Small Catechism 第20章

Insightofbotharmies，withglowingcheeksandlooksofmodesthumility，SintramwasconductedbythebravebaronupthehillwhereGabriellestoodinallthelustreofherbeauty.Bothwarriorsbentthekneebeforeher，andFolkosaid，solemnly，"Lady，thisvaliantyouthofanobleracehasdeservedtherewardofthisdaysvictory.

Iprayyoulethimreceiveitfromyourfairhand."Gabriellebowedcourteously，tookoffherscarfofblueandgold，andfastenedittoabrightsword，whichapagebroughttoheronacushionofclothofsilver.Shethen，withasmile，presentedthenoblegifttoSintram，whowasbendingforwardtoreceiveit，whensuddenlyGabrielledrewback，andturningtoFolko，said，"Noblebaron，shouldnotheonwhomIbestowascarfandswordbefirstadmittedintotheorderofknighthood?"Lightasafeather，Folkosprangup，andbowinglowbeforehislady，gavetheyouththeaccoladewithsolemnearnestness.ThenGabriellebuckledonhissword，saying，"ForthehonourofGodandtheserviceofvirtuousladies，youngknight.Isawyoufight，Isawyouconquer，andmyearnestprayersfollowedyou.Fightandconqueroftenagain，asyouhavedonethisday，thatthebeamsofyourrenownmayshineovermyfar-distantcountry."AndatasignfromFolko，sheofferedhertenderlipsforthenewknighttokiss.Thrillingallover，andfullofaholyjoy，Sintramaroseindeepsilence，andhottearsstreameddownhissoftenedcountenance，whilsttheshoutandthetrumpetsoftheassembledtroopsgreetedtheyouthwithstunningapplause.OldRolfstoodsilentlyononeside，andashelookedinthemildbeamingeyesofhisfoster-child，hecalmlyandpiouslyreturnedthanks:

"Thestrifeatlengthhathfounditsend，Richblessingsnowshallheavensend!

Theevilfoeisslain!"

BiornandJarlErichadthewhilebeentalkingtogethereagerly，butnotunkindly.TheconquerornowledhisvanquishedenemyupthehillandpresentedhimtothebaronandGabrielle，saying，"Insteadoftwoenemiesyounowseetwoswornallies;andIrequestyou，mybelovedguestsandkinsfolk，toreceivehimgraciouslyasonewhohenceforwardbelongstous.""Hewassoalways，"addedEric，smiling;"Isought，indeed，revenge;butIhavenowhadenoughofdefeatsbothbyseaandland.YetIthankHeaventhatneitherintheGrecianseas，tothesea-king，norinNiflungsHeath，toyou，haveIyieldedingloriously."TheLordofMontfauconassentedcordially，andheartilyandsolemnlywasreconciliationmade.ThenJarlEricaddressedGabriellewithsonobleagrace，thatwithasmileofwondershegazedonthegiganticgreyhero，andgavehimherbeautifulhandtokiss.

MeanwhileSintramwasspeakingearnestlytohisgoodRolf;andatlengthhewasheardtosay，"Butbeforeall，besurethatyouburythatwonderfullybraveknightwhommybattle-axesmote.Chooseoutthegreenesthillforhisresting-place，andtheloftiestoaktoshadehisgrave.Also，Iwishyoutoopenhisvisor，andtoexaminehiscountenancecarefully，thatso，thoughmortallysmitten，wemaynotburyhimalive;andmoreover，thatyoumaybeabletodescribetomehimtowhomIowethenoblestprizeofvictory."Rolfbowedreadily，andwent.

"OuryoungknightisspeakingthereofoneamongsttheslainofwhomIshouldliketohearmore，"saidFolko，turningtoJarlEric."Who，dearJarl，wasthatwonderfulchieftainwholedonyourtroopssoskilfully，andwhoatlastfellunderSintramspowerfulbattle-axe?""YouaskmemorethanIknowhowtoanswer，"repliedJarlEric.

"Aboutthreenightsagothisstrangermadehisappearanceamongstus.