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MARRIAGE OF CHRISTIAN ROSENCREUTZ. 139
the net ; yet I would gladly hear whether there be any
" Yes, that there is," answered the third,
more behind."
"
a stranger adventure hath not been recounted then that
which happened to myself.
maid, and that my love might
In my youth I loved a worthy Gripims, 4.
attain its end I made use of
an ancient matron, who easily brought me to her. Now it
happened that the maid's brethren came in upon
us as we
three were together, and were in such a rage that they
would have taken my life, but, on my vehement supplica-
tion, they at length forced me to swear to take each of them
for a year to my wedded wife. Now, tell me, my Lords,
should I take the old or the young one first ] " We all
laughed sufficiently at this riddle, yet
take to unfold it, and the fourth began.
none would under-
" In a certain Giipims, 5.
city there dwelt an honourable lady, beloved of all, but
especially of a noble young man, who would needs be too
importunate with her. At length she gave
him this de-
termination, that in case he would, in a cold winter, lead
her into a fair green garden of Eoses, then he should obtain,
but if not he must resolve never to see her more. The
noble man travelled into all countries to find one who might
perform this, till at length he lite upon a little old man who
promised to do it for him,
in case he would assure him of
half his estate, which he having consented to the other was
as good as his word. Whereupon he invited the Lady
home to his garden, where, contrary to her expectation,
she found all things green, pleasant, and warm; and
remembring her promise, she only requested
that she
might once more return to her lord, to whom with sighs
and tears she bewailed her lamentable condition. Her
lord, sufficiently perceiving her faithfulness, dispatched her
back to her lover, who had so dearly purchased her, that