W ince of here, where the swallows fly when it is winter, dwelt a king of the eleven sons and one Daughter Eliza had. The eleven brothers were princes, and went with the star on the chest and a sword by his side in the school. They wrote with diamond pencils on gold slates, and learned by heart as well as they read, one might know that they were princes. Their sister Eliza sat on a little stool of plate glass and had a picture book that had cost half a kingdom. Oh, the kids had it so good, but it should not stay forever!
I hr father, who was king of the country, married a wicked queen, the poor child was not at all good. On the first day they could remember it. In the palace there were great festivities, and the children played at "Visiting", but rather that they received, as usual, all the cakes and fried apples that were left, she gave them some sand in a tea cup and said she would like , act as if something is in it.
D ie week she sent little Eliza into the country to a peasant couple, and it did not last long, as they told the king so much about the young prince, that he did no longer cared about them.
"Go out into the world and get your own," said the queen. "Fly like great birds without a voice!" But they could not do as bad as they wished, for they were turned into eleven beautiful wild swans. With a strange cry, they flew from the castle windows, over the park and the forest beyond.
E s was early in the morning when they came here, where his sister Elisa in her room and was asleep. They hovered over the roof, twisted their long necks and flapped their wings, but no one heard or saw them. They had to fly away, high up toward the clouds, out into the wide world. As they flew toward a big dark forest that stretched away to the beach. The
Poor little Eliza was alone in her room and played with a green leaf, other toys they had not. And she pricked a hole in the sheet, looked through it at the sun, and because it was as if she saw her brothers' clear eyes. Each time the warm sun shone on her cheeks, she thought all her kisses.
E passed into day, like the others. Sometimes the winds through the large rose bushes outside the house, he whispered to the roses, "Who can be more beautiful than you?". But the roses would shake their heads and say, "Eliza is it!". And sat the old woman on Sunday at the door and read her hymn-book, so the wind would flutter the leaves, and said the book: "Who can be more pious than you?" - "Eliza," said the hymnal. And it was the plain truth, which said the roses and the hymn book.
When she was fifteen years old, he should go home. And when the queen saw how beautiful she was, she became full of spite and hatred. Gladly would she have turned into a swan, like her brothers, but she dared not yet, because the king wanted to see his daughter.
F rühmorgens the queen went into the bathroom, which was built of marble und mit weichen Kissen und den prächtigsten Decken geschmückt war. Und sie nahm drei Kröten, küßte sie und sagte zu der einen: "Setze dich auf Elisas Kopf, wenn sie in das Bad kommt, damit sie dumm wird wie du!" – "Setze dich auf ihre Stirn, damit sie häßlich wird wie du, so daß ihr Vater sie nicht kennt!" – "Ruhe an ihrem Herzen!", flüsterte sie der dritten zu, "Laß sie einen bösen Sinn erhalten, damit sie Schmerzen davon hat!". Dann setzte sie die Kröten in das klare Wasser, welches sogleich eine grüne Farbe erhielt, rief Elisa, zog sie aus und ließ sie in das Wasser hinabsteigen. Und indem Elisa untertauchte, setzte sich die eine Kröte ihr in das Haar, the other on her forehead, and the third the breast. But they did not seem to notice. Once they rise, there were three red poppies floating on the water. Had not the creatures been venomous or been kissed by the witch, they would have been changed into red roses. But they became flowers, because they had rested on her head and her heart. She was too good and too innocent for witchcraft to have power over them!
A ls the wicked queen saw this, she rubbed her face with walnut, and she became quite brown, her pretty face smeared it with disgusting ointment, and let the beautiful Hair confused. It was impossible to recognize the beautiful Eliza.
When she saw the father, he was very frightened and said it was not his daughter. No one but the dog and the swallows knew her; and they were poor animals who had nothing to say.
D a poor Eliza wept, and thought of her eleven brothers, who were all away. Sadly, she stole away from the palace and walked the whole day, over fields and moors, till the great forest. She knew not where she liked, but she felt so lost and longed for her brothers. The had been, like herself, driven out into the world, they wanted to seek them. Only a short time she had been in the forest, broke in the night. She came off the road and bridge, so she lay down on the soft moss, prayed her evening prayer, and leaned her head against a tree stump. It was there so still, the air is so mild, and round about the grass and the moss-lit, a green fire hundreds of glow. When she gently touched one of the branches by hand, the brilliant insects fell down like falling stars to her.
D he whole night, she dreamed of her brothers. They played again as a children's writing with their diamond pencils on golden slates, and looked at the beautiful picture book, which had cost half a kingdom. But they did not write on the blackboard, as before, lines and letters, but the brave deeds they had performed, all they had experienced and seen. In the picture-book everything was alive, the birds sang, and the people came out of the book and spoke to Eliza and her brothers. But if this the leaves turned over, she jumped right back, so do not go in disarray.
A ls she awoke, the sun was already high. She could not see him, the lofty trees spread their branches thickly over her head. But the rays played there, like a waving Goldflor. There was a smell of green and the birds almost perched upon her shoulders. She heard water rippling. The number of springs, all flowing into a lake with golden sand floor was. Of course there grew thickly round the bushes, but at a place the deer had made a large clearing, and here Eliza went down to the water. This was so clear that if the wind did not touch the branches and bushes, so that they moved, would have thought that they had been painted on the ground, was reflected in each hand, both that of the Sun illuminated, as that which was in the shade.
S nce Eliza saw her own face, she was terrified so brown and ugly it was. But when she wetted her little hand and rubbed his eyes and forehead, the white skin gleamed in front again. Then she undressed and went into the fresh water. A beautiful king's daughter, as she was, was not found in this world.
A ls she had dressed herself again and plaited her long hair, she went to the bubbling spring, drank from the hollow of his hand and went deep into the forest, not knowing where to go. She thought of her brothers, thought of the dear God who would not forsake her. God made the wild apples grow, to saturate the hungry. He showed her such a tree, the branches bent under the weight of the fruit. Here she held her noonday repast, placed props under the boughs, and then went into the darkest part of the forest.
a D was so still that she could hear her own footsteps, and every withered leaf which she crushed under her feet. Not a bird was seen, not a sunbeam could penetrate through the large, dark tree branches. Their lofty trunks stood so close together that when she saw before her, it seemed as if a trellis others they were enclosed. Oh, here was a solitude, as those previously never known!
D he night was very dark. Not a single glow-worm glittered in the moss. Sadly, they lay down to sleep. Since it seemed as if the tree branches on her moving to the side and God with gentle eyes looked down on them, and angels looked over his head and under his arms.
A ls she awoke the next morning, she did not know whether she had dreamed it or whether it really been so. She walked a few steps forward, when she met an old woman with berries in her basket. The old woman gave her some of them. Eliza asked her if she had not seen eleven princes through the forest. ride
I hr father, who was king of the country, married a wicked queen, the poor child was not at all good. On the first day they could remember it. In the palace there were great festivities, and the children played at "Visiting", but rather that they received, as usual, all the cakes and fried apples that were left, she gave them some sand in a tea cup and said she would like , act as if something is in it.
D ie week she sent little Eliza into the country to a peasant couple, and it did not last long, as they told the king so much about the young prince, that he did no longer cared about them.
"Go out into the world and get your own," said the queen. "Fly like great birds without a voice!" But they could not do as bad as they wished, for they were turned into eleven beautiful wild swans. With a strange cry, they flew from the castle windows, over the park and the forest beyond.
E s was early in the morning when they came here, where his sister Elisa in her room and was asleep. They hovered over the roof, twisted their long necks and flapped their wings, but no one heard or saw them. They had to fly away, high up toward the clouds, out into the wide world. As they flew toward a big dark forest that stretched away to the beach. The
Poor little Eliza was alone in her room and played with a green leaf, other toys they had not. And she pricked a hole in the sheet, looked through it at the sun, and because it was as if she saw her brothers' clear eyes. Each time the warm sun shone on her cheeks, she thought all her kisses.
E passed into day, like the others. Sometimes the winds through the large rose bushes outside the house, he whispered to the roses, "Who can be more beautiful than you?". But the roses would shake their heads and say, "Eliza is it!". And sat the old woman on Sunday at the door and read her hymn-book, so the wind would flutter the leaves, and said the book: "Who can be more pious than you?" - "Eliza," said the hymnal. And it was the plain truth, which said the roses and the hymn book.
When she was fifteen years old, he should go home. And when the queen saw how beautiful she was, she became full of spite and hatred. Gladly would she have turned into a swan, like her brothers, but she dared not yet, because the king wanted to see his daughter.
F rühmorgens the queen went into the bathroom, which was built of marble und mit weichen Kissen und den prächtigsten Decken geschmückt war. Und sie nahm drei Kröten, küßte sie und sagte zu der einen: "Setze dich auf Elisas Kopf, wenn sie in das Bad kommt, damit sie dumm wird wie du!" – "Setze dich auf ihre Stirn, damit sie häßlich wird wie du, so daß ihr Vater sie nicht kennt!" – "Ruhe an ihrem Herzen!", flüsterte sie der dritten zu, "Laß sie einen bösen Sinn erhalten, damit sie Schmerzen davon hat!". Dann setzte sie die Kröten in das klare Wasser, welches sogleich eine grüne Farbe erhielt, rief Elisa, zog sie aus und ließ sie in das Wasser hinabsteigen. Und indem Elisa untertauchte, setzte sich die eine Kröte ihr in das Haar, the other on her forehead, and the third the breast. But they did not seem to notice. Once they rise, there were three red poppies floating on the water. Had not the creatures been venomous or been kissed by the witch, they would have been changed into red roses. But they became flowers, because they had rested on her head and her heart. She was too good and too innocent for witchcraft to have power over them!
A ls the wicked queen saw this, she rubbed her face with walnut, and she became quite brown, her pretty face smeared it with disgusting ointment, and let the beautiful Hair confused. It was impossible to recognize the beautiful Eliza.
When she saw the father, he was very frightened and said it was not his daughter. No one but the dog and the swallows knew her; and they were poor animals who had nothing to say.
D a poor Eliza wept, and thought of her eleven brothers, who were all away. Sadly, she stole away from the palace and walked the whole day, over fields and moors, till the great forest. She knew not where she liked, but she felt so lost and longed for her brothers. The had been, like herself, driven out into the world, they wanted to seek them. Only a short time she had been in the forest, broke in the night. She came off the road and bridge, so she lay down on the soft moss, prayed her evening prayer, and leaned her head against a tree stump. It was there so still, the air is so mild, and round about the grass and the moss-lit, a green fire hundreds of glow. When she gently touched one of the branches by hand, the brilliant insects fell down like falling stars to her.
D he whole night, she dreamed of her brothers. They played again as a children's writing with their diamond pencils on golden slates, and looked at the beautiful picture book, which had cost half a kingdom. But they did not write on the blackboard, as before, lines and letters, but the brave deeds they had performed, all they had experienced and seen. In the picture-book everything was alive, the birds sang, and the people came out of the book and spoke to Eliza and her brothers. But if this the leaves turned over, she jumped right back, so do not go in disarray.
A ls she awoke, the sun was already high. She could not see him, the lofty trees spread their branches thickly over her head. But the rays played there, like a waving Goldflor. There was a smell of green and the birds almost perched upon her shoulders. She heard water rippling. The number of springs, all flowing into a lake with golden sand floor was. Of course there grew thickly round the bushes, but at a place the deer had made a large clearing, and here Eliza went down to the water. This was so clear that if the wind did not touch the branches and bushes, so that they moved, would have thought that they had been painted on the ground, was reflected in each hand, both that of the Sun illuminated, as that which was in the shade.
S nce Eliza saw her own face, she was terrified so brown and ugly it was. But when she wetted her little hand and rubbed his eyes and forehead, the white skin gleamed in front again. Then she undressed and went into the fresh water. A beautiful king's daughter, as she was, was not found in this world.
A ls she had dressed herself again and plaited her long hair, she went to the bubbling spring, drank from the hollow of his hand and went deep into the forest, not knowing where to go. She thought of her brothers, thought of the dear God who would not forsake her. God made the wild apples grow, to saturate the hungry. He showed her such a tree, the branches bent under the weight of the fruit. Here she held her noonday repast, placed props under the boughs, and then went into the darkest part of the forest.
a D was so still that she could hear her own footsteps, and every withered leaf which she crushed under her feet. Not a bird was seen, not a sunbeam could penetrate through the large, dark tree branches. Their lofty trunks stood so close together that when she saw before her, it seemed as if a trellis others they were enclosed. Oh, here was a solitude, as those previously never known!
D he night was very dark. Not a single glow-worm glittered in the moss. Sadly, they lay down to sleep. Since it seemed as if the tree branches on her moving to the side and God with gentle eyes looked down on them, and angels looked over his head and under his arms.
A ls she awoke the next morning, she did not know whether she had dreamed it or whether it really been so. She walked a few steps forward, when she met an old woman with berries in her basket. The old woman gave her some of them. Eliza asked her if she had not seen eleven princes through the forest. ride
"No!" said the old man, "but I saw yesterday eleven swans with golden crowns on their heads on the river swimming nearby!"
nd U she led Eliza a little farther to a slope. At the foot of it wound a little river. The trees on its banks stretched their long leafy branches against each other, and where their natural stature together are not enough to have, since the roots were torn from the earth and hung with braided branches, beyond the water.
E lisa said the old woman farewell, and walked along the river, to find this in the large open sea also ran.
D as whole glorious sea lay before the young girl, but not a sail appeared on its surface, not a boat was to be seen. How was she to go get further away? She looked at the countless pebbles on the shore, the water had been smoothed and rounded. Glass, iron, stones, everything that lay there mingled together, had taken its shape from the water, which was much softer than her own delicate hand. "The water rolls on without weariness, and so paves the hard I will also be indefatigably you for your lessons, bright rolling waves;.. Once that told me my heart, you will lead me to my dear brothers!"
A n the washed up sea grass lay eleven white swan feathers She gathered up a bunch. There were drops of water on it - if it were dew or tears, could not see. It was lonely there on the beach, but they did not feel it, because the sea offered a constant variety, even more in just a few hours than the lakes in a whole year. Was a big, black cloud, so it was as if the sea said, "I can look dark and angry." And then the wind blew and the waves turned to white foam. The clouds glowed red and slept the winds, the sea was like a rose leaf, and soon it was green, now white. But how quiet it also rested on the bank was but a slight movement, the water rose and fell like the breast of a sleeping child.
A ls go under the sun was, Eliza saw eleven white swans with golden crowns on their heads to fly the country. They floated one behind the other, it looked like a long white ribbon. Then Eliza went down the hill and hid behind a bush. The swans alighted quite close to her and flapped their great white wings.
S nce the sun had disappeared under the water, fell suddenly the goose feathers and eleven beautiful princes, her brothers, stood. She uttered a loud cry, even though they had changed a lot They knew that they were, they felt that they should be. And she jumped into her arms and called them by name. And the princes were so happy when she saw her little sister, and she realized that was big and beautiful. They laughed and wept, and soon they understood how wickedly their mother had been against them all.
"W ir brothers," said the eldest, "fly about as wild swans as long as the sun in the sky, once it has gone down, we recover our human shape why must we always, at sunset a resting place for. the feet have to, because At this time we fly towards the clouds, we should sink as people in the depths. We do not dwell there lies a land just as fair this side of the lake. But the way is far. We have over the great sea, and there is no island in our way, stay where we could, just a little rock stands out in the middle, not larger than that we can rest in close proximity to it. If the sea is rough, the foam dashes over us, yet we thank God for them. Since we stay in our human form and without them we could never visit our beloved country, because two of the longest days the year we need for our flight. Only once a year, it is permitted us to visit our home. Eleven days we can stay here and fly over the great forest, where we see the castle where we were born and where our father lives, and can see the high tower, where the mother is buried. Here it seems to us, as trees and bushes were related to us; The wild horses leap over the plains as we saw in our childhood, sings the coal burner, the old songs, to which we have danced as children, here is our country, here we are drawn, and here we have you, you dear little sister, found! Two days can Let us stay here, then we have to continue over the sea, after a wonderful country that is not our country! How can we take you? We have neither ship nor boat "
" A uf How can I break this spell? "The nurse. And they talked asked most of the night, only slumbering for a few hours.
E lisa awakened by the rustling of the swans' wings as they soared above her rushed, the brothers were again changed. And they flew in circles wider and far away, but one of them, the youngest back. And the swan laid his head in her lap and she stroked its wings, the whole day they were together. Towards evening, the rest came back, and went down as the sun, they resumed their natural shape.
"M Orgen we fly away from here and can not return before the end of the year. But we can not leave you here Have you courage to go?" My arm is strong enough to carry you through the forest. If because we have not all our wings be strong enough to fly with you over the sea? " - "Yes, take me with you," said Elisa.
D he brought them all night trying to weave with the pliant willow and rushes a network It was very large and firm. Eliza laid herself down on the network, and emerged as the sun and the brothers again became wild swans taken up the net with their beaks and flew with her dear sister, who was still asleep, high up toward the clouds. The sunbeams fell on her face, therefore one of the swans soared over her head so that his broad wings might shade her.
he S were far from the land when Eliza woke. She thought she must still be dreaming, so strange it seemed to her to be carried up through the air over the sea. By her side lay a branch full of beautiful ripe berries and a bunch of tasty roots that had the youngest of the brothers collected and their laid. She smiled gratefully, for she knew him, he was the one who flew over her to shade her with his wings.
S he were so high that a large ship, which they saw in like a white seagull seemed to be lying on the water. A great cloud stood behind them, that was a whole mountain. And upon it Eliza saw her own shadow and those of the eleven swans, looking gigantic in size, they flew. It was a beautiful picture than she had ever seen one. But as the sun rose higher and the clouds were left behind, the shadowy picture vanished. All day they flew away, like a winged arrow through the air, but it was still slower than usual, for they had their sister to carry. It drew on a bad weather, the evening came on. Anxiously watched the sun sink Elisa, and still had the little rock in the sea not to be seen. She felt as if the swans were making great efforts with their wings. Oh, she was the cause that their not advancing fast enough. When the sun had set, they had to be men, fall into the sea and drown. As they prayed from the depths of the heart, a prayer to God, but still no appearance of cliff. The black cloud came closer, the strong gusts of wind told a storm. The clouds stood in a single, large, threatening wave, which shot nearly as lead forward, lightning lit up with lightning. ow
J the sun had reached the edge of the sea. Eliza's heart trembled. The swans darted down so fast that they believed to fall. But now she floated again. The sun was half under water, as they caught sight of the cliff between them. She did not look bigger, as if it was a seal who stuck his head out of the water. The sun sank so fast, now they only appeared as a star. As their feet touched the solid ground! The sun disappeared like the last sparks from the burning paper. Arm in arm, they saw the brothers want to be, but more space, enough for them, and she was not there. The sea dashed against the rock, and covered with spray over them. The sky lighted up with continual flashes, and peal after peal of thunder rolled. But the sister and brothers sat on their hands and sang hymns, from which they gained hope and courage.
I n the morning twilight the air was clean and quiet. As the sun rose, swans flew away from the rock with Eliza. The sea was still rough, it looked like they were high in the air as the white foam on the dark green lake millions of swans swimming on the water.
A ls the sun rose higher, Eliza saw before her, floating in the air, a mountainous country with shining masses of ice on the rocks. And the middle of it stood a mile long, lock me a bold portico above the other, below waved palms and beautiful flowers as big as mill wheels. She asked if this was the land where they wanted to go, but the swans shook their heads, for what they saw was the Fata Morgana beautiful ever-changing cloud palaces in which they were allowed to bring in anybody. Eliza was still gazing, when mountains, forests and castle, and twenty stately churches, all the same, with high towers and pointed windows, stood before them. She thought she heard the sound organs, but it was the sea which she heard. Now she was nearer to the churches, since they became a whole fleet, which seemed to be sailing beneath her, but when she looked again, it was only a sea mist gliding over the water. She had a constant change in the eyes, and then they saw the real land to which they were bound. There, the blue mountains, its cedar forests, cities and castles. Long before the sun went down, she sat on a rock in front of a large cave, which was overgrown with delicate green creeping plants looked like an embroidered carpet.
"N un we want to see what you dream last night here, "said the youngest brother and showed her the bedroom.
" G levels of heaven, that dream I might, I can save you, "she said. And this thought it employed lively. She prayed earnestly to God for help, and even in her sleep she continued to pray. Then it appeared to her as if they fly high into the air, the Fata Morgana cloud palaces. And The fairy came to meet her, so beautiful and shiny, and yet very much like the old woman who had given her berries in the woods and told her of the swans with golden crowns on their heads
"D a brotherhood. can be released, "she said." if you have courage and endurance? Well, water is softer than your own delicate hands, and yet it polishes stones into shapes, but it does not feel the pain that your fingers would feel. It has no heart, does not suffer the anguish and torment that you have to endure. Do you see the stinging nettle which I hold in my hand? Of the same sort grow round the cave where you sleep, only there, and those that grow on graves of the cemetery are use to you this you have the pick, even while they burn blisters on your hands. Break them with your feet, you become flax, from which you must eleven shirts with long sleeves and weave. Throw this over the eleven swans, the spell will be broken. But remember, that from the moment you commence your task until the one where it is finished, even if years pass, you must not speak. The first word you utter is like a deadly dagger in the hearts of your brothers! Their lives hang upon your tongue. Remember that all "
U it nd also touching her hand with the nettle, and a burning fire;... Elisa awoke it was broad daylight, and close by where she had slept lay a nettle like the one she had seen in a dream. She fell on her knees and thanked the good Lord and went out of the cave to begin their work.
M ith delicate hands she reached down into the ugly nettles, which like fire. Large bubbles they burned on their hands and arms, but like she wanted to stand it, could only release her dear brothers. She bruised the nettles with her bare feet and spun the flax.
A hen the sun had set, the brothers came and frightened when they found her dumb. They thought it was some new sorcery of their wicked stepmother. But when they saw her hands they understood what she was doing for her sake. And the youngest brother wept, and where his tears fell, because she felt no pain as the burning blisters vanished.
D ie night she kept to her work because she could not rest before they delivered her dear brothers. All the next day, while the swans were gone, she sat in solitude, but never had the time flown so quickly. One coat was already finished and she had begun the second.
D a sound of a hunting horn between the mountains, and was struck with fear. The sound came closer, they heard dogs barking, frightened she fled into the cave, tied the nettles she had collected and hastily bound together in a bundle and sat on it.
S ogleich was a big dog jumped out of the ravine, and then another and another; they barked loudly, ran back and came again. In a very few minutes all the huntsmen stood before the cave, and the handsomest of them was the king of the country. He advanced towards her, he had never seen a more beautiful girl.
"W he did you come here, my beautiful child?" He asked. Elisa shook her head, she dared not speak, at her brothers' lives. And she hid her hands under her apron, so that the king should not see what they had to suffer.
"K ommt with me," he said, "Here you must not stay. Are you as good as you are beautiful, and I will dress you in silk and velvet, place a golden crown upon your head, and thou shalt in my richest castle dwell! ". And then he lifted her on his horse. She wept and wrung her hands, but the king said, "I only want your happiness Once you will thank me for it." And then he galloped away over the mountains, holding her before him on the horse, and the hunters followed behind them.
A sank hen the sun, the beautiful royal city, with churches and cupolas. And the king led her into the castle, where large fountains splashing in the lofty marble halls, where walls and ceilings were covered with paintings. But she had no eyes, they wept and mourned. Patiently she allowed the women of royal robes, to weave pearls in her hair and soft gloves over her blistered fingers. As she stood in her glory, she was so blindingly beautiful that the court bowed low. And the King chose her for his bride, but the archbishop shook his head and whispered that the fair young maiden was a witch who had blinded the eyes and bewitched the king's heart.
A about the king did not listen out, let the music to sound, the most delicious dishes and dance the sweetest girls around her. And she was ushered through fragrant gardens and lofty halls, but not a smile appeared on her lips or sparkled in her eyes. Like a picture of grief stood. Then the king opened a small chamber in which she was to sleep, which was adorned with rich green tapestry, and resembled the cave in which they had been. On the floor lay the bundle of flax which she had spun from the nettles, and under the ceiling hung the coat she had made. All this had taken a hunter as a curiosity.
"H ere you can dream yourself back again in the old home," said the king. "Is the work that you employed yourself. Now in the midst of all this splendor, it will be up here please, think of that time."
A ls Eliza saw what lay so near her heart, a smile played around her mouth, and the blood rushed to her cheeks. She thought of the salvation of their brothers, kissed the king's hand, and he pressed her to his heart and let through all the church bells announce the wedding party. The beautiful dumb girl out of the woods was the country's queen.
D a whispered Archbishop of bad words in the king's ear, but they did not sink into his heart. The wedding was held, and the archbishop himself had to place the crown on the head, and he pressed with evil the narrow circlet so tightly on her forehead, so that it hurt. But a heavier weight encircled her heart-sorrow for her brothers. She felt not bodily pain. Her mouth was closed; a single word would cost her brothers life. But in her eyes spoke of deep love for the rich, handsome king, who did everything to please them. With all my heart she loved him from day to day, dear, oh, she had only been expected to trust him and her grief! But dumb she must remain till she had to accomplish their work. Therefore she crept away in the night by his side, walked into the small chamber, which was decorated like the cave, and knit one shirt after another finished. But when she began the seventh she had no more flax.
A t the cemetery, she knew, grew nettles she wanted to she could, she must pluck them herself. How should she get out!
"O h, which is the pain in my fingers to the torment which my heart endures?" She thought. "I must venture, The Lord will not take his hand from me." With a trembling heart, as it was a evil, she were, she sneaked into the moonlit night in the garden and went down through the narrow walks and the deserted streets to the cemetery. Then she saw on one of the widest grave stones a group of ghouls. These hideous creatures took off their rags, as if to bathe, and then they dug with their long, skinny fingers on the fresh graves, pulled out the dead bodies and ate their flesh. Eliza had to pass close by them, and they fixed their wicked glances upon her, but she prayed silently, gathered the burning nettles, and carried them home to the castle.
N ur one man she had seen the Archbishop. He was awake when the others were asleep. Now he was right with his opinion that it was not with the queen, as it should be, she was a witch who had bewitched the king and all the people.
I m confessional, he told the king what he had seen and what he feared. And as wanted poured from the harsh words of his tongue, shook their heads, the images of saints as if they said: "It's not that Elisa is innocent!". But the archbishop interpreted it differently, he said that they testified against them, that they shook their heads at her wickedness. Two large tears rolled down the king's cheeks. He went home with doubt in his heart, and behaved as if he sleeps at night. But there was no sleep to his eyes, he noticed how Elisa got up. Every night, she repeated this, and every time he followed her gently to and watched as she disappeared into her room.
T ag day, his brow became darker, and Eliza saw it, but not understood why. But it frightens you, and what they did not suffer in the heart for the brothers. On the royal velvet and her hot tears flowed, lay there like sparkling diamonds, and all who saw the rich splendor, wanted to be queen. Meanwhile, it was soon done with their work, only one shirt was missing yet. But flax she had not, not a single nettle. Once, just this last time they had therefore to the churchyard and pluck a few handfuls. She thought with terror of the solitary walk, and of the horrible ghouls, but her will was firm as well as their trust in the Lord.
E lisa went, the king and the archbishop followed her. They saw her vanish through the wicket gate into the churchyard, and as they approached, the ghouls sitting on the grave stone as Eliza had seen them. And the king turned away because of them he thought the one whose head had rested that night on his chest.
"D as people must condemn her," he said. And the people condemned to be burned in the red flames.
A us the gorgeous regal halls she was led into a dark, damp hole, where the wind whistled through the lattice. Instead of velvet and silk they gave her the bundle of nettles which she had collected, it could lay their heads. had the hard, burning tank shirts, which she knitted should be their blankets. But nothing they could have given her, she continued her work and prayed to their God. Outside, the street-boys sang jeering songs about her, and not a soul comforted her with a kind word.
D a buzzing in the evening close to the grid a swan wing. This was the youngest of the brothers. He had found his sister, and she sobbed aloud with joy, although she knew that the coming night would probably be the last that she had to live. But hey, the work was almost finished, and her brothers were here.
D he archbishop arrived, to be in the last hour with her, which he had promised the king. But she shook her head and asked, with looks and gestures, he should. That night she had to complete their work, otherwise it was all useless, all that pain and tears and sleepless nights. The archbishop withdrew with harsh words against them, but poor Eliza knew that she was innocent, and went on with their work.
D ie little mice ran about the floor, they dragged the nettles to her feet, but to help a bit. And the thrush sat outside the grating of the window and sang the whole night awake as they could to make Elisa does not want to lose heart.
E s still twilight, and after an hour the sun was rising. When the eleven brothers stood at the gate of the palace and demanded to be brought before the king. That could not happen were told that it was still night, the king asleep and could not be awakened. They begged, they threatened, the guard appeared, and even the king himself, inquiring what it meant. Just because the sun was rising, and now had no brothers to see, but over the castle flew eleven wild swans.
A poured us the gate all the people there wanted to see the witch burnt. An old horse drew the cart on which she sat. They had dressed her in a garment of coarse sackcloth, her lovely hair hung loose around beautiful shoulders, her cheeks were deadly pale, her lips moved silently, while her fingers worked at the green flax. Even on the way to her death, she would give up her task not. The ten coats of mail lay at her feet, on the eleventh she worked. The mob jeered her.
"S IEH the witch, as she murmurs! No hymn book she has in hand, no, with her ugly sorcery they are sitting down. It tears you to pieces!". And then they pressed towards her, and would have destroyed the coats of mail. Moment eleven wild swans flew that sat around her on the cart and flapped their great wings. Now, the crowd drew on one side.
"D as a sign from heaven that she is innocent," whispered many. But they did not dare to say it aloud.
J ow the executioner seized her by the hand. Then she threw the eleven coats hurriedly over the swans. And they immediately became eleven handsome princes. But the youngest had a swan's wing instead of an arm because it was missing a sleeve of the coat, she had not brought ready.
"J ow I can speak," she said. "I am innocent!"
U nd the people who saw what had happened, bowed to her as before a saint. But she sank lifeless in her brothers' arms, overcome with suspense, anguish, and pain on them.
"J a, she is innocent," said the eldest brother, and then he related all that had happened. And as he spoke, the air a fragrance as from millions of roses, because every piece of fagot in the pile had taken root and branch operation. It stood there for a thick hedge, large and high, with red roses, a flower sitting on top, white and bright, she shone like a star. The King plucked and placed in Eliza's breast. Then she woke up with peace and happiness in her heart.
U nd rang church bells all by himself, and the birds came in great troops. It was a marriage procession returned to the castle, as he had never seen a king!
nd U she led Eliza a little farther to a slope. At the foot of it wound a little river. The trees on its banks stretched their long leafy branches against each other, and where their natural stature together are not enough to have, since the roots were torn from the earth and hung with braided branches, beyond the water.
E lisa said the old woman farewell, and walked along the river, to find this in the large open sea also ran.
D as whole glorious sea lay before the young girl, but not a sail appeared on its surface, not a boat was to be seen. How was she to go get further away? She looked at the countless pebbles on the shore, the water had been smoothed and rounded. Glass, iron, stones, everything that lay there mingled together, had taken its shape from the water, which was much softer than her own delicate hand. "The water rolls on without weariness, and so paves the hard I will also be indefatigably you for your lessons, bright rolling waves;.. Once that told me my heart, you will lead me to my dear brothers!"
A n the washed up sea grass lay eleven white swan feathers She gathered up a bunch. There were drops of water on it - if it were dew or tears, could not see. It was lonely there on the beach, but they did not feel it, because the sea offered a constant variety, even more in just a few hours than the lakes in a whole year. Was a big, black cloud, so it was as if the sea said, "I can look dark and angry." And then the wind blew and the waves turned to white foam. The clouds glowed red and slept the winds, the sea was like a rose leaf, and soon it was green, now white. But how quiet it also rested on the bank was but a slight movement, the water rose and fell like the breast of a sleeping child.
A ls go under the sun was, Eliza saw eleven white swans with golden crowns on their heads to fly the country. They floated one behind the other, it looked like a long white ribbon. Then Eliza went down the hill and hid behind a bush. The swans alighted quite close to her and flapped their great white wings.
S nce the sun had disappeared under the water, fell suddenly the goose feathers and eleven beautiful princes, her brothers, stood. She uttered a loud cry, even though they had changed a lot They knew that they were, they felt that they should be. And she jumped into her arms and called them by name. And the princes were so happy when she saw her little sister, and she realized that was big and beautiful. They laughed and wept, and soon they understood how wickedly their mother had been against them all.
"W ir brothers," said the eldest, "fly about as wild swans as long as the sun in the sky, once it has gone down, we recover our human shape why must we always, at sunset a resting place for. the feet have to, because At this time we fly towards the clouds, we should sink as people in the depths. We do not dwell there lies a land just as fair this side of the lake. But the way is far. We have over the great sea, and there is no island in our way, stay where we could, just a little rock stands out in the middle, not larger than that we can rest in close proximity to it. If the sea is rough, the foam dashes over us, yet we thank God for them. Since we stay in our human form and without them we could never visit our beloved country, because two of the longest days the year we need for our flight. Only once a year, it is permitted us to visit our home. Eleven days we can stay here and fly over the great forest, where we see the castle where we were born and where our father lives, and can see the high tower, where the mother is buried. Here it seems to us, as trees and bushes were related to us; The wild horses leap over the plains as we saw in our childhood, sings the coal burner, the old songs, to which we have danced as children, here is our country, here we are drawn, and here we have you, you dear little sister, found! Two days can Let us stay here, then we have to continue over the sea, after a wonderful country that is not our country! How can we take you? We have neither ship nor boat "
" A uf How can I break this spell? "The nurse. And they talked asked most of the night, only slumbering for a few hours.
E lisa awakened by the rustling of the swans' wings as they soared above her rushed, the brothers were again changed. And they flew in circles wider and far away, but one of them, the youngest back. And the swan laid his head in her lap and she stroked its wings, the whole day they were together. Towards evening, the rest came back, and went down as the sun, they resumed their natural shape.
"M Orgen we fly away from here and can not return before the end of the year. But we can not leave you here Have you courage to go?" My arm is strong enough to carry you through the forest. If because we have not all our wings be strong enough to fly with you over the sea? " - "Yes, take me with you," said Elisa.
D he brought them all night trying to weave with the pliant willow and rushes a network It was very large and firm. Eliza laid herself down on the network, and emerged as the sun and the brothers again became wild swans taken up the net with their beaks and flew with her dear sister, who was still asleep, high up toward the clouds. The sunbeams fell on her face, therefore one of the swans soared over her head so that his broad wings might shade her.
he S were far from the land when Eliza woke. She thought she must still be dreaming, so strange it seemed to her to be carried up through the air over the sea. By her side lay a branch full of beautiful ripe berries and a bunch of tasty roots that had the youngest of the brothers collected and their laid. She smiled gratefully, for she knew him, he was the one who flew over her to shade her with his wings.
S he were so high that a large ship, which they saw in like a white seagull seemed to be lying on the water. A great cloud stood behind them, that was a whole mountain. And upon it Eliza saw her own shadow and those of the eleven swans, looking gigantic in size, they flew. It was a beautiful picture than she had ever seen one. But as the sun rose higher and the clouds were left behind, the shadowy picture vanished. All day they flew away, like a winged arrow through the air, but it was still slower than usual, for they had their sister to carry. It drew on a bad weather, the evening came on. Anxiously watched the sun sink Elisa, and still had the little rock in the sea not to be seen. She felt as if the swans were making great efforts with their wings. Oh, she was the cause that their not advancing fast enough. When the sun had set, they had to be men, fall into the sea and drown. As they prayed from the depths of the heart, a prayer to God, but still no appearance of cliff. The black cloud came closer, the strong gusts of wind told a storm. The clouds stood in a single, large, threatening wave, which shot nearly as lead forward, lightning lit up with lightning. ow
J the sun had reached the edge of the sea. Eliza's heart trembled. The swans darted down so fast that they believed to fall. But now she floated again. The sun was half under water, as they caught sight of the cliff between them. She did not look bigger, as if it was a seal who stuck his head out of the water. The sun sank so fast, now they only appeared as a star. As their feet touched the solid ground! The sun disappeared like the last sparks from the burning paper. Arm in arm, they saw the brothers want to be, but more space, enough for them, and she was not there. The sea dashed against the rock, and covered with spray over them. The sky lighted up with continual flashes, and peal after peal of thunder rolled. But the sister and brothers sat on their hands and sang hymns, from which they gained hope and courage.
I n the morning twilight the air was clean and quiet. As the sun rose, swans flew away from the rock with Eliza. The sea was still rough, it looked like they were high in the air as the white foam on the dark green lake millions of swans swimming on the water.
A ls the sun rose higher, Eliza saw before her, floating in the air, a mountainous country with shining masses of ice on the rocks. And the middle of it stood a mile long, lock me a bold portico above the other, below waved palms and beautiful flowers as big as mill wheels. She asked if this was the land where they wanted to go, but the swans shook their heads, for what they saw was the Fata Morgana beautiful ever-changing cloud palaces in which they were allowed to bring in anybody. Eliza was still gazing, when mountains, forests and castle, and twenty stately churches, all the same, with high towers and pointed windows, stood before them. She thought she heard the sound organs, but it was the sea which she heard. Now she was nearer to the churches, since they became a whole fleet, which seemed to be sailing beneath her, but when she looked again, it was only a sea mist gliding over the water. She had a constant change in the eyes, and then they saw the real land to which they were bound. There, the blue mountains, its cedar forests, cities and castles. Long before the sun went down, she sat on a rock in front of a large cave, which was overgrown with delicate green creeping plants looked like an embroidered carpet.
"N un we want to see what you dream last night here, "said the youngest brother and showed her the bedroom.
" G levels of heaven, that dream I might, I can save you, "she said. And this thought it employed lively. She prayed earnestly to God for help, and even in her sleep she continued to pray. Then it appeared to her as if they fly high into the air, the Fata Morgana cloud palaces. And The fairy came to meet her, so beautiful and shiny, and yet very much like the old woman who had given her berries in the woods and told her of the swans with golden crowns on their heads
"D a brotherhood. can be released, "she said." if you have courage and endurance? Well, water is softer than your own delicate hands, and yet it polishes stones into shapes, but it does not feel the pain that your fingers would feel. It has no heart, does not suffer the anguish and torment that you have to endure. Do you see the stinging nettle which I hold in my hand? Of the same sort grow round the cave where you sleep, only there, and those that grow on graves of the cemetery are use to you this you have the pick, even while they burn blisters on your hands. Break them with your feet, you become flax, from which you must eleven shirts with long sleeves and weave. Throw this over the eleven swans, the spell will be broken. But remember, that from the moment you commence your task until the one where it is finished, even if years pass, you must not speak. The first word you utter is like a deadly dagger in the hearts of your brothers! Their lives hang upon your tongue. Remember that all "
U it nd also touching her hand with the nettle, and a burning fire;... Elisa awoke it was broad daylight, and close by where she had slept lay a nettle like the one she had seen in a dream. She fell on her knees and thanked the good Lord and went out of the cave to begin their work.
M ith delicate hands she reached down into the ugly nettles, which like fire. Large bubbles they burned on their hands and arms, but like she wanted to stand it, could only release her dear brothers. She bruised the nettles with her bare feet and spun the flax.
A hen the sun had set, the brothers came and frightened when they found her dumb. They thought it was some new sorcery of their wicked stepmother. But when they saw her hands they understood what she was doing for her sake. And the youngest brother wept, and where his tears fell, because she felt no pain as the burning blisters vanished.
D ie night she kept to her work because she could not rest before they delivered her dear brothers. All the next day, while the swans were gone, she sat in solitude, but never had the time flown so quickly. One coat was already finished and she had begun the second.
D a sound of a hunting horn between the mountains, and was struck with fear. The sound came closer, they heard dogs barking, frightened she fled into the cave, tied the nettles she had collected and hastily bound together in a bundle and sat on it.
S ogleich was a big dog jumped out of the ravine, and then another and another; they barked loudly, ran back and came again. In a very few minutes all the huntsmen stood before the cave, and the handsomest of them was the king of the country. He advanced towards her, he had never seen a more beautiful girl.
"W he did you come here, my beautiful child?" He asked. Elisa shook her head, she dared not speak, at her brothers' lives. And she hid her hands under her apron, so that the king should not see what they had to suffer.
"K ommt with me," he said, "Here you must not stay. Are you as good as you are beautiful, and I will dress you in silk and velvet, place a golden crown upon your head, and thou shalt in my richest castle dwell! ". And then he lifted her on his horse. She wept and wrung her hands, but the king said, "I only want your happiness Once you will thank me for it." And then he galloped away over the mountains, holding her before him on the horse, and the hunters followed behind them.
A sank hen the sun, the beautiful royal city, with churches and cupolas. And the king led her into the castle, where large fountains splashing in the lofty marble halls, where walls and ceilings were covered with paintings. But she had no eyes, they wept and mourned. Patiently she allowed the women of royal robes, to weave pearls in her hair and soft gloves over her blistered fingers. As she stood in her glory, she was so blindingly beautiful that the court bowed low. And the King chose her for his bride, but the archbishop shook his head and whispered that the fair young maiden was a witch who had blinded the eyes and bewitched the king's heart.
A about the king did not listen out, let the music to sound, the most delicious dishes and dance the sweetest girls around her. And she was ushered through fragrant gardens and lofty halls, but not a smile appeared on her lips or sparkled in her eyes. Like a picture of grief stood. Then the king opened a small chamber in which she was to sleep, which was adorned with rich green tapestry, and resembled the cave in which they had been. On the floor lay the bundle of flax which she had spun from the nettles, and under the ceiling hung the coat she had made. All this had taken a hunter as a curiosity.
"H ere you can dream yourself back again in the old home," said the king. "Is the work that you employed yourself. Now in the midst of all this splendor, it will be up here please, think of that time."
A ls Eliza saw what lay so near her heart, a smile played around her mouth, and the blood rushed to her cheeks. She thought of the salvation of their brothers, kissed the king's hand, and he pressed her to his heart and let through all the church bells announce the wedding party. The beautiful dumb girl out of the woods was the country's queen.
D a whispered Archbishop of bad words in the king's ear, but they did not sink into his heart. The wedding was held, and the archbishop himself had to place the crown on the head, and he pressed with evil the narrow circlet so tightly on her forehead, so that it hurt. But a heavier weight encircled her heart-sorrow for her brothers. She felt not bodily pain. Her mouth was closed; a single word would cost her brothers life. But in her eyes spoke of deep love for the rich, handsome king, who did everything to please them. With all my heart she loved him from day to day, dear, oh, she had only been expected to trust him and her grief! But dumb she must remain till she had to accomplish their work. Therefore she crept away in the night by his side, walked into the small chamber, which was decorated like the cave, and knit one shirt after another finished. But when she began the seventh she had no more flax.
A t the cemetery, she knew, grew nettles she wanted to she could, she must pluck them herself. How should she get out!
"O h, which is the pain in my fingers to the torment which my heart endures?" She thought. "I must venture, The Lord will not take his hand from me." With a trembling heart, as it was a evil, she were, she sneaked into the moonlit night in the garden and went down through the narrow walks and the deserted streets to the cemetery. Then she saw on one of the widest grave stones a group of ghouls. These hideous creatures took off their rags, as if to bathe, and then they dug with their long, skinny fingers on the fresh graves, pulled out the dead bodies and ate their flesh. Eliza had to pass close by them, and they fixed their wicked glances upon her, but she prayed silently, gathered the burning nettles, and carried them home to the castle.
N ur one man she had seen the Archbishop. He was awake when the others were asleep. Now he was right with his opinion that it was not with the queen, as it should be, she was a witch who had bewitched the king and all the people.
I m confessional, he told the king what he had seen and what he feared. And as wanted poured from the harsh words of his tongue, shook their heads, the images of saints as if they said: "It's not that Elisa is innocent!". But the archbishop interpreted it differently, he said that they testified against them, that they shook their heads at her wickedness. Two large tears rolled down the king's cheeks. He went home with doubt in his heart, and behaved as if he sleeps at night. But there was no sleep to his eyes, he noticed how Elisa got up. Every night, she repeated this, and every time he followed her gently to and watched as she disappeared into her room.
T ag day, his brow became darker, and Eliza saw it, but not understood why. But it frightens you, and what they did not suffer in the heart for the brothers. On the royal velvet and her hot tears flowed, lay there like sparkling diamonds, and all who saw the rich splendor, wanted to be queen. Meanwhile, it was soon done with their work, only one shirt was missing yet. But flax she had not, not a single nettle. Once, just this last time they had therefore to the churchyard and pluck a few handfuls. She thought with terror of the solitary walk, and of the horrible ghouls, but her will was firm as well as their trust in the Lord.
E lisa went, the king and the archbishop followed her. They saw her vanish through the wicket gate into the churchyard, and as they approached, the ghouls sitting on the grave stone as Eliza had seen them. And the king turned away because of them he thought the one whose head had rested that night on his chest.
"D as people must condemn her," he said. And the people condemned to be burned in the red flames.
A us the gorgeous regal halls she was led into a dark, damp hole, where the wind whistled through the lattice. Instead of velvet and silk they gave her the bundle of nettles which she had collected, it could lay their heads. had the hard, burning tank shirts, which she knitted should be their blankets. But nothing they could have given her, she continued her work and prayed to their God. Outside, the street-boys sang jeering songs about her, and not a soul comforted her with a kind word.
D a buzzing in the evening close to the grid a swan wing. This was the youngest of the brothers. He had found his sister, and she sobbed aloud with joy, although she knew that the coming night would probably be the last that she had to live. But hey, the work was almost finished, and her brothers were here.
D he archbishop arrived, to be in the last hour with her, which he had promised the king. But she shook her head and asked, with looks and gestures, he should. That night she had to complete their work, otherwise it was all useless, all that pain and tears and sleepless nights. The archbishop withdrew with harsh words against them, but poor Eliza knew that she was innocent, and went on with their work.
D ie little mice ran about the floor, they dragged the nettles to her feet, but to help a bit. And the thrush sat outside the grating of the window and sang the whole night awake as they could to make Elisa does not want to lose heart.
E s still twilight, and after an hour the sun was rising. When the eleven brothers stood at the gate of the palace and demanded to be brought before the king. That could not happen were told that it was still night, the king asleep and could not be awakened. They begged, they threatened, the guard appeared, and even the king himself, inquiring what it meant. Just because the sun was rising, and now had no brothers to see, but over the castle flew eleven wild swans.
A poured us the gate all the people there wanted to see the witch burnt. An old horse drew the cart on which she sat. They had dressed her in a garment of coarse sackcloth, her lovely hair hung loose around beautiful shoulders, her cheeks were deadly pale, her lips moved silently, while her fingers worked at the green flax. Even on the way to her death, she would give up her task not. The ten coats of mail lay at her feet, on the eleventh she worked. The mob jeered her.
"S IEH the witch, as she murmurs! No hymn book she has in hand, no, with her ugly sorcery they are sitting down. It tears you to pieces!". And then they pressed towards her, and would have destroyed the coats of mail. Moment eleven wild swans flew that sat around her on the cart and flapped their great wings. Now, the crowd drew on one side.
"D as a sign from heaven that she is innocent," whispered many. But they did not dare to say it aloud.
J ow the executioner seized her by the hand. Then she threw the eleven coats hurriedly over the swans. And they immediately became eleven handsome princes. But the youngest had a swan's wing instead of an arm because it was missing a sleeve of the coat, she had not brought ready.
"J ow I can speak," she said. "I am innocent!"
U nd the people who saw what had happened, bowed to her as before a saint. But she sank lifeless in her brothers' arms, overcome with suspense, anguish, and pain on them.
"J a, she is innocent," said the eldest brother, and then he related all that had happened. And as he spoke, the air a fragrance as from millions of roses, because every piece of fagot in the pile had taken root and branch operation. It stood there for a thick hedge, large and high, with red roses, a flower sitting on top, white and bright, she shone like a star. The King plucked and placed in Eliza's breast. Then she woke up with peace and happiness in her heart.
U nd rang church bells all by himself, and the birds came in great troops. It was a marriage procession returned to the castle, as he had never seen a king!
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