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THE DR UMMER. 445 |
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never saw her; and one day, she heard people talking of his marriage, and saying that it would take place the following day.
Then she said to herself, " I will try to win him back again." So, on the first day of the betrothal, she wished for a beautiful dress that should shine as the sun. And, when it lay before her, it glittered like sun-beams. All the guests were assembled when she entered the room; every one present was surprised at her beauty, and her rich dress; but the drummer did not recognize her among so many, and she had disguised herself. That night, however, when all was still, she placed herself outside his window, and sang,
' Drummer, should I forgotten be?
Was it not I who tended thee,
And to your tasks lent all my aid ?
When on the mountain top we strayed,
You freed me from the witch's power,
And swore to love me from that hour;
These riches all were gifts from me,
Then why should I forgotten be?"
But the song was all lost; the young man slept soundly, and heard it not. On the second evening, she was again at the festival, and afterwards sung her mournful song outside the window.
But she had mistaken the sleeping-room of her lover, and again her complaints would have been useless, had not the servants of the castle told their young master that they had heard a beautiful voice singing during the night. His curiosity was excited, and he determined to listen at the window himself.
In the night after the third day of the betrothal, when the festivities were over, the young man placed himself at the window to listen; but, no sooner had he heard the sound of the voice singing,
"Drummer, should I forgotten be? Was it not I who tended thee, And to your tasks lent all my aid ? When on the mountain top you strayed, You freed me from the witch's power, And swore to love me from that hour; Your riches all were gifts from me ; Drummer, should I forgotten be?*'
Than to his memory everything returned. w Ah," he cried, "how nearly have I lost my true and only love ! In the joy of my heart |
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