CHAPTER IV.

How the Lady Bertha was entertained by Nurreddin.

On the following day a Moorish knight made his appearance in the antechamber of the Lady of Lichtenried, and requested to know whether it might be allowed to the emir to come into her presence. Bertha granted the permission that was required of her; moreover, she was even glad that she was to speak with Nurreddin again; partly because, from his conduct of the preceding night, he had in some measure won her regard, and partly because his features bore a certain resemblance to some one whom she had before seen and now remembered with satisfaction, though she could not fix on the precise time or place when this had occurred.

On his entrance the emir again bowed with solemn respect; and when he had taken his place, after the eastern manner, on a low couch opposite to Bertha, she herself began to speak:--“Last night, methinks, you proved yourself a stern and severe administrator of justice, not only as the avenger of innocence, but also inasmuch as you maintained your own word inviolate, and decreed to the next heir of Alhafiz that which, by the other’s crime, became his due. How comes it then, that you do not extend the same justice towards me?--If Alhafiz were a pirate and violent robber, who deserved death, you also commit crimes like to his, if you force me to remain here against my own will, knowing that I have the right of freedom even as much as any bird that flies through the forest.”--“You have indeed spoken but the truth, noble lady,” answered the emir, “and it depends on your own choice towards what country you will direct your flight, or what forest you will enliven with your songs. Yet I cannot now go with you as your protector, for a duty which God and our prophet have laid upon my shoulders holds me fast bound to my station, even as iron is attracted by the north pole. Wait only for a few days. Trust yourself with me on a short sea-voyage, and you shall then turn your steps, with Nurreddin for your guard, wheresoever your own heart inclines you. Perchance, however, your heart may be now changed, and may desire only to remain evermore under his protection.”--“Truly, Bertha of Lichtenried is of a very different opinion,” answered the damsel; “and that you may be convinced of this, I demand that you will immediately order a proper escort to attend me, and that I may be carried back to Gascony from whence I came.”--“If you insist on this,” answered the emir, “deeply as it grieves my heart, doubtless your wishes shall be fulfilled; and yet----” He paused, and fixed on her a long, ardent gaze; “should I forsake thee?” cried he;--“should I permit such an angel as thou art to depart from my palace, under the protection of strangers, on thy voyage into a distant land?--What if they did not pay that respect which thou deservest,--if they offended thee in word or deed, or even with the rough sound of their churlish voices?--The very thought is enough to render me mad with rage. Trust thyself then to me, and to me alone; for thou could’st not rest more safely even in a father’s arms!”--The prince’s ardour now indeed seemed more like that of an affectionate parent or brother, than that of a selfish lover; so that Bertha could no longer be afraid; and, except her brother, Sir Heerdegen, she could not recollect any one over the wide world under whose protection she would more gladly have placed herself. Therefore she no longer urged her immediate departure, but relied on the emir’s promise, that she should be sent whither she wished to go as soon as circumstances rendered it possible for him to travel with her. The prince expressed with great respect his thankfulness for the confidence that she reposed in him; and the few days that must intervene, before she could leave Carthagena, were to be spent in viewing the numberless beautiful apartments,--the works of art,--and the magnificent gardens of his palace.

The realms of Asia are indeed rich, and blest, above all quarters of the earth, as if Nature evermore bestowed her especial care and affections on that country wherein man first derived his birth; and where, in after-years, far more than the gift of mortal life was bestowed on him. Whatever treasures and luxuries this land affords, whether of nature or art, all were in the possession of the rich and powerful emir. He himself walked about in his dignity, like a proud enchanter, through his palace and gardens, able to explain all the mysteries and beauties by which he was surrounded, and willing to become eloquent, if but a listener worthy of his notice could be found; and to whom could he have addressed himself more gladly than to Bertha of Lichtenried?--By whom could his glowing words have been so well understood?--Therefore oftentimes they walked together through the long vaulted galleries of the castle,--through the towering groves of the shadowy garden,--or reposed, during the noonday heat, by its glassy lakes or foaming waterfalls. With especial pleasure Bertha listened to the wonderful legends and fairytales, which Nurreddin half-read from beautiful manuscripts on palm-leaves, and half-sung to her from his own recollection. To all these she listened with so much pleasure, that at length she longed to become acquainted with the Arabian character and language, in which they were originally written; and when she now tried to imitate the foreign sounds, the emir thought he had never before heard his own language spoken in its true beauty; for in softness and melody of voice, Bertha indeed excelled all the damsels of the world.

One day it came to pass that she was walking with Nurreddin up and down in a beautiful grove of laurel-trees, when he narrated to her the following history.