d to offer
their presents and congratulations upon the occasion. One carried an
embossed silver goblet, another a large jug of the same metal
ornamented with inlaid medallions and filled with wine. They first
approached the Duke in great respect and bowed, and then turned to
Albert von Sturmfeder.

The man who bore the goblet, having saluted the bridegroom with a
cheerful smile on his countenance, said:

May joy attend the wedded pair,
And bliss increasing be their share!
Accept this gift from Stuttgardt's town,
And length of days your union crown.
'Tis generous wine that cheers the soul,
So come, my comrade, fill the bowl.

The other burgher then filled the goblet with wine from the jug he
carried, and whilst his companion drank it out, pronounced:

A cask full stands before your door,
The best of Stuttgardt's wine in store;
And force of body, strength of soul,
Lie deep within the brimful bowl:
Then drain the cup and find them there,
So Stuttgard has obtained her prayer.

Having finished his draught, and replenished the goblet, he repeated
the following lines:

Be this your toast when you carouse,
"Long live the Duke and all his house."
Drain to the dregs, then, fill the wine,
"To Sturmfeder and Lichtenstein;"
And may we hope that, as you drink,
You will on Stuttgardt's burghers think.

Albert gave the men both his hands and thanked them for their
acceptable presents; Bertha saluted their wives, and the Duke also
received them graciously. They laid the silver jug and the goblet in
the basket along with the other gifts, retiring respectfully and with
solemn step out of the hall. But the burghers were not the only ones to
tender their congratulations and manifest their regard for the Duke, in
this marked attention to his favourite. Scarcely had they taken their
departure, when a disturbance was observed at the door where the
lansquenet were on guard, which attracted the notice of the Ulerich.
Men's voices were heard swearing and ordering the crowd to obedience to
their commands, among which were mingled the voices of women, and one
in particular the loudest and most violent was recognized by some of
the company at the upper end of the table.

"I declare that is the voice of our Rosel," whispered