Flemish Legend Sir Halewyn by Charles de Coster Chapter 32

How father, mother, and sister sought everywhere their son and brother, and could not find him

Singing and winding her horn rides the noble maid Magtelt.

And in her heart is joy, at the thought that Anne-Mie, the fifteen virgins, and Toon the Silent are avenged.

And her hand holds fast beneath her keirle the good sword and the head of Halewyn.

And Schimmel trots quickly, eager to be back in his stable.

While she was riding she saw, through the thick snow falling, an old man coming towards her on a black horse.

And the old man said:

“Beautiful maid, riding so fast, hast seen my son Halewyn?”

And Magtelt:

“I left thy son Halewyn well placed, taking his diversion in the snow with sixteen maidens.”

And the old man rode on.

When she had gone farther she saw, through the thick snow falling, a young and rosy-cheeked damosel coming towards her on a white palfrey.

And the damosel said:

“Beautiful maid, riding so fast, hast seen my brother Halewyn?”

But Magtelt:

“Go farther, to the Gallows-field, where thou shalt see thy brother in like guise to the sixteen maidens.”

And the damosel rode on.

Farther still on her way, Magtelt saw, through the thick snow falling, a young man of haughty and stiff-necked countenance coming towards her on a roan charger.

And the young man said:

“Beautiful maid, riding so fast, hast seen my brother Halewyn?”

But Magtelt:

“Thy brother is a fair lord, so fair that round him sixteen maidens stand sentinel, unwilling to let him go.”

And the young man rode on.

After travelling on her way still farther, she saw, through the thick snow falling, an old woman, high-coloured and of robust seeming, despite her great age, coming towards her.

And the old woman said:

“Beautiful maid, riding so fast, hast seen my son Halewyn?”

But Magtelt:

“Thy son Siewert Halewyn is dead; see, here is his head beneath my keirle, and his blood running thick on my dress.”

And the old woman cried out:

“If thou had spoken these words earlier thou shouldst not have ridden so far.”

But Magtelt:

“Thou art fortunate, old woman, in that I have left thee thine own body and not slain thee as I have thy son.”

And the old dame took fright and made off.

And night fell.