“The Eve of St. Agnes”-a fairytale
Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a beautiful maiden named Madeline.
It was a frosty evening of St. Agnes’ eve where on that special night, young virgins hoped to have a vision of thier future husband if they went to bed without looking behind them, and sweet Madeline was one of these young women.
Little did she know, as she layed upon her pillow, a young man named Porphyro was coming accross the moors towards her house.
He ventured into the house, hid behind a column and startled the maid of Madeline.
“Mercy, Porphyro! Hide form this place,” she whispered urgently. “Or they will catch you here!”
“Ah, dear,” Porphyro assured. “We are safe enough. Come, sit here and tell me how-”
“No, no!” said she. “Not here. Follow me.”
He followed her to a small room and said:
“Now tell me where is Madeline.”
Angela sat and thought for some time. She finally said:
“You are a cruel man. You should let her pray and sleep and dream alone-away from wicked men like you. Go, go away from here!”
“I will not harm her, I swear,” said Porphyro. “I need to see her!”
Seeing young Porphyro so sad and earnest, Angela gave a promise she will do what he wishes.
She led him in secrecy to Madeline’s chamber and hid him in a closet. From there, Pophyro could look upon Madeline’s beauty in secrecy.
When Angela crept back down the stairs, Madeline awoke, seemingly in a dream. She saw fruits and flowers and thought that St. Agnes’ promide had brought her a feast and a man’s face in her dream. She slid off her bed and knelt down to admire the feast.
Porphyro grew faint at the angelic sight of her, as she undressed.
Upon her bed she dreamed and Porphyro came out of the closet and crept accross the carpet, when Madeline was fast asleep.
He used this time to set the table for the feast saying: “And now my love, wake up! You are my heaven, open your eyes or I shall die!”
He sank onto her pillow with her, she did not stop dreaming. Then she awakened and he took up her lute and sang her a sweet love song.
She said: “Don’t leave me or I will die, Porphyro!”
At this, he melted into her dream as the rose mingled with the violet…
“This is no dream, Madeline!” cried Porphyro.
“No, it is not a dream. Porphyro will leave me. My heart is lost in yours,” replied Madeline.
“Madeline, I have been looking for you for hours because it was my quest and a miracle has brought us together!” He said. “Quick, get up! It is almost sunrise. Let us run away from here to my home where you will be with me.”
She hurried at his words, scared, because there were sleeping beings all around intoxicated from the celebrations the night before.
Down the wide stairs they went without a sound and into the hall. Out to the iron porch where a sprawled porter guarded the door, but an empty flask was at his side.
Porphyro released the bolts of the bars and chains and turned the rusty key open.
And away Madeline and Porphyro fled…
