Small Catechism 第37章

Thedawnhadalmostappeared，whenRolf，whohadbeenasleep，wasawakenedbylowsinging;andashelookedround，heperceived，withsurprise，thatthesoundscamefromthelipsofthecastellan，whosaid，asifinexplanation，"SodoesSirWeigandsingattheconvent-gates，andtheyarekindlyopenedtohi"Uponwhich，oldRolffellasleepagain，uncertainwhetherwhathadpassedhadbeenadreamorareality.Afterawhilethebrightsunshineawokehimagain;andwhenheroseup，hesawthecountenanceofthecastellanwonderfullyilluminatedbytheredmorningrays;andaltogetherthosefeatures，oncesofearful，wereshiningwithasoft，nayalmostchild-likemildness.Themysteriousmanseemedtobethewhilelisteningtothemotionlessair，asifhewerehearingamostpleasantdiscourseorloftymusic;andasRolfwasabouttospeak，hemadehimasignofentreatytoremainquiet，andcontinuedinhiseagerlisteningattitude.

Atlengthhesankslowlyandcontentedlybackinhisseat，whispering，"Godbepraised!Shehasgrantedhislastprayer;hewillbelaidintheburial-groundoftheconvent，andnowhehasforgivenmeinthedepthsofhisheart.Icanassureyouthathefindsapeacefulend."Rolfdidnotdareaskaquestion，orawakehislord;hefeltasifonealreadydepartedhadspokentohi

Thecastellanlongremainedstill，alwayssmilingbrightly.Atlastheraisedhimselfalittle，againlistened，andsaid，"Itisover.

Thesoundofthebellsisverysweet.Wehaveovercome.Oh，howsoftandeasydoesthegoodGodmakeittous!"Andsoitcametopass.Hestretchedhimselfbackasifweary，andhissoulwasfreedfromhiscare-wornbody.

Rolfnowgentlyawokehisyoungknight，andpointedtothesmilingdead.AndSintramsmiledtoo;heandhisgoodesquirefellontheirknees，andprayedtoGodforthedepartedspirit.Thentheyroseup，andborethecoldbodytothevaultedhall，andwatchedbyitwithholycandlesuntilthereturnofthechaplain.Thatthepilgrimwouldnotcomebackagain，theyverywellknew.

Accordinglytowardsmid-daythechaplainreturnedalone.HecouldscarcelydomorethanconfirmwhatwasalreadyknowntotheHeonlyaddedacomfortingandhopefulgreetingfromSintramsmothertoherson，andtoldthattheblissfulWeigandhadfallenasleeplikeatiredchild，whilstVerena，withcalmtenderness，heldacrucifixbeforehi

"Andineternalpeaceourpenanceend!"

sangSintram，gentlytohimself:andtheypreparedalastrestingplaceforthenowpeacefulcastellan，andlaidhimthereinwithalltheduesolemnrites.

Thechaplainwasobligedsoonafterwardstodepart;butbiddingSintramfarewell，heagainsaidkindlytohim，"Thydearmotherassuredlyknowshowgentleandcalmandgoodthouartnow!"