19\. LUKU
by Friedrich Heinrich Karl Freiherr de La Motte-Fouqué · from Aallotar: Kertomus
Adapted Version
One day, a kind priest came to a castle. A knight had gone away. Father Heilmann came to help. He saw Bertalda was very sad.
He tried to comfort her. "Do not cry," he said. His words were kind. But Bertalda's heart was full of tears.
The Old Fisherman was there too. He was Bertalda's father. He was also Undine's father. He felt sad and wise.
"It was meant to be," he said slowly. "Undine loved him most. She is sad too." He spoke with love.
They prepared to put the knight to rest. It was a special place. His kin was there. His shield and helmet lay on his box.
A sad walk began. Father Heilmann walked first. He held a tall cross. It gave hope. Bertalda walked with her father. She cried softly.
Then, a pretty figure appeared. She wore a white dress. A long white veil covered her. She was gentle and quiet.
The people felt surprised. They moved aside. The white figure walked on. She followed the knight's box.
She moved behind Bertalda. She walked very slowly. She was humble and calm. Bertalda did not see her.
At the open ground, Bertalda saw her. "Please go away," Bertalda said sadly. Her voice was soft with grief.
The veiled figure shook her head. She raised her hands. It was a gentle plea. Bertalda recalled a kind gift.
She recalled Undine's kindness by the river. A pretty necklace. A happy time. Her heart felt warm and sad.
Father Heilmann asked for quiet. All knelt down. They prayed for the knight. It was a calm moment.
When they stood, the white guest was gone. She had softly faded. It was like magic.
Where she knelt, a silver spring came up. The water was clear and bright. It flowed around the knight's resting place.
It hugged the little hill of earth. Then it flowed away to a quiet pond. The water was soft and loving.
The people who lived there saw the spring. They knew it was Undine. Her love was now water. It hugged her knight forever.
Love lasts forever. It turns into something pretty. It stays close and gentle. It never goes away.
Original Story
19. LUKU.
Ritari Huldbrandin hautaus.
Isä Heilmann oli saapunut linnaan heti kun Ringstettenin ritarin kuolema oli tullut seudulla tiedoksi, ja ihan samalla hetkellä saapui hän, kun onnettoman parin vihkinyt munkki kauhun ja kammon valtaamana pakeni linnasta.
"Ei ole sillä väliä", vastasi Heilmann, kun hänelle tästä mainittiin; "nyt alkaa minun virantoimitukseni, enkä minä tarvitse kumppania."
Hän alkoi lohdutella leskeksi joutunutta morsianta, niin vähän hedelmiä kuin kehottelut kantoivatkin hänen maailmallisessa sydämessään. Vanha kalastaja sitä vastoin mukautui, joskin sydämensä pohjasta suruissaan, paljoa paremmin tyttärensä ja vävynsä saamaan kohtaloon, ja Bertaldan herkeämättä soimatessa Undinea murhaajattareksi ja velhoksi, sanoi vanha mies nöyrästi:
"Ei varmaankaan voinut käydä toisin. En siinä näe muuta kuin Jumalan tuomion, eikä tietenkään ole Huldbrandin kuolema kenenkään sydämeen koskenut kipeämmin kuin sen, jonka täytyi saattaa hänet päiviltä, hyljätyn Undine-poloisen!"
Hän autteli hautajaisten järjestämistä vainajan arvon mukaisiksi. Tämä oli haudattava erääseen kirkkokylään, jonka kalmistossa kaikkien hänen esi-isiensä haudat olivat ja joita he, kuten hän itsekin, olivat suosineet runsailla vapautuksilla ja lahjoilla. Kilpi ja kypäri olivat jo arkun kannella, joutuaksensa mukana hautaan, sillä Ringstettenin Huldbrand oli kuollut sukunsa viimeisenä. Surusaatto lähti kolkkoon kulkuunsa, veisaten herttaisen hiljaiselle sinitaivaalle valitusvirsiä; Heilmann asteli korkeata ristiinnaulitunkuvaa kantaen edellä, ja häntä seurasi vanhan isänsä tukemana lohduton Bertalda.
Silloin nähtiin äkkiä mustapukuisten itkijänaisten keskessä leskisaattueessa lumivalkea olento tiheään hunnutettuna; kiihkeästi voihkaillen väänteli tämä käsiänsä. Hänen naapurinsa alkoivat tuntea salaista kammoa; he väistyivät taamma tahi sivumma, liikehtimisellään vielä enemmän säikyttäen toisia, joiden rinnalle valkea vieras nyt joutui, niin että pelkästään sen takia alkoi surusaatossa syntyä epäjärjestystä. Muutamat soturit olivat siksi rohkeita, että tahtoivat olentoa puhutella ja häätää hänet saatosta, mutta heiltä hän ikäänkuin sormien välitse väistyi ja näkyi taas kuitenkin verkkaisen juhlallisin askelin etenemässä ruumissaaton mukana. Viimein hän palvelijattarien alituiseen väistellessä tuli ihan Bertaldan taakse. Nyt hän pysytti käyntinsä hyvin vitkallisena, joten leski ei häntä huomannut, hänen hyvin nöyrästi ja säveästi kulkiessaan takana kenenkään häiritsemättä.
Kirkkomaalla ruumissaatto asettui piiriin avoimen haudan ympäri. Silloin havaitsi Bertalda kutsumattoman seuraajattarensa, ja puolittain vihasta, puolittain kauhusta hätkähtäen käski hän tätä poistumaan ritarin lepopaikalta. Mutta hunnutettu pudisti päätänsä hiljaisesti kieltäen ja kohotti kätensä kuin nöyrästi pyytäen Bertaldaa kohti. Tämä tunsi suurta liikutusta ja oli pakotettu kyynelin muistelemaan, kuinka ystävällisesti Undine oli Tonavalla tahtonut hänelle korallikaulanauhan lahjottaa. Lisäksi viittasi Isä Heilmann hiljaisuutta vaatien, kun tahdottiin hiljaisessa hartaudessa rukoilla vainajan puolesta, jonka kumpu alkoi kasautua. Bertalda vaikeni ja vaipui polvilleen; kaikki polvistuivat, haudankaivajatkin, valmiiksi lapioittuansa.
Mutta kun jälleen noustiin seisaalleen, oli valkea vieras kadonnut. Hänen polvistumapaikallaan kumpusi hopeankirkas lähde nurmikosta. Se Urisi ja lirisi edelleen, kunnes oli melkein kokonaan kiertänyt ritarin hautakummun; sitte se kulkuansa jatkaen valui kalmiston sivulla olevaan hiljaiseen lampeen. Vielä myöhäisinä aikoina kuuluvat kylän asukkaat osotelleen lähdettä ja olleen siinä varmassa käsityksessä, että tämä oli hyljätty Undine-poloinen tuolla tavoin yhäti lemmittyänsä syleilemässä leppein käsivarsin.
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Story DNA
Plot Summary
Following Sir Huldbrand's death, Father Heilmann arrives to conduct the funeral, while Bertalda, Huldbrand's new bride, blames Undine. During the solemn procession to the family churchyard, a mysterious, veiled white figure appears, causing unease but persistently following the coffin. At the graveside, the figure kneels, and Bertalda, recognizing her as Undine, is moved. As everyone rises, Undine has vanished, and a silver-clear spring emerges from where she knelt, encircling Huldbrand's grave and flowing into a nearby pond, symbolizing her eternal embrace of her beloved.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story draws on German Romanticism, blending medieval settings with themes of nature, the supernatural, and tragic love.
Plot Beats (14)
- Father Heilmann arrives at the castle after Sir Huldbrand's death, as the monk who married Huldbrand and Undine flees.
- Heilmann attempts to comfort Bertalda, who is inconsolable.
- The old fisherman, Undine's adoptive father, accepts Huldbrand's death as divine judgment, stating Undine suffered most.
- Funeral arrangements are made for Huldbrand, the last of his line, to be buried in his family's churchyard.
- The solemn funeral procession begins, led by Father Heilmann carrying a crucifix, followed by Bertalda and her father.
- A snow-white, heavily veiled figure, later revealed to be Undine, appears among the mourners, causing fear and disruption.
- Despite attempts to question or remove her, the veiled figure gracefully evades interaction and continues to follow the coffin.
- The figure positions herself behind Bertalda, moving slowly and humbly, unnoticed by the widow.
- At the open grave in the churchyard, Bertalda finally notices the uninvited follower and angrily orders her away.
- The veiled figure silently shakes her head, raising her hands in a humble plea, which reminds Bertalda of Undine's kindness.
- Father Heilmann calls for silence for prayers, and everyone, including Bertalda and the veiled figure, kneels.
- When the mourners rise, the white guest has vanished.
- From the spot where she knelt, a silver-clear spring emerges, encircling Huldbrand's grave before flowing into a pond.
- Villagers believe the spring is Undine, eternally embracing her beloved.
Characters
Father Heilmann
A man of average height and build, likely with a weathered but kind face from years of pastoral work. His movements are deliberate and solemn, befitting his role.
Attire: A dark, simple cassock or a similar clerical robe, made of plain wool or linen, indicating his priestly vocation. He carries a tall crucifix.
Wants: To provide spiritual comfort and guidance, to fulfill his duties as a priest, and to ensure proper rites for the deceased.
Flaw: His compassion, while a strength, might make him vulnerable to emotional distress when confronted with deep sorrow, though he strives to remain stoic.
He remains a steadfast figure of spiritual support, his character unchanging as he fulfills his duties.
Calm, compassionate, dutiful, and spiritually grounded. He is unfazed by the panic of others and focuses on his pastoral duties.
The Old Fisherman
A man of sturdy build, with a face deeply lined by sun and wind from a life spent by the water. His hands would be calloused and strong. He is of average height, with a slightly stooped posture from age.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a fisherman: a coarse linen shirt, sturdy wool trousers, and a thick, homespun tunic or jacket, all in muted, earthy tones. He might wear simple leather boots.
Wants: To support his daughter, Bertalda, and to honor the deceased Huldbrand, while accepting the tragic circumstances as divine will.
Flaw: His deep sorrow for Undine and Huldbrand, which he bears silently, can be overwhelming.
He remains a figure of quiet wisdom and acceptance, his character defined by his enduring sorrow and faith.
Humble, accepting, wise, and deeply sorrowful but resigned. He possesses a profound understanding of fate and divine judgment.
Bertalda
A woman of noble bearing, likely slender and graceful, though now consumed by grief. Her features are refined, reflecting her aristocratic background.
Attire: A dark, heavy mourning gown made of fine wool or velvet, possibly with a simple, unadorned veil or head covering, appropriate for a noble widow in the medieval period.
Wants: To mourn Huldbrand, to express her anger and sorrow, and to maintain her social standing even in grief.
Flaw: Her pride and inability to forgive or understand, which blinds her to the deeper spiritual truths.
She remains consumed by grief and anger, unable to find peace or understanding, highlighting her worldly nature.
Grief-stricken, angry, accusatory, and proud. She struggles to accept the tragedy and blames Undine fiercely.
Undine
An ethereal, slender figure, appearing delicate and graceful. Her movements are fluid and otherworldly, like flowing water. She is of average height, with a luminous quality to her skin.
Attire: A simple, flowing gown of snow-white, sheer fabric, like fine silk or chiffon, that seems to shimmer and move like water. It is unadorned, emphasizing her ethereal nature. She is heavily veiled.
Wants: To embrace her beloved Huldbrand one last time, to fulfill her tragic destiny, and to offer a final, gentle embrace.
Flaw: Her deep, unwavering love for Huldbrand, which ultimately leads to her tragic fate and the necessity of his death.
She fulfills her tragic destiny, transforming from a physical presence into a natural element (a spring) to eternally embrace her beloved.
Deeply loving, sorrowful, self-sacrificing, and ethereal. She is bound by her nature and her love, even unto death.
Knight Huldbrand
A knight of noble stature, likely tall and well-built, even in death. His features would be handsome, though now still and pale.
Attire: Not explicitly described in death, but his shield and helmet are placed on his coffin, indicating his status. He would be dressed in noble burial attire, likely fine linen or silk robes, perhaps with a family crest, beneath his knightly accoutrements.
Wants: Deceased. His past motivations were to find love and companionship, but he was swayed by worldly desires and fear.
Flaw: Deceased. His fatal flaw was his inability to remain faithful and his fear of Undine's true nature, leading to his betrayal.
His arc concludes with his death, a consequence of his actions and the tragic fate brought upon him by Undine's nature.
Not directly observed in this chapter as he is deceased, but his past actions suggest a character capable of both deep love and fatal wavering, ultimately leading to his demise.
Locations
Ringstetten Castle
The castle where Sir Huldbrand resided and where his death was announced. It is a place of sorrow and mourning after his passing.
Mood: somber, sorrowful, tense
The news of Huldbrand's death spreads, and the initial mourning takes place. Father Heilmann arrives to offer solace.
Churchyard Burial Ground
A hallowed burial ground in a church village, where Huldbrand's ancestors are interred. It features an open grave, a grassy area, and later, a silver-clear spring that flows into a quiet pond.
Mood: solemn, sacred, melancholic, later magical
Sir Huldbrand's funeral procession arrives. Undine, veiled in white, joins the mourners. After everyone kneels, she vanishes, and a spring emerges from where she knelt, encircling Huldbrand's grave.