formed like
dogs' tails, that is, when a dog carries his tail in the air so that
it forms an arc of a circle. And this, indeed, was the truth.
Summa. — As by the death of Duke Barnim the govern-
ment devolved upon Duke Casimir of Riigenwald, the estates
proceeded thither to offer him their homage, but the Prince
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 357
hesitated, said he was sickly, and who could tell whether it
would not go as ill with him as with his brothers ? But the
estates, both temporal and spiritual, prayed him so earnestly
to accept the rule, that he promised to meet them on the next
morning by ten of the clock, in the great Rittersaal (knights'
hall), and make them acquainted with his decision.
The faithful states considered this a favourable answer, and
were in waiting next morning, at the appointed hour, in the
Rittersaal. But what happened ? Behold, as the great door
was thrown open, in walked the Duke, not with any of the
insignia of his princely station, but in the dress of a fisherman.
He wore a linen jacket, a blue smock, a large hat, and great,
high fisher's boots, reaching nearly to his waist. Item, on
his back the Duke carried a fisherman's basket ; six fisher-
men similarly dressed accompanied him, and others in a like
garb followed.
All present wondered much at this, and a great murmur
arose in the hall ; but the Duke threw his basket down by his
side, and leaned his elbow on it, while he thus went on to
speak : " Ye see here, my good friends, what government
I intend to hold in future with these honest fishers, who
accompanied me up to my dear brother's funeral. I shall
return this day to Riigenwald. The devil may rule in
Pomerania, but I will not ; if you kill an ox there is an end
of it, but here there is no end. Satan treats us worse than
the poor ox. Choose a duke wheresoever you will ; but as
for me, I think fishing and ruling the rudder is pleasanter work
than to rule your land."
And when the unambitious Prince had so spoken, he drew
forth a little flask containing branntwein * (a new drink which
some esteemed more excellent than wine, which, however, I
leave in its old pre-eminence ; I tasted the other indeed but
once, but it seemed to me to set my mouth on fire — such is
not for my drinking), and drank to the fishers, crying, " What
* Whisky.
358 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
say you, children — shall we not go and flounder again upon
the Riigenwald strand?" Upon which they all shouted,
«Ay! ay!"
His Grace then drank to the states for a farewell, and
leaving the hall, proceeded with his followers to the vessel,
which he ascended, singing gaily, and sailed home directly to
his new fishing- lodge at Neuhausen.
Such humility, however, availed his Grace nothing in pre-
serving him from the claws of Satan ; for scarcely a year and
a half had elapsed when he was seized suddenly, even as his
brothers, and died on the loth May 1605, at the early age of
forty-eight years, one month, twenty-one days, and seventeen
hours.
But to return to the states. They were dumb with grief
and despair when his Grace left the hall. The land marshal
stood with the staff, the court marshal with the sword, and
the chancellor with the seals, like stone statues there, till a
noble at the window called out —
" Let us hasten quickly to Prince Bogislaff, before he
journeys off, too, with his five sons, and we are left without
any ruler. See, there are the horses just putting to his
carriage ! "
Upon this, they all ran out to the coach, and the chancel-
lor asked, in a lamentable voice, " If his Grace were indeed
going to leave them, like that other gracious Prince who
owned the dukedom by right ? The states would promise
everything he desired — they would pay all his debts — only
his Grace must not leave them and their poor fatherland in
their sore need."
Hereat his Grace laughed, and told them, " He was not
going to his castle of Franzburg, only as far as Oderkrug,
with his dear sons, to look at the great sheep-pens there, and
drink a bowl of ewe's milk with the shepherds under the
apple-tree. He hoped to arrive there before his brother
Casimir in his boat, and then they might discuss the casus
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 359
together ; indeed, when he showed him the sheep-pens, it was
not probable that he would refuse a duchy which had a fold
of twenty thousand sheep, for his brother Casimir was a great
lover of sheep as well as of fish."
Upon this, the states and privy council declared that
they would follow him to Oderkrug to learn the result, but
meanwhile begged of his Grace not to delay setting off,
lest Duke Casimir might have left Oderkrug before he
reached it.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Duke Bogislaft XIII. accepts the government of the duchy, and
gives Sidoma at last the long-desired pr&benda — Item, of
her arrival at the convent of Marienftiess.
Now my gracious Lord BogislafT had scarcely alighted at
Oderkrug from his carriage, and drunk a bowl of milk under
the apple-tree, when he spied the yellow sails of his brother's
boat above the high reeds ; upon which he ran down to the
shore, and called out himself —
" Will you not land, brother, and drink a bowl of ewe's
milk with us, or take a glance at the great sheep-pen ? It is
a rare wonder, and my lord brother was always a great lover
of sheep ! "
But Prince Casimir went on, and never slackened sail.
Whereupon his Highness called out again, " The states and
privy councillors are coming, brother, and want to have a few
words with you."
Hereat Prince Casimir laughed in the boat, and returned
for answer — " He knew well enough what they wanted ;
but no — he had no desire to be bewitched to death. Just give
him the lands of Lauenburg and Butow as an addition to his
dower, and then his dear BogislafF might take all Pomerania
to himself if he pleased."
360 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
After which, doffing his hat for an addio, he steered bravely
through the Pappenwasser.
When young Prince Franz heard this, he laughed loud,
and said, " Truly our uncle is the wisest — he will not be
bewitched to death, as he says — but what will my lord
father do now, for see, here come the states already in their
carriages over the hill ! "
Duke BogislafF answered, " What else remains for me to
do but to accept the government ? "
Ille. — " Yes, and be struck dead by witchcraft, like my
three uncles ! Ah, my gracious lord father, before ever
you accept the rule of the duchy, let the witch be seized and
burned. Doctor Joel hath told me much about these witches ;
and believe me, there is no wiser man in all Pomerania than
this magister. He can do something more than eat bread."
Then he fell upon his father's neck, and caressed him —
"Ah, dear father, do not jump at once into the govern-
ment ; burn the witch first : we cannot spare our dear lord
father ! "
And the two young Princes George and Ulrich prayed
him in like manner ; but young Philip Secundus spake — " I
think, brothers, it were better if our dear father gave this long-
talked-of prabenda to the witch at once ; then, whether she
bewitches or not, we are safe at all events."
Hereupon his Highness answered — " My Philip is right ;
for in truth no one can say whether your uncles died by
Sidonia's sorceries or by those of the evil man Bacchus.
Therefore I warn you, dear children, flee from this worst
of all sorcerers ; not starting at appearances, as a horse at
a shadow, for appearance is the shadow of truth. Be ad-
monished, therefore, by St. Peter, and * gird up the loins of
your spirit : be sober, and watch unto prayer.' Then ye
may laugh all witches to scorn ; for God will turn the
devices of your enemy to folly."
Meanwhile the states have arrived ; and having alighted
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 361
from their coaches at the great sheep-pen, they advanced
respectfully to the Duke, who was seated under the apple-
tree — the land marshal first, with the staff, then the court
marshal with the sword, and lastly the chancellor with the seals.
They had seen from the hill how Duke Casimir sailed away
without waiting to hear them, and prayed and hoped that his
Highness would accept the insignia which they here respect-
fully tendered, and not abandon his poor fatherland in such dire
need. The devil and wicked men could do much, but God
could do more, as none knew better than his Highness.
Herewith his Grace sighed deeply, and taking the insignia,
laid staff and sword beside him ; then, taking up the sword
hastily again, he held it in his hand while he thus spake : —
" My faithful, true, and honourable states, ye know how
that I resigned the government, out. of free will, at the Diet
at Wollin, because I thought, and still think, that nothing
weighs heavier than this sword which I hold in my hand.
Therefore I went to my dower at Barth, and have founded
the beautiful little town of Franzburg to keep the Stralsund
knaves in submission, and also to teach our nobles that there
is some nobler work for a man to do in life than eating,
drinking, and hunting. Item, I have encouraged commerce,
and especially given my protection to the woollen trade ; but
all my labours will now fall to the ground, and the Stralsund
knaves be overjoyed ; * however, I must obey God's will, and
not kick against the pricks. Therefore I take the sword of
my father, hoping that it will not prove too heavy for me, an
old man ; f and that He who puts it into my hand (even the
strong God) will help me to bear it. So let His holy will
be done. Amen."
* The apprehension was justified by the event ; for on the departure
of Duke Bogislaff, Franzburg fell rapidly to a mere village, to the great
joy of the Stralsunders, who looked with much envy on a new town
springing up in their vicinity.
f The Duke was then sixty.
362 SJDONIA THE SORCERESS
Then his Highness delivered back the insignia to the
states, who reverently kissed his hand, and blessed God for
having given so good and pious a Prince to reign over them.
Then they approached the five young lords, and kissed their
hands likewise, wishing at the same time that many fair olive-
branches might yet stand around their table. This made the
old Duke laugh heartily, and he prayed the states to remain a
little and drink ewe's milk with them for a pleasant pastime ;
the shepherds would set out the bowls.
Duke Philip alone went away into the town to examine the
library, and all the vases, pictures, statues, and other costly works
of art, which his deceased uncle, Duke Johann Frederick, had
collected ; and these he delivered over to the marshal's care,
with strict injunctions as to their preservation.
But a strange thing happened next day ; for as the Duke and
his sons were sitting at breakfast, and the wine-can had just been
locked up, because each young lord had drunk his allotted
portion, namely, seven glasses (the Duke himself only drank
six), a lacquey entered with a note from Sidonia, in which she
again demanded the prabenda, and hoped that his Highness
would be more merciful that his dead brothers, now that he
had succeeded to the duchy. Let him therefore send an
order for her admission to the cloister of Marienfliess. The
answer was to be laid upon St. Mary's altar.
Here young Lord Francis grew quite pale, and dropped the
fork from his hands, then spake — " Now truly we see this hag
learns of the devil, for how else could she have known that our
gracious father had accepted the government, unless Satan had
visited her in her den ? But let his dearest father be careful.
In his opinion, the Duke should promise her the pr<zbenda .,-
but as soon as the accursed hag showed herself at the cloister
(for the devil now kept her concealed), let her be seized and
burned publicly, for a terrible warning and example."
This advice did not please the old Duke. " Franz," he
said, " thou art a fool, and God forbid that ever thou shouldst
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 363
reign in the land ; for know that the word of a Prince is sacred.
Yes, Sidonia shall have the prabenda ; but I will not entrap
my enemy through deceit to death, but will try to win her over
by gentleness. The chancellor shall answer her instantly, and
write another letter to the abbess of Peter sdorf; and Sidonia' s
shall be laid upon the altar of St. Mary's this night, as she
requested, by one of my lacqueys."
Then Duke Philip kissed his pious father's hand, and the
tears fell from the good youth's eyes as he exclaimed —
" Alas, if she should murder you too ! "
And here are the two letters, according to the copies which
are yet to be seen in the princely chancery. Sub. litt. Marien-
jlless K, No. 683.
" WE, BOGISLAFF, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, DUKE OF STETTIN, POME-
RANIA, CASSUBEN, AND WENDEN ; PRINCE OF RUGEN ; COUNT
OF CUTZKOW, OF THE LANDS OF LAUENBURG AND BUTOW ;
LORD, &c.
' ' In consequence of your repeated entreaties for a prcebenda in the
cloister of Marienfliess, We, of our great goodness, hereby grant the same
unto you ; hoping that, in future, you will lead an humble, quiet life, as
beseems a cloistered maiden, and, in especial, that you will always show
yourself an obedient and faithful servant of our princely house. So we
commit you to God's keeping !
" Signatum, Old Stettin, the 2oth October 1603.
" BOGISLAFF."
The other letter, to the abbess of Petersdorf, was sent by a
salmon lad to the convent, as we shall hear further on, and
ran thus : —
"WE, BOGISLAFF, &c.
"WORTHY ABBESS, TRUSTY AND WELL-BELOVED FRIEND!
" Hereby we send to you a noble damsel, named Sidonia von Bork,
and desire a cell for her in your cloisters, even as the other nuns. We
trust that misery may have softened her heart towards God ; but if she
do not demean herself with Christian sobriety, you have our commands
to send her, along with the fish peasants and others, to our court for
judgment.
' ' God keep you ; pray for us !
" Signatum, &c.
" BOGISLAFF."
364 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
The letter to Sidonia was, in truth, laid that same night upon
the altar of St. Mary's, by a lacquey, who was further desired
to hide himself in the church, and see what became of it. Now,
the fellow had a horrible dread of staying alone in the church
by night, so he took the cook, Jeremias Bild, along with him ;
and after they had laid the letter down upon the altar, they
crept both of them into a high pew close by, belonging to the
Aulick Counsellor, Dieterick Stempel.
Now mark what happened. They had been there about
an hour, and the moon was pouring down as clear as daylight
from the high altar window ; when, all at once, the letter
upon the altar began to move about of itself, as if it were
alive, then it hopped down upon the floor, from that danced
down the altar steps, and so on all along the nave, though no
human being laid hands on it the while, and not a breath or
stir was heard in the church.*
Our two carls nearly died of the fright, and solemnly
attested by oath to his Highness the truth of their relation.
Thereby young Lord Franz was more strengthened in his
belief concerning Sidonia' s witchcraft, and had many argu-
ments with his father in consequence.
"His lord father might easily know that a letter could
not move of itself without devil's magic. Now, this letter
had moved of itself; ergo" &c.
Whereupon his Highness answered —
" When had he ever doubted the power of Satan ? Ah,
never ; but in this instance who could tell what the carls in
their fright had seen or not seen ? For, perhaps, Sidonia,
when she observed them hiding in the pew, had stuck a fish-
hook into the letter, and so drawn it over to herself. He
remembered in his youth a trick that had been played on the
patron — for this patron always went to sleep during the
sermon. So the sexton let down a fish-hook through the
* Something similar is related in the Seherin of Prevorst, where a
glass of water moved of its own accord to another place.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 365
ceiling of the church, which, catching hold of the patron's wig,
drew it up in the sight of the whole congregation, who after-
wards swore that they had seen the said wig of their patron
carried up to the roof of the church by witchcraft, and dis-
appear through a hole in the ceiling, as if it had been a bird.
Some time after, however, the sexton confessed his knavery,
and the patron's flying wig had been a standing joke in the
country ever since."
But the young lord still shook his head —
" Ah, they would yet see who was right. He was still of
the same opinion."
But I shall leave these arguments at once, for the result
will fully show which party was in the right.
Summa. — Sidonia, next day, drove in her one-horse cart
again to the convent gate at Marienfliess, accompanied by
another old hag as her servant. Now the peasants had just
arrived with the salmon, which the Duke despatched every
fortnight as a present to the convent, and the letter of his
Grace had arrived also. So, many of the nuns were assembled
on the great steps looking at the fish, and waiting for the
abbess to divide it amongst them, as was her custom. Others
were gathered round the abbess, weeping as she told them of
the Duke's letter, and the good mother herself nearly fainted
when she read it.
So Sidonia drove straight into the court, as the gates were
lying open, and shouted —
" What the devil ! Is this a nuns' cloister, where all the
gates lie open, and the carls come in and out as if it were
a dove-cot ? Shame on ye, for light wantons ! Wait ;
Sidonia will bring you into order. Ha ! ye turned me out ;
but now ye must have me, whether ye will or no ! "
At such blasphemies the nuns were struck dumb. How-
ever, the abbess seemed as though she heard them not, but
advancing, bid Sidonia welcome, and said —
" It was not possible to receive her into the cloister, until
366 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
she had command from his Grace so to do, which command
she now held in her hand."
This softened Sidonia somewhat, and she asked —
" What are the nuns doing there with the fish ? "
" Dividing the salmon," was the answer.
Whereupon she jumped out of the cart, and declared that
she must get her portion also, for salmon was a right good
thing for supper.
Whereupon the sub-prioress, Dorothea von Stettin, cut
her off a fine large head-piece, which Sidonia, however, pushed
away scornfully, crying —
" Fie ! what did she mean by that ? The devil might eat
the head-piece, but give her the tail. She had never in her
life eaten anything but the tail-piece ; the tail was fatter."
So the abbess signed to them to give her the tail-end ; after
which, she asked to see her cell, and, on being shown it, cried
out again —
" Fie on them ! was that a cell for a lady of her degree ?
Why, it was a pig- sty. Let the abbess put her young litter
of nuns there ; they would be better in it than running up and
down the convent court with the fish-carls. She must and
will have the refectory."
And when the abbess answered —
" That was the prayer- room, where the sisters met night
and morning for vespers and matins," she heeded not, but
said —
" Let them pray in the chapel — the chapel is large
enough."
And so saying, she commanded her maid, who was no
other than Wolde Albrechts, though not a soul in the con-
vent knew her, to carry all her luggage straight into the
refectory.
What could the poor abbess do ? She had to submit, and
not only give her up the refectory, but, finding that she had
no bed, order one in for her. Item, seeing that Sidonia was
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 367
in rags, she desired black serge for a robe to be brought, and
a white veil, such as the sisterhood wore, and bid the nuns
stitch them up for her, thinking thus to win her over by kind-
ness. Also she desired tables, stools, &c., to be arranged in
the refectory, since she so ardently desired to possess this
room. But what fruit all this kindness brought forth we shall
see in tiler tertius.
END OF SECOND BOOK.
BOOK III.
FROM THE RECEPTION OF SIDONIA INTO THE
CONVENT AT MARIENFLIESS UP TILL HER
EXECUTION, AUGUST IQTH, 1620.
VOL. I. 2 A
CHAPTER I.
How the sub -prior ess, Dorothea Stettin, visits Sidonia and extols
her virtue — Item, of Sidonia s quarrel with the dairy-
'woman, and ho<w she beats the sheriff himself, Eggert
Sparling, with a broom-stick.
MOST EMINENT AND ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE ! — Your Serene High-
ness will surely pardon me if I pass over, in libra tertio, many
of the quarrels, bickerings, strifes, and evil deeds, with which
Sidonia disturbed the peace of the convent, and brought many
a goodly person therein to a cruel end ; first, because these
things are already much known and talked of; and secondly,
because such dire and Satanic wickedness must not be so
much as named to gentle ears by me.
I shall therefore only set down a few of the principal
events of her convent life, by which your Grace and others
may easily conjecture much of what still remains unsaid ; for
truly wickedness advanced and strengthened in her day by
day, as decay in a rotting tree.
The morning after her arrival in the convent, while it
was yet quite early, and Wolde Albrechts, her lame maid,
was sweeping out the refectory, the sub-prioress, Dorothea
Stettin, came to pay her a visit. She had a piece of salmon,
and a fine haddock's liver, on a plate, to present to the lady,
and was full of joy and gratitude that so pious and chaste a
maiden should have entered this convent. " Ah, yes ! it was
indeed terrible to see how the convent gates lay open, and the
men-folk walked in and out, as the lady herself had seen
yesterday. And would sister Sidonia believe it, sometimes
371
372 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
the carls came in bare-legged ? Not alone old Matthias
Winterfeld, the convent porter, but others — yea, even in
their shirt-sleeves sometimes — oh, it was shocking even to
think of! She had talked about it long enough, but no one
heeded her, though truly she was sub-prioress, and ought
to have authority. However, if sister Sidonia would make
common cause with her from this time forth, modesty and
sobriety might yet be brought back to their blessed
cloister."
Sidonia desired nothing better than to make common cause
with the good, simple Dorothea — but for her own purposes.
Therefore she answered, " Ay, truly ; this matter of the
open gates was a grievous sin and shame. What else were
these giddy wantons thinking of but lovers and matrimony ?
She really blushed to see them yesterday."
Ilia. — " True, true ; that was just it. All about love and
marriage was the talk for ever amongst them. It made her
heart die within her to think what the young maidens were
nowadays."
H<zc. — " Had she any instances to bring forward ; what
had they done ? "
Ilia. — " Alas ! instances enough. Why, not Jong since, a
nun had married with a clerk, and this last chaplain, David
Grosskopf, had taken another nun to wife himself."
Htec. — " Oh, she was ready to faint with horror."
Ilia (sobbing, weeping, and falling upon Sidonia' s neck). —
" God be praised that she had found one righteous soul in
this Sodom and Gomorrah. Now she would swear friend-
ship to her for life and death ! And had she a little drop of
wine, just to pour on the haddock's liver ? it tasted so much
better stewed in wine ! but she would go for some of her
own. The liver must just get one turn on the fire, and then
the butter and spices have to be added. She would teach her
how to do it if she did not know, only let the old maid make
up the fire."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 373
Hac. — "What was she talking about? Cooking was
child's play to her ; she had other things to cook than
haddocks' livers. "
Ilia (weeping). — " Ah ! let not her chaste sister be angry;
she had meant it all in kindness."
Hac. — " No doubt — but why did she call the convent a
Sodom and Gomorrah ? Did the nuns ever admit a lover
into their cells ? "
Ilia (screaming with horror). — "No, no, fie! how could
the chaste sister bring her lips to utter such words ? "
Hac. — "What did she mean, then, by the Sodom and
Gomorrah ? "
Ilia. — " Alas ! the whole world was a Sodom and Go-
morrah, why, then, not the convent, since it lay in the world ?
For though we do not sin in words or works, yet we may
sin in thought ; and this was evidently the case with some
of these young things, for if the talk in their hearing was of
marriage, they laughed and tittered, so that it was a scandal
and abomination ! "
H<KC. — " But had she anything else to tell her — what had
she come for ? "
Ilia. — « Ah ! she had forgotten. The abbess sent to say,
that she must begin to knit the gloves directly for the canons
of Camyn. Here was the thread."
H<zc. — " Thousand devils ! what did she mean ? "
Ilia (crossing herself). — " Ah ! the pious sister might let
the devils alone, though (God be good to us) the world was
indeed full of them ! "
Hac. — " What did she mean, then, by this knitting — to
talk to her so — the lady of castles and lands ? "
Ilia. — " Why, the matter was thus. The reverend canons
of Camyn, who were twelve in number, purchased their beer
always from the convent — for such had been the usage from
the old Catholic times — and sent a waggon regularly every
half-year to fetch it home. In return for this goodness, the
374 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
nuns knit a pair of thread gloves for each canon in spring, and
a pair of woollen ones in winter."
Hac. — " Then the devil may knit them if he chooses, but
she never will. What ! a lady of her rank to knit gloves for
these old fat paunches ! No, no ; the abbess must come to
her ! Send a message to bid her come."
And truly, in a little time, the abbess, Magdalena von
Petersdorf, came as she was bid ; for she had resolved to
try and conquer Sidonia' s pride and insolence by softness and
humility.
But what a storm of words fell upon the worthy matron !
" Was this treatment, forsooth, for a noble lady ? To be
told to knit gloves for a set of lazy canons. Marry, she
had better send the men at once to her room, to have them
tried on. No wonder that levity and wantonness should
reign throughout the convent ! "
Here the good mother interposed —
" But could not sister Sidonia moderate her language a
little ? Such violence ill became a spiritual maiden. If
she would not hold by the old usage, let her say so quietly,
and then she herself, the abbess, would undertake to knit the
gloves, since the work so displeased her."
Then she turned to leave the room, but, on opening the
door, tumbled right against sister Anna Apenborg, who was
stuck up close to it, with her ear against the crevice, listen-
ing to what was passing inside. Anna screamed at first, for
the good mother' s> head had given her a stout blow, but
recovering quickly, as the two prioresses passed out, curtsied
to Sidonia —
"Her name was Anna Apenborg. Her father, Elias,
dwelt in Nadrensee, near Old Stettin, and her great-great-
grandfather, Caspar, had been with Bogislaff X. in the Holy
Land. She had come to pay her respects to the new sister,
for she was cooking in the kitchen yesterday when the lady
arrived, and never got a sight of her, but she heard that
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 375
this dear new sister was a great lady, with castles and
lands. Her father's cabin was only a poor thing thatched
with straw," &c.
All this pleased the proud Sidonia mightily, so she
beckoned her into the room, where the aforesaid Anna im-
mediately began to stare about her, and devour everything
with her eyes ; but seeing such scanty furniture, remarked
inquiringly — •
" The dear sister's goods are, of course, on the road ? "
This spoiled all Sidonia' s good-humour in a moment, and
she snappishly asked —
" What brought her there ? "
Hereupon the other excused herself —
"The maid had told her that the dear sister was going
to eat her salmon for her lunch, with bread and butter, but
it was much better with kale, and if she had none, her maid
might come down now and cut some in the garden. This
was what she had to say. She heard, indeed, that the sub-
prioress and Agnes Kleist ate their salmon stewed in butter,
but that was too rich ; for one should be very particular about
salmon, it was so apt to disagree. However, if sister Sidonia
would just mind her, she would teach her all the different
ways of dressing it, and no one was ever the worse for eating
salmon, if they followed her plan."
But before Sidonia had time to answer, the chatterbox
had run to the door and lifted the latch —
" There was a strange woman in the courtyard, with
something under her apron. She must go and see what it
was, but would be back again instantly with the news."
In a short time she returned, bringing along with her
Sheriff Sparling's dairy- woman, who carried a large bundle of
flax under her apron. This she set down before Sidonia —
" And his worship bid her say that she must spin all this
for him without delay, for he wanted a new set of shirts, and
the thread must be with the weaver by Christmas."
376 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
When .Sidonia heard this, she fell into a right rage in
earnest —
" May the devil wring his ears, the peasant carl ! To send
such a message to a lady of her degree ! "
Then she pitched the flax out of the door, and wanted
to shove the dairy-woman out after it, but she stopped, and
said —
" His worship gave all the nuns a bushel of seed for their
trouble, and sowed it for them ; so she had better do as the
others did."
Sidonia, however, was not to be appeased —
" May the devil take her and her flax, if she did not trot
out of that instantly."
So she pushed the poor woman out, and then panting and
blowing with rage, asked Anna Apenborg to tell her what
this boor of a sheriff was like ?
Ilia. — " He was a strange man. Ate fish every day, and
always cooked the one way, namely, in beer. How this was
possible she could not understand. To-day she heard he was
to have pike for his dinner."
H<zc. — " Was she asking the fool what he ate ? What did
she care about his dinners ? But what sort of man was he,
and did all the nuns, in truth, spin for him ? "
Ilia. — " Ay, truly, except Barbara Schetzkow ; she was
dead now. But once when he went storming to her cell,
she just turned him out, and so she had peace ever after.
For he roared like a bear, but, in truth, was a cowardly
rabbit, this same sheriff. And she heard, that one time, when
he was challenged by a noble, he shrank away, and never
stood up to his quarrel."
But just then in walked the sheriff himself, with a horse-
whip in his hand. He was a thick-set, grey-headed fellow,
and roared at Sidonia —
" What ! thou old, lean hag — so thou wilt spin no flax ?
May the devil take thee, but thou shalt obey my commands ! "
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 377
While he thus scolded, Sidonia quietly caught hold of the
broom, and grasping it with both hands, gave such a blow
with the handle on the grey pate of the sheriff, that he
tumbled against the door, while she screamed out —
" Ha ! thou peasant boor, take that for calling me a hag —
the lady of castle and lands ! "
Then she struck him again and again, till the sheriff at
last got the door open and bolted out, running down the stairs
as hard as he could, and into the courtyard, where, when he
was safely landed, he shook the horsewhip up at Sidonia's
windows, crying out —
" I will make you pay dear for this. Anna Apenborg was
witness of the assault. I will swear information this very day
before his Highness, how the hag assaulted me, the sheriff,
and superintendent of the convent, in the performance of my
duty, and pray him to deliver an honourable cloister from
the presence of such a vagabond."
Then he went to the abbess, and begged her and the nuns
to sustain him in his accusation —
" Such wickedness and arrogance had never yet been seen
under the sun. Let the good abbess only feel his head ;
there was a lump as big as an egg on it. Truly, he had had
a mind to horsewhip her black and blue ; but that would
have been illegal ; so he thanked God that he had restrained
himself."
Then he made the abbess feel his head again ; also Anna
Apenborg, who happened to come in that moment.
But the worthy mother knew not what to do. She told
the sheriff of Sidonia' s behaviour as she drove into the con-
vent ; also how she had possessed herself of the refectory by
force, refused to knit or spin, and had sent for her, the abbess,
bidding her come to her, as if she were no better than a
serving-wench.
At last the sheriff desired all the nuns to be sent for, and
in their presence drew up a petition to his Highness, praying
378 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
that the honourable convent might be delivered from the
presence of this dragon, for that no peace could be expected
within the walls until this vagabond and evil-minded old hag
were turned out on the road again, or wherever else his
Highness pleased. Every one present signed this, with the
exception of Anna Apenborg and the sub-prioress, Dorothea
Stettin. And many think that in consideration of this gentle-
ness, Sidonia afterwards spared their lives, and did not bring
them to a premature grave, like as she did the worthy abbess
and others.
For the next time that she caught Anna at her old habit
of listening, Sidonia said, while boxing her —
" You should get something worse than a box on the ear, only
for your refusal to sign that lying petition to his Highness."
Summa. — After a few days, an answer arrived from his
Grace the Duke of Stettin, and the abbess, with the sheriff,
proceeded with it to Sidonia's apartment.
They found her brewing beer, an art in which she excelled ;
and the letter which they handed to her ran thus, according
to the copy received likewise by the convent : —
"WE, BOGISLAFF, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, DUKE OF
STETTIN, &c.
" Having heard from our sheriff and the pious sisterhood of Marien-
fliess, of thy unseemly behaviour, in causing uproars and tumults in
the convent ; further, of thy having struck our worthy sheriff on the
head with a broom-stick — We hereby declare, desire, and command,
that, unless thou givest due obedience to the authorities, lay and
spiritual, doing this well, with humility and meekness, even as the
other sisters, the said authorities shall have full power to turn thee
out of the convent, by means of their bailiffs or otherwise, as they
please, giving thee back again to that perdition from which thou
wast rescued. Further, thou art herewith to deliver up the refec-
tory to the abbess, of which We hear thou hast shamefully possessed
thyself.
" Old Stettin, loth November, 1603.
" BOGISLAFF."
Sidonia scarcely looked at the letter, but thrust it under the
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 379
pot on the fire, where it soon blazed away to help the brewing,
and exclaimed —
" They had forged it between them ; the Prince never wrote
a line of it. Nor would he have sent it to her by the hands
of her enemies. Let it burn there. Little trouble would she
take to read their villainy. But never fear, they should have
something in return for their pains."
Hereupon she blew on them both, and they had scarcely
reached the court, after leaving her apartment, when both were
seized with excruciating pains in their limbs ; both the sheriff
and the abbess were affected in precisely the same way — a
violent pain first in the little finger, then on through the hand,
up the arm, finally, throughout the whole frame, as if the mem-
bers were tearing asunder, till they both screamed aloud for very
agony. Doctor Schwalenberg is sent for from Stargard, but
his salve does no good; they grow worse rather, and their cries
are dreadful to listen to, for the pain has become intolerable.
So my brave sheriff turns from a roaring ox into a poor
cowardly hare, and sends off the dairy- woman with a fine haunch
of venison and a sweetbread to Sidonia : " His worship's
compliments to the illustrious lady with these, and begged to
know if she could send him anything good for the rheumatism,
which had attacked him quite suddenly. The Stargard doctor
was not worth the air he breathed, and his salve had only made
him worse in place of better. He would send the illustrious
lady also some pounds of wax-lights ; she might like them
through the winter, but they were not made yet."
When Sidonia heard this she laughed loudly, danced about,
and repeated the verse which was then heard for the first time
from her lips ; but afterwards she made use of it, when about
any evil deed : —
" Also kleien und also kratzen,
Meine Hunde und meine Katzen." *
* "So claw and so scratch,
My dogs and my cats."
380 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
The dairy-woman stood by in silent wonder, first looking at
Sidonia, then at Wolde, who began to dance likewise, and
chanted : —
" Also kleien und also kratzen,
Unsre Hunde und unsre Katzen." *
At last Sidonia answered, " This time I will help him ; but
if he ever bring the roaring ox out of the stall again, assuredly
he will repent it."
Hereon the dairy-mother turned to depart, but suddenly
stood quite still, staring at Anne Wolde; at length said,
" Did I not see thee years ago spinning flax in my mother's
cellar, when the folk wanted to bring thee to an ill end ? "
But the hag denied it all — " The devil may have been in
her mother's cellar, but she had never seen Marienfliess in her
life before, till she came hither with this illustrious lady."
So the other seemed to believe her, and went out ; and by
the time she reached her master's door, his pains had all
vanished, so that he rode that same day at noon to the hunt.
The poor abbess heard of all this through Anna Apenborg,
and thereupon bethought herself of a little embassy likewise.
So she bid Anna take all sorts of good pastry, and a new
kettle, and greet the Lady Sidonia from her — " Could the dear
sister give her anything for the rheumatism ? She heard the
sheriff was quite cured, and all the doctor's salves and plasters
were only making her worse. She sent the dear sister a few
dainties — item, a new kettle, as her own kettle had not yet
arrived. Item, she begged her acceptance of all the furniture,
&c., which she had lent her for her apartment.
At this second message, the horrible witch laughed and
danced as before, repeating the same couplet; and the old
hag, Wolde, danced behind her like her shadow.
Now Anna Apenborg's curiosity was excited in the highest
* " So claw and so scratch,
Our dogs and our cats."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 381
degree at all this, and her feet began to beat up and down on
the floor as if she were dying to dance likewise ; at last she
exclaimed, " Ah, dear lady ! what is the meaning of that ?
Could you not teach it to me, if it cures the rheumatism ? that
is, if there be no devil's work in it (from which God keep
us). I have twelve pounds of wool lying by me ; will you
take it, dear lady, for teaching me the secret ? "
But Sidonia answered, " Keep your wool, good Anna, and
I will keep my secret, seeing that it is impossible for me to
teach it to you ; for know, that a woman can only learn it of
a man, and a man of a woman ; and this we call the doctrine
of sympathies. However, go your ways now, and tell the
abbess that, if she does my will, I will visit her and see
what I can do to help her ; but, remember, my will she
must do."
Hereupon sister Anna was all eagerness to know what
her will was, but Sidonia bade her hold her tongue, and then
locked up the viands in the press, while Wolde went into
the kitchen with the kettle, where Anna Apenborg followed
her slowly, to try and pick something out of the old hag, but
without any success, as one may easily imagine.
CHAPTER II.
How Sidonia visits the abbess, Magdalena von Petersdorf, and
explains her wishes, but is diverted to other objects by a
sight of David Ludeck, the chaplain to the convent.
WHEN Sidonia went to visit the abbess, as she had promised,
she found her lying in bed and moaning, so that it might have
melted the heart of a stone ; but the old witch seemed quite
surprised — " What could be the matter with the dear, good
mother? but by God's help she would try and cure her.
Only, concerning this little matter of the refectory, it might
382 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
as well be settled first, for Anna Apenborg told her the
room was to be taken from her ; but would not the good
mother permit her to keep it ? "
And when the tortured matron answered, "Oh yes ;
keep it, keep it," Sidonia went on —
"There was just another little favour she expected for
curing her dear mother (for, by God's help, she expected to
cure her). This was, to make her sub-prioress in place of
Dorothea Stettin ; for, in the first place, the situation was
due to her rank, she being the most illustrious lady in the
convent, dowered with castles and lands ; secondly, because
her illustrious forefathers had helped to found this convent ;
and thirdly, it was due to her age, for she was the natural
mother of all these young doves, and much more fitted to
keep them in order and strict behaviour than Dorothea
Stettin."
Here the abbess answered, " How could she make her
sub-prioress while the other lived ? This was not to be
done ? Truly sister Dorothea was somewhat prudish and
whining, this she could not deny, for she had suffered many
crosses in her path ; but, withal, she was an upright, honest
creature, with the best and simplest heart in the world ; and
so little selfishness, that verily she would lay down her life
for the sisterhood, if it were necessary."
Ilia, — « A good heart was all very well, but what could it
do without respect ? and how could a poor fool be respected
who fell into fits if she saw a bride, particularly here, where
the young sisters thought of nothing but marriage from
morning till night."
Hac. — "Yet she was held in great respect and honour
by all the sisterhood, as she herself could testify."
///#. — "Stuff! she must be sub-prioress, and there was
an end of it, or the abbess might lie groaning there till she
was as stiff as a pole."
" Alas ! Sidonia," answered the abbess, " I would rather
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 383
lie here as stiff as a pole — or, in other words, lie here a
corpse, for I understand thy meaning — than do aught that
was unjust."
Ilia. — " What was unjust ? The old goose need not be
turned out of her office by force, but persuaded out of it —
that would be an easy matter, if she were so humble and
excellent a creature."
Hcec. — " But then deceit must be practised, and that she
could never bring herself to."
Ilia. — " Yet you could all ^practise deceit against me, and
send off that complaint to his Highness the Prince."
Hac. — " There was no falsehood there nor deceit, but the
openly expressed wish of the whole convent, and of his
worship the sheriff."
Ilia. — " Then let the whole convent and his worship the
sheriff make her well again ; she would not trouble herself
about the matter."
Whereupon she rose to depart, but the suffering abbess
stretched out her hands, and begged, for the sake of Jesus,
that she would release her from this torture ! " Take every-
thing— everything thou wishest, Sidonia — only leave me my
good conscience. Thy dying hour must one day come too ;
oh ! think on that."
Ilia. — " The dying hour is a long way off yet " (and she
moved to the door).
Hac (murmuring): —
" Why should health from God estrange thee?
Morning cometh and may change thee ;
Life, to-day, its hues may borrow
Where the grave- worm feeds to-morrow."
Ilia. — " Look to yourself then. Speak ! Make me sub-
prioress, and be cured on the instant."
Hac (turning herself back upon the pillow). — "No, no,
temptress ; begone : —
384 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
' ' ' Softest pillow for the dying,
Is a conscience void of dread.'
Go, leave me ; my life is in the hand of God. * For if we
live, we live unto the Lord ; and if we die, we die unto the
Lord. Living, therefore, or dying, we are the Lord's.7 '
So saying, the pious mother turned her face to the wall,
and Sidonia went out of the chamber.
In a little while, however, she returned — "Would the
good mother promise, at least, to offer no opposition, if
Dorothea Stettin proposed, of her own free will, to resign
the office of sub-prioress ? If so, let her reach forth her hand ;
she would soon find the pains leave her."
The poor abbess assented to this, and oh, wonder ! as it
came, so it went ; first out of the little finger, and then by
degrees out of the whole body, so that the old mother wept
for joy, and thanked her murderess.
Just then the door opened, and David Ludeck, the chap-
lain, whom the abbess had sent for, entered in his surplice.
He was a fine tall man, of about thirty-five years, with bright
red lips and jet-black beard.
He wondered much on hearing how the abbess had been
cured by what Sidonia called "sympathies," and smelled
devil's work in it, but said nothing — for he was afraid;
spoke kindly to the witch-hag even, and extolled her learning
and the nobility of her race ; declaring that he knew well
that the Von Borks had helped mainly to found this cloister.
This mightily pleased the sorceress, and she grew quite
friendly, asking him at last, "What news he had of his
wife and children ? " And when he answered, " He had
no wife nor children," her eyes lit up again like old cinders,
and she began to jest with him about his going about so
freely in a cloister, as she observed he did. But when she
saw that the priest looked grave at the jestings, she changed
her tone, and demurely asked him, "If he would be ready
after sermon on Sunday to assist at her assuming the nun's
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 385
dress ; for though many had given up this old usage, yet
she would hold by it, for love of Jesu." This pleased the
priest, and he promised to be prepared. Then Sidonia took
her leave ; but scarcely had she reached her own apartment
when she sent for Anna Apenborg. " What sort of man
was this chaplain ? she saw that he went about the convent
at his pleasure. This was strange when he was unmarried."
Ilia. — " He was a right friendly and well-behaved gentle-
man. Nothing unseemly in word or deed had ever been
heard of him."
Hac. — " Then he must have some private love-affair."
Ilia. — " Some said he was paying court to Bamberg's
sister there in Jacobshagen."
H<ec. — " Ha ! very probable. But was it true ? for other-
wise he should never go about amongst the nuns the way he
did. It was quite abominable : an unmarried man ; Dorothea
Stettin was right. But how could they ascertain the fact ? "
Ilia. — " That was easily done. She was going next morn-
ing to Jacobshagen, and would make out the whole story for
her. Indeed, she herself, too, was curious about it."
Hac. — " All right. This must be done for the honour of
the cloister. For according to the rules of 1569, the court
chaplain was to be an old man, who should teach the sisters
to read and write. Whereas, here was a fine carl with red
lips and a black beard — unmarried too. Did he perchance
ever teach any of them to read or write .? "
Ilia. — " No ; for they all knew how already."
Hesc. — " Still there was something wrong in it. No, no,
in such matters youth has no truth ; Dorothea Stettin was
quite right. Ah, what a wonderful creature, that excellent
Dorothea ! Such modesty and purity she had never met
with before. Would that all young maidens were like her,
and then this wicked world would be something better."
Ilia (sighing). — "Ah, yes; but then sister Dorothea went
rather far in her notions."
VOL. i. 2 B
386 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
H<ec. — " How so ? In these matters one could never go
too far."
Ilia. — " Why, when a couple were called in church, or a
woman was churched, Dorothea nearly fainted. Then, there
was a niche in the chancel for which old Duke Barnim had
given them an Adam and Eve, which he turned and carved
himself. But Dorothea was quite shocked at the Adam, and
made a little apron to hang before him, though the abbess and
the whole convent said that it was not necessary. But she
told them, that unless Adam wore his apron, never would she
set foot in the chapel. Now, truly this was going rather far.
Item, she has been heard to wonder how the Lord God
could send all the animals naked into the world ; as cats,
dogs, horses, and the like. Indeed, she one day disputed
sharply on the matter with the chaplain ; but he only laughed
at her, whereupon Dorothea went away in a sulk."
Here Sidonia laughed outright too ; but soon said with
grave decorum, " Quite right. The excellent Dorothea
was a treasure above all treasures for the convent. Ah, such
chastity and virtue were rarely to be met with in this wicked
world."
Now Anna Apenborg had hardly turned her back, to go
and chatter all this back again to the sub-prioress, when
Sidonia proceeded to tap some of her beer, and called the
convent porter to her, Matthias Winterfeld, bidding him
carry it with her greetings to the chaplain, David Ludeck.
(For her own maid, Wolde, was lame, ever since the racking
she got at Wolgast. So Sidonia was in the habit of send-
ing the porter all her messages, much to his annoyance.)
When he came now he was in his shirt-sleeves, at which
Sidonia was wroth — "What did he mean by going about
the convent in shirt-sleeves ? Never let him appear before
her eyes in such unseemly trim. And was this a time even
for shirt-sleeves, when they were in the month of November ?
But winter or summer, he must never appear so."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 387
Hereupon the fellow excused himself. He was killing
geese for some of the nuns, and had just put off his coat, not
to have it spoiled by the down ; but she is nothing mollified
— scolds him still, so the fellow makes off without another
word, fearing he might get a touch of the rheumatism, like
the abbess and his worship the sheriff, and carries the beer-
can to the reverend chaplain ; from whom he soon brings
back " his grateful acknowledgments to the Lady Sidonia."
Two days now passed over, but on the third morning
Anna Apenborg trotted into the refectory full of news. She
was quite tired from her journey yesterday ; for the snow
was deep on the roads, but to pleasure sister Sidonia (and
besides, as it was a matter that concerned the honour of the
convent) she had set off to Jacobshagen, though indeed the
snow lay ankle-deep. However, she was well repaid, and
had heard all she wanted ; oh, there was great news !
Hla. — « Quick ! what ? how ? why ? Remember it is for
the honour and reputation of the entire convent."
H&c. — " She had first gone to one person, who pretended
not to know anything at all of the matter ; but then another
person had told her the whole story — under the seal of the
strictest secrecy, however."
Ilia. — " What is it ? what is it ? How she went on
chattering of nothing."
Hac. — " But will the dear sister promise not to breathe
it to mortal ? She would be ruined with her best friend
otherwise."
Ula, — « Nonsense, girl ; who could I repeat it to ? Come,
out with it ! "
So Anna began, in a very long-winded manner, to explain
how the burgomaster's wife in Jacobshagen said that her
maid said that Provost Bamberg's maid said, that while she
was sweeping his study the other morning, she heard the
provost's sister say to her brother in the adjoining room, that
she could not bear the chaplain, David Ludeck, for he had
388 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
been visiting there off and on for ever so long, and yet never
had asked her the question. He was a faint-hearted coward
evidently, and she hated faint-hearted men.
Sidonia grew as red as a fire-beacon when she heard this,
and walked up and down the apartment as if much perturbed,
so that Anna asked if the dear sister were ill ? " No,"
was the answer. " She was only thinking how best to get
rid of this priest, and prevent him running in and out of the
convent whenever he pleased. She must try and have an
order issued, that he was only to visit the nuns when they
were sick. This very day she would see about it. Could the
good Anna tell her what the sheriff had for lunch to-day ? "
Ilia. — " Ay, truly, could she ; for the milk-girl, who had
brought her some fresh milk, told her that he had got plenty
of wild fowl, which the keeper had snared in the net ; and
there was to be a sweetbread besides. But what was the
dear sister herself to eat ? "
Hac. — " No matter — but did she not hear a great ringing
of bells ? What could the ringing be for ? "
Ilia. — " That was a strange thing, truly. And there was
no one dead, nor any child to be christened, that she had
heard of. She would just run out and see, and bring the dear
sister word."
Ilia. — " Well then, wait till evening, for it is near noon
now, and I expect a guest to lunch."
ffac. — " Eh ? a guest ! — and who could it be ? "
Ilia, — "Why, the chaplain himself. I want to arrange
about his dismissal."
So, hardly had she got rid of the chatterbox, when
Sidonia called the porter, Matthias, and bid him greet the
reverend chaplain from her, and say, that as she had some-
what to ask him concerning the investiture on Sunday,
would he be her guest that day at dinner ? She hoped to
have some game with a sweetbread, and excellent beer to
set before him.
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 389
When the porter returned with the answer from his
reverence, accepting the invitation, she sent him straight to
the sheriff with a couple of covered dishes, and a message,
begging his worship to send her half-a-dozen brace or so of
game, for she heard that a great many had been taken in his
nets ; and a sweetbread, if he had it, for she had a guest to-
day at dinner.
So the dishes came back full — everything just ready to
be served ; for the cunning hag knew well that he dare not
refuse her; and immediately afterwards the priest arrived
to dinner. He was very friendly, but Sidonia caught him
looking very suspiciously at a couple of brooms which she
had laid crosswise under the table. So she observed, " I
lay these brooms there, to preserve our dear mother and the
sheriff from falling again into this sickness. It is part of the
doctrine of sympathies, and I learned it out of my Herbal,
as I can show you." Upon which she went to her trunk
and got the book for the priest, whose fears diminished when
he saw that it was printed ,• but he could not prevail on her to
lend it to him.
Summa. — The priest grew still more friendly over the
good eating and drinking ; and she, the old hypocrite, dis-
coursed him the while about her heavenly bridegroom, and
threw up her eyes and sighed, at the same time pressing his
hand fervently. But the priest never minded it, for she was
old enough to be his mother, and besides, he remembered the
Scripture — " No man can call Jesus Lord, except through the
Holy Ghost." So as her every third word was "Jesus,"
he looked upon her as a most discreet and pious Christian, and
went away much satisfied by her and the good dinner.
390 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
CHAPTER III.
Sidonia tries another way to catch the priest, but falls through
a mistake — Item, of her horrible spell, whereby she
bewitched the 'whole princely race of Pomerania, so that,
to the grievous sorrow of their fatherland, they remain
barren even unto this day.*
As soon as the pious abbess was able to leave her bed, she
sent for the priest, for she had strange suspicions about Sidonia,
and asked the reverend clerk, if indeed her cure could have
been effected by sympathy ? and were it not rather some work
of the bodily Satan himself ? But my priest assured her con-
cerning Sidonia's Christian faith ; item, told, to the great
wonderment of the abbess, that she no longer cared for the
sub-prioret (we know why — she would sooner have the priest
than the prioret), but was content to let Dorothea Stettin keep
it or resign it, just as she pleased.
After this, the investiture of Sidonia took place, and the
priest blessed her at the altar, and admonished her to take as
her model the wise virgins mentioned Matt. xxv. (but God
knows, she had followed the foolish virgins up to that period,
and never ceased doing so to the end of her days).
Even on that very night, we shall see her conduct ; for she
bid her maid, Wolde, run and call up the convent porter, and
despatch him instantly for the priest, saying that she was very
ill, and he must come and pray with her. This excited no
suspicion, since she herself had forbade the priest entering the
convent, unless any of the sisters were sick. But Anna
Apenborg slipped out of bed when she heard the noise, and
watched from the windows for the porter's return. Then she
* Note of Duke Bogislaff XIV.—" Ay, and will to the last day, veh
mihi."
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 391
tossed up the window, though the snow blew in all over her
bed, and called out, " Well, what says he ? will he come ?
will he come ? "
And when the fellow grunted in answer, "Yes, he's
coming," she wrapped a garment round her, and set herself
to watch, though her teeth were chattering from cold all the
time. In due time the priest came, whereupon the curious
virgin crept out of her garret, and down the stairs to a little
window in the passage which looked in upon the refectory,
and through which, in former times, provisions were some-
times handed in. There she could hear everything that
passed.
When the priest entered, Sidonia stretched out her meagre
arms towards him, and thanked him for coming ; would he
sit down here on the bed, for there was no other seat in the
room ? she had much to tell him that was truly wonderful.
But the priest remained standing : let her speak on.
Ilia. — " Ah ! it concerned himself. She had dreamt a
strange dream (God be thanked that it was not a reality),
but it left her no peace. Three times she awoke, and three
fell asleep and dreamt it again. At last she sent for him, for
there might be danger in store for him, and she would turn it
away if possible."
Hie. — " It was strange, truly. What, then, had she
dreamed?"
Ilia. — " It seemed to her that murderers had got up into
his room through the window, and just as they were on the
point of strangling him, she had appeared and put them to
flight, whereupon — " (here she paused and sighed).
Hie (in great agitation). — "Go on, for God's sake go on
— what further ? "
Ilia. — " Whereupon — ah ! she must tell him now, since
he forced her to do it. Whereupon, out of gratitude, he took
her to be his wife, and they were married " (sighing, and
holding both hands before her eyes).
392 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Hie (clasping his hands). — "Merciful Heaven! how
strange ! I dreamt all that precisely myself." *
Upon which Sidonia cried out, " How can it be possible ?
Oh, it is the will of God, David — it is the will of God " (and
she seized him by both hands).
But the priest remained as cold as the snow outside, drew
back his head, and said, "Ah! no doubt these absurdities
about marriage came into my head because I had been
thinking so much over our young Lord Philip of Wolgast,
who was wedded to-day at Berlin."
Sidonia started up at this, and screamed in rage and anger
— "What! Duke Philip married to-day in Berlin? The
accursed prioress told me the wedding was not to be for
eight days after the next new moon."
The priest now was more astonished at her manner than
even at the coincidence of the dreams, and he started back
from the bed. Whereupon, perceiving the mistake she had
made, the horrible witch threw herself down again, and letting
her head fall upon the pillow, murmured, " Oh ! my head !
my head ! She must have locked up the moon in the cellar.
How will the poor people see now by night ? — why did the
prioress lock up the moon ? Oh ! my head ! my head ! "
Then she thanked the priest for coming — it was so good of
* The power of producing particular dreams by volition, was recog-
nised by the ancients and philosophers of the Middle Ages. Ex.
Albertus Magnus relates (De Mirabilibus Mundi 205) that horrible
dreams can be produced by placing an ape's skin under the pillow.
He also gives a receipt for making women tell their secrets in sleep
(but this I shall keep to myself). Such phenomena are neither physio-
logically nor psychologically impossible, but our modern physiologists
are content to take the mere poor form of nature, dissect it, anatomise
it, and then bury it beneath the sand of their hypotheses. Thus, indeed,
"the dead bury their dead," while all the strange, mysterious, inner
powers of nature, which the philosophers of the Middle Ages, as Psellus,
Albertus Magnus, Trithemius, Cardanus, Theophastus, &c., did so
much to elucidate, are at once flippantly and ignorantly placed in the
category of " Superstitions," "Absurdities," and " Artful Deceptions-"
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 393
him ; but she was worse — much worse. " Ah ! her head !
her head ! Better go now — but let him come again in the
morning to see her." So the good priest believed in truth
that the detestable hag was very ill, and evidently suffering
from fever ; so he went his way pitying her much, and with-
out the least suspicion of her wicked purposes.
Scarcely, however, had he closed the door, when Sidonia
sprang like a cat from her bed, and called out, "Wolde,
Wolde ! " And as the old witch hobbled in with her lame
leg, Sidonia raged and stamped, crying out, " The accursed
abbess has lied to me. Ernest Ludovicus' brat was married
to-day at Berlin. Oh ! if I am too late now, as on his
father's marriage, I shall hang myself in the laundry. Where
is Chim — the good-for-nothing spirit ? — he should have seen
to this." And she dragged him out and beat him, while he
quaked like a hare.
Whereupon Wolde called out, " Bring the padlock from
the trunk." The other answered, "What use now? — the
bridal pair are long since wedded and asleep." To which
the old witch replied, " No ; it is twelve o'clock here, but
in Berlin it wants a quarter to it yet. There is time. The
Berlin brides never retire to their apartment till the clock
strikes twelve. There is time still."
" Then," exclaimed Sidonia, " since the devil cannot tell
me on what day they hold bridal, I will make an end now of
the whole accursed griffin brood, in all its relationships, branch
and root, now and for evermore, in Wolgast as in Stettin ; be
they destroyed and rooted out for ever and for ever." Then
she took the padlock, and murmured some words over it, of
which Anna Apenborg could only catch the names, Philip,
Francis, George, Ulrich, Bogislaff, who were all sons to Duke
BogislafF XIII., and, in truth, died each one without leaving
an heir. And, during the incantation, the light trembled and
burned dim upon the table, and the thing which she had beaten
seemed to speak with a human voice, and the bells on the turret
396 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
pushed away the priest with her hand, just as, by good for-
tune, a messenger from the abbess knocked at the door, with
a request that the chaplain would come to the good mother
without delay. So the old hag went away with the maid of the
abbess, and the priest stopped to dress himself more decently.
But in some time the abbess, who was on the watch, saw
him striding past her door ; so she opened the window and
called out to know " Where was he going ? Had he for-
gotten that she lived there ? " To which he answered,
" He must first visit Sidonia." At this the worthy matron
stared at him in horror ; but my priest went on ; and as he
cared more for the maid than the mistress now, ran at once
into the kitchen, without waiting to see Sidonia in the refec-
tory ; and seizing hold of Wolde, whispered, " That she
must give him the kiss now — she need not be such a prude,
for he had no wife. And what beautiful hair ! Never in
his life had he seen such beautiful white hair ! " But the old
hag still resisted ; and in the struggle a stool, on which lay a
pot, was thrown down.
Sidonia rushed in at the noise ; and behold ! there was my
priest holding Wolde by the hand. She nearly fainted at the
sight. What was he doing with her maid ? Then seizing a
heavy log of wood, she began to lay it on Wolde's shoulders,
who screamed and roared, while my priest slunk away ashamed,
without a word ; and as he ran down the steps, heard the blows
and the screams still resounding from the kitchen.
As he passed the door of the abbess's room, again she called
him in ; but as he entered, she exclaimed in terror, " My
God, what ails your reverence ? You look as black and red
in the face as if you had had a fit, and had grown ten years
older in one night ! "
" Nothing ails me," he answered ; then sighed, and walked
up and down the room, murmuring, " What is the world to
me ? Why should I care what the world thinks ? " Then
falls flat on the ground as if he were dead, while the good
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 397
abbess screams and calls for help. In runs Anna Apenborg —
hem, several other sisters with their maids, and they stretch the
priest out upon a bench near the stove, where he soon begins
to foam at the mouth, and throw up all the beer, with the
love-philtrum therein, which he had drunk (Sidonia's power
effected this, no doubt, since she saw how matters stood).
Then he heaved a deep sigh, opened his eyes, and asked,
" Where am I ? " Whereupon, finding that his reason and
clear understanding had been restored to him, he requested the
sisterhood to depart (for they had all rushed in to hear what
was going on) and leave him alone with the abbess, as he had
matter of grave import to discuss with her. Whereupon they
all went out, except Anna Apenborg, who said that she, too,
had matter of grave import to relate. So finding she would
not stir, the priest took her by the hand, and put her out at the
door along with the others.
Now when they were both left alone, we can easily imagine
the subject of their conversation. The poor priest made his
confession, concealing nothing, only lamenting bitterly how he
had disgraced his holy calling ; but he had felt like one in a
dream, or under some influence which he could not shake off.
In return, the abbess told him of the horrible scene witnessed
by Anna Apenborg the night before ; upon which they both
agreed that no more accursed witch and sorceress was in the
world than their poor cloister held at that moment. Finally,
putting all the circumstances together, the reverend David
began to perceive what designs Sidonia had upon him, particu-
larly when he heard of Anna Apenborg Js visit to Jacobshagen,
and the news which she had brought back from thence. So
to destroy all hope at once in the accursed sorceress, and save
himself from further importunity and persecution on her part,
he resolved to offer his hand the very next day to Barbara
Bamberg, for, in truth, he had long had an eye of Christian love
upon the maiden, who was pious and discreet, and just suited
to be a pastor's wife.
398 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
Then they agreed to send for the sheriff, and impart the
whole matter to him, he being cloister superintendent ; but his
answer was, " Let them go to him, if they wanted to speak
to him ; for, as to him, he would never enter the convent
again — his poor body had suffered too much there the last
time."
Whereupon they went to him ; but he could give no counsel,
only to leave the matter in the hands of God the Lord ; for
if they appealed to the Prince, the sorceress would surely
bewitch them again, and they would be screaming day
and night, or maybe die at once, and then what help for
them, &c.
Sidonia meanwhile was not idle ; for she sent messages
throughout the whole convent that she lay in her bed sick
unto death, and they must needs come and pray with her,
along with the priest, before they assembled in the chapel for
service. At this open blasphemy and hypocrisy, a great
fear and horror fell upon the abbess, likewise upon the
priest, since the witch had specially named him, and desired
that he would come before service to pray with her. For a
long while he hesitated, at last promised to visit her after
service ; but again bethought himself that it would be more
advisable to visit her before, for he might possibly succeed
in unveiling all her iniquities, or if not, he could pray after-
wards in the church, "that if indeed Sidonia were really
sick, and a child of God, the just and merciful Father would
raise her up and strengthen her in her weakness ; but if she
were practising deceit, and were no child of God, but an
accursed limb of Satan, then he would give her up into the
hands of God for punishment, for had He not said, * Venge-
ance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord'? (Romans
xii. 19.)"
This pleased the abbess, and forthwith the reverend David
proceeded to the refectory.
Now Sidonia had not expected him so early, and she was
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS 399
up and dressed, busily brewing another hellish drink to have
ready for him by the time he arrived ; but when his step
sounded in the passage, she whipped into bed and covered
herself up with the clothes, not so entirely, however, but that
a long tail of her black robe fell outside from under the white
sheet— this, unluckily for herself, she knew nothing of. The
priest, however, saw it plainly, and had, moreover, heard the
jump she gave into bed just as he opened the door ; but he
made no remark, only greeted her as usual, and asked what
she wanted with him.
Ilia, — « Ah ! she was sick, sick unto death — would he
not pray for her ? for the night before she was too ill to pray,
and no doubt the Lord was angry with her, by reason of the
omission. This morning, indeed, she had crept out of bed,
just to scold her awkward maid for breaking all the pots and
pans, as he himself saw, but had to go to bed again, and was
growing weaker and weaker every quarter of an hour. But
the good priest must taste her beer ; let him drink a can of
it first to strengthen his heart. It was the best beer she had
made yet, and her maid had just tapped a fresh barrel."
Here the reverend David made answer — " He thanked
her for her beer, but would drink none. He could not be-
lieve, either, that she was as ill as she said, and had been
lying in bed all the morning."
But she persisted so vehemently in her falsehoods that the
very boards under her must have felt ashamed, if they had
possessed any consciousness. Whereupon the priest shuddered
in horror and disgust, bent down silently, and lifted up the
piece of her robe which lay outside.
" What did this mean ? did she wear her nun's dress in
bed ? or was she not rather making a mock of him, and the
whole convent, by her pretended sickness ? "
Here Sidonia grew red with shame and wrath ; but, ere
she could utter a word, the priest continued with a holy and
righteous anger —
400 SIDONIA THE SORCERESS
" Woe to thee, Sidonia ! for thou art a byword amongst
the people. Woe to thee, Sidonia ! for thou hast passed thy
youth in wantonness and thy old age in sin. Woe to thee,
Sidonia ! for thy hellish arts brought thy mother the abbess,
and thy father the superintendent, nearly to their graves.
Woe to thee, Sidonia ! for this past night thou hast taken a
horrible revenge upon the whole princely race, and cursed
them by the power which the devil gives thee. Woe to
thee, Sidonia ! for by thy hellish drink thou didst seek to
destroy me, the servant of the living God, to thy horrible
maid still more horribly attracting me. Woe to thee,
Sidonia ! accursed witch and sorceress, blasphemer of God
and man ! Behold, thy God liveth, and thy Prince liveth,
and they will rain fire and brimstone upon thy infamous head.
Woe to thee ! woe to thee ! woe to thee ! thou false serpent
— thou accursed above all the generations of vipers — how wilt
thou escape eternal damnation ? "
When the righteous priest of God had ended his fearful
malediction, he started at himself, for he knew not how the
words had come into his mouth ; then turned from the bed
and went out, while a peal of laughter followed him from
the room. But no evil happened to him at that time, as he
had fully expected, from Sidonia (probably she feared to
exasperate the convent and the Prince against her too much) ;
but she treasured up her vengeance to another opportunity, as
we shall hear further on.
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ENGLISH PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL PHRASES.
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SONGS FROM THE RAVEL. Song-Poems for Setting to Music.
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RUSKIN'S NOTES ON SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL PICTURES
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ESSAYS AND LETTERS OF MONTAIGNE. Edited by
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POPULAR ANTIQUITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN
FAITHS ar FOLKLORE
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SPECIMENS DEREFERENCE HEADINGS
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Aldate, St.
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Anne's Well, near Not-
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A HANDBOOK TO CHOPIN'S WORKS. Giving a Detailed
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TREATISE ON THE TRAINING OF BOYS' VOICES. With
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PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO PERFECT
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PIANO TOUCH, PHRASING AND INTERPRETATION. By
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THE ART OF MODULATION. A Handbook Showing at a
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Roy. Svo, cloth, 45. (paper, 2s. 6d.).
KING'S ROYAL ALBUMS.
NOS. 6 AND 24 ARE 6d. EACH.
No. 1. National and Patriotic Songs. Book 1.
God Save the King. Roast Beef of Old England.
Victoria. The Blue Bells of Scotland.
God Bless our Sailor Prince. Tom Howling.
God Bless the Prince of Wales. Ye Mariners of England.
Here's a Health unto His Majesty. Come Lassies and Lads.
Lord of the Sea. The Bay of Biscay.
There's a Land (Dear England).
No. 2. National and Patriotic Songs. Book 2.
Hearts of Oak.
Stand United.
The Cause of England's Greatness.
The Last Rose of Summer.
The Leather Bottel.
Home, Sweet Home.
Three Cheers for the Red, White
Blue.
The Minstrel Boy.
The British Grenadiers.
Auld Lang Syne.
Rule Britannia.
and
No. 3. Sousa's 10 Marches, Piano.
1. The Washington Post. 6. The Corcoran Cadets.
2. Manhattan Beach. 7. Our Flirtation.
3. The Liberty Bell. 8. March past of the Rifle Regiment.
4. High School Cadets. 9. March past of the National Fencibles.
5. The Belle of Chicago. 10. Semper Fidelis.
No. 4. Organ Pieces, W. Small wood
1. Moderate con mpto. 3. Andante Moderate. 5. Andante con moto.
2. Adagio Expressive. 4. Andante Religiose. 6. Lento Cantabile.
No. 5. Esmeralda Album, Piano.
Belgium (Galop). Esmeralda (Transcription on Levy's
Belle of Madrid (Tempi di Polka). Popular Song).
Emmeline (Galop). Placid Streams (Morceau).
The Seasons (Galop).
No. 6. Balfe's 6 Airs, Piano (price 6d.).
1. Convent Cell (The). 4. I am a simple Muleteer.
2. 'Twas Rank and Fame. 5. I'ni not the Queen.
3. Tho' fortune darkly o'er me frown. 6. List to the Gay Castanet.
No. 7. Sousa's 1O Marches, Mandoline. SCOKE AND PART.
(Contents as No. 3.)
No. 8. Sousa's 1O Marches, Banjo and Pf. SCORE AND PART.
(Contents as No. 3.)
No. 9. Sousa's 1O Marches, Vn. and Pf. SCORE AND PART.
(Contents as No. 3.)
No. 1O. Sousa's 1O Marches, Am. Organ. (Contents as No. 3.)
No. 11. Grieg's " Peer Gynt" Suite. PIANO SOLO.
1. Dance of the Gnomes. 3. Morning. 5. Solvejgs Song.
2. Ase's Death. 4. Anitra's Dance.
10
No. 12 Grieg's Ly rise he Stucke, etc. PIANO SOLO.
1. Arietta. 4. Fairy Dance. 7. National Song.
2. Waltzer/ 5. Popular Melody. 8. Norwegian Bridal March.
3. Watchman's Song. 6. Norwegian Melody.
No. 13. Grieg's 4 Humoresques. Minuetto and Funeral
March. PIANO SOLO.
No. 14. Hiawatha, etc., Mandoline and Pf. SCORE AND PART.
Hiawatha Cake Walk. Alice Where Art Thou. Donan Wellen Waltz.
Minnehaha Cake Walk. Kathleen Mavourneen. Blue Danube Waltz.
Over the Waves Waltz.
No. 15. 1O Original Voluntaries for American Organ or
Harmonium. BY EDWIN M. FLAVELL.
No. 16. 12 Voluntaries for American Organ or Harmonium.
BY J. E. NEWELL.
No. 17. Graduated Course of Exercises for Boy Choristers.
BY G. T. FLEMING.
Elementary Exercises. General Exercises. Six Vocal Studies.
No. 18. Stephanie Album for Mandoline and Piano. SCORE
AND PART.
Stephanie. Killarney. Salome.
Grenadier Guards March. Nazareth. Marche aux Flambeaux.
Santiago.
No. 19. Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte, for the Organ.
Selected Numbers, Arr. with pedal obb. by E. EVANS. (Book i.)
1. Venetian Gondolied. 3. Allegro Non Troppo. 5. Andante Expressive.
2. Con Moto in E flat. 4. Presto e Molto Vivace.
No. 2O. Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte, for the Organ.
Selected Numbers, Arr. with pedal obb. by E. EVANS. (Book 2.)
6. Allegro con Fugo. 8. Venetian Gondolied. 10. Moderato No. 35.
7. Allegro con Anima. 9. Andante No. 31.
No. 21. Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte, for Piano Solo.
Books i and 2.
No. 22. Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte, for Piano Solo.
Books 3 and 4.
No. 23. Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte, for Piano Solo.
Books 5 and 6.
No. 24. Mendelssohn, Lieder ohne Worte, for Piano Solo.
Book 7. (Price 6d.)
No. 25. Tchaikovsky, Overture, 1812. PIANO SOLO.
No. 26. Stark, H. J., 6 Compositions for the Organ. With
ped obb. (Book i.)i
No. 27. Stark, H. J., 6 Compositions for the Organ. With
ped. obb. (Book 2.)
No. 28. Bennett, W. Sterndale, 3 Diversions, Op. 17. PIANO-
FORTE DUETS.
No. 29. Gade, Neils. W., Andantino and Allegro, Elegie and
Scherzino, Op. 19, Idylle, Op. 34. No. 1. FOR PIANOFORTE SOLO.
II
EXERCISES IN VOCAL SCORE READING. Collected from
the Works of Orlando di Lasso, Palestrina, Vittoria, Barcroft,
Redford, Peter Certon, Byrd, Gibbons, Croft, Rogers, Boyce, &c.
For Students preparing for the R.C.O. and other Examinations.
By Dr. JAMES LYON. 410, paper covers, 33.
EXERCISES IN FIGURED BASS AND MELODY HARMONI-
ZATION. By Dr. JAMES LYON. 410, 2s.
EXAMPLES OF TWO PART WRITING FROM FIGURED
BASSES AND GIVEN MELODIES. By Dr. JAMES LYON.
40, 45.
This may be used as a Key to " Exercises in Figured Bass."
THE VIOLIN, Its History and Construction. Illustrated
and Described from all Sources. Together with a List of
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Neiderheitman. With Twenty-nine Illustrations and Folding
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By JOHN BROADHOUSE. Crown 8vo, cloth, 2s.
LIFE AND LETTERS OF CHOPIN. By M. KARASOWSKI.
Translated by E. HILL. Second Edition, Revised and Further
Letters added. Written during the Composer's Sojourn in
England and Scotland, 1848-9. With Portraits and Facsimile of
the Original Autograph Manuscript of the Prelude in E Minor,
Op. 28, No. 4. 2 vols. Crown 8vo, cloth, IDS.
Important Critical Contribution.
CHOPIN : The Man and his Music. By JAMES HUNEKER, Author
of " Mezzotints in Modern Music." Thick crown 8vo, cloth, IDS.
" Mr. Huneker is a Chopin enthusiast. He accords admiration to Brahms, to
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is a sane critic and a manly. . . . There is no pretence at new material in the book.
Mr. Huneker has garnered all that has been written about the composer, and he has
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LIFE OF^ CHOPIN. By FRANZ LISZT. New and very much
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CHOPIN : AS REVEALED BY EXTRACTS FROM HIS DIARY.
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FARQUHARSON SHARP. Portrait of Purcell. Third Edition,
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12
MUSIC AND MUSICIANS. Essays and Criticisms. By ROBERT
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THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC
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SYMPHONY WRITERS SINCE BEETHOVEN. By FELIX
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THE DEEPER SOURCES OF THE BEAUTY AND EXPRES-
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THE PLACE OF SCIENCE IN MUSIC. By HENRY SAINT-
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THE MAKING OF SOUND IN THE ORGAN AND
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MODERN ORGAN TUNING, the How and Why, clearly
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ART OF TUNING THE PIANOFORTE. A New and Compre-
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By HERMANN SMITH. New Edition, Revised and Enlarged.
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PRECURSORS OF THE VIOLIN FAMILY. By K. SCHLESINGER.
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VIOLIN MANUFACTURE IN ITALY AND ITS GERMAN
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PERFORMING EDITION
THE CREATION. A Sacred Oratorio composed by JOSEPH HAYDN.
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MENDELSSOHN'S LIEDER OHNE WORTE (SONGS WITH-
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SIXTY YEARS OF MUSIC. A Record of the Art in England
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THE ART OF MODULATING. A Series of Papers on Modulating
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HARMONISING OF MELODIES. A Text-Book for Students
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CHAPTERS. — Introductory; The Resources of Harmony; Harmonising
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TWELVE LESSONS ON BREATHING AND BREATH CON-
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Crown 8vo, limp cloth, is.
TWENTY LESSONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
VOICE, for Singers, Speakers, and Teachers. By GEO. E. THORP.
Crown 8vo, .limp cloth, is.
BOOKS ON FREEMASONRY
MANUAL OF FREEMASONRY, containing the First Three
Degrees, The Royal Arch and Knights' Templar Druids, The
Degrees of Mark Man, Mark Master, Architect, Grand Archi-
tect, &c. &c. By R. CARLILE. Post 8vo, red cloth, gilt, 323 pp.,
33. 6d.
MYSTERIES OF FREEMASONRY ; or, An Exposition of the
Religious Dogmas and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians ;
showing, from the origin, nature, and objects of the rites and
ceremonies of remote antiquity, their identity with the Order of
Modern Masonry, with some remarks on the Metamorphosis of
Apuleius, with numerous woodciits. By J. FELLOWS. Post 8vo,
blue cloth, gilt, 374 pp., 35. 6d.
RITUAL AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF FREEMASONRY, accom-
panied by very numerous engravings, and a Key to the Phi Beta
Kappa. Post 8vo, green cloth, gilt, 254 pp., 35. 6d.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE HOSTILITY
OF THE CHURCH OF ROME TO FREEMASONRY, and
an Inquiry into Freemasonry as it Was, and Is : with Criticism
as to how far the Order fulfils its Functions, by Author of "Text-
Book of Freemasonry." 8vo, sewed, 26 pp., is.
JACHIN AND BOAZ ; or, An Authentic Key to the Door of Free-
masonry, both Ancient and Modern. Post 8vo, sewed, 84 pp., is.
THREE DISTINCT KNOCKS AT THE DOOR OF THE MOST
ANCIENT FREEMASONRY. Post 8vo, sewed, 50 pp., is.
THE ORIGIN OF FREEMASONRY; or, The 1717 Theory Ex-
ploded. By C. J. PATON. 8vo, sewed, is.
THE OBELISK OF FREEMASONRY, according to the Discoveries
of Belzoni and Commander Gorringe ; also Egyptian Symbols
compared with those discovered in American Mounds. By
JOHN A. WEISSE. 8vo, paper, 2s. 6d. net.
POCKET LEXICON OF FREEMASONRY. By W. J. MORRIS,
18° P.D.D.G.M., St. Lawrence, District and Past Inspector Gen.
Royal and Select Masters. Fifth Thousand, I2mo, cloth, is. net.
BOOKS ON FREEMASONRY
FREEMASONRY ; An Account of the Early History of Freemasonry
in England, with Illustrations of the Principles and Precepts
advocated by that Institution. By T. L. Fox. Post 8vo, cloth,
62 pp., 2s.
TEXT-BOOK OF FREEMASONRY. A Complete Handbook of
Instruction to all the Workings in the Various Mysteries and
Ceremonies of CRAFT MASONRY, containing the Entered Appren-
tice, Fellow-craft, and Master Mason's degrees ; the Ceremony of
Installation [of the W. Master and Officers of the Lodge, together
with the whole of the Three Lectures; also the Ceremony of
Exaltation in the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, a
Selection of Masonic Songs, &c., illustrated -with four engravings
of the TRACING BOARDS, by "A Member of the Craft," new
and revised edition. Post 8vo, blue cloth, red edges, 270 pp., 55.
(or blue calf limp, gilt edges, IDS. net}.
Ditto, Ditto, on thin paper, bound in leather pocket-book style, 55.
THE WAISTCOAT POCKET TEXT- BO OK
THE HANDBOOK OF INSTRUCTION IN CRAFT MASONRY,
containing the Entered Apprentice, Fellow-craft, and Master
Mason's degrees. Compiled by "A Member of the Craft."
With Folding Plates of the Three Tracing Boards. I2mo, leather.
45. net.
THE THREE TRACING BOARDS, in post 8vo, cloth line, is. 6d. net.
TEXT-BOOK OF ADVANCED FREEMASONRY, containing, for
the self-instruction of Candidates, the COMPLETE RITUALS of the
HIGHER DEGREES, viz., Royal Ark Mariners, Mark Master,
Royal Arch, Red Cross of Rome and Constantinople, Knights'
Templar and Rose Croix de Heredom ; also Monitorial Instruc-
tions on the 30th to the 33rd and last degree of Freemasonry, to
which are added Historical Introductions and Explanatory re-
marks by the Author of the "Text- Book." Cr. 8vo, cloth,
278 pp., IDS. (or crimson calf limp, gilt edges, 153. net).
MASONIC SONGS AND POEMS. By Bards chiefly of the I9th
and 20th centuries. Compiled by A. C. STEPHEN. Post 8vo,
cloth, 35. 6d.
MASONIC SERVICE. By T. J. LINEKAR. In the Press.
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson &•* Co., Edinburgh & London
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