The Valley of the Nahe
Kreuznach
A
mighty draught
Once upon a time in the high castle called
Rheingrafenstein
near Kreuznach, the flower of the knights belonging to the Rhine
country
were assembled.
They were powerful warriors, these nobles of
ancient
rank, but the most prominent among them was the host himself, the proud
Rhine
Count. Many a cup had he already emptied to the health of his
distinguished
guests, and rising up once more from his richly carved chair he cast a
look
over the brilliant assembly and said in a boastful tone.
"I have got a knight's high boot here, my noble
lords.
A courier left it behind him once. Now I promise on the honour of my
house
that whoever will drink it empty at one draught, to him I will give the
village
of Hiiffelsheim yonder."
The count, smiling at the novelty of the
challenge, took
the boot from his attendant's hand, caused it to be filled to the brim,
and
held up this novel cup to his guests. "'Tis a fair challenge! Come on
whoever
will dare!" said he.
Among the illustrious company present there was
one,
John of Sponheim, a knight well-known in the country for his enormous
drinking
powers; but he remained unmoved at these defiant words, only looking
inquiringly
at his neighbour, Knight Weinhart of Dhaun, who in great perplexity,
was
striving to hide his head behind a large goblet. Old
F1örsheimer, another
knight whose thirst usually seemed unquenchable, stroked his gray beard
doubtfully, while Kunz of Stromberg, a tall thin man, shook his head at
the
thought of the after-effects which such a draught would bring. Even the
chaplain
of the castle, who attributed his effective intoning of high-mass to
the
virtues of the Rhenish wine which he indulged in so freely, looked
longingly
at the boot, but had not the courage to attempt such a rash act.
Suddenly a knight, Boos of Waldeck by name, rose.
He
was a muscular man with the strength of a bear. In a voice of thunder
he
banged his mighty fist upon the table and said scornfully, "Bring me
that
little boot!"
The distinguished company stared at him in great
astonishment, but Boos of Waldeck, taking the boot in his sturdy fist,
cried
out. "Your health, my lords!"
Then flourishing it in the air, he emptied the
boot at
one draught.
When this act was accomplished, Boos threw himself heavily
into his chair, and addressing the master of the ceremonies, said with
a
humorous twinkle in his eye:
"Did the courier not leave the other boot too? I might
possibly
win a second bet, and thus acquire the village of Roxheim into the
bargain."
The count looked much abashed, but the noble
guests only
laughed heartily at the joke.
Thus stout Boos of Waldeck became lord of the
village
of Hüffelsheim.
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