BALDOUR THE BEAUTIFUL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 13

BALDOUR THE BEAUTIFUL

A PICTURE TO PAINT

Our story comes to us from Germany, and it happened many, many years ago, when the city of Falkenberg was ruled over by a lord who had the loveliest daughter in all the world. The maiden's name was Baldour, and she was so famed for her beauty that everyone called her Baldour, the Beautiful. She was as sweet and good as she was lovely, and she was loved by a handsome youth called Fecopih, an ardent huntsman, who spent all his days hunting in the forest and his evenings standing beneath Baldour’s Window, serenading her with love songs. When the Lord of Falkenberg decided that his daughter was old enough to marry, he sent for the father of Pecopin, and a formal bethrothal was arranged. How happy the two young people were! Baldour, who was an accomplished needlewoman, set to work at making fine garments for her wedding; she sat at her window to sew, and stared out now and then toward the forest where Pecopin, as usual, hunted every day. Then one morning, just a week before the wedding, Pecopin was inter* rupted in his hunting by the mighty Count Palatine and his courtiers. “Come with us, Pecopin,” they urged “We are going to kill the kite that is destroying our young pheasants, the eagle that is killing our falcons, and the vulture that Is devouring all our hawks. We want your help.” So Pecopin agreed, and for three days he hunted with the nobles, bring-

•I* «1+ «I* »I* »I« *> <i* »> “I* «S» “I* ♦!« »I« ♦:» * l* *l* «I« »> «j* »> «£» »j» ing down the kite on the first day, the eagle on the second and the vulture on the third. The Count Palatine was so delighted that he straightway bestowed on Pecopin his lands at Rheineck, insisting that Pecopin come immediately and view his new domain. Pecopin’s one desire was to get home to Baldour, but he feared to displease the mighty man, so he sent a message to BaldoUr, telling her that he would be delayed for several days. The Count entertained him royally, for he had taken a great fahcy to the young hunter; but Pecopin was anxious to be off, and was most dismayed —in spite of the honour bestowed ujibh him—when the Count said, “I have decided, on account of your bravery and good sense, to send you as my ambassador to Paris.” Poor Pecopin! He had no choice but to obey, so he set out immediately, hoping to get back the sooner to his beloved Baldour. He reached Paris safely, after a long and arduous journey, and went straight to the King of France with his message. Wishing to make a good impression on the King for the sake of his master, the Count, Pecopin assumed his very best manner; but it was too good! “What a fine young man,” said the King of France to his counsellors. “He’s just the man I need to send as my ambassador to the Moorish ruler at Granada.” So instead of turning his horse north, Pecopin found himself journeying further south, into Spain. He was honoured by the great King’s trust, but he longed to see Baldour, and sent her loving messages, promising to re-

- turn just as soon as his mission was t ended. ; Arrived in Granada, the youthful J ambassador was kindly received by the : Moorish ruler, who said, however, “I s have not the power to sign these ; papers for the King of France without ■ first consulting my master, the Caliph, i Will you take your papers on to the r caliph at Baghdad. I choose you for i the mission because of your good man- > ners and good sense.” : Pecopin sighed for his beautiful Bali dour as he journeyed still further away : from her. It took many months to reach Bagh- • dad, but at last he arrived, and was i taken before the Caliph. Feasts were : given in his honour, and he congratu- ; ated himself on the fact that before : long his steps would be turned toward ■ home. The Blue Charm Now the Caliph had a daughter, a , romantic creature, who, when she , heard of Pecopin’s exploits, decided , that he must be the most wonderful man in the world. So in admiration she sent to him, by her servant, one of her family’s most precious belongings, a charm in the shape of a blue stone, which kept the wearer forever . young and beautiful. And if the wearier should be in danger of losing his life, he had only to rub the stone, and . all his dangers would disappear. Fecohin was pleased with the gift, and hung it round his neck under his tunic, but the Caliph came to hear that the young stranger possessed the family treasufe, and decided to kill him. “You must see the wonderful view from the top of our highest tower,” said the Caliph to Pecopin—very deceitfully. And Pecopin, unsuspecting, followed the Caliph up the stairs. “You have been on several strange journei’S; haven't you?” said the Caliph, concealing his anger as best he could. “Now lam going to send you on another journey . . .” and with that he pushed Pecopin over the edge! Down, down, down fell the young man, the wind rushing in his ears. But just before he hit the ground he remembered the charm—which the Caliph did not know he was wearing! —give it a quick rub, and, hey,presto! his fall became a flight, and he flew safely on for many hours before his feet touched the ground, miles and miles from Baghdad. Before him was the sea, which he could not cross, having no boat; behind him was a forest, and through this Pecopin tried to make his way. But it was the Forest of Lost Tracks, and he wandered for many years, meeting with numerous wonderful adventures, but never growing older, for he still wore the blue charm. He had despaired of ever seeing Baldour again, and was beginning to wish that he were dead, when an old man appeared on horseback. “Jump up behind me,” he cried. “I am come to take you to Baldour!” Pecopin's heart leapt ,for joy, but when he went to climb on the horse he fell back, too weak to make any further effort. After all, it seemed, he would never meet again his betrothed. But the stranger offered him a flask, from which he drank. It was the Water of Life, and Pecopin aiid the stranger rode, but at last reached the castle of the Lord of Falkenberg. Suddenly Pecopin fell to the ground; horse and rider vanished, and Pecopin, picking himself up, ran and knocked on the castle door. An ancient servant opened it. “My Lady Baldour! Is she within?” he asked. “Come this way, sir,” was the reply, and he was led into a room at the window of which he discerned a woifian’s figure. « “My lovely one, my beautiful Bal- . dour!” cried Pecopin. But alas! It was an old and faded woman who turned to greet him. Her hair was white, and the roses had fled from her cheeks; but it was Baldour! , Only then did Pecopin realise how long he had been away!! It was the charm ( that had kept him ever young. With- , out a second thought he threw the blue , stone out of the window. Instantly his figure became bent, his hair white and his footsteps uncertain. “We will both grow old together,” he whispered. And so they did, for many years of j happiness remained for them to en- , joy.