--- title: Legends and Tales., part 8 — Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains · full text with trees description: Legends and Tales., 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: The Kaiser rides forth with his train, and a knight comes on foot and alone, kneels before the shrine and prays, and at the so --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/9/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/) / Legends and Tales., part 8 # Legends and Tales., part 8 Legends and Tales., part 8 of «Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains» by Toofie Lauder: the whole text, 102 sentences and 2554 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/9/page/2/) The Kaiser rides forth with his train, and a knight comes on foot and alone, kneels before the shrine and prays, and at the sound of his voice Reinhilde's eye grows bright.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") His prayer ended his voice rings mightily through the forest as he cries in love and longing, "Reinhilde\![2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") Reinhilde!"[3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") And a silvery voice answers, "Who calls Reinhilde?"[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") The Kaiser, who is yet near, turns in joyful surprise in the direction of the voice. "[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") Merciful Heaven!" he cries, "hast thou heard our earnest petitions?"[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") See\![7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") From the dark cave issues a light form, and a cry of joy resounds through the whole forest.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") And in a blissful embrace kneel before the Kaiser Werner and Reinhilde.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") The Twelve Knights in the Schöneburg.[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") About a Stunde\[1\] from Treseburg, up the Bode, lies the picturesque foundry village Attenbrack, the spot where in the old days Schloss Schöneburg looked down from its high, steep mountain seat into the vale below.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") \[1\] \_Stunde\_, speaking of distance in Germany, signifies the distance a man can walk in an hour.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") It is about a German mile, which is equal to four and seven-tenths of an English mile.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") On three sides the mountain rises steep from the Bode, being scarcely approachable save from the south side; and in wild confusion lie scattered over the mountain sides shapeless heaps of fallen stones, the sole ruins of the once stately castle; of walls and vaulted chambers no trace remains.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") From the south side the height is connected by a narrow tongue of land with the vast forests that cover the high table-lands of the Harz.[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") Seldom is the spot trodden by the foot of man, except by some benighted traveller, some inquisitive student of history, and the passionate lover of wood and mountain solitude.[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") More frequently resounds the tread of the hunter in this lonely spot, and of the herdsman, who pastures his cows in the beech forest.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Once a herdsman stood, on St. John's Day, on the narrow path leading to the then not entirely fallen walls, and dreamed of the days of the past, of the Burg and its knights, dames, and maidens, and the treasures that were said to lie concealed under the ruins.[18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") The forest rustled mysteriously, mingled with the dreamy tinkling of the cow-bells.[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") Suddenly it seemed to him he heard a tumbling noise and loud, merry laughter.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") This was wonderful, but what he saw was still more astounding.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") For, stealing forward and looking over the broken walls, he saw twelve knights in antique costume, who amused themselves with the game of skittles.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") The herdsman was not sure whether he was awake or dreaming.[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") He rubbed his eyes, and looked bewildered around him, but it could be no illusion, for there stood the oaks and beeches, every tree of which he knew, there grazed his herd to the music of their jingling bells, the dogs cowering watchfully near, and from the valley could be heard the rattle of the foundry.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") He saw it all clearly, for it was mid-day, and there within the mouldering walls the twelve knights played on, and he heard the rolling and bouncing of the balls.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") But he had not much time for observation, for the knights caught sight of him, and beckoned him to approach.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") He did so with trembling.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") They treated him gruffly and severely, and commanded him to set up the fallen pins, and he was obliged to yield.[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") Perhaps an hour had passed in this employment, when lo! no ball more rolled, and looking up to see the cause of the delay, the knights had vanished\![29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") It was not a dream, for all the pins lay there before him; but knowing that his neighbours in Attenbrack would hold him for a dreamer without proof, he decided to take the pins home with him.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") But they were so large and heavy, he could not carry them all, so he took only the king.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") All listened incredulously to his tale of the knights and old dress, and feared he was not quite right in his head.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he drew forth from his pocket the pin, as proof; but it was so heavy he could not hold it, and it fell to the ground with a clear ring; when, lifting it up, it was found to be pure gold.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") No one doubted longer, but all hastened to the ruins to get the other eight pins; but they were all only of wood--of light Taxus wood.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") The Gegensteine.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") In the midst of the bright landscape opposite Schloss Ballenstedt rise the two huge boulders called the Gegensteine, which mark the eastern termination of the Devil's Wall.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") The taste and passion for the wonderful and mysterious are too strong in the human mind to permit of these majestic rocks being without their Sage.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") In the time long ago, when all this district was covered with dense forests, swamps, and morasses, where now ripen the golden corn, fruits, and every blessing that crowns the husbandman's toil, and wild beasts preyed on the around-lying mountains, evil spirits practised their devices in the Gegensteine.[38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") In the distance one could see during the night, especially at midnight, now fiery balls, now flames of fire rising in the air, and could hear death cries, or the most delightful tones, which the evil spirits employed to decoy unwary mortals to destruction.[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") Many who ridiculed the idea of danger, paying no heed to friendly warnings, forced their way through thorns and thickets to behold the mystery, and returned no more.[40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") They were carried by demons through the air, and one heard their moanings of despair without the power to save them.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") Only he who was consecrated to God could approach the Gegensteine unharmed.[42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") One morning a farmer rode before sunrise from Ballenstedt to Quedlinburg, to offer prayers and obtain absolution in the convent church, only just founded by the Kaiserin Matilda--for in Ballenstedt there was neither church nor pater.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") Lost in devotional thoughts, hence without fear, he rode quietly along; an irresistible languor seized him and he fell asleep.[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The nag, feeling no longer the hand guiding the reins, turned aside to seek for himself a fresh breakfast, stood still, and began to graze.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") The farmer awoke.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") He rubbed his eyes in amazement, for he found himself in an unknown spot, in a dark thicket, without road or path; all around him towered mighty rocks that almost shut him in.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") He heard the roaring of water outside, beneath him a raging din, and before him yawned an awful chasm.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") The farmer had never heard of such a wild and savage scene so near his place of residence, and fancied he had been transplanted through enchantment to some distant land.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") Anxiously he gazed around him, convinced himself he was not dreaming, for the sun was shining upon the savage rocks, and his nag grazed unconcerned.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") The thought occurred to him he might be in the domains of wicked spirits, and a cold shudder ran over him; but he lacked the courage to turn back, fearing some monster might follow him.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") He was indeed in a painful position, for it was out of the question that he should remain where he was.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile the terrible din and roar had ceased, all grew peaceful, the birds sang joyfully in the sunlight, and all notion of danger vanished from his mind.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") He gained confidence as he looked around him to mark the place, resolving the next day to bring his wife and children to see it, and convince them that all the tales about the terrors of the Gegensteine were untrue.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/9/page/2/) - ← previous: [Legends and Tales., part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/8/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/9/page/2/) - ↑ back to [Legends and tales of the Harz Mountains](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg74323/)