Northern mythology

816 NETHERLANDISH TRADITIONS.
And this he repeated from day to day, and never entered
the thicket without first going to the pond.
But God heard the prayer of the unhappy mother,
Beatrix, and let it be announced to the old man, that the
six boys and the girl were the offspring of king Oriant,
and also that six of them had been transformed.
AMiereupon
calling Hehas to him, the old man told him all, and
Helias then took leave of him, recommending the swans
to his tender care. He then went to the king, clad in
leaves, barefooted and bareheaded, with a club in his
hand, for the purpose of asserting his mother's rights and
innocence.
The foes of the hapless Beatrix had in the mean while
prevailed on the king to pronounce judgement on her and
cause her to suffer death. She was, consequently, one
day brought from her prison and conducted before Oriant,
that she might in his presence defend herself;
for a false
i^night, suborned by IMatabruna, had preferred new charges
against her. On entering the hall, Beatrix made humble
obeisance to the king, fell on her knees, and prayed so
fervently for grace, that every one, and the king above all,
felt profound pity for her. Oriant then asked the false
knight of what he accused her, and the knight answered,
that she had wished to give him poison, for the purpose
of destroying both the king and Matabruna. Thereupon
'^
the king rose and said : Wife, you are heavily accused ;
what say you ? Tell the truth, and if you are guilty, you
shall die a shameful death, if no one will defend your
cause." But Beatrix again falling on her knees said:
'^
My dear lord, I know that I
shall find no one who will
do so ; nevertheless, I swear to you and all these lords,
that I have never harboured such a thought, so true as
God is almighty, to whom I leave all vengeance on my