Sidonia The Sorceress, vol 1 | Page 4

memory, never would permit the accursed deeds of this woman to be made public, or her confession upon the rack, fearing to bring scandal upon the princely house. But your Serene Highness viewed the subject differently, and said that it was good for every one, but especially princes, to look into the clear mirror of history, and behold there the faults and follies of their race. For this reason may no truth be omitted here.
To such princely commands I have proved myself obedient, collecting all information, whether good or evil, and concealing nothing. But the greater number who related these things to me could scarcely speak for tears, for wherever I travelled throughout Pomerania, as the faithful servant of your Highness, nothing was heard but lamentations from old and young, rich and poor, that this execrable Sorceress, out of Satanic wickedness, had destroyed this illustrious race, who had held their lands from no emperor, in feudal tenure, like other German princes, but in their own right, as absolute lords, since five hundred years, and though for twenty years it seemed to rest upon five goodly princes, yet by permission of the incomprehensible God, it has now melted away until your Highness stands the last of his race, and no prospect is before us that it will ever be restored, but with your Highness (God have mercy upon us!) will be utterly extinguished, and for ever. "Woe to us, how have we sinned!" (Lament, v. 16). [Footnote: Marginal note of Duke Bogislaff XIV.-"In tuas manus commendo spiritum meum, quia tu me redemisti fide deus,"]
I pray therefore the all-merciful God, that He will remove me before your Highness from this vale of tears, that I may not behold the last hour of your Highness or of my poor fatherland. Rather than witness these things, I would a thousand times sooner lie quiet in my grave.

CONTENTS
SIDONIA THE SORCERESS.
BOOK I.
_FROM THE RECEPTION OF SIDONIA AT THE DUCAL COURT OF WOLGAST UNTIL HER BANISHMENT THEREFROM._
CHAPTER I
.
Of the education of Sidonia.
CHAPTER II
.
Of the bear-hunt at Stramehl, and the strange things that befell there.
CHAPTER III
.
How Otto von Bork received the homage of his son-in-law, Vidante von Meseritz--And how the bride and bridegroom proceeded afterwards to the chapel--Item, what strange things happened at the wedding-feast.
CHAPTER IV
.
How Sidonia came to the court at Wolgast, and of what further happened to her there.
CHAPTER V
.
Sidonia knows nothing of God's Word, but seeks to learn it from the young Prince of Wolgast.
CHAPTER VI
.
How the young Prince prepared a petition to his mother, the Duchess, in favour of Sidonia--Item, of the strange doings of the Laplander with his magic drum.
CHAPTER VII
.
How Ulrich von Schwerin buries his spouse, and Doctor Gerschovius comforts him out of God's Word.
CHAPTER VIII
.
How Sidonia rides upon the pet stag, and what evil consequences result therefrom.
CHAPTER IX
.
How Sidonia makes the young Prince break his word--Item, how Clara von Dewitz in vain tries to turn her from her evil ways.
CHAPTER X
.
How Sidonia wished to learn the mystery of love-potions, but is hindered by Clara and the young Prince.
CHAPTER XI
.
How Sidonia repeated the catechism of Dr. Gerschovius, and how she whipped the young Casimir, out of pure evil-mindedness.
CHAPTER XII
.
Of Appelmann's knavery--Item, how the birthday of her Highness was celebrated, and Sidonia managed to get to the dance, with the uproar caused thereby.
CHAPTER XIII
.
How Sidonia is sent away to Stettin--Item, of the young lord's dangerous illness, and what happened in consequence.
CHAPTER XIV
.
How Duke Barnim of Stettin and Otto Bork accompany Sidonia back to Wolgast.
CHAPTER XV
.
Of the grand battue, and what the young Duke and Sidonia resolved on there.
CHAPTER XVI
.
How the ghost continued to haunt the castle, and of its daring behaviour--Item, how the young lord regained his strength, and was able to visit Crummyn, with what happened to him there.
CHAPTER XVII
.
Of Ulrich's counsels--Item, how Clara von Dewitz came upon the track of the ghost.
CHAPTER XVIII
.
How the horrible wickedness of Sidonia was made apparent; and how in consequence thereof she was banished with ignominy from the ducal court of Wolgast.

BOOK II.
_FROM THE BANISHMENT OF SIDONIA FROM THE DUCAL COURT OF WOLGAST UP TO HER RECEPTION IN THE CONVENT OF MARIENFLIESS._
CHAPTER I
.
Of the quarrel between Otto Bork and the Stargardians, which caused him to demand the dues upon the Jena.
CHAPTER II
.
How Otto von Bork demands the Jena dues from the Stargardians, and how the burgomaster Jacob Appelmann takes him prisoner, and locks him up in the Red Sea.
CHAPTER III
.
Of Otto Bork's dreadful suicide--Item, how Sidonia and Johann Appelmann were brought before the burgomaster.
CHAPTER IV
.
How Sidonia meets Claude Uckermann again, and solicits him to wed her--Item, what he answered, and how my gracious Lord of Stettin received her.
CHAPTER V
.
How they went on meantime at Wolgast--Item, of the Diet at Wollin, and what happened there.
CHAPTER VI
.
How Sidonia is again discovered with the groom, Johann Appelmann.
CHAPTER VII
.
Of the