Yet he felt that he dared not suffer defeat; he must not be disgraced before the spectators.  In particular, there was a certain fair lady whose colours he wore; he must not be shamed before her.  His mind, as he rode on his way to Darmstadt, was filled with conflicting emotions, love, hope, fear, shame, in turn dominating his thoughts.  Suddenly he came to a wayside altar, upon which was set an image of the Virgin, and he decided to carry his troubles to her as he was wont to do.  So he descended from his horse, which he secured to a tree, and made his way to the altar.

So deep were his emotions and so ardent his prayer that he passed into a sort of trance and fell at the foot of the altar like one dead.  While he lay thus unconscious the Virgin descended from the altar, unlaced his armour, and donned it herself.  Then taking sword and shield and lance, she mounted his steed and rode into Darmstadt.  She was absent for some time, but when she returned the knight still lay in the death-like state in which she had left him.  She tied his horse once more to the tree, replaced his armour, and then took her accustomed place on the altar.

Shortly after Walther recovered consciousness and rose hastily, then, after another prayer to the Virgin, he rode as quickly as he might into the town.  Here, to his intense surprise, he was greeted with joyful shouts and congratulations.  His friends hailed him as a mighty champion, and she who had won his affections bestowed upon him the reward of knightly valour—­her promise of marriage.  The bewildered Walther scarce knew whether he was awake or asleep, but at length it was borne in upon him that someone had won great triumphs in his name.  Who could have so successfully personated him as to deceive even his dearest friends?  Who, indeed, save she to whom he had turned in his distress, the Holy Virgin herself?

Soon he was wedded to the lady of his choice; and to show his gratitude for the intervention of Mary he built her a magnificent chapel on the spot where the miracle had taken place.  Nor did he grow any less diligent in her service, but continued to live a noble and pious life, in which he was ever encouraged and assisted by his wife.

The Cooper of Auerbach

It is said that from the ruined castle of Auerbach a fragrant perfume of wine sometimes steals upon the air, and then the country folk whisper, “The cooper is tasting his wine.”  And if asked for the reason of this saying they tell the following story.

Once when the sun shone golden on the vine-clad hills, deepening the heavy clusters of grapes to a darker purple, a peasant, passing by the ruins, thought longingly upon the wine that, in the past, had been stored in those dark, cool cellars, wondering if perhaps some might not yet be found there, or if all had been wasted and lost.  And while he yet pondered a rubicund little man, with leathern apron dark with wine-stains girded about his portly waist, stood at his side looking up at him with twinkling eyes.