once celebrated school of Paracelsus, and who were driven away by the war of the Hussites. Among these herbs there is one which has become peculiarly celebrated in legendary lore; it is called the spring-root, and is found only in Rubezahl’s garden. This root is of the most costly species, and possesses virtue to heal the most obstinate and inveterate diseases. But Rubezahl allows none but his particular favourites to gather it.
A lady of high birth once lay dangerously ill at Leignitz, and promised a peasant a great reward if he could procure her the spring-root from Rubezahl’s garden. Allured by her tempting promises he undertook the task. When he reached the lonely desert country where the garden lies, he seized his spade, and began to dig up the root, which was not unknown to him. Whilst he was yet stooping at his labour, the wind arose in loud surly blasts, and he heard some rough words, which he did not understand; but raising his head, he perceived upon the extreme edge of a projecting cliff, a tall gigantic form, with a long beard, which descended over his breast, and a large crooked nose which horribly disfigured his countenance. “What are you doing there?” screamed the figure in a rough voice scarcely distinguishable from the howling of the storm. The peasant, though a very bold man, was overcome by the terror which now seized him, and replied: “I am seeking the spring-root for a sick lady who has promised to pay me well for it.”—“What you have got you may keep; but dare not to return again!” screamed the figure, and brandishing his club with threatening gestures he vanished.
The peasant went down from the mountain lost in deep thought, and the lady at Leignitz considered herself extremely fortunate in getting possession of the healing root to soothe her pains. Her illness visibly diminished, and as she could only expect her complete recovery from the continued use of the root, she desired that the peasant might be again brought into her presence: “Would you venture once more
