Part 2 / Book 1 — KNAVE OF BERGEN.

At Dusseldorf castle on the Rhine They’re gaily masquerading; The waxlights sparkle, the company dance, The music their nimbleness aiding. The beauteous Duchess dances too, And ceases laughing never; Her partner is a slender youth, Who seems right courtly and clever. He wears a mask of velvet black, Whence merrily is peeping An eye just like a shining dirk From out of its sheath half creeping. The carnival throng exultingly shout As they whirl in the waltz’s embraces, While Drickes and Marizzebill[66] Salute with loud noise and grimaces. The trumpets crash, and the merry hum Of the double-bass increases, Until the dance to an end has come, And then the music ceases. “Most excellent Lady, thy pardon I beg, “’Tis time for me to go now—” “The Duchess said smiling: “You shall not depart, “Unless your face you show now.” “Most excellent Lady, thy pardon I beg, “My face is a hideous creature’s—” “The Duchess said smiling: “I am not afraid, “I insist upon seeing your features.” “Most excellent Lady, thy pardon I beg, “For night and death are my portion—” “The Duchess said smiling: “I’ll not let you go “I’ll see you, despite all your caution.” In vain he struggled with gloomy words To change her determination; At length she forcibly tore the mask From his face for her information. “’Tis the headsman of Bergen!” the throng in the hall Exclaim with a feeling of terror, And timidly shrink;—the Duchess rush’d out, Her husband to tell of her error. The Duke was wise, and all the disgrace Of the Duchess straightway effac’d he; He drew his bright sword and said: “Kneel down, Good fellow!” with accents hasty. “With this stroke of the sword I make you now “A limb of the order knightly; “And since you’re a knave, you’ll hereafter be call’d “Sir Knave of Bergen rightly.” So the headsman became a nobleman proud, Of the Bergen Knaves’ family founder; A haughty race! they dwelt on the Rhine, Though now they all underground are!