LOHENGRIN AND ELSA THE BEAUTIFUL

The young Duchess of Brabant, Elsa the Beautiful, had gone into the
woods hunting, and becoming separated from her attendants, sat down to
rest under a wide-branching linden-tree.

She was sorely troubled, for many lords and princes were asking for
her hand in marriage. More urgent than all the others was the
invincible hero, Count Telramund, her former guardian, who since the
death of her father had ruled over the land with masterly hand. Now
the duke, her father, on his death-bed had promised Telramund that he
might have Elsa for wife, should she be willing; and Telramund was
continually reminding her of this. But Elsa blushed with shame at the
mere thought of such a union, for Telramund was a rough warrior, as
much hated for his cruelty as he was feared for his strength. To make
matters worse he was now at the court of the chosen King Henry of
Saxony, threatening her with war and even worse calamities.

In the shade of the linden Elsa thought of all this, and pitied her
own loneliness in that no brother or friend stood at her side to help
her. Then the sweet singing of birds seemed to comfort her, and she
dropped into a gentle sleep. As she dreamed it seemed to her that a
young knight stepped out of the depths of the forest. Holding up a
small silver bell, he spoke in friendly tones:

"If you should need my help, just ring this."

Elsa tried to take the trinket, but she could neither rise nor reach
the outstretched hand. Then she awoke.

Thinking over the apparition Elsa noted a falcon circling over her
head. It came nearer and finally settled on her shoulder. Around his
neck hung a bell exactly like that she had seen in the dream. She
loosened it, and as she did so the bird rose and flew away. But she
still held the little bell in her hand, and in her soul was fresh hope
and peace.

When she returned to the castle she found there a message, bidding her
appear before the king in Cologne on the Rhine. Filled with confidence
in the protection of higher powers, she did not hesitate to obey. In
gorgeous costume, with many followers, she set out.

King Henry was a man who loved justice and exercised it, but his
kingdom was in constant danger from inroads by wild Huns, and for this
reason he wished to do whatever would win the favor of the powerful
Count Telramund. When, however, he saw Elsa in all her beauty and
innocence he hesitated in his purpose.

The plaintiff brought