Английские легенды / English Legends

Pray, open to me, let me it, let us get warm and merry again by your heat! I beg you to show some mercy at least, if I’m denied your love!”

No sound came from within the castle; only the storm and the sea waves united to turn the night into the chaos of the elements[3 - elements – стихия].

The girl raised her eyes, trying to catch a glimpse[4 - catch a glimpse – уловить движение] of some movement behind the windows, but could only see the streams of heavy rain, a lightning, and the sky, cracked from side to side[5 - cracked from side to side – треснувшее от края до края].

As for the hall behind the gate, nothing seemed to stir inside.

The poor lass was desperate. There was a boat waiting for her in the nearby bay; and it was there she turned, still holding the child in her arms. She set the sail[6 - set the sail – поставить парус], and the boat pulled out, a mere chip in the terrible storm. Soon it could not be seen anymore behind the thick veil of the shower.

A few hours later, nevertheless, the storm subsided.

Morning came fresh and clean, with the autumn sun shining from behind the light mist. The sea waves looked tamed now; but no sign of the night visitation were there to find.

Soon after waking up, the young Lord Gregory went to tell his mother of the weird dream he saw that night.

“You told me to get back to bed, mother, but I was sure I heard a female voice, young, melodic and sorrowful, at our gates.”

“Oh my foolish son!” the old lady exclaimed, “There was no one at night.

I told you to sleep on and bother yourself not.”

“You deceive me, mother!” young lord protested. “I dreamt of the lass I love who came here, bearing my child in her white, slender arms.”

“My son, this was but a beggar who foolishly claimed to be your wife. What she wanted was to deceive you, to bind you with the bounds of the promise you aren’t obliged to keep. I told her to get away and to seek refuge[7 - seek refuge – искать приют] for herself and her shame at the bottom of the sea.

That wearisome girl must be lying down there now.”

“Now my curse on you, mother!” cried the lord, horrified. “Sure I heard the girl come knocking to my door, and you didn’t let her in! Now, go and order three horses to be saddled for me: the black, the brown and the bay, saddle me the best horses in my stable; and I promise I’ll range over mountains, over wide valleys and over the sea shore till I find the girl.