called Chaldea and Pontus. In the latter lived a young hero, Morphiliziy, who at the head of his followers could not only repel all attacks of Valarsass, but even in a deci

ugh his personal bravery, attracted Morphiliziy's attention, who challenged him to a duel. For a long time the old warrior's experience counterbalanced the hero's strength of the Pontitian, but in the end his old strength began to give way, his movements slackened thei

e conqueror exclaimed. "In thee I found the fir

ghter," murmured John

e and was astounded by Nina's beauty. "She shall be my wife!" he

decision. How could she, who so dearly love

and upon pronouncing that sentence, her magnificent eyes, which were usually

hood had lost her mother, loved her gamdela (nurse) with all the enthusiasm of her daring soul. All of the gamdela's tastes were Nina's. Her faith, her God were the same faith and the same God as her pupil's. Thus

silent?" impatien

r whether it is better to say no more about it." At last with a sad smile she broke out and a

is true, thou dost love

gamdela. The old woman caressingly touched her long hair with her wrinkled hands

y father had many; were he alive such a marriage would hardly suit him. Besides thou art accustomed to luxury, while Cicero has absolutely nothing, also whatever thou hast thou canst never give away. The only means to unite you is for you to run immediately into the country of his forefathers and th

moment she raised her head from the knees of the old woman, all traces of her smiles vanished. She sat upon the floor at the nurse's feet and for a long time they silently glan

on my riches or even the royal crown! What is all that to me if I am not to have him? Dost thou understand, dear nurse, that I love him more than I ever loved thee, or my father; that I love him more than whosoever in the world; that I love him as fish

putting Nina to bed and herself called for Cicero, and with her first glance at the young man persuaded herself that she was not mistaken as to his boundless devotion to Nina. Yesterday still a

ow matters stood, and immediately tried with

ses for the hour of midnight and advised Cicero to wait at the Wester

gamdela went to Nina and prepared her for the hasty departure. Midnight came. With silent steps two shades moved through

mile motioned to the dear old woman, an

s which took away with them, perhaps forever, all that was dearest to her in the whole world, common sense did not permit this and th

linen. Seeing people run, she motioned to them, and wringing her hands she explained to them that Nina was drowned. Old and young rushed

eir lord, and were all without exception ordered to go to search for Nina. Morphili

the river, had not given her permission, and that this day at sunrise the impatient girl had quietly slipped out into the garden while the nurse was sleepi

came up on the bank and declared that he would grant any reward to him who found Nina living or dead and brought her to him. A day went by-no news. And a second day went by; many of those on the lookout returned home with the discouraging news that they had not found the girl. The town again took its usual loo

he cr

ied the negro. "Let m

rd that it caused pain. The hero put his hand on his breast in the hope of quieting its

e him. "Hast thou found her al

began Noy,

very moment!" shouted Morphiliziy, but the disappointed, almo

silent?" he impatie

... alone! She lives

hese words had produced on him. He sat down on a stool and pointing to the carpet

t I was unusually delighted, but little by little I began to be overpowered by the fear of being pursued. My horse flew like the wind and I induced it to go faster and faster. In the meantime my fear grew stronger at every step. It changed to terror-into some kind of despair; I no longer let the horse catch breath, but chased him like a crazy man. In the end his speed grew smaller. I became furious, tore the cloth and beat him without mercy. He still

hey sat together and were eating. 'Must we

very

ur hours; I do think it would be more sensible if we remained the night here; I shall light a fire as a guard against wild beasts,

for the village tho

of all the wild animals of this slumbering thicket. From the latter I can alwa

rhear their conversation, I suddenly came upon a little stream and sat down on its bank. My crazy race had quite exhausted my strength. I drew some bread from my pocket, picked off s

e bridle. To ride him would have had no sense. After walking an hour he grew more lively, and I began to hope that he was recovering, especially as he suddenly joyfully raised his head and neighed. I imagined that in the d

local aristocrats. I reverently bowed; he answered my salute and his eyes

thou, travel

ty and important affair and must walk the rest of

own land I cannot allow such a treasure to be ruined. Mount then my horse, gallop away to thy lord and tell him that thou didst leave his half-dead horse at the tavad of Bidandara's. If he wishes to sell him I shall pay any price he may demand; if he d

hat thou wilt give him the centuple, and therefore thought only how I could reach thee the soonest. Upo

ly start in pursuit; tell my lifeguards secretly to catch up with us. Let them have pity upon

iding very fast, but thinking. He remembered that still a short time before, when but a simple army commander, he had no other wishes besides military glory; all his plan

o him as the height of blissfulness. He remembered also that unusual, up to t

no longer of any interest to him. And to think that this child had made fun of him! This child had managed her nurse and servants and warriors and even him, Morphiliziy, the terrible, powerful and invincible conqueror! This little girl feared not his anger, was not frightened by his forces, did not tremble

n her hand. She did not wish his love-she did not see the need of his caresses-

iliziy turned around; the moon lit up his pale face and sparkling eye

w too that my very glance can put regiments to flight, that my name was sufficient to make kings and nations tremble, and now, when I reached the height of glory and power, I wanted to divide them with an orphan, I wanted to place her upon

s interrupted, he sighe

p some punishment worthy of their c

h!" was the un

ficient!" answ

ver, where they betra

eno

em burne

oo good

orn to pieces

opposite the other, so that through the open windows of their dungeons they may see each other, and then I shall prepare my rival a spectacle that will wound him

e sun rose-they continued their ride, a whole day went by, the journey went on as before, and night overtook them again when they entered a forest. Noy announced that it was the same forest in which he had left the fugitives. The moon shone poorly from behind the e

s of spilt wine and crumbs of bread-one large

ed them in a wood-p

s trodden down and seemed to form a kind of road, all followed upon this track. By sunrise they left the forest and spread themselves out over

his field belonged and whether they had not seen two boys o

we heard that our master had brought home some two youths, one of whom is ill, and to-day by th

to the sea?" a

atche is a little more than si

or nearer than that?" a

hen required, but the other one is cleverer because he takes advantage of the sea tide in order to collect pl

horse came to thank him for his favor, to pa

d taking Noy with him, followed from afar the running laborer. He was very particular

was set. The host met him at the door with two large horns filled with old wine, which, joining hands, they drank at the same time, as a sign of friendship. Notwithstanding that Morphiliziy had eaten almost nothing for more than two days, the rare and numerous dishes did not dazzle him. He had to make an effort in order

e, tavad?" said t

this before the rest, because I did not know

ut my revenge and I canno

what is it

f hospitality, in which your ho

n such a way at least I fulfil my duty as to you, like a faithful subject, obliged to defend the honor

my bride is hiding, disguised as a boy, and I want to take her immediately with me. It seems to me that by handing her over to me you do nothing offensive to the rules of hospitality

and his face took

now tell you all that weighs on me. Before death one is permitted to put aside every etiquette and to speak with one's s

the right to demand anything you like of me except to pardon my rival. You yoursel

he older one sat by him in despair and wrung his hands. On this same little meadow two saddled and tired horses were feeding; by their exhausted look it was perfectly clear that the travellers came a long way. I came up from behind, and when I greeted them, the elder brother quickly jumped up and seized a kinjall

t your kind offer, I should like to ask you where you took this h

ickly my offer, and together we shall carry the sick brother into a warm room, in

got fri

or dead, and I will readily accept your invitation wi

I began to be very much puzzled-after all was it not a woman? I accorded the desired promise. We made litters of the branches of a soft coppice. I told them that I would send hors

kill me, I wish to be neither a Tsarit

hou wilt say that Cicero might perfectly well have conquered his attachment; taking into account that Nina was the object of this attachment-such a change was very improbable indeed. I say further that I myself was overtaken by such an extraordinary feeling of delight before this utmost perfection of b

the room with huge steps and ne

o see her

e, a doctor had just attended upon her. She has a

e. I am more guilty before thee than Cicero, because I dared to fall in love with thy bride, while he just worshipped a free girl and was fervently loved by her before thou didst enter the town and becamest our ruler. Thou didst per

equal rank," said he. "Leave me alone

and the elevated thoughts of his soul, his well-known love of mercy and chivalrous nobility of soul inclined him to follow Bidandari's advice. After walking a whole hour his bad intentions

carried out. And thus it happened also this time. He appeared to Morphiliziy in a dream under the form of Nina; she was sitting at the feet of Bidandari and gaily joked and laughe

ild. He allows Cicero to marry and lets you go to Rome, whither I shall soon follow you, and then only will he find

iziy saw and heard how the mouths joined together in kissing. He

, and her! I shall instantly ride home alone! If I stay here but a minute

had disappeared for good, he gave himself up to the work of pitiless revenge. Silently he pointed to Nina and his house. The warriors understood and led her there. Cicero made a desperate effort to run after he

om his body, when a wonder occurred. The day was bright and clear, without a single cloud in the sky, but at this moment an immense black cloud descended unto the corpse and hid him fro

, and again the flame was seen com

the old gamdela, and knock her

the tulip, its centre grew strikingly red with pale rosy s

stand by his side and don't let him turn his head. I should

mouth, nostrils and ears. "Away with the remaining people from

tered the house and took a place at a window opposite the one to

l! save me!"

g Nina and embracing her he brought her to the open window. Opposite, Cice

ormed one black mass. He rashly tore her clothes off her body, but the transformation took place still faster; her whole body burned and grew black, and in a few minutes from her hands there jumped out a

o the square and everywhere rose into the air, hoping to burn the poor butterflies. In vain did they fly all over the place, everywhere the flame chased them, at last they hid themselves in the tulip, which hastened to shelter them with its leaves. The whole fury of the fire was now fixed upon the unhappy little flower. Just then the body of the gamdela was transformed into a shower. As much

ruins, destroys hundred-year-old edifices, rips up gardens, fields, meadows, forests. In a word, Morphiliziy became a perfect subterranean fire and hourly curses new generations, while

ent away to Rome. Before their departure they dug out the tulip and took it along with them. Cicero's country is also favored by heaven just like ours. There they purchased an elegant house, a magnificent garden, and the very best spot of this garden

Nina and Cicero always went into the garden at that time, and with gratefulness kissed the bright leaves, r