DONICA.

In Finland there is a castle which is called the New Rock, moated about with a river of unsounded depth, the water black, and the fish therein very distasteful to the palate. In this are spectres often seen, which foreshow either the death of the governor, or some prime officer belonging to the place; and most commonly it appeareth in the shape of a harper, sweetly singing and dallying and playing under the water. It is reported of one Donica, that after she was dead, the Devil walked in her body for the space of two years, so that none suspected but she was still alive; for she did both speak and eat, though very sparingly: only she had a deep paleness on her countenance, which was the only sign of death. At length a magician coming by where she was then in the company of many other virgins, as soon as he beheld her he said, "Fair maids, why keep you company with this dead virgin, whom you suppose to be alive?" when taking away the magic charm which was tied under her arm, the body fell down lifeless and without motion. The following ballad is founded on these stories. They are to be found in the notes to The Hierarchies of the blessed Angels; a poem by Thomas

Heywood, 1635.

HIGH on a rock whose castled shade
Darkened the lake below,
In ancient strength majestic stood

The towers of Arlinkow.

The fisher in the lake below
Durst never cast his net,
Nor ever swallow in its waves
Her passing wings would wet.

The cattle from its ominous banks
In wild alarm would run,
Though parched with thirst, and faint beneath
The summer's scorching sun.

For sometimes when no passing breeze
The long lank sedges waved,
All white with foam, and heaving high
Its deafening billows raved;

All when the tempest from its base
The rooted pine would shake,
The powerless storm unruffled swept
Across the calm dead lake.

And ever then when death drew near
The house of Arlinkow,

Its dark unfathomed depths did send
Strange music from below.

The Lord of Arlinkow was old
One only child had he,
Donica was the maiden's name,
As fair as fair might be.

A bloom as bright as opening morn
Flushed o'er her clear white cheek;
The music of her voice was mild,
Her full dark eyes were meek.

Far was her beauty known, for none
So fair could Finland boast;
Her parents loved the maiden much,
Young Eberhard loved her most.

Together did they hope to tread
The pleasant path of life,
For now the day drew near to make
Donica Eberhard's wife.

The eve was fair and mild the air;
Along the lake they stray;
The eastern hill reflected bright
The fading tints of day.

And brightly o'er the water streamed

The liquid radiance wide;

Donica's little dog ran on

And gamboled at her side.

Youth, Health, and Love bloomed on her cheek,

Her full dark eyes express

In many a glance to Eberhard

Her soul's meek tenderness.

Nor sound was heard, nor passing gale
Sighed through the long lank sedge;
The air was hushed; no little wave
Dimpled the water's edge.

Sudden the unfathomed lake sent forth
Strange music from beneath,
And slowly o'er the waters sailed
The solemn sounds of death.

As the deep sounds of death arose,
Donica's cheek grew pale,
And in the arms of Eberhard
The senseless maiden fell.

Loudly the youth in terror shrieked,
And loud he called for aid,
And with a wild and eager look
Gazed on the death-pale maid.

But soon again did better thoughts
In Eberhard arise,

And he with trembling hope beheld
The maiden raise her eyes.

And on his arm reclined she moved
With feeble pace and slow,
And soon with strength recovered reached

The towers of Arlinkow.

Yet never to Donica's cheek
Returned the lively hue;

Her cheeks were deathy white, and wan,
Her lips a livid blue.

Her eyes so bright and black of yore,
Were now more black and bright,
And beamed strange lustre in her face
So deadly wan and white,

The dog that gamboled by her side,
And loved with her to stray,
Now at his altered mistress howled,
And fled in fear away.

Yet did the faithful Eberhard
Not love the maid the less;
He gazed with sorrow, but he gazed
With deeper tenderness.

And when he found her health unharmed

He would not brook delay,

But pressed the not unwilling maid
To fix the bridal day.

And when at length it came, with joy
They hailed the bridal day,
And onward to the house of God
They went their willing way.

And as they at the altar stood
And heard the sacred rite,
The hallowed tapers dimly streamed
A pale sulphureous light.

And as the youth with holy warmth
Her hand in his did hold,

Sudden he felt Donica's hand
Grow deadly damp and cold.
And loudly did he shriek, for lo!
A spirit met his view,

And Eberhard in the angel form
His own Donica knew.

That instant from her earthly frame
Howling the demon fled,
And at the side of Eberhard
The living form fell dead.

RUDIGER.

Divers princes and noblemen being assembled in a beautiful and fair palace, which was situate upon the river Rhine, they beheld a boat or small barge make toward the shore, drawn by a swan in a silver chain, the one end fastened about her neck, the other to the vessel; and in it an unknown soldier, a man of a comely personage and graceful presence, who stept upon the shore; which done, the boat guided by the swan left him, and floated down the river. wards in league with a fair gentlewoman, married her, and by her had many children. After some years the same swan came with the same barge unto the same place; the soldier entering into it was carried thence the way he came, left wife, children and family, and was never

seen amongst them after.

This man fell after

BRIGHT on the mountain's heathy slope

The day's last splendours shine,

And rich with many a radiant hue,
Gleam gaily on the Rhine.

And many a one from Waldhurst's walls
Along the river strolled,

As ruffling o'er the pleasant stream
The evening gales came cold.

So as they strayed, a swan they saw
Sail stately up and strong,
And by a silver chain she drew
A little boat along;

Whose streamer to the gentle breeze

Long floating fluttered light,
Beneath whose crimson canopy

There lay reclined a knight.

With arching crest and swelling breast
On sailed the stately swan,
And lightly up the parting tide

The little boat came on.

And onward to the shore they drew,
And leapt to land the knight,
And down the stream the little boat
Fell soon beyond the sight.

Was never a knight in Waldhurst's walls
Could with this stranger vie,
Was never youth at aught esteemed
When Rudiger was by.

Was never a maid in Waldhurst's walls
Might match with Margaret,
Her cheek was fair, her eyes were dark,
Her silken locks like jet.

And many a rich and noble youth
Had strove to win the fair;
But never a rich and noble youth
Could rival Rudiger.