Flemish Legend Sir Halewyn by Charles de Coster Chapter 6

Of the rovings and wanderings of Sir Halewyn

Every day after this, whether it were fair or foul, light sky or dark, storm or gentle breeze, rain, snow, or hail, Sir Halewyn wandered alone through the fields and woods.

And children, seeing him, ran away in fear.

“Ah,” said he, “I must be very ugly!” And he went on with his wandering.

But if on his way he met some common man who had strength and beauty, he would bear down on him and oftentimes kill him with his sword.

And every one grew to shun him, and to pray to God that he would soon remove their Lord from this world.

And every night, Sir Halewyn called on the devil.

But the devil would not come.

“Ah,” said the Sire sorrowfully, “if thou wilt only give me strength and beauty in this life, I will give thee my soul in the other. ’Tis a good bargain.”

But the devil never came.

And he, restless, always in anguish and melancholy, was soon like an old man to look at, and was given the name throughout the country of the Ill-favoured Lord.

And his heart was swollen with hatred and anger. And he cursed God.