the end of the forest. No need have we of thy help, and 'tis only thou who scarest us. I beg thee, therefore, in all love and goodwill, vanish and leave us in peace."
But Kühleborn was angered thereat, his face grew hideous, and right fiercely did he gnash his teeth at Undine, who screamed aloud and called on her husband for help. Quick as lightning the knight sprang to the other side of the horse and aimed a stout blow with his sword at Kühleborn's head. But the blade struck against a waterfall, which was rushing down near them from a lofty crag, and with a splash, which sounded almost like a burst of laughter, it poured over them and drenched them to the skin. Whereat the priest of a sudden woke from his dream: "Long since," quoth he, "have I been expecting something of the sort, for the stream ran down from the heights so close to us. At the first, methought it was really a man and could speak with human voice."
Now, as the waterfall rushed down, it distinctly spoke to Huldbrand's ear in words like these:
Rash knight,
Brave knight,
I am not wroth,
Nor will I chide.
But ever guard, whate'er betide,
Thy wife as closely at thy side:
Brave knight,
Rash knight!
