Pagina 551 di 626

When the day dawned, therefore, the boy put his fifty talers into

his pocket, and went forth on the great highway, and continually

said to himself: 'If I could but shudder! If I could but

shudder!' Then a man approached who heard this conversation which

the youth was holding with himself, and when they had walked a

little farther to where they could see the gallows, the man said

to him: 'Look, there is the tree where seven men have married the

ropemaker's daughter, and are now learning how to fly. Sit down

beneath it, and wait till night comes, and you will soon learn

how to shudder.' 'If that is all that is wanted,' answered the

youth, 'it is easily done; but if I learn how to shudder as fast

as that, you shall have my fifty talers. Just come back to me

early in the morning.' Then the youth went to the gallows, sat

down beneath it, and waited till evening came.