Northern mythology

302 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
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side in the frail skifT and prayed ; for the water raged so
wildly that they expected to sink at every instant. On
reaching the other shore they found an old pilgrim with
dripping garments, lying on the earth and groaning piteously.
They immediately threw their cloaks over him and
bore him into the bark, which now appeared to push itself
off, and rapidly yet tranquilly to steer towards the hut
though the waves were angrily dashing around it, and the
winds awfully raging. When they reached the bank, Julian
fastened the boat, while Basilissa prepared their straw bed
for the pilgrim, they themselves lying by him on the hard,
cold earth, having previously kindled a fire
and refreshed
the aged man with some warm milk.
But suddenly a brilliant light diffused itself in the hut,
the pilgrim rose, his wet garments fell off, and he stood
in divine majesty and splendour. It was the Lord Jesus
himself.
Julian and Basilissa fell on their knees trembling
but Jesus said: "Thou hast made sufficient atonement,
Julian ; thy sin is forgiven thee, and I await thee and thy
faithful wife." With these words he vanished.
On the following day, as some persons were fishing in
the neighbourhood, they heard melodies of heavenly sweetness
issuing from the hut. On approaching and openingit,
they found husband and wife kneeling, dead, encircled
with a heavenly light. They buried them honourably.
At a later period many miracles have taken place at their
grave, and on the spot where the hut had stood was erected
the beautiful church still existing of the hospitable, holy
Julian.
LOHENGRIN AND ELSA.—LOHENGRIN AND BELAYE.
Many hundred years ago there was a duke of Brabant
and Limburg, who had a beautiful daughter named Elsa.
When this duke lay on his death-bed, he commended his
daughter to one of his vassals, whose name was Frederic of