The poor lady was terrified and she tearfully implored the giant’s mercy, promising to bestow all her treasure upon him.  Her maids, too, begged him to spare their mistress’s life, but he only laughed as they knelt before him.  Ultimately the hapless maiden consented to marry her inexorable wooer, but she attached a novel condition:  she would ride a race with her relentless suitor, and should he overtake her she would accompany him to his castle.  But the resolute maiden had secretly vowed to die rather than submit to such degradation.  Choosing her fleetest steed, she vaulted nimbly into the saddle and galloped away.  Her persecutor pursued close behind, straining every nerve to come up with her.  Shuddering at the very thought of becoming his bride, she chose death as the only alternative.  So she spurred her horse onward to the edge of a deep chasm.

The noble animal neighed loudly as though conscious of impending danger.  The pursuer laughed grimly as he thought to seize his prize, but his laughter was turned to rage when the horse with its fair burden bounded lightly across the chasm, landing safely on the other side.

The enraged tyrant now beheld his intended victim kneeling in prayer and her steed calmly grazing among the green verdure by her side.  He strode furiously hither and thither, searching for a crossing, and suddenly a shout of joy told the affrighted maid that he had discovered some passage.

His satisfaction, however, was short-lived, for just then a strange knight with drawn sword rushed upon the giant.  The maid watched the contest with breathless fear, and many times she thought that the tyrant would slay her protector.  At last in one such moment the giant stooped to clutch a huge boulder with which he meant to overwhelm his adversary, when, overreaching himself, he slipped and fell headlong down the steep rocks.

Then the maid hastened to thank her rescuer, and great was her surprise to discover in the gallant knight the youth whose former poverty had kept him from wooing her.  They returned to the castle together, and it was not long ere they celebrated their wedding.

Both lived long and happily, and their union was blessed with many children.  The rock is still known as “The Maiden’s Leap.”

The Wonderful Road

Near Homburg, on the pinnacle of a lofty mountain, are the ruins of
Falkenstein Castle, access to which is gained by a steep, winding path.

Within the castle walls there once dwelt a maiden of surpassing beauty.  Many suitors climbed the stern acclivity to woo this charming damsel, but her stern father repelled one and all.  Only Kuno of Sayn was firm enough to persevere in his suit against the rebuffs of the stubborn Lord of Falkenstein, and in the end he was rewarded with the smiles and kind looks of the fair maid.

One evening, as they watched the sun set, Kuno pointed out to the maiden where his own castle was situated.  The beauty of the landscape beneath them made its appeal to their souls, their hands touched and clasped, and their hearts throbbed with the passion felt by both.  A few days later Kuno climbed the steep path, resolved to declare his love to the damsel’s father.  Fatigued with the ascent, he rested for a brief space at the entrance to the castle ere mounting to the tower.