The birds sang no more; they had finished nesting long ago; but we, with our young hearts overfull of love, were in the right mind for song, and when Puppi had charmed us with a sweet Italian lay, and I had decked his lute with a rose as a guerdon, my lord of Eberstein took example from him, and they then besought Ann and me to do our part; but Junker Henning was the more eager.

Whereupon Ann smiled on him so graciously that I was in pain for him, and she signed to me, and, I taking the lower part as was our wont, we gave Prince Wizlav's "Song to Dame Love." It rang out right loud and clear from our throats over the gentlemen's heads as they sat at our feet, and through the garden close: "Earth is set free and flowers In all the meads are springing, The balmy noontide hours Are sweet with odors rare; The hills for joy are leaping.
The happy birds are singing, And now, while winds are sleeping, Soar through the sunny air.
Now hearts begin to kindle And burn with love's sweet anguish As tapers blaze and dwindle.
Love, our lady! lend thine ear! Would'st thou but spoil our pleasure?
Ah, leave us not to languish! Who vows to thee his treasure, Haughty lady, must beware." We had sung so much as this when the sound of hoofs, of which we had already been aware on the soft soil of the woods, gave us pause.

Then, behold! Ann turned pale and pressed her hands, full of the roses she had chosen for her garland, tightly to her bosom, as though in pain.
Junker Henning, who, while she sang, had gazed at her devoutly, nay, in rapture, marked this gesture and leaped to his feet to succour her; but she commanded herself with wonderful readiness, and laughed as she showed him her finger, from which two drops of blood had fallen on her white gown.

And while the garden-gate was opening, she held out her hand to the young man, saying in haste: "Pricked,--a thorn!--would you please to take it out for me, Junker ?" He seized her hand and held it long in his own, as some jewel or marvel, before he remembered that he was required to take out the thorn.

The other gentle men, and among them my brother-in-law Paulus, had likewise sprung forward to lend their aid; he, indeed, had snatched his lace neck-tie off and dipped it in the fountain.
Meanwhile the new-comers had joined the circle: First, Duke Rumpold, then Jost Tetzel, and lastly Herdegen with Ursula.
I flew to meet him, and when he held me in his arms and kissed me, and wished me joy of my betrothal right heartily, I forgot all old grievances and only rejoiced at having him home once more; till Ursula greeted me, and Herdegen came in sight of Ann.