FRUIT OF TREE OF KNOWLEDGE 247 



found what they considered proof of this in 

 the word of Scripture. 



Conrad von Wiirztburg writes : 



' Let a man take three letters: 

 When these straightforward are read, 

 The Httle word " Ave " stands out. 

 The new word of salutation (or heaUng). 

 Let him begin at the end. 

 And read to the beginning. 

 And " Eva " is found written. 



• « • « • 



That one may thereby know. 



It is thou who fulfillest. 



The old and the new Covenants. 



The greeting from the angel's mouth 



Greeting thee, O royal spotless maid. 



Hath told me this.' } 



Therefore the apple, which masters of the 

 Flemish and early German schools sometimes 

 introduced into Annunciations, laying it, for 

 instance, upon the window-sill, is the apple of 

 redemption. 



The apple in the hand of Eve is always the 

 apple of damnation. There is a curious draw- 

 ing by Martin Schongauer of the * Descent into 

 Hell.' Adam and Eve come forth first of the 



^ Goldene Schmiede, 



