Northern mythology

256 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
frightful sins : but let three rings of iron be made, and
close them round your niece^s neck and arms. When these
shall eitlier be worn out, or fall off spontaneously, then
are her sins forgiven.
Gysbrecht did so, and travelled back with ]\Iariken to
Nymwcgen, where she entered the convent of the Converted
Sisters. He there bade her an affectionate farewell,
and enjoined her to persevere in her penance, as heaven
would then without doubt forgive her her sins.
There IMariken lived for very many years, in the most
rigid austerity and retirement, the rings constantly remaining
on her neck and arms.
But when she was very
old and felt that her end was nigh, an angel suddenly
appeared by her bed and touched the rings, which instantly
fell off. She then piously slept in the Lord.
Her grave was long after to be seen in the conventual
church, on the stone of which her w^hole history was inscribed;
and the three rings were hung on the adjacent
wall, as memorials and proofs of its veracity.
THE DEVIL OF NEDERBRAEKEL.
The servant of a rich farmer having spent all his money,
came towards home one evening reeling with drunkenness.
Dark thoughts passed through the brain of the miserable
being, who dreaded both the cudgel of his master and the
consequences of an empty pocket. In his weak but excited
state of mind he resolved to sell his soul to the devil,
in the hoj)e of escape from so dreary a prospect ; and on
reaching a cross-way, he summoned all the devils, and
swore that his soul was for sale. A devil came, but told
him that he could not attain his object unless he previously
offered a black hen to the prince of the infernal
realms, which he promised to do. For this purpose, when
the clock struck twelve at night was the time appointed.
When the awful hour approached the man stood ready