---
title: A Historical Tale., part 8 — Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains · full text with trees
description: A Historical Tale., part 8, «Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains» by Toofie Lauder: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: When she had finished her song she descended to the shepherd, and asked him if he would rescue her from the enchantment.
---

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# A Historical Tale., part 8

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A Historical Tale., part 8 of «Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains» by Toofie Lauder: the whole text, 120 sentences and 2490 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself.

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When she had finished her song she descended to the shepherd, and asked him if he would rescue her from the enchantment.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics")

He replied he would gladly if he could.[2](2/ "tree and pragmatics")

She told him she would return the next morning, at first in the same form which he now saw, after which she would become a serpent.[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") If he would kiss her in her serpent form, she would be free.[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics")

The shepherd promised solemnly.[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics")

The next morning she appeared again on the cliffs and sang as before.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics")

When the sheep had all filed past, the maiden descended from the rocks, came to him as a serpent, and sprang upward toward him, that he might give her the serpent-kiss; but he turned aside in horror.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics")

The serpent suddenly vanished, with such a shriek of anguish that the shepherd was ever afterward perfectly deaf.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics")

She is seen on the Staufenburg bei Zorge every seven years at Easter, with a bunch of keys and a Pomeranian dog white as snow.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics")

She waits from eleven to twelve for a rescuer, and when the time is expired the dog barks.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics")

This dog is said to have been her lap-dog before the curse.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics")

There is a Harz legend that the Ascension took place from the mountain of the Staufenburg.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics")

The Accursed Maiden of Lichtenstein.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics")

Not far from Lichtenstein is a spring, where once a shepherd rested always at noonday and watered his flocks.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics")

One day, when he sat there as usual, a serpent came from under a stone and looked kindly at him.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics")

At first he was seized with terror, but at last felt quite at home with her.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics")

The second day she came again, from her head half in human form addressed the shepherd, and told him he must take courage the next day and kiss the serpent, when he would thereby become always fortunate and happy.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics")

She came the third day from under the stone, crept up to him, and raised her head to kiss him.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics")

At first he was filled with disgust, but taking courage he shut his eyes and kissed her.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics")

And there stood before him no longer a serpent, but a beautiful girl, and more--a princess.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then the shepherd forsook his sheep, went with the maiden to the king, who gave him the Princess to wife.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics")

The Great Hall in the Petersberg.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics")

One day a child plucked a flower on the Petersberg near Goslar while playing.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then the mountain opened, and the child came into a great hall, where many noble steeds neighed and tossed their proud heads, and the viands were served on gold and silver.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics")

All who sat there wore golden crowns, and a silver plate was given the child to take home.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics")

The parents of the child sought the \_Wunderblume\_, that they might also see this chamber, but failed.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics")

These guests of the mountain are the old Kaisers who once held their Court in Goslar.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics")

Spar-die-Müh.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") \[1\][29](29/ "tree and pragmatics")

\[1\] Spare the trouble.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics")

At the north end of the Bergstadt\[2\] Lautenthal lies the Bielstein.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics")

\[2\] Mining town.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics")

Below, at the north-west end of the town, the little river Innerste flows northward towards the Bielstein, and along its base.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics")

Above this bend in the stream, where it turns to flow along the base, only a few steps from the stream, is a cave called the Zwergloch, or Dwarf-cave.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics")

The level place at the foot of the Bielstein bears the name of Spar-die-Müh.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics")

In the cave dwelt in earlier times three dwarfs, who often lent the people of Lautenthal money, and also gold and silver plate for weddings and baptisms.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics")

Now it happened once that these borrowed objects were not returned.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") So when the people came again to borrow, they heard a voice call, "Spar-die-Müh!"[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics")

And from that time the dwarfs declined to oblige the neglectful citizens in any way, and since then the place has been called Spar-die-Müh.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics")

The Dwarf-King Hibich.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics")

The Hibichenstein, near Grand, consists of two colossal limestone cliffs leaning against each other, which are said to have been formed in the distant days when giants lived in the Hercynia Sylva,\[1\] from a pebble which a giant threw out of his shoe.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics")

\[1\] The Hercynia Sylva of the Romans was of greater extent than the Harz mountains.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") It included the Schwarzwald, Thuringen, Bohemia, and the Harz.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics")

In the Hibichenstein dwelt dwarfs, who often attended the children in Grund.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics")

Their King Hibich was ages old, with shaggy hair like a bear, a very wrinkled face, and a long ice-grey beard, which possessed magical power.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics")

He always carried a silver miner's lamp that shone clear as the sun, and wore a golden crown.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics")

Although so small, he could stretch himself much larger.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics")

Formerly his dwarf majesty was allowed to appear in the upper world every five hundred years, but he is no longer permitted to leave his subterranean abode.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics")

He protected the forests, and played serious jokes upon those who did them any injury.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") But he was benevolent and kind to those in distress who complained to him of their trouble.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics")

Once a miner's wife, whose husband had long lain ill, went from Grund into the wood to gather cones for the baker, who gave her bread for them.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics")

When she had entered the forest, Hibich came to her and asked: "What seekest thou here?"[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then she told him all her want and distress, whereupon he gave her a plant to cure her husband, and pointed out to her a spot where she would find plenty of cones.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics")

Arrived there, she could at first find none, but directly the cones began to fall in showers from the trees, not striking her, however, but all falling into the basket.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics")

When she lifted the basket to put it on her back, she found it much heavier than the cones had ever been before.[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics")

Returning to the spot where the King had first met her, he asked her if she had found cones.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Then she told him what had happened, and the Dwarf-King revealed to her that his people had done it, and added the cones were pure silver.[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics")

He told her she was to take a sufficient number of them to make herself and her sick husband comfortable, and to provide for her children, and with the rest she was to build a church in Grund; but by no means to forget the healing plant.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics")

The sick man became "healthy as a fish" from the hour when he made use of this powerful herb.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics")

In the forester's house in Grund lived in the olden days a forester who had lost his wife early, and had an only son, a good-hearted youth, only somewhat over-inquisitive and indiscreet.[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics")

One Sunday afternoon the forester's son, with his friend, the son of a miner, went into the wood for a walk.[61](61/ "tree and pragmatics")

As they reached the Hibichstein they fell into a conversation concerning its height, and the miner's son said he should like to see the person who could climb to the top.[62](62/ "tree and pragmatics")

The other said that was nothing, he would do it; but his friend endeavoured to dissuade him from his purpose, saying no one who had climbed up could ever get down again, but was always found the next day broken to pieces at the base.[63](63/ "tree and pragmatics")

He was not be dissuaded, and climbed to the summit, where he found a large level space, and began to dance and shout for joy, and called to his friend to climb up.[64](64/ "tree and pragmatics") But the other shook his head, and told him not to forget he had to come down.[65](65/ "tree and pragmatics")

Finally, when his joy had cooled, the forester's son decided to descend, but could not leave the spot, for the Dwarf-King Hibich held him enchanted to the rock for his presumption.[66](66/ "tree and pragmatics")

He called to his friend and entreated him to go and tell his father.[67](67/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then the forester came with his gun and would shoot his son down.[68](68/ "tree and pragmatics")

But as he was about to fire, came Hibich and demanded what he was going to do; and as he replied he was going to shoot his son down from the mountain, the King advised him not to attempt anything so foolish.[69](69/ "tree and pragmatics")

Again he took aim, when it began to thunder and lighten, and the rain poured down in torrents.[70](70/ "tree and pragmatics")

Night came on, and the forester was obliged to go home till morning.[71](71/ "tree and pragmatics")

Hardly had he gone when the dwarfs arrived, all in miners' dress, and each carrying a mine-lamp.[72](72/ "tree and pragmatics")

They had the most skilful ladders, which they placed one on the other, and now they held together as if they had been glued.[73](73/ "tree and pragmatics")

As soon as this ladder was ready, and reached the top of the Hibichenstein, a dwarf stood at each side and lighted the way.[74](74/ "tree and pragmatics")

The forester's son must now seat himself on the shoulders of the dwarf on the topmost rung of the ladder; and see! the ladder is wide enough to permit them to descend between the thick line of lamp-bearing dwarfs on either hand.[75](75/ "tree and pragmatics")

No sooner had they reached the base than dwarfs, lights, and ladder had vanished.[76](76/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then came the old Hibich, took him by the hand, and said: "As thou hast been on the summit of the Hibichenstein, and hast suffered so much anxiety and terror, thou shalt also see the Dwarf-King's castle."[77](77/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then they entered through a great arched door into the mountain, and the King conducted him to a large room, where stood chairs and a table.[78](78/ "tree and pragmatics")

The walls glittered with pure ore, the ceiling was a single piece of ponderous spar, white as the driven snow, and from it hung a chandelier of mountain crystal and precious stones.[79](79/ "tree and pragmatics")

The floor was strewed with branches of firs, and the panels shimmered with gold and jewels.[80](80/ "tree and pragmatics")

In the centre of this superb chamber stood a table of hematite; before it a silver chair, upon which the Dwarf-King seated himself, and commanded his companion also to sit down.[81](81/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then he struck with a silver rapier upon the table of hematite, which produced a tone the sweetness of which was never heard before.[82](82/ "tree and pragmatics")

A thousand tiny female forms appeared in answer to the summons, bearing strawberries and raspberries; and while the King and his guest partook of the fruit, the dwarf maidens played the most delicious music.[83](83/ "tree and pragmatics")

Afterward costly wine was brought in silver goblets.[84](84/ "tree and pragmatics")

When the repast was ended, Hibich led his young visitor into an adjoining chamber, on one side of which was silver, on the other gold, and at the royal command, "Silver!" "[85](85/ "tree and pragmatics") Gold!" the forester's son must take of the metal named till he was laden with wealth.[86](86/ "tree and pragmatics")

Then the Dwarf-King said: "Wilt thou do me a favour?[87](87/ "tree and pragmatics") Namely, never to permit any one to shoot at birds on the Hibichenstein; for in this way bits of the rock are broken off.[88](88/ "tree and pragmatics")

"As long as the great Hibichenstein remains the great, my crown is secure; but so soon as it becomes the little Hibichenstein, I lose my crown, and can never appear on the earth again."[89](89/ "tree and pragmatics")

The youth promised, and Hibich conducted him to another chamber, where stood a delicious bed of fragrant moss, wished him Gute Nacht, and promised to wake him early.[90](90/ "tree and pragmatics")

The forester's son had slept but a short time, as it seemed to him, when he was waked up suddenly.[91](91/ "tree and pragmatics") It was early dawn, and he shivered, exclaiming, "How cold it is!"[92](92/ "tree and pragmatics")

He lay under a bush at the foot of the Hibichenstein, but all the gold and silver that the Dwarf-King Hibich had given him was heaped up beside him.[93](93/ "tree and pragmatics")

The King of Tipplers.[94](94/ "tree and pragmatics")

A legend is told in Ellrich of an Earl von Klettenberg--not the devout founder of the Huy Wald Abbey, whose forsaken wife built Kloster Walkenried.[95](95/ "tree and pragmatics")

The Earl rode one Sunday morning to Ellrich, as an invited guest to a grand banquet, where all the guests were to drink for a wager, the reward being a chain of gold.[96](96/ "tree and pragmatics")

They drank for hours, till all were \_hors de combat\_ save four knights.[97](97/ "tree and pragmatics")

Three of these leaned against the wall, and only the Earl von Klettenberg stood upright; to him, therefore, the victory was awarded.[98](98/ "tree and pragmatics")

He resolved to show himself to the people as the winner, and commanded his horse to be brought.[99](99/ "tree and pragmatics") Four of his attendants lifted the Earl into the saddle, and he rode through the village.[100](100/ "tree and pragmatics")

As he reached the St. Nicholas Church, he heard the chanting of vespers, rode through the open door into the church, and spurred on his horse till he had ridden through the congregation, whose vesper-chant changed to terror and dismay.[101](101/ "tree and pragmatics")

But as he reached the steps of the altar, all the four horse-shoes fell off, and the horse and his rider sank to the ground.[102](102/ "tree and pragmatics")

The four huge horse-shoes were nailed to the church door, where they remained for centuries, and the awful tale was oft related to trembling listeners.[103](103/ "tree and pragmatics")

At last a fire destroyed the church, and the four horse-shoes are unhappily lost.[104](104/ "tree and pragmatics")

The Needle's Eye[105](105/ "tree and pragmatics")

Near Kloster Ilfeld, close by the \_chaussée\_, stands on a mountain a huge boulder, which has a small hole through the centre.[106](106/ "tree and pragmatics")

All the servants from Nordhausen and the other surrounding places, when they drive into the forest the first time for wood, must creep three times through this hole--which is only done with difficulty; and as they creep in, and on the opposite side out, their comrades lash them with their whips.[107](107/ "tree and pragmatics")

If the new-comer will not indulge in this pastime, he must pay money.[108](108/ "tree and pragmatics")

The new pupils in the high school at Ilfeld must also, as a joke, creep through the Needle's Eye.[109](109/ "tree and pragmatics")

This stone a giant is said to have thrown out of his shoe.[110](110/ "tree and pragmatics")

Legend of St. Hubertus.[111](111/ "tree and pragmatics")

St. Hubertus, the Patron Saint of the House of Anhalt, was a passionate lover of the chase.[112](112/ "tree and pragmatics") One day, hunting in the old oak wood on the mountain Hubertushöhe, which lies between Gernrode and Ballenstedt, when about to shoot a deer, the Saint saw a cross rise from the head of the animal, when he immediately lost his passion for hunting, and, according to the legend, "his only game became eternity and heavenly bliss."[113](113/ "tree and pragmatics")

Bathilde von Ballenstedt.[114](114/ "tree and pragmatics")

In the Saxon Chronicles we are told that Ludwig, King of the Franks, took Schloss Ballenstedt, and carried away captive the fair daughter of the Earl of Askanien.[115](115/ "tree and pragmatics")

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"Dost thou not hear the snorting of steeds?[116](116/ "tree and pragmatics") Franks are marching through the wood From the destroyed castle; in their midst The captive daughter.[117](117/ "tree and pragmatics") Yes, like smothered tones of anger, It rustles in the foliage of the oaks.[118](118/ "tree and pragmatics") Sadly they shake their tops, As if they knew of the robbery."[119](119/ "tree and pragmatics")

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UNWIN BROTHERS, PRINTERS, CHILWORTH AND LONDON.[120](120/ "tree and pragmatics")

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- ← previous: [A Historical Tale., part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/24/)
- ↑ back to [Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/)