Fairy Tale of Prince and Horse, Chapter 12
Willibald and Winibald Announce their Departure, Embrace a Life of Pious Rootlessness,and Embark on Peregrinatio Religiosa,Walpurga Arrives
Willibald looked off to the distance, past the garden gate and the monastery walls while Winnibald stood near.
“There is a time and season for everything under heaven!” he said.
Winnibald continued: “A time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,”
“A time to weep and a time to laugh,” Willibald added, and
then he paused and smiling at Winibald grasped his hand:
“A time to come and a time to go.”
With that the two walked toward the monastery gate, opened it and then departed. Thus began their peregrinatio religiosa*. Soon only their small silhouette could be seen on the dusty road leading from the monastery.
The heavy gate remained open. Prince and horse stood silently, they didn’t know what to do next. But gradually another figure came into focus on the horizon. It approached slowly now visible, now concealed by the damp morning fog. Obscured by a black cucculus and cape, the figure arrived at the gate. Prince and horse slowly approached the hooded figure. It was Walpurga, Abbess of Heidenheim.
* Religious rambling.