The Dolomites and their Legends by Karl Felix Wolff

Author:Karl Felix Wolff
Language: deu
Format: epub
Publisher: Raetia Verlag
Published: 2013-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

IRON HAND

(Man de fyèr)

From the very, very olden times there runs through the Dolomite valleys a legend concerning an old singer who is to appear when the “promised time” is at hand. This mythical singer is no doubt a figure of the ancient original Ratic poetry, although at one time he is to appear as king of Contrìn, and another time (especially in the region of the Alpine pasturage of Seis) as Oswald von Wolkenstein. German and Ladin mountain inhabitants have built up all kinds of tales and legends around the figure of this far-famed minnesinger. One of these is the story of Mandefjèr and Antermòya.

When Oswald von Wolkenstein was still a little boy it was predicted to his mother that he would become a famous singer if he learned to play the harp, but that would never bring him real happiness and peace; if, on the other hand, he kept far away from music his life would be a happy one. To ensure this future happiness his mother took him up to the Kedùl, a gloomy mountain at the end of the Gardena valley, where at that time “Gannes” (savage women) were still living, and she got them to bewitch his hands, so that on reaching manhood he would be well able to handle a sword or spear, but no finer instrument without breaking it.

Later on, when he met strolling players and felt a passionate desire for music, nobody was able to teach him the art, because he immediately broke every harp or lyre, and every fiddle or similar instrument that was given to him. He was therefore called “Man de fyèr” — hand of iron. He became a rough fellow, and spent most of his time strolling about the forests, understanding nothing but hunting and the profession of arms.

One day he went from the Duran valley up to the Molinyòn mountains, coming at noon, when all was silent, to a beautiful flowerhedge from which song and music resounded. He approached cautiously, and saw a wonderful fairy, in a shining, silvery dress, sitting there and playing. He was charmed by this, and he stood there, scarcely daring to breathe lest he should disturb the singer. But as soon as the sunshine left the valley, everything disappeared: the flower-hedge as well as the singer. On the next day, however, they were there again.

Now Oswald knew no peace; again and again be went up the Molinyòn -mountains and listened to the fairy from afar. She however, had been aware of his presence for a long time, and she was very pleased that he stood there and did not venture to disturb her. After seven days she spoke to him. Then he told her how sorry he was that he could not learn to play the harp; that his hands were so rough and rigid that he could not hold anything fine with them. The fairy looked carefully at his hands, becoming very thoughtful, and she said: “A heavy spell lies upon

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.