the two captains-第3章
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Mendez was also silent； it was not till Heimbert paused before an
ornamented garden…gate； and pointed cheerfully to the pomegranate
boughs richly laden with fruits which overhung it； saying； 〃This is
the place； dear comrade；〃 that the Spaniard appeared as if about to
ask a question； but turning quickly round he merely said； 〃I am
pledged to guard this entrance for you till dawn。 You have my word
of honor for it。〃 So saying he began walking to and fro before the
gate； with drawn sword； like a sentinel； and Heimbert； trembling with
joy； glided within the gloomy and aromatic shrubberies。
CHAPTER III
He was not long in seeking the bright star； which he indeed felt was
destined henceforth to guide the course of his whole life。 The
delicate form approached him not far from the entrance； weeping
softly； it seemed to him； in the light of the full moon which was
just rising； and yet smiling with such infinite grace； that her tears
were rather like a pearly ornament than a veil of sorrow。 In deep
and infinite joy and sorrow the two lovers wandered silently together
through the flowery groves； now and then a branch waving in the
night…air would touch the guitar on the lady's arm； and it would
breathe forth a slight murmur which blended with the song of the
nightingale； or the delicate fingers of the girl would tremble over
the strings and awaken a few scattered chords； while the shooting
stars seemed as if following the tones of the instrument as they died
away。 Oh； truly happy was this night both to the youth and the
maiden； for no rash wish or impure desire passed even fleetingly
across their minds。 They walked on side by side； happy that
Providence had allowed them this delight； and so little desiring any
other blessing that even the transitoriness of that they were now
enjoying floated away into the background of their thoughts。
In the middle ot the beautiful garden there was a large open lawn；
ornamented with statues and surrounding a beautiful and splashing
fountain。 The two lovers sat down on its brink； now gazing at the
waters sparkling in the moonlight； and now delighting in the
contemplation of each other's beauty。 The maiden touched her guitar；
and Heimbert； impelled by a feeling scarcely intelligible to himself；
sang the following words to it：
〃There is a sweet life linked with mine；
But I cannot tell its name；
Oh； would it but to me consign
The secret of that life divine；
That so my lips in whispers sweet
And gentle songs might e'en repeat
All that my heart would fain proclaim！〃
He suddenly paused； and blushed deeply； fearing he had been too bold。
The lady blushed also； touched her guitar…strings with a half…
abstracted air； and at last sang as if dreamily：
〃By the spring where moonlight's gleams
O'er the sparkling waters pass；
Who is sitting by the youth；
Singing on the soft green grass？
Shall the maiden tell her name；
When though all unknown it be；
Her heart is glowing with her shame；
And her cheeks burn anxiously；
First； let the youthful knight be named。
'Tis he that on that glorious day
Fought in Castilla's proud array；
'Tis he the youth of sixteen years；
At Pavia； who his fortunes tried；
The Frenchman's fear； the Spaniard's pride。
Heimbert is the hero's name；
Victorious in many a fight！
And beside the valiant knight；
Sitting in the soft green grass；
Though her name her lips shall pass；
Dona Clara feels no shame 〃
〃Oh！〃 said Heimbert； blushing from another cause than before； 〃oh；
Dona Clara； that affair at Pavia was nothing but a merry and
victorious tournament； and even if occasionally since then I have
been engaged in a tougher contest； how have I ever merited as a
reward the overwhelming bliss I am now enjoying！ Now I know what
your name is； and I may in future address you by it； my angelic Dona
Clara； my blessed and beautiful Dona Clara！ But tell me now； who has
given you such a favorable report of my achievements； that I may ever
regard him with grateful affection？〃
〃Does the noble Heimbert of Waldhausen suppose；〃 rejoined Clara；
〃that the noble houses of Spain had none of their sons where he stood
in the battle？ You must have surely seen them fighting by your side；
and must I not have heard of your glories through the lips of my own
people？〃
The silvery tones of a little bell sounded just then from a
neighboring palace； and Clara whispered； 〃It is time to part。 Adieu；
my hero！〃 And she smiled on the youth through her gushing tears； and
bent toward him； and he almost fancied he felt a sweet kiss breathed
from her lips。 When he fully recovered himself Clara had
disappeared； the morning clouds were beginning to wear the rosy hue
of dawn； and Heimbert； with a heaven of love's proud happiness in his
heart； returned to his watchful friend at the garden gate。
CHAPTER IV。
〃Halt！〃 exclaimed Fadrique； as Heimbert appeared from the garden；
holding his drawn sword toward him ready for attack。 〃Stop； you are
mistaken； my good comrade；〃 said the German； smiling； 〃it is I whom
you see before you。〃 〃Do not imagine； Knight Heimbert of
Waldhausen；〃 said Fadrique； 〃that I mistake you。 But my promise is
discharged； my hour of guard has been honorably kept； and now I beg
you without further delay to prepare yourself； and fight for your
life until heart's blood has ceased to flow through these veins。〃
〃Good heavens！〃 sighed Heimbert； 〃I have often heard that in these
southern lands there are witches； who deprive people of their senses
by magic arts and incantations。 But I have never experienced
anything of the sort until to…day。 Compose yourself； my dear good
comrade； and go with me back to the shore。〃 Fadrique laughed
fiercely； and answered； 〃Set aside your silly delusion； and if you
must have everything explained to you； word by word； in order to
understand it； know then that the lady whom you came to meet in the
shrubbery of this my garden is Dona Clara Mendez； my only sister。
Quick； therefore； and without further preamble； draw！〃 〃God forbid！〃
exclaimed the German； not touching his weapon。 〃You shall be my
brother…in…law； Fadrique； and not my murderer； and still less will I
be yours。〃 Fadrique only shook his head indignantly； and advanced
toward his comrade with measured steps for an encounter。 Heimbert；
however； still remained immovable； and said； 〃No； Fadrique； I cannot
now or ever do you harm。 For besides the love I bear your sister； it
must certainly have been you who has spoken to her so honorably of my
military expeditions in Italy。〃 〃When I did so；〃 replied Fadiique in
a fury； 〃I was a fool。 But； dallying coward； out with your sword；
or〃
Before Fadrique had finished speaking； Heimbert； burning with
indignation； exclaimed； 〃The devil himself could not bear that！〃 and
drawing his sword from the scabbard； the two young captains rushed
fiercely and resolutely to the attack。
Different indeed was this contest to that previously fought by
Fadrique with Lucila's husband。 The two young soldiers well
understood their weapons； and strove with each other with equal
boldness； their swords flashing like rays of light as now this one
now that one hurled a lightning thrust at his adversary； which was
with similar speed and dexterity turned aside。 Firmly they pressed
the left foot； as if rooted in the ground； while the right advanced
to the bold onset and then again they quickly retired to the safer
attitude of defence。 From the self…possession and the quiet
unremitting anger with which both the combatants fought； it was
evident that one of the two would find his grave under the
overhanging branc
